Day 29 - Jason - Is it possible to foam roll too much?

Well, it is?  Nothing hurts as good as a foam roller.  Tight calves and quads ... roll em out.  If you do not foam roll you now have a homework assignment to research the amazing benefits of this innocuous contraption.

Picked mine up on a random trip to TJ Max.  While perusing the randomness that is TJ Max I happened across a lonely roam roller still in original packaging for $10.  Yes, my wife gave crap stating I would never use it.   I showed her!

This nights 5k was to the gym again.  Met the wife and we swam for a 2nd day in a row.  I could get used to this.

Marcothon is coming to an end. Time to begin mentally preparing for my 7 mile trail race this weekend.  Looking forward to it!

How about that run?

Day 27-28 - Jason - Swim Cooldown

My mane is Jason ward.  I am doing this marcothon thing because I like challenges.  I completed this challenge last year but a few of my runs were on a treadmill.  My foal in 2014 was to run exclusively outdoors no matter the conditions and to run 5k.  Thus far I have been fortunate as the weather here in the midwest has been quite mild, only seeing a couple runs in sub 30F temps.

I have stayed true to my goals and have executed a 5k each day of December outdoors including Christmas day.  If I do this challenge in 2015 I will have to up it a notch.  Possibly increase the daily mileage to 4 miles or add a biking requirement of 10 miles per day.  Well, I have 11 months to figure it out.

My run tonight was a 1-way trip to the gym where I met my wife with my gym bag for a bit of a swim.  The run was cold but the water was a balmy 83F.  Might have to make this run more often although it is slightly less than 5k I resorted to a short detour.  In addition I lost about .25 miles due to the fact my Garmin was paused unknowingly.

Here is tonight's run:

Day 1 - Stine - Hello Again Early Alarm!

It's been a long time (too long and too embarrassed to confess, even on here) since I actually GOT UP when my early morning running alarm went off at 5:30am.  I often would describe the running facet of my life as being "manic".  When I have a race on the calendar and miles to upload to RunKeeper/Garmin, to say I'm dedicated would be an understatement.  I will meet people at ridiculous hours after little sleep to get the miles in, over analyze the data, and watch my eating to extreme levels.

Now let me introduce you to the other side of me: "Fun-Tab" (as my husband says).  This version of me is who you've been seeing a lot of recently.  She eats a lot, drinks a lot, sleeps a lot, and  - guess what - I like her :)

But, for the last ten years, I've been extremely happy and functional with this cycle of one to two crazy races a year where I toggle between Manic-Tab and Fun-Tab.  Fun-Tab came out this year a little bit after Ragnar this summer and Manic-Tab was drifting away after a two marathons back to back in the Fall and Spring of 2013/2014 and Ragnar in June.  She still ran 4-5 5ks this summer and fall at respectable times, but definitely didn't allow her to wake up any too early to train for them...and never let a Blue Moon or Burger sideline her goal of fun.

I'm pretty happy to say that following a gain of 10 pounds, a couple fabulous vacations, and tons of "fun" with friends and my crazy family and 3 kiddos, Manic-Tab is rearing her head.  She loves the challenge of Marcothon.  She loves having a deadline for real measurable miles each day.  She loves scouting the hour-by-hour forecasts to squeeze in the runs, and the NEED to purchase new gear on Cyber Monday to wear all month long :)

I look forward to hopefully completing Marcothon again as our HFCRC team did last year.  I hope we get at least one group midnight straddle run in.  I hope we all find a way to get refocused for spring marathon season knocking on our door.  I hope we at least shed a bit of these challenging holiday (or in my case "Fun-Tab") pounds.  I hope we build a community of runners who are inspired to find 25-30 minutes every day for themselves.  Time when their spouses/kids/bosses aren't demanding anything from them.  Time to refocus on ourselves and the reason for the season :)

Day 1, Marcothon in the books!

"Fun-Tab" woke up for this!!!

Monday Run

DEC 01, 2014  -  6:05 AM

MI

3.11

DURATION

27:55

AVERAGE PACE

8:58

CALORIES BURNED

362

HFCRC Marcothon - AND...we are BACK!

After a super successful 2013 Marcothon, some of us folks have decided to slap old man winter in the face and DO IT AGAIN.  We know the forecast for 2014/2015 winter is even more daunting than last, we are up for the challenge. 

OK...let me first catch all of you up on WHAT Marcothon is.

Last year I posted this initial post...read HERE for all the rules and history. And as before, all the traditional Marco-rules apply, and I will continue to pursue the additional ante of ONLY running outside, all DECEMBER LONG.

You can also learn more at the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/744082202313599/?source=1

And here it outlines the basic rules once again:

Welcome to the 6th Marcothon.

The rules are simply, you must run every day in DECEMBER. Minimum of three miles or 25 minutes – which ever comes first. The challenge starts on December 1 and finishes on December 31. And yes, that includes Christmas Day.

It's not a competition. Just a personal challenge or an incentive to burn off some beer and turkey dinners. 

The history: This all started in 2009, when Marco challenged himself to run every day in November. I decided to follow suit and run every day in December. I posted the challenge – and dubbed it the Marcothon - and before I knew it there was a group of runners equally eager to embrace the winter conditions of December 2009. In 2010, the group was added to Facebook and attracted over 500 runners from across the globe. Last year, we had over 2000!

So...I encourage you to read first read our blog from last year at www.marcothon2013.blogspot.com.  Here Jefrey, Rick, Eric, and I blogged each day about our trials and tribulations to outwit the weather, squeeze in our miles, stay healthy, and have fun!  From outdoor midnight straddle runs to travel family runs, it becomes not only a way to stay in great holiday shape, but also test the body's mental and physical limits while also prepping for the great post-holiday marathon training season that is lurking around the corner.

Here goes nothing fellow Marco-maniacs....may the gods of warm weather, light laundry, and family patience wrap us in their speedy shoes with healthy steps along the way!