Having doubts,Is my 50 mile event a mistake?

So far my longest run has been 23km two weeks ago, since then my longest run as been 5k with shorter daily tempo run to try to make up for my lost long runs. Now I'm getting worried about doing the 50 miler May 14th, it is only 4 weeks away and I'm having doubts I will be able to do the distance.

So what is the problem? why am I not getting in my distance long run? Am I truly training "less is more" to see if I can run a 50 miler? It looks that way! lol...

The truth is, the weather is not co-operating with my training plans! It's been cold and rainy the last two Sundays for my long runs so I didn't run, and tomorrow planned 30km isn't going to be any different with high winds cold and even snow showers!! so I doubt I'll be out for that?

So why should a little cold and snow stop me? To tell you the truth, because it hurts! Ya ya, I know! "What doesn't hurt, will only make you stronger!" but the fact that my joints ache, specially my knee joints while running with this cold damp weather, I find it hard to push on longer then the 5km during my week day runs trying to make up my distance for missing my long Sunday runs, but I think doing daily short runs is better then not running anything, hence my "less is more" theory.

To make matters worse with this cold weather is I haven't been able to get out on my bike for any rides! Biking over the last 3 years is a big part of my run training since I hurt my foot with my torn ligament (Planter Fascia). I ride myself into run shape. Riding doesn't hurt my foot like running as well as it's less painful on my knee joint.

So why don't I use the bike trainer to ride myself into run shape? The simple answer is because it's boring and I don't like it! lol I'm really not that competitive to really push myself to the extreme of riding my trainer for this 50 mile run like I might do if I was training for an Ironman! Only because in Ironman you have to ride 112 miles and unless you get saddle time in? you will hurt and possible not finish your ride in Ironman, even with my "less is more" bike training of 2-3 hours a week in the saddle! lol .....In any case I would rather ride outdoors then train on the trainer, and with a month to go before my 50 mile event I'm sure the weather will break enough for me to get out a few good rides before May 14th to get my legs strong enough to run a little better.

I went to see my doctor about my joint pain, so now I'm back on prescription anti-inflammatories to help with my pain. Over the course of the last two weeks the pills help a little but not enough. I ache while I walk, I ache when I sit, and I ache specially when I try to get up from sitting!

Is this going to be a mistake trying to run a 50 mile Ultra distance event? I tell you what! I don't think it is a mistake for me? maybe mere mortals it would be a mistake! but not me! lol....I'm to stubborn and maybe a little crazy for trying a 50 miler, but really!?! it's only 50 miles! and when I set my mind on something I usually get er' done, pain or no pain!

All I know is May 14th I will run as much as I can using my run plan of 10 and 1's or 5 and 3 or what ever Catherine and the others participating want to do, and along with the help of supporters cheering us on, I will hopefully manage the joint pain and when I can't run, I will keep moving forward without giving up.

I have the stamina to do the distance, I have the strength to do the distance! I have the will to do the distance!..... I just don't have the body! the way my joints feel in this cold damp weather!

So do I have my doubts to finish this 50 mile event I got myself into? Yep! ....but in my mind I know I can do it! even with "less is more" training! I just hope the weather co-operates and gives us a nice warm day! that will make a whole lot of difference for me and my joint pain!


:)

Gerry the tree frog

A friend of mine started writing a fun little story of a tree frog named Gerry on her face book, but as the story and adventure grew some of her friends said she should make a blog and continue with Gerry's adventure. I've been following along from the beginning and get a chuckle out of reading in anticipation of what happens with Gerry. lol You can read from the beginning and continue following her blog if you like Here.... http://stories-by-joan.blogspot.com/2011/04/gerry-green-tree-frog.html

I also posted Joan's blog link in my favorite links on the right of my blog as Joan's story of Gerry the tree frog. Enjoy! :)


My pool was closed today so no swim for me. my plan was a 1000m swim as usual followed by a 5k run, so I only did my 5k run today.


:)

Beer mile run

Saturday a friend of mine set up a beer mile run where everyone drinks a can of beer of there choice, (but it has to be 5% alcohol) then runs a loop of a 400m track and has to do this 4 time to run a mile, and anyone who pukes while on the run has to do a penalty run of one extra loop. lol It was a lot of fun! I didn't run it this time, instead I videoed it, but next time I will definitely run it!! :)

This was the group who showed up.

