Sol Man

[solman]

fate?

I had planned to run 8 miles for my long run this week, but work and life kept getting in the way.  It's Saturday and I had to work, still working actually 17 hours later.  I hate it when projects go bad.  I decided to take a quick brake to write this  :) 

Anyway I got up early to get a run in and got to mile 4 and thought how far do I want to tempt fate.  My wife was at work already and I was home with the kiddos and they seemed to be sleeping in.  But was I tempting fate by continuing to run.  Turns out I wasn't, I made it 6 miles in 58 mins and 15 seconds and decided to jump in the shower before starting work.  The kiddos, well they didn't get up for another hour, so I could have made it the extra 2 miles.  But you know if I would have tried they would have been up.

The run went really well.  I had my usually "moment" in mile 3 but I have come to expect that and the rest of the run was fine.  I was on the treadmill and you know how I feel about that.  

So next week my long run will most definitely be 8 miles.

[solman]

aaaaaaahh! Lightening!

Today I was headed out the door for a nice run in the cool weather when suddenly there was a brilliant flash and a crash of thunder.  Unfortunately that meant that my run had to be indoors on the tread mill again.  Oh well at least I ran!

Although it wasn't what I was hoping for it was still a good run.  I went for 6 miles with a time of 57 minutes and 4 seconds.  Averaging around 6.3 miles per hour.  I am getting faster which is good, so maybe my marathon time won't suck so bad this time.

Anyway other than the lightening and the raging storm outside the run was uneventful.  I watched a replay of the USA vs. Belgium soccer match, which also was uneventful, at least the first half.

So this week is the week I up my long run to 8 miles.  Hopefully that is an uneventful run too.

[solman]

the great outdoors!

So I am really bad at keeping this updated after I run.  This post is actual to record my run from Friday, 9/9.

As I was getting ready to run I noticed it was getting a little cloudy outside.  I checked the weather and we had a storm rolling in.  It looked like it was moving pretty slow on the weather channel and the temperature was so inviting I decided to hit the streets.  About 4 miles in I got a gut ache which really seems to be par for the course but did make it a little difficult to keep going, but I kept going.  It got worse....

As I turned the the next curve I looked at the horizon and realized a haboob (big sand storm) was preceding the storm that I saw on the weather channel.  This was really a blessing though because it brought new motivation.  I realized that I had less time to complete my run before I was engulfed in high winds and plenty of grit followed by raining mud and if was lucky actual rain. 

With this new motivation I made the last two turns and headed for the barn.  I stepped in the front door just as the wind started picking up and the sky went dark with dust. In retrospect it was not too bad of a run after all.  Turns out I was running pretty well; I went 6 miles at about 9 mins and 35 seconds per mile.  My total time was 56 mins and 14 seconds.  Not too shabby.

[solman]

2x6

Based on my schedule for training I will be increasing my weekly long run mileage by 2 miles per week. That way when I get to race time I will have put in the miles and will be ready to run. So I started ramping up the running this week by adding 2 more miles. On Friday I ran 6 miles (on the treadmill YUK) and it was pretty good. I didn't want to over due it so I went at a nice leisurely pace of 6 miles per hour so I was done in 60 minutes. It was a pretty good run and I felt pretty good. Today I followed it up with another 6 miler. Again this run felt pretty good. This time I watched a replay of the Barcelona vs Villareal game. Not a great game but there were some good goals by Barcelona. Soccer always motivates me and makes me run harder. So consequently I ran the first 4 miles at 6 miles per hour and the last 2 at 7 miles per hour, for a total time of 58 minutes flat. I also had some new gear which I had to try out. Interesting that it wicked the sweat away really well but did not evaporate it off, even here in the dessert. Athletics companies might want to rethink that. Nike and Reebok looking at you! So there you have it. I still have a long way to go but I feel like I am on the right track.

[solman]

late night running

Ok, not really that late, but still later than I like. I went 4 miles today in 36 minutes and 18 seconds. It was not a very fun run, but I got it done. Tonight I wasn't able to get to the run until after dinner and everyone one was in bed. This meant two things....1. heart burn while I was running due to post dinner running and 2. it was late, after everyone else is in bed, which means I can't sleep now. I know what you are thinking, BOOHOO, do you want some wine with that cheese? But when it comes to running it kills the motivation for next time. I really like to run in the afternoon, but its hot here, at least right now and I have to work. This is supposedly going to be the hottest August on record here. DAMN global warming! Oh wait I live in a dessert, never mind. As for work, I am going to have to start scheduling better so I can get my run in during the afternoon and before dinner. Something to work on. The run itself was not all that great. I felt like I really had to push it to get to 4 miles. Anyway I am going to bump it up this week to 6 miles on the weekend because I have to start ramping up to higher mile runs. We'll see if my plan works.

