Back to it...

After changing up the running schedule last week to allow for a weekend excursion I was back at it this morning. Nothing too big just a little 3 mile jaunt. No real problems one way or another just kind of put it in cruise control. Finished in 32:13 which is about normal. At this point I have no idea how I ran a 30:28 last week...seems lightening fast.

This week running:
Monday 3
Tuesday 5
Wednesday Bike 30 minutes
Thursday 4
Friday off
Saturday 9
Sunday off

What I learned last week:
*Just because you hang out with college friends it doesn't mean you can drink like you are in college.
*No puke streaks are meant to broken.
*Training partners are helpful but they can't make you get out of bed...that's on you.

It's Friday...

My plan for today was to do 5 miles but I only ended up doing 4. It was windy and raining but part of me feels like those are just excuses...bottom bottom line 5 just didn't happen. The training schedule that I'm following called for 4-6 so technically I'm still in there but I wanted to do the midpoint on each of my long days. I'm a little disappointed in myself but life isn't perfect...just have to keep on keeping on.

Dogs Breath

For those of you who aren't blessed with humidity the only thing I can compare it to is a dogs breathe...hot, heavy, wet, sticky air. Needless to today it was humid and about 1 mile in I realized...no decided today wouldn't be the day I broke the land speed record or 30 minutes whichever came first. I was actually looking forward to running through the sprinklers, much like the 5 year old little boy who lives next door(well except I would be dressed...seriously isn't 5 too old to be naked on a slip and slide?), however there wasn't a friggin' sprinkler on in my entire neighborhood. I ended up finishing in 32:48 but the fact I didn't break 30 was disappointing but my goal is to run 26.2 and finishing 3 without walking was more important today then breaking 30.

I've read a couple places that it'll take a couple of weeks to get used to running in hotter and more humid conditions so I hope that is the case because it's not even hot yet. Running with temperatures in the 60's everyday has spoiled me fast.

On a side note I use the expression on a side note a lot so I will apologize for overusing that phrase and I will try to think of other ways to express things that I feel are on a side note.

Off day tomorrow and then 5 on Friday.

Tuesday Crosstraining

Yeah it didn't happen. I slept in til 5:45 and it was glorious. It's a recovery week so I probably should just take it easy or at least thats what I told myself so I didn't have to get out of bed. 3 miles tomorrow and I will break 30 minutes...

Seriously 30 minutes...

My alarm clock didn't go off today but I managed to get out of bed anyway. Stretched out and then hit the door ready to break 30 minutes. I thought my problem last week with not being able to break the mark was my slow first mile so my plan today was to really push the first mile. I was on a 10 minute mile pace but I got slowed up a little when Lady had to pee so I dropped the leash like usual and she did her business and then caught up with me. Unfortunately for some reason I wasn't coordinated enough to keep my legs going and pick up her leash so I had to stop running to grab it and go but it was just a few seconds so no biggie. Reached the 1.2 mile mark in around 13:00 so I wasn't too far off pace. With a big finish at the end I thought I could make up that time.

The next half mile or so I drifted off...not sure exactly where by my pace was horrid. By the time I reached mile 2 and realized what happen I was already at around 22:00 so I just started pushing myself. With a little over 1/2 mile to go I was sitting at 26:00 and I kept running. I thought I had it...felt like I was finally going to get there but I guess my legs weren't going as fast as I thought they were. I finished at 30:38. Not quite the under 30 but I'm getting there.

Off day tomorrow but I'm going to ride a bike tomorrow just for fun. Until next time...

Recovery Week

After the run yesterday I actually felt sore. Up to that point my legs had been sore a couple times but yesterday was a new animal. I feel a lot better to day but it's a good thing this is a recovery week with an extra day off. This week is my first scheduled recovery week. I'm supposed to run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday but I may do Monday, Wednesday and Friday instead because I may be out of town next weekend. So it looks like:

Monday: 3
Wednesday: 3
Friday: 5

Should be a good week. I would love to finally break 30 minutes but to do that I will have to run my first mile a lot faster than last week...or ever really. It'll happen.

One thing that has stuck wtih me from reading the blogs of other readers. I've read it more than once and it's a great answer to the question of why run...because I can.

7 Mile Saturday

Holy sh!t...I just ran 7 miles. I don't even care about the time although I finished in 1:16:25. After I got done running this morning I thought there is no way...I did something wrong I missed a mile or something. I mean seriously I can't run 7 run miles. I mean I ran 3 miles for the first time ever like 12 days ago. Huh, weird. Double checked it on www.mapmyrun.com and sure enough I did 7 miles. Nice.

