Day 311, 54 To Go

November 7, 2013

It is Thursday, ATP (after the party) and I am still finding glitter everywhere, including the inside of my running shorts.  If only the glitter were actually pixie dust (of which the glitter was used to imitate at the party) I am fairly sure I would be running much faster.  I think just the idea of having a sparkly penis should help me run faster, but that's just me.

Here, by the way, are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.40 miles

Pace: 8:50/m

Max Pace: 7:17/m

Calories: 339

Avg HR: 131

Max HR: 146

My time was fastish, but not sparkly penis fast, so who cares.  I think I should just move right to the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com.  Check out this locale:

 Harold Parker State Forest, Massachusetts

Roughly 25 miles north of Boston, Harold Parker State Forest in Andover, Mass. has a 1,000-foot boardwalk that cuts through the Mary French Reservation.

 Tell me you would not want to run on that path?  How cool is that!  I suppose you do have to be careful on this part of the path (its only 1,000 feet) or you might fall in.  That doesn't look like the type of water you want to fall in.  Their could be, like, snakes and alligators in there!  Ok, not alligators...I doubt there are any alligators in Massachusetts.  Still, if you are all awestruck by the beauty, you may end up being a part of that beauty for the rest of your short, wet, partially eaten life.  I guess it doesn't look deep, so you don't need to know how to swim.

Anyway, if this 1,000 foot stretch is this scenic, imagine how beautiful the rest is.  I just don't know when I will make my way back to Mass, since the only reason I went there in the first place was to go see the Boston Red Sox, current World Champions.  Yeah.  You know what I'd like to say about that?  I'd like to say, "Fuck you Red Sox!"  That's it.  I'm a Yankee fan so fuck the Saux!!!

So if I do go to MA, I'd love to go to this state park...and honestly, I'd love to go to another Red Sox game.  I love baseball and Fenway is a large part of that history.  It is a cool, if uncomfortable, stadium to see a game at.  Every baseball fan should go.

That's it for today.  Me and my sparkly penis are signing off.  Until next time, stay Fabulous!!

Run for Life!!

Day 310, 55 To Go

November 6, 2013

I'm beginning to think my hard run last Friday had consequences.  My hip is constantly tight and painful.  It shouldn't be like that.  On top of that, I can tell my legs are always sore.  Again, that shouldn't happen.  So, why is it?

Because I need rest!!!  I want a day off...wahhhhh!!!!

Ok, that is enough bitching for one day, especially when I am the cause of the problem.  Doesn't that just rub you the wrong way when someone complains all the time about a situation that they themselves caused?  Keep it to yourself whiner!!

So, now that I have shut myself up, I'll show my numbers for the day:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.11 miles

Pace: 9:39/m

Max Pace: 8:10/m

Calories: 324

Avg HR: 128

Max HR: 136

I've taken to writing my numbers down right after my run in case I have another GPS incident.  It drives me crazy when I am not able to properly record my running history, especially in this blog.  There is never any foolproof plan when you are dealing with technology.  I guess I could always set up a backup, but that is annoying.

I believe I mentioned that I had another great list to share with you.  This one is called the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com.

Acadia National Park, Maine

The 3.3-mile carriage road encircling Witch Hole Pond is part of a 45-mile system of paths in Acadia National Park.

I just love the look of this run.  Sure, the run they are showing is only 3.3 miles, but there are 45 miles of paths in the park, so your options are unlimited.  Can you imagine the peace you would feel, running through the fall foliage on a cool Fall day, surrounded by nature in all its glory?  I can!  I have only been to two national parks, both of which are in Hawaii, so I am sorely lacking in the National Park experiences.  I need to get out more!!  Honey is not all that into Nature, but I do have two young boys...so there is always a chance in my future!  Camping anyone?

Run for Life!!

Day 309, 56 To Go

November 5, 2013

I am assuming all the party prep, lack of sleep, carrying heavy stuff, running around like a chicken without a head and an overall lack of flexibility and strength training is what is leading to my body feeling like I got run over.  I have come to the conclusion that I need to get more flexible. 

I should first say that, compared to most, I am pretty damn limber.  I can bend over and touch my palms to the ground without much effort (with my legs straight, of course).  However, I have some areas that continue to cause me grief like my hips and hip flexors and my calves and lower back.  I had a friend who I used to run with in Hawaii, Alan, who loved to run but hated to stretch.  As he got older, you could see it in the way he ran.  You could see that he was uncomfortable and it was because of his lack of flexibility.  Sure, he would loosen up a little as we ran, but I could see it going downhill.  I see myself going down that road now and I need to stop it in its tracks.

I am planning on adding strength training and flexibility training to my new year goals.  Yoga will take care of both of these things, but so will stretching and lifting weights.  Hell, if I just got down on the floor, did some push ups and some pull ups and core training and some stretching a couple of times a week, I'd be golden.  Just typing that made me feel lazy.  I want to lie down and watch an all night Walking Dead marathon, or perhaps Buffy the Vampire Slayer.  Why those shows?  Because I like them, that's why!

