Category Archives: Training

More Push-ups

Image via Wikipedia

Earlier this year I started the 100 Push-up Challenge. You know… train for six weeks and then be able to pump out 100 push-ups in a row.

Well I did ok for the first few weeks… Then I failed I think week 4 or 5 several times in a row and I quit. I was making them harder by putting my feet up on a physioball, thus getting a better core workout. I was also in the middle of marathon training…

Needless to say my body didn’t appreciate the extra demands I was placing on it and something had to go. So I quit.

Last week I talked about going into the off-season and looking to do some strength training. I even alluded to the fact that I’d probably do the push-ups. Well I am currently in the middle of Week 2. For this first section I managed to get myself into the hardest category and the workouts have been pretty tough to finish. I don’t plan on quitting this time around, even if I have to repeat a few weeks! Part of the reason is that a bunch of people that I run with started the challenge, albeit a week later (somehow I missed the memo!). So that gives some extra motivation. Especially when some of the women completed more regular push-ups than I did.

Here are a few random snippets from the e-mails being sent around.

I think I have my grunting technique down after my 5th set last night!

I think push ups are a much better work out than running. I am going to give up running and just do push ups. On a long push up day..you could have jelly beans strategically located to be lapped up when glycogen levels get low.

Yes, we have a fun group! I’ll keep posting my push-ups in my “Week in Review.” Are you doing the push-ups?? What week are you in? How are they going??

[tags] 100 pushups, pushups, strength training, core [/tags]

Eco-Gyms

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The Green Microgym image from NY Times

A lot of people talk about changing the environment, ending global warming, and other related issues. But few people take dramatic action to do anything about it. We have joined to masses who use the environmentally friendly lightbulbs and I usually ride the bus or ride my bike to work. These are little things but they do add up, eventually!

Running is an interesting sport because at its most basic levels it is quite simple. Technically we just need a pair of shorts and a shirt to go running (barefoot running is a niche part of the community). Runners have created a large industry around the sport, which isn’t always as environmentally friendly. A large chunk of our shoes are made of rubber or some other oil derived product, we create large amounts of trash during races and training – which includes plastic bottles. As runners we are also keenly aware of our environment and the direct impact it can have on our running. Smog especially can play havoc with our lungs.

Companies such as Brooks are begining to create products which have less of a negative affect on the environment. The BioMoGo is currently in stores and their full line will use this product by the end of next year. Races such as the Urban Wildland races are starting to think about the impact they have.

Take everything I just talked about and throw it inside a building and you get a gym/fitness center with Personal trainers in Washington DC. One can only imagine the energy required to run a gym, not to mention the amount of water used, sewage produced, and overall negative impact on the envrionment. Yet for many runners they are a vital part of the routine – especially in cold weather states like Minnesota.

Enter the Eco-Gym. A newer style gym that relates to the environment in a different way. Some like the Green Microgym capture the energy output from exercise machines to partially power the facility. They also use solar panels to generate more of their electricity. Their website lists ways they are trying to be “Green” here are a few examples:

Our SportsArt EcoPowr Treadmills use 30% less electricity than others
Our solar panels generate an average of 8 Kilowatt Hours per day
The Team Dynamo and Spin Bikes can collectively generate up to 350 watts continuous
We are working with ReRev.com on ways to capture the excess energy from our elliptical trainers
We have double flush toilets
The paper towels and toilet seat covers in the bathrooms are made from recycled content
Our personal trainers often take their clients outside for workouts
We have automated our payment and billing systems to reduce paper usage

As you can tell some are more drastic than others! I imagine most gyms have an automated payment system. The Green Microgym is priced at $49 a month which seems pretty comparable to most places I’ve looked at in the past.

What do you think of this idea? Would you be willing to pay a little more if your gym went eco-friendly?

HT: NY Times

[tags] Environment, Running, Eco-Gym, Green [/tags]

Marathon Recovery: Week 1

Marathon Training: Week 18

Marathon Training: Week 17

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Img from flickr.

This was the first full week of taper. I haven’t felt too much taper madeness, yet. This could be because life has been so busy. I had to work late 2x’s and went to a community fair on Saturday. Yuck!! But I can’t really complain at all. The morning temps were all great and I got rained on the one afternoon run – perfect!

Monday: 4-6 easy miles. I ran 5 miles this morning on a humid an overcast Monday. I extended my downtown 4 mile loop to get closer to 5 and finished 5.1 miles in 38:47. The run was pretty unexciting overall. A good start to the week.

Tuesday: 5-7 miles at Marathon Pace. I had to miss the training class this evening because the PTA wanted me to talk about one of the programs I run at the school. I had just enough time in between school and the meeting to sneak in a run, go home, shower, grab some food, and be at the meeting. The sky looked pretty ominous as I left the school and headed to the river to run. I made a big circle using the Ford Parkway bridge and Lake Street. As I crossed the bridge about 2 miles in it started sprinkling. It wasn’t too much longer until I was completely soaked from the rain and it only got worse! The lightening started coming and I was one of few crazy people out there running/biking around. I didn’t really like the prospect of running over an exposed bridge for 1/4 of a mile, but didn’t have much of a choice. I got pelted hard on the bridge, having to keep one eye closed and just waiting to get back to the West side. I made it back to the school safely and finished the 6.3 mile run in 45:40 (7:14) so pretty much right on for a marathon pace workout! As I was walking to my car, lightening hit the school and I later learned blew out our phone system. I felt the electricity in the air and the subsequent BANG made me jump. I didn’t waste anytime and jumped in my car. I really enjoyed this run in the rain and through muddle puddles – it was quite fun!

Wednesday: 4-6 miles easy. I felt pretty good for this easy 4 miler around Powderhorn Park. I finished right at 32 minutes so I stayed just under 8 minute pace! It was a very cool morning and felt great.

Thursday: Rest day. I enjoyed another great rest day!

Friday: Four miles. Another run downtown, this time I used my old 3 mile loop and extended it into 4 finishing in 31:12. It was another cool yet humid start to the day.

Saturday: 8-10 miles. I was able to make it to the group run today. We met at Parade stadium to run some of the early miles of the marathon course around the lakes. A pretty perfect morning, except for some headwinds. We finished a 9.45 mile loop in 1:13:04. I think we all enjoyed the slower, no pressure run and had lots of conversation. Our group got separated on the southwest end of Calhoun as a few of us stayed on the bike trail while the rest went on the running trail. The bike trail makes a much wider arc and we got behind the others. Someone decided we needed to pick up the pace and catch-up to the other group. When we caught them I looked at my watch and we were at 6:22 pace. That mile was the fastest of the day at 7:04 and it felt pretty controlled and almost comfortable for that short interval. It was probably in the low-60’s and on the ride home I was riding through misty almost drizzle. A great day for a run.

Sunday:Cross-training or off. I’m taking the day off!

Mileage Total

Running – 29 miles

Biking – 29.5 miles

Hal’s Tip of the Week: As you get into the final weeks of your marathon preparation, the most important thing you can do is rest, rest and rest. The hard work is over. You need to do some training, but not too much. My approach has always been to cut mileage, but maintain intensity. Continue to run somewhat fast on the “hard” days, but not so far. For inspiration, rent a video of the classic English movie, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.

Week 17

[tags] Hal Higdon, Marathon Training [/tags]

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