So, I went for my run last night before picking up my godson from practice. I obligate myself to pick him up to motivate me to go run . . .
But that's not what I noticed. This morning I got up, jumped in the shower and drove in to work. And I realized that I didn't have the usual foot and leg aches I have first thing in the morning. Usually there is a lot of grunting and groaning when placing any weight on my feet. It goes away after about a minute and I'm fine.
Not this morning . . . or yesterday if I recall correctly. The only thing I can think of that may have helped is I took all that time off from running. Maybe I need that time for things to knit together and get stronger. Another thing, I also changed something last night in my run. Because of the continuing leg/hamstring issue, I forced myself to relax my legs. By doing that, I just focused on pulling my feet up from the ground.
Notice I didn't say "pulling my knees up".
As I've read at Maple Grove Barefoot Guy an at Barefoot Running University, being relaxed will greatly improve your comfort. I've forgotten that in the last month or so. I've been so focused on the ache as I run that I've not gone through what I SHOULD be doing. I've just been using my metronome and focusing on the footfalls.
What I did and shoulda' been doing is focusing on using the metronome to focus on the foot-LIFTS!
And focusing on pulling the foot towards the butt!
So, I had relaxed legs and was pulling my feet up towards the glutes (I tried to use ass, but it looked too coarse) and the ache was somewhat there, but it wasn't as bad as my previous run on Monday. I'm not limping around today and the ache is very minimal.
I'll be running tonight and see if this bit of good fortune continues. Hopefully it isn't just a fluke of the day or weather playing a part. But I'm feeling comfortable today and I think I may have done something right again.
Oh, and check out those two links. Go through their archived stuff. They have great advice and anecdotes. I've been following them for almost a year now. Both are ultra-runners and they've worked out most of their kinks in their barefoot running. And yes, they've both run ultras completely barefoot. And on trails, no less!
I don't plan on doing any ultras, but I do plan on running completely naked . . . feet that is. You don't need to picture a short fat dude nekkid.
oops, too late >:)
GD
p.s.
too lazy to grammar check
Formerly of experiences of Ubuntu n00bism. Now random postings on learning barefoot form.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
First after four days
Well I had my first run after those four days of doing nothing! And to make matters worse, I've not been keeping up with 4HB. For shame!
I've been off the wagon since the weekend, and I'm still off it. I've got to do something so my life at home doesn't interfere with health life . . . if that makes any sense. I shouldn't be separating the two, but that's just the way it goes.
One reason for not being on the wagon is because Monday night at midnight, I picked up my new Gears Of War 3 Limited Edition XBox 360! Yeah. I'm Ubernerd. I'm 38 and I still play video games. And then people wonder why I have not girlfriend. I'm almost the stereotypical fat nerd. And when I wear my cool Warby Parker glasses (think Buddy Holly), I really start pushing it. But where I separate myself from that stereotype is I'm not much into junk food and I really do enjoy running. And running in my Vibram Five-Fingers!
When I jump off the wagon, I try to stick with healthy junk food. If I go get a burger, no sauce. Tacos? Meat and veggies please, and no hard shell. I attempt at the healthy.
As far as this last run, it was getting painful. And it wasn't the foot. The foot's been fine. It's the leg now and it's still that weird hamstring thing. It's going away quicker though. Not as annoying. A run, a quick massage and it's relieved though not gone.
It doesn't feel so bad today and I'm expecting to go for my run tonight, looking forward to it actually.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check
I've been off the wagon since the weekend, and I'm still off it. I've got to do something so my life at home doesn't interfere with health life . . . if that makes any sense. I shouldn't be separating the two, but that's just the way it goes.
One reason for not being on the wagon is because Monday night at midnight, I picked up my new Gears Of War 3 Limited Edition XBox 360! Yeah. I'm Ubernerd. I'm 38 and I still play video games. And then people wonder why I have not girlfriend. I'm almost the stereotypical fat nerd. And when I wear my cool Warby Parker glasses (think Buddy Holly), I really start pushing it. But where I separate myself from that stereotype is I'm not much into junk food and I really do enjoy running. And running in my Vibram Five-Fingers!
When I jump off the wagon, I try to stick with healthy junk food. If I go get a burger, no sauce. Tacos? Meat and veggies please, and no hard shell. I attempt at the healthy.
As far as this last run, it was getting painful. And it wasn't the foot. The foot's been fine. It's the leg now and it's still that weird hamstring thing. It's going away quicker though. Not as annoying. A run, a quick massage and it's relieved though not gone.
It doesn't feel so bad today and I'm expecting to go for my run tonight, looking forward to it actually.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check
Friday, September 16, 2011
Getting TOO lazy . . .
So I haven't run in two frickin' days! Too much crap on the table to clear off for it.
Life sucks!
Not really, it can just be a little frustrating. My mom owns a restaurant and my brother and sister are a tad nuts. My brother works there now, but it took him a while to finally come to grips that he's an ADULT and he has to begin contributing to society in a POSITIVE way. He drives my mom and the cook nuts with his temper tantrums, but he's slooooowly learning that he can't be acting that way at a place of employment.
My sister is another matter. Her moods swing from manic to nuts. We've tried to get her to help out at the restaurant, and she does ok, but then something happens and it's not a good idea to have her around my mom. You how to two poles (as in polarity) work in electricity right? They repel each other. But in their case it's like two nuclear powered poles.
I'm not sayin' my moms nuts . . .
I'm just not sayin'.
Anyway . . . I have to play the buffer all the time. When my mom breaks down because of either my sibs or something she misconstrued from my dad, I gotta be there to be shoulder so she can vent. I've been doing this for YEARS. As you may guess, this have left me emotionally jaded . . . stunted . . . whatever!
So when the daughter asked me to be her sponsor for Confirmation, I was left speechless and emotionally jarred.
The daughter had her orientation for Confirmation last Tuesday. Her mom went with her and I went to pick up my godson from practice after my run since I was in the area. It gave her time to clear her plate more comfortably and I really like helping her. She does what she can for her kids as a single mother and sometimes she has to be at opposite ends of town at the same time. I'm just glad I happen to be at one end of town to pick up my godson. It also gives me a reason go run those days.
After picking him up we went to get something to eat at Subway. He grabbed a foot-long which he wolfed down in a matter of minutes. I got one of their new salads, the turkey/avocado thing. I grabbed it with the works and it was 4HB friendly. Tasty! My cousin was still at the orientation with the daughter and I had to pick up a couple of cases of chicken for my mom, so off I went.
After I dropped off the chicken, my godson and I headed back to his home. We waited outside a few minutes before my cousin and the daughter showed up. We went inside and they started talking about how long the orientation was and how well developed the program was and what they were looking forward to and then the daughter mentioned how they were asked to find someone they could trust to be their sponsor for their confirmation. And I'm like "wow" and "cool". But she was looking at me sheepishly with shit-eating grin.
I'm a bit dense.
Her face dropped and then I got it. D'oh! I went to her and gave her a huge hug and apologized that I didn't get it right away and said I'd be happy to be her sponsor. My cousin was smiling while the daughter began talking about ALL the events that were going to happen, the trips to Yosemite and Disneyland . . .
And all I could think to say after that was I'd better start saving up. I don't know if the daughter caught it, but I think my cousin did.
A bit of a faux-pas.
The daughter had a football game to cheer last night and my mom needed help at the restaurant. One of her dogs was ill and she wanted me to get out of work early to help. I've got work and bosses and I don't think telling them my mommy needs me will give me a "get-outta-work-early" card. I tried to finish up in good time, but it didn't happen and I didnt leave until around 5pm. My mom was already back at the restaurant, but she still wanted a bit of help. I stuck around til 6:30 and then went to the daughters game.
Have I mentioned that my mom doesn't like the daughter or her mom. Yeah, some of the most important people in my life cannot see each other. My cousin and the daughter love my mom, but my mom is jealous of them and has not spoken to them in several years. She thinks my cousin is taking advantage of me when migrates to Yuma and leaves the daughter with me. I think of it as a break from the insanity of my life. There is alway a fire to put out and I. Am. Burnt. OUT!
I look forward to that and the schedule will not be as crazy this year. She's not in her cheer/dance crew this year and cheerleading is not as hectic with the schedules. It'll still be a full plate, but it's a plate that's a bit more manageable than years past. I'm looking forward to it.
I'll be running tonight and hopefully there'll be no fires to put out. I'm still figuring out this emotional issue I have, but at least I can say I'm happy someone put that kind of trust in me. I guess my cousin would fall in that as well, she does ask me to take care of her daughter for several months. She knows my vices are relatively harmless and are along the same as hers (food and beer), so I guess she feels confident that I'll do my best to support her and her daughter in this. I can actually say I'm happy about this.
It's not just a getaway from the craziness of my usual stuff, I think I need this. I think I need someone to need me in this way. I do feel like a dad to my godson and the daughter. I wish I could do more for them and only them.
My mom has had her life . . . I want mine.
GD
p.s.
lazy, but run smiley!
Life sucks!
Not really, it can just be a little frustrating. My mom owns a restaurant and my brother and sister are a tad nuts. My brother works there now, but it took him a while to finally come to grips that he's an ADULT and he has to begin contributing to society in a POSITIVE way. He drives my mom and the cook nuts with his temper tantrums, but he's slooooowly learning that he can't be acting that way at a place of employment.
My sister is another matter. Her moods swing from manic to nuts. We've tried to get her to help out at the restaurant, and she does ok, but then something happens and it's not a good idea to have her around my mom. You how to two poles (as in polarity) work in electricity right? They repel each other. But in their case it's like two nuclear powered poles.
I'm not sayin' my moms nuts . . .
I'm just not sayin'.
