Going Strong

I set a goal for today last weekend: 18 miles, no matter what. I even made a post on Facebook just to add another level of accountability. In the end, I made it! I was pretty exhausted, and it was fairly slow (9min miles), but I am still proud of myself and my body. Now I will go for 20 miles after the weekend of tough Mudder in three weeks. Once I get to 20 miles I will simply set that as my limit until the flying pig in May. I will progressively get moe comfortable at that mileage, and then I will be far for capable of competing in the big event and following events. I don't want to just start from the ground up like a lot of people who run marathons just to say they did it. I want marathons to become a part of my normal competition. How else will I ever accomplish some of my impossible goals?

I am glad I ran a few miles yesterday to loosen up a little bit. I was pretty sore after my lifting on Thursday, so I need to get out there and just get some action. I tried out some light cross training in the process (60 push ups every miles for 3 miles). I think I will incorporate more of this in the future, but I am not sure how. I don't want to have to go to a park just to train, and the nearest park with cross training isn't right around the corner. I will keep this updated, but it should help give me another edge.


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Impossible List

I was stumbling running websites yesterday, and I came across a list created by a guy who wanted to make dramatic changes I his life. In order to hold himself accountable he created a list of remote and impossible things at the time of its writing. On his list were a series of running goals, so I think I am going to start my own impossible list. This list will be edited and will grow with time. I just don't have the capacity to come up with everything at once.

- run a 5k in 18 minutes
- run a 10k in 40 minutes
- run a marathon
- run in the Boston marathon
- run in the New York marathon
- run in the Chicago marathon
- do a triathlon (start low and work up)
- do a half iron man
- do a full iron man
- do tough Mudder
- bench 200 pds
- curl 150 pds
- run a ultra marathon
- learn a martial art
- swim 4 miles
- bike somewhere 100+ miles away
- do a race with running, swimming, biking and rowing
- get published in a running magazine

I better get started. I don't think my lowly hour and a half gym workout will cut it for some of those. My arms feel good though. I did some leg lifting instead of cardio. I did get on a treadmill for a few minutes. I just ran out of time.

I am looming forward to crossing things off my list. Wish me luck.


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Wednesday Is Better Than Tuesday

I hate Tuesdays. I mean, they are just awful days. I don't have any specials, so I don't get any breaks from the kids, then I have to work another job later, so I don't have more than 30 minutes to work out. I did get a little time on the treadmill in the morning, but I still felt like a slacker. So much of my mood is based on my exercise, so when I don't get a good one, I just feel down and lazy.

Today was so much better. I still got a few minutes on the treadmill in the morning, and then I got some good cardio and lifting in at the gym. I did a 5k on the elliptical in around 20.5 min. Then I just closed out the half hour. I did some good weighted abs, and chest/back. I am benching 100 + the bar comfortably. My back is looking and feeling good (swimming portion of a future tri anyone?). Overall, the week's lifting is going well; I will just have some arms and shoulders to catch up on tomorrow.

Beyond the gym, I am looking forward to a likely 18mi run this weekend. I figure that will up the time by about 17 minutes. From what I have read, that is an acceptable increase. My foot feels good, my legs feel better, and I can't wait to challenge myself again. I've been reading about some preparations and things I need to keep in mind. I will share those things that seem to help once I am through it.


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A New Week

After taking Sunday off, I was back at it today. My foot feels great, but I wanted to take it easy today. I just did about 5 miles on the elliptical and then hit the weights hard. I feel like I should have done more core exercises, but I was too excited to get to my chest and back. I will just have to do a bit more tomorrow.

As for my chest and back I feel good about it. The gym was a little busy, so I had to spend more time than I would have liked. I did get in what I needed, and I am really starting to see and feel results. Things should start to speed up now. I just need to fit more cardio in and get my body fat down. Maybe I will get a few morning workouts in. I have slacked in that department since my foot got injured. Plus, my classroom is cooled off, so I won't feel like garbage the rest of the day.

Tomorrow may need to include some leg weights. That means I definitely need to get in my cardio earlier. I won't have time to run and lift legs, along with arms and shoulders. Not enough time in a day.


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What A Day

Today was so nice out! I got out and mowed the lawn and cleaned out the garage. Then I followed up that productivity with another 6.2 mi run. I switch my route around, which meant I was basically going uphill the entire time; I still managed to run it a few seconds faster. Some day I need to get out and run a real 10k and get myself a real PR. My foot was sore to begin with, but it isn't an issue now. I guess it just needs to get warm and stretched out on the road.

I had some extra motivation today because I got a text from my dad about how proud he was of my running, and that I was motivating him to get out and run too. I was really excited to hear about someone looking to me for motivation, and I don't intend to let him down. He has set some quality goals for himself, and it sounds like he is moving in the right direction. I was sure to give him some advice though. The main thing I wanted him to do was to stretch rigorously and get a good pair of fitted shoes. My father is notorious for downgrading his own things in order to make life for his family better, but this is something he shouldn't close his wallet to. The last thing I need is for my dad to wear out his knees or hips.


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I'm Back

Not much happened today, but I did hit a quick 50 minute 10k after work. My foot isn't 100%, but I didn't not experience any major pain, and it is definitely no worse off now than it was before; it may even feel better. The run itself felt great. I have a lot to do tomorrow around the house, but I would love to do something similar. I need to get as many runs in before winter as I can. Those will be a long few months.


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Return Of The Cardio

I can't say my foot is back to 100%, but I can say that I survived a half hour of fairly rigorous cardio on the elliptical. All those newer runners need to remember not to rush back into things; I am going to ease my foot back into the game. It should get some solid rest tomorrow and then hopefully I can get back on the road on Saturday. I would hope to run for an hour, but I will just listen to my body and see how it goes. There are different kinds of pain, so I will know if I am pushing too much. There is no point in turning this small injury into a bigger one.

Beyond cardio I hit my arms in the weight room pretty hard. I have really been getting after it lately. I also had a pretty healthy dinner aside from a few spoonfuls of peanut butter (protein, right?). At the end of the day, I am feeling pretty good about my workout. Just gotta see how my foot feels tomorrow.

In other news, I am thinking about coming up with a personal list of suggestions for people just starting to get into running and lifting. I know I have come across a lot of things that I had to solve, so a list could help me think about my journey of fitness.


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