Workout Report 5/15/12

Graduation, finally done...

I finally managed to go running again. I graduated from my MBA last week and so I have a little bit of time available.

I only went for a mile run with the wife and our youngest kid. It was fun, but really hard. Now I have some more time, I am looking forward to getting some more runs in and building up my fitness again.

Long time coming.....

Wow, it has been a long time since I have blogged or gone running. Now, I am not giving up, but you guessed it. I got back into lots of schoolwork and have been crazy busy again.

I am happy though, I got to go and play tennis today with some guys from work, it was fun. Not as much of a workout as just running but I enjoyed it. Only 8 weeks until I finish school, which I am looking forward to. The added bonus is that by that time, Marilyn should be recovered enough from have our newest baby that she can come running with me.

Oh well, have a good night.

Workout Report 2/18/12

Definitely mental....

I am really struggling to find a regular routine for running now that I am crazy busy with school. I still try and fit in a running time whenever I can. I think this was my first run in 9 days. I impressed myself that I still managed to run for 20 minutes before taking a walking break. After that 20 minutes I did a 5 minute walking break and then ran for another 7 minutes.

I am sure that I am physically capable of running for 20 minutes now. It is mostly a mental thing that stops me. I am not sure that it is me thinking that I am unable to run for that time, but the fact that I can get bored doing so. So I was trying to take in the environment in the hope that it would inspire me and keep my mind occupied. That seemed to work.

I am heading to sleep now, spk later.

Workout Location: Canal path near my home

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 9

What worked: Sunshine, determination

What could be improved: running more regularly

Workout Report 2/9/2012

Mental....

Today was a particularly hard workout for a number of reasons. Firstly, I have had an issue with pain in my right leg and what I believe to have been a trapped nerve. It was sending pain all down my leg and it felt as if I had fractured my right shin somehow (it hurt that much). Secondly, it was hot. I don't know if it is the hottest day of the year or not, but it is definitely the hottest weather I have run in since I started trying to get in shape again. Thirdly, I tried to run for as long as possible without taking a walking break.

How did I do? Well, I managed to run for 20 minutes straight. I am very proud of myself, prior to this, the longest I had run without a walking break was 8 minutes, so I am proud to have added on 12 minutes.

I am still trying to follow the couch to 5k podcast, but forgot my ipod at home, so I figured I would just do my own workout and I really enjoyed it.

Another thing I think I am going to do is skip ahead to week 6 in the podcast, since I can run 20 minutes without a run break, I think I am probably further ahead. The only worry I have is that I am going to injure myself or something like that (hypochondriac? Moi? How could you?)

Workout Location: Near where I work

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 7

What worked: PMA

What could be improved: Having somewhere to shower afterwards

Workout Report - 2/3/2012

Another break through....

I had a good workout tonight. I did two runs for 8 minutes each with a 5 min walking break in the middle. I really pushed it hard and I probably ran close to 1 and a half miles at a pretty good speed (for me).

I am hoping that for my next run I can continue the improvements. I am starting to enjoy running a little bit more right now. I don't think I am close to feeling the runners high right now, but I am still getting better.

Workout Location: Church Parking Lot and street

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 9

What worked: Having a good attitude

What could be improved: Running earlier in the day

Workout Report - 2/1/2012

Sunny days are here....

We have decided to institute a 20 min workout requirement everyday at work. I think that this is a great idea especially since my job involves sitting in front of a computer all day. Then i go home, hang out with the kids and once they go to bed sit in front of the computer for my schoolwork.

For my 20 minute workout today, I decided to go for my run. I work pretty close to Val Vista lakes and it is a nice area to run around.

I actually had a really big breakthrough today. During my first 5 minute run I had started pushing the pace. After a few minutes, it started to feel as if I had Mike Tyson in my chest. He was trying to escape and bite off Evander Holyfield's other ear. However, I pushed through the chest pain. I managed to get to my first walking break. I was exhausted, but it felt good. Then I had to do my next run. Surprisingly, my chest felt good and I didn't have that pain again.

However, I did get a sharp pain in my left foot arch.

Eventually, the sharp pain went away, but it didn't feel good.

Workout Location: Around Val Vista Lakes

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 8

What worked: Running during the day

What could be improved: Not forgetting my ipod

Workout Report - 1/28/2012

Still tired....

