A return to running after nearly 2 weeks #Running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

I'm back!

Even though I stayed up too late watching a very frustrating football game (my team lost!) I still dragged my ass out of bed this morning and ran!

It wasn't the fastest run. But it was 3 solid miles, and that will more than work.

It felt really good to get out and use that time mentally to work through things and just clear my head again. There is nothing like forced down time to make you appreciate it when you can return to running!

I'm still working through the new eating schedule. I actually have done pretty well as far as holding to 3 meals a day and not snacking. The next step, now that I can resume running regularly, is to get it all together on the total calorie package. I know I can do that, just have to keep my mind straight. It also helps that the month of birthdays and celebrations is coming to an end.

Well back to work, but with the renewed mental energy that comes from regular exercise!

Day 6: Ups & downs force me to be cautious and change work style

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

Yesterday morning I was feeling confident, the pain and tenderness seemed like they were finally receding. Looked like I was right on track for that 7 day recovery period. Then something happened at work, and now here I am standing while working and wondering if I will be able to run Sunday.

I don't know for sure if it was just a result of sitting at work for 2+ days instead of laying down, putting pressure in sensitive areas. But what I do know is I was forced to change back to my standing desk configuration for the last part of my shift. And the pain was too bad for me to go and watch Danny at one of his Scout events. I was forced to just come home and remain on the couch the rest of the night.

Today I have been alternating between sitting and the standing desk. Trying not to remain sitting for too long. And that feels better as a result. And if that doesn't do the trick I will have to see the doctor tomorrow.

Of course another possibility is that this might be a blockage issue, because I am not getting my customary exercise my digestion has not felt exactly right. Although it hasn't felt like that so I doubt it. Either way I am making sure not to push things, and don't plan on running until Sunday at the earliest, which sucks but is the smart thing.

Day 4, the brain is beginning to protest lack of exercise

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Friday I had a Vasectomy. It was time, mutual family decision and all that. But, the hardest part really is the fact that I cannot run for at least another 3 more days, have to give time for things to heal.

It's one thing to take time off due to injury, or taper. But this is different. This is a self-inflicted 'injury'. And for the most part my body feels fine, and is wondering why I am not running.

The first day was pretty easy to not move as it was uncomfortable to even get up from the couch. The same for the second day. But by Sunday I was starting to get pretty antsy and stir crazy.

And by today, Day 4 after the surgery, I am definitely feeling the lack of exercise.

Trying to count the positives (aside from the ones that come from the actual surgery)

1. My legs and feet are actually getting some real rest.
2. I am catching up on sleep with no 4:30 wake ups
3. Getting a week to focus on the new eating schedule, second week of that, which should help set that in concrete.
4. In the long run (no pun intended) a week off from running won't kill me

Just 3 more days to go, really looking forward to that Saturday morning run! 

So far, so good, now just need to stick with the new plan

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Most of the first week is down, and so far so good on my new plan. Although it has not been the easiest weeks to eat better as there have been free bagels, work provided lunch and today a pot luck. But I can stick to the basic plan in the face of all that, even if I fail to hit the ideal calorie numbers.

Getting in some extra running this week to compensate for the down time this weekend. Hopefully again, the down time will be minimal.

It's been a light week for thinking deep thoughts on exercise so I will just leave you with this:

A fresh, cold, start #Running #Diet

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

This week I am embarking on a different approach to the eating conundrum. And trying to get my runs in while I can, knowing I will miss at least a few days over the weekend and maybe into next week.

Today's Run

Wow, that was a cold one! And it got colder after I completed the run, for good measure. Which meant that was my first run in full cold weather gear, I could probably have gotten away with a little less to be honest, I was pretty toasty, but better safe than sorry.

I am having a minor outpatient procedure on Friday afternoon which might lead to some down time on the running. But hopefully not too many days missed.

