A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who's beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

rockin’ run!

passion for running category: run log,running on Wednesday, September 1 2004

Before I start in on today’s post, please take a look at yesterday’s if you haven’t already. Richard and April-Anne are doing a pretty good job at pushin’ my buttons. Feel free to wade in on the fun.

Okay, ONWARD. I had a great run around my four hill route today. “Sister” Corinne was M.I.A. (at a conference) but I managed to drag “Coach” Nick along and we had a smokin’ run. Knowing what a 4:45km pace felt like in last week’s half-marathon, I’m guessing today’s 10km was 5 to 10 seconds/km faster. Alas, I forgot to start my chronometer (HONEST!) so we’ll never know.

What’s even better is Nick said I was “running strong” and “improving” – you gotta like that.

It felt amazing going up those hills today. I remember only a few months ago trudging up that fourth hill (Bellamy) and, for a few weeks straight gagging (and damn near puking) one hundred meters from the top.

No gagging today. That’s good right?




11 Comments

723

Comment by Richard

Wednesday September 01, 2004 @

No gagging? Very good. In fact, one might almost call it a kick, pardon my French, ass, run. Congratulations. So – since you’re stronger and faster than you were before, and you should have been pacing to a 3:33 before, what does that mean now?

724

Comment by Susan

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

And he keeps pushing your buttons, Mark. But I have a feeling it’s very good for you, so keep at it Richard:) I’m hoping to report a faster time, too, on my 5K route Saturday. We’ll see.

725

Comment by Jon in Michigan

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

No puking? What? You were saving your strength for something later? I’m sorry, but putting in only 85% is not going to cut it ;)

726

Comment by Pamalamadingdong

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

There are so many examples in life when not puking is a good thing.

727

Comment by Karen

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

Cool. I think that no puking is a good sign and shows that you can push yourself a little bit harder. Not that I have any room to talk but I just felt like I should jump in and say to go for the 3:33 time. You never know what you can do until you try.

728

Comment by Mark

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

Richard! It means I’m gonna BUST MY ASS this next three weeks and make a decision October 1st whether I’m gonna run at 3:36, 3:33 or 3:30 (with balls) pace! Now, I’m convinced. You and Aaron MUST be related.

Susan: Yeah, he is and you are right – I probably do need that kind of pushing. Good luck on your 5k!

Jon: Yeah, I’m so ashamed with my slacker-ish-ness.

Pam: Really? ;)

Karen: Thanks!

729

Comment by Chris Brogan...

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

You rule! Run your skull off, you monster bastid!

730

Comment by Richard

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

Pam: yeah, but running doesn’t seem to be one of them. Same with long distance cycling. Its amazing to hear people talk, “Yeah, I wasn’t doing too great, but it was fine after I vomited…”

Of course, not everyone should be giving 110% like that. I don’t plan to. But 99.8%, that’s much more reasonable.

:-)

731

Comment by Mark

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

Yeah. If you look at elite runners, most of them puke at least occasionally. It’s a sign they’ve pushed themselves (appropriately) to the limit. Us weekend warriors get to decide if/when/how often to push ourselves that hard. We balance between pushing to improve and having fun and we don’t have a medal or endorsements (i.e. a means of earning a living) on the line!

732

Comment by Richard

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

So are you saying that my not throwing up is what’s stopping someone else from giving me money to run? Tempting, very tempting…

733

Comment by Mark

Thursday September 02, 2004 @

Absolutely. There’s money to be made my friend! There is even a schedule of fees based on the quantity and quality of the throw up.

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
A blue box by your comment means you do not have an avatar from www.gravatar.com!

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.