Still rocking the paleo diet and noticing some changes. It is odd but just by changing the diet, I am starting to look more defined and gain some more energy during the day. Pictures may follow. There has been some working out but not a terrible amount. However, the workouts were solid. Lots of whole body exercises.
I did want to share tonight's dinner. When you can't have flour, spaghetti is out. But spaghetti squash is an all together different beast. With the the texture of angel hair pasta and a richly carb loaded flavor, it is a great substitute. To complete the dish, a delicious tomato sauce and baked chicken.
Spaghetti Squash with Tomato Sauce & Chicken
The Squash
Spaghetti Squash - One, cut lengthwise
Olive Oil
Salt
Preheat the oven to 350. Lightly season the squash with salt and rubs with olive oil. Place the squash on the rack skin side up with a tray underneath to catch any draining liquid. Cook for roughly 40 minutes to one hour. The squash will yield to light pressure. Remove from oven and use a fork to scrap away the flesh from the skin. The squash will tear away in pasta like strands. If the flesh is still damp allow to drain in a colander and lightly salt.
The Chicken
Chicken Breast - 1.5 lbs, cleaned and cut into strips
Pepper
Preheat oven to 350. Place strips on an oiled baking sheet. Lightly season with pepper. Most chicken is already enhanced with salt and doesn't need any extra. Place in oven and bake until internal temperature reaches 165. Remove from oven, allow to rest for 5 minutes. Cut chicken into 1/2 bits.
The Sauce
Small Onion - One, fine dice
Garlic, large clove - One, mince
Zucchini - Half, fine dice
Carrot - Half, fine dice
Tomato Sauce - Large Can (28 oz)
Olive Oil, Mild - 1 TBSP
Oregano - 1/2 tsp, dried
Basil - 1/2 tsp, dried
Salt and Pepper, too taste
In a medium sauce pan, heat over medium high heat. When hot, add the olive oil. Add the onions, salt and pepper and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the carrots and cook for an additional minute. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Reduce heat to medium low, add the tomato sauce and rinse can with water to remove residual sauce. Cook for 10 minutes. Crumble the oregano and basil in your hand and cook for additional 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the chicken to the sauce. Add the sauce to the spaghetti squash. Add some parm cheese if desired.
Enjoy!
September 26, 2010
September 19, 2010
Yom Kipper, Canoeing and Cookies
This weekend was a little bit of a challenge for the paleo diet. However, rather than rise to the occasion, I flew too close to the sun and got burned. Friday night was Yom Kipper and Mary made an awesome chicken soup. I made the salad to round out the meal (salad recipe below). Then the fast...
Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, I fasted. Overall the fast was not too bad. for break fast, we had leftover soup. The soup was even more delicious than the night before. I will attribute the tastiness of the soup to the flavors marrying together in the stock pot overnight and overlook the 24 hours of not consuming food or drink. I am sure the soup would be just as good if I'd been eating normally.
That night Mary and I went out and I thought I would be ok. I resisted the tempting temptation of pizza. But it would have been rude to decline a homemade cookies so I had one. Overall not the worst lapse in diet judgment.
Today I went canoeing. It was a solid workout. Four hours of paddling and I am pretty beat. I ate right before leaving and thought I would be good until I came home. How shortsighted I was... When the allure of cookies came my way again, I succumbed. Again, not the worst error in judgment, but not the best decision. Not always the easiest thing to decline sugary sweets but a little slip here and there shouldn't ruin a good thing. I am moving on and learned I need to plan better.
As promised, here is the salad recipe. I am intentionally leaving out the measurements as I did not measure anything for this one. Use your judgment. Assemble the salad and drizzle the dressing on top. Enjoy!
Fresh Salad with Lemon dressing:
Mixed Green
Cucumber, sliced
Carrots, julienned
Broccoli stems, cleaned and julienned
Dried Plums, rough chop
Avocado, sliced
Hard Boiled Egg, sliced
Dressing
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Lemon Juice
Lemon Zest
Salt and Pepper
Friday sundown to Saturday sundown, I fasted. Overall the fast was not too bad. for break fast, we had leftover soup. The soup was even more delicious than the night before. I will attribute the tastiness of the soup to the flavors marrying together in the stock pot overnight and overlook the 24 hours of not consuming food or drink. I am sure the soup would be just as good if I'd been eating normally.
That night Mary and I went out and I thought I would be ok. I resisted the tempting temptation of pizza. But it would have been rude to decline a homemade cookies so I had one. Overall not the worst lapse in diet judgment.
Today I went canoeing. It was a solid workout. Four hours of paddling and I am pretty beat. I ate right before leaving and thought I would be good until I came home. How shortsighted I was... When the allure of cookies came my way again, I succumbed. Again, not the worst error in judgment, but not the best decision. Not always the easiest thing to decline sugary sweets but a little slip here and there shouldn't ruin a good thing. I am moving on and learned I need to plan better.
As promised, here is the salad recipe. I am intentionally leaving out the measurements as I did not measure anything for this one. Use your judgment. Assemble the salad and drizzle the dressing on top. Enjoy!
Fresh Salad with Lemon dressing:
Mixed Green
Cucumber, sliced
Carrots, julienned
Broccoli stems, cleaned and julienned
Dried Plums, rough chop
Avocado, sliced
Hard Boiled Egg, sliced
Dressing
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Lemon Juice
Lemon Zest
Salt and Pepper
September 18, 2010
Paleo Diet and Me
I'm back. There is a new look and new premise to the blog. I hope you enjoy as you read my adventures through life and the challenges we all face being healthy in the 21st century. A new feature which some of you many really like... I will be including recipes as I cook.
I am still running and working out on occasion, but since I not currently training for anything, there are some different focuses. The number one change of late is my diet. I have my lovely wife to thank for it. You might have heard of the caveman diet or primal diet, the paleo diet is another version of these diets. Think what would a caveman have access to and there you have it. Meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts. That is about it!
If you really think about it, it makes sense. You still have some carbs, but way less than what is recommended. The main fuel for your body becomes fat and your body has tons of protein for fuel and rebuilding muscle. You get tons of nutrients and fiber.
There is a learning curve for your body, which I am still in. But after one to three weeks on the diet, you end up with a ton more energy and feeling great. Don't think that because the diet is limiting, you don't get to eat well. Below is a dish I made the other night and I will say it is pretty good.
Chicken with Coconut Sauce
Serves 3
3 chicken breasts
1 onion (cut into slices)
1/2 cup mushrooms
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 Tbsp shaved ginger
1/2 juice lemon and zest
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup coconut juice
1/2 cup lamp stock (any kind of stock will work)
Salt and pepper (to season)
Coconut oil to coat skillet.
Flatten the chicken so that it cooks evenly. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the coconut oil. Saute the onions until slightly browned. Add the chicken and saute for 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and add the mushrooms. Cook for 3 more minutes. Add the garlic and ginger to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the coconut milk, stock and lemon juice, lemon zest and raisins. Add enough water to cover the chicken. Allow the liquid to come to a simmer. After 10 minutes, flip the chickens. Allow the chicken to come to 165 degrees. Remove from chicken from sauce and let rest for 5 minutes. In the meantime, raise the temperature a little in the pan and cook down the sauce.
Serve the chicken with a ladle of the sauce over it.
You can save the sauce and add to other dishes. The chicken ends up very moist because of the poaching method. The sauce really makes this dish work. The raisins are a nice touch and something you don't see in very many dishes. The ginger and garlic are always a winning combination. I hope you enjoy.
I am still running and working out on occasion, but since I not currently training for anything, there are some different focuses. The number one change of late is my diet. I have my lovely wife to thank for it. You might have heard of the caveman diet or primal diet, the paleo diet is another version of these diets. Think what would a caveman have access to and there you have it. Meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts. That is about it!
If you really think about it, it makes sense. You still have some carbs, but way less than what is recommended. The main fuel for your body becomes fat and your body has tons of protein for fuel and rebuilding muscle. You get tons of nutrients and fiber.
There is a learning curve for your body, which I am still in. But after one to three weeks on the diet, you end up with a ton more energy and feeling great. Don't think that because the diet is limiting, you don't get to eat well. Below is a dish I made the other night and I will say it is pretty good.
Chicken with Coconut Sauce
Serves 3
3 chicken breasts
1 onion (cut into slices)
1/2 cup mushrooms
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1 Tbsp shaved ginger
1/2 juice lemon and zest
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup coconut juice
1/2 cup lamp stock (any kind of stock will work)
Salt and pepper (to season)
Coconut oil to coat skillet.
Flatten the chicken so that it cooks evenly. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Place a large skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the coconut oil. Saute the onions until slightly browned. Add the chicken and saute for 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and add the mushrooms. Cook for 3 more minutes. Add the garlic and ginger to the pan. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the coconut milk, stock and lemon juice, lemon zest and raisins. Add enough water to cover the chicken. Allow the liquid to come to a simmer. After 10 minutes, flip the chickens. Allow the chicken to come to 165 degrees. Remove from chicken from sauce and let rest for 5 minutes. In the meantime, raise the temperature a little in the pan and cook down the sauce.
Serve the chicken with a ladle of the sauce over it.
You can save the sauce and add to other dishes. The chicken ends up very moist because of the poaching method. The sauce really makes this dish work. The raisins are a nice touch and something you don't see in very many dishes. The ginger and garlic are always a winning combination. I hope you enjoy.
June 10, 2010
RedLeg Run
Loyal Blog Fan(s),
I am back and I have been running. After the marathon, I took a little time and recovered. I was still running, but it was sporadic and uneventful. Few miles here, few more there. It was happening though. I started playing Ultimate on Fridays and that has provided some good cardio. It is a little unsettling that I can run a marathon, yet a half hour of sprinting gets me winded. I guess that's what happens when you train yourself to run long distances and a constant pace.
