At work
We’re on “holiday mode” which enables me to workout earlier than usual. I ran four continuous miles on the treadmill, followed by 100 push-ups.
My right knee is swollen and the posterior aspect feels “tight”.
Run:
4.0 miles
48:34
12:08 pace
Push-ups: 100
May 31, 2010
May 30, 2010
Tough day to be a runner
We started the day with the idea of running twenty miles on the Lone Star Hiking Trail. Last night we plotted our route and packed the appropriate gear for a full day of trail running.
Last week Karen warned me about the problem of horseflies on the trails. I’ve dealt with a few horseflies in the thickly wooded areas of Kingwood, but I assumed an application of deet would be enough to repel these pesky little bugs.
Boy was I wrong! Before we stepped out of the truck we could see horseflies swarming all around the hood and windshield. I had put a lot of time and effort into the planning of this trip, so I insisted we try our luck. The trail was really nice, although it was less maintained than expected.
Other than the horseflies, this morning had ideal conditions for a long run. The temperature was moderate and the trail provided lots of shade. I was worried about making a wrong turn and getting lost from everything I read about the trail online. On the contrary, the trail was easy to follow and most of the blazers were easy to spot.
We only ran 1.5 miles before the horseflies were too much to handle. We stopped running to spray more deet and found ourselves in the middle of a virtual black cloud of flies. Swatting frantically we killed a couple dozen, which made little difference. The deet didn’t seem to bother them, so we gave up on the second dose of deet and simply ran back to the trailhead.
I’d guess I was bit at least 50 times. Andrea says my calves are swollen, but I’m not sure if it is from the bites or the running. If you’ve ever been bitten by a horsefly, you know it’s not fun. Andrea had two wicked falls. She was swatting at the flies on my back and lost her footing on the roots. Her first fall was the worst, landing face first on the trail. She is okay, but her arms are sore from using them to break her fall.
F the horseflies
Once we got home we lightened our packs and took off for the remainder of our run. By this time the heat was out with vengeance. Neither of us could find a rhythm and the heat took its toll on us within minutes of starting. We surrendered at 4.5 miles, turned around and started back home. We both bonked in a big way and found ourselves sitting on a bench trying to muster enough energy to make it home. After a two S-caps, one Gu, 15-minutes of resting, and an ass load of water we ran the last 1.5 miles home. This run was brutal and demoralizing.
At home I sat on the couch and fell fast asleep for four hours. I felt a lot better after the nap, but the remaining mileage haunted me.
F the heat
At 8pm a severe thunderstorm hit Kingwood, causing a loss in electrical service. With nothing else to do, we decided to finish our run in the rain and enjoy the beautiful display of lightening. Running during a lighting storm is a dangerous endeavor, but we decided to take our chances.
The cool summer rain, lighting, and high winds were a welcomed change from the near 100 degree temperatures from hours prior. We limited our six mile run to a single quarter-mile walk and we were running a sub-11 pace. Six hours earlier on the same greenbelts we were running OVER 13 minutes per mile pace. It is amazing how much the weather effects your running.
It has been a long day and I feel like a lousy runner right now. At least I’ve hit my weekly mileage of 40 miles for the fourth week in a roll. Now I get to reap the benefits of recovery week.
Bring. It. On.
F Houston
Run:
14.84 miles
2:55:30
11:50 pace
Walk:
2.47 miles
44:22
18:20 pace
Last week Karen warned me about the problem of horseflies on the trails. I’ve dealt with a few horseflies in the thickly wooded areas of Kingwood, but I assumed an application of deet would be enough to repel these pesky little bugs.
Boy was I wrong! Before we stepped out of the truck we could see horseflies swarming all around the hood and windshield. I had put a lot of time and effort into the planning of this trip, so I insisted we try our luck. The trail was really nice, although it was less maintained than expected.
Other than the horseflies, this morning had ideal conditions for a long run. The temperature was moderate and the trail provided lots of shade. I was worried about making a wrong turn and getting lost from everything I read about the trail online. On the contrary, the trail was easy to follow and most of the blazers were easy to spot.
We only ran 1.5 miles before the horseflies were too much to handle. We stopped running to spray more deet and found ourselves in the middle of a virtual black cloud of flies. Swatting frantically we killed a couple dozen, which made little difference. The deet didn’t seem to bother them, so we gave up on the second dose of deet and simply ran back to the trailhead.
I’d guess I was bit at least 50 times. Andrea says my calves are swollen, but I’m not sure if it is from the bites or the running. If you’ve ever been bitten by a horsefly, you know it’s not fun. Andrea had two wicked falls. She was swatting at the flies on my back and lost her footing on the roots. Her first fall was the worst, landing face first on the trail. She is okay, but her arms are sore from using them to break her fall.
F the horseflies
Once we got home we lightened our packs and took off for the remainder of our run. By this time the heat was out with vengeance. Neither of us could find a rhythm and the heat took its toll on us within minutes of starting. We surrendered at 4.5 miles, turned around and started back home. We both bonked in a big way and found ourselves sitting on a bench trying to muster enough energy to make it home. After a two S-caps, one Gu, 15-minutes of resting, and an ass load of water we ran the last 1.5 miles home. This run was brutal and demoralizing.
At home I sat on the couch and fell fast asleep for four hours. I felt a lot better after the nap, but the remaining mileage haunted me.
F the heat
At 8pm a severe thunderstorm hit Kingwood, causing a loss in electrical service. With nothing else to do, we decided to finish our run in the rain and enjoy the beautiful display of lightening. Running during a lighting storm is a dangerous endeavor, but we decided to take our chances.
The cool summer rain, lighting, and high winds were a welcomed change from the near 100 degree temperatures from hours prior. We limited our six mile run to a single quarter-mile walk and we were running a sub-11 pace. Six hours earlier on the same greenbelts we were running OVER 13 minutes per mile pace. It is amazing how much the weather effects your running.
It has been a long day and I feel like a lousy runner right now. At least I’ve hit my weekly mileage of 40 miles for the fourth week in a roll. Now I get to reap the benefits of recovery week.
Bring. It. On.
F Houston
Run:
14.84 miles
2:55:30
11:50 pace
Walk:
2.47 miles
44:22
18:20 pace
May 29, 2010
Sugar Butter
I spent the day resting my body from the stress of work. Being a firefighter is a true life passion of mine, but right now, I count every shift as “one more closer to retirement”. At the moment I’m struggling to have a passion for a job that gives me nothing more in return than a paycheck.
I digress.
Andrea and I rode our bikes to a local Mexican food restaurant for a late afternoon lunch. I truly enjoy living a simpler (greener) life. If things go as planned, my life will get a lot simpler in the months to come, more on that later. With our bellies full, we decided this was the perfect time to go shopping for the weeks groceries.
