So I've had a hard time getting out and running.
It's not lack of motivation (though definitely a factor) it's also muscle soreness and hamstring pain. The hamstring hurts enough that when I first start walking, I have a limp. Once it loosens, I carry a normal gait though the pain is still noticeable. I went for a 5k run Sunday afternoon and I had to stop because I was getting tired faster and beginning to ache bad along the hip flexor, thigh, hamstring and foot. It truly sucked.
I've been using a rolled up towel and a bench corner to do my own version on deep-tissue massage. It's been helping a lot, surprisingly. I guess it loosens it up enough to allow whatever other muscles and whatnots connected to it to function properly. I took a rest day yesterday and I'm going for another 5k this afternoon during my lunch hour.
If this continues, I'm getting me one of those handheld personal massagers to really work the friggin muscles. I miss going out for runs! According to DailyMile, I logged less than 8 miles last week. I had been on an upswing when this crap started buggin' me and holding me back.
I've got to start logging in longer runs soon. I have a Half-Mary coming up April 1st, 2012. I have a countdown timer that says I have 60 days, 20 hours and 18 minutes to go. Two months. I've got two months to get to at least 8 miles non-stop to be able to complete The Santa Cruz Half Marathon comfortably. I know I can do it if I can manage this hamstring problem.
I believe my feet are strong enough now to not cause me the problems I've had before when logging longer runs. I've been better at keeping my runs up and consistent. I believe my form is better (except for the hamstring thing) and I am trying to relax more on my runs. When I'm feeling good, I'm running good. When I'm feeling bad, I'm running ok. That's definitely and improvement from when I first started.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check spelling and grammar. run smiley :)
Formerly of experiences of Ubuntu n00bism. Now random postings on learning barefoot form.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
The story so far . . .
. . . as best as I can manage, at least.
As you can see on the right, there is a new widget so you can see what I've been doing as far as fitness. Mainly running. I'm sort of off and on with the pushups because I realize I need to strengthen my core and upper body. Once I can get to twenty straight pushups, I'll begin some other type of body-weight exercises like burpees or something.
This week, I started something new. I began running a loop at work. It's an oval track that is 1/6th of a mile. Yes it's boring, but definitely a challenge.
How you ask?
Well it's deceptive in it's difficulty. I thought it was going to be an easy run around the track and therefore one hell of a boring run.
Let me draw you a picture:
Distance around track: 1/6th of a mile (as stated above)
Surface: Wood chips/slivers (more on that in a bit)
Terrain: Very uneven, hidden by said chips. Relatively flat on long sides, with about 10 foot drop on ends.
I've been running it with Steve, he's a regular toothpick looking runner. He was surprised by my running ability. I guess he thought this whole "barefoot" style of running would actually hurt me. He complimented me on my form and speed. What I found intriguing about this loop is how difficult it was to run it. The uneven terrain and the chips make you have to lift your feet more, which is a weakness in my form. A definite plus for me. Along with surface, were the dips at the ends of the loops. Coast down one side and climb up the other. A good workout. Put those together and I had to stop after about 11 minutes.
I was disappointed with that at first until the next day when I took my iPhone to use iMapMyRun. I pulled out the same distance for the same amount of time that I usually do for the Toro Park Estates run. That day also included the use of my Bikila LS's. I won't be using those there again!
The first day I ran the loop, I had forgotten my Bikila's at home so I had to resort to using my Merrell Trail Gloves instead (everyday shoes). It went great and was impressed by the track. The next day I brought my Bikila's and suffered some problems with them. Namely the wood slivers! The main part of the shoes held up ok, but the instep kept getting punctured by the slivers. There's a softer bit of rubber there that's mainly there for protection. I will not be running with those there again. A tad uncomfortable. It's like running through goats-heads. Oof.
I've run three times this week for a total of about 9 miles and had a good hard trail walk yesterday evening for about another mile and a half. That really got my heart pumping GOOD! Great trail!
I'd like to go for another run, but I'm not sure what's gonna happen yet. I'm waiting to hear back from my mechanic about my car. I sounds like I'm gonna have to pay $600 for a smog check (O2 sensor, tune-up, smog-check, certificate, labor . . .).
But I still love my New Beetle. She's been needing some work done for a while and I figured I have the money now, so . . .
GD
p.s.
lazy. run smiley :)
As you can see on the right, there is a new widget so you can see what I've been doing as far as fitness. Mainly running. I'm sort of off and on with the pushups because I realize I need to strengthen my core and upper body. Once I can get to twenty straight pushups, I'll begin some other type of body-weight exercises like burpees or something.
