This week, we talk about the trio of triathlons that I have signed up for, my attempts to learn to breathe bilaterally when swimming, the Penn State Dance Marathon, and other topics sent in from listeners.
Tue 23 Feb 2010
Running with the Pack 70: Trio of Triathlons, THON, Bilateral Breathing, and More…
Posted by Allan under podcasting, running, triathlon
[26] Comments
Sun 21 Feb 2010
Triathlon Season: Three Races on the Radar
Posted by Allan under triathlon
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I’ve been saying for a while that I want to do three triathlons this year. I took a good look at my travel schedule, picked these three, and completed the registration:
On May 23, I’ll be doing the Black Bear Triathlon. It will be my first open water race, first time in a wet suit, and my first Olympic distance triathlon (1500 meter swim, 24 mile bike, 6.2 mile run). In addition, the bike course looks pretty hilly. So this is definitely going to be a challenge for me. I picked it because the location looks very nice, the views are supposed to be amazing, and I wanted three races that would be spread out over the summer. The timing of this one will make sure that I start getting in shape early in the season. I don’t really care about my finishing time since this is my first race of this length.
On July 3, I’ll be doing the Happy Valley Sprint Triathlon. I did this race last year. It was my first (and to date, my only) triathlon. It’s fun, familiar, beginner-friendly, and very very local – only about 3 miles from my house. I had a blast last year. It may also be my best chance to recruit some additional people to participate or at least come out and watch.
I’ll wrap things up on August 29 with the Riverstock Triathlon – another Olympic distance event. It’s a little over an hour drive from my house. It should be a relatively small race (about 350 people). The swim is in a river and involves both downstream and upstream swimming, so that will be interesting. It looks like the bike course is easier than the Black Bear Triathlon, plus I’ll have more triathlon experience, so this is where I expect to set a reasonable PR time.
So that’s the plan. If anyone else lives in Pennsylvania and would like to try these races, I’d be happy to meet up with you. I prefer to do races with company.
Fri 19 Feb 2010
Featured Podcast
Posted by Allan under podcasting
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Heh…this was pretty cool. I was in iTunes fiddling around with my settings last night and I noticed that Running with the Pack was a featured podcast in the Sports and Recreation: Amateur category as well as being #10 on the top podcast list. Woot us!
Thanks to all of you for subscribing and keep spreading the word!
Fri 19 Feb 2010
Running with the Pack 69: Chemical Addiction, Winter Olympics, and Stevie’s New Shoes
Posted by Allan under Olympics, inspirational stories, podcasting, running, triathlon
[11] Comments
Okay, I finally admit that I have a chemical addiction. I’m flying on an endorphin high and loving it. We also talk about the 2010 Winter Olympics, Stevie selecting new shoes, and listener mail about triathlons, staying motivated, and more.
Chemical Addiction, Winter Olympics, and Stevie's Shoes [42:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadTue 16 Feb 2010
Update on RWTP 69: TMBG versus MST3K
Posted by Allan under running
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In episode 69, we got into a short discussion of super heroes. I attributed something to a song by They Might Be Giants’ song “Particle Man“, but it was actually from an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 called “City Limits” where they talk about their list of super heroes. One of the first ones they mention is:
Manman – “Bestowed with all the powers of a man, but he’s a…man.” (see the clip below, starting around the 3 minute mark)
Mon 8 Feb 2010
Running with the Pack 68: Running Club Meeting, Runners Like Us, Big or Small Marathon, and Action Wipes
Posted by Allan under running
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After giving a quick update about our Vibrams, Stevie and I talk about our first trip to a meeting of the local running club, our focus on runners like us, choosing between running a big or small marathon, and trying out Action Wipes.
Running Club Meeting, Runners Like Us, Big or Small Marathon, and Action Wipes [45:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMon 1 Feb 2010
Running with the Pack 67: Vibrams, “Loving” Running, Vegas, and Triathlon Lust
Posted by Allan under inspirational stories, podcasting, running, triathlon
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Stevie and I talk about our first experience with our Vibram Five Fingers, barefoot running, Stevie’s attempt to work out in Vegas, my growing lust to do a triathlon, and the admission that we don’t really “love” running.
Sun 24 Jan 2010
Running with the Pack 66: Barefoot Running, Running the Race Before the Race, and Top-10 Marathon Tips
Posted by Allan under inspirational stories, podcasting, running, travel
[12] Comments
This week, we talk about Stevie’s trip to see Chris McDougal speak about the book Born to Run and barefoot running, my trip to Austin, running the race before the race (and why not to do it), and my top-10 tips for your first marathon.
After doing this podcast, Stevie and I went to a local retail store and bought a pair of Vibram Five Fingers (which are like gloves for your feet) and went to a track to give them a try. I lasted about a mile before my calves started to cramp up. Stevie made it to around the 3 mile mark. My calves are pretty sore today, but I’d like to keep using them to build them up. I thought I had started to run on my forefoot before, but with the Vibrams, I ran COMPLETELY differently than normal. Now I understand the sound that Brandon (brandonsmarathon.com) talks about when he says that he can identify a forefoot runner by the sound their footfalls make.
Barefoot Running, Running the Race Before the Race, and Top-10 Marathon Tips [48:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadSun 17 Jan 2010
Running with the Pack 65: Goofy Challenge, Ice Baths, Camelbacks, and Training Advice
Posted by Allan under inspirational stories, podcasting, running, travel
[4] Comments
Stevie and I talk with Jim, a listener who has just completed the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge in Walt Disney World. We are planning to go there in 2011 to participate in the Marathon weekend: Stevie is doing the 5K and Half-Marathon. Jim and I will be doing the Half-Marathon and Full-Marathon. We also talk a bit more about ice baths, the possibility of hot beverages in a camelback, and advice for a mom of two who is training for a half marathon.
Goofy Challenge, Ice Baths, Camelbacks, and Training Advice [53:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadMon 11 Jan 2010
Running with the Pack 64: My First Ice Bath!
Posted by Allan under running
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This is the official record (and recording) of my first ice bath. The short version: it was freaking cold and ached a lot, but I can see why they would be useful.