We shopped and purchased food like seasoned nutritional pros. Our shopping cart was full of color and lacked the drab of processed foods. Approximately 90% of my cart consisted of fresh fruits and vegetables. Below are some key items from today’s shopping trip:
-Used our REI reusable bags (instead of the plastic store bags)
-No meat
-No soda
-Only diary product was two packs of Skinny Cow cheese
-Worst item purchased: Smart Balance microwave popcorn
-Saved over $10, using coupons
-Made our own peanut butter from the bulk food section
-Read the labels of EVERYTHING we put in the cart
-Actually learned a few things from foods we 'assumed' were good for us
-Learned that the 2nd most predominate item in JIFF peanut butter is SUGAR
Trail Bike:
1.97 miles
12:47
9.24 mph
Push-ups: 87
I digress.
Andrea and I rode our bikes to a local Mexican food restaurant for a late afternoon lunch. I truly enjoy living a simpler (greener) life. If things go as planned, my life will get a lot simpler in the months to come, more on that later. With our bellies full, we decided this was the perfect time to go shopping for the weeks groceries.
We shopped and purchased food like seasoned nutritional pros. Our shopping cart was full of color and lacked the drab of processed foods. Approximately 90% of my cart consisted of fresh fruits and vegetables. Below are some key items from today’s shopping trip:
-Used our REI reusable bags (instead of the plastic store bags)
-No meat
-No soda
-Only diary product was two packs of Skinny Cow cheese
-Worst item purchased: Smart Balance microwave popcorn
-Saved over $10, using coupons
-Made our own peanut butter from the bulk food section
-Read the labels of EVERYTHING we put in the cart
-Actually learned a few things from foods we 'assumed' were good for us
-Learned that the 2nd most predominate item in JIFF peanut butter is SUGAR
Trail Bike:
1.97 miles
12:47
9.24 mph
Push-ups: 87
May 27, 2010
Barefootin' on da 'mill
I ran four easy miles on the treadmill, 1.75 miles without footwear. Attached are two pictures. One shows a shocking amount of sweat on the control panel on what was an “easy run”. The second picture is the bottom of my feet after running barefoot, GROSS.
I’d like to find a 5k and show up without shoes. Call me weird, but it would be fun to run the race just to see the expressions on everyone’s face, since running barefoot is not the norm.
Run:
2.5 miles
31:42
12:40 pace
Barefoot Running:
1.75 miles
21:54
12:30 pace
Earlier this week I was in a slump, but I have found a second wind. Even better news to report, the knee is starting to behave now that I’m off the concrete again.
Loathe the concrete!
I’d like to find a 5k and show up without shoes. Call me weird, but it would be fun to run the race just to see the expressions on everyone’s face, since running barefoot is not the norm.
Run:
2.5 miles
31:42
12:40 pace
Barefoot Running:
1.75 miles
21:54
12:30 pace
Earlier this week I was in a slump, but I have found a second wind. Even better news to report, the knee is starting to behave now that I’m off the concrete again.
Loathe the concrete!
Night Eyes
After running RR50 last February I went on a fact-finding mission to unearth the brightest, lightest, and most durable head lamp I could afford. With the help from numerous runners on the Ultra List, I chose the Black Diamond Ion.
Before tonight I had not used the headlamp for anything other than goofing off.
The schedule called for eight miles and I promised myself I would run on trails. At 3pm the temperature in Kingwood was 94 degrees, making my decision to run at night a whole lot easier. I was feeling a bit lazy, so I decided to run the two-mile bayou rim between Kingwood Drive and Walnut Street. Naturally, I would have to do this route four times.
When Andrea saw me wearing the head lamp she had a distinct look on her face that read; “You look like an IDIOT”. I can’t say I blame her, because frankly, headlamps look a little silly even though they are totally functional for the task at hand.
The fit is every different and I was sure it would be bothersome once I started running. My original assumption was completely wrong. The bands stayed in place and the headlamp was no more inconvenient than a sun visor. Now, if I could find a headlamp built into a respectable looking visor I would be set!
The light was incredibly bright on both the low and high settings. One of the first things I noticed tonight were countless sets of “eyes” on or near the bayou. It was somewhat creepy seeing this many animals on the bayou. Initially I found it difficult to determine what kind of animal I was looking at, or rather, was looking at me. The eyes were close together and probably belong to an animal the size of a raccoon. Most of these eyes were in tall grass, so it was nearly impossible to make a quick animal identification.
Years ago, before I was “Bill, the guy that runs”, I was better known as “Bill, the guy that hunts”. As a hunter I learned small little things like, most predators have eyes close together so they can focus on their prey. On the other hand, the eyes of prey are anatomically further apart, so they can spot stalking predators. All this has happened over years of evolution and has been taught to me by my uncle who is an AMAZING “Outdoorsman”.
During my first two mile loop I saw no less than ten different sets of eyes matching the exact same profile. I saw a lot of other eyes too, but they were easy identified as rabbits as they leaped into the woods when I approached too closely. On the second loop I was more comfortable with the light and I had found a decent running rhythm which afforded me more time to categorize these nocturnal creatures. With the light on the high setting I finally caught a break when I found one of the animals walking up the bank of the bayou.
It was a shocking revelation to realize all these eyes were merely domestic CATS. Who would have known!?!? I suppose they come to the bayou at night to catch frogs, snakes, or whatever. Either way, there was something at the bayou they all wanted. On the third lap I tried to count the number of cats I saw on the bayou. I’m sure I missed a few, but I counted 14 cats on a single two-mile loop.
The run went well, partly due to my attention on the ‘eyes’. There is one distinctive problem running with a headlamp. The light beam shines downward and it dilutes your dept perception of the terrain, because there is a lack of shadows. You’re basically looking into the hole, and if the hole is not too deep it looks like the rest of the terrain. The issue caused me to twist my left ankle several times. Nothing serious, but it is sore from being hyperextended several times.
Run:
8.28 miles
1:30:21
10:54 pace
Walk:
0.55 mile
10:04
18:18 pace
Push-ups: 81 (That's right, one more than you K!)
Before tonight I had not used the headlamp for anything other than goofing off.
The schedule called for eight miles and I promised myself I would run on trails. At 3pm the temperature in Kingwood was 94 degrees, making my decision to run at night a whole lot easier. I was feeling a bit lazy, so I decided to run the two-mile bayou rim between Kingwood Drive and Walnut Street. Naturally, I would have to do this route four times.
When Andrea saw me wearing the head lamp she had a distinct look on her face that read; “You look like an IDIOT”. I can’t say I blame her, because frankly, headlamps look a little silly even though they are totally functional for the task at hand.
The fit is every different and I was sure it would be bothersome once I started running. My original assumption was completely wrong. The bands stayed in place and the headlamp was no more inconvenient than a sun visor. Now, if I could find a headlamp built into a respectable looking visor I would be set!
The light was incredibly bright on both the low and high settings. One of the first things I noticed tonight were countless sets of “eyes” on or near the bayou. It was somewhat creepy seeing this many animals on the bayou. Initially I found it difficult to determine what kind of animal I was looking at, or rather, was looking at me. The eyes were close together and probably belong to an animal the size of a raccoon. Most of these eyes were in tall grass, so it was nearly impossible to make a quick animal identification.
Years ago, before I was “Bill, the guy that runs”, I was better known as “Bill, the guy that hunts”. As a hunter I learned small little things like, most predators have eyes close together so they can focus on their prey. On the other hand, the eyes of prey are anatomically further apart, so they can spot stalking predators. All this has happened over years of evolution and has been taught to me by my uncle who is an AMAZING “Outdoorsman”.