Other than that I'm honestly at a loss. Nothing whitty or clever but that's no surprise...but you can call off the search and rescue teams I made it home.

On a side note I considered leaving Lady at home today because I thought 7 might be too much for her but she's a freaking rock star. Loves it...except sprinklers at which time she tries to hide behind me as we pass. Usually not a big deal but today we ran earlier and I guess the sprinklers were set to crotch level. Not cool. I guess not all Labs like water.

On another side note I started wearing bandaids/pasties all the time now just simply because it hurts too much to rip them off 4 x's week. I figure they'll just fall off naturally like all ohter bandaids.

Back tomorrow to give more words to live by.

Random Thought

I have been running a new route for the past couple of weeks and during which I have passed the same guy around 5:15 AM on five out of the seven days. He's usually trucking down a hill at the same time I am meandering up the hill. I call it a hill...it's not though. It's more of a slight incline if that but I digress. The days I see him I always think to myself 'man that guy is a runner'. Everything about him says runner: his stride, his confidence or maybe the fact he can pass me without breathing as though he's being chased by a pack of angry bee's. I think he says 'Morning' to me just so I have to make some noise back...smug b@st@rd. Actually he seems like a nice guy however it makes me wonder what he thinks about as he passes? I mean honestly you have nothing to do but thing while running so I'm sure he's thinking something. The possibilities are endless:

a. At least he's trying!
b. How is it possible for him to run yet his dog to walk?
c. Wouldn't it be easier to drive to Hardee's?
d. What are those C cups?

The best part is from here on out I will probably laugh every time i see him...

7 miles tomorrow. if there is nothing posted by 9 AM consider calling for assistance. Thanks.

First Mile Suck

Ever have one of those days where you wake up early and feel great but go back to sleep and wake up not so great? That was today. Woke up at 4:05 and decided that was too early so I went back to sleep and slept until 4:45 then got up for my morning run. That time I was groggy and not ready to face the day at all. In my lack of consciousness I ended up forgetting my band-aids and my sweatband. Not a good way with the whole runners nipple thing and I need a sweatband...trust me so not pretty.

I paid a lot more attention to my time today as I really wanted to break 30 minutes for 3 miles. The problem was I ran the first mile in around 13 1/2 minutes. Now I don't know why but I start out so slow. I do like a 5 minute walk and then run but a 13 1/2 minute mile is horrible. I finished mile 2 at around 24 minutes which is close around 10 1/2 minutes which I am fine with and then the last mile I ran in around 8 1/2 minutes for a total of 32:27 which is my best time for 3 miles but I actually was faster per mile on my 4 mile run on Tuesday. So if apply that logic to a marathon I should be running like what 6 minute miles towards the end? Sweetness.

2 weeks ago I couldn't run 3 miles now I don't even think about quiting while running it. It's like I own that distance...if by owning I mean slowly running it down over a long distance but not longer than 5 miles yet. Please. Thank you.

No run tomorrow. Then 7 miles on Saturday. Wowza.

mmm sleep

Today was an off day but I have the option of cross training by biking, lifting or doing something else somewhat physical. I really need to start doing something else on Wednesdays and Fridays but my bed was calling me today. My plan for cross training today is mowing the yard tonight. It's exercise right?

Just 3 miles in the morning. Would love to show some progress on these 3 mile runs as far as time goes. On a side note I said 'just 3 miles tomorrow' and I meant it...weird right? Only 3 miles. Perception is awesome.

I'll be back tomorrow. Keep on keep'n on.

Tuesday, June 17

I actually got a good nights sleep last night so that was helpful. Because I struggled with the 3 miles yesterday I had a little of that hangover today but once I hit the halfway point everything seemed to level out. I pushed myself pretty hard the last 1/2 mile or so which I was happy about. I ended up doing 4 miles in 42:33. Big thing is I finished and I gained some of the momentum I lost from the bad attitude run I had yesterday.

Tomorrow is an off day but I'll try to think of something clever to write. If that doesn't happen which it probably won't then it's 3 miles on Thursday.

Keep on trucking.

On a side note when I got to work today there was a little package with white running socks...I guess the black running socks I wore in Hospital Hill Run aren't attractive. Actually it was a very nice gesture from a lady at work who used to do a lot of running. Very nice of her.

Ugh Monday

Today was pretty bad. For some reason I didn't sleep last night. I woke up around 1 AM and couldn't get back to sleep. When I finally got up to run it was raining and I almost just went back to bed instead I just ran with a bad attitude. I never really got into it but finally I finished. 3 miles in 33:41. Not great but I finished. Four miles tomorrow. Hopefully I'll get my mind right between now and then.

