Run, Fat Man! Run!

Cycling

2007-03-21T13:04:00.000-05:00

Since the last time I blogged here I've lost over 40 lbs. It's not because of running, either. In fact, I'm sad to say that I really haven't run very much at all since the summer. Here and there, sure, but I've done a pretty poor job at excersising consistantly since the summer. Many things factor into why, but I guess the main reason is simply that I was losing weight by other means and I didn't feel like getting out there and busting my butt.

In August I started doing Weight Watchers. It had worked for me a couple of years ago when I was trying to lose weight for a trip to Hawaii, but soon after the trip I abandoned the plan and gain it all back and then some. When I started last time I topped out at 238. In August, when I started WW I was a hefty 247. I was almost 250 lbs. and had probably reached that, at some point but had lost some due to the fact that I was running, after all. Once I did finally get around to trying my running out after I'd lost some weight, I was amazed at how easy it was. Imagine carrying around a 35 lb vest and then taking it off. That's basically what it was like. In December Amanda and I got bikes. (By the way, Amanda has been running her tail off and completed a 10K run in Ft. Worth last month. Her time was 1:05, faster than my 5K time of 0:33.) I rode some in January, when I got a chance, but then last week, while we were on spring break I broke out the bike practically every day. I've decided that cycling is definitely my thing, not running. I'm still going to run some, infact I did 2 miles yesterday.

Anybody want to ride?

Swimming

2006-07-31T21:27:00.000-05:00

There was no one out at the pool so I decided to do laps. Kind of weird when it never gets deeper than 5 ft. and as shallow as 3 ft. But, I loved it.

Setting
7/31/2006, 4 pm, The Apartment.

Weather
Nice. Hot. But not too hot. It rained this morning so there was some breeze, and the water wasn't bathtub hot, like it can get.

Distance
I'm not sure, but I did 5 laps which is crossing the pool 10 times. The pool seems to be about 50 ft. in length, so that would mean I swam roughly 500 ft. (152 meters. I wanted to use my new conversion widget). I don't know if that's a lot. I'm sure it's not, but for someone who doesn't swim (I get in the pool, float a lot, and I might swim a total of 10 feet at any given pool venture) it felt like a lot.

How Am I Feeling
I felt really good after all was said and done, but it was tough during. I felt like I just sprint about half a mile. Really glad I swam instead, though.

Going Through My Head
Wow, this is harder than I though it'd be.

On the iPod

iPods don't go swimming.

Weights

Bench One set of about 13 at 100 lbs. just to warm up a little.

Incline 3 very quick sets of 10 at 100, 110, and 120 lbs.

Military Press 2 sets of 8 with 70 lbs.
1 set of 8 with 80 lbs.

Chest Pulls 3 sets of 12 starting at 70 lbs. and increasing 10 with each set. I did this pretty quick with little rest in between sets.

Curls I did 25 on each arm with light dumbbells, rapidly.

I don't know what to call them but you put weight in one hand and lean the other way to work love handles 1 set of 10 with 70 lbs
2 sets of 10 with 90 lbs.

On the iPod

I did work out with the tunes. They were:

Coldplay Green Eyes
Ryan Adams World War 24
Badly Drawn Boy Body Rap
Beastie Boys Song For Junior
The Beatles Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
The Beatles Your Mother Should Know
Old 97s Adelaide
R.E.M. Kohoutek
Jake Andrews You've Got to Know
The Shins Sphagnum Esplanade
Sufjan Stevens The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts

Here's the Goal

2006-07-13T21:31:00.000-05:00

I recently came across this photo while I was looking through some old stuff last night. If anyone is wondering, I'm shooting to look like this again. Or, at least, closer to it. What am I cooking? Something with Rice a Roni, dishsoap, tequilla, and duck tape, it seems. And I think there is some coffee in the bottom of that pot. I would bet that it's been there a week, at minimum. I miss college sometimes.

