Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Today's Run
I did my hill route today, and noticed the effects of the long run on Sunday. So my legs protested a little more today than normal. But I perservered and overcame, and made my 6 miles with plenty left in the tank. That's really my goal now, to have something left in the tank after these runs, because that tells me I could do more, but I still feel like I did something. Which is still funny to me, that I now have to run over 3 miles, or walk more than 2 miles up some steep hills to feel like I got in a workout.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
A truly #fitwinning weekend, lot's of running, prepped for next week's race.
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Last week I figured out a new training plan for after the half marathon. Since I won't be training for another long race (I have a 10K in October but nothing else planned) I don't have to focus so much on building up to the long distances. And I don't plan to start the training for a longer race until next year, after the winter. So it was time to change things up, set up a plan for just running and being fit. With the help of the Adidas MiCoach iPhone App and web site I have a new plan in place. It basically calls for 4 runs a week, at least 3 of them being roughly 6 miles (1 hour) and another that does some tempo training that I could easily extend to an hour as well.
The biggest change is that I will no longer be doing my short 30 minute treadmill runs at the Y on Saturdays. Instead I will be doing longer, 6 mile runs, with the plan of getting up early and getting back before the kids are up and ready to do things. This has the added benefit for the kids that they will get a little more video game/TV time before the 10AM-6PM shut off.
So this weekend I implemented this by running for ~5 miles on Saturday morning, I wasn't completely sure of my time as my GPS got goofy, recorded my first mile after 3 miles (I'm not that fast). Then on Sunday I still did my customary long run in preparation for the race next weekend:
Sunday's Run
Clearly not my fastest run, but my longest in terms of time and distance. And I would have done better had the needs of nature not forced me to slow down, and eventually stop at 7-11 for a potty break. But I still felt good about it, and feel confident that I will be able to run the half marathon on Monday. I do plan to take Sunday off from running so I will have fresh legs Monday.
Which brings up the other change I have made, I added morning walks on Wednesday and Fridays, doing some pretty challenging walks in terms of ascent, descent etc. I was worried that might deaden my legs, but that had no effect on my Thursday or Saturday runs so I must be past that point in terms of fitness.
To sum up: my training is going very well, I am reasonably confident of my ability to run the half marathon on Monday. I am ready to move to the next phase of my running: running just for running and fitness' sake rather than training for another race, with my focus no longer on building up to some special distance or time. And I am taking up added exercise regimens to increase my overall physical fitness.
Last week I figured out a new training plan for after the half marathon. Since I won't be training for another long race (I have a 10K in October but nothing else planned) I don't have to focus so much on building up to the long distances. And I don't plan to start the training for a longer race until next year, after the winter. So it was time to change things up, set up a plan for just running and being fit. With the help of the Adidas MiCoach iPhone App and web site I have a new plan in place. It basically calls for 4 runs a week, at least 3 of them being roughly 6 miles (1 hour) and another that does some tempo training that I could easily extend to an hour as well.
The biggest change is that I will no longer be doing my short 30 minute treadmill runs at the Y on Saturdays. Instead I will be doing longer, 6 mile runs, with the plan of getting up early and getting back before the kids are up and ready to do things. This has the added benefit for the kids that they will get a little more video game/TV time before the 10AM-6PM shut off.
So this weekend I implemented this by running for ~5 miles on Saturday morning, I wasn't completely sure of my time as my GPS got goofy, recorded my first mile after 3 miles (I'm not that fast). Then on Sunday I still did my customary long run in preparation for the race next weekend:
Sunday's Run
Clearly not my fastest run, but my longest in terms of time and distance. And I would have done better had the needs of nature not forced me to slow down, and eventually stop at 7-11 for a potty break. But I still felt good about it, and feel confident that I will be able to run the half marathon on Monday. I do plan to take Sunday off from running so I will have fresh legs Monday.
Which brings up the other change I have made, I added morning walks on Wednesday and Fridays, doing some pretty challenging walks in terms of ascent, descent etc. I was worried that might deaden my legs, but that had no effect on my Thursday or Saturday runs so I must be past that point in terms of fitness.
