There Is No Try...

I've always loved this quote. And it applies to running very well. Enjoy!

Heart rate monitor - first use

I used my new Polar H7 heart rate monitor on this morning's long run. It worked great, despite initially not detecting my heart beat. But once I began to sweat a bit, it connected up and reported my heart beat the rest of the way. I was glad that the Strava app connected to it without a problem. In researching this particular monitor, I had not found anyone using it with the same phone as I. But it's working fine with my Motorola Droid Turbo.

Heart rate monitor

I've been thinking about getting a heart rate monitor for awhile and finally ordered one last night . After a bit of research, I ordered the Polar H7. It's a chest strap model that can connect to ios and Android phones via bluetooth 4.0 (low energy). It also is compatible with Strava - which I've pretty much switched to from Runkeeper. I'll post more about my experiences using it soon.

Monday Morning Humor

Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon!

Well, the deed is done! I've signed up for this year's Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon held on July 11, 2015 up near Duluth, MN. I really have no idea what's in store for me, but am pretty dang excited. I think I have a runners high from just writing this post!

Strength, balance and running

In the research I've been doing on how to train for a trail run, one thing that has become apparent is the need to include balance and strength training as part of my workout routine. So I've begun incorporating the following in my morning workouts:

- squats
- lunges
- single leg balancing
- sit-ups
- pushups
- planks

I will be modifying the components of the morning workout as needed.

Training plan

In looking around the web, I haven't had a lot of luck finding a suitable training plan for a beginning trail runner. What I found was either too basic or way too advanced. So I've begun devising my own plan. The times for the later runs will need to be adjusted, but I'll have to do that later. It's not complete and will undoubtedly undergo many changes, but this is what I have got so far. At least it's a plan. Run on.

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total Hours
1	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	90	60
2	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	90	60
3	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	90	60
4	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	90	60
5	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	90	60
6	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	90	60
7	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	120	60
8	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	120	60
9	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	120	60
10	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	120	60
11	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	120	60
12	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	120	60
13	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	135	60
14	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	135	60
15	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	135	60
16	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	135	60
17	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	135	60
18	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	135	60
19	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	150	60
20	intervals	CT/easy	hills	60	CT/easy	150	60