Day Six, 359 To Go

January 6, 2013

Day six is in the books and we are one day shy of completing our first week!  I am happy with how things have gone so far and I am glad we chose to take it easy this entire first week.  That being said, I did shake things up a bit with an extra 15 minute run for just me.

We went for our run at a good time, about 5:00pm.  This is perfect because our little monsters go to bed at 6, so we had time for our run and time to bathe and put them to bed.  Today was a hard one for Honey because earlier in the day, she did a dance workout for about an hour.  She is from Brazil and she loves to Samba, so a few times a week she puts on her dancing shoes (more like stiletto heels!) and gets to work.

The problem was she didn't eat right after and she hadn't eaten by the time we went for our run.  As anyone who is a runner and has bonked before, you know the feeling.  It is that empty feeling in the pit of your stomach...the cold sweat...the achy muscles...the complete lack of motivation.  It is a horrible feeling.  I have to hand it to Honey though, she pushed through and completed the run.  We had to stop and walk a bit, but we got it done.

After we got back, since my foot was feeling better, I decided to do another 15 minutes for a total of 30 minutes.  I probably should have gone nice and easy, but I was itching to open it up a bit.  I did a 15 minute anaerobic threshold run, or at least I tried.  I had trouble keeping my heart rate up where it needed to be.  My legs were a bit heavy and my RPE (rate of perceived exertion) was higher than my heart rate would indicate.  Perhaps I was a bit tired or I am a bit worn out form a long week, but I got through it nonetheless.

Here are our numbers for the day:

Time: 15:00

Distance: 1.18 miles

Pace: 12:45/m

Max Pace: 11:11/m

Calories: 123

Avg HR: 98

Max HR: 115

And my numbers for my solo 15 minute run:

Time: 15:00

Distance: 1.91 miles

Pace: 7:51/m

Max Pace: 6:46/m

Calories: 249

Avg HR: 147

Max HR: 159

Considering my pace, I had a better run than it felt, so I'll take it.  I just hope I'm not too sore tomorrow.  It has been a few weeks since I ran at a faster pace, so it may take a toll.  Time will tell!

It is getting late, so I'm going to cut it short today.  I have a few things I still need to talk about that I mentioned in earlier posts like my Vibram shoes and my time in Hawaii.  Until then,

Run for life!

Day Three, 362 To Go

January 3, 2013

 

 

Today was a little different as you can see above. Not only did Honey join me for my run, all of my kids did too. But, the biggest addition was that damn stroller. As you can see, it is NOT a jogging stroller!

Time was running short and we had no one to watch the little animals, so, we took them for the run. The run was only 15 minutes, but it was actually kind of hard. That stroller weighs 75lbs. Then, you have the four kids: Front left - Derek (38lbs), Front right - Ayla (18lbs), Back left - Kaylee (17lbs), Back right - Joshua (20lbs). The weights are approximate, but that comes out to 168lbs!! That is more than I weigh!

As you can see by the numbers, it slowed us down considerably:

Time: 15:00

Distance: 1.1 miles

Pace: 13:40/m

Max Pace: 11:39/m

Calories: 94

Avg HR: 116

Max HR: 129

We were slower, but my heart rate was higher, so I was working harder. The best thing about going this slow (if ever there is a best anything about going slow) is that the pace was perfect for Honey. She made it the entire 15 minutes without stopping! Yeah baby! I'm proud of you. Three days into running and you are already stepping it up. Additional kudos to Honey for running in a lot of pain due to her "condition" which we will leave to your imagination (remember, it is due to carrying triplets for 36 weeks...and Honey is a small girl, so that ain't no joke!!)

So, three days in and I feel fine. Achilles are a bit sore due to the stroller, but I tend to have that issue, especially since I switched to Vibram Five Finger running, uh, shoes...can you call them shoes? Honey calls them my duck feet. Whateva!!

I'll talk more about my favorite new shoes next time. Until then...

Run for life!!

Day Five, 360 To Go

January 5, 2013

Hello again my faithful reader(s) (hopefully the s applies...)  Day five is in the books, but it almost didn't happen.  Sit back, and hear my tale of woe (and yes, I'm being dramatic)...

The day started out just like any other. WAHHHHHHH!!!!   WAHHHHHH!  WAHHHHHHHH!!!  Yes, the triplets woke up at 5:45.  Lucky for me this morning, Honey decided to get up and get them changed, fed and she played with them until they go for their nap at 9:30.  I was snuggled all comfy in my bed, dreaming about my next run...

