Yesterday (Tuesday) I was unable to go out for my usual run. My current running schedule has me running a slow, easy run with decent miles on Monday, interval workout on Tuesday, rest day on Wednesday; slow, shorter run on Thursday; long run on Friday. That schedule was interrupted by having to switch up our car pool to get the kids to school, and so my Tuesday run was out of the question. Knowing that I wanted to make it up by running on Wednesday, I had all my stuff out this morning to make sure that I got the start that I needed. Alarm clock goes off - check. Get out of bed - check. Success so far! By the time I got the boys out of the house to go to school, however, I was not at all feeling like running. I did not sleep that well last night, and I knew that the BBQ that I had eaten the night before at the Men's group meeting had not settled very well, and I was not feeling up for the prospects of going out and doing intervals.
But I was completely reminded that the first step is usually the hardest one to take. That is the case for so many things in life. Asking my wife out on our first date was much harder than asking her to marry me. Going back to church the very first time after leaving the church was much harder than answering my call to the ministry. In that same way, the first step in running is usually the hardest one to take. Being reminded of that, I finished getting my shoes on and off I went to run a warm up mile, 2 miles of intervals, and then a cool down mile. I did not follow that plan. Instead, I did a warm up mile, 3 miles of intervals, and then a cool down mile. See - the first step was the hardest, and I took that step thinking I was only running 4 miles. But once I got started, I was able to go ahead and do another hard running mile.
If you are reading this and have been thinking about making some sort of change in life, let me reassure you that the first step is the most difficult, but it is one that you can make. You cannot know where that step will take you until you first take it. For me, that first step ultimately took me to running a marathon - something I never thought I would do. Where will that first step take you?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday's mugging
Monday was a tough day to get out and run. After my 9 miles on Friday, I went out and trimmed some bushes at the church since Sunday was Homecoming, and I wanted it to look nice. I spent about 3 hours out there working, and that was after my 9 mile run. I weighed myself after I was done with it all, and I weighed about 9 pounds less than my normal weight (I weighed in a 166, while I normally float around 175 - granted, I once got up to 225 . . . but that was before I started running). Saturday I was so tired and achy from using muscles I don't usually use, and I really felt like it took almost all weekend to get rehydrated. However, I was still able to get myself out the door and head out for 7 miles.
One of the nice things about running in the middle of the town is that there are sidewalks almost everywhere I run. One of the bad things about running in the middle of the town is that those sidewalks run alongside of streets, and on those streets are cars, trucks, and bicycles. Whenever I approach an intersection I have to take special care before I enter, because even if I have the right of way and I know other vehicles have stoplights, I also know they don't always pay attention to them. Monday as I was running I was approaching an intersection where there was a stop sign for the traffic that would be crossing in front of me. In other words, I had the right of way because there was no stop sign facing me. There was this dude on a bmx bicycle that was peddling just as fast as he could approaching the same intersection, and he had the stop sign facing him, so I knew that I was fine to proceed through the intersection. I know that the dude saw me, and I know that I saw him, but that idiot just peddled right past that stop sign and almost slammed right into me - encouraging me as he went past to "Get the &*^% out of the way!" I swear, if I wasn't a couple of miles from my house, and if I wasn't already so darn tired, I might would have picked up a rock or something and tossed it at the jerk. Ok - we all know that I wouldn't have, but I at least gave it a thought.
I just tell this to remind us all where ever we are to pay attention to our surroundings. If you are driving, please try to keep an eye out for pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. If you are running or walking, please try to keep an eye out for other pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. And if you are that dude riding the bmx bike, please get the &*^% out of my way next time.
Back to the run, 7.5 nice and easy miles. A good way to start a stressful week.
