The Last Long Run – Dec 7,2008

Today was the last long run before the marathon next week (Dec-14,2008). Since it was only 9 miles, we started at 7 am (an hour later than usual). It was a mildly cold morning. We started at the 9 min/mile pace for the first mile and then slowly speeded up a bit to 8:50 min/mile. After about 4 miles, we stopped for half a minute for water. Then we speeded up again. At this point, the entire pace group was split with 4 of us doing about 8:40 min/mile and the rest lagging behind. I finished strongly while still feeling fresh. All the training during the week seems to have helped for the weekend run. I was happy to have a good last long run before the marathon.

Some aggregate stats from the training for the past 4 months:

• 50 hours of running
  
• 325 Miles run
  
• 20 hours of Cycling
  
• 220 Miles of Cycling
  
• 50 hours of Strength Training
  
• 75,000 calories burnt
  
• Body weight loss of 25 pounds
  
• Body Fat Percent loss of 8%
  
• Total Cholesterol decreased by 45
  
• Triglycerides decreased by 50
  
• Target Funds to be raised for Children: $1500 (Raised $600 so far)
  
• Fun from the Experience – Priceless !
  

The already well known conclusion from the above stats is that running is great for your health, discover a lot about nature when running on trails, build endurance, develop resilience, discipline and above all the satisfaction of helping the children through the funds raised.

All the training for the past 4 months comes down to next Sunday (Dec-14), when the marathon starts in Dallas downtown at 8:00 am. If you are in or around the Dallas area, be sure to come cheer the Asha team at the marathon next week ! We will be in blue Asha T-Shirts and there will be a Asha booth at Mile-9 refreshments station.

If you have not already donated to Asha Strides of Hope, I request you to do it now at :

http://www.ashanet.org/dallas/soh/Srinivasan_profile_2008.html

 

Here are the stats from the GPS for today's long run:

Activity	Type	Activity	Type	Miles	Time (HH:MM:SS)	Avg. Pace (min/Mile)	Avg. Speed	Calories Burnt
Morning	Morning	Evening	Evening
Running	Long Run	None	None	9:02	1:18:35	8:42	6.9	1173