Posting Comments

Not that anybody else reads this, much less comments, I've still enabled comment moderation so we don't get stupid messages like the comment on the last entry. If you leave a comment and it doesn't show up immediately, don't worry, it'll show eventually once I approve it. I have the power! (evil maniacal laughter)

Things You Don't Encounter Running Outside

If the power goes off and you're running outside, you keep running. If it happens when you're running on the treadmill, you're forced to stop. That happened once, and then when my wife got home and was talking to me I bumped the safety key and it stopped again. Aargh! So I'm guessing I got in a very frustrated 3.5 miles or so. But given the wind and cold today, it's still better than running outside.

For the Moment

At least for the moment I could get addicted to running indoors on the treadmill. Sure, the sun is shining, but it's breezy and cool. I don't listen to my iPod when running outdoors, but it sure is fine when running in place, 5 miles' worth today. Then again, I'm not a big fan of winter, so I'm sure once the sun is out consistently and the weather is warmer I'll be glad to run in the great wide open.

Intervals

3.47 miles worth of intervals, to be exact. 90 seconds at a regular pace, and then 30 at the faster pace, all of this for 45 minutes. The treadmill is still new enough that this actually seems like fun to me. Hopefully the weather will turn warm and I can run outside again before that feeling wears off.

Snow Day

Last night it snowed four inches. Today I ran 4 miles. We should have bought this treadmill a long time ago!

Back in the Saddle Again

Decided to go for a change of pace to get back into running mode, which in this case involves a treadmill. Yes, after throwing the idea around for a few years, we finally took the plunge and got one. It really was nice to start out easy on something besides an asphalt surface. After running intervals on the thing for 2.22 miles (it's very precise, you know), I can tell the difference afterward because my knees don't feel like they've been pistoned on concrete for forty minutes.

Besides which, it's also snowing. I love running, but I really have to be in the mood to go out in the snow.

Disappointing

I was planning on running six miles today and felt pretty good...except for my calves and shins. I don't know what the problem is, but usually when they're this tight and sore I shut things down for a while. I ran 3 miles and decided that rather than risk not being able to run for a very long time I'd listen to what my body was telling me and stop. With Teri going out of town in a few days and being responsible for the kids while she's away this is as good a time as any to take a break. Hopefully next week will be better.

Around and Around

The wind was blowing pretty hard today so I didn't really feel like going out and battling that for an hour. I ended up taking the kids to a nearby school and while they ran themselves crazy on the artificial turf I did what Runner's World euphemistically calls "speed work." The track was short, what I estimated at 220 yards, or half of a normal track, so I did some warmup laps and then four laps of faster paced running followed by several cooldown circles. Not too bad, and it's something I need to do to build up a good foundation for longer runs.

Global Warming Rocks!

I think it's great to be running in temps in the mid-50's at the start of January. Who could possibly complain about (alleged) global warming?

Ran to Target and back, which is about 4.5 miles. My shins have been achy, so I went ahead and wore the old running shoes today. I'll wear them again the next few times in an attempt to get things back into alignment. I'm wondering if the problem might be the new dress shoes I got a couple of weeks ago for work.

Again, cheers for global warming!

The First Run of 2007

2007 Goal: To run and finish a marathon.

Today: The first three miles for the year toward that goal. I ate way too much over the holiday. Six cookies? Cheesecake? Dr. Pepper? What was I thinking? If I was an alcoholic I'd be checking into the Betty Ford Clinic for falling off the wagon so badly. As it was I felt like the proverbial fat guy with the New Year's resolution chugging down the street.

Something odd: I've had some minor aches and pains in my feet and lower legs, so I was pulling out my old shoes since that always seems to set things straight. I was removing the insert from one of the old pair and out came an extra insole! I don't know if this was intentional or not, but the new pair had an extra set of the insole cushioning. They weren't glued down like the ones underneath, but that would explain why they've felt tighter than I thought they should and maybe explains why I've had those pains. So I went ahead and wore the newer pair after removing the extra insoles and I could really tell the difference. Strange but true.