You might think that because I haven't blogged in a while that I'm not running. You're right and you're wrong. I'm not running but I am excercising. I lifted weights today in a fairly intense workout and then hit the bike for 20 minutes. Running outside is way too hot and I hate treadmills. Biking inside is tolerable simply because bikes decrease the impact on my legs and back and I always feel like I get a better workout on the bike. I may go back to running when the weather cools down, but for now a bike suits me much more.

Setting
7/28/2006, 4:45pm, Apartment weightroom.

Weather
Nice, hot, but irrelavant this time around.

How Am I Feeling
I'm feeling really good. Worked up a good sweat and felt like I was accomplishing something.

Going Through My Head
I'm thinking about a new play about scientists from the 60s who freeze themselves when they all decide that the world has become too greedy and corrupt and that war is destroying everything. They have have a solution for peace and prosperity and set it in motion before they freeze themselves. They expect that the world will be a wonderful place in the year 2006 and arrange to thaw out at that time. When they awake they are amazed to see that things have gotten worse and that none of the plans that were put in motion were ever carried through with. The impending conflicts threaten to tear the group apart.

On the iPod

I had the iPod on, but have since lost the Shuffle mode and can't retrieve what was on there.

Morning Run (sort of)

2006-07-11T11:17:00.000-05:00

Setting
7/11/2006, 10:30 am, The Apartment.

Distance
1.1 mile

Weather
Beautiful. I thought the morning would be a little cooler than 4 pm. I probably need to get up earlier to make a difference. It was still pretty hot.

Run Time
12 minutes

How Am I Feeling
Better than yesterday thank you very much. I kind of wanted to try 2 miles today but it's just too hard with the heat.

Going Through My Head
What I'm going to post today for Great Blogs of Fire

On the iPod

The Bens Just Pretend (two days in a row we start with The Bens. Huh.)
The Flaming Lips Pompeii AM Gotterdammerung
The Shins Baby Boomerang
Paul Simon That Was Your Mother

Weights

Some douche took all of the pins out of the weight room making the weights useless.

South Padre Island

2006-07-10T13:45:00.000-05:00

The last week I've been in South Padre Island. Okay, actually I got back on Saturday. Anyway, while I was there I was surrounded by Amanda's uber healthy and active family. I was encouraged by their commitment to physical fitness before and it happened again. Sure enough everyday I participated in some sort of activity. Amanda and I found a place to play tennis, and we also ran a couple of the days. One day I did both. Then there was the day that Amanda's sisters, her dad and Brandon, her brother-in-law and I all went on a bike ride. For the others it was just another day of riding. They'd done it all week, and I'm assuming they ride a lot. I know her dad does. But I don't. It was a lot fun. Very difficult on the way back as it was pretty windy and going against the wind can be outright brutle. Plus the humidity which is considerably worse than Houston/Baytown did make for a difficult time when trying to catch one's breath. It was still a lot better than running. The heat and humidity in SPI made running near impossible after 9 am.

Anyway, that's what I've been doing. Today I'm going to run. Later.*

*Here's the account of today's run

Setting
7/10/2006, 4 pm, The Apartment.

Distance
1.1 mile

Weather
It's not too bad. It's hot and humid but much better than SPI

Run Time
10

How Am I Feeling
At first I felt great but then my legs started getting really sore. I'm wondering if it had something to do with excersises that I did over the week that I wasn't used to. I also wasn't very hydrated. I'm heard that lack of water can give you cramps in your legs.

Going Through My Head
How hot it is.

On the iPod

The Bens Bruised
Voices Me
The Earlies Bring it Back Again
Ben Folds Tiny Dancer

Weights

No weights today. I need to get back on that. It's been awhile.

Notes

The Summer May Not Be Good For Running

2006-06-22T15:24:00.000-05:00

Setting
6/22/2006, 10:30 am, Baker Road. I actually left the apartment this time. Down the street to Bush and back to the apartment.

Distance
1 mile

Weather
Hot, humid, blaaahhh!

Run Time
Does it matter?