One of the nice things about running in the middle of the town is that there are sidewalks almost everywhere I run. One of the bad things about running in the middle of the town is that those sidewalks run alongside of streets, and on those streets are cars, trucks, and bicycles. Whenever I approach an intersection I have to take special care before I enter, because even if I have the right of way and I know other vehicles have stoplights, I also know they don't always pay attention to them. Monday as I was running I was approaching an intersection where there was a stop sign for the traffic that would be crossing in front of me. In other words, I had the right of way because there was no stop sign facing me. There was this dude on a bmx bicycle that was peddling just as fast as he could approaching the same intersection, and he had the stop sign facing him, so I knew that I was fine to proceed through the intersection. I know that the dude saw me, and I know that I saw him, but that idiot just peddled right past that stop sign and almost slammed right into me - encouraging me as he went past to "Get the &*^% out of the way!" I swear, if I wasn't a couple of miles from my house, and if I wasn't already so darn tired, I might would have picked up a rock or something and tossed it at the jerk. Ok - we all know that I wouldn't have, but I at least gave it a thought.
I just tell this to remind us all where ever we are to pay attention to our surroundings. If you are driving, please try to keep an eye out for pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. If you are running or walking, please try to keep an eye out for other pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. And if you are that dude riding the bmx bike, please get the &*^% out of my way next time.
Back to the run, 7.5 nice and easy miles. A good way to start a stressful week.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Asics, take me away!
Years ago there was a series of commercials that everyone knew about. Usually it was a woman who was having a stressful day with the kids and/or work, and when she would get home she would exclaim, "Calgon, take me away" and then she would take a bubble bath to escape from the realities of the day. I think we all need some form of escape from the realities of the world. Some people escape by playing golf; some escape by playing Farmville. I escape by running. Though I usually run at the start of the day, it seems to release whatever built up stress I have, and the day almost always seems to go better. Maybe the day goes better because I have started the day with a clean slate - getting rid of all my stress by pounding the pavement with my Asics. If I didn't realize how much running is my escape, Wednesday I was truly reminded. A rest day is a necessity for any physical activity. Rest allows your body to recover, and allows you muscles to strengthen so that you push harder and further. I knew I needed a rest day for my body on Wednesday, but I truly could feel the stress the rest of the day. That is not a bad thing - it just was a good reminder to me of one of the reasons that I run.
Thursday I did get back out and run, and I have to admit it was one of those runs that I would rather not had. 4 miles of drudgery. Did not want to do too much because I knew I planned on doing my long run on Friday, so I just slogged through the humidity of the day (when is Fall again?). I guess I felt better because I did it, but not at the time.
Monday's 7 miles was the longest run I have done since I ran the marathon on January 10. That is a long time. Today I ran 9. It really did feel good. When I set out this morning I set out to do 8, but in my heart I wanted to try to go for 9. I always feel like I have really accomplished something when I am able to push further than what I originally planned to do. The pace was not fast, and I didn't want it to be. Today I just wanted to push the distance, and I got it done with relative ease.
One note that I might add if you are new to running or thinking about taking it up. As you go for a run, sometimes you might need to take into consideration some of life's necessities. For instance, if it is going to be hot and humid, and you are going to be running more than 45 minutes, you really should be prepared to be able to take in some liquids somehow - either by running by you home and have some water stashed out there, or you can take some fluids with you by carrying a bottle or wearing a "fuel belt" that holds small water bottles around your waste. I also want to recommend that you plan your running route by making sure that if nature calls, you have a way to answer. The reality is brutal - if you are out running and bouncing for an hour or more, gravity is always at work. It can truly be a miserable feeling to have to run while feeling that gravity pull, if you know what I mean. That's all I'll say about that, but do try to plan for anything.
Thursday I did get back out and run, and I have to admit it was one of those runs that I would rather not had. 4 miles of drudgery. Did not want to do too much because I knew I planned on doing my long run on Friday, so I just slogged through the humidity of the day (when is Fall again?). I guess I felt better because I did it, but not at the time.
Monday's 7 miles was the longest run I have done since I ran the marathon on January 10. That is a long time. Today I ran 9. It really did feel good. When I set out this morning I set out to do 8, but in my heart I wanted to try to go for 9. I always feel like I have really accomplished something when I am able to push further than what I originally planned to do. The pace was not fast, and I didn't want it to be. Today I just wanted to push the distance, and I got it done with relative ease.