Anyway . . . I have to play the buffer all the time. When my mom breaks down because of either my sibs or something she misconstrued from my dad, I gotta be there to be shoulder so she can vent. I've been doing this for YEARS. As you may guess, this have left me emotionally jaded . . . stunted . . . whatever!
So when the daughter asked me to be her sponsor for Confirmation, I was left speechless and emotionally jarred.
The daughter had her orientation for Confirmation last Tuesday. Her mom went with her and I went to pick up my godson from practice after my run since I was in the area. It gave her time to clear her plate more comfortably and I really like helping her. She does what she can for her kids as a single mother and sometimes she has to be at opposite ends of town at the same time. I'm just glad I happen to be at one end of town to pick up my godson. It also gives me a reason go run those days.
After picking him up we went to get something to eat at Subway. He grabbed a foot-long which he wolfed down in a matter of minutes. I got one of their new salads, the turkey/avocado thing. I grabbed it with the works and it was 4HB friendly. Tasty! My cousin was still at the orientation with the daughter and I had to pick up a couple of cases of chicken for my mom, so off I went.
After I dropped off the chicken, my godson and I headed back to his home. We waited outside a few minutes before my cousin and the daughter showed up. We went inside and they started talking about how long the orientation was and how well developed the program was and what they were looking forward to and then the daughter mentioned how they were asked to find someone they could trust to be their sponsor for their confirmation. And I'm like "wow" and "cool". But she was looking at me sheepishly with shit-eating grin.
I'm a bit dense.
Her face dropped and then I got it. D'oh! I went to her and gave her a huge hug and apologized that I didn't get it right away and said I'd be happy to be her sponsor. My cousin was smiling while the daughter began talking about ALL the events that were going to happen, the trips to Yosemite and Disneyland . . .
And all I could think to say after that was I'd better start saving up. I don't know if the daughter caught it, but I think my cousin did.
A bit of a faux-pas.
The daughter had a football game to cheer last night and my mom needed help at the restaurant. One of her dogs was ill and she wanted me to get out of work early to help. I've got work and bosses and I don't think telling them my mommy needs me will give me a "get-outta-work-early" card. I tried to finish up in good time, but it didn't happen and I didnt leave until around 5pm. My mom was already back at the restaurant, but she still wanted a bit of help. I stuck around til 6:30 and then went to the daughters game.
Have I mentioned that my mom doesn't like the daughter or her mom. Yeah, some of the most important people in my life cannot see each other. My cousin and the daughter love my mom, but my mom is jealous of them and has not spoken to them in several years. She thinks my cousin is taking advantage of me when migrates to Yuma and leaves the daughter with me. I think of it as a break from the insanity of my life. There is alway a fire to put out and I. Am. Burnt. OUT!
I look forward to that and the schedule will not be as crazy this year. She's not in her cheer/dance crew this year and cheerleading is not as hectic with the schedules. It'll still be a full plate, but it's a plate that's a bit more manageable than years past. I'm looking forward to it.
I'll be running tonight and hopefully there'll be no fires to put out. I'm still figuring out this emotional issue I have, but at least I can say I'm happy someone put that kind of trust in me. I guess my cousin would fall in that as well, she does ask me to take care of her daughter for several months. She knows my vices are relatively harmless and are along the same as hers (food and beer), so I guess she feels confident that I'll do my best to support her and her daughter in this. I can actually say I'm happy about this.
It's not just a getaway from the craziness of my usual stuff, I think I need this. I think I need someone to need me in this way. I do feel like a dad to my godson and the daughter. I wish I could do more for them and only them.
My mom has had her life . . . I want mine.
GD
p.s.
lazy, but run smiley!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
I didn't run much the last week. I think my last run for the previous week was last Wedneday. I didn't even go this weekend.
I've had this nagging ache along my leg. Like a thin section of my calf, hamstring and glute. I think it's all tied to the PF of my right foot. So I decided to begin concentrating on trying to fix it.
A while back I bought a foot massager and sprint stick. The foot massager is a therapy device called the Foot Log. It was supposed to assist in fixing Plantar Fasciitis and other foot issues.
It's a great little tool. I think it works a bit better than a frozen can of peas, though having a cold can on your foot can feel good when it aches!
The other item is something I refer to as a sprint stick. But the one I have is by Pro-Tec Athletics and they call it a Roller Massager.
That's not me by the way. I'm not there yet. But that is the stick I use and it feels GREAT! That think will work out knots like you wouldn't believe. I still have one knot in my calf it still hasn't been able to get rid of completely, but it has helped reduce it. I should ice after, but I never do and I think that may be contributing to the long rehab.
It's pretty much a wooden dowel with a plastic floating tube with foam to allow it to roll freely. The grips are cushioned to allow "trigger point release". Trust me, it works great!
I still have a bit of a twinge and I think what I need to get is a foam roller next. One of those body rollers. I'd post a pic of one but there are a ton of them and I'm not sure what kind to get yet. And they have a wide range of prices. I may just make something out of pvc, foam and duct tape. I may have some laying around at work somewhere, too.
Anyway . . . so get back on the trail Monday. After four days of nothing, I was itchin' to go. Unfortunately I started out too fast and in the last mile back, I was almost gassed out. But I was able to push through and finish strong enough. I ended up finishing in better time than I have in a long time, which would have been weird if I hadn't taken all that time off. After the run, my leg started up again and when I got home I got to work on it with the tools. It helped and I was able to sleep comfortably that night.
Yesterday I went for a run again and my knee began buggin' me, but it went away after my half mile warmup. I walked for a minute and began the stronger run. I made it out to the parking lot with only one stop in between. Pretty good, I thought. Usually on the way back, I have a problem keeping up the same pace, but I had focused on keeping it steady and somewhat effortless. I was breathing a little hard, but was able to catch my breath fairly easily at each of the two one minutes walks I usually make. I cut my time even further than yesterday.
I hope I can keep this up. Even with the nagging, I'm still enjoying the running. I'll be taking care of the daughter in a couple more months. And I'm kinda excited about it!
I'm usually out by the Toro park area for my run and so I told my cousin that I could pick up my godson from his pee-wee football practice when I'm done. I get to walk a bit and stretch out the legs before he's finished. My cousin was running late because she was at church with the daughter.
The daughter is starting catechism again for her confirmation and she and her mom had an orientation meeting regarding that last night. She was asked to find a sponsor she can trust. She asked me! I was dumbfounded. It took me by surprise and I probably didn't express my feelings about it well and may have left her a bit disappointed by my reaction. I'm going to remedy that tonight. It's been on my mind all day and I really am excited and happy that she chose me.
I'm not quite sure what the sponsor is obligated to do, but whatever I can do to make sure that girl becomes a better, stronger person . . . I'm there for her.
GD
p.s.
run smiley and no, too lazy to check . . .
I've had this nagging ache along my leg. Like a thin section of my calf, hamstring and glute. I think it's all tied to the PF of my right foot. So I decided to begin concentrating on trying to fix it.
A while back I bought a foot massager and sprint stick. The foot massager is a therapy device called the Foot Log. It was supposed to assist in fixing Plantar Fasciitis and other foot issues.
It's a great little tool. I think it works a bit better than a frozen can of peas, though having a cold can on your foot can feel good when it aches!
The other item is something I refer to as a sprint stick. But the one I have is by Pro-Tec Athletics and they call it a Roller Massager.
That's not me by the way. I'm not there yet. But that is the stick I use and it feels GREAT! That think will work out knots like you wouldn't believe. I still have one knot in my calf it still hasn't been able to get rid of completely, but it has helped reduce it. I should ice after, but I never do and I think that may be contributing to the long rehab.
It's pretty much a wooden dowel with a plastic floating tube with foam to allow it to roll freely. The grips are cushioned to allow "trigger point release". Trust me, it works great!
I still have a bit of a twinge and I think what I need to get is a foam roller next. One of those body rollers. I'd post a pic of one but there are a ton of them and I'm not sure what kind to get yet. And they have a wide range of prices. I may just make something out of pvc, foam and duct tape. I may have some laying around at work somewhere, too.
Anyway . . . so get back on the trail Monday. After four days of nothing, I was itchin' to go. Unfortunately I started out too fast and in the last mile back, I was almost gassed out. But I was able to push through and finish strong enough. I ended up finishing in better time than I have in a long time, which would have been weird if I hadn't taken all that time off. After the run, my leg started up again and when I got home I got to work on it with the tools. It helped and I was able to sleep comfortably that night.
Yesterday I went for a run again and my knee began buggin' me, but it went away after my half mile warmup. I walked for a minute and began the stronger run. I made it out to the parking lot with only one stop in between. Pretty good, I thought. Usually on the way back, I have a problem keeping up the same pace, but I had focused on keeping it steady and somewhat effortless. I was breathing a little hard, but was able to catch my breath fairly easily at each of the two one minutes walks I usually make. I cut my time even further than yesterday.
I hope I can keep this up. Even with the nagging, I'm still enjoying the running. I'll be taking care of the daughter in a couple more months. And I'm kinda excited about it!
I'm usually out by the Toro park area for my run and so I told my cousin that I could pick up my godson from his pee-wee football practice when I'm done. I get to walk a bit and stretch out the legs before he's finished. My cousin was running late because she was at church with the daughter.
The daughter is starting catechism again for her confirmation and she and her mom had an orientation meeting regarding that last night. She was asked to find a sponsor she can trust. She asked me! I was dumbfounded. It took me by surprise and I probably didn't express my feelings about it well and may have left her a bit disappointed by my reaction. I'm going to remedy that tonight. It's been on my mind all day and I really am excited and happy that she chose me.