To sum up: my training is going very well, I am reasonably confident of my ability to run the half marathon on Monday. I am ready to move to the next phase of my running: running just for running and fitness' sake rather than training for another race, with my focus no longer on building up to some special distance or time. And I am taking up added exercise regimens to increase my overall physical fitness.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Despite some mental struggles still handled today's run #fitwinning
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Today's Run
Didn't really feel like getting up this morning. Then had a hard time getting started on the run, did a lot of 'I know today is a tempo run, and I'm going to have to push, but it's okay if I run slow' in my head. But when the time came to pick up the pace I did, and I held to that pace for the scheduled time, then kept going at the relaxed pace until I hit my customary 6 miles. So I had to overcome a lot of mental blocks to git 'er done today, but I did it.
Part of that might stem from my starting my new off day walk yesterday. I am accustomed to my short lunch time walks, even on days I run. But I want these off day walks to be a challenge, so I took the hardest route available route in the neighborhood. Here's the link with elevation overlay. The route is a little over 2 miles but has 1 very steep hill, with another good hill near the end. Obviously I wasn't going for speed, but wanted a good workout. The goal of this is more just for overall fitness than anything else, although building up the legs with those hills certainly helps my running in the long term too. My plan is to do this twice a week, which gives me just 1 true off day, but I think I can handle that now.
Today's Run
Didn't really feel like getting up this morning. Then had a hard time getting started on the run, did a lot of 'I know today is a tempo run, and I'm going to have to push, but it's okay if I run slow' in my head. But when the time came to pick up the pace I did, and I held to that pace for the scheduled time, then kept going at the relaxed pace until I hit my customary 6 miles. So I had to overcome a lot of mental blocks to git 'er done today, but I did it.
Part of that might stem from my starting my new off day walk yesterday. I am accustomed to my short lunch time walks, even on days I run. But I want these off day walks to be a challenge, so I took the hardest route available route in the neighborhood. Here's the link with elevation overlay. The route is a little over 2 miles but has 1 very steep hill, with another good hill near the end. Obviously I wasn't going for speed, but wanted a good workout. The goal of this is more just for overall fitness than anything else, although building up the legs with those hills certainly helps my running in the long term too. My plan is to do this twice a week, which gives me just 1 true off day, but I think I can handle that now.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Another day, another 6 miles, how sweet it it to say that? #fitwinning
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Today's Run
Just another ho hum, easy 6 miles, keeping to my 10 minute mile pace. How sweet is it to be able to say something like that? Or the fact that I did that long run on Sunday, and did not suffer any ill effects 2 days later, despite a day at work, stuck to the office chair?
Another thing, I realized this morning that I am really looking forward to the race in 2 weeks, with excitement. My last couple of races I was nervous, and any excitement came from that, and I was more concerned about finishing. Now I am excited to run in this one to see how well I do, not just finish, because at this point I feel confident that I will finish, it is just a matter of the timing. I'm not cocky, I know that I won't be setting any records, but as far as running against my own numbers I feel that I can accomplish what I want, or at least get close to it.
Today's Run
Just another ho hum, easy 6 miles, keeping to my 10 minute mile pace. How sweet is it to be able to say something like that? Or the fact that I did that long run on Sunday, and did not suffer any ill effects 2 days later, despite a day at work, stuck to the office chair?
Another thing, I realized this morning that I am really looking forward to the race in 2 weeks, with excitement. My last couple of races I was nervous, and any excitement came from that, and I was more concerned about finishing. Now I am excited to run in this one to see how well I do, not just finish, because at this point I feel confident that I will finish, it is just a matter of the timing. I'm not cocky, I know that I won't be setting any records, but as far as running against my own numbers I feel that I can accomplish what I want, or at least get close to it.
Monday, August 22, 2011
An Excellent week prompts thinking of what's next
Dear James, Daniel and Emily
Sunday's Run
Sunday my goal was 9 miles, but when I hit 9 miles I felt good enough to keep on going, and while I walked a couple of short spots I still ran it out to end up at 9.9 miles total for the run, and if you tossed in my warm up walk I was over 10 miles all told. This was the capper of a week where I ended up over 24 miles total running distance! By far and away my best week. And I am feeling ever so confident of being able to complete that half marathon in 2 weeks.
But a week like this did prompt me to ponder exactly what my running plans are going forward. When I don't have a specific race to train for. I have a 10K in October, but since I am used to running that distance at least 3 times a week training is different.
I have spoken of getting ramped up for a marathon next year, so that's a goal. But I need to do some research and planning to figure out exactly what course the training for that should take. When do I start training in earnest etc.
