Workout: elliptical - 65 min., 11.3 miles/ strength train - 3 min. plank, 15 minutes core, 30 minutes chest/back
I made sure to start strong for two reasons; first, I wanted to come back like I hadn't stopped, and second, I wanted to put up some numbers for the chilly challenge. This is a challenge put on by two members of the blogging community, and each member has a respective team. I chose Team Escapades, with Amy C, who is a great blogger and great runner. I recommend you all go and sign up on the spreadsheet linked above. Each week has mileage totals, and you can help your team while possibly winning prizes. Additionally, this is some great motivation heading into two of the toughest months of the year. After signing up, shoot me a tweet (@therunginger) and let me know you are on the team. So far the Escapades are winning!
Beyond the challenge, I also wanted to provide some humorous motivation for my fellow bloggers. These pictures are courtesy of an Adidas ad campaign; I came across them as I was killing time on Stumbleupon. I think they are hilarious. Google them, and you will see a few more.
I felt like the guy in line at the bank today. I had just been at the gym, so I was instinctively flexing my knee out. I hate standing still, so I feel his pain. We runners are truly odd birds!
Finally, I wanted to talk about my first running experiences with my Vibram Fivefingers. I have only put 4.2 miles on these puppies, but I can already tell that my calves are going to hate this whole journey! I have been icing, massaging, and doing everything possible to get my calves to recover faster, but they just get totally worked by these shoes. The best part: I love every second of it! Sure, after two miles my feet are frozen, but those two miles are some of the best I have felt. The whole experience is like making your feet come alive. The Vibrams make you do things your body has trained itself against for years, and that is when you know you are doing the right thing. Again, I am only 4.2 miles in (took a calves rest day today), but I know this is going to be fun. I will report more as time goes on.
Did everyone have a good New Years? I spent mine at Oakley Square in Cincinnati. I love the feel of the area, though it might be a bit too hipster for me to actually live there. The problem arose every time we needed a cab. We didn't get back to our hotel until 3:30am, but at least one of my good friends lives right by the square, so we had some where to kill time. I think this picture of my buddy and me explains how the night went. I don't even know what kind of a grin that was.
How is your new year's training going so far? Are you trying anything new?
What are you training for?
What are you using for motivation?
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Glad someone is logging some miles for Escapades! I sure haven't, but hope to tmill it up tonight for a couple. Way to jump back into training! Smart move to ease into the vibrams.
ReplyDeleteThe VFFs are nit giving me a choice ;) yeah, I didn't run in New Years, so I had to come back strong!
DeleteAwesome you are running! Yikes, winter in VFFs...you are brave!
ReplyDeleteI gotta get me some toe socks!
DeleteHaha... I stretch in public too. People might think I''m crazy but I don't care.
ReplyDeleteThe running competition sounds like so much fun! Too bad I won't start proper training until February -.-
I hear ya about the calf pains! I'm up to running 25 minutes barefoot without pain. So just take it slow :D
I love the challenge of barefoot running!
DeleteYeah, I will be getting my outdoor miles way up around February and March.
hahaha...i'm always up for some humorous motivation! :)
ReplyDeletei'm glad u're able to get back to those workouts and good luck on the challenge...always gotta love a good competition to get u fired up. plus, kicking butt in the flying pig will be awesome too! :)
As long as I am the one doing the ass kicking! Haha. Yeah, the competition is fun, especially with the addition of post-run tweeting.
DeleteLOL love the pictures!!
ReplyDeleteYou are making me so intrigued at the vibrams. I took a look at them in the store with my parents(who aren't runners) and they're just floored at how people can run outside in them! lol!
65 minutes on the elliptical?? damnnnn!!
If only I could run on the streets like I can crush the elliptical! Haha.
DeleteWell, I think your parents are right in line for finding the concept crazy. I love them, but I am already ready for spring weather.
don't worry... in 6-8 months you'll forget you ever had calf pain because you'll just be busy having fun in your barefoot shoes! i had major calf issues while transitioning to minimalist, but now i rarely even notice my calves. i ended up being happy with a 4mm drop ibstead of zero, though. i do miss my vivobarefoot shoes, but think i'll wait to drop to zero again until after i BQ! nice job getting back into your routine!
ReplyDeleteHopefully it will be more like 5 months (marathon in May). I liked my minimal brooks, but I wanted something that would force my form to change.
DeleteI am on team giraffe! This week not including tomorrow I logged rough 20 miles and still counting...walking around London racks up the miles! I am glad you are enjoying your new shoes can't wait to keep hearing about them!
ReplyDeleteI will probably start a whole section dedicated to barefoot running, so stay tuned.
DeleteThat challenge sounds cool. I am going to have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteGet in! I am having a blast.
DeleteWhen I first got my Vibrams, I did not listen to anyone when they told me DO NOT run in these until you are used to walking in them. I ran a measly two miles and I COULD NOT walk down the stairs. It was rough. Now, years later..I run up to 5miles in them just fine. Your calves will adjust and I find that if I wear them around town to walk my legs love them even more!! Happy running in your new babies, soon enough you will blow a hole in them because you wear them so much!
ReplyDelete