So this weekend I tossed on my Five Fingers to go run errands in, as I had no clean socks for my Altras. Now both my Altra and my VFF running shoes are zero drop, so other than the lack of padding, I didn’t expect any real difference.
I can definitely say I walk differently in my VFFs. The next day, my calf muscle was SORE! I expected to feel some Plantar Fascia pain/soreness (and didn’t), but the calf pain? THAT was a surprise!
So my wife, the non-runner, has decided to give the Couch to 5k a shot. I was surprised, but pleased!
Our family has a tendency to be very supportive of each other – so we joined her! I admit that i did talk her into waiting for us, she had planned on using the treadmill.. I happened to like the idea of a family run in 70 degree weather!
Overall it went pretty well (despite the down-pour that hit us at the end), although she did have the standard wanting to run faster than was probably wise. She did very well, but did end up with very sore shins. Some research told her that toe-lifts is one of the best ways to help with that, and the soreness wasn’t enough to dissuade her from wanting to continue it tomorrow!
Go Anne!
Back in the mid 90′s, I joined the United States Navy. I was fresh out of high-school, and knew that if I went to college I would be wasting my time. Looking back, I can see that I had not motivation to go to school AND do well. In our “aged” wisdom, we can look back and see that many use college as a time to party, as opposed to a time to study, learn and grow (ok – so some do both.. I wouldn’t have.)
Can you find me in the picture? -Company C024, US NAVY from Oralndo RTC, 1994
I wandered down to my recruiter, talked to him and signed up (to make a long story short.)
I suppose looking back, I could claim I was being wise.. That I knew i wasn’t “motivated” enough to do well in school, and didn’t want to waste my time. That may even be the reason – I’m not going to try to apply my thoughts NOW to my motivation then. It seems a lot like cheating. Read more ›
Me in my Winter running gear! Not from this year!
Ok, so it was 65 degrees yesterday. That’s right, 30′s last week – 65 yesterday.
Could it be that spring is peaking its head up? Could this evil winter finally be moving on out? Is it that running season is finally here?
Now yes, I know – we can run all through the winter. (To show my understanding, I have even included a picture of me from years-gone-by – wearing a fashionable winter running outfit!)
It’s just that THIS year, I didn’t. I had severe motivational problems. The snow and dark, just didn’t yell “GO RUN!” to me, so I didn’t. Now the warm weather and sunshine that is in abundance after work? THAT tells me to go run, and so I did!
Having taken the winter off, I wanted to take it easy. But with it being gorgeous out – I wanted to run long. I compromised and did 5 miles, but slowly. I’m sure this is why I am just sore (VERY sore) today, and not in absolute agony! The first couple of miles, my breathing didn’t want to fall in to where it should be. I suppose my body had forgotten over the several non-running months. The uprisings part, is that my breathing started behaving around mile 2! I figured on a couple of air-less runs before my body remembered!
My body gets to heal a little today, and then up in the AM with the boy and running! Not too many days left until the Cherry Blossom Festival!
So you thought the last post was going to be a one shot and gone?
Nah, you are stuck with me for a while now. I do promise you that you will get some nice short posts from me too! Wouldn’t want them all to be long and boring, some should be short and boring!
Today was an upper body workout. By upper body I mean shoveling some of the heaviest snow of my life from 3 parking spots, and carrying it to where I could pile it. Half of each shovel was slush!
Just so we are clear, one of the reasons I moved from upstate NY to Maryland – was to get away from shoveling snow!!!!!
If I am going to be honest though, I am actually a little disappointed that the rains came. It means a) our snow got really heavy/dense and b) it is going to go away quickly. If we are going to get hit with close to a foot (ok, 8 inches…) – It would be nice to have it stick around for a while!
.. I am about as good at keeping up with this, as I am being a regular, full time runner! Though, to be honest I do blog less than I run!
It is interesting the similarities between running and blogging. Both take a level of commitment. Both Blogging and Running can help one develop as an individual, and improve skills. Both can become habits that are good or bad.
Janathon had me start up with my running again, but I got sidetracked… again.
I read several bloggers, such as Detroit Runner, FueledbyLOLz, and Discom-bob-ulated Running, that post almost every single day. I don’t think it is any coincidence that these folks also workout/run everyday. The level of dedication that is there – shines through in both. (I don’t think its a coincidence that these dedicated folks are significantly faster than I am either! I think that dedication ties in there too!) I have to admit, it is one of the reasons I enjoy reading their blogs. That commitment is impressive in SO many ways, and the fact that it obviously ties in to multiple aspects of their life just makes it even more impressive. (The fact I have won contests from Detroit Runner’s blog is just a bonus! :) )
I also have to a pause and say if you DON’T read those blogs.. You should go check them out!
Unfortunately, I don’t have the dedication that the previous three bloggers do. Now, I do realize that this doesn’t have to be a permanent statement. Willpower is, if you will allow an analogy, just like any muscle, It grows stronger with more use. Its not just this not-so-dedicated blogger saying so, you can read about it on NPR and Forbes! In fact, a quick google search will show you lists of ways you can “improve your willpower muscle.”
Just a rambling post to mention.. I’m back.. Again. :)
The irony being that you need to have the willpower/dedication – to do the “exercises” to build your willpower/dedication.
Who doesn’t love speedwork on the Mill?
Day 7… Legs are still tired, but I told them to suck it up. Last year, while training for the Marine Corps Marathon, I did almost no speed work. I was so busy adding miles, that to do so seemed like it would have been increasing the odds of injury! Now that I’m not training for a marathon (well not specifically), I figure its time to get faster.
Its 5 degrees out. With wind chill it is between -5 and -10. I don’t go running in negative temperatures. Just No.
That left me with a speed workout on the treadmill! Now, coming straight from bed to the treadmill, I do believe some walking is in order, before running. My legs version of a cup of coffee I suppose.
.25 Mile Walking Warm up – 5 minutes.
1 minute – 6 mph
1 minute – 6.5 mph Read more ›
Another posting worth reading on how MUCH we eat vs what we SHOULD eat!
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Day 6. Slept a little rough, with some really, really weird dreams. The sort of dreams that you wake up with your heart pounding and your head full of emotion and confusion. The last of these times I woke up, I got up as people often do in the middle of the night, did what i needed to and went back to bed. Quick time check – 5:25. Alarm goes off in 5 minutes.
I feel robbed. As I had gotten out of bed, I had already been looking forward to going back to sleep (lesson learned: check time BEFORE getting out of bed). Since my heart was so set on being in my warm cozy bed, you can see how THIS conversation went:
Sweet! Woke up before the alarm!! WOO HOO!! Don’t have to worry about it waking the wife up!
But… Sleep.. Cozy Bed… Best Part of the day right here…
Man, you are going to be able to work out first thing! That means you are wide awake and ready to go! Remember? These are the sorts of days where you may not even remember to get coffee until 10 am!
How on earth do you think that is a GOOD thing? Coffee is life. Now go away, the bed is warm. Read more ›
Island of Blood Stock photo from Games Workshop
Not a whole lot to say today, a slow mile running. It had a nice 1/2 mile walk before and after to make sure I burned the calories I ate today..
The day at home was mellow – my wife was painting the kids new Warhammer elves and skaven, while they were out playing in the snow. I made breakfast and dinner, and was just mellow on the computer.
Seriously, that sums up the whole day for the family…. So on to something else.
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