But what I am realling talking about is what sort of regular training schedule do I want to settle into. My Dad has his regular exercise schedule, and most really fit people I know have some regular regimen. So what do I want my regimen to be when I am not actively training for a race? Right now I am contemplating the last week and this week as a model: 2 6 mile runs, 1 3 mile run, 1 10 mile run. That seems to be a good model for continued fitness, and would be flexible enough to springboard into a training program.
Another question for me to answer is when and how advisable it might be to add in a couple of short runs into the mix on a couple of my current off days? Right now I am looking to add some morning walks first on those days, just to get the day started on the right foot. Then we'll see what direction that goes.
Sunday's Run
Sunday my goal was 9 miles, but when I hit 9 miles I felt good enough to keep on going, and while I walked a couple of short spots I still ran it out to end up at 9.9 miles total for the run, and if you tossed in my warm up walk I was over 10 miles all told. This was the capper of a week where I ended up over 24 miles total running distance! By far and away my best week. And I am feeling ever so confident of being able to complete that half marathon in 2 weeks.
But a week like this did prompt me to ponder exactly what my running plans are going forward. When I don't have a specific race to train for. I have a 10K in October, but since I am used to running that distance at least 3 times a week training is different.
I have spoken of getting ramped up for a marathon next year, so that's a goal. But I need to do some research and planning to figure out exactly what course the training for that should take. When do I start training in earnest etc.
But what I am realling talking about is what sort of regular training schedule do I want to settle into. My Dad has his regular exercise schedule, and most really fit people I know have some regular regimen. So what do I want my regimen to be when I am not actively training for a race? Right now I am contemplating the last week and this week as a model: 2 6 mile runs, 1 3 mile run, 1 10 mile run. That seems to be a good model for continued fitness, and would be flexible enough to springboard into a training program.
Another question for me to answer is when and how advisable it might be to add in a couple of short runs into the mix on a couple of my current off days? Right now I am looking to add some morning walks first on those days, just to get the day started on the right foot. Then we'll see what direction that goes.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Getting used to the new base normal in what has been a good #fitwinning week
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Today's Run
So my weekday runs have settled into the 5-6 mile range in recent weeks. Another 6 mile one today. At the risk of being repetitive this is still just astounding to me. The idea that I would reach the point where I could run 6 miles and feel like that was just another run, instead of like I had really pushed myself, just crazy. And that's an important point that I picked up some where, that the goal of the training runs was to leave a little on the table, not to push to exhaustion, save that effort for races.
I have been trying to vary my routes lately, still running all over the West Side, but trying to vary some so I don't get too bored with the same old route. And with my long runs I will definitely have to change things up some in order to avoid having to run in circles.
Today's Run
So my weekday runs have settled into the 5-6 mile range in recent weeks. Another 6 mile one today. At the risk of being repetitive this is still just astounding to me. The idea that I would reach the point where I could run 6 miles and feel like that was just another run, instead of like I had really pushed myself, just crazy. And that's an important point that I picked up some where, that the goal of the training runs was to leave a little on the table, not to push to exhaustion, save that effort for races.
I have been trying to vary my routes lately, still running all over the West Side, but trying to vary some so I don't get too bored with the same old route. And with my long runs I will definitely have to change things up some in order to avoid having to run in circles.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Returning to work after vacation, but no vacation from running #Fitwinning
Dear James, Daniel and Emily
Today's Run
Had a successful vacation from work as far as fitness was concerned. Got in all of my scheduled runs. Plus threw in some basketball at the family barbecue (once again outlasting the teenagers).
Thursday morning I returned from my recovery period from the 10 mile race. Got in a smooth 5 miles, with some speed intervals. It felt good, although I did get a stitch in my side at one point that I had to just slow done and jog through.
Saturday morning I took James along on my 30 minute/3 mile run. I wanted to give him a taste of what I do on my runs, since he is so competitive and always asks why I don't do better as far as where I place in my races etc. So I figured the best way to show him was for him to see how far he could go. He actually did better than I expected, made it past 2 miles before he had to slow to a walk, then was able to run out the last leg. He really is a natural runner, and I think he actually would have run faster had he known where he was going and there was more light. Since he has decided to not play soccer this fall we are looking at enrolling him in the running club at school (assuming it is on again this year).
