CG’s Running Blog

{I’m jumping right in}

So, I’ve been gone from this BLOG for over 2-weeks now with no post.  SHAME on me.  Even worse….I haven’t run a step in about the same amount of time.    The last time I left you (in my best early 60’s BATMAN voice) I was heading to Virginia for vacation but was taking my running stuff and going to do some running up there.  Well, it didn’t go so well and I don’t have a good excuse.  To top it off…shamefully I didn’t even run my 5-mile memorial run.  I did stop and think about Ryan but did not get my fat last behind in gear to run.

Let me tell you about the pathetic little run I didn’t do on Sunday (11/18).  I barely did 1.5 miles.   Yes, you read that correctly….there is a decimal point in between the 1 & 5.  Honestly, I even struggled with that.  You may ask:  Where there hills?  The answer:  NO.  the only real difference was the temperature (not even that cold) and it was DARK…real dark.  No street lights in the neighborhood, and only a few here and there when I got out of the neighborhood.  Anyway, I struggled to finish it and promised “tomorrow” I’ll run in the daylight and it will be a better run.  NOPE….didn’t even bother trying.  Not even Thanksgiving morning.  I’m  a slug.   Then to top it off, I get home from vacation and get a cold.  Nothing to knock me on my butt, but just enough to make sure I’m run down after work and in no good condition to run.    All told, a sad sad state of affairs with 40 days left until the Disney Half-Marathon.

 Laying in bed last night I made running a priority again and will be giving it 110% over the next 40 days.  No, I don’t plan on going out and hurting myself, but I will remain true to an every other day schedule and put running ahead of such things as PS2 playing and TV watching.

Wish me luck…cause here I go….again!!

He’s back….till next time.

Ok ok…the title might be a little mis-leading.  Let me describe what I’m calling my “upcoming test.”  I’m leaving tomorrow night to visit family in Virginia for a week…the test is will I have the willpower & discipline to run while I’m up there.  There really is no reason not to run, there are great trails, the temperature isn’t too too cold, and I’ll have time.  So, what’s the deal you might ask?  I guess in my head, I’m on vacation am I going to want to run after a day of “doing whatever?”  We’ll see!!  I guess in honesty, I HAVE to run while I’m up there.  The Disney Half-Marathon is quickly approaching and if I plan on having a respectable time and be able to “do the park” afterwards I’m going to need to get in shape.  WE’LL SEE! 

So, this week I’ve managed to “tweak” my hamstring while out in the garden on Saturday & Sunday.  Talk about frustrating….here I run fairly regularly and have no issue…but I get out in the garden and start planting flowers and bang…  So, my running has been curtailed this week, which makes the dilemma above all the more important.  I did manage to run 2.0 miles on Tuesday and didn’t really have an issue witht he hamstring, but I was aware of it during the run.   I plan on going out tonight for a 3.5 miler.  Wish me luck.

Again…don’t forget about the 5.5 Mi Memorial run on Saturday!!

Till next time….

“Every individual has that spark of steel to confront fear face to face,” Ryan Shay wrote in his application essay to Notre Dame.

I think this quote is appropriate not only for running, but for the fact that today is Veteran’s day.  War is nothing that anyone volunteers for, but it becomes a necessary evil when two opposing ideas meet and issues cannot be resolved diplomatically.  For those soldiers who enter battle to support and defend our freedom I sincerely thank you.  Without you willing to put your life on the line, my and many others lives would be significantly different.

So, given the day and the quote from above I am inspired once again to make my running better.  Why does my running need to be better you might ask.  Well, it needs to be better because I always have to strive to be better and never settle for “status quo” or “good enough.”  Those two terms drive me crazy.  While we may never reach perfection why can’t we strive be better at whatever we’re involved in, from marriage, running, parenthood, work, etc….  Tonight I will go out and run what last week was considered my long run of 3.0-3.5 miles will become my new base run.  The 3+ milers came easier than I expected and I definitely enjoy where the run takes me more than where my >3.0milers were going.

I guess I’ll wrap it up.  Remember to thank a Veteran and do something inspired.

..till next time.

Well, I know everyone is waiting with baited breath to know if I ran so, I’ll hold you off a little longer.

My evening was pretty much chugging along right on schedule.  Actually, I finished dinner 10 minutes before the 630 deadline.  LOL  That is after downing 8 tacos.  YIKES!!!!  To top it off, my wife was bored earlier in the day and decided to make brownies (my true weakness).  I held off on the brownies for about an hour and then had 2.  In my world they were to give me that extra boost so, I didn’t get tired as the night went on. HA HA.

