Day 267, 98 To Go

September 24, 2013

I will dispense with the misery that is my running this week.  Although my time was not horrible, it was the fastest I was able to go.  If I were being chased by a lion, I would have been eaten in the first 30 seconds (as opposed to maybe a minute or two in a normal week).  The lion would have been extra happy since I am a bit more plump than normal.  Maybe only about 5 pounds, at most, heavier than when I left for Brazil, but 5 pounds nonetheless.

Here are my numbers:

Time: 25:00

Distance: 2.73 miles

Pace: 9:09/m

Max Pace: 7:56/m

Calories: 264

Avg HR: 127

Max HR: 138

I know this is a bit late, but I finally decided to put together my monthly numbers for August.  Sure, it is about a month late, but I had no choice!

So, here are my monthly numbers:

              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      

Here is a week by week breakdown:

Steve's Total Miles Logged: 100.52
Partial Week 1: 17.38
Week 2: 23.03
Week 3: 24.38
Week 4: 22.34
Partial Week 5: 10.81

Total Running Time: 16:15:00

Honey's Total Miles Logged: 21.17
Partial Week 1: 4.28
Week 2: 6.42
Week 3: 6.30
Week 4: 4.17
Partial Week 5: 0.00

Total Running Time: 4:10:00

Once again, I have surpassed my overall total miles for the month!  I had three weeks where I surpassed 20 miles and I almost surpassed 20 four weeks in a row.  Laziness was the reason I didn't do it four weeks.  This is significant only because this means that I have a good enough of a base to start training for a marathon...should I choose to do so.

Not sure yet...

Oh, and Honey had a decent month as well.  It was not her best, but her second best.  Still a good month!!

Run for Life!!

Day 266, 99 To Go

September 23, 2013

I can't even say it.  I can't bring myself to say that it is Mo...Mon...Maaaaaaa.  You know what day it is.  After three weeks of bliss, I am back to work.  I only have about 1,200 emails to go through.  Luckily I used rules to put a few thousand emails directly into my trash or I may have quit the second I came back to work.  It looks like the place didn't fall apart while I was gone, which is good, I guess.  It is only Monddd...you know...so it could get worse.

By the end of the work day, I am pretty tired.  Every muscle in my body is aching.  I wonder how it will feel when I am running?  Why am I wondering?  How about I just go run?  Ok.  Why am I talking to myself?

Here are my numbers:

Time: 25:00

Distance: 2.74 miles

Pace: 9:07/m

Max Pace: 8:13/m

Calories: 264

Avg HR: 128

Max HR: 136

You may think, "Hey, that's not so bad after a long flight, full day of work and pain in every joint in your body," and you would be right.  What you don't realize is the misery that accompanied that run.  I tweaked my left thigh pushing a cart full of luggage, and that hurt.  My calves felt like they were balls of iron and every step was agony.  My right hamstring had a knot in it that moved up and down and all around.  And that was all within the first five minutes of the run.

I think it might be worse tomorrow!  AHHHH!  Maybe not.  All I know is that I am tired and ready for bed and I have nothing else to say.  Maybe tomorrow I will get back to our regularly schedule program.

Run for Life!!

Day 265, 100 To Go

September 22, 2013

Let me start today's blog by stating that of all days I have had to run, today I wanted to run less than I ever have before.  You'll notice that my numbers seem to be missing some information.  That is because my GPS, for the 2nd time...3rd time...who knows froze on me again and lost my times.  I remembered seeing that I had just made it to 2.5 miles so I knew I ran 10 minute miles, but that is all I remember.  I barely remember running.

Here are my numbers:

Time: 25:00

Distance: 2.50 miles

Pace: 10:00/m

Max Pace: x:xx/m

Calories: xxx

Avg HR: xxx

Max HR: xxx

The little angels went to bed around 7pm, and we finished up all our packing.  We packed up the cars (three of them...cars are small in Brazil) with only 5 bags and four car seats.  Now it was time to wake up the babies and pack em in the car too.  There was minimal crying except for Kaylee who wailed until the cars started moving.

We made it to the airport without any issue and loaded up some carts (three) with the bags and car seats.  Me, Honey,. Honey's mom, my Mom, Renata (Fluffy's girlfriend) and Renata's father got everything into the airport and up to the counter.  The babies were all away now and not too happy about it, but they were just being a little fussy.  It took the guy at the check in counter almost an hour to get everything all settled.  Moron.  All our luggage passed weight inspection (barely) and we made our way to the gate.

I have to say, I was already tired.  None of the babies wanted to walk, so we had to carry them and our carry on luggage.  We got to the gate, hung out for a little bit, then we boarded and did the ole stand in your row until everyone got on and you could get yourself settled and perhaps swap up some seats.  Our seats were all separate, so we had to beg and plead the other passengers to move for us.  Thankfully, they did.  Then we set out to thank them with a few hours of misery.