How Am I Feeling
The body felt fine but, my God! So hot! I can really tell the difference in how fast I fatigue when during the summer as opposed to the winter, spring, or fall.

Going Through My Head
How hot it is.

On the iPod

Mark Mothersbaugh's Life Aquatic music
Genesis, Stagnation It's like a 9 minute song so it took up most of the run.
Paul McCartney, Fine Line

Weights

Bench: 1 set of 10 @100 lb
1 set of 10 @ 110 lb
1 set of 10 @ 120 lb

Bicep Curls: Three sets of 10 at 25 lbs for each arm

Triceps Curls: 1 sets of 15 @ 60 lbs
3 sets of 10 @ 70 lbs

Notes

Amanda and I have been playing tennis the last two days, which is a lot of fun, but today we wanted to take a break. I always enjoyed tennis, so maybe this will be something that we like playing together. I think Amanda likes it but she's never played so I'm having to teach her. I also lifted yesterday focusing on what I tend to think of as peripheral muscles. The upper/lower pectorals, shoulders and back.

Humidity

2006-06-19T14:17:00.000-05:00

Setting
6/19/2006, 12:30 pm, the Apartment Complex

Distance
1.1 miles. Maybe I'm just not a long distance guy

Weather
A little cool because of overcast, but unbelievably humid. It's flooding in Houston.

Run Time
?:00 I was going slow today, but my iPod cut out before I made the second lap, so I'm going to say 12, maybe

How Am I Feeling
Not very sore. My right knee has been feeling wobbly lately. I don't know how else to describe it. When I was in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago I seemed to catch some nasty sinus and cold crap that I've been having difficulty shaking off. It's become more difficult to breathe in due to sinus congestion.

Going Through My Head
I haven't done this yet, but I'm planning to write a scathing opinion peice on the War in Iraq. I was thinking about this.

On the iPod

Before the batteries went dead (not in this order):
Happiness Runsby Donavan
Uncloudy Day by Jeanne Pruett
Something by Sufjan Stevens that I can't remember because it was all instrumental and wierd
The Seed 2.0 by The Roots

Weights

Bench: 1 set of 10 @90 lb
3 sets of 10 @ 100 lb

Bicep Curls: I did what I always heard called a burn out where you start with small amounts of weight doing 10 repititions and increasing weight by 2.5 lbs. in quick succession. When you get up to a point that you can't lift anymore you decrease weight back to the original weight. By the end you are struggling to lift a 5 lb weight.

Triceps Curls: 4 sets of 15 @ 60 lbs

Lunges: Holding two 35 lb weights, 3 sets of 10 (this is the most difficult thing I do, but without a leg press, this is the best alternative, I think

Notes

The humidity, as I mentioned earlier makes it difficult to run much outside. I should probably do all this at like 8 am. That hasn't happened yet. I've also started counting point, Weight Watcher style of what I eat. If I were going to guess I'd say I was probably taking in around 50 points a day or more. I'm trying to get that to about 30.

I'm Not necessarily Cheating

2006-06-16T13:45:00.000-05:00

One might well think that since I haven't written in over a month on my progress to become less fat that I am failing miserably and that I have not exercised in this time, nor have I given much thought to it. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, since school has let out at the end of May I have been more active and consistent with my workout than in the three months previous. I have failed, dear readers, to keep you informed, however, and this I regret. My lack of blogatiousness is not isolated to this, the Run, Fat Man! Run! site. As I'm sure anyone reading this found it through Great Blogs of Fireit is safe to assumed that we realize my lack of presence there as well. This is mainly due to the laziness brought on summer, as described in GBF, but in my defense, I've been somewhat of a globetrotter this last month. Okay, more of a Midsouthtrotter, really. In the past month I've driven through and to several states. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, and, of course, Texas. So, in the brief periods of time that I've been at home I have not been very compelled to write, but instead have filled my time with movies, reading, sleeping, seeing friends and family and, yes, working out.

