danistrulytheman

I'm STILL a self confessing, self professing know-it-all, or so I think!

Tag Archives: training


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long run!

Longest one to date – 14K … and just 3 weeks into training. Been reading lots, getting advice from runners wiser than me, and today took to heart slowing down, running farther! I even felt as if I wasn’t slowing down enough – next time I’ll try reigning myself in even more. I must say, I’ve never had such a GREAT GREAT run in a long time! I stumbled upon a path I wasn’t aware of, and being all alone, felt so quiet and peaceful, the sun shining in my face … I kept thinking, “I hope this path goes on forever, I ain’t getting off” … I swear, I woulda ran forever! It felt THAT good, I felt THAT good! I think it ended after 1 kilometer, so back to the sidewalks I went. I knew I’d be stopping as I neared my house, so NOW, I picked up my pace in anticipation … and for those few kilometers, running once again became running for time, and it became harder! So weird, it’s not even that much pace difference, but boy, do you feel it – sure makes a difference! And now, can’t help but think, today I ran 1/3 marathon … so invariably I extrapolate multiplying my time by three – plus tacking on 1 minute for the extra 200 meters, and I kinda like what I see. And I think, there’s still so much room (ok, a LITTLE room, lol) for improvement. I know marathons aren’t run on paper, they’re run on the streets … but, it sure is nice to think!

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my 10K!

WOW! I amazed myself! It’s only been 2 weeks of training, and today I ran my longest distance. And, I’m very pleased with my time; sub 48 minutes! I’ll be honest, when I resumed training after the winter layoff, I was discouraged during my first week back. I think (I know) I expected to jump right back in the saddle and continue where I left off. Today was definitely a step in that direction. The weather was near perfect – so happy to finally have Spring like temps. Oh … and, I wanted to run 10K acknowledging tomorrow’s Toronto Yonge Street 10K  … my 10k y’all!

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marathoning introspection!

Last year I became a full-fledged runner! And I did it my way – hardcore (btw, everything I do is hardcore). Hit the pavement early morning everyday, days on end without skipping a day, as well … and everytime, made DAMN sure I left it all there … on the pavement. Like a bat outta hell – that was me, my running style! I didn’t subscribe to conventional runners’ wisdom/mentality … truth be told, I looked at some shit I read w/ disdain! I ran like a fricken maniac, not following rules, just doing what felt right – those were MY rules! Which brings me to this post – since the day I entered my 1st marathon, I’ve lost all that?! I lost focus! I got caught up in the hoopla of it all, meanwhile creating unnecessary stress. All I’ve been thinking ’bout is the marathon. It’s consumed me. No more. I know I have to approach training (for the time being) as I did last year. Run for fun … run for fun, folks!   I have MONTHS to enjoy myself before I should even begin to delve into anything to do w/ specific marathon training. It’s still 7 months away for chrissakes … do I REALLY need to read/absorb all info on the internet re: tapering before the race, lol?! Nope. Not yet … lemme enjoy the spring/early summer w/ fun-runs! Peace y’all!


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… and so it begins!

Exactly what I wanted/expected! I almost stopped a million times, but I didn’t … I pushed. I wanted my 8K, I got my 8K. Considering it’s my 1st run of the season, and that I’m about 8 pounds away from optimum running weight, AND, that it’s still mucky, so much debris from the ice-storm littering the sidewalks – felt more like a mud run than anything, lol … I’m very pleased! Yep, right where I wanna be …

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… now off to watch the game … GO Spartans …

Memphis v Michigan State


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there’s no crying in marathons!

OMG, I just realized something! As you all are aware, I signed up for my 1st marathon, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October 19). Unfortunately, I’ve been housebound w/ training … building a cardio foundation best I can. I tried hitting the roads about a month back, but winter wouldn’t let go its nasty grip. Now the plan is to FINALLY start/resume full-on training tomorrow (stay tuned) – YEAY!! Looking at the weather forecast, looks like were in for double digit temps for at least a week. Ok, back to my realization!! I see from my Running Records that I PR’ed a 12K on October 20th of last year. Took me a second putting 2+2 together … but that was the day LAST year’s marathon was run … and now I recall it completely; I purposely went for a dedication run of sorts that morning, acknowledging all the competitors. I also remember it because afterwards, I spent the entire day working doing demolition/construction/renovations! Even though it was a record run (I don’t run 12K often), I did it running well within myself! And, seeing that time/run … AND now focusing and visualizing for what lies ahead, all I can think is; if I could repeat that effort (3 1/2 times over) on October 19th, I’d be chuffed as fuck! AND, I know my title has absolutely nothing to w/ any of this … it just came to me. All the hard work anyone who attempts a marathon must endure isn’t lost on me in the slightest … and I thought it was appropriate knowing I’m in for a world of hurt …

… for old time’s sake y’all!

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7K Day!!

Ain’t my distance, I was running into a headwind, plus, I’m really not in running shape – ‘nstead of running daily as I did, now get out every 3rd day if I’m lucky (although you’d never know by my pace), so I stopped 1 kilometer short. Glad I did too, it was a relaxing cool down walk home on a beautiful, gorgeous fall day. I was overdressed too – really shoulda only worn a tee and shorts, was overheating after 4-5 minutes. Lesson learned!

path near home. this is where I begin zoning-in …

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awestruck w/ fast time despite lack of serious training …

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Turkey Day Fartlek!

