Winding Down Wednesday

Wind still blowing. Not as hard today though.
Monday went around the block. 4 miles in 48 minutes. Same as Sunday. Same conditions. Just the same.
Was going to take Tuesday as a rest day. Too windy. Snowing too. Cleaning out the drive with the snowblower and the chute broke. Shoots the snow straight up about 25 feet. Good thing the wind was blowing. Otherwise I would of been wasting my time. Then I said to heck with it, I ran around the block again. 48 minutes again. Wind is still blowing. Although it does appear to be slowing down, finally. Road was smooshy slushy and made for poor traction. I felt good at the end, so all was well.
Today I decided to go short. 2.5 miles in 32 minutes. Roads still crappy. Wind wasn't a factor for a change. Nice winter weather. 34 and not snowing. No sun though. Legs felt a little wooden. Maybe too many miles this week? Naww. Old age is more like it.
I don't know for sure when I'll run again this week. Will be working the day shift Thursday and Friday. And this is my weekend to work. So 12 hour shifts Saturday and Sunday. My wife has plans for Thursday night and we'll see what Friday brings. Some people might get up early and run but I'm not there, yet.
Haven't made it to the shoe store yet. Might go to Traverse City a week from Saturday and look some then.
And that's a wrap. Will run for beer.

One Good Sunday

The weather today was almost brutal. 18 degrees and 20 mph wind with flashes of sunshine. 3 of the 4 miles was tolerable but for 1 mile, running into the wind, was ugly. I dressed warm enough but that wind...hooo boy! Almost blew me over a couple times. I thought I ran pretty hard and still took 48 minutes. 10 minute mile with the wind at my back but the other miles that wind buffeted me around. Running into the wind I could really feel it in my legs. Man. At least it didn't snow. The wind will be like this for a couple more days, at least. All in all I still felt good at the end. If I'm feeling up to it, I'll try 5 or 6 miles Monday. I need to try to go longer times and distances to build up my endurance. I walked today maybe 5 minutes total which is better. I feel like I need to go farther and work on faster.
Last Thursday it was too nasty out to run. I worked late into Friday and stayed in bed as it was still pretty wintery. Friday afternoon, before going to work, I was cleaning out the driveway and the snowblower broke down. So I had to shovel most of it out. Tried to get the kids to help. They weren't a lot of assistance though. I didn't run but got a pretty good workout anyway. Saturday we all slept in late. Thursday night we were busy at work with the ice storm in our downstate areas, mainly southern Newaygo county. Around 10pm we pulled the crews as the roads were too dangerous. The road commissions pulled their trucks because they couldn't keep up with the weather.
Last night we went to the Firemans Ball. Had a great time but had to leave early as my wife had to work early Sunday morning. Good friends good food and good beer.

That's all for now. Will run for beer.

Wednesday Wanderings

Ran/walked around the block today in 48 minutes. Sunny a little breezy and 33 degrees. Another lovely day in February. Wasn't a fast time but I ran more than I walked and felt good at the end so that's good. Supposed to get some winter weather in the next day or so. Won't go out tomorrow and we'll see about Friday. If I don't have to work all night, Thursday, I should be able to get out and run.
It looks like that day shift is appearing to be a go. Now I need to decide if I want to work those hours. I've worked the shift I'm on for almost 6 years now and am very accustomed to the hours. But if it I get more family time I really should go for it. My wife says she's ready to see more of me. What is wrong with that woman?! The biggest drawback for me is the shift premium. $1.50 and hour is a chunk o' change over the course of a year. Well, I'd still get OT during storms and would still work 1 weekend a month so I could make up the 'lost wages' that way. I'll probably will go for it but will miss working 9 days on and having 5 off.
Maybe tomorrow I'll take time and check shoes out. Haven't found time to do so yet this week. I've been looking at reviews online and think I'll look at Mizuno, New Balance and Brooks. At least to start. I don't know what the local stores stock for these brands. Might end up going to Traverse City to try some on.
That's all I have on my mind for today. Will run for beer.

Monday Mutterings

Went for the short route today. Kind of wintery outside. 27 degrees with light snow and breezy. 2.5 miles in 31 minutes wasn't very fast. Legs felt kinda wooden stumpy, too. Just not my day I guess. Survived the weekend but maybe 3 days in a row with no running isn't good. I don't know. Just another one of those days.
My time management skills need a little work also. For a guy who works evenings I sure have a hard time finding the time for a run during the daylight hours. I can't explain it. Didn't find the time to look at shoes either. Oh well. Tomorrows another day.
Not much going on now so will run for beer. Later.

Good Run Thursday

Had a good run Thursday. 3.5 miles in 37 minutes. Good for me anyway. Went straight up the road to the north as far as the T-intersection and back. 2 big hills to contend with and I survived. A cool 22 degrees and the sun tried to burn through the high overcast, but didn't quite make it. A light breeze out of the north made for a cool run on the way out but it was OK on the way back. Got all my stretching in and felt pretty good when I finished. I'm still thinking of longer runs but need to work out the time for them.
One thing that could change my routine, and I don't know if it will be for the better, is a possible shift change at work. An opportunity for a day shift may be on the horizon. White mans' hours. 8 to 4:30 Monday through Friday. It would mean a tad less money as we earn a shift premium for off hour work. Also means I would run in the dark, at least in the winter. Well, I can't worry about something I don't know for sure will happen, yet. My wife is receptive to the idea because she thinks I'm missing too much kids after school activities. And not seeing enough of each other. She has a point there. Food for thought right now.
Also thinking a new pair of shoes is in order. Nothing wrong with the Sauconys' but no need to wait til I have a blowout to get a fresh pair. Maybe this week Ill shop the local Dunham's and try a few pair on for size. Don't have anything particular in mind. Yet.
Monday I'll try to go longer. Not necessarily distance but time for sure. If I could go the pace I did last time out 4 miles in under 40 minutes is doable. 6 miles in an hour and small change can be forseen. If I found a nice flat route... Hey, every boys gotta have a dream. Trouble is, for me, all the flat runs nearby, I have to drive to. That's a waste of my precious time.
Alrighty then. Til next time. Will run for beer.

