Archive for the ‘Running’ Category

Twenty

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

On Sunday, my training lead me back to Beck Lake on a twenty mile run. Preparation seems to be getting more complex as race day appoaches. I’m waking up an hour and a half ahead of time to be fully nourished and hydrated. Previously, I ate half a banana before all my long runs.  On Sunday, I ate a breakfast of oatmeal and Gatorade; a huge boost if you ask me. Next goal is to wake up earlier. The the marathon starts at 7:30 am, so I should be waking up at 6 am… but my schedule hasn’t really allowed that. Lately on the weekends, I’ve been waking up at 7:30 am. This weekend, I’ll shoot for 6 am.

As for the run itself, it was rough. Due to the distance, I kept the pace slower than normal. Unfortunately I took several breaks in the last quarter of my run. This was due to a couple of reasons. First, the day was warmer and more humid than other days. Second and more importantly, I was sick Friday and most of Saturday, which carried over to Sunday. It’s a little demotivating, but I’m suprised I didn’t pass out on the trails. Even after my run, I submerged myself in an ice bath. Nothing helps a cold better than an ice bath. I’m just full of good ideas. Suprisingly I’m still coughing now, but I’m getting better by the day. Vitamin C’s a good friend to me and I expect to be over this within the week. Two weeks will be my second 20 miler. It should be a cake walk.

As a side note: I’d like to thank everyone for your continuing support and donations. It means a lot and it’s a good feeling when I’m running out there on those long runs. Together we can make a difference!

Support me at: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/prodriguez

http://www.patrickontherun.com

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2009 Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Monday, August 17th, 2009

While it has been at over a week since the half marathon, I’ve decided to post my times, just to make it official. My time was 1:38:51. I originally was gonna do it at an easy pace and finish over 2 hours. The morning of the race, I decided to change my strategy. In any case, it was a good effort and better than expected race. I ran at an average pace of 7:33 min/mile. In case anyone wants to search results, pictures, or the finishing video of me, my BIB number was 2713.

My schedule has been busy since I quit my job and started school, however, I will do my best to keep posting. Most likely, they’ll be quick and to the point.

Support me at: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/prodriguez

http://www.patrickontherun.com

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Hot to the Touch

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Tuesday July 14th, 2009

I woke up to the sound of crickets that made their way into the sleeping quarters. We quickly ate breakfast and slapped on some SPF 70 sunscreen. A few miles down at Alvar Street and Prier Street, we met with other volunteers of Habitat for Humanity. The area was known as Musician’s Village because, well, 80 percent of the residents are musicians. The housing units were designed to be lifted in case shallow flooding occurred. In the event of a hurricane, the walls withstand 225 mile per hour winds; greater than most category 5 hurricanes. Our task for the day was simple, hammer down a few nails into two by fours to construct the walls of housing. Easy enough.

The initial task seemed easy, but the task quickly compounded in difficulty. First, we laid lumber on the ground, checked for warping, and hammered nails in. Add in 92 degree weather and 80% humidity, and bending over at the hip to a 90 degree angle and quickly standing up. Blood rushed out of my head with that motion. After three hours, I became dizzy, my lips were numb, and my body was on fire. Despite the fact that I was drinking loads of water (I drank over 4 liters that day), my body was suffering from heat exhaustion. I took a break in the shade and enjoyed the view of the construction site.

The three of us were paired up with two other volunteers: Jack and Janet. Jack was a New Orleans resident, who during his break before senior year in high school, decided to help Habitat for Humanity for a month. I wish I had that kind of stamina in this heat. A week’s all I can handle! Janet was originally from New Orleans and moved to Colorado where she works as a manager at an engineering company (I think). She had been on a sabbatical where she’d volunteer while on vacation from work. We spent the most time chatting with them and learning more intimately about New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina.

As the afternoon rolled around, Marilou, Jake, and I had been exhausted from the day. We had two hours before Pastor Rustin’s family served dinner at their house. During that time, Jake slept, Marilou read, and I decided to run for three miles. Clouds covered the sky but the humidity remained. I paced slow just in case, but after a mile, everything felt surreal. My heart rate jumped and forced me to walk halfway through. I returned to the Church covered in sweat, dizzy, and stumbled indoors. I completed over 50 races throughout my life, but on that day my body felt peculiar. It was hot to the touch as if I had a fever. This would be normal if it subsided, but it stayed like that for the remainder of the day. Scary.