During my first two mile loop I saw no less than ten different sets of eyes matching the exact same profile. I saw a lot of other eyes too, but they were easy identified as rabbits as they leaped into the woods when I approached too closely. On the second loop I was more comfortable with the light and I had found a decent running rhythm which afforded me more time to categorize these nocturnal creatures. With the light on the high setting I finally caught a break when I found one of the animals walking up the bank of the bayou.
It was a shocking revelation to realize all these eyes were merely domestic CATS. Who would have known!?!? I suppose they come to the bayou at night to catch frogs, snakes, or whatever. Either way, there was something at the bayou they all wanted. On the third lap I tried to count the number of cats I saw on the bayou. I’m sure I missed a few, but I counted 14 cats on a single two-mile loop.
The run went well, partly due to my attention on the ‘eyes’. There is one distinctive problem running with a headlamp. The light beam shines downward and it dilutes your dept perception of the terrain, because there is a lack of shadows. You’re basically looking into the hole, and if the hole is not too deep it looks like the rest of the terrain. The issue caused me to twist my left ankle several times. Nothing serious, but it is sore from being hyperextended several times.
Run:
8.28 miles
1:30:21
10:54 pace
Walk:
0.55 mile
10:04
18:18 pace
Push-ups: 81 (That's right, one more than you K!)
May 26, 2010
Are you kidding me?
Today was one of the worst days at work, ever. The stress hit me from several different angles. Urg, I don’t even have the energy to talk about it…
I can’t wait to see my wonderful, always happy and smiling wife. There is something about her that brightens a room when she walks in. I could use a few more people like her around me right now.
During a classroom training class I dropped my iPhone and apparently killed it. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the apple store can help me. It feels weird without a phone!
The original plan was to run four miles on the treadmill today. Scott saw me getting ready to run and offered to join me. I couldn’t refuse his company, plus he is a good listener. We both vented about various topics during the run, which helped. We ran at 4pm and it was plenty hot outside. I’m happy to report my knee felt good during the run and I was moving a tiny bit faster (that means it was less than 11:30/mile pace)
Run:
3.85 miles
41:56
10:55 pace
I can’t wait to see my wonderful, always happy and smiling wife. There is something about her that brightens a room when she walks in. I could use a few more people like her around me right now.
During a classroom training class I dropped my iPhone and apparently killed it. I’ve got my fingers crossed that the apple store can help me. It feels weird without a phone!
The original plan was to run four miles on the treadmill today. Scott saw me getting ready to run and offered to join me. I couldn’t refuse his company, plus he is a good listener. We both vented about various topics during the run, which helped. We ran at 4pm and it was plenty hot outside. I’m happy to report my knee felt good during the run and I was moving a tiny bit faster (that means it was less than 11:30/mile pace)
Run:
3.85 miles
41:56
10:55 pace
May 24, 2010
Before and After
Houston heat is crazy. Someone at work said we broke a record high yesterday. I can’t wait to retire in Colorado!
I’m the proud owner of a new pair of shoes. I had luck with the Cascadia’s and decided to try another pair. Fleet Feet only carries this model in mashed-snowpea-baby-shit-green. Andrea frequently reminds me I don't have any style, so shoe color shouldn't matter to me. I took a picture of the shoes before the run and then again after the inaugural trail run. They feel much like the original Cascadia’s, yet they seem stiffer.
Andrea and I ran local trails tonight. Most of our mileage was in the dark. We were both listening to our iPod and didn’t talk much. The lack of dialog didn’t stop me from enjoying her company. Near the end of the run I stepped in a small hole and tweaked my left ankle. Who would of thought I could possibly twist my ankle while running in the dark without a light?!?! It hurt like hell at the time, but it is better now. I wish I could say the same about my right knee, which bothered me during the run. I’m going to force myself to stay on the trails this week.
My current training schedule is subdivided into four-week blocks. Next week is a recovery week. With a little luck, running trails and lower mileage will prepare my knee for the next increase in mileage.
Run:
9.01 miles
1:48:41
12:03 pace
Walk:
1.04 miles
18:02
17:20 pace
I’m the proud owner of a new pair of shoes. I had luck with the Cascadia’s and decided to try another pair. Fleet Feet only carries this model in mashed-snowpea-baby-shit-green. Andrea frequently reminds me I don't have any style, so shoe color shouldn't matter to me. I took a picture of the shoes before the run and then again after the inaugural trail run. They feel much like the original Cascadia’s, yet they seem stiffer.
Andrea and I ran local trails tonight. Most of our mileage was in the dark. We were both listening to our iPod and didn’t talk much. The lack of dialog didn’t stop me from enjoying her company. Near the end of the run I stepped in a small hole and tweaked my left ankle. Who would of thought I could possibly twist my ankle while running in the dark without a light?!?! It hurt like hell at the time, but it is better now. I wish I could say the same about my right knee, which bothered me during the run. I’m going to force myself to stay on the trails this week.
My current training schedule is subdivided into four-week blocks. Next week is a recovery week. With a little luck, running trails and lower mileage will prepare my knee for the next increase in mileage.
Run:
9.01 miles
1:48:41
12:03 pace
Walk:
1.04 miles
18:02
17:20 pace
May 23, 2010
Funk
I need directions out of the funk...
I waited till the last minute to run, partly due to my work schedule. I haven’t found my rhythm with the new mileage yet. My lack of interest in running is most likely due to the hostile weather we’ve been experiencing the last two weeks.
I left the house at 7pm, which gave me 45-minutes of running before the sun set behind the trees. There were lots of deer and rabbits out and about. I meandered around Kingwood until I hit the magic number of twelve miles.
My right knee is sending me some weird signals. I’m B.R.O.K.E, but I’m going to use my PIM gift card to buy some new shoes tomorrow. Hopefully this will alleviate some of my knee soreness.
Run:
12.18 miles
2:22:58
11:44 pace
Walk:
1.65 miles
27:55
16:55 pace
Push-ups: 74
I waited till the last minute to run, partly due to my work schedule. I haven’t found my rhythm with the new mileage yet. My lack of interest in running is most likely due to the hostile weather we’ve been experiencing the last two weeks.
I left the house at 7pm, which gave me 45-minutes of running before the sun set behind the trees. There were lots of deer and rabbits out and about. I meandered around Kingwood until I hit the magic number of twelve miles.
My right knee is sending me some weird signals. I’m B.R.O.K.E, but I’m going to use my PIM gift card to buy some new shoes tomorrow. Hopefully this will alleviate some of my knee soreness.
Run:
12.18 miles
2:22:58
11:44 pace
Walk:
1.65 miles
27:55
16:55 pace
Push-ups: 74
May 20, 2010
Barefoot on the Belt
I took a big risk running barefoot on the treadmill. The first and last mile was run with shoes and the middle 1.25 miles sans shoes.
With the exception of nasty black feet from the belt the run was like any other run. I kept the pace nice and slow. Slight right knee discomfort.