But, here's where this gets a little tricky. Lately, the running has taken a back seat to lifting weights and other activities like that. The reason for this is multifaceted. First, I enjoy lifting weights and in the past I've had greater success with consistency when I focus on weight training as opposed to running or biking or some kind of cardio workout. This isn't to say that I've abandoned running or that I don't run at all. But, while three or four months ago I would go out and run 2 or 3 miles at a time, I'm typically only spending about 10 minutes doing a mile after lifting weights. This is about all I can do after a good weight lifting session. Not to mention the boredom of a treadmill brings me to my threshold of monotony fairly quickly. Which brings me to the other reason I'm not running as much. I hate running on a treadmill for very long and it is hot and humid outside the likes of which can only be compared to the armpit of John Kruk after a oldtimers pick up game in Rainforest Ballpark in August.

I've dabbled with the idea of swimming instead. On the first trip out of town I took this summer I spent an afternoon at Table Rock Lake in lower Missouri, outside of Branson. The water was cool and clear and there was about fifty or more yards to the barrier, designating the swimming area from the rest of the lake. I decided, having nothing else to do, to swim there and back. Well, the swim out to the barrier was tiring and by the time I arrived, having taken at least a couple of stops, I felt like I'd had a pretty good workout. Then I looked how far I'd come and had a realization. I've got to go back! So, I sucked it up and did my best to swim the whole way back, even though it was exhausting and difficult.

Unfortunately, Baytown doesn't have pristine lakes and with swimming holes the width of a football field. We've got the bayou which is muddy and filled with snakes, alligators and your momma's meatloaf. Not exactly what I'm going to be caught dead swimming in. So, I've got to settle for the swimming pool. Of course, the trick here is getting to the pool when the kiddos are not around, but then there's also the motivation factor. When I get to the other end of the pool the only motivation to keep going must be intrinsic. My life is not depending on my ability to make it back and therefore, once I've done enough laps to make me out of breath, I'm not exactly thrilled to keep it up. Then there is the monotony thing again. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, come on! And, it's not like you can take the old iPod into the pool.

As you've discovered the common them with me is motivation, as I'm sure it is with everyone else. It's not the pain or the difficulty or the tiredness that keeps me from my goal, it's the boredom. I like goals with my workouts; some kind of finish line that I can see and know that once I get there that I'm finished. The carrot dangling in front of me, if you will. Those people I know who are most successful with exercising or weightloss or anything that can't be done overnight or in a few weeks time are intrinsically motivated. That's why Weight Watchers was good for me. It kept me accountable to other people. Anyway, here are some things that I'm trying to do to motivate me to work out and keep me from overeating.

First, I can actually feel like I'm getting fatter. Okay, so this isn't something I'm doing to keep me motivated, but a couple of weeks ago as I'm was in the shower trying to wash my back I could feel the fat on my side getting in the way so that I couldn't quite stretch as far back there as I once could. My pants are all tighter and t-shirts that used to fit make me look like I'm smuggling an innertube. So, while I've always felt the need and desire to loose a little weight and be healthier, this is the first time in my life that I've ever really been motivated my how fat I'm actually getting. That's number one.

Second, games. When I was a kid I was very athletic. I played baseball and football for local teams and school and pretty much any other sport that I could get my hands on outside of organized leagues. You name it: tennis, basketball, kickball, volleyball, rugby, soccer, golf and even hockey (played on foot, not ice) were all in my resume of sports that I could and would play. I was very active. I never ran unless a coach or gym teacher made me. For the most part I stayed in pretty good shape for a kid. It was in high school after I quit playing baseball and had completed all of my P.E. requirements that I stopped being physical and began getting out of shape. A few times since then I have gotten into the routine of exercising for one reason or another, but no other thing helped me to stay as consistent as sports. In college it was intramural hockey and softball or pickup games of basketball. Near the end of my senior year in high school it was a mountain climbing trip I was taking that motivated me to get out and start running. Even now, my main motivation came when I entered a 10 K race. I love competition and the thought of not being in good enough shape to participate brings me down. So, in order to get me out there I'm trying to find as many opportunities to play sports as I can.

