http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Home.aspxRat Running Team Blogen-usCopyright 2011, WRAT-FMWed, 22 May 2013 08:28:38 GMTWed, 27 Apr 2011 15:51:10 GMT1http://emmisinteractive.comThat's right.  Last week was basically a "Oh Shit Moment" stretched over about 6 days.    About two weeks ago, I did my first ten mile training run.  It actually went pretty well, I was pleasantly surprised.  After letting my leg and back muscles come back to earth, I did a few 6 mile training runs... but in my head, I really thought I'd feel more comfortable with another ten mile training run (even though it wasn't in my training schedule).    Well, that next ten mile run was a week ago Tuesday, and it hurt like hell in the 9th mile.  In fact (maybe you heard me mention this on the air) I couldn't finish it.  It felt like someone was driving a nail into my left knee.    Since then, I haven't even walked fast... let along run.  I've been streching my leg - 'specially that knee - twice ...http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10231131http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10231131Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:51:10 GMTSo, I went down to the boardwalk today to get some training in.  It was a 5 mile day.  I got down there and, despite the fact that it was sunny and 60 at the station... it was sunny, windy, and cold down near the ocean.  The windchill had to be about 40 degrees... and here I am in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt!    I took one look at the people walking their dogs on the boardwalk... yep, they had parkas on with the hoods pulled tight over their heads... I needed a plan, and quick.   A riding buddy of mine came to mind and after a a quick call, I was back in the car.  Destination:  The Manasquan Bike Trail.  If you've never checked it out, I can highly suggest it.  It's protected from the wind, because it's basically lined with trees... so on a ...http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10223014http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10223014Mon, 04 Apr 2011 21:38:10 GMTI realized something yesterday, during my first ever 8 mile run.  I realized that, despite what I originally thought, I'm not doing this for myself.  In fact, I can't complete this half marathon for myself.  I'm not worth it.   You see, in my egocentric world I wanted to do this half marathon so I could say that "I did it."  My big, giant, fat head drew me to the challenge because I wanted to be the hero.  But, I've since realized that if I was just doing for myself, I would have quit a long time ago.  It's just too painful and takes me away from the other stuff in my life that I'd rather be doing.    In my training runs, I began to think about my reasons and inspirations... and I realized that I'm just not inspiring enough for myself.  I found myself thinking about other people to ...http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10221059http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10221059Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:12:46 GMTSo, I did six miles the other day on the Belmar boardwalk... it was sunny, and windy, and the surf had to be about 6 feet or so.  The beach was empty... It was a killer run b/c there was so much to look at.  I can only imagine what it's like to run on a nice summer day... what with the throngs of thongs on the beach babes and so forth... (ok, so you don't see many thongs on the Belmar beach, but the alliteration worked so let me go with it).   The six gave itself up without too much knee pain... man those boardwalks are so much softer than asphalt!    Yesterday, I took the training back to the gym and I have just one small reflection:  treadmills are freakin' BORING.  Friggin' dull... Hopefully, this rain will move out of the Shore and we can all get our ...http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10213949http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10213949Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:39:53 GMTBig love out to Frank McCann... he put together a training schedule for me... even left time for me to mountain bike (or otherwise play with my heart rate during this slog...)  Frank said he's done, like, 10 marathons... so I trust his judgement.    Thanks, Frank! for the tips on the chaffing too.  Back when I did the Manasquan Turkey Trot I ran into (no pun intended) a problem with that.  Damn! does that hurt!  I went out and got some long athletic undies to protect the boys.   I promise... that's the last time I'll use the word "undies" on this blog, or anywhere else.  Honest.  Never again.   Oh, and lets give my pal Rosie a big hand!  CLAP CLAP CLAP!  She hooked up the Rat Running Team with a donation... Whoot!  Thanks, Rosie!    I'm off to get some training in... (despite being a bit hung over from ...http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10212625http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10212625Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:38:50 GMTOk, so I'm not so air-headed to think that I'll just be able to get off the couch on May 1st and run 13 miles.  Yes, I understand that I have to train.  And, now that we're in a truth-telling frame of mind, let me just say that I have run before.  Afew years ago I did the Manasquan Turkey Trot.  That's the five mile run that's so popular the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  After that trot, my knees got the trots.  (I learned later that you've got to replace your sneakers because when the bounce runs out of 'em, it hurts the knees.)  Since I'm not a big fan of pain, I quit running and concentrated on cycling.   So, guess what was the first thing I did when I decided to start the Rat Running Team?  Yeah, plunked down some $$ for a new pair of sneakers, thanks to my ...http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10209835http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10209835Mon, 28 Feb 2011 11:01:34 GMTWell, apparently I need training!    I got an email from a Morning Rat Race listener by the name of Frank.  He said that he's been doing marathons for years and, "Would I like a training guide?"   I thought to myself, "Uh oh, I really need to train for this?  Ugh."  Then I answered Frank's email with a resounding, "Yes!  Hook me up!".    Frank was also kind enough to make a donation to our Rat Running Team page over at First Giving.... a big thank you to you, Frank!    If you'd like to donate, here's a link to the page:  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/ratrock/rat-running-team   Thanks!  And keep checking back for training updates right here on the page... I guess I'm gonna have to start beatin' feet to get ready for this thing!   -Carl Crafthttp://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10209399http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10209399Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:34:48 GMTDonate Some Dollars And Join The Rat Running Team! Check Back Here For Updates!http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10204418http://www.wrat.com/blog/RatRunningTeam/Blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10204418Fri, 11 Feb 2011 20:20:03 GMT