Week Ending 10/29

Hi Fellow runners!

How's everyone's training going?


My week in review: 

Monday: Two miles after work. Monday was rest day. Really prefer to do long run Saturday and rest day on Sunday, and start the week strong Monday. But had a 5k and plans Saturday, long run Sunday, so rest day Monday, and two for the streak.

Tuesday: 5 miles at the trail after work. Enjoyed football and an adult beverage or two on Monday night. A bit tired throughout Tuesday, but wasn't that bad.

Wednesday: 5k. Work from home day, lunch run, done!

Thursday: 4 miles at the trail after work. Wore a coat to work this morning, sun warmed up by lunch time. It rained, it cleared up. After work my car said it was 56 degrees outside, no need for long sleeves. Well, felt fine at first, but once on the trail heading into some shade it definitely got cooler. Wind chill 47, probably cooler in some parts of the trail. Can do 47 in short sleeves, but as it gets dark or windy it may be time to add something to the outfit. Guess it's time to keep an eye on temps before heading out.

Friday: 5k after work. Work was fine, was definitely thinking more about Saturday's run that Friday's. Done work. 5k around the neighborhood. Per usual, pasta night before long run day. Didn't get into the World Series game, didn't want to stay up late.

Saturday: Long run day! New longest run! Longest run of my marathon training plan! First 15 miles or so weren't bad, but last 2-3 were definitely a bit rough! Lower back and overall soreness. Will definitely be stretching and hydrating! For more details of the run, check my marathon update here!

Later Saturday, drove to Reading,Pa to visit my pops. Always a great visit. Before dinner we stopped at a small brewery in West Reading, Chatty Monks! ;) Pic below is their Pekkochu IPA.

Sunday: rest day, one for the streak. Streak day 645. Left calf is still pretty tight. Stretched a bunch last night and a bit this morning. Will continue. Still some overall soreness from yesterday, but not horrible.

October goals: 

• Taper for Army Ten Miler. Review can be found here.
• Taper for the Runner's World 5k, review can be found here. 
• long run training for the Philadelphia Marathon! Progress can be found here.

November goals: 

• Take taper and recovery days before the marathon seriously. Don't worry about missing 100 mi month. If it happens, it happens. Completing the marathon is this month's goal. 

Future races registered for:

• 11/19/17 - Philadelphia Marathon, my first full! Track my training updates here.
• 03/25/18 - Philadelphia Love Run half marathon. Love the love run! Check out my 2017 review here: Race review: #LoveRunPhilly

What is everyone currently training for? Signed up for a race? New to running, or maintaining until a race peaks interest? Whatever it is, good luck to everyone with their training, keep kicking butt!!

If you do any races, please remember to review them on BibRave.com! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G

Week ending 10/22

Hi Fellow runners!

How's everyone's training going?

My week in review: 

Monday: 5 miles at my trail. Had the day off work, but had plans. Set my alarm, per usual, got up before my alarm. Got to the trail, first car there! Things were still tight from Saturday's long run, and tired from Sunday, but glad I got it in. The air is starting to feel a bit brisk in the morning, was very nice. I did end up seeing people along the way, they must of parked on  either end of the trail.

Later Monday, my Wife and I took a small road trip to Hawk Mountain located in Kempton, PA. Some light hiking and beautiful views. We did the entire trail, was about 6k steps. At least two of the lookout points do require some "rock scrambling", but well worth it! The views were wonderful, we did see a couple hawks from afar, you should pack binoculars if you really want to check them out. 

For more info on Hawk Mountain, their site can be located here.

On the way home from Hawk mountain, we stopped in Allentown for lunch. Stopped at Fegley's Allentown Brew Works. Excellent burger, fantastic beer. Pictured below is their Devious Imperial Pumkpin, one of my fav pumpkin beers!

Tuesday: 5k after work. Temps starting to cool. Didn't need long sleeves for running, but the cool down was pretty darn cold!

Wednesday: 5k. My work from home day, lunch run, done! Always a good mind reset to unplug and get out there for a few. Feel refreshed when returning back to work! Was happy with this 5k, need to practice pace and breathing for an upcoming race this weekend. I hear Bethlehem has some hills, may not see all of them for the 5k, but should be interesting!

Thursday: Starting to taper a bit more for Saturday's race. Still feeling last Saturday and this week's runs, decided to do just one and done.

Friday: was rough. This was my on-call week, went smoothly until Thursday night. Was called at 2:45am Friday morning, :(  Had to work on an issue that lasted through time to head into the office. Was a long, coffee filled day. Glad Friday was a taper day for Saturday's 5k. One and done.

Saturday: Runners world half and festival, 5k! Had a blast at this race, for more info, check out my review here!

Sunday: long run day!  10 miles at the trail. For more of a recap, checkout my marathon training update here!

October goals: 

• Taper for Army Ten Miler, run the Army Ten Miler. Race review here! 
• Resume long run training for the Philadelphia Marathon! Marathon training update here!
• Taper for the Runner's World 5k, get the long run in the following day. Done. 

