RunAMuck
Sunday, June 29, 2003
That's a pity, there are a lot of fun things to do outside in Colorado. Well, I hope you make the best of it. :P Speaking of altitude training, for those who haven't heard about it I saw this fun article in Wired a while ago. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/10.08/nike.html
Last Saturday, I did my longest run ever! (Albeit with mixed results.) I went running on a treadmill for more "cushion" but I ended up getting SO bored. To amuse myself, I started making little designs with where I was on the tread. (Like weaving back and forth, making circles, figure-8s, etc.) That actually was fairly amusing, until I sorta fell off once. Anyway, for future distance runs I think it'll be worth a drive to some park with a decent mulch trail.
It was also my first time that I consciously tried "carbo-loading." It feels kinda weird eating when your not hungry in expectation of future exercise. Also, after a long run, do most runners eat a lot more to compensate for the calories they burned that day, or is it aggregated over the week?
Umm, I've also been trying to swim laps on my recovery days. I just find it amusing that I can be a fairly decent runner but still be so bad at swimming. I mean it's fun and all, but it's just so hard to get enough air.
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Top 5 signs your next week or so just got more stressful....
1) The first email you see in your inbox is titled "Emergency Team Meeting"
2) The first thing your PM says to you when he sees you is "Good, just the person I was looking for...You're flying to Colorado tomorrow morning...
3) "You're not coming back until the system is fully tested and functional.....
4) "Every morning until you get back here, there will be a daily update for what's been accomplished....
5) "Well, they have fireworks in Colorado too...and besides, those don't start until 9:00 pm anyhow"
Yeah....... I'm not sure if I'm gonna be making my long run Saturday or not (but if I do, I'll at least have the 'benefit' of thin air while doing so....
I gotta pack....
/Laura
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Brandon!!! Hey, nice to see ya in our little community!!! As far as training goes, my guess would be if you start planning for long runs on the weekends, you still have a chance to be ready for a marathon my Oct. My weekly exercise routine is pretty much 30/45 minutes of running 2-3 times over the week, and then a long run on Saturdays. My last one was supposed to be about 11-12 miles..... and last year, my dad started training for the Feb marathon in about the timeframe you're joining up.. and I don't think he was doing much exercise before that....
As for me... I meant to get my long run in after work today.. but 4:30 rolled around, and I realized I had plans to be off 30 mins prior... and one of the guys on the project came in swearing about something not working right, so I hung around a bit longer, in the hopes that something I was working on would finish and that I could see what the error he had was.... so I didn't leave the office until after 5.. went for a run around the base, but discovered after about a mile (maybe) that I hadn't eaten enuf lunch for a long run (or even a short one).. so I shortcutted past the baseball diamond.. where as luck would have it, M__ was playing a game, with A___ and S___ so I hung out for a bit chatting it up. And I found out I'm definitely on my own for seeing The Hulk...... my movie buddy saw it....twice.....maybe L___ would like to see it...... there's an idea....
ttfn...
Hmm, Doug's been awol and Laura's getting lazy... sounds like we need a training intervention or something. :P Anyway, I think I'm going to do some swimming tonight. My legs are getting kinda sore and I just bought some spiffy googles last night. (I've been spiffy googleless for entirely too long.) Oh, and Brandon, you can read through the archive. Doug posted a link to a training routine a while back.
PS. There is just something really cool about burning 1000+ calories running.
Monday, June 23, 2003
hey Tom, I got your IM... I'm gonna go ahead and give ya admin privs for the blog, that way if anyone does seem interested, you can go ahead and invite them. You should notice a few extra tabs on the top right of your screen for now... Sorry I wasn't around.. downstairs getting dinner.... (food!!)
don't ask about my weekend run..... Like I said, the word of the weekend was 'lazy'...... gonna hafta make up for it this week. < sigh >
/Laura
Sunday, June 22, 2003
On Friday I had an incredible run, or at least it felt that way. I kinda wonder how you could rate "the quality" of a run... it would be some weird equation with pace and distance. I looked at my running log recently, and I was trying to see how I was improving. It's intuitive when comparing runs of the same length, but once you get these long and short days things get complicated.
On Saturday I did my distance run at a Relay for Life on a high school track. The surface was nice and cushy, but I had to do a bajillion laps. (+- 3? I hate counting laps.) It was also rather hot that day, but it was still pretty fun with all of the people and music playing.
