Monday, October 30, 2006

3 miles into the night...

You can check out my run here. I've never really run listening to music before [tonight]. Not too long ago, I thought it was a pretty unsafe and impractical practice. I read a recent Runner's World, however, and read from the pens of fellow runners that it's really not unsafe or impratical at all. So equipped with an arm band I purchased for less than $10 off of eBay [yes, this is after shipping] I strapped on my iPod mini [yes, I'm a little more old school in the ways of the iPod] and headed out into the dark of night. One of the benefits of music is that I'm not put into a position where I feel like I have to keep thinking, or planning, or praying - I can just relax while I run for a bit. Furthermore, it creates a bit of a cadence by which I can run [even if that cadence is a little faster than I thought it was initially]. I used to love music in college, but with so many things [like writing poetry, like playing and writing music, like dreaming...really dreaming] I stopped loving music like I did. Tonight reminded me why music is so wonderful. Life's wonderments are so often described by song - for every celebration, for every mourning, for every delight and every despondence we have a song. Running with music - the way it enhances the lonliness I feel on these city streets and keeps me searching for something just beyond my vision - is worth the extra weight. I'll add links and songs at the end of the blog - if you see one you like you can purchase it through the links at amazon.com for [as I've found] very reasonable prices. Today's Run: 3.15 miles Time: 26.59 / 8:34 per mile Prescribed Distance for 10k Training: 3 miles Prescribed Time: hr 28min 54sec / 9:38 per mile 3 Miler Playlist 1. Enya: A Day Without Rain - A Day Without Rain 2. Red Mountain Church: The Gadsby Project - Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace 3. Hem: Eveningland - The Beautiful Sea 4 & 5. The Postal Service: Give Up - We Will Become Silhouettes & Such Great Heights [respectively] 6. U2: War - New Year's Day 7 & 8. Weezer: Blue Album - My Name is Jonas & The World has Turned and Left Me Here[respectively]

Last weeks schedule

  • 10/23 - 4mi @ 9:50/mi
  • 10/24 - Rest / XT
  • 10/25 - 6mi inc Warm; 4mi@8:22; Cool
  • 10/26 - 3mi @ 9:50
  • 10/27 - Rest / XT
  • 10/28 - 8mi @ 9:50
  • 10/29 - Rest / XT

Saturday, October 28, 2006

9.98 Today...I feel a little funny.

Check out my run here! I went 2 100th's of a mile short of 10 today. I guess I could have run one more block, but I'll save that barrier for another time. I was actually only supposed to do 8, and I really do feel like I've overdone it. I have a new blister on my right foot [this isn't so much of a big deal, but I just drained the other overly large blister there on Wednesday]. Thanks to band-aids [Publix brand for the cost conscious] I no longer get chaffed nipples, but no band-aids would be large enough for my inner thighs. I don't know if any band-aids are large enough for those. Not only that, but I have two red marks on my lower back - presumably chaffing from my underroo's and my shorts. This too was unexpected. To top it off, my right knee has hurt like it's never hurt before - it's not really sharp, just dull...and a little scary. But hey, diggy doo and I run ten miles [you'd have to search This American Life to understand what I'm talking about - diggy doo...look for "mermaid"]. Lots of city streets with not a lot of traffic, because the only people who drive in the city on Saturday afternoons are people who live here [which are fewer than who work here] or people who are lost. Altogether, I liked it [I also beat a man and his son running up hill - they were on bicycles]. Oh yeah, speaking of bicycles, my Trek 4500 was stolen yesterday. If you did it, beware: I notified the police today and they said due to the cost [$500+] they would pursue it as a felony. Officer came up to my apartment and everything. Nice guy. Today's Run: 9.98 miles Time: 1hr 28min 26sec / 8:52 per mile Prescribed Distance for 10k Training: 8 miles Prescribed Time: 1hr 18min 40sec / 9:50 per mile

Thursday, October 26, 2006

No running tonight...

Sometimes it's better that you should spend time with your wife.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Grueling...

