Cross training today...

Today was a scheduled cross training day.  I went to the gym and did 45 minutes on the bike.  I broke a good sweat and really worked the opposing muscles in my legs.  I like the new schedule I am on that will give me 3 days of rest/cross training.  I plan to spend at least one on the bike.

My coach, Allan, has talked me into running the 1/2 marathon in T.R. on January 3rd.  He will be tapering for his Boston Qualifying shot in Houston on 1/18, so hopefully he won't smoke me too bad.  He also is considering running MB with me to help me set my pace...  I don't know if he can run that slow for 26.2 miles though.

They have a 5K at the same time of the 1/2 marathon on January 3rd, so come on out and run or walk.  It's great way to break in the new year!

Biggest Winner...

I often think about all the times I told myself that I hated running.  It's kind of like when my son says he 'hates' some kind of food that he has never tried.....

I think the tipping point for my decision to lose weight was when I started watching the Biggest Loser.  Early on, I really enjoyed sitting down with a bowl or three of ice cream and watching the show.  I wrote it off as being unrealistic because of the fact that the contestants had all day with a trainer and no other obligations.  Sometime during the fall season in 2007 though, I took it as a challenge.  

After watching the show for a while, it became evident why I had failed in the past.  I had never looked at the challenge as being a lifelong one.  I always had the mentality that if I lost the weight and started exercising, my metabolism would speed up and I could eat 'normally' again.  The problem was my definition of normal... Those of you that know me are not surprised that my view of 'normal' was off kilter a little bit!

When I started Weight Watchers, I paid a lot of attention to those that were close to their goal or were already at their goal.  I quickly found out that they never considered themselves 'finished'.  I accepted the reality that I was going to have to look at this as a way of life and not a 'program' that I would 'complete'.

As my exercise evolved into running, I realized it was a great companion to my new lifestyle.  Running requires some semblance of a healthy diet.  Especially as I have started to run longer distances, I think about eating in terms of 'fuel' instead of just 'food'.  I also have had to learn that the idea of being able to eat whatever you want because you are running 30+ miles a week is a myth.  Granted it helps some, but you can still gain weight while running!  

Anyway, as I sit here watching the finale of this season's 'Biggest Loser', I realize that I was the big winner when the show got me to change my habits.  So if you happen to read this and you want to change something in your life, I hope it helps you realize you can do it.  It won't be easy and you may hit a few bumps along the way, but you can do it.  You may even discover that you enjoy something you always thought you would hate!

Should be all caught up now...

I think I have all my old posts loaded now, so if you happen to find this and are bored enough to want to go back to the beginning, feel free!

Back on track again....

I created a new training schedule for the next two months on Runners World's website.  The new schedule only has me running 4 days a week and I think that will help me stay on schedule.  My only goal for the marathon is to finish, so I am not so much interested in my time as I am building up the endurance and strength to finish the race.

I will continue doing Yoga one or two times a week as well as some elliptical or stationary bike work on my non-running days.

I got 7 miles in today and I enjoyed the mild temperature.  The only issue I had today was that my Garmin died on me because I haven't charged it in a long time.  In a way it was a nice change of pace to be running without it.  I never really focused on my pace or heart rate, I just ran.  Now I am considering charging my iPod up and taking it on a run again this weekend.  

New shoes = New commitment?

Well, I got the new shoes yesterday. I haven’t run in them yet. The guy at Fleet Feet was real patient and worked with me a long time. I loved the first pair I tried on, but he got me into two or three others just for comparison. I ended up with the Nike Air Zoom Structure Triax 11. I am generally not a big Nike fan, but these felt incredible when I put them on.


He bumped me up a half size and I am still not sure I am comfortable with that, but the folks at Fleet Feet have never steered me wrong before. They also will allow me to return them if I don’t like them after a run or two... 

I have been so slack the last two weeks that I can’t believe it. Well, it really hasn’t been a lack of desire or effort but really I have just had to put other priorities on top of running. After tonight, most of my commitments should be covered and I hope to be able to really get back on track.

