Day #17: Best Month of the Year

I'm not sure if I should be proud of this or not, but I hit my highest monthly mileage total of 2010 today. That number is 41.9 miles. That's not so much. Yes, better than nothing but nothing to get all that excited about. Meh.

Distance: 2.7 miles

Time: 22:12

Pace: 8:14

Weight: 204.5 (I located the scale again)

Day #16: Somebody Stole My Scale!

Well, actually they borrowed it. Plus it's not really my scale. The scale that is usually in the men's locker room at my office's gym has been "borrowed" for a Biggest Loser contest and moved into the staff's office until the first week of January. So, either i'll have to wait until then to weigh myself, transition over to another scale or try to get access to the old scale from time-to-time. None of those options is ideal. Grrrr....

On the positive side, today's run went well. For the first time in a long time neither my legs, nor my lungs were suffering at all during the run. Usually it's one or the other - sometimes both.

Distance: 2.7 miles

Time: 22:30

Pace: 8:20

Weight: 204.5 (?)

Day #15: Back With The Coyotes

OK, I didn't actually see any coyotes. It was really cold outside - I need to remember how to dress for run. 37 degrees and I was wearing shorts, short sleeved tech shirt and a long sleeved cotton shirt over that. I was very cold for the first mile, but warmed up some. I think a hot, gloves and windproof briefs might be in order the next time the temperature dips that low.

Distance: 4.08 miles (weekly total = 19 miles)

Time: 34:28

Pace: 8:27

Weight: 204.5 (weekly loss = 2 pounds)

Day #14: First Struggle

Today was tough. I ran at the local YMCA and it is always incredibly hot there and I really struggle in the heat - even when I'm in good shape.

Distance: 2.7 miles

Time: 22:30

Pace: 8:20

Weight: 204.5

Day #13: Almost An Afterthought

Hopped on the treadmill around 3:30 this afternoon. A good way to close out the work week. Looking forward to a Thanksgiving next week.

Distance: 2.3 miles

Time: 18:24

Pace: 8:01

Weight: 204.5

Day #12: Still Going Strong

I'm actually surprised a how good I feel given the shape that I'm in and the fact that I'm not taking any rest days.

Speaking of not taking any rest days, I started wondering whether this was a good idea or not while on the treadmill yesterday (it was either this or watching Oprah on the television). So, I decided to take a look back over the last 5+ years of my training logs to see what kind of running streaks that I've put together to determine whether my body might be able to hold up under the stress of no rest days. In compiling this list I have arbitrarily defined a running streak as 10 or more consecutive days of running. What I found was actually pretty interesting and leads me to believe that I just might be able to do stick with my plan for a whole year. Mt longest streaks are:

1. 135 days (12/17/06-4/30/07)

2. 56 days (5/9/05-7/3/05)

3. 52 days (10/2/05-11/22/05)

4. 42 days (12/25/05 -2/4/06)

5. 40 days (3/29/05-5/7/05)

6. 27 days (4/4/06-4/30/06)

7. 24 days (7/12/05-8/4/05)

8. 20 days (achieved 2x)

10. 19 days (7/31/06-8/18/06)

11. 18 days (achieved 2x)

13. 16 days (1/28/08-2/12/08)

14. 15 days (6/12/07-6/26/07)

15. 14 days (8/9/07-8/22/07)

16. 13 days (achieved 3x)

19. 12 days (achieved 5x - including this current streak)

23. 11 days (achieved 4x)

27. 10 days (achieved 3x)

So, in the overall context of my running career (I never had any notable running streaks while in high school or college), my current streak is currently in a five way tie for my19th longest running streak ever. So, not really a big deal yet, BUT in another week it'll enter the top five.

Distance: 2.3 miles

Time: 18:40

Pace: 8:07

Weight: 204.5

Day #11: Return of the Longer Mid-Week Run

Distance: 3.0 miles

Time: 25:22

Pace: 8:28

Weight: 205.5

Day #10: Back to the Back

Yep, it hurts again - same thing as a few days ago. I really don't get it because I'm positive that I didn't strain it. The only explanation that I can come up with is that the stresses of daily running are compressing my back somehow. In any event, it's more of a minor irritation than anything else so I'll just live with it.

The legs are still holding up pretty well as the only soreness that I'm experiencing is in my arches and ankles. I'm still constantly tired too. I expect that all of these issues will pass once I'm in better shape.

