Goodbye 2012 Walk

Still in this walking phase... did 1.0 in 14:18 1% 162cals.

Also, final Indulgent Cookie-Eating Day. New Year's Resolution: Eat fewer cookies!!!

New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 1277.0
Miles Remaining: 223.0
Weight: N/A ...still haven't gotten batteries...

29th Birthday Walk

After a nice breakfast at home with my family, discussing my birth and our family tree, I got back home and walked 1.0 in 14:20 1% 163cals.

New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 1276.0
Miles Remaining: 224.0
Weight: N/A

Night Walk

Walked 1.0 in 14:18 1% while playing Solitaire.

New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 1275.0
Miles Remaining: 225.0
Weight: N/A... didn't buy batteries yet...

Inspiration for Motivation

In listening to Science Friday on NPR during the day I found the inspiration I have been feeling like I've been missing recently. On the program they talked about New Year's Resolutions - and how about 40-46% of people actually stick to their resolutions. If the resolution is realistic it is more likely to be stuck with. Then you build confidence you can stick with it, even if you slip a few times.

Listening to this it re-inspired me to really get back into gear. I have been telling myself I would get back on track after the new year. But there really is nothing stopping me from doing it now, and I am already really ready to get back into things. So I made note of this program and kept it in mind as I got home and got running - to move myself "from contemplation to action"."Inspiration is short lived; after that it is 90% hard work - inspiration may get us started but it doesn't keep us going; that is where Motivation comes in." All of this resonated with me, and I felt good like I have been happening to follow all the right things to keep myself going, and then when they said to record your progress I knew I have been on the right path. There is nothing like recording every single mile and quarter mile for 1500.0 miles to keep you going -- a nice long term goal to look forward to meeting. I also liked that the program touched on my idea of "Monthly Resolutions" in that they said the resolution doesn't have to start on January 1 but on any time. "Successful resolutions are ones you don't have to be mindful of; you've integrated it into your lie - a new healthy, daily habit." "Resolutions are marathons"; or in my case - many, many marathons. (Hmm, that got me to get the calculator "out" (on the computer) and divide 1500.0 by 26.2. Apparently when all is said and done I will have done 57.25 marathons. Neat!) Anyways, that's enough quotes from the program, for more go here: http://www.sciencefriday.com/segment/12/28/2012/making-resolutions-that-stick.html

Finally after work, and an hour after a grilled cheese dinner, I started off with a jogged lap then a stretch. And then I started running, and at .43 miles in my right ankle decided to get out of place. I took a few steps more hoping it would just go away, but it didn't. So I stopped. Left the treadmill. Hobbled to the living room, sad, but determined to get my ankle to pop back in. So I loosened my shoelaces, and walked a little and it popped and, after a squeak for the pain, I was happy. I got back to the treadmill and started running again. I ran at 6.5mph. For the next 3 miles it was a struggle to get myself to keep going. And somewhere around mile 2 I bumped up to 7.0. When I started I brought up Pandora on the Kindle and queued up some Popular Cultural music and ran - and the beats were perfect for getting lost in the run. As I reached my goal of 3.0 miles instead of slowing down I decided to bump it up and get one more hard lap in before cooling down. I went to 7.0 for 30 seconds, 8.0 for 30 seconds, 9.0 for 30 seconds, and then 10.0 for 30 seconds. Then I went down to 6.0 to try to recover for a little. Once I got my breathing under control I went back up to 7.0 and for several laps as I ran the laps I said "One more at this pace" and then I said "Well keep doing this for 4.0 at least". Then as I thought again about cooling down I realized I felt good and felt like I could keep going - and knowing that I haven't done distance in a while now was a perfect time to get a high mileage night in. And so for the next mile I said "One more lap at this pace; you can definitely do 5.0 like this." then "You need to do at least 5.0 at this pace. Then you can slow down and jog and then walk" and then "Wow that's a good song for running, keep going." then I decided to cool down and my sister called -- and so I decided to run a lap and then as I cooled down I would call her... and then .4 laps later I dropped down to 6.5 and called her back and we chatted as I ran. And that got me to do a few extra laps - which brought me up to over 5.75. And as we chatted a little more I calmed it down to 4.2mph, wrapped up the call, and wrapped up the walk. Total Workout: 6.0 miles in 56:04 936cals 1%.

