DaShaun

That guy that did that thing that one time

Archive for October, 2010

Geeky Fitness Fusion

Oct 31

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The running lab at KUMed

A few weeks ago I volunteered for a running study being done at KU Medical Center.  I had really forgot about signing up until I got the email reminder on Monday.  I figured I would be on a treadmill, but I had no idea for how long.  I got there, met the staff and then answered some questions.  I was measured, height and weight, then hips and knees were measured.  I had some flexibility tests done and then it was time to get taped up.  Not a normal tape job like I’m used to.  They covered all the reflective material on my shoes and shorts with what looked like regular masking tape.  Then they taped on what I recognized as motion capture balls.  The little reflective balls that you see on the outside of green or black suits that people wear when doing motion capture.  After getting taped up with balls, it was time to get on the treadmill.  I walked first.  I assume this is to get a baseline.  Then I ran, I was able to set the treadmill speed at what was comfortable.  I put it at 6mph because I wasn’t sure how long I was going to be on it.  I’m not a big fan of running on treadmills because I’m so big.  When I run on treadmills, the belt slides when I land.  It makes running on the treadmill extra interesting because of the extra balancing act that I have to do to prevent slides.  Also, when the belt does slide, I have to do extra work to not completely wipe out.  Its like running on ice.  Well, I made it though without incident.  I was only on the treadmill for 6 minutes.

The coolest part was when I was done.  I actually got to see the motion capture results.  Geeky fitness heaven.  It seemed to be processed pretty quickly.  I was able to see the video right next to the 3D graphics in real time.  I actually got a little video of it too.  In the video you can see (barely) the 3d version of my running on the left (black with green) and on the right side, the video of me on the treadmill.

My job gives me a wonderful blend of fitness and geek.  Then, without even thinking about it, volunteering for a research study.  I was able to get an entirely different geek angle on my fitness.  I got some pointers about my running form.  And I got a really close look at my running form.  Seeing the pictures from my races gave me a little clue, but seeing the video and the 3D version of my form was an entirely different level.

It was a great experience, as an athlete and as a geek.

Owwwww

Oct 28

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10 miles before work on a Thursday. I’m not sure what I was thinking. I pushed myself pretty hard this morning. Physically I think I may have pushed myself too hard. Mentally, I’m thinking I may have done the right thing, I needed to push myself.

This is just my second run since KC Marathon. I was totally sleep when I woke up. I actually left the house without any shoes to wear during work. Wearing my stinky running shoes after a 10 mile run was not an option. Luckily, I had a pair of flip-flops at my desk.

One nice thing about being the slowest person in the group is that when I have GI problems, I’m usually the only one that knows it.

Branson 70.3

Oct 21

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I started working to complete the Branson 70.3 in February. In the process, I lost 25 pounds, I set several personal records, I upset my wife with my schedule, I annoyed her with hours of conversation about training, I grew, and I learned about myself.

I wasn’t trying to do anything more than beat the cut off time.  My plan very simple and very plain.  I wanted to get out of the water in 1 hour.  I wanted to bike for no more than 4 hours.  I hoped to give myself 3 hours for the half marathon at the end.

I didn’t want to write this right way because I didn’t want my fresh emotions to have too much impact on what really happened.

By the time race week came, Jillian had pretty much reached her limit.  The race was on Sunday.  Bike checking and athlete information meeting was on Saturday.  Going down on Friday was absolutely out of the question.

….I stopped writing for a few weeks….

It’s been over a month and the emotions are still there. I thought I was okay with not finishing, but I’m not. It was a hard race, I felt good until throwing up on the run. I just had another “fail” at KC Marathon. I know now that I need to figure out my diet and nutrition.

It was a DNF. If I want to do better next year, or even be able to do anything next year, I have to get Jillian on board. Last year was so much more fun when I was training with her.

I use it to clear my head

Oct 21

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Today was the first training I have done since the marathon on Saturday. My upper back was tight and really knotted up. I saw a massage therapist last night so hopefully I’ll get back to good soon. This morning, I woke up early and got some work done on a couple of my projects. Then went into the office and ran with the team. We had a good showing: Ron, Ski, Jason and Claudette. Beyond running, the time I spend is used to get my thoughts together. I prioritize my day. I use my morning runs to clear my head.

My feet felt pretty good. I’m happy that I was able to keep my heart rate where it was for that long. I’m feeling good about the 10k and half marathon in November. I’m hoping that I can get a few runs in with Jillian. She’s planning on doing both events in November as well. 5k and 10k not 10k and 13.1 for Jillian.

KC Marathon 2010

Oct 16

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I can be honest. My head really wasn’t in the game this week. I had too many other more important things to focus on.

That said, I was hoping to get a sub 5:00 today. I didn’t, but I’m not upset. I’m actually quite pleased. I was forced to walk for 4 miles, 22 through 25. Apparently, I still haven’t figured out how to fuel/hydrate/supplement properly for race day. I was walking as fast as I could without my legs cramping up. I was underhydrated and out of gas. At mile 22, I couldn’t control my breathing. My body wanted to breath faster than I could while running. Thanks to Steve’s race review from Chicago 10.10.10, I had a backup plan ready. I didn’t stop, I knew what my backup goals were (5:23:31, 5:29:00, 6:23:31). My previous attempt at 26.2 was 6:23:32. Today, I was 5:22:23, over 1 hour better than I did April 2009. Even with the struggle, today was a good day.

The coolest thing was that my Garmin 210 time was exactly the same as my official time.

Feeling good

Oct 7

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I’m training for the KC Marathon in 9 days. Today was a good run. I’m sore, but the teamwork we have is incredible. Steve has his big race this weekend. Ron ran with Steve for half the run. I was late and Jason totally waited for me once they saw me driving. I was about 5 minutes behind the group. I suspect the plan was that Jason and I would catch up. We did. It was good. Second half of the run, Ron and Jason went out a little faster. I finished about 30 seconds behind Ron and Jason, and Steve finished strong about 30 seconds behind me. I think Steve is going to do very well this weekend.