As many of you know by now, I am a big fan/supporter, of the North Shore Animal League, the world's largest no kill animal shelter. This place is great and I really think they do an amazing job helping out animals in need, providing medical treatment, and finding a good home for animals. They have been around since 1944, and saved almost 1 million animals, wow that is a lot in 67 years, then again a lot of abused animals out there, puppy mills, and other places that have animals to be saved from. In 2008 Beth Ostrosky, aka Beth O, ran the NYC Marathon for the North Shore Animal League, and it was called Team Beth O, later renamed to Team Animal League, which has been going since 2008. People with that already have entries, or are looking to get one can run for Team Animal League and raise money for NSAL. If you have an entry already, like me, you need only raise a minimum of $500, but those without an entry need to raise $3000.
A few years ago, when I really set out to do NYC, I wanted to be part of this team, it is something I wanted and was really looking forward to being part of. I believe in the mission of the NSAL, and doing what I can to help them provide the services they do. Also being a vegan this really falls so much in line with my views on animals, and a lot of things I see as my personal value system and beliefs. I really think being part of Team Animal League will keep me even more motivated, as I will be thinking of all those animals as I am running through the 5 boroughs for 26.2 miles, and crossing many a bridge, I might stop off at the Bronx Zoo's Reptile House and see the Egyptian Cobra too, lol, jk. I will be 39 on the day of the Marathon, and it is my first. I really want to go out and do well, but also have a lot of fun doing it. I will be very glad that it is much cooler on November 6th, and the humidity will not really be a factor, unless there is an extended summer, also hoping for no rain on race day, I don't mind cloud cover, but a bit of sun would be nice. I have a goal time in mind, but I still have a bit over 3 months to get ready, so I will see how things go, and hope I can hit that goal.
As I stated earlier I have an entry in the NYC Marathon, which means I need to raise a minimum of $500 for the NSAL and Team Animal League. Though I would love to hit around $2000 or more honestly. So here I am asking you my readers to help me out, and give a donation for this good cause, if you are able, even the minimum of $10 will help, but give what you are able to give. Here is a link to my Team Animal League Donation Page, I have also created a Fan Page on Facebook for my Team Animal League Run, so you can like that as well and follow some info I will post on there as well. Also any reposting of this on facebook, twitter, or any social media network would be greatly appreciated. Any podcasters, bloggers, news reporters, or anyone willing to interview me about this would be awesome too!!! :> Help get the word out as much as possible.
I want to thank everyone in advance who does help with a donation, and remember to keep track of it for your taxes, as it is tax deductible, you can not know how much it truly means to me. Namaste, shanti!!!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
New Training And More
This week I got an email saying I have been accepted to be part of Team Animal League for the NYC Marathon, very good news. Also I should have my link to my fundraising page later this week, then I can get that going. It will give me 3 1/2 months to raise some money for them, again a very good organization, the largest no kill rescue in the world. I only have to reach $500, but I'm really hoping for a few thousand.
Trying to change things up with my training for the Marathon as well, trying to up my mileage some and throw different workouts in there. Yesterday I did my first ever Yasso 800s, I went to the local high school track to do it. I can not complain at all, I averaged a 3:20 800, and then did a slower 400 in between 800s. If you are not familiar with the workout you do 10 reps 800m or .5 mi then do a slower 400 m/.25 mi before taking off again. I did a 400 m cool down, victory lap if you will. Then walked back to the car stretching a little. Also rewarding myself with a Starbucks iced coffee. I want to keep doing these and get my 800m time down around 2:50 by November, if I can, and in the next year get it down to 2:20-2:30. I also really need to start doing some hill repeats, maybe like a .25 mi stretch on a good hill, and build it up to a .5 mi repeat. I'll be increasing the long run mileage as well, I need to get back up to 20 milers in the next 2 months. Anyone else have any good running workouts let me know.
