Brian's Weblog: Training Update!

Hello everyone!

As part of this marathon preparation/charity process, I swore I
would send out updates on a 1-2 weekly basis for all to read...
and probably snicker with delight at my insanity!  So, here is
the first installation of "Brian's Training Log" aka "That Idiot
is Doing WHAT???"

Today I ran another half-marathon - my second in 2 months,
and that is not counting my 2 10-mile races in that same period
of time.  This one course is a KILLER - it is in Fairfield,
Connecticut, and it was the first half marathon I had ever
attempted last year at this time.  It is the hilliest race I have ever
done (until I do the NYC marathon, so I hear), and the hills do
NOT quit.  From mile 2 up until mile 11, you are going up and
down hills the ENTIRE time.  Whether they be gentle, rolling
ones or steep morale-killers, they are "challenging" (read as
soul-destroying) and they last literally about 9 miles.

So, I really haven't trained for this race particularly - I trained
properly for the LI half marathon, and had great results - but I
didn't have time to put in a proper training schedule again
for this one.  I figured since I did the 10-mile race in Long Beach
a few weekends ago, and performed quite well, that I would be
up for the challenge of the Fairfield Half.  Thus, I signed up,
and away I went.

I tried to tell myself before the start to just think of it as a long
training run, do not even TRY to set a time to finish it in.  That
lasted about 30 seconds, as I told myself I wanted to at least
beat 2 hours.  This morning we awoke, with the previous
evening's weather forecast fresh in our minds (calling for rain
and thunderstorms).  It looked decent enough outside, so that
made us happy.  Until we stepped outside.  It was warm, yes,
but it was HUMID.  Humidity = run killer.  BIGTIME.  The new
thought going through my mind?  "SHIT" and "I hope I don't
end up in the hospital."  Off we went to the race.

Usually before races, I get the pre-race jitters - a nervous
feeling in my belly accompanied by extreme jittery jumpiness. 
I had none of it today, probably because I had resigned myself
to the fact that this was not going to be a personal-record
setting day.  This became even more evident when I tried to rev
up my ipod and the memory was wiped clean.  We postulated
that this was due to a jamming frequency set up by the race
coordinators due to the fact that they made headphones and
ipods outlawed for the race.  Whatever. I wolfed down my Clif
bar, and headed to the start.  We stood and chatted for a bit,
and then off we went.

I am going to condense this down, for the sake of everyone's time,
because it was 13.1 grueling miles... but basically, before the
start, I was hoping to maintain a nice 9 min/mile pace and finish a
shade under 2 hours.  That lasted for about 6 miles.  I am surprised
it lasted for more than 1/2 mile, considering I was hypoxic and
probably blue from 1/2 mile onwards, but I kept up the pace for a
while. Then, I could no longer take it, and my pace dwindled. When
I got to 10.5 miles, my hands went numb and my head started
throbbing - at this point, I thought it was probably a smart idea to
stop running to avoid that whole hospital thing, so I walked for a few
minutes to regain composure.  From here on, everything REALLY
sucked.  I had to stop at every water station to drink a cup, pour a
cup over my head and arms, then use another cup to swish around
in my mouth and spit out.  Usually I would do this whilst running....but
the last 4 miles or so I took the opportunity to actually STOP and
consume fluids.  I sputtered across the finish line in 2:04:04, which
was 3 minutes better than I did last year at this race, but is 12 minutes
slower than my time for the Long Island half in May. Truly appalling...
but I managed to avoid the hospital, engorged myself with watermelon,
bagels and chocolate milk, and drove home.  All in all a disappointing
day, but not surprising!

That's about all for now - for all those who have been donating to the
cause, THANK YOU SO MUCH!! For those who have been meaning to,
I include the link again, and appreciate all the good vibes you are
sending my way.

Until next time,

-Brian

To donate, please click the following link:

https://www.nyrrc.org/cgi-bin/start.cgi/mar-programs/nyrrf/team/2008/donations.htm

My Entry Number is 211355 - you will need to put this number and
my last name in the appropriate boxes in order to donate.

And now...some pics!

Ella eating "fruit"

Ella and Mommy

"Helping" with the laundry

At Shea Stadium for the Mets vs Diamondbacks game 6/12/08. The new Citifield is in the background, will be the new home of the Mets starting next year.