post stomach flu

so i was finally able to get out for a run post stomach flu. my running group went out yesterday for a holiday run as a group and then some coffee. we also got the news that my coach accepted a job in california, which means the end of our weekly track nights. i must say i am a little bummed. i will likely try to continue working with her from afar, with her helping to create training plans for me--but distance may make this hard. but i must forge ahead--starting tomorrow!

5 Reasons Not to Not Run for 2 weeks then go Run 5 Miles

1. Your toes will hurt.
2. Your feet will hurt.
3. Your shins will hurt.
4. Your knees will hurt.
5. You will feel generally miserable.

So I've just come in from a run. I say a run like I have been running frequently, which I have not. Also, I say I have just come in and I mean it. I am dripping sweat onto my computer. I just ran 5 miles in my in-laws neighborhood, which is very hilly.

Before I went out, I knew it was going to be bad because I could not touch my toes whilst stretching. This marked loss of flexibility did not bode well for the hour to come. I ran slow and even had a few walk breaks. I suppose I shouldn't have expected much since I have eaten gluttonously over the last few days and drank just about everything but water. I've got a lot of work to do this week before I run a New Year's Day 5k on Tuesday.

Thanks for not providing visual evidence of flu

Crage, I hate to hear that you are feeling ill at Christmas. I hope you feel better soon. I am only ill from the copious amounts of food I am eating. I have designs on running this afternoon, but we'll see.

recovery vs. running

so i find myself in a similar spot as you, choosing running or something else--in my case the stomach flu. as much as i want to get out and run, i can't. but if you want a really quick way to drop those holiday pounds i highly recommend the flu. hopefully, i will be up and running (both literally and figuratively) soon.

sorry i won't add any images to posting due to the graphic nature of my current condition.

happy christmas.

Christmas - Running vs. Eating

So I have come to Aiken, SC where we will spend Christmas at Kristina's parents' house. It's going to be mild here temperature wise and I'm hoping to take advantage by pounding out some miles. My concern is that I can't stop myself from pounding the Christmas goodies as well.

discoveries...

the other day i discovered that we have a locker room in my building, complete with showers--so now i have the option of going for a run at lunch, which is good because it is light out. today i ran probably about 2.5 miles round trip (maybe more, maybe less)--wasn't sure how much time i could take on my inaugural run, so i kept it short. i went down along the waterfront, so that i could avoid the stop and start that comes with crosswalks on every corner. i think if i plan this better i will try to eat a bit more before i run so that i have a bit more energy to burn. but i made it.

<---here is a picture of what it looked like so that you can envision my accomplishment!

12k's of Christmas

so my sister and i did the 12k's of christmas yesterday (sunday) and had a good time. we decided to do the 5k course instead of the 12k, which was just a better idea for my sister. we had a goal time of 35 minutes and came in at 36:34, not too bad considering my sister doesn't run much (or at all). we started with a 3 minute walk and moved to a 3 minute run, and back to a 3 minute walk than run. our first mile took us about 12 minutes. eventually we shortened up our walk breaks and i extended the run time to 4 or 5 minutes without telling her. the other thing was i ran in front of her and would stop 30 to 40 seconds before her and she would have to catch up. she loved it and wants to do another one next month, and the next, and the next and so on. so as a result i set her up for some running programs for the treadmill--short intervals to help build up speed and distance.

i must say that an adventure run sounds great. i am still trying to figure out a workout schedule with the two jobs, but will hopefully master something soon. i will just have to "will" it so. i did however, get a new lightweight running jacket and a cool north face top. i should have, however, looked at the price of the jacket before purchasing it, but i figured with my discount no problem. i felt some guilt until i ran in it yesterday--it was pretty cool. i feel like i am getting all pimped out with my new gear, now if only my running could compete.

one more thing, i have a book for you to read. i've enjoyed the little bit i have read thus far and it has come widely recommended to me. i think it is worth a trip to barnes and nobles for a look through. here it is--

Mini-Adventure Run

Sorry to be late on the running update. As is the usual story for me the last few weeks, I have been a sucky runner over the last few days. I slept through my scheduled run from Saturday morning, so I have to go back to Thursday to give you a report.

On Thursday, I went on a mini-adventure run. Basically, that means that we ran without a particular distance or direction in mind. After winding around on some our usual paths, we lept (like in steeplechase) over a construction barrier at the end of an unfinished running trail. This led us back out to the main road through town, which forced me to run along a windtunnel of traffic and up a brutal hill before returning home. It ended up at about 5.5 miles and was an outstanding run. I don't know how I felt so good, considering that I had poor running and poor nutrition leading up to it. I'm still hoping to set a PR in my NYD 5K. We'll see what happens.

Also, I got my Road I.D. in the mail over the weekend. It is the one that hooks to your shoe. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it, but hopefully I don't enjoy it too much as that would imply that I got hit by a car.

I have racquetball to play today. We play on Mondays and Fridays. Basically, racquetball is currently the atheletic highlight of my week. It is highly competitive, I sweat out about 5lbs worth of fluids, and I want to freaking collapse by the end. Couldn't be better.

new look

so the new look is completely by accident. i went to change one minor thing and everything when to s---! so until i can figure out how to get a full-size image back up in the header we have a new look. you like?