I had every intention of seeing "The Hulk", but I went with to the movies with someone who really wanted to see "Finding Nemo." Not quite what I was psyched for, but it was still fun to watch the fishes a second time. (I got to notice some more details and seriously comptemplate how they created some of those graphics.) I'll probably watch "The Hulk" later. btw, Matrix Reloaded is playing on IMAX now.
ps. I just noticed this but I had some "
Saturday, June 21, 2003
Easy... I don't. Me lazy. Speaking of which..... I skipped my run today... gotta do that sometime tomorrow...... Did you see the Hulk? I haven't yet, but I've gotten rave reviews....
Friday, June 20, 2003
Let's just say that I enjoyed "Finding Nemo", but I wouldn't buy it. Also, wouldn't that just be a secure car area? Anyway, I took a recovery day yesterday and I feel a lot better today. I did have a question for you guys though: how do you fit weight lifting into your slow/fast days? Also, do you do it before or after running?
Hulk, hulk, hulk, hulk;
hulk, hulk, hulk, hulk.
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Another long day at work, finishing up with a run around the base. Fortunately, I've discovered that getting back onto the secure area past 6:00 isn't a problem (at least not on foot)... I originally had concerns that trying to get back to my car after hours would be irritating, but it's not...tired... it's been a long week at work...
Really? You didn't like Finding Nemo? I enjoyed it.
"Silly, whales don't eat fish, they eat krill..... hey look! Krill!!!"
Laura
Wednesday, June 18, 2003
Last night I checked out a couple YMCAs and found one that I like. I had a killer treadmill workout, but I've gotten so used to running outside that I couldn't help but keep looking around when I was running, at everything. (Not easy to do when your body is in a fixed direction!) Maybe if I can get some headphones I can ignore the environment a little bit more. "Finding Nemo" was ok, but it was a little too much of a kid's movie for my taste. I just wanted to see it in the theater to fully experience the graphics. All said and done, it was like watching a fish tank, albeit a lively and colorful fish tank.
I also was wondering what happened to Doug, I hope work didn't get him.
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Mmm... Leg was feeling much better by today, so I got my run in. I think I'm quickly regaining the fitness level I had over the winter. Unfortunately, I had my clothes in the wash Sunday and forgot about them, so one of my roommies kindly threw them in the dryer... including my nice stay dri shirts and shorts.. arggg!!! I gotta convince my roommates to not be so helpful!!!!
ping Doug are you there Doug? Hello?....
how did you like Finding Nemo?
On Saturday, I did some exploritory running and I was able to improv a 4.5 running trail on grass. It consists mostly of people's front yards, and passes by a hospital, library and a high school. It's not quite as good as a mulch trail, the grass was kinda tall and you still have to worry about little ruts or sink holes. I felt like I was going REALLY slow on the grass, I know that grass slows runners down, but I didn't think it would be so pronounced. Normally going longer and slower than expected wouldn't matter, but Brian, Ian, and I planned on seeing "Finding Nemo," and I ended up a little late.
On Sunday, I did some scouting in my car, I didn't find any "country roads", but I found some that resemble "country highways" with less shoulder. So I went on a 20? bike trip which actually wasn't that bad, it just wasn't relaxing. It's more like being a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. In any case, I got to know the area better.
And last night... I jogged that 4.5 mile grass trail, got drunk, and jogged that 4.5 mile grass again around 11:00 at night. The second time I avoided the grass because it was harder to see the harzards. Surprisingly, I was able to go fairly straight and not throw up. It wasn't exactly the best experience, but it was interesting and I think it might have lessened the hangover.
Anyway, tonight I'm probably going to the canal trail. (I need to feel "fast" again.) I'm still looking for a good fitness center, I probably going to stop by a couple and check them out. Some have pools, some have different programs, different locations, prices, etc. Nothing good is every easy. Laura: I hope your leg gets better, it would really suck if you did bruise or twist something.
Sunday, June 15, 2003
Well, after my run yesterday, I decided to head back to bed for a while. And woke up with a MASSIVE cramp in my left leg. I couldn't flex my ankle at all. So, after about 5 minutes of cringing and kneading, I got half the motion back, and after the second 5 minutes, I got the rest back.. but even now, that muscle feels real tender (like a bruise)... and I also discovered that my bengay is starting to go bad....now it just feels greasy and not as minty as it used to...
/Laura
Saturday, June 14, 2003
I've come to the conclusion that I run on hard surfaces entirely too much. I did another 12 miles on the Canal Trail and I got the impression that I shouldn't do that again for a while. On the plus side, I at least matched my miles from last week, and I might exceed them if I run today.