The first leg of the flight was 6 1/2 hours.  It was 2:30am when the flight started and the babies were restless, tired and hungry.  Nothing really appeased them and they all cried on and off for about the first couple of hours before they all finally fell asleep.  Honey held Kaylee (she had to take her from my mom as she was having a hard time holding her) and I held Ayla and Joshua slept in the middle seat between us.

For the next four hours, I sat in the same position holding a squirming, sleeping baby.  I didn't sleep, but at least it was quiet.  I couldn't feel my ass anymore though.  My arms took turns falling asleep, and my allergies and congestion had gone haywire.  I have been abusing nasal spray for the past month (or two or three) or so.  And wouldn't you know, my spray got squished in my bag and I had none left.  So, I was completely unable to breathe through my nose and the sinus pressure was intense.

We made our way down and landed in Santo Domingo again.  Remember, we had to do this on the way here and we had switch planes.  Actually, I found out that we didn't actually SWITCH planes.  No, we got off the plane, went down an escalator, down some halls and back up and sat in a terminal and got back on the SAME FUCKING PLANE!  Apparently, we are not allowed to stay on the plane when the refuel.  Gol Airlines airplanes are too small to fly the distance they are flying so they had to refuel.  They suck!  I can understand that, at least, but why did we have to go through the process of going through the metal detectors and taking our shoes off and all that crap.  Why!

The babies were not happy to be woken up since it was early for them, but once they were awake, they were awake.  They were also wet and dirty.  We changed the babies and realized that we were out of diapers!  Where did they go?  We had more than enough when we started!  Apparently, they fell out of the bag at some point and now we were hoping they just kept there pee and poop to themselves for the remainder of the flight.  Yeah.  That didn't happen.

We had enough time to get some water and soda in the terminal and we got back on the plane.  We had to show our passports again to get on the plane and then we boarded and went through the seating process again.

Finally, we were on our way up again and we only had 2:20 left before we landed!  And then, Ayla started.  She started screaming.  I can't begin to explain the power of this little baby's voice.  I believe she could out decibel a jet engine.  She tried her hardest for over a half an hour.  She screamed, inconsolably, in Honey's lap (who already had a vomit inducing migraine) for 30 minutes before she fell asleep.  She woke up every 5 minutes and screamed a little more, just for good measure.

When we finally landed, everyone was awake, and Ayla acted as if nothing had happened...as if everyone on the plane didn't hate her.  Although no one said anything, I could tell.  I could feel it!  Screw you people, she is my little angel (devil).

Now, all we had to do was pick up our luggage and go through immigration.  We went through immigration without too much trouble, picked up our luggage and started toward what we thought was the exit.  No, it wasn't.  We had to drop our luggage off on a belt and then go on the tram to get to the terminal where we had to pick up our luggage again.  Now, we only had to pick up our rental car from Budget.

They call it Budget for a reason.

We landed at around 12, but we didn't leave the airport until 3:15 and we weren't home until 4:30.  I still had not slept, of course.  We got home and I lugged all of the luggage into the house, put the kids to bed for a nap which they apparently didn't want and put Honey to bed to sleep off the affects of her migraine.  When the kids finally went to bed at 7:00, that is when I went for my run.

As you can imagine, I didn't want to run.  But I did it.  And then...only then, did I go to bed.  Good night folks!

Run for Life!

Day 264, 101 To Go

September 21, 2013

Oh crap.  It's Saturday.  I have to get on a plane with these monsters tonight.  Our flight leaves at 2:30.  That is 2:30am!  What!  How did that happen, you ask?  Well, they (as in the airline, Gol Airlines...and I highly DON'T recommend them) called and said that our flight was cancelled and they needed to move us to a later flight.  We had to accept it, but we weaseled an upgrade to "Comfort" seats.

Comfort my ass.

Comfort seats are the same size as regular coach seats (and small coach seats at that) except that the middle seat (there are three seats per side) is kept empty.  Whoohoo!

Anyway, this means that we have to put the triplets to bed, then wake them up and bring them to the airport, get them on the plane, and try to get them back to sleep.  Simple.  Stay tuned to tomorrow for the trip details.

Today, I ran nice and early to get it out of the way.  I ran easy and on as flat a surface as there is here.  I am feeling my vacation in my body everywhere at this point. 

Here are my numbers:

Time: 25:00

Distance: 2.60 miles

Pace: 9:37/m

Max Pace: 8:22/m

Calories: 240

Avg HR: 124

Max HR: 146

After the run, Honey and I went for a nice dinner at a Japanese restaurant.  It was a restaurant that she frequented when she lived here.  The food was good, the atmosphere was nice, and we had a nice, "Last Supper", before we left for our flight.  I gotta go now though.  Sorry for the short blog today...I have to pack!