Sunday I stretched myself. Ran 8 miles. My plan is to add 1 mile each week on these Sunday runs until the half marathon on Labor Day. I won't have run 13 miles, but I will at least be conditioned for a long run when the race comes. And if my 10 mile run was any example I think that once I get out there I can just keep going past my accustomed stopping point.
Today I actually focused on getting to 6 miles at my normal race pace. Instead of just taking it slow I pushed it once I got past the big hill so I could make up the time I lost there. And I felt real good about it when I finished. Of course it is still odd to me that a 5-6 mile run has become closer to my normal base line for distance, but that's a good thing.
Diet
I was actually pretty good about this over the time off. I could have been a lot worse. It helps that we are really focusing on eating at home so we didn't do a lot of eating out. But today I am back to the calorie counting and plan to stick with that for a while, and do my measurements on Saturday morning, along with an 'official' weight baseline. Of course it could be that I won't be able to knock much off, but I sure would like to, or at least get some of the inches off my belly.
The other big thing about the time off was I made it through the time without any diet soda's. And I have noticed one interesting thing. If we go to a fast food place where I get soda, and I get s regular soda, I fill up faster, and am less likely to want more food. Which is really what should happen, pretty much any meal you get at a fast food restaurant should be enough for a healthy adult anyway, so if it doesn't fill you up, that's an issue. So if I can keep up that feeling of being full just by drinking regular soda I am moving in the right direction. All of which is an indirect way of saying I found an unexpected side effect of not drinking diet soda.
Today's Run
Had a successful vacation from work as far as fitness was concerned. Got in all of my scheduled runs. Plus threw in some basketball at the family barbecue (once again outlasting the teenagers).
Thursday morning I returned from my recovery period from the 10 mile race. Got in a smooth 5 miles, with some speed intervals. It felt good, although I did get a stitch in my side at one point that I had to just slow done and jog through.
Saturday morning I took James along on my 30 minute/3 mile run. I wanted to give him a taste of what I do on my runs, since he is so competitive and always asks why I don't do better as far as where I place in my races etc. So I figured the best way to show him was for him to see how far he could go. He actually did better than I expected, made it past 2 miles before he had to slow to a walk, then was able to run out the last leg. He really is a natural runner, and I think he actually would have run faster had he known where he was going and there was more light. Since he has decided to not play soccer this fall we are looking at enrolling him in the running club at school (assuming it is on again this year).
Sunday I stretched myself. Ran 8 miles. My plan is to add 1 mile each week on these Sunday runs until the half marathon on Labor Day. I won't have run 13 miles, but I will at least be conditioned for a long run when the race comes. And if my 10 mile run was any example I think that once I get out there I can just keep going past my accustomed stopping point.
Today I actually focused on getting to 6 miles at my normal race pace. Instead of just taking it slow I pushed it once I got past the big hill so I could make up the time I lost there. And I felt real good about it when I finished. Of course it is still odd to me that a 5-6 mile run has become closer to my normal base line for distance, but that's a good thing.
Diet
I was actually pretty good about this over the time off. I could have been a lot worse. It helps that we are really focusing on eating at home so we didn't do a lot of eating out. But today I am back to the calorie counting and plan to stick with that for a while, and do my measurements on Saturday morning, along with an 'official' weight baseline. Of course it could be that I won't be able to knock much off, but I sure would like to, or at least get some of the inches off my belly.
The other big thing about the time off was I made it through the time without any diet soda's. And I have noticed one interesting thing. If we go to a fast food place where I get soda, and I get s regular soda, I fill up faster, and am less likely to want more food. Which is really what should happen, pretty much any meal you get at a fast food restaurant should be enough for a healthy adult anyway, so if it doesn't fill you up, that's an issue. So if I can keep up that feeling of being full just by drinking regular soda I am moving in the right direction. All of which is an indirect way of saying I found an unexpected side effect of not drinking diet soda.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Week 1 down, the great Diet Soda purge continues
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
So made it through the first week, with no ill effects. It was actually pretty easy. It take a little effort to make sure I have something cold to drink, but otherwise I have been fine. I don't expect to see any difference any time soon, but I still feel good to be breaking that habit. And I haven't replaced it with drinking vast amounts of regular soda either (which was something of a worry), because when I have to count those calories in my daily totals it makes me less likely to get that big soda.
