Running Times

Been a year or so I have been receiving 'Running Times' magazine.
Centered on competitions and runners who want to get further or faster, take it as you want, it is funny it most of time resonate with what I am experiencing.
Like this month issue was how to prevent injuries, and, as typical after 3 intense sessions  of kite last week, I had -again- pain in the groin.
To the point I had to hold off my training this week, and go swimming.

Technical, geeky, but full of tips 

The good thing is, I was ok by the end of the week, and that was important, as we had plan for the Christmas Fun Races of the VIRR, in Wailuku. I signed for the 10k and Molly for the 1 Mile.
Without proper motivation (not so many kids were running, this was not like Cross Country earlier this year), and a tough race (Going up for half a mile, and Down pretty hard, back), she did not break her PR or expectations (which were lofty in the first place), but she is running better and better every year. Myself I pushed it hard, decided to beat my time from last year, maybe to justify one year of training (up and down, actually) or just because I am freaking competitive. I have been timed at 45 minutes, but my watch was pointing 47. I actually trust better my device than their timing, but still this is a good 3 minutes better than last year, or roughly a 5% decrease.
Does not look much, but, in running, each minute is hard to beat. And this is a tough race, with a crazy elevation difference.

47:10. Not bad.

I maintained a 7:40 pace in average, with a 175bpm, which means .. I was in pain :)
I actually maxed my BPM to 182 (instead of 180, which was my previous maximum).
They say running helps to avoid the Heart Attack.
I am not that sure anymore :)

My heat cannot beat faster than that for 45 minutes, now, if I want to improve, I will need to find something else than just increasing the pain factor. I might even have to train more.

4th ! Congrats !

The good news is that Molly is now motivated to try to run a 10k next year. There was a couple of kids running it this year, maybe 10-11 years old, and she might be able to pull it off too.
It will be interesting.
I like the idea of training as a family.
In this case, I might not beat my time that year - But that would be way more satisfying.

Run, Molly, Run !

Early Xmas

There are days like that, where everything comes together perfectly.
First, Santa came in early, and brought me a wonderful board.
Thanks !

Naish boards, F-one kites.
Still coherent. Somewhat.

Waves have been pumping all week, and will through the week-end as well. Not so much a surprise, this is the season :)

Still, 12 ft waves, 20 knots of wind side shore, and almost no one in the water.

It looks the wind shutdown just before I came, and most of the locals packed already.

I was literally alone on the break of Kitebeach, in front of the Bone yard.

The waves ended up a little too big to be the best session ever, it was at the limit of my comfort zone, however, with the new board and the almost perfect condition, it was memorable.

There are days like that.

Where the wind and ocean gives you an early Xmas present.

Another reason to belive in Santa for another couple of years.

It works

It is always surprising to me, but counting calories and a basic training program actually works.
After 2 weeks, I lost 2 pounds - 1Kg - and I can feel it. And rarely hunger feelings (But I train a lot).

Under 150lbs again

I am always amazed how the body respond well to a training program. I have a long run today, and I should be closing the first two weeks with a good 30 miles/week average.

It is time consuming, but not that hard. I manage to keep a couple of kitesurfing or surfing session through the week, go to the pool, and of course, run 3 or 4 times a week.

A run takes usually less time than a surfing session, which - driving and preparation including - usually cover 3 or 4 hours. Then overall, it is a good trade-off on busy day.

It forces me to go surfing or kiting only when the conditions are better than average, which keep it fresh too. I found - on Maui - kiting is so accessible,  it can become quite old pretty fast.

Not sure if I talked about this before, but I have been barely sick in Hawaii those last couple of years. As a kid, I was sick all the time. Literally.

Miracle drink.

Combining salt water bath when possible and a good warm Apple Cider drink twice a day at the first sign of cold makes it for me. And I go to the pool (Can be chilly - those are outdoors pool, even up-country - where it is rainy and windy) two or three time a week.

Miracle but dangerous drugs

I used to be addicted to acetaminophen, now I prefer Ibuprofen, but overall, I am using very few of them now. Ibuprofen is very common among runners, specially after runs. I try to limit my usage,  and except some light headache because of bad dehydration sometimes - less and less actually - can function without them at all.

But I take Aloe Vera supplements daily now.
That must be it.
:)