One note that I might add if you are new to running or thinking about taking it up. As you go for a run, sometimes you might need to take into consideration some of life's necessities. For instance, if it is going to be hot and humid, and you are going to be running more than 45 minutes, you really should be prepared to be able to take in some liquids somehow - either by running by you home and have some water stashed out there, or you can take some fluids with you by carrying a bottle or wearing a "fuel belt" that holds small water bottles around your waste. I also want to recommend that you plan your running route by making sure that if nature calls, you have a way to answer. The reality is brutal - if you are out running and bouncing for an hour or more, gravity is always at work. It can truly be a miserable feeling to have to run while feeling that gravity pull, if you know what I mean. That's all I'll say about that, but do try to plan for anything.
Monday miles and flat-out fartlek
I have definitely been running this week, but I haven't had the time to blog about it. Monday morning was a great run, especially since I had taken several days off. As I wrote about last week, I was having some issues with my right achilles, and so I decided to not risk making it worse by running last Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Since I usually don't run Saturday or Sunday, I only skipped one day, but it felt like forever. When I set out for my Monday run I had planned on just seeing how it felt, and if it didn't bother me too bad I would do 5 miles. I did 7 instead. It seemed to hurt a little bit around the 2nd or 3rd mile, but just like that the pain went away and I felt terrific. 7 miles at an average pace of 9:04 was not too bad of a Monday run.
Since I did 7 miles on Monday, I decided that I really did not want to do too many miles on Tuesday. I realized that I really have not done any type of interval training, which is designed to make you stronger, faster, and build your endurance - and it breaks up the monotony of just going out and running. One of my favorite type of interval workouts is the fartlek - which if you're not familiar with the term, it sounds funny and possibly appropriate for something I would do. The term is Swedish and means "speed play." What you do is you set a spot out in front of you at a random distance, and you run fast to that point. Once you reach that point, you slow down to recover, and then you do it again. I decided to run down to the nearby park for my warm up and once I got there I just did as many flat-out fartleks as I could without throwing up. Though I dreaded the mile run back home, that workout felt so good - I could feel it in my lungs the rest of the day. I also slept QUITE well that night.
Since I did 7 miles on Monday, I decided that I really did not want to do too many miles on Tuesday. I realized that I really have not done any type of interval training, which is designed to make you stronger, faster, and build your endurance - and it breaks up the monotony of just going out and running. One of my favorite type of interval workouts is the fartlek - which if you're not familiar with the term, it sounds funny and possibly appropriate for something I would do. The term is Swedish and means "speed play." What you do is you set a spot out in front of you at a random distance, and you run fast to that point. Once you reach that point, you slow down to recover, and then you do it again. I decided to run down to the nearby park for my warm up and once I got there I just did as many flat-out fartleks as I could without throwing up. Though I dreaded the mile run back home, that workout felt so good - I could feel it in my lungs the rest of the day. I also slept QUITE well that night.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Bread run
In some communities, the locals are blessed or cursed to live in an area that is filled with scents and aromas of the industry surrounding them. When we lived in Spivey's Corner, we occasionally blessed with the aroma of hogs and turkeys. When we got married, we were married in Roanoke Rapids, where the aroma of the paper mill filled the air. The locals would always say "it smells like money to me!" I beg to differ. However, we are fortunate enough to now live in a community where you can smell one of the local industries, and the aroma is quite pleasing - a bread bakery! I love to drive by the bakery, as the smell of loaf bread baking fills the air. And sometimes, if the wind blows just right, you can smell that bread all over town. Today, was such a day! With each breath on my run I inhaled the sweet, pleasing aroma of fresh bread baking. And on that note, I'll see how many "punny" references I can make in my blog today about my run!
I must admit that when I set out for my run I already felt like I was toast(1), which really was a little crumby(2). But once I really wiped the crust(3) out of my eyes, I was able to see it was a beautiful morning Sunrise(4 - I know that's a stretch, but it is a brand of bread). Plugging my ear buds in my ears, they sandwiched(5) my brain with some awesome jams(6 - hey! It's close enough to count!) by Relient K. That music was really popping and there was no way I could loaf(7) my way through my run. Sometimes I think Relient K is the best thing since . . . you guessed it, sliced bread(8). The music helped me keep a good pace, which helped me run a few sub(9) 9:00 minute miles.