So, we get up, do what you do on a Saturday.  I fixed a clogged sink, adjusted the baby gate since the little monster Joshua broke it by shaking it too much, and then it was time to take Derek to the park with his BESTESTESTEST friend Claire.  We ran, we played, we climbed trees (ok, I climbed a tree, and I am too old to climb trees according to my torn up hands and scratched arms).

We got back and the babies were up from their second nap...it was getting late...maybe about 4:00pm and still no run.  But, we weren't done playing.  I played a little ping pong with Honey (I'm undefeated on our new table..yeah baby!) and then I went outside to play basketball while the kiddies drew on the driveway with chalk.  I played barefoot because, well, because it is Florida and it is warm and I see no need to wear sneakers or shoes EVER!!

Unfortunately, that was a mistake, because I stubbed my toe and re injured my foot.  Right around Christmas, I was walking quickly through my kitchen the floor was wet from cleaning, and boom...down I went.  It happened so fast, I don't know what I did, but I ended up with one leg underneath me and one leg out in front sliding across the floor into the baby gate.  I got up, swore a lot, and seemed none the worse for wear.  I sat back down and went back to work.

About an hour later, I stood up and took a step and screamed like a girl.  OUCH!  My toe was killing me.  I couldn't bend it too well and it just got worse and worse.  I probably sprained it, although at the time, I was all dramatic and saying, "I broke it...I tore a ligament...my tendons are ripped to shreds...HOW AM I GOING TO RUN!!!!!"

So after about three days of icing and Advil, I was able to run again...although walking was still hard.  And of course, this was the same toe I hurt today.

I figured we better go run right away before it hurt more, but Claire's father Bill came over bearing pizza!  You have to stop everything for Pizza!  I'm originally from NY and we have the best pizza (screw you Chicago) so I am a pizza snob, but since I am in Florida, I just suck it up and eat it anyway.  Well, this pizza was pretty good and I had three slices.  Not in line with my New Year's Resolution to lose the eight pounds I put on since October, but f*ck it.  It's pizza!

Now, I have sore toe, I can hardly walk, and my belly is full of pizza, it's 7:00pm and possibly still raining.  Yup, time for a run!

Claire and Derek said their goodbyes, Honey put on her shoes, and we were off.

Yeah, it f*cking hurt.  Every step was like a hammer landing on my foot...so I did what any self respecting runner with an injury who shouldn't be running would do...I altered my running form to make it hurt less.  And yeah, I know that is not a good idea.  My right knee is throbbing a bit and the outside of my left foot (the one with the bad toe) is aching.  Good thing we only ran 15 minutes.

Here are our lovely numbers for the night:
Time: 15:00

Distance: 1.14 miles

Pace: 13:09/m

Max Pace: 10:06/m

Calories: 112

Avg HR: 116

Max HR: 126

A little bit faster than yesterday.  It certainly wasn't me pushing the pace, it was Honey.  I think she likes seeing me in pain.  Probably because I keep dragging her out every day and causing her pain.  It is a codependent relationship.  She actually wanted to go faster, but I held her back...we are doing this every day.  Day five is not the time to push it.

So, I am writing this as I ice my toe.  It is cold and I can't feel it at all anymore, which is nice.  I'm going to lie down and watch a little TV.  Good night and...

Run for life!!

Day Four, 361 To Go

January 4, 2013

 

Today we went for our run a bit later then usual.  Derek had a play date with a neighbor.  Her name is Claire.  Claire is Derek's bestest friend EVER!  When their play date ended, Claire came over our house.  I guess it was a split play date.  Anyway, to make a long story filled with crying, running around and breaking things short, by the time her dad, Bill, picked her up, it was already after 7:00pm and it was dark and a bit chilly.

Honey was a bit reticent to go, but I dragged her complaining butt out of the house and we did our run.  As you can see below, our times were a bit faster today than yesterday (no 160lb stroller), but still, the times are well short of my normal running speed.  We ran niiiiice and slooooowwwww.  You can't even call is LSD (Long Slow Distance) running...perhaps we can call it SSD (Short Slow Distance).  The good thing about it is it is giving my body time to get used to this running every day thing.  Hell, we have 362 days left, so we have time to pick it up.