This past Saturday was the Dekalb Decatur 4 Miler at the YMCA and done by the ATC. It was good weather for July, about 67 degrees at 7:30 and not much humidity at all, cloud cover, a slight breeze at times as well, which made it great. The course was pretty hilly the first 1.5 miles, then it was downhill until about 2.75 into the race, then mile 3-4 was mostly on an incline, not to mention took us through a McD's parking lot, which was really too funny, and something I will never forget. My Garmin had it at 4.05 mi total and I was able to really sprint it out at the end, which was downhill. The one good thing about most ATC races they end on a downhill or mostly flat, and not uphill. Overall time of 27:26, which is a 6:46 mile 9th of 57 in the 35-39 age group, and a shame I'm not in the 30-34 age group, would have had 3rd oh well, my age group seems to be very large and the most competitive of all of them at most races.I got to meet Kristy from Kristyruns.com, her husband Mark, and their friend Casey as well, which was cool. They are getting ready for the ATL Marathon in late Oct. I informed them that Cardiac Hill is mile 24 of the marathon, which is very cruel of someone, oh and there are some nasty hills on Lindbergh as well, before the turn onto Peachtree.
Here are my splits for the Dekalb Decatur 4 miler:
mi 1 6:43
mi 2 6:42
mi 3 6:43
mi 4 7:01
.05 0:17 which was at 5:26 mi pace
Trying to change things up with my training for the Marathon as well, trying to up my mileage some and throw different workouts in there. Yesterday I did my first ever Yasso 800s, I went to the local high school track to do it. I can not complain at all, I averaged a 3:20 800, and then did a slower 400 in between 800s. If you are not familiar with the workout you do 10 reps 800m or .5 mi then do a slower 400 m/.25 mi before taking off again. I did a 400 m cool down, victory lap if you will. Then walked back to the car stretching a little. Also rewarding myself with a Starbucks iced coffee. I want to keep doing these and get my 800m time down around 2:50 by November, if I can, and in the next year get it down to 2:20-2:30. I also really need to start doing some hill repeats, maybe like a .25 mi stretch on a good hill, and build it up to a .5 mi repeat. I'll be increasing the long run mileage as well, I need to get back up to 20 milers in the next 2 months. Anyone else have any good running workouts let me know.
This past Saturday was the Dekalb Decatur 4 Miler at the YMCA and done by the ATC. It was good weather for July, about 67 degrees at 7:30 and not much humidity at all, cloud cover, a slight breeze at times as well, which made it great. The course was pretty hilly the first 1.5 miles, then it was downhill until about 2.75 into the race, then mile 3-4 was mostly on an incline, not to mention took us through a McD's parking lot, which was really too funny, and something I will never forget. My Garmin had it at 4.05 mi total and I was able to really sprint it out at the end, which was downhill. The one good thing about most ATC races they end on a downhill or mostly flat, and not uphill. Overall time of 27:26, which is a 6:46 mile 9th of 57 in the 35-39 age group, and a shame I'm not in the 30-34 age group, would have had 3rd oh well, my age group seems to be very large and the most competitive of all of them at most races.I got to meet Kristy from Kristyruns.com, her husband Mark, and their friend Casey as well, which was cool. They are getting ready for the ATL Marathon in late Oct. I informed them that Cardiac Hill is mile 24 of the marathon, which is very cruel of someone, oh and there are some nasty hills on Lindbergh as well, before the turn onto Peachtree.
