Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Busy Day
Yesterday: Up at 5:30am. Workout for an hour, breakfast, head to the golf course, warm up for 45 minutes, walk 18 holes, head home, quick protein shake, head to the mountain with granddaughter & her grandma, climb to the top of Spruce Peak, rest for 20 minutes, head back down, drive home. Whew! tired.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Nice Bike Ride - Feeling Great
Nice early morning bike ride this morning. Can't beat it. I really love to ride. I went 23 miles & change. The best news is I really feel good. No residual soreness or fatigue. It's really a good indicator of my progress. =)
Resistance training & golf tomorrow. Run again on Tuesday. Race on Sunday.
Resistance training & golf tomorrow. Run again on Tuesday. Race on Sunday.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Marathon Training - New Milestone
It was 70 degrees and 90% humidity when we left at 7 am but it felt very nice compared to what we had earlier this week. A light breeze & a cloud cover made it even better.
So off we went with a new milestone in mind. The extra mileage was added at the beginning of our run which made it easier (at least mentally) to deal with. Physically it was a much easier run than I expected. I ran pretty hard too. I didn't time it but I could feel it. 17.5 miles we ran. I nice accomplishment. We're within striking distance. I felt like I could have finished a marathon today.
Today we built stamina and maybe even more importantly, we built confidence. All is well, so far.
So off we went with a new milestone in mind. The extra mileage was added at the beginning of our run which made it easier (at least mentally) to deal with. Physically it was a much easier run than I expected. I ran pretty hard too. I didn't time it but I could feel it. 17.5 miles we ran. I nice accomplishment. We're within striking distance. I felt like I could have finished a marathon today.
Today we built stamina and maybe even more importantly, we built confidence. All is well, so far.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Intense Workout Then Some Rest
Every now and then I really feel like pushing hard. This morning I really had an intense resistance workout. It's nice and cool in my basement so heat wasn't an issue and I felt really good. Friday is a good day to do it because I have 2 days to recover before I do resistance training again. It isn't the workout that builds muscle, it's the rest afterward. Good nutrition and rest will help my muscles recover nicely. I was wasted when I finished but it'll surely pay dividends. A long run set for in the morning so I hope it cools tonight. A gentle rain would be a bonus.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
A Lesson Learned
I very nearly didn't run this morning. I got up at 5:20 am (overslept a bit) intending to start early. Usually, I'm ready to go in about 45 minutes. The temperature was already in the mid 70s by a little after 6 so I was reluctant. I finally convinced myself to go slowly and be prepared to take a short-cut home if things didn't go well. One very nice feature of my usual course is all the opportunities to truncate the run if the need arises.
So, I headed out the door at 6:30 (79 degrees now) with a slow deliberate pace intent on listening to my body. I don't like running too slowly because it seems to take so long. And, I was reluctant to get lost in my thoughts for fear of losing contact with how my body was doing but going slowly really kept me from getting too warm and I soon knew I was going to be okay. I stopped a my newfound water stop and having added an extra block to my route early in the run managed to get in a nice 12 miler.
I was amazed at how intense the sun was when I stopped. I guess I was running just fast enough to get little breeze! Another thing that helped, though, was that despite the warm temps the shadows from the trees were longer. It really mad a difference. I'm glad I ran. 12 miles, even slowly, has got to to help.
So, I headed out the door at 6:30 (79 degrees now) with a slow deliberate pace intent on listening to my body. I don't like running too slowly because it seems to take so long. And, I was reluctant to get lost in my thoughts for fear of losing contact with how my body was doing but going slowly really kept me from getting too warm and I soon knew I was going to be okay. I stopped a my newfound water stop and having added an extra block to my route early in the run managed to get in a nice 12 miler.
I was amazed at how intense the sun was when I stopped. I guess I was running just fast enough to get little breeze! Another thing that helped, though, was that despite the warm temps the shadows from the trees were longer. It really mad a difference. I'm glad I ran. 12 miles, even slowly, has got to to help.
Motivation - The Why
I participated, briefly, in an online forum discussion about what motivates people to get out and on the road running. There were lots of comments ranging from how they looked in the mirror & how their clothes fit to just a love of running.
Of course, for me, it isn't just about running, it's also about resistance training and proper nutrition. So why am I so passionate about these things? What drives me to get up early (4:30 am in the winter) to run, bike, and/or do resistance training?
Well it started with hating how fat I was. I also realized, one day, how out of shape I was. So my initial motivation was pure vanity. Is that so bad? I don't think so because it really got me thinking and researching as well as exercising. I've learned a lot along the way. I can't say my original motives have changed. I am more passionate about being lean and in shape than ever. However, my motives have grown in number.
