One of the coolest websites on the internet, IMHO, is the USATF's running route mapping site (http://www.usatf.org/routes/). This site, using Google mapping, let's you map out a route anywhere in the world, showing the total distance in miles or kilometers. It also show mile markers or km markers. You can also provide descriptive information such as surface type, hills, narrative, etc. Visitors can comment on your route.
The mapping tool also shows the relative elevation of your route and you can save your route in the vast searchable database of thousands of routes other runners have entered. I use this site alot because I am always planning my runs around distance. It lets me mix up my running by creating deviations to runs by adding spurs or loops and with the mapping tool I can map just that pice and ath offline to know the distnce of my new route. It is particularly great when you are traveling. In a new city or town it is easy to create a route that fits your running plan.
Early AM run through the streets of Bloomington and Indiana University. Sure feel like a real runner - plowed through the many hills on the empty streets of this not-yet awake college town. This is "freshman week" and we are about through moving my son in. Today and tommorrow the place will be jammed with more kids moving in. What struck me this morninig after I came in from my run was that it was still dark out at 6:00am. At home, at this time of year, by 5:30 it is beginning to get light ourside and certainly by 6, it is light out. And then I remembered that Indiana is at the end of the Eastern Time zone and that it stays lighter longer -- therefore it stays darker earlier.I like running in the dark -- I feel like I am dreaming; I don't feel the run as much. But it is difficult to get out when it dark; today was no problem because it gets very warm and muggy here; this was very simply a beat the heat run.
My long run yesterday was delightful - cool temps, dry, sunny, early. I tried something a little different: I listened to Steve Runner, aka, www.SteveRunner.com (Phedippidations: The PodCast at SteveRunner.com) instead of just music. (NO, I am not endorsing Steve for any commercial or other purposes). I just really enjoy his podcasts - he has so many interesting thoughts and comments, and a pleasant speaking voice. Anyway, running with Steve was cool. As good as music. The podcast I listened to was "Marathon Fueling." And since I am unannounced, to date, for the Hartford Marathon, Oct. 13th., it was relevant.
This was my 3rd time out with a Fuelbelt (a belt that velcro attaches around the waist and carries 4 8-ounce bottles of water or gatorade or ...). It beats going out earlier and placing bottles of water. The first time out I wore my new XL belt, which when I tried it on in the running store felt ok. Most clothes related stuff I get is XL - why not? I'm a Clydesdale. Well, within a few hundred yards, the belt was slipping down and was no fun at all. Luckily, my great friendly running store (Runner's Edge in Farmingdale, New York - Yes, I am endorsing Runner's Edge - They are the BEST!!!) exchanged it for a smaller size Large). Thus on my 2nd and 3rd runs with it, it worked perfectly. Keeping hydrated with it is much easier, even though I look like a cat that just fed a small litter of kittens.
During my 11.2 mile run, my form was good most of the time and I was able to complete it at about a 10 minute pace without any walk breaks. I don't time myself anymore - I just run; timing seemed to take the fun out of running for me. At races I am interested in my time, but I let them do it. The odd thing I noticed yesterday was I was mindful of each step, of the pain and stress coursing through my legs and yet the run seemed to transpire very quickly - before I knew it, I was done. I suppose: "That's the way it should be." I guess with 20 less pounds, running is truly more enjoyable and takes less of a toll on the body; I do notice my speeds are faster. As I recover today, I am so looking forward to my next long run next weekend in Montauk.
Recently, I discovered Steve Runner, aka, www.SteveRunner.com (Phedippidations: The PodCast at SteveRunner.com). I was reading the Sept. 2007 issue of Runner's World and they mentioned Steve and his PodCast. Wanting to mix it up a bit and find something new and different to listen to on my iPod , I downloaded his August 2nd cast of "Running over 50". I was hooked. Steve is great; very entertaining and informative. Something to capture my interest while, no - not running, but doing some eliptical cross training. I still like music (60's rock and 70's disco [great beat; try it before you knock it]). So now I have subscribed to his PodCasts and have about a dozen of his earlier PodCasts in my iTunes and iPod. Gotta try listening to them while on the road one of these days.
This morning I went out for a 9 mile run at 7:00 am; 60 degrees, sunny, dry, cool; just gorgeous. In April I had the same revelation that I was carrying 10-20 pounds too much, as I mentioned in a previous post. Since then I have dropped 20 pounds -- what alot of work; I'll get into that another time; but I was right; 20 pounds less makes a huge difference. While out today it was great; some of my best running in years. The roads of Syosset, Woodbury, Muttontown and Old Brookville are wonderful to run early the morning -- traffic is light, particularly the back roads; lots of varying greenery and terrain; beautiful homes and an occasional runner or biker. I love passing a house where the grass has been recently cut. The smell is so earthy and varies depending on whether the lawn was cut very recently or a day or two ago.
Today's performance and the encouraging commentaries from www.SteveRunner.com have me seriously considering going for the Hardford Marathon in October. My thoughts keep drifting to how I can stretch out my long runs between now and then so I can have enough "base" under my belt. If I can continue to shed few more pounds it will help get through the "training". So far so good.