Future races registered for:

• 10/21/17 - Runners World 5k, (Bethlehem, Pa): A festival of running?! Don't think I'd be up for the half being so close to the Army Ten Miler, but really wanted to check out the festival. Got some buddies doing the 5k, can't wait!
• 11/19/17 - Philadelphia Marathon, my first full! Track my training updates here.
• 03/25/18 - Philadelphia Love Run half marathon. Love the love run! Check out my 2017 review here: Race review: #LoveRunPhilly

What is everyone currently training for? Signed up for a race? New to running, or maintaining until a race peaks interest? Whatever it is, good luck to everyone with their training, keep kicking butt!!

If you do any races, please remember to review them on BibRave.com! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G

Race Reviews: Runners World Half Festival, the 5k.

Hi Fellow Runners!

How's everyone doing?!  Just had a blast at the RWHalf festival, did the 5k, below is my review!

Background: last yr, I discovered that the Runners World magazine was actually based just over an hr or so away from me! When i discovered this, my fall racing plan for 2016 was already layed out, wasn't able to fit this in.  Made a point to at least check it out this yr! There are plenty of race options, a 4 mile trail run, a 5k, 10k, and/or half to choose from, or choose them all! My Sept and October races were already planned for 2017, wasn't sure which one to choose, but wanted to at least check it out, went with the 5k! After coming close to picking the 5k, decided to see who I could talk into doing it as well, since it is "only" 3.1 miles. lol  Was able to get a buddy from work, and one of my closest friends (who has recently gotten into running, and I'm so proud of) to commit!  We had a blast! Would definitely do this race again, depending on my training cycle, would do a further or multiple races!

Pre-race, got to meet the legendary Bart Yasso!

Course Scenery: The background of the race was cool, the Bethlehem Steel Stacks and cool abandoned warehouses. Good trivia question, if you are a fan of the Michael Bay Transformers movies, part of the opening fight of Transformers 2 takes of place in Bethlehem, (part of it is spliced with other locations, but made to look like the Bethlehem Steel stacks. Other noteworthy scenery includes a view of he river/foliage seen from the bridge. 

Elevation: After hearing that the half has hills, the 10k has some and the 5k has a few, was trying to prepare myself mentally for some hills. Was not that bad. There were about three. There was a ramp to a bridge that had an incline, across the bridge there was about a half block around that had an incline and later on around the .5 mark one last slight incline. That half block was probably the worst, but not that bad.

Aid: ample water for a 5k. Banana, bagel, pretzels, granola bar post race. 

TShirt/Swag:a long sleeve Tech Tee, and a cool medal that pays homage to  the Bethlehem steel industry!

Expo: Chose to do the pickup morning of the race, a couple stands near the bib pickup, the shirt pickup wasn't until after the race. After the race, at the shirt pickup, there was a shoe stand, a couple sock stands, two race stands, and one or two health food stands. Not a huge expo, but worth checking out!

Parking: There are two lots close to the starting line, but for the 5k there is a warning, if you park by the close parking lots, you must stay until the completion of the 10 k, which is closer to noon. The 5 k starts at 8.  There are two further lots that have a shuttle service, they recommend 45 minutes for parking/shuttle time. We used the shuttle after bib pickup, wasn't bad, closer to 15 minutes. 

Race management: corrals managed efficiently. Plenty of info emailed prior and an app available pre race. Overall, managed very well. Wouldn't change much, maybe add more stands to the expo, maybe add a post race beer. ;)

What recent races have you done or are training for?

If you do any races, please remember to review them on BibRave.com! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G

Week Ending 10/15

Hi Fellow runners!

How's everyone's training going?

Sunday's race kicked my butt, but back to the grind!

My week in review: 

Monday: rest day, one for the streak. Sunday was the Army Ten Miler, you can read my review here. Monday, was up early to begin my travel back to Pa. The Va/DC area was getting hit with storms all morning, an after affect from the tropical storm from the south. Checked the weather map, as it cleared up in Va, another storm was going to hit in Pa. Traveled through the storm, 3.5 hrs, almost an entire hr longer than going there.  Tough drive, could barely see most of the way. Arrived home, unpacked, the weather cleared up. Head out for the streak day mile, day  625. Yeah, things were a bit tight in certain spots. lol Hydrate and stretch some more!

Tuesday: 5 miles at my trail. (Pennypack Creek, Huntingdon Valley, Pa). Glad I took another day off work, I slept in till 9! Guess all those early mornings caught up to me. Had my coffee and water. Head over to the trail. Was debating which side of the trail to do, did the side with the gradual incline, because I'm a glutton for punishment. The weather was still unseasonably warm, still feeling Sunday's run, but glad I got it in. 