My latest strategy on eating is to stop snacking on work days. The reality is I work a sedentary job, sitting at a desk all day long. And no amount of early morning running, lunch walks etc. can really counter that entirely. My new thinking is that the smart thing to do is to stop those snacks at my desk and cut back to 3 meals a day. I know this goes counter to the traditional dieting advice. But I think that advice applies better to people who are more active during the day. In my job there is no way to burn the calories from the snack, so they just end up sitting there. It's a theory, and I plan to test it out for at least a month and see how it goes.

An important truth it took me a long time to find

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

I grew up in a relatively active family. Lots of family sports. Many of the stories we share will involve games of basketball or football we played. The downside of that is that I built up in my head that the only way to enjoy exercise and physical activity was with other people.

Yesterday I saw an online poll asking: "what is the one thing you would want to go back in time and tell your younger self?" And the single biggest thing that I could think of would be to impress upon my younger self that while playing sports with others is fun, depending on others for your exercise is not a good way to go about your life.

This is not to say that getting your exercise by playing sports with other people is bad. I know people who do that and are able to get most of the exercise they need. But, for a life long fitness it is best to develop some habit that you can do alone. Because there will come a time when that group you play basketball, football, soccer, tennis etc. is not as reliable any more. Or maybe something happens and you cannot match schedules with that group, or someone gets hurt or whatever.

I think the single biggest change that I made as far as fitness came when I realized that it was really up to me to get out and do something active, I couldn't rely on anyone else. I chose running as my thing. But it could be biking, hiking, swimming, lifting weights whatever. The important thing is finding something active that you can do on your own so you always have that fall back.

I would love it if I had the time and a group that I could get together and play frisbee with every day, or tennis or whatever. And I look forward to doing more of that with the kids as they get older. But in the end my fitness is up to me, so I will continue running.

That's it, I am now in 'free running' mode

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Pumpkin 10K

Saturday was fun. The track was very different from my usual road, sidewalk, wide gravel routes. There were rocks (wish those Hokas had lasted long enough to cover this race because going minimalist on all those rocks was a challenge.) There was a lot of single track trail. There was some ankle busting uneven parts. But I finished, not my best 10K time, but I was happy with it, given the different course, and still managed it under 11 minute mile average.

And that's it, no more races for almost 7 months. No more commitments, it is all on me just to run for the sake of running (and fitness.) Which meant that today was my first challenge, but I got out, and did my 3 miles just like normal. And hope to get back into the 5 day a week schedule this week. One advantage is that I feel more comfortable switching around my schedule to run a long run on Saturday if I want.

And, last week I made a vow to myself that after my birthday (yesterday) I would focus on regaining my eating discipline. Because that is what gets me as much as anything. I am getting my exercise (averaging 15+ miles a week since the Half marathon.) But my belly is slowly coming back and the scale doesn't lie. Which means I have to get back the mental toughness to just eat what I have, not fall prey to picking up an extra snack, or milkshake etc. And then start following a slow reduction after that.

I made myself a promise during the race that I will not sign up for any more races until I get to a target weight. And definitely not sign up for the Grand Prix series unless I am at a weight where I can maybe put in a more respectable performance. I know it's not the greatest carrot, but it's one I know I can use, because I do enjoy the races, and am looking forward to the chance to celebrate being one of less than 60 people who ran all of the Long series races this year.

That's my plan and goal, now just to use some mental reserve to stick to it!

One more to go, then it's fall-winter recovery season #Running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

This Saturday is my last race of the year (at least I am not planning on running any more and have not signed up.) And the timing is good as apparently we are getting our first serious cold snap Friday night, possibly even some snow (although hopefully not too much where my race is scheduled.)

From there my race schedule goes empty until April and St. Patrick's Day. Which is kind of nice, because I can focus on 'just running'. Not that I dislike the races, they are a fun diversion, and a decent measuring stick (although I wish that stick would stop saying I was getting slower.) But the constant training for the races does get to be a drag after a while.

But, after Saturday that won't really be an issue for a while. I can just run. Run for fun, run for health, run because I want to instead of out of obligation. Does that mean I might run a little slower? Yeah probably. But I also might be more inclined to just run longer on weekends than I do now, simply because I want to keep running, and there are no concerns about over training or taper etc.

I'm looking forward to it, and settling into a regular winter routine.