| Location: Pittsfield,MA, Member Since: Jul 02, 2008 Gender: Male Goal Type: Boston Qualifier Running Accomplishments:
- 2006 Mohawk Hudson River Marathon (NY)
- 2007 Vermont City Marathon (VT)
- 2011 BPAC 6 Hour Run (NY)
- 2011 Mind the Ducks 12 Hour (NY)
- 2012 Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon #1 (IN)
- 2012 Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon #2 (IN)
- 2012 BPAC 6 Hour Run (NY)
- 2012 Mind the Ducks 12 Hour (NY)
- 2012 Memorial Day Marathon (MA)
- 2012 Around the Lake 12 Hour (MA)
- 2012 Hancock Shaker Village 50 (MA)
- 2012 Bay State Marathon (MA)
- 2012 First Descents Marathon (DE)
- 2013 Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon #1 (IN)
- 2013 Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon #2 (IN)
- 2013 Circular Logic Marathon (IN)
- 2013 Lake Waramaug 50M (CT)
- 2013 BPAC 6 Hour Run (NY)
- 2013 Ragnar Cape Cod Ultra Team (MA)
- 2013 Memorial Day Marathon (MA)
- 2013 Relay For Life No. Berkshire (MA)
- 2013 Ragnar Adirondack Ultra Team (MA)
- 2013 BayState Marathon (MA)
- 2013 One Day At the Fair Marathon (NJ)
- 2013 West Palm Beaches Marathon (FL)
- 2014 Arena Attack XL Center Marathon (CT)
- 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #1 (IN)
- 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #2 (IN)
- 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #3 (IN)
- 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #4 (IN)
- 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #5 (IN)
- 2014 Maple City 6-Pack Marathon #6 (IN)
- 2014 Circular Logic Marathon (IN)
Personal Bests:
- 400 - 1:01 (2004)
- 800 - 2:16 (2004)
- Mile - 5:12 (2004)
- 2Mile - 11:27 (2004)
- 5k - 19:44 (2005)
- 10k 40:46 (11/22/07)
- 15k - 1:07:40 (11/11/07)
- 13.11 Half - 1:38:31 (12/9/07)
- Marathon 3:59:18 (1/25/14)
- 50 miles 11:44 (5/14/11)
Eagle Scout with Bronze and Gold Palms (2002)
Biked from Ticonderoga, New York to Old Orchard Beach, Maine in August of 2005 (Total of about 290 miles Short-Term Running Goals: 200 miles @ 72 Hour Race in May
Under 200 #
Sub 4:00 Marathon
Long-Term Running Goals: QUALIFY AND RUN IN THE BOSTON MARATHON. Personal: I am 27. Have done 33 marathons and ultras. Really trying to get in shape to get back to running the miles I want to. I love to read and worked for four years in a bookstore. I like to keep track of the books I read. Currently I work as a 6th & 7th grade history teacher at the only charter school in Berkshire County, as well as serve as the coach for the cross country team! Been experimenting as a pescatarian (eating only fish) since August 10, 2011.
Just earned my Master's Degree in Adolescent Education for Social Studies. I have the most wonderful WIFE in the entire world.. EMMA! October 16, 2010
Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must. Just never give up! - Dean Karnazes -
We are all teachers and we are all students in this sport. - Dean Karnazes -
The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and moving forward at an accelerated rate can be one of life's greatest - and simplest - pleasures. ~Dean Karnazes
"Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny." - MK Gandhi
"The marathon mercilessly rips off the outer layers of our defenses and leaves the raw human, vulnerable and naked. It is here you get an honest glimpse into the soul of an individual. Every insecurity and character flaw is open and on display for all the world to see. No communication is ever more real, no expression ever more honest. There is nothing left to hide behind. The marathon is the great equalizer. Ever movement, every word spoken and unspoken, is radiant truth. The veil has been obliterated. These are the profound moments of human interaction that I live for." - Dean Karnazes
Benn Griffin
Create Your Badge{C}
2014 Books I've Read:
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 204.78 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 | |
| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 10.17 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Day #370: 10.17 miles in 1:22:34, good for 8:07 a mile.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 15.15 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| First 7.3 in 1:03, rest in about 9-9:15s, with last 5k in 26:30
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 3.75 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Run easy at 9:00-9:10 pace.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 2.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2 x 8:45 miles just keeping it real. Has totally sucked not having treadmill. Botched this and trying to do a longer run today. Will get the 8 mile progression run in and then cool down for a few miles.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 10.53 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1:26:02, including 8 mile progression run. 8:41, 8:44, 8:18, 8:16, 7:53, 7:48, 7:29, 7:12. 2.53 mile cool down.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 4.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 4 miles @ average about 9:00-9:05 pace.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 4.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 4 miles in 34:00.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 3.10 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 5k in 26:45. Steady as she goes.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 6.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Did 3 outside in 26 and another 3 in 24:30, all outside. last mile outside was 7:52. Have to get 4 more in today
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 3.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Easy 3 miles 9/mile pace.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 3.10 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 5k just under 27:00