[solman]

3-fer

so I have really been slacking! Luckily it has been in the blogging department. Since my last post I have gotten in 3 more runs. I know, not really taking over the world here with my running but at least I am doing it. So each run was 4 miles and 2 were at 7 miles per hours so they each took 33 minutes and 36 seconds. I am getting faster and more comfortable with the pace, but there are those moments where I am either tired when I start or just not into it. The middle run in these 3 was like that. I just didn't want to really be doing that activity at that time for some weird reason. Laziness was attempting to take over but I laced up my Brooks and off we went. This 4 miles took just over 35 minutes (by just a couple seconds) so I was just under pace with +/- 6.85 mph. So still good but room for improvement. All were on the dreaded treadmill as we are under a heat advisory for the last several days and this August is shaping up to be the hottest August on record. The joys of living in the dessert.

[solman]

2 this week

So far this week I ran twice. Today I was pretty wore out from a long week and really did not feel like putting in the effort. Then my lovely wife sweetly reminded me that my current routine is the easy way out and includes sitting on the couch with a brew, which will not help me to prepare for the Marathon in January. So I got my lazy butt off the couch and ran 4 miles. Since I was not feeling it today I did it in 40 minutes, which isn't too bad. I found a marathon training schedule in a magazine that I am going to try out this time around. I have plenty of time to get ready according to this plan I just need to follow the Nike mantra and "Just Do It". I spent that 40 minutes on my least favorite apparatus, the tread mill. YUK! But it did its job sufficiently and I got a good work out. Just 5 more weeks and I should be in a routine.......finally.

[solman]

Tread milling it....

I told myself that today would be the first day of my new routine, with a little help from my support system I did it. Again since it is like running in the 7th layer of hell if I head outside, I decided I will wait for cooler weather before venturing out. So be warned, these next several posts will have lots more whining about running on the tread mill. Today I setup some technology to help get me through. I setup a computer and some old computer speakers we have on the dinning room table (which is in front of our tread mill) and watched Netflix while I ran. It helped to take my mind off of what I was doing on the tread mill, but also made my mind wander a bit. I think it would be a great idea to have a screen that wraps around you while you are on the tread mill to show either movies, tv, internet videos or scenery going by. I am totally trademarking or patenting that idea, so no body steal it! Anyway back to the running.....4 miles in 37 mins and 8 seconds. Not too bad. I tried something a little differently in that I ran the first 2 miles slower than the last 2. I was still tired at the end but I still felt pretty good and I didn't wear out as fast making the last mile or so more enjoyable. I think I will utilize this strategy more in future runs.

[solman]

couple days late

I actually ran on Friday, but I am just now getting around to the post.  Today was soccer so I did exercise, but I my last run was Friday.  I made it 4 miles in 35 minutes and 45 seconds, so about 7 miles per hour.  Now if I can just translate that into my longer runs.  Something to aspire to.  Anyway the weather has not been very conducive to running outside so I am stuck on the tread mill.  I can't wait for September or October and I can bet back outside to run. 

The run was not very eventful.  I hit a wall between mile 2 and 3 like normal, but I just kept going and mile 4 was ok.  I was pretty warn out at the end due to not enough calories in on Friday before I started.  But diner wasn't that long after the run.

Next time....a shot block or two ahead of the run.

[solman]

keep on running, keep on running!

So today it was way too hot outside, with wind and blowing dust.  No way was I going to brave that as it would have been disastrous.  Instead I decided to just jump on the treadmill.  It always seems easier, well at least at first, then the relentless pace of the treadmill catches up with you and you are gasping for breath.  Oh, I'm the only one?  Really?  Ok maybe I am.  These last 6 months of sporadic running at best have not helped me to maintain my physical fitness very well.

Anyway today's run was pretty good.  Besides getting tired in the 3 mile and really wanting to slow down, I made the 4 miles in 34 mins and 26 seconds (roughly 7 mph) which is really good for me.  I am feeling it a little now since my last run was on the 12th.  I did make one change that I will not know what the affects are until tomorrow.  Our treadmill has adjustable cushion.  I moved it toward less cushion to see if I can get it more like running outside.  I will know tomorrow if it was closer.  Sucks getting old.

[solman]

Gah!

I am not doing so hot with this attempt at getting into a routine.  I keep finding excuses not to run!  Which is no good.  

Anyway I went for a run outside tonight around 8 PM at which point it had cooled to around 99F. Got 4 miles in at a little over 9.5 min miles (37min37sec). Not too bad considering a 1 month furlough on running.

