Set Back Week

If Rocky can do it.... I can't

This was a tough week. Just two weeks ago, I had to take time off due to a hip flexor strain. I got back into my routine with a solid 30 mile week, and then was hit by an unforgiving stomach virus Monday evening. I took Tuesday morning off from work, but then went back at it and never took time off to rest, so the dang virus came back Wednesday evening and finally moved on to its next victim sometime around Saturday morning. No running this past week after PR'ing the 13.1 mile distance last Saturday morning on a training run. When I went out this morning, I didn't really know what to expect, but I pulled in a good seven miler and am in good shape to train at my max this week.

Is it mile 10.1 yet?

I really hoped to be at my max for all three of these weeks to get ready for the Pasadena 1/2 Marathon on May 20. I really want to finish this race in under Two hours. There is a monster 3 mile hill on the course from mile 7 to mile 10, and I have not really trained for hills, but I still think I have a pretty decent chance of reaching this goal. I'll be traveling and  running with two friends, Chris and Suzanne. Suzanne recently had abdominal surgery so I should be able to beat her, but I've been practicing elbow shots just in case. Chris is new to running so is just going out to pig out on free stuff in the finishers chute have a good time and run the parts he can.

This was also the week for the drawing for the NYC Marathon, and no dice. I really wanted a chance at this, but it was not meant to be. So now, I have to make plan for the summer and fall, and I'm thinking Core work and base mileage. My December goal is to break 1:45 in the Fiesta Bowl 1/2 Marathon and that is going to require a solid base and mega speedwork. As for the core, I'm going to work in a three day per week routine using kettlebells, planks, crunches, and some other shit I found on the net that helps with hip strength. I plan to establish a 30 minute set that works the more common running muscle groups. My wife and I trade running days, so while she is out breezing through the miles, I will be on the back patio making Google Satellite history.

A couple of exciting bits of running news to share: There are some TMZ-style rumors that Jamoosh may be visiting Phoenix this summer for the SYTO 5K. Has anyone given alert to the local microbreweries?? And Adam, The Boring Runner, just finished the Eugene Marathon in 3:04, a huge PR, and a boston Qualifying time. Great running Adam!

If you have recommendations for core routine, I'd love to hear from you.