7 miles today!
GREAT treadmill run. Talked on the bluetooth a bit, threw in some pullups every 10 minutes or so...did some tabla rhythms...all good things to keep you excited to run!
Tabla
This guy sometimes teaches the classes I take! I would be ecstatic if I could get to be 1/100th as good as him!
Also, did some good PT today. Feel really in shape. The legs feel strong again. I think I can do more pullups in one set than ever. Maybe I will do that later this week...
Haven't gotten the motivation to go out into the cold to run. Probably won't. I shoveled a bit today, though...for only 5 minutes...
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
6 miles!
Hello again!
Today was a momentous run, I think. When I left California, I got up to doing 4 milers 4 times a week...and back here in Nebraska, I have been doing 3 miles almost every day on the treadmill (too cold outside...plus I don't want to risk hurting the ankle again, like if I slipped on ice or something).
So today, I decided to do 6 miles on the treadmill. What was the hardest part was not getting bored! When you run for longer than 20 minutes on a treadmill, things become very tedious and boring!
To battle the boredom, I threw in 15 pullups every 5 minutes (did that 6 times), and also talked on the bluetooth. Ha! That's how you stayed enthused while on a treadmill!
Anyway, the 6 miles felt really really good! I think I will be ready to do sixes every day next week, and then bust out some 10 milers the next week.
I have beat the avulsion fracture! Hooray!
Hope your running is going good too!
Today was a momentous run, I think. When I left California, I got up to doing 4 milers 4 times a week...and back here in Nebraska, I have been doing 3 miles almost every day on the treadmill (too cold outside...plus I don't want to risk hurting the ankle again, like if I slipped on ice or something).
So today, I decided to do 6 miles on the treadmill. What was the hardest part was not getting bored! When you run for longer than 20 minutes on a treadmill, things become very tedious and boring!
To battle the boredom, I threw in 15 pullups every 5 minutes (did that 6 times), and also talked on the bluetooth. Ha! That's how you stayed enthused while on a treadmill!
Anyway, the 6 miles felt really really good! I think I will be ready to do sixes every day next week, and then bust out some 10 milers the next week.
I have beat the avulsion fracture! Hooray!
Hope your running is going good too!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Back on My Feet!
This past Wednesday, the physical therapist said I could run again! Since then, I have ran a mile on the treadmill on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and today (Sunday).
IT IS AMAZING TO BE RUNNING AGAIN!
My fitness seems to be pretty good still...have been swimming and aqua jogging like 3 or 4 times a week. Have been doing a lot of PT, too...so that is good!
Now I will have more to write in my blog, so stay tuned!
IT IS AMAZING TO BE RUNNING AGAIN!
My fitness seems to be pretty good still...have been swimming and aqua jogging like 3 or 4 times a week. Have been doing a lot of PT, too...so that is good!
Now I will have more to write in my blog, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Updates!
Oh, it has been over a month since I last said anything on this blog! Way too too long!
Anyway, my training was going great! I was hitting some 90+ mile weeks, getting in good long runs...
And then I stepped on a pinecone and sustained an avulsion fracture to the right ankle.
I felt like a Navy SEAL or something who had just been wounded in combat and had to do something quick to be extracted, so what I did was hop on my left leg up this 30 yard hill to where the road was so I could get some help. No cars stopped, but a minute later these middle aged women walkers came by. One of them was a nurse. They were all nice! They went and got a van and drove me back to my place.
Later in the day I went to a place called Southern California Orthopedic Institute and this awesome doctor named Dr. Blecher took a look at my ankle. I had some x-rays and what not. It was pretty sweet to see the injury...but not really.
I had to wear a boot for 2 weeks, which I actually just got out of yesterday. Now I just have to wear a heavy duty brace, but I can walk around without having a strange gait. Wearing the boot was a bummer because my right foot was like an inch higher than my left when it was in the boot, so my left leg was taking a lot of force on it and actually became sore.
*****
Well, I started PT this morning...they did some massage, range of motion exercises, electric stim, ice, and this laser thing. I don't really know what the laser was, but I guess it is sort of like ultrasound.
I can feel my ankle healing by the minute!
I have been staying really positive about the whole situation, and maybe that is why the recovery is coming along well. I plan to get in the pool now and do a lot of swimming, and in the next week or two do some aqua running. I I bought some sweet goggles which are just like the kind Anton has. They are SUPER comfortable, like I could probably wear them all day or something, maybe use them when I am cooking or something where a lot of crap is flying around. I also got a flotation belt so to make the aqua running easier.
*****
HEAL HEAL HEAL!
Anyway, my training was going great! I was hitting some 90+ mile weeks, getting in good long runs...
And then I stepped on a pinecone and sustained an avulsion fracture to the right ankle.
I felt like a Navy SEAL or something who had just been wounded in combat and had to do something quick to be extracted, so what I did was hop on my left leg up this 30 yard hill to where the road was so I could get some help. No cars stopped, but a minute later these middle aged women walkers came by. One of them was a nurse. They were all nice! They went and got a van and drove me back to my place.
Later in the day I went to a place called Southern California Orthopedic Institute and this awesome doctor named Dr. Blecher took a look at my ankle. I had some x-rays and what not. It was pretty sweet to see the injury...but not really.
I had to wear a boot for 2 weeks, which I actually just got out of yesterday. Now I just have to wear a heavy duty brace, but I can walk around without having a strange gait. Wearing the boot was a bummer because my right foot was like an inch higher than my left when it was in the boot, so my left leg was taking a lot of force on it and actually became sore.
*****
Well, I started PT this morning...they did some massage, range of motion exercises, electric stim, ice, and this laser thing. I don't really know what the laser was, but I guess it is sort of like ultrasound.
I can feel my ankle healing by the minute!
I have been staying really positive about the whole situation, and maybe that is why the recovery is coming along well. I plan to get in the pool now and do a lot of swimming, and in the next week or two do some aqua running. I I bought some sweet goggles which are just like the kind Anton has. They are SUPER comfortable, like I could probably wear them all day or something, maybe use them when I am cooking or something where a lot of crap is flying around. I also got a flotation belt so to make the aqua running easier.
*****
HEAL HEAL HEAL!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Long Runs, Again
This weekend will be full of long runs...one is planned for Saturday morning, and then another on Sunday. The distances covered will be much. It will be a grand time!
The training seems to be going really well! With each run I feel more confident that the race I am planning on running in November goes good!
The training seems to be going really well! With each run I feel more confident that the race I am planning on running in November goes good!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Good Week
Hello from California!
Yes, it is true. It is a true story. That I am here, it is true.
And man, is it great! A very nice time it has been, even though I have not really done anything too spectacular. Since this is a running blog, I will mainly talk about this incredible sport.
I have run everyday except for the day I got here and one other rest day. It has been a really, really good week of running. I got in a 16 miler on Tuesday, then 10 milers on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, a 26 mile run on Saturday, and capped off the week with 20 on Sunday, making for a 94 mile week. I am amazed that my legs feel really good. Like I could go play soccer right now. Or tennis. My legs feel really, really good, like I could go run right now. I won't run right now, but I guess I could. It would probably not be a good idea, though.
I had some chafing on the inner thighs, but a little Vaseline made everything better.
Well, I guess that is all there is to say. Oh yeah, I ran with a running group last Sunday. It was good to run with people again!
Yes, it is true. It is a true story. That I am here, it is true.
And man, is it great! A very nice time it has been, even though I have not really done anything too spectacular. Since this is a running blog, I will mainly talk about this incredible sport.
I have run everyday except for the day I got here and one other rest day. It has been a really, really good week of running. I got in a 16 miler on Tuesday, then 10 milers on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, a 26 mile run on Saturday, and capped off the week with 20 on Sunday, making for a 94 mile week. I am amazed that my legs feel really good. Like I could go play soccer right now. Or tennis. My legs feel really, really good, like I could go run right now. I won't run right now, but I guess I could. It would probably not be a good idea, though.
I had some chafing on the inner thighs, but a little Vaseline made everything better.
Well, I guess that is all there is to say. Oh yeah, I ran with a running group last Sunday. It was good to run with people again!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Last Run of August
Today was my last run of August. It was a good run.
I need to wear longer socks with my new shoes. North Face shoes seem to be stiffer around the ankle or something, and it digs in at your skin.
Blisters. Not for me. You can have them, though, if you want.
I am hungry right now. It is 11:52 PM, so I probably won't go get anything, but when I wake up, I will surely have a delicious meal!
Short posts are easier to handle, no?
I need to wear longer socks with my new shoes. North Face shoes seem to be stiffer around the ankle or something, and it digs in at your skin.
Blisters. Not for me. You can have them, though, if you want.
I am hungry right now. It is 11:52 PM, so I probably won't go get anything, but when I wake up, I will surely have a delicious meal!
Short posts are easier to handle, no?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Physical, Shot, Weight, Running, Etc.
I had a physical the other day. I needed one so I could go to school...I don't know why a grad school would need one...Lisa didn't need one, and Ben, you never said if you needed one, but I had to get one, including a tetanus shot, and I have to get a tuberculin skin test within the next 6 months.
The tetanus shot did not hurt as much as I thought it would. Actually, I didn't feel it at all. The nurse must have been good, probably the best in the whole world, because when she said "here comes the prick" I didn't feel anything at all! I would have felt a leaf on my skin more than I felt the tetanus shot.
However, now the arm is a bit sore. I iced it a couple times, and made sure to stretch it sort of, so it is all good. No PT the past few days, and probably not for another 2 or so...but it is a good rest. I am feeling a bit weak since I have been back in Nebraska. Maybe I picked up something on the plane.
The day after I got back (the day after my physical), I went for a 10 mile run. It should have been easy, but it wasn't! I had to stop and take a lot of walking breaks on the way back...at least once each mile. It was the crappiest run in a long time.
Later that day, I started getting a headache, which prevented me from going to the UNK's women first ever soccer game. I took about 3 naps that day...dang sickness! Or was it the tetanus shot? Do shots make you feel sick the next day?
•••••
Another interesting fact I learned at the physical was that I have lost weight since last weighing myself more than a year ago. How is this possible? I have been doing PT regularly, and ate a lot of donuts, wine, cheese, fruit juice, and chips over the summer. Maybe that is the kind of diet you need to lose weight?
I am only about 2 pounds heavier than I was when I ran my one and only half marathon. This was probably my best race in the history of my running. This was 3 years ago. Now, I probably would only be within 8 minutes of it...
But should I worry about those fast times back in the day? I have been focusing more on ultras the past 2 and a half years, so why I am still worried about how fast I used to be able to run? I don't want to run fast, really...I just want to enjoy myself and get in some sweet long runs. Ben seems to know what's up. He doesn't seem to care about running a fast mile or 5k...he wants to get out there and do a long ass run, just for fun. That's the way you should do it!
•••••
In West Virginia, I had no problem busting out a 15-20 miler in the morning...now, here in Aurora, it is sort of hard to run far. I don't know why. Maybe it is because the town is only a square mile. Sure, I can go run out in the country, but it gets sort of boring.
I would have to say that Morgantown, West Virginia, is one of the best places to run. At first, I thought it sucked, but then I found a route from Lisa's apartment to the trail which was awesome. It had 2 dreadfully long hills that sometimes made me stop to walk. That's some good stuff right there.
And then there is the trail that goes along the river. That is magnificent! It never got boring...no wonder I could run for 2.5 hours without getting bored...
But here in Aurora...I will have to be psychologically strong.
•••••
I move to California in about a week. I was going to live out in the country, but now I might live on campus. It will be better to live around people my age...and it will be a lot more fun too! Also, I won't have to worry about biking at night. Cal Arts has all kinds of performances and other events that would be good to go to...and if I live on campus, I could go to all of them if I really wanted to!
•••••
Well, this post didn't have much to do with running, but that's how it is sometimes. Sometimes running has little to do with running, like when you are trying to get away from a rabid animal.
Then it is about survival.
Thanks for reading this whole thing, if you did. If you didn't, that is okay. I understand.
The tetanus shot did not hurt as much as I thought it would. Actually, I didn't feel it at all. The nurse must have been good, probably the best in the whole world, because when she said "here comes the prick" I didn't feel anything at all! I would have felt a leaf on my skin more than I felt the tetanus shot.
However, now the arm is a bit sore. I iced it a couple times, and made sure to stretch it sort of, so it is all good. No PT the past few days, and probably not for another 2 or so...but it is a good rest. I am feeling a bit weak since I have been back in Nebraska. Maybe I picked up something on the plane.
The day after I got back (the day after my physical), I went for a 10 mile run. It should have been easy, but it wasn't! I had to stop and take a lot of walking breaks on the way back...at least once each mile. It was the crappiest run in a long time.
Later that day, I started getting a headache, which prevented me from going to the UNK's women first ever soccer game. I took about 3 naps that day...dang sickness! Or was it the tetanus shot? Do shots make you feel sick the next day?
•••••
Another interesting fact I learned at the physical was that I have lost weight since last weighing myself more than a year ago. How is this possible? I have been doing PT regularly, and ate a lot of donuts, wine, cheese, fruit juice, and chips over the summer. Maybe that is the kind of diet you need to lose weight?
I am only about 2 pounds heavier than I was when I ran my one and only half marathon. This was probably my best race in the history of my running. This was 3 years ago. Now, I probably would only be within 8 minutes of it...
But should I worry about those fast times back in the day? I have been focusing more on ultras the past 2 and a half years, so why I am still worried about how fast I used to be able to run? I don't want to run fast, really...I just want to enjoy myself and get in some sweet long runs. Ben seems to know what's up. He doesn't seem to care about running a fast mile or 5k...he wants to get out there and do a long ass run, just for fun. That's the way you should do it!
•••••
In West Virginia, I had no problem busting out a 15-20 miler in the morning...now, here in Aurora, it is sort of hard to run far. I don't know why. Maybe it is because the town is only a square mile. Sure, I can go run out in the country, but it gets sort of boring.
I would have to say that Morgantown, West Virginia, is one of the best places to run. At first, I thought it sucked, but then I found a route from Lisa's apartment to the trail which was awesome. It had 2 dreadfully long hills that sometimes made me stop to walk. That's some good stuff right there.
And then there is the trail that goes along the river. That is magnificent! It never got boring...no wonder I could run for 2.5 hours without getting bored...
But here in Aurora...I will have to be psychologically strong.
•••••
I move to California in about a week. I was going to live out in the country, but now I might live on campus. It will be better to live around people my age...and it will be a lot more fun too! Also, I won't have to worry about biking at night. Cal Arts has all kinds of performances and other events that would be good to go to...and if I live on campus, I could go to all of them if I really wanted to!
•••••
Well, this post didn't have much to do with running, but that's how it is sometimes. Sometimes running has little to do with running, like when you are trying to get away from a rabid animal.
Then it is about survival.
Thanks for reading this whole thing, if you did. If you didn't, that is okay. I understand.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Runs, Effort, Track, Sweet, Goals
Since I last posted, I had a really good long run (Monday), a good longish run (Thursday), and a sort of crappy run (Saturday).
The long run went a lot better than I thought it would. Lisa had class from 8:30 to 12:00, so I had an extra half hour to run. Finished in just about 3:05, including 2 stops for fuel and other business that needs stopping. I was very satisfied with how the run went.
Took 2 days off instead of 1, then ran 20 on Thursday. This one went okay, too. At mile 13 I really started to feel sluggish and what not, but then ate a banana and drank some water at 15. I immediately felt the fuel circulate through the body, and the last 5 felt really good!
On Friday, I noticed that my left knee was sort of hurting (oh no!) It's not like it hurts all the time, just when I press on a little spot on the kneecap, sort of in the center. What could this be? Do you know?
I didn't want to get up at all on Saturday, but forced myself to put on my shoes and head out the door. This is sort of what David Goggins is talking about, like how you should go run when you don't want to...but this is some serious crap. You should stay inside and eat cookies when you don't want to run.
The 15 miles on Saturday went okay, except that I think my legs are starting to get tired from the 20 milers every other day. Sure, I could do 10 every day and call it good, but I like the 20 miles one day followed by a day of rest.
Actually, I may have to adjust a bit...maybe it is too much too soon.
Anyway, wish me luck in the recovery!
•••••
I saw this ad about how you can put on 18 pounds of muscle in just 2 weeks through high intensity weight training, not through steroids or stuff like that. Maybe I would want to put on 7 pounds or so. My arms seem sort of thin, I think, and maybe some more mass on the thigh would be good too. I don't know.
The other day there was this thing on MTV about this scrub named Kody who wanted to be a bodybuilder. But, he had never worked out or anything, so when the real bodybuilder started training him, Kody turned into a little sissy and was complaining and what not.
I guess I hate it when people want to do or be something, but don't want to put forth the effort. It seems that their laughable work ethic transfers to other areas of their life, and they end up being lazy or annoying or something.
It's not like we all have to accomplish something great...but at least we should always give our best effort.
•••••
The Track and Field World Championships have been going on for the past week. Pretty much every evening I have watched...it is the best sporting event to watch on tv, I think...so intense!
Today, a 21 year old Chinese lass won the women's marathon, and someone from Japan was 2nd...where have the Asians come from? They are fast now...at least the women are. I remember last year at the Olympics China had some women running way up there towards the front.
In the women's 1500, some Rodriguez person from Spain got disqualified because she pushed over the leader with 200 to go...why do people race like this?
I am not too sure about stuff like this, where everyone goes all savage and what not because they want a gold medal. Usain Bolt, he looks like he wants to put on a show, but these savage women pushing others over...that's just crazy.
•••••
I have been eating good things lately, things like a lot of bread and cheese, dipping it in olive oil; having a glass or two or three of wine; eating a lot of chocolate; drinking a good amount of diet pepsi; etc. I have also been doing whatever seems good at the moment...if I don't feel like doing something, I won't, like if I start practicing clarinet and don't feel it, I will stop, or if I want to take a nap in the afternoon, I do it.
I guess I should be partaking in these sweet activities, because school starts in about 2 weeks, and then it will be busy again! When I talked to my clarinet instructor, he said that there is not really a limit of how many units you can take...so I am taking a lot of fun classes, just to make sure I get the most of the $35k a year...