I'm not quite sure what the sponsor is obligated to do, but whatever I can do to make sure that girl becomes a better, stronger person . . . I'm there for her.
GD
p.s.
run smiley and no, too lazy to check . . .
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Still not runnin'
I still haven't gone running. I guess things like this occur to everyone every once in a while. Shit happens and your plans go on the wayside. I hope to run tomorrow morning. Hopefully it happens.
p.s.
too lazy to check.
p.s.
too lazy to check.
Friday, September 09, 2011
Bloggin' from my iPhone
I probably won't be using this much unless I'm posting pictures. I'll definitely use this more once they've got landscape orientation working!
Two days! Ugh!
So, for the last two days I've not taken a single jump. What do I mean? Well for a "run" to be called a "run", both feet must leave the earth while maintaining forward momentum. In other words, a jump.
I know.
Semantics.
Whatever . . . the point is I've not gone running for the last couple of days. I'd made a promise to my cousin that I'd go and support the daughter who was cheering at her first real football game. It was a great game, if you happen to be the opposing teams fan. The daughters' school was the visiting team and they got clobbered, 20-0. The home team was making good passes and were great at defending the QB and their receivers.
The poor visiting teams' QB would make great passes, but there was no one to defend the receivers. It appeared as if they were focusing on protecting the QB. Nobody touched the QB. The receivers were getting pasted. Every once in a while though, you could see the potential of the team. Something would happen when everything clicked for the team. They saw openings and were able to defend the line and stop the home team from going further. Or the QB would see something before a play and make a play change and the whole team would explode and scream forward for a first down.
I hate to say it, but I actually enjoyed watching high school football.
The daughters' cheer team were still having trouble with a couple of their cheers. But that's why they are the the frosh cheerleaders. They'll get better as the season goes and they'll soon be nailing those cheers! They must've been working hard on them though, because there were only a couple of hiccups. Also I'm proud to say that the daughter was calling the cheers! She must be making an impression with the coaches. She's a tiny thing but she's been cheering for years! And she's been on a national champion team twice and one of those wins just this last year.
Boy! I feel like her daddy gushing about her like this but she's a studious student, sharp as a tack extremely respectful of her mom. My cousin is strict with her, but spoils her rotten sometimes. The daughter knows her mom does the best she can for both her and my godson.
I could keep going, but I've gotta stop or I'll be emotional all day. I live vicariously through my cousin and I try to be there for her and her kids as much as I can. She has no one else who has the time and I'll be there until she doesn't want or need me there anymore.
I do plan on having a run tonight. I'm feeling good physically. I still have that funky twinge all along the right leg, so I'm gonna focus on relaxing on tonight's run. I'll post up how it went tomorrow if not tonight.
GD
p.s.
too lazy for grammar check
I know.
Semantics.
Whatever . . . the point is I've not gone running for the last couple of days. I'd made a promise to my cousin that I'd go and support the daughter who was cheering at her first real football game. It was a great game, if you happen to be the opposing teams fan. The daughters' school was the visiting team and they got clobbered, 20-0. The home team was making good passes and were great at defending the QB and their receivers.
The poor visiting teams' QB would make great passes, but there was no one to defend the receivers. It appeared as if they were focusing on protecting the QB. Nobody touched the QB. The receivers were getting pasted. Every once in a while though, you could see the potential of the team. Something would happen when everything clicked for the team. They saw openings and were able to defend the line and stop the home team from going further. Or the QB would see something before a play and make a play change and the whole team would explode and scream forward for a first down.
I hate to say it, but I actually enjoyed watching high school football.
The daughters' cheer team were still having trouble with a couple of their cheers. But that's why they are the the frosh cheerleaders. They'll get better as the season goes and they'll soon be nailing those cheers! They must've been working hard on them though, because there were only a couple of hiccups. Also I'm proud to say that the daughter was calling the cheers! She must be making an impression with the coaches. She's a tiny thing but she's been cheering for years! And she's been on a national champion team twice and one of those wins just this last year.
Boy! I feel like her daddy gushing about her like this but she's a studious student, sharp as a tack extremely respectful of her mom. My cousin is strict with her, but spoils her rotten sometimes. The daughter knows her mom does the best she can for both her and my godson.
I could keep going, but I've gotta stop or I'll be emotional all day. I live vicariously through my cousin and I try to be there for her and her kids as much as I can. She has no one else who has the time and I'll be there until she doesn't want or need me there anymore.
I do plan on having a run tonight. I'm feeling good physically. I still have that funky twinge all along the right leg, so I'm gonna focus on relaxing on tonight's run. I'll post up how it went tomorrow if not tonight.
GD
p.s.
too lazy for grammar check
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
My time management suks!
Yesterday I had planned to run right after I got out of work. But a new game came out, so I was going to pick it up before going for my run.
I left work around 5:15. I got to the mall about 20 minutes later. I left the mall at 5:55 because the employee I'd pre-ordered my game from (Dead Island, btw) had gotten confused when she placed the order. I had put some money down for a new Gears Of War 3 XBox 360 that doesn't come out until September 20th, but Dead Island was going to be for my PS3. She's placed the order the 360 . . .
So it took another employee some time to work with the register so I could get my PS3 version of Dead Island.
When I got to my car I began heading over to the Toro Estates for my run. After my run I was supposed to pick up my godson from his pee-wee football practice, but I got a restaurant emergency call from my mom saying she needed napkins. I got to Smart and Final and was heading inside when she called again saying she needed 20 bunches of cilantro for salsa.
Smart and Final doesn't carry cilantro . . . and it was 6:20.
I picked up the napkins and dropped them off at the restaurant then headed over to Save Mart. I looked at the clock, 6:30 . . . I wasn't going to be able to make my run. I was just gonna make it to pick up my godson. He gets let out of practice at 7pm. I got the cilantro, dropped it off and drove to Toro Park where he has his practice. On my way there I got another restaurant emergency call from my mom. She needed shrimp. I wasn't going to be able to pick up the shrimp in time for when she needed it.
Oh well.
Just as I got to the park, my cousin called and she told me that the coaches had let the kids out early from practice and that my godson was scared that I'd forgotten him. I told her to let him know I was just outside the gates of park and walking to the practice field. He spotted me and showed me a huge grin.
We got in the car and we talked about practice and how the boys had made some game involving fruit, desserts and sodas. It's like the paper flower game we played as kids where chose a number or a color . . . but instead of what type of life you were gonna live, you got kicked in the nads.
I got to the the cousins house hugged the daughter and the cuz and let her know that I'd be able to pick him up the next day. I told her that I'd be running there, because she felt bad that I went outta my way to pick him up. I told her that I had planned to run, but a bunch of other things got in the way.
I don't foresee any other "emergencies", we should be well stocked. I am SO looking forward to tonights run. I've not been able to sleep well the last couple of nights. I've been eating horribly and I've gotta burn off these carbs my body has begun to take in again. I can't wait to get back to 4HB! Too many CARBS!!! ARGGGHHH!
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check!
I left work around 5:15. I got to the mall about 20 minutes later. I left the mall at 5:55 because the employee I'd pre-ordered my game from (Dead Island, btw) had gotten confused when she placed the order. I had put some money down for a new Gears Of War 3 XBox 360 that doesn't come out until September 20th, but Dead Island was going to be for my PS3. She's placed the order the 360 . . .
So it took another employee some time to work with the register so I could get my PS3 version of Dead Island.
When I got to my car I began heading over to the Toro Estates for my run. After my run I was supposed to pick up my godson from his pee-wee football practice, but I got a restaurant emergency call from my mom saying she needed napkins. I got to Smart and Final and was heading inside when she called again saying she needed 20 bunches of cilantro for salsa.
Smart and Final doesn't carry cilantro . . . and it was 6:20.
I picked up the napkins and dropped them off at the restaurant then headed over to Save Mart. I looked at the clock, 6:30 . . . I wasn't going to be able to make my run. I was just gonna make it to pick up my godson. He gets let out of practice at 7pm. I got the cilantro, dropped it off and drove to Toro Park where he has his practice. On my way there I got another restaurant emergency call from my mom. She needed shrimp. I wasn't going to be able to pick up the shrimp in time for when she needed it.
Oh well.
Just as I got to the park, my cousin called and she told me that the coaches had let the kids out early from practice and that my godson was scared that I'd forgotten him. I told her to let him know I was just outside the gates of park and walking to the practice field. He spotted me and showed me a huge grin.
We got in the car and we talked about practice and how the boys had made some game involving fruit, desserts and sodas. It's like the paper flower game we played as kids where chose a number or a color . . . but instead of what type of life you were gonna live, you got kicked in the nads.
I got to the the cousins house hugged the daughter and the cuz and let her know that I'd be able to pick him up the next day. I told her that I'd be running there, because she felt bad that I went outta my way to pick him up. I told her that I had planned to run, but a bunch of other things got in the way.
I don't foresee any other "emergencies", we should be well stocked. I am SO looking forward to tonights run. I've not been able to sleep well the last couple of nights. I've been eating horribly and I've gotta burn off these carbs my body has begun to take in again. I can't wait to get back to 4HB! Too many CARBS!!! ARGGGHHH!
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check!
Monday, September 05, 2011
Yes, I do sometimes listen to Glenn Beck.
So this morning, I was driving in to work and listening to Glenn Beck. He wasn't on today though and he had a substitute.
According to the guy, the reason he works Labor Day is because it's his mini-protest to Labor Day. He started talking about the history of it and said it's actually a holiday for socialism and unions.
Then he started in on illegal imigration.
Now I'm not really political or anything, but I think I finally have a solid opinion on the illegal imigration debate. He sort of backed up the idea when he started talking about how Labor Day is a bunch of hooey. I won't get into it too much, but when if you think about his protest to socialism and unions, I think you'll understand.
