Sunday, February 17, 2013

Winds from the east

...not fit for man nor beast.

Yeah, it was another one of those resistance-training runs today.  Gusts up to 26 mph was brutal going east and south.  I think they got stronger the longer we were out there.  It wasn't a fast run by any means, but it was faster than walking.

This has been the longest run since the Des Moines Half last fall.  It felt good to get out and do a "long run" again.  My 3 left middle toes went numb and it felt like someone was putting a needle into my index toe.  YOUCH!  I need to get to the chiropractor and get straightened up again.

On a lighter note, I'm hoping to get some good news this week so hopefully my therapy running can turn into fun running again and I'll be able to get back to some real training.


Temperature: 39 degrees
Weather:  sunny, light overcast, SSE 15 mph winds gusting to 28 mph
Motivation level: 8
Energy level: 9
Today's Quote: Running: It's a lot like walking, only faster.

today's mileage: 9 mile running
weekly mileage: 14 miles running
monthly mileage: 19 miles running; 20/28
annual mileage: 57 miles running; 51 miles walking; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 108 miles

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Operator, I Need an Exit

I am a little embarrassed that this is the middle of the month and I am only on my second run.  Marathon training isn't going so well.  On the flip side, a therapy session was definitely needed.  I have been feeling quite stressed lately, as if I was in the Matrix with my specially-issued cell phone talking to the operator, running from agents, looking for an exit.  Running is my exit.

As I mentioned in my last post, running has become a therapy session to air my emotional baggage.  I leave the house stressed and feeling like I can't go on, but return home cleansed and with a little more room to continue moving forward.  I need that.  I know this will all pass it will be better in the end.  Hindsight I look back and say, that wasn't so bad.  Day-by-day it is getting a lot to handle.  Running helps to alleviate some of that.

Today was a beautiful run.  Bill has been a steadfast support for me and keeps me going.  While I have not been super motivated, I enjoyed getting outside today in the beautiful weather.  I felt strong and like I could have easily gone a few more miles when we finished.  We had a strong run, mostly all under 10:00.  We even had a couple miles under 9:40.  Yeah us!

Temperature: 41 degrees
Weather: beautiful, light breeze, sunny
Motivation level: 5
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you nothing about.


today's mileage: 5 mile running
weekly mileage: 5 miles running
monthly mileage: 10 miles running; 3/28
annual mileage: 48 miles running; 34 miles walking; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 82 miles

Sunday, February 3, 2013

New year - New purpose

Four years ago I started running after nearly 30 years away from it.  My purposes for starting back up were good, solid, strong reasons.  I still hold to those purposes, however the motivation that gets me out the door is very different this year.  Pretty much all the variables have changed from four years ago.

I had been gone all weekend, sometimes physically, sometimes mentally.  I left a meeting in Des Moines this afternoon and the sun shone down on me, the sky opened up, and it was beautiful!  I couldn't wait to get home.  All the way home I couldn't help but think how awful the dreadmill was earlier this week.  Will it be that bad outside?  I had to try.  I called Bill to get ready when I walked in the house.

We both have been fighting a cold, stress, and other external excuses.  I just couldn't let this day go by however.  As much as I really didn't want to go out, a part of me from my past wanted me to get there.  I had to do it for me!  It was another good therapy session on the road.  Yeah I need a superhero.

I used to be motivated by PRs, speed, and the usual competitive sorts.  I was like a drug addict that needed that high at the end of a run.  This year I feel like running has become therapy.  I think this shift has had contributed to other variables I am experiencing too.  The dedication to every run isn't there.

On the last run, I had some weird sweating issues that I've had off and on before.  When I wipe my brow, it feels like acidic sand paper scrubbing against my skin; it's very painful.  Ideas??



Temperature: 30 degrees
Weather: beautiful, light breeze, overcast
Motivation level: 5
Energy level: 6
Today's Quote: "That's why the first step out the door is always so hard. That's when we choose between settling for average and being a superhero version of ourselves."


today's mileage: 5 mile running
weekly mileage: 10 miles running
monthly mileage: 5 miles running; 3/28
annual mileage: 43 miles running; 34 miles walking; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming
TOTAL mileage: 77 miles