I think I will still have a lot of free time to run, though...and I went on gmap pedometer and mapped out a loop close to where I live...there is an 11 mile loop that has about 1600 ft in elevation change (800 up, 800 down)...this will be good! Sure, I will probably not be able to run at the pace I have been running here along the flat trails that border the river here in West Virginia, but it's all good.
•••••
I plan to do at least a 50k this November...there is one in near Malibu, which will be cool...and maybe I will also be able to get in a 50 miler by the end of the year...there are some New Year's Eve runs that would be sweet...one in North Carolina is a 24 hour event...that would be a good one, I think...but I don't want to fly out to NC...that is a little too far.
I hope you all are setting some pretty sweet goals too! Ben, I know you are running the Northface Endurance Challenge, and are a little worried because the cut on your foot delayed training, but don't worry about it. You can carry your light body 50 miles any day, if you want to.
Anton, you should really get in there and run the Honolulu Marathon...do it! And then maybe someday you can do the HURT 100...that would be sweet...maybe we could do it together (if you are still wanting to do some ultras...they are much more fun than any marathon, I think).
Abby, you are getting in some serious shape right there with the PT...keep it up! You should go for 5 pullups by December...and you should also get in some kind of trail run...maybe there are some 20 milers or something around where you live...I don't know what your goals are exactly, but I think for me it would have been more enjoyable to do a long trail race rather than my first marathon (not that my first marathon was unenjoyable...but there is just something about the trail that makes you realize how awesome running is!)
That is all for now. Get out there and do work!
The long run went a lot better than I thought it would. Lisa had class from 8:30 to 12:00, so I had an extra half hour to run. Finished in just about 3:05, including 2 stops for fuel and other business that needs stopping. I was very satisfied with how the run went.
Took 2 days off instead of 1, then ran 20 on Thursday. This one went okay, too. At mile 13 I really started to feel sluggish and what not, but then ate a banana and drank some water at 15. I immediately felt the fuel circulate through the body, and the last 5 felt really good!
On Friday, I noticed that my left knee was sort of hurting (oh no!) It's not like it hurts all the time, just when I press on a little spot on the kneecap, sort of in the center. What could this be? Do you know?
I didn't want to get up at all on Saturday, but forced myself to put on my shoes and head out the door. This is sort of what David Goggins is talking about, like how you should go run when you don't want to...but this is some serious crap. You should stay inside and eat cookies when you don't want to run.
The 15 miles on Saturday went okay, except that I think my legs are starting to get tired from the 20 milers every other day. Sure, I could do 10 every day and call it good, but I like the 20 miles one day followed by a day of rest.
Actually, I may have to adjust a bit...maybe it is too much too soon.
Anyway, wish me luck in the recovery!
•••••
I saw this ad about how you can put on 18 pounds of muscle in just 2 weeks through high intensity weight training, not through steroids or stuff like that. Maybe I would want to put on 7 pounds or so. My arms seem sort of thin, I think, and maybe some more mass on the thigh would be good too. I don't know.
The other day there was this thing on MTV about this scrub named Kody who wanted to be a bodybuilder. But, he had never worked out or anything, so when the real bodybuilder started training him, Kody turned into a little sissy and was complaining and what not.
I guess I hate it when people want to do or be something, but don't want to put forth the effort. It seems that their laughable work ethic transfers to other areas of their life, and they end up being lazy or annoying or something.
It's not like we all have to accomplish something great...but at least we should always give our best effort.
•••••
The Track and Field World Championships have been going on for the past week. Pretty much every evening I have watched...it is the best sporting event to watch on tv, I think...so intense!
Today, a 21 year old Chinese lass won the women's marathon, and someone from Japan was 2nd...where have the Asians come from? They are fast now...at least the women are. I remember last year at the Olympics China had some women running way up there towards the front.
In the women's 1500, some Rodriguez person from Spain got disqualified because she pushed over the leader with 200 to go...why do people race like this?
I am not too sure about stuff like this, where everyone goes all savage and what not because they want a gold medal. Usain Bolt, he looks like he wants to put on a show, but these savage women pushing others over...that's just crazy.
•••••
I have been eating good things lately, things like a lot of bread and cheese, dipping it in olive oil; having a glass or two or three of wine; eating a lot of chocolate; drinking a good amount of diet pepsi; etc. I have also been doing whatever seems good at the moment...if I don't feel like doing something, I won't, like if I start practicing clarinet and don't feel it, I will stop, or if I want to take a nap in the afternoon, I do it.
I guess I should be partaking in these sweet activities, because school starts in about 2 weeks, and then it will be busy again! When I talked to my clarinet instructor, he said that there is not really a limit of how many units you can take...so I am taking a lot of fun classes, just to make sure I get the most of the $35k a year...
I think I will still have a lot of free time to run, though...and I went on gmap pedometer and mapped out a loop close to where I live...there is an 11 mile loop that has about 1600 ft in elevation change (800 up, 800 down)...this will be good! Sure, I will probably not be able to run at the pace I have been running here along the flat trails that border the river here in West Virginia, but it's all good.
•••••
I plan to do at least a 50k this November...there is one in near Malibu, which will be cool...and maybe I will also be able to get in a 50 miler by the end of the year...there are some New Year's Eve runs that would be sweet...one in North Carolina is a 24 hour event...that would be a good one, I think...but I don't want to fly out to NC...that is a little too far.
I hope you all are setting some pretty sweet goals too! Ben, I know you are running the Northface Endurance Challenge, and are a little worried because the cut on your foot delayed training, but don't worry about it. You can carry your light body 50 miles any day, if you want to.
Anton, you should really get in there and run the Honolulu Marathon...do it! And then maybe someday you can do the HURT 100...that would be sweet...maybe we could do it together (if you are still wanting to do some ultras...they are much more fun than any marathon, I think).
Abby, you are getting in some serious shape right there with the PT...keep it up! You should go for 5 pullups by December...and you should also get in some kind of trail run...maybe there are some 20 milers or something around where you live...I don't know what your goals are exactly, but I think for me it would have been more enjoyable to do a long trail race rather than my first marathon (not that my first marathon was unenjoyable...but there is just something about the trail that makes you realize how awesome running is!)
That is all for now. Get out there and do work!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
New?
What is new? you ask.
Well, a lot of things are new: the new 2010 Honda Civic, a new perfume or something from Paris Hilton, a new little bird that has hatched from an egg, a new little bunch of sea turtles who have hatched from a bunch of little eggs and are now squirming down the beach to get in the water. Everyone wants to go swimming, it seems.
Also new is Charles' training schedule. I was once doing the 6 days a week training, with 1 day off, and that was okay, but I guess a lot of the time I didn't want to go run. Especially in the summer when Ben would try to push me out the door at 7 am. That was pretty early.
Well, I guess it wasn't that bad getting up early. It was actually sort of nice to get out there in the fresh morning air and what not, and sometimes fun stuff would happen, like finding a huge painting next to a dumpster and then carrying it a half mile home. Good stuff, it was.
The 6 days a week schedule sort of dissolved, and then about 3 weeks ago I had this idea of doing a 2 day on, 1 day off thing. It seemed like a good plan, like I could get in a bunch of miles by doing a 12-8 day and then a 15-5 day, followed by a lazy day off.
For some reason, I only did this for about one cycle (minus the second run of the day). I lasted a whole 2 days doing that schedule!
Now, for the past 2 weeks or so, I have been doing a 1 day on, 1 day off schedule, and have had very good luck with it. The runs I have seem to be much more enjoyable, and I always want to get out there and go far. The most recent runs have been 20, 12, 20, 20, 20, and then today I am planning on going 20 also. After 15 I usually stop and have a banana or a piece of bread with some peanut butter and honey, thus making the cool down 5 miles easier.
The other day I had a spectacular run! The 15 was done at a pretty good clip, like my legs were getting used to rolling for such long distances. Then I stopped for about 2.5 minutes to eat half of a banana, then say a person go by on rollerblades being pulled by a dog. I decided to go get them, and blazed the next mile. I decided to keep the pace up (as best as I could), and did the next 1.5 at a fast pace too. Then I turned around and cooled down 2.5. A good time it was! I got in a nice 15, a tempo, and a cool down, all in one run!
Today, I went out for a 20 miler, and wanted to get in some fast miles, so after 5.5 miles I started picking it up. I eventually picked it up and up and finished off with a very fast mile, probably the fastest mile I have run this year (not that I have ever ran a flat out mile, but I was very satisfied with the time). After 17, I met Lisa at the car to refuel with a small orange and part of a banana...was going to go 3 more, but then decided just to have a nice romantic walk with her.
On the walk, I saw this gangly spider hanging from a tree...and then somehow it sort of started to swing towards me. I hate spiders, so I started backing away...and then I almost ran into some guy who was running. He was probably really mad, or thought it was really funny. I couldn't tell.
That is all. I am going to eat some snacks now.
Well, a lot of things are new: the new 2010 Honda Civic, a new perfume or something from Paris Hilton, a new little bird that has hatched from an egg, a new little bunch of sea turtles who have hatched from a bunch of little eggs and are now squirming down the beach to get in the water. Everyone wants to go swimming, it seems.
Also new is Charles' training schedule. I was once doing the 6 days a week training, with 1 day off, and that was okay, but I guess a lot of the time I didn't want to go run. Especially in the summer when Ben would try to push me out the door at 7 am. That was pretty early.
Well, I guess it wasn't that bad getting up early. It was actually sort of nice to get out there in the fresh morning air and what not, and sometimes fun stuff would happen, like finding a huge painting next to a dumpster and then carrying it a half mile home. Good stuff, it was.
The 6 days a week schedule sort of dissolved, and then about 3 weeks ago I had this idea of doing a 2 day on, 1 day off thing. It seemed like a good plan, like I could get in a bunch of miles by doing a 12-8 day and then a 15-5 day, followed by a lazy day off.
For some reason, I only did this for about one cycle (minus the second run of the day). I lasted a whole 2 days doing that schedule!
Now, for the past 2 weeks or so, I have been doing a 1 day on, 1 day off schedule, and have had very good luck with it. The runs I have seem to be much more enjoyable, and I always want to get out there and go far. The most recent runs have been 20, 12, 20, 20, 20, and then today I am planning on going 20 also. After 15 I usually stop and have a banana or a piece of bread with some peanut butter and honey, thus making the cool down 5 miles easier.
The other day I had a spectacular run! The 15 was done at a pretty good clip, like my legs were getting used to rolling for such long distances. Then I stopped for about 2.5 minutes to eat half of a banana, then say a person go by on rollerblades being pulled by a dog. I decided to go get them, and blazed the next mile. I decided to keep the pace up (as best as I could), and did the next 1.5 at a fast pace too. Then I turned around and cooled down 2.5. A good time it was! I got in a nice 15, a tempo, and a cool down, all in one run!
Today, I went out for a 20 miler, and wanted to get in some fast miles, so after 5.5 miles I started picking it up. I eventually picked it up and up and finished off with a very fast mile, probably the fastest mile I have run this year (not that I have ever ran a flat out mile, but I was very satisfied with the time). After 17, I met Lisa at the car to refuel with a small orange and part of a banana...was going to go 3 more, but then decided just to have a nice romantic walk with her.
On the walk, I saw this gangly spider hanging from a tree...and then somehow it sort of started to swing towards me. I hate spiders, so I started backing away...and then I almost ran into some guy who was running. He was probably really mad, or thought it was really funny. I couldn't tell.
That is all. I am going to eat some snacks now.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Cake, Pic, Search
Yesterday evening I made a cake. A buttermilk cake, it was.
I basically ate half of the cake in one sitting! Lisa had maybe 2 pieces...I had like 6. What on earth?
So, I felt pretty guilty and fat for about 3 minutes, but then I realized that buttermilk cake is not really that unhealthy. It only uses a cup of flour (400 calories) and 1/3 cup of sugar. The rest is milk, buttermilk, stuff like that.
You should make it. I found the recipe in a Cooking Light cookbook...I can supply it if you want me to.
•••••
There is some stuff about Iron Gym at this site:
IRON GYM
They sell it for $40. You can get it at Bed Bath and Beyond for $30.
•••••
I am searching for a place to live in Santa Clarita. Probably will rent a room in someone's house. Just found a really nice one for the reasonable rate of $500 a month. They sound like good people, and it is only 1.5 miles from campus. Maybe that's where I will end up.
I basically ate half of the cake in one sitting! Lisa had maybe 2 pieces...I had like 6. What on earth?
So, I felt pretty guilty and fat for about 3 minutes, but then I realized that buttermilk cake is not really that unhealthy. It only uses a cup of flour (400 calories) and 1/3 cup of sugar. The rest is milk, buttermilk, stuff like that.
You should make it. I found the recipe in a Cooking Light cookbook...I can supply it if you want me to.
•••••
There is some stuff about Iron Gym at this site:
IRON GYM
They sell it for $40. You can get it at Bed Bath and Beyond for $30.
•••••
I am searching for a place to live in Santa Clarita. Probably will rent a room in someone's house. Just found a really nice one for the reasonable rate of $500 a month. They sound like good people, and it is only 1.5 miles from campus. Maybe that's where I will end up.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Running Every Other Day, Iron Gym
So, I have this idea where I could just run every other day, but have those runs be of higher quality and of higher mileage. For instance, I would run 12 and then have a day off, then 15 and a day off, then 20+ and a day off. The 12 miler would be at a quick-ish pace, the 15 at a good pace, and the 20+ at a slow pace.
How do you think this plan would work?
When I find a place to swim and get a bike, I think this plan would be awesome...on the days that I would not run, I could get in swimming and biking...
•••••
I bought an iron gym, that thing that you can rig up in the doorway and do pullups on.
And it works wonderfully! Since I do not have access to a bar, getting the Iron Gym was probably the best idea I've had in a while!
Plus, it is portable. I can take it on vacation if I wanted to.
How do you think this plan would work?
When I find a place to swim and get a bike, I think this plan would be awesome...on the days that I would not run, I could get in swimming and biking...
•••••
I bought an iron gym, that thing that you can rig up in the doorway and do pullups on.
And it works wonderfully! Since I do not have access to a bar, getting the Iron Gym was probably the best idea I've had in a while!
Plus, it is portable. I can take it on vacation if I wanted to.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Stuff
It has been a long while since I have last posted something. I always start with this line. Lately, it has been true.
I have been running. It is fun. I am trying to do a little thing where I do 2 days on, 1 off. Ideally, I would want to get in a 12 miler and a 15 miler, and maybe throw in some evening runs. I would get rest every 3 days rather than every 7. That seems like a good thing to do.
I don't know what I should train for. I was thinking about training to run a fast marathon in the fall, but that isn't that fun. It is more fun to go run out in the forest or something. So, maybe I will run the marathon anyway, but might set my goals on completing a 50 miler or so in November. If Ben gets to do one, we should all.
So, Ben, how is your training going? Actually, you sort of told me on the phone. You are getting prepped for the North Face Endurance 50? You can complete that with no problem. You are a person to run far.
And you, Abby, how is everything? Going to run a race sometime? Getting your pullup PR up there?
That is all for now. I will try to post more frequently now, which shouldn't be a problem, since I now have internet access.
I have been running. It is fun. I am trying to do a little thing where I do 2 days on, 1 off. Ideally, I would want to get in a 12 miler and a 15 miler, and maybe throw in some evening runs. I would get rest every 3 days rather than every 7. That seems like a good thing to do.
I don't know what I should train for. I was thinking about training to run a fast marathon in the fall, but that isn't that fun. It is more fun to go run out in the forest or something. So, maybe I will run the marathon anyway, but might set my goals on completing a 50 miler or so in November. If Ben gets to do one, we should all.
So, Ben, how is your training going? Actually, you sort of told me on the phone. You are getting prepped for the North Face Endurance 50? You can complete that with no problem. You are a person to run far.
And you, Abby, how is everything? Going to run a race sometime? Getting your pullup PR up there?
That is all for now. I will try to post more frequently now, which shouldn't be a problem, since I now have internet access.
Friday, July 10, 2009
New Stuff
Some new stuff:
1) Speedwork
I really haven't done too much speed work the past 2 years, so now I am getting back into it. On Tuesdays I do mile repeats or something, and Thursday I do a tempo run. That is a good plan, I think.
2) Long Beach Marathon
I have decided to run the LBM in October. I started 14 weeks before the race date. That is plenty of time. I think I will do okay, probably within 5 minutes of my PR from years ago. Maybe even faster?
3) Weighted Backpack
I did some pullups today with a pack filled with around 15 pounds of stuff. Also, I did some dips with the pack too. I might use a pack on Fridays. Maybe it will help me gain some mass.
That is all for now. Just thought I would write something because I haven't written for a while now...
1) Speedwork
I really haven't done too much speed work the past 2 years, so now I am getting back into it. On Tuesdays I do mile repeats or something, and Thursday I do a tempo run. That is a good plan, I think.
2) Long Beach Marathon
I have decided to run the LBM in October. I started 14 weeks before the race date. That is plenty of time. I think I will do okay, probably within 5 minutes of my PR from years ago. Maybe even faster?
3) Weighted Backpack
I did some pullups today with a pack filled with around 15 pounds of stuff. Also, I did some dips with the pack too. I might use a pack on Fridays. Maybe it will help me gain some mass.
That is all for now. Just thought I would write something because I haven't written for a while now...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Ben Signs Up for Ultra, Charles Thinks About AP
First of all, congrats to Ben for signing up for his first ultra! He is doing the North Face Endurance 50. The funny thing is, Ben has already run this distance...even farther! Once he did 75! What a crazy mo-fo!
•••••
My upper body is a little sore right now from the workout I did yesterday. It is a good feeling, though. Pain is when all that crappy weakness that clings to your muscles decides to leave the body. Get out, weakness!
Pullups are going really good. I found a new tree in the side yard that will work as a bar when I don't want to go to the school or park.
On the pushups, I am making sure to get all the way up. I think my form was slipping a little, so when I did supersets yesterday I usually dropped my chest to the ground, and then fully extended the arms.
•••••
I have this idea about running the Appalachian Trail (AP) sometime. It would definitely be very grueling and demanding, both physically and mentally, but I think it would be the best way that a summer could be spent.
