Half Marathon Training and Strava

Yesterday I started my half marathon training plan. I have attempted to train for a few races, but if I am being entirely honest, I haven't actually followed a plan since the 2011 NYC Marathon. So I pulled up the Runner's World Smart Coach app, filled in my race information and my time from the 2014 Area 13.1, and now I have a sweet little plan with minimal mileage that should prepare me for my 1/2 in June.

For the next few weeks, I am supposed to run 2 miles at 10 minute mile pace three times a week. Usually I would look at that and scoff at the lack of a workout and then I wouldn't even bother. But this time I am committed to actually training. Clearly I'm not going to be satisfied with a 2 mile run so I have decided to do these as warm-ups before CrossFit. We have a nice little loop around CrossFit Identity and I ran that three times before the WOD. I ran it a little faster than 10 minute mile pace because I just wanted to get my legs moving.

I recently signed myself up for Strava because I want something new to track my data. I used to use Running Ahead but that website isn't keeping up with Garmin connect changes. Annoying, but it's a new year so I'm okay with switching to a new platform. My only complaint so far is that I can't add existing mileage to my sneakers, which I can do on Running Ahead. Those red Brooks Adrenalines have like 2 plus 280 more miles on them.



Strava seems pretty easy to use. I connected my Garmin Forerunner 305 to Garmin Connect and synced my Garmin Connect to Strava. The Forerunner 305 is a pretty old model so it doesn't sync wirelessly, meaning that I have to connect it to my laptop to add any new runs to Garmin Connect/Strava.

The coolest thing I've noticed about Strava so far are these segments. Apparently there's something called the Floataway Quarter Mile (there's an office community called Floatway right near my box) and Strava automatically gave me some stats on my performance.

RunningAHEAD

So the other day I went to log into my Runners World training log and it seems that I no longer have an account. Um weird?

No bother because I wasn't too happy with the RW after I got my Garmin. I ended up having to use one to log my equipment use and Garmin Connect/Daily Mile to log my overall miles and routes. Extra steps means I probably won't use it. Although my Garmin is currently in the shop (more about that later), I have been using the Garmin Fit app. New year, new miles, new logging system.

I decided I wanted a website that would allow me to upload my Garmin training from both my Forerunner and the Fit app, to track the mileage on all of my running shoes and other gear, and that had a widget for my blog. One exceptionally boring conference call later and I had Googled my way to RunningAHEAD.

This is a free site that feeds my inner data junkie. As you can see in the screenshot below, you're given weekly run stats, monthly run stats, rolling run totals, and overall run totals. Right now I've only logged default runs, but my graph will show long, tempo, race, hill, fartlek, and easy runs once I start logging them as such.

I'm a fan of the Run Entry form because it has a place for equipment and includes my interval splits from my Garmin upload. At about 350 miles, I start using my shoes for short runs and the fake team sports I play, like kickball and volleyball. With closets full of running shoes, logging miles for each pair is extremely helpful. Unfortunately I cannot log into RW to figure out how many miles are already on the pairs I have.

I had been using Daily Mile's blog widget but since I never bothered to upload my run to Daily Mile, it looked like I never ran at all. I have since switched to one of RunningAHEAD's widgets. You can choose which format you like best, but this is my favorite because it has your last run's info and mileage for the week, month, and year.

If you're looking for an easy way to collect all of your run data in one place, check out RunningAHEAD. There's also a forum section where runners can join groups and post about different topics. I've been looking around on there and it seems like a pretty nifty community if you're into posting.

Runner's World Training Log

I froze my Equinox membership. It is for the best. For the next three months I am on my own in my fitness endeavors, and I think I am up to this daunting challenge. I am going to get lean and actually train for my races. ING NYC Marathon 2011 - here I come!

Since I am obsessed with tracking and data, I signed up for the Runner's World training log. This free service can be accessed here. I am super excited to see my running in graphs and tables, but I am a nerd and I do not deny it. You can also record your favorite routes, your sneakers, your weight, and your heart rate. The sneaker thing is awesome. You log when you bought them and it will keep track of the mileage you put on them. You can even input the mileage a pair has already endured. Sadly, I have no idea, but the next time I buy sneakers, I'm logging them pronto. Vibrams are not an option yet, but I logged mine under other. Come on Runner's World - get on the quasi-barefoot movement!

I got a nice little run in today. My right calf started bothering me though. I blame the ridiculous amount of stairs I am asked to climb each and every day. No day is a rest day when you're acting like a sherpa. I walked a good portion of the route back and put some ice on my calf before dinner.