 Anyway, I kicked back to watch The Unit and my wife noticed Orange County Wives was on as well.  Well she had me flipping back and forth between the two shows.  It is truly amazing there are clueless people in the world that make and spend the ammount of money these people spend.  Granted, I’d L O V E the chance to make that kind of money but I think I’d jump out a window if I had the “issues” they had to deal with.  I digress….Well 10pm hit…the witching hour, I tried to get my wife to run for me…no such luck.  a. She’s not a runner. b. she’s not a night person.  Finally at 10:52pm I am dressed and out the door for my run!!!  What a great run it was.  I decided to take a different loop and it turned out very nice.  My legs felt rested and willing to handle the pounding, my breathing was on.  Overall it was a darn good run.  I was back by 11:30. I took the dog out back and put my legs in our pool.  ( If you haven’t noticed by now, in my mind, I’m an “elite” runner.  I watch and read what these guys do and incorporate the parts and pieces I have access to into my running.  )  So, there I am drinking water and have my legs in 70 degree water to reduce the swelling. Yes, I did get a chuckle out of it.

 So, this looks like my turning point in running this week.  I actually may get 3 days of running into a 7 day week.  YES!!!  that will be a small but crucial victory.

Till next time….

Well as you can probably see I’m sllllooowwwllly learning more about this blogging stuff (boy I sound old) and I’m starting to make my Blog “prettier/cuter.”  I found this simple theme that I liked and it helps me see some of the items on the right a little bit better.  I apologize for the shameless (well not so much) plug for a presidential candidate, but I figured it’s my responsiblity to let readers know that there’s a strong Republican candidate out there that isn’t getting the press he should be.  So, I figured I’d help out.

 Back to my blogging…and running.  Tonight’s plan is to run 3 miles.  It should be intersting because my wife is making Tacos.  I have read many a blog and article regarding the accidental emission of methane during running.  LOL   I’ll do my best to keep the polution down, but can make NO promises.  Here is my schedule for this evening:

6-630- Eat dinner

630-900 Change, play with my son, check e-mail, work around the house  a little bit.

900-1000- Watch The Unit (I’m addicted.

1000-1100-  Watch Cane for a few minutes and see if it grabs my attention.  Run my 3 miler.

 ALL, please note where my planned run falls in my day and the priority I’ve given it.  I am sad, but I know myself.  While I claim a running addiction, I still haven’t prioritized it.  Someday I guess…..

Well, stay tuned tomorrow to see if I actually complete my run and my adventures in making this blog interesting.

Well, I geeked it up this weekend and actually got out of bed around 8:15 and watched the Olympic trials.  WOW!  It was pretty amazing to watch Ryan Hall effortlessly run 26.2 miles.  I kept calling my wife in to show her how fast he was running compared to how fast I run (10min pace).  When I ran the marathon a few years ago I was far from wanting to talk to anyone during the last hundred yards and there he was whooping and hi-fiving. 

{It’s unfortunate that Ryan Shay passed away this weekend.  I pray for his family.  Death is terrible, but I think a sudden event is even harder.}

So, after watching the Olympic trial you would think this guy would be motivated to go out for his long run on a crisp Florida morning (yes, it’s starting to feel like fall).  OH NO….he talked himself into being too busy in the morning and needed to get dressed to attend a family reunion.  “Oh I’ll just run tonight.”  WRONG again…I put it off until Sunday.    Sunday came and I talked myself out of running in the morning and decided to wash the cars.  I had a great time doing that.  My son came out and helped with the inside.  “daddy I need a wet towel to do the inside, like you.”  He did fine and eventually got bored and went inside.  So the day went on and imagine… I waited until 10pm and talked myself down to a little 2.15M run.  PATHETIC I know.  I promise to do better this week.  I’ve got to kick up my training and actually put in some weekly mileage.

Does this blog interest anyone besides me?  Is anyone running the Disney Half-Marathon in January? 

Till next time….

So, I start this Blog yesterday and I went running last night.  I did a quick (not really) 2.5 miles.  I finished the Army 10-miler last month and now I’m in training for the Disney Half-Marathon in January.  You may ask yourself….why is he only running 2.5 miles?   Well, that’s because I didn’t train like I should have for the ATM and now I’m going to “do it right” for the Disney race. 

Anyway, more about my run.  I’ve got a great little area to do runs from about 2-5 miles without having to do an “up & back” run.  Also, because I have a wife and 4 year old son, I like to wait until they go to bed before I run.  This means I get the pleasure of running around 10-11PM.  So, last nights run was a typical run except my legs were dead.  I was about half-way through the run and just could feel the pounding.  I knew I could push through and did.  I picked up my pace a little bit and the feeling went away.  Overall, a good run.

 As soon as I figure out how to make a profile/background I’ll tell you more about myself.  In short, I’m the average mid-30’s suburban guy.  Not fit, but wouldn’t say I’m obese (at least until I take my shirt off).

 Finally, my plans for the weekend, which will show my new addiction for all things running….I’ve actually set my alarm to get up and watch the NY Marathon/Olympic Trials live online at 7am…. we’ll see if I hit the snooze or get up and log onto the computer.

…till next time