Training on the Road

I know many Team ZIP members are on the road a lot. And believe me, I know it can be tough to get into a training routine when traveling. This past week I was in Phoenix, Oklahoma City, Austin and Manhattan (KS -- the "Little Apple"). My plan was to run Saturday afternoon in Phoenix, Monday morning in OKC and Wednesday morning in Austin. Of those three, I was actually able to get in one run. But that's not too bad. I can't tell you how many times I have packed my running gear and never got it out of the suitcase!

But the run in Austin was enjoyable. Not fast. When I'm in a city like Austin I like to go "sightrunning" - a combination of sightseeing and exercise. So I planned a route that took me down Austin's infamous 6th Street, around the Capitol Building, and through the University of Texas-Austin campus.

Check out the interactive map below, recorded using my Garmin Forerunner 305 and uploaded to MotionBased.com.


View Larger Map

For anyone who travels, I highly recommend getting a Garmin Forerunner. It's a great tool for planning and even improvising routes in a strange city. I love the "return to start" feature that actually leads you back to your hotel if you get lost! And when you upload your runs to Motionbased, you can see all the details you need to track your progress.You can even retrace your run on Google Earth. Pretty cool stuff.

For example, the MotionBased log of my run in Austin shows that I ran 3.54 miles at an average pace of 10:09/mile and average heart rate of 135 bpm (as I said, I wasn't pushing it!). It also tells me the average temp was 60.8F and the wind was blowing from the North at 1.2 mph. The elevation gain/loss was +/- 220 ft (I ended where I began so it was a wash).

So what does this really tell me? It tells me I have a long way to go before I am ready to reach my goal at the Boilermaker (1 hr, 20 mins, or 8.5 mins/mile). After a long winter's nap, it's time to wake up and get moving!

Daren

Team ZIP Off and Running

Calling all beef runners...r u ready? We're looking to recruit 250 members of Team ZIP (Zinc/Iron/Protein) to run in the the Boilermaker 15K Road Race on July 13, in Utica, NY. Are you ready to show your passion for beef and be a living example of how lean beef fits in a healthy lifestyle? We need you!

Think 15K (9.3 miles) is too far for you? Don't worry! There is plenty of time to train. Heck, most marathon and Ironman triathlon training programs only run 16-20 weeks. You have over five months to train for the Boilermaker on July 13! And if you still don't think you want to tackle a 15K, there is a 5K option.

If you are just getting started, start slow. You might even want to start with walking...or a combination of walking and jogging. Just get those legs moving and your heart pounding. Before you know it you'll be running 2-3 miles at a time and you'll be ready to start at 15K training program (click here for a 10-week novice 15K training schedule).

Already a runner but ready to take your game to the next level? Here's a great 10-week 15K training program for intermediate runners.

Do you regularly participate in 15Ks, half marathons or longer distance events and have set your sights on winning the Boilermaker 15K State Beef Challenge? Here's an advanced runner 10-week training program designed to help you reach your goal.

Whatever your level, plan to join 250 Team ZIP runners at the Boilermaker 15K Road Race on July 13. Imagine 250 runners -- the largest team in the Boilermaker's 31-year history -- streched out along the course, delivering the "Power of Protein" message to the other 10,000+ runners and thousands of spectators lining the course.

Why the Boilermaker in Utica, NY? This is no ordinary road race. For 10 years consecutively, from 1997 to 2006, the Boilermaker 15K Road Race was named the largest 15K in the nation. Each year, the race attracts top elite runners from all over the world, Olympians and world record holders.

Think about it. This event attracts runners from all across the country, especially the East Coast. What a great opportunity to spread the Power of Protein message to a group of health-conscious consumers! The New York Beef Industry Council is planning a weekend full of events: a booth at the gigantic Health and Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12. And while we're there we will visit the National Distance Runners Hall of Fame in Utica.

So make plans now to be a part of this awesome event. For more information, contact Daren Williams at dwilliams@beef.org.

Daren