Anyway, I have been doing dynamic stretches before I run and that seems to be helping a bit during my runs, but it is not enough.  Take a look at my numbers today:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.35 miles

Pace: 8:58/m

Max Pace: 7:27/m

Calories: 345

Avg HR: 133

Max HR: 149

I have been pushing the last couple of minutes, even on my easy runs, just so my body doesn't forget what it is like to run fast.  Can't say that is helping my aching joints, but it certainly feels good.

Tomorrow, I am going to start on a new list.  This will be similar to the last list where we explored runs that every American should do.  These are similar, but all different places.  One is more beautiful than the next!  What do you think the chances I can get Honey to go on vacation to some of these places so we can run?

If you guessed less than 0%, you'd be right.  I guess that is what duct tape and chloroform are for...

Run for Life!!

Day 308, 57 To Go

November 4, 2013

Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, know that I LOVE Mondays.  Its my mostest favoritest day of the week!  Why?  Because the pesky weekend where I may or may not have relaxed is over and I get to go to WORK!  I get to work hard writing programs and creating reports and managing projects for my clients.  I contribute to a total TEAM effort and we make millions of dollars for the company I work for.  Why wouldn't I love Mondays!!  WHY!!!!!!

A positive attitude and positive self talk is supposed to help you in every facet of your life.  While the above paragraph is having no affect on my love of Mondays or my job, I do know that positive self talk while running does work.  I have used mantras while running to help me.  I have told myself that I was a good runner and that I could do it.  I have yelled at myself and called myself a pussy too.  I suppose that doesn't fall into the positive self talk, but sometimes, I am just being a pussy and I need to be yelled at.

Why am I talking about this?  Because I often hear people say, "I can't <fill in the blank>" and I think that is a self defeating attitude that guarantees you will fail.  Positive self talk and hard work and all that won't guarantee that you will succeed, but you are giving yourself a leg up on the competition, especially if the competition is your own head!

On my daily runs, I usually do not need to give myself positive self talk because I am dedicated to reaching my goal.  I do find that in races, however, when the pain is high, I do need it, and I do use it.  Sometimes, no matter how much positive self talk you engage in, you still feel like crap, but it is always worth a try.

Try it while you are running or walking or doing anything that is challenging for you.  Just never give up man!!  Don't be a pussy!!

Here are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.23 miles

Pace: 9:17/m

Max Pace: 8:04/m

Calories: 340

Avg HR: 130

Max HR: 139

Another day in the books, my friends.  I am going to positive self talk myself to sleep.  Peace!

Run for Life!!

Day 307, 58 To Go

November 3, 2013

Yesterday was a long day.  We spent most of today cleaning up the mess that was made yesterday.  Part of the dress up for the girls was a pouch of "pixie dust" that they wore around their neck.  We used glitter since we didn't have Tinkerbell around to give us real pixie dust.  As you can imagine, there is glitter all over my house from one end to the next.  In fact, I am still covered in glitter.  On the bright side, if I go to strip club, Honey won't be able to tell the difference between the stripper glitter and the pixie dust glitter.  So I have that going for me.

Most of the mess was cleaned up and moved to the garage which is now a disaster area.  I don't know if I mentioned it, but I recently cleaned out and reorganized the garage.  Honey will be cleaning the garage very soon if I have any say in it!

I did run today.  Here are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.04 miles

Pace: 9:53/m

Max Pace: 8:29/m

Calories: 311

Avg HR: 124

Max HR: 132

This was the best that I could do.  I had no energy or motivation.  I am lucky that I was able to go at all.  I really need a nap. Before I nap, I mind as well post my October numbers.  Here goes...

              Total Miles | Total Time
January          52.24    |    9:25:00
February         52.01    |    8:40:07
March            74.57    |   11:30:00
April            75.59    |   12:00:16 
May              79.51    |   12:31:00
June             82.35    |   12:40:19
July             92.09    |   15:01:00
August          100.52    |   16:15:00  
September        87.29    |   14:21:21 
October         102.79    |   15:45:00 

Here is a week by week breakdown:

Steve's Total Miles Logged: 102.79
Week 1: 22.11
Week 2: 25.25
Week 3: 22.09
Week 4: 23.06
Partial Week 5: 10.28

Total Running Time: 15:45:00

Honey's Total Miles Logged: 2.39
Week 1: 2.39
Week 2: 0.00
Week 3: 0.00
Week 4: 0.00
Partial Week 5: 0.00

Total Running Time: 30:00 

Honey's numbers are, to say the least, lacking.  It is not her fault though.  She actually wanted to run more, but I stopped her due to her knee issues.  She should be spending her time rehabbing her knee, but she isn't, so when she has no numbers in November, I can blame her.

As for me, I rebounded and put up the most miles I have yet for a month.  This is because I am running 30 minutes and because Honey is not running with me.  This is both good and bad...mostly bad.  I think my body is not handling the extra mileage and intensity very well.  Currently, I have pain in my right ankle, my left hip and my left foot.  I am also an old fart and that could have something to do with it.

When I took a look at the day by day paces, I actually had a decent amount of runs sub 9 min.  I didn't think I did, but it was as good as any month.  My overall time was the 2nd highest, yet I had the most miles, so I would say, overall, I ran faster throughout the month.  Only two more to go!