You can see today's run here. Needless to say, this morning is a time where I'd rather not be running. I was stopped by just about every light and at every possible intersection. I had an overly heavy fleece on. My legs were hurting [not sharp pains, just dull "you should have stretched me the last time you ran you idiot," kind of pains] until about the last mile. My blister on the bottom of my right foot is not any better [maybe I should drain it?]. But hey, I get to go into work late today. Also, if nothing else [even though I said I'd rather not be]...at least I'm running. There's a lot to be thankful for in that. Today's Run: 6.24 miles Time: total: 55:36 first 1.07miles - 9:43 pace; 4.02 miles - 8:37 pace; .1.15miles - 9.11 pace Prescribed Distance for 10k Training: 6mi inc Warm; 4mi@8:22; Cool Prescribed Time: total - undefined.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Walk. Don't Walk. Run...fast.

I'm listening to Sufjan Stevens, "The Avalanche..." Check out my run here. Rush hour could quite possible be one of the worst times to run. Ever. I've run very similar routes to the one above during early morning hours and late evening hours - those were all dandy. Rush hour yielded about 6 - 8 red lights [and Don't Walk signs]. I would wager to say that they slowed me down for a minute or two [seriously]. It's pretty obvious to anyone who drives or lives in Birmingham's City Center that 5:30 was not the optimum time for me to run. The flashing red walking man just means that I need to run faster or I'll have to wait the light out. Sprinting across those lights meant that I almost pulled a hammie in my left leg [which would have been stupid]. In addition, I have a nicely formed large blister right before my big ugly toe on my right foot [must be the new shoes]. I am falling in love with running again... So if you were driving down here during that time and you saw a long sleeved large half asian man running in front of you as your light was changing green, then "my bad." Today's Run: 4:04 miles Time: 36min 57sec / 9:09 per mile Prescribed Distance for 10k Training: 4 miles Prescribed Time: 39min 20sec / 9:50 per mile

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Rolling hills under the bright Southern sun...

Today's run is here. La was working on artwork at our Alma Mater and I decided that it would be a wonderful setting for my next long run. When I was attending the University of Montevallo, I thought that this route was actually about a mile shorter than it is. I started out under the shade of trees hanging over cold pavement near the University. My run didn't start until about midday, though the air was still chill. There were a few big hills in the first 2 or 3 miles, but they reminded me of when things were simpler. They reminded me of when my friend Eric was still alive, and how he would have thought that it was ridiculous that I was running this far. They reminded me of how my dad would have thought the same thing. I looked to the right and saw lush green fields surrounded by autumn trees. I looked to the right and saw a field of horses. One of them was laying down. I thought about running to the front door and asking about that horse but decided against it. I ran with only the sound of my feet hitting the pavement above the rustling of wind blown leaves. I came to a stop when I heard the train blasting its horn before I rolled across the tracks a hundred feet in front of me. I ran in the grass when I heard cars approaching and thought about how quiet a place was to enable me to hear those cars from so far away. I've been running in new shoes [Saucony Propel's] and they have been super. They have around fifteen miles on them now and they really have suited me well. My body was most weary towards the end and I wanted to walk. I thought that if I could make it down the hill now then I can make it to 26.2 in February. I ran. Today's Run: 8.81 miles Time: 1hr 19min 21sec / 9:04 per mile Prescribed Distance for 10k Training: 8 miles Prescribed Time: 1hr 18min 40sec / 9:50 per mile of note: the picture is a special request from a friend. Also, as another friend has asked me about my schedule I've posted it on the page. thanks for reading!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Anecdotal run.

I'm reading Christianity and Liberalism tonight. Tonight's run is here. She asked, “Where can I find the bus?” I stopped and said, “Walk across the street and then walk down a bit and you’ll find a stop.” She was older. Her two friends beside her were completely toasted.

He said, “Hey man, slow down!” I kept running – it was dark out and I don’t know him.

He turned, swung his yellow walking stick, and looked at me with wild wide eyes. “Hey man, I’m just runnin’.” He responded, “Aw man, you scared me. My bad.”

She yelled out of her hoopty’s window in a hoarse southern tinted voice, “Hey, it smells good out here!” I thought, “Yes, yes it does. I’m running by a bread factory.”

This wasn’t all of my run, but they are the parts I thought you’d like.

