Holiday Running

Often I find holidays to be a difficult day to get a run (or any form of exercise) in.  This Easter is going to be a little different.  We stayed down in Crofton, Maryland instead of heading up to NY.  No rushing to a family breakfast, no folks coming over for dinner.

Today may be the first holiday of my running life, that getting a run in is easy!

I will let you know how it goes!

Some times a break is all you need.

So as you all know (well, we will pretend you do), I have been taking some time off of running and doing the Insanity workouts.  I had gotten a bit burned-out on running and needed a break.  Now I completely recognize that this may have been due to the use of the treadmill, but it had affected my desire to run at all.

I started up the Insanity work outs, and while I still hate doing DVD's as a source of exercise - it was a nice change. It also started me working on my core, which I DESPERATELY need.  In fact, I hadn't realized how bad it was - until this time around doing the DVDs.  I know see that my hernia-surgery repair took an already weak core, and made it weaker.  Logically this makes perfect sense, as I spent some time doing everything possible to NOT engage my core (specifically hip-flexor area.)

Now, as what might seem as a segue, I had also started looking back into the SCA.  This reminded me of when I used to fight, and it wasn't stamina I lacked.  I didn't have enough arm-strength.  I could go for a few fights, then my arms would need a break because they simply didn't have the strength to go on.   Since then I have been doing between 80 and 120 push ups a day.  (I lose track of how many I do.  The goal is 100.)

I have ceased (temporarily) on the Insanity, because I feel that if I am going to be running a 10 mile run in 8 days, I should probably have a little bit of recent-running under my belt.  Consequently, I got out on the road on Weds. night.

GOT IN!

Dear Once and Future Runner,

 

Thank you! You are now registered for the Marine Corps Marathon 2013 - Marathon Registration. Please check the event's website for updates.

CONGRATULATION, You are in!!

 

Thank you for registering to participate in the 38th Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Please note that you are officially registered and this is your confirmation e-mail.

 

Restarting things!

So, this week is bringing a few "re-starts" to me.  First off, last night I (Again) started the first week of Insanity, with the Plyometric Cardio Circuit.  I have to say, I was pleased with how much better I did in just one week.  I made it through the entire warm up with no breaks (Hey, if you have ever done it - you understand the Warm up is one heck of a workout on its own!)  I still was not able to really complete the entire DVD, but I got further along.  Definitely happy with my progress!  This DVD is a steady core workout from the beginning to the end!

The Next thing I am "re-starting" is an old hobby.  Tonight I am going to check out the local SCA group - the Barony of Lochmere.  They have a joint fight-practice and A&S meeting every other Tuesday.   Back in the day, I used to heavy fight, with my first authorization ("its like a Test" to show that I know how to fight "safely" - see the picture below) in 2001.

Insanity, Day 4 and 5!

So  Day 4 (Cardio Recovery - aka Yoga stuff)  and 5 (Pure Cardio - aka kick your butt) are done!  "Snow" day today, despite the lack of snow, so I was able to get my workout in before noon.  I have to admit I like being able to do that.

It has a large focus on core, which is really letting me know how weak my hip-flexors (amongst other things) are.  I think this program is going to be JUST what I need to help with that!  There are some exercises that I have to modify.  Some because I am a weak pansy, and others because I can feel the work out in the spot where I had my Hernia Repair.  I figure this can really help me build up the muscles, and maybe even get rid of some of the residual tightness/pain that crops up occasionaly.. But to do so, I want to be VERY careful that I am not re-injuring myself.  I may decide to re-do it, or re do a week (or month) as I go forward, but I am going to see how I develop before making those decisions.

I do have to admit.. I'm kinda looking forward to my rest day.. My legs are sore and tired!

The Insanity of it all.

My 3rd Anniversary here on wordpress seems like a great time to start faithfully blogging again! As I mentioned in my previous blog posting, it seems the perfect time for a change of attitude and direction in my fitness goals.  As everyone reading this blog knows, I am a runner.  This is my form of exercise.  I run.  I added in Yoga to help with my flexibility, but even that was simply a cool down from my run.  No Run = No Yoga.

Well, I'm bored.  I am still limited to a treadmill many times (just due to child care and timing), and its boring.  I enjoy watching the Walking Dead, but its STILL boring.  Tie this in with the fact that my wife has started doing Krav Maga, running isn't going to be enough.  Now, I think the running is still important (after all, I may need to run away from her and her new-founds skills!), and it is still my preferred form of exercise - but I want something more.  I have debated picking up a total gym/bow flex - and neither of these are off the table for the future (ju$t for the pre$ent if you catch my drift), or joining a gym.  As I weighed (See what I did there?) these two options, it occured to me to pick those Insanity DVDs up, and give them another shot.  They say the third time is the charm right?

[caption id="attachment_2434" align="alignright" width="180"] I totally needed this yesterday.[/caption]

So, I have completed the first three days of Insanity, and I have to admit - I am able to walk much better today!  Yesterday, If you could have seen me walk up stairs - it would have reminded you of your grandfather!  But today, I am back to super tired muscles, instead of agonizingly-painful-to-move-in-any-way-at-all muscles.  This gives me 2 months to decide on the Gym or not.  With a 2 mile warm up before starting it (that I will be increasing as time goes by), it is really going to help me build up my stamina and core!

My thought is to consult with a physical trainer at the end of the Insanity to help me decide the best path from there!

I heard a fantastic phrase recently.   "Dieting helps you look better in clothing.  Exercise helps you look better naked."   Since I want to improve both - it seems that diet and exercise will continue to be a factor!

3 Year Anniversary on Wordpress..

This morning as I logged in here, I was notified by wordpress that I started my blog 3 years ago...  Wow, that seems like a long time, and to be honest - feels it!  So much has happened in the last three years!   I live in a different state, work at a different job, drive a different car, wear different unde.... ok, we won't go to that last one...  But when I started writing the blog, I had no idea WHAT I was going to write about.  At the time it was simply called "Odd Futures."   While I wasn't sure what it was going to be filled with, I knew what sort of future was in store for me, and boy was I right!   Then a high school friend of mine, Chris, asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with him (With no training on my part.)  IT was only a few months later that I found a use for this blog, and Once and Future Runner was born!   I have to admit, while life didn't head the direction I was trying for (And a government pension sounded so lovely...), It has gone in a great direction!

It is really is amazing to look at how everything has changed.  I think its important periodically to stop and look at where I was 3 years ago, 5 years ago and 10 years ago, just to really look at the growth and change that I have lived through.  Quite often, we don't notice the "little" things at the time they happen, yet they can be glaringly apparent when we look back.

I also want to thank those of you that have run this journey with me thus far.  When I started writing this, I didn't think anyone else would be interested in what I was writing, but with 20,000 views - I am blown away!   Thank you!

I'm pretty happy with where life has brought me in the last three years, and I am looking forward to the future!  Please, stay with me!  As this anniversary hits, it seems the perfect time for a change of attitude and direction in my fitness goals!  Stay tuned for more on that!