Run:
2.0 miles
26:50
13:25 pace
Barefoot run:
1.25 miles
16:10
12:56 pace
Push-ups: 63
There are a few movies I needed to motivate my dietary journey. Tonight I watched trailers to;
-Food Inc.
-King Corn
-Fast Food Nation
I already feel a movement coming and none too soon!
With the exception of nasty black feet from the belt the run was like any other run. I kept the pace nice and slow. Slight right knee discomfort.
Run:
2.0 miles
26:50
13:25 pace
Barefoot run:
1.25 miles
16:10
12:56 pace
Push-ups: 63
There are a few movies I needed to motivate my dietary journey. Tonight I watched trailers to;
-Food Inc.
-King Corn
-Fast Food Nation
I already feel a movement coming and none too soon!
May 19, 2010
Thanks!
At work
My alarm clock went off at 4:30am for an eight mile run before the start of my work day. Before I stopped the sounding of the alarm I had already opted for two extra hours of sleep.
My decision to postpone the run left me dreading the run all day.
After dinner I had convinced myself to skip the run and adjust my schedule to accommodate the weekly mileage. A brief text conversation with fellow TX Trail Nerd Karen, gave me just the right kick in the pants to get my ass in gear.
I ran the first two miles solo. Steve unexpectedly joined me for mile three. Once Steve left Scott joined me for the remainder of the run. These guys came during my time of need and never knew it! I ran the entire eight miles without a walk break AND at a sub 11:00/mile pace.
This was one of my better runs around the fire station.
Run:
8.06 miles
1:28:13
10:57 pace
My alarm clock went off at 4:30am for an eight mile run before the start of my work day. Before I stopped the sounding of the alarm I had already opted for two extra hours of sleep.
My decision to postpone the run left me dreading the run all day.
After dinner I had convinced myself to skip the run and adjust my schedule to accommodate the weekly mileage. A brief text conversation with fellow TX Trail Nerd Karen, gave me just the right kick in the pants to get my ass in gear.
I ran the first two miles solo. Steve unexpectedly joined me for mile three. Once Steve left Scott joined me for the remainder of the run. These guys came during my time of need and never knew it! I ran the entire eight miles without a walk break AND at a sub 11:00/mile pace.
This was one of my better runs around the fire station.
Run:
8.06 miles
1:28:13
10:57 pace
May 18, 2010
Easy Run
Peaceful five-mile run this evening with my bride. We talked the entire time with no regard to our pace. Nice little run through the greenbelts.
Run:
5.05 miles
1:00:11
11:55 pace
Walk:
0.20 mile
3:31
17:35 pace
Push-ups: 62
Run:
5.05 miles
1:00:11
11:55 pace
Walk:
0.20 mile
3:31
17:35 pace
Push-ups: 62
May 17, 2010
Science or Art?
The schedule called for nine miles. I started running at 10am with intentions of logging at least ten miles today (total distance would be closer to 13-miles with walk breaks).
My Brooks Cascadia’s are DEAD. I can feel it in my legs, even when running on trails. Two new aches appeared, one in my soleus muscle and the other in both knees, a result of running in dead shoes.
This was a hot, tough run. It didn’t take long for the heat to take a toll on me. Even though I take walk breaks, I seldom stop moving forward. Today was one of those rare occasions when I had to stop. I was too fatigued to go any further. After locating a small shaded portion of the trail I sat down and proceeded to eat a gel. Within 3-4 minutes I felt well enough to return to my run. As I stood up I noticed a five-foot ring of water on the side walk where I had been sitting.
I wasn’t able to run the full ten miles or even the scheduled nine miles, but I returned to my usual walk/run regimen until I arrived back home. I’ve been able to acclimate to the heat, but I cannot acclimate to the humidity.
Run:
7.5 miles
1:25:43
11:25 pace
Walk:
1.75 miles
29:40
16:57 pace
At home I removed my wet clothes and weighed myself. Since initially weighing myself this morning I had eaten breakfast and drank nearly 70oz of water during the run. I lost an astonishing seven pounds. That is a lot of sweat!
After a small lunch I was feeling puny so I laid down on the couch. It wasn’t my intention, but I fell asleep and didn’t wake up till Andrea got home from work. I felt rejuvenated after the nap and decided to join Andrea on her run.
I laced up a different pair of shoes and took off down the greenbelts a new man. My legs were pain free. I ran through the walk breaks and even started picking up the pace on the second half of the run. It is weird how I thought I was going to die on the run this morning, yet seven-hours later I’m an entirely different runner.
Run:
4.75 miles
51:35
10:51 pace
Walk:
0.5 mile
9:01
18:02 pace
In the end, I logged more than 12 miles of running at a decent pace. I’m amazed at the human body. Understanding the SCIENCE of training makes us better athletes. When we think we have it all figured out the body shows us why we should also appreciate the ART of athletics. The combination of art & science both play vital roles in our body and today was one of those days that confirm this.
Short video near the end of my running, which is evident by my breathing..
My Brooks Cascadia’s are DEAD. I can feel it in my legs, even when running on trails. Two new aches appeared, one in my soleus muscle and the other in both knees, a result of running in dead shoes.
This was a hot, tough run. It didn’t take long for the heat to take a toll on me. Even though I take walk breaks, I seldom stop moving forward. Today was one of those rare occasions when I had to stop. I was too fatigued to go any further. After locating a small shaded portion of the trail I sat down and proceeded to eat a gel. Within 3-4 minutes I felt well enough to return to my run. As I stood up I noticed a five-foot ring of water on the side walk where I had been sitting.
I wasn’t able to run the full ten miles or even the scheduled nine miles, but I returned to my usual walk/run regimen until I arrived back home. I’ve been able to acclimate to the heat, but I cannot acclimate to the humidity.
Run:
7.5 miles
1:25:43
11:25 pace
Walk:
1.75 miles
29:40
16:57 pace
At home I removed my wet clothes and weighed myself. Since initially weighing myself this morning I had eaten breakfast and drank nearly 70oz of water during the run. I lost an astonishing seven pounds. That is a lot of sweat!
After a small lunch I was feeling puny so I laid down on the couch. It wasn’t my intention, but I fell asleep and didn’t wake up till Andrea got home from work. I felt rejuvenated after the nap and decided to join Andrea on her run.
I laced up a different pair of shoes and took off down the greenbelts a new man. My legs were pain free. I ran through the walk breaks and even started picking up the pace on the second half of the run. It is weird how I thought I was going to die on the run this morning, yet seven-hours later I’m an entirely different runner.
Run:
4.75 miles
51:35
10:51 pace
Walk:
0.5 mile
9:01
18:02 pace
In the end, I logged more than 12 miles of running at a decent pace. I’m amazed at the human body. Understanding the SCIENCE of training makes us better athletes. When we think we have it all figured out the body shows us why we should also appreciate the ART of athletics. The combination of art & science both play vital roles in our body and today was one of those days that confirm this.
Short video near the end of my running, which is evident by my breathing..
May 16, 2010
Help
At work today.
Several runs went over the prescribed mileage this week. I met my weekly goals at the end of yesterdays run. This meant I didn’t have to run the scheduled two miles today.