Trek dates? Maybe start next May after school gets out...that will allow me 3.5 months. What would be awesome would be to finish in 3. For me, that is about as fast of a goal possible. 47 days is the record...Karl Meltzer did it in just about 56 days.
90 days, I think that would be a very challenging (and I would like to think do-able) goal. That is 24.2 miles a day.
Wow! Do you realize that anyone who does the AP is more badass than Dean Karnazes and his 50/50/50?
26.2 miles a day for 50 days...come on, Dean! How about 46 miles a day for 47 days (like Andrew Thompson in his 2005 AP record).
•••••
I also found out that Tom Unger has a goal of trekking the entire AP too! Sure, he has not been running that much, but he is a tremendous athlete and I am sure that in 11 months he could train and be ready for such a trek.
•••••
Yes, all of this seems very ____ (I don't know what word I am loooking for), but being out in nature for all that time just seems like a good idea.
•••••
Other cool trails include the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.
•••••
My upper body is a little sore right now from the workout I did yesterday. It is a good feeling, though. Pain is when all that crappy weakness that clings to your muscles decides to leave the body. Get out, weakness!
Pullups are going really good. I found a new tree in the side yard that will work as a bar when I don't want to go to the school or park.
On the pushups, I am making sure to get all the way up. I think my form was slipping a little, so when I did supersets yesterday I usually dropped my chest to the ground, and then fully extended the arms.
•••••
I have this idea about running the Appalachian Trail (AP) sometime. It would definitely be very grueling and demanding, both physically and mentally, but I think it would be the best way that a summer could be spent.
Trek dates? Maybe start next May after school gets out...that will allow me 3.5 months. What would be awesome would be to finish in 3. For me, that is about as fast of a goal possible. 47 days is the record...Karl Meltzer did it in just about 56 days.
90 days, I think that would be a very challenging (and I would like to think do-able) goal. That is 24.2 miles a day.
Wow! Do you realize that anyone who does the AP is more badass than Dean Karnazes and his 50/50/50?
26.2 miles a day for 50 days...come on, Dean! How about 46 miles a day for 47 days (like Andrew Thompson in his 2005 AP record).
•••••
I also found out that Tom Unger has a goal of trekking the entire AP too! Sure, he has not been running that much, but he is a tremendous athlete and I am sure that in 11 months he could train and be ready for such a trek.
•••••
Yes, all of this seems very ____ (I don't know what word I am loooking for), but being out in nature for all that time just seems like a good idea.
•••••
Other cool trails include the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Pegasus, 50 miles, Video?
For the new shoes, I got the Nike Pegasus. I got my first pair in 2004, and have sort of primarily used them, other than trail shoes and a couple other road shoes.
•••••
Running is going good this week. I should be at just about 50 for the week, which is a good showing, considering that last week I only had 6 miles!
•••••
I also thought up a really sweet workout that would be very challenging. Should I unveil it now? Or, I was thinking of making a video thing to post on youtube...the video, maybe that would reach more people?
And the huge ab workout, that really isn't mine Ben...it comes from Stew Smith's book Navy SEAL fitness...I like how you called it by my name though...when I do it, I always think of it as "That one really big challenging ab burning monstrosity workout that Anton showed me."
•••••
Running is going good this week. I should be at just about 50 for the week, which is a good showing, considering that last week I only had 6 miles!
•••••
I also thought up a really sweet workout that would be very challenging. Should I unveil it now? Or, I was thinking of making a video thing to post on youtube...the video, maybe that would reach more people?
And the huge ab workout, that really isn't mine Ben...it comes from Stew Smith's book Navy SEAL fitness...I like how you called it by my name though...when I do it, I always think of it as "That one really big challenging ab burning monstrosity workout that Anton showed me."
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Blech
I felt rather blech last week. I only ran 6 miles total.
:(
What the heck? What is with this low mileage for the week? I thought I was adding more mileage, and then I pull off a 6 mile week.
•••••
I ate part of 2 donuts tonight. They were spectacular!
•••••
Rogueing starts soon. I will be ready for it. It will be good exercise, walking up and down the rows.
•••••
Had some good, but infrequent PT sessions this past week. Pullups are going good. Did some supersets...they were all easy. Felt like I hadn't done anything.
•••••
This week will be the week when I start running everyday. It will be glorious!
Plus, I have some new running shoes...
OH SNAP!
:(
What the heck? What is with this low mileage for the week? I thought I was adding more mileage, and then I pull off a 6 mile week.
•••••
I ate part of 2 donuts tonight. They were spectacular!
•••••
Rogueing starts soon. I will be ready for it. It will be good exercise, walking up and down the rows.
•••••
Had some good, but infrequent PT sessions this past week. Pullups are going good. Did some supersets...they were all easy. Felt like I hadn't done anything.
•••••
This week will be the week when I start running everyday. It will be glorious!
Plus, I have some new running shoes...
OH SNAP!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Nebraska, Pullups, Running
I am back in Nebraska. It was a long journey back, beginning at 9 pm Hawaii time and ending 3 pm the next day Nebraska time. I don't want to figure out how many hours that was, but it was a long time. 15 hours or so, maybe.
On the trip over here, it was hard to sleep because my legs kept falling asleep. First, I had them propped up on the wall in front of me, but then I woke up about 30 minutes late with the legs tingling. Then, I brought both legs up on the seat, and buckled the ankles in to prevent the feet from slipping. It was actually really comfortable, and I could rest my head on my arms if I put the arms across my knees. But then I woke up about 30 minutes later with the legs feeling asleep again.
Then, I slouched way down in the seat, so that my back was pretty much on it and my neck was propped up against the back of the chair. This was alright for a while, but then my back started to hurt because it was being stretched or something.
So basically, I didn't get that much sleep. But it was all good. It is always all good.
*****
Pullups. I did a pullup workout last Friday after doing the supersets. The pullups felt sort of hard. It was all good though. Don't even worry about it. Don't.
Pullups are still my favorite though. I think. Abs and pushups are fun too...
*****
I have not been running that much, but right now I am not too worried about it. I had some quality runs last week, and then I had a couple days when I was getting ready to leave Hawaii and what not, so I didn't have much time to run, I guess. I could have pulled off a Dean Karnazes and have woken up at 4 am to go running, but I was not that worried about getting the miles in.
I guess I have sort of mellowed out. Mellow. That is a good word. This one girl at the Shave Ice place, she used that word. It sounds like a word you would use to describe the world when you are smoking pot. Marijuana.
"Dude, that's mellow," is what you would say.
So, I guess I am saying that I am like someone who smokes weed, except I don't.
On the trip over here, it was hard to sleep because my legs kept falling asleep. First, I had them propped up on the wall in front of me, but then I woke up about 30 minutes late with the legs tingling. Then, I brought both legs up on the seat, and buckled the ankles in to prevent the feet from slipping. It was actually really comfortable, and I could rest my head on my arms if I put the arms across my knees. But then I woke up about 30 minutes later with the legs feeling asleep again.
Then, I slouched way down in the seat, so that my back was pretty much on it and my neck was propped up against the back of the chair. This was alright for a while, but then my back started to hurt because it was being stretched or something.
So basically, I didn't get that much sleep. But it was all good. It is always all good.
*****
Pullups. I did a pullup workout last Friday after doing the supersets. The pullups felt sort of hard. It was all good though. Don't even worry about it. Don't.
Pullups are still my favorite though. I think. Abs and pushups are fun too...
*****
I have not been running that much, but right now I am not too worried about it. I had some quality runs last week, and then I had a couple days when I was getting ready to leave Hawaii and what not, so I didn't have much time to run, I guess. I could have pulled off a Dean Karnazes and have woken up at 4 am to go running, but I was not that worried about getting the miles in.
I guess I have sort of mellowed out. Mellow. That is a good word. This one girl at the Shave Ice place, she used that word. It sounds like a word you would use to describe the world when you are smoking pot. Marijuana.
"Dude, that's mellow," is what you would say.
So, I guess I am saying that I am like someone who smokes weed, except I don't.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Last Days in Hawaii, Mammoth Abs
I only have a couple days left here in Hawaii. It is sad!
:(
I have a sad face!
•••••
I posted a workout a bit back...the Mammoth Abs...maybe I didn't word it clearly enough...
This workout only has TWO sets. Each set is
Situp
Crunch
Reverse Crunch
Left Crunch
Right Crunch
Leg Lever
Flutter Kick
Half Situp
with no rest between each kind of ab exercise. So, if you do 20 of each, you do 160 abs without any rest! That's why it starts to burn. After you finish your last situp, immediately go into the Reverse Crunch, without any rest at all!
Then you take a 1 minute break and then do the 2nd big set...
This workout is, for me, one of the toughest...you can fell the burn like no other!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tempo Runs, Nuts...Again!, PT, Frosty.
Hello. This post was actually posted on Thursday night. But, it says Friday. It is because I didn't change the time zone when I came here to Hawaii.
I have been running. It has been good.
About a week ago I did my first tempo run in a while. Warmed up 2, tempo 3, cool down 3. It was hot out. It was in the afternoon. The tempo run went better than expected! Finished about 40 seconds faster than my goal time!
Did the same workout this week. Finished the tempo run 19 seconds faster than last week! Perhaps this is a sign of good things to come?
Ran some hills on Monday. Actually, it was one big hill. After about a mile, turned right on Aiea Heights road and ran for about 22 minutes. Could have gone another half mile to the park...where the incline keeps going and going. A big hill, it was! I guess some people refer them as mountains...but I think the highest peak is maybe 2,000 feet. Is that a mountain?
It was a week ago exactly when I had a nut binge. I bought some more today and ate quite a bit again. My stomach is sort of blech right now. When will I learn moderation?
PT is going good. Throwing down workouts like they are nothing. Did the same workout Monday and Wednesday. 2 big sets of abs. Ben, you know which one I am talking about. For you, Abby, here is the monster ab workout. You could cut the numbers in half, but try to do 2 sets, with a minute of rest between:
40 regular situps
40 crunches
40 reverse crunches
40 left side
40 right side
40 leg levers
50 flutter kicks
40 half-situps
That is 330 in one set! Just don't think of how many you are doing.
Now, do it again.
My hip flexors were really sore on Tuesday, but when I did the workout again on Wednesday they felt okay.
Getting excited for another PFT in about ten days! The run, I think it will go awesomely! I'm thinking I can improve by 30-40 seconds...
Anton brought home Frosties from Wendy's. Boy, are they good! They soothe the stomach. They soothe the intestines.
I am not worried about the amount of sugar in the Frosty. It is good, and it is the only thing that is appetizing right now. I ate some ice cream earlier. The stomach needs cooling, sweet stuff.
Nuts = bad.
But I am going to eat more tomorrow...
I have been running. It has been good.
About a week ago I did my first tempo run in a while. Warmed up 2, tempo 3, cool down 3. It was hot out. It was in the afternoon. The tempo run went better than expected! Finished about 40 seconds faster than my goal time!
Did the same workout this week. Finished the tempo run 19 seconds faster than last week! Perhaps this is a sign of good things to come?
Ran some hills on Monday. Actually, it was one big hill. After about a mile, turned right on Aiea Heights road and ran for about 22 minutes. Could have gone another half mile to the park...where the incline keeps going and going. A big hill, it was! I guess some people refer them as mountains...but I think the highest peak is maybe 2,000 feet. Is that a mountain?
It was a week ago exactly when I had a nut binge. I bought some more today and ate quite a bit again. My stomach is sort of blech right now. When will I learn moderation?
PT is going good. Throwing down workouts like they are nothing. Did the same workout Monday and Wednesday. 2 big sets of abs. Ben, you know which one I am talking about. For you, Abby, here is the monster ab workout. You could cut the numbers in half, but try to do 2 sets, with a minute of rest between:
40 regular situps
40 crunches
40 reverse crunches
40 left side
40 right side
40 leg levers
50 flutter kicks
40 half-situps
That is 330 in one set! Just don't think of how many you are doing.
Now, do it again.
My hip flexors were really sore on Tuesday, but when I did the workout again on Wednesday they felt okay.
Getting excited for another PFT in about ten days! The run, I think it will go awesomely! I'm thinking I can improve by 30-40 seconds...
Anton brought home Frosties from Wendy's. Boy, are they good! They soothe the stomach. They soothe the intestines.
I am not worried about the amount of sugar in the Frosty. It is good, and it is the only thing that is appetizing right now. I ate some ice cream earlier. The stomach needs cooling, sweet stuff.
Nuts = bad.
But I am going to eat more tomorrow...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
PFT, Nuts, Exciting
Hello to you, people who read this blog! Hello!
Yesterday I decided to get serious and started up the 12 week program again.
The first workout was a PFT...and it went SPECTACULARLY! Is that "spectacularly" correct? Don't you use an adverb in this case? Who even knows...
The swim went pretty good, having not swam since last summer. 500 yards, it was. My triceps were really burning the last 100 or so, but that is all good. Pushups, Anton and I busted out some pretty huge numbers! I actually got the most pushups in 2 minutes that I have ever gotten! Although, some of the last ones may not have been perfect...situps were pretty good...felt the burn...pullups went good too! Kept cranking them out even though I was tired. The run, that went pretty great also! It took a little while to get into the faster pace, but after the turn-around, I felt really really good! Am looking forward to more PFTs to come...another in a couple of weeks, right before I come back to Nebraska, so then I can tell you how much progress I have made!
•••••
For some reason, whenever I buy a can of nuts, I end up eating the whole thing within 24 hours. I take a handful here, a handful there. (To be grammatically correct, it should actually read "take an handful here, an handful there).
And then, last night, I was playing xBox and wanted some snacks...so, I grab the can of nuts. Before I know it, the whole thing is pretty much empty!
Basically, the story goes like this: this morning's run was not that fun. Roughage...it will really tear you up!
So, today I am staying away from the roughage. Just little changes: ate Honey Bunches of Oats instead of oatmeal for breakfast...a quesadilla and green beans for lunch...cereal as a snack, made some tortillas later...
•••••
I should be posting more often now...I think that I will! I will try to think of exciting things to say!
Here are some exciting things from Tuesday's run: saw a gecko on a stone wall; saw a bunch of Bird of Paradise plants.
Exciting, no?
Yesterday I decided to get serious and started up the 12 week program again.
The first workout was a PFT...and it went SPECTACULARLY! Is that "spectacularly" correct? Don't you use an adverb in this case? Who even knows...
The swim went pretty good, having not swam since last summer. 500 yards, it was. My triceps were really burning the last 100 or so, but that is all good. Pushups, Anton and I busted out some pretty huge numbers! I actually got the most pushups in 2 minutes that I have ever gotten! Although, some of the last ones may not have been perfect...situps were pretty good...felt the burn...pullups went good too! Kept cranking them out even though I was tired. The run, that went pretty great also! It took a little while to get into the faster pace, but after the turn-around, I felt really really good! Am looking forward to more PFTs to come...another in a couple of weeks, right before I come back to Nebraska, so then I can tell you how much progress I have made!
•••••
For some reason, whenever I buy a can of nuts, I end up eating the whole thing within 24 hours. I take a handful here, a handful there. (To be grammatically correct, it should actually read "take an handful here, an handful there).
And then, last night, I was playing xBox and wanted some snacks...so, I grab the can of nuts. Before I know it, the whole thing is pretty much empty!
Basically, the story goes like this: this morning's run was not that fun. Roughage...it will really tear you up!
So, today I am staying away from the roughage. Just little changes: ate Honey Bunches of Oats instead of oatmeal for breakfast...a quesadilla and green beans for lunch...cereal as a snack, made some tortillas later...
•••••
I should be posting more often now...I think that I will! I will try to think of exciting things to say!
Here are some exciting things from Tuesday's run: saw a gecko on a stone wall; saw a bunch of Bird of Paradise plants.
Exciting, no?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Things
Here are some answers to some things:
1) To add a link, highlight whatever and then click up on the icon that looks like a chain over a greenish ball, at the top of the pane to the left of the text justification thinger. That is how you can be like "hey, click HERE," and it will take you someplace awesome.
2) As for a swimming program, I do not know what I will follow. I plan to get back in the pool next week. Hickam has a pool that I can go swim at...and also they have an area where people can open water swim. That would be good, I think, and fun, too, with the waves and stuff.
3) I have been getting in a medium to high amount of PT. My pullup max is at about 90% of where it was in December, so that is good. I have been cranking out big sets of pushups and abs too, so it is all good.
•••••
Today I might have felt a little weak or something, maybe from a sickness of some sort, but not enough to really get me down. I did a little tempo-type run at 7:00 am, so that is good. It was a good start to the day.
I have been playing a lot of Mafia Wars on facebook. It is awesome...except that it starts to become addictive and you end up spending way too much time doing it...so maybe don't even start!
•••••
Last year's winner of the Hawaii Ironman busted out a 2:45 marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112! That is simply INCREDIBLE!
•••••
Peace out.
1) To add a link, highlight whatever and then click up on the icon that looks like a chain over a greenish ball, at the top of the pane to the left of the text justification thinger. That is how you can be like "hey, click HERE," and it will take you someplace awesome.
2) As for a swimming program, I do not know what I will follow. I plan to get back in the pool next week. Hickam has a pool that I can go swim at...and also they have an area where people can open water swim. That would be good, I think, and fun, too, with the waves and stuff.
3) I have been getting in a medium to high amount of PT. My pullup max is at about 90% of where it was in December, so that is good. I have been cranking out big sets of pushups and abs too, so it is all good.
•••••
Today I might have felt a little weak or something, maybe from a sickness of some sort, but not enough to really get me down. I did a little tempo-type run at 7:00 am, so that is good. It was a good start to the day.
I have been playing a lot of Mafia Wars on facebook. It is awesome...except that it starts to become addictive and you end up spending way too much time doing it...so maybe don't even start!
•••••
Last year's winner of the Hawaii Ironman busted out a 2:45 marathon after swimming 2.4 miles and biking 112! That is simply INCREDIBLE!
•••••
Peace out.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Disaster Oatmeal. Training Philosophy.
I made oatmeal today and added a bunch of stuff to it. It was Disaster Oatmeal.
Yes, I am actually eating it right now. It is edible; it just tastes not that good.