I have to get back to Marathon fitness though. Good thing I have a few months to get there.  

[solman]

Thundering Thursday

Today there was a High Pollution Advisory so I decided to run indoors.  Since I don't have a 10000 sq. ft. house I had to run on the tread mill.  YUK!  But I made the most of it.  Again choosing a soccer match to watch while I ran.  This time I watched Portugal vs. Norway on an ESPN3 replay.  It was an ok game but it was a little slow and scoreless in the first 42 mins.  I love to watch Portugal's footwork which is hard when you are trucking along on the tread mill but I tried to catch a look at some of it.  

My run......it was ok too.  I ran 4 miles in 35 mins 39 seconds.  So not too bad really, but still it was a tread mill run.  It was probably for the best though because I played soccer yesterday and my old ankles were screaming a little. 

Time for a good arnica rub and some rest on the couch.  Until next time.....

[solman]

Couple updates

So on Tuesday (5/31) I went for a run with a great friend.  She had a rough day and it seemed to affect her run and in turn my run.  But that was ok.  At least we were out and exercising.  We went about 5 miles and it took about an hour and 10 minutes. I had a great time and did work up a bit of a sweat.

Wednesday (6/1) I didn't run but I did play soccer which always burns a bunch of calories and is running without thinking about running.  The other thing that I did was sign up for some motivation, I registered for the local 2012 marathon.  So now I have more of a reason to get out and run.  Hopefully I don't vaporize in the heat.

Lastly today I decided to go for a much needed run after work.  Too bad the end of the work day is the hottest time in the desert, but I guess I better rebuild my tolerance if I am going to train through the summer.  Anyway it was a quick run of 6 miles and took 53 mins and 20 seconds.  I was doing really well until miles 5 and 6.  Then I really felt how lazy I have been for the last couple of months.  Although I have not gained back my pre-1st-marathon weight [or gut] I am still not in the same shape I was in last January.  Oh well just a reminder of how quickly fitness fades and how much hard work is ahead.  I will have to get on it now if I am going to run the marathon again in January.  

[solman]

Forgot!

So I just realized that I forgot to post about my last run!  I know all my readers are very distraught.  My apologies, but I know you will survive!  

Anyway, it was on Saturday (5/21).  The wife was away at work and I was watching cartoons with the kiddo patiently waiting for Rapture.  This Rapture thing didn't seem to see fit to arrive, I got bored and put on Phineas and Ferb to keep the kiddo occupado and head off to my friend (at least when it is triple digits outside and I would rather run under the A/C) the treadmill.  

I have found the best thing for me to watch while I run is Soccer.  It keeps my mind of the monotonousness going no where but getting there fast.  At any rate I made it 4.5 miles in 39 mins and 28 seconds.  I was running roughly a 7 minute mile.  A little faster than normal, but my normal 6 miles an hour was starting to feel easy.  Well easy is probably not the right word, but it was feeling easier and I wanted to challenge myself a little bit.  

Not sure when the next run will be, but I really, really need to get back into a routine.  Until next time... 

[solman]

With the Kiddo!

So yesterday I hit the streets with my daughter.  She rode her bicycle while I ran.  She is a speed demon.  We made it to the 3rd mile before she started to tire out.  She is only 5 so that is really pretty far even on a bike.  We had a lot of fun and she is becoming a much better rider. I had a pretty good run.  Being in the desert it was pretty hot, but not as hot as it will be in another month or so.  I was bummed though because I like to track my time and I totally forgot my watch.  So our time was somewhere between 35 and 55 minutes, give or take 10.  Next time I will have to remember it.  Oh well still lots of fun!

[solman]

A little slower....

Today I went running with a good friend. Our pace was a little slow for me but a little fast for her. We ran 5 miles in about an hour. It was a good run and allowed me to work on my form a little bit more than I normally do. The form definitely needs the work!

Tomorrow is soccer but we will see what follows.

[solman]

4 miles in 36.08 mins

Ran again yesterday.  It was on the treadmill since we are approaching triple digits outside already.  What's up with that!  Any way this time I did something a little different but still mundane.  I hate the treadmill but at least it was in the low 70's inside and not approaching 100.  Normally on the treadmill I try to do interval running because it makes the time go by a little faster.  However this time I trying increasing my speed.  I was just a little bit faster than my last 4 miler where I did the interval running.  It was a challenge in itself because it was faster than I would normally run if I was just out for a jog.  I think I might mix in more runs like this with interval running because it really challenged my endurance.  Starting to get back in the swing of things, but still not in a routine yet.  

Anyway off to play soccer tonight!  We will see how it goes for getting back in the routine.