A Beautiful Wednesday

Today was a beautiful sunny day. Just gorgeous. Bright sunshine with temps around 22 and a light breeze. I read someplace, Chocolate Runners blog I think, Michigan has had 13 days with sunshine in 2006. Today was the best one so far.
Monday I went out for a run/walk. 4 miles in 50 minutes. Not fast I know but it wasn't a very nice day either. Cold and real windy. Not so much blowing snow like the weekend. Just a typical winters day. And half the time the wind was in my face. Brrrrr. A lot of slipping and sliding too. I really should break down and get a pair of Yaxtrax. I'm probably lucky I haven't hurt myself out there.
Today I only had time for a short run. 2 1/2 miles in 29 minutes. Again not fast but it felt good. Anytime the sun shines this time of year it is a good day. I had planned on the 4 mile run today but a last minute change in plans left me a bit short on time. So it goes. The roads are still slippery and that's the way they'll stay as more snow is forecast for this weekend.
Picked up a copy of the New York Road Runners Club Complete Book of Running and Fitness. It's a 2002 edition but is brand new. $6.98 clearance price for a $18.95 book. Sometimes it pays to shop the bargain basement at the local bookshop. I've only had time to skim through it so far. But I did see a note in regards to how beginning runners should jog until they build stamina before they run. Jog, say for, 30 minutes nonstop first. Then when one can do that consistently, try running. Of course all this takes weeks or even months to accomplish. Boy don't I know it.
I'll try to get a 4 mile run in tomorrow. My weekend to work in coming up and won't get another crack at it until Monday.
Until then. Cya bye. Will run for beer.

Super Sunday

I didn't run today. Too nasty out. Blowing and snowing. Figured I'd either get blown off the road or run over by a car that couldn't see me. Saturday I walked 3.5 miles. Probably should have run but started with my 8 year old and 2 dogs. She lasted 3/4 of a mile. The dogs would've went all the way but I don't like them walking along the road. The puppy is about 8 months old and I don't want him to get the idea it's OK to be on the road. We've lost 2 dogs, since we have lived here, to traffic. Anyway I walked and it wasn't too bad. I have a sore spot on the bottom of my right foot today. Not sure what that's all about. Wore the old runners so maybe that has something to do it. We'll see tomorrow. Monday I'll get back to my running routine. 4 miles tomorrow.
Time to think about some longer distances. At least longer run times. Feel like I'm in a rut going the 2.5 or 4 mile routes. Maybe a 6 mile route or and hour whichever comes first. I know I could go 5 miles in an hour. Most days anyway.
Watched the Super Bowl tonight. Kinda boring game this year. Seattle didn't look so good except for a couple plays. The Steelers were ready to play as far as I could see. Really didn't care who won 'cause the Packers weren't playing. Hopefully #4 will come back for one more year. Or better yet to a contending team. I could change my team allegiance as I can't see Green Bay doing much for the next couple years. It's going to be a rebuilding process. Just like for me. After tonights eating and drinking I need to get back to losing a couple lbs. Hawaii will be here quicker than you know.
Aloha. Will run for beer.

Happy Wednesday

Ran 2.5 miles this afternoon. 32 overcast with a light breeze. Did it in 27 minutes, too. Really broke a sweat for a change. My left ITB feels tight tonight though. Not enough stretching I think. I'll do some exercises when I'm finished with this post.
I'm thinking I just need to do more running like today. Just go out and burn up the road. Haul ass from start to finish. A new lease on life and all that. I really want to get rid of this excess load I'm carrying around my waist. At my last doctors visit, he told me, I am borderline diabetic. My bloodsugar level is high and I need to watch my diet. OK I can do that but what the hell? How does this kind of thing happen? I don't know but I'll be watching my diet a lot closer now. No sweets, I'm not big on sweet stuff so that'll be easy. Watch the carbohydrates. And probably drink, god forbid, a little less beer. And run more.
Happy news, we're going to Hawaii. 10 days. I, my wife, and another couple we're good friends with. It won't be until the last 10 days of April but we're going. We'll be renting 1/2 of a duplex. Tickets are ordered and cars rented and tanning booth time is booked. We are going and you can't stop us. We're going to be on the Big Island. I think we will take a day or so to go to Oahu and see the sights over there. Mainly Pearl Harbor. When I was a kid of 7 or 8 I lived for 2 years in Hawaii. In a small town called Kanaeohe on the island of Oahu. Unfortunately, I don't remember a whole lot about it except going to school barefoot and beautiful weather always. And the birds, geckos, plants and coconut trees. All kinds of tropical fruit grew everywhere. I think the only times we spent indoors was for school and sleeping. It will be fun to go for a visit.
When I got married we couldn't afford to go to Hawaii. So we saved and planned to go on our 5th anniversary. Well then my wife became pregnant and that was that. Until now we either haven't had the time or money and now we have both. We will be so outta here at the end of April.
All righty then. Time to do a little stretching and hit the hay. Will run for beer.