...When I set out to write this post I thought I would write a number of my awesome thoughts I had while I was running, but after many many words I realize I didn't get into any of that... So I guess I might as well make part of this post interesting. Here are some thoughts: (1) Why is pop music all about love/getting with someone or breaking up? (2) Why do people overproduce their voices? (3) Why am I not writing songs? Because I am pretty sure I could come up with 4 lines of lyrics that can then just be repeated for 3 minutes, interspersed of course with odd, driving beats/sounds that make you want to run (away) (4) My St. Bernardus 8 beer I will drink after this will be well earned and delicious. (5) I wish I could reach 1300.0 miles by the end of December. (6) I need to buy batteries for my scale; I am disappointed the store was all out of the kind I need. Because I need to weigh myself before the end of the year! (7) I am disappointed that I allowed myself to enjoy December so much because I gained back a number of pounds that I worked hard to get rid of in the first pace. (8) I am so ready to re-up my motivation and commitment to myself in 2013, but I am also going to get a few more cookies in before the stroke of midnight going into January 1 (which is my cut off point for cookie over indulgence). (9) Let's see how well I do at not eating more than 3 cookies after this run.

Most Motivating Song:
Mumford and Sons ...whatever the popular one is right now (You know why I like it? Because it wasn't about love/breaking up)
The Script "Hall of Fame" (You know why I like it? Because it wasn't about love/breaking up)

New Miles: 6.0
Total Miles: 1274.0
Miles Remaining: 226.0
Weight: N/A ... gah! I need scale batteries! Apparently it takes CR2032 batteries which apparently are popular based on their out-of-stock-ness at the store... Ok, so I tried to see if I could sucker another weigh-in out of the scale -- and it worked! ...though it made me sad: 132.0 (Let's call this end of day weight with pants and shirt... which hopefully adds 2.0+ pounds so I am not as disappointed as I currently feel about all this.... ah well, let's drown my sorrows with a cookie (or two)...)

Leisurely Treadmill Stroll

Cleaned the living room in preparations for a few cat sitting days ahead of us, loaded the dishwasher, then quickly lost all energy and so took a nap. 20 minutes later I was up and the cat arrived. Then eventually still in a tired, dazed state I decided to take a leisurely walk. The fact that it would be leisurely made it easy to get myself to do it. Total Workout: 1.25 in 17:54 1%.

I had intended to just go 1.0 miles but I was so caught up in Solitaire that I didn't stop at exactly 1.0 and so having gone like .05 past it I figured I might as well walk the rest of the 0.2 to round out the lap, especially since that would bring me back to an even mile total.

New Miles: 1.25
Total Miles: 1268.0
Miles Remaining: 232.0
Weight: N/A... because the scale battery is dead...

Large Inclinations

I finally got up from sitting around feeling no motivation and watching episodes from Season 5 of The West Wing. I then finally got myself up, brought the laptop with me, then walked and continued watching and wrapped up the season. I walked 2.0 at 4.2mph 1% then to somewhat prepare for the April 25K I upped the incline to 5% and grabbed the 2lb weights in each hand and then walked at 4.0 for 0.5 miles then I upped it to 7% and did another half mile. I thought I'd cool down but then decided to bump it up to 10% and I walked .25 there and then I brought it back down to 1% and cooled down with a lap. I could feel the added demanding nature of the inclined incline, but I only really felt how hard it had been when I brought it back down to the comfortable 1%. Total Workout: 3.5 miles in 51:10 550cals 1%, 5%, 7%, and 10%.

New Miles: 3.5
Total Miles: 1266.75
Miles Remaining: 233.25
Weight: 131.6 (after filling myself with 5 chocolate chip cookies, 1 beer, and 1.5 grilled cheeses)

Jingle Bell Jams

In the mid-30s, dry. I put on my Sansa clip and cued up the local alternative radio station and listened to Christmas songs as I ran along. It was a pleasant way to spend time outdoors on Christmas, a great 30 minutes of personal time to breathe in the fresh Christmas air.

In the first few steps I had my doubts about running, as the air felt like it might be a bit too crisp. But then after 1.5 miles I was warm and toasty and no longer needed my hood. Total Workout: 3.0 in 25:02.

New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 1263.25
Miles Remaining: 236.75
Weight: N/A

Merry Christmas Eve

Loads a free time but all I managed to "find time" for was a 1.25 mile walk, so I worked off a cookie or two.  Total Workout: 1.25 in 17:54 1%.

New Miles: 1.25
Total Miles: 1260.25
Miles Remaining: 238.75
Weight: 128.8

The Weather Outside's Delightful

After a nice, long breakfast at home with the whole family decorating honey cookies I got home and got running. Sunny warm-feeling day, even though it was only 37 degrees. The ground was mostly dry and most of the snow was melted away, so I didn't have to worry too much about ice. As I ran I got a side stitch, as I have been getting on my walks recently - I think from the cookies and not enough water  - but it eventually went away.

