I've got crazy legs

Last Saturday, I participated in my first Crazy Legs run in Madison. It is one of the largest runs around and is also one of the neatest courses as you start on Capitol Square and finish on the 50-yard line of Camp Randall Stadium.

I was happy with my performance. I finished with a time of 41:22 for the 8K course. It was a great feeling running into the stadium with so many people around.

The picture is my exact route as mapped by my Garmin Forerunner 305--with some help from a site called Motionbased (click the map to see a larger version). It is a really cool device that has been really great to own for a few reasons:

1. I got to buy a gadget (I really enjoy buying technology--I'll post a review of the Forerunner 305 soon)
2. I spent enough on it that I need to run to justify the purchase (I got a good deal online, but it still wasn't cheap)
3. It is really helping me stay motivated and improve.

I always know how far I've gone and at what pace. That is the best way to see improvement--in the numbers. Also, I am able to track my heart rate while I run. I am learning about how to manage my runs to get the most workout benefit and not kill myself in the process. I've learned to try to train in my aerobic zone which is 70-80% of my maximum heart rate. This is a good place to train for two reasons. One, it allows me to be able to run longer without becoming completely exhausted. And, two, it is where your body is burning fat (which is why I'm subjecting myself to this torture in the first place). I am getting better at managing this (generally by starting slower). I now normally run at about 80% of my maximum.

One exception, however, was the Crazy Legs run. I ran the entire second half of the run at a heart-rate of 190. For me, that is above my theoretical maximum. I guess the other runners (there were over 9,000 of them) and the pump-up music on my iPod kept me going even though normally at that heart-rate, I'd tire very quickly. I even had enough to sprint through Camp Randall to the finish.

I can't wait to do it again next year.