Friday Run

OK, I managed to get a quick run/walk in today. The 2.5 mile route today because of time constraints. Got my butt outta bed early enough to get going and still have time to be a Dad. 30 minutes and 22 degrees with a slight breeze. Where there was snow it was real crunchy and some spots pretty slick. Also the ol' ITB acted up today. About a 100 yards out I felt it. I was wearing the strap which helped immensely. Some minor pain and discomfort but not unbearable. I managed to finish in a reasonable time no worse for the wear. The rest of the day I could feel it but, hopefully, by Monday, I won't have a problem. I don't know what caused it to flare today. Old age most likely.
Work this weekend so no runs and will try again, next Monday, to go around the block. Anything less than 50 minutes would be good. It is supposed to snow tonight, several inches last time I checked the weather. Hope so, if only to make the roads less slippery.
Alrighty then, back Monday.

A Christmas Tale

Hope any who read this had a Merry Christmas. I did. Also generated a new Christmas story for my wife. I purchased a gift for my wife and misplaced it. Put it someplace safe from snooping eyes. My wife always has been a bit of a snoop. When we married and moved into our house she went through all my stuff looking for whatever. She found a ring that I had found, a long time ago in a place far, far away. Turns out the stone in that ring had a value of about $10,000. Oh. My. That was a good find. Anyway, Christmas Eve I could not find my wifes' gift. Christmas Day no luck. Day after Christmas still no luck. I mean I looked everywhere in our house. In the camper. The cars. Even the snowbank in the off chance I dropped it. In the meantime she is not happy. First, because she knows it's been purchased, I had my oldest daughter with me. Secondly, because I can't find it. Thirdly, because it is HER gift. Always this kind of thing happens to her. So I went to town on the 26th and purchased a replacement gift. I really had no choice. Arrived home and when she got up from her nap I presented her with a belated Christmas gift. Peace in the family. End of story. Not quite. On the morning of the 27th she asked me if she could look for my gift to her. Yeah, OK, good luck. 5 minutes later she is back with the goods. Under the desk in the room we have the computer, the one I'm using now, there is a half stack of blank CD's in plastic shrink wrap type of packaging. I dropped her gift, it's not very big, into that empty space. It was low enough one could not see it and I didn't. So the whole time it was right in front of me. I was relieved and so was she. Also, she then had her choice of Christmas presents, and now there is truly peace in the family.
OK then. On the 26th, before I went to town, I ran/walked around the block. 4 miles in 50 minutes. A nice day weatherwise 27 degrees, cloudy and no wind. Didn't do the kind of time I thought I might, but now I have a goal. 40 minutes to get around the block, that will be my new goal. And I will try to reach that goal by the end of January '06. There is one 1 mile section that was a bit of a problem. It is a dirt road that was a sheet of ice. Literally. I had to run on the snowbank. That was difficult but I managed. And after I didn't feel too bad. Did some stretching to cool down and a nice hot tub later that evening to keep loose.
On the 27th I did my 2.5 mile route. I would have done it on the 28th but were going to gone most of the day and won't have time to get a run/walk in. Not too bad 30 minutes with the same weather. Felt good actually. I hope to get a run in Thursday and/or Friday mornings. We'll see about as I work at noon both days and this is my weekend to work.
Alrighty then. Gotta go. Cyaz.

Finally Friday

Woke up this morning and it was snowing, again, big fat wet flakes. Not much accumulation fortunately. Just enough to make the roads nice and slushy, good for wet feet. Did the usual 2.5 miles in my usual time of 29 minutes. My usual run/walk. That's gotta change real soon. It's starting to get old. My motivation is fading a little more each time I go out. Of course it doesn't help knowing Christmas is upon us and I know I'll be pigging out and will be too busy socialising with family and friends to get a workout in. But...right after Christmas is over I'll be back at it.
New Years weekend I work so no running then but between the 2 holidays I'll try to be good and get some road time in.
Still debating whether I want or need a heart rate monitor. Walmart carries a Polar FS1 that would do all I need. The Garmin would be nice but I don't think I need all the extra. At least not right now. I can get my maps off Google Maps which makes the GPS slightly redundant at this point for me. I track my time and distance pretty good and don't a timer or anything. I'm not a racer. I'm not quite that serious about running. Not yet. Maybe one of these days.
Ok I probably won't be back here until Monday or Tuesday so have yourself a Merry little Christmas. Cya. Bye.