Run for Life!

Day 306, 59 To Go

November 2, 2013

Its party day, and of course, there was plenty to still do.  In the end, it all got done and the party was a raging success.  At one point, during the treasure hunt, I counted 27 children!  That included those invited along with their siblings and babies and perhaps some strays off the street.  I don't know how many adults there were, but there were a lot.  I would say, in total, there were probably about 50 people at the party.  My house is biggish, but not that big!  It was pretty awesome, once all was said and done.  It cost me a pretty penny and I probably won't be able to buy food for a couple of weeks, but the bottom line is that Derek was super happy.  He also got more presents than he will probably get at Christmas, so he was over the moon!

I'll get the run out of the way then I'll post some pictures since I have been talking about this thing for a couple of weeks.  As I mentioned yesterday, my GPS screwed me once again and I lost two days of running.  Friday was the first day and today was the second.  It was a long day and I didn't get out to run until after dark, as usual.  I have no recollection of how far or how fast I ran.  I know I went over 3 miles because unless I am hurt, I always make that a priority.  So, in fairness, I have recorded 3 miles at a 10 min per mile pace as my numbers for the day.  I am pretty confident I went faster, but I don't want to overstate what I did, so I will go the conservative route.

Here are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.00 miles

Pace: 10:00/m

Max Pace: x:xx/m

Calories: xxx

Avg HR: xxx

Max HR: xxx

As this is the fourth time, maybe, that my watch has done this, I can't in good faith recommend this model to anyone.  I mean, I love the functions it offers and it is very accurate and comfortable and I can't live without it, but I am disappointed in this software defect that keeps popping up.

Anyway, lets take a look at some pictures of the party!!  Truly, the pictures do not do the party justice nor does it do all the hard work Honey put in justice...but it's what we have, so enjoy!

Baby Play Room

Birthday Boy Pirate!

Bouncy House Fun

Boys Dress Up

Cake Table with Yummy Brigadeiro and Beijinho

Cake...supposed to be Bucky

Bucky the Cake in all its glory!

Cake Table

Dressing room with hand painted cutouts

Front of the house...waterfall!

Girls Dress Up

Hand made Izzy Party Favors

Hand made Jake Party Favors

Hand Made Jake spoons for cake

Close up of cake table

Homemade Palm Trees!

Panoramic view of living room decorated

Derek excited about his presents

Present corner before opening

Sandwich boat with some other food

Hand made Scully Party Favors

Kids outside eating

Treasure map on floor

Triplets dressed for the occasion

 Run for Life!!

Day 305, 60 To Go

November 1, 2013

Its Friday.  One day before the party.  There appears to be way too much to do.  Honey is apoplectic.  Luckily we have some friends coming over to help or I may lose her before the party.  Wish us luck!

It was an extremely stressful day due to the fact that our cake was not turning out as we expected.  We were too busy doing other things that we did not put enough time and focus into the cake.  However, we are going to make due with what we have.  At this point, it is probably even too late to get a sheet cake from BJs or Wal Mart, so we are stuck with it.  At least I know it will taste really good (I baked it!)

I ran in the evening when I finally got out.  I was stressed myself, so I ran hard.  Unfortunately, I had some issues with my GPS (in the future, not today...you see, my GPS has a tendency to lock up and the only way to get it to work is to reset it and this tends to delete data...in this case, it deleted two days!  Mother Fucker!!  This is a really long aside...in fact, it is so long that I should probably take it out of the () and just start a new paragraph...but I digress...back to the run...) and I do not have all the run info that I usually have.

I remember pushing hard at the end to make it to 4 miles, so I know I made it.  I think I actually did 4.03, but I'm not sure.  I know I ran 4 which means I ran a 7:30 pace.  I have the important info, at least.

Here are my abbreviated numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 4.00 miles

Pace: 7:30/m

Max Pace: x:xx/m

Calories: xxx

Avg HR: xxx

Max HR: xxx

My HR was pretty high, but that wasn't my limiting factor.  It was my muscles.  My legs were dying on me.  I am always sore these days, so I'm not surprised.  I'm sure I won't be able to run well for a few days after this.

Lets take a look at the last run in the 10 Runs Every American Must Do from Active.com.

Don't look at this as a workout more than as a sightseeing run. The Strip is too crowded at night for good running, and has many escalators and steps to hinder getting a true workout in during the day. But the lights and the attractions...unreal. Perhaps running the Rock 'N Roll Las Vegas Marathon is the way to see the Strip with an elevated heart rate.
I have been to Vegas a few times.  I don't have any crazy stories to tell because every time I went I was either married or attached to someone, and I am an honest guy.  At the same time, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.  So, there's that.

I never wanted to run the strip until I saw that they had a Marathon there.  It seemed like an interesting place to run.  The problem with running on the strip, or even walking, is that no matter how much you move, nothing ever seems to get closer.  The reason is that the hotels are so damn big, that even from far away, they appear to be close.  But no, you just keep going and you never seem to get where you are going!  It is frustrating and awesome at the same time.  I have walked almost the entire strip and it was a tiring walk.  I would actually rather run it.  What about you?

Run for Life!!