Speed Kills

I'm at the point now where I'll maybe run one, maybe two 5ks a year, for no particular reason. Generally, it's a matter of convenience. For example, every year, for the past five years I've run the Brookhaven Sunshine Foundation Run, which happens to be in my hometown. The course takes the runners past my house twice. RTD also times it, which is fun, because in the last couple of years, I've managed to snag an age group award, and it's always fun to give myself an award whilst announcing the winners.

So, I ran the Brookhaven 5k yesterday. I ran it in 24:37, which is about 30 seconds slower than last year. That finishing time may not seem like anything that's fast by comparative 5k standards, but, for me, it's pretty darn good considering that my running has been minimal in the past 2-3 weeks, and certainly nothing built around any sort of speed work.

I think that if I were to actually put some time in, I could shave 2 minutes off that time easily. But here's the caveat: I think 5ks are a joke. The fact that I can go out and run a 5k with little training and do moderately well is proof of that. Anyone can run a 5k with some minimal training. Where is the challenge for an experienced runner? Certainly, there is something to be said about speed and setting PRs and seeing how fast one could go. Example: I once ran a 5k in 20:30. That's my PR. Could I break that if we're to have continued to trained? No doubt, but realistically, how much much time would I have shaved off? Enough to get me to break 20? And then what? At some point, I think there is a law of diminishing returns with 5ks. A runner dedicates an inordinate amount of time to training, for a very small gain. Seconds.

Granted, all of this is the opinion of a long distance runner. Once a runner makes that transition from small distances to marathon, I think perspective changes. Alot. Christ, I'm at the point where I think 1/2 marathons are getting kinda wishy washy as well. Clearly, everyone has their own goals and challenges, and I respect anyone who puts the time in to accomplish their goals.

Am I coming off as being a bit "elitist" because I've run marathons? Probably. But you're getting my opinion, because its my blog. Its not to say that I won't run another 5k, or half marathon. I'll run anything. But the point is that those types of events don't make me tingly anymore.

When I first joined my running club, I definitely got the sense that one didnt become a "real runner" until having completed the marathon. That's a very old school way of thinking, but it still holds some weight. Anyone who runs any distance, from a 1 foot to 100 miles is a runner. But I don't want to be "just a runner." And lets leave it at that.

Go big or go home

Wanted: trainer. And not som mamby-pamby trainer who makes house wives lift kettle balls two times a week. Someone who is going to kick my ass. I miss having my ass kicked on a regular basis. When I was training in the martial arts, every Wednesday- I'd get my ass kicked. To whomever is reading this, send me an email at frank.durso@gmail.com

Swim with the fishes

I feel like shit. I got the flu coming on. Which sucks because I wanted to run a 5k on Sunday. I took first in my age group last year and this is a fantastic race because it literally passes my house twice. The girls come out and cheer and all tht fun stuff. I haven't run all week and with the way I feel it's very doubtful that ill run between now and Sunday.

Lou is trying to talk me into doing a half marathon in September. Lets back up a sec and look at my illustrious multisport history. I can't swim to save my life (no pun intendend) hence the reason that I chose to participate in duathlon for many years. And I don't care what anyone says, duathlon is harder than triathlon. There, I said. I have never done anything over the sprint distance. But could I do it? Could I do a half? Sure, but I'd have to get my ass in a pool and put some ridiculous training in, and I'd probably have to get a swimming coach. Nothing else about the event scares me. I could easily do 58 on a bike and a half marathon immediately after the bike. The first couple of miles of the run would suck but they always do when making that transition. And let's be real -  because I'm keeping it real. Half marathon? For real? I've run two marathons and an ultra. I could bump out a half in my sleep. Might not be a PR after riding 58 miles but its probably the leg of the race that I'd have to focus the least amount of my training.

24 Hour Party People

I've formed a team for this year's 20in24 ultra marathon. I paced a runner last year, running 45 miles in the span of 7 hours. This year, I decided to "scale it back" and try and form a five person relay team for the "Platinum" relay category. Each relay runner completes four laps (not consecutively).

Welcome to team "Five Finger Death Punch."

On the lineup: Cat, Lea, Sebastian, PJ and team captain, me.

So I've resurrected this blog to try and provide a written record of my training and a what eventually will be a live feed from the event itself.

The training really isn't anything that needs to be over the top. I have to run four laps of 8.3 miles each. Since its a really, I'll have a good five hours in between each lap. That's plenty of time to nap, rest, and recover. Although I would like to try and hammer each lap. So I am working on middle distances with some speed. The training has been going so-so. The last two weeks have been rough- work is killing me and I've been awful about getting up to run. However, in the last three weeks I've hammered out a good 10 miler and a 13 miler with Linda. And that's with little to no running in between each of the longer runs. So I have a good base right now. Consistency is the case!