Before tomorrow's trip up the parking lot otherwise known as Interstate 71, we'll be running the Turkey Trot 5-miler. The big prizes are pumpkin pies for the first 2000 finishers. I'm guessing I'm not among them, but it's something to shoot for anyway.
This year, they're even giving out whipped cream!
Then, it's off to Thanksgiving dinners both Thursday and Friday. Being married has its advantages. :) Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
A Step Forward
My fencing tournament came and went this Saturday before the big game, and it was an improvement over the last official tournament I participated in.
In the opening round-robin format, I won three of my five bouts, with one narrow 5-4 loss, and one 5-1 defeat in which I lost my concentration. That performance left me as the #4 seed in the single elimination tournament format. I received a bye in the first round, but was knocked out in the second round by the #5 seed.
In a match to 15 touches, I fell behind 10-4. I managed to climb back into the match, tying it at 13, but gave up the last two touches to lose 15-13.
Overall, I was a little disappointed not to reach the semifinals, but I realized that it was a step forward from where I stood last year. There's still a lot of room for improvement.
In the opening round-robin format, I won three of my five bouts, with one narrow 5-4 loss, and one 5-1 defeat in which I lost my concentration. That performance left me as the #4 seed in the single elimination tournament format. I received a bye in the first round, but was knocked out in the second round by the #5 seed.
In a match to 15 touches, I fell behind 10-4. I managed to climb back into the match, tying it at 13, but gave up the last two touches to lose 15-13.
Overall, I was a little disappointed not to reach the semifinals, but I realized that it was a step forward from where I stood last year. There's still a lot of room for improvement.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
What A Difference A Week Makes
Okay, so maybe it won't take as long as I thought to get back in the swing of things. Fencing last night seemed to slow down for me a bit, and I won 4 of 5 bouts. My form is still terrible, though...lucky for me I was taller than most of my opponents.
Today's training was another 20 minute treadmill run. I got in a mile at an 8:30 pace, which went okay. Maybe it's time to start building up a 2 or 3 mile base at 8:30 before I push myself to go too much faster. No shin splints, please.
Also, my fencing club is hosting a tournament on the 18th. In Columbus. On the day of the OSU-Michigan game.
*sigh*
I brought that fact to my coach's attention, and she said she'd try and schedule my event for early in the day so we can be done before the game. (I didn't tell her I'd leave mid-tournament if I had to...)
Today's training was another 20 minute treadmill run. I got in a mile at an 8:30 pace, which went okay. Maybe it's time to start building up a 2 or 3 mile base at 8:30 before I push myself to go too much faster. No shin splints, please.
Also, my fencing club is hosting a tournament on the 18th. In Columbus. On the day of the OSU-Michigan game.
*sigh*
I brought that fact to my coach's attention, and she said she'd try and schedule my event for early in the day so we can be done before the game. (I didn't tell her I'd leave mid-tournament if I had to...)
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Winter Goals
So, now that marathon season is done, what's next?
First, I'm getting back to fencing. I held off until the race was over to reduce the chance of injury ruining all those months of training. I'd still like to earn a USFA ranking, but I've got a ways to go before that happens. I went back to class last week and felt as slow as molasses. They talk about football players seeing the game slow down when they get used to a new level of competition. Towards the end of the spring, I felt like I could see what was coming in a bout, but now everything has sped up again, and I found myself going on the offensive just to keep my opponent from having a chance to attack me. Against an evenly matched opponent, that's a sure recipe for a loss.
Second, I think I'm going to prepare for a half-marathon in the spring. By doing that, I want to give myself the chance to do other activities and not burn myself out in training. I came out of Chicago with a good feeling about where I had come in my training, and I want to look for ways to build on it. I think that I can beat my half-marathon PR without a problem if I train for it. The other advantage I see to preparing for a half is that I can work more on my speed, as it doesn't require so many long runs. That way, if I did decide to do another marathon, I'd be starting from a faster base, and could work my way back up the distances.
During lunch yesterday, I went to the gym and ran some negative split half miles to see how it felt. I started at a 9:30 pace and kicked it up half a minute every half mile for two miles. That last half mile at an 8:00 pace felt pretty fast, but I also wasn't gasping for air. If I can get my body used to an 8 minute-ish pace, at least for short distances, I should be able to break my 5k PR, if nothing else!
First, I'm getting back to fencing. I held off until the race was over to reduce the chance of injury ruining all those months of training. I'd still like to earn a USFA ranking, but I've got a ways to go before that happens. I went back to class last week and felt as slow as molasses. They talk about football players seeing the game slow down when they get used to a new level of competition. Towards the end of the spring, I felt like I could see what was coming in a bout, but now everything has sped up again, and I found myself going on the offensive just to keep my opponent from having a chance to attack me. Against an evenly matched opponent, that's a sure recipe for a loss.
Second, I think I'm going to prepare for a half-marathon in the spring. By doing that, I want to give myself the chance to do other activities and not burn myself out in training. I came out of Chicago with a good feeling about where I had come in my training, and I want to look for ways to build on it. I think that I can beat my half-marathon PR without a problem if I train for it. The other advantage I see to preparing for a half is that I can work more on my speed, as it doesn't require so many long runs. That way, if I did decide to do another marathon, I'd be starting from a faster base, and could work my way back up the distances.
During lunch yesterday, I went to the gym and ran some negative split half miles to see how it felt. I started at a 9:30 pace and kicked it up half a minute every half mile for two miles. That last half mile at an 8:00 pace felt pretty fast, but I also wasn't gasping for air. If I can get my body used to an 8 minute-ish pace, at least for short distances, I should be able to break my 5k PR, if nothing else!
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Marathon Pictures
Here's a couple pictures from the end of the race:
Warming up after the race
Run Dave Run! - My Mom and I after the race.
Warming up after the race
Run Dave Run! - My Mom and I after the race.Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Potery Barrn
Back to our series of homemade knock-off furniture. The office hutch is still in progress, but we decided to do another quick project in the meantime.
You'll never guess where this one came from. Our project was the bench and coat hooks in the back of the pictured room. Meredith designed the coat hooks and provided the sunflowers, while I did the bench.
Farmhouse Bench
$99
Iron Row Of Hooks
$69
You'll never guess where this one came from. Our project was the bench and coat hooks in the back of the pictured room. Meredith designed the coat hooks and provided the sunflowers, while I did the bench.
The Target:
Farmhouse Bench
$99
Iron Row Of Hooks
$69
The Solution:
Entryway Bench
1 construction-grade 2x3: $2.50
Leftover wood from other projects: $0
2 cans black spray paint: $8
Total: $10.50
Savings: $88.50
Entryway Coat Hooks
3 double coat hooks: $18
1 firring strip: $1
1 can black spray paint: $4
Total: $23
Savings: $46
Entryway Bench
1 construction-grade 2x3: $2.50
Leftover wood from other projects: $0
2 cans black spray paint: $8
Total: $10.50
Savings: $88.50
Entryway Coat Hooks
3 double coat hooks: $18
1 firring strip: $1
1 can black spray paint: $4
Total: $23
Savings: $46
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