The Invisible Man III

The invisible man has returned. This is the third appearance of the invisible man and just in time for my third run of the Kaiser Half in Golden Gate park. Often times prior to a race, I'll lay out all my gear for the following morning to make sure I have everything I need — hence it looking like the invisible man.

Past appearances: Invisible Man, Return of the Invisible Man

From top to bottom:

White dri-fit long-sleeve shirt

Bib #2149

Garmin Forerunner 305 

Adidas 3-stripe dri-fit pants

Gu (2x) Chocolate & Espresso

Sport Beans (Cherry)

Dri-fit socks

Asics GT 2130

Shoe Tag for Official Race time

Not shown: 

iPod Shuffle (charging)

iPhone (in pocket)

The energy needed for a PR

So there you have it — everything I need to run the half-marathon tomorrow. I usually run in shorts, but I picked up these pants after an Urban Run with Adidas a couple months ago and they have now become my favorite pair. I'll also be running in a never-worn pair of socks. They are made by Asics and are the same kind I always run in.  I love running in a pair of fresh socks — there is something about a never-worn pair that feels so good. 

Above is the course map and it's a pretty fast route, so I have high hopes. Tonight, I'll be having a mini-pasta party dinner with some running friends and hope to feed off their energy for tomorrow. Be on the look out for a race report post race (and post Super Bowl). If you see the invisible man out there on the course, be sure to give a shout-out. 

RUN STRONG!

My Playlist

The ever important playlist. Something we runners love to discuss. With a half marathon a few days away, these are the songs I have chosen to keep me on pace. It is comprised of mostly rock and hip hop, but I sneak in some easy listening here and there. It's funny, but sometimes I run faster when a slow song is playing. It makes me imagine a high-speed action scene being played in slow motion. Ah, forget it, you don't care why I pick the songs, you just want to see my list... well, here it is:

In alphabetical order by artist:

Edge Of The Earth - 30 Seconds To Mars
Fallen - 30 Seconds To Mars

Back in Black - AC DC

Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
No One - Alicia Keys
Hey Now - Augustana
Hate Me - Blue October
Evacuate - The Boxer Rebellion
Viva la Vida - Coldplay
Universal Mind Control - Common
Announcement - Common
Stolen (Single Version) - Dashboard Confessional
The Next Episode - Dr. Dre
Never Enough - Eminem

Lose Yourself - Eminem
Tambourine - Eve
Clumsy - Fergie
The Pretender - Foo Fighters
My Life - The Game
Too Much - The Game
Love Remains the Same - Gavin Rossdale

Sweet Child O Mine - Guns N Roses

Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N Roses
You Never Know – Hieroglyphics
At the Helm - Hieroglyphics

Lust for Life - Iggy Pop

I Want You Back - The Jackson 5
Green Light - John Legend
Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake
My Love - Justin Timberlake
Champion - Kanye West
Stronger - Kanye West
Heartless - Kanye West
Paranoid - Kanye West
RoboCop - Kanye West
Flashing Lights - Kanye West
Good Life - Kanye West
Mr. Brightside - The Killers
Somebody Told Me - The Killers
Y'all Want a Single - Korn
Falling Away from Me - Korn
Freak On a Leash - Korn
Cosa vuoi che sia - Ligabue
A Milli - Lil Wayne
Lollipop - Lil Wayne
Got Money - Lil Wayne
Shadow Of The Day - Linkin Park
Hands Held High - Linkin Park
Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance
Nothin' - N.O.R.E.
Grimey - N.O.R.E.
Rock Star - N*E*R*D
Lapdance - N*E*R*D
Here It Goes Again - OK Go
Apologize - OneRepublic
Get Up/Levantate – Pitbull
Go Girl - Pitbull
Fuego - Pitbull
Midnight - Pitbull

I Wanna Be Sedated - The Ramones
Sexy Can I - Ray J
Snake Devil - Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Breathe Me - Sia
Bartender - T-Pain
Can't Believe It - T-Pain
Whatever You Like - T.I.
Swing Ya Rag - T.I.
Swagga Like Us - T.I.
Bring Em Out - T.I.
Shut Up and Let Me Go - The Ting Tings

Free Fallin - Tom Petty
Get Free - The Vines
Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes
Black Math - The White Stripes
The Hardest Button To Button - The White Stripes
Icky Thump - The White Stripes

And there you have it... as you know it is an ever-changing list, but I did highlight the songs that really get me going when I need it. It is a fairly lengthy playlist that suits me for long and short runs. I keep it on shuffle and often skip through several songs if it doesn't suit my tempo at a given point (hence the length) however, I may trim some more songs down before this weekend to keep it to the best of the best, but there is the playlist as it stands now. 