I now realize, especially at my age, how important fitness & nutrition are to my health. This is, of course. true for everyone. My vanity, (at least regarding my physique) has not subsided. I really like being muscular and fit looking. But, now I think my biggest motive is, perhaps, a bit less selfish. I really want to set a good example for my children and grandchildren. After all, if I don't take care of my self with proper nutrition and exercise, am I not still setting a (bad) example and giving them tacit permission to be neglectful also? I think so.
The benefits of exercise and proper nutrition are many. Finding a reason that motivates you enough to get out of bed and breathing hard is really important. Every now and then someone I know has a heart attack, a stroke, or get diagnosed with diabetes or some other preventable issue. That motivates me too. But it also reminds me of the old maxim 'pay me now or pay me later'. How many of them wish they had gotten up early and gone running. How about those who never got the chance through no fault of their own and how much they would love the opportunity to run. When I think of all these things, it's pretty easy to move my butt out of bed get it moving.
Of course, for me, it isn't just about running, it's also about resistance training and proper nutrition. So why am I so passionate about these things? What drives me to get up early (4:30 am in the winter) to run, bike, and/or do resistance training?
Well it started with hating how fat I was. I also realized, one day, how out of shape I was. So my initial motivation was pure vanity. Is that so bad? I don't think so because it really got me thinking and researching as well as exercising. I've learned a lot along the way. I can't say my original motives have changed. I am more passionate about being lean and in shape than ever. However, my motives have grown in number.
I now realize, especially at my age, how important fitness & nutrition are to my health. This is, of course. true for everyone. My vanity, (at least regarding my physique) has not subsided. I really like being muscular and fit looking. But, now I think my biggest motive is, perhaps, a bit less selfish. I really want to set a good example for my children and grandchildren. After all, if I don't take care of my self with proper nutrition and exercise, am I not still setting a (bad) example and giving them tacit permission to be neglectful also? I think so.
The benefits of exercise and proper nutrition are many. Finding a reason that motivates you enough to get out of bed and breathing hard is really important. Every now and then someone I know has a heart attack, a stroke, or get diagnosed with diabetes or some other preventable issue. That motivates me too. But it also reminds me of the old maxim 'pay me now or pay me later'. How many of them wish they had gotten up early and gone running. How about those who never got the chance through no fault of their own and how much they would love the opportunity to run. When I think of all these things, it's pretty easy to move my butt out of bed get it moving.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Heat Run - Paying Attention To Signals
It was already in the mid 70s when I left the house for a planned 13 mile run. I knew I was going suffer a bit but I need the mileage and I like to stick to my plan. I've lived and run in Florida so it isn't like I didn't know what to expect. I still got into trouble.
I think part of the problem is that in my effort to maximize my performance I've pushed my pain tolerance level too high. About 7 miles into my run I got dizzy. I was still sweating so I thought everything was still OK. Anyway, I stopped for a couple of minutes and hunkered down until I recovered and then I restarted at a much slower pace. Fortunately, my course soon turned into the wind and it cooled me quite a bit. I was careful not to push it and I started looking for an outside water faucet. It took 3 miles but I found one, at the little league field. That changed everything. I splashed the cool water all over me and I could feel my core temperature drop. I drank a bit and continued to run.
My run was shortened to 11.6 miles. I actually felt 'not-too-bad' when I finished. A cold shower brought me back to normal. I could tell because I got hungry even after a lot of fluid replacement. I was, however, suprised at my time. I was gone only an hour and 40 minutes. Considering the 2 stops and the slow last 4 miles, I must have been running faster than I realized.
I've taken two lessons from today. My pacing is coming right along. That's the good news. The bad news is I'm not paying enough attention to the signals I'm getting from my body or I'm too insensitive to them. Something's got to give. This is going to require some thinking. Thursday's run is lurking. It'll still be hot. Slower for sure. Maybe an earlier start.
I think part of the problem is that in my effort to maximize my performance I've pushed my pain tolerance level too high. About 7 miles into my run I got dizzy. I was still sweating so I thought everything was still OK. Anyway, I stopped for a couple of minutes and hunkered down until I recovered and then I restarted at a much slower pace. Fortunately, my course soon turned into the wind and it cooled me quite a bit. I was careful not to push it and I started looking for an outside water faucet. It took 3 miles but I found one, at the little league field. That changed everything. I splashed the cool water all over me and I could feel my core temperature drop. I drank a bit and continued to run.
My run was shortened to 11.6 miles. I actually felt 'not-too-bad' when I finished. A cold shower brought me back to normal. I could tell because I got hungry even after a lot of fluid replacement. I was, however, suprised at my time. I was gone only an hour and 40 minutes. Considering the 2 stops and the slow last 4 miles, I must have been running faster than I realized.
I've taken two lessons from today. My pacing is coming right along. That's the good news. The bad news is I'm not paying enough attention to the signals I'm getting from my body or I'm too insensitive to them. Something's got to give. This is going to require some thinking. Thursday's run is lurking. It'll still be hot. Slower for sure. Maybe an earlier start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