Honey would tell you that today was too fast, and I would tend to believe her due to the heavy panting I heard most of the way.  We were either running too fast, or she was joggerbating (masturbating while running).  For the sake of her dignity and my life, we'll just say she was running too fast.  She did run the whole 15 minutes without stopping again, so I am very proud of her.  I told her it will get easier as time goes by, but she just said, "Fffff.....ffffuuu...ffffuuuucc.....uuuu."  I stopped her there.  I didn't want her to pass out and I didn't get what she was saying anyway.  She does speak two languages, so perhaps she was speaking in Portuguese and I just didn't get it. Oxygen deprivation can confuse you, you know.

Here are our numbers for the day:

Time: 15:00

Distance: 1.13 miles

Pace: 13:14/m

Max Pace: 11:24/m

Calories: 107

Avg HR: 107

Max HR: 114

Just to counter the snickering I can hear from all of you, I'll post my times from my last race, a triathlon where I got 2nd place in my age division (and scored a slot at the age group national championship...by the way!!)

Battle of the Bridges Sprint Triathlon
Distances: .25 mile swim, 15.9 mile bike, 3.1 mile run
Terrain: Mostly flat bike with two bridges for hills, Two bridges on run

Overall Place: 23
Age: 40
Time: 1:22:32
Swim: 8:41
Rank: 37
T1: 1:28
Bike: 46:02:00
Rank: 48
T2: 1:53
Run: 24:29:00
Rank: 26

So, as you can see, I don't completely suck!  I do suck on the bike though.  I don't know why I find it so hard to ride well, but I do.  Perhaps it has something to do with not riding almost ever?  Anyway...

Time to log off and enjoy some alone time with Honey.  Until tomorrow...

Run for life!! 

Day Two, 363 To Go

January 2, 2013

Two days down!  I am on my way!  WHOOOHOOOO!

Ok, that is a bit too much excitement for a total of 30 minutes of running, I know.  But, I'm trying to motivate myself.  I know it is only day two, but my streak was already in jeopardy!  Actually, Honey's streak (Honey is my wife, in case you didn't read my opening blog) was in jeopardy.  She was not feeling well due to complications from carrying triplets for 36 weeks.  Yeah, you try that and see if you come out unscathed.  But, she pushed through the pain and we got through the whole 15 minutes.

I guess a little history is in order.  I have actually been running and doing triathlons for about 12 years now.  I started running because I had asthma brought on by smoking cigarettes.  I woke up one night struggling to breathe and I thought I was going to die!  So, I decided to quit smoking (took a little while) and to start running.  I started by running a mile three times a week.  It was agony.  I had no idea what I was doing, but I did it for six straight months.  I didn't miss a run.

I signed up a for a local race, a four mile Valentine's day race call the YMCA Sweetheart Run in Stratford, CT.  It was in 2002.  The line from my race was:
Bib     Name                       City                       Age    Time     Pace
187    Steven Charles          Somers  NY          29      44:22   11:06/M
Not exactly horrible, especially considering it is a very hilly course.  The thing that pissed me off was on the last hill...heartbreak hill they called it...I was struggling to climb the hill...snot was dripping from my nose (hey, its cold in CT in February), my breaths were short and ragged...and an old man, perhaps about 75, passed me like I was standing still!  What!  I am THAT slow!  Of course, I pressed on after him, but to no avail.  He left me in his geriatric dust.

A lifelong hobby was born.  At the very least, I thought, I can't let a man who probably uses a walker in the supermarket beat me again (Yeah, it has happened again...grrrr!).

So, I kept on running, and in my next race in May, I had a much better result.  This was a 5k:

Equity Office 5K Corporate Run
Bib     Name                       City                       Age    Time     Pace
???    Steven Charles          Somers  NY          29      25:59   8:21/M

Much better!  After that, I did a bunch more road races until I finally moved to Hawaii in 2004.  That is a story for another day...

About today's run.  It was slow and steady (Honey is new to running, so we have to take it easy).  This is actually a good thing because it will prevent me from going out and running too hard and breaking down faster.  This is our line for the day:

Time: 15:00
Distance: 1.2 miles
Pace: 12:34/m
Max Pace: 9:56/m
Calories: 133
Avg HR: 100
Max HR: 115

As you can see, it was slow and easy.  Just like I planned.  Stay tuned, because those numbers will improve.  I'll make a runner out of Honey, just you watch.  Just don't tell her I said so.