Since about 85% of the time a cop drives past me during my runs I've decided I should start waving hello. And so while I ran today one came down the road and I waved. The guy had aviator shades on and his window down and he waved back. Mission Accomplished. Total Workout: 3.0 in 24:57.

I got home and still had energy to move around and so I got onto the treadmill and walked. I brought the Kindle and so I listened to music and played Solitaire. Total WorkoutL 1.25 in 17:52 205cals 1%.

New Miles: 3.0 + 1.25 = 4.25
Total Miles: 1259.0
Miles Remaining: 241.0
Weight: 130.0ish (131.0 with my pants and layers on)

Afternoon Walk

I got a walk in on the treadmill. Total Workout: 2.0 miles in 28:34 1%.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 1254.75
Miles Remaining: 245.25
Weight: 130.0?

Pre-Party Run

Knowing that I was about to indulge in beverages and unhealthy snacks, and after having already managed to eat a handful of cookies, I was able to motivate myself to get a good run in. I jogged a lap, then ran a mile at 6.0 and 6.5 then paused a little, then I ran a mile at 7.0 then I paused a minute and then I did another at 7.0, then I jogged a cool down lap. Total Workout: 3.5 miles in 32:15 545cals 1%.

New Miles: 3.5
Total Miles: 1252.75
Miles Remaining: 247.25
Weight: 130.0?

Self-Forced Walk

I am lacking all sorts of motivation, must be the cookies, and cold. But I at least got myself moving, as every walk helps. I did 1.5 in 21:30 248cals 1%.

New Miles: 1.5
Total Miles: 1249.25
Miles Remaining: 250.75
Weight: 128.4

Relieved Walk

During lunch got outside and got in a Lunch Walk. Then at night I enjoyed a very relieved walk to the store and back, as they had my lost credit card! I got to wear my new winter boots, so that was nice, and they felt warm and comfortable.

New Miles: 1.0 + 1.0 = 2.0
Total Miles: 1247.75
Miles Remaining: 252.25
Weight: 128.4

A Wandering Walk

After a nice breakfast with my family I got home in the early afternoon and went out on a brisk walk. I headed in a different direction than usual and just wandered my way, discovering how the streets connected - hoping they would connect. I wound my way down a hill for a bit then up a little then a flat area, made a few turns, and then spied the main road at the end of a long straight away - the sight of which had me pleased I had not gotten myself lost within a few blocks of my home. Total Workout: 1.5 miles in 25:31.

New Miles: 1.5
Total Miles: 1245.75
Miles Remaining: 254.25
Weight: 129.4

Are you saved?

An overcast but warm day - in lower 50s; got out and got running. As I ran around a corner I saw the top of a guy's head so I rounded it wide and found a man walking an Airedale terrier and a Welsh Terrier so I stopped to pet them - because those dog breeds are awesome. And it was a huge mistake. The mullet man was "Cool Carl" (as by his artwork he made and showed me on his jacket) and he immediately asked me if I was Born Again and that I needed to be born again to be saved. And then 10 minutes went by of him saying a lot of things and trying to get me to say 3 lines of the Bible so I could be saved, and me just saying how much Jesus loves everyone and that I thought it was great he had strong beliefs but that he was not going to change what I believed. I struggled to find a way to end the awkward conversation, but eventually I did and continued my run. I finished my 3.0 mile run in 25:26.... though I can subtract at least 30 seconds where I was talking to Cool Carl and petting the puppies before realizing I should stop my watch.

God sent me an interesting day, and while a bit awkward it wasn't a horrible interaction... So... Good one God! Not sure I understand why I was given the experience, but I know I don't have to understand it to appreciate it or at least think about it and give credit to God for it. I imagine, if it's meant to be, in due time its purpose will become clear.

New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 1244.25
Miles Remaining: 255.75
Weight: 129.0?

Searching for a little thing called Motivation

Holiday Luncheon for my work meant early dismissal and time to enjoy the sunny low-40 day. I got home and suddenly lacked motivation to go run. But I eventually got myself out of the house. I ran to the track, did 2.0 miles there (averaging 8:15 mile pace; I felt sluggish), then running home. I did 3.25 in 27:38.