I do have a little story. I ran a 5K this past weekend. I had a goal and did not reach it. But that was my fault. The day before, rather than rest or go on a quick jog, I played Ultimate for longer than ideal. I had fun, but the running had a negative impact on my race times. I finished the race in 25 minutes (8:04 min/miles). The time was a PR, but still a minute slower than what I was hoping to run.
Te setup of the race was interesting. There were two start times. 9 am for the contenders and people that signed up early, and 9:10 everyone else. I was in the 9:10 heat. When the race started the 9 am group took off, but few lined up for the 9:10 start. My friends and I started to make our way to the front and ended up the first people in line. I mean the very first people. The gun went off and so did we. My friends were faster than I am and took off. I knew better than to run with them, but for the first mile I kept them in sight.
I feel it was more subconscious than anything. You see people you know, you try to keep up. Needless to say, I burnt out pretty quickly. Pretty quickly ended up being in one mile. I ran my first mile in 7:23, the second in about 8:40 and finished in 25:01 minutes.
One funny note in the story, when we were lining up for the 9:10 start a gentlemen lined up behind us. He was wearing a suit, a full suit. Dark green suit, dark red tie and dark red hat. He was wearing gray sneakers. He was middle-aged too. Anyway when I took off for the first mile, I didn't think much of him. By mid-way through mile 2, I thought a little more about him BECAUSE HE PASSED ME! I was thinking, "Oh come on!" At first I was in "oh well" mode and started to slow down a little. Then I started thinking, I can't lose to the guy in a suit. He was my rabbit. I kept him in sight, pacing about 50 yards behind him. Mile 3.1 rolled around a I started to speed up. That's right, I had a strategy...
The race was put on by the Cincinnati Reds and ended on the field. The finish line was half way around the warning track. When we entered the stadium that is when I put on the jets and used what energy I had left. I surprised myself that I still had some speed left in me and zigzagged past everyone in path. I past the man wearing a suit and crossed the finish line with seconds to spare.
Next time I will reach my 24:00 minute goal. I might even rest the day before.
I am back and I have been running. After the marathon, I took a little time and recovered. I was still running, but it was sporadic and uneventful. Few miles here, few more there. It was happening though. I started playing Ultimate on Fridays and that has provided some good cardio. It is a little unsettling that I can run a marathon, yet a half hour of sprinting gets me winded. I guess that's what happens when you train yourself to run long distances and a constant pace.
I do have a little story. I ran a 5K this past weekend. I had a goal and did not reach it. But that was my fault. The day before, rather than rest or go on a quick jog, I played Ultimate for longer than ideal. I had fun, but the running had a negative impact on my race times. I finished the race in 25 minutes (8:04 min/miles). The time was a PR, but still a minute slower than what I was hoping to run.
Te setup of the race was interesting. There were two start times. 9 am for the contenders and people that signed up early, and 9:10 everyone else. I was in the 9:10 heat. When the race started the 9 am group took off, but few lined up for the 9:10 start. My friends and I started to make our way to the front and ended up the first people in line. I mean the very first people. The gun went off and so did we. My friends were faster than I am and took off. I knew better than to run with them, but for the first mile I kept them in sight.
I feel it was more subconscious than anything. You see people you know, you try to keep up. Needless to say, I burnt out pretty quickly. Pretty quickly ended up being in one mile. I ran my first mile in 7:23, the second in about 8:40 and finished in 25:01 minutes.
One funny note in the story, when we were lining up for the 9:10 start a gentlemen lined up behind us. He was wearing a suit, a full suit. Dark green suit, dark red tie and dark red hat. He was wearing gray sneakers. He was middle-aged too. Anyway when I took off for the first mile, I didn't think much of him. By mid-way through mile 2, I thought a little more about him BECAUSE HE PASSED ME! I was thinking, "Oh come on!" At first I was in "oh well" mode and started to slow down a little. Then I started thinking, I can't lose to the guy in a suit. He was my rabbit. I kept him in sight, pacing about 50 yards behind him. Mile 3.1 rolled around a I started to speed up. That's right, I had a strategy...
The race was put on by the Cincinnati Reds and ended on the field. The finish line was half way around the warning track. When we entered the stadium that is when I put on the jets and used what energy I had left. I surprised myself that I still had some speed left in me and zigzagged past everyone in path. I past the man wearing a suit and crossed the finish line with seconds to spare.
Next time I will reach my 24:00 minute goal. I might even rest the day before.
May 4, 2010
The Marathon
All of us went to bed a little later than we probably should have, but by no means late. The day, or night depending on how you look at it, started off with a bang. Literally. Before anyone’s alarm clocks went off long, loud, rumbling thunder woke everyone at roughly 4:00 am. Everyone managed another 30 minutes of sleep before we had to eat and get ready.
I wolfed down a breakfast of oatmeal and a banana and chugged water like a camel. Dan had some coffee and toast. Joey, Dan’s cousin, had the same. Before I knew it, we were off. Mary decided to come with us to cheer us on. The weather was far from ideal. Pouring rain, lightning and thunder. The only bright spot was the temperature, 65 degrees.
I directed us to downtown where we hit the wall of traffic. I did not expect it to be this bad, but with some creative driving Dan weaved his way into one of the last spots on a lot. It worked out well parking where we did. It was not terribly far, but the rain made it feel far enough. After paying the meter, Dan, his cousin Joey, his friend Eric, Mary and I walked down to Paul Brown Stadium for a bathroom break and some shelter.
The Stadium was packed, shoulder to shoulder, with people. The line for the bathroom was insane. It wound in directions I did not think were possible. I am pretty sure the line wrapped over the ceiling and into the women’s room. Dan, Joey and I had go to the bathroom pretty badly so we decided to fight the elements. Through the lightning flashes and rain we made our way to the never-ending line of port-o-potties. Each of us chose a line and shuffled our way closer. I finished first and both Dan and Joey were still in line. Joey asked if I would go back to where Mary and Erik were in the Stadium and grab his beans (the equivalent of Gu). I took the opportunity to grab Eric and Mary. I swam through the crowd like a salmon heading upstream. After directing Mary and Eric to the port-o-potties, we had just enough time to line up for the race. I gave Mary a kiss and last minute directions to where to met us and then we were off to the pack. It was announced over 26,000 people signed up for the event. An impressive number if anyone asked me. The microphone was muffled by the rain and squealed from time to time. Appropriate in keeping with the theme of the Flying Pig marathon.
Dan and Eric moved more fluidly through the crowd and the group was broken up. I was left with Eric who was running the half marathon. The gun went off and anti-climatically nothing happened. It took seven minutes to make it to the starting line. Even then the pace was slow going. There was a lot of weaving through the crowds. Up on the pavement, on the median. As I leap frogged a slower runners, I tried to get my pace. After a mile Eric moved on to a quicker pace. I decided to hold back a little and conserve some energy for the long haul. I was wary about burning out too soon. About mile two, I passed Joey who was waiting in line at a bathroom on the course. The bridge was not as bad as people have said and I was glad I trained on steep hills. The run through downtown was quick. I thought Mary would be waiting on that stretch. I looked right and left, not knowing what side of the street she would be on, continually searching for the hideous green umbrella I lent her. The umbrella was a shade of mold green and made of wood, truly a relic. I looked to no avail and soldiered on through the rain.
About mile five I felt it. I convinced myself up until this point that I could make it, but like Joey I had to go. I knew I would not be able to hold it in forever and decided to stop to go to the bathroom. In retrospect I should have used nature as my restroom, but I was decent and waited in line at a set of five port-o-potties. It took about 2-3 minutes before I was running again, but felt like an eternity as I watched people zoom by. I was glad that I went as that would have been inevitable. I saw at least two dozen people using trees, shrubs, garbage cans and even slower runners as make-shift bathrooms. I supposed running a PR is more important than dignity.
The next challenge was the road to Eden Park. It was a 4 mile uphill run. On the incline was a great surprise. I hear my name being called and look over to see Mary jogging next to me. That was where she set up camp! She ran with me for about 10 seconds before her phone dropped out of her pocket and she had to stop. I worried about the phone on and off throughout the race, but it was ok. Mary running next to me was a great motivator. The hill still had 2 miles left, but I was well on my way, moving at a steady pace. About 6 miles in I started my first Gu. I used a trick Dan told me: open it and take a little, then find a point somewhere in the distance and have a little more. I would be lying if I told you the I did this for 2 miles before I was finished. At mile 8, I ran into Joey. He must have passed me when I was in the bathroom. I ran with him for about a quarter mile before I continued on at my pace. I wished him well and went on my way. At mile 9 the marathon split between the half and the full. It split at a church at the top of a hill. It was a very scenic place to split. The sane and the insane.
I went with the other crazies to the right. I wish I had more details, but the next few miles were a blur. My dad gave me a piece of advice to use while running. He said to pretend you are building a house from the foundation up and spare no details. The miles would melt away he said. So, I decided to try it. I had to decide where to build the house first and decided to build it on the beach. But how do you build a foundation into the sand. It would get washed away. My beach house never was more than a hole in the ground; I revisited the home many time, never getting farther than a hole.
I finally made it to the half way mark and other than a mat to record my time, there was not much there. I made the mistake of thinking “If I ran the half-marathon I would be done and feeling awesome.” Cause I did, I felt great, 13.1 miles would have been nothing. It is scary to say that. Granted I was pushing myself, but I would have finished in just over 2 hours. I was half way there and kept my head down running through the rain. I was working on my second Gu which ate away some time. By this time my feet started to feel the wet, friction of running in the rain. It was a weird feeling and I could only hope the blisters wouldn’t be too bad. Actually I hoped my skin wouldn’t slough off my feet. Another Dan trick which he learned from an ultra-marathoner was whenever there was a pain, isolate the pain, why it hurt and put the pain in a little box in the back of your mind. In 30 minutes, ask yourself if the pain still hurts. Strangely enough, the trick works… almost too well.
