Day 318, 47 To Go

November 14, 2013

I find that I am uninspired by my recent runs.  I feel like I need to shake things up, but I don't think I should be tampering with my running schedule since I am barely holding on as it is.  What to do!  This is common with runners...we get bored with our routine, with the miles we are running, with the people we are running with or with running in general.  This is why cross training is such a good idea.

I have not been cross training.  I think cross training would be great if I took a day off running 30 minutes.  However, any other exercise would just exacerbate my current fitness issues (over trained state).  I do feel better, a little, but since I only really feel good running maybe one or two days a week, I don't think I am better.  Most of my runs are a chore right now.  So, I am in a bad place and I need to find some motivation.

I have started to think about next year and what I am going to do.  I am enamored with this streak and I would hate to stop it, but I also want to recover.  I am going to take a wait and see approach.  When the new year rolls around, I will continue to run every day, but I will just run 1 mile for perhaps the first two or three weeks of the year and see if this helps.  Wait and see...

Here are my numbers for today:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.14 miles

Pace: 9:33/m

Max Pace: 8:41/m

Calories: 327

Avg HR: 125

Max HR: 132

I wasn't feeling bad, but I wasn't feeling very good either.  So, I just took it easy.  Glad the day is over!

Let's take a look at the last run on the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com.

Little Rock's Mud Run 5-K

Costumes and on-the-course fun trump speed in this Southern version of the mud run.

This isn't so much a location as a type of race.  These mud runs are held all over the country.  They also have obstacle course runs.  There are even runs where you face obstacles like zombies or people shooting paint balls at you.  They have a ton of these extra curricular runs that have encouraged a whole new group of people to run where they wouldn't have before.

Personally, I have never run one of these, but I think it would be a hell of a lot of fun.  I think the zombie one looks really cool.  I am a big fan of The Walking Dead, so it would be a scream to try.  Maybe it would even be more fun to be one of the zombies!!

Run for Life!!

Day 317, 48 To Go

November 13, 2013

Hump day is upon us which means we are past the halfway mark until the weekend.  It is also the day after the first snow of the year in the Northeast.  I'm sure all of you up there are very excited...or at least your kids are.  I don't think there was enough snow to cause any cancellations, but I remember, as a child, there was always hope!

Do you remember - those of you who grew up where there are actual seasons - the excitement of that first snow?  It meant that not only did you have a chance of getting out of school, it meant getting all dressed up in obnoxiously puffy winter jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, multiple layers of shirts and pants and boots.  All of this was mean to keep you warm and dry.  It never worked...at least the dry part.  Within 15 minutes, you were sweating and shedding clothes.  Making snow forts and having snowball fights and unfortunately, shoveling the walk, made you super hot.  Before long, you have your hat and jacket off and the only thing that made you put it back on was mom.  The gloves would usually stay on, unless they did not help you make snowballs, then you had to take them off to make your snowballs before you put them back on and unsuccessfully warmed them back up.

This was before you had to worry about driving in the snow or digging out your car to go to work or having to find child care because your kids were out of school but you still had to work.  Yeah, those were the days.  Today, the snow just makes me cold!  That is part of the reason I spent a few years in Hawaii and why I now live in Florida.  No snow!  I will always be nostalgic for those days, but in my old age, I can do without it!

Running in the snow is actually something I never did.  I have run in sub freezing weather including the NYC marathon where it was about 30 degrees at the start of the race.  It warmed up, a bit, during the race, but it was cold the entire run.  I have a lot of respect for those people who run in the snow.  I always used to go to the gym and use the treadmill.  Running in the snow is hard and dangerous, but whoever said getting in top shape was easy?

Here, it was about 60 degrees when I started my run.  Well, the temp was upper 60s, but the real feel was 62.  All I know is that when I got out there, I was cold!  60 isn't really cold, but when you are used to 80, it feels cold. Anyway, I didn't even bother warming up.  I was too cold, so I just started running.  Running in this weather is so much easier than running in hot, humid weather.

Here are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.86 miles

Pace: 7:46/m

Max Pace: 6:42/m

Calories: 362

Avg HR: 140

Max HR: 160

Yeah, I felt good from the outset, even without warming up.  I am sure I could have pushed it harder, considering my top HR was only 160, but I ran how I felt, and I felt good, so that is all that matters.

Lets take a look at the next locale on the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com.

Glacier National Park, Montana

The shift in scenery is abrupt and rewarding at the crest of this 10-mile route in northwestern Montana.

Speaking of cold, it looks cold there, doesn't it?  Based on what she is wearing, it can't be that cold.  It is beautiful though.  I have to think that running in the shadow of mountains has to make you think about how small you are and how you fit into a huge universe.  I know that is what it would make me think about.  I want to do it!  Let's go!!

Run for Life!!