This week, I started something new. I began running a loop at work. It's an oval track that is 1/6th of a mile. Yes it's boring, but definitely a challenge.
How you ask?
Well it's deceptive in it's difficulty. I thought it was going to be an easy run around the track and therefore one hell of a boring run.
Let me draw you a picture:
Distance around track: 1/6th of a mile (as stated above)
Surface: Wood chips/slivers (more on that in a bit)
Terrain: Very uneven, hidden by said chips. Relatively flat on long sides, with about 10 foot drop on ends.
I've been running it with Steve, he's a regular toothpick looking runner. He was surprised by my running ability. I guess he thought this whole "barefoot" style of running would actually hurt me. He complimented me on my form and speed. What I found intriguing about this loop is how difficult it was to run it. The uneven terrain and the chips make you have to lift your feet more, which is a weakness in my form. A definite plus for me. Along with surface, were the dips at the ends of the loops. Coast down one side and climb up the other. A good workout. Put those together and I had to stop after about 11 minutes.
I was disappointed with that at first until the next day when I took my iPhone to use iMapMyRun. I pulled out the same distance for the same amount of time that I usually do for the Toro Park Estates run. That day also included the use of my Bikila LS's. I won't be using those there again!
The first day I ran the loop, I had forgotten my Bikila's at home so I had to resort to using my Merrell Trail Gloves instead (everyday shoes). It went great and was impressed by the track. The next day I brought my Bikila's and suffered some problems with them. Namely the wood slivers! The main part of the shoes held up ok, but the instep kept getting punctured by the slivers. There's a softer bit of rubber there that's mainly there for protection. I will not be running with those there again. A tad uncomfortable. It's like running through goats-heads. Oof.
I've run three times this week for a total of about 9 miles and had a good hard trail walk yesterday evening for about another mile and a half. That really got my heart pumping GOOD! Great trail!
I'd like to go for another run, but I'm not sure what's gonna happen yet. I'm waiting to hear back from my mechanic about my car. I sounds like I'm gonna have to pay $600 for a smog check (O2 sensor, tune-up, smog-check, certificate, labor . . .).
But I still love my New Beetle. She's been needing some work done for a while and I figured I have the money now, so . . .
GD
p.s.
lazy. run smiley :)
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
My New Year celebration!
Let me start out by saying that I had something else completely in mind for the evenings' festivities. What was on the planner was to help out my mom at the restaurant for a bit then head out to my friends home for some dinner and drinks then head out with him, his fiancee and some of their friends and imbibe, drink and just plain party at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz . . .
None of which happened. At least the evening part.
I started out the day waking up at 9am. Made breakfast of potatos, eggs and Leggo's. Had a whole carafe of Santa Cruz Dark coffee. Chugged back a couple of liters of water while watching Bones (Netflix). Pissed like a racehorse for a while then headed out to the restaurant. I wasn't really needed. I stuck around for a bit, then headed home . . .
I really wasn't feeling the whole partying thing at all. For the last decade, I've made it a point to get shit-faced every New Years Eve into New Years Day and pretty much forget all that happened between. Woken up to some beer-goggle induced female companions (not that it wasn't fun) and plenty of spewed upon front lawns. So along with my healthier outlook on things, I decided not to get as shit-faced as possible.
After leaving the restaurant, I headed home and went looking for something to watch on DVD. Looking through my collection, I was trying to decide what I could watch for the rest of the day. I didn't want to watch anything on Netflix. I wanted something epic!
Star Wars collection? It's epic, but I wasn't feeling it.
Godfather? Epic, but not long enough.
Oh! I know . . . The Lord Of The Rings: Extended Editions!
Eleven glorious hours and 24 unbelievable minutes of hobbit, human, elf, wizard, orc, Uruk-hai, troll, goblin, Shelob, Giant Eye interaction! Forgive me if I forgot something in there.
After picking those up, I headed over to BevMo! and picked up a couple of 6 packs of Arrogant Bastard Oaked Ale. God that stuff is SOOOOOO GOOOOOD! I then headed off to The Pizza Factory and ordered an Extra Large pepperoni and mushroom pizza. I got to my hangout. My cousin's gone, the daughter's with her and I have her place to myself. She's has a recently purchased 42 inch magic Panasonic TV. It's one of those smart tv's that have computer-like abilities. That's how I watch Netflix without a pc, Roku or other external device. But I still need some sort of DVD player to watch my LOTR trilogy. In this case my 360, which I have a remote for cause of the now obsolete HD-DVD drive.
I got a plate popped open and poured myself a glass of ABOA and started my LOTR marathon.
