'Retched' fartlek [Oct 21 2009]

Frankly speaking, I was a tad scared after Sunday's long run to run today. But at the same time excited too! Makes sense? I know it does.

The last fartlek was a lot of fun. And somehow I think it helped me this Sunday. Somehow my body could go longer. So I decide to give it a try again. 

Despite Frank's warnings of not taking off right away, for some stupid reason, I decide to pace right at the start. Initially it was no problem for ~2 miles. Did intermittent sprints and walking. I think I pushed myself too hard there. Was retching at ~2.25mile. I know I am pushing my body. But rather now than the race. Despite the cold, I was sweating like a pig. 

Overall quality of run:- Top class!

Meals: Granola bar for breakfast + Regular turket sub from Quiznos + little chivda as evening snack + instant noodles + rice खीर for dinner.

Chatted with Frank yesterday and he gave me some very valuable advice:

1. Gloves
2. Wicking base layer and leg tights (I have not clue what base layer is...but I guess I will have to find out)
3. Head and ear insulation (cap/headband)
4. Pullover with zipper
5. Gels (Hammer Nutrition or Gu - check out caffeine content)
6. Have to read up on 'negative splits'

A lot to take in. But my confidence levels are good.

I believe I was reincarnated! [10/18/2009]

We decided we would do this one last long run before the coming half-marathon. It was really cold. Lower 50's. We decided not to go buy new tights for winter now. "It's okay. We will warm up as we go". Well...W-R-O-N-G!
For one, we didn't eat a good breakfast. No adequate clothing. Bad combination!
We started off at about 1:45pm. It was a to and back run on West Ox road (familiar street). The run to...6miles were a breeze! I did it really really well. It was on the way back that was the killer! Madhura's hands were freezing. So she said she would come along slow while I was to go ahead and get the car. I could see she could barely hold her tears back because of the cold. So I took off. And really couldn't go that far at all! So decided the 2min run - 1min walk would help. That didn't. 1min run-1min walk didn't either. I'd left my phone back with Madhura, just incase. So missed the music too, maybe! I did get back and so did Madhura.
All in all, though we finished, we learnt valuables lessons: Eat well. Pace yourself such that you take it easy in the beginning and then pick up later, maybe. Good protective clothing is a MUST! Have to buy headbands and tights. Rather, appropriate for the weather.
We ate like animals after we got back. I say "Eat all you can Madhura. This might be the last thing thats going down your throat!"
Lesson learnt and hopefully that will come in handy in future.
I don't even want to note down what I ate. 

First fartlek [Oct 13 2009]

Post 10miler finds me very confident and upbeat. So I decide to give fartleks a try.

It was exhilarating! And very tiring! It got really dark. So I couldn't look at the time. Used the electric line poles as gauges. Sprinted and slow ran every alternate pole for 1.5 miles. Then held steady for the rest.

Its starting to get cold too! I hope I can hold on. We might need to get some gear for the cold. I don't know what they are called. Will have to ask Frank.

Meals: Cereal + Milk for breakfast, a regular turkey sub from Quiznos for lunch, beer + heat-n-eat chicken curry + chapati + spinach-potato भाजी for dinner.

Also, just found out that Madhura has registered me for a half marathon!!!!!!!!!! yaayyyy!!!! This one's in DC. For the Gynecological Cancer Foundation. On Nov 8th! This time I feel totally confident. I am not sure about the time I will be able to finish. Am not even going to set a time. Let me run this just for fun. What say?

Countdown Clocks, Funny Countdowns at WishAFriend.com

Crossed the 10 mile milestone!!! [Oct 11 2009]

I was kind of tired always chalking out different paths for me and Madhura. So decide, lets catch up with her. So I skip the routine of adding one mile to the weekly long run and decide to spike it up by 3!
It was a tad chilly in the morning (45 F). I would say, perfect for a long run! Took off at 10:15am. Back after 2 hours! It was a really horrible run. Horrible in the sense, the small hills killed us! But overall a very satisfactory run. It was in the inner residential roads. Not much of a pavement as such and Madhura was constantly worried of the traffic. A couple more weeks of this kind and we should make real good time. No doubt about that.
Overall very very satisfactory. And I broke the 10 mile milestone! Sure deserve a pat on the back! :-)
No amount of words can describe the satisfaction. Deadtired, no doubt. But very satisfied.

Meals: 2 eggs + toast + tea for breakfast, juice + alu-gobi sabji + daal + naan + methi paratha for lunch,

Regular one [Oct 8 2009]

Stupid part was inspite of mapping the run course online before heading out, we kind of lost our way by taking a turn earlier. Anyways, no harm done. We still managed to chart out 3 miles.

I slacked on updating this blog on Thursday. So I don't remember what I had for meals. But all I remember was that the day was great and the hilly terrain killed me! :-)

Tempo run [Oct 6 2009]

I decided to do a tempo run today. 4 miles in 35 minutes. Great day. And the run was just awesome! Did it in 32 minutes! I had to really prod myself the last mile. But its a good way to let my body know that this is what is expected out of it.

No soreness whatsoever today morning. The good 7 hours sleep did me good! Tried focussing on the foot fall. Concentrated on mid fall and keeping the feet straight ahead.
Food: Cereal for breakfast + 6" spicy italian sub & cookie + Chitale chivda &  beer & the rest of the 6" spicy italian and cookie for dinner.

Long run [Oct 3 2009]

It was the LONG run today. And we had to drive to Delaware too.
So got up early but eventually started the run at 9:30.
Last week I did 7 miles. So had to do 8 this week. Weather was beautiful. After a little deliberation, we decided to do the same route as last week.
It worked out well, I should say. Madhura had to do 11 miles! So she went ahead. I turned around after 4 miles.

Overall time, I wouldn't say I was proud of. But this is my longest run ever! I did walk a few minutes towards the end. But hey! I had to keep my feet in walking condition with the trip to Delaware coming up.

No pains! Whatsoever. So thats a HUGE improvement. Whatever I am doing, I am doing right! For a change!

Food: 2 bullseye for breakfast + Chicken fried rice and chili chicken from Masala Wok for lunch + Chicken marsala at Dover Downs for dinner.

Easy run [Oct 2 2009]

I still have to figure out how to include my runs given my traveling schedule. :-(
Since we were planning on going to Delaware on Saturday, we decided to do an easy run on Friday and a long one on Saturday.
There were signs of rains. I got my Iphone arm band, and was excited to try it on.
So just did 3 rounds around the apartment block.

I was in a hurry to get back home and work on setting up Ubuntu. More about that in Random Ramblings.

Food: Cereal for breakfast + Parathas & black eyed peas for lunch + rice-rasam for dinner.