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Archive for October, 2009

Signs of Progress

October 20th, 2009

I’m going to talk about me (Nathan) for a minute. To monitor my progress as I get back into running, I started using a GPS and heart rate monitor to monitor my speed and heart rate. I’ve notice my heart rate gets going at about 180-185 BPM at a 9:30 pace. At that pace, I can hold a conversation, I can speed up if needed, and I seem to be able to sustain that pace for a few miles.

At 31 years of age, I’m pretty sure my max heart rate is supposed to be somewhere around 189 BPM (220 minus my age) and I shouldn’t be able to maintain anything above 90% of that which puts me at about 180 BPM. But, 180-185 BPM seems to be where I find myself running.

Until today.

Today I went out and my feet were pounding the pavement a little faster and my heart was pounding in my chest a little slower. On a 3.75 mile run, my pace averaged 9:07 with a heart rate of 172 BPM. I dropped 10 to 20 seconds off my pace and 5 to 10 BPM off my heart rate. Nice. Love seeing progress.

Maybe one day I’ll be as fast as Patrik and Dave. I have all winter to catch up. For now, I’ll just be a little proud of a little improvement.

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Posted in training

Tags: training

New Bike

October 12th, 2009

Nathan’s new bike arrived this afternoon. After jumping up and looking out the window anytime a truck drove by and one false alarm when a UPS driver delivered a package to the neighbors, my bike and pedals showed up in a couple boxes. The UPS driver loaded the boxes onto his dolley and said, “Oh. These are light.” Yeah. They better be.

The new bike is a 2006 Specialized Tarmac Pro. Obviously, it’s not a new bike, but it’s new to me. So I say that counts.

Next step is to put it together for real. Right now the bolts are tight enough to hold it together but not to ride. I also need some handlebar tape, a chain pin, and a quick tune up. Then I need shoes, a helmet, and shorts and a jersey. Plus a floor pump, a frame pump, probably a spare tube, a seat pack…

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Posted in news

Smuttynose Half Marathon

October 4th, 2009

Hello from New Hampshire. Just arrived at the Smuttynose half marathon in Hampton NH. Race starts at 10am, about one hour from now. Waiting for David to arrive. It’s brisk and breezy here, but looks super flat around here. Here’s hoping for a PR.

I’ve been up since 4:30am. Kids didn’t want to sleep last night so that’s not much fun. My wife stayed home with the kids in lieu of coming to the race. 2 hrs driving each way and three hrs hanging around Hampton probably not the most fun in the world. Though it won’t be easy staying home with two tired and grumpy children. I’m pretty sure I owe her one. Or two.

The walkers are about to start so I’ll go check out that exciting start. And maybe go change.

I’ll update later, hopefully not midrace. Read on for the exciting conclusion.