New Miles: 3.25
Total Miles: 1241.25
Miles Remaining: 258.75
Weight: 129.4 (No good, but I feel a little okay about it knowing it was Post-Holiday Lunch)

Lunch Walk

It definitely felt good to get away from my desk and get out into the happy sunshine. I did 1.0 in the 40 degree sun and I felt very toasty. I think the sun changes everything - I am not sure if I have said this before, but I definitely have thought it. There is such a difference between 40 in sun and 40 under clouds or at night. The sun just adds that extra layer of warmth - it prevents a chill from taking hold and it warms your spirit as it  clings to your clothes. During my walk I thought about how warm the 40 degrees felt and if I could get a few weekend days with weather just like this I would be perfectly fine to run, with my pants and coat, etc -- but the air wouldn't feel too cold in my lungs. Now I just need to find a sunny weekend day.

New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles:1238.0
Miles Remaining: 232.0
Weight: 128.4

Two More Steps

I started out on the treadmill walking; knowing I had to do something but not exactly feeling like moving. I listened to PRI's The World as I walked along for two laps. Then I started jogging slowly and did that for a little and then I decided that since I was taking the time to do it I better just commit to it and actually run to help burn off some cookie calories.

I started off slowly, but then a story came on about Pia Sundhage and women's soccer and that was motivating in and of itself. I thought about how I am an athlete and I used to run a lot and run hard and play soccer so competitively, and I want to be that. And so I bumped it up more - but just to 6.5mph. And then I ran until the story ended.

In the story Pia Sundhage talked about taking two more steps, and that the American players always seem to find a way to take two more steps no matter how exhausted they are. I like that idea, and know how true that was back in my college soccer days. I know today I didn't run a lot or run very hard, but I did run - I took two more steps than I thought I would - it isn't a World Cup victory but I'll take this as a win on my mini-world scale. Total Workout: 2.0 in 22:28 1%.

To hear the story I listened to: http://www.theworld.org/2012/12/pia-sundhage/

If you play soccer you’ve probably heard of Pia Sundhage. But if you’ve got a daughter, heck, if you’ve got a son, who plays soccer, then they probably know her even better than you. Pia Sundhage was the coach of the US women’s national soccer team. They had a great run under Sundhage. World Cup finalists, gold medalists at the Olympics. But now Sundhage is back in her native Sweden, coaching the national women’s team there. The World caught up with Pia Sunhage during a US visit…and she talks about her tenure as the coach of the US women’s team, and her coaching style that focuses on positives, and on doubling one’s best effort.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 1237.0
Miles Remaining: 233.0
Weight: 128.0

Lunch Walk

1.0 in cold but nice and dry. a bird was merrily trilling.

New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 1235.0
Miles Remaining: 265.0
Weight: 128.0?

Run for Cookies

1.0 walk at lunch in a very strong downpour but I did it with umbrella. It was in the upper 50s - so it was warm and nice despite the fact my legs got very wet. The fresh air was very much needed and very much appreciated.

In the evening I went onto the treadmill and ran. I would have run outside in the rain but the temp dropped sharply and was just 41 degrees by the time I would have gotten outside. So I walked a lap, jogged another, jog/ran 2 at 6.0 then 6.5 and then grabbed a little water. I came back and ran 1.0 solid at 7.0 mph then cooled down, jogging then walking, for one lap. Total Workout: 2.25 miles in 22:44 354cals 1%.

I listened to NPR during my run and continued to listen as I jumped off the treadmill and into the kitchen to bake Christmas cookies. I did that for 3 hours - just rolling dough balls and popping trays in and out of the oven, as I had made all the dough the night before. Then 8 dozen chocolate chip with walnut and pecans, 8 dozen regular chocolate chip, and 8 dozen Russian tea cakes later I finally sat down - and my body was happy. Then I let them join their Snickerdoodle cousins in the freezer as they wait to be called up to action on Christmas. So hopefully standing during all of that burned a few calories, as I definitely taste tested many of my cookies in dough form and then in baked cookie form. My new cookie making hobby is delicious yet disasterous -- so many extra calories that I am not working off. But it's the holidays, right? So can I use that as an excuse to forget everything I have been working so hard for? Probably. But I definitely can't let myself!

New Miles: 1.0 + 2.25 = 3.25
Total Miles: 1234.0
Miles Remaining: 266.0
Weight: 128.4

Twice as Nice

4.0 in morning in 35:55
4.0 in afternoon with Ryan in 34:14 (minus over 1 minute for traffic but I didn't stop my watch) plus a .25 cool down walk

New Miles: 4.0 + 4.25 = 8.25
Total Miles: 1230.75
Miles Remaining: 269.25
Weight: 128.8

Lunch Walk

It was a nice enough day and so I got a 1.0- Lunch Walk in.

New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 1222.5
Miles Remaining: 277.5
Weight: 128.8?

