theBobcast

Bob2 Runs a Marathon – Day 16

How’s it going out there BobcastNation?!?!  Day 16 of training, I bet you guys thought I would have given up by now!  I got you good!  Last weekend, I took to the slopes of Lutsen so I had to rearrange my training a little bit, but don’t worry I got it all in; I swapped my rest day (yesterday) with my long run day (Sunday).  The upside was that I didn’t have to hit the treadmill for 50 minutes (I run 6 miles per hour only because the math is so easy ) while a little sore from skiing and a little hung over from ski vacation’s inevitable extra-curriculars.  The downside, however, was that I traded away my favorite day of the week, my Monday-funday.  So instead of having a manageable 22 miles this week, I face a daunting 27.  And yes I see the irony in the fact that I am scared of a mileage I get to spread over 7 days that is baaaaarely longer than what I will run on one day in June.  At least I hope it’s less than a day…

It’s starting to get nice out again, but I’m resisting the temptation to start running outside until all of the ice is off of the sidewalks.  I have some pretty bad ankles from the college days, and I can’t risk taking a couple weeks off with a sprain.  I have started taking fish oil though, it’s supposed to be good for repairing that sort of damage, and I don’t know if it’s the placebo effect, but I feel invincible right now.  Those 5 miles flew by yesterday, and my 2 “easy” miles today, I couldn’t help myself but run them hard.  Who knows, maybe this fish (read: snake) oil really works.  We’ll see.

I have been noticing a very strange phenomena during my daily trips to the gym.  I know it’s winter, and those of you with kids are probably off the hook, but do you really need to drive around for 10 minutes looking for a space that is close to the door?  I mean, this is forgivable in certain situations, like an ambulance pulling up to the ER, or Tiger Woods at a titty bar (too easy?).  But seriously people, you are going to work out!  You are trying to lose that fat ass and you can’t bother yourself to walk 20 more seconds!  My new favorite hobby is to walk slowly down one of the aisles until a car starts inching behind me… keep walking for a few more cars fiddling with the keys…slowly start to amble over to my car…only zing!  I parked on the other side of the aisle!

Bob2 Runs a Marathon – Day 9

Hi everybody!  Your friendly, neighborhood, full-time Bob/part-time marathon trainer here!  Day 9 got me back in the gym after a rest day where I, get this, rested!  Just 2 miles on the docket, and I rocked them all!  I couldn’t help but notice on my last post, the main man himself, Dick Beardsley, commented on the post!  I don’t care if it was him or some internet troll impostering him, it made my day.  Thanks for the encouragement and I will definitely  stop by the booth up in Duluth!

If you are still reading, I’d like to ask you something; it’s not everyday that I have an American long distance running legend in my audience!  Question to Dick – or anyone else that may have a solution – what the heck do you do about nipple chaffing?  Serious question.  Girls I assume don’t have this problem, they have the sports bra working on their side.  Guys who are conditioned runners are probably off the hook too, since they don’t look so dastardly running shirtless.  So Dick, you may not have this problem, but running is in your wheelhouse, so you may have some input.  Its a serious problem for many runners and it is the upper body equivalent of getting kicked in the nuts.  Now I know why baby formula was invented…

Anyway.  It’s cold here in Minneapolis, so you can imagine I’ve been doing all of my training on a treadmill at my gym and I have a bone to pick with my fellow runners banished to the treadmill for the winter months.  Now it’s been shown that running and walking on an incline has many benefits – you’ll burn more calories and be ready for the hills that you’ll encounter on the paths once it thaws out.  But seriously, those benefits are wasted when you jack up the treadmill to a 15% grade, and then hang on for dear life to the handle.  I don’t know how else to explain it without busting out a physics text book.  Other than possibly winding up with some killer Popeye-esque forearms, all you are essentially doing is running on a flat surface while looking silly.

Bob2 Runs a Marathon – Day 7

Hey again, Bob2 here with a marathon training update.  I started this blog topic on a whim, and notice now that I left out a couple details that may be worth knowing – I’m running the Grandma’s Marathon on June 19th in Duluth, MN (I’ve already registered, so if I fail at doing this thing, I’m not only disappointing BobcastNation, I’m also out the $85 registration fee.)  I’m also following Dick Beardsley’s “Novice” training plan.  For those who don’t know, Dick Beardsley is a badass local boy who kicked some major running butt in the 80s, and who, I think, still holds the record for the Grandma’s marathon.  Although, you know the drill – not hampered by the facts.

I put “novice” in quotes, because this “novice” training plan has been pretty intense – no doubt when he says novice, he means that you haven’t run a marathon distance before, not that you have know idea what you call it when you walk so fast that sometimes you don’t even have any feet on the ground.  Case in point: I just finished my first week of training with my first long run of 4 miles.  Seven days in and I’m expected to rip off 4 miles?  Woof.  Good thing I’m such a naturally gifted athlete.

Actually, I was laboring pretty heavy – the voice of reason (read: girlfriend) was out of town and a voice of overindulgence (read: Joe from Pittsburgh) was in.  Needless to say, with the help of a $174 pulltab jackpot, hockey, broomball, lacrosse and the vow to close down our old college stomping grounds, we didn’t exactly take it easy this weekend.  Lesson learned.

The good news is that tomorrow is Monday, which is soon to be my favorite day, as it has been blessed by Mr. Beardsley as my rest day!  I’m 19 miles in, 1.5 lbs lighter (before this glutenous weekend) and spirits are still high.  I am a little concerned, however, that I am a week into my training and have yet to run the same distance total as I’ll be expected to run in one race…

Bob2 Runs a Marathon – Training Day #2

Hey Bob2 here!  I’ve decided to run my first marathon, and to add a little accountability to the task, I’ve decided to keep a running blog of my training.  If you know me, and more than likely, if you’re reading this you probably do, I’ve been known to have one too many beers and chicken wings.  So if this most recent feat of strength is going to be a success, it is going to take some dedication in the gym and some work in the willpower department.  Full disclosure – I weighed in at the gym at a svelte 228.5 lbs. I know Box hates ironing, but today is Fat Tuesday!

I’ll try to keep BobcastNation updated a few times a week with my ups, downs and in betweens.  Go me!

Superbowl Halftime Show

Yo its Bob2! Box got on Bob1 and I for not blogging enough on the latest ‘cast, and he definitely has a point.  I’ll try to unleash my rants upon theBobcast Nation more often.  To keep you happy until then, here’s the latest Bobcast Poll!!!

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