So right now I'm looking for "greener pastures" for running, or at least a safe place for biking. I'm finding it harder to "get away" from Indy than Terre Haute. I could drive to some trails, but I'm hesitant to use my bike rack again. (it doesn't get along with my car.)
I also found out how freaky it is to have a little cut on your foot while running. It wasn't bad or anything, but the sock soaks up the blood and makes it look worse than it is really. Next time I'll use a bandaid, but I'm afraid that just might cause more problems.
Got in my long run this morning.... starting at 5:30. Didn't do the full 10 miles tho. quit after 8. I needed to clean up the app't.
/Laura
Thursday, June 12, 2003
And yeah Doug, the first day is like that everywhere. I got a ream of papers describing the different health plans I could choose from. And then, if there were any more I wanted specific info on, there was a closet full of detailed packets on each one. And about a thousand forms to sign from everything to health insurance, to retirement, to disability pay, to vacation planning, etc......
And when I finally picked out a plan, I got a 600 page directory of all the providers that I can use in the MD, VA, DC area.
/Laura
mmm...water skiing. My uncle had a speedboat, but I never made the attempt. Something about watching my cousin come in from a lap bleeding profusely from a head wound sorta turned me off to it. But I *did* try kneeboarding (or wakeboarding, as it's now called). That I quite enjoyed.
Back in Fl, I ran mostly at night. It was a lot nicer weather. But not here, with a highway right outside my door. Esp. when I can get some good weekday running routes around the base.
I duno. possesed teddy bears are an entirely different set of cute than cute nuclear explosions. < shrug >.
Anyhoo... got in my run today. (it was hot!) Will do 10 miles on Saturday (I should get up early, before the temp gets god-awful). No news.
/Laura
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Well, Monday was an interesting day. My supervisor took my little team out water skiing after work. He keeps a motor boat on this rather scenic (and cold) lake and let us drive it for a while. They're next to impossible to keep straight due to the rotation of the motor. Anyway, we all failed miserably at water skiing and got really sore forearms.
I just thought it was amusing that this little excursion happened on the same day I planned my "big" run. I ended up doing 12 miles (4 laps) on the Canal Trail at night , I had originally intended to do 15, but I was exhausted and starving. (It's amazing what you can do on some grape nuts and a bannana.) But anyway, I'm going to have to do another "big" run tomorrow to make up for another two days of not running.
Doug: Yeah, I have the opposite problem. I have too much furniture and not enough paycheck. So whatcha get at the running store? I'm mixed on the whole running at night idea: on the plus side one can escape the summer heat, on the minus side one has to worry about trees, rocks, etc; and personally, I can't sleep for a couple hours after running.
Laura: What's life without a little serendipity and cruel irony? I think most people would agree that Sabertooth Squirrels are cute, but I would compare them to cute nuclear explosions or possesed teddy bears. They're one of those animals that I'd perfer to see in my neighbor's backyard, if you know what I mean.
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Well, one good thing about the summers, it stays bright enough that after work yesterday, I had time to go for a bike ride . So I actually got in some cross training yesterday. And a run in today... then, when I got home today I had another 'pleasant' surprise. For a few weeks now, we've been talking about defrosting the freezer. Well, we don't need to anyomore... because the freezer got left open long enough that all the food unfroze and a good portion of the ice field was gone as well... (Though there are still ice trays that are still an inextractable part of the freezer)... and speaking of ice,.... (Sabertooth Squirrels are cute).
Monday, June 09, 2003
Moving is painful... spent most of the weekend driving back and forth... (The elipsis don't do the monotony justice.) So in short, I didn't get to go running. I'm also driving down to Kentucky on Tuesday/Wednesday... so maybe I should run "extra" far on Monday and Thursday. It's probably not proper training, but oh well.
Sunday, June 08, 2003
You know, I think it's a lot easier to train for your first marathon. In the very least, the phrase "I ran another marathon" doesn't have the same -wow- factor as "I ran a marathon"... I don't know why.
On the other hand, I got in my run today......
Saturday, June 07, 2003
:P well, I had every intention of running today. In fact, I even dressed out and went to my normal running spot, then decided that the weather had gone from "rather wet" to "very wet", and wimped out (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.....)... so.... I'll do my 9/10 miles tomorrow.....(damn, forgot to pick up those nasty goos when I went to the store today)
I'd offer my opinion, decision on shoes, but I wear women's running shoes, so I don't think I'd be that helpful (but I do like the adidas gel k-something or other brand)....