Distance: 2.3 miles

Time: 18:55

Pace: 8:15

Weight: 206

Day #9: Back to the Treadmill

Distance: 2.3 miles
Time: 19:10
Pace: 8:20
Weight: 206.5

Day #8: Week One Complete

Well, I made it through my first week with any serious issues. Today was a long run (if you can call 3.4 miles a long run). Overall, I ran (over 8 days) 17.1 miles and lost 5.5 pounds. I'd consider both of those victories.

So far, no noticeable injuries have cropped up. I had some sort of phantom back injury on Friday night but it resolved itself by Saturday afternoon. In addition, every so often I have some slight hip pain and my ankles and arches are always somewhat tender post-run, but those are things that a good icing can cure.

Overall, I'd call the first week a success.

Distance: 3.4 miles (weekly total = 15.1 miles)
Time: 28:18
Pace: 8:20
Weight 206.5 (weekly loss = 5.5 pounds)

Day #7: Coyotes

I've lived at my current home for three years, so I know that they're there. I've heard their howling countless times, so I also know that there are several of them roaming my neighborhood. However, I never actually saw them - until my run today, that is.

I walk my dog every night around 7pm. Ever since the time change, however, things have been a little, well, odd. He keeps seeing things out in the blackness that I can't and tries to pull me off the road toward the woods. Last night, as I was finishing up my walk, I heard a very menacing growl directed toward the dog but, as usual, I couldn't see anything.

So, I decided to wear my headlamp on my run tonight - which was three loops around my neighborhood. I saw nothing on the first two loops, but as I was heading toward the site of the previous night's growling I saw the first coyote - which immediately ran into the back yard of the house whose yard it had been standing in. Then, as I reached the spot where I saw the first coyote, I saw another under the next streetlight. It also ran away into the woods separating my development from the next one over. Of course, where there are two coyotes, there are likely more - probably several more.

I was still about a third of a mile away from my house and, to make it even more interesting, I had to turn my back to both coyotes to get home. Let's just say that was the fastest part of my run...

Distance: 2.04 miles

Time: 16:25

Pace: 8:03

Weight: 207

Day #6: I Did Run

Distance: 2.0 miles
Time: 16:40
Pace: 8:20
Weight: 207

Day #5: Only Results Again

Distance: 2.0 miles
Time: 16:54
Pace: 8:27
Weight: 207.5

Day #4: Baby Steps

Distance: 2.0 miles
Time: 17:09
Pace: 8:35
Weight: 208

Day #3: Random Thoughts

In case it wasn't clear yesterday, another goal of mine is to lose 52 pounds over the next year - I assumed that the title of the post made that clear but wanted to mention it just in case.

I can't find any of my running gear. In fact, I'm not even sure what I have at this point. The most depressing thing is that most of the things that I can find don't fit. That includes all of the winter gear that I've found so far. So, that means that I'll be spending some quality time on the treadmill.

I noticed that the batteries to my Polar HRM are dead. I also think that a packet of GU may have exploded all over my Garmin. At least I hope that's what it is.

My after-run appetite is out of control. I really need to focus on healthy snacks because, other than that, my diet isn't all that bad.

Distance: 2.0 miles

Time: 17:24

Pace: 8:42

Weight: 209

Day #2: Losing 52 To Run 26

Not an enviable position to be in but, let's be honest, I'm solely responsible for my current situation. Even when taking the staggering number of injuries I've suffered into account, I chose not to cross-train, I chose to sit on my ass every night and watch television and I chose to eat like I was running 80 miles per week even though I wasn't. All that being said, I'm done feeling sorry for myself and I'm looking forward to fixing all of the mistakes I've made over the last three years.

Which leads me to my goals...

Admittedly, these plans will be a little rough at first, but I'll fill them in with more detail as I go. Another thing that I'll mention up front is that I have no idea what my long term goals (i.e. 3-5 years out) will be. I think those will ultimately be derived based upon the success or failure of the more immediate goals.

Right now, the intermediate goal is a return to my former level of racing fitness - a 1:28 half and a 3:11 marathon. I'm giving myself one year to achieve this with my tentative goal race being the 2011 Harrisburg Marathon. Initially, I thought that Steamtown might be the right race, but I'd prefer to save that one for when I know that I have a fast time in me. I also like the fact that Harrisburg is a smaller race (no crowds) that's a bit later in the racing season (more time to train). So, yes, Harrisburg it is.

How will I get there? Again, I'm still fleshing it out a bit. I don't have a training plan, nor a strength/core training plan. Diet plan? Nope, not yet. I do know this, however.