Week of 6/15/08 - 6/21/08

My schedule for the week is as follows:

Sunday: Off
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: 4 miles
Wednesday: Off
Thursday: 3 miles
Friday: Off
Saturday: 7 miles

It should be a good week. I'm looking forward to the 7 mile run on Saturday.

On Saturday I talked to my training partner down in Springfield. It's amazing that this time 11 weeks ago neither one of us could even run a full mile and we are both now at personal bests in distance and length of time running. A lot of it has to do with our early training schedule that started slow and progressed at a pretty conservativel rate. If anyone is interested in starting a relationship with running check it out...it works like a champ.

Saturday Long Run (for me)

I hesistate to call it a long however it is long for me. My training schedule called for a 4-6 mile run and I wanted to split the difference in all of those long runs. So my goal for today was 5 miles. I was out the door by 5 o'clock and after a short warmup I was off. My ankle was tight at first and then loosened up and my legs were pretty good. Ran the 5 miles in 54:42. Uneventful run but I made it without any real problems. No dogs, no cramps, no nipple chaffing and great weather.

Tomorrow is an off day then 3 on Monday. I'l be back then.

Lessons Learned

Now before I start let me preface this with I haven't been running long...I'm sure both of the people reading this know that but I wanted to get that out of the way. If my running was a baby it would still be breast feeding, if it was a puppy it would still pee all over the carpet and if it was a car it would still have that new car smell but none the less I have learned a thing or two.

1. Running is mental especially when I think about running. I'm still at the point where if I think about running while running I will probably end up walking. If for some reason I can think about other stuff like the rain, gum drops or unicorns I seem to do much better.

2. That euphoric feeling knows as the "runners high" does exist and it's amazing.

3. Nipples chafe. I remember watching The Office and seeing poor Andy Bernard suffer from nipple chaffing while running in a 5k to rid the World of Rabies. At the time it was humorous however after 8 weeks I've realized nipple chaffing is real and I now wear pasties when I run. Who knew?

4. Much like Butters needed an acountabillabuddy at the de-gayifaction camp in South Park having others along for the ride makes the process a little easier. A good friend of mine in Springfield, Zach, is on the same training schedule as me and we constantly update each other regarding our progress. It's not a competition but it's positive support. In addition a couple of other friends from back in the day Kurt and Kyle have both already done marathons are giving me feedback and advice as well.

5. Humidity = bad.

6. Broken ankles never really heal right. The only recurring discomfort I have had up to this point is my right ankle that I broke in high school. It's stiff at first (that's what she said) but loosens up during the run. I'm doing more stretches to make it better early on during runs but I have a feeling it's going to be a battle.

7. If you pass a crawdad while running on the sidewalk they instinctively flip over on to their backs and flail about as if that will somehow protect them. Of all the natural reactions from creatures such as possums, crawdads to fainting goats this has to be one of the worst defense mechanisms ever.

8. No matter how small dogs are it's not pretty to see them out and about while running. I run with Ladybird because at this point I can't justify running and not getting her some exercise. The problem is when she sees another dog she pulls, growls or otherwise does whatever she can to break my rhythm. In the long run I see this as a benefit since it'll help me run faster when I need to or being able to get started again after I stop to pick up Lady so she doesn't nip other dogs.



I'm sure I've learned more but I'm drawing a blank.

5 mile run tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. So if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise I'll be back tomorrow.

It's Not the Heat it's the Humidity

I hate it when people say that...seriously. Annoys the living crap out of me but it's true. I've been struggling with the humid runs. Earlier this week when I did my 3 mile and 4 mile runs the temperature was in the low to mid 60's which is ideal as far as I am concerned. But today it was 75 which 78% humidity for my first step. It wasn't pretty but I finished. 32:52 for 3 miles. Next run is 5 miles on Saturday morning. Should be interesting.

Getting Started

I have read a lot of blogs here lately. Some for motivation, some for inspiration and some just for entertainment. But after reading enough I thought hey I can do this so here we go...I'm doing this.

As for the purpose of this blog I'm going to attempt to chronicle my first marathon which will be the Kansas City Marathon, October 18, 2008. I was going back and forth between doing the half marathon and the full marathon however I decided to just go for it. I'm not getting any younger plus no telling if I will be in better or worse shape this time next year so as my friend Kurt's dad says, "If you're gonna be a bear be a grizzly" so I'm going for it.

The marathon is 18 weeks from Saturday. The longest run I have ever been on was yesterday and it was only 4 miles. Needless to say I have a long way to but I'm excited about the challenge ahead of me. So if the good lords willing and the creek don't rise I'll be back tomorrow.