Finally, Amanda and I have decided to join the YMCA. Yes, we have a pool and a weight room here at our apartment, and yes, I can always do that for free, but I don't. At least not as much as I should. So, I'm going to pay to use the Wye and with the thought that I am wasting money if I don't go, I'll go. At least that's the idea. Plus, they have a full size basketball court and racketball rooms, so I'll be able to go play sports, which I love hopefully be motivated that way.

Also, as I hinted at earlier, I'm also trying to eat better. As much as it bugs me, I'm not the kind of person that can eat whatever they want and expect to drop pounds like David Beckham as long as I'm exercising. If I want to lose the fat I gotta quit eating bad. I've been considering a return to WW, since it did help last time, but I'm having trouble getting past the idea that everything they are asking me to do I could do without spending $10 a week and going to meetings with middle-aged women. (No offense, middle-aged women, but they didn't create Curves for 27 year old men, so I know you know what I'm getting at.)

Breezy

2006-05-15T19:14:00.000-05:00

This is the third time I ran since the last post. Sometimes I just don't get around to posting. I also ran on Wednesday evening and Friday morning before leaving for Dallas. Both were just a mile around the apartment. On Friday I also went a forth lap around (three laps is 1.1 miles) but I walked about a quarter of the way and sprinted the rest.

Setting
5/15/2006, 5:30 pm, the Apartment Complex

Distance
1.1 miles. I know this is getting ridiculous, but I get bored and want to stop running on that reason alone. I really need to venture out of the complex. The problem is that to go anywhere decent to run I would have to get into my car and drive somewhere. Why won't Baytown just create a running friendly environment in the most densely populated area of town?

Weather
Nice weather. It was cool because it rained yesterday and since it's still Spring that didn't mean the kiss of death by humidity. It was really nice. Breezy.

Run Time
11:00 ish Again, based on song time. I was going slow today. I could feel it.

How Am I Feeling
Considerably less soreness. I am much more tired though. I attribute this to the fact that I only got 2 and a half hours sleep last night. Mad thanks to the Priesthood for the great tip about stretching after the run. I think we all pretty much know that we should stretch before we run, but stretching afterward didn't occur to me.

Going Through My Head
I'm having trouble remembering. I'm typing this a couple of hours after I ran. I usually try to write immediately after I run so this doesn't happen. I remember thinking of sex and getting a haircut. I'm sure it was more than that. I also thought about who I wanted to design my set next year for Wait Until Dark. I also considered filming my running and turning it into a Video Podcast. Anyone wanting to help me buy a camera feel free to donate money to the fund.

On the iPod

Mr. Ambulance Driverby the Flaming Lips (short warm up then I was off.)
Nothing Better by the Postal Service
Midland by San Saba County
Visions of Angels Genesis
Everyone Needs an Editor Mates of State (Walking cool down)

At this point I decided to hit the weights. I worked my arms and upper-body. Nothing too much. Just enough to scare my muscles back into action.
Square One by Coldplay
My Enemies Are Men Like Me by Derek Webb
Just Pretend The Bens

Notes

My birthday present from my parents was some running clothes. Now that I have the full costume maybe this will come more naturally. I know it seems stupid, but things have always been easier for me if I can picture myself in the role. I was always the rare teenager that would have probably loved school uniforms. Secretly, of course.

After the run I came home to dinner that Amanda had made. Ham, green beans and new potatoes. No butter or anything on the veggies with some Razpotle Sauce on the Ham made this a great meal with little fat. Christine, a friend from college and Amanda's sister, made some wonderful blackbean squash soup this weekend while we were in Dallas that she said was very low fat. It was also very filling and very good. I'm going to need that recipe, Christine. Yes, even after what happened to it later. It was yummy both times.

