So last night I needed to burn some calories. While my foot is mostly feeling better (just feels tight for the most part) - I decided to learn from last years' repeated attempts at rushing back into running after injury (and getting re-injured.) So, it was an elliptical night. The good point of this, is that I got to finish watching "Season of the Witch" on Netflix. It wasn't a bad movie, but I certainly have no regrets about missing it in the theater. Definitely not Nicholas Cage's best movie.
My cheap curb-found elliptical does creak a lot as its used, but it is still much quieter than the treadmill. I did an hour and five minutes on it, and worked up a sweat - but never was out of breath. Due to the short stride of my elliptical I can't really go at "running" speed, but it was still a good exercise. I think I am on the elliptical again tonight, perhaps friday as well. With the half marathon coming up the first weekend in May, I really want to make sure I'm not being stupid about jumping back in. In "Will Run for Margarita's" latest blog entry - she mentioned using KT Tape for her Plantar Facia. I may toss that on tonight and when I do try to run again - just in case.
I'm thinking of picking up a pair of the Merril Trail Gloves for future trail-running.
This blogspot blog is a repost of my wordpress blog located at: http://oddfutures.wordpress.com -- It is My adventures as I try to prove that "Once a Runner, Always a Runner!"
About Me
- Once and Future Runner
- I am the father of two of the greatest kids ever, and am fortunate enough to have the most amazing woman as my wife! I am attempting to prove that "Once a Runner - Always a Runner"
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Weekend in Review - Treadmill, Trail Run and pain on the bottom of the foot.
Friday was a nice day off with the kids (Easter Break started.) Since I had both of them home, my choice was to wait for my wife to get home (5:00 pm) or run on the treadmill. Rather than wait, I decided on the treadmill. I seem to be spending a lot of time on that treadmill lately. I did a nice easy 6 mile run, and an incredible Chest/Tricep/Shoulder workout. I started watching "Season of the Witch" on my wife's tablet while I ran, but it wouldn't connect to the wireless for the cool down run. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of it, and it certainly beats staring at the white wall - or watching the numbers on the treadmill go.Followed it up with a lunch at Panera Bread. With their "you pick two" lunches, it's really easy to get a healthy AND tasty meal!
[caption id="attachment_1441" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Derek right before his run!"]
[/caption]Saturday I met up with Derek, a coworker of mine that is bound and determined that I am not going to be faster than he is in a 5k. Personally, I think he doesn't want to get beat by an "old man." We headed up to Chenengo Valley State park to go for a run on some trails.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Product Review: ifitness belt and hydration add-on.
[caption id="attachment_1431" align="alignleft" width="300"]
Obviously not me wearing it. Picture is from ifitnessinc.com[/caption]
So last August, Detroit Runner did a giveaway for an ifitness belt (edited on 8/15/2013 - the company name has changed to fitletic) which I was fortunate enough to win. I have worn it several times on runs and in races, although I haven't said much about it. Well, today - that changes!
This is a running item I didn't even know that I needed. I always found a place to stash my car-keys at races, and then just hoped they would still be there. Now I was fortunate and they always were, but it never stopped crossing my mind that it might not remain that way. I was able to pick from any of the colors of the single pouch neoprene running belts, and went with black/grey (it goes with anything after all.) I have found it to be
Obviously not me wearing it. Picture is from ifitnessinc.com[/caption]So last August, Detroit Runner did a giveaway for an ifitness belt (edited on 8/15/2013 - the company name has changed to fitletic) which I was fortunate enough to win. I have worn it several times on runs and in races, although I haven't said much about it. Well, today - that changes!
This is a running item I didn't even know that I needed. I always found a place to stash my car-keys at races, and then just hoped they would still be there. Now I was fortunate and they always were, but it never stopped crossing my mind that it might not remain that way. I was able to pick from any of the colors of the single pouch neoprene running belts, and went with black/grey (it goes with anything after all.) I have found it to be
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Cross training with Curb-Found Treasure!
So yesterday was my rest day. Unfortunately I am finding that I really don't like having days of no exercise. Maybe it's because I am staring at calories on my phone whenever I eat, or maybe it is simply knowing I'm not doing anything - but either way I have become one of those people who is driven batty by doing no exercising. I also feel bleh if I do NOTHING.
[caption id="attachment_1420" align="alignleft" width="270" caption="My Daughter Demonstrating our Elliptical"]
[/caption]
Last night I ended up staying late due to its being a board meeting night, and was headed out not to long after - due to it being cub-scout night. I decided to tackle the elliptical for a simple 20 minute window. Now there is a short background story on this elliptical. I have a tendency to notice when my neighbors put big things out on garbage day, and also to consider whether or not it should have a place in my house. (My wife insists these things must take place after dark however..) Well, we lost some fantastic neighbors about a month ago and in the process of their moving out some things appeared at the curb. A never-before-used elliptical was too good to pass up. This treasure still had the plastic covering over the display! Now it isn't a high-end elliptical, but I thought it would be a fantastic tool to see if a good one was something my wife and I should pick up. This one has multiple reviews on walmart.com, that mostly point out it has a short stride length. As my wife is only 5' tall, this isn't a bad thing!