I did a stint on the dreadmill on Friday and I remembered why I hate them. Of course, the fact that I lost my headphones didn’t help any. I also forgot what it was like to run up hill the entire time. Next time, I think I will do a manual program and keep it flat for part of the way. My calves were not happy on Saturday!

Getting setup on Blogger.....

Well, I am trying to get this blog moved over to blogspot, but they limit the number of posts I can make in a day..... It will take a while to get all my old posts loaded, so be patient if you stumble across this and the posts all look old....

Rain yes, ligtning no!

I started off on my 9 mile scheduled run yesterday in a heavy downpour. I was doing OK at the 2 mile mark and actually felt like I was going to start enjoying the run once I got off of East North Street. Then I saw the flash and heard the thunder. I checked my Garmin and I was 2.34 miles into the run, but I knew I was only about a mile from the house if I took the most direct route back. Needless to say, I ran a negative split back to the house! I’m not sure what I am going to do today. I would like to go run, but I may just hit the dreadmill at the gym. 



Meanwhile, I am back on the weight watchers plan full time as I have crept up to the top of my ‘allowable weight range’. I know most of it has to do with the holidays, but I don’t want to lose my lifetime status. WW did their annual change to the program this week, so I am learning about the changes. They basically combined the core & flex plans into one program, but I need to understand some of the new features. I’m glad I have thrown out all my old clothes so that I don’t have any choice but to stay ‘on plan’. It still amazes me that I can run as much as I can and still struggle with my weight. I know it is simple math, calories in vs calories burned, but dang it I burn a lot of calories!

Terrific Tuesday....

I got in 4 miles yesterday. The gloves and headband felt great in the wind. I ran at mid-speed pace for me of about 8:24. I am really having a hard time with my 7-8 mile loop now because traffic seems to be getting worse on the most dangerous leg of the run. I expected it to be easier after the leaves fell because I could see better, but somehow the number of cars and speed at which they are traveling is really increasing. I have an alternate route, but unfortunately it ends with some very steep hills. I guess I am going to have to just suck it up and run the hills. I have been put in the ditch twice lately and I am afraid the third time might be a ‘strike out’!

It felt good to get back to yoga today. We did a great core workout and I felt really good afterwards. I hope I feel good enough to get my 9 miles in tomorrow. I also want to sit down this week and map out some paths for my longer runs. I could easily do a couple of loops of my normal routes, but I think it would be good to stretch my horizons and go a little longer. I also need to get pouch for my fuel belt that can hold a cell phone in case I need a ride home!

I ran at night once last week and really enjoyed seeing all the Christmas lights. You get a different perspective on them from your feet than you do from a car. I may plan a night time run a little later in the season when even morel lights are up.

Wow, 2 days in a row...

I have run two consecutive days and it feels good. I hope to make it a trifecta today!
I really enjoy running in this cooler weather as long as the wind stays down. I got in 6 miles last night. I am just going to get all I can this week and hope to get back on schedule with a long run on Sunday.

Is it just me or does the holiday spirit seem to have skipped the drivers around town? I have had more close calls in the last few weeks than I care to think about. What is the deal with the folks flying down neighborhood roads and around blind curves? I know that texting and talking on cell phones is an issue with some of them, but most are just in a real hurry and aren’t paying attention to the road.

Rest day...

Well, I got in 4 yesterday instead of 3. I ran a comfortable pace of 8:22 and felt pretty good. I took today off and will pick back up with 7 miles on Wednesday.

I really need to get some more cold weather gear. I had planned on global warming preventing me from having to wear tights, but I must have mis-understood the concept. The nice wind chill just adds to the fun.

I did find some positives about running in cold weather:

• Gatorade stays cold in my fuel belt.
• More motivation to pick my pace up.
• Adding variables like wind speed and direction make picking running routes similar to three dimensional chess.
• The feeling of getting blasted by a leaf blower is unique.
• Stepping into an ice cold puddle helps numb the pain in your feet and ankles.
• Dry leaves on the ground make it easier to hear the dogs running up behind you.
• The garbage cans and dumpsters don’t stink as much in the winter.

Now that I have wasted a minute of your life with my ramblings, let me know your ‘favorite’ things about cold weather running....