The core of my plan is this - to run at least two miles every day between now and my goal race. That's it. It's deceptively simple yet incredibly difficult to implement. Yes, I'll incorporate a nutrition plan and some strength, core and even cross-training into the overall plan but those will all come later as I sort through all of the books, running magazines, DVDs, internet articles and whatever else that I've collected over the years. I'll eventually pick up a formal training plan as well - most likely another round of Daniels training, but I'm open to suggestions there.

Well, I think I've rambled on enough for today so here are today's stats:

Distance: 2.0 miles

Time: 17:39

Pace: 8:50

Weight: 209 (must be that I've lost some water weight)

Day #1: They Say The Third Time's The Charm

That's right. I'm back for the third time. Not only with respect to this blog, but I'm embarking the third iteration of my running life.

I don't have a lot to say tonight but suffice it to say that I've got some big plans that I'll get into in more detail in the days and weeks ahead.

One thing that I've decided, however, is that I'm going to use this quasi-public forum to insert some accountability into my training (read: public humiliation works wonders).

So, to that end here are the vital statistics for today's run:

Distance: 2.04 miles
Time: 17:55
Pace: 8:47
Weight: 212

More tomorrow.

I'm Home

Unfortunately for me my vacation is over an while this is generally a running blog, I thought I'd give a brief summary here. Feel free to skip over this post if you're looking for running material. So, as I mentioned below, I was on a cruise - it was 10 total days and originated out of Bayonne, NJ.

Day 1 - this was registration day - lots of waiting in lines - luggage drop-off, parking, check-in, photo-id process, muster drill, etc. Once on the ship, we quickly found our stateroom - a decent sized room with a couch and a balcony. Then the eating commenced. We also signed up for the wine tasting dinner that was held in the ship's upscale Italian restaurant. Lots of good wine and a great buzz - probably two bottles of wine per person. Most everyone else retired for the evening, but my brother in law and I began a bar crawl around the ship. We finished up in The Chamber - a goth inspired dance club which - if you know me - isn't really how I usually roll, but it was fun anyway. BIL and I then ate some pizza at the all night pizzeria and then hit the casinos and then the outside decks for some ping pong action. After that we stopped by the basketball court for some hoops practice until about 2:30 am. A few slices of pizza after that and we were done for the night. Needless to say, there was no running.

Day 2 - still a bit cold today - probably about 55 degrees, so we were confined to the lounges for the most part. Did a little shopping at the ship's stores, checked out a few of the ship's many bars and acquainted ourselves with the dining room and cafes. Tonight is a formal night and we have a great waitstaff. The show tonight was a typical singing and dancing act. After a few drinks, we head to bed around midnight. I managed to get a nice workout in at the gym today too.

Day 3 - 85 degrees today, but very windy - still at sea. The wind masks the heat from the sun and I forget to apply sunscreen. Three hours after lounging on deck with my head phones I look like a lobster but only one one side of my face... I had another good workout - including a four mile run. Tonight's entertainment was a new age styled piano player - kind of boring, but I make it through. I make my first trip to the Johnny Rockets tonight. Up again until 12-1 am.

Day 4 - up early to see us docking in Haiti. Actually, we're at Labadee - Royal Carribean's private stop which happens to be in Haiti. While there I ride the world's largest zip line that travels over water. It's 500 feet high, starts at a mountain situated on a peninsula on the shore and descends one-half mile over the ocean to another peninsula below while travelling at speeds of 30-40 mph. Scary initially, but lots of fun and the ride lasts for about a minute overall. Went to a beach after this and had a fruity drink or two. Followed that up with a feast of jerked chicken, beans and rice. Dinner was typical and the entertainment was a juggling comedian. BIL fell asleep at 8:15 tonight after eating four entrees and I mock him the next day. I also managed a late night run.

Day 5 - today was a stop in Samana, Dominican Republic. We tendered into the island and explored the town, but there wasn't much to see except for a huge number of local artisans who have set out their works along a sidewalk leading along the water spanning the entirety of the distance into town. visited a church here that had been assembled in England, disassembled and brought here and then reassembled. We actually got to experience a mass and the singing was beautiful. After about 10 minutes, we make a donation to the parish and head to our excursion. That excursion was a four hour guided ATV tour into the Dominican countryside, so we got to see the real Dominican Republic. Two observations here - actually three or four. First, the countryside was stunning - we drove up and down many beautiful hills and valleys, along the beach, crossed a few rivers, and drove down several wooded trails including one that stopped at a waterfall and also drove through several villages. Second, the people here are amazingly friendly - they'd all run to the roadside as we drove by and would either wave or give us a high five. Third, there is lot of development going on - including the installation of an aquifer for several of the towns that we drove through. Last - the poverty here is astounding - as I mentioned above, there was no running water once you left the town. And many of the homes here lack windows and roofs. A real eye-opener. I fell asleep tonight at 7:45 pm and I don't wake up until 8:30 am the next day. My BIL, as expected, is all over this... Needless to say, there was no running today.