At 15 miles, I saw the beginning of the loop. At this point of the course, you run in a big loop and at mile 17 you can see mile 15. I started to feel a little fatigued at this point, but not too bad. I started to feel like I had to use the restroom again, but asked myself if I really had to go. The answer was always no although I would wrestle with the thought at each port-o-potty for the next 9 miles. I also started to walk while I was drinking water. A slight reprieve from running was needed. At mile 18, I started to ask myself if I really needed to stop or wanted to stop. I wanted to stop and walk, very badly, but kept moving. Not sure if my pace was slower or not, but I felt like I was moving slower. I was working though my third Gu when I passed a Gu station and grabbed another one for the late miles. Later I grabbed another Gu, but did not use it.
As I was rounding a corner at mile 19, I heard someone yell, “Go number 4292!” I had to look down and saw they were cheering for me, my confusion and subsequent smile made the guy laugh. And rightfully so. The next mile was on a highway and felt very lonely, cars were going by, honking, and there were some tents set up, but for whatever reason, the road felt lonely and winding. Then I hit the wall…
It was about mile 20. Somewhere on the highway, I could not run and had to start walking. I am not sure if I actually had to or wanted to, but I did. In retrospect I probably wanted to more than had to. For the next two miles I ran as long as I could, then walked slowly, then walked fast, then ran some more. I would build up my walking pace until I was running again. I was not alone in the method. Many people around me adopted the same strategy. We were unified in our goal, but too fatigued to feel any camaraderie. We all moved along like iron legged zombies. Not very threatening, but the glazed eyes and smell said stay away. I worked on my forth Gu through the sluggish pace.
Somewhere around mile 23 I found my pace again. I got my wind back and ran about a mile before the legs started to rebel. Back to the walk / run tempo. I could not tell you if I was running faster when I started running or if my walking was shorter than I thought, but in the end, my pace was not too much different than the beginning. There were some people down this stretch, but not many. Volunteers dispensing water, some music, some high fives.
Mile 25 there was some more life in the crowds. A local rock station had music set up, a apartment had rock music blaring, some high school girls had a running inspired chant. I was mentally and physically exhausted, but at mile 25 I made a decision to run the last 1.2 miles. I did not care how tired I felt, I knew I had a little left and could push through it. I moved a little fast and eventually my gait could only be described as a run, a sloppy run, but a run. I ran on and the crowds started to increase. Then the cheers started. There were only a handful of people on the course at this point and it was like they were cheering for me. Apparently in that last stretch Mary was there, cheering for me and we made eye contact. But with all the people and lack of glycogen, I did not register seeing her. At mile 26.1 as I was approaching the “Finish Swine” I made a last minute decision, driven by testosterone I decided I had to beat the person in front of me. I increased my speed and slightly edged her out by 10 yards.
After I finished I was wiped out. I staggered to get my medal and space blanket. I was looking for Mary and Dan, but did not see them. I drank two cups of Gatorade and some water. Then went to the bathroom. I was starting to really feel the effects of putting my body through 26.2 miles. I was chilling down fast. I walked to the Recovery area and ate a banana grabbed a bottle of water and a bagel. I was sick to my stomach but knew I had to eat. I hear d my name called from around the fence. It was Dan and Mary! I waved with my bagel and staggered out of the recovery area. I grabbed a Gogurt on my way out. Apparently Mary went to see me, but the crowds were such that we missed each other. I found Dan. Almost immediately, I had my feet elevated on a pole. A little kid was waddling over to me and gave me two high fives.
Mary made her way back through the crowds to find me on the floor. Dan made me drink the whole bottle of water before giving me back my bagel which somehow found its way into his pocket. He was dressed and well recovered as he finished an hour before me. I was not completely coherent and walking was a challenge. But I finished.
Final time: 4 hours 16 minutes 05 seconds.
Thank you for everyone who offered support, encouragement and advice through my training and marathon. I truly could not have done it without you.
I wolfed down a breakfast of oatmeal and a banana and chugged water like a camel. Dan had some coffee and toast. Joey, Dan’s cousin, had the same. Before I knew it, we were off. Mary decided to come with us to cheer us on. The weather was far from ideal. Pouring rain, lightning and thunder. The only bright spot was the temperature, 65 degrees.
I directed us to downtown where we hit the wall of traffic. I did not expect it to be this bad, but with some creative driving Dan weaved his way into one of the last spots on a lot. It worked out well parking where we did. It was not terribly far, but the rain made it feel far enough. After paying the meter, Dan, his cousin Joey, his friend Eric, Mary and I walked down to Paul Brown Stadium for a bathroom break and some shelter.
The Stadium was packed, shoulder to shoulder, with people. The line for the bathroom was insane. It wound in directions I did not think were possible. I am pretty sure the line wrapped over the ceiling and into the women’s room. Dan, Joey and I had go to the bathroom pretty badly so we decided to fight the elements. Through the lightning flashes and rain we made our way to the never-ending line of port-o-potties. Each of us chose a line and shuffled our way closer. I finished first and both Dan and Joey were still in line. Joey asked if I would go back to where Mary and Erik were in the Stadium and grab his beans (the equivalent of Gu). I took the opportunity to grab Eric and Mary. I swam through the crowd like a salmon heading upstream. After directing Mary and Eric to the port-o-potties, we had just enough time to line up for the race. I gave Mary a kiss and last minute directions to where to met us and then we were off to the pack. It was announced over 26,000 people signed up for the event. An impressive number if anyone asked me. The microphone was muffled by the rain and squealed from time to time. Appropriate in keeping with the theme of the Flying Pig marathon.
Dan and Eric moved more fluidly through the crowd and the group was broken up. I was left with Eric who was running the half marathon. The gun went off and anti-climatically nothing happened. It took seven minutes to make it to the starting line. Even then the pace was slow going. There was a lot of weaving through the crowds. Up on the pavement, on the median. As I leap frogged a slower runners, I tried to get my pace. After a mile Eric moved on to a quicker pace. I decided to hold back a little and conserve some energy for the long haul. I was wary about burning out too soon. About mile two, I passed Joey who was waiting in line at a bathroom on the course. The bridge was not as bad as people have said and I was glad I trained on steep hills. The run through downtown was quick. I thought Mary would be waiting on that stretch. I looked right and left, not knowing what side of the street she would be on, continually searching for the hideous green umbrella I lent her. The umbrella was a shade of mold green and made of wood, truly a relic. I looked to no avail and soldiered on through the rain.
About mile five I felt it. I convinced myself up until this point that I could make it, but like Joey I had to go. I knew I would not be able to hold it in forever and decided to stop to go to the bathroom. In retrospect I should have used nature as my restroom, but I was decent and waited in line at a set of five port-o-potties. It took about 2-3 minutes before I was running again, but felt like an eternity as I watched people zoom by. I was glad that I went as that would have been inevitable. I saw at least two dozen people using trees, shrubs, garbage cans and even slower runners as make-shift bathrooms. I supposed running a PR is more important than dignity.
The next challenge was the road to Eden Park. It was a 4 mile uphill run. On the incline was a great surprise. I hear my name being called and look over to see Mary jogging next to me. That was where she set up camp! She ran with me for about 10 seconds before her phone dropped out of her pocket and she had to stop. I worried about the phone on and off throughout the race, but it was ok. Mary running next to me was a great motivator. The hill still had 2 miles left, but I was well on my way, moving at a steady pace. About 6 miles in I started my first Gu. I used a trick Dan told me: open it and take a little, then find a point somewhere in the distance and have a little more. I would be lying if I told you the I did this for 2 miles before I was finished. At mile 8, I ran into Joey. He must have passed me when I was in the bathroom. I ran with him for about a quarter mile before I continued on at my pace. I wished him well and went on my way. At mile 9 the marathon split between the half and the full. It split at a church at the top of a hill. It was a very scenic place to split. The sane and the insane.
I went with the other crazies to the right. I wish I had more details, but the next few miles were a blur. My dad gave me a piece of advice to use while running. He said to pretend you are building a house from the foundation up and spare no details. The miles would melt away he said. So, I decided to try it. I had to decide where to build the house first and decided to build it on the beach. But how do you build a foundation into the sand. It would get washed away. My beach house never was more than a hole in the ground; I revisited the home many time, never getting farther than a hole.
I finally made it to the half way mark and other than a mat to record my time, there was not much there. I made the mistake of thinking “If I ran the half-marathon I would be done and feeling awesome.” Cause I did, I felt great, 13.1 miles would have been nothing. It is scary to say that. Granted I was pushing myself, but I would have finished in just over 2 hours. I was half way there and kept my head down running through the rain. I was working on my second Gu which ate away some time. By this time my feet started to feel the wet, friction of running in the rain. It was a weird feeling and I could only hope the blisters wouldn’t be too bad. Actually I hoped my skin wouldn’t slough off my feet. Another Dan trick which he learned from an ultra-marathoner was whenever there was a pain, isolate the pain, why it hurt and put the pain in a little box in the back of your mind. In 30 minutes, ask yourself if the pain still hurts. Strangely enough, the trick works… almost too well.
At 15 miles, I saw the beginning of the loop. At this point of the course, you run in a big loop and at mile 17 you can see mile 15. I started to feel a little fatigued at this point, but not too bad. I started to feel like I had to use the restroom again, but asked myself if I really had to go. The answer was always no although I would wrestle with the thought at each port-o-potty for the next 9 miles. I also started to walk while I was drinking water. A slight reprieve from running was needed. At mile 18, I started to ask myself if I really needed to stop or wanted to stop. I wanted to stop and walk, very badly, but kept moving. Not sure if my pace was slower or not, but I felt like I was moving slower. I was working though my third Gu when I passed a Gu station and grabbed another one for the late miles. Later I grabbed another Gu, but did not use it.
