Namaste.

Last night was our first Yoga class.  I wasn't sure what to expect, only having done Yoga on the Wii.  The interesting thing to me - is that what I learned on the Wii did help! (And Seriously, who woulda thunk it?)

Warrior 1 Pose

 The instructor was faced with the challenge of walking into a room where she knew no one and knew nobody's levels, and teaching a class.  She started out with asking if anyone knew anything about yoga (not really - unless you count the Wii).  So she worked on teaching us some basic poses.

To many rest days makes for a rough beginning!

So, up this morning and out the door!  Granted, there were multiple pushes of the snooze button, but I headed out the door this morning none the less.  The humidity was so thick I felt like I was going to drown, but running in the low 70s (compared to the 90s) was nice.

I took the weekend off (see previous post for all of my excuses) which brought me to 4 days in a row without running.  This causes a couple of unfortunate side issues.  1) It's hard to get up and go running.  It seems that past 3 days off - is where my motivation takes a hit.  It also seems to be length of time off before my surgery site (for those who weren't here in January, I had a left inguinal hernia repaired in Jan.) starts to cause me pain.  The Doctor is a little stumped that lack of exercise causes it to hurt - but regular exercise keeps me pain-free.  I figure it beats the opposite way - even if that would make more sense.  Not many people have built-in motivation like that.

Marathon Training Week 6, along with my excuses for the weekend!

[caption id="attachment_637" align="alignright" width="241" caption="My Son's 9th Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYCE!"][/caption]

 

So, the first thing to say is --

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRYCE!! 

My Son turned 9 yesterday, and had a VERY busy Birthday weekend!

 

Now, lets start with the week in review!  This is what my week should have looked like:

6

Rest

3 m run

5 m run

3 m run

Rest

7

cross

This is what it really looked like:

It's time for “Freaky Friday!” More strange things found around the Interwebs!

Its Friday!! That means its time to show some more bizarre things found out on the interwebs!  Now, with today's post - any of my readers that "like" Runners World Magazine on Facebook may already have seen this first one.  It's the RUNBIKE!

[caption id="attachment_628" align="aligncenter" width="513" caption="The RunBike (Picture from Runbike.com)! It allows a person to run as if they weighed 2/3 to 1/2 of their weight!"][/caption]

Now many of the comments on the Facebook page for Runners World were less than complimentary, and many of them I can understand.  If it is used simply for an overweight person to be able to run, with no changes to diet - then it serves no real purpose to me.  However, if you step beyond that initial impression, some new possibilities come out!

As he advertises, for people who have medical issues - making it low impact has added benefits.  But Think of this.. If a person weighed 300 pounds, they CANT run. It will destroy their joints.  But if you could remove 1/2 or 1/3 of their weight - they won't do as much damage to their joints.  This allows them to gain the benefits of running (as far as calories burned is there a better form of exercise?) with out the damage. It could really allow someone who had hit that dreaded level (Obese) to lose the weight far more quickly than walking.   I think it's a pretty remarkable idea..

This morning thing isn't too bad...

Ok, that title is a lie... getting out of bed just to go run is still bad.  My comforter can be heard over the air conditioning saying "You can run tonight... I'm nice and warm... Wouldn't another hour of laying in bed and dozing be perfect?"  Then I glance at my wife, laying there peacefully asleep.... and face the further urge to stay in bed.

But I didn't.  I managed to get out of bed. I will admit that I ended up waiting until the last possible moment that I could - which would still give me (just) enough time to do the five-mile run on the schedule.

Running in the Wee hours of the morning

[caption id="attachment_613" align="alignleft" width="190" caption="I have had this image for a while - just waiting for the day my lazy butt got out of bed so I could run in the Morning!"][/caption]

I posted last week that I have begun weight training. The unfortunate scheduling aspect of working & lifting is that the timing only works if I get my lazy butt up and run in the morning. (This will mean getting up at ~4 am on some of the long Wednesday runs closer to the marathon.)

Now, understand. I hate getting out of bed. No - seriously. The best part of the day is the laying there with no concerns, cuddled up in the warm blankets, often with a warm kitty purring like a motor next to me. Sometimes one of the kids (and sometimes both thing 1 and thing 2 come in) will come cuddle up with dear-old-dad as well. So, you can see why I have problems leaving this Nirvana I face every morning.

Well, this morning I did indeed, leave this wonderful cuddly feeling. Maybe it was driven by the memory of lifting yesterday - encouraging me to get up and run so that I can lift tomorrow. Maybe it is due to the fact that I started watching may calories again - making me more aware of caloric burn. Or Just maybe, It is me growing a little more responsible (ok, ok.. I admit this one is unlikely.. Stop laughing and pick yourself up off the floor. I'll wait.)

Monthly Review - July's totals!

Just a Quick Monthly review -

Down 1.4 lbs
Ran 67.8 miles (seems awful low when I compare it to other runner's blogs such as detroitrunner or even just watching many others.  )
Lifted 2 times (This was started at the end of the month)
Swam 1 time (would like to be doing this weekly)

As far as my marathon training plan - my mileage has been pretty close to "the plan," although I haven't been completely on with the it for a single week.

I am not to disappointed with the last month, but I am really looking forward to watching my mileage head up in the coming months!

89 days, 23 hours to go!

****** Have you entered for your chance to win a Free Road ID in my “100th Post Competition?” (No Purchase Neccesary!) ***** 
At this point there are only 4 entries in total,  so if you enter in 4 of the 6 possible ways to enter - you will have a 50% chance of winning (as of now)!
Also, I have created a facebook page, if you "like" it - and post a comment on the contest page - that is the new 7th way to enter!