Run for life...

Day One, 364 To Go

January 1, 2013

Hello and welcome to my blog, "Honey, Let's Go For a Run...Honey...Honey?!?!  In this blog, by goal is to document an experiment that I have almost no hope of succeeding at.  My goal is to run EVERY day in 2013 and to run with my wife.

Many of you, mostly runners, probably think this is no big deal.  For many of you, it wouldn't be.  Maybe I am being pessimistic in thinking I can't do this.  No, not maybe.  I AM being pessimistic.  Why?  Maybe because I have never gotten through a full season of running/triathlon without some sort of injury that sidelined me for a period of time, and in some cases, for months.  How will I be able to get through a whole year!

I do have a plan, but there are so many obstacles to achieving my goal.  I am going to start easy by running only 15 minutes every day.  No extra runs.  No hills.  No speedwork.  No Fartleks.  Nothing but slow easy running.  This should help me build some endurance to stave off injury. 

I am also going to run with my wife...the Honey in the title.  Running with a partner is supposed to encourage you and to help you be consistent which will also help me get through this.  But there is a bit of a problem with my running partner.  For one, she HATES running.  She would rather get a root canal then go for a long run.  For two, she has bad knees.  Why is she running with me?  I don't know, but I suspect she wants something very expensive!  Or, maybe she loves me very much.  Or, she just wants to get in shape and lose the baby weight...from having triplets 10 months ago.

And in case you missed the above sentence, it included the word TRIPLETS in it!!  That is another big obstacle...four kids...one four year old and three 10 month old babies...hungry, crying, needy, clingy, screaming babies.  What if they choose not to sleep all day?  How will I run, you ask?  Well, I have a gigantic four baby stroller that can, in a pinch, be used as a jogging stroller.  I just can't run over a 10 min mile, or it starts to shake violently, and I hear that is bad for babies.

Add to that the stresses of work, finances, time and weather (I live in Florida where it routinely gets to over 90 degrees all day and did I mention Hurricanes?)

So, to summarize, my obstacles to running every day are:

1. I am injury prone
2. My running partner hates running and is also injury prone
3. Four young children
4. Weather
5. Life's daily struggles
6. Its every day!!  Didn't you get that part?

So why am I tackling this seemingly insurmountable challenge? 

Because you are stupid!!

Wait, that was my wife.  Don't listen to her.  OK, maybe she is right, but I really just want a challenge.  I see people all the time who run more than me, faster than me, and they never seem to feel the affects.  This, frankly, pisses me off.  You know who you are.  Go to hell! 

Seriously, I want to make running a fully fledged part of who I am.  Running is my release, my psychotherapy, my escape from reality and the pressures of day to day life, time away from my family...uh, forget that last part.  If I can run every day, I will be happier, healthier, a better runner and a better person.

That's the goal, anyway.  I know full well that running every day is not really all that good for you, physically (we all need rest days).  But, I am hoping that the challenge mentally and the benefits listed above will supersede any of the negatives for running every day.

Here are the rules for my running every day:

1. I have to run at LEAST 15 minutes every day in the first quarter of the year (Jan - Mar)
2. I have to run at LEAST 20 minutes every day in the second quarter of the year (Apr - Jun)
3. I have to run at LEAST 25 minutes every day in the third quarter of the year (Jul - Sep)
4. I have to run at LEAST 30 minutes every day in the fourth quarter of the year (Oct- Dec)
5. I can add more distance during the week as needed to increase speed, endurance and to prepare for races
6. The day ends when I go to sleep, as long as the sun has not risen
7. My wife is not a requirement, but if she doesn't come for a run, I have to right to insult, ridicule and withhold sex from her for as long as I wish
8. If I fail, no matter if it is due to injury or laziness, all my blog readers have the right and an obligation to ridicule, insult and withhold sex from me for as long as they wish

After each run, I will try to post our distance, speed and calories burned if the information is available.  Sometimes, I don't run with a GPS or my heart rate monitor, and my wife (let's just call her Honey from now on) has a heart rate monitor that she never uses.  So, information will be spotty.  I may even link in our MapMyRun Course if I have it.

I hope you enjoy my journey more than I do...in fact, I would seriously doubt your sanity if you kept reading this if you enjoyed it less since I'm sure it is going to hurt like a motherf*cker!

Run for life..