This is what made it a disaster:
1) Cooking oatmeal with plain water and a bit of green tea that was left over in the pan.
2) Adding too much cinnamon.
3) Adding too much nutmeg. TOO MUCH! WAY TOO MUCH!
4) Making the poor decision of throwing in chocolate whey protein. It did not mix well with the splash of citrusy juice.
This is a recipe for oatmeal that you should not make. Take my word...you will not want to eat it.
•••••
The second part of this entry was added because I found this link very interesting and informative:
CLICK HERE
I like a lot of the points this swimming coach makes. It just seems that this stuff he writes encompasses everything. Maybe we all could develop a similar attitude about our training.
Yes, I am actually eating it right now. It is edible; it just tastes not that good.
This is what made it a disaster:
1) Cooking oatmeal with plain water and a bit of green tea that was left over in the pan.
2) Adding too much cinnamon.
3) Adding too much nutmeg. TOO MUCH! WAY TOO MUCH!
4) Making the poor decision of throwing in chocolate whey protein. It did not mix well with the splash of citrusy juice.
This is a recipe for oatmeal that you should not make. Take my word...you will not want to eat it.
•••••
The second part of this entry was added because I found this link very interesting and informative:
CLICK HERE
I like a lot of the points this swimming coach makes. It just seems that this stuff he writes encompasses everything. Maybe we all could develop a similar attitude about our training.
Day Off
It was a planned day off from running. I decided to do some PT, so I did some pushups and situps in the morning.
In the afternoon I was going to bike to the park to do pullups, but then decided that my legs wanted to rest after yesterday's bike ride. So, I didn't go to the park. I can do that tomorrow...
So from now on, I think Monday will be a day off. No activity...just sitting around.
In the afternoon I was going to bike to the park to do pullups, but then decided that my legs wanted to rest after yesterday's bike ride. So, I didn't go to the park. I can do that tomorrow...
So from now on, I think Monday will be a day off. No activity...just sitting around.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Biking, Oatmeal, Triathlon, Dessert
I have been biking a bit. Trying to get the biking mileage up a bit. Went 18.2 miles today. A good time! The quads are less sore after each ride...that is a good sign.
•••••
I have been eating oatmeal a lot. It is good. Today I made some really good oatmeal. You probably won't think it is good. Here it is:
1) Old Fashioned Oatmeal made with milk.
2) Throw in some cinnamon. A lot of it. It is a good anti-oxidant.
3) Throw in some nutmeg. However much you want.
4) Throw in a teaspoon or so of Gatorade powder.
5) Throw in some kind of juice.
6) Throw in some walnuts or something like that.
7) Stir it all together.
This may not sound good, but it actually is. Try it! Yum yum!
•••••
This stuff about biking, it is because I want to do a triathlon. I actually found one that looks spectacular, plus it is really close to where I will be going to school.
It is actually a half-iron man distance, which means that I will need to prepare myself for a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run. Right now, the bike is all I am worried about. I am confident that within a month of swimming I can do the 1.2 regularly.
I need to get some speed up, too. Today I ran 6 miles, and threw in a 6:41 mile...it was sort of hard to stay at that pace...
•••••
It is all good here in Hawaii. Anton and I went to the beach yesterday...an AWESOME time! There was some kind of Navy band picnic going on, so there was a TON of FREE FOOD! When dressing a bun and looking for meat to put on it, I found VEGGIE BURGERS! I really like veggie burgers, and I am trying to eat extra healthy, so I got one of those bad boys. It was amazing! Plus I had some chips...and then 4 servings of various desserts...I hadn't had anything sweet for a while, so the dessert was needed in large amounts.
•••••
That is all for now. Stay classy.
•••••
I have been eating oatmeal a lot. It is good. Today I made some really good oatmeal. You probably won't think it is good. Here it is:
1) Old Fashioned Oatmeal made with milk.
2) Throw in some cinnamon. A lot of it. It is a good anti-oxidant.
3) Throw in some nutmeg. However much you want.
4) Throw in a teaspoon or so of Gatorade powder.
5) Throw in some kind of juice.
6) Throw in some walnuts or something like that.
7) Stir it all together.
This may not sound good, but it actually is. Try it! Yum yum!
•••••
This stuff about biking, it is because I want to do a triathlon. I actually found one that looks spectacular, plus it is really close to where I will be going to school.
It is actually a half-iron man distance, which means that I will need to prepare myself for a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run. Right now, the bike is all I am worried about. I am confident that within a month of swimming I can do the 1.2 regularly.
I need to get some speed up, too. Today I ran 6 miles, and threw in a 6:41 mile...it was sort of hard to stay at that pace...
•••••
It is all good here in Hawaii. Anton and I went to the beach yesterday...an AWESOME time! There was some kind of Navy band picnic going on, so there was a TON of FREE FOOD! When dressing a bun and looking for meat to put on it, I found VEGGIE BURGERS! I really like veggie burgers, and I am trying to eat extra healthy, so I got one of those bad boys. It was amazing! Plus I had some chips...and then 4 servings of various desserts...I hadn't had anything sweet for a while, so the dessert was needed in large amounts.
•••••
That is all for now. Stay classy.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
The Vomeros Got Me!
The Nike Vomeros got me! When I first purchased them, I read reviews of the shoe. People either loved them and thought they were the best shoe ever, or they said that they caused leg pain.
I first thought they were awesome, but after a couple runs in them, I have developed calf pain and arch pain...the arch pain came first, and I thought it was from hiking on Saturday, but then today after my run in the Vomeros, both calves hurt...they felt like I had run a marathon!
Nike did something to these shoes, and while I must say the cushioning is excellent, the crash pad on the heel has been made softer too...the result is that some runners' biomechanics will cause the heel to compress more than it needs to. That's where the pain (in my calves and arches) comes from.
To heck with the Vomeros. I should just stay with the Pegasus...or maybe try a different brand? Saucony is pretty good, but the cushioning seemed to leave after only 200 miles. Maybe Brooks? I have not tried Brooks before, but I did have a shirt from them and it worked pretty good.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Oatmeal Snackies
I want there to be an experiment here. What I want there to be is an experimentation with oatmeal, apple sauce, peanut butter, and some kind of sweetener.
The final product (after we test each other's creations) will be known as "Oatmeal Snackies," good for anytime snacks, post-run snacks, on-the-run snacks.
I like the minimalism of this snack. 4 ingredients is good. Or more...if there are raisins, cranberries, etc, then there will be more ingredients...but all the ingredients should be healthy!
Instead of making lunch today, I threw in a cup of oatmeal, then added apple sauce, peanut butter, and brown sugar...and boy, was it good! Other people might not think it is good, but I know Ben will. He has never been known to dislike any of the food I have prepared, no matter how awful it is.
Raw peanuts...that is another thing. Those are just plain disgusting.
As for me using brown sugar, is there anything else that could put used instead?
The final product (after we test each other's creations) will be known as "Oatmeal Snackies," good for anytime snacks, post-run snacks, on-the-run snacks.
I like the minimalism of this snack. 4 ingredients is good. Or more...if there are raisins, cranberries, etc, then there will be more ingredients...but all the ingredients should be healthy!
Instead of making lunch today, I threw in a cup of oatmeal, then added apple sauce, peanut butter, and brown sugar...and boy, was it good! Other people might not think it is good, but I know Ben will. He has never been known to dislike any of the food I have prepared, no matter how awful it is.
Raw peanuts...that is another thing. Those are just plain disgusting.
As for me using brown sugar, is there anything else that could put used instead?
Brew to Brew, Hawaii, Passion
Hello to you (you being those who read this blog).
I am back to blogging. It has been many days off, probably like 20 or so. There have been a lot of things that have happened:
1) Brew to Brew 44 Mile Ultra
I went down to Kansas City to run this race. It is 44 miles. Or 43...or 42. There were a lot of different things saying different stuff about how long it actually was.
This was my first ultra since September of 2007 (Bohemian Alps...remember that Ben? You thought it was hard running 7...then you ran 75 miles 6 months later! INCREDIBLE! (Speaking of that run, you said that you hallucinated and saw a little kid on the side of the road (which was actually a mile marker)...why do people always see little kids? I would want to see something like a giant gummy bear playing the bongos).
So it was good to be there and running.
MapQuest = Suck. For some reason I used mapquest instead of google maps, and guess what? I got lost driving to the race, and only got there 2 minutes before it started! I got out of the car, got my packet from this guy named Ryan (who I called the day before to pick up my packet...a nice guy to do that!), and then lined up at the start. I was still holding half of the packet there at the starting line. Dylan had the other half. The other half had the number, and I called to him to bring me the number, but he didn't hear or something. I carried my half of the packet for about 3 miles, then threw it in the trash...no way I was going to carry it for 44 miles!
The first half of the race was awesome, in 3:00, a little under my goal time of 6:30. Then, it started to rain. My jacket was manufactured in 1998 and doesn't repel water that great, so the water began to really soak into my skin. Between miles 22 and 32, my pace slowed incredibly as my core temperature began to drop. To make things worse, the course was marked pretty poorly, and at one point I came to an intersection...not knowing what way to go, I went straight...a half mile later was another intersection...but I didn't see anyone in front of me or behind me...so I retraced my steps back to the first intersection...I ran into someone there, and asked which way to go.
Evidently, I had been going in the right direction before I turned around! So, cold, wet, and now cursing the un-markedness of the course, I plodded along, and along, and along.
There was a water crossing. They had rafts. They rafted us across.
My gloves were not water repellent at all, and just standing there in the raft prep and sitting the way across really made my fingers cold...everything was cold! Then I had to climb up a slippery, muddy bank to get back to where the course picked back up...
A half mile later there was a town...and an AID STATION! Dylan was supposed to meet me somewhere along the course to give me dry clothes, and he hadn't shown up yet (the course map was in the part of the packet I had with me at the start), so a volunteer was nice enough to let me use his phone...with a few calls I finally got ahold of Dylan and told him that I needed dry clothes. By this time, I was shivering and my teeth were chattering. The volunteer said I could go warm up in a bar while I waited.
That was the best thing that could have happened at that time, because right then it started snowing a little bit. Actually, it was more like small pieces of ice falling from the sky.
I was in the bar for about 30 minutes before Dylan showed up, but by that time I had given up on meeting a goal time. I changed clothes, then we both headed off down the road.
Those next 12 miles had a lot of walking breaks. At one point I thought my kidneys were hurting, like they were shutting down or something, but then I realized that my abs were sore too...that must have happened because I was clenched up from the cold for those 10 miles while it was raining and windy. Knowing that my kidneys were fine was enough to keep me going.
Reason to run the solo rather than the relay race: you get special treatment. At the last aid station around mile 38 or 39, there was a crappy table with just water on it. I asked where the gatorade was, and they said they didn't have any. I said "what?" sort of harshly, and then they asked if I was a solo runner. When they found out that I was, they led me to a special table that had all sorts of goodies: peanut butter sandwiches, fig newtons, trail mix, gummy things, coke, etc. It was awesome! Running solo is definately the way to go!
The last 5 miles were crazy! For some reason, the trail was built on a levee-type thing that was 10+ feet above the surrounding land...and that meant the wind (probably 35 mph) was always blowing on the runner. To make things worse, the last 5 miles were on a semi-circle...so when we started, the wind was blowing from the side...and then from the front! Walking was almost as fast as running, for the ultra runners, that is. The people running in their teams of 10 were blazing by. Well...when you only run 4 miles, you probably can run fast into the wind.
I finished the run in 7:45...a little slower than my slowest goal pace (7:00), but still good. It doesn't really matter about time, anyway, unless you are going for the win. By the way, a 23 year old kid won in 5:11! Wow!
I don't know if I would run the Brew to Brew again. I almost got lost a couple times, and did get lost once...plus the post-race dinner was not included in the entry fee. So, when looking for a ride back to the car, Dylan and I just had to sit there while everyone else ate and ate and laughed. I sat there hanging my head and wishing that I could have some food.
Looking back, I should have just gone and gotten some food. Yes, it is sort of dishonest, but I should have anyway. I SHOULD HAVE!
2) Hawaii
Now I am in Hawaii. It is grandiose! Ran on a sweet trail a couple times, have gone to the beach...fun times. The running is not as often now, but it is good to take time off. Once May hits, then I am going to start training like no other.
3) Passion
I was scared the other day that I had lost my passion for running. But no! It was just waiting to come back stronger than ever!
A lot of people run the Boston Marathon and think it is the pinnacle of running. Well, for them, it is. But for me, I don't think there ever will be a point where I will feel that there is nothing left in running for me.
I don't care about my times now. Sure, it felt good to go fast two years ago, but now...now I am enjoying running for simply the act of getting out there.
Well, that is all for now...I hope you all have been good since I last read your blogs...can't wait to read them again!
Run on!
I am back to blogging. It has been many days off, probably like 20 or so. There have been a lot of things that have happened:
1) Brew to Brew 44 Mile Ultra
I went down to Kansas City to run this race. It is 44 miles. Or 43...or 42. There were a lot of different things saying different stuff about how long it actually was.
This was my first ultra since September of 2007 (Bohemian Alps...remember that Ben? You thought it was hard running 7...then you ran 75 miles 6 months later! INCREDIBLE! (Speaking of that run, you said that you hallucinated and saw a little kid on the side of the road (which was actually a mile marker)...why do people always see little kids? I would want to see something like a giant gummy bear playing the bongos).
So it was good to be there and running.
MapQuest = Suck. For some reason I used mapquest instead of google maps, and guess what? I got lost driving to the race, and only got there 2 minutes before it started! I got out of the car, got my packet from this guy named Ryan (who I called the day before to pick up my packet...a nice guy to do that!), and then lined up at the start. I was still holding half of the packet there at the starting line. Dylan had the other half. The other half had the number, and I called to him to bring me the number, but he didn't hear or something. I carried my half of the packet for about 3 miles, then threw it in the trash...no way I was going to carry it for 44 miles!
The first half of the race was awesome, in 3:00, a little under my goal time of 6:30. Then, it started to rain. My jacket was manufactured in 1998 and doesn't repel water that great, so the water began to really soak into my skin. Between miles 22 and 32, my pace slowed incredibly as my core temperature began to drop. To make things worse, the course was marked pretty poorly, and at one point I came to an intersection...not knowing what way to go, I went straight...a half mile later was another intersection...but I didn't see anyone in front of me or behind me...so I retraced my steps back to the first intersection...I ran into someone there, and asked which way to go.
Evidently, I had been going in the right direction before I turned around! So, cold, wet, and now cursing the un-markedness of the course, I plodded along, and along, and along.
There was a water crossing. They had rafts. They rafted us across.
My gloves were not water repellent at all, and just standing there in the raft prep and sitting the way across really made my fingers cold...everything was cold! Then I had to climb up a slippery, muddy bank to get back to where the course picked back up...
A half mile later there was a town...and an AID STATION! Dylan was supposed to meet me somewhere along the course to give me dry clothes, and he hadn't shown up yet (the course map was in the part of the packet I had with me at the start), so a volunteer was nice enough to let me use his phone...with a few calls I finally got ahold of Dylan and told him that I needed dry clothes. By this time, I was shivering and my teeth were chattering. The volunteer said I could go warm up in a bar while I waited.
That was the best thing that could have happened at that time, because right then it started snowing a little bit. Actually, it was more like small pieces of ice falling from the sky.
I was in the bar for about 30 minutes before Dylan showed up, but by that time I had given up on meeting a goal time. I changed clothes, then we both headed off down the road.
Those next 12 miles had a lot of walking breaks. At one point I thought my kidneys were hurting, like they were shutting down or something, but then I realized that my abs were sore too...that must have happened because I was clenched up from the cold for those 10 miles while it was raining and windy. Knowing that my kidneys were fine was enough to keep me going.
Reason to run the solo rather than the relay race: you get special treatment. At the last aid station around mile 38 or 39, there was a crappy table with just water on it. I asked where the gatorade was, and they said they didn't have any. I said "what?" sort of harshly, and then they asked if I was a solo runner. When they found out that I was, they led me to a special table that had all sorts of goodies: peanut butter sandwiches, fig newtons, trail mix, gummy things, coke, etc. It was awesome! Running solo is definately the way to go!
The last 5 miles were crazy! For some reason, the trail was built on a levee-type thing that was 10+ feet above the surrounding land...and that meant the wind (probably 35 mph) was always blowing on the runner. To make things worse, the last 5 miles were on a semi-circle...so when we started, the wind was blowing from the side...and then from the front! Walking was almost as fast as running, for the ultra runners, that is. The people running in their teams of 10 were blazing by. Well...when you only run 4 miles, you probably can run fast into the wind.
I finished the run in 7:45...a little slower than my slowest goal pace (7:00), but still good. It doesn't really matter about time, anyway, unless you are going for the win. By the way, a 23 year old kid won in 5:11! Wow!
I don't know if I would run the Brew to Brew again. I almost got lost a couple times, and did get lost once...plus the post-race dinner was not included in the entry fee. So, when looking for a ride back to the car, Dylan and I just had to sit there while everyone else ate and ate and laughed. I sat there hanging my head and wishing that I could have some food.
Looking back, I should have just gone and gotten some food. Yes, it is sort of dishonest, but I should have anyway. I SHOULD HAVE!
2) Hawaii
Now I am in Hawaii. It is grandiose! Ran on a sweet trail a couple times, have gone to the beach...fun times. The running is not as often now, but it is good to take time off. Once May hits, then I am going to start training like no other.
3) Passion
I was scared the other day that I had lost my passion for running. But no! It was just waiting to come back stronger than ever!
A lot of people run the Boston Marathon and think it is the pinnacle of running. Well, for them, it is. But for me, I don't think there ever will be a point where I will feel that there is nothing left in running for me.
I don't care about my times now. Sure, it felt good to go fast two years ago, but now...now I am enjoying running for simply the act of getting out there.
Well, that is all for now...I hope you all have been good since I last read your blogs...can't wait to read them again!
Run on!
Friday, April 3, 2009
In Midst of the Taper
Hello to you, those who read this blog!
It is a grandiose day here, with the sun shining and no wind, so it looks like it should be about 60 degrees out. Well, it is not quite that warm...actually it is just around 32, but the sun makes everything seem a lot better. I woke up excited and in a great mood!
