I am : CLOSE
Well, after my remarkable birthday at Sweeney's (thanks to: Sex, James, Anna, Tyler, Kennedy, Finkler, Jon, Jake(s), Beth, and of course my lovely Grace) I wasn't really feeling up to working out on Thursday...or Friday. That's the drawback to Alcohol for me. First, there's the caloric intake, which is bad enough. But, I can overcome that. Second, and worst, is that it is a depressant. I was in more or less of a funk for two days after one night of drinking. Granted, my tolerance is quite what it once was, but this shouldn't be the case. Anyway, missed Thursday and Friday. Too bad. But, Saturday, I decided to make up for it in one fell blow by running 24 miles. It took a while. 3 hours and 20 minutes for those of you counting at home. That's about an 8:20 pace. It looks like I'm well on my way to finishing the TCM in under 4 hours. Usually people don't run that far during training, but...it was hard. My legs were more or less destroyed at the end. I tried sprinting the last block to see what would happen, and it was completely impossible. I couldn't do it at all. James reminds me that the adreneline of the day (crowds, excitement, etc...) will push me over the top and give me that last little something I'll need to turn in a great time.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 516
I am : 23
Happy Birthday to me! Today is my twenty-third birthday, and as I reflect on my new level of fitness blah blah blah blah blah....
I got in an enormous workout this morning (1.5 hr weights/30 min running/30 min stairmaster/45 min elliptical/40 min recumbant bike) so now I'm ready for a birthday bash! Woo-hoo!
Grace and I are off to see "Broken Flowers" and then to Khan's Mongolian Grill. For anyone who reads this blog, we will then be going to Sweeney's, probably around 8:30-9:00. Sweeney's is on Dale between Summit and Selby. I hope to see y'all there!
Miles Since 4/23/05: 492
I am : REPETITION
Well, my awesome run from 2 weeks ago was no fluke. I repeated the quality and quantity of that 20-miler with a 21-miler last saturday. Let's just say that the Willard Water is DA BOMB. I love it!
Anyway, I've reached a point in my fitness level where if I want to lose body fat percentage I am going to have to
a. eliminate all processed foods
b. eliminate starchy carbs after 3
c. focus on my macronutrient ratios
d. increase the intensity of my workouts
Which will be most difficult? Probably (a). My diet isn't entirely perfect right now. It's not bad...but not perfect. Though if I want to lose any more fat, I'll have to start cutting out things like lunchmeat, cereal, bread, etc...all of those things aren't necessarily "unhealthy", they're just so processed that I don't get full nutritional value out of 'em.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 465
I am : REDUX
Let's see if I can recapture my form from last week. I will use the same nutrition (Willard Water, Honey Packets, Electrolyte Packets), though in slightly larger quantities. Hopefully that will help me sustain a steady and firm pace as my mileage approaches marathon-length. Tomorrow my plan is 20. Maybe, like last week, I'll accidently run 2 extra miles.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 418
I am : HYDRATED
Yeah, so...I went to Mastel's Nutrition (on St. Clair...for those of you who want something a little less brain-dead than GNC) because I need to start practicing my nutrition for the marathon. I need to start eating different things while I run to see what my body can handle under stress, and what it will simply reject. I asked the guy in there (who, to be frank, looked quite dumb) and he knew exactly what I should try. He started getting into the biochemistry of the different products and how they interact with the body...I was loving it. Mostly the stuff I got was standard (honey packets, electrolyte packets) but he had me try this stuff called "Willard Water". Now, Grace would know more about this than me, but, it might have been a placebo. Doesn't matter. You add 1oz of the stuff to a GALLON of water, and it allegedly helps you absorb water faster. Don't ask me how, but the guy swore by it. Said when he took it, it made him feel he could run forever. Well, let's see...
Alex, Without Willard Water, Honey or Electrolyte Packets: 18 miles (2:47:08)
Alex, With Willard Water, Honey and Electrolyte Packets: 19.5 miles (2:34:04)
So something worked. I was able to keep a sub-8 minute/mile pace for almost 20 miles. I'm feeling good today. Don't tear me down!
Miles Since 4/23/05: 398
I am : BOOKKEEPING
Just so I don't forget...
Miles Since 4/23/05: 356
