Cross Country Training Update

Finally, some decent cross country training. I'm down here in Potomac, Maryland this week, and just discovered a great trail system right near my brother's house. In fact, I can even run to one point of it. The last three days I have run 8, 6, and 7 miles respectively, all on fairly rugged trails. Good elevation changes, up and down a fairly steeply incised creek valley (Cabin John Creek), quite a bit of rugged, single-track trail, deer, fox, critters, nice view of the creek, sometimes running right on the edge of a small cliff. Yesterday, I came within 5 yards of a buck, and also saw a fox.

Today it rained, so I may do roads, unless it stops. Not sure how these trails would work in the rain.

Where is Eric? Actually, he emailed and he is alive and well, just nothing noteworthy recently to blog about.

Running and Tennis Update

After a good start to the week, with a 6 miler on both Sunday and Monday, I did not run Tuesday (but lifted some weights and did ab work), then nothing Wednesday (weights and abs). After dinner and putting the grandson to bed last night, I forced myself out the door in the dark and ran 5 miles on the roads. I purposely did not bring my watch, but if I had to guess, I think I averaged about 8:20 per mile. So, now I have 17 miles in this week. Tonight I will play a tennis match with a good competitor (we're about dead even 3.5 players), so that will be decent exercise. I plan on running about 6.5 miles Saturday, if possible, including some rolling hills.

Then Sunday, I'm driving to Maryland to help out with my dad. Depending on when I leave the house, I'll try to run 4 miles when I arrive, then I hope I can run at least 3 or 4 times during the week in Maryland. I found out that there is a nice trail system near my brother's house (Cabin John Creek trail), so I hope to run there a couple times. The area has rolling hills, so I should get in some good workouts.

Mark

Better Update!

Finally, some running! Starting with last Thursday night, I ran 5 days in a row, thanks in part to the long weekend. 4, 5, 5, 6, and 6 miles respectively. Some of these runs were on grass or in parks, and at least one run included rolling hills. Tennis is tentatively planned for tonight, but it may be too windy, in which case I will try to run again!

Running Update: good and bad

Last week, I ran about 22.5 miles, the most in many weeks, including some good rolling hills in Potomac, Maryland. This week is a different story. After playing a couple tough tennis matches on Sunday and Monday, I did nothing (other than a weight workout) on Tuesday and Wednesday, then finally ran 4 miles at 8:28 per mile last night. My daughter is back in nursing school after the summer off (night school), so my grandson babysitting duties in the evening have picked up. By the time I entertain him, help him eat dinner, give him a bath, read stories, and then hang around in his room while he falls asleep, it is close to 9 pm, and my motivation for running is significantly decreased. Anyway, I should be able to run tonight, and then each day on the long weekend (although I would also like to play tennis).

Cross country season is upon us!!!!

Mark

Where is Eric?

I'm a bit concerned.............where is the infamous Eric of Mark and Eric's Running and Dave's Wisdom? As the founder of this blog, he should be one of the primary contributing authors, yet he seems to have disappeared. If any of the blog members have heard from Eric (or better yet, Eric himself), please post...........

Mark

Blue Ridge Bike Tour

Well, I finally completed my Blue Ridge Bike Tour journal. It can be found at Crazy Guy on a Bike:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/BlueRidgeBliss2010

The tour went very well; our training and weight loss program really paid off. It's now almost September, and I've managed to stay fairly slim. Not like the almost anorexic 145 that I was in college, but I'm keeping under 170. That's 40 pounds down from my peak in January!

Chris

August running and tennis update

TENNIS UPDATE

I lost another tennis match to my 4.0 level buddy, a dismal 6-1, 6-3. We played a consolation set, which I won 7-6 (7-5) in a tie-breaker, but of course, that doesn't really count for anything.

I did find out that my 4.0 buddy played another guy whom I always considered at least a 4.5, and ended up beating him 6-4 in a single set. So maybe my 4.0 buddy is on his way to a 4.5 level, and losing to him isn't so bad!

RUNNING UPDATE
Getting back into it a little. Down here in Maryland helping out with my Dad, so I ran Friday and Saturday (4 miles each, hilly, 8:53 per mile each run). That made about 12 miles for the week plus one tough round of tennis (3 set, see above). Today I ran 5 miles in the sweltering heat and humidity of Potomac, Maryland, averaging about 8:46 per mile.

May try to run tomorrow, but not sure I'll have time.

Mark

Gary Truce 5K Gone for Good?

I looked through the 2010 reunion schedule, and despite promies from Coach Acuff that the Gary Truce 5K would return, I saw no signs of it. They still continue to have a 5K Kristen Faust memorial run, which is fine for those that knew Kristen, but apparently, the alumni association doesnt' seem to understand the impact that Gary Truce has had on the university over the years.

I think I remember from last year, that alumni may be invited to run in one of the actual home cross country races (if there are any), but then we would be way at the back of the pack, looking a little foolish finishing several minutes behind the main pack, especially if there were only a handful of us. I wish they would bring back the Gary Truce!

Tennis, Running, and Snorkeling Update

As I suspected, while in Key Largo for a week (July 3 to 10), I only ran 2 times, about 3 miles each time, in fairly intense heat and humidity, although one run was cloudy and cooler than usual. However, I played tennis a number of times while there, and it seemed to be a good workout. I also snorkeled almost every day. Now, I'm not sure how snorkeling translates into a workout, but my style of snorkeling is to frequently go underwater for 10 to 20 seconds at a time. So, in a typical one or even 2-hour snorkeling outing, I am underwater holding my breath many times. Each time when I surfaced, especially on the deeper dives (upwards of 15 to 20 feet down), I would be breathing heavily and heartbeat was elevated. Could this potentially have a similar effect to a speed workout, or is it just plain tiring, and maybe even detrimental. Anyway, although I ate out every night, I didn't really gain weight, and felt tired out each night, so I think I was getting some exercise in. I also did more than the usual number of pushups and crunches while on vacation.

Upon my return, I have only run twice so far (about 4.1 miles each time 8:20 to 8:30/mile pace), played tennis twice, and lifted weights once. I should be running tonight and hopefully tomorrow.

On the tennis front, I played my 4.0 buddy again last night. Unfortunately, he won 6-3, 6-4. I was actually down 5-0 in the 2nd set, battled back to 5-4, but then caved and lost 6-4. I think my serve has picked up a little speed and consistency. I think I only had about 5 double faults (not bad for me), and my 2nd serve, although slower than the first, wasn't too bad, and he didn't hit many winners at all on my 2nd serve. I still don't have a true kick serve. This may take some work and even a lesson. My buddy took a private lesson from a pro just to start getting the hang of a kick serve. He didn't even try it in the match last night. Apparently, although seemingly routine, a good kick serve takes a lot of work.

That's it for now. No plans for time trials for now. Just enjoying summer in Buffalo (and Key Largo), playing tennis, and running as time permits.

Mark