In previous posts I mentioned my trail has at least 7 scenic bridges, confirmed there are at least 10. Stopped at bridge number 10.  The last scenic bridge from my trail. Guess I'll have to start getting more creative with my trail pics. ;)

Wednesday: 5k. My work from home day, lunch run, done! My neighborhood's got some good hills. Every other street is up or down. Definitely a love/hate relationship, especially right now. 

Thursday: 4 miles after work. 

Friday: 40 min after work. I tried to avoid hills the best i could. Still got a few in.

Friday, I also received by BibRavePro shirt! I was accepted to be a BibRavePro a couple weeks ago, now that I have some swag, feels more official! 😄😉😍

To learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! 

Saturday: Long run day! New longest run of 18 miles! Philadelphia Marathon training. Set the alarm for my normal work time of 5:45, got up just after 5! Had my coffee, light breakfast, and water. Worked for a few minutes since I'm on call this week, need to make sure all is kosher before I head out for a few hours. My trail is 10.5 miles, park in middle. Placed water on my car, (I sometimes forget this simple step). Did the side with gradual incline first and back, stopped at my car for half a water. To the other side. Set my alarm for fueling, this too I am trying to get better at. Had my first gel at the 1 hr mark. On the way back from that side of the trail, someone I waved to earlier was doing about the same pace, and struck conversation with me. Asked how far I was going and what i was training for, he is training for a marathon as well! My new friend and I ran about 4 miles together. I pass my car, finish my first water. To the side with the incline again, my new friend breaks off as he finishes his 14 miler. I reach the end, and my options to add about 3 miles were to go back and do the other side for a bit, or explore a side shoot. I decided to explore a side shoot. It was a rugged trail, beautiful, but rugged and I stubbed my toes kicking rocks too many times. Passed several deer running away from me in the woods. I got lost for a min, since the side shoot had multiple side shoots throughout,  but was able to make my way back. Reach my regular trail and finish the run heading back to my car. Time to hydrate and stretch!

The side shoot to the other park (Lorimar Park) starts with a bridge, how about that!

Sunday: rest day, one for the streak. day . Things were definitely tight at first, but getting the kinks out. Hydrate and stretch actually works, should listen to my own advice more often! Even did yard work afters without feeling like I was going to fall over! 😂

October goals: 

• Taper for Army Ten Miler, run the Army Ten Miler. 
• Resume long run training for the Philadelphia Marathon!
• Taper for the Runner's World 5k, get the long run in the following day. 

Future races registered for:

• 10/21/17 - Runners World 5k, (Bethlehem, Pa): A festival of running?! Don't think I'd be up for the half being so close to the Army Ten Miler, but really wanted to check out the festival. Got some buddies doing the 5k, can't wait!
• 11/19/17 - Philadelphia Marathon, my first full! Track my training updates here.
• 03/25/18 - Philadelphia Love Run half marathon. Love the love run! Check out my 2017 review here: Race review: #LoveRunPhilly

What is everyone currently training for? Signed up for a race? New to running, or maintaining until a race peaks interest? Whatever it is, good luck to everyone with their training, keep kicking butt!!

If you do any races, please remember to review them on BibRave.com! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G

Week Ending 10/08

Hi Felllow runners!

How's everyone's training going?


This week was couple trails days, couple 5k's, tapering, and the Army Ten Miler in DC!

Monday: 5 miles at my trail. (Pennypack Creek, Huntingdon Valley, Pa). Another tired Monday at work. Coffee and hydrated plenty during the day. Run didnt feel bad for a Monday.

In previous posts I mentioned my trail has at least 7 scenic bridges, confirmed there are at least 10. Stopped at bridge number 9.  Really like seeing this one as I approach it go through it.

Tuesday: 5 miles on the other trail. (my trail is 10.5, park in middle, choose one for mid week runs.)

Paused on my way back at one of the many places to check out the creek. 

Wednesday: my work from home day! 5k lunch run! (RUNch).

Thursday: 4 miles. Hills! looking back, questioning my decision to do hills this close to a race. 

Friday: 2 mile taper.

Saturday: 1 mile, one and done for the streak, have to hit the road early to head to DC!

Sunday: Army Ten Miler! Just a tad bit humid! lol Got to run from the Pentagon, by some national monuments, and back. Not much of a description? You can find my full review here! 

October goals: 

• Taper for the Army Ten miler.
• Resume long run training for the Philadelphia Marathon!
• Taper for the RW 5k, get the long run in the following day. 

Upcoming races:

• 10/21/17 - Runners World 5k, (Bethlehem, Pa): A festival of running?! Don't think I'd be up for the half being so close to the Army Ten Miler, but really wanted to check out the festival. Got some buddies doing the 5k, can't wait!
• 11/19/17 - Philadelphia Marathon, my first full! Track my training updates here.
• 03/25/18 - Philadelphia Love Run half marathon. Love the love run! Check out my 2017 review here: Race review: #LoveRunPhilly

If you do any races, please remember to review them on BibRave.com! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G

Good luck to everyone with their training, keep kicking butt!!