Here's my stand on illegal imigration, though. Being a man of science and still having faith in God, I understand the idea of evolution. The whole Darwinian concept. You know, survival of the fittest? There are millions of Americans all over the US who are looking for work. A lot of them are real honest hard working people.
But I live in Salinas and of Mexican decent. I'm gonna tell you the truth as I see it.
FOB's (Fresh Over the Border or Fresh Off the Boat), whether legal or illegal, are the hardest working SOB's you'll EVER meet. The bust tremendous ass to get the better things for their families and provide for their futures. They have come to work and they spend money in OUR country. Yes, they may send some to whatever homeland they come from but the majority of it is spent HERE.
Many have forged documents to allow them to work in the states. Many are paying into taxes because it's getting pulled out of their paychecks. Many cannot file taxes because of forged documents so our government is free to keep those excess taxes.
I know I'm missing some more, but those are the main points. But here is the problem I see. It's the majority of first generation offspring. I'm including those children who were brought over when they were young enough to become Americanized.
The problem of illegal immigration is not the FOB's. It's their children. We see our parents busting their ass in labor oriented jobs. We tell ourselves there is no way in hell we're are going to break our backs like our parents. So that leaves a couple of choices.
Choice one, which took me a while to realize, is busting your ass in school. Learn to use the system to educate yourself and become a productive, respected taxpaying member of society. Like many of the first generation, I was floating around unsure of what my life was going to be like career-wise. I puttered around, working menial jobs. Don't get me wrong, it was a respectable JOB. But I wasn't furthering myself whatsoever. I finally got my shit together and earned my AAS, which allowed me to promote in the company I still work for.
Choice two, which is where I really see the problem: Learn to use the system so you get paid to do SHIT!
I have many family members and associates (cannot call them friends and can't distance myself from family, unfortunately) who have taken this route. The women get preggers and stay single which allows them to draw benefits from the state. If the baby-daddy is working, they get that money as well and pay for their cell phone which is glued to their head while they are smoking the government sponsored 2 packs a day and maybe even drinking the government sponsored beer. Oh! And then when the 1st or the 15th comes around, they have their government sponsored girls-night-out!
The guys work the system another way: They'll work some type of labor job and get "hurt". Their back is then shot for the rest of their lives. Or so it seems because they never go back to work but they still continue to draw disability benefits which keeps them healthy enough to walk around and pick up the monster cooler full of Bud Light and carne asada with one arm while the other has the charcoal briquets.
Fortunately, at least from my experience, there are more of the first generation who have made the first choice. They have made their parents proud. One example is a friend who I am very proud to have in my life. He and his family came to the states illegally when he was about 7 years old. He struggled in school all the way to high school. He busted his ass and eventually graduated with the top of his class with AP courses under his belt.
He worked the system to get a higher education. He went to the local community college and aced his courses and earned his associates degree. He then applied for citizenship. While waiting for the whole process of citizenship, he applied and got accepted into UC Berkeley. He graduated with his Bachelors degree and shortly after became a citizen of the United States of America.
Why can't we all be like him. I wish I had the dedication he has. I've worked hard, but I discovered it relatively late in my career. Why couldn't my eyes have been opened earlier in life. I don't know.
Illegal immigration. Hmm. If more illegals are like my friend, let them come. We need those kind of people in our country. They are here to make our society BETTER. They don't want to drag it down. They too live in neighborhoods and they want it to thrive. They make friends with neighbors and look out for one another.
Let them come, the bad seeds will sort themselves out.
Our country first allowed immigrants no questions asked. Then things changed in the late 1800's. . . I'm not too sure. But there were restrictions imposed and people had to change their given name to something more pronounceable to the a American tongue. But many people thrived at the opportunity for a future.
Instead of bitching about the immigrants, maybe those that are bitching should bust their ass and take back those jobs the immigrants are accused of taking. Work harder, do it better!
But nobody will.
At least where I live in the Salad Bowl of the world, there are immigrants working the fields and from what I've seen it's mostly of the Mexican and South American variety of immigrants. Philipino no longer work the fields much. They've been given the opportunity to better themselves and I see a LOT of them working in the medical field. I think down south near the Bakersfield area, you do have them working the orchards and vines.
I'm pretty sure there are some white people still out there working the fields, orchards and vines. But I can bet you they won't be young. They'll be of the old-school who believed any job to have is a good job. Back when I lived on the east side of Salinas, a lot of our neighbors were white. Most of them used to work the fields when they were younger. But they made sure their children worked hard and did well in school so that they wouldn't have to do what they did and break their backs.
Sound familiar.
I know this is long-winded and tl;dr, but I felt I had to get this off my chest. I know I don't have any readers but I always hope someone will accidentally find this blog and be bored enough to read it.
If you happen to be one of them, post a comment. Agree, disagree . . . it's an opinion and right now the law is the law. Illegal immigrants are illegal. I'm going to write the governor and express my opinion on this. America can't have it both ways. Complain about the workforce that is doing the job nobody else wants to do.
I know that sounds like a cop-out, but let me ask this:
Given the choice between the unemployment line or working the fields, how many of your friends would choose working the fields?
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check
According to the guy, the reason he works Labor Day is because it's his mini-protest to Labor Day. He started talking about the history of it and said it's actually a holiday for socialism and unions.
Then he started in on illegal imigration.
Now I'm not really political or anything, but I think I finally have a solid opinion on the illegal imigration debate. He sort of backed up the idea when he started talking about how Labor Day is a bunch of hooey. I won't get into it too much, but when if you think about his protest to socialism and unions, I think you'll understand.
Here's my stand on illegal imigration, though. Being a man of science and still having faith in God, I understand the idea of evolution. The whole Darwinian concept. You know, survival of the fittest? There are millions of Americans all over the US who are looking for work. A lot of them are real honest hard working people.
But I live in Salinas and of Mexican decent. I'm gonna tell you the truth as I see it.
FOB's (Fresh Over the Border or Fresh Off the Boat), whether legal or illegal, are the hardest working SOB's you'll EVER meet. The bust tremendous ass to get the better things for their families and provide for their futures. They have come to work and they spend money in OUR country. Yes, they may send some to whatever homeland they come from but the majority of it is spent HERE.
Many have forged documents to allow them to work in the states. Many are paying into taxes because it's getting pulled out of their paychecks. Many cannot file taxes because of forged documents so our government is free to keep those excess taxes.
I know I'm missing some more, but those are the main points. But here is the problem I see. It's the majority of first generation offspring. I'm including those children who were brought over when they were young enough to become Americanized.
The problem of illegal immigration is not the FOB's. It's their children. We see our parents busting their ass in labor oriented jobs. We tell ourselves there is no way in hell we're are going to break our backs like our parents. So that leaves a couple of choices.
Choice one, which took me a while to realize, is busting your ass in school. Learn to use the system to educate yourself and become a productive, respected taxpaying member of society. Like many of the first generation, I was floating around unsure of what my life was going to be like career-wise. I puttered around, working menial jobs. Don't get me wrong, it was a respectable JOB. But I wasn't furthering myself whatsoever. I finally got my shit together and earned my AAS, which allowed me to promote in the company I still work for.
Choice two, which is where I really see the problem: Learn to use the system so you get paid to do SHIT!
I have many family members and associates (cannot call them friends and can't distance myself from family, unfortunately) who have taken this route. The women get preggers and stay single which allows them to draw benefits from the state. If the baby-daddy is working, they get that money as well and pay for their cell phone which is glued to their head while they are smoking the government sponsored 2 packs a day and maybe even drinking the government sponsored beer. Oh! And then when the 1st or the 15th comes around, they have their government sponsored girls-night-out!
The guys work the system another way: They'll work some type of labor job and get "hurt". Their back is then shot for the rest of their lives. Or so it seems because they never go back to work but they still continue to draw disability benefits which keeps them healthy enough to walk around and pick up the monster cooler full of Bud Light and carne asada with one arm while the other has the charcoal briquets.
Fortunately, at least from my experience, there are more of the first generation who have made the first choice. They have made their parents proud. One example is a friend who I am very proud to have in my life. He and his family came to the states illegally when he was about 7 years old. He struggled in school all the way to high school. He busted his ass and eventually graduated with the top of his class with AP courses under his belt.
He worked the system to get a higher education. He went to the local community college and aced his courses and earned his associates degree. He then applied for citizenship. While waiting for the whole process of citizenship, he applied and got accepted into UC Berkeley. He graduated with his Bachelors degree and shortly after became a citizen of the United States of America.
Why can't we all be like him. I wish I had the dedication he has. I've worked hard, but I discovered it relatively late in my career. Why couldn't my eyes have been opened earlier in life. I don't know.
Illegal immigration. Hmm. If more illegals are like my friend, let them come. We need those kind of people in our country. They are here to make our society BETTER. They don't want to drag it down. They too live in neighborhoods and they want it to thrive. They make friends with neighbors and look out for one another.
Let them come, the bad seeds will sort themselves out.
Our country first allowed immigrants no questions asked. Then things changed in the late 1800's. . . I'm not too sure. But there were restrictions imposed and people had to change their given name to something more pronounceable to the a American tongue. But many people thrived at the opportunity for a future.
Instead of bitching about the immigrants, maybe those that are bitching should bust their ass and take back those jobs the immigrants are accused of taking. Work harder, do it better!
But nobody will.
At least where I live in the Salad Bowl of the world, there are immigrants working the fields and from what I've seen it's mostly of the Mexican and South American variety of immigrants. Philipino no longer work the fields much. They've been given the opportunity to better themselves and I see a LOT of them working in the medical field. I think down south near the Bakersfield area, you do have them working the orchards and vines.