The taper has been going okay, but not as planned. Last week I had a 30 miler on Monday followed by 8 on Tuesday; my legs felt great on both runs...a good sign! Then I really didn't run at all for the rest of the week, due to the trip to Maryland. This week I ran 4 on Monday (legs felt sluggish and stiff!), and 8 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today I might go out and run 3 miles or so; the same tomorrow.
The past two days I had felt tired and what not, but now I am beginning to feel back in the game. Maybe it is because I ate about 7 brownies last night?
There might be a blizzard coming, but I am not sure. I heard some people talk about getting 6 to 8 inches of snow, but maybe they live somewhere else. Maybe they live in Nunavut, where there is always a lot of snow.
Regardless, the race is going to be SWEET! I am much more prepared for this run than I was for the super long run in March of 2008. Ben, you can attest to the fact that I was not ready for that one. My mileage had rarely exceeded 60 a week, and my long runs were sporadic...but I got through it, though...
This year, I am ready to get out there and run! I think it will be a lot of fun. I was a little bit nervous about it, but when I woke up this morning, all those emotions were gone. Now, I just need to make sure I don't go run 16 miles today...I will probably want to, so I will have to be extra certain to only go 3.
Well, that is all for now. Maybe there will be another post before the run...if not, wish me luck!
Run, run, run!
It is a grandiose day here, with the sun shining and no wind, so it looks like it should be about 60 degrees out. Well, it is not quite that warm...actually it is just around 32, but the sun makes everything seem a lot better. I woke up excited and in a great mood!
The taper has been going okay, but not as planned. Last week I had a 30 miler on Monday followed by 8 on Tuesday; my legs felt great on both runs...a good sign! Then I really didn't run at all for the rest of the week, due to the trip to Maryland. This week I ran 4 on Monday (legs felt sluggish and stiff!), and 8 on Tuesday and Wednesday. Today I might go out and run 3 miles or so; the same tomorrow.
The past two days I had felt tired and what not, but now I am beginning to feel back in the game. Maybe it is because I ate about 7 brownies last night?
There might be a blizzard coming, but I am not sure. I heard some people talk about getting 6 to 8 inches of snow, but maybe they live somewhere else. Maybe they live in Nunavut, where there is always a lot of snow.
Regardless, the race is going to be SWEET! I am much more prepared for this run than I was for the super long run in March of 2008. Ben, you can attest to the fact that I was not ready for that one. My mileage had rarely exceeded 60 a week, and my long runs were sporadic...but I got through it, though...
This year, I am ready to get out there and run! I think it will be a lot of fun. I was a little bit nervous about it, but when I woke up this morning, all those emotions were gone. Now, I just need to make sure I don't go run 16 miles today...I will probably want to, so I will have to be extra certain to only go 3.
Well, that is all for now. Maybe there will be another post before the run...if not, wish me luck!
Run, run, run!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tractor Pulling Something
I have been doing some running. I ran 8 miles today. I saw a tractor pulling something that was tilling the field. The field was being tilled. The field, it was something that was being tilled. Tilled, was the field. By the tractor.
I have been doing some PT. I like to do PT. Abs, pushups mostly last week, because I was on a trip and didn't have pullup or dip bars. Getting some good numbers on pullups! Good numbers on everything!
The run is on Sunday. 44 miles of fun. The theme for the race is "Pass the Bunny" (as the relay people are supposed to use a bunny as a baton), so I was thinking that I would carry a bunny or put on some bunny ears or something. Any ideas?
I go to Hawaii next week! Hooray! I am going to have fun there. I am going to enjoy the nice weather. The HURT 100 course is right there, so maybe I will get on that 20 mile loop and run it. Maybe quite often. I like to run. Running is good. There are fun things to see while running.
I saw a tractor today. That is fun. Almost too fun.
I have been doing some PT. I like to do PT. Abs, pushups mostly last week, because I was on a trip and didn't have pullup or dip bars. Getting some good numbers on pullups! Good numbers on everything!
The run is on Sunday. 44 miles of fun. The theme for the race is "Pass the Bunny" (as the relay people are supposed to use a bunny as a baton), so I was thinking that I would carry a bunny or put on some bunny ears or something. Any ideas?
I go to Hawaii next week! Hooray! I am going to have fun there. I am going to enjoy the nice weather. The HURT 100 course is right there, so maybe I will get on that 20 mile loop and run it. Maybe quite often. I like to run. Running is good. There are fun things to see while running.
I saw a tractor today. That is fun. Almost too fun.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Blogging Again
My blog had become just a place to write down some random statistics about my workouts. So, I took some time off. Now, I feel pretty refreshed and all. Here is a recap of the past week:
Did a lot of 20 mile days. Had a 20 miler on Sunday, 20 miles on Tuesday, 10 on Wednesday, 20 on Thursday, and 20 on Friday. Took off Saturday and Sunday so that I could be fresh for my last long run until the 44 miler in about two weeks. Ran 30 this morning. Here is wrote in my log about the run:
A great long run! So much better than the 25 miler two weeks ago. On that run, I slogged through the last 5 miles at 9:20 pace...on today's run, I felt pretty good up until mile 25, and the last 5 were not too bad, probably at 8:30 pace. Feet started hurting a little bit during those last few miles. Must have been the pavement (18 of the 30 miles were on cement). The wind was out of control too! It blew at a constant 30+ miles per hour, gusting to 50! It helped sometimes, though, like on mile 17, when I ran a 6:30 mile. Wow! Haven't ran that fast in a while! Total time was 4:14:00. A very satisfying run!
When I got done with the run, there was a rabid dog lurking around the house, so I had to hide behind a small pine tree for a couple seconds, then sprint to the truck when the dog saw me. It started chasing me, as I thought it would. Had to jump into the back of the truck! Found a small club of about 12 inches in case I needed to defend myself, like if the dog jumped in the back of the truck with me. Fortunately, it got scared of me and the club, so it slunk away, defeated. What a strange way to end a 30 mile run!
Did a lot of 20 mile days. Had a 20 miler on Sunday, 20 miles on Tuesday, 10 on Wednesday, 20 on Thursday, and 20 on Friday. Took off Saturday and Sunday so that I could be fresh for my last long run until the 44 miler in about two weeks. Ran 30 this morning. Here is wrote in my log about the run:
A great long run! So much better than the 25 miler two weeks ago. On that run, I slogged through the last 5 miles at 9:20 pace...on today's run, I felt pretty good up until mile 25, and the last 5 were not too bad, probably at 8:30 pace. Feet started hurting a little bit during those last few miles. Must have been the pavement (18 of the 30 miles were on cement). The wind was out of control too! It blew at a constant 30+ miles per hour, gusting to 50! It helped sometimes, though, like on mile 17, when I ran a 6:30 mile. Wow! Haven't ran that fast in a while! Total time was 4:14:00. A very satisfying run!
When I got done with the run, there was a rabid dog lurking around the house, so I had to hide behind a small pine tree for a couple seconds, then sprint to the truck when the dog saw me. It started chasing me, as I thought it would. Had to jump into the back of the truck! Found a small club of about 12 inches in case I needed to defend myself, like if the dog jumped in the back of the truck with me. Fortunately, it got scared of me and the club, so it slunk away, defeated. What a strange way to end a 30 mile run!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Definition of Yickensnack
Yickensnack is a word that was said when my brother and I were trying to increase our skills on the putting green. Yickensnack was the name of the game, and we had to go in a certain order. That is where the name comes from.
•••••
10 easy miles today. Started fast for the first half mile, but then got sort of tired and decided to run at a slower pace. Cold wind coming from the ESE. I almost didn't want to run anymore. Threw in 20 pushups at each mile. Crazy basset hound tried to run at me both times I passed it. The second time, I told it to "come on, come on!" But it didn't. It ran a little ways down the road and then slunk into the ditch. Saw a bunch of geese. There were probably about 3 or 4 flocks, but they were flying close together, so it looked like one big flock that was probably 3/4 mile long. Oh, geese! Funny things! That funny sound they make! Guah! Guah!
303 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
PT
Pullup Training Sets: 9 x 6 (middle 3 were chinups) = 54 total
20 pushups at each mile during 10 mile run = 200 total
9 x 30 abs, attempted all at once = 270. Had to take a break half way through the flutter kicks.
Overall, a pretty good day. Felt strong, and had the weakness leave the body.
•••••
10 easy miles today. Started fast for the first half mile, but then got sort of tired and decided to run at a slower pace. Cold wind coming from the ESE. I almost didn't want to run anymore. Threw in 20 pushups at each mile. Crazy basset hound tried to run at me both times I passed it. The second time, I told it to "come on, come on!" But it didn't. It ran a little ways down the road and then slunk into the ditch. Saw a bunch of geese. There were probably about 3 or 4 flocks, but they were flying close together, so it looked like one big flock that was probably 3/4 mile long. Oh, geese! Funny things! That funny sound they make! Guah! Guah!
303 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
PT
Pullup Training Sets: 9 x 6 (middle 3 were chinups) = 54 total
20 pushups at each mile during 10 mile run = 200 total
9 x 30 abs, attempted all at once = 270. Had to take a break half way through the flutter kicks.
Overall, a pretty good day. Felt strong, and had the weakness leave the body.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Yickensnack, Failure Pyramid
4:26 PM
10 miles
Q = 7, E = 5
Easy run. Almost didn't run because of the cold...but every time I say that I am not going to run because of the cold, I run anyway. Good thing, too, because today's run was pretty good. No lingering pain from Monday's long run, at least not too much. The quads sort of were a little sore, most notably the left one. Was happy to see that I finished in 1:20:50 (8:05 pace), even though I took a couple of short walking breaks and a quick pitstop. Hot tea really goes through you fast!
*****
Some PT:
Pullup Failure Pyramid: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, fail 9 with 7 (30 seconds between sets). Rest one minute, max set of 7. 59 total pullups.
x 3 pushup = 177 total
x 5 abs = 295 total
5, 10, 15, 20, 25 dips (30 second rest between sets) = 75 total
30 neck each
30 arm haulers
10 miles
Q = 7, E = 5
Easy run. Almost didn't run because of the cold...but every time I say that I am not going to run because of the cold, I run anyway. Good thing, too, because today's run was pretty good. No lingering pain from Monday's long run, at least not too much. The quads sort of were a little sore, most notably the left one. Was happy to see that I finished in 1:20:50 (8:05 pace), even though I took a couple of short walking breaks and a quick pitstop. Hot tea really goes through you fast!
*****
Some PT:
Pullup Failure Pyramid: 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, fail 9 with 7 (30 seconds between sets). Rest one minute, max set of 7. 59 total pullups.
x 3 pushup = 177 total
x 5 abs = 295 total
5, 10, 15, 20, 25 dips (30 second rest between sets) = 75 total
30 neck each
30 arm haulers
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Day off from Running, Good PT
Took the day off from running. Watched about 2 hours of The Office. Watched a documentary about the Navy SEALS in the evening. Practiced for 3 hours.
Did some PT:
5 max pullup sets, 90 seconds rest between each set: 20, 10, 7, 8, 6 = 51 total
9 x 30 abs = 270 total
9 x 25 push = 225 total
3 x 20 dips = 60 total
A good day. Ready and EXCITED to run tomorrow!
Did some PT:
5 max pullup sets, 90 seconds rest between each set: 20, 10, 7, 8, 6 = 51 total
9 x 30 abs = 270 total
9 x 25 push = 225 total
3 x 20 dips = 60 total
A good day. Ready and EXCITED to run tomorrow!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Graph, Long Run, etc.
I started using the online log RunningAhead.com and found out that you can set up all kinds of graphs and what not to view your progress. Upon making a graph of my past 3 months of training, I was glad to see how much progress I have made since the string of injuries of last fall and early winter, shown in the graph above.
This is why you should join RunningAhead. Cool graphs are fun and help you see how your training is going. Ndorfnz.com never had that.
Monday - 25 miles
7:00 AM
25 miles
Q = 8, E = 6
Nice long run! Was supposed to do this run yesterday, but didn't. It must have been the time change.
8 miles - 1:08:14 (8:32 pace)
Break - 9:03
12 miles - 1:44:12 (8:41 pace)
Break - 9:15
5 miles - 46:49 (9:22 pace)
Total - 3:57:35 = 9:31 pace
Ran the 12 miles in the Rucky Chuckies. They are too hardcore for gravel roads, so I had to run at the side of the road where the gravel is deep and where there were rocks and things, just so I could have a smooth ride.
191 miles of Fireroad B
12 miles on Rucky Chucky A
*****
Sunday - 0 miles
Was going to get up at 6 and run, but didn't. It must have been the daylight savings time that did me in. Only got up at 10:35 am. Lazy day. Did not run.
Finished out the week with 65 miles. Had I ran long, would have been at 90, but it is all good. I was going to take Monday and Tuesday off, but now, since Sunday was off, I will run long on Monday, take Tuesday off, and continue with training. Mileage for the week is affected, but miles gotten in overall is the same.
*****
Saturday - 5 miles
7:35 AM
5 miles
Q = 2, E = 7
Supposed to be a nice easy 6, but started to feel like crap after the 1st mile. Felt like how I felt that one time during the last miles of a 20 mile run. Was very hungry the whole time...maybe I just needed to eat more before the run.
Long run tomorrow...I know that it will go well. I have been getting enough rest, and eating plenty. Yesterday, I ate a lot of food, plus 2 plates of nachos when I got off work at 11 pm. My metabolism must be running on high, what with all the running. What I am going to do is feed the metabolic fire...feed it a lot!
*****
PT sets
Pushups and all kinds of abs
9 x 20 push = 180
9 x 30 abs = 270
Friday, March 6, 2009
A Great Run, A Not-So-Great Run
Friday: 14 miles
9:00 AM
12 miles
Great run today! Felt tired all yesterday, but I awoke fresh and ready to go. Planned on going 12 at an easy pace with some walking breaks, but just got into a fast trot and kept it up. On the way back, I threw in some faster running: 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 1/2 mile, 1/4 mile. Finished in 1:28:38 (7:24 pace...I think that's what my brother ran in 3rd grade). A great run! The fitness is coming back! Long pants and long sleeve shirt were almost too hot...but maybe the pants kept my legs warm, and therefore kept them loose.
Late PM
2 miles
Easy runs during work. Two half milers and one mile. Was not as fun as usual.
Did some PT:
Pullup Failure Pyramid (30 seconds between sets): 1-9, failed on 10th set with 6. A good effort! 51 total pullups.
Dips Pyramid: Twice the amount of pullup pyramid = 102 dips.
*****
Thursday: 10 miles
10:35 AM
10 miles
Nice easy run. Took walking breaks every 2.5 miles. Didn't care about time. When I got back it had been 1:25:37. I would have been satisfied with 1:30. Even 1:40. Just wanted to get the miles in. Might run 10 more later today.
*****
Ended up not going 10 more. Felt tired and in a foul mood in the afternoon. Drank a whole Arby's shake, though, so that made me feel a little better! :)
293 miles on Fireroad B
178 miles on Fireroad B
9:00 AM
12 miles
Great run today! Felt tired all yesterday, but I awoke fresh and ready to go. Planned on going 12 at an easy pace with some walking breaks, but just got into a fast trot and kept it up. On the way back, I threw in some faster running: 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile, 1 mile, 1/2 mile, 1/4 mile. Finished in 1:28:38 (7:24 pace...I think that's what my brother ran in 3rd grade). A great run! The fitness is coming back! Long pants and long sleeve shirt were almost too hot...but maybe the pants kept my legs warm, and therefore kept them loose.
Late PM
2 miles
Easy runs during work. Two half milers and one mile. Was not as fun as usual.
Did some PT:
Pullup Failure Pyramid (30 seconds between sets): 1-9, failed on 10th set with 6. A good effort! 51 total pullups.
Dips Pyramid: Twice the amount of pullup pyramid = 102 dips.
*****
Thursday: 10 miles
10:35 AM
10 miles
Nice easy run. Took walking breaks every 2.5 miles. Didn't care about time. When I got back it had been 1:25:37. I would have been satisfied with 1:30. Even 1:40. Just wanted to get the miles in. Might run 10 more later today.
*****
Ended up not going 10 more. Felt tired and in a foul mood in the afternoon. Drank a whole Arby's shake, though, so that made me feel a little better! :)
293 miles on Fireroad B
178 miles on Fireroad B
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Renaming of Blog, Good Runs
I have decided to rename the blog. It was Ultra Run, but now it is just ultra. As soon as I can, I am going to add cycling and swimming to my schedule. As soon as I can, I want to do some triathlons. As soon as I can, I want to do an Iron Man, The Canadian Death Race, Western States, stuff like that. Ultra.
*****
291 miles on Fireroad A
156 miles on Fireroad B
*****
Wednesday - 12 miles
4:02 PM
12 miles
6 miles out and back. Strong wind from the north. Didn't wear a watch; just ran. Trotted along and felt strong the whole time. A few short walking breaks. Finished in 1:32:37 (7:44 pace). Surprised that my pace was faster than 8 min a mile...a good day!
Saw a whole bunch of geese 2 miles from home. They were circling and looked like a patch of hornets. A flock of hornets? What do you call a group of those things?
Did some PT in the evening. Pullups on the stairs are making my knuckles sore, so I cut the 10 set workout to 3. 18 pullups, 90 pushup, 90 situp.
*****
Tuesday - 15 miles
8:02 AM
10 miles
Easy run. Ate some cereal beforehand so that I wouldn't feel drained during the run. Felt tired the last 2 miles anyway, though. Temperature was 28 with a 17 degree windchill. Thought a lot about different stuff during the run. Feel like things are getting worked out in my mind.
*****
1:40 PM
3 miles
Warm up 0.5 mile, 2 miles alternating 1 minute fast, 1 minute slow, cool down 0.5 miles.
20:54 total time.
7:10
6:33
7:10
*****
Late PM
2 miles
0.5 mile runs at 15 minute breaks, 1 mile at 30 minute break. First one did not feel that great. Last one felt awesome! Felt like a horse pulling a cart.