Its Been A While

Yes it has. Busy getting ready for Christmas. Even though we have all year to do so, still can find much to do in the last few days hours and minutes.
Last posted 12/09 so here's a catch up. Saturday 12/10 ran late in day. Slept in until 1pm. Family went shopping and woke me when they arrived home. Must have been one tired old man 'cause I can't recall the last time I slept that late in the day. Got out around 430 and did the 2.5 mile run/walk in about 30 minutes. Cold snowy and breezy. Typical December weather.
Monday 12/12 much the same as Saturday. The run/walk was uneventful other than all the snow. 30 minutes and no physical problems. I think it has snowed everyday since Thanksgiving with accumulations deep enough to require the use of the trusty snowblower almost daily. On at least two of those days I cleared the driveway twice. Damn.
Wednesday the 14th I did the same mileage in just 28 minutes. The wind was at my back on the way out and when I returned the wind shifted and blew me back. Another day with no problems to note.
Friday the 16th I didn't really feel up to going but I did. And the time showed. Almost 32 minutes. Just wanted to stay home. One of those days I guess. No energy or ambition. Saturday and Sunday I worked my 12 hour shifts so no running.
Monday the 19th I really considered doing the 4 mile around the block route but once I went out changed my mind. Felt stiff and balky. Don't think I stretched enough or something. Still managed 30 minute time though for 2.5 miles. Tuesday and part of today I wrapped Christmas gifts. I think they are all done now. I have a game table to assemble for the kids and should be ready for the big day. Do a little housekeeping and be good to go.
Today I did the run/walk in 29 minutes. It wasn't a struggle but I felt like I was pushing hard to get back. I think I need to up the mileage a bit each week now. Kind of gotten into a rut. 2.5 miles in about 28-30 minutes. Starting to be less a challenge than a chore. Need to up the mileage and run another route. Friday I'll do that. Maybe I'll just try going around the block. Not running the whole thing but as much as I feel I can do. Don't want to kill myself before Christmas.
Alrighty then. All caught up and ready for another day. Will run for beer.

Breezy Friday

Ran/walked 2.5 miles today. Not snowing but the wind blew snow out of the trees so that it felt like it was. 29 degrees and a 20 mph breeze made for a cool run. 29 minutes is all it took.
Seriously thinking about a Garmin 301 Forerunner. The price has come down to $205 or better. Looking at the heart rate monitor and the GPS would be handy. I don't know, yet, who else makes a HRM with GPS. I'll do a bit more research. And, no, I don't know if a device like this will help me, but it won't hurt me either. My goal would be to become a better more efficient runner.
I didn't get out yesterday to run. I told my wife I would some stuff for her and it took longer than I expected, as usual. Small price to pay for a happy wife. This weekend coming up is my weekend off and I hope to run or cross country ski. My family plans to go shopping, Saturday, without me, so I should be able to get some time and go. Weather supposed to be like today but more snow forecast. We shall see.
Gotta go. Will run for beer.

Sunny Wednesday

Didn't go out Tuesday as I planned. Kids had a snow day. Got a bunch of snow. Had to blow out drive twice. Afraid the way it was coming down and real poor visibility I would be better off staying out of road. Stayed in with children and they baked cookies while I supervised. Just to make sure they didn't try to burn down our house. Good cookies too. Chocolate chip.
Today I did go. A beautiful day, 24 and sunny with a light wind. Ran 2.5 miles in 29 minutes. Roads were reasonably dry considering yesterdays weather. Felt like I could of gone longer but didn't have the time today. Just a nice run/walk. I need to try and eliminate the walking part. I'm walking maybe 5 minutes of my time out but really would like to be able to run all the way. Soon I hope. Don't know if I'll make running around the block before the end of the month but it is still on my agenda.
While running today I was thinking I really should get the cross country skis out. We definitely have enough snow now. Maybe tomorrow. We'll see. Nub's ski trail is not far from my house. I can be there in 10 minute and it's groomed. Need too find out how much a season pass runs.
I bought my wife a new pair of snowshoes for Christmas this year. She knows she's getting them. She promised to act surprised and squeal with delight on Christmas morning. Then we can go snowshoeing together. Sometimes I like to snowshoe rather than ski. More of a workout, at least where I go with 'em.
OK then. Will run for beer.

Cold Monday

Found my longies, finally. Went out today 20 degrees snowy and blowy. Good thing I did too, otherwise would of froze the unmentionables off. 2.5 miles in 29 minutes. Might have been a little faster but ran into the wind on the way back. 20 mph breeze would slow anyone a bit I think. Tad slippery, too.
No leg problems again. That has a nice feeling when I say it. Only thing is my big toes got real cold. Numb in fact. Just the big ones, I don't get it. Maybe 2 pair of socks next time if it is going to be this cold. But I survived and felt good at the end.
Will try again tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be just like today. Winter is definitely here.
Cyaz. Will run for beer.

Thursday, Later

Ran/walked 2.5 miles Thursday. Managed to do it in 30 minutes. At least I'm not getting slower. Cold and snowy. I think winter is here to stay. The roads are slippery and slushy so one has to tread carefully or wind up on your ass. The IT band got real tight, but no pain thanks to the strap. I need to start doing the leg exercises to get the left leg, especially, stronger.
Also think I'm going to try to get out everyday of the week to get more mileage. And maybe get my speed up. My new goal is to go 4 miles in 40 minutes. That's around the block. It is doable; I just don't know if I can do it. We'll find out. Maybe by the first of the year.
Haven't found the longies yet. My wife said she'd try to remember where we stored that stuff from last year. It's just ducky getting older. Suffer from CRS (can't remember shit). My better half does too, she just can't or won't admit it.
Alrighty then til Monday, see ya. Will run for beer.