I'm pretty sure there are some white people still out there working the fields, orchards and vines. But I can bet you they won't be young. They'll be of the old-school who believed any job to have is a good job. Back when I lived on the east side of Salinas, a lot of our neighbors were white. Most of them used to work the fields when they were younger. But they made sure their children worked hard and did well in school so that they wouldn't have to do what they did and break their backs.
Sound familiar.
I know this is long-winded and tl;dr, but I felt I had to get this off my chest. I know I don't have any readers but I always hope someone will accidentally find this blog and be bored enough to read it.
If you happen to be one of them, post a comment. Agree, disagree . . . it's an opinion and right now the law is the law. Illegal immigrants are illegal. I'm going to write the governor and express my opinion on this. America can't have it both ways. Complain about the workforce that is doing the job nobody else wants to do.
I know that sounds like a cop-out, but let me ask this:
Given the choice between the unemployment line or working the fields, how many of your friends would choose working the fields?
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check
Friday, September 02, 2011
I'm not really competitive! I swear!
Yesterday afternoon, during lunch, I had a ton of coffee. I was
wired throughout the rest of the day. I needed to burn off the buzz so I
went for a run.
My aspiring firefighter cousin has been needing to get back in shape for a while now and had asked if he could join me. I don't like running with him because he likes being the "coach" and annoys the crap outta me when he tries to push me to keep going if/when I stop for a breather. He's always been the meat-head, you know? Even though he's hellishly sharp! You don't pass the California Firefighter exams by being fit but dumb as a rock. He busted his ass for that accomplishment and he may be working with North County Fire soon as a volunteer.
Anyway . . . back to what happened yesterday:
Yesterday was the first time EVER that he could not keep up. He's always been able to push passed pain and exhaustion. He started out good, then fell behind. He'd catch up when I'd stop for a minute. He likes working out with others. He needs the motivation he gets from other like minded meat-heads. You know the type, the guy that is spotting you calling you a pussy because you can't get that last rep up.
Since he likes to get "motivated" by someone pushing him I told him, "I don't need to say anything. Just that THIS fat boy is in FRONT of you".
I KNOW that caught in his craw! I've never been able to keep the kind of pace he has for himself. I want to call myself a runner, but I'm not there yet. I recently found out I have some weird deformed kind of competitive nature about myself. I want to make sure he never catches up. But in my mind, I'm not competing against him.
I'm competing against my self.
GD
p.s.
to lazy to ckeck garmmar
My aspiring firefighter cousin has been needing to get back in shape for a while now and had asked if he could join me. I don't like running with him because he likes being the "coach" and annoys the crap outta me when he tries to push me to keep going if/when I stop for a breather. He's always been the meat-head, you know? Even though he's hellishly sharp! You don't pass the California Firefighter exams by being fit but dumb as a rock. He busted his ass for that accomplishment and he may be working with North County Fire soon as a volunteer.
Anyway . . . back to what happened yesterday:
Yesterday was the first time EVER that he could not keep up. He's always been able to push passed pain and exhaustion. He started out good, then fell behind. He'd catch up when I'd stop for a minute. He likes working out with others. He needs the motivation he gets from other like minded meat-heads. You know the type, the guy that is spotting you calling you a pussy because you can't get that last rep up.
Since he likes to get "motivated" by someone pushing him I told him, "I don't need to say anything. Just that THIS fat boy is in FRONT of you".
I KNOW that caught in his craw! I've never been able to keep the kind of pace he has for himself. I want to call myself a runner, but I'm not there yet. I recently found out I have some weird deformed kind of competitive nature about myself. I want to make sure he never catches up. But in my mind, I'm not competing against him.
I'm competing against my self.
GD
p.s.
to lazy to ckeck garmmar
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
8/29/2011 Run
I felt pretty good on this run. It was shorter (about 2.8 miles) run, but I did it in 24 minutes. I don't know what it was but maybe it was the donuts . . .
Let me explain:
I usually bring donuts to work on Fridays. Well, my bosses and I had a seminar at the corporate office last week on Thursday and Friday, so no donuts. I heard some whining from my employees so I promised I'd bring donuts Monday . . . so I brought donuts Monday.
And that was breakfast. I didn't bring any food with me because I forgot to get it ready the day before and I ate real bad yesterday. I had the donut with my coffee for breakfast and then I had a carne asada burrito for lunch along with a Sangria. Yeah. Bad.
But if you recall, I did say "donuts".
Later in the day the donuts began whispering my name . . . which turned to calling my name . . . which turned into an all out crescendo of screaming donuts! So I made another cup of coffee and had another donuts. Mmmmm. That was very tasty!
So of course I had to go for a run. At least a 2 miler. I had enough energy that I pretty much ran 4/1's all the way through. I wished that I'd pushed for a 4 miler. Damn.
Maybe tonight . . .
GD
p.s.
didn't check. too lazy
Let me explain:
I usually bring donuts to work on Fridays. Well, my bosses and I had a seminar at the corporate office last week on Thursday and Friday, so no donuts. I heard some whining from my employees so I promised I'd bring donuts Monday . . . so I brought donuts Monday.
And that was breakfast. I didn't bring any food with me because I forgot to get it ready the day before and I ate real bad yesterday. I had the donut with my coffee for breakfast and then I had a carne asada burrito for lunch along with a Sangria. Yeah. Bad.
But if you recall, I did say "donuts".
Later in the day the donuts began whispering my name . . . which turned to calling my name . . . which turned into an all out crescendo of screaming donuts! So I made another cup of coffee and had another donuts. Mmmmm. That was very tasty!
So of course I had to go for a run. At least a 2 miler. I had enough energy that I pretty much ran 4/1's all the way through. I wished that I'd pushed for a 4 miler. Damn.
Maybe tonight . . .
GD
p.s.
didn't check. too lazy
Monday, August 29, 2011
This weekends "long run" . . .
Not too happy a camper today . . .
I had intended to go for an 8 mile run yesterday at Toro Estates. The plan was to get up early as usual and do a double out-n-back of my usual run to make a total of over 8 miles.
Didn't happen.
Saturday night I'd been helping at my moms restaurant until about 7 then I hung out with a couple of friends and had some beers. I left fairly early because my godson had a football game in the afternoon and I wanted to get my long run in before his game. I got home but I couldn't sleep.
I grabbed an Arrogant Bastard Oaked from the fridge went to bed and opened my book. Opening the book was a bad idea. I was near the end of it and it got intense! I ended up crashing about 2 in the morning.
I swear I tried getting up at 6:45, but only one eye would open. I closed it for a second and it was almost 10! I got up, threw on my shorts, shirt and Bikilas and jumped in my car. By the time I got to the trailhead, it was 10:15. I ran ALL the way to the bridge to make it a 4 miler round-trip.
I got back to the car by 11 and went home to shower. I was at his game by 12:15. Unfortunately, he didn't start until after 1pm.
Oh well.
He had fun playing the 5th quarter . . . the boy has no coordination and he's afraid of hitting other players. All that damn XBox playing! I guess I'll have to get him to some other practice aside from what the coaches are doing.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check grammar
p.p.s
the previous post was done with an iPhone . . . not bad, huh?
I had intended to go for an 8 mile run yesterday at Toro Estates. The plan was to get up early as usual and do a double out-n-back of my usual run to make a total of over 8 miles.
Didn't happen.
Saturday night I'd been helping at my moms restaurant until about 7 then I hung out with a couple of friends and had some beers. I left fairly early because my godson had a football game in the afternoon and I wanted to get my long run in before his game. I got home but I couldn't sleep.
I grabbed an Arrogant Bastard Oaked from the fridge went to bed and opened my book. Opening the book was a bad idea. I was near the end of it and it got intense! I ended up crashing about 2 in the morning.
I swear I tried getting up at 6:45, but only one eye would open. I closed it for a second and it was almost 10! I got up, threw on my shorts, shirt and Bikilas and jumped in my car. By the time I got to the trailhead, it was 10:15. I ran ALL the way to the bridge to make it a 4 miler round-trip.
I got back to the car by 11 and went home to shower. I was at his game by 12:15. Unfortunately, he didn't start until after 1pm.
Oh well.
He had fun playing the 5th quarter . . . the boy has no coordination and he's afraid of hitting other players. All that damn XBox playing! I guess I'll have to get him to some other practice aside from what the coaches are doing.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check grammar
p.p.s
the previous post was done with an iPhone . . . not bad, huh?
Friday, August 26, 2011
8 miles: 2 days!
These last couple of days have been running days for me. My cousin, I believe, has pretty much quit running. It's like pulling teeth with her. But I understand her dilemma. She's a single mother dealing with two kids who both have extra-curricular activites. My godson is in pee-wee football and "the daughter" is a very social and active cheerleader. So my cousin is the shuttle bus driver who deals with that and busts her ass in a full time job.
So I understand her lack of enthusiasm with running. I still love her though and I'll help her out as much as I can.
So back to my last two runs:
Wednesday I had already decided to run at least two miles. When I got to the parking lot about a mile and a half in, I said screw it, might as well go all the way to the bridge to make it a total 4 miles. I bogged down on the way back. I fought to finish the run.
Yesterday was a wbole different experience. I had a seminar where we pretty much had only continental breakfast type food. So I NEEDED to go for a run.
So off I went . . . off for another 4 miles. I wanted to push for 4. And it was an excellent 4 miles! I felt good enough after and there was no real foot pain after. Looking forward to Sunday Long run.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check
So I understand her lack of enthusiasm with running. I still love her though and I'll help her out as much as I can.
