Today the count is 13

Pierini Fitness is within striking distance of the Wharf to Wharf, an upcoming 6-mile fun run and his day of performance reckoning is closing in on him.  Fun run race day is in 13 days on the last Sunday of July.  So, as might be expected, his training heretofore will concentrate on running and fun run preparation.

With a previously established goal of completing the 6 miles at a 9-minute mile pace, Pierini Fitness believes he’s in good shape.  Yet, all it takes is one hiccup – uncooperating legs, belly ache, weak mind, or a stubborn cardiovascular-respiratory system – on race day and he could miss his goal by running at a much slower pace.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter.  It’s all about showing up, taking a trip down memory lane, enjoying the running atmosphere and nice scenery along the way and, whatever it takes, finishing the course.  If necessary, walking counts.

The countdown preparation, starting today, consists of about a half-dozen running workouts.  His approach is getting in a combination of slower-paced and longer-distance running along with faster stuff like 800 meters, 400 meters and 200 meters repeats, and some 30 second acceleration strides for multiple rounds.  It’s all about building running pace familiarity and running efficiency. 

For example, if today’s workout goes according to plan, Pierini Fitness will run 4 miles at a slower pace (maybe 80 percent of the fun run race pace) and then conclude with a Sprint 8 speed workout which is 8 rounds of 30 seconds running fast with 90 seconds of a slow run recovery.  The fast run stuff should be at a mile pace of between 7:00 and 7:30. 

But a planned workout doesn’t always go according to plan so we shall see.  It’s supposed to be a July hot day in the low 90F degree range, so Pierini Fitness better get his running workout done early.

Blessed to be able to run with his 64-year-old “wheels, Pierini Fitness is counting down and today the count is 13.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

July 4th 5-mile fun run

Happy July 4^th, 2019 Independence Day to all my middle-aged men brothers from different mothers. Today, Pierini Fitness salutes the American flag and shouts how proud he is to be an American.  

He’s not wearing any Nike shoes or other apparel; hasn’t worn that stuff for years and probably has never bought any, although he may have once received a sweatshirt as a gift.

This month he continues preparing for the Wharf to Wharf 6-mile fun run that’ll take place the last Sunday of July.  This week, he received his race bib, tried it on and learned it fits great.  

So, the running preparation continues and must be more than what has been done thus far.  It comes at the expense of having to taper some of the other fitness training he’s doing, such as squats that are part of a kettlebell complex.  There’s only so much fuel in the legs’ fuel tank for Pierini Fitness and his wheels must feel fresh to run his best.  It’s a necessary short-term business decision.  After the run, it’ll be back to normal business and his wheels will get a more regular dose of strength training.

To get more quality runs in, Pierini Fitness is running a fun run he did many times probably 20-something years ago.  It’s the 43^rd Annual 4^th of July 5-miler, a free running event sponsored by the Buffalo Chips Running Club, Sacramento’s largest, oldest and most friendly running club.  Look forward to an “executive briefing update on how Pierini Fitness did.

Cheer me on this morning as I try my middle-aged man best running an early morning July 4^th 5-mile fun run.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

Wharf to Wharf, here I come!

Pierini Fitness has a few 2019 fitness goals that he hasn’t shared here before. One goal is to resurrect my “career” as a fun runner and enter a 10k running event sometime this year.  I’d like to finish the run at a 9-minute mile pace and will be training with this goal in mind.  It’s a much slower pace than the 7:10 to 7:15 mile pace I used to run 20 years ago.

Now that I’m leaner and meaner, running as a fitness activity is on the table and my knees don’t hurt when I run. 

My history as a fun runner is loaded with memories that’ll always be mine to cherish with the best ones dating back to over 20 years ago.  This was when my son and I would enter fun runs together.  He was an accomplished high school cross country and track runner and I was just a tag-along father trying, to the best of my abilities, to be half the runner he was.

Probably my favorite memories were the annual and very popular Wharf to Wharf 10k fun run in Santa Cruz, California.  This event gets its name because the course begins at the Santa Cruz Wharf and ends at the, nearby town, Capitola Wharf.  It’s a great running course with refreshing views and an ocean mist to keep everyone cool and comfortable.

When searching for a fun run to enter, this one was at the top of my list.  But, because of its popularity, there was no guarantee I’d get to run it.  The good news is I was able to register and get accepted and I’m stoked.  It’ll take place on Sunday, July 28^th later this year so I have a little over three and one-half months to get in 9:00 minute mile running shape.  I think I should be able to do this.

Due to current work demands, I’m now only able to run once a week which, lately, has been a 60-minute long and slow run on Sunday at a favorite local park.  But my busy work schedule will soon be coming to an end, and I’ll be able to begin a more structure training effort in about three weeks.  So, this should be plenty of time for me to be fun run race ready, capable of accomplishing my 9-minute mile pace goal.

Stay tuned for more details as I share how goes my fun run training effort, and other details of my continuing middle-aged man fitness, health and wellness journey.

Wharf to Wharf, here I come!

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum