I can see improvement in my chest and considered giving it another day off from running. However, I felt that just maybe I was ready now to get back on track with my routine.
It is a cooler day for running than what we have been experiencing over the last little while. The temperature has hung in the upper 30's and this meant I needed to add a layer of clothing for the run.
As I started, I could feel that my chest did indeed feel better. However, it still is not totally healed and therefore I needed to hold my left arm close to my body for support. This is an improvement over the "hand over the heart" pledge position that I have used the last week. I am hoping that tomorrow will be even better.
3.50 miles run today gives me a total of 29.3.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 38.4 miles.
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 19.2 miles.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Stopping my run early
Some days you run and everything just seems so nice and smooth. It feels like you could run forever and you are so thankful for that feeling. Then there are other days.
Today I intended to do 4 easy miles. This would get me closer to being on target for the month.
However, as soon as I started running, I could tell it was going to be a day when running was not going to be easy. Sometimes I will try "running through" times like this and it usually will happen. Today I decided to simply stop my run early and see what tomorrow brings.
1.48 miles today to bring the total to 25.8
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 32.8
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 16.4
Today I intended to do 4 easy miles. This would get me closer to being on target for the month.
However, as soon as I started running, I could tell it was going to be a day when running was not going to be easy. Sometimes I will try "running through" times like this and it usually will happen. Today I decided to simply stop my run early and see what tomorrow brings.
1.48 miles today to bring the total to 25.8
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 32.8
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 16.4
Friday, January 11, 2008
My Purple Heart
Now three days after I fell into the seat at the basketball game, the area on my chest by my heart has turned purple. It does not feel bad except when I touch it or go to run. This meant that I had to hold my hand over my heart again today as I ran.
The weather was beautiful when I ran in the early afternoon. I was able to enjoy running 6.52 miles.
I am hoping to get another good run in over the weekend
My miles for the year now totals 24.4 miles.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 30.1 miles.
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 15.5 miles.
The weather was beautiful when I ran in the early afternoon. I was able to enjoy running 6.52 miles.
I am hoping to get another good run in over the weekend
My miles for the year now totals 24.4 miles.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 30.1 miles.
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 15.5 miles.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Falling up the steps
I was at a college basketball game last night and was trying to climb the steps to get to the tunnel leading out by the concessions. In my desire to move quickly I lost my footing and pitched head first into the end seat of row number two. The couple sitting in the two end seats of row three were quite surprised to see this man crash right in front of them.
The end result was that the edge of the seat bruised my chest high up on the left side. My ego was also bruised but I won't discuss that.
As I ran this evening, I had to hold my hand on my chest much like you would do to pledge allegiance to the flag. Needless to say, I did not run very long. However, the 3.48 miles was more than enough to meet the requirement for the day.
My miles now total 17.8 miles.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 24.6.
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 12.3.
The end result was that the edge of the seat bruised my chest high up on the left side. My ego was also bruised but I won't discuss that.
As I ran this evening, I had to hold my hand on my chest much like you would do to pledge allegiance to the flag. Needless to say, I did not run very long. However, the 3.48 miles was more than enough to meet the requirement for the day.
My miles now total 17.8 miles.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 24.6.
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 12.3.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
When do you run during the day?
Yesterday was one of those days that I intended to get a good run in, but I had to deal with the resignation of my business partner. This meant a series of emails and phone calls that lasted far longer than what I would have liked, with the result being that I never did get my run for the day in. The good news is that I am still on track to have a good month of running so this is not a problem.
I enjoy running in the afternoon. It seems that my stomach is never quite as settled for running in the morning and when I smell gas fumes it makes for a queasy time. This has always been a problem when I go to run in races, most of which have early morning starts. It is not something that can't be done, just not something I enjoy doing.
Today I had to run in the morning or not run at all. This afternoon I am traveling to Tennessee and simply would not be able to get a run in. The weather this morning was wonderful for January in Virginia, with a temperature of 47 degrees and a lovely sun. I was able to enjoy 5 nice miles.
My total for the year is now 14.36 miles.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 21.9 miles.
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 11.0 miles.
Don't get too far behind the bunny you are chasing.
I enjoy running in the afternoon. It seems that my stomach is never quite as settled for running in the morning and when I smell gas fumes it makes for a queasy time. This has always been a problem when I go to run in races, most of which have early morning starts. It is not something that can't be done, just not something I enjoy doing.
Today I had to run in the morning or not run at all. This afternoon I am traveling to Tennessee and simply would not be able to get a run in. The weather this morning was wonderful for January in Virginia, with a temperature of 47 degrees and a lovely sun. I was able to enjoy 5 nice miles.
My total for the year is now 14.36 miles.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 21.9 miles.
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 11.0 miles.
Don't get too far behind the bunny you are chasing.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
First two runs of the new year
I have wanted to rest for a few days starting off the new year.
When I was shooting for my goal of 1,000 miles last year, I got behind the pace in the first part of the year and was playing "catch up" the rest of the year. With 3 months to go, I had only 600 miles run. Needless to say, I was putting in more miles than I was accustomed to during those final weeks. That is why I have wanted to take some time off to start this year.
At the same time, I don't want to fall behind early again this year to repeat the same cycle. Hopefully I am smarter this year and have a better plan going on.
Last year during January my miles run was only 51 when I needed to be at 85 for the month to be on track.
So here are my first two runs of the year:
January 4..................4.02 miles
January 5..................5.34 miles
My total for the year is now 9.36.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 13.7 miles
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 6.85 miles
Have you started? How are you doing?
When I was shooting for my goal of 1,000 miles last year, I got behind the pace in the first part of the year and was playing "catch up" the rest of the year. With 3 months to go, I had only 600 miles run. Needless to say, I was putting in more miles than I was accustomed to during those final weeks. That is why I have wanted to take some time off to start this year.