As I was rounding a corner at mile 19, I heard someone yell, “Go number 4292!” I had to look down and saw they were cheering for me, my confusion and subsequent smile made the guy laugh. And rightfully so. The next mile was on a highway and felt very lonely, cars were going by, honking, and there were some tents set up, but for whatever reason, the road felt lonely and winding. Then I hit the wall…
It was about mile 20. Somewhere on the highway, I could not run and had to start walking. I am not sure if I actually had to or wanted to, but I did. In retrospect I probably wanted to more than had to. For the next two miles I ran as long as I could, then walked slowly, then walked fast, then ran some more. I would build up my walking pace until I was running again. I was not alone in the method. Many people around me adopted the same strategy. We were unified in our goal, but too fatigued to feel any camaraderie. We all moved along like iron legged zombies. Not very threatening, but the glazed eyes and smell said stay away. I worked on my forth Gu through the sluggish pace.
Somewhere around mile 23 I found my pace again. I got my wind back and ran about a mile before the legs started to rebel. Back to the walk / run tempo. I could not tell you if I was running faster when I started running or if my walking was shorter than I thought, but in the end, my pace was not too much different than the beginning. There were some people down this stretch, but not many. Volunteers dispensing water, some music, some high fives.
Mile 25 there was some more life in the crowds. A local rock station had music set up, a apartment had rock music blaring, some high school girls had a running inspired chant. I was mentally and physically exhausted, but at mile 25 I made a decision to run the last 1.2 miles. I did not care how tired I felt, I knew I had a little left and could push through it. I moved a little fast and eventually my gait could only be described as a run, a sloppy run, but a run. I ran on and the crowds started to increase. Then the cheers started. There were only a handful of people on the course at this point and it was like they were cheering for me. Apparently in that last stretch Mary was there, cheering for me and we made eye contact. But with all the people and lack of glycogen, I did not register seeing her. At mile 26.1 as I was approaching the “Finish Swine” I made a last minute decision, driven by testosterone I decided I had to beat the person in front of me. I increased my speed and slightly edged her out by 10 yards.
After I finished I was wiped out. I staggered to get my medal and space blanket. I was looking for Mary and Dan, but did not see them. I drank two cups of Gatorade and some water. Then went to the bathroom. I was starting to really feel the effects of putting my body through 26.2 miles. I was chilling down fast. I walked to the Recovery area and ate a banana grabbed a bottle of water and a bagel. I was sick to my stomach but knew I had to eat. I hear d my name called from around the fence. It was Dan and Mary! I waved with my bagel and staggered out of the recovery area. I grabbed a Gogurt on my way out. Apparently Mary went to see me, but the crowds were such that we missed each other. I found Dan. Almost immediately, I had my feet elevated on a pole. A little kid was waddling over to me and gave me two high fives.
Mary made her way back through the crowds to find me on the floor. Dan made me drink the whole bottle of water before giving me back my bagel which somehow found its way into his pocket. He was dressed and well recovered as he finished an hour before me. I was not completely coherent and walking was a challenge. But I finished.
Final time: 4 hours 16 minutes 05 seconds.
Thank you for everyone who offered support, encouragement and advice through my training and marathon. I truly could not have done it without you.
April 12, 2010
18.5
I will spare you the details if you do not wish to read the through the blog. I ran 18.5 miles this past Saturday.
The run started the night before... I know this sounds nuts, but I had to get into my frame of mind early. I ate a hearty pasta fueled dinner and then went to bed. The next day I woke up a little later than I wanted to, but overall well rested. I checked the weather and that is when I really woke up. The temperature was 36. I think not. I was prepared to run for over 3 hours, but I was not going to start in a parka. The plan was to meet a co-worker at Ault Park at 8. Carrie has already run 2 marathons and many halves. She is signed up for the Flying Pig half marathon. She was joining me for the first half of my run. Upon seeing the weather, I abruptly texted her to reschedule for 9 am when it would warm up to 42. It actually worked out well because it gave me a chance to further digest my gargantuan bowl of oatmeal.
We met atop Ault Park at 9 and we were soon off. There was one small matter to take care of - I was well hydrated prior to the run. Too well hydrated. Lucky me, the bathrooms were all closed for the season. Luckier me, I am a dude and the world is one big potential restroom. I hide behind some shrubs and then I was truly ready to go.
The thing about Ault Park is that it is a truly pretty park and overlooks a lot of Ohio. That is great for short runs and jogs, but what runs down, must run up back. The first two miles were a nice downhill stroll at a good pace. Not at all a prelude for the tortuous hills we were facing. It was almost ominous how comfortable a downhill run it was. After we decided to turn around and make our way back up, the steep hills caught us. Pace slowed, breath heavier, talking less. We made it up the super steep hill which felt longer than it looked. I would like to tell you that was it, but the gradient was a precursor to a longer, less steep, but equally challenging hill. We did make it back up and once again we were atop Ault Park with about 3.5-4 miles under our belt.
There are two roads that lead to Ault Park. That was one. Next we decided to try the other. Again, a nice steady downhill that was like a breath of fresh air. About half way down we found an off road trail and decided it would be fun to go on an adventure. The trail was gravel for about 1/2 mile and dirt for another 1/4 mile. Half way down the trail we heard a voice yelling from up ahead. A woman called out a name. The stranger was looking for her black and gray dog. The search and rescue was on. We called out too as we ran the opposite direction from the woman. From above the trail we heard a man's voice yell if someone has lost a dog. He found the black and gray dog and the dog was united with its owner. As we finished the trail, which included jumping a felled tree, we saw a car with no less than 7 medium sized barking dogs. Carrie and I hoped the woman was not hording dogs or something.
We forged on and Carrie in exclamation figured out where we were. A street I never heard of, in a town that I vaguely recall hearing about. Moreover she knew where to go. We jogged along, talking, logging miles and before we knew it, I kind of knew where we were too. I had no idea how to get back but I knew where we were. We ran through Hyde Park which incidentally is not a park by any stretch of the imagination. We ran until about 9 miles and decided to turn around. We made our way back to the park. The park was not as close as we initially thought and it took 3 miles to get back to the cars. The last mile or so was a grueling hill. It was long, deceitfully winding and never ending. When we came to the stop sign it ended. When we reached the cars, we were at 12 miles. Two mile further than Carrie thought she would run. I was just getting started. We high fived and departed ways. Carrie in a car and me on foot.
I ate a gu and continued on. The next two miles were not bad. I jogged along tired legs and all. I ran back to the trail and decided to jog down to the end and then back. I was fine until mile 15 and then it started. My legs started to get a tried fast. I walked a little. I made it back to the trail and jogged and walked. I was dreading the inevitable. When I finally reached the end of the trail, there was that big hill. Mocking me the entire way back up with its turns and steepness. I slowly made it back up and was at 16 miles or so. My goal was 18-20 and I knew I had to log the miles.
I decided to jog around the top of Ault Park. Ault Park itself has some slight ups and downs, but nothing like the hills sloping from either side. The downhills were not bad and I could even jog on them. The uphills I walked and jogged. Then mile 17 came along and something happened. My legs came back and I was able to regain my pace and finish 18.5 miles strong, relatively speaking.
I drove back home exhausted but content with my run. I was sore the entire ride back and most of the rest of the day. That night was rather restless due to the soreness. However, the next day was not too bad. I was even able to log a 3.5 mile run/walk with Ann. I am confident that I will finish the marathon. Not sure what my pace will be or my final time, but I know I can finish. Best estimates are 4 to 4 and half hours. But we will see. I know there are steep uphills early, but I think the marathon is downhill for the rest. Here's hoping.
By the way, the 18.5 miles took me 3 hours and 20 minutes.
The run started the night before... I know this sounds nuts, but I had to get into my frame of mind early. I ate a hearty pasta fueled dinner and then went to bed. The next day I woke up a little later than I wanted to, but overall well rested. I checked the weather and that is when I really woke up. The temperature was 36. I think not. I was prepared to run for over 3 hours, but I was not going to start in a parka. The plan was to meet a co-worker at Ault Park at 8. Carrie has already run 2 marathons and many halves. She is signed up for the Flying Pig half marathon. She was joining me for the first half of my run. Upon seeing the weather, I abruptly texted her to reschedule for 9 am when it would warm up to 42. It actually worked out well because it gave me a chance to further digest my gargantuan bowl of oatmeal.
We met atop Ault Park at 9 and we were soon off. There was one small matter to take care of - I was well hydrated prior to the run. Too well hydrated. Lucky me, the bathrooms were all closed for the season. Luckier me, I am a dude and the world is one big potential restroom. I hide behind some shrubs and then I was truly ready to go.
The thing about Ault Park is that it is a truly pretty park and overlooks a lot of Ohio. That is great for short runs and jogs, but what runs down, must run up back. The first two miles were a nice downhill stroll at a good pace. Not at all a prelude for the tortuous hills we were facing. It was almost ominous how comfortable a downhill run it was. After we decided to turn around and make our way back up, the steep hills caught us. Pace slowed, breath heavier, talking less. We made it up the super steep hill which felt longer than it looked. I would like to tell you that was it, but the gradient was a precursor to a longer, less steep, but equally challenging hill. We did make it back up and once again we were atop Ault Park with about 3.5-4 miles under our belt.
There are two roads that lead to Ault Park. That was one. Next we decided to try the other. Again, a nice steady downhill that was like a breath of fresh air. About half way down we found an off road trail and decided it would be fun to go on an adventure. The trail was gravel for about 1/2 mile and dirt for another 1/4 mile. Half way down the trail we heard a voice yelling from up ahead. A woman called out a name. The stranger was looking for her black and gray dog. The search and rescue was on. We called out too as we ran the opposite direction from the woman. From above the trail we heard a man's voice yell if someone has lost a dog. He found the black and gray dog and the dog was united with its owner. As we finished the trail, which included jumping a felled tree, we saw a car with no less than 7 medium sized barking dogs. Carrie and I hoped the woman was not hording dogs or something.