Laura
Friday, June 06, 2003
< grin >
well, I don't have a token fitness center at all. I suppose I could use the base one, but that would probably involve paying money... so I just haven't bothered.
Tom, I'll keep that in mind the next time I'm passing through Indy..... and yeah, the gel thingies taste sorta like the power bars. but where the bars make your jaws hurt chewing on them, the gels are all gooey. Personally, I prefer the goo to the chew, but I know just as many people who think something the consistency of very thick maple syrup is even worse....
-Laura....
Thursday, June 05, 2003
Hey Doug, welcome to the Hoosier state! I know what you mean about those “token fitness centers,” my apartment complex has one too and it’s kinda silly, if not a little cute. Awe look... it has a treadmill. :) Hopefully I can find some sort of YMCA nearby with free weights and a pool. Anyway, it sounds like you have a lot of nice, soft places to run; which is really cool. I’m also curious about your combat circuit training routine, I’ve seen people do it, but I’ve never tried it myself.
I bought some of those expensive running socks a while back, and I admit they’re really good. However, they we’re so thick that it made my shoes too tight! So right now I’m just racking up miles on my current shoes until I can buy a new pair (while wearing the funky socks).
Lately I’ve been more like an itinerant than I’d prefer, I was commuting from Terre Haute to the far side of Indy 1.5+ hours, apartment hunting, etc. On the downside, I was loosing sleep like crazy, but on the plus side, I’ve been able to go running in “exotic” places. (Compared to Terre Haute anyway.)
Speaking of which, if either of you are passing through Indy, day or night, you HAVE to stop and go running on the Canal Trail downtown. It’s not like a wilderness canal trail; instead it has a whole “hanging gardens of Babylon” theme going. It’s a 3 mile loop (with sever branch trails) that has lots of water fountains, plants, stonework, monuments, lamp posts, Paris style bridge, etc. (albeit could use some more restrooms) ... I suppose I would compare it to a small sliver of Central Park, but with a different skyline. Basically, it’s a fun place to run and you get to see lots of different people.
I don’t think that I’ve heard music by Wynton Marsalis before, but I would definitely agree that music can affect running. I remember one day I was in the gym when Durade’s “Sandstorm” started playing... wow, high energy songs can make people a little crazy.
Oh, and Laura, do PowerGels taste like PowerBars?
Whee... been a while since I posted. Well, I ended up going for a light run (30-45 mins?) Tuesday around noon. It was raining slightly. Then I was off to Philly for a work meeting yesterday. Got back here late this morning, and had to drive to work yet again. And did another jog after work today. It wasn't bad out today, just hot. The first day in a LONG time in fact where I opted for sunglasses The only real good thing about the trip was I got a little bit of swimming in yesterday in the itty bitty hotel pool. I am definitely going to have to regain some of the shape I was in over the winter. I think I'll go for 10 miles on Saturday morning. The default loopy thing I usually do (more of an attenuated figure 8) works well for multiples of 2 miles, but not odd numbers of miles. Besides that, the best actual marked route I have for running requires a 45 minute drive over the Wilson bridge to either the C&O canal or the W&OD trail...
I gotta pick of more of those nasty goo things too...(The razz sorbet isn't too bad, the PowerGel chocolate and tangerine are just awful though)...
Laura
P.S. those socks ROCK!!!! every time I wear them, I have this irrisitible urge to announce to people that "I'm wearing new socks", a la the "50 Fun Things to Do in an Elevator".........
Monday, June 02, 2003
I originally intended to go running on the Canal Trail in downtown Indy, but “Hyperfix” screwed up that idea. So instead I wandered around Indy for a while trying to find Eagle Creak Park. I eventually found the lake and went jogging. I’m sketchy on the time and distance, I think it was 4?, 8+ minute miles. I found a map with some running trails and distances, so I should be more accurate in the future. I still have no idea about training programs.
Sunday, June 01, 2003
Today I rolled out of bed, got dressed, and ran to Rose and back in 46 minutes. A while back I tried to judge how long that distance was on Heritage Trail by using my car’s odometer. I’m pretty sure it’s six miles, but over the weekend they put up some mile markers that sorta confuse me. The markers aren’t labeled; they’re too close for 1/2 mile, too far for 1/4, and 3/8 would just be weird. When I got back, I had a banana and oh, it was good.