So back to my last two runs:
Wednesday I had already decided to run at least two miles. When I got to the parking lot about a mile and a half in, I said screw it, might as well go all the way to the bridge to make it a total 4 miles. I bogged down on the way back. I fought to finish the run.
Yesterday was a wbole different experience. I had a seminar where we pretty much had only continental breakfast type food. So I NEEDED to go for a run.
So off I went . . . off for another 4 miles. I wanted to push for 4. And it was an excellent 4 miles! I felt good enough after and there was no real foot pain after. Looking forward to Sunday Long run.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
A quick update . . .
I went for a run this last Sunday on my "usual" home route. I got up early and was out the door by 7am. I was able to run 4 miles non-stop then I figure since I wasn't training for anything yet, I'd run the rest of it by doing 1/1's. Running that way actually cut my time by a few minutes!
I ran about 7.5 miles in a tad less than 90 minutes. That was better than before and I wasn't as beat up as usual. I was going to run Monday, but things came up and had decided to postpone it for Tuesday. That ended up not working either but I did go for a brisk 30 minute hike in the Toro Park hills with my cousin and my "daughter" (actually her daughter but I take her in when her mom heads to Yuma for a few months).
I have in mind to go for at least a 2 mile run tonight after work. But hopefully I'm up for a 4 mile run. I'm feeling good right now so I see no problems with that.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check
I ran about 7.5 miles in a tad less than 90 minutes. That was better than before and I wasn't as beat up as usual. I was going to run Monday, but things came up and had decided to postpone it for Tuesday. That ended up not working either but I did go for a brisk 30 minute hike in the Toro Park hills with my cousin and my "daughter" (actually her daughter but I take her in when her mom heads to Yuma for a few months).
I have in mind to go for at least a 2 mile run tonight after work. But hopefully I'm up for a 4 mile run. I'm feeling good right now so I see no problems with that.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Aaaand . . . I'm back.
I'm back from my mini-hiatus. I really took it easy this last week or so. I maybe got a run or two in for about five miles. I also fell off the wagon 4HB-wise. I wasn't pigging out or anything, but I wasn't eating dinner like I was supposed to. But I guess after a couple of months of being fairly strict, I needed a bit of a break from the 4HB.
I had started last week ok, but by Friday even the 4HB breakfast was out the window. I had an apple fritter for breakfast along with my coffee. It. Was. Awesome.
But no more. I'm back on the wagon. And not because I gained any weight. I didn't. I stayed where I was surprisingly. I just needed to get back on because, my god . . . I felt HORRIBLE. I can't imagine feeling like that all the time again. No energy, somewhat lethargic . . . I guess that's why I didn't run this last week. Blagh.
So I started again on Monday. That may explain the crap four miles I ran yesterday evening. I was still on the crap-food hangover. I did ok the first couple of miles. But on that second mile I knew I was going to have a problem going back.
By the way, that's why I don't run ovals. If I'd been running at the track, I'd've just up and quit my run by my second mile and headed home. Out-and-backs, you can't do that. Once you're OUT, you gotta go BACK!
Anyway, back to the crap Tuesday run. I was doing good for two miles. Before even getting to the turn-around I knew I was gonna struggle to get back. I began the run doing 2/1's (2 minute run, 1 minute walk). After the first mile I switched it to 3/1's I was comfortable. I'm not sure if I'd had kept it to 2/1's would've helped, but I was struggling to get the last bit of the second mile. At the turnaround, I switched back to 2/1's and had to psyche myself out to finish it strong.
One thing I noticed during the run was that my form was off. I noticed my foot would slide forward a bit at each step. Can anyone tell me what that indicates? That's right. Over striding. I was wearing my Bikilas and it wasn't until I got tired that I noticed my foot was sliding forward. I had to focus on placing my foot down. I had to shorten my stride more. I think I have to break out the metronome again and see if my pacing is off.
I have another run tonight with the cuz. Same place, different distance. We go for 15 minutes out and then back. We get close to the three mile mark. Maybe tonight we will. She's getting better.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check.
p.p.s.
run :)
I had started last week ok, but by Friday even the 4HB breakfast was out the window. I had an apple fritter for breakfast along with my coffee. It. Was. Awesome.
But no more. I'm back on the wagon. And not because I gained any weight. I didn't. I stayed where I was surprisingly. I just needed to get back on because, my god . . . I felt HORRIBLE. I can't imagine feeling like that all the time again. No energy, somewhat lethargic . . . I guess that's why I didn't run this last week. Blagh.
So I started again on Monday. That may explain the crap four miles I ran yesterday evening. I was still on the crap-food hangover. I did ok the first couple of miles. But on that second mile I knew I was going to have a problem going back.
By the way, that's why I don't run ovals. If I'd been running at the track, I'd've just up and quit my run by my second mile and headed home. Out-and-backs, you can't do that. Once you're OUT, you gotta go BACK!
Anyway, back to the crap Tuesday run. I was doing good for two miles. Before even getting to the turn-around I knew I was gonna struggle to get back. I began the run doing 2/1's (2 minute run, 1 minute walk). After the first mile I switched it to 3/1's I was comfortable. I'm not sure if I'd had kept it to 2/1's would've helped, but I was struggling to get the last bit of the second mile. At the turnaround, I switched back to 2/1's and had to psyche myself out to finish it strong.
One thing I noticed during the run was that my form was off. I noticed my foot would slide forward a bit at each step. Can anyone tell me what that indicates? That's right. Over striding. I was wearing my Bikilas and it wasn't until I got tired that I noticed my foot was sliding forward. I had to focus on placing my foot down. I had to shorten my stride more. I think I have to break out the metronome again and see if my pacing is off.
I have another run tonight with the cuz. Same place, different distance. We go for 15 minutes out and then back. We get close to the three mile mark. Maybe tonight we will. She's getting better.
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check.
p.p.s.
run :)
Monday, August 08, 2011
My SVMH Experience :)
I definitely enjoyed this run WAY more than last year!
Here I am, a couple of days later after the Salinas Valley Half Marathon and I'm doing fine. Last year at this time I was still hobbling around! My shins were excruciatingly painful and my muscles were all knotted up. Today, I'm a bit worse for wear but it's just soreness. I'm going for a 3 mile run tonight and I'm looking forward to it. I'm hoping that the muscle will loosen a bit and the soreness lessens a bit.
People at work have been asking me doubtfully if I ran the SVMH because I'm walking around normally!
Here's what I've figured out though: Distance is a non-issue. What kills you is time. I need to do one of three things for next year. Either get faster, increase my stamina or both. A lot of the people I saw finish at about my time (3 hours on the money by the way) looked ok, but weren't as energetic as other runners who completed the run in less than 2:30.
When I started the run, I felt great. I woke up around 4:45am. I had already prepped my breakfast the night before. Breakfast was what I normally eat almost everyday: 2 eggs, cup of lentils, 100 grams of spinach, 2 fish oil capsules and 2 Cinsulin capsules (10:1 cinnamon extract). 1 cup of crappy double strength horrible instant (blagh!) coffee and about 24 ounces of water . . . to help with the flushing out ;) . I jumped in the shower and then got my gear ready to head out the door.
I walked out the door at about 5:45 am. Steve was waiting outside and he followed me to Soledad High School where we were to park to get shuttled by the buses to the Soledad Mission where the start line was. Ernesto and Charity arrived a couple of minutes after we did and parked next to us. We jumped on a bus and arrived at the mission at about 6:45 am. We waited about an hour. We chatted a bit found some friends and acquaintances, wished each other luck and then we were called to the start line.
Steve stayed near the front of the pack because he was expecting his time to be under 2 hours (he's a stick). Charity was expecting her time to be around the 2:20 mark, so she went into that group. I wanted to join her but I knew my weaknesses so I stayed near the back with Ernesto. Ernesto has been having issues with his back relating to a car accident where he was rear-ended. I had planned to stick with him for the first mile to warm-up, but he suggested that I just go my own pace. After the last time I didn't listen to him, I listened to him this time. Below is a link to the SVHM route:
Salinas Valley Half Marathon Route
I always have to struggle through the first mile or so before something happens and I get comfortable with the run. Then I just cruise. This time was no different. After the second turn onto Foothill I really began cruising. I'd hit my stride and was very comfortable. I was wearing my Bikila LS's and I'd get the odd look here and there. I was doing great until mile six when we hit the Big Hill. I really shortened my stride for that one and was able to take on the biggie for the whole thing. I stopped somewhere around mile 7 and walked a few minutes. I was beginning to feel the blah's. I'd been taking in only water from the aid stations but at mile 7 I needed a boot and grabbed a Gatorade along with the water. That definitely helped!
I hadn't taken anything with me other than my running gear. My gear usually consists of shirt, shorts shoes, watch and sometimes the iPhone when I use the iMapMyRun app. I decided I wanted to run this race and enjoy it. So I left my watch and iPhone in my sweatbag to be shipped off to finish to wait for me. But curiosity got the better of me and I ended up asking one of the volunteers what time he had. According to his watch, I was 5 minutes under my usual time for the 8th mile (usually 1:38). And that is usually in town on relatively flat sidewalk!
I was tired and I had to focus on keeping my running form. I got a bit of a boost because of the good news from the volunteer and I was able to push through the exhaustion til mile 9, but my feet were just about done. I paraphrase the saying: My will is good but the foot is weak. And boy was it ever!
I was tired but my legs were good, nothing hurt. But my feet could no longer support my body when running. I mean they weren't gonna break or anything but my feet were no longer elastic . . . if that makes any sense. I guess you'd have to have been running the barefoot form to really get the gist of it. Turn my feet over and call them DONE!