*****
291 miles on Fireroad A
156 miles on Fireroad B
*****
Wednesday - 12 miles
4:02 PM
12 miles
6 miles out and back. Strong wind from the north. Didn't wear a watch; just ran. Trotted along and felt strong the whole time. A few short walking breaks. Finished in 1:32:37 (7:44 pace). Surprised that my pace was faster than 8 min a mile...a good day!
Saw a whole bunch of geese 2 miles from home. They were circling and looked like a patch of hornets. A flock of hornets? What do you call a group of those things?
Did some PT in the evening. Pullups on the stairs are making my knuckles sore, so I cut the 10 set workout to 3. 18 pullups, 90 pushup, 90 situp.
*****
Tuesday - 15 miles
8:02 AM
10 miles
Easy run. Ate some cereal beforehand so that I wouldn't feel drained during the run. Felt tired the last 2 miles anyway, though. Temperature was 28 with a 17 degree windchill. Thought a lot about different stuff during the run. Feel like things are getting worked out in my mind.
*****
1:40 PM
3 miles
Warm up 0.5 mile, 2 miles alternating 1 minute fast, 1 minute slow, cool down 0.5 miles.
20:54 total time.
7:10
6:33
7:10
*****
Late PM
2 miles
0.5 mile runs at 15 minute breaks, 1 mile at 30 minute break. First one did not feel that great. Last one felt awesome! Felt like a horse pulling a cart.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Productive Day
11:30 AM
5 miles
Easy run. Was interested how my legs would feel after yesterday's long run. Windchill 9. Wind from SE. Ran east for 2.5 miles, then back. My arms got sort of hot on the way back. Legs felt good. Nice.
*****
4:00 PM
PT
10 sets of:
5 pullups
15 pushups
30 abs
15 pushups
Threw in lower body PT: 2 x 15 of heel raises, squats, dirty dogs, lunges.
Threw in crunches at every mile during 3 mile afternoon run. 4 x 25, 30, 35 = 360. Finished off with 3 or 4 x 15 dips (can't remember exact number), 20 fire haulers, 30 neck.
*****
4:40
3 miles
3 miles inside. At the end of each mile, threw in all 4 kinds of crunches.
*****
Practiced clarinet for 3.5 hours. Was going for 4, but it got sort of late so I had to quit.
*****
Totals:
8 miles
660 abs
300 pushup
45+ dips
50 pullups
30 neck
30 lower body PT
5 miles
Easy run. Was interested how my legs would feel after yesterday's long run. Windchill 9. Wind from SE. Ran east for 2.5 miles, then back. My arms got sort of hot on the way back. Legs felt good. Nice.
*****
4:00 PM
PT
10 sets of:
5 pullups
15 pushups
30 abs
15 pushups
Threw in lower body PT: 2 x 15 of heel raises, squats, dirty dogs, lunges.
Threw in crunches at every mile during 3 mile afternoon run. 4 x 25, 30, 35 = 360. Finished off with 3 or 4 x 15 dips (can't remember exact number), 20 fire haulers, 30 neck.
*****
4:40
3 miles
3 miles inside. At the end of each mile, threw in all 4 kinds of crunches.
*****
Practiced clarinet for 3.5 hours. Was going for 4, but it got sort of late so I had to quit.
*****
Totals:
8 miles
660 abs
300 pushup
45+ dips
50 pullups
30 neck
30 lower body PT
88, "The Chatterers"
Got in some good miles last week. 88, in fact. Was shooting for 92...but I am not feeling too bad about it. I think 88 is the highest I have ever ran in a week, so it is all good. Plus, 88 and 92 are pretty much the same.
Shoe facts:
288 miles on Fireroad A
124 miles on Fireroad B
Ordered a pair of North Face Rucky Chucky's! This is the shoe I wanted to get when I was at the North Face store in KC, but I didn't have $110 to spend. Fortunately, I found them at backcountryoutlet.com for $55 and got free shipping! Hoorary hoorary!
•••••
Sunday:
20 miles
Got in a good long run. The weather was nicer than yesterday. The windchill was up to 6. Was only going to go 14 on account of the cold, but decided to nut up and just get the miles in. It wasn't so bad, even though by mile 12 ice had formed on the throat area of the balaclava. Managed 16 outside, then headed in for the last 4 on the treadmill. Good splits, I thought. Swell, actually.
1st 5 - 41:00 (8:12 pace)
2nd 5 - 39:42 (7:57 pace)
3rd 5 - 38:37 (7:44 pace)
4th 5 - 45:11 (9:02 pace, included 5 minutes of eating chips and changing into shorts for the treadmill.
Total time was 2:44:31, which is about 8:13 pace. Good news to hear. Good news.
Right hip sort of sore. Didn't have time to stretch or put ice on it before I went to work. It will heal overnight, I am sure.
•••••
Saturday
14 miles
Windchill was sub zero the whole time! The first 6 miles were sort of miserable...cold conditions were not fun. Second 6 were okay, but then I got too hot and was sweating profusely. By mile 12, my balaclava was frozen, so I decided to go back home and fInish the run with 2 miles on the treadmill. My parent's treadmill is really nice! Very bouncy...so much better than the ones at the hotel in Chicago!
Did some PT.
6 x 25 ab = 150
6 x 25 pushup = 150
7 x 7 pullup = 49
3 x 15 dip = 45
•••••
Friday
It was frickin' cold outside. I was in Kearney visiting Lisa and did not bring heavy enough pants, so I took the day off. I was going to get a day pass to Anytime Fitness for $5 and run in the evening, but the Chinese food at lunch + too many appetizers and peanuts at Whiskey Creek for supper = stomach ache. I layed on the couch and watched some of Titanic. It was on TV.
•••••
Thursday
AM
10 miles
Fun run in the country. The dog came up to me again. I think it is some kind of pitbull. Took a couple 30 second walking breaks. Finished somewhere around 1:25.
The legs didn't feel like they have been running high mileage, so that is good. One thing, though, is that my right hamstring is sort of tight. I will have to stretch it out a lot today.
PM
8 miles
Found a place west of Kearney that had a lot of hills, so I spent 70 minutes running around on them. I reckon I covered 8 miles, which would make the average pace 8:45...slower than usual, but these hills were crazy! Plus there was this bitter wind blowing from the north. Since my hands got cold (through the gloves), I would reckon that the windchill was around 20. Saw a lot of dogs. Mostly labs, I think. Heard some kind of bird scolding me, then it turned out to be a prairie dog! When I got close to the one chattering at me, it would duck back into it's hole and another prairie dog in a burrow 20 yards away would assume the position of "the chatterer." A good quality run...effort was a little higher than usual, and I had to even slow to a walk when going up some of the hills. The legs felt great, though! It didn't even feel like I had run 10 this morning! That is a good sign. Plan to get in 2 more miles tonight, plus some PT.
18 miles today
Shoe facts:
288 miles on Fireroad A
124 miles on Fireroad B
Ordered a pair of North Face Rucky Chucky's! This is the shoe I wanted to get when I was at the North Face store in KC, but I didn't have $110 to spend. Fortunately, I found them at backcountryoutlet.com for $55 and got free shipping! Hoorary hoorary!
•••••
Sunday:
20 miles
Got in a good long run. The weather was nicer than yesterday. The windchill was up to 6. Was only going to go 14 on account of the cold, but decided to nut up and just get the miles in. It wasn't so bad, even though by mile 12 ice had formed on the throat area of the balaclava. Managed 16 outside, then headed in for the last 4 on the treadmill. Good splits, I thought. Swell, actually.
1st 5 - 41:00 (8:12 pace)
2nd 5 - 39:42 (7:57 pace)
3rd 5 - 38:37 (7:44 pace)
4th 5 - 45:11 (9:02 pace, included 5 minutes of eating chips and changing into shorts for the treadmill.
Total time was 2:44:31, which is about 8:13 pace. Good news to hear. Good news.
Right hip sort of sore. Didn't have time to stretch or put ice on it before I went to work. It will heal overnight, I am sure.
•••••
Saturday
14 miles
Windchill was sub zero the whole time! The first 6 miles were sort of miserable...cold conditions were not fun. Second 6 were okay, but then I got too hot and was sweating profusely. By mile 12, my balaclava was frozen, so I decided to go back home and fInish the run with 2 miles on the treadmill. My parent's treadmill is really nice! Very bouncy...so much better than the ones at the hotel in Chicago!
Did some PT.
6 x 25 ab = 150
6 x 25 pushup = 150
7 x 7 pullup = 49
3 x 15 dip = 45
•••••
Friday
It was frickin' cold outside. I was in Kearney visiting Lisa and did not bring heavy enough pants, so I took the day off. I was going to get a day pass to Anytime Fitness for $5 and run in the evening, but the Chinese food at lunch + too many appetizers and peanuts at Whiskey Creek for supper = stomach ache. I layed on the couch and watched some of Titanic. It was on TV.
•••••
Thursday
AM
10 miles
Fun run in the country. The dog came up to me again. I think it is some kind of pitbull. Took a couple 30 second walking breaks. Finished somewhere around 1:25.
The legs didn't feel like they have been running high mileage, so that is good. One thing, though, is that my right hamstring is sort of tight. I will have to stretch it out a lot today.
PM
8 miles
Found a place west of Kearney that had a lot of hills, so I spent 70 minutes running around on them. I reckon I covered 8 miles, which would make the average pace 8:45...slower than usual, but these hills were crazy! Plus there was this bitter wind blowing from the north. Since my hands got cold (through the gloves), I would reckon that the windchill was around 20. Saw a lot of dogs. Mostly labs, I think. Heard some kind of bird scolding me, then it turned out to be a prairie dog! When I got close to the one chattering at me, it would duck back into it's hole and another prairie dog in a burrow 20 yards away would assume the position of "the chatterer." A good quality run...effort was a little higher than usual, and I had to even slow to a walk when going up some of the hills. The legs felt great, though! It didn't even feel like I had run 10 this morning! That is a good sign. Plan to get in 2 more miles tonight, plus some PT.
18 miles today
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Climbing up the poles like apes
10:32 AM
10 miles
Q = 4, E = 7
Okay run. 4 out, 1 right, 3 right, 1 right, 1 back home. Saw some people working on some power lines. They were climbing up the poles like apes. They must have spikes on their shoes or something. Heard some cows mooing very loudly. Then I heard a gun going off. Maybe the farmer was shooting the cows. How depressing. The run took about 1:23. Took 2 short walking breaks. Tried to join the pee and run club; failed.
Did 1 x 1 min ab planks after the run.
•••••
Mid to Late PM
2 miles
Was going to run to work, but didn't. I had quite a bit of food to take for my breaks and supper, so I decided to drive. Ran a half mile at each 15 minute break, and a mile at the 30 minute break. The last half mile was an AWESOME run! The quality was probably an 8 or 9, effort 2 or 3. I felt really good. The legs felt really fresh! Tomorrow should be a good day of running...I will be pretty busy though: run 10 miles in the morning, practice an hour, drive to Kearney, drop off clarinet at Stelling Brass for tune up, practice spare clarinet for an hour, run 10 miles, call places to look at houses for Victoria...all this must be done before 4:30, when Lisa gets off. It is a good plan. Having a lot of stuff to do keeps a person productive.
•••••
Had planned to get quite a bit of PT in, but only got in a little bit.
2 x 30 ab = 60
2 x 30 push = 60
10 x 5 pull = 50
3 x 15 dip = 45
I don't know why I almost did more pullups than ab or pushup. Interesting. Maybe I was just sort of lazy...tomorrow I wil do a real workout, maybe.
•••••
When I came home from work, there were some freshly made brownies on the kitchen counter. Yum yum! I ate 3 of them. My excuse for the extra ones is that I need the calories for tomorrow's high mileage, but this is probably true. These days, I won't ever give up brownies or chocolate or anything sweet like that. They are SO GOOD!
•••••
I need to start going to bed earlier. I need more sleep.
Or, maybe I don't. Maybe my body has adjusted to less than 7 hours a night.
•••••
So, I no longer post on ndorfnz, but I started a lot at Running Ahead. There, I was reading a discussion about running improving eyesight, and found this quote by "Large Richard" that I think is awesome:
I have noticed that I can spot many more ladies in tights since I started running.
Thanks, Running!!!
•••••
12 miles total today
78 miles on Fireroad B
10 miles
Q = 4, E = 7
Okay run. 4 out, 1 right, 3 right, 1 right, 1 back home. Saw some people working on some power lines. They were climbing up the poles like apes. They must have spikes on their shoes or something. Heard some cows mooing very loudly. Then I heard a gun going off. Maybe the farmer was shooting the cows. How depressing. The run took about 1:23. Took 2 short walking breaks. Tried to join the pee and run club; failed.
Did 1 x 1 min ab planks after the run.
•••••
Mid to Late PM
2 miles
Was going to run to work, but didn't. I had quite a bit of food to take for my breaks and supper, so I decided to drive. Ran a half mile at each 15 minute break, and a mile at the 30 minute break. The last half mile was an AWESOME run! The quality was probably an 8 or 9, effort 2 or 3. I felt really good. The legs felt really fresh! Tomorrow should be a good day of running...I will be pretty busy though: run 10 miles in the morning, practice an hour, drive to Kearney, drop off clarinet at Stelling Brass for tune up, practice spare clarinet for an hour, run 10 miles, call places to look at houses for Victoria...all this must be done before 4:30, when Lisa gets off. It is a good plan. Having a lot of stuff to do keeps a person productive.
•••••
Had planned to get quite a bit of PT in, but only got in a little bit.
2 x 30 ab = 60
2 x 30 push = 60
10 x 5 pull = 50
3 x 15 dip = 45
I don't know why I almost did more pullups than ab or pushup. Interesting. Maybe I was just sort of lazy...tomorrow I wil do a real workout, maybe.
•••••
When I came home from work, there were some freshly made brownies on the kitchen counter. Yum yum! I ate 3 of them. My excuse for the extra ones is that I need the calories for tomorrow's high mileage, but this is probably true. These days, I won't ever give up brownies or chocolate or anything sweet like that. They are SO GOOD!
•••••
I need to start going to bed earlier. I need more sleep.
Or, maybe I don't. Maybe my body has adjusted to less than 7 hours a night.
•••••
So, I no longer post on ndorfnz, but I started a lot at Running Ahead. There, I was reading a discussion about running improving eyesight, and found this quote by "Large Richard" that I think is awesome:
I have noticed that I can spot many more ladies in tights since I started running.
Thanks, Running!!!
•••••
12 miles total today
78 miles on Fireroad B
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
New Route, Etc.
10:05 AM
10 miles
Q = 7, E = 4
Easy run on new route in country. 1 mile out, 3 miles right, 2 miles right, 3 miles right, 1 mile home. Felt pretty good. Just trotted along. Took some walking breaks when I felt like walking a little. Saw a lot of geese.
•••••
Mid and Late PM
4 miles
Q = 5, E = 5
Ran to work, at the breaks, and ran home. Not the funnest running ever, but at least I got it done. A bit of rain coming down when I came home. 60 degrees when I went to work; 42 when I came home.
•••••
Some PT
6 x 25 ab = 150
5 x 20 push = 100
10 x 5 pullup = 50
2 x 1 min ab planks
Planning another PT workout for tomorrow.
•••••
Ate a Ben meal at around 11:30 pm, a meal of Honey Bunches of Oats. It is a good, easy meal. I was sort of hungry.
•••••
14 miles today
66 miles on Fireroad B
10 miles
Q = 7, E = 4
Easy run on new route in country. 1 mile out, 3 miles right, 2 miles right, 3 miles right, 1 mile home. Felt pretty good. Just trotted along. Took some walking breaks when I felt like walking a little. Saw a lot of geese.
•••••
Mid and Late PM
4 miles
Q = 5, E = 5
Ran to work, at the breaks, and ran home. Not the funnest running ever, but at least I got it done. A bit of rain coming down when I came home. 60 degrees when I went to work; 42 when I came home.
•••••
Some PT
6 x 25 ab = 150
5 x 20 push = 100
10 x 5 pullup = 50
2 x 1 min ab planks
Planning another PT workout for tomorrow.
•••••
Ate a Ben meal at around 11:30 pm, a meal of Honey Bunches of Oats. It is a good, easy meal. I was sort of hungry.
•••••
14 miles today
66 miles on Fireroad B
Monday, February 23, 2009
Back from Trip
5:35 PM
10 miles
Q = 7, E = 3
282 miles on Fireroad A
Got home from the trip and decided to go out for a run. 10 miles easy, in just around 1:20. Didn't wear a watch. A dog ran out from a house and wanted me to pet it while I was in the country. It looked like a pitbull or some sort of fun dog. It was a nice dog.
The wind was blowing from SSE at about 13 mph, so it was sort of cold when I had to run into the wind. Almost decided to run 12 miles, but then decided not to. I got really hungry towards the end of the run.
The right hip area was a little bit tight, and after the run the tightness was still there. I think sitting on the plane and in the van for so long may have caused the soreness. That's what happened on the drive to Kansas once...
Stretched out the hips and hamstrings and iced a bit in the late evening. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for the right hip! I need to not have soreness because I have taken up Ben's challenge of doing 92 miles this week...I have a plan that will work:
Mon: 10 miles easy
Tues: 10 miles easy, 4 miles running to work, at breaks, and home
Wed: 10 miles easy, 4 miles running to work, at breaks, and home
Thurs: 10 miles morning, 10 miles evening
Fri: 10 miles, completed in however many sessions.
Sat: 4 mile prep for long run
Sun: 20 mile long run. Maybe go 21.
•••••
The trip. I went to Chicago for two more auditions. That's why I was in Chicago. I wish we could have done more stuff, but it is good to be back and have soft gravel roads to run on instead of a treadmill or cement (although I did not venture out of the hotel).
10 miles
Q = 7, E = 3
282 miles on Fireroad A
Got home from the trip and decided to go out for a run. 10 miles easy, in just around 1:20. Didn't wear a watch. A dog ran out from a house and wanted me to pet it while I was in the country. It looked like a pitbull or some sort of fun dog. It was a nice dog.
The wind was blowing from SSE at about 13 mph, so it was sort of cold when I had to run into the wind. Almost decided to run 12 miles, but then decided not to. I got really hungry towards the end of the run.
