Arthur Lydiard – Arthur Lydiard is known as one of the greatest running coaches of all time. He is known mostly for popularizing recreational running to improve your health. The key things he taught were building a strong base and incorporating periodization into your training. Thanks to Steve Runner’s podcast, I was reintroduced to Arthur. Steve read a lecture that Arthur gave on running back in 1990. What was interesting is that as I ran, I could not get the idea of relaxation out of my mind. You see, Lydiard felt that relaxation was the key to good running. So as the miles piled up, I started to focus on relaxing as Lydiard taught. Just keeping my arms nice and loose and having them come through inside my shoulders. Suddenly, the run got easier for me.Sweeney Todd – Out of nowhere, I am running along and the
Ballad of Sweeney Todd starts repeating in my head. Why? Well, I am actually going to be in the musical Sweeney Todd here in Westborough as part of the Westborough Players Club. I am going to be singing bass in the Ensemble. We have not really started full music rehearsals yet. But, I find on my runs many of the songs running through my brain.Backpacking on the Midstate Trail – Next I started to go over the plan for our Scout Troop’s March trip where we will be hiking on the Midstate Trail. I was trying to work out what type of food we should be bringing for a 2 night trip. What could we cook that was easy, light weight and had very little clean up. While contemplating food, I started to think about how I could hike to the top of Mount Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Pain – I started to feel a little pain in my right foot. Right on the top. Not sure what was happening. But, it took my mind right off of hiking. I decided to walk a bit and take some fluids. The pain went away mysteriously and I picked the pace back up again.
President’s Day – What happened to getting 2 days off in February. When I was a kid we got both Lincoln’s (Feb. 12) and Washington’s Birthday (Feb. 22) off. Now, we just get a 3 day weekend.
Cold – Why does it have to be so cold out here? The wind was making it feel colder than usual. I was thinking, did I layer properly? Am I sweating too much and my wicking layer is getting soaked through. I was still 5 miles from the finish. I need to just tough it out.
Then when I was approaching the last 3 miles of my run, a song came on by George Harrison. It actually helped me get back to my relaxed state of running and helped me finish strong. It is from his CD “Cloud Nine” and is titled “Just for Today”. It has some great meaning and I felt could double as a song for Dana-Farber patients. Maybe help them get through the day and not let life’s problems get them down. Here are the lyrics:
Just for today
I could try to live through this day only
Not deal with all life's problems
Just for today
If just for one night
I could feel not sad and lonely
Not be my own life's problem
Just for one night
If just (for) today
I could try to live through this day only
Not deal with all life's problems
Just for today
If just for one night
I could feel not sad and lonely
Not be my own life's problem
Just for one night
Just for today
I could try to live through this day only
Not deal with all life's problems
Just for today
Just for today
Sorry for an incoherent bunch of ramblings. But, anyone who runs for more than 30 minutes has the same rambling thoughts I am sure.
Here are my training totals for this week. :
Feb 8 – 10.15 miles (1:31:00, 9:00 pace)
Feb. 9 – 8.10 miles (1:14:02, 9:08 pace)
Feb. 10 – 3.00 miles (23:00, 7:39 pace) – Speed work
Feb. 12 – 8.10 miles (1:12:56, 9:00 pace) – Tempo Run
Feb. 13 – 7.20 miles (1:06:02, 9:10 pace)
Feb. 14 – 8.10 miles (1:12:43, 8:58 pace)
Total Miles: 44.65 miles
2009 YTD Miles: 263.50 miles
3 comments:
Ted: 60 days to go. Are you on schedule with your training? Hopefully the pain in your foot was nothing to slow you down. Thanks for the rambling thoughts, keep them coming.
Dad
Ted -
The SD marathon in 2000 seems like a lifetime ago. I'm glad to hear that you are still at it. What's your marathon history? How many have you completed and what's your best time? Good luck in the Boston Marathon!
Greg
TED:
I hope all your pals not only read your updates but also these postings. Folks, Theodore is starving himself half to death. Two examples (and this was in broad daylight - no sneaking!) - (1) He was chowing down a couple of frosted Pop Tarts at the office the other day. NOTHING redeeming about that. (2) Four of us from the office went out to lunch last week to a pretty good burger joint (not exactly independant and certainly not a full-blown chain - just right!) and Mr. Four-Hour-Marathon Guy snacked on a Mega 3/4 lb. Burger that had about four kinds of cheese on it and all kinds of other heart murmuring stuff, AND an extra large side of Onion Rings. As the kids still say, "OMG"!!! On the other hand, I know he's taking his training very seriously - last week he actually showed up in the office in running shoes and white socks (I'm sure they were pulled up way above the calf - west coast style). He wanted to show off his blisters - in fact, he said they even look like Onion Rings. I passed. Good luck, Ted. You're running for a great cause!
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