Tonight, we ate spaghetti at the Pastor’s house. Not exactly the southern food I was looking for, but it was great to have a warm, home cooked meal. After dinner, we were still tired and slept the night away. A well deserved rest.

http://www.patrickontherun.com

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Six Mile Saturday

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

Woke up late at 10 am and went out for a run. Once again, I drove to Beck Lake to do my run. Huge difference in performance when running at this time. Even though most of the trail is shaded, the 85 degree weather was enough to jack my heart rate up. Luckily we’re had a mild summer and it’s not in the 90’s.

On completion of my run, an old asian couple seemed a bit confused and lost. He wanted to know if the park extended further. They were lost and late to a picnic and thought maybe it was in the forest! If so, they wanted to drive onto the trail where I had been running. An image of the couple off roading on the trail and forcing runners and bikers alike the forest provided a good laugh. I told them that four concrete posts three feet high would stop their Toyota Corolla. Looking back, I imagined that the park district erects those posts because a previous visitor took the scenic route in the forest. Driving a snowmobile in there would be fun during the winter. After my direction telling skills failed me (I said “go straight and take a right”), I decided to escort them to Big Bend Lake. They seemed pleased. Good deed of the day: check.

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11 and Counting

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Sunday’s run was at Beck Lake, not too far away from my home. A five minute ride takes you to a small lake filled with bass and pike fishing. My schedule provided a new challenge of an 11 mile long day. In my pre-marathon training, I typically increased long days by 1 mile. I knew that adding two to last week’s nine would shock my body. Regardless, I cowboyed up and took a CamelBack with half a liter of water and a GU Energy gel pack. Several sources advise to take high energy supplements (i.e. high sugar) after 90 minutes of activity. It’s supposed to do wonders for your body. This trip into the forest was expected to last an hour and 45 minutes. I figured, might as well try it to prepare my body to eat and drink on the run.

I set out. Not a cloud in the sky but the trees kept the trails cool and bearable. The skies were calm most of the week which left the Des Plaines River away from the trail. The ground consisted of firm gravel which was softer than asphalt. It was a good day to run. I kept my pace slower than normal to prevent any arising pain. However, soreness developed in both patellar tendons (tendon below the knee caps) after a couple of miles. It wasn’t painful, just an awkward feeling most likely caused by the extra weight of the camelback attached to my lower back.

At mile 4, I sipped on a mouthful of water at every mile or so. This was the first time I had ever drank water while running. I always feared that drinking water during my road runs would induce a side cramp. That small gulp of water and may afterwards proved me wrong. It was surprisingly relaxing. All I needed was a good book and a sandwich and I’d be set. I had the next best thing.

At mile eight, I tore open a GU Energy pack, flavor: Orange Burst. A couple of weeks ago, I sat bored in my room and opened a raspberry flavor. I figured it’d be better to get used to the taste. “Disgusting” isn’t enough to describe the taste. It had an artificial, super sweet taste that wouldn’t leave your mouth because it was thicker than honey. Now, what implored me to bring it along on that run was beyond me. While running, it had the same consistency as before, but it tasted like the ambrosia of the gods. The physiological effects kicked in quickly as I felt less tired and moved with ease. Oddly enough, the soreness subsided; most likely from drinking all my water and carrying an empty pack. My run finished smoothly to where I started, Beck Lake. I most likely could have run a whole 13.1. What a great feeling.

Moral of the story: Eat and drink on the run. Not only does it feel good, it’s good for you. Pax.

