The Rowe Family Blog

I started logging miles on June 18th 2007.  On November November 28th I logged my 500th mile!  I’ve run more than 500 miles this year but this is my 500th logged mile.  Unfortunately it wasn’t a very good run.  It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t good. 

It was cold and slightly windy and, of course, very dark.  I wore 4 shirts, gloves, a hat, and shorts.  My legs were numb almost immediately.  I can’t wait to get tights so that my legs are warmer when running in this horrible climate.  It was 32 degrees outside which I realize isn’t horribly cold but 32 doesn’t suit me for running.  I much prefer it to be at least 55 degrees out and below 90.  Although I find running in 90 degree temps to be a challenge.  When it gets to be about 30 outside I don’t find it to be a challenge — just uncomfortable.

My outer shin muscles got very tired during the run.  I don’t know why but it may have been because I couldn’t feel my legs.  I could feel the muscle soreness but everything else was rather numb.  Maybe that affected my stride?  Even with the discomfort I ran at a decent pace.  I finished the 3.2 mile loop in 25:59, an 8:08 pace.

Tonight, if it’s not too windy, I will run the Rowe Quarter (6.5 miles).  I may run it in reverse depending on how much wind there is.  If it’s very windy I won’t run at all.  If it’s a little windy I’ll run in whatever direction places the wind at my back.  I’ll be screwed if the wind is from the North or South.

Last weekend John and I ran the Philadelphia Half Marathon. Once again it was a great weekend. Everyone had a great race and we had a great weekend. Even a somewhat disorganized race couldn’t ruin the weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

Tomorrow John and I are leaving to run the Philadelphia Half Marathon.  The race is at 7 AM Sunday morning.  I’m going to try for a PR but I’m not very confident I will get it this time.  At the Niagara Falls Half Marathon not too long ago I ran a 1:48.  I’d like to beat that but my last few runs haven’t felt very good and my times reflected that.  On Tuesday John and I ran about 5 miles at about a 9 minute pace.  Normally that might have felt slow and easy but it certainly did not feel that way this Tuesday.  My run before that on Sunday was extremely difficult on me.  I haven’t been eating as well as I should be either.  I’ve had a distinct lack of veggies this weeks and I’ve been eating too much junk food.  Luckily the weather shouldn’t be too cold.  It’s predicted to be 38 F at 6:00 AM in Philly on Sunday.  The temps aren’t supposed to go over 40 by 9 though.  That’s a bit chilly but I can handle it.  I’ll have to actually wear a shirt for this race.  It will be the first race that I’ll run with a shirt.  So sad…

Check back periodically as the list will likely change. Follow the link to view our 2007 Christmas list. Read the rest of this entry »

Last night, 11/11/2007 I ran 16 miles.  Since the weather was supposed to be in the 50s and sunny I decided it would be the best day to put in some miles.  It was a tough run for many reasons.  On the bright side I did see some litter that told an interesting story… Read the rest of this entry »

Last night I ran once again in the dark and cold of western New York. I ran the Rowe Quarter, a route that I run often (though many times with variations). I ran at a tempo pace and very nearly broke my record for the route. I finished in 53:06 just 20 seconds shy of my PR of 52:47. The only reason I know my best time for that route is because of my training log.

When I was running last night I thought about a previous comment I made about the definition of a “marathoner.” Read the rest of this entry »

On Monday, November 5th, I broke down and ran on a treadmill. I felt I had no choice. It’s been dark and cold outside. I’ve not been terribly comfortable running in those conditions. I went to the gym on Monday and decided that as much as I didn’t want to I should run on the treadmill to get some miles in. I was hopeful that I wouldn’t mind it. I did mind it. A lot.

It might not have been so bad had the batteries in my mp3 player not died. It might not have been too bad if there were better (any?) eye candy at the gym that night. It definitely would have been better if I didn’t have ready access to my pace and distance. I covered those details with a towel but since there’s nothing else to look at while on a treadmill I gave in to temptation and looked at the ugly details.

I think what I hate the most is the pace. It never varies. When I’m on the road I automatically adjust based on how I feel. If a great song comes on I’ll unconsciously run faster. If I get tired I will slow down. On a treadmill that’s not so easy. When I’m on the road I might hope to run at a good pace but on a treadmill I can nearly force myself to run that pace whether I’m ready for that pace or not.

I ran at a good pace but I was worried about matching the pace of the treadmill. If I went too slowly then my foot would logically slide forward in my shoe banging my nails and giving me blisters under the nails. I don’t want blisters under my nails. I’m also afraid that this sort of “not keeping the same pace as the treadmill” contributes to shin splints. I think I felt some shin pain during this run but it was so faint that it was probably all in my head.

This run confirmed for me that I can’t do treadmills even in the cold darkness that is western New York.  I will find a way to run outside.  Multiple layers, headlights, running during lunch at work, and yes tights.  Whatever it takes to be on the road.  You must understand I feel I have no choice.

Back in April I got spam from an address I used only with Motley Fool.  Yesterday I received an opt-in request for that same address.  It was to sign up for a mailing list with Millenium Traders.  Luckily for me this mailing list appears to be legit because they did not sign me up with out confirmation.

Last weekend on October 28th I ran the 2007 Niagara Falls Half Marathon.  In the days leading up to the event there was some question as to whether or not I would be running.  Earlier in the week I came down with a virus that left me with incredibly sore muscles and evenings with chills and mild fevers.  I felt OK to run but Mark would be running his first marathon and I really didn’t want to get him sick.  Mark put John, myself, and Katie up in his apartment.  For the day prior to the race we’d be spending a lot of time together at the expo and eating a pasta dinner.  After consulting with doctors and with Mark it was finally decided (about two hours before I planned to leave) that I would be running! Read the rest of this entry »