Review: Kool Breeze Scarf

One benefit to having some extra time to kill before spin class about a month ago is that I came across a really cool (literally) scarf.  It looks kind of like a rolled up bandanna but it actually has some kind of absorbent gel inside.  This scarf came in real handy on Sat when I decided to do my 10 Mile long run outside.  Your supposed to soak this in water for about 5 minutes prior to using it and then pat the outside dry with a towel.  I usually just run this under the faucet for a couple minutes and lightly dry it.

I wear the scarf tied around my head like a bandanna and not only did this scarf keep me cooler but it also helped keep the sweat off of my face for the entire length of the run.  These scarfs are available at Walmart for about $4 and are reusable for hundreds of times.  Eventually the gel is supposed to disintegrate which will limit its cooling abilities but so far it seems like the life span of one scarf is likely to be several months at least.  I plan on wearing the scarf in a couple weeks for my half marathon run and look forward to a nice cool run with it.

Building lots of miles

Sorry for the infrequent posts lately.  I have been building my miles up to get ready for my next race.  I am jumping from a 7k in the middle of March to a half marathon on June 3rd.  Both races were put on by one of my preferred organizations Team Ortho.  I like this organizations races so well because they are well organized in general and have massive numbers of runners turning out for their races.  The 7k I did was Get Lucky which had over 8k people on a 7k course which is a logistical nightmare but they managed to pull it off in style.  I am currently training for the MPLS Half Marathon which is on a similar course to the 7k though they did have to make some modifications as several of the bridges that had been there in years past are currently not their anymore (MN construction season)  This course change means a flatter course as well which will mean many of the runners are likely to get a new pr on the course.

I have been training for this race with what some may call a crazy training plan that I concocted on my own.  Below is the table of what my training plan looks like for those who are curious how to triple milage in 6 weeks.

6 WEEK RUN PLAN
Monday		Wednesday		Saturday LR
M1	4 Miles	W1	5 Miles	S1	8 Miles
M2	5 Miles	W2	6 Miles	S2	9 Miles
M3	6 Miles	W3	7 Miles	S3	10 Miles
M4	7 Miles	W4	8 Miles	S4	11 Miles
M5	8 Miles	W5	9 Miles	S5	12 Miles
M6	9 Miles	W6	10 Miles	S6	RACE!!!

This plan allows you to gradually add mileage while building up to the race.  I am currently on the 4th week and I must say this plan is keeping me on track for the most part.  I only shorted one of the Monday runs so far and that was because I was not feeling well at all.  Otherwise this plan has been very helpful to me in getting my mileage up in time for the half marathon.  I plan on creating a similar plan but including some plateaus to allow myself to better acclimate to the distances once this race is over and have it continue on from 13 miles up through 20+ miles so that I can be ready to run some marathons in time for next year.  The ultimate plan is to sign up for the longest distances on the entire Team Ortho Monster Series next year and possibly throw in an ultramarathon at some point next year as well but we will see how I do.