Today's Run: 4.98 miles Time: total: 44:35 [that's even with talking to the woman with the druk friends] first 1.07mile - 9:23 pace; 2.88 miles - 8:17pace; .11 mile - walked @ 18:56 mile pace; ran the rest Prescribed Distance for 10k Training: 5 miles; 2 @ a 9:50 pace; 3 @ an 8:15pace Prescribed Time: total - 44:20

Monday, October 16, 2006

If I don’t run now...

I'm listening to Feels Like Home by Norah Jones. Tonight's run is here. I didn’t run this morning. I woke up too late. It was too cold. I needed to get ready for work. This afternoon, I lounged a bit. Time went by. It was cold outside. It was cold in our apartment. It was getting dark and the weather was rainy all day [it still is].

I kept telling Laura, “I don’t want to run.” She finally told me, “Then don’t.”

I contemplated what sort of lazy disposition would keep me inside now. The thought came about that if I don’t run now, I certainly won’t run when things become very difficult. The weather won’t be warmer in February.

When you take a look at the statistics, in fact, Birmingham usually has 60% more rain in February than in October. On average, February is 16.8F degrees cooler than October.

I realized that if I didn’t run now, I wouldn’t run at all.

Today's Run: 3.15 miles Time: 27min 58sec / 8:53 per mile Prescribed Distance for 10k Training: 3 miles Prescribed Time: 29min 30sec / 9:50 per mile

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Happy happy run run...

I'm listening to the CD Forest by George Winston. You can check out my run here. It was more hilly than I expected. It really seemed like I was running up hill [I know, impossible] the whole time I was running. During the run I thought about how funny it seemed that places are not often how we imagine or remember them to be. For example, I would have sworn that Valley Ave. was flat by memory - but it was gradual inclines and small drop-offs throughout. I remembered to smile through my run and I thought about how much more friendly the drivers are to you when you're running than when you're walking. As cars would approach and swerve I throw out the courtesy fingers [yes, fingers - 2] and nod - they would usually do the same. Running up Greensprings Highway, a trucker gave me two courtesy honks as I smiled at him and waved for his courtesy of not plowing over me. I saw some folks in Army T-shirts partaking in a car wash - they had yellers standing in the median. The first [older] woman that I passed looked at me, smiled, and yelled "Even if you don't need a car wash, we take donations too!" I passed two younger guys in army shirts in the median at an intersection. The shorter of the two enacted his freedom to yell "Run good man!" There were definitely folks who weren't as nice as these, but their stares and fast driving didn't matter as much as the encouragement and friendliness of these others. Altogether, it was a good run. The portion of Greensprings and Valley on today's loop are part of the Mercedes Marathon. I felt that I took to the hills pretty well and I think that they'll just strengthen and harden me for the upcoming Vulcan 10k. I'm excited! Today's Run: 7.56 miles Time: 1hr 9min 53sec / 9:15 per mile Prescribed Distance for 10k Training: 7 miles Prescribed Time: 1hr 8min 42sec / 9:50 per mile

Friday, October 13, 2006

It was colder in Vail...

Morning Star

I stepped out onto the deck from our apartment. It was cold. It was dark. It was windy. If there was any solace to the situation, it was the fact that when I looked up I could see so many stars so clearly through the patchwork of clouds. I walked the trash down the outdoor steps and felt the chill air caressing my skin. The air itself seemed to goad my constitution to walk back up the steps and climb into the warmth and comfort of my bed.

Only for a second. It was colder in Vail.

I walked a block down the street to my normal start point – the corner of 17th St and 14th Ave. There wasn’t a lot of traffic, though there’s never a lot of traffic here at 5:45 in the morning. The first mile is always the hardest. My muscles had only just awakened from their rest. My bones ache in the morning cool. My hands were pained as the cold wind steals my pleasure of running in the morning.

But it was only the first mile, and I know that every progressive mile would open up the doors of my endorphin centers. I knew that I will soon be on a runner’s high and that there wouldn’t be as much pain…not until I stretched at the end.

I ran. I avoided the early morning drivers who liked to run red lights. I ran around the bumpers of those who liked to test the cross walks with their bumpers. I glared at the drivers who didn’t understand why a man would run in 47 degree weather – those same drivers who refused to share the road. I ran.