We forged on and Carrie in exclamation figured out where we were. A street I never heard of, in a town that I vaguely recall hearing about. Moreover she knew where to go. We jogged along, talking, logging miles and before we knew it, I kind of knew where we were too. I had no idea how to get back but I knew where we were. We ran through Hyde Park which incidentally is not a park by any stretch of the imagination. We ran until about 9 miles and decided to turn around. We made our way back to the park. The park was not as close as we initially thought and it took 3 miles to get back to the cars. The last mile or so was a grueling hill. It was long, deceitfully winding and never ending. When we came to the stop sign it ended. When we reached the cars, we were at 12 miles. Two mile further than Carrie thought she would run. I was just getting started. We high fived and departed ways. Carrie in a car and me on foot.
I ate a gu and continued on. The next two miles were not bad. I jogged along tired legs and all. I ran back to the trail and decided to jog down to the end and then back. I was fine until mile 15 and then it started. My legs started to get a tried fast. I walked a little. I made it back to the trail and jogged and walked. I was dreading the inevitable. When I finally reached the end of the trail, there was that big hill. Mocking me the entire way back up with its turns and steepness. I slowly made it back up and was at 16 miles or so. My goal was 18-20 and I knew I had to log the miles.
I decided to jog around the top of Ault Park. Ault Park itself has some slight ups and downs, but nothing like the hills sloping from either side. The downhills were not bad and I could even jog on them. The uphills I walked and jogged. Then mile 17 came along and something happened. My legs came back and I was able to regain my pace and finish 18.5 miles strong, relatively speaking.
I drove back home exhausted but content with my run. I was sore the entire ride back and most of the rest of the day. That night was rather restless due to the soreness. However, the next day was not too bad. I was even able to log a 3.5 mile run/walk with Ann. I am confident that I will finish the marathon. Not sure what my pace will be or my final time, but I know I can finish. Best estimates are 4 to 4 and half hours. But we will see. I know there are steep uphills early, but I think the marathon is downhill for the rest. Here's hoping.
By the way, the 18.5 miles took me 3 hours and 20 minutes.
April 4, 2010
The Away Runs / Other Activities
The past few days have made for interesting / different workouts. I have been away from home for three days the past week on a business trip. This makes running very difficult. On Tuesday, I was still sore from the Mini Heart marathon, but I sucked it up and hopped on the treadmill for 25 minutes and then the ellipticle for a little. The fitness room also had 10 pound weights that I used to do a quick weight workout. The workout helped a little, but everything was compounded by walking in some manufacturing plants for hours at time. I was able to do my job, but with some soreness and discomfort. Wednesday was a little tougher. The hotel I was at had a gym with three pieces of equipment: a treadmill, a bike and an ellipticle. I thought the equipment would work well, all the machines had fans built in. There were also 3 medicine balls. However, the treadmill would stick when I was running, the ellipticle was broken and the stationary bike was permanently stuck on pause. Awesome! So, I did what I could with what I had. Tossed the medicine ball around and then hit the hot tub. Good workout or great workout?
Friday Mary and I drove up to Toledo for the weekend where I did get an hour and 20 minute run in. The Sunday I ran about 4 more miles. Nothing impressive to speak of, but it is better than nothing. The marathon is right around the corner and I will have to put in a long run next weekend whether I want to or not. After that it will be shorter and shorter runs until the big day.
Friday Mary and I drove up to Toledo for the weekend where I did get an hour and 20 minute run in. The Sunday I ran about 4 more miles. Nothing impressive to speak of, but it is better than nothing. The marathon is right around the corner and I will have to put in a long run next weekend whether I want to or not. After that it will be shorter and shorter runs until the big day.
March 28, 2010
Mini Heart
I have been to a few races in the past, but there were some distinct differences between them and the Mini Heart. First, I was running alone. On the surface this might not seem like a big deal, after all there were thousands of people with me. But all other races I had someone there to push me or talk to. It just made the previous races seem easier. Second, this race was the longest racing distance I have run, a 15 K. Along those same lines this is was the first race that I have ever run that was really two races, the 15 K followed by a 5K. I will get to the set up a little later. Third, the hills! I have run on some hills and have run using incline function on the treadmill. All that training was nothing compared to actually running hills during a race. The uphills are tough. And the downhills are a breath of fresh air. Lastly, I have been training. All the previous races I have run, I never had marathon training under my belt.
The forecast called for rain and 45 degrees for the entire race. Luckily the rain held off for the most part with some drizzles here and there. The precipitation ended up being more of an inconvenience than anything. The 15 K started under cloudy skies and cold weather. I arrived an hour early and was all set to get going. Prior to arriving, about two hours before the race, I ate a runners breakfast of oatmeal, honey, brown sugar and a banana. Like I said, I was all set. I started my warm-up. I never understood running before a race, but I get it now. You really do loosen up and it helps a lot in the long run, especially on cold days. I ran for 15 minutes or so at a nice slow pace and then stretched out. I visited the bathroom before the race to get the pre-race "jitters" out. Then I made my way to the starting line. There was a lot of people and once the cannon went off, it took over 4 minutes before I passed the start line. I forgot how long it can take to get your pace set. Once I did have my pace, I held steady for pretty much the entire race. I felt good running too; always a good thing.
The 15 K time broke down as follows:
5 K split 28:06
10 K split: 55:15
15 K event: 1:21:09
Pace 8:44
Division Place (M 25-29): 141
When I finished the 15 K, I had a little over one hour before the 5 K started. This was a little bit of an issue. That is a long time on a cold day. I grabbed some water and used my Gu (energy gel). I went over to my car and dropped off my first medal. Then I started up again. I jogged for about 10-15 minutes and then stretched again. I still had some time left so I jogged some more and stretched some more. Once again, I used the bathroom and then lined up. I was much closer to the front of the pack this time. It only took about 30 seconds to start the race from when the starting gun went off. I started off strong with a sub 8 minute mile pace. That paced slowed as the race went on. I believe too much time lapsed between races and I was feeling a little fatigued, even after the Gu. Still I pushed on and despite a stitch in my side half way through I ran the entire race. Not only that my pace was quicker than 15 K.
5K Event 26:02
Pace 8:24
Division Place (M 25-29): 40
All and all, it was a good run. I made my goals for the race. Moving forward, next weekend I will run my long run (18-20 miles) then start to ease up. I must say, I am ready for the marathon to get here.
The forecast called for rain and 45 degrees for the entire race. Luckily the rain held off for the most part with some drizzles here and there. The precipitation ended up being more of an inconvenience than anything. The 15 K started under cloudy skies and cold weather. I arrived an hour early and was all set to get going. Prior to arriving, about two hours before the race, I ate a runners breakfast of oatmeal, honey, brown sugar and a banana. Like I said, I was all set. I started my warm-up. I never understood running before a race, but I get it now. You really do loosen up and it helps a lot in the long run, especially on cold days. I ran for 15 minutes or so at a nice slow pace and then stretched out. I visited the bathroom before the race to get the pre-race "jitters" out. Then I made my way to the starting line. There was a lot of people and once the cannon went off, it took over 4 minutes before I passed the start line. I forgot how long it can take to get your pace set. Once I did have my pace, I held steady for pretty much the entire race. I felt good running too; always a good thing.
The 15 K time broke down as follows:
5 K split 28:06
10 K split: 55:15
15 K event: 1:21:09
Pace 8:44
Division Place (M 25-29): 141
When I finished the 15 K, I had a little over one hour before the 5 K started. This was a little bit of an issue. That is a long time on a cold day. I grabbed some water and used my Gu (energy gel). I went over to my car and dropped off my first medal. Then I started up again. I jogged for about 10-15 minutes and then stretched again. I still had some time left so I jogged some more and stretched some more. Once again, I used the bathroom and then lined up. I was much closer to the front of the pack this time. It only took about 30 seconds to start the race from when the starting gun went off. I started off strong with a sub 8 minute mile pace. That paced slowed as the race went on. I believe too much time lapsed between races and I was feeling a little fatigued, even after the Gu. Still I pushed on and despite a stitch in my side half way through I ran the entire race. Not only that my pace was quicker than 15 K.
5K Event 26:02
Pace 8:24
Division Place (M 25-29): 40
All and all, it was a good run. I made my goals for the race. Moving forward, next weekend I will run my long run (18-20 miles) then start to ease up. I must say, I am ready for the marathon to get here.
March 27, 2010
Mini Heart
There has definitely been a lapse in posts, but fear not. It is due to a lack in running, rather I have been very busy. The week after the rainy run, I had an average running. Definitely got out and put some miles under my blistered, calloused feet, but it was nothing special or outstanding. The came Sunday. I saved my long run for Sunday afternoon and was pushing for 10 miles. Time restraints got in the way and I ran for one hour and ten minutes which translated to 8 to 8.5 miles. I purposely cut back my miles because tomorrow I will be participating in the mini heart marathon. By the days end, I will have run a half marathon, but not all at once. And here's why. The race has two components a 15K and a 5K. The former begins at 8 am while the latter starts at 10:30 am. There is an option to run "2beats," that is run both races. At the pace I run, I should finish the 15K in well under one hour and 30 minutes. This would leave a solid hour before the next race begins. Therefore I have a strategy in place. I am going to run the 15K at marathon pace, but I will run the 5K at a fast pace. I am not sure how this will go or how I will feel and things are always subject to change. But that is the plan for right now. Also, the weather tomorrow will be a factor... a cold wet factor. There will be a repeat of the post "rainy run." The forecast is currently calling for rain and high forties. Luckily I know I can run in these conditions. I am not sure how well I will be able to handle the gap in time. I am sure they have something set up but come on. This is not ideal conditions. My main defense is going to be under armor. It should be cold enough that I will not overheat. I will also be wearing shorts as I did the last time I ran in these conditions. I feel by the time the 15K is finished I should be drenched to my soul. Not sure what I am going to do about changing clothes between races or just toughing it out.