[caption id="attachment_1420" align="alignleft" width="270" caption="My Daughter Demonstrating our Elliptical"]
[/caption]Last night I ended up staying late due to its being a board meeting night, and was headed out not to long after - due to it being cub-scout night. I decided to tackle the elliptical for a simple 20 minute window. Now there is a short background story on this elliptical. I have a tendency to notice when my neighbors put big things out on garbage day, and also to consider whether or not it should have a place in my house. (My wife insists these things must take place after dark however..) Well, we lost some fantastic neighbors about a month ago and in the process of their moving out some things appeared at the curb. A never-before-used elliptical was too good to pass up. This treasure still had the plastic covering over the display! Now it isn't a high-end elliptical, but I thought it would be a fantastic tool to see if a good one was something my wife and I should pick up. This one has multiple reviews on walmart.com, that mostly point out it has a short stride length. As my wife is only 5' tall, this isn't a bad thing!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Running in the rain, and dragging a friend out for a run (though not in that order)
So, a couple of days to recap today!
Friday, I took a co-worker Derek out for a run. He had never gone further than 4.1, and didn't think he could do 5 miles or longer. I figured that such self-doubts could never lead to anything good, and decided to do a good deed. Yes sir! That's correct! On friday, Derek and I went for a run leaving from work - and headed over into Otsiningo Park. He now
knows that he can do 7 miles! I will say he didn't have quite the bounce in his step at the end compared to the bounce in the beginning! Seriously though, Derek did a fantastic job. He thinks of himself as a basketball/softball player and coach, but I see that "runner" in side begging to come out!
Saturday no running occurred. But many, many Girl Scout cookies were sold at my daughter's troop's Cookie Sale. We were right outside of Pet Depot - so my son and I (we were moral support) kept going in and playing with the puppies. They had the CUTEST black lab puppy!
Sunday was gong to be my "long" run - but I didn't head out until 7ish. I had originally planned on doing 10 miles, but by 8 o'clock it was quite dark and I figured my wife was starting to worry. I called it at 8 miles. It was raining and around 40 degrees, which helped me learn a valuable lesson. 40 is much colder when you are wet. I will remember this and dress appropriately in the future!
As you may have seen in the comments of my post on "Soreness" - Maureen was kind enough to point out the value of a cool-down and stretching. I was unable to use my Stick as I had lent it to Derek (I thought it was the least I could do after torturing him), but I did cool down and stretch out. I can report no soreness this morning! Thank you Maureen!
Friday, I took a co-worker Derek out for a run. He had never gone further than 4.1, and didn't think he could do 5 miles or longer. I figured that such self-doubts could never lead to anything good, and decided to do a good deed. Yes sir! That's correct! On friday, Derek and I went for a run leaving from work - and headed over into Otsiningo Park. He now
knows that he can do 7 miles! I will say he didn't have quite the bounce in his step at the end compared to the bounce in the beginning! Seriously though, Derek did a fantastic job. He thinks of himself as a basketball/softball player and coach, but I see that "runner" in side begging to come out!Saturday no running occurred. But many, many Girl Scout cookies were sold at my daughter's troop's Cookie Sale. We were right outside of Pet Depot - so my son and I (we were moral support) kept going in and playing with the puppies. They had the CUTEST black lab puppy!
Sunday was gong to be my "long" run - but I didn't head out until 7ish. I had originally planned on doing 10 miles, but by 8 o'clock it was quite dark and I figured my wife was starting to worry. I called it at 8 miles. It was raining and around 40 degrees, which helped me learn a valuable lesson. 40 is much colder when you are wet. I will remember this and dress appropriately in the future!As you may have seen in the comments of my post on "Soreness" - Maureen was kind enough to point out the value of a cool-down and stretching. I was unable to use my Stick as I had lent it to Derek (I thought it was the least I could do after torturing him), but I did cool down and stretch out. I can report no soreness this morning! Thank you Maureen!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
March in Review!
So, I haven't often done the "Month in Review" - but I think this seems a good time to start! Especially since, looking back at this month - I am pretty excited about what I have accomplished!
So, lets see my monthly mileage ---- According to DailyMile I did 82 Miles in March - The most mileage I have ever done in a month! In comparison, the most I have run in a month up until now was 67 miles in July of 2011. I seem to be headed for a much better base on my training for the marathon this year! If I keep this up, the 26.2 will be NO problem!
As far as races are concerned - I had a personal best in the 15k (1:16:51) on 25 March, and a personal best in a 4 mile race on the 16th of March (29:15).
I also lost 6 pounds in the month of March!
Overall I think this was a GREAT month!
Total Numbers:
Miles: 81.6 (per Cardiotrainer)
Total Calories (includes strength training) burned: 12,053
Total time spent running: 718 minutes, or 11 hours 48 minutes.
Longest Run: 9:3 miles
Year to date:
Miles: 186 (Daily Mile)
So, lets see my monthly mileage ---- According to DailyMile I did 82 Miles in March - The most mileage I have ever done in a month! In comparison, the most I have run in a month up until now was 67 miles in July of 2011. I seem to be headed for a much better base on my training for the marathon this year! If I keep this up, the 26.2 will be NO problem!
As far as races are concerned - I had a personal best in the 15k (1:16:51) on 25 March, and a personal best in a 4 mile race on the 16th of March (29:15).
I also lost 6 pounds in the month of March!
Overall I think this was a GREAT month!
Total Numbers:
Miles: 81.6 (per Cardiotrainer)
Total Calories (includes strength training) burned: 12,053
Total time spent running: 718 minutes, or 11 hours 48 minutes.
Longest Run: 9:3 miles
Year to date:
Miles: 186 (Daily Mile)
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