Running tonight felt like a little bit of a downer. I had some fun while doing it, but I still flt rained from the last workout I did. I was lethargic and just didn't have the energy to glide across the floor. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a plod tonight.

The good thing is that I have now finished week 4 of the couch to 5k podcast I have been following. Only 5 more weeks to go. Have a good night and a great weekend.

Workout Location: Church Parking Lot

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 8

What worked: Just getting my shoes on and heading out

What could be improved: Running earlier in the day

Workout Report - 1/26/2012

Pushing the pace....

I enjoyed my workout last night. I decided that I wanted to try and up my pace from all of the previous sessions and I did. Was it hard? You bet it was. I wasn't at the point where I was gasping for breath, but my heart was pounding a lot. In fact, I could have sworn that at one point it had ripped through my chest and slapped me on the head while questioning my parentage.

But, it all worked out well. I felt strong. I still had my niggling aches, but I am used to that now. In fact, I found out that my shins and ankles hurt less when I up the pace. I think I know why, when I was going for a faster cadence, I could feel myself almost gliding across the ground, not pounding it. It felt good.

Workout Location: Church Parking Lot

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 8

What worked: Running at a faster pace and a higher cadence

What could be improved: More regular stretching, my buttock was sore and has been for a few days

Workout Report - 1/24/2012

Skipping a week....

Today was my first run of the week. I didn't think I would have time to do it tonight, but the lovely wife shamed me into doing it I guess. She is right though, I need to find time to take care of my health.

As I went out fr my run, I was trying to find the correct podcast for this week. It should be week 3, but I couldn't find it. I decided to skip ahead and do week four instead. I am glad I did that. Bare with me, this is going to sound pathetic, but this weeks effort consisted of a 5 minute warm up walk, then 3 minutes of running, a 2.5 minute walk and 5 minutes of running with a rinse and repeat

When I started the workout, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it, but as I was running I didn't feel it was a problem. The issue I had was not of a cardio nature, but my left ankle and shin was/is sore. I know it's not shin splints and its only because I need to get used to running more.

I did however, know that I had reached my limit when right at the end of the run, I could feel my heart about to burst a bit through my chest. This kind of felt as if it was coming on very suddenly. I hadn't been struggling at all up to that point.

I think tomorrow I will bike to work and see how me shin and ankle feel on Thursday. I might do a run then.

Workout Location: Church Parking Lot

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 6

What worked: Running to music and concentrating on posture

What could be improved: Pushing the pace a little more

Something to worry about?

I wonder if I am a hypochondriac......

I have noticed over the weekend that I have started to have a dull pain in my abdomen. I think it is just a strain from the home improvement work I did on Saturday, but I am always worried about any pain there. I actually had to have hernia surgery in 2009 right in the same spot. I don't think it's a hernia since there is no lump, but could it be?

Nah....... I am a hypochondriac.

Goals for 2012

I mentioned in my first blog post that I have set some goals in regards to running and fitness for this year. I have decided that I will share them with you.

Pull ups: I am not able to even complete a single pull up. It is frankly embarrassing that I cannot even lift my own weight even once. Ever since I can remember, whenever I have tried to complete this exercise, I have been unable to do it. I have always felt pain in my stomach whenever I have tried this. I guess I need to strengthen my core as well as my upper body muscles. So by Dec 31, 2012 I will be able to complete 10 pull ups.

Triathlon: I have done a couple of sprint triathlons before, but I have never been happy with my times. I will finish the Casa Grande Sprint Triathlon in 1:30. I will also complete the run portion without having to take a walking break.

10k Turkey Trot: I have done the Mesa trot a couple of times. I have never done it without having to do lot of walking. My best time so far I believe is 1:12. I will do the 2012 Mesa Turkey Trot 10k without walking. A bonus goal is to complete it in 60 minutes or less.

Is this a good sign?

I think this I a good sign, but I want to go running again. I don't run on Sundays and I am not scheduled to run again until Tuesday morning. Should I sneak an extra running session in on Monday? As I have mentioned before, I am very wary of overdoing the running since I don't want to get injured.

However, for some reason, I am feeling as if I am beginning to enjoy running. Unfortunately I kind of have a habit of finding something new to do, I get obsessed with it for a little while and then I lose interest. I really don't want running to be like that.

