The world is conspiring against my training

I got up at 5:45 am this morning and got ready for a morning ride. I got out the door and made it about a half mile from my apartment before my rear tire blew out. I didn't have a spare tube on me and since I was close to home, I didn't want to take the time to patch the tube. By the time I walked home, I knew I was going to miss the group, so I just decided to pack it in. I'm about to head to the track workout, so I'll get in a run during that. Hopefully I can get in an abbreviated ride after the run once I get home.

Swimming without head injury

Simple 30 minute swim workout, this time sans a fight with the pool ladder. Much more enjoyable. Much less blood. Bilateral breathing is finally coming along. Time to start increasing the endurance though.

Run, Run

Tonight was an easy ~5.5 miler with Run Club. My legs still felt a little dead, so I took it easy. Gary came out and we ran it together at a fairly easy pace. Mondays are easy...I like them.

Five Years Ago...

Sunday Run

I got up early sunday morning and met the Harriers in CP for a long run. My legs were dead, it was humid, and I felt like crap. Regardless, I got in a little over 13 sluggish miles at around an 8 min/mile pace. I felt fine on the flats, but the slightest increase brought out the fatigue from the previous day's ride. Running on tired legs, I need to get use to it.

"Long" Ride

Francis met me after work and we went out for a long ride. At mile 25, we decided to do a time trial up one of the most difficult climbs of the day, which pretty much meant our legs were dead for every subsequent climb of the day. We went up to Piermont and turned around there. Adding in my mileage to and from brooklyn and the riding I did to scout an elevated run we are doing on the 17th, I put in a little over 70 miles on the day. I've got a long way to go...

Blood in the pool

I went in for an easy friday swim workout, and decided to practice flip turns in the pool. I pushed off the wall and came off crooked. I was in lane 1, where there is a ladder about a body length from the end of the pool. I went head-first into the ladder. It hurt quite a bit, but I finished my workout. When I got back to the locker room, I noticed blood on my forehead. Apparently I was bleed in the pool for at least 15 minutes without anyone even noticing. Glad the lifeguard was being aware of what was going on.

Up early and riding

I got up early and met Maria for a few loops in the park. We started riding at 6:30. After 3 loops, she had to leave, so I picked up the pace and added two more loops and a short out and back along the Hudson. I got in a little over 40 miles before work.

During Run Club, I clocked an easy 5.5 mile run to complete the double.

I apologize for my laziness

I've not just been lazy here, I've been lazy with training. Although I have been training much more than posting, I haven't been training like I should. Yes, I'm admitting it. That was the first step. Now I'm serious. I have to be. Its time for morning rides. Its time for two-a-days. Its time for some serious mileage. Its time to drop the excuses.

Last night I did about 5 miles with Gary at Run Club and then hit the gym for a quick weight lifting session and then 20 minutes in the pool. My workouts were terrible, a result of my laziness.

I've got a lane at the pool reserved for this evening. Then a run. I'm riding tomorrow morning before work and I'll do the speed workout tomorrow night. I'm working on a long run for this weekend, a potential open water swim, and I've got a ride lined up on saturday afternoon with Francis. This should kick-start me back into a serious training regiment, which will carry me to the most glorious, immortal words in all endurance sports...Mike Reilly saying, "You...are...an Ironman."

5K to help Greg fight cancer

I'm long overdue for an update on my stuff, including badwater, but this is more important. Greg has been a friend of mine from almost the day he moved to the city. We worked together at JackRabbit for over a year and he was a member of my first Texas Independence Relay team in '08.

Greg Hamilton was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June of 2009. The cancer has spread, so he is currently undergoing four months of chemotherapy, and if that is not successful he intends to undergo major surgery to remove the cancer from every part of his body. Before the diagnosis he was training to run his first Ultramarathon, a 50 miler. Now, between the disease and the chemo, he struggles to climb the stairs to his apartment. His dream of joining the FDNY has been put on hold while he focuses all of his energy on getting better.

Greg is 22 years old, and has worked at JackRabbit since he arrived in NYC almost two years ago. As an assistant manager first in the Union Sq store and now in the Brooklyn store, Greg has helped thousands of people start running, get faster, and reach their goals. This is our opportunity to give back for all the support he’s given us over the years.

There are all kinds of costs when fighting cancer, and only a few of them are covered by medical insurance. Greg’s parents live in Washington State, so travel and lodging are big expenses. Greg’s cell phone bill has doubled. Transportation to and from treatment, plus dozens of co-pays, adds expenses. Greg needs extra medical supplies while he is recovering from chemo, and all of his food needs to be delivered. While he is working at the Brooklyn JackRabbit occasionally, his income is nowhere near what it was and will not be at least until chemo is complete in October. If he has to undergo surgery, that’s another 3-6 months of recovery from the surgery where Greg’s expenses will be high but his income will be low.

When: Tuesday, August 25, 7p

Where: Prospect Park, the race starts at the Bartel Prichard lot near the movie theatre.

Race Registration: $20. (ALL proceeds go to helping Greg with his fight against cancer. There is no T shirt so that more of the proceeds can be directed to fighting cancer)

'Team In Greging' T-Shirt: $20. ALL proceeds from the sale the the 'Team In Greging' shirts will go towards helping Greg fight cancer.

Make a donation - if you would like to make an additional (non tax deductible) donation please do so through the registration link.

Online Registration & Donation Link: http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1775486&assetId=9d464e64-c31f-4a78-a987-34bde72eaf1d

*Volunteers Needed - if you or a friend would like to help out on race day or with pre-race day preparations please let us know at programs@jackrabbitsports.com