Those is some real nifty thangs on the right!

Can I get a countdown to the Knoxville Half Marathon please? I know it is weenie in comparison to your westside mega-run, but it would make me feel good if I could be included.

I have not managed to run in the morning yet this week.

before the cock crowed once...

i did it! i got my butt out of bed at about 6:15 and went out for a run. it was cold, dark and simply unappealing. i wore a headlamp, my vest which is has reflective parts and my new flashing light thing; but in the end i was overdressed and had to strip a layer off part way through (i forgot the 10 degree warmer rule). the run i mapped out was about 5k and i walked about a quarter mile of it--the majority of the uphill parts. i pushed through some and just gave up on others. not too bad for getting up earlier than normal. i even returned to the house to some stretching and ab work. take that be-otch!

update on my suckage...

so it looks like you are not the only one to suck...it seems as if i am living in a world of great intentions. like you, life is busy with work (this time 2 jobs), and my fitness has thus been neglected. for example: today i had got up early enough to get to work early so i would have time to get from work to a run to my other commitment, but no dice--jonah ran off for 20 minutes and so i have a set back in my schedule that may make my grand desires something i can't achieve. it is very frustrating. i am going to try hard to get something in tonight or tomorrow, but it may be a great intention and nothing more--check in with me thursday and maybe something will transpire.
things have also been slowed down by my sore hamstring. i tried to run on it last tuesday at track and i got about 2 miles on it, before i really was struggling. it doesn't hurt as much and i have been doing some of the physical therapy they had me do after the last injury, so hopefully i can get out of the gate soon. i have a run this weekend...i am doing the 5k and my sister is doing the 12k walk. once i am done running i am going to catch up with her on the walk and finish it with her. hopefully this won't be one of my great intentions.
it sounds like you are quickly working your way away from the being the biggest loser. what happened?

O Dusty, Run Like Rage!

Crage,
Let's get back to it. First off, I've been exceedingly busy at work and consequently quite lousy at running. My next race is a New Year's Day 5k. I have been planning to set a P.R., but, due to my lack of effort, we'll have to see how that works out. I wanted to thank you again for my Road I.D., which I just ordered. Here's what it says:


O DUSTY, RUN LIKE RAGE!

So here's my latest run report. It actually starts before the run. On Saturday night, I went to one of my favorite Mexican joints (though to be fair nearly all "Mexican" food in America is actually "Tex-Mex"). I devoured many chips and much salsa followed by a massive burrito. When I went out to run 6 miles the following morning, I made it about 3/4 of one mile before I turned around. My gastrointestinal tract won that early morning battle over running. I suck.

making new runners

you bring up an interesting theme of trying to support, encourage, and challenge our non-runner family and friends. over the last 6 months, i've managed to get kristina back into running (which she has done admirably) and now i've got my sister doing her first 5k at the end of the month and then a 1/2 in the spring. all that to say, i love bringing people along on the running bandwagon, but as you talk about having to walk races, if feel the same about having to run with less accomplished runners. that's not to make me sound like a great runner (and certainly my friends who were better runners ran with me when I was sucking), but when i take the time to run with k or my sister, i get no benefit out of those distances or paces. anyways, i'm not sure the answer, but it is a bit of a trade off.

gusto-less

so last week everything got sidelined--i'm not exactly sure by what, but things got sidelined nonetheless. monday was about the only day i did anything, and others were filled with great intentions to get caught up. thursday--forgot the gym bag; friday--didn't feel like going afterwork, so i thought i'd go saturday morning--nope! then i decided i would go for a short run on the trails by my house in the snow, but after having some difficulties with compact ice on the way home--i decided driving to the trails was a no go. so i had a pathetic week last week, but home to triumphantly return this week starting with a trip to the gym after work.

also, saturday's food intake does not sound like it was on the biggest loser food plan--i can see how it weighed you down. i agree walking a 1/2 sounds like torture, but it got her out. she wants me to walk a 12k with her in about 2 weeks, but we agreed upon this--i will run the 5k that the same event has and then i will try to find her and walk the rest. if i always walk with her i will never run again.

peace out

A Tale of Two Runs

Crage, let me contrast for you my two most recent runs. On Thursday night, I ran 4.5 miles with great confidence, gusto, and in a blistering time. I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was fast. This morning, I ran nearly the same course and distance but I was slow and in agony. The difference you may ask... is that yesterday whilst watching Tennessee lose the SEC Championship, I consumed many beers and the better part of a 4-pound mass of sausage and cheese that I fashioned into a dip. Also, I had some wings and cheese sticks and such. Let's just say that I learned my lesson about garbage in - garbage out.
My advice is this: don't try to walk a half marathon. I can think of nothing more boring. I can't wait to get my Road ID, but I am waiting until I get my blood type in the mail. I don't know it, but I recently gave blood for the first time and they will tell me. Another story for another time. Now I must sleep as my new job responsibilities mean that I have to be there at 7am everyday. Suck!