Super Sore

Working out some soreness I got onto the treadmill and walked a lap at 4.2mph then I stretched and I jogged a lap at 5.0 and 6.0 which loosened me up. Then I ran at 6.5mph for 2.25 miles. Then I jogged a cool down from 6.0 to 5.0 to 4.2 in one lap.  Total Workout: 3.0 in 31:43 473cals 1%.

I listened to pop music on Pandora which helped me not think so much of my soreness. The sprinting from the other day has had me barely walking - I've been trying to stretch and work it out but even a few days later I am still tight and sore. I am hoping just forcing myself to move was what my body needed.

New Miles: 3.0
Total Miles: 1221.5
Miles Remaining: 278.5
Weight: 128.4

Lunch Walk

Lunch Walk in 66 degrees, cloudy and nice though windy. I wore a jacket because the breeze was so strong and chilling without it.

New Miles: 1.0
Total Miles: 1218.5
Miles Remaining: 281.5
Weight: 128.8

Fast Mile: 6:53!

Today was a cloudy day with some rain, but it was 60 degrees when I got out of work! So I immediately went to the track to run. When I started there was no rain, then it started very very lightly so it was almost imperceptible, then it started misting, then it starting drizzling, and then it started raining.

I ran a warm up lap and stretched. Then as I got back into Lane 2 a couple came to the track and decided to run in Lane 1 and 2 in the opposite direction! Very annoying! Who does that?! (Actually more people than should.) So I stayed in Lane 2 as there were walkers in Lane 1 (ugh!) and Lane 3 and in the outside lanes. At least the man then moved to share Lane 1 with the woman, and I moved over a little or into Lane 3 each time we passed.

I ran 1.0 miles in 7:18 - which felt hard but good. Then I grabbed some water and did 10 lunges, 10 squats, and 10 push-ups. I then got back into Lane 2. After making such surprising good time that first mile I decided I wanted to try for an even better time -- not try to get the best mile time ever, but get something that felt good. I started off with doing 1:45 minute laps which was good, but on the 3rd lap I made up a little time and somehow did a really fast lap for the 4th one and finished the mile in 6:53!

I then did a cool down lap. Grabbed a little water. Then I geared up for some 100m sprints as the rain started misting and getting harder by the minute. I walked to the end of the straightaway (temporarily joining the wrong-direction runners but at least I wasn't in anyone's way). Then I pumped up April Smith and the Great Picture Show and ran 100m in 16 seconds. Then I turned around, walked back, waited for the 2 minute rest to be complete then I did it again - again in 16 seconds. I did that 2 more times - and each time doing it in 16 seconds. Then I ran 2 more laps at an easy jog to cool down - but then I did some butt kicks, high knees, high skips, side shuffles, and backwards runs along the way. Then I did 10 more lunges, 10 squats, 10 push-ups, grabbed a little water, grabbed a little stretch and then headed home.

And I am no longer sure what my record mile time is at this point but with a mile under 7 minutes I think this is one of my fastest mile times in a long while. Not perhaps in my entire personal history, but definitely along this 1500 Mile Journey.

I wore my Nike Free Twists and at first they felt like it might have been a bad choice, if I wanted to do distance and mundane miles, but definitely felt like the right choice as I focused on running fast and short bursts. My feet felt light and airy. Between them and the soft rain and 60 degrees it was a perfect night.

New Miles: 3.5
Total Miles: 1217.5
Miles Remaining: 282.5
Weight: 127.8

Evening Walk

Treadmill for 2.0 at 1% 28:38 327cals with India music hour and Solitaire.

New Miles: 2.0
Total Miles: 1214.0
Miles Remaining: 286.0
Weight: 129.2

Trail Hill #1

Run at the county park around the lake with Ryan; cloudy with a little sun - 55 degrees! - 5.0; plus I made the mistake of pointing out a hill trail we could run and Ryan said "Let's do it!" and so we ran up the hill. It was a struggle to make it to the top. I paused the watch for our rest time up there (<30 sec). 5.0+ in 45:07. I looked up our side hill adventure and it added over .25 to our running.

A few days ago I bit the bullet and decided to sign up for the Hyner View Challenge 25K. I like the idea of being that fit. I don't like the idea of training for that fitness. But since Ryan will be doing it I figured I might as well try it too. As of today's mini-hill venture - this was a horrible idea. As Gob from Arrested Development would say, "I've made a huge mistake."

New Miles: 5.0 + .25 = 5.25
Total Miles: 1212.0
Miles Remaining: 288.0
Weight : 130.2