I walked most of the last 4 miles from then on. There went my goal of 2:30. I was disappointed at first, but then told myself "fuckit"! I just continued on and chatted up other runners and helped push them forward and gave them positive vibes. I'd find the juice to run a few yards and walk some more. I cycled that way til I got to the last stretch of race.
At the last half mile, I psyched myself up and began trotting to the finish. I found my reserves and really pushed it at the last turn to the finish line and ran it in. So at least the photo at the finish line will look good.
So . . . what did I learn from this? I'm still developing my foot strength. I've gotta run faster longer. Or at least longer to finish the race in about 2 hours. Because right now, my conditioning and mass aren't working well together. If I can improve my speed and stamina over the next year, I'd like to see a two hour half marathon. That means around a 9 minute mile. I'd be happy with a 2:30 half.
Steve and I are thinking about some 10k's over the next few months. There's one in Aromas next month on the 11th. I'll be signing up for that one.
I can't wait for next year!
GD
p.s.
almost too lazy, did a couple of corrections here and there. not perfect . . .
Here I am, a couple of days later after the Salinas Valley Half Marathon and I'm doing fine. Last year at this time I was still hobbling around! My shins were excruciatingly painful and my muscles were all knotted up. Today, I'm a bit worse for wear but it's just soreness. I'm going for a 3 mile run tonight and I'm looking forward to it. I'm hoping that the muscle will loosen a bit and the soreness lessens a bit.
People at work have been asking me doubtfully if I ran the SVMH because I'm walking around normally!
Here's what I've figured out though: Distance is a non-issue. What kills you is time. I need to do one of three things for next year. Either get faster, increase my stamina or both. A lot of the people I saw finish at about my time (3 hours on the money by the way) looked ok, but weren't as energetic as other runners who completed the run in less than 2:30.
When I started the run, I felt great. I woke up around 4:45am. I had already prepped my breakfast the night before. Breakfast was what I normally eat almost everyday: 2 eggs, cup of lentils, 100 grams of spinach, 2 fish oil capsules and 2 Cinsulin capsules (10:1 cinnamon extract). 1 cup of crappy double strength horrible instant (blagh!) coffee and about 24 ounces of water . . . to help with the flushing out ;) . I jumped in the shower and then got my gear ready to head out the door.
I walked out the door at about 5:45 am. Steve was waiting outside and he followed me to Soledad High School where we were to park to get shuttled by the buses to the Soledad Mission where the start line was. Ernesto and Charity arrived a couple of minutes after we did and parked next to us. We jumped on a bus and arrived at the mission at about 6:45 am. We waited about an hour. We chatted a bit found some friends and acquaintances, wished each other luck and then we were called to the start line.
Steve stayed near the front of the pack because he was expecting his time to be under 2 hours (he's a stick). Charity was expecting her time to be around the 2:20 mark, so she went into that group. I wanted to join her but I knew my weaknesses so I stayed near the back with Ernesto. Ernesto has been having issues with his back relating to a car accident where he was rear-ended. I had planned to stick with him for the first mile to warm-up, but he suggested that I just go my own pace. After the last time I didn't listen to him, I listened to him this time. Below is a link to the SVHM route:
Salinas Valley Half Marathon Route
I always have to struggle through the first mile or so before something happens and I get comfortable with the run. Then I just cruise. This time was no different. After the second turn onto Foothill I really began cruising. I'd hit my stride and was very comfortable. I was wearing my Bikila LS's and I'd get the odd look here and there. I was doing great until mile six when we hit the Big Hill. I really shortened my stride for that one and was able to take on the biggie for the whole thing. I stopped somewhere around mile 7 and walked a few minutes. I was beginning to feel the blah's. I'd been taking in only water from the aid stations but at mile 7 I needed a boot and grabbed a Gatorade along with the water. That definitely helped!
I hadn't taken anything with me other than my running gear. My gear usually consists of shirt, shorts shoes, watch and sometimes the iPhone when I use the iMapMyRun app. I decided I wanted to run this race and enjoy it. So I left my watch and iPhone in my sweatbag to be shipped off to finish to wait for me. But curiosity got the better of me and I ended up asking one of the volunteers what time he had. According to his watch, I was 5 minutes under my usual time for the 8th mile (usually 1:38). And that is usually in town on relatively flat sidewalk!
I was tired and I had to focus on keeping my running form. I got a bit of a boost because of the good news from the volunteer and I was able to push through the exhaustion til mile 9, but my feet were just about done. I paraphrase the saying: My will is good but the foot is weak. And boy was it ever!
I was tired but my legs were good, nothing hurt. But my feet could no longer support my body when running. I mean they weren't gonna break or anything but my feet were no longer elastic . . . if that makes any sense. I guess you'd have to have been running the barefoot form to really get the gist of it. Turn my feet over and call them DONE!
I walked most of the last 4 miles from then on. There went my goal of 2:30. I was disappointed at first, but then told myself "fuckit"! I just continued on and chatted up other runners and helped push them forward and gave them positive vibes. I'd find the juice to run a few yards and walk some more. I cycled that way til I got to the last stretch of race.
At the last half mile, I psyched myself up and began trotting to the finish. I found my reserves and really pushed it at the last turn to the finish line and ran it in. So at least the photo at the finish line will look good.
So . . . what did I learn from this? I'm still developing my foot strength. I've gotta run faster longer. Or at least longer to finish the race in about 2 hours. Because right now, my conditioning and mass aren't working well together. If I can improve my speed and stamina over the next year, I'd like to see a two hour half marathon. That means around a 9 minute mile. I'd be happy with a 2:30 half.
Steve and I are thinking about some 10k's over the next few months. There's one in Aromas next month on the 11th. I'll be signing up for that one.
I can't wait for next year!
GD
p.s.
almost too lazy, did a couple of corrections here and there. not perfect . . .
Friday, August 05, 2011
Only a few more hours to go!
I'm getting excited!
This time last year I was kinda dreading the event. I knew I'd finish any way I could and I did . . . . in about three and a half hours. Ugh.
This year is different. I'm much more positive and I, barring any unforeseen events (see yesterdays blog), see myself finishing in about two and a half hours. I hope I can sleep tonight! Also, I still have a twinge in the foot which I suspect is still the plantar fasciits, but it's not too big a deal. It's further back near the heel from where it was before. It goes away after walking for a minute or so. I'm not too concerned about it.
I'm still debating the shoe and phone thing. Right now I'm about 90% sure I'll be going in the Bikila LS's as opposed to using the Merrells. As far as the phone, I keep flip-flopping. I want to take it to record the event, but I don't want to carry it. I wish there was a way to strap it to my arm where it wouldn't bother me. Or better yet, some type of inconspicuous iPhone sheath where I just reach back when I need it! I may just use some type of lanyard. I don't bounce too much so the phone won't bounce either. I'll figure something out.
I'll post as soon as I'm done with the run and also post up my results ASAP.
Whelp! Wish me luck, I can't wait for tomorrow!
p.s.
too lazy for grammar check
p.p.s.
though I'm not part of the collective, I like the idea and so I spread word: Run smiley :)
This time last year I was kinda dreading the event. I knew I'd finish any way I could and I did . . . . in about three and a half hours. Ugh.
This year is different. I'm much more positive and I, barring any unforeseen events (see yesterdays blog), see myself finishing in about two and a half hours. I hope I can sleep tonight! Also, I still have a twinge in the foot which I suspect is still the plantar fasciits, but it's not too big a deal. It's further back near the heel from where it was before. It goes away after walking for a minute or so. I'm not too concerned about it.
I'm still debating the shoe and phone thing. Right now I'm about 90% sure I'll be going in the Bikila LS's as opposed to using the Merrells. As far as the phone, I keep flip-flopping. I want to take it to record the event, but I don't want to carry it. I wish there was a way to strap it to my arm where it wouldn't bother me. Or better yet, some type of inconspicuous iPhone sheath where I just reach back when I need it! I may just use some type of lanyard. I don't bounce too much so the phone won't bounce either. I'll figure something out.
I'll post as soon as I'm done with the run and also post up my results ASAP.
Whelp! Wish me luck, I can't wait for tomorrow!
p.s.
too lazy for grammar check
p.p.s.
though I'm not part of the collective, I like the idea and so I spread word: Run smiley :)
Thursday, August 04, 2011
At least the day STARTED good . . .
I just received some bad news . . . apparently something lead to one of my cousins to try to end his existence in this mortal plain. He was found in time and is under observation in a hospital. He slit his wrists and throat.
I'm one of those that don't have much sympathy for people who commit or attempt to commit suicide. Don't get me wrong, I do love the guy but people who try to finish themselves off are a tad selfish! What they don't seem to understand is for the most part there are people who love them and will help them if help is asked for. From what I understand, he hasn't shown any suicidal tendencies before. Something happened that he had done once before and he got caught. I'm not sure what though. My mom was in tears and I couldn't quite understand what she was saying.
If other people knew . . . whatever they knew that what he was doing was wrong, why the fuck didn't they get him professional help?! He's still in high school, they'll forgive a lot if he wants and asks for the help. People always come up against dead-ends in their lives, but most of the time there is a way around them if you're willing to look for alternatives.
I don't get why he tried, all I know is that the whole family is now is in a shambles. Now it's my time to show my selfishness by making a decision:
Yesterday I had my One Mile Time Trial. The coach asked for "Maximum Effort". I was expecting to pull something like 9:30 or a bit over for the mile. I ended up running an 8:52 mile. I was so excited, I never thought I'd get that kind of number anymore!
Coach had a chart that showed what times you'd get in different distances that correlated to your mile time. It's not one-to-one, but takes into account an average performance of other runners with similar times. If I'm lucky and can keep with the average, I may be able to get under the 2:30 mark for the Half Marathon. In minimalist shoes no less!