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| First 7 starting 9:52, 9:48 and steadily going down. Miles 5 and 6 were 9:07. Last 3 miles were 8:32 or faster.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 3.10 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 5k at 27:00
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 11.11 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| 3,2,1 miles hard |
Do a 2 mile warmup, 3 miles hard, half mile jog, 2 miles hard, half mile jog, and 1 mile hard. Do a 2 mile cooldown. Will be a 11 mile workout. |
Is the treadmill guy going to watch you run this? Jake |
23:46, 14:59, 6:58 for the 3,2,1. 1:36:59 total for workout. |
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 3.27 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 30:00 recovery run, good for 9:10/mile. Felt relaxed.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 8.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| 12 x 400s |
keep these near 1:45-1:50 each, 400 meter recovery jogs, 1 mile warmup and cooldown |
No faster than 8.6 MPH on treadmill. Jake |
Day #385: 8 miles total. Intended workout: 12 x 400m @ goal 1:45-1:50 with 400m recovery between each. 1 mile w/u and c/d. 400 splits were: 1:46, 1:47, 1:47, 1:48, 1:48, 1:48, 1:48, 1:46, 1:46, 1:45, 1:46, 1:44. Phew! Tired! Recovery 400s were all between 2:15 and 2:20. w/u and c/d were 9:13 and 9:15 respectively. |
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 2.25 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Day #386: easy 20:00 recovery; 2.25 miles total. Finished at about 10:30pm.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 12.32 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 8.1 miles around Schenectardy with Harry, and then another 4.17 later at home in 40:00. Felt great
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 8.12 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| 8.12 |
10 mile run |
push this pace a little harder today... |
including 20:00 at 8:00/mile |
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 7.15 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 56:30 in the woods for 5.15 and 2 miles on treadmill in 17:30.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 2.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| 2 |
6 x 800s @ 3:45 |
run the odds controlled at 345, hit the even ones sub 340? |
What should i do for recoveries here? and do like what 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down? |
If on treadmill I usually do 800 jog in between easier to keep track of. Jake |
2 @ 9:15s |
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 7.10 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| 7.1 |
2-3 streak saver |
Treadmill doom again? |
3:44, 3:42, 3:45, 3:41, 3:44, 3:37. That's how you run a workout! |
did 800 jogs between each, cool down cut short bc wife got home and promised her I'd be done before she got home. |
Just looking now and thought original goal was 345s and 340s.. didnt see it say "sub 340" doh! |
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 2.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2 easy at 9:15 pace.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 2.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2 easy at 9:12/mile pace.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Race: |
Arena Attack Series: XL Center Marathon (26.22 Miles) 03:59:18, Place overall: 5, Place in age division: 5 | | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 27.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| 27 |
Arena Attack Series: XL Center Marathon, Hartford, CT |
I'm In!! |
Go for it! |
goal time? You really have been ready for a PR for a LONG time! |
Can I break 4?? |
2 hrs at half way mark? |
1:58 through halfway, including 6 min BR break. Ended up finishing in 3:59:21!!! Heck yeah! |
New Marathon PR: 3:59:21 and 5th place overall! |
Now they have my listed at 3:59:18!
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January 25, 2014
For some the third time’s the charm. In my case, it was the 27th. Yes, you read that correctly. After 27 marathons and ultras I finally broke 4 hours. It was not easy by any means. There have been many late or sleepless nights, countless blisters and chafed nipples, and inner thigh chafing that would rival the infamous Scottish kilt-rub that has been lost to history, most likely to placate the squeamishness of most readers of modern history.
The Arena Attack Marathon at the XL Center in Hartford on Saturday, January 25th was set to be the stage through which all my months of hard work was to pay off. It was the 394th day of my running streak and almost the 10 month anniversary of signing on with coaches Justin and Jake Gillette.
I had a late night the night before, as I watched Union hockey devour Harvard with a minimal yet acceptable amount of fist-flying. After only five hours of sleep, I awoke and donned my warrior gear - Lake Waramaug 50 mile shirt, 24 Hour Around the Lake shirt, green shorts, Vitalsox compression socks, and a new pair of Merrell Road Gloves. The drive to Hartford from Pittsfield was uneventful, but parking was a gem, directly one floor beneath the center. I was parked and in the arena within 5 minutes.
Race Director Scott really put together a great race, with a 5k option at 8am, followed by marathon, 1/2 marathon and marathon relay options starting at 9, as well as a second 1/2 marathon start at 11:15. I was banking on the second wave of 1/2 runners to reinvigorate me as I started to falter and hit the inevitable walls as any distance runner does.