At the same time, I don't want to fall behind early again this year to repeat the same cycle. Hopefully I am smarter this year and have a better plan going on.
Last year during January my miles run was only 51 when I needed to be at 85 for the month to be on track.
So here are my first two runs of the year:
January 4..................4.02 miles
January 5..................5.34 miles
My total for the year is now 9.36.
The 1,000 mile pace bunny is at 13.7 miles
The 500 mile pace bunny is at 6.85 miles
Have you started? How are you doing?
Friday, January 4, 2008
A review of my running history
Before I start on this goal of 1,000 miles for this year, it is important to evaluate my running over the last few years.
I started running casually in 2003. At the time I lived along the course of a local Ten Mile race that was held annually. More or less on a whim, I decided I wanted to run in that race. I knew I needed to get in some miles so started on August 13th of that year by running 2 miles. About 6 weeks later I ran in the race and was able to finish, which was my simple goal. My total for miles run that year was 58.
I then put the running on hold and got on with life until the next spring when I decided I wanted to run that race again. This time I ran a few more miles of preparation and finished the race once again. For 2004 the mileage total was 86. Once again I put running aside during the cold winter months.
The year 2005 was a similar pattern but with more runs and more miles, 192 in total. I once again ran the Ten Miler race and realized my pattern for running was not really giving me the benefits of health that I wanted.
In the spring of 2006 I came across a runners website that allowed for interaction amongst other runners my age. Some of them had been running for years and I realized I could gain a lot of benefit by hanging around the various threads that were posted each day. For the first time, I also had accountability for my running because everyone would write each day to say how their run that day had gone. The result was that my mileage that year went up to 505 miles.
I also learned of other races around the country that different ones of my new running friends would enter. During the past year of 2007 I entered my first Half Marathon and also my first Marathon. These races became reasons to run each day as I prepared for them. I also set the goal to make this year the first year of running 1,000 miles. I MADE IT! On Christmas Day I ran 10 miles, finishing that run at the very same place as my first mile had been run back in 2003. I finished the year with 1002 miles.
All of this is important because it needs to be said that caution needs to be used in setting running goals. It has taken me several years to get to the stage of running this number of miles in a year. I did not start out the first year with 1,000 miles as my goal. Each person needs to evaluate their age, their physical condition, what their purpose is and THEN set a sensible goal that still provides a challenge to aim for. I am thankful that in these first few years of running, I have not suffered any serious injury. I attribute this to the fact I have increased my mileage slowly and I also have not tried to run too fast. Speed is not my goal, although I am concerned with how fast I run. I have attempted to listen to my body and take breaks when required.
It is the 4th day of the year and I have purposely not run yet. After my push at the end of the year to get my 1,000 miles, I sensed the need to take a short break. This has been accomplished and now I am ready to start. Are you?
To reach 1,000 miles for the year, I need to run an average of 2.74 miles a day. Even if you go at a pace of 15 minutes per mile, this means that only 45 minutes a day of running/walking will get you to the goal of 1,000 miles for the year. Physical fitness experts recommend that we get 1 hour of quality exercise each day for health. You can see that the goal here is right in line with a good exercise program.
I started running casually in 2003. At the time I lived along the course of a local Ten Mile race that was held annually. More or less on a whim, I decided I wanted to run in that race. I knew I needed to get in some miles so started on August 13th of that year by running 2 miles. About 6 weeks later I ran in the race and was able to finish, which was my simple goal. My total for miles run that year was 58.
I then put the running on hold and got on with life until the next spring when I decided I wanted to run that race again. This time I ran a few more miles of preparation and finished the race once again. For 2004 the mileage total was 86. Once again I put running aside during the cold winter months.
The year 2005 was a similar pattern but with more runs and more miles, 192 in total. I once again ran the Ten Miler race and realized my pattern for running was not really giving me the benefits of health that I wanted.
In the spring of 2006 I came across a runners website that allowed for interaction amongst other runners my age. Some of them had been running for years and I realized I could gain a lot of benefit by hanging around the various threads that were posted each day. For the first time, I also had accountability for my running because everyone would write each day to say how their run that day had gone. The result was that my mileage that year went up to 505 miles.
I also learned of other races around the country that different ones of my new running friends would enter. During the past year of 2007 I entered my first Half Marathon and also my first Marathon. These races became reasons to run each day as I prepared for them. I also set the goal to make this year the first year of running 1,000 miles. I MADE IT! On Christmas Day I ran 10 miles, finishing that run at the very same place as my first mile had been run back in 2003. I finished the year with 1002 miles.
All of this is important because it needs to be said that caution needs to be used in setting running goals. It has taken me several years to get to the stage of running this number of miles in a year. I did not start out the first year with 1,000 miles as my goal. Each person needs to evaluate their age, their physical condition, what their purpose is and THEN set a sensible goal that still provides a challenge to aim for. I am thankful that in these first few years of running, I have not suffered any serious injury. I attribute this to the fact I have increased my mileage slowly and I also have not tried to run too fast. Speed is not my goal, although I am concerned with how fast I run. I have attempted to listen to my body and take breaks when required.
It is the 4th day of the year and I have purposely not run yet. After my push at the end of the year to get my 1,000 miles, I sensed the need to take a short break. This has been accomplished and now I am ready to start. Are you?
To reach 1,000 miles for the year, I need to run an average of 2.74 miles a day. Even if you go at a pace of 15 minutes per mile, this means that only 45 minutes a day of running/walking will get you to the goal of 1,000 miles for the year. Physical fitness experts recommend that we get 1 hour of quality exercise each day for health. You can see that the goal here is right in line with a good exercise program.
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