I updated my Finishes page to include
last year’s virtual races. Sadly, I hurt
my knee late-October and took 8 weeks off.
I missed the St Jude’s virtual marathon on 5 Dec 2020 but made it up
this year. Now I can finally hang those
medals on my wall. I am registered for
the 1st ever, inaugural US Coast Guard half marathon (virtual). The finisher’s medal is really cool! I plan to run that indoors on my new
treadmill on Zwift. I also registered for the 2021 USAF virtual Half Marathon too. But before I
continue, I need to finish out with last year’s goals… A year ago, I defined some goals that I
wanted to achieve for 2020. At the
beginning of the year, I didn’t realize how running would go, but picked up the
pace after July. I finished all of my
goals in the fall and the swimming campaign was by far the hardest for me
LOL!
Here is a snapshot of what I was
able to do last year, covid and lock down helped a lot (and having a swimming
pool with static swim trainer as well). Also,
my goals for 2021 (still in works). I
would like to focus more on efficient, proper swimming (I was never formally
trained and I am a weak swimmer) while being more rounded on the bike and
running. I have a lofty run mileage goal
of 1,000 miles for the year. I have
never run this much before, ever. My
mileage PR is 732 (set back in 2011). So
far, I am at 130 or so… Not a bad start
(fingers crossed). Oh, I’m a lot more
cautious and disciplined too (I don’t mind putting off a run or ride to rest
up).
Last August, our old and faithful
treadmill died. It was a Sole F80 and it
lasted well over 11 years (initially I thought it was 12 years old, but turns out
it was 11). The treadmill lasted a long
time and didn’t have many problems. Occasionally
during the summer months, the motor would overheat and stop (the treadmill was always
indoors and air conditioned). The motor
was only 3hp, which I thought was sufficient then (because I ran outside
more). Last fall I noticed that the
power was insufficient for speed work, primarily it would take a little time
spooling up or down during speed changes.
Again, the treadmill was amazing.
After replacing the dead 3hp motor with an upgraded 3.5hp motor, the
speed sensor died (causing the treadmill to stop without warning). After a new speed sensor, the circuitry
died. That’s when I threw in the towel
and decided to forego any more replacement parts (already totaling $600+). I spent the remainder of the fall and what
little winter we have had so far running outdoors (with an occasional treadmill
run at our local community gym). I ultimately
gave up on the local gym because not all member were wearing their masks (we
have a high-risk child). Outdoors was
tolerable after the temps dropped in the fall.
Plus, I added another piece of tech, a Stryd Power Meter footpod.
Fast forward 5 months and we also added a new treadmill, the Assault Fitness Air Runner. The Air Runner is a curved motorless treadmill (review forthcoming). I was intending to buy another powered treadmill, either a newer Sole F85 or TT8. However, I thought back to my woes last fall and decided to go with a motorless device. I have NOT been disappointed! I love this treadmill! It takes some getting used to, especially how it targets different muscle groups due to the curve (and having to run under human power). I have had the treadmill since the first week of January and have since logged 118 miles on it so far, including my 2nd marathon (and 1st marathon run indoors on a treadmill). I intend to put together a video review of the treadmill aimed at the casual runner who likes to get back into form and appreciate a great workout… I know that many people use this for HIIT but I rarely perform speedwork on the treadmill; I have only ran maybe 2-3 speed sessions on it and so far my max speed is only 11.1 mph (short 200m burst). TBD.
For shoes, I have switched gears
and moved away from my OC Cloudflows and Brooks towards Hoka. I am really happy with Hoka Carbon X and
alternate between two separate pair. I
have accumulated a little over 230 miles in the Carbon X’s and love them! My only complaint is, they have a very narrow
toe box and I often find myself developing micro-blisters when I wear thicker
socks (I wear running socks too, so…). I
am really interested in trying out the Saucony Speed’s though. But these Carbon X’s have to last me the entire
year (I hope to get 500 miles out of each pair). I also bought a pair of Saucony Ride 13’s. I LOVE this shoe, probably one of the most comfortable
fitting shoe I have worn in a while. I
use them for shorter runs indoors.
I am developing some training
plans for varying abilities, mostly beginners to entry-level runners in order
to help them accomplish their goals (whether it is a 5k, 10k, or more). It is a time-consuming project, but I hope to
revive this blog and help pay it forward so others may benefit (why I created
this in the first place many years ago).
Thanks for the visit, stay safe and I will be working on a treadmill
review shortly. Also, I wouldn’t be able
to do all of this without the amazing support of my family and friends (Zwift DIRT
club, USMES club, and ZLDR running club/family).
Happy running and God bless! "Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
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