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How he helped me train…

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Little did my late uncle know that he would help me train for my first marathon. It all started back in the day. My uncle enjoyed riding his bicycle and often his daughter joined him. While I never road alongside them, I could imagine them sharing heartfelt and sentimental moments together. Knowing this, I felt awkward standing at his garage door to take both of bikes to my house; of all days, it was Father’s Day. I felt that I made a poor decision to come that day. My aunt reconciled my actions by saying that no one used either bike since he became sick several years ago. I was free to take it. She opened the garage and moved a grill out of the way. I snaked through boxes and miscellaneous objects. The bikes hung upside down by their wheels on mounted hooks attached to the garage frame. I grabbed the first one a blue, used women’s Novara Ansera. Carrying it above my head, I walked it outside and set it down. The tires flattened on the ground and the bike’s dust soiled my hands. The plan is for my brother to repair and return this bike. The second bike was a men’s black Schwann in similar condition as the Novara. On closer inspection, the Schwann was dusty but appeared unused. My aunt explained that it was a birthday present for my uncle, but he never got around to using it for obvious reasons. Though it is mine to keep, I understand the sentimental value involved. I plan to take good care of it and give it back if they ever wanted it. Until then, I’ll be cross training by riding every Monday until October 11th 2009. With this bike, my aunt and uncle are helping me train for the marathon.

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Now Approaching Half Marathon….

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

…next stop, Chicago Marathon 2009. As many of you already know, I have been running for some time. In the past few years, college has gotten the best of me and stopped me from consistently running. Of course, I ran from time to time and cross trained with lifting, boxing, and other miscellaneous recreational activities. The rest of my time was filled with studying, extracurricular activities, and “social gatherings”. About a year after being out of school, I blew out both arms and couldn’t lift anything above my waist without a burning feeling near my elbows. Unfortunately, tendonitis never completely goes away and the best anyone can do is keep it at bay by strengthening exercises and not pushing it to the edge. Frankly, I’m not the type to sit back and get comfortable with something easy. Hence, I picked up running.

January 2009 – Current

My Acsics GT-2140 were laced up and hit the pavement once again early January. A bit cold for my liking, but it always makes me appreciate modern air conditioning. I also hate treadmills. Since then,  I’ve been running from temperatures from -10°F to 90°F, in the rain, 500-4000 ft elevations (of course ranges weren’t on the same run). I have also completed four races:

2009 Shamrock Shuffle 8k (3/29/2009):

Time: 36:30 min

Pace 7:18 min/mile

Anelise’s Run 5k (4/25/2009):

Time: 19:50 min

Pace: 6:40 min/mile

8K Run for Youth by Alternative Inc. (5/17/2009)

Time: 34:23 min

Pace: 6:55 min/mile

Committed to be Fit 9th Annual 10K (6/7/2009)

Time: 42:58 min

Pace: 7:05 min/mile

Before I get flamed out, yes I do know it seems that I am “full of it” or boasting because I’m posting times. However, numbers are a good way to gauge performance and fitness overtime. It’ll give you a good perspective on where I am at. Years ago, I ran competitively in high school, recreationally in college, and recently been training for six months. It’s nice to be on the upward trend of fitness rather than the contrary.

Now approaching Half Marathon

The next stop is the 2009 Rock and Roll Half Marathon on August 2, 2009. A steady 13.1 mile run that’s precisely 0.1 miles longer than I have ever ran (the 13 miler was done fall 2001 in my senior year of high school). I have two goals in this race: 1) to get a free T-Shirt, 2) Not injuring myself.  To achieve this, this will be the first race (ever) that I won’t race in. In other words, I’m not giving it 100%, because this is a stepping stone to my real destination: the 2009 Chicago Marathon.

Next Stop, The Chicago Marathon!

Since high school, it was always a dream of mine to complete a marathon. In the past years, I have always identified myself as a long distance runner, but what kind of real long distance runner would I be if I haven’t run a race that everyone and their momma has run. The road will be long (obviously) and hard, but I feel that it’s a matter of consistency and developing a routine that will pull me through. Having little marathon experience, I’m turning to a third party resource to keep me from breaking a leg (literally). The marathon program that I am running can be found at Hal Higdon’s Website. With 15 weeks to go, I have a lot of work to do, but running for a good cause is one of the best motivators to have for this race.

Running: the Anti-Drug!

Well not exactly anti-drug, but I have signed up to run for the American Cancer Society. Years ago, my uncle passed away from malignant lung cancer. It was a trying time for my family and I still feel that things haven’t been the same. Since then I have donated to charities here and there, but I feel that this marathon is a great opportunity to finally put myself out there. I am reaching out to everyone to support me in this race by making a donation, no matter if it’s a 1,000 dollars to 1 dollar. Every little bit counts.

Please support me and the fight against cancer at: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/prodriguez

I’ll continue with updates in my training and fundraising. Pax.

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