Either way, tomorrow I will complete a 20 K.
Either way, tomorrow I will complete a 20 K.
March 13, 2010
Rainy Run
If ever there was a run that needed a montage it was this one. Nothing special or overly exciting happened but it was a solid run, or three if you want to be technical.
First a quick recap of the week. Back earlier last week, on Saturday, I went on a long run. The run was not as good as I hoped. I was shooting for 12 miles, only ran about 9. This was my first run outside in a few weeks and my joints were not feeling great. I was going to make up the miles on Sunday, but went to the zoo instead. I just didnt wake up early enough and the day got away from me.
Monday, I managed to run a mere 2 miles, took off on Tuesday, Wednesday was back at it and ran 4-5 miles. Sometimes it is difficult to judge miles, so I go by minutes. Thursday I wasn't able to wake up in the morning, so that day was a bust. Friday I ran a few miles. It was not the best week, in fact it was a little embarrassing. But today, I was going to make up for it.
It was supposed to be 65 and raining. The weathermen got it half right, it was definitely raining. But the temperature was severely under-reported. It was a chilly 45 degrees. I was determined to go for a run. The first leg of the run I decided it would be a good idea to run with the Scooter, my dog. Scooter was a little anxious and after 15 minutes I brought her back into the house. By this time I am mildly wet. I went back out into the elements and solidered onward. I managed 1 hour and 8 minutes before the wind started to pick up and it was a little much. As a lovely sidenote, a car splashed me but I was so wet already soaked, it didn't matter.
I was tired and drenched when I cam back into the apartment. I ate some lunch, took a nap and even started my taxes. I thought about staying in and finishing the miles tomorrow, but after last weekend, I was compelled to do it. I went back out, back into the rain and the cold and started running. I admit it, the first 30 minutes were miserable. It was so cold and I was so hungry and my legs felt like bricks encased in lead with cement shoes attached. And I was soooo hungry. I felt as if all my energy was zapped out of me by some sort of energy zapping ray gun. Anyway, I was going to call it day, but somehow in my jog back to the house I got a second wind. I decided I can do this, and sure enough I ran an additional 30 minutes at a very decent pace. All in all I ran for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Both times, I end up sopping wet and exhausted, but I did it. A day like this give me hope that I will be able to finish the marathon with my head held high even if it is raining.
First a quick recap of the week. Back earlier last week, on Saturday, I went on a long run. The run was not as good as I hoped. I was shooting for 12 miles, only ran about 9. This was my first run outside in a few weeks and my joints were not feeling great. I was going to make up the miles on Sunday, but went to the zoo instead. I just didnt wake up early enough and the day got away from me.
Monday, I managed to run a mere 2 miles, took off on Tuesday, Wednesday was back at it and ran 4-5 miles. Sometimes it is difficult to judge miles, so I go by minutes. Thursday I wasn't able to wake up in the morning, so that day was a bust. Friday I ran a few miles. It was not the best week, in fact it was a little embarrassing. But today, I was going to make up for it.
It was supposed to be 65 and raining. The weathermen got it half right, it was definitely raining. But the temperature was severely under-reported. It was a chilly 45 degrees. I was determined to go for a run. The first leg of the run I decided it would be a good idea to run with the Scooter, my dog. Scooter was a little anxious and after 15 minutes I brought her back into the house. By this time I am mildly wet. I went back out into the elements and solidered onward. I managed 1 hour and 8 minutes before the wind started to pick up and it was a little much. As a lovely sidenote, a car splashed me but I was so wet already soaked, it didn't matter.
I was tired and drenched when I cam back into the apartment. I ate some lunch, took a nap and even started my taxes. I thought about staying in and finishing the miles tomorrow, but after last weekend, I was compelled to do it. I went back out, back into the rain and the cold and started running. I admit it, the first 30 minutes were miserable. It was so cold and I was so hungry and my legs felt like bricks encased in lead with cement shoes attached. And I was soooo hungry. I felt as if all my energy was zapped out of me by some sort of energy zapping ray gun. Anyway, I was going to call it day, but somehow in my jog back to the house I got a second wind. I decided I can do this, and sure enough I ran an additional 30 minutes at a very decent pace. All in all I ran for 2 hours and 10 minutes. Both times, I end up sopping wet and exhausted, but I did it. A day like this give me hope that I will be able to finish the marathon with my head held high even if it is raining.
March 6, 2010
Still Running
I realize a rather long length of time has lapsed since my last post, but I assure you all that I am still running. At first I felt this past week was a bust, I had meetings all week and that meant crazy hours and wayyyyyy too much free food. I came home everyday feeling mentally exhausted and physically bloated. Needless to say, the first few days were an adjustment period. I managed to run 4.5 miles on Wednesday, 2 miles Thursday morning, and interval training 4.5 miles Friday. All in all, I would say that is a good week and today (Saturday) the time as come for a long run.
Today I am looking to run 16 miles with only stopping once. I say once so that I can grab a drink of water out of my car half way through. I am also going to try to break the run into 4 parts. I want to get into the habit of not facing the race as a full 26 miles but rather in 3-4 mile sections. Today will be a good opportunity to test that to see how well it works. Four miles seems like a reasonable time frame. From what I have been reading (on Runners World) that is the way to go.
There is a park close by. I don't think I can run there, which would be awesome but it is close. I think the sidewalk disappears for about a mile and while I would rather run, I would much rather live. Anyway, the park has a half mile loop. I use my abacus to find out that would mean I would run around 32 times. Not the most exciting run, but it will work. Also, it is someplace different.
As a side note, I might be signing up for a mini-marathon at the end of March. It would be a 15K run (9.3 miles). Nothing I can't handle and from what I have been reading (Runners World) running a shorter race before the marathon is a good idea. It supposedly gets the jitters out. So we'll see.
Today I am looking to run 16 miles with only stopping once. I say once so that I can grab a drink of water out of my car half way through. I am also going to try to break the run into 4 parts. I want to get into the habit of not facing the race as a full 26 miles but rather in 3-4 mile sections. Today will be a good opportunity to test that to see how well it works. Four miles seems like a reasonable time frame. From what I have been reading (on Runners World) that is the way to go.
There is a park close by. I don't think I can run there, which would be awesome but it is close. I think the sidewalk disappears for about a mile and while I would rather run, I would much rather live. Anyway, the park has a half mile loop. I use my abacus to find out that would mean I would run around 32 times. Not the most exciting run, but it will work. Also, it is someplace different.
As a side note, I might be signing up for a mini-marathon at the end of March. It would be a 15K run (9.3 miles). Nothing I can't handle and from what I have been reading (Runners World) running a shorter race before the marathon is a good idea. It supposedly gets the jitters out. So we'll see.
February 24, 2010
When you can smell the sweat
You know you had a good workout when you come home and the special person in your life say, "I can smell the sweat [from across the room]."I will give her this, I was drenched. Today was interval training. I ran three sets of 8:00 min miles with sprints and hills in between. I felt good running too. Improvement is always a positive thing and it is starting to get easier to run on the treadmill. The dream is that this will translate to even quicker miles when I start running outside.
Not too much else in the way of obstacles to report. Training is going well and I am thinking I am right on track with my training. This weekend will be telling whether I can handle long distances. It might snow which means I will be on the treadmill again. There are worse things.
Tomorrow should be an interesting day. I was told I need to get the feeling of running on "tired" legs. So... I will doing an early morning run (5:00 a.m.). If anything will give me the feeling of tired legs that will. I am planning to put a couple of miles in and see how I feel.
I did purchase some running shoes, but am hesitant to start wearing them yet. The marathon is 10 weeks out and at the rate I am running I will wear them out right around marathon time. I figure if I wait a few weeks and then start running in them, the shoes will be perfect for race day.
Not too much else in the way of obstacles to report. Training is going well and I am thinking I am right on track with my training. This weekend will be telling whether I can handle long distances. It might snow which means I will be on the treadmill again. There are worse things.
Tomorrow should be an interesting day. I was told I need to get the feeling of running on "tired" legs. So... I will doing an early morning run (5:00 a.m.). If anything will give me the feeling of tired legs that will. I am planning to put a couple of miles in and see how I feel.
I did purchase some running shoes, but am hesitant to start wearing them yet. The marathon is 10 weeks out and at the rate I am running I will wear them out right around marathon time. I figure if I wait a few weeks and then start running in them, the shoes will be perfect for race day.
February 20, 2010
Tale of Two Workouts
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Two workouts, two outcomes. I have been taking full advantage of the working treadmills. The first run I would like to share was a very successful interval workout. I ran for 1.5 miles, walked, sprinted for a minute, walked, hills for a minute, walked, sprinted again and repeated. I felt great during the workout and after. Overall a good return to the treadmill.
Fast forward two days, to today, Saturday. My goal was 2 hours. I was on the treadmill for one hour 45 minutes, but I was not running the whole time. Far from it. I know running on a treadmill is different than running outside, but I excepted more. I ran for about 60% of the time. About a hour in my left foot starting hurting, more sore than painful, so I switched it up and walked at a good click on a 15% incline. I figure if I have to walk, I might as well get some hill work in. I ran the last mile of the workout. All and all, not my best performance. I did not consider that I have not had this type of pounding on my body in about a month. I am sore and have a blister starting on my big toe. Any advice on how to run with blisters? I will run tomorrow to fend off further soreness. I hope this doesn't slow me down too much and I am confident I can push through it.
Fast forward two days, to today, Saturday. My goal was 2 hours. I was on the treadmill for one hour 45 minutes, but I was not running the whole time. Far from it. I know running on a treadmill is different than running outside, but I excepted more. I ran for about 60% of the time. About a hour in my left foot starting hurting, more sore than painful, so I switched it up and walked at a good click on a 15% incline. I figure if I have to walk, I might as well get some hill work in. I ran the last mile of the workout. All and all, not my best performance. I did not consider that I have not had this type of pounding on my body in about a month. I am sore and have a blister starting on my big toe. Any advice on how to run with blisters? I will run tomorrow to fend off further soreness. I hope this doesn't slow me down too much and I am confident I can push through it.
