Distance training and racing

Posted on April 17, 2012 by cbarnes

Distance running is something that everyone who does it works their way into.  You can’t just get off the couch and go run a marathon, a 50 mile race, or a 100 mile race, or longer.  It is something that takes time to build into.

I have been taking some time off lately, life has thrown me some obsticles and I have gone through them and now it’s time to get back to the distance training.  With the year a quarter over, my plans for racing has changed.  I was going to do a 50 mile race and then a 100 mile race but just like life, plans change.  So now, my mind is on one 50k race then a marathon in the city where I live.  The 50k is a mountain race and it has been a while since I have raced a race.  So, the 50k Wintergreen race I am going for blood.  I am going to start the race with the hopes of a win, or top 3.  It is a longer distance but one that I feel that I can race.  The marathon is during an Iron distance race in Wilmington, NC.  Having raced the race last year and not making it to the run portion, due to hypothermia, I am going to run the race as a relay.  We have a killer swimmer, a super fast biker, and me running.  My goal is to do under 2:50:00 for the marathon.  It is not about qualifying for Boston, it is about running the race in my hometown, in front of all my friends, family, and people who I train with daily.

Patience is key.  Speed doesn’t come overnight, distance does not come overnight.  Build into whatever race you are doing and enjoy the training.  Until next time, enjoy training and remember why you started and run fun!

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Cross Training

Posted on March 20, 2012 by cbarnes

Cross training is a huge help when it comes to running, or any sport that you do.  When running is the main focus of sport, you need something to get the other muscles moving so you are not always using your legs.  Some like to cycle or swim.  While others surf, lift weights, practice yoga or palettes, and some have their own way of cross training.

For me, since I live at the beach, I like to get out in the ocean and act like a kid.  That means surfing when we have waves, swimming if there is a group swimming distance, or paddle boarding.  This morning was a perfect sunrise paddle with milk glass waters and nobody out in the ocean.  It was a time where I could sit, listen to the waves crash, and be in my other element alone, the water.

Wrightsville Beach, NC sunrise paddle

After the swim, the NOW Energy Bar got me going again and ready to start the day.  With their easy to open pack, I actually put one on my board just in case I needed an extra boost to get me back to my car.  Good for any sport and can be stored almost anywhere.

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Why do you run?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by cbarnes

Running.  A word that the meaning changes as we get older.  When we were younger, running meant playing outside, chasing a soccer ball, football, or basketball.  It was something that we did to enjoy an activity that we liked.  And when it came time to run in practice, without chasing a ball, it was frowned upon.

As we get older, we start to see things in a different light, no just with running.  But with running, it becomes something that we do to get outside, enjoy the outdoors, meet new friends, and to stay healthy.  Some people are okay with running for fun and not racing, to each their own.

I started running for fun and loved it.  I started to get faster and faster and loved seeing running as a competition.  For years, I would run my hardest in workouts to let that show on race day.  I would be unhappy if I didn’t finish where I wanted to, had a bad race, or things did not go the way I planned.  Some people love this, running their hearts out at every race they do.  And again, to each their own.

However, I lost the reason I got into running, the fun aspect of it.  I started running because I thought it was fun and a great way to get out and catch up with friends and have a good time.  Now, I am running for fun, running for the feeling of running and not because I have to win a race, set a personal record, I am running for fun.  If that leads to a win, a pr, then awesome, if not, then no hard feelings.

So I ask this, why did you start running?  Is it the same reason you are still running today?

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Travel Running

Posted on February 13, 2012 by cbarnes

Running around the same town, the same trails, with the same people can be fun, it can also become monotonous.  This past weekend I had the privilage of going to San Francisco to meet with doctors and patients from around the world at the second annual Jack McGovern Coats Disease Foundation conference.  I did not know what to expect and did not know who I would meet.  I came out of the weekend with an understanding that doctors from around the world were all working together to find a cure for Coats Disease.  Most people find a charity to work with and help them raise money.  This foundation is a little different for me.  I have coats disease and I went blind in my left eye when I was 15 years old.  So, raising money, helping out in any way I can, is very dear to my heart.

While meeting doctors from around the world, sharing my story, it is clear that more research and testing needs to be done.  This is where I come in.  I am an ambassador for the foundation.  This year I am running two races in Colorado, a 50 mile trail race and also the Leadville 100 trail run.  During those races I am hoping to have as many people as possible donate what they can as well as people donating a certain amount of money per mile ran, finishing under a certain time, and just people who want to help out.

While in San Francisco, I got to run.  I did not run trail due to the time I had free and the fact that I was staying with a buddy who I had not seen in a while.  This is where the travel running title comes into play.  I stayed in the suburbs of San Francisco, Millbrae to be exact, and my buddy who I had not seen in a while is a runner.  We went out on his normal run, but for me it was amazing.  A new running route, new partner to run with, and also new sights to see.  When people travel, they get to experience new places, new areas, and new sights.  I love going to new places and running, getting lost in the city, finding areas where you would normally not see by car or plane.  I would have to say, the next time you go to a new city, take your shoes, explore the city, find neat areas to go back and visit in the car, but just run and have fun getting lost!

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January was a learning experience

Posted on January 27, 2012 by cbarnes

So usually January is a cool, wet month with not a lot of people out and about on the beach here in North Carolina.  Runners are the only ones usually out along with surfers who surf year around.  This January has been the exact opposite.  While most of the country is getting hit with snow, cold temperatures, and more snow, Wilmington, North Carolina is getting 70 degree weather which makes it a perfect January for running.  Just the other day we did an early morning hill run downtown at 5:50am and usually during the winter at that time, it’s a ghost town all around town.  Well this day was crazy, we must have passed 30 people out and about doing hill repeats on bikes and running.  I mean how could you not pass up a morning where that early it is already 65 degrees.

With all that said, I am glad I am bouncing back from injury fast.  I am having to learn that it takes years to get where you were before injury and then how fast it goes away.  I am coming back from a broken big toe.  It doesn’t sound bad, and I thought it would only take a couple weeks to heal but I was totally wrong.  If the big toe is hurt it changes all the biomechanics of your body from walking to sitting and even driving if it is your right foot, which mine was.  I was lucky enough to have an amazing girlfriend who drove me around most of the time.  But coming back from an injury is hard.  It is hard to see where you use to feel like the pace was easy and now trying to hold that pace is the hardest thing you have done that day.  Working through this month has made me appreciate the determination and drive I have.  I am saying this to help anyone that is coming back from an injury.  I know it is hard, you will get down, you will be mad at a run, and yes you will feel like you won’t get back.  But when you have those thoughts, look back on how long it took to get to the point before your injury and see that you have been there before.  You know your body can get there, it has done it before.  Take that and use that as determination to get out there and work out at 110% effort.

Happy running and enjoy the time you have on your feet!

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Hello and Thank You

Posted on January 12, 2012 by cbarnes

Hello everyone.  This is the first post of many on my road leading up to the Leadville 100 trail race on August 18-19th 2012.  I want to thank everyone at NOW Energy Bars and the opportunity to join the NOW family!

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