However, I forgot to do my push-ups. No worries, I knocked them out at work.
Push-ups: 53
It didn’t take long to slip back into another slump. I’m sleeping my ‘usual’ amount of hours, but I’m constantly sleepy. Even more disappointing is my weight, a direct result of a CRAPTASTIC diet.
Twenty-one weeks till Heartland 100. I hoped to weigh NO more than 180 lbs when I toe the start line. I need to lose two pounds a week to reach this goal, which seems easy. The problem is, I can’t seem to stick to a consistent diet. I've grown mentally weak for some reason.
Friends & Family; help guide me, motivate me, and be the strong voice of reason.
Several runs went over the prescribed mileage this week. I met my weekly goals at the end of yesterdays run. This meant I didn’t have to run the scheduled two miles today.
However, I forgot to do my push-ups. No worries, I knocked them out at work.
Push-ups: 53
It didn’t take long to slip back into another slump. I’m sleeping my ‘usual’ amount of hours, but I’m constantly sleepy. Even more disappointing is my weight, a direct result of a CRAPTASTIC diet.
Twenty-one weeks till Heartland 100. I hoped to weigh NO more than 180 lbs when I toe the start line. I need to lose two pounds a week to reach this goal, which seems easy. The problem is, I can’t seem to stick to a consistent diet. I've grown mentally weak for some reason.
Friends & Family; help guide me, motivate me, and be the strong voice of reason.
May 15, 2010
Varying Results
Same route and mileage as last weekend, with much different results.
An unexpected late evening storm dropped a fair amount of rain and only stopped a couple hours before I started my 5am run. The humidity was thick enough to cut with a knife. I knew the run would be brutal when sweat started dripping from my brow while waiting for my watch to receive a GPS signal.
I started running one-hour before sunrise. As I entered the greenbelts I noticed an Amarillo ahead of me. The nocturnal critter was busy foraging and didn’t notice me until I was close enough to have kicked him. The speed in which the armadillo took off amazed me. Who knew they were so fast!?!?
Like last week, I didn’t obsess about my pace, seldom glancing at my watch. I didn’t need a watch to tell how tough the run was or validation from by a number (pace per mile).
I stopped at Town Center to meet up with other local Kingwood runners. After a short interview with runners of similar pace I found out they planned to run exclusively on streets. Running long distances on concrete is a last resort option for me. After explaining my desire to find softer terrain, I bid them farewell and continued on my way.
With the other runners till in sight, I sunk ankle deep in mud while running in the grass beside the sidewalk. The mud quickly sucked-up my shoes and filled them with mud as I literally lost my shoes below the surface. Wet and muddy shoes don’t bother me, but I was somewhat embarrassed to be digging my shoes out of the mud as the other runners passed by. It is not always ‘cool’ to be a trail runner, but I wouldn’t change a thing!
The remainder of the run was uneventful. I was two-hours into the run before taking an energy gel. The second gel followed thirty minutes later due to rumblings in my abdomen. I never lost sight of my goal, but fatigue found its way into my legs after 13 miles.
Meeting the other runners at Town Center added a quarter-mile to my route and the slower pace added almost ten minutes. I’m not beating myself up about this run. My legs are tired, but they remain strong.
Run:
14.38 miles
2:48:16
11:42 pace
Walk:
2.41 miles
40:15
16:42 pace
An unexpected late evening storm dropped a fair amount of rain and only stopped a couple hours before I started my 5am run. The humidity was thick enough to cut with a knife. I knew the run would be brutal when sweat started dripping from my brow while waiting for my watch to receive a GPS signal.
I started running one-hour before sunrise. As I entered the greenbelts I noticed an Amarillo ahead of me. The nocturnal critter was busy foraging and didn’t notice me until I was close enough to have kicked him. The speed in which the armadillo took off amazed me. Who knew they were so fast!?!?
Like last week, I didn’t obsess about my pace, seldom glancing at my watch. I didn’t need a watch to tell how tough the run was or validation from by a number (pace per mile).
I stopped at Town Center to meet up with other local Kingwood runners. After a short interview with runners of similar pace I found out they planned to run exclusively on streets. Running long distances on concrete is a last resort option for me. After explaining my desire to find softer terrain, I bid them farewell and continued on my way.
With the other runners till in sight, I sunk ankle deep in mud while running in the grass beside the sidewalk. The mud quickly sucked-up my shoes and filled them with mud as I literally lost my shoes below the surface. Wet and muddy shoes don’t bother me, but I was somewhat embarrassed to be digging my shoes out of the mud as the other runners passed by. It is not always ‘cool’ to be a trail runner, but I wouldn’t change a thing!
The remainder of the run was uneventful. I was two-hours into the run before taking an energy gel. The second gel followed thirty minutes later due to rumblings in my abdomen. I never lost sight of my goal, but fatigue found its way into my legs after 13 miles.
Meeting the other runners at Town Center added a quarter-mile to my route and the slower pace added almost ten minutes. I’m not beating myself up about this run. My legs are tired, but they remain strong.
Run:
14.38 miles
2:48:16
11:42 pace
Walk:
2.41 miles
40:15
16:42 pace
May 13, 2010
New opportunities
At work today.
I was practically done with my run before settling into a rhythmic motion that resembled running. Hopefully tomorrows rest day will recharge my legs.
There are a lot of exciting new opportunities on my horizon. Everything is in its infancy and too early to start discussing publicly, but needless to say; I’m stoked!
Run:
4.2 miles
45:11
10:45 pace
I was practically done with my run before settling into a rhythmic motion that resembled running. Hopefully tomorrows rest day will recharge my legs.
There are a lot of exciting new opportunities on my horizon. Everything is in its infancy and too early to start discussing publicly, but needless to say; I’m stoked!
Run:
4.2 miles
45:11
10:45 pace
May 12, 2010
First barefoot mile
One mile barefoot running in the middle of today’s seven miles. I ran barefoot on the infield grass of the Kingwood HS track, covering the one mile distance in 8:43.
Recent runs have been lacking luster, most likely the result of my diet.
Run:
8.02 miles
1:39:27
12:24 pace
Walk:
1.11 mile
19:24
17:29 pace
Push-ups: 47
Push-ups: 47
May 11, 2010
Weird Legs
Something weird is happening with my legs. They're tired and sore all the time, EXCEPT when I run. After the first mile my lower extremities fall into a rhythmic stride. What is this all about!?!?
All this running is derailing my diet. I'm consuming 2,000 calories a day and it is leaving me hungry all the time. Although, the increase in mileage makes me feel like a “real” runner. Whatever that means…
Run:
4.36 miles
47:41
10:56 pace
Walk:
0.8 mile
13:25
16:46 pace
May 10, 2010
Urban Sunset
The best of intentions don’t always play out the way I intend. Before going to bed last night I set my alarm for 3:30am. Waking up this early would have been enough time to run nine miles and then bicycle to work. When the alarm off this morning I started crunching numbers, looking for a way to sleep longer. The first reset was 4:30am, conceding the bike ride to work. On the last reset I set the alarm for 5am, which was enough time to run 6-7 miles before work, leaving the remaining miles to be run at work.