Didn't run yesterday, Monday night I was feeling the effects of the long run combined with a day of sitting at work. So I let myself have another couple of days to recover. Should be back into it tomorrow though. And hope to get in a good long run Sunday morning, at least 8 miles is my goal.
My resumption of calories tracking is working so far, this week it was mostly about just tracking, not so much on reducing. Because I have some time off, in our last family vacation time before school, so there will undoubtedly be some eating out. My goal is just to get back in the habit of tracking my meals, then in the coming weeks start getting back to getting my consumption back to acceptable numbers. It's a process as always.
So made it through the first week, with no ill effects. It was actually pretty easy. It take a little effort to make sure I have something cold to drink, but otherwise I have been fine. I don't expect to see any difference any time soon, but I still feel good to be breaking that habit. And I haven't replaced it with drinking vast amounts of regular soda either (which was something of a worry), because when I have to count those calories in my daily totals it makes me less likely to get that big soda.
Didn't run yesterday, Monday night I was feeling the effects of the long run combined with a day of sitting at work. So I let myself have another couple of days to recover. Should be back into it tomorrow though. And hope to get in a good long run Sunday morning, at least 8 miles is my goal.
My resumption of calories tracking is working so far, this week it was mostly about just tracking, not so much on reducing. Because I have some time off, in our last family vacation time before school, so there will undoubtedly be some eating out. My goal is just to get back in the habit of tracking my meals, then in the coming weeks start getting back to getting my consumption back to acceptable numbers. It's a process as always.
Monday, August 8, 2011
New Resolution, if I can run 10 miles, then I can do anything
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
With the fearsome 10 mile run behind me I can turn my focus back to other things. Mainly I need to get my dietary habits back on track. I was commenting to Kim last night that our eating habits need to be improved, back to where they were. It really is simple for me.
Stop screwing around with my tinkering: changing when I eat, trying different diets, or variations on the diets. There are some very simple truths that I know work for me, and it is time to return to them:
1. Tracking what I eat. Sometimes just being aware of how much you are taking in can be all the difference when you start craving that afternoon milk shake, or evening bowl of ice cream. So it's back to tracking my calories. This was one of the things that the 4 hour body diet doesn't include, and getting out of the habit really had an effect. Not tracking just doesn't work for me.
2. Balancing out what I eat. It would be nice if my body would allow me to do more of these odd ball diets. But I just cannot do that, between the diverticulosis and what I would assume is low level IBS I have to keep everything balanced, with the exception of fiber intake. I have to eat more fiber, and even my own take on the 4 hour body diet didn't have enough of that.
3. Variety is important. I need to have different things to eat, eating beans for every meal, or every other meal my work for some folks, but it's not for me. So I need to make sure I have lots of different things available for me, so that in the afternoons I don't start prowling around the office for snacks because I am tired of the same old things I pack every day.
4. Exercise, well there's at least one thing I don't have to change. I don't need to get back to doing this, as I am doing more than I was before. But I do need to do a better job of not letting a long run become an excuse for just pigging out all day.
There you have it, return to some basics. All so I can get my digestion back under control. And so the little weight gains that are coming up can be halted in their tracks. It's not like things are out of control, my weight is still well within the reasonable range, but I can also see those little gains each week, which is not the direction I want to go.
With the fearsome 10 mile run behind me I can turn my focus back to other things. Mainly I need to get my dietary habits back on track. I was commenting to Kim last night that our eating habits need to be improved, back to where they were. It really is simple for me.
Stop screwing around with my tinkering: changing when I eat, trying different diets, or variations on the diets. There are some very simple truths that I know work for me, and it is time to return to them:
1. Tracking what I eat. Sometimes just being aware of how much you are taking in can be all the difference when you start craving that afternoon milk shake, or evening bowl of ice cream. So it's back to tracking my calories. This was one of the things that the 4 hour body diet doesn't include, and getting out of the habit really had an effect. Not tracking just doesn't work for me.
2. Balancing out what I eat. It would be nice if my body would allow me to do more of these odd ball diets. But I just cannot do that, between the diverticulosis and what I would assume is low level IBS I have to keep everything balanced, with the exception of fiber intake. I have to eat more fiber, and even my own take on the 4 hour body diet didn't have enough of that.
3. Variety is important. I need to have different things to eat, eating beans for every meal, or every other meal my work for some folks, but it's not for me. So I need to make sure I have lots of different things available for me, so that in the afternoons I don't start prowling around the office for snacks because I am tired of the same old things I pack every day.