Run for Life!!

Day 263, 102 To Go

September 20, 2013

I didn't get much sleep.  I did get a lot of cardio exercise last night though. ; o )

Now, I am tired, still not feeling well (sore, allergies, heartburn) and I added insult to injury and went to lunch at a Brazilian BBQ.  I ate a LOT!  Here is a small sample of what I ate:

Meat, meat and more meat...and some rice and beans...Yum!

I had a few dishes full of meat.  It was soooo damn good.  I want more right now, except I have to run.  Damn it!  I imagine that I will not be able to run very well and I don't really care.  It is Friday and I only have one day left.  Then...I will have to get on an airplane with four children again.  I am anticipating that it will be much worse this time!

Anyway, here are my numbers:

Time: 25:00

Distance: 2.28 miles

Pace: 10:57/m

Max Pace: 7:33/m

Calories:196

Avg HR: 109

Max HR: 125

I felt like a cow running.  I am guessing cows can't run fast and I know they have a lot of beef on them, because, well, they are cows.  That was me today.  Whatever.  I'll run again tomorrow.  I'm done for today.  Good night!!

Run for Life!!

Day 262, 103 To Go

September 19, 2013

Ok, I am tired.  I knew this would happen, but I did it anyway.  Yesterday's run kicked my ass.  Its all my fault and I have only myself to blame.  Damn you me!!

I'm sure I'll feel better in a few days...well, I would feel better in a few days if I had any intention of resting.  Instead, tonight, Honey and I will be spending the evening at a Motel to enjoy some one on one time.  Now, I should explain that a Motel in Brazil is not the same as a Motel in the US.  In the US, a Motel is just another type of Hotel, but usually not as fancy and usually it is a smaller, two level, dingy, cheap place to stay.  In Brazil, a Motel is for one thing: Sex.

That's right, there is a whole slew of Motels that are all dressed up to attract couples who want a night out to have some hot, steamy, monkey sex.  Sure, I bet these establishments cater to people who need a discreet place to cheat on their significant others as well as those who want to pick up a lady of the night for a few hours of fun.  At the same time, the good Motels, like the one we stayed at, are for lovers who want to connect, have fun, and do it all in a sexy, dynamic atmosphere.  For instance, our room had a private pool.  Yeah!!

Here are some pictures:

Seriously, a private pool!

A little hot tub action and sauna

This is where (some) of the magic happens

Oh, and I ran today too.  Here are my numbers:

Time: 25:00

Distance: 2.46 miles

Pace: 10:10/m

Max Pace: 8:02/m

Calories: 203

Avg HR: 112

Max HR: 138

Acceptably pathetic numbers.  What did I expect.  It was a recovery day.  Now, it's time to have some fun.  Peace!

Run for Life!

Day 261, 104 To Go

September 18, 2013

Hello folks, its Wednesday and I have only a few days left here in Brazil. I won't have another chance to run hills like this, so I am going to do it today.  This is a bad idea, of course, as I am not feeling 100% recovered from my more intense runs these past few weeks and I am also not feeling all that great.  I have heartburn from eating too much meat, chocolate, fried foods, ice cream and Zeus knows what else I have been stuffing down my pie hole these past few weeks.  Add to that my allergies are kicking my ass.  So, of course, I am going to do a difficult workout.

I'll regret this next week.

Here are my numbers:

Time: 30:00

Distance: 2.87 miles

Pace: 10:27/m

Max Pace: 8:05/m

Calories: 250

Avg HR: 116

Max HR: 155

As I was running down my last hill, Honey and Derek found me and Derek ran with me for a couple of minutes at the end of my run, so I extended my run to 30 minutes so it would be my second run of the week at 30 minutes.  As I have stated previously, I need to boost my daily run to 30 minutes a day starting in October and I normally slowly build to it.

I ran up a long hill, about .2 miles up and then down the other side.  I did this twice, although the 2nd time, I ran back down the way I came since the way down the other side is straight down and really hard on my knees. 

I used my GPS to try to get elevation and the grade of the hills, but the grade did not work.  The elevation was slow, but it may be accurate.  I started at 2,613 feet and the top of the hill was 2,753 feet.

Here are a few pictures that really don't capture the hell I endured.  Enjoy!

Bottom of the hill.  It continues around the bend at the top of the picture.

View from the top before the bend.  It looks worse looking down!

The rest of the hill after the bend.  It only gets worse!

The view from the top after the bend.  This is the top!

The way down on the other side.  This is a knee killer!