Have a good Sunday.

Workout Report - 1/21/2012

Exhausted....

I noticed that during my workout tonight, I was exhausted. It wasn't because of the workout, but because my last workout was only yesterday and then I had done several home improvement things today. On top of that, I was just plain sleepy.

It was kind of strange to me because I would have thought that all of these things would have added up to a poor workout. But I feel like it was my best run yet. I ran harder and enjoyed it.I think that my body might be getting used to the workouts. I can't wait for my run on Tuesday.

Workout Location: Church Parking Lot

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 6

What worked: Concentrating on my posture

What could be improved: Stretching immediately after the workout (I forgot)

Vibram Fivefingers Treksport Model

I was wondering what you think about the barefoot running craze/ethos? I have recently purchased a pair of the vibram Fivefingers treksport model. They feel a little strange, but I do like wearing them a lot.

We decided to get me a pair after I run/walked (mostly walked) to work. When I got to the office, my left arch was really hurting. I told the wife that I needed a new pair of running shoes. Now something to bare in mind is that i have what I call picky feet. They are ridiculously sensitive. Whenever I buy shoes, the soles have to be just right or I can't wear them as they hurt too much. With this in mind, we decided to try the five fingers and so far I really like them. It definitely takes a little while to get used to them, but I think I am getting there. I do like the fact that wearing them seems to encourage me to run more on my mid foot and ball of my foot. I have found that running seems to take a little less effort for me that way. I have also noticed hat after running, my legs are a little less sore than they are when I work out in running shoes. Have you noticed that? Do you run either barefoot or in minimal shoes? What's your opinion about them? Let me know in the comments.

Workout Report - 1/20/2012

Running with the boy.....

I went for a very short run tonight with my 4 year old son. As mentioned previously, I am following the NHS couch to 5k podcast program. I feel like a little bit of a wimp really while doing this. I actually measured this with a stop watch tonight and the whole 20+ minute workout was actually only 10mins of running with rest breaks in between.

I decided that since my 4 year old was with me that I needed to make it fun for both of us. We ended up playing games of follow the leader in time with the instructions on the podcast. So when we were supposed to run, we would run while following each other and then when it said to walk we would walk through it. I definitely feel like I could have run harder, but it was fun and that is the main thing I think.

Another reason I need to take it easy is that I am trying to get used to running and walking in Vibram FiveFingers. I bought the Treksport model and I like them a lot. Here I am signing out for now.

Workout Location: Field behind Church

Rate of Perceived Exertion: 4

What worked: Having fun with my son

What could be improved: Running Pace - although I was working out my my son, making it difficult

So why am I here?

Why am I here? Why are you here?

I am starting this blog with the purpose of trying to record how I feel about my running and training. I am not a runner, never have been. In fact, I don't even really like running unless there is a goal at the end of it, trying to score a basket, shoot a goal or score a try (Rugby Lingo).

But....... I am married to a runner, I don't think she would or does describe herself as one, but she is. Even 7 months pregnant, she tries to run or workout as often as possible. She just loves it. i think she must feel the high of running. That is what I am trying to find.

Don't get me wrong, I am not fat, overweight or even remotely close to obese. But I also know that I am not fit either. I don't feel right within my body. I don't feel that my body can do what I want it to. i can't run very far or fast, I can't lift much weight and I kind of look a bit like a squidgy donut around the middle.

But do you know what? I am going to change it. I have already completed a few 10ks (not very gracefully or fast). I have even completed a sprint triathlon. But through all of this, I have never felt a runners high. I have never felt like it is anything but hard work with a little bit of boring mixed in.

However, just recently as I turned 31 I have decided that I need to up my game. I want to get fit and to be able to run. Able to run freely.

So, I have started a couch to 5k podcast training program. The reason I have chosen this is that for the last year and a half, I have been going to school (still am) and I have not really had much time to exercise. So I am REALLY out of shape. Also, I am VERY wary of running too quickly because I have had shin splint injuries in the past and I am really scared that it will come back f I push it too much.

Anyway, that is my first blog post. It feels good to get it off of my chest. I will be back soon and I am going to talk about some of my goals for this year in terms of running and having fun.