In the Groove Again

I did a 6.1 miler this morning in 1:05.05 and felt good throughout the run. I was a bit worried at first since it was two weeks ago I injured myself doing this same distance on the same course running up Royal Summit. This time I slowed down and ran a lot more relaxed. Plan to do a short 2 miler tomorrow and rest on Friday for my long run on Saturday.

I am back to my soba lunches supplementing them with Power Bars. Holding off on experimenting with eating anything while running. Think I will do that after I increase my distance to over 10 miles which should happen next week.

My “go or no go” date is quickly approaching. The deadline for local folks from the islands to register is October 31 for the $85 discount entry fee. I am planning to apply online on October 15 which is coming up in a couple of weeks. I’m still working on trying to convince family and friends to participate as walkers for the 10 K event which starts after the marathoners are off. There are minor inconveniences though such as the $37 entrance fee for walkers and getting up real early. I cannot say I know anyone willing to get up at 3:00 AM on a Sunday to walk. The marathon starts at 5:00 AM and most of the streets in the area will be closed by 4:00 AM so we have to get an early start. Well, I have a whole month to find someone. Any volunteers?

Good Start

I have started the week with a 4 mile run in 41:22.92. I felt good throughout the run and will slowly begin adding miles. I revised my running schedule since I was out the past week. It now looks like my longest run prior to the marathon will be around 21 miles. I was hoping to come closer to the 26 mile mark. However, the internet has numerous websites offering advice on training for a marathon and for first time runners, like me, it is not necessary to complete a 26 miler before race time. Although I was hoping to run that distance before my injury, I am taking a more conservative approach. I have to keep my original goal in mind which was to finish the race running. My finishing time should not be the driving force but I would like to maintain at least an 11.00 minute mile pace.

I'm Back !

Rested and ready to start training again. Took a week and a half off to recuperate from my groin injury and entertain our out of town guests. At times, it was a bit frustrating not being on the road and able to add to the miles I had already accumulated. But, it was time well spent. Had a great time reminiscing our old college days and catching up on what happened since then. We even took a trip to the Big Island.

I feel fit as a fiddle and did a short 2 mile run this morning, no pain at all. Here’s my schedule for the coming week:

Sun...Rest
Mon...4 miles
Tue...Rest
Wed...6 miles
Thu...2 miles
Fri...Rest
Sat...9 miles

I am a week behind my original training plan and have to make up some miles. Luckily, I have two and a half months before race day.

Will report back on Monday.

Not a Good Day

Started my midweek run at 6:30 AM, a little later than usual. I concentrated on my pace trying to figure out how fast I'm running. I set Garmin’s “Virtual Partner” to pace my run for 10 minute per mile. While running Garmin shows me if I’m ahead or behind (highlighted in black) of that pace. It also tells me how many minutes and miles I’m ahead or behind. I was on my way down from Royal Summit at about the 4 mile mark when I felt a slight pain in my left inner thigh and groin area. I ran for another mile at a slower pace, but the pain continued so I walked home. I did the 6.95 miles in 1:16:26 including the walk.

According to the info on the web, I've either pulled or strained my adductor muscle which is between my thigh and groin. I’ll need to rest until the pain goes away. If the pain persists, it may be a sports hernia that may require a doctor’s visit. Getting injured is always a setback and downer, but on the positive side we’ll be entertaining out of town guests next week. This will be a good chance to rest and spend time sitting around “talking story.” We weren’t planning anything really strenuous since they’re all in their late 70’s.

It’s too bad I’ll be out for a while since I was doing so well with my training. Until I felt the pain this morning, I was in a groove and felt comfortable running at the 10 min per mile pace. Unfortunately, there are a lot of steep hills around here and its difficult avoiding them. Steep hills are notorious for causing runners injuries. Just got to learn to slow my pace going up and especially coming down them.

Will post this weekend on my recovery progress.

Not All Soba Are Created Equal

Another short run this morning, 4.15 miles in 44:25:56. My next goal is to figure out how fast I’m running, i.e., what's a 9, 10 and 11 minute per mile pace. I’ve got Garmin set to display my running pace in minutes per mile. I’ll just have to make mental notes of each pace and commit them to memory. Will try this on my next outing on Wednesday.

Now, about my noodle lunches.



Bought a couple of JFC International soba packages (on the right) yesterday on sale at the Don Quixote market. I had been eating the Nishimoto Trading Company’s Shirakiku Brand (on the left). The packaging looked similar to what I’d been eating so I “assumed” it was the same.



When I got home I was surprised to discover the sodium content on the package was extremely high. The Shirakiku brand (left) I’d been eating lists a larger serving size, 100 grams with only 65 mg of sodium. A serving of my new purchase (right) is 60 grams but has a whopping 1,020 mg of sodium. Oh, boy! I’d better look for my receipt to return it.

Another Long Day

Up at 4:30 AM with the help of an alarm clock. I was a block away before I realized I’d forgotten my water bottle at home. Back up the hill to get it. It was nice to run not having to think about where to stop to take photos. Ran close to my half marathon distance, 13.53 miles in 2:21:38. I noticed that I was at the 12 mile mark in about 2 hours. Then it was the last mile and a half up Waimano Home Road. It’s difficult because it’s all uphill and at the very end. At times my pace felt like I was almost walking.

I’m adjusting better to slowing down to a walk to drink a little water at a time. I noticed taking in too much water at once doesn’t sit well in my stomach. I’m trying to drink every 30 minutes or so. It’s not too bad earlier in the run when temperatures are cooler. However after the sun rises and starts heating things up, keeping hydrated is a must.

I’ve read that I’ll need to take in some carbs (glycogen) after the half way point of the marathon to prevent “hitting the wall.” It should be something that’s easy to digest such as fruits or energy gels and bars. I may try taking small pieces of an energy bar with me during my next long run just to see how my system reacts. Got to remember to drink right after eating. During the actual race they suggest eating something just before reaching an aid-station so you can wash it down with a drink.

Tomorrow’s a rest day followed by a short run on Monday.

Middle Distance Day

Up a little after 5:00 AM and was out the door at 5:30 AM after stretching. It was a clear still morning. Ran up to the park at Royal Summit.


View of Pearl Harbor on the way down.

It’s a residential route and according to Garmin, 6.87 miles round trip. Made it in 1:13:52.

I’m running more relaxed keeping in mind I’m supposed to be able to carry on a conversation. I’ve considered humming to myself but nixed the idea since other walkers I pass may think I’d gone off the deep end. I do wave and say good morning to those I pass. Most people acknowledge by waving, nodding, or even replying with a smile and good morning. It’s funny but there’s an old grumpy looking gentleman who never said anything at first but I kept saying good morning to him. Recently, he’s been responding with a nod and "morning."

Planning to do a very short run tomorrow and rest on Friday. Saturday will be my long 13 miler. It’s my half marathon milestone. Won’t be carrying my camera just a water bottle.