Day 316, 49 To Go

November 12, 2013

 As another week rolls by, so do the miles, one by one.  The landscape, ever unchanging, passes by my sight unnoticed.  My focus is only on one thing: placing one foot in front of the other, placing me closer to reaching my goal.  50 days separate me from a fly by night New Year's Resolution and actual success.  How often can you claim that you stuck to a resolution for the entire year, day after day?  I am pretty sure I never kept have.  The closest I have ever come was actually another running resolution.  This was the first.  I was around 28 years old, out of shape, somewhat asthmatic, and recently free from the shackles of a nicotine addiction.  I made a resolution that I would run 3 times a week, and I did it for six straight months before I injured myself.

Considering my abysmal failure of keeping all of my other resolutions, I will consider making more running themed resolutions for the upcoming year.  2014 is rapidly approaching and I have a myriad of ideas floating around inside my brain.  I take all suggestions seriously...so suggest away!

Here are my numbers for today:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.02 miles

Pace: 9:57/m

Max Pace: 8:06/m

Calories: 301

Avg HR: 120

Max HR: 133

I realized that part of my problem with recovery is that I don't actually attempt to recover.  When Honey would run with me, I would have recovery days, but now that her knees have failed her, I no longer have that motivation to slow down.  I made a concerted effort to take it easy today.  I did feel a little stiff and my ankle was bothering me, so it didn't take too much internal conversation to convince myself to slow down.  If you are a runner, you know that it is REALLY hard to do!  I did slow down though, but not really as much as would be necessary for real recovery, I think.  I still managed 3 miles, so I was pleased, but my recovery...not so much.  Oh well..

Let's recover together and check out the next running location in the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

A rural route's unpaved stretch winds past tall, imposing rock formations.

This is another desert like location, but I find this one a bit more aesthetically pleasing.  The rock formations and varied terrain is much more interesting than a regular desert.  I almost typed dessert...I always do that...perhaps I want a dessert.  Mmmmm...how about running through Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory?  Why don't I ever see that on any freaking list!

Run for Life!!

Day 315, 50 To Go

November 11, 2013

I'm feeling a bit off.  It is actually Monday, November 11th and I am writing the blog for Monday, November 11th.  It is quite strange to be on time and not behind due to endless procrastinating!  It feels pretty good too!  Sure, the chances of this lasting more than a couple of days is about 3%.  I am probably lucky that I don't write for a living because I would never hit my deadlines.  Its not like I am usually the type of person to be late for things.  That is probably not true.  If I think about it, I am probably late for most things.

Speaking of being late, I had to work today.  I was late for work today because I had a parent/teaching conference for my son, Derek, who is in Pre-K.  Yeah, not the most important parent/teacher conference I will ever attend, but it was the first for my boy.  The good news is that he is doing great and he is near the top of the class as far as being advanced (for someone in Pre-K).  I think that has to do with the fact that we read to him every night and I have fantastic DNA.

The conference was at 8:30 (when I am supposed to start working) so of course I was late for work.  I took a very short lunch to make up for the time, so all is good there.  You know something that I am never late for?  Races.  I am always super early for races because I hate feeling rushed.  When you have the stress of being rushed, it raises your HR and floods your body with Cortisol (stress hormone) and it can affect your performance.  Some people thrive on stress, but I think it has to be the right kind of stress.  Being late is never the right kind of stress.

Honey is from Brazil, and as a culture, they are late for everything.  For instance, if you have a party that starts at 8pm and you invite a lot of Brazilians to your party, the chances of anyone showing up before 11pm are zero to none, unless they happen to be married to an American who will freak out because they are so late. 

Just a little insight into another culture for you today.

Here are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.43 miles

Pace: 8:44/m

Max Pace: 7:35/m

Calories: 347

Avg HR: 130

Max HR: 140

I felt light and smooth today.  I didn't push too hard and I enjoyed my run while listening to NPR.  Yeah, I wasn't in the mood for music today.  Instead, I felt like hearing about what is going on in the world.  I think I need to try listening to an audio book when I run.  I bet that would be a nice change from music and NPR and ESPN Radio.  I'll give it a shot...first, I have to buy one.  I am kind of against the whole genre of audio books because I LOVE to read, but since I have so little time to actually read, I need to be open minded and try it out.

Let's take a look at the next locale in the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com:

Boise Hills, Idaho

The undulating terrain of the Shingle Creek Trail forces runners to slow down as they take in the desert landscape.

I have to be honest.  I don't think I will ever visit this running location (as if I am going to visit all the others...but I want to!)  I'm not a huge fan of deserts.  I have been in a desert on the Big Island of Hawaii, and it was interesting, but it is not the most beautiful, peaceful place to be.  This picture does show a place that seems secluded and peaceful, but it also feels dead to me, and I prefer places that feel alive!  It is all about personal preference.  If you dig this location, then I encourage you to go visit Idaho!!

Run for Life!!

Day 314, 51 To Go

November 10, 2013

I predicted that today would be lazier and sleepier than yesterday.  I was right about the lazier part, but I didn't get to take a true nap today.  I did kinda,. sorta nap on the living room floor while the triplets pelted me with Hot Wheel cars, but as you can imagine, it wasn't that restful.