February 17, 2010
Morning Workout Woes
I don't know if it is the fact that it I am up and the sun isn't, or that I am not a farmer at heart, but early morning workouts are the bane of my existence. I kid you not - ok I kid a little.
The good news: I succeeded in my attempt to wake up and make it to the gym. Also, the treadmills are working! The woefulness: my goal was 3-4 miles, while the result was 2.5 miles INCLUDING warm-up and cool down.
Sure I haven't run in over 3 weeks, and I haven't run in the morning in 2 months, but still. I had hoped for a better performance. I suppose this lament is a little dramatic and I should be proud that I not only made it to the gym at 5 am, but was physically able to move in what some scientists would call a "running" gait. In fact, I will be happy with my little success.
The good news: I succeeded in my attempt to wake up and make it to the gym. Also, the treadmills are working! The woefulness: my goal was 3-4 miles, while the result was 2.5 miles INCLUDING warm-up and cool down.
Sure I haven't run in over 3 weeks, and I haven't run in the morning in 2 months, but still. I had hoped for a better performance. I suppose this lament is a little dramatic and I should be proud that I not only made it to the gym at 5 am, but was physically able to move in what some scientists would call a "running" gait. In fact, I will be happy with my little success.
February 16, 2010
The Attempt
It has been a while since my last post. Some updates...
This weekend I worked out for two hours (in a row). I alternated 30 minutes on the stationary bike and 30 on the ellipticle. Oddly enough, my body wasn't totally destroyed; I felt I could go farther. However, it is best not to push it. Sunday I worked out for about 35 minutes at a nice pace to rest.
While my endurance is doing well and my muscles are getting a good workout, there is a big problem. All the cardio I am doing is low impact. Great for the joints, terrible in the long run for a marathon (haha - long run, get it?). I need to get some higher impact runs in. And just like that, the treadmills are working again at my apartment complex. I will be switching back to the treadmill for almost all workouts until I get comfortably (for me) run outside.
Now, the moment you have been waiting for, the attempt. I did not work out Monday, on account of the snow and a general feeling of lethargy. Tuesday rolled along and I failed again. Once again a feeling of overall malaise due to work. Not physically working, but the environment. Working in a food science department, there is never a shortage of food. Unfortunately, today it was all junk food, cheesecake, brownies, chocolate covered marshmallows. All these goodies lead to an awful sugar crash right as I made it home. No workout tonight. While this might seem like a waste, I look at it as an opportunity.
The marathon is in the morning and I have been working out at night. It would be advantageous to do a few runs in the a.m.. Tomorrow, on a working treadmill, I will ATTEMPT to workout in the wee hours of the morning.
This weekend I worked out for two hours (in a row). I alternated 30 minutes on the stationary bike and 30 on the ellipticle. Oddly enough, my body wasn't totally destroyed; I felt I could go farther. However, it is best not to push it. Sunday I worked out for about 35 minutes at a nice pace to rest.
While my endurance is doing well and my muscles are getting a good workout, there is a big problem. All the cardio I am doing is low impact. Great for the joints, terrible in the long run for a marathon (haha - long run, get it?). I need to get some higher impact runs in. And just like that, the treadmills are working again at my apartment complex. I will be switching back to the treadmill for almost all workouts until I get comfortably (for me) run outside.
Now, the moment you have been waiting for, the attempt. I did not work out Monday, on account of the snow and a general feeling of lethargy. Tuesday rolled along and I failed again. Once again a feeling of overall malaise due to work. Not physically working, but the environment. Working in a food science department, there is never a shortage of food. Unfortunately, today it was all junk food, cheesecake, brownies, chocolate covered marshmallows. All these goodies lead to an awful sugar crash right as I made it home. No workout tonight. While this might seem like a waste, I look at it as an opportunity.
The marathon is in the morning and I have been working out at night. It would be advantageous to do a few runs in the a.m.. Tomorrow, on a working treadmill, I will ATTEMPT to workout in the wee hours of the morning.
February 7, 2010
Pre Workout Blog
After a two day rest I will return to the gym today. There was no rhyme or reason why I took two days off but I did. Just did not feel the workout yesterday. This can only mean I need to pull out a stellar workout today. And I will. The game plan... a hour and 45 minute bike ride averaging 95 RPM. The treadmills are still not working and with no clear repair date, I am resigned to using the bike and the ellipticle. If that was not enough, now the elements are against me. The weather is cold (which might have been enough to keep me from running outside) and the ground is all snow and ice.
Not much else to report. There might be a part two of the blog, if you are lucky, after the workout. Although if I type how I will probably feel, the blog will be incoherent dribble mixed with a touch of insanity.
POST WORKOUT BLOG
Workout has been completed. Work summary is as follows: Biked 29 miles in about 1 hour and 43 minutes at level 5 with an RPM of 92. All and all not a bad workout. I also lifted a little weights after. I have to say that I feel pretty good. Not too worn out and not too tired or sore. I am sure all that will come later. I did manage to skin my knee on the stationary bike while I was re-adjusting. I did keep going as the blood clotted. It was only a small scrap. I didn't have blood gushing down my leg as I was peddling across the finish line. I think I will survive.
Now that my long worked is complete, I will relax and enjoy the rest of the day.
Not much else to report. There might be a part two of the blog, if you are lucky, after the workout. Although if I type how I will probably feel, the blog will be incoherent dribble mixed with a touch of insanity.
POST WORKOUT BLOG
Workout has been completed. Work summary is as follows: Biked 29 miles in about 1 hour and 43 minutes at level 5 with an RPM of 92. All and all not a bad workout. I also lifted a little weights after. I have to say that I feel pretty good. Not too worn out and not too tired or sore. I am sure all that will come later. I did manage to skin my knee on the stationary bike while I was re-adjusting. I did keep going as the blood clotted. It was only a small scrap. I didn't have blood gushing down my leg as I was peddling across the finish line. I think I will survive.
Now that my long worked is complete, I will relax and enjoy the rest of the day.
January 30, 2010
Food For Thought
I knew there were going to be some aspects of marathon training that would be foreign. Take running, for instance, I know how to run. You run and then you eventually reach your destination. But not for marathon training, with short running at intensity 7-8 or medium runs at intensity 6 or Fartlek runs or hill training. All different and all necessary, some to a larger degree than others.
One part of training I did not consider as much as I am now, Diet! Diet is important and I would severely discredit my degree (Food Science and Human Nutrition) if I didn't alter my diet to reflect my training. I did not foresee the extent that I would need to alter my diet. I am glad I am realizing this now because I can see myself going from lean and fit to emaciated quickly. Don't worry family and friends, I will make sure to eat up. Just some food for thought (I love when blogs come full circle).
One part of training I did not consider as much as I am now, Diet! Diet is important and I would severely discredit my degree (Food Science and Human Nutrition) if I didn't alter my diet to reflect my training. I did not foresee the extent that I would need to alter my diet. I am glad I am realizing this now because I can see myself going from lean and fit to emaciated quickly. Don't worry family and friends, I will make sure to eat up. Just some food for thought (I love when blogs come full circle).
January 26, 2010
Elliptathon
I made it to the gym and worked out today. That is the good news. The weather, a combination of cold, snow and ice, and the lack of adequate daylight hours drove me into my apartment complex's gym. The bad news, for me, is that the treadmills are temporarily out of order. Come on! Both treadmills! Don't they know I am training for an upcoming marathon?
Sure I coulddddd go "outside" and "run" on the "road," but what do I look like a barbarian? These are civilized time, The Age of Treadmills. Sure I am not going to run the marathon on a treadmill but for training purposes, they are awesome. The only options were the two ellipticles, a stationary bike without straps on the pedals and the weight lifting machine. The ellipticle it was. 50 minutes to be exact.
It was a good workout. There was sweat, there was heavy breathing, there was sighing longingly at the treadmill. I know this much, if the marathon will be taking place on an ellipticle, I'll be set.
Sure I coulddddd go "outside" and "run" on the "road," but what do I look like a barbarian? These are civilized time, The Age of Treadmills. Sure I am not going to run the marathon on a treadmill but for training purposes, they are awesome. The only options were the two ellipticles, a stationary bike without straps on the pedals and the weight lifting machine. The ellipticle it was. 50 minutes to be exact.
It was a good workout. There was sweat, there was heavy breathing, there was sighing longingly at the treadmill. I know this much, if the marathon will be taking place on an ellipticle, I'll be set.
January 25, 2010
Strike Two
Coming off a day when I have run farther than I think I have ever run, I decided to take it easy. A decent pace and good distance earned me a day off - well at least a day where the most running was taking the dog for a spin or two around the block. Besides my joints were stiff and Achilles tendon was as taut as a guitar string. The run was Saturday and here I am Monday and I am left feeling like a slacker. Is this what running does to you? Makes you feel miserable when you don't run. It does feel good after I run, I guess I have to just keep running.
Well, tomorrow I am going to get back too it. What "it" is shall be determined tomorrow. I was informed today that the treadmills at my complex are not working. This leaves ellipticle and stationary bike. I have to get some solid cardio in tomorrow. My heart needs to feel like I am out to get it. The last two workout prior to the long run were ellipticle. The options are somewhat limited and sometimes you take what you can get. As long as I am on a workout machine where my legs are moving for more than an hour. That's right an hour. What up nay-sayers. Who is saying "nay" now? Probably horses, but that is besides the point.
Ok, so if you can't tell by that little tangent I am a little on the tired side of life. That is part of the reason why I did not workout tonight. I figured a night of solid rest would be miles better for me. I hope I figured right because the clock is ticking and I need to get some serious training in. And I will, then I will blog about it, and then everybody wins.