4. Exercise, well there's at least one thing I don't have to change. I don't need to get back to doing this, as I am doing more than I was before. But I do need to do a better job of not letting a long run become an excuse for just pigging out all day.
There you have it, return to some basics. All so I can get my digestion back under control. And so the little weight gains that are coming up can be halted in their tracks. It's not like things are out of control, my weight is still well within the reasonable range, but I can also see those little gains each week, which is not the direction I want to go.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Finding that inner spark and power to finish my longest run ever #fitwinning
Dear James, Daniel and Emily
Today's Race
I was prepared for most anything today. I was prepared to take it slow, maybe walk in places. Mentally I just wanted to finish under 2 hours, since this was going to be easily the longest I had ever run. The longest I had run before was a little over 7 miles, maybe 7.5. So making that jump to 10 was a big step.
I took it easy at first, and it helped that we had a little hill at the beginning, because I am used to that on my training runs so if anything it helped me get into my pace. But still I took it slow, just fell into my regular pace. The next thing I knew the miles were going by. I just stuck to my pace.
Around the 7 mile mark our route took us past what I thought was a loop for our race, so I was a little demoralized when all these people started shooting past me, but I figured they were just the leaders from our race. Even so it was frustrating to see some little kid shoot past me, and see all these other people who looked like they were already done. Then I figured out that our course was just taking us past another race, and all of those runners were from that race!
There were 2 women that I had been keeping pace with most of the race, they would pass me, I would pass them. Well I passed them for good around the 8 mile mark. At that point I began to realize that I was going to be able to keep up my pace the entire race, around 10 minute miles. I slowed a little towards the end, but when we entered the stadium I kicked up a notch and sprinted to the end to finish just a hair under 1 hour, 41 minutes!
Damn that felt good, to finish that race, and finish strong. That was far and away the longest I have ever run. And to do so while keeping a comfortable pace was just so cool. I know I won't be the guy who sprints the entire race, but to keep up that kind of pace, and only walk when drinking water was just a great feeling. It was especially nice to have the final part of the race in a area where just over a year ago I was first starting to take my running past the 3 mile mark. I now feel very ready for that half marathon in a month, and who know what next year holds?
Today's Race
I was prepared for most anything today. I was prepared to take it slow, maybe walk in places. Mentally I just wanted to finish under 2 hours, since this was going to be easily the longest I had ever run. The longest I had run before was a little over 7 miles, maybe 7.5. So making that jump to 10 was a big step.
I took it easy at first, and it helped that we had a little hill at the beginning, because I am used to that on my training runs so if anything it helped me get into my pace. But still I took it slow, just fell into my regular pace. The next thing I knew the miles were going by. I just stuck to my pace.
Around the 7 mile mark our route took us past what I thought was a loop for our race, so I was a little demoralized when all these people started shooting past me, but I figured they were just the leaders from our race. Even so it was frustrating to see some little kid shoot past me, and see all these other people who looked like they were already done. Then I figured out that our course was just taking us past another race, and all of those runners were from that race!
There were 2 women that I had been keeping pace with most of the race, they would pass me, I would pass them. Well I passed them for good around the 8 mile mark. At that point I began to realize that I was going to be able to keep up my pace the entire race, around 10 minute miles. I slowed a little towards the end, but when we entered the stadium I kicked up a notch and sprinted to the end to finish just a hair under 1 hour, 41 minutes!
Damn that felt good, to finish that race, and finish strong. That was far and away the longest I have ever run. And to do so while keeping a comfortable pace was just so cool. I know I won't be the guy who sprints the entire race, but to keep up that kind of pace, and only walk when drinking water was just a great feeling. It was especially nice to have the final part of the race in a area where just over a year ago I was first starting to take my running past the 3 mile mark. I now feel very ready for that half marathon in a month, and who know what next year holds?
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Not the training week I wanted, but still made a huge step
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
So my stomach problem was still affecting me enough that I did not run Tuesday morning. Which means I will be going into the race on Saturday with only 1 real run in over a week. The positive is I should at least have fresh legs. But I would still have felt better having done a real long run Sunday followed by at least a 6 mile on Tuesday. But you know what? That's all good, I will still tackle the race, and if I end up running real slow and/or walk some of the 10 miles it will not be the end of the world, the primary goal is to finish with a reasonable time, and then use that as the spring board for my next step: Half Marathon.