Here are my splits for the Dekalb Decatur 4 miler:
mi 1 6:43
mi 2 6:42
mi 3 6:43
mi 4 7:01
.05 0:17 which was at 5:26 mi pace
Monday, July 4, 2011
Peachtree Road Race, Fathers Day 4 Miler and More
So today was the Peachtree Road Race all I have to say is it was damn hot for 7:30 this morning. 76 degrees and 87% humidity at start time, luckily I was starting in wave A, and not in T like last year, oh man that would have been even more brutal. I was very nervous about the weather, but it was good to be way up near the front with some of the faster runners this year, which meant a lot less weaving in and out of people to get to Piedmont Park. I took the first 3 miles pretty easy, but then came Cardiac Hill, oh man it got me, mile 4 and 5 were rough this year, last year I flew through these 2 miles, though honestly I am not in great shape right now. Also a bit of a summer cold going on as well, with other issues too. I did better on mile 6 and then really turned it up for the last .33 miles, yes that is right not .2 but .33. I grabbed plenty of water before the start of the race, and hit all the water stations, drinking some and dumping plenty on my head and body to keep cool, not sure how much it helped, a bit nervous to run through the water spraying on Peachtree though, my luck slip and get hurt. 60,000 runners with only 55,090 finishers, that is a lot of DNF's for today, though they probably got hurt or were overwhelmed by the heat/humidity. Hell even the great Ryan Hall finished 9th in the US 10K National Championship, 9th American across the line, not sure his overall finish, which isn't that good for someone like him, though everyone has off days. Honestly though if you aren't used to the humidity in ATL it can get to you and hit you hard. Here are my splits and other stats:
mile 1 6:49
mile 2 6:54
mile 3 6:53
mile 4 7:27
mile 5 7:34
mile 6 7:09
last .33 2:11
mile 2 6:54
mile 3 6:53
mile 4 7:27
mile 5 7:34
mile 6 7:09
last .33 2:11
Overall Finish 1288 of 55090
Sex Place 1114
Division Place 146
Sex Place 1114
Division Place 146
Still 3:01 better than last years time, of 47:58, with 44:57 though the weather last year was much better. Still not to bad for a guy who isn't really a great runner, and also is fueled only by plants. I guess some of those 53,802 finishing behind me should think about changing their diet, then they might catch me :p So next year I should be in a lot better shape and knock quite a bit of time off of this and finish in the top 1000 easily.
I did get to enjoy a great lunch at Cafe Sunflower in Buckhead, great food there and I really recommend it to everyone, even a nice gluten free menu :>
Fathers Day Four Miler, part of the Atlanta Track Club Grand Prix Series. This race took place right by Turner Field, finishing at home plate, and the old Fulton County Stadium. The temperature was good for the start of the race in the mid 60s and not super humid for a GA morning. The course was just challenging enough, but nothing to crazy, taking us by Grant Park and the Zoo, then back toward Turner Field and as I say finishing up right behind home plate. A lot of people out for this event, and you could get tickets for the Braves game later in the day, also a t shirt, if you wanted. I didn't opt in for this, haven't been into baseball in ages now. Overall time of 27:38, not bad here are my splits:
mile 1 6:44
mile 2 6:57
mile 3 7:02
mile 4 6:55
mile 2 6:57
mile 3 7:02
mile 4 6:55
One thing I know I have to get more serious and consistent with my training for Nov, or I'm going to be in big time trouble. Time to stop talking about it and do something about it, and not a lot of time to do it in either. The next big challenge is the 13.1 Marathon series in Atlanta on 10/2, I hope to do quite a bit better than I did last year for this one. As I say I really need to up my miles, and mix in some good core and alt cardio work. Oh one good thing about the 13.1 Marathon, I doubt it will be 76 and 87% humidity in early Oct, which will be nice. Also Nov 6th in NYC I damn sure know it won't be that warm. They say ideal temps for a marathon is 40-55 at most, the body stays cooler and doesn't dehydrate as quickly, which is great, and makes for nicer running, and hopefully a bit of a faster pace without dying.
I haven't heard anything from the North Shore Animal League about being a part of Team Animal League, and if I don't by sometime in early August I am thinking of setting up a page on First Giving to have folks donate that way. I really believe in what they do and want to help them out to continue the services they provide to abused and rescued animals.
One last thing, I am really considering the Brooks T7 Racer for my next shoe, though I may stay with the Mizuno Musha Wave 3. The Brooks is a nice shoe and only weighs 6.4 oz, which is light, and be nice over longer distances, instead of a bulkier 12+ oz shoe.
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