Going into the race, I used Scott’s spreadsheet to determine a goal pace for the 128 lap course (really 127.8 as advertised). At the pre-race briefing this was changed to 130 I guess, though with nerves I completely missed this - more to come on this later. My “A” goal was 4:00:00. My “B” goal was to break my PR from 2013 of 4:07. “C” goal was anything faster than 4:20 which would give me my second fastest marathon ever. I was confident I could make this race count. I have never worked harder in my life both in training and in diet.
The beginning of the race was relatively uneventful. It was nice to hear the music each lap (approximately 5 laps to the mile). There were 3 guys all gunning for the lead. Some drama with marathon relay runners with the batons not registering, but everyone settled into their own rhythm. I ticked off the laps and felt great until about lap 50, the 1.5 hour mark. I took a gel that I had never tried before (rookie mistake), which resulted in a 6 minute BR break for GI issues.
I hit the 1/2 way point in 1:58. Most marathons I tend to fade horribly and end up with 10-15 minutes being tacked on the second half. I was determined not to let that happen. I pushed harder. Despite all my training I hit the wall for the first time around mile 16. *My longest run since the December Palm Beaches Marathon was about that length*. I started to have a little bit of self-doubt, but then I remembered what Jake Gillette told me. “Those last 10 miles focus on light feet, light feet, light feet.” My mantra became “light feet” for the next 10 miles. I made mini goals to pass a person in the next two laps, to put a 1 lap buffer between me and the next guy. To just hang in there for 10 more laps.
Slowly the laps started to tick up. The second round of half marathoners started while I was about at lap 74. Lap 90, 8 miles to go.. “Light feet. Light feet.”. I could feel my sock rubbing on my right pinky toe, but I pressed on. Hugged the corners. Passed on the inside whenever possible.
Lap 100. The moneymaker. Smooth sailing from here. At least in theory. I fed off the energy of the runners I passed. Holding steady. Light feet. Light feet. The toe hurt more. The hamstrings started to tighten. I took two :10 walking breaks.
Lap 120. Ten to go. I had 20 minutes to break 4 hours. Could I do it? I came this far, 24 miles. Can’t afford to lose it now! Dig deeper! Don’t give in now! Cannot afford to go home empty handed. I lapped another Clydesdale in a red shirt - took everything I had. I ended up only beating him by 1 lap!
Lap 125. 5 to go. Should have been 3, but they switched it to 130. I thought I had no chance of making it. Light feet. Light feet. 1/2 marathoners were just chatting, and I gritted my teeth and started grunting like an old man trying to run up a staircase. That’s what it felt like.
Lap 128. 2 more to go.. And I activated the after burners. I took off and felt like I was flying. Realistically probably only about 7:40 pace or so. My last lap ended up being my fastest of the whole race, 1:25.
Lap 130. I crossed the finish line in 3:59:21 (later amended to 3:59:18 officially). I was completely spent, but overjoyed. Scott came up congratulated me and gave me a pint glass and my 5th PLACE MEDAL! I had earned this one. Hard work. Gritted my teeth and fought through it. First time ever breaking 4 hours in the marathon and an 8 minute PR!!
Would I do it again? Most certainly. Did I pay a price? Yes. 6 blisters, including one under my pinky toenail. Ouch! Am I proud of myself. Definitely! Taking out the bathroom stop, I ran 3:53 on course.. My next goal is to get as close to 3:50 as possible at the Circular Logic Marathon in West Lafayette, Indiana on March 29th this year. In between now and then, I have just a little challenge. 6 marathons in 6 days in Goshen, Indiana during February break. Hoorah! Keep on truckin’. We can do anything we put our minds to!
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 10.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1:34:20, good for 9:26 average. Felt relaxed. Legs good. Last mile they were a little heavy.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 5.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 39:17; 7:52/mile! Was all I could do. Just finished run at 10:45pm. Need to be up at 4am.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 2.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 2 miles easy at 9:10/mile.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 6.56 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 1:00:00 easy run nothin too serious. Felt good minus the blister about to pop under my nail
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 6.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| just so you know, I think you are a 3:40 marathon runner so using those pace projections to get your workouts. |
2 easy, 2 miles of 2 minutes hard, 2 minutes easy, 2 cooldown, you can do longer warmup/cooldown if you want. Try to have 8min/mile pace for those 2 miles hard average |
including 2 miles in 7:30 and 6:48. Mapped out a 1 mile course using no gps! Was exactly 1 mile. Felt accomplished! |
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 5.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 5 in 44:50, easy and relaxed like.
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 |
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| | Running Miles | Swimming Yards | Bike Miles | | 204.78 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
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| Night Sleep Time: 0.00 | Nap Time: 0.00 | Total Sleep Time: 0.00 | Weight: 0.00 | |
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