Still, my level of laziness, at this point right now (post run) is still quite high.  The run did put a little pep in my step, but it has been short lived thus far.  That is fine because my plans for the evening involve watching Homeland, The Walking Dead and Masters of Sex.  I do enjoy my Sunday night TV.  The only bad part is that I do not have any yummy junk food to stuff my face with.  I tapped myself out with the party last weekend and I have yet to get paid.  I do have money for essentials, but sadly, ice cream, potato chips and chocolate are not essentials (Honey would beg to differ about the chocolate part though).

Lets take a look at today's numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.11 miles

Pace: 9:38/m

Max Pace: 7:30/m

Calories: 304

Avg HR: 122

Max HR: 136

As I suspected yesterday, I was slower today.  At one point in the run, I was starting to speed up but it felt hard, so I stopped and took it easy.  That was the laziness talking.

You know what would make me NOT be lazy?  Going to the next locale on the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com!  Take a look at this beauty:

Port Orford, Oregon

The sounds of crashing waves stand out in a cliffside area known as the Heads.

The Northwest part of our country is one of the most beautiful.  The lush, green landscape is due to the high amount of rain, so living there might not be all that cool, but look at that mountain/ocean view!  I tell you, after running for the last year and a half in Florida, I'd be excited to run in Kentucky, so these pictures are like running porn to me.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.  Peace and good night.

Run for Life!!

Day 313, 52 To Go

November 9, 2013

You know how when you sit around your house all day (or lay around) and do almost nothing and then you take a nap, then you do more of nothing...yeah, that was my Saturday.  Why is it, though, that when I do that, I feel like I am exhausted all day!  If I had been busy and running around all day I would probably have more energy.  Weird how that works, huh?  I have found that the days that I get up early, go for a long ride, maybe a swim and a run, I have energy all day (save for a short nap after all that exercise).  Amazing how the body works!

By the time I went for my run, it was pretty lazy, to say the least.  I didn't want to go, but about 15 minutes in, I was feeling pretty good.  Here are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.26 miles

Pace: 9:12/m

Max Pace: 8:14/m

Calories: 347

Avg HR: 130

Max HR: 137

I can tell the future and I predict that tomorrow will be even worse (as far as speed and desire go).  I have nothing planned tomorrow either.  I have to wait until Monday until I have something to do.  That would be work and a parent/teacher conference for Derek, so that isn't all that exciting either.  You know what would be more exciting? Visiting the next location on the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com!

Copper Mountain, Colorado

Towering trees and tranquil streams define this no-vehicles-permitted paved route.

 I'm not a big fan of cold weather, but running in clean, crisp mountain air surrounded by towering mountains and majestic evergreen trees sounds so awesome.  I have the clothes to run in this weather, and I suppose I don't even have to run in the colder months!  I would also guess that there would be some altitude involved which increases the difficulty of any run.  Difficulty is not a hindrance as far as I am concerned...in some cases, it is even desired!  I love a good challenge!

Run for Life!!

Day 312, 53 To Go

November 8, 2013

Oh yeah, its Friday.  This weekend, I am not doing anything that requires effort.  Anything more than lying down or playing lazily with my kids, is off the table.  I have not had a relaxing weekend in a while, so I am taking advantage of it.  The only thing I have to do, and I'll do that tonight, is that I need to adjust the babies cribs because Joshua climbed out, and then later in the day, so did Kaylee (although she kind of fell out).  The cribs are already on their lowest level, so it is either we take the fronts off the cribs, which I don't think they are ready for, or I drop the mattress to the floor and hope that works.

I worked kind of late today, so my run was late, but I got it in.  Here are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 3.36 miles

Pace: 8:56/m

Max Pace: 5:26/m

Calories: 349

Avg HR: 133

Max HR: 142

Normal run except you may notice my max pace is a bit high at 5:26 per mile.  I got chased by a dog!  It wasn't a big dog, but it wasn't an ankle biter either.  It looked like a bulldog sized dog.  He ran at me, but I was across the street and I figured he would stop at the sidewalk like most dogs do because most houses have the invisible fences. However, he continued past the sidewalk and into the street, so I turned tail and ran!  I turned and he was gaining, so I turned up the juice!!!  Whoosh!  I was out of there!  I think the pace I wrote was not my top speed.  The GPS lags a bit normally and I was like a blur!

You see, I'm not afraid of smallish dogs or anything, but I either have to run, or kick the dog in the face, and I don't really want to do that.  I would also be liable to get hurt since it is a dog with sharp teeth, so running was the best option.  His owner's chased him down and ushered him inside and offered me an apology...oh wait, no they didn't.  Bastards.  So next time, I'll kick their dumb dog in the face!! 

Let's jump to something more pleasant like the 3rd location on the 10 Can't Miss Running Adventures from Runnersworld.com:

 Old Briones Road Trail, California

Located in Martinez, Calif., this park is known for its lush meadows and mix of oak, sycamore, and willow trees.

 At first glance, this looks like New Zealand or maybe Ireland, but it is actually California!  Cali is a big place, so it is not surprising that it has beautiful landscapes such as this.  It looks so quiet and soft and peaceful.  You could get lost in your thoughts on a long run through this landscape.  Sign me up!!

Run for Life!!