So that's my decision . . . I'm still running my Half Marathon come Saturday.
The dumbass will live. He's going to get some major head-shrinkage done. And everyone's gonna be walking on eggshells around him for a while. In a year or two from now when he's mentally stable, I'm gonna beat the living shit outta him. But before I do, I'm gonna tell him why.
GD
I'm one of those that don't have much sympathy for people who commit or attempt to commit suicide. Don't get me wrong, I do love the guy but people who try to finish themselves off are a tad selfish! What they don't seem to understand is for the most part there are people who love them and will help them if help is asked for. From what I understand, he hasn't shown any suicidal tendencies before. Something happened that he had done once before and he got caught. I'm not sure what though. My mom was in tears and I couldn't quite understand what she was saying.
If other people knew . . . whatever they knew that what he was doing was wrong, why the fuck didn't they get him professional help?! He's still in high school, they'll forgive a lot if he wants and asks for the help. People always come up against dead-ends in their lives, but most of the time there is a way around them if you're willing to look for alternatives.
I don't get why he tried, all I know is that the whole family is now is in a shambles. Now it's my time to show my selfishness by making a decision:
Yesterday I had my One Mile Time Trial. The coach asked for "Maximum Effort". I was expecting to pull something like 9:30 or a bit over for the mile. I ended up running an 8:52 mile. I was so excited, I never thought I'd get that kind of number anymore!
Coach had a chart that showed what times you'd get in different distances that correlated to your mile time. It's not one-to-one, but takes into account an average performance of other runners with similar times. If I'm lucky and can keep with the average, I may be able to get under the 2:30 mark for the Half Marathon. In minimalist shoes no less!
So that's my decision . . . I'm still running my Half Marathon come Saturday.
The dumbass will live. He's going to get some major head-shrinkage done. And everyone's gonna be walking on eggshells around him for a while. In a year or two from now when he's mentally stable, I'm gonna beat the living shit outta him. But before I do, I'm gonna tell him why.
GD
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Fun run: 08/01/2011
So yesterday I ran with my cuz again. She's doing better. I have her doing 1/1's (1 minute run, 1 minute walk). Last week she was struggling with 1/2's. She was doing so well that she actually began sprinting the last bit back to the car which was about 100 yards!
Seeing that Sunday was my long run for the week, I probably should'a taken the day off and run today. But I was curious how I would feel after running a full 8 miles with the Bikilas. Well, the first 5 minutes were a bit uncomfortable. I was still suffering from soreness and I hurt. Not injury hurt, soreness hurt. Like an ache.
But after those initial 5 minutes, everything relaxed and I began enjoying the run! It was only a 30 minute run but I think it helped with the recovery aspect. I'm definitely feeling much better today. No tightness, just a bit of soreness. I'll probably go for another 30 minutes today at my own pace today.
Tomorrow the Y is going to have their last group training. As you may have guessed from my previous postings, I haven't really joined the group for about a month. Let alone the group training runs. I've been doing the long runs on my own. I think I will be going to that last one, though. It's a time trial. I curious to see what improvement I've undergone numbers wise.
I know that I will not be exhausted at the end like I was at the start of the program. I'm hoping to get at least in the 9's somewhere (preferably in the low 9's). I hope we get to get a warmup in there somewhere because I don't shine until I've got my heart primed!
The SVMH is only 4 days away . . . wow. I think I'm actually excited this year. Last year I clearly remember dreading the race. I was suffering shin splints and aches galore. This year it's only soreness. I think I'm gonna do real good this year. I'm gonna make sure I enjoy this run. Don't get me wrong! I still want to shoot for 2:30, but if I'm not feeling it . . . I'm gonna make sure I make the most of it and socialize with other runners. Maybe I'll even take a cooler with beer to the event parking lot. Have a beer before the start of the race! It's carbs! It's hydration! It's the perfect pre-run breakfast!!!
GD
p.s.
too lazy
Seeing that Sunday was my long run for the week, I probably should'a taken the day off and run today. But I was curious how I would feel after running a full 8 miles with the Bikilas. Well, the first 5 minutes were a bit uncomfortable. I was still suffering from soreness and I hurt. Not injury hurt, soreness hurt. Like an ache.
But after those initial 5 minutes, everything relaxed and I began enjoying the run! It was only a 30 minute run but I think it helped with the recovery aspect. I'm definitely feeling much better today. No tightness, just a bit of soreness. I'll probably go for another 30 minutes today at my own pace today.
Tomorrow the Y is going to have their last group training. As you may have guessed from my previous postings, I haven't really joined the group for about a month. Let alone the group training runs. I've been doing the long runs on my own. I think I will be going to that last one, though. It's a time trial. I curious to see what improvement I've undergone numbers wise.
I know that I will not be exhausted at the end like I was at the start of the program. I'm hoping to get at least in the 9's somewhere (preferably in the low 9's). I hope we get to get a warmup in there somewhere because I don't shine until I've got my heart primed!
The SVMH is only 4 days away . . . wow. I think I'm actually excited this year. Last year I clearly remember dreading the race. I was suffering shin splints and aches galore. This year it's only soreness. I think I'm gonna do real good this year. I'm gonna make sure I enjoy this run. Don't get me wrong! I still want to shoot for 2:30, but if I'm not feeling it . . . I'm gonna make sure I make the most of it and socialize with other runners. Maybe I'll even take a cooler with beer to the event parking lot. Have a beer before the start of the race! It's carbs! It's hydration! It's the perfect pre-run breakfast!!!
GD
p.s.
too lazy
Monday, August 01, 2011
Less than a week away . . .
If you click the title link, it'll take you to yesterdays run stats. I had to edit it because I received a call mid run and the GPS freaked out and stopped recording the distance.
I wasn't sure if I was going to go out in my Bikilas, but I did. I started the run a bit shakey. I've been having foot and ankle soreness for the last couple of days before. 3 miles into the run, it all went away and I was able to finally relax and really enjoy the run. I stopped several times, but that's fine. I'm still building up for longer non-stop distances. Once I got home I was definitely feeling tired. I grabbed a couple of Kirkland Chocolate milks from the fridge and went to my backyard for a dip.
"Do you have a pool?", you ask. No. I have a 55 gallon barrel.
I work for a lab that receives samples from all across the country. Several of those samples come with handy little ice packs that the shipper doesn't want returned. We have a massive freezer in which we keep said packs ready for any other items that need to keep cool while being shipped. Well, I grabbed about 30 of those ice packs and took them home and put them in my freezer. They just fit in between my chicken, spinach, veggies and ice cream (cheat day). Sunday morning, I threw on my running shorts, Bikilas, t-shirt and went to the back yard with ALL thirty ice packs and dumped them in the pre-filled barrel of water and took off for my run.
My dip was very uncomfortably cold . . . for 5 minutes. Then I really enjoyed it. Better than last week and I think it's really helped with my quicker next-day recovery.
I'm going to have a few more short runs this week just to "taper" before the biggie come Saturday. I feel real confident about it. The only thing I'm unsure of is what shoes to take that day. Right now I'm thinking it'll be the Merrells. They've only been a problem when I had the plantar fasciitis because it was stretching the foot and achilles more. But I used them last Sunday for my long run and the nagging bruise I complain about wasn't really felt. I'll still stick with the Bikilas for my shorter runs, and see how that goes.
I'm going to keep up with this running thing because I'm really enjoying the shit out of it now that I've gone "primitive" with the minimalist shoes. To quote John Pinnette, "It's been a sojourn. It's been a journey." But in this case it's about my running experience.
And to quote another group of people out in the interwebs that have gone even more primitive than I, Run Smiley!
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check and
run :)
I wasn't sure if I was going to go out in my Bikilas, but I did. I started the run a bit shakey. I've been having foot and ankle soreness for the last couple of days before. 3 miles into the run, it all went away and I was able to finally relax and really enjoy the run. I stopped several times, but that's fine. I'm still building up for longer non-stop distances. Once I got home I was definitely feeling tired. I grabbed a couple of Kirkland Chocolate milks from the fridge and went to my backyard for a dip.
"Do you have a pool?", you ask. No. I have a 55 gallon barrel.
I work for a lab that receives samples from all across the country. Several of those samples come with handy little ice packs that the shipper doesn't want returned. We have a massive freezer in which we keep said packs ready for any other items that need to keep cool while being shipped. Well, I grabbed about 30 of those ice packs and took them home and put them in my freezer. They just fit in between my chicken, spinach, veggies and ice cream (cheat day). Sunday morning, I threw on my running shorts, Bikilas, t-shirt and went to the back yard with ALL thirty ice packs and dumped them in the pre-filled barrel of water and took off for my run.
My dip was very uncomfortably cold . . . for 5 minutes. Then I really enjoyed it. Better than last week and I think it's really helped with my quicker next-day recovery.
I'm going to have a few more short runs this week just to "taper" before the biggie come Saturday. I feel real confident about it. The only thing I'm unsure of is what shoes to take that day. Right now I'm thinking it'll be the Merrells. They've only been a problem when I had the plantar fasciitis because it was stretching the foot and achilles more. But I used them last Sunday for my long run and the nagging bruise I complain about wasn't really felt. I'll still stick with the Bikilas for my shorter runs, and see how that goes.
I'm going to keep up with this running thing because I'm really enjoying the shit out of it now that I've gone "primitive" with the minimalist shoes. To quote John Pinnette, "It's been a sojourn. It's been a journey." But in this case it's about my running experience.
And to quote another group of people out in the interwebs that have gone even more primitive than I, Run Smiley!
GD
p.s.
too lazy to check and
run :)
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