Thanksgiving Day today, but celebrated with family yesterday … so you know what that means … LEFTOVERS, lol! Lotsa turkey, stuffing, gravy, pumpkin pie. Yum!

What a beautiful Canadian autumn day today, a great day for a run, a perfect opportunity to try my hand at fartlek training. I guess you can say I’ve done it before … changing up my running. I broke it up into four separate runs. First, I ran 2K semi-fast, then 1K really fast, then another 1K even faster, and finished with a 2K that included a hill climb, and a long gradual descent. Was fun mixing it up. Even tried a new app, sorry Strava, sticking w/ RunKeeper. PLUS, it’s my nephew’s birthday today. A beautiful Canadian day indeed!

my kicks are accumulating kilometers, easily 1200K to date …

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Friday Morning Fog Run Selfies!

… not only foggy, humid. Was welcomed as well … too many cold morning runs lately. Felt so good stepping out the front door, and not feeling a chill. Happy Friday y’all!

posing, lol …

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Goin’ 4K Krazy!

I PRed it last day of August, with what I thought was unapproachable time for at least awhile. I was wrong! I busted out, running hard the whole way, bettering my mark by nine seconds … that’s HUGE! I know my 1mile runs are helping me tremendously, teaching me to establish a quick pace … and then I try like hell to maintain it for the duration of my run. Man, still stoked (was yesterday’s run – am one day late posting) … after my recent 10K (3 days earlier), this def ranks as my second best run! Run Dan, run!

new 4K PR: 17:12

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quick splits: again, a 5 second separation

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1 Day: 2 Good Runs!

My 4K run was only 13 seconds off my PR. My splits were consistent – strong and steady. And, I wasn’t done yet … I also duplicated yesterday’s mile run to the second. Well, it was, until RunKeeper decided to tack on an extra second while making its final adjustment. Oh well, lol!

Fast 4K

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Speedy Splits

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This PR won’t last long

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in a run funk!

… for about a week now. didn’t help i overextended myself with my stupidity stubbornness trying for a new distance record. i swear, not only did i pull my hammie (same one), i fucked up my achilles (i think it’s my achilles? it’s around the back/outside of my ankle … and with my daily running – it ain’t gettin’ any better). i really needed this today! a sub 18 minute 4k (24 seconds shy of a pr) … and quickening my pace with each successive split!

17:50 4k

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quickening splits. sweet!

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25 days – 200 kilometers!!

… consecutive days I should add, 8K everyday! Not to mention the occasional nightly 3-4K walks with Tiffany K … not even counting those. That was gonna be my blog entry, the days and distance … but something remarkable happened on the 25th day, I recorded my best time ever. And not by a bit, by a lot, I obliterated my previous best (39 minutes) by a whopping 1 minute and 18 seconds! Gonna email my personal trainer and tell him that’s all I’ve got to give and not to expect anymore (private joke, lol)! To put it in perspective, my single best 1K split was 4:42 … today I ran the whole 8K AVERAGING 4:42 … I know, insane, eh? Friday Morning Run June 7, 2013  RunKeeper stats y’all!!

map blotted for privacy reasons …

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my 8K splits …

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Hey mister, where you headed? Are you in a hurry?

I have the greatest playlist for my runs … Hitchin’ A Ride started it on shuffle, and a mere 10 seconds into my run those are the first 10 words I hear in my earbuds … I’m laughing thinking Billie Joe Armstrong is ACTUALLY talking to me, lol! What a Nimrod (get it??), lol!! This mister was in a hurry, and on my 12th consecutive 8K day … FINALLY cracked the 40 minute barrier – 39:30 for 8.01K to be exact … my average pace; 4:55/K …WOOHOO!! And look at my steady-as-he-goes-splits, after running hard for half an hour with 6.01K in my wake, I reeled off a 4:44K … my fastest kilometer split EVER. Don’t know why, can’t explain it, hmmm, come to think of it … I did load up on carbs last night – tons of linguine w/ homemade sauce and all that OMG focaccia, lol! Anyways, here’s my splits!

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11 days in a row

… 88 kilometers!! This morning was VERY cold – minus three w/ windchill … tuque and gloves were mandatory. While it wasn’t my fastest time, something about today’s run made it the best so far (RunKeeper even gave me two new records – distance & calories burned, lol), I was well within myself despite the frigid/windy conditions, I did quicken my pace and my final 3K were strong. Also, I’ve noticed that forcing myself to run every day, has pushed me past the point of where my body constantly feels beaten to shit … no more lingering soreness, tight muscles … no more strained hammies, pulled groin … quads are pain free too. I know eventually, I’ll need a break, I’ll hit the wall … just might not tell y’all though, lol!


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fifty seven point eight seconds

… lowered my mark for the third successive timed run with a personal best … 57.8 seconds. AND, finally obliterating that stubborn sub minute barrier in the process … but honestly can’t see much more improvement. I’m hopeful to go below 55 seconds eventually … even that’s a lofty goal … only time will tell!! 😉