Hmm - ok - you've gotta admit - 9 bread puns in that short paragraph was pretty good. The run was also pretty good, but I will need to take note of the pain in my right achilles, and a little pain above my left ankle. The right achilles still is a little sore right now, but the pain above my left ankle is not there right now. Just something for me to be aware of.
I must admit that when I set out for my run I already felt like I was toast(1), which really was a little crumby(2). But once I really wiped the crust(3) out of my eyes, I was able to see it was a beautiful morning Sunrise(4 - I know that's a stretch, but it is a brand of bread). Plugging my ear buds in my ears, they sandwiched(5) my brain with some awesome jams(6 - hey! It's close enough to count!) by Relient K. That music was really popping and there was no way I could loaf(7) my way through my run. Sometimes I think Relient K is the best thing since . . . you guessed it, sliced bread(8). The music helped me keep a good pace, which helped me run a few sub(9) 9:00 minute miles.
Hmm - ok - you've gotta admit - 9 bread puns in that short paragraph was pretty good. The run was also pretty good, but I will need to take note of the pain in my right achilles, and a little pain above my left ankle. The right achilles still is a little sore right now, but the pain above my left ankle is not there right now. Just something for me to be aware of.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Renewable energy
Once your car battery is dead, you've got to get it charged to start the car back up. Assuming your alternator and voltage regulator are fine, simply running your car and driving it will recharge your battery. Amazing technology to me, and it is even more amazing when you consider how hybrid vehicles are using some of that power. I have truly found that I am a lot like a car battery, and no, that does not mean that I am full of acid . . .
I have found that some mornings I will wake up completely dead. That alarm clock may go off, and I try to turn the key to get started, and instead all I get is a weird clicking sound (or the popping from my ankles and knees). But all it takes is if I can get that little jump - whether it is from some OJ or a cup of joe - and I am ready to get started. Yesterday I was reminded of this quite succinctly.
Yesterday morning I felt like there was no way I was going to go run. I got up, ate some breakfast and had a cup of coffee, and then got the boys out the door to the carpool. I managed to get changed into my running gear, and went out the door - still feeling as though I was just "clicking" (and not the good kind of "clicking"). But I found that once I got started, I felt like I had more energy than what I started with. It seemed with almost each step I felt better and better - stronger even. In fact, I ended up running the fastest 5 miles that I've run in over a month. And that power surge seemed to last me ALL day! All day long I felt like I had plenty of energy and did not wear down.
The weird thing is that today I was not scheduled to run, so I got to sleep in a little later. And yet, I feel much more tired today . . . I need a nap so that I can recharge - either that or a run!
I have found that some mornings I will wake up completely dead. That alarm clock may go off, and I try to turn the key to get started, and instead all I get is a weird clicking sound (or the popping from my ankles and knees). But all it takes is if I can get that little jump - whether it is from some OJ or a cup of joe - and I am ready to get started. Yesterday I was reminded of this quite succinctly.
Yesterday morning I felt like there was no way I was going to go run. I got up, ate some breakfast and had a cup of coffee, and then got the boys out the door to the carpool. I managed to get changed into my running gear, and went out the door - still feeling as though I was just "clicking" (and not the good kind of "clicking"). But I found that once I got started, I felt like I had more energy than what I started with. It seemed with almost each step I felt better and better - stronger even. In fact, I ended up running the fastest 5 miles that I've run in over a month. And that power surge seemed to last me ALL day! All day long I felt like I had plenty of energy and did not wear down.
The weird thing is that today I was not scheduled to run, so I got to sleep in a little later. And yet, I feel much more tired today . . . I need a nap so that I can recharge - either that or a run!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Failure success
There are some people in the world who seem to only be able to learn something through failure. These type of people are the type who when they were children, their mother might have told them not to touch the stove because it was hot, but they touched it anyway. These same type of people may have been told in college that they needed to do all of their reading and not depend upon just the classwork to pass, yet they put that to a test to the point of failure. These type of people seem to only learn something once they have failed at something. I am one of those people.