The right hip area was a little bit tight, and after the run the tightness was still there. I think sitting on the plane and in the van for so long may have caused the soreness. That's what happened on the drive to Kansas once...
Stretched out the hips and hamstrings and iced a bit in the late evening. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for the right hip! I need to not have soreness because I have taken up Ben's challenge of doing 92 miles this week...I have a plan that will work:
Mon: 10 miles easy
Tues: 10 miles easy, 4 miles running to work, at breaks, and home
Wed: 10 miles easy, 4 miles running to work, at breaks, and home
Thurs: 10 miles morning, 10 miles evening
Fri: 10 miles, completed in however many sessions.
Sat: 4 mile prep for long run
Sun: 20 mile long run. Maybe go 21.
•••••
The trip. I went to Chicago for two more auditions. That's why I was in Chicago. I wish we could have done more stuff, but it is good to be back and have soft gravel roads to run on instead of a treadmill or cement (although I did not venture out of the hotel).
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Treadmill Runs at the Hilton
Hello to you!
I was sort of excited about running in Chicago, but then the weather had to be like 24 degrees with a windchill of 12. That is not fun for running at all. Plus, I did not bring heavy enough clothing to run under 20 degrees, so I just decided to make due with the treadmills at the hotel.
•••••
1:00 PM
5 miles
Q = 5, E = 5
Easy run on the treadmill at the hotel. Felt okay. Legs did not really feel any different than usual, which means I recovered from Friday's 17 miler. There was a mirror in front of me, so I could watch my running form the whole time.
267 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
7:45 PM
5 miles
Q = 4, E = 7
Another run on the treadmill. The first 20 minutes seemed to go by really slow. Wanted someone to come in and run or walk on the treadmill next to me.
272 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
Did not make my goal of 70 this week. Had I run yesterday, I could have made it, but then I was really tired at night and started falling asleep at 9 PM, so there was no run. It is okay though. I plan to run A LOT this next week...who even knows how many miles it will be? Any guesses? Whoever gets closest to it will get a prize of some sort.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Good News Day!
Today was a very good day! Good news was broughten (yes, it is a word...not really). This morning I woke up and immediately checked my email for some reason...I had received an email from the clarinet instructor at the California Institute of the Arts, telling me of my acceptance into the BFA program and the MFA programs in Music Performance! I will be admitted as a BFA3 (the equivalent as a college junior), and will take 2 years getting my BFA, then 2 years getting my MFA. The good news! It is news that is good!
•••••
The other good news was that I got to see Lisa today. Last time I saw her we were both feeling like we were about to vomit, so it was good to feel normal again. We ate at a Chinese buffet. Yummers!
•••••
The other other good news is that I had a great long run today. Was going to go 14, but ended up going 17. Longest run since mid-November's 28 miler (which caused the hip to hurt).
Just trotted along. Wore shorts, even though it got kind of cold. Perfect weather the first 1.5 miles, around 46 degrees and hardly any wind, then all of a sudden this wind starts up. All these clouds move in and cover up the sunny sky. From then on, it was a cold run. The temperature continued to drop until I finished, when it was 32 degrees with 18 windchill. What on earth is that all about? Going from 46 to windchill 18 in just a little over 2 hours...strange.
The quad (I don't remember if it was the left or the right) started paining me right at about 3 miles. No reason. It just came on all of a sudden. If I was out in the country, I would have walked, but unfortunately I was at the busiest intersection in Aurora, the intersection that has Aurora's only stop light. So, I didn't stop. I just kept going and tried to ignore the pain.
A couple minutes later the pain was mysteriously gone! Then I passed by John Thomas's house and talked to him for about 10 minutes. Then I got cold and had to move on. Finished the first 6 miles in 54:43 (miles were 7:58, 7:16 [had to sprint to get across a train crossing before the train came...I heard it, but it never came] 7:29, 17:15 [talked to John], then 14:42 for the next 2. Stopped at home and ate some Sun Chips and drank gatorade. Put on heavier gloves and a heavier hat, since the cold was getting colder and colder! The stop took 5:23.
Out on the roads for an 8 mile loop. That would make it 14 for the day. Legs felt fresh still, and finished the loop in 1:00:40. Splits were 30:18 and 30:22, so a pretty even pace, like a horse. Like a horse pulling a cart. Then I decided to tack on 3 more miles. Not only would this make me feel good about going 17 instead of 14, but it would get my mileage for the week up to 50 (still trying to get 70 for the week...2 more days!) Stopped at home for 5:51 and ate a granola bar, finished the gatorade, and sat in a chair.
Last 3 miles in 24:04. The first 3 minutes were straight into the wind, now blowing hard and cold and making the windchill around 20. Still had the shorts on. Legs felt like they were getting a cold soak (I thought I could count the last 3 miles as a cold soak, and then wouldn't have to do one when I got done!). Finished in 2:30:43.
A great confidence booster. Yesterday, my legs seriously were sore when I ran the 0.5 mile during my first break at work. But, I guess they legs recovered. Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein. That's the thing to help you recover faster!
Am seriously considering the Brew to Brew 44 Mile. I have 6 more weeks. Long runs will go like this: 20, 23, 26, 30, 20, then the 44. I plan on getting in some other longish runs during the week, like 12, 14, 16, 16, 18. Weekly mileage, beginning this week: 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 60, then race week.
•••••
Hope that you had a good day also! The good news is upon us!
•••••
17 miles today
52 miles on Fireroad B
•••••
The other good news was that I got to see Lisa today. Last time I saw her we were both feeling like we were about to vomit, so it was good to feel normal again. We ate at a Chinese buffet. Yummers!
•••••
The other other good news is that I had a great long run today. Was going to go 14, but ended up going 17. Longest run since mid-November's 28 miler (which caused the hip to hurt).
Just trotted along. Wore shorts, even though it got kind of cold. Perfect weather the first 1.5 miles, around 46 degrees and hardly any wind, then all of a sudden this wind starts up. All these clouds move in and cover up the sunny sky. From then on, it was a cold run. The temperature continued to drop until I finished, when it was 32 degrees with 18 windchill. What on earth is that all about? Going from 46 to windchill 18 in just a little over 2 hours...strange.
The quad (I don't remember if it was the left or the right) started paining me right at about 3 miles. No reason. It just came on all of a sudden. If I was out in the country, I would have walked, but unfortunately I was at the busiest intersection in Aurora, the intersection that has Aurora's only stop light. So, I didn't stop. I just kept going and tried to ignore the pain.
A couple minutes later the pain was mysteriously gone! Then I passed by John Thomas's house and talked to him for about 10 minutes. Then I got cold and had to move on. Finished the first 6 miles in 54:43 (miles were 7:58, 7:16 [had to sprint to get across a train crossing before the train came...I heard it, but it never came] 7:29, 17:15 [talked to John], then 14:42 for the next 2. Stopped at home and ate some Sun Chips and drank gatorade. Put on heavier gloves and a heavier hat, since the cold was getting colder and colder! The stop took 5:23.
Out on the roads for an 8 mile loop. That would make it 14 for the day. Legs felt fresh still, and finished the loop in 1:00:40. Splits were 30:18 and 30:22, so a pretty even pace, like a horse. Like a horse pulling a cart. Then I decided to tack on 3 more miles. Not only would this make me feel good about going 17 instead of 14, but it would get my mileage for the week up to 50 (still trying to get 70 for the week...2 more days!) Stopped at home for 5:51 and ate a granola bar, finished the gatorade, and sat in a chair.
Last 3 miles in 24:04. The first 3 minutes were straight into the wind, now blowing hard and cold and making the windchill around 20. Still had the shorts on. Legs felt like they were getting a cold soak (I thought I could count the last 3 miles as a cold soak, and then wouldn't have to do one when I got done!). Finished in 2:30:43.
A great confidence booster. Yesterday, my legs seriously were sore when I ran the 0.5 mile during my first break at work. But, I guess they legs recovered. Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein. That's the thing to help you recover faster!
Am seriously considering the Brew to Brew 44 Mile. I have 6 more weeks. Long runs will go like this: 20, 23, 26, 30, 20, then the 44. I plan on getting in some other longish runs during the week, like 12, 14, 16, 16, 18. Weekly mileage, beginning this week: 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 60, then race week.
•••••
Hope that you had a good day also! The good news is upon us!
•••••
17 miles today
52 miles on Fireroad B
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Negative Split Run
Totals:
9 miles
35 miles on Fireroad B
•••••
1:00 PM
8 miles
34 F, 27 windchill
Q = 5, E = 7
Okay run. Tried to do a negative split run...succeeded, but the 2nd half wasn't as fast as I wanted it to be. Had to run the 2nd half with the wind in my face.
Miles
1+2 - 14:33
3 - 6:54
4 - 7:04
5 - 6:53
6 - 7:15
7 - 6:59
8 - 6:56
1st half in 28:31 (7:08 pace)
2nd half in 28:04 (7:01 pace)
Total 56:35 (7:05 pace)
•••••
Later: 1 more mile
Ran 4 minutes at my first break. The legs were really sore, especially the quads. Maybe it is because I didn't eat after the "tempo" run...the muscles were needed fuel! Ran 4 minutes after work. The legs felt a lot better. Was going to do 4 additional miles, but only did 1 more...oh well...at least I tried. Need a lot of sleep tonight...my body is calling for it! Still might reach 70 miles this week...I will do it. I WILL!
9 miles
35 miles on Fireroad B
•••••
1:00 PM
8 miles
34 F, 27 windchill
Q = 5, E = 7
Okay run. Tried to do a negative split run...succeeded, but the 2nd half wasn't as fast as I wanted it to be. Had to run the 2nd half with the wind in my face.
Miles
1+2 - 14:33
3 - 6:54
4 - 7:04
5 - 6:53
6 - 7:15
7 - 6:59
8 - 6:56
1st half in 28:31 (7:08 pace)
2nd half in 28:04 (7:01 pace)
Total 56:35 (7:05 pace)
•••••
Later: 1 more mile
Ran 4 minutes at my first break. The legs were really sore, especially the quads. Maybe it is because I didn't eat after the "tempo" run...the muscles were needed fuel! Ran 4 minutes after work. The legs felt a lot better. Was going to do 4 additional miles, but only did 1 more...oh well...at least I tried. Need a lot of sleep tonight...my body is calling for it! Still might reach 70 miles this week...I will do it. I WILL!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Good, Productive Day
Totals:
10 miles
330 ab
220 push
110 pull
60 dip
30 neck
3 min ab plank
262 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
I am going to start putting in some extra facts about my workouts: time, temp/windchill, quality, and effort.
•••••
7:20 AM
8 miles
28 F, windchill 16
Q = 3, E = 7
Not a fun run, really. Strong wind from the north. Windchill in the mid teens. Right IT band sort of sore. Loosened up a bit throughout the run. Glad to be done with this one! Oh, please! Spring, won't you come! Finished it off with 2 x 1 min ab planks.
•••••
2:30 PM
PT Pyramid 1-10-10-1. 1x pullup, 2x pushup, 3x abs. "Rested" between each level with 3 min of clarinet playing. Probably would have really struggled with minimal rest...a good confidence booster, this workout was.
•••••
4:30 PM
2 miles
28 F, windchill 14
Q = 7, E = 4
Easiest run in a while. Yes, it was only 2 miles, but I did some faster running. Warmed up a half mile, then did 1 min fast followed by 1 min slow. Got 5 of these things in, and still had time for a 1 min cooldown. Total time was 14:35. Nice! Wind was still blowing hard from the north, but it did not seem as cold as this morning...although weather.com said the windchill was 2 degrees colder. Fat chance! Finished it off with 1 min ab planks.
•••••
7:45 PM
Dip pyramid. 5-10-15-15-10-5. Felt harder than it should. The soreness is in the arms. Threw in 30 neck each way. Getting a strong neck.
•••••
A good, productive day for me! Got in 10 miles, a PT pyramid, and just over 4 hours of practicing clarinet! Feeling good for the auditions this weekend, and have toyed around with the idea of running the Brew to Brew. A good day, this was. Hope yours was too!
10 miles
330 ab
220 push
110 pull
60 dip
30 neck
3 min ab plank
262 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
I am going to start putting in some extra facts about my workouts: time, temp/windchill, quality, and effort.
•••••
7:20 AM
8 miles
28 F, windchill 16
Q = 3, E = 7
Not a fun run, really. Strong wind from the north. Windchill in the mid teens. Right IT band sort of sore. Loosened up a bit throughout the run. Glad to be done with this one! Oh, please! Spring, won't you come! Finished it off with 2 x 1 min ab planks.
•••••
2:30 PM
PT Pyramid 1-10-10-1. 1x pullup, 2x pushup, 3x abs. "Rested" between each level with 3 min of clarinet playing. Probably would have really struggled with minimal rest...a good confidence booster, this workout was.
•••••
4:30 PM
2 miles
28 F, windchill 14
Q = 7, E = 4
Easiest run in a while. Yes, it was only 2 miles, but I did some faster running. Warmed up a half mile, then did 1 min fast followed by 1 min slow. Got 5 of these things in, and still had time for a 1 min cooldown. Total time was 14:35. Nice! Wind was still blowing hard from the north, but it did not seem as cold as this morning...although weather.com said the windchill was 2 degrees colder. Fat chance! Finished it off with 1 min ab planks.
•••••
7:45 PM
Dip pyramid. 5-10-15-15-10-5. Felt harder than it should. The soreness is in the arms. Threw in 30 neck each way. Getting a strong neck.
•••••
A good, productive day for me! Got in 10 miles, a PT pyramid, and just over 4 hours of practicing clarinet! Feeling good for the auditions this weekend, and have toyed around with the idea of running the Brew to Brew. A good day, this was. Hope yours was too!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Clymertime
There's this dude named Jason Clymer who used to run XC in high school, but over the years he was gotten out of shape. He is known as Clymertime. He wants to start working out, so maybe I will have a PT partner! Also, he wants to start running again, so I'm going to help him. I think if he did a 15 second run, 45 second walk, and did that for a mile or so...I think that would be a good first workout. Eventually it will build to 20-40, 30-30, 45-15, and then 60-15 or something.
•••••
Ran 10 miles this morning. Lisa had to work at 9, and I wanted to talk to her before she got to work, so I had to get up at 6:45 in order to get the run in. Left at 7:15 and got back about 8:40. Got to talk for almost 20 minutes!
She was late to work. It is only her 2nd day. But, it isn't my fault. At least, I don't think it was.
Did 2x1 min ab planks.
•••••
After work I was going to work out with Clymertime, but then he wasn't feeling it, so I did 4 miles alone. Good time.
1x1 min ab planks.
•••••
Totals:
14 miles
3 min ab planks
252 miles on Fireroad A (my, do shoes grow up fast! I remember when they were young lads of only 20 miles!)
•••••
Ran 10 miles this morning. Lisa had to work at 9, and I wanted to talk to her before she got to work, so I had to get up at 6:45 in order to get the run in. Left at 7:15 and got back about 8:40. Got to talk for almost 20 minutes!
She was late to work. It is only her 2nd day. But, it isn't my fault. At least, I don't think it was.
Did 2x1 min ab planks.
•••••
After work I was going to work out with Clymertime, but then he wasn't feeling it, so I did 4 miles alone. Good time.
1x1 min ab planks.
•••••
Totals:
14 miles
3 min ab planks
252 miles on Fireroad A (my, do shoes grow up fast! I remember when they were young lads of only 20 miles!)
Monday, February 16, 2009
101st Post
This is the 101st post on my blog. It should call for some kind of celebration, shouldn't it? Maybe a nice long run or a maxout.
•••••
I guess I could be celebrating my 101st post by being officially back in the game. Running is going well...and same with PT. I finished my second "real" PT workout since the back strain, and am feeling strong.
•••••
No run today.
Did 15 sets of 20 pushup, 20 atomic (or leg lever), 5 pullup. Waited a couple minutes between each set. Finished off with 5 x 15 dips. The dips hurt the most. Good stuff. Did the neck after I got back from work...almost forgot about it.
Totals:
300 ab
300 pushup
75 pullup
75 dip
25 neck each.
•••••
I guess I could be celebrating my 101st post by being officially back in the game. Running is going well...and same with PT. I finished my second "real" PT workout since the back strain, and am feeling strong.
•••••
No run today.
Did 15 sets of 20 pushup, 20 atomic (or leg lever), 5 pullup. Waited a couple minutes between each set. Finished off with 5 x 15 dips. The dips hurt the most. Good stuff. Did the neck after I got back from work...almost forgot about it.
Totals:
300 ab
300 pushup
75 pullup
75 dip
25 neck each.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Weekend
Saturday
8 miles in morning in the new Fireroads, followed by 5 supersets. Abby, a superset is a set that is super...it is packed full of a lot of stuff, but only a few at a time, so you get in a lot. Here is what I did:
10 pushup
10 ab
10 pushup
10 ab
10 pushup
10 ab
You have 2 minutes to do all the things above, so if it takes a minute, you get to rest a minute. It is easier than doing 30 pushups followed by 30 abs. Plus, in a 20 minute workout, you could get in 300 pushups and abs.
For your own case, just do a little less, like maybe 5 or so. Start with a couple supersets, and over the weeks keep adding more. Soon you will be doing a lot!
•••••
Sunday
10 miles easy. Took some walk breaks. During the two miles, there was someone who had turned and was running behind me. I felt that they were trying to race me, rather than just trying to catch up to me so we could tell some funny jokes, so I went a bit faster. They didn't catch me. Ha!
But then I felt bad, like maybe we could have had good conversation or something. Maybe I missed out on an excellent opportunity.
Total time was about 1:28.
26 miles on Fireroad B
8 miles in morning in the new Fireroads, followed by 5 supersets. Abby, a superset is a set that is super...it is packed full of a lot of stuff, but only a few at a time, so you get in a lot. Here is what I did:
10 pushup
10 ab
10 pushup
10 ab
10 pushup
10 ab
You have 2 minutes to do all the things above, so if it takes a minute, you get to rest a minute. It is easier than doing 30 pushups followed by 30 abs. Plus, in a 20 minute workout, you could get in 300 pushups and abs.
For your own case, just do a little less, like maybe 5 or so. Start with a couple supersets, and over the weeks keep adding more. Soon you will be doing a lot!