The first mile was one of the toughest miles I have run this year. With a lot of determination I stayed the course and started feeling better after the first mile was under my belt. I cranked up the music and cranked out the miles. I ran seven miles before leaving for work.
It’s been a busy day at work. This evening I ran two miles around the station to complete the scheduled nine miles. I was treated to a nice summer breeze and a beautiful sunset.
Run:
9.34 miles
1:48:14
11:35 pace
Walk:
1.2 miles
19:48
16:30 pace
Push-ups: 43
The first mile was one of the toughest miles I have run this year. With a lot of determination I stayed the course and started feeling better after the first mile was under my belt. I cranked up the music and cranked out the miles. I ran seven miles before leaving for work.
It’s been a busy day at work. This evening I ran two miles around the station to complete the scheduled nine miles. I was treated to a nice summer breeze and a beautiful sunset.
Run:
9.34 miles
1:48:14
11:35 pace
Walk:
1.2 miles
19:48
16:30 pace
Push-ups: 43
May 9, 2010
Week in Review
Happy Mother’s day to;
My wife, Andrea
The mother of my children, Erin
And of course, mom
This week has been good and I feel incredible. I have found my way back into a consistent rhythm of dieting and fitness.
Taylor and I rode our bikes to the berry field for another fresh batch of berries. Taylor did much better on her bike today, even though I had to mitigate a small “melt-down” when I told her she had to go. Once we returned home I ran one of the smaller bayou loops to complete this week’s scheduled 40 miles.
Run:
1.08 mile
11:43
10:51 pace
Trail Bike:
7.65 miles
48:34
9.45 mph
This week I successfully maintained my daily caloric intake perimeter(s). Thieweek also included:
40.4 miles running
5.9 miles walking
37.3 miles cycling
104 push-ups
5-lbs of weight loss
For the first time EVER I own a pair of running shoes that have endured more than 400 miles. In fact, my Brooks Cascadia’s have been with me for over 500 miles (Not including a lot of walking miles), but I think the end is near. Over the last two weeks I’ve had sporadic knee pain, usually the first sign it is time for new shoes. In the next couple weeks I should receive a $40 gift card for coaching PIM. I’ve been so impressed with the durability of the Cascadias that I plan to buy a new pair when I get the gift card.
May 8, 2010
Solo Long Run
This morning I woke up yearning for a couple more hours of sleep. I found myself lying in bed for a few minutes not wanting to get out of bed. This is not like me. Even when I’m tired I get out of bed and start moving. After a few moans, groans, and stretches I was out of bed and ready to start the day.
During those early morning stretches I took note of how sore my legs were. Sore legs is not how I want to start a long run. I’m not sure what I did to make my legs sore, but there was enough discomfort that I found it alarming.
I started the run within an hour of getting home from work. The weather was fair and I did not want to waste any time. The plan lacked my usual organization. I wasn’t aiming for anything particular other than the scheduled thirteen miles.
Starting at my house I ran the greenbelts until I reached Kingwood High School. From Kingwood Drive I headed towards East End Park. After running the outer perimeter of the park I returned to the point I left off at the greenbelts and back home. The total distance for the day was 16.6 miles.
As hard as it was for me, I made a conscious effort to not look at my watch. With a goal of thirteen miles I found it necessary to glance at my watch three times. The first time I looked at my watch I had run ten miles in two-hours.
I had a superb run. For whatever reason, I was firing on all cylinders this morning. This was probably my most successful long run, ever. The run lacked the common annoying factors such as dogs, cars, and stupid people. This may also be the reason I ran a faster pace. It has been a long time since I finished a distance beyond fifteen miles and felt good at the end.
Only one problem arose during the run and it was minor. Around mile twelve I ran out of water and I desperately wanted more. It was hot, but the mental aspect of not having water at my disposable seemed to heighten the desire. After running 20-minutes I found a neighborhood pool open and they happily allowed me refill my hydration pack from their water fountain.
Even though I ran a route primarily consisting of greenbelts and sidewalks, I only spent about 20% of my time running on concrete. Whenever possible I ran in the grass beside the sidewalk.
I packed two Gu’s and took both of them. The first Gu was at two-hours and a second Gu 45-minutes later when I started feeling hunger pangs. I also took two S-caps every hour. Since I was purposely ignoring my watch I took the S-caps when I thought an hour had passed. The Gu’s were taken when I felt the need for them rather than a predetermined time.
Run:
14.21 miles
2:37:53
11:07 pace
Walk:
2.41 miles
40:39
16:52 pace
Push-ups: 39
During those early morning stretches I took note of how sore my legs were. Sore legs is not how I want to start a long run. I’m not sure what I did to make my legs sore, but there was enough discomfort that I found it alarming.
I started the run within an hour of getting home from work. The weather was fair and I did not want to waste any time. The plan lacked my usual organization. I wasn’t aiming for anything particular other than the scheduled thirteen miles.
Starting at my house I ran the greenbelts until I reached Kingwood High School. From Kingwood Drive I headed towards East End Park. After running the outer perimeter of the park I returned to the point I left off at the greenbelts and back home. The total distance for the day was 16.6 miles.
As hard as it was for me, I made a conscious effort to not look at my watch. With a goal of thirteen miles I found it necessary to glance at my watch three times. The first time I looked at my watch I had run ten miles in two-hours.
I had a superb run. For whatever reason, I was firing on all cylinders this morning. This was probably my most successful long run, ever. The run lacked the common annoying factors such as dogs, cars, and stupid people. This may also be the reason I ran a faster pace. It has been a long time since I finished a distance beyond fifteen miles and felt good at the end.
Only one problem arose during the run and it was minor. Around mile twelve I ran out of water and I desperately wanted more. It was hot, but the mental aspect of not having water at my disposable seemed to heighten the desire. After running 20-minutes I found a neighborhood pool open and they happily allowed me refill my hydration pack from their water fountain.
Even though I ran a route primarily consisting of greenbelts and sidewalks, I only spent about 20% of my time running on concrete. Whenever possible I ran in the grass beside the sidewalk.
I packed two Gu’s and took both of them. The first Gu was at two-hours and a second Gu 45-minutes later when I started feeling hunger pangs. I also took two S-caps every hour. Since I was purposely ignoring my watch I took the S-caps when I thought an hour had passed. The Gu’s were taken when I felt the need for them rather than a predetermined time.
Run:
14.21 miles
2:37:53
11:07 pace
Walk:
2.41 miles
40:39
16:52 pace
Push-ups: 39
May 6, 2010
Berries Galore!
Lizy and I ran a four mile recovery run at noon. She received a bit of bad news this morning, so she seemed to have a lot on her mind. The stress was most evident in our unusually pedestrian pace. I’m glad she is holding her head high and taking everything in stride. I’m proud of her decisions and the thought processes in which she uses to deal with these obstacles. We talked about stuff other than running and it appeared to take her mind off the distractions.
Run:
4.0 miles
55:05
13:46 pace
Walk:
1.29 miles
23:31
18:13 pace
This afternoon Andrea, Taylor, and I rode our bikes to the black berry field I found a few days ago. I’m not sure what happen to Taylor’s cycling fitness, but today it was deplorable.