Too Hot

2006-05-08T17:00:00.000-05:00

Setting
5/7/2006, 5:03 am, the Apartment Complex

Distance
1.1 miles

Weather
Pretty dang hot. It'll get hotter, for sure. This is why people run at the crack of dawn. Especially in Texas.

Run Time
10:50

How Am I Feeling
I'm wondering how much truth there is to what I heard recently that people with scoliosis shouldn't run. Maybe it's just in my head but my lower-left back consistantly hurts when I run. My legs were also sore

Going Through My Head
I had a rough day today so the events of the day were prominent.

On the iPod
Mates of State, the whole time. Not bad for running

What Could I Stand for (warm up)
La'hov (warm up)
Nice Things That Look Good
I Have Space
Tan/Black
Ride (cool down)

Back in the Saddle

2006-05-07T10:47:00.000-05:00

Geez, it's been way too long. I've run since last time I posted about it. A couple of times here at the apartment complex and once at the Curtis's in Abilene while there for Easter. Posting on Great Blogs of Fire has been fewer and farther between also. But, here is my first running post in a while. Enjoy.

Setting
5/7/2006, 10:00 am, the Apartment Complex

Distance
1.1 miles

Weather
Cloudy, but still pretty muggy. Warm, not too hot yet. Looks like rain.

Run Time
11:30

How Am I Feeling
It's hard to run when it's humid and today it was very humid. I feel like I got tired pretty fast. The fact that I haven't been running much lately probably added to the exhaustion

Going Through My Head
How I was feeling, whether or not my expensive shoes were making any difference and how I have to be committed to losing weight if it's ever going to happen. I keep thinking about the times in my life that I've been really successful at something. I never did anything well without committing to it totally.

On the iPod A
Under African Skies Paul Simon (warm up)
The Possibilities Micah P. Hinson
The W.A.N.D. Flaming Lips
Midland San Saba County
Crazy Patsy Cline (I finished the three laps during this song and began cooling down with the following songs)
Holiday Green Day (this song always comes on while I'm running for some reason.
Love is Not Against the Law Derek Webb

'Sbeen a month

2006-04-12T10:01:00.000-05:00

Okay, it's been a month since I ran. I am going to play some basketball today, but tomorrow it will begin again. I promise.

Failing

2006-03-23T12:50:00.000-06:00

My new skinnier self is not doing so well. It's not happening actually. I haven't ran in almost two weeks and I'm eating worse than normal. I know that I've been busy with the play and all that, but I don't like to make excuses. I'm feeling particularly disgusting today as I ate left over ribs from The County Line on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, and Mrs. Parker bought me a milkshake from Jack in the Box.

Oh, regret, thou art a lovely enemy!

Heat

2006-03-10T09:03:00.000-06:00

Setting
3/9/2006, 4:30 pm, the Apartment Complex

Distance
1.1 miles
probably more since I walked to the trash and mail before starting

Whether
Nice day, but it was HOT! Well, for this time of year. Mid 80s.

Run Time
8:00 I have to admit that I really don't know. But, I was running at a faster pace than normal so I think I could have possibly ran a mile in 8 minutes.

How Am I Feeling
Tired. I tried to keep a good pace instead of slowing to a crawl, like I do sometimes. The heat and just a general exhaustion from work added to the difficulty.

Going Through My Head
How much longer the run seemed without my iPod, even though it was a shorter run.

On the iPod A
No iPod. It was left accidentally in my bag at school, so I ran without it and then rushed to the school to retreive it.

Dedication

2006-03-06T08:27:00.000-06:00

Setting
3/5/2006, 3:30pm, Out the apartment complex, right on Baker to the light at Bush. Turned left into the Country Club. Right on Country Club View. Right on Quail Hollow then right again on Baker. To the entrance of the apartment. Sounds like a lot, right? A disappointing...

Distance
...a disappointing 1.9 miles
I seriously thought it would be further.

Weather
A little cloudy, drab. 70s.

Run Time
No time taken. I'm guessing around 25-30 minutes. It was a slow run.

