Wisdom Teeth Out!

On Wednesday I got all for of my wisdom teeth taken out. It was not fun, I did not go under just local anesthetic so the sounds were the worst part. Starting to get back on my feet and actually went for a run today, I felt fine until my jaw started to hurt around mile 9 and my energy was just not there which is no surprise since I have been living on liquid diet!

Champion Meb Keflezighi!

You could not ask for a nicer guy to be representing the United States in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Great guy and easy to talk to, more than happy to share his experiences and advice!

It's Good To Be Home

San Francisco was lots of fun but it is good to be home. I managed to get runs in every day including a hill workout, which in S.F. was very challenging. We did lots of the tourist things but also wandered off the beaten path. If I would have been closer to Golden Gate Park I would have run there every day, the trail system there was amazing.

West Coast Running

Heading out to San Francisco for my 1st anniversary "honeymoon". We have plenty of things planned and packed plenty of Saucony gear to sneak in runs every day.

Who is up for hill repeats?

Staying In Balance

As we all know life is a balancing act. For me it is juggling exercise, family life, and one of my many jobs which can be difficult. For example I was in Chicago all weekend, up at 3:30am to work at the Rock & Roll Chicago 1/2 Marathon and got home at 8pm. Somehow I managed to drag myself out of bed at 5:20 so I could get a run in before Jenny leaves for work. After my run I hit the bike trainer and weights for upper body strength all before 7:30 which is when I had to wake up Claire so I could make breakfast and drop her off to grandma before work.

What is the point of the long story? You have to find that balance even if it means losing a little sleep and no making excuses.

I Love Days Off!

Took the day off yesterday, my @Saucony shoes needed a break! I was definitely sore after racing over the weekend and after a couple easier training days I just needed a rest.

I came back strong today with (10) 1 mile repeats at 5:40 pace, love it!

Christmas Came Early!

Got home today it was like Christmas a little early, got a box full of ViZi-PRO training gear from #Saucony!

Everyone can use more "traffic cone" orange colored clothes in their closet! Seriously this color is great anytime but especially if you train in lower light like early mornings or evenings.

Here is a little info on ViZi-Pro:

LEXINGTON, MA (October 29, 2009) – As runners are faced with autumn’s shorter daylight hours, Saucony, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, is setting the standard for visibility with the launch of its highly reflective ViZiPRO Collection, a new line of performance apparel and accessories. Saucony’s ViZiPRO Collection, now available at select running specialty retailers, is inspired by the dedicated runners who want to extend their ability to run confidently in fall and winter’s reduced daylight by enhancing their visibility to increasingly distracted drivers.

“With digital PDAs like cell phones, GPSs and MP3 players, as well as on-the-go meals and back-seat kids, drivers today have more distractions than ever before,” said Todd Dalhausser, general manager of Saucony apparel. “Add to that the reduced daylight of fall and winter, and a runner’s visibility while on the roads can be severely compromised.
Our mission is to inspire people to run. ViZiPRO does that by removing the limitations, delivering both uncompromised performance and enhanced visibility for runners in any season, in any light, at any time,” added Dalhausser.

The ViZiPRO Collection includes jackets, vests, sport tops, headgear and hand gear for both men and women that feature its trademark fluorescent orange color that maintains an incredibly luminescent, reflective surface for heightened visibility of the wearer.  The new performance apparel products utilize a combination of lightweight, water-resistant fabrics engineered for maximum comfort and mobility.  Select items from the collection also feature a road-side (right side) sleeve holster which holds an accompanying blinking LED light for enhanced visibility.

Recent statistics by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report that nearly 6,000 people were killed and 500,000 injured due to driver distraction in 2008. Of on-road pedestrian fatalities, 10% were related to pedestrians not being visible to drivers. The report also states that 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., the time when runners are most likely to be out on the roads, is also the most dangerous time of the day for pedestrians.

The ViZiPRO Collection passed rigorous tests to ensure runners training in these low-light conditions can be better seen, giving them a visual advantage when out on the roads.  According to industry-standard chromaticity testing results, Saucony’s ViZiPRO fluorescent orange fabric rated highest in visibility among its competitors.
A chromaticity test measures the relative visibility of reflective and fluorescent materials and determines which provide the greatest visibility─a critical feature when running the roads.

Great Racing Today!

I had lots of fun racing today in the Giant Eagle Multisport Festival Biathlon in Columbus, Ohio today. The 40K bike course was flat and fast and the 10K run along the trail system was great. It started to heat up quite a bit on the second lap of the run. I managed to hold off National Champion (and friend) Michael Carmean to take 4th overall in the Olympic distance. It was a pretty good day!

Ready to Race!

Having standard pre-race pasta dinner, early to bed, up at 5:00 for the Giant Eagle Biathlon. @Cervelo P3SL check, @Zipp_USA check, @Saucony Kinvara 2/clothes check, @ClifBar Shot Blocks, and other gear ready!

With all the training I have been doing I hope tomorrow goes well, I will post results when I get home!

Strong Workouts Today, Who Wants Ice Cream

Since I am racing Giant Eagle Multisport Festival this weekend today was my last hard workout day, Thursday and Friday will just be maintenance, I decided to push it hard. I got in a 22.3 mile ride and 25 minute upper body strength workout before work then (8) 1 mile repeats before dinner.

After a hard day it is time for some #Saucony AMP PRO2 compression sleeves and chocolate ice cream!

Nutritionally Speaking

So I was recording my workouts from last week and I burned approx 15, 821 calories. For those of you that like numbers that's the equivalent of 263 yougurt cups or 159 bananas or 27 Big Macs! Nutrition is a huge part of training and racing so be sure you are eating well!

New Running Music

I was having a good run this morning jamming tunes (as I often do) when I realized I keep skipping over songs because I have been training so much and hear them over and over. I will be asking everyone I know for songs to add.
It is another hot day here in Columbus 97 with a heat index of 110 and an air quality alert. I still refuse to run indoors so I had to get up earlier than usual to beat the heat. Definitely needed more sleep!
If you are training today be safe and stay hydrated!

Good Workouts This Week

Despite the incredibly hot weather I have had a solid week of 2 workouts per day. I have been getting one in before work and another when the sun goes down. Hopefully everyone is conscious of the heat this week!

A Short Video About My Favorite Shoes!

I rant and rave to everyone about  my #Saucony Kinvara 2, now hear it straight from #Saucony

Ahhhh recovery days

After a couple long runs on Saturday and Sunday I needed a little recovery time with some easy workouts. Rolled out of bed at 6:40 for a 21 mile bike followed by a 25 minute upper body weight workout. After work I felt the need to move so I took off for an easy 6 miler. What was it I was saying about recovery days?

You Can Follow Me On Runkeeper

I will be using #Runkeeper this season to track my running and other fitness activities and goals. You can check out my progress here: http://runkeeper.com/user/bpditty

It Was A Hot One Today

Fighting the heat and dehydration I was able to pull off another 15 miler today. For the rest of the day I will be curled up on the couch with #Gatorade and water wearing my #Saucony AMP PRO2 compression recovery gear.

Great Run This Morning!

15 mile run just before sunrise, felt strong in my new @Saucony Kinvara 2. Recovering in my AMP PRO2 compression. #findyourstrong

Officially A Saucony Hurricane!

I am proud to announce that as of July 11, 2011 I am officially part of the national Saucony Hurricane Team. It is a huge honor to be representing such a great shoe and apparel company. I will do my best to train hard, represent the brand well in training and competition. Find Your Strong.