I went through three beers, half the pizza, a couple of shots of Corralejo Reposado tequila, some Baileys (neat) and most of the movies up until The Return Of The King. I got through the first disc and no further. I couldn't keep my eyes open any more. Shut everything off. Chugged a gallon of water and crashed.
I woke up several times that night to relieve myself and drink still MORE water. I have no idea when I crashed out, but it definitely was after midnight and before 2am. I finally got up for the day at 8am. I couldn't sleep any more. Made myself another pot of coffee, had a small potato, a couple of eggs and a couple of slices of bacon for breakfast. I watched the news for a bit then went out for my New Years day run. Three miles.
I got back, showered, shaved and dressed and visited friends and family. I woke most everyone I visited. I went home, had an early dinner there with my family and went back to the hangout.
I was feeling really good still, so out the door I went with my running gear. I got to the trailhead around 5:30 and heavily debated taking my Knuckle-lights and decided to opt out. I thought I'd have enough light to finish the run. I just about made it back in time before my eyes couldn't see anything at all. It was frackin' dark the last quarter mile and really had to rely on my feet to tell me not to kill myself. I wish I'd brought those lights.
SIX MILES FOR THE DAY!!! Woo Hoo! And I wasn't even beat up like I usually am after that much distance. I'm gonna have to do something similar again soon!
GD
p.s.
too lazy. run smiley :)
None of which happened. At least the evening part.
I started out the day waking up at 9am. Made breakfast of potatos, eggs and Leggo's. Had a whole carafe of Santa Cruz Dark coffee. Chugged back a couple of liters of water while watching Bones (Netflix). Pissed like a racehorse for a while then headed out to the restaurant. I wasn't really needed. I stuck around for a bit, then headed home . . .
I really wasn't feeling the whole partying thing at all. For the last decade, I've made it a point to get shit-faced every New Years Eve into New Years Day and pretty much forget all that happened between. Woken up to some beer-goggle induced female companions (not that it wasn't fun) and plenty of spewed upon front lawns. So along with my healthier outlook on things, I decided not to get as shit-faced as possible.
After leaving the restaurant, I headed home and went looking for something to watch on DVD. Looking through my collection, I was trying to decide what I could watch for the rest of the day. I didn't want to watch anything on Netflix. I wanted something epic!
Star Wars collection? It's epic, but I wasn't feeling it.
Godfather? Epic, but not long enough.
Oh! I know . . . The Lord Of The Rings: Extended Editions!
Eleven glorious hours and 24 unbelievable minutes of hobbit, human, elf, wizard, orc, Uruk-hai, troll, goblin, Shelob, Giant Eye interaction! Forgive me if I forgot something in there.
After picking those up, I headed over to BevMo! and picked up a couple of 6 packs of Arrogant Bastard Oaked Ale. God that stuff is SOOOOOO GOOOOOD! I then headed off to The Pizza Factory and ordered an Extra Large pepperoni and mushroom pizza. I got to my hangout. My cousin's gone, the daughter's with her and I have her place to myself. She's has a recently purchased 42 inch magic Panasonic TV. It's one of those smart tv's that have computer-like abilities. That's how I watch Netflix without a pc, Roku or other external device. But I still need some sort of DVD player to watch my LOTR trilogy. In this case my 360, which I have a remote for cause of the now obsolete HD-DVD drive.
I got a plate popped open and poured myself a glass of ABOA and started my LOTR marathon.
I went through three beers, half the pizza, a couple of shots of Corralejo Reposado tequila, some Baileys (neat) and most of the movies up until The Return Of The King. I got through the first disc and no further. I couldn't keep my eyes open any more. Shut everything off. Chugged a gallon of water and crashed.
I woke up several times that night to relieve myself and drink still MORE water. I have no idea when I crashed out, but it definitely was after midnight and before 2am. I finally got up for the day at 8am. I couldn't sleep any more. Made myself another pot of coffee, had a small potato, a couple of eggs and a couple of slices of bacon for breakfast. I watched the news for a bit then went out for my New Years day run. Three miles.
I got back, showered, shaved and dressed and visited friends and family. I woke most everyone I visited. I went home, had an early dinner there with my family and went back to the hangout.
I was feeling really good still, so out the door I went with my running gear. I got to the trailhead around 5:30 and heavily debated taking my Knuckle-lights and decided to opt out. I thought I'd have enough light to finish the run. I just about made it back in time before my eyes couldn't see anything at all. It was frackin' dark the last quarter mile and really had to rely on my feet to tell me not to kill myself. I wish I'd brought those lights.
SIX MILES FOR THE DAY!!! Woo Hoo! And I wasn't even beat up like I usually am after that much distance. I'm gonna have to do something similar again soon!
GD
p.s.
too lazy. run smiley :)
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