Posts (page 2)
I went out and bought myself a bike yesterday -- and wow, it felt great. I can't believe I've been putting this off after living in the city for as long as I have. I think I'm just uber-scared that I'm going to pay some money for something that'll get stolen right away. It's all in the locking. And it's all in the understanding that it's Chicago and there's a stolen bike trade here and if someone wants that bike, they're going to get it.
So I finally got over myself and bought a bike. Good stuff.I spent most of last week just getting my feet used to the pavement again. I did a lot of walking that wasn't normally part of daily routine, and of course, it's fairly easy to work in some extra mileage when the weather is as beautiful as it's been in Chicago. It felt good to get moving again and I probably put in a good 10 miles above and beyond what I would normally walk. That's a good start.
Last night, I went out for a straight run to see how far I could make it before I felt weak in the knees. I'm happy that I made it out to run, but man, I had nothing leftover from my training last year. I really need to learn my lesson on this latest effort -- the work you put in now can dramatically disappear if you don't stay in practice. I didn't even make it a full mile before my legs started aching bad. It could have been heat-related as it was nice, warm and humid yesterday. Still, I'm not making any excuses other than -- "I blew it." Hoping to not continue down the path of making the same mistakes twice.
My goal is to get in at least five miles of running this week and I'm sure I'll have plenty of time this weekend given that it's Memorial Day. Hopefully the running weather holds out.
I've decided that the Vox blog is the perfect place for me to chronicle and keep track of my ongoing fitness program (of lack thereof).
A while back, I ran my first 5K and I spent a lot of time this winter trying to work in some all-around exercising into my routine (I joined a gym for that sole purpose). Arguably, the all-around routine was a failure for me. Problem: lack of proper discipline. Plain and simple.
The weather has finally turned nice in Chicago, so it's natural to start taking my exercise routine back outdoors. I'm going to get back into running on the street as opposed to the treadmill route. And I'm going to start adding some distance. Forthcoming planning to include another 5K in a couple months -- and then maybe, just maybe -- the Chicago Distance Classic. Am I nuts? Am I easily peer-pressured? Do I generally think that peer-pressure is a fantastic form of motivation? Yes, yes -- and YES.
To start, I walked over 3.5 miles yesterday throughout the day. I'm trying to get my feet to remember what the pavement feels like before I begin to run more than a mile or so. More walking will go down today...and the running will begin tomorrow after work (before Lost).
What I'm keenly aware of is the fact that I need to apply my own discipline to my training -- and I need to set up a measurable system that allows me to meet my goals timely. I used to say, "I'm going to run three times this week..." but there was no real system in place for how I was going to accomplish that. I need to start setting goals like, "I'm going to run 10 miles this week." Etc. Just thinking outloud here.
And because both of those goals are very simliar -- the real key will be setting myself to a schedule or program that I can measure progress on.
This poor Vox blog has just gotten no love from me lately...and that's rather unfortunate.
Hopefully you'll see some more life around here soon enough. It's my plan, at least...
Toubab Krewe's Earth Day logo
Indeed.
It's a nice relaxing Sunday 'round the apartment and I'm watching the Bears fumble their way through their home game with the Miami Dolphins...
While they're performance might not be deserving of it at the time that this is written -- they're losing 14-10 and they're not looking as hot as they normally do -- I can't help but think about those 1985 Chicago Bears and their silly little "Super Bowl Shuffle"...
I chose some Kraftwerk as part of my ultimate mix and I had the mental image of their Tour de France montage in my brain...I'm not sure why, but I think it helped...
Tomorrow morning at 8:30am, I'm donning my headband and shorts for my first ever running 5K -- the Bucktown 5K -- and I'm both nervous and excited to get to it. I feel that it's probably going to kick my butt pretty hard but I think I might be ready for it...
I've got the ultimate playlist made up and it'll probably serve as my podcast for tomorrow. I'm confident the music will match the pace I want to set in the race. I need to take 'er easy as this is my first race and certainly not my last...
Update: I believe I clocked in a near 10-minute mile pace finishing in just under 30 minutes. I feel great. Woohoo!