Well, tomorrow I am going to get back too it. What "it" is shall be determined tomorrow. I was informed today that the treadmills at my complex are not working. This leaves ellipticle and stationary bike. I have to get some solid cardio in tomorrow. My heart needs to feel like I am out to get it. The last two workout prior to the long run were ellipticle. The options are somewhat limited and sometimes you take what you can get. As long as I am on a workout machine where my legs are moving for more than an hour. That's right an hour. What up nay-sayers. Who is saying "nay" now? Probably horses, but that is besides the point.
Ok, so if you can't tell by that little tangent I am a little on the tired side of life. That is part of the reason why I did not workout tonight. I figured a night of solid rest would be miles better for me. I hope I figured right because the clock is ticking and I need to get some serious training in. And I will, then I will blog about it, and then everybody wins.
January 17, 2010
se7en
Have you deciphered the code? No! it has nothing to do with Kevin Spacey and Brad Pitt. The title aptly describes the number of miles I ran yesterday. Nuts right. Whats more, it is only slightly more than a quarter than what I will be running come May. I suppose that is why I train.
Now I read somewhere (a phrase that I will probably be saying a lot) that you should do long runs a minute slower than marathon pace. I have a hard time doing that, seeing as how I don't know what my marathon pace will be yet. So I just ran and ran and ran. If I felt a little tired I slowed down, if the mood struck me, I sped up. I channeled the shark mentality... if I stop moving, I die!
Seeing as how I haven't run 7 miles in a good few years, I am quite sore today. I did not realize how sore. I mean, how do my thumbs get sore or my elbows! Seriously, it is odd. And the night after I hungered. They could have done a TLC special on me. The runner who is full and hungry at the same time.
I did feel good to know that I can physically move more than 2 miles at any given time. Also, that the treadmill seems to be paying off which is good because if the weather turned I will be back inside. I will be hitting the treadmill today on account of the rain. Apparently the day after a long run you need a "recovery day." What I learned was recovery means running more to combat soreness. You know what else I read combats soreness... SCOTCH! Sigh! The scotch will have to wait until after May 2nd. Talk about sacrifice.
Now I read somewhere (a phrase that I will probably be saying a lot) that you should do long runs a minute slower than marathon pace. I have a hard time doing that, seeing as how I don't know what my marathon pace will be yet. So I just ran and ran and ran. If I felt a little tired I slowed down, if the mood struck me, I sped up. I channeled the shark mentality... if I stop moving, I die!
Seeing as how I haven't run 7 miles in a good few years, I am quite sore today. I did not realize how sore. I mean, how do my thumbs get sore or my elbows! Seriously, it is odd. And the night after I hungered. They could have done a TLC special on me. The runner who is full and hungry at the same time.
I did feel good to know that I can physically move more than 2 miles at any given time. Also, that the treadmill seems to be paying off which is good because if the weather turned I will be back inside. I will be hitting the treadmill today on account of the rain. Apparently the day after a long run you need a "recovery day." What I learned was recovery means running more to combat soreness. You know what else I read combats soreness... SCOTCH! Sigh! The scotch will have to wait until after May 2nd. Talk about sacrifice.
January 12, 2010
The Blow Out
Got your attention!!! Probably not because you are one of the few people that follow this blog and would have read it had the title been "Aww shucks the fuse blew on the treadmill" followed by a sad emoticon like this: :(
Anyway, I am ok physically but about 15 minutes into my treadmill run the fuse blew and the power on both treadmills went out. This left me and the treadmiller next to me, dressed oddly similar to me, staring at each other asking "Where is the fuse box?" Apparently in it is in a locked room in the gym.
What is a runner to do? Stationary bike? Ellipticle? That was what I would say too; however, all other non-powered machines were occupied. So weights it was, some heavy lifting and whatnot. It was all I could do try and keep my heart rate up. Afterwards a jog home was in order and since it wasn't bone chillingly cold out and the wind wasn't cutting into my soul I ran around the "long" way. Well longer way. And when I reached my apartment, a good song came on my Ipod so I took another lap. The another good song which led to another lap. Three laps was it as it started to get a little chilly.
Back inside. It was overall a rather uninspired training session, but we keep a chin up, shrug, and keep moving.
Anyway, I am ok physically but about 15 minutes into my treadmill run the fuse blew and the power on both treadmills went out. This left me and the treadmiller next to me, dressed oddly similar to me, staring at each other asking "Where is the fuse box?" Apparently in it is in a locked room in the gym.
What is a runner to do? Stationary bike? Ellipticle? That was what I would say too; however, all other non-powered machines were occupied. So weights it was, some heavy lifting and whatnot. It was all I could do try and keep my heart rate up. Afterwards a jog home was in order and since it wasn't bone chillingly cold out and the wind wasn't cutting into my soul I ran around the "long" way. Well longer way. And when I reached my apartment, a good song came on my Ipod so I took another lap. The another good song which led to another lap. Three laps was it as it started to get a little chilly.
Back inside. It was overall a rather uninspired training session, but we keep a chin up, shrug, and keep moving.
January 10, 2010
If You Can See the Tears, You Aren't Sweating Enough
The weekend has come and past and it was, by all accounts, a successful training weekend. The last thing I want to do is over-train and the very the last thing I want to do is not be in shape for the marathon and the very very last thing I want to do is get hurt.
It is tough training in the arctic tundra that is currently Cincinnati. My training is currently bound to the "gym" at my apartment complex. Small though it is, I think it has everything I need. Two treadmills, two ellipticles, two stationary bikes and a Nautilus machine. Sure the treadmills will stick as you are running and one of the bikes doesnt have foot straps and the wires on the treadmill are torn and frayed... actually I think the boys at Guantanamo Bay have better facilities. But you make do with what you have.
I will spare the details, but I successful worked out three days in a row. Two workouts on the treadmill and one on the ellipticle with some light weights tossed in here and there. Just trying to get my cardio in a more runner friendly state-of-mind. Speaking of which it is about that time. And speaking of time blog fan(s), the last blog was not written at 6:36 am, more like 10:40 am just for clarification. I am supposed to be waking up early for running not blogging.
Also, I was informed that the first person to run a marathon died at the end. Makes you think. Makes me think he didn't keep to his training schedule.
It is tough training in the arctic tundra that is currently Cincinnati. My training is currently bound to the "gym" at my apartment complex. Small though it is, I think it has everything I need. Two treadmills, two ellipticles, two stationary bikes and a Nautilus machine. Sure the treadmills will stick as you are running and one of the bikes doesnt have foot straps and the wires on the treadmill are torn and frayed... actually I think the boys at Guantanamo Bay have better facilities. But you make do with what you have.
I will spare the details, but I successful worked out three days in a row. Two workouts on the treadmill and one on the ellipticle with some light weights tossed in here and there. Just trying to get my cardio in a more runner friendly state-of-mind. Speaking of which it is about that time. And speaking of time blog fan(s), the last blog was not written at 6:36 am, more like 10:40 am just for clarification. I am supposed to be waking up early for running not blogging.
Also, I was informed that the first person to run a marathon died at the end. Makes you think. Makes me think he didn't keep to his training schedule.
January 9, 2010
Getting Back to It
Despite my name, I am not flying anywhere. Especially nowhere fast. But I will and soon. I have never been in amazing shape. I was good enough to run circles around my family during Thanksgiving football games and can hold my own in most sports. But a marathon, that is a different story.
A little history, my friend (and I use that term loosely) Dan convinced me to run a marathon in May. I know Dan is my friend, but sometimes I wonder. He does things like ask me to hike high mountains at an inhuman pace. As we climb, he hikes on ahead, waits for me and catches his breath. As soon as I reach him he asks if I am still good. Full of air and moxie he is ready to go as I huff and puff and forge on. In the end we reach the summit and it feels pretty good. So I can't fault him because in the end, he pushes me to do what I might not have done on my own.
Well I did it. Sober I might add. I signed up for a marathon in may of this year. May 2nd, but whose counting. With less than five months to train I got back to it. Sort of. I had dreams of waking up at 5 am, jogging to the gym, and putting in a good 45 minutes. I figured 45 minutes of running, biking, lifting weights (mostly the first two) would be a good start. Unfortunately it was just that a dream. I am not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination. I can wake up and can form coherent sentences but putting in more work than basic resting metabolism is asking a lot.
Waking up last week was not a problem, laying in bed for 30 minutes was. But this week, this week will be different. I will wake up and start going to the gym in the morning EARLY even.
More than that, I set my goals high... to high. For instance, not running more than 2 miles for months and I set a goal yesterday of 5 miles. I managed three. And I will run another three today. Better get back to it.
A little history, my friend (and I use that term loosely) Dan convinced me to run a marathon in May. I know Dan is my friend, but sometimes I wonder. He does things like ask me to hike high mountains at an inhuman pace. As we climb, he hikes on ahead, waits for me and catches his breath. As soon as I reach him he asks if I am still good. Full of air and moxie he is ready to go as I huff and puff and forge on. In the end we reach the summit and it feels pretty good. So I can't fault him because in the end, he pushes me to do what I might not have done on my own.
Well I did it. Sober I might add. I signed up for a marathon in may of this year. May 2nd, but whose counting. With less than five months to train I got back to it. Sort of. I had dreams of waking up at 5 am, jogging to the gym, and putting in a good 45 minutes. I figured 45 minutes of running, biking, lifting weights (mostly the first two) would be a good start. Unfortunately it was just that a dream. I am not a morning person by any stretch of the imagination. I can wake up and can form coherent sentences but putting in more work than basic resting metabolism is asking a lot.
Waking up last week was not a problem, laying in bed for 30 minutes was. But this week, this week will be different. I will wake up and start going to the gym in the morning EARLY even.
More than that, I set my goals high... to high. For instance, not running more than 2 miles for months and I set a goal yesterday of 5 miles. I managed three. And I will run another three today. Better get back to it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)