•••••
Sunday
10 miles easy. Took some walk breaks. During the two miles, there was someone who had turned and was running behind me. I felt that they were trying to race me, rather than just trying to catch up to me so we could tell some funny jokes, so I went a bit faster. They didn't catch me. Ha!
But then I felt bad, like maybe we could have had good conversation or something. Maybe I missed out on an excellent opportunity.
Total time was about 1:28.
26 miles on Fireroad B
Friday, February 13, 2009
Oh well. At least.
Easy 3 miles. Snow! A blizzard, almost, but not really. Most of the schools everywhere around here were closed. Maybe even all of them. Spent 25 minutes shoveling the driveway after running.
Did not get the superset in, but oh well. At least I tried. Shoveling has to count for something, at least...
238 miles on Fireroad A
Did not get the superset in, but oh well. At least I tried. Shoveling has to count for something, at least...
238 miles on Fireroad A
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Plans
I have big plans for Friday. I plan to go for a run. Maybe 2. I might do 5 miles each time. I also plan to do a superset. Also some pullups and dips. I plan to get back into the game.
Then I plan to go 10 on Saturday. And 10 or 15 on Sunday.
Next week I plan to get in a lot of miles. Just get a lot of them in. Like at least 70.
Then I plan to go 10 on Saturday. And 10 or 15 on Sunday.
Next week I plan to get in a lot of miles. Just get a lot of them in. Like at least 70.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Unplanned Fast
It's like the past few days have been a fast. I have not eaten that much food, due to A) vomiting, B) being scared of vomiting, C) a depressed appetite, D) an upset stomach.
It is no fun at all! I have been trying to eat, but either am not hungry or feel that it would not set well on the stomach. I had some cottage cheese and peaches for supper...so good! So good to eat!
Hopefully tomorrow is a better day. Heck, it will be. I'm going to eat all kinds of stuff.
•••••
I'm not a scientist, but I am sort of worried about muscle catabolism (is that the right term?) My wrists look smaller, but maybe I am just delirious. I don't think 3 days of not eating that much will cause the wrists to shrink.
•••••
Pizza sounds really good right now. Maybe I should get some. I don't know. I will let you know tomorrow if I went to get pizza or not.
It is no fun at all! I have been trying to eat, but either am not hungry or feel that it would not set well on the stomach. I had some cottage cheese and peaches for supper...so good! So good to eat!
Hopefully tomorrow is a better day. Heck, it will be. I'm going to eat all kinds of stuff.
•••••
I'm not a scientist, but I am sort of worried about muscle catabolism (is that the right term?) My wrists look smaller, but maybe I am just delirious. I don't think 3 days of not eating that much will cause the wrists to shrink.
•••••
Pizza sounds really good right now. Maybe I should get some. I don't know. I will let you know tomorrow if I went to get pizza or not.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Past Few Days
Did not run last Thursday. Spent half the day in Minneapolis at the sculpture garden and conservatory (a huge greenhouse) and at the Mall of America. Spent the other half driving home on backroads.
Friday morning, woke up and did 10 miles. Drove to Arnold with Lisa. Ran 4 more in the afternoon.
Saturday morning, Lisa began to feel sick. She started to vomit. I ran 10 miles at around noon. Had to run up some big hills. One took 4 minutes to ascend, the other 6 minutes. Was laboring on the way up the hills, and thought that a mountain lion would sense my weakness and attack. (So, maybe these inclines aren't big for those who run in the mountains, but here in Nebraska a 6 minute hill is a pretty big deal.)
Sunday, I started feeling sickish. Spent the day on the couch. Felt like I had conquered the sickness, so I ate some chips and spinach-artichoke dip. That was the worst idea ever.
Woke up at around 12:50 am on Monday and went to the bathroom to throw up the spinach-artichoke dip mixed with red gatorade. Spent most of Monday on the couch. Called in to work, but ended up having to work the last half of my shift. Lisa drove me back to Aurora, then I laid on the couch for a few minutes, ate some stewed apples and a grilled cheese sandwich, then sluggishly went to work.
•••••
I am hoping for some good runs this week! After hearing Anton's great news about his 10k, I am excited to get out there again.
Friday morning, woke up and did 10 miles. Drove to Arnold with Lisa. Ran 4 more in the afternoon.
Saturday morning, Lisa began to feel sick. She started to vomit. I ran 10 miles at around noon. Had to run up some big hills. One took 4 minutes to ascend, the other 6 minutes. Was laboring on the way up the hills, and thought that a mountain lion would sense my weakness and attack. (So, maybe these inclines aren't big for those who run in the mountains, but here in Nebraska a 6 minute hill is a pretty big deal.)
Sunday, I started feeling sickish. Spent the day on the couch. Felt like I had conquered the sickness, so I ate some chips and spinach-artichoke dip. That was the worst idea ever.
Woke up at around 12:50 am on Monday and went to the bathroom to throw up the spinach-artichoke dip mixed with red gatorade. Spent most of Monday on the couch. Called in to work, but ended up having to work the last half of my shift. Lisa drove me back to Aurora, then I laid on the couch for a few minutes, ate some stewed apples and a grilled cheese sandwich, then sluggishly went to work.
•••••
I am hoping for some good runs this week! After hearing Anton's great news about his 10k, I am excited to get out there again.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Early Run, Early Workout, Naseau
Woke up at 6 to get in some miles before leaving for Minneapolis. When I was standing by my clothes, I considered going back to bed, but then I willed myself to get out there. Yes, it was cold, but if you wear clothes then it is not. It wasn't too cold once I got out there. Planned to do a mile warmup, then then old A'ror'n days 10k course, then the mile back, but heard some kind of strange noise from the golf course, like a rabid animal, so I changed the course. Finished it with 6 miles. Pretty good.
•••••
Did a workout right as I got home, the same one I did on Monday. The divebomber pushups are still hard, maybe even harder than on Monday because my shoulders were a bit sore.
•••••
For some reason started feeling like crap during the last set of the workout. Layed on the floor for a minute, then cranked out the rest. It is good to push through when you don't want to. It made me feel a little naseaus though. Oh well, it is bound to happen sometimes. I think working out right under the heater vent really makes me feel that way. I really do.
•••••
6 miles total
211 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
Did a workout right as I got home, the same one I did on Monday. The divebomber pushups are still hard, maybe even harder than on Monday because my shoulders were a bit sore.
•••••
For some reason started feeling like crap during the last set of the workout. Layed on the floor for a minute, then cranked out the rest. It is good to push through when you don't want to. It made me feel a little naseaus though. Oh well, it is bound to happen sometimes. I think working out right under the heater vent really makes me feel that way. I really do.
•••••
6 miles total
211 miles on Fireroad A
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Cold Runs, Trans 333
Cold runs today.
First run 10 miles at around 11:00 am. Pace was 8:30+ first half, about 7:45 the second. Temperature was 12, windchill 2. Hands got cold, even though I had on gloves, socks over those, and tucked my hands into my jacket.
One thing that can't be more important on a cold run are clothes that wick away sweat. I don't have any outer layers that do this, so the sweat sort of got all up in the material of the gloves and lower arms and made those parts cold.
•••••
An easy run at 5:00 pm. 4 miles. 18 degrees, little wind. Took it slow. Very nice and relaxing.
•••••
The Trans 333. Check it out:
HERE!
•••••
14 miles total
205 miles on Fireroad A
First run 10 miles at around 11:00 am. Pace was 8:30+ first half, about 7:45 the second. Temperature was 12, windchill 2. Hands got cold, even though I had on gloves, socks over those, and tucked my hands into my jacket.
One thing that can't be more important on a cold run are clothes that wick away sweat. I don't have any outer layers that do this, so the sweat sort of got all up in the material of the gloves and lower arms and made those parts cold.
•••••
An easy run at 5:00 pm. 4 miles. 18 degrees, little wind. Took it slow. Very nice and relaxing.
•••••
The Trans 333. Check it out:
HERE!
•••••
14 miles total
205 miles on Fireroad A
Monday, February 2, 2009
Rest Day, PT, Hunter/Gatherer, Woot, Pansies
No run today. Monday is my day off from now on.
•••••
Did PT though. Arnel Week 2:
3 sets each
A1: Dive Bomber Pushup (15)
A2: Jump Squat (15)
B1: Wide Grip Pullup (7)
B2: Alternating Split Squat Jump (15)
C1: Atomic Situps (30)
C2: Single Leg Plank Pose (50 seconds per, 25 each leg)
These workouts are going pretty good. Not really punishing to the body like the large pyramids, but still feel my muscles working. The Jump Squats were really fun, too! And I took the risk with the Atomic Situps. I feared that it would hurt the back, but it didn't. At all!
•••••
Running to work is good, clean fun. And running on the breaks is a good way to get fresh air and move around a bit.
I wish I lived in a hunter/gatherer society. I'd be running all over the place like a crazy man.
•••••
woot:
A related claim is that it came from multiplayer online games like Everquest and Ultima Online where it is said to have been associated with the phrase "wondrous loot," or even with the same "wow, loot!" as in D&D, when a player's character came across gold or wealth in the game.
•••••
I am not too fond of people who do "cardio," as in "Hey Geoffry, let's get in a good cardio workout on the eliptical." No wonder they are pansies.
Running is what it is all about. You don't have to run a lot of miles in a week to be called a runner. You just have to have the perspective that what you are doing is running, not "cardio."
Jason Statham would say "I'm going to go bust out 3 miles tomorrow morning."
Michael Jackson would say "Ooo! Cardio! I'm SO EXCITED to wear my new trainers! They are SO PRETTY!"
That' what I was trying to say, in a roundabout way. Even now I doubt that I am even making sense.
•••••
Did PT though. Arnel Week 2:
3 sets each
A1: Dive Bomber Pushup (15)
A2: Jump Squat (15)
B1: Wide Grip Pullup (7)
B2: Alternating Split Squat Jump (15)
C1: Atomic Situps (30)
C2: Single Leg Plank Pose (50 seconds per, 25 each leg)
These workouts are going pretty good. Not really punishing to the body like the large pyramids, but still feel my muscles working. The Jump Squats were really fun, too! And I took the risk with the Atomic Situps. I feared that it would hurt the back, but it didn't. At all!
•••••
Running to work is good, clean fun. And running on the breaks is a good way to get fresh air and move around a bit.
I wish I lived in a hunter/gatherer society. I'd be running all over the place like a crazy man.
•••••
woot:
A related claim is that it came from multiplayer online games like Everquest and Ultima Online where it is said to have been associated with the phrase "wondrous loot," or even with the same "wow, loot!" as in D&D, when a player's character came across gold or wealth in the game.
•••••
I am not too fond of people who do "cardio," as in "Hey Geoffry, let's get in a good cardio workout on the eliptical." No wonder they are pansies.
Running is what it is all about. You don't have to run a lot of miles in a week to be called a runner. You just have to have the perspective that what you are doing is running, not "cardio."
Jason Statham would say "I'm going to go bust out 3 miles tomorrow morning."
Michael Jackson would say "Ooo! Cardio! I'm SO EXCITED to wear my new trainers! They are SO PRETTY!"
That' what I was trying to say, in a roundabout way. Even now I doubt that I am even making sense.
Long, Running on the Sun
Longish run today. Actually the longest since November, but not one of the classic long runs.
12 miles. Thought about going 16, but then decided not to push it too hard.
Decided to run to work. About a mile there. Ran on my breaks: 1/2 mile first break, 1 mile second, 1/2 mile third. Ran back home. See? Work doesn't have to be entirely pointless! Got 4 more miles in!
Abby, maybe this is similar to breaking up PT workouts. I got in a lot of miles today, but without getting exhausted. That is why doing PT throughout the day can be good.
•••••
Got off work at 11:30 Saturday night. I was going to go to bed, but then decided to watch Running on the Sun, a documentary about the Badwater Ultra. All I can say is WOW! So incredible! It made me really excited to run, so even though I only went to bed at 2:30, I got up at 7:00 to run 12 miles. Nothing like running 135 miles, but seriously, I can't even complain about being tired when some of those people go for 50 hours without real sleep.
•••••
16 miles total today
•••••
59 mile week
191 miles on Fireroad A
12 miles. Thought about going 16, but then decided not to push it too hard.
Decided to run to work. About a mile there. Ran on my breaks: 1/2 mile first break, 1 mile second, 1/2 mile third. Ran back home. See? Work doesn't have to be entirely pointless! Got 4 more miles in!
Abby, maybe this is similar to breaking up PT workouts. I got in a lot of miles today, but without getting exhausted. That is why doing PT throughout the day can be good.
•••••
Got off work at 11:30 Saturday night. I was going to go to bed, but then decided to watch Running on the Sun, a documentary about the Badwater Ultra. All I can say is WOW! So incredible! It made me really excited to run, so even though I only went to bed at 2:30, I got up at 7:00 to run 12 miles. Nothing like running 135 miles, but seriously, I can't even complain about being tired when some of those people go for 50 hours without real sleep.
•••••
16 miles total today
•••••
59 mile week
191 miles on Fireroad A
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Catching Up.
I haven't written anything here since Thursday.
Friday:
8 miles in morning
3 miles in afternoon.
Saturday
Arnel Week 1 in morning
5 in afternoon (threw in 10 x 10 variation pushups during run).
70 seconds ab planks each side
175 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
Abby, you asked if you should do PT all at once or throughout the day. From a physiological standpoint, I really don't know, but I think it is just as beneficial to split up workouts. That way, you are sure to complete all the reps and such, plus you may tack on a bit more. It also makes workout more manageable, I think. If you have a bunch of stuff to do, it is easier to break it down.
Any PT is good, so just do whatever you think is best for you and works best with your schedule.
Friday:
8 miles in morning
3 miles in afternoon.
Saturday
Arnel Week 1 in morning
5 in afternoon (threw in 10 x 10 variation pushups during run).
70 seconds ab planks each side
175 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
Abby, you asked if you should do PT all at once or throughout the day. From a physiological standpoint, I really don't know, but I think it is just as beneficial to split up workouts. That way, you are sure to complete all the reps and such, plus you may tack on a bit more. It also makes workout more manageable, I think. If you have a bunch of stuff to do, it is easier to break it down.
Any PT is good, so just do whatever you think is best for you and works best with your schedule.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sore Legs
The legs were sort of sore today, but that is good. That means that I am actually doing something. Went for a really easy 8. I saw a pack of horses in a corner of a field. One of them looked like it was outside the fence. There could have been an electric wire strung there, but I was not sure; I did not have my glasses on. I stopped at a nearby house and knocked on the door. A white truck was parked in the driveway, so I thought someone would be home, but no one answered the door. A dog ran around from the side of the house though. It looked like a pretty good dog. I petted it.
•••••
Did Arnell's Week 1 workout again.
3 sets of each:
A1: pushup (20)
A2: squat (20)
B1: lunge (20)
B2: pullup (6)
C1: bodybuilder (10)
C2: plank (45 sec)
Later in the day did band exercises: bicep, tricep (3 x 10), wrist (10 each)
Finished off today with 70 seconds plank each side and 20 neck each way.
•••••
8 miles
162 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
Did Arnell's Week 1 workout again.
3 sets of each:
A1: pushup (20)
A2: squat (20)
B1: lunge (20)
B2: pullup (6)
C1: bodybuilder (10)
C2: plank (45 sec)
Later in the day did band exercises: bicep, tricep (3 x 10), wrist (10 each)
Finished off today with 70 seconds plank each side and 20 neck each way.
•••••
8 miles
162 miles on Fireroad A
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
2x Day, Goggins
Ran twice today. I had to take the car to the shop today, so I just ran the half mile back, then tacked on 2.5 more. A good 3 miler in the morning! Temp was still cold. Windchill of 7. Had to run right into the wind the last mile.
•••••
8 miles in the afternoon. Did a new route. Out into the country, past the ethanol plant, to Springer Hill, and back around town. Thought about picking it up during the run, but then decided to just take it really easy. Had to stop for a train. Walked so I wouldn't get cold. Temperatures a lot nicer than this morning, at 36 degrees and only a slight wind.
•••••
Decided to do ab planks in the evening. 70 seconds each side.
•••••
So, HERE is another video and an article of David Goggins. I think he is going to take the place of Dean.
•••••
11 miles total
154 miles on Fireroad A
•••••
8 miles in the afternoon. Did a new route. Out into the country, past the ethanol plant, to Springer Hill, and back around town. Thought about picking it up during the run, but then decided to just take it really easy. Had to stop for a train. Walked so I wouldn't get cold. Temperatures a lot nicer than this morning, at 36 degrees and only a slight wind.
•••••
Decided to do ab planks in the evening. 70 seconds each side.
•••••
So, HERE is another video and an article of David Goggins. I think he is going to take the place of Dean.
•••••
11 miles total
154 miles on Fireroad A
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
8 miles today. Hands almost froze. The cold is bad!
Did some PT. Week 1 of program, which included pullups. Pullups felt good! Only did 3 x 5, but it was a good start. Then 3 x 10 biceps and triceps. 25 arm hauler.
•••••
Click HERE for a motivating video. This guy is the real deal.
Did some PT. Week 1 of program, which included pullups. Pullups felt good! Only did 3 x 5, but it was a good start. Then 3 x 10 biceps and triceps. 25 arm hauler.
•••••
Click HERE for a motivating video. This guy is the real deal.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Back
I am back in Nebraska. The cold was still here. 7 degrees right now! Oh, when will it get warm again?
Spent 4 days in California. It was wondeful! Read more about it in my other blog, if you like. I will post a day-by-day list of happenings on Tuesday, probably.
Didn't get much running in. Actually, I only ran once. 8 miles. Walked a lot, though.
Did some PT today: 6 x 25 push, 6 x 15 ab (half flutter, half lever), 1 min ab plank each.
Am planning an awesome week of running...
Spent 4 days in California. It was wondeful! Read more about it in my other blog, if you like. I will post a day-by-day list of happenings on Tuesday, probably.
Didn't get much running in. Actually, I only ran once. 8 miles. Walked a lot, though.
Did some PT today: 6 x 25 push, 6 x 15 ab (half flutter, half lever), 1 min ab plank each.
Am planning an awesome week of running...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