It is unfortunate that her father allows her to stay up late on school nights watching television. By her own omission she tells us how he allows her to play video games all day when she could be outside playing with the other kids. Pair the lack of activity with a diet that primarily consist of fast food and we are left with a daughter that lives two completely different lives. It’s a very sad ordeal from where I stand.
Trail Bike:
8.23 miles
57:20
8.61 mph
We picked berries for nearly one-hour. It was a lot of fun, but our backs started bothering us from bending over so much. The berries are plentiful beyond explanation. In fact, we never left a 50’x50’ area. I don’t know how many we picked, but it seems like a lot.
Karen gave me some great advice regarding how to freeze fresh berries. Half of the black berries are currently in the freezer to be enjoyed another day.
Alison and Preston are absolute berry FREAKS and would eat them 24/7 if we let them. I seldom buy fresh berries because they are so expensive, but Mother Nature has hooked me up! I’m hoping to go back to the berry field this weekend and try to stock up while they’re here.
Alison and Preston are absolute berry FREAKS and would eat them 24/7 if we let them. I seldom buy fresh berries because they are so expensive, but Mother Nature has hooked me up! I’m hoping to go back to the berry field this weekend and try to stock up while they’re here.
Running American premiere comes to Houston!
On Thursday, June 3rd, 7pm at the Alamo Drafthouse West Oaks (Westheimer and Hwy 6) we'll be having the Houston premiere screening of the new feature film "Running America". The movie follows Charlie Engle and Marshall Ulrich as they attempted to set the record for the 3,063 mile run from San Francisco to New York City.
The movie is from the same folks who made last year's poular "Running the Sahara". Legendary extreme runner Marshall Ulrich will be on hand for the screening and a meet and greet afterwards!
Tickets will be available online shortly at www.drafthouse.com/westoaks
The movie is from the same folks who made last year's poular "Running the Sahara". Legendary extreme runner Marshall Ulrich will be on hand for the screening and a meet and greet afterwards!
Tickets will be available online shortly at www.drafthouse.com/westoaks
May 5, 2010
Dumb Mistake
I started my day with a two-hour nap. Once everything was said and none last night I didn’t find my way to bed until 3am. I desperately need rest, so I picked up a couple hours of sleep as soon as I got home.
At noon I meet Lizy for three miles of hill training. The temperature gauge read 93 degrees. A pleasant summer breeze kept the heat at bay. I felt it was important to change scenery, so we ran a steep hill at Townson BLVD in Humble. This hill is essentially one of two large stair steps. The first step is grass over packed dirt. What the hill lacks in length it makes up in steepness. At the top of the first step we were ¼ the way up the Townsen Blvd railroad overpass bridge. From the top of the dirt step we ran on the shoulder of the bridge. From here the order changed from that of the dirt hill. The incline last longer and is very subtle. We ran to the other end of the bridge, which meant we had to run back up for the completion of the first loop. We ran a total of two loops and pushed aggressively on the first steep incline.
Run (hills):
3.0 miles
41:43
13:54 pace
When Andrea got home from work we bicycled to the Kingwood Park HS track, so I could run a few laps barefoot. I ran the first lap on the infield grass which was not nearly as plush as the Kingwood HS track. There appeared to be stickers in the grass, even though I never felt any. One the second lap I moved over onto the red-rubber track. The track was beautiful to look at, but I found it stiff and slightly abrasive to my feet.
About 200 meters into the second lap I was starting to notice the heat beneath my feet, not from my speed, but rather the temperature of the track surface. I was stubborn and wanted to finish one loop on the track before returning back to the grass. With less than 50 meters to go I was in a great deal of discomfort due to the burning on the bottom of my feet. True to my intentions I ran one full lap and then returned back to the grass.
About 200 meters into the second lap I was starting to notice the heat beneath my feet, not from my speed, but rather the temperature of the track surface. I was stubborn and wanted to finish one loop on the track before returning back to the grass. With less than 50 meters to go I was in a great deal of discomfort due to the burning on the bottom of my feet. True to my intentions I ran one full lap and then returned back to the grass.
Once I finished, my feet were in a state of constant aching. The track was so hot that I had actually BURNED the bottom of my feet. Even the bike ride home was painful. Upon evaluation I found several burn blisters. Talk about learning a lesson the hard way. OUCH! Interesting tidbit; All the blisters were located from my arch forward and a few on my toes. The lack of blisters on my heels might give additional evidence that running barefoot really does help prevent running as a heel-sticker!?!?
Barefoot:
0.75 mile
6:49
9:05 pace
Trail Bike:
6.42 miles
33:43
11.42 mph
Tonight was my final session of Power in Motion. I’m essentially going on hiatus until I feel the necessity to coach inside the loop again. The program is great, but it has become a burden. Each session requires nearly three hours away from my family, the use of vacation time at work, plus the cost of fuel for the long drive. I truly enjoy giving back to the running community and helping new runners, but I want to try and maintain these same objectives, locally.
During a scavenger hunt run with the PIM'sters we ran exactly two miles. My first few steps were painful due to the blisters. I did my best to block out the pain and not let it bother me, which seemed to work. Surprisingly, none of the blisters popped. As soon as I finish this post I will properly tend to my feet.
Run:
2.0 miles
21:21
10:40 pace
Push-ups: 33
May 4, 2010
Interrupted
At work today
There are numerous negative factors I’m faced with when running at work. Most notable is the chance at being interrupted by an emergency call. Secondly, the only route I have is a mind-numbing loop around the station, which entails running on a road with a significant chamfer. The final factor is the timing. Due to duty obligations the most convenient time to run is 4pm or after 10pm. The first time option usually occurs during the heat of the day and the later takes place when I should be sleeping.
The heat was too much to handle today, so I elected to start my four mile run at 9pm. I generally dread running on duty. Today was an abnormality to the typical run at work. Within minutes of starting the first loop I felt a sense of smoothness in my stride. The run was nearly utopia in nature, until interrupted at 1.5 miles for a motor vehicle accident call.
The incident wasn’t time consuming and I eagerly hoped to return to my run without a change in those prior feelings. As soon as we arrived back at the station we were dispatched to an apartment fire. The fire was easily manageable, but unfortunately the occupant had significant signs of smoke inhalation and burn injuries while trying to extinguish the fire and locate his dog prior to our arrival.
The two incidents lasted the better part of three hours. Once the paperwork was complete I returned to my run. I never quite settled into the same graceful rhythm I had a few hours prior. Although, I give myself an A+ for dedication to finish my workout at 1am.
I’m lucky to have a job than gives me the ability to run while on duty, but it is not always a perfect scenario.
Run:
4.0 miles
42:42
10:40 pace
May 3, 2010
Three hours of cardio
Wyatt recently purchased a road bike and he has been itching to take it for a spin. This morning I accommodated Wyatt with 60-minutes of easy riding through a couple local parks. It is safe to say I have a better cardio fitness base than Wyatt, so the ride was leisurely and fun for me.
