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.

Last Run of 2006

The weather outside was wet and I wasn't going to run, but then I thought hey, you can't train for running a race in the rain unless you actually practice in the rain. So I went out and it wasn't too bad and I got a full 5 miles in.

It seems like it takes me 2.5-3 miles to get warmed up these days, so maybe by October or so I'll feel the same way about the first 10 miles of a run.

Happy New Year!

It's Good to be Back

After several days of family and food, it was good to be back on the road. Ran a different route today just because I could. It's partly a shorter route I used to run but I added on a little bit and it turned out to be right at 5K. It seemed longer, though, since the first half was uphill!

It's amazing that I can tell the difference in just a few minutes of extra sunlight even though we're just days past the equinox. The weather has been nice, although a bit cloudy today. Even so, the temperature was around 50 degrees when I started and not much cooler when I finished even though the sun was down.

Used my gift card from Mom & Dad to buy some new running duds tonight. Thanks for making me look spiffy!

Running in the sun

Am I the slowest jogger in the world? Quite possibly. But I did my five miles today, and even though it wasn't my best run ever, I did it, by golly. I did it.

Sometimes it's not about how fast you go, it's just that you accomplish what you set out to do. And if the sun comes out to shine on you in your last mile, then you can take it as God giving you a smile.

'Twas the Friday Before Christmas

Today's run was tougher than I thought it would be. I work a schedule where I get every other Friday off from work, so I was looking forward to actually running in daylight today. Not sure if it was a lingering effect from fighting off sickness, a nice little headwind that sent the temperature below freezing, or the accumulation of all the holiday snacks that my co-workers have been spiriting into the office the past few weeks, but I only managed about 2 3/4 miles today.

That's okay, though, since I'd like to run the next two days as well, so I'll look on the bright side and consider this a warmup for the weekend.

Office snacks aside, at least I'm doing better on the ice cream and late-night snacks. Although last night I did have a few bites from a gingerbread/molasses cookie Teri got from the cafe while we were at Barnes & Noble. It was tasty, I have to admit. Today I'm taking her out for lunch at a new Italian restaurant that I've been to a few times but she hasn't yet. It's nice having my mother-in-law in town - I actually get to go out on dates with my wife!

Recovery

This is what I call a recovery run. After literally a week and a half of fighting off the sinus and throat crud my kids kept trying to share with me I finally felt good enough to hit the road today. The wife had to go to Target to get a few things, so I rode with her and then ran home, which was approx. 2.5 miles. The twist was who would get home first - the answer? A tie. I was finishing my cooldown walk when she pulled into the driveway. Now that's timing!

Even though it's been over a week, I felt like I could run another mile, but I didn't press it. It's not like I'm running a marathon today. The temperature was cool in the upper 30s and just a hint of a breeze.

One thing's becoming clear: if I'm going to do this marathon thing I'm going to have to cut down on a few bad habits, such as snacking on chocolate at the office or that bowl of ice cream I had last night. How in the world am I going to do that?

Running Into the Wind

Sunny and clear, but still cold and very windy. The gusts were 20-25 mph, again from the south and keeping the climate cold. Ran almost 3 miles, which wasn't bad after being somewhat under the weather the past two days. I've been freebasing Vitamin C and taking orange juice by IV in an attempt to stay healthy before heading out of town on Monday. Don't know if I'll get a chance to run in Vegas, but I'll try between meetings.

Today's designer apparel was courtesy of the 3rd Annual Kansas City Zoo Run with a neon-green short-sleeved Run for the Elephants t-shirt over a long-sleeved white 19th Annual Parkville Turkey Trot shirt. The main ensemble was completed by a pair of black sweat pants, the ever-reliable New Balance shoes, and topped off by a red RoadID bracelet.

Now back to my orange juice.

Even Colder

Wind chill in the low teens, tired and not really feeling 100% after work today, so I'll wait 'til tomorrow when it's supposed to be warmer. Marginally, of course.

Another cold one

Pretty good run today. 5 miles, which is twice around the outskirts of our neighborhood's current boundaries.

It was warmer today, almost up to 30 degrees, but the wind chill again knocked it down into the teens. Strangely the wind was out of the south/southwest, which is usually a warmer wind. The cold ones usually come from the north, but what do I know?

Felt pretty satisfied with myself when I got home, but as I've always said I'm not the fastest runner in the world. My lovely bride greeted me with "I thought we were going to have to load up and come looking for you!" since I'd been out so long. Hey, I was going for distance today, not speed, and certainly not into that kind of headwind.

First Post

This is the spot where I'll keep a log of my running. My goal is to run a marathon in 2007, and you're welcome to come along for the ride. Comments or e-mails are always welcome. I'm not the fastest runner in the world, but if I can finish 26.2 miles in whatever time it takes I'll be happy.

To get things started right, I ran a little over 2.5 miles today (Sunday) in the neighborhood, more to get out of the house and stay loose than to accomplish any major training goals. We had an ice storm a few days ago, so this was really my first chance since Tuesday. The temperature was 27 desgrees with a stiff breeze from the north that makes it feel like 16 degrees (according to Yahoo weather). I felt good on the run, although that wind took it out of me on the way back home. Attire included gloves, headwrap, sweatshirt (Cardinals, of course), t-shirt, and long-sleeved athletic shirt that supposedly wicks moisture away from the skin. Yeah, right.

Thanks for stopping by and see you around!