12K pictures

Friday, May 11, 2012

Not so much to write today. Graduation tomorrow.

But here are some pics from my 12K.

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Run report

Monday, May 07, 2012

So it has been a while since I last wrote a blog. Things had been pretty busy with graduation looming and trying to finish my internship hours. All done and all that. :)

I did find the time to log in pretty regularly and track some meals. I did manage to track almost all of my workouts. However, I did run into a few things that bothered me. Sparkpeople's cardio tracker only gives you points for every FIVE minutes of cardio. What if I run for 64 minutes instead of 65? I want my runs to be accurate by time and calories burned. I only credit for 60, so what about the other four minutes? What if I run for 64 minutes three times a week? That's TWELVE minutes that I don't get credit for. I suppose I could TRY to run four minutes faster but that is much easier said than done. I will ask SP if I am being cheated out of points. I'm kind of weird in the fact that if I can't track it or count it, then why bother?

I ran my first 12K yesterday (time was 1:42). Here are tips that I learned.

1) Bear in mind that your pace will NOT be the same as when you run by yourself. There will be others in your way, and it will slow you down.

2) Clip your toe nails before the race. Some of mine kept catching and pulling the nail up. Not painful but I was worried that my nail would rip off.

3) Wear light colored clothing. Reflective is even better.

4) This last one is for guys. Don't forget to bring two small band-aids. Enough said.

That's all for today.

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Thoughts for today

Thursday, March 29, 2012

So I don't know how to describe how I am doing. I do continue to get leaner and stronger but . . . .

I wish I could write something uplifting to go along with, but I am not really feeling it. I have a run scheduled some time today and odds are that I will probably get 'er done. My heart is not in it, though. Typically, I feel good afterwards, so I have to trust that I will today.

I have been feeling discouraged and uncertain in other areas of my life, most notably professionally and medically. I don't what my future will be when I graduate. I will have to start selling myself to prospective employers. That's not so easy to do when you have a lot of negative self talk going on.

The news about the degenerative arthritis really is gnawing at me. I continue to fight the flab but wonder if I am only rearranging the deck chairs on my own personal Titanic. Maybe this will be my last chance to look and feel good. Sorry for being such a downer, everyone.

I sure do hope that I figure this all out.

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Awkward times

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Well, I continue to exercise and eat right . . .

I am running 3 times a week, come rain or shine. I try to get every rep of ST that I can push out.

I found the reason for my chronic back pain was due to arthritis in my spine. Glad to know it was not something more serious. It still sucks because I realize that this is a condition I will have to deal with for the rest of my life. My doc offered me PT to help but the stuff they would have me do is the same stuff I am doing on my own.

I am starting to get comments regarding my weight loss and I have noticed that some times women are flirting with me. My basic response is confusion at the surrealism of it. Trying to find things to wear is difficult as some of my clothes no longer fit while others just don't fit yet.

It has become apparent to me that I need to get a better support network in place. I am out here on my own most of the time or so it seems.

That's all for today.

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5K run, no wait . . .

Monday, March 12, 2012

So I turned 42 over the weekend. Having been training for three weeks for a 5K, I saw on the Active.com website that one coincided with my birthday weekend. I signed up for my wife and myself.

Back in 2010, we ran a 5K in just under 36 minutes. Yesterday, I was running and became concerned at 50 minutes. I was not paying attention to many of the mile markers because it was raining, and cold, and my glasses were fogging up pretty badly. I just figured, "Well, you ARE two years older and you are sort of out of shape. Deal with it and finish strong."

I ran until just near the finish line and sprinted half a track to finish in just over an hour. I walked for a little, grabbed some water and waited for my wife to finish. She came up after about ten minutes and informed me that it was FIVE MILES, not 5K. I said no way.

While she was going around the track, I asked an official. Yes, indeed. Five miles it was or about 8K. I felt silly but with a real sense of accomplishment. Not too shabby for 5 miles. I used to run like that in the Army on a regular basis.

I became aware of two things after the race. First, I will not plan anything else on the day of a longer race. I was exhausted and irritable afterward. I plan on resting after a longer race from now on.

Second, I am a bit peeved about something. SP fitness tracker considers a 13 minute mile to be walking. I did walk for brief periods but the majority was easily jogging/running. I call it running.

That's all for today.

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