I recently ran into a gentleman whom I have worked with in the past. He commented on the fact that I looked like I had lost a few pounds. So naturally, he is someone I will remember in this year's holiday cards.
Anyway, I mentioned to him I was running, and was getting in shape to run a half-marathon in May. He suggested that in his prior trainings for marathons (I didn't even know he was a runner!!!) he used to use a training technique to get ready for long runs, of running 8 minutes, and walking 1. He would use that 1 minute break getting water on the runs. After 10 miles or so, he said that an energy bar was a good idea.
So I have been trying this approach. Last weekend I ran about 9 miles, and I didn't feel good AT ALL. But I tried it again a couple of days ago, and I actually felt great. I only did about 5 miles, but I can really see this being a strategy to help me in my quest to finish this race, and feel good about myself.
The weather finally has been improving lately, so I have gotten out a bunch more lately. I still would prefer 60 degrees to 50, but I will take it for now. I just really want to be in a groove by late April, and I think I am going to try to spend the rest of this coming month just getting my confidence up about this race.
The other big-boned runners are all over the map at this point. One in Baltimore, one in Bermuda. I think I would prefer better temperatures than what it is in Hartford, but at this point, the fact that it isn't 16 degrees out is a bonus. I look forward to getting through this race, and starting to think about a full marathon.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Ancillary Benefits
In my first job out of college, I worked as an accountant at a large auditing firm. On one of my engagements, (a small hospital) I learned about the concept of ancillary benefits.
During this whole training effort, I have been reminded of what ancillary benefits can be achieved when making a dedication to health and fitness.
I got up this morning, and got dressed. In the past, I would get to this point in the week, and all of the clothes that fit me, I had already worn. Thursday and Friday typically had been the days to wear the things that I never feel as comfortable in.
Well today I realized that my usual Thursday shirt and pants fit very comfortably, and that my usual belt notch was feeling a bit loose. I went to the next notch. Still a little loose. I went to the next one...but there weren't any more! I got a big smile on my face, because I can now look forward to Thursday and Friday as days where I won't be uncomfortable.
I am planning a long run tonight, and after a couple of efforts this weekend, I am feeling good about my progress towards the 1/2 marathon. I ran 7 miles on Sunday, and did the 6.82 miles in the first hour. If I can get the running up to about 10 miles or more before the race, I am going to feel prepared.
During this whole training effort, I have been reminded of what ancillary benefits can be achieved when making a dedication to health and fitness.
I got up this morning, and got dressed. In the past, I would get to this point in the week, and all of the clothes that fit me, I had already worn. Thursday and Friday typically had been the days to wear the things that I never feel as comfortable in.
Well today I realized that my usual Thursday shirt and pants fit very comfortably, and that my usual belt notch was feeling a bit loose. I went to the next notch. Still a little loose. I went to the next one...but there weren't any more! I got a big smile on my face, because I can now look forward to Thursday and Friday as days where I won't be uncomfortable.
I am planning a long run tonight, and after a couple of efforts this weekend, I am feeling good about my progress towards the 1/2 marathon. I ran 7 miles on Sunday, and did the 6.82 miles in the first hour. If I can get the running up to about 10 miles or more before the race, I am going to feel prepared.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Losing Weight--A Sobering Experience
As I have mentioned here a few times, I am in a raging...er, tepid challenge with the big boned runners in our attempts to lose weight, and get in shape for MARATHON DAY (1/8/2008) and beyond. I have stalled out here a little in the 235-240 range. Which is surprising in some ways, and not so surprising in others.
The surprising part is that my running times, and strength have increased. I ran 6.78 miles without stopping in one hour. I felt great (although pretty tired the next day!). I will run again tomorrow, and probably do another 4-5 miles or so.
The not so surprising part is the fact that my bad eating habits are starting to creep back into my lifestyle. I have been slowly re-introducing chocolate, coca-cola, and, more recently, pizza back into the ol' diet.
My hope is that by getting it out here on the blog, that I can re-focus my attention on eating well, and exercising, to get back to the weight loss trail. Until I lose at least another 10 lbs, I won't feel like I have really accomplished what I have set out to do.
With the weather improving (albeit only slightly), and daylight savings coming in early March, I think my days of treadmill running may soon be at an end. I am actually looking forward to some scenery while I run, although I am still anxious about the cold weather exercise. Still, if I am going to make it on a 13.1 mile run in just two months (see prior posts to understand more fully my obsession with numbers and timeframes), I had better spend some time pounding the real pavement, and not just the treadmill belt.
Anyway, I am starting to face another concern. I haven't really found any new music lately to inspire me to new running heights. My prior favorites (Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Phish, Yes) have done little to inspire me to run faster. I am going to have to seek other avenues of inspiration. I am listening, if people have suggestions...
The surprising part is that my running times, and strength have increased. I ran 6.78 miles without stopping in one hour. I felt great (although pretty tired the next day!). I will run again tomorrow, and probably do another 4-5 miles or so.
The not so surprising part is the fact that my bad eating habits are starting to creep back into my lifestyle. I have been slowly re-introducing chocolate, coca-cola, and, more recently, pizza back into the ol' diet.
My hope is that by getting it out here on the blog, that I can re-focus my attention on eating well, and exercising, to get back to the weight loss trail. Until I lose at least another 10 lbs, I won't feel like I have really accomplished what I have set out to do.
With the weather improving (albeit only slightly), and daylight savings coming in early March, I think my days of treadmill running may soon be at an end. I am actually looking forward to some scenery while I run, although I am still anxious about the cold weather exercise. Still, if I am going to make it on a 13.1 mile run in just two months (see prior posts to understand more fully my obsession with numbers and timeframes), I had better spend some time pounding the real pavement, and not just the treadmill belt.
Anyway, I am starting to face another concern. I haven't really found any new music lately to inspire me to new running heights. My prior favorites (Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Phish, Yes) have done little to inspire me to run faster. I am going to have to seek other avenues of inspiration. I am listening, if people have suggestions...
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