We started at a fuel station on West Lake Houston Parkway. From there we a couple miles rode to Duessin Park. We left Duessin Park and rode to nearby Eisenhower Park, which is below the Lake Houston dam. After a couple loops inside Eisenhower Park we found our way back to my truck for a total of fifteen miles.
All and all, it was a nice little ride.
Road Bike:
15.12 miles
1:00:05
15.1 mph
Once I got home I set out for a six mile run in 92 degree weather. Summer acclimation is still in progress. For the first time this year, 92 degrees felt every bit of 92 degrees. On this run I was looking for a place called “Ten acre lake”. From what I can see on Google maps the area seems to have trails nearby, but I’m not exactly sure how to get to the lake. Either way, I had the whole day to try and find the area.
In my attempt to find the lake I ran along several new bayous. The terrain is hard compact dirt and quite rough in many areas. Three miles of exploring never revealed the whereabouts of said lake, but I found a field of black berries engulfed with millions of tiny little treasures. On Wednesday I plan to go back there on my bike and stock up on Mother Nature’s treat to us.
Near the end of the run I had one small incident that left me frustrated and wondering why some people act the way they do. I was running along a fence line that followed the curvature of the bayou. As I approached the end of the fence a mid-size, mixed bred dog jumped out 40 feet in front of me. Both the dog and I startled the each other. The dog was not happy about my presence. The hair on his back was sticking straight up and he was angrily barking while making a slow approach towards me.
Seconds after the dog appeared from behind the fence, so did his owners. The couple were well-dressed and appeared to be in their early thirties. Both the man and woman seemed “normal”. The woman was holding a smaller dog who was barking as well. She was calling the other dog to come back, but the man just stood there as if there wasn’t any urgency to the situation. Instinctively, I stopped in my tracks to determine my next move.
With the man just standing there watching his dog move closer to me, I asked the couple; “Can you please grab your dog so I can pass by?” The woman wanted to help, but she had her hands full with the smaller dog. The man responded to my request with, “Just run real fast and maybe he won’t get your neck. He’ll probably just bite your leg”. This idiotic comment infuriated me to no end. Immediately I responded back with, “Dude, don’t be a dick. Just grab your fucking dog”.
Thankfully he listened and held his dog back while I passed by them. I kept a close eye on the man and his dog, not knowing if he might let the dog go prematurely. Once the man made his initial comment the woman was yelling at him and saying; “Don’t do this, grab him!! Why do you always do this to me?” It would seem this guy is always a douche bag for no reason at all. I felt sorry for the woman who has to live with this loser. I don’t understand some people. Thankfully nothing serious happened and I continued my run home.
Following the six mile run in the heat, I resided to the living room floor in recovery mode. Once Andrea arrived home from work an hour later we went back out for the remainder to the day’s mileage. Weather.com was still reporting temperatures in the 90’s. We ran our old five mile greenbelt loop. It was still hot, but the shade within the trails helped mitigate the heat. We must have felt good, because we ran between 10:30-10:40 per mile pace.
By the end of this last run I was ready to call it a day. Three hours of cardio is a good day in my books!
Tonight I attended the 2010 Kingwood FIT coaches meeting. Not a lot of new information, but I was able to share my trail program ideas with the group. The coaching staff seems a little light this year. I’m hoping there are more coaches that weren’t able to attend the meeting.
The night was concluded with a few push-ups.
Now, where the heck is my bed!?!?
Now, where the heck is my bed!?!?
Run:
11.36 miles
2:06:48
11:10 pace
Walk:
2.2 miles
36:47
16:43 pace
Push-ups: 32
May 2, 2010
Time to get serious
I’ve lost my ‘mojo’, again. The last few months of 2009 ended in a successful cycle of significant weight loss (60lb loss between July to December). Regrettably, 2010 has firmly placed an unwanted amount of that weight back on my waist line.
Tomorrow I plan to start my own “May Madness”, both in weekly mileage and weight loss. I'm in full-blown battle mode.
May's base mileage is 40 miles per week. I want to continue experimenting with barefoot running. In addition to barefoot running I plan to add weekly hill work. The design I've devised is simplistic with a small splash of flexibility.
As for the diet, I intend to keep my caloric intake below 2,000. Coupled with the mileage, I should see a 15+ loss in four-weeks… or at least I hope so. I’ve had success with allowing myself ONE free-meal each week, which I plan to continue. Meat and any sugary drink with calories are gone, period.
For those interested, I’ve gained 20-pounds since Thanksgiving. That number is so incredibly embarrassing to see. Even though most of my readers are long gone, I’m blogging my intentions for accountability. In other words, I've said it and now it is out there for the world to see.
At least a half dozen times during the last month I have said, “Tomorrow I’m going to start my diet again and this time I’m serious”. Sitting here at my computer I can't keep from thinking of the quote, “A man is only as good as his word”.
It is time to prove I’m a good man. I need to HTFU and do this!
Today the entire family spent 2.5 hours working in the yard. Lots of hard work, but everything looks fantastic. Afterwards we took a short bike ride to the pool where the kids played for a couple hours. I’m sure more than a few calories were burned!
Tomorrow I plan to start my own “May Madness”, both in weekly mileage and weight loss. I'm in full-blown battle mode.
May's base mileage is 40 miles per week. I want to continue experimenting with barefoot running. In addition to barefoot running I plan to add weekly hill work. The design I've devised is simplistic with a small splash of flexibility.
As for the diet, I intend to keep my caloric intake below 2,000. Coupled with the mileage, I should see a 15+ loss in four-weeks… or at least I hope so. I’ve had success with allowing myself ONE free-meal each week, which I plan to continue. Meat and any sugary drink with calories are gone, period.
For those interested, I’ve gained 20-pounds since Thanksgiving. That number is so incredibly embarrassing to see. Even though most of my readers are long gone, I’m blogging my intentions for accountability. In other words, I've said it and now it is out there for the world to see.
At least a half dozen times during the last month I have said, “Tomorrow I’m going to start my diet again and this time I’m serious”. Sitting here at my computer I can't keep from thinking of the quote, “A man is only as good as his word”.
It is time to prove I’m a good man. I need to HTFU and do this!
Today the entire family spent 2.5 hours working in the yard. Lots of hard work, but everything looks fantastic. Afterwards we took a short bike ride to the pool where the kids played for a couple hours. I’m sure more than a few calories were burned!
May 1, 2010
Cinco de Mayo 5k
The spring 2010 PIM runners have finally made it to their goal race. As a PIM coach my duties were that of encouragement and support via pacing duties. Much like the new runners, this was the first time I’ve run this race.
I was shocked at the number of urban hills, I mean bridges. The humidity was horrific, but the two participants I ran closely with rocked their first 5k.
Once I got home I ran an extra 1.5 miles around the block and knocked out a few push-ups.
Run:
4.23 miles
49:18
11:39 pace
Push-ups: 24
I was shocked at the number of urban hills, I mean bridges. The humidity was horrific, but the two participants I ran closely with rocked their first 5k.
Once I got home I ran an extra 1.5 miles around the block and knocked out a few push-ups.
Run:
4.23 miles
49:18
11:39 pace
Push-ups: 24
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