Today’s Loop: 3.53 Mi Time: 34:03 / 6.22 mph Prescribed distance for 10k Training: 3 Mi Time: / 31:30 / 6.1 mph

New Equipment I’ve been running with La’s Nokia Cell phone. It doesn’t set well in a pocket [when I have a pocket] during a run. Further, she has told me that she’s a bit tired of having a sweaty cell phone. I received a Timex Ironman Watch a few years ago as a Christmas present. The more I read, the more I was convinced that it wasn’t worth the price it would cost to replace the battery. You can see [or purchase] my new watch here.

It’s called the Timex Marathon. There’s nothing particularly fancy about it – it’s lightweight and it tells / records time. My particular model is red and has a plastic strap [the Ironman had a cloth strap that smells putrid now].

I like my new fancy pants watch.

Speaking of Pants…

Re: How to induce a BM. You must be thinking both preemptively and causally. The preemptive portion is in regard to what you eat. When I plan on running, I try not to eat too many foods that are greasy or “heavy” the night before. Simple proteins, grains, and vegetables seem to do the trick [especially w/out preservatives]. A good beer helps too.

Causally, I usually plan to wake up 15-20 minutes before my planned run. I’ll take a quality read or an inspiring running magazine with me. Now, pushing can hurt more than it helps. In fact, I’ve learned [not from personal experience] that pushing too hard can actually cause a bulging disc in your spinal column. I don’t want that, and I doubt that you do either.

You may want to set the mood. I’ve learned that tranquility is the key. I take reading material because you kind of want to take your mind off of…things. Stage fright is a common occurrence and the need to perform can be a real drain on the task at hand. I’m not saying take deep breaths, but you may want to light a few candles or bring in something to occupy your mind more fully.

Look at it all like a tractor trailer. You can run a lot faster when you're not carrying a load. Furthermore, running itself tends to shake things loose. If you want me to go anymore in depth, then e-mail me.

That’s a lot, and it is all I have for tonight. Tomorrow is a 7 miler and I’m pretty excited about it.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

I run because I like to inflict pain upon myself...

Still listening to Automatic for the People by R.E.M.

I sat in the small conference room feeling a little nervous.

I had been working at the Tutwiler Hotel in Birmingham, AL for 3 months. In another 5 months I would be married to a wonderful wife. To be honest, I was sure that she and I would be able to get by on my hourly wage of $9.25 [if you don’t want to do the math $19.4k/yr] at the Tutwiler. Even so, it was worth the try to interview for a new job.

I had a lot of experience in interviewing, I thought. I had interviewed unsuccessfully for 5 or 6 jobs before attaining the position of “Guest Service Agent” at the Tutwiler. My people skills were honed by the daily interaction I had with various guests from various places. I was ready for the questions.

“So what are some of your goals?” “I want to run a marathon within the next five years.”

That was a little over 2 years ago. A little over 2 weeks ago I sat at my desk with a nervous apprehension. Doubts flooded my mind. Fear flooded my heart. With a rash click of a button I did it – I signed on to run the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham on Feb. 11, 2006. I’ve never run 26 miles all at once, but I will.

This blog is about the journey there and beyond. This blog will be about my successes and failures. My hope is to bring you a little into my eccentric world – to encourage you, to inspire you, and have you laugh with me.

I’ve bought my subscription to Runner's World I’ve set my training schedule. I’ve learned how to induce a bowel movement before a run. I’m learning how to be a better runner.

A few updates about where I’ve been and where I am going.

On September 30, I set a PR [personal record for you non-runners] in the 5k. More than that I was the top runner out of my age group of 25-29 [they split the results in the Twenty’s category]. My time was 24:07 for the 3.1 mile run which put me at a 7:47 pace. I won a free dinner for my wife and myself at Landry’s. Yummy nummy!

In a race, the two most difficult sections for me are the beginning and the end. I always [always] start off too fast which puts way too much strain on me at the very beginning. The finish is difficult because I hate it when people are passing me to the finish line. Especially when those people are young females who aren’t even at the legal age of driving an automobile.

Regardless – I received an awesome shirt [probably the best shirt I’ve ever gotten for a race], a cool water bottle, and dinner for me and my woman.

I spent the weekend running in Vail, CO. I didn’t even bother timing myself. My days there were mixed in spending time with family, running up forever-long hills, hiking, and taking pictures.

Tonight I ran a three miler. Tomorrow I’m set to do some speed work. I am dreading tomorrow because speed work is hard.