A couple of runs, and a boy returns!

Another beautiful week begins!!!   I can't speak for everyone out on the interwebs, but for me - it was a great weekend.

4 Miles on Saturday, 3 miles on sunday and my son got back from Bermuda!

Saturday:

I went with a simple out and back course, so I didn't have to worry about dodging cars on roads with no side walks.  (My four mile loop has a mile with no sidewalks and very little shoulder!)



I saw plenty of runners..

To run or not to run..

[caption id="attachment_2525" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Don't we look tired?[/caption]

Normally that seems like a stupid question - obviously, you run.   But more and more science is looking at recovery times, and even how less running can lead to more weight loss, more speed, and all sorts of other benefits.

Competitor.com did an article on how less running can improve your marathon time.

Runner's world published a book on how to run less and get faster.

But then there are articles on active.com that talk about how running when you are fatigued (also known as recovery runs) can help you build more endurance.

It seems that just like everything else in running, there are conflicting ideas.

Out running with my buddies.

So, after a day of rest, I headed out for an evening run.  Now I had been on the fence on whether two days of rest would be a better idea (I was still very tired/sore from my training less run), but really wanted to be out in that beautiful weather.  That, combined with the worry of building non running momentum (it's so easy to not run on the third day...) I decided it was a definite running day.

I gathered up my sidekicks....and then stopped.  See, my sidekicks were going to ride their bikes and keep me company.  Well, it seems that boy-child's bike kept popping the chain off!  Well, some quick surgery on the bike and THEN we were off!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Notice how well attached the bike chain is on the silver bike?[/caption]

 

The pig has awoken and put on his Vibram Five Fingers again.

[caption id="attachment_1911" align="alignleft" width="300"] Too tired to run.. or move.. gimme some pizza.[/caption]

So, here we are past the hump day and on the down ward slide to the weekend.  (Yay Weekend!!!!!!!)  I am afraid that I have to admit something.   Despite the best of intentions,  I didn't get back to running until Weds.  While this may not seem like a big deal - it means that I took FOUR Days off in a row.

I feel like a slovenly pig.

While I know its impossible to add 10 pounds of fat in 4 days (and my scale says it didn't happen,) I certainly feel like it. I used to like just sitting around doing nothing - but last night while resting right after dinner (I have to wait about 30-60 minutes before I run after a meal), I felt horrible. I knew that I hadn't r

(And here it comes....) I've been exhausted - not sleeping at night, tossing and turning, etc.

[caption id="attachment_1913" align="alignright" width="225"] I think I have these standing poses down well.[/caption]

I don't use this as an excuse, it's just... well.. an excuse. Last night I admitted that to myself, grabbed my tablet (yay Battlestar Galactica!) and hopped on the treadmill.  I had previously  decided that my next run was going to be back in my Vibram Five Fingers.  In the interest of avoiding "too much too soon," this meant I was going to be taking a short run, which was probably a wise move after so many days off.Once my feet started moving... I wanted to go for miles and miles. My right calf was a little tight in the VFFs, but the knee pain was (unsurprisingly yet happily) missing.  I started talking myself into maybe doing 3 miles instead of 2.. After all, 3 isn't that far - right?  

On a Roll with Honor Roll

Last night, I was really torn on whether to run/yoga or take a rest day.  This had actually been on my mind through out the day.  I WANTED to run and then do yoga, but was very aware that my legs (especially my thighs) were really, really sore. I couldn’t see where I would make it through half of the PeoplesYoga Beginner 1 class, let alone all of it!  I alsocouldn't see if it would actually be beneficial to do it,  But I am getting ahead of myself..

[caption id="attachment_1758" align="aligncenter" width="478"] screen shot from peoplesyoga.com[/caption]

From a background stand-point, I think many of the 3 of you were reading this blog back in the July - Sept range, when I started a new job in a new state, and then was (finally!) joined by my family 2 months later.  This of course meant - not only a new job for me, but also that my kids were switching schools.

[caption id="attachment_1762" align="alignleft" width="300"] Their new school[/caption]

They started the school year at Horace Mann Elementary in Binghamton, NY and attended there for 2 entire weeks (you can imagine they weren't paying all that much attention for two weeks...)  A quick weekend move on the 15th of September, one day off as we got them registered and then off to Crofton Meadows Elementary in Crofton, Maryland.  Since Maryland schools start before NY, they were a bit behind.  Combine that with moving  from an "inner-city" school to a National Blue Ribbon school, and I am sure you can see where they might have had some catching up to do.  This was compounded for my son by a 5 day hospital stay as well (As if there wasn't enough working against them already!)

Needless to say, this first quarter was more than a bit rough on the kids.  When you add in a two-week attempt of doing no homework by my son (and hiding all evidence from us - such as notes from the teacher) you can imagine what our expectations were for report cards.



Sometimes life hands you pleasant surprises instead of the "knock-your-teeth-out" kind... :)


Seriously? With everything that went on this quarter - they both pulled Honor Roll? WTF??? I have GOT to have two of the most Amazing Kids (and yes, I capitalized that on purpose) ANYWHERE!!!!

After posting these to Facebook (Remember, nothing really happens unless it is posted to Facebook,) gushing over how amazing the kids are - to the kids (never forget to tell how awesome people are TO the awesome people!) - we HAD to go celebrate!


Since this was their celebration, it only made sense that the kids picked the celebration location and it seemed that big ice cream was in order.  We ended up at Cold Stone Creamery, and while we hadn't been to the local one, these two were very familiar with it from Binghamton, NY. So, two peppermint celebration "I Like It" size ice creams later, you can see our two very happy children with my lovely wife!

So how is this pertinent to my wanting to run, and deciding whether or not to take a rest day?  Well, after half of a cold stone Creamery ice cream (mine is the one in the picture with no one currently eating it), I certainly needed to exercise!  I was after all 98 calories over my daily limit (seriously... After eating Ice cream I was only 98 calories over.. I thought that was remarkable as well!)  I knew how sore my legs were, yet I still was set to go run on the treadmill due to being over-calorie.  (My wife thought I was foolish and couldn't wait to hear if I had managed to keep the ice cream down after running.)   My son? I think he may have saved me.

[caption id="attachment_1714" align="alignright" width="320"] Not Just for Dad's anymore[/caption]

"Dad, When we get home, can I run on your treadmill to burn off some of the energy that the ice cream is going to give me?"

So home we went, and I showed him how to use the new-to-me treadmill. He wanted to start our running, but I suggested a walk so he could get used to it.  So last night he did a fast walk , while watching TV - and stuck it out for an hour!  I may have a chance at turning him into a runner yet!

Thanks to my son, my choice was  made and yesterday was (Wisely) a day of rest.  I know that tonight, when I do two miles followed by Yoga - my muscles will be much happier since they were given a day to recuperate! !  I am not sure if I am interested in doing it the same time as my wife though (and I think she returns the thought.)  I suspect I would feel a bit awkward doing it the same time as her - I'm not comfortable in the poses, and I remain as flexible as a board.  Have any of you worked out with your spouse/girl-boy friend? (I mean when you were both OUT of shape, not two athletes working out together!)  How did it go?  Any advice if we do?

In regards to the Kids? I think they are adapting well and are on-a-roll (see what I did there?) toward a much better life than we had in NY.  I know my wife and I are as well!

(Unrelated side note.. One of the "recommended tags" for this post - is "Barack Obama" - how did they come up with THAT one?)