Let me know what you think and of course, I am open to suggestions so fire away.

High Hopes, Big Disappointment?

With my first race of 2009 a week away, I'm taking an honest look at my time goal for this event. A couple years ago, I set my PR in the Half Marathon at 1:59. I'm in no way a speed demon, but was pleased with the (just barely) sub 2-hour mark. So shall I set myself up with high hopes, knowing that it may lead to a big disappointment?

OK, so I'm being a little dramatic with the big disappointment remark. Since the PR, I have run several half marathons with no real time goal and although I finished and ran strong races, the time was not my focal point. However, next Sunday's race will be the same course that I previously PR'd in and would love to do it again. In taking an honest look at what can be expected, (in Pushing Daisies style) the facts are these:

1. I can run 10 min miles for days... it is my comfort stride.
   
2. Most runs I can squeeze in some solid 9 min miles half the time.
   
3. When I'm feeling it, I can get in three or four 8 min miles.
   
4. I know this course like the back of my hand.
   
5. I want to run a 1:45 or better in 2009.
   

So, the question is: What should be my goal time?

Since it is my blog, I suppose I have to answer my own question... I'll most likely shoot to slightly better my PR, even if it is only by a couple minutes. If I average 9 min miles, it will put me at 1:57 which will result in a smile on my face. But being the runner that I am, in the back of my mind I'll know that I can do better than that. So I'll run my brains out, leave everything on the course and if I fall short and it leads to even a little bit of a disappointment... it will make me train that much harder. After all 2009 is just beginning.

30 Days, No Starbucks

For the month of January, I gave up Starbucks. I know, sounds ridiculous right? The idea was to cut an extra 600 calories a week from my diet. I usually have Starbucks three times a week at around 200 calories each along with spending an average of $3.50 each time depending on the size.

After 30 days, I will have cut out (ballpark figure) 2400 calories and saved a little over $40. With that being said, some of those 2400 calories may have been replaced with calories from orange juice in the morning, so it's not like I was doing it solely for dietary reasons. Honestly, I don't really know why I chose coffee specifically to give up for 30 days, it was sort of an idea that crossed my head and I ran with it (pun totally intended).

As a new years resolution, I decided to give up one thing a month, rather than one thing for the whole year. I figured like everyone else, my resolution should last until March, but if not, let's see how far I can take it. I'd like each of them to fall around dietary themes... perhaps no ice cream in February? After-all it is a short month.

Needless to say, I am really excited for next Sunday. With my first race of the year on Super Bowl Sunday, it will be followed with a nice double tall non-fat white chocolate mocha. Sounds so delicious. The thought that will be running through my head during the race is: "If I run faster, I can have Starbucks sooner." And yes, sooner is a word, ask the University of Oklahoma.

If you'd like to tell me how crazy I am or offer some words of encouragement, feel free to do so in the comments section. Also share with us what your New Year's Resolution is and it's currentstatus.

To Wave or Not to Wave

Waking up before the sun to get in our miles is something we all enjoy or dread. Out on the road alone with mist on the grass or snow on the ground, often times the paths of two runners will cross at such an hour and a decision is made... to wave or not to wave.

In February's issue of Runner's World there was a wonderful article that covered such a conundrum. (Waver's Dilema, by Robert Sullivan, above illustration by Gary Taxali) It defined a 'wave' as any acknowledgement of the other runner(s) including the general wave, a nod, a hello, a hey, a good morning or any grunt you can muster. Essentially everyone is broken into two groups: wavers and non-wavers.

WAVERS

Perhaps wavers see it as a way of acknowledging the commitment and dedication to those of us that wake early to get our runs in. Or maybe it's a single moment where a nod or wave expresses the unspoken "shared experience" where 2 people out of millions cross a path on the same pavement at the same time. As wavers, are we too sensitive if the other runner doesn't wave back? Do we feel slighted and should we be?

NON-WAVERS

As for non-wavers, there is no need to acknowledge the other runner. We don't wave at everyone we pass in a Marathon or road race. We're out there to accomplish one thing: a good run. Maybe even a tough run. Concentration is needed on maintaining pace and form. Are our intentions to hurt a waver's feelings? No, we can share that same moment of two runners passing at the same point and time in silence and continue down the road.

So there it is, a brief description of what each side may be thinking... let the conversation begin: to wave or not to wave. In the comments section below or on the Official Facebook page, share your thoughts or experiences.

Chalk me up as a waver.