Return to Racing

Training Summary
This week marked my first competition on the track since last June and I went into the race very unsure of what to expect. More than anything, I wanted to go out and compete. I was in the slower of the two 5k heats and figured if I ran to win I could get a solid time. It was pretty windy during the race, making times and splits even less relevant. I was either leading or in the lead pack up to the last lap when the eventual winner went by me. I didn't have another gear to reach for when he passed me, which isn't surprising since I only have three track sessions under my belt at this point. My main reason for running the 5k this week was to have a race effort before the Rhody 5k next week.
Overall, the race and the week as a whole were a success. I was good about doubling (four morning runs for the week), got in a solid session on Tuesday, and had a great run on Thursday with JR in the rain with some fast 200s at the end. My only complaint would be with my long run today. I was hoping to go at least two hours, but a combination of fatigue and warm weather got to me and I cut it short at 110 minutes.

Monday
PM: 80 minutes
Tuesday
AM: 30 minutes
PM: 25 minute warm up, 2 x 4k with 300 in 55, 100 in 25, 10 minutes rest in between sets, 30 minute cool down
Wednesday
AM: 30 minutes
PM: 100 minutes
Thursday
PM: 70 minutes, 8 x 200 starting in 33, going down to 31, 10 minute cool down
Friday
AM: 30 minutes
PM: 70 minutes
Saturday
AM: 30 minutes
PM: 20 minute warm up, 5k in 15:26, 55 minute cool down
Sunday
PM: 110 minutes
Total
760 minutes in 11 runs


Holler of the Week
This was a pretty boring week in terms of getting yelled at on my runs. I got some of the typical comments about my attire like "Get some longer shorts!" and "Put some clothes on!" but nothing notable or original.

Epiphany Story of the Week
One of the 8th grade girls was talking about how ignorant one of her classmates was being. To bring home the point she said "You're being ignorant! I - R - R - I - G ... you know, ignorant!" My irony meter was reading off the charts.

Song of the Week
When people ask me what type of music I listen to, I'm always hesitant to say that I like indie music because of the snobbery that usually goes along with the genre. The more obscure and strange sounding a band is, the cooler they are. Neutral Milk Hotel isn't very obscure, but I could never bring myself to listen to a band called that. Anyhow, they aren't together anymore, but I heard one of their songs on the radio and actually liked them. I guess the whole judging a book by its cover thing works for band names too.

I Try Really Hard, Actually

Training Summary
I am going to get back to racing next weekend, so I needed to start doing some workouts this week. I had a sore shin on Monday and my right hamstring held up pretty well, especially considering I did two workouts and picked up the pace in my long run on Saturday. The workout on Tuesday felt very fast but I was able to recover well during the 200 jog. I missed two doubles while back home in Baltimore which hurt my weekly total a little. For some reason, all I do is sleep a ton while I am home. All in all, it was another positive step towards getting into race shape.
On a side note, avoid riding Amtrak at all costs unless you like spending hours sitting in front a girl talking loudly on her cell phone about how inconsiderate her roommate is or arriving at your destination three hours late.

Monday
PM: 90 minutes
Tuesday
AM: 30 minutes
PM: 27 minute warm up, 10 x 400 w/ 200 jog rest, 33 minute cool down
68 (59) 70 (59) 70 (56) 71 (56) 68 (59) 69 (60) 67 (65) 69 (63) 69 (62) 68
Wednesday
AM: 30 minutes
PM: 100 minutes
Thursday
AM:
PM: 90
Friday
AM:
PM: 45 minute warm up, 3 x 1.4 mile w/ 3 minute jog rest, 25 minute cool down
7:10 (2:58) 7:13 (2:59) 7:15
Saturday
PM: 4 minute jog to the first mile marker, 10 miles in 1:06:39, 2 minute turn around, 4 mile progression run in 5:59, 5:51, 5:40, 5:27, jogged back at 6:20 pace
Sunday
off
Total
670 minutes on 8 runs

Holler of the Week
Not much funny or exciting happened this past week. The best was when I ran past two drunk older women on Wednesday night and one of them yelled "Why don't you just run the fuckin' marathon you fuckin' jerk?" As I ran by, I told her I did. She looked confused.

Epiphany Story of the Week
"Mr. Bonner, you're skinny on the outside, but inside you're really fat."
-5th grader to me after I loaded up on seconds at dinner

Song of the Week
I finally watched Juno this past week. The movie was good and I loved the soundtrack, particularly the song from the opening credits. It is super catchy and has been in my head on repeat since Thursday (I probably didn't help matters by purchasing it and listening to it 37 times in a two day span). The song is called All I Want Is You by Barry Louis Polisar.

Becoming a Supersonic Man

Training Summary
This past week was my second week of real running (read: more than just 30 minutes a day) since the marathon. I am feeling very good overall and completed many of my runs this week quicker than normal while keeping the effort controlled. The original plan had me starting workouts this past week, but I had to work late at Epiphany on Tuesday and was unable to get to GBTC practice on time. I did get in my first run of more than two hours since the marathon and felt pretty darn good doing it. Also, I got a massage on Thursday to help with my right hamstring, which has been bothering me since before the marathon. My goal is to begin workouts in the upcoming week. I also want to continue to increase my mileage by adding in morning runs to my routine.

Monday
PM: 100 minutes
Tuesday
PM: 90 minutes (ran to GBTC practice, cooled down with the guys after their workout, ran home)
Wednesday
PM: 70 minutes
Thursday
AM: 30 minutes
PM: massage
Friday
PM: 80 minutes
Saturday
PM: 130 minutes
Sunday
PM: 70 minutes
Total
570 minutes on 7 runs

Holler of the Week
While running down Blue Hill Avenue, there was a group of people at a bus stop. They watched me as I ran by and, once I was past them, I heard one of the guys in the group say to his friends "You KNOW he's fast if he's running in the hood."

Epiphany Story of the Week
In social studies class, the 8th graders are learning about the presidential election that is currently going on. The teacher asked the class "True or False, Barack Obama is the first African American to run for president of the United States?" He then called on one of the boys in the class, who correctly responded false. When the teacher told him that he had the right answer the student exclaimed "Oh, sweet! I don't even watch that show!"

Song of the Week
Queen - Don't Stop Me Now
I am considering a legal name change to Mr. Fahrenheit.

Getting the Blog Back Together

Like a nerdy version of Jake and Elwood Blues, I have decided to start updating my blog again. It has been about eight months since I last posted and, strangely, I kind of miss writing my posts. In the meantime, I have used an online running log to keep track of my training. It is fine, but it just isn't the same. I enjoyed having a way to share some of the strange and funny stuff that happens while running in Dorchester. My plan is to continue updating my running log, but go into more detail here. I hope to do an entry each week to fill folks in on my training and tell a story or two about running and work. My first actual post will come this weekend.

It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it.