My journey as a marathoner...

Monday Nov 15 AM 6 miles, 42min PM 14 miles, 1:31min WO 10x400 warm up: 46min, drills, strides, 1x200 in 28.28 workout goal: 10x400 in 69sec w/ 100 rest in 23sec actual workout: 67.65(18.63)68.12(19.63)67.94(19.95)69.30(19.81)68.62(19.69) 69.12(19.88)70.12(20.63)69.75(19.69)70.37(20.38)67.87(16.85) total 5000m in 14:44.00(including recovery) cool down: 31min Tuesday Nov 16 AM 6 miles, 40min, with on/off strides PM 12 miles, 1:20min, treadmill Wednesday Nov 17 AM 5 miles, 35min PM 13 miles++, 1:22min WO: 5xmile warm up: 28min, drills and strides, 1x200 in 29.00 workout goal: 5xmile 4:55 with 400rest in 1:30 4:45.10(1:31.08) 4:48.75(1:29.82) 4:49.62(1:37.56) 3:00-1k ---22.02.71 for 7000m (5:03.91 per mile) -followed by 5min bathroom break then last mile 4:42.92 cool down 28min Thursday Nov 18 AM 6 miles, 42min with on/off strides PM 12 miles, 1:22min Friday Nov 19 AM 6 miles, 42min PM 12 miles, 1:20min WO 4 mile fartlek warm up: 42min, drills workout: fartlek on treadmill, 4 miles,1% inc...

It all makes sense now. Two weeks ago, I couldn't tell why my heart rate jumped 20bpm at USATF-NE race. I also couldn't figure out why I had such a terrible race at the 2008 DII XC nationals. Now I think I'm finally got the answer: Cold Induced Asthma. For those of you that don't know, before coming to the US (1999) I had severe asthma problems caused by allergies from Sahara's dust and sand traveling from Africa to the islands. I was born with asthma and had been hospitalized on several occasions. It was not uncommon for me to randomly pass out due to asthma attacks. As I grew older (from 5 to 12 years), I was able to control it better. However, I would still get extremely tired and out of breath by just playing around outside on the streets. After I came to the US, being away from the dust, I was able to get my asthma under control. However, I noticed in the winter, I would get sick much more often. I was talking today to Barbara (Throws coach at UML) and she...

Finishing a 12-mile run in the basement at home. In getting ready for the winter months, I have set up this fine piece of equipment in the basement at home. There will be no missed runs anymore. The treadmill can be mentally tough to handle, but so is the marathon. So I think this will build mental toughness. Last year during the time that I ran my PR of 13:56, more than 50% of that month's training was done on treadmills. Although some people may think treadmill running is not good for you, but here are my benefits specifically for winter running: - no slipping, sliding or falling, no breaking bones like I did back in 2009 - more efficient running than running on packed snow - eliminate chances of getting sick - let yourself dictate pace, rather than letting the weather dictate pace/efforts - full complete training days rather than half days because of weather - run anytime during the day, even if it's dark - easy water stations - mental & psychological gains