Here are the group of eight who ran



This is Mark on the left who organized the race and Jon on the right who won the race in 7:49



You can view my video here, its a bit long, but after all you try to drink 4 beers and run a loop per beer for a total of 1 mile! lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI_KinBy4JQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL


Today was suppose to be my long run but as yesterday was a perfect sunny cloudless warm day, today is the exact opposite cold with heavy rain and windy so I did a little treadmill in my basement instead, nowhere near the 3 hours I was supposed to run outside, only because treadmill running in the basement is boring. lol Ill make up my distance throughout the week! :)


This is my map of my proposed run route for today's 30km which didn't happen because of cold and rain




:)

Barrie to Wasaga beach event

Originally my event was to be held on May 7th, but there has been a glitch in this event and I had to change the date. The event had to be moved up one week later, to Sat May 14 to accommodate technical difficulties and commitments.

On that note, I have officially re-posted up my Barrie to Wasaga beach 50 mile event on facebook with event details and route maps and even a you tube video I made of the route, (I believe I made the event page pubic,) so if you are on facebook you can check it out here on this link--> http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=202120126486478



I will also be twittering on race day May 14Th 2011 starting at 5am or so. All my friends and family can follow as the day unfolds on twitter....You can follow me on twitter at @ironjosef

Now to do some run training! ;)



:)

My Sunday run

23km in the books! I managed to run the whole distance in under 3 hour to my satisfaction.

My route today....

It's feeling more like spring!

Happy April fools day!!... The weather is looking great for this weekend and hopefully I'll be able to get out for a bike ride. I'm hoping to ride the 50mile route Saturday and I will video the route as I go along and post it later. In the mean time I went out to check my pond and pond fish, to see if my fishy's are still alive under the ice, check it out......

Ultra 50 mile training plan

Here is a training plan Catherine Harding made up for me to follow which she guarantees will help me complete my attempt of the 50 mile run we are planning May 7Th. ...As I see it, it is a good plan to follow, Will I follow it? probably not, but I will use it as a guide line of what I should be doing. My problem is I just can't do all that running with my foot and knees hurting as much as they do, So I will just continue on with my "less is more" training plan in which I will do moderate running over the next 5-6 weeks increasing my distance to 20- 30 km as my longest Sunday run, some interval runs throughout the week for cardio as well as some swimming for cardio and weights for strength, and if all goes well I should have no problem finishing the 50 miler May7 TH Mind you, it won't be a speedy 50 miler, but I will do the distance just the same before the day is done! :)

Thanks for the training plan Catherine, I do appreciate it! :)

:)

Sunday LSD Ultra training run, 13.5k

While most of my friends are running the ATB (Around the Bay) 30km race in Hamilton today!...
Here is the web link--> http://www.aroundthebayroadrace.com/


I did my own ATB ( Around the block) run today, but only 13.5km.lol

Me at the start of my cold 13.5km run today.



Here is my run route for today....

Never ending winter

This never ending winter just doesn't want to end!?!? lol ..Wednesday we were hit with a sloppy snow storm which dumped 4-6 inch of snow depending where you live from Toronto to Barrie, and cooler then normal temps for the next few days, so I didn't run today as I don't like cold or getting my feet wet from the slush. lol.

I'll be back in the pool tomorrow ( Friday ) then if the weather is nice ( as in above freezing, suppose to be sunny tomorrow ) I will do a a run to continue with my Ultra 50 plan to make up for today's run. ;)

:)

Started my 50 mile Ultra training

I kicked off my 50 mile ultra training with going to a nice ST Patty's day party friday where I was able to talk with Catherine about our run route. We decided to go with the out and back to Wasaga beach as it would be more challenging.

Oh and the party was fun to

Joanne and I at the party...



Sunday I went for my first test run, only did 1.5km to check my leg fitness in a tempo run, my first run in over a month! ...OK maybe two months!! lol but I made it with no problems. :)

Today I went for a little longer run of 4 and change K's, I know it's not far but this route is mostly up hill with a nice steap long hill in the middle and my plan is to build my run slow and steady up to and including May 7Th 50 miler,

Below is the map of my run today.....






Tomorrow back in the pool. :)

:)