Today is Day 1 without Diet Soda in the morning. I had what should be my last Diet Pepsi yesterday morning. Just to clarify I am not saying I will never drink a diet soda again, just that I am ending my habit of drinking them all the time, and ending that as my crutch. The thing about the diet soda is that they don't lead to weigh gain necessarily (unless you use them as an excuse to get that extra large serving of french fries). But they also don't help lose weight either. So I hate to think of how big I would have gotten had I not developed a taste for diet soda at an early age. But years of diet soda didn't exactly help me lose the weight either. Either way I am breaking that habit, tea is good, either cold unsweetened or hot when the weather calls for it.
So my stomach problem was still affecting me enough that I did not run Tuesday morning. Which means I will be going into the race on Saturday with only 1 real run in over a week. The positive is I should at least have fresh legs. But I would still have felt better having done a real long run Sunday followed by at least a 6 mile on Tuesday. But you know what? That's all good, I will still tackle the race, and if I end up running real slow and/or walk some of the 10 miles it will not be the end of the world, the primary goal is to finish with a reasonable time, and then use that as the spring board for my next step: Half Marathon.
Today is Day 1 without Diet Soda in the morning. I had what should be my last Diet Pepsi yesterday morning. Just to clarify I am not saying I will never drink a diet soda again, just that I am ending my habit of drinking them all the time, and ending that as my crutch. The thing about the diet soda is that they don't lead to weigh gain necessarily (unless you use them as an excuse to get that extra large serving of french fries). But they also don't help lose weight either. So I hate to think of how big I would have gotten had I not developed a taste for diet soda at an early age. But years of diet soda didn't exactly help me lose the weight either. Either way I am breaking that habit, tea is good, either cold unsweetened or hot when the weather calls for it.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Long Prep run cut short, but still feel ready for race next weekend
Dear James, Daniel and Emily,
Had a mixed weekend fitness wise, had a good 5K at the Y, but my long Sunday run was cut short. Spent most of Sunday dashing to the bathroom as apparently something I ate Friday or Saturday did not agree with me. But by Sunday night that had eased off and I am feeling fine this morning.
So I did not get to do the long run that I wanted in preparation for Saturday's race. But I still good about it, I just have to temper my pace and not expect to keep up a dramatically fast pace. Slow and easy will be the key for that long run.
And I am officially signed up for my first Half Marathon: http://www.adtmarathon.com/ I am excited about this, and confident that if I can do the 10 mile run I can do this.
Diet
Well I have decided that I just cannot stick to the 4 hour body diet, just not workable for me, and my attempts to use it as a framework for a diet are not working either. So it will be back to what I know works for me: low calorie, mixed nutrients (strive for all food groups).
On the other hand I can say that my goal of ending my dependence on Diet Soda is proceeding well. I anticipate that I will have my last one this week. There is just overwhelming evidence that Nutra Sweet, while it does not put on the pounds, does not encourage weight loss either. So my plan is to replace soda with Tea, cold during the summer, hot when it gets cold. That is one positive thing I can take away from all this tinkering with my diet.
Had a mixed weekend fitness wise, had a good 5K at the Y, but my long Sunday run was cut short. Spent most of Sunday dashing to the bathroom as apparently something I ate Friday or Saturday did not agree with me. But by Sunday night that had eased off and I am feeling fine this morning.
So I did not get to do the long run that I wanted in preparation for Saturday's race. But I still good about it, I just have to temper my pace and not expect to keep up a dramatically fast pace. Slow and easy will be the key for that long run.
And I am officially signed up for my first Half Marathon: http://www.adtmarathon.com/ I am excited about this, and confident that if I can do the 10 mile run I can do this.
Diet
Well I have decided that I just cannot stick to the 4 hour body diet, just not workable for me, and my attempts to use it as a framework for a diet are not working either. So it will be back to what I know works for me: low calorie, mixed nutrients (strive for all food groups).
On the other hand I can say that my goal of ending my dependence on Diet Soda is proceeding well. I anticipate that I will have my last one this week. There is just overwhelming evidence that Nutra Sweet, while it does not put on the pounds, does not encourage weight loss either. So my plan is to replace soda with Tea, cold during the summer, hot when it gets cold. That is one positive thing I can take away from all this tinkering with my diet.
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