How Am I Feeling
My lower back and right hip are feeling better. It was my first run with my new shoes. They felt really good. My knees were a little sore and before I started running my right knee hurt a lot. I was actually afraid that I wouldn't be able to run. But it went away.

Today I was feeling really groggy, as I'd just woke up from a nap. It was the kind of day where I really would have rather stayed at home. I hadn't found enough time in past few days to run, so it was important.

Going Through My Head
How could I convince the City of Baytown to construct a quality running trail around this very congested part of the city.

On the iPod
One of These Things First Nick Drake
Adelade Old 97s
Let the Idiot Speak Old 97s
Nineteen Old 97s
Big Brown Eyes Old 97s
West Texas Teardrops Whiskeytown and Old 97s
Super Mario Bros. Theme Phish
Warming Down: The Outsider R.E.M. featuring Q-tip

New Kicks

2006-03-03T01:47:00.000-06:00

Got me some new run-fasters (props to E in the North Country, T-town).

I went to Luke's Locker in Houston to get them and by the time I got home there wasn't any time to run before rehearsal.

Lukes is this really great running store that fits you with just the right shoe to for your foot type and level. The guy who helped me said that the shoes I got should help with some of the pain that I've been having in my joint because I was over pronating

Okay, it's time for school: "Over-pronation, or flat feet, is a common biomechanical problem that occurs in the walking process when a person's arch collapses upon weight bearing. This motion can cause extreme stress or inflammation on the plantar fascia, potentially causing severe discomfort and leading to other foot problems." Definition and photo courtesy of Foot.com.

You can learn more about it by clicking here

Actually, everyone pronates. People with high-arches under-pronate. I have increadibly flat feet, so I got some shoes that will hopefully fix that. You, of course, will hear about it.

Saturday, February 25, 2006 Was a Great Day to Sleep In...

2006-03-01T22:00:00.001-06:00

...but I didn't.

For the second year in a row I ran the 10 K in the Cowtown Marathon and have the t-shirts to prove it. I have run off and on for the time inbetween, but not consistantly enough to keep me in shape. This year was no easier than last year except for simply the fact that I was prepared for the difficulty and soreness. Next year my goal is to run a half marathon (13.2 miles) and this is where I will chronicle my running.

My short term goal: Run 6 miles a week for four weeks, straight.

Here we go.

The Alpha Run

2006-03-01T22:00:00.000-06:00

Setting
3/1/2006, 5:30 pm, the Apartment Complex

Distance
2.2 miles
Three times around the apartments is 1.1 miles and I went 6 today

Whether
Beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. High 60s. Perfect day to kick this thing off.

Run Time
22:56 This time is based on the music I played and the times of the individual songs (see below) This could be off and I actually think that I started about half way into Mockingbird.

How Am I Feeling
My lower back and right hip are hurting a little, just like I was afraid of happing. It could just be residual soreness from the 10 K on Saturday. My right knee is also a little sore as I take my last lap. That may be because I'm pounding too hard.

No short breath. I feel good except for the little aches and pains which I hope go away as I drop weight.

Going Through My Head
Starting this blog

On the iPod A device which allows me to tolerate running
On Shuffle:
Mockingbird, Derek Webb: Stretching and the start
Frustrated Cowboy, El Gato
Know Your Onion, The Shins
Take, Take, Take, The White Stripes
Powerless (Say What You Want) Nelly Furtato
The Dark is Rising, Mercury Rev (I love this song, but it's a crappy song to run to)
Looking for Someone, Genesis: warming down

Fun Running Fact
The Marathon's distance of 26.2 miles is only set as the official distance in 1921 by the International Amatuer Athletics Federation. Before it was set at the present distance a Marathon was any long distance race. Most were between 25 and 30 miles long, so long as everyone ran the same distance. This distance was selected because the starting line at the 1908 Olympics in London was moved back so the Royal Family could see the race. The distance was changed a couple of times after that but this distance was finally agreed upon for some reason.

Two Miles Tomorrow