Bob the runner

Wouldn't you think someone who can finish a marathon (26.2 miles) would have strong leg muscles?  Doesn't it seem logical someone who can easily run a sub 2 hour half marathon (13.1 miles), and not experience any leg discomfort afterwards, must have strong muscles in their legs.  Along the same lines, wouldn't you think someone who can swim a mile (freestyle), without stopping, would have decent leg and upper body strength?  If you answered yes to all 3 then you and I agreed until recently. Each week I have been doing the following as part of my workout: Speed run (3-4 miles) as fast as I can go. Swim 800-1000 meters at a comfortable pace.  One or 2 days. 10-15 mile bike ride at a comfortable pace.  Usually includes 1 tough climb. Tempo run (5-6 miles) at race pace (9:09 per mile). Long run (8-13 miles) at about 30-60 seconds per mile slower than race pace.  When I was training for the January marathon, my long runs were much longer (16-20 miles).  OK, I have slac

I'm not sure why but my mind has led me to blog about numbers.  The more I think about my athletic experiences, the more it becomes evident the focus is primarily on numbers and how to improve them!  I tend to become obsessed about things and this falls right into my obsession trap.  I was primarily a runner for many years and added biking and swimming in the last couple years.  These new sports gave my brain even more numbers to obsess about!  The numbers started out geared toward distance then speed entered the horizon.  Now I think about cadence, heart rate, SWOLF, and the list goes on.  The running goals started low and progressed as they were accomplished: Run one mile! Run 2 miles! Bring on my first 5K race! It's time to train for a 10K! How far can I push this thing?  Can I do a half marathon (13.1 miles)? After a couple 13.1 finishes, I start thinking a marathon (26.2 miles) is possible. Pikes Peak ascent or Mount Evans climb.  Do these even make sense? At this

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon was a real thrill for me!  Not only did I PR (1:55:06) but my family was also there to celebrate with me which made it extra special.  My Dad, brother, and sister-in-law lapped the track (2.5 miles) and my cousins Ken and Karen Woellert walked the half marathon.  Everyone finished under the required time limits so we all had reason to celebrate!   Race morning started at 4am as the alarm clock yelled for me to get up.  I left my parents house about 430am and headed toward the race track.  Traffic was minimal and I arrived at gate 40 of the race track about 450am.  It was dark out and I was tired and anxious until driving through a tunnel and onto the infield of the race track.  I'm not a NASCAR fan but seeing the motor homes, the race track, the stands and realizing I was on the infield of the Daytona 500 race track kinda took my breath away.  I instantly became very excited and couldn't wait to park the car and look around. Being an early bi

I'm Bob from Arvada Colorado and I like to run.  The first time I ran, when not required, was after leaving the Air Force in 1981.  My buddy Mike Lowry suggested we run and so we did.  I'm not really sure why we ran back then or how far we ran but it was never about running races.  Thinking back, the first race I ran was in 1994.  I did a couple 5K's that year and then ran the Bolder Boulder 10K.  My time was 55:55.  Some folks I worked with were into running and exposed me to running races.  Once I ran the Bolder Boulder I was hooked.  For many years I couldn't get beyond 10K without getting injured.  Then in 2011 I ran my first half Marathon, the Rock and Roll Denver Half Marathon.  I was hoping to finish in under 2 hours but ended up finishing in 2:06:19.  OK, now I was mad and was not going to settle until I ran a half in under 2 hours.  I was challenged to say the least.  In 2012, I kept running but hadn't scheduled another half marathon when my wife suggeste