Hi All. I just wanted to write a post to send good thoughts to Miesha Marzell, who we interviewed way back in episode #6. She is participating in the Olympic Trials now and her races are tomorrow. I don’t think it’s right to pray for someone to win, but I do hope that she runs a good race and doesn’t have any complications from illness or injury.

Tags: interviews,Olympics
Categories: interviews, podcasting
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I swear this guy holds the key to world peace…

India is my favorite.

Categories: YouTube, adventures, travel
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Just a reminder. If you’re planning to run the Philadelphia Marathon (as Jeff and I are), today is the final day before the entry fee goes from $80 to $95. If signing up for a marathon is too scary, then just commit to the half-marathon. To date, we have 7-9 people who know each other who are planning on running it. I would love to meet up with some RWTP listeners who are running the full or half marathon.

Tags: race plans
Categories: running
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Nancy and Stevie join us this week to discuss their start with running, their first marathon (Steamtown in Scranton, PA), the 50-mile Tussey MountainBack Relay, the 60-mile Philadelphia 3-Day, and more.

Relevant Links:

• Steamtown Marathon
• Philadelphia 3-Day Walk
• Tussey Mountainback

 

 Nancy and Stevie, Steamtown, Tussey MountainBack, and Philly 3-Day [58:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Categories: Nike+, podcasting, running
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I have been thinking about what some of our listeners who are in warm climates have been saying about the strategies they use to run in the heat and humidity. A few have said that they run in the evening to avoid the heat and the sun. This summer, I had been running early (starting at 7:00-8:00 AM), but that meant that the day would be warming up as I ran and that I would have to wear sunscreen and a hat to protect myself from overexposure. I’ve also been thinking about the idea that Jeff and I had to run our own ultramarathon by doing night loops around the Penn State University campus.

So last night around 11:30 PM, I decided to go for a night run around campus for my long run of the week instead of running this morning. I drank some water, unpacked my new headphones, put my new Nike+ sensor in my shoes and tested it, changed clothes, grabbed some liquids and a Larabar, said goodbye to Andrew, and drove to campus. By the time I parked and started running, it was just about midnight. The temperature was still in the low 70’s, but without the sun, it felt cooler. It was still really humid though.

The nice thing about running around campus at night is that there are plenty of well-lit paths and practically no traffic. There is also very little crime in this town aside from underage drinking and public urination (mainly from the drunk underage students), so overall, I was very safe. I was able to identify a good 3.5 mile loop around campus, so I ran that a few times, stopping at my car on each loop to drink a little. During the fourth loop, I took a detour over to the Penn State track, so I could run around it a few times and check the accuracy of my Nike+ sensor. It seemed to be overestimating my distance by about 4-5%.

In any case, I had been having trouble getting in my long runs all summer, but last night, out of the sun, I was able to run 15 miles without a problem (15.7 according to Nike+, but I compensated for the previously mentioned accuracy issue). Actually, instead of feeling wiped out and struggling mid-way through the run, I hit a point at mile 9 where I felt really good and thought that I could keep this up for hours. I stopped at mile 15 to make sure that I wouldn’t cause myself an injury and because I’m not running another marathon for over four months.

After the run, I jumped back in my car (unfortunately, the building we shower in is closed at 2:30 AM), and headed back home. I stopped at a convenience store on the way and grabbed some chocolate milk for myself and ice cream for Andrew. He had wanted ice cream earlier that day, plus I appreciate his support of my running addiction. I arrived home, drank the milk, took a bath, and then fell fast asleep. I was hoping to sleep until at least 9:00 AM, but my body would have none of that. I woke up around 7:30 AM (4.5 hours of sleep) and decided to write about my run before I forgot the details. Today, I’m a little sore, probably because I ran longer and faster than my recent long runs. I’ll just stretch and do some walking today to handle the soreness. I am glad I stopped at 15 miles though.

This is really good news for me and my ability to keep up my distance training over the summer. So thanks everyone who nudged me in this direction. I think I’ve converted to being a night runner.

Categories: running
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After today’s long run in warm weather, Jeff and I talk about our warm weather running gear (clothes, sunscreen, gels, etc…), using milk as a recovery drink, a refreshing peppermint body wash, and inviting everyone to join us in Philadelphia this fall.

Relevant Links:
Philadelphia Marathon (register before June 30)
Phedipidations World Wide Half Marathon
Running Ramblings
Running in the Center of the Universe

 

  Warm Weather, Recovery Drinks, Refreshing Wash, and Philly Invitation [46:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Categories: podcasting, running
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It’s not even Summer yet and we have our first wave of heat and humidity. This week, Jeff and I talk about heat management, the couch demons that try to sabotage your runs, fund raising events that we’ve done before, and our fall running plans.

 

 Heat Management, Couch Demons, Charity Running, and Fall Plans [40:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Categories: Uncategorized
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New York has a number of spaces reserved for elite athletes and people who are running for a charity. Others (like me) who are neither can enter through a random drawing lottery. The results of the lottery were released today at midnight (June 4/5) and I didn’t get in.

That’s probably for the best. Jeff and my other running friends have been building momentum toward running the Philadelphia Marathon again, so I’ll head in that direction as well. Actually, there may be other running/podcasting people who are running that one as well, so there may be an opportunity for a meet-up.

And actually, for anyone else who reads this blog or who listens to Running with the Pack, I’d be happy to see you in Philadelphia for the marathon or half-marathon (both start at the same time).

Categories: Uncategorized
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Before RWTP #11, Jeff and I ran on an indoor track and talked about everything from food to ultramarathons. Although many of these topics were also addressed in episode 11, I thought this recording had some additional insights.

If you would like to send us a message, post a comment at parkedthoughts.com, send an e-mail to allan@parkedthoughts.com or jeff@jsswain.com, or leave feedback on our podcast listing in iTunes.

 

 Bonus Runcast from Rec Hall: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Categories: Uncategorized
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Today, we ran 12.5-13 miles today on the inside track and then sat down for our podcast. We talk about Weight Watchers, what we eat before we run, power foods (including basmati rice and larabars), speed workouts, the Mountain Back Run (50-mile relay race), Running on the Sun, and some additional shout-outs to our listeners and commenters.

Leave comments at http://parkedthoughts.com or send to allan@parkedthoughts.com or jeff@jsswain.com.

 

 Weight Watchers, Power Foods, Speed Workouts, and Running on the Sun [44:45m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Categories: Uncategorized
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