The key to failure is to learn from it. If I continued to touch the hot stove after I was burned the first time, then I would be an idiot. If I continued to try to "just get by" in college classes, then I never would have graduated and ultimately go and receive my Masters. If I had not learned through my failures that there truly is a God upon whom I can depend, then I would still be in the pits of life. I may fail at a lot of things, but I can also say that I learn a lot. Friday I learned another lesson.
Friday is the day that I take off of work. With the kids off at school, and my wife usually off to work in Raleigh on Fridays, it is a perfect day for me to do my "long" runs. However, that also means that Thursday nights once the boys go to bed and with Jenn being gone, I am prone to staying up later than I should watching TV or playing PS3. This Thursday night was no exception, and I was up later than I should have been, especially if I planned on running 7-8 miles the next morning. So when Friday morning rolled around, and once the boys were off to school, instead of going for my run I decided to go back to bed. After all, it was really cloudy and felt quite cool early in the morning, so I figured it would be a nice day and that I would be fine to go for my run around mid-day. Epic fail. The heat and humidity on Friday was much worse than I had anticipated, and I could tell that my body was not ready for that heat. Though I thought I was prepared, I could tell that I had not prepared myself the way I should. I was struggling horribly just 2 miles into the run. Just over 2 miles away from the house, I decided to go ahead and turn back - it just wasn't going to be a 7-8 mile kind of day. Dejected, I soon found myself having to do something I have only done during the marathon - I walked part of it. I was so disappointed. My pace had been great for the first couple of miles - I just felt miserable. Maybe it was because I had done some sprints with my son the evening before. Maybe it was because I stayed up too late. Maybe it was because I ran too late. Maybe it was because I wasn't properly hydrated or nourished. Whatever it was, it ended up being a horrible, no good 4.9 miles.
My usual schedule is to run Monday and Tuesday, and then Thursday and Friday. I'm really trying not to over do it, and I usually don't like to run 3 days in a row (trying my best to not end up with another stress fracture). But we were going to Morehead City Friday evening to visit with my parents, and we would be coming home Saturday night. I knew there was a great running path near my parents home, and so I decided to take my stuff just in case I woke up on Saturday and felt like trying to redeem myself. I knew that I wouldn't do the 7-8, but I was thinking I might just go ahead and do 5 miles that I could feel good about.
Saturday morning came, and sure enough I woke up before everyone got stirring around, so I did decide to go for my run. Though the forecast was for it to be quite pleasant, it was instead quite hot and with very little breeze. But this time I ran with no problems. I ran as though determined. And I ran at a great pace. It really felt nice to get out there and redeem myself. And it also felt great because now I don't have to run again till Tuesday (since I need my 2 days off) and I can sleep in on Labor Day since the whole house will also be sleeping in!
So what have I learned from my failure? If I want to take this upcoming half-marathon and marathon seriously, then I have to be committed to it. I have to hydrate properly the day before. I have to get the rest that I need. I have to eat right. I have got to respect the distance, and the possibility that the weather may be hotter (or colder) than I would prefer. Now if I don't get that 8 miles this coming Friday, hmmm . . . . then I'll be angry . . . and maybe I'll touch a hot stove.
The key to failure is to learn from it. If I continued to touch the hot stove after I was burned the first time, then I would be an idiot. If I continued to try to "just get by" in college classes, then I never would have graduated and ultimately go and receive my Masters. If I had not learned through my failures that there truly is a God upon whom I can depend, then I would still be in the pits of life. I may fail at a lot of things, but I can also say that I learn a lot. Friday I learned another lesson.
