Updated preface to this gym log
(The underlined words are hyperlinks - click on them for details.)
In January 2003 I started a running training, with a dream: finishing a marathon. I was 45 year old, without any previous running experience, but with 35 lbs excess weight. My inspiration was my triathloner/marathoner Marine son. See how the dream was born click
here.
In September 2003 I finished my first half marathon - with 2:13 (10:13 pace), and reached my original goal weight - 140 lbs. After finishing my first marathon in June 2004 (4:35), I started the
Slow Burn eating/training programme. As a result my weight dropped to 125 lbs, and all my long distance record improved remarkably.
My journey from Apr 2003 - to Dec 2003 is in my
journal.
This gym log is following my running adventure from December 2003 through my first, second, third, fourth, fifth marathon training.
Some highlights:
2004
January 11 - my first under 2 hours half marathon - 1:59:45 (
Irvine half marathon)
January 18 - my second under 2 hours half marathon - 1:59:29 (
Carslbad half marathon)
January - May -
first marathon training.
June 6 - my
first marathon -
4:35:46 (
Details)
June - September -
Uphill Battle- a hill training programme.
September 18 - second place on Heartbreak Ridge half marathon (
Details)
September 26 - my fantastic new half marathon record - 1:54:58 (
Details)
October-December - my
second marathon training.
2005
January 16 -
my second marathon -
4:07:00 (
Details)
January 16 - February 6 recovery, rest, cross training period
February 7 - September 26
third marathon training for the
Boulder Backroads marathon
September 25 -
my third marathon -
4 h 20 min (slightly under 10 min/mile pace).
September 29- 2006 January 15
fourth marathon training for the
P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona marathon.
2006
January 15 -
my fourth marathon -
3:59:22 Boston Qualifier time
January 16-22 - well deserved rest days
January 23-April 28: standard running schedule (6-9 miles on weekdays, 12 miles on Sundays)
April 28 -
fifth marathon training for the
Lake Tahoe Marathon.
Sept 29 -
my fifth marathon - 4 h 25 min (high altitude, hilly)
Oct 1-21 recovery, rest
Oct 22-Dec 31 maintenance, with 18 milers, and with a 4x6 miler
2007
January 1-May 2
sixth marathon training for the
Vancouver Marathon
May 6th
my sixth marathon
For the list of running books that gave me training, eating, inspirational advices click
here.
The full list of my trusted, proved running gears here.