Fatigued

I’m fatigued and ready for tomorrows rest day.

Cycled around Kingwood with little enjoyment. If this continues I’ll start wearing my iPod so I’ll have music.

Shortly after a large lunch I went for a walk/run workout. The heat will not loosen its grip on Houston. Mid way through the session dark clouds rolled in overhead. I kept my fingers crossed it would rain, but it never happened. While the intervals and distance are short, I’m content with the pace.

I finished the day with a full Core workout and pull-up hang. Once I’m able to hold my weight for one-minute I’ll start doing actual pull-ups, or at least I will try.

Everything is done early enough for me to finish my personal training schedule. At the moment, I’m doing a little of everything and nothing formal. It is time to get serious.

Trail Bike:
10.29 miles
56:19
10.96 mph

Pull-up:
20-second hang

Walk:
1.67 mile
27:23
16:24 pace

Run:
1.03 mile
10:00
9:43 pace

Full CORE workout

Ride Home

The bike ride home was challenging. Cycling on level terrain wasn’t difficult, but the four hills between the fire station and my house kicked my ass.

Trail Bike (with trailer):
6.40 miles
35:33
10.8 mph

Push-ups:
100

Weight Training:
Lower-body

Andrea started cycling to work this week. As a surprise, I met her on my bike and rode home with her. The last three bike rides included the bike trailer, so naturally biking without the trailer was much easier.

Trail Bike:
5.86 miles
34:16
10.26 mph

I finished the day with a 27-minute walk and three minute run.

Run:
0.29 mile
3:01
10:24 pace

Walk:
1.62 mile
27:00
16:40 pace

Bike to Work

I've decided to start riding my bike to work again. Yesterday I packed all my meals for the day, so I used the bike trailer again today to haul all my crap. I arrived at work early enough to go for a one mile walk before starting the day.

This afternoon I completed the week one PIM schedule consisting of; 10 X run 1-minute followed by 2-minute walk. Afterwards I lifted weights.

Trail bike (with trailer):
6.38 miles
36:54
10.37 mph

Run:
1.03 mile
10:00
9:43 pace

Walk:
2.65 mile
44:20
16:43 pace

Weight training:
Mid-body

Pull-up:
15-seconds

New Year, Same Protocol

Preston has outgrown his bike seat, so two weeks ago I found a used bike trailer online. The lady selling the trailer made me a good deal because the cover was missing a there was a significant fabric tear. The trailer is 100% functional and it will be very useful for us!

Today I hooked up the trailer and rode to CVS, then to HEB for groceries. The round trip was a little over eight miles. The amount of groceries I purchased today would not have fit in my pannier bags. The trailer has already been put to good use!

My running has fallen so far back that I’m starting completely over. No kidding, I’m going to approach this like a brand-new-never-run-before athlete. Today I walked for twenty minutes, ran two minutes, then walked back home. My emphasis was on walking as fast as I could. The run was really short (obviously) and was uneventful.

Once home I lifted weights, did some push-ups, and started a pull-up regimen. I’m unable to do a pull-up, so I’m working on holding my body weight. Depressing as it is, I was only able to hold my own weight for 12-seconds. I’m not looking for an excuse, but my hands hurt more than anything else.

Trail Bike (with trailer):
8.25 miles
49:35
9.98 mph

Walk:
2.54 mile
43:22
17:04 pace

Run:
0.19 mile
2:00
10:30 pace

Weight Training:
Upper Body

Pull-up:
Hang time; 12-seconds

Push-ups:
24

Swamp Tour

Andrea and I made a short drive to Lousiana. We enjoyed a great swamp tour aboard an air boat. The Captain was funny, informative, and professional. He talked about everything including; tress, flowers, moss, debris left over by Hurricane Katrina, the reminisce of an early 1900 ship making area on the Sabine River, and best of all…. ALIGATORS!!! He spoke passionately about the problem with poachers and the lack of government regulation in the swamp.

I took several pictures. Since I’m starting a “new” diet tomorrow we thought it would be appropriate to visit an all-you-can-eat Cajun/Creole buffet while in the area. Truth be known, the food wasn’t that great.

Tug of War

I’m trying to stick to my regimen of running at East End Park on Tuesday evenings, even though it is usually a solo venture rather than a TTN club outing.

The temperature was hot, yet I find it a lot more tolerable that the lofty humidity levels we've endured over the last couple months. East End park was absolutely stunning this evening. There was a small breeze and everything looked picturesque.

I was excited to be back on the trails which I love. Unfortunately, there was a deeper struggle. I felt mentally weak and found myself battling internal conflict to stay in (running) motion. The plan was to run the entire three mile loop. In the end I ran intervals intermixed with walking recoveries.

The run was enjoyable. Somehow, some way I need to work on both my mental and physical fitness.

Run:
2.25 miles
25:41
11:25 pace

Walk:
0.95 mile
16:58
17:52 pace

Revelation

A small portion of my life has become clearer. Days prior I made a sincere offer to improve the personal dynamics between two people, one of which was myself.

The subconscious actions of a contributing third-party person have made it obvious that they want to live in their own cocoon without the opinions or advice from anyone else, including me. You can’t say you “want” something then turn around and be an obstacle though your actions. We all know you try hard and do what you think is best in the name of love.... BUT you’re chasing those closest to you away.

Stop spinning everything to accommodate the situation as you see it in your head. For years I thought the root issue was between me and the other said person, when in reality YOUR actions and behaviors are the source of the problem. I'm not perfect by any stretch of imagination. When you ask for my opinions and more effort to improve the circumstances, you cannot expect me to continue offering when you ignore the very things you asked of me. It is draining when you leave me and my opinions discarded, yet expect me to clean up your mess.

I’m amazed that I did not realize this sooner. At last it is comprehensible that the dynamics between two people will never be as the third person wants them. In fact, I’m washing my hands of the circumstances. I’ve said it before, but this time I am protecting myself much like you are strangly protecting those you love. At this point I don’t know to what extent I am cleansing myself, but rest assure I’m none trying to find common ground that you will never allow to exist.