Friday is the day that I take off of work. With the kids off at school, and my wife usually off to work in Raleigh on Fridays, it is a perfect day for me to do my "long" runs. However, that also means that Thursday nights once the boys go to bed and with Jenn being gone, I am prone to staying up later than I should watching TV or playing PS3. This Thursday night was no exception, and I was up later than I should have been, especially if I planned on running 7-8 miles the next morning. So when Friday morning rolled around, and once the boys were off to school, instead of going for my run I decided to go back to bed. After all, it was really cloudy and felt quite cool early in the morning, so I figured it would be a nice day and that I would be fine to go for my run around mid-day. Epic fail. The heat and humidity on Friday was much worse than I had anticipated, and I could tell that my body was not ready for that heat. Though I thought I was prepared, I could tell that I had not prepared myself the way I should. I was struggling horribly just 2 miles into the run. Just over 2 miles away from the house, I decided to go ahead and turn back - it just wasn't going to be a 7-8 mile kind of day. Dejected, I soon found myself having to do something I have only done during the marathon - I walked part of it. I was so disappointed. My pace had been great for the first couple of miles - I just felt miserable. Maybe it was because I had done some sprints with my son the evening before. Maybe it was because I stayed up too late. Maybe it was because I ran too late. Maybe it was because I wasn't properly hydrated or nourished. Whatever it was, it ended up being a horrible, no good 4.9 miles.
My usual schedule is to run Monday and Tuesday, and then Thursday and Friday. I'm really trying not to over do it, and I usually don't like to run 3 days in a row (trying my best to not end up with another stress fracture). But we were going to Morehead City Friday evening to visit with my parents, and we would be coming home Saturday night. I knew there was a great running path near my parents home, and so I decided to take my stuff just in case I woke up on Saturday and felt like trying to redeem myself. I knew that I wouldn't do the 7-8, but I was thinking I might just go ahead and do 5 miles that I could feel good about.
Saturday morning came, and sure enough I woke up before everyone got stirring around, so I did decide to go for my run. Though the forecast was for it to be quite pleasant, it was instead quite hot and with very little breeze. But this time I ran with no problems. I ran as though determined. And I ran at a great pace. It really felt nice to get out there and redeem myself. And it also felt great because now I don't have to run again till Tuesday (since I need my 2 days off) and I can sleep in on Labor Day since the whole house will also be sleeping in!
So what have I learned from my failure? If I want to take this upcoming half-marathon and marathon seriously, then I have to be committed to it. I have to hydrate properly the day before. I have to get the rest that I need. I have to eat right. I have got to respect the distance, and the possibility that the weather may be hotter (or colder) than I would prefer. Now if I don't get that 8 miles this coming Friday, hmmm . . . . then I'll be angry . . . and maybe I'll touch a hot stove.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Off pace
As my conditioning improves, one of the things I have struggled with a little bit is my pace. To date, I have run 1 half-marathon and 1 marathon. The half-marathon I intentionally went out s l o w. In fact, it felt too s l o w. But as I kept running, I was able to pick up the pace and really did not have too much problem at all finishing - and I finished in a reasonable 1:59. The marathon was a different story. I went out fast - too fast - much too fast. I was trying to attain a goal that was really out of reach due to my conditioning, and I failed. I finished, but it certainly wasn't easy. So as I am still just building the base and not really doing "training" yet, I am trying to learn the discipline required to maintain the pace that I want to run. That's one of the reasons I highly recommend running with a Garmin or some other GPS watch. It is able to give you that feedback that you need almost instantly. And days like today it is really helpful because I set out with a nice slow pace for what was supposed to be a nice, slow, easy 4 miles. It was important that I not overdo it because tomorrow I am planning a 7 (or 8) mile run, which is longer than I have run since January.
My run started so nice - a nice, slow, easy pace. In fact, I did check my Forerunner, and I was right on track with where I wanted to be, and so I didn't even look at my watch for a couple more miles. When I did check it, I realized I was running about 20 seconds per mile than I had wanted to. The nice thing is that it did not feel like I was going faster, but it still was not what I wanted for today. My last mile was perfectly paced - I don't do many things right, but I did that one. Hoping for the same luck tomorrow!
My run started so nice - a nice, slow, easy pace. In fact, I did check my Forerunner, and I was right on track with where I wanted to be, and so I didn't even look at my watch for a couple more miles. When I did check it, I realized I was running about 20 seconds per mile than I had wanted to. The nice thing is that it did not feel like I was going faster, but it still was not what I wanted for today. My last mile was perfectly paced - I don't do many things right, but I did that one. Hoping for the same luck tomorrow!
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