5 posts tagged “running”
I got in a run this morning at about 5:45am, which is definitely a great time to be at one with the road and the outdoors in general. The rest of the world is usually still sleeping, so crossing streets at stoplights tends to be a little bit easier all around. It allows me to focus on the run and not just the act of "working out," which tends to be a negative mind trigger for me.
When I run, I try to find a perfect mix of music that I'm hugely familiar with. I don't want to be listening to new stuff when I'm running because I tend to think that it distracts me more than listening to an old fav'. I was in a good zone today and I hope to continue a good run after that great bike ride yesterday.
Last night after work was a nice leisurely bike ride on my new Trek 7.2 FX. I went back and forth from our Metra stop and was there and back in about twenty-five minutes. It was fun. A lot of fun, to be exact. My butt muscles a hurting pretty good right now, too -- man, it's been forever since I've been on a bike.
I was always a skateboarder in my younger years, and I've even thought about re-incorporating that into some of my day-to-day. As I see it, I'd probably need to lose about 20 pounds to make that even close to a reality.
This morning at 6am was the start of a nice leisurely jog along my 5K training route, and I'm feeling much better progress-wise. I think the music helped me out -- this new Panda Bear album is unbelievably good, and it was a nice start to the day for me.
Training-wise, I'll be increasing distance each day this week to try and be back at two miles of unstopped running at a good pace. Looking ahead at the calendar, I'm going to try and convince a few friends that we need to run a 5K in the next month or so.
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.
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!