Day 6 - we were in St. Thomas today. We walked from the pier into Charlotte Amalie and take the ferry over to Cruz Bay, St. John. From there we head to Trunk Bay for some snorkeling. We are informed that the surf is too rough for snorkeling, so there is no snorkeling today BUT, there is no entry fee charged because of this. Swimming is also discouraged, but permitted if we choose. Well, we're here so we opt to swim. And the U.S. Park Service is right, it's rough out there, but fun too. Rum punch helps me to forget to apply sunscreen again. Ouch!! After 3-4 hours, we head back to St. Thomas via Red Hook stopping for another drink prior to cabbing it back into town. We eat dinner at a favorite restaurant in Charlotte Amalie and then go shopping. Amy gets diamond earrings and a matching ring. I get nada. More Johnny Rockets tonight and then to bed around 1 am. No running today either.

Day 7 - San Juan, Puerto Rico. One of the ship's propellers has been damaged and this cuts our stay here short. We are here from 8:30 to 11 am only. We wander around Old San Juan. It's nice - some of the city dates back to the 15th or 16th century - lots of narrow, winding cobblestone streets. I get a nice watch.




The rest of the day is spent lounging on the deck and listening to music, eating and another trip to the gym.

Day 8 - we're at sea today. it's a lot like day three except that I manage not to burn myself. A little drinking, lots of sun and some ping pong and shuffleboard round out the day. Another formal night for dinner - I get both the lobster and a nice Thai chicken breast. Oh, and Johnny Rockets to close out the night. Spent the evening drinking with BIL. Three more miles today too.

Day 9 - it's cold again today - another day spent in the lounges - mostly eating. I played bingo twice today. Fill the card for $8k and $10k respectively. One last workout today too along with a lot of packing up my things.

Day 10 - after one more big breakfast - I had to go home. That's about all I have. Overall, I only gained three pounds. Not bad since I usually gain 8-10 pounds over the course of a seven day cruise. No running today with all of the travelling.

Let's see - I ran today too. Three miles. It finally feels like I'm getting back to liking running again.

Tomorrow's post will return to your normal programming. Promise.

Greetings From The Caribbean!!

I've been on vacation for the last several days, so I've had no time to post, but I've discovered that the ship I'm on has wifi.

Fortunately, I've been able to keep the running up - in fact I've had runs on the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Sargasso and Caribbean Seas so far.

Today we were in Haiti (and 92 degrees) and I rode the longest zip line in the world. More on that later when I have a few moments to post. Tomorrow is the Dominican Republic, then St. Thomas/st. John and then San Juan.

See you all when I get back. I'll try to check in again while I'm here.

I’m Streaking

So says Lora in her comment below. And she’s right – in two ways. First, I ran two miles last night – not incredibly far, but I did run them around my “old” pace last night – which is 8:00/mile.

It was also my fifth consecutive day running (which will be six after I go to the gym this afternoon). This got me to thinking about running streaks and the concept of whether to run every day or not.

As for me, I’m at my best when I run every day. Out of curiosity, I went back and checked my running logs to determine my longest running streaks. The longest was 135 consecutive days during which I ran 157 times. My second longest streak was 98 days –with only one run on each day.

I’ve been told many times that rest days are essential for the body to recuperate – and I acknowledge that days off would most likely help this aging body recover more completely. I just can’t do it though – and here’s why. I’m a slacker by nature and I need the discipline imposed by running every day. I’ve tried training plans where I run 5 or 6 days per week and I always use the days off as excuses not to run. So, a typical 6 runs per week - 50 mile week would look something this:

M: 5 miles
T: off
W: off
R: 7 miles
F: 12 miles
Sa: 10 miles (intervals)
Su: 15 miles

So, I’d start off with the shortest run of the week, then take the next two days off – yes not one, but two - justifying that by saying “Well, if I can take one day off…”, then I’m left filling in most of my mileage at the end of the week – including putting the speed work too close to the long run. It’s inevitable, I do it every time.

However, if I force myself to run every day, then I’m much more likely to do the workouts exactly as I’ve written them out for the simple reason that there’s less wiggle room. As for easy days, I’ve always considered any distance of six miles and under done at an easy pace to be an easy day.

So, what do you think? What’s your longest running streak? Any thoughts on running every day? Leave a comment and let me know.