Cool Runnings!

Man, I gotta get my butt in gear and start running every day.  My excuse has been that I haven't been getting to bed early enough, thus waking up at 5:30 wouldn't allow me to get enough sleep.  But I decided last night that I needed to run this morning, come what may.  Hopefully this will inspire me to get myself to bed no later than 10 PM, 'cuz I'm gonna run, no matter what.  I only did 2 miles today, but still, it felt good.  Now gotta keep it up for the rest of the week and get myself back in the habit so I can lose some of this extra weight I'm carrying around . . .

AM - 2.5 easy miles this morning, keeping with my pledge to run every morning, no matter what.  It felt good to run, but I definitely need to make sure that I get a bit more sleep tonight.  Average pace of approximately 8:00/mile.

AM - another run in the bag - that makes 3 days in a row!  Just 2 miles again today.  Ran a different route to break up the monotony, first mile was easier, and the second mile was run a bit harder.  Here's hoping that consistent training will finally get me to lose the weight I need to lose.

AM - 3.5 miles outside - it was wonderful.  It had rained a bit during the night, and I even got dripped on a little bit when I went out.  It wasn't too hot, so that was nice.  I was originally planning on running 4 miles, but I wimped out and settled for 3.5.  It's actually a good thing, though, because we ended up having a really busy day.

After months of wondering where my Garmin cradle was to charge up my Forerunner 205, I finally took the initiative last night and poked around in out box where we keep our spare cables and such.  Voila!  Found the cradle and a spare USB cable.  Since the wall charger didn't work, I just plugged it into my computer to charge it up.  It was nice to be able to run with the GPS watch again, to get a better idea of how fast I was running and how far.  2 miles today to take it easy after the day of rest.  I found myself having a tough time maintaining a steady pace, so that is something to work on.

I didn't get a chance to run this morning, so I decided to run in the evening.  I missed a couple days because my back was acting up and I had to go see a chiropractor.  But it is starting to feel better.  Used my freshly charged Garmin again, which was nice, because I could see how I was actually doing and make sure I didn't run too fast.  Average pace for the 3 miles of 8:19/mile.  I have a long way to go before I get back to my 08 SGM shape, but I am committed to getting there, even if I don't try to do SGM next year.

Another 3 miles in the evening.  It was cool to watch a storm rolling in on the horizon (although it ended up missing us - boo!).  I ran a different route today to mix things up, but it was hard to run today - I don't know if that's because of the 3 slices of pizza I ate for lunch, or the big plate of beans and rice I had for dinner (at least it should hopefully wash down the pizza!), but I gutted it out.  Legs felt fine, but I felt bloated.

PM - ran 2.5 miles outside - cut it a little short because it was kind of late.  It was pretty hot out.  I just ran around the neighborhood today.

AM - 2 easy miles early this morning.  Felt pretty good.  I feel like my aerobic fitness is slowly starting to improve - at least the run felt easier today on my lungs.  I'll continue to take things easy this week and maybe next, before I start to bump up my mileage.

PM - 3 miles outside.  The run felt good, no complaints.  I ran around my neighborhood again.  Had a slightly scary experience - as I had just finished the near loop and crossed over into the other side of our neighborhood, I heard some sirens and then the sound of a large diesel engine.  I just figured it was a police car pulling someone over or something like that and kept running.  But when I finished the far loop and went back to do my second near loop, there was an ambulance and a fire truck at a house just across the street from our cul de sac.  When I finished the second near loop, there was an elderly man in the back of the ambulance with an oxygen mask on his face.  It makes me feel kind of bad that we don't know more of our neighbors besides the ones in our cul de sac.  I hope he is all right.

PM - 3.11 miles outside.  It was actually quite lovely - clouds and rain kept the temperatures down today to a balmy 100 degrees or so, and it was cooler out this evening than it has been in the past week or so.  I started off nice and easy, and picked up the pace the entire run.  When I hit my turnaround point, I started to pick up the pace a bit, and my last full mile (not counting the last 3.11) was about 7:30.  Not blazing fast by any means, and I could feel the lack of cardiopulmonary fitness, but it felt good to open up a little bit.  Averaged 7:55/mile for the entire run, mostly due to the last mile.

PM - I didn't get to bed early enough last night to try and go out this morning with Burt - I'll have to try that next time.  Instead I ran this evening to make sure I got in my run today.  It was warmer out than Thursday.  I started off nice and easy and again slowly increased the pace.  I am hoping that doing this will help my aerobic system to improve.  We will see.  Road Runner Sports here in Tempe is holding a free 5K in a few weeks, and I plan on attending - it is on Thursday, August 19 at 6:00 PM.  No time goal in mind right now, just run to have fun.

PM - ran 3 miles outside at about 9 pm.  It had cooled down some, but it was still pretty warm.  Started off nice and easy, around 8:30 pace, and slowly increased the pace over the course of the run.  I don't recall the first mile split, but the second mile was 7:58, and the last mile was 7:16.  I felt the effort much more in my lungs than in my legs.  I take that as a good sign.

AM - I got to bed on time last night, and didn't get a chance to run yesterday, so I got up early to run this morning.  We had a nice storm last night, so I was hoping that it would be cooler, and it was, but it was also still pretty humid (at least for Arizona).  As usual, I started off pretty easy, and slowly picked up the pace.  First mile was 8:17, second mile was 8:03, and the last mile was 7:56.  Felt good throughout.

PM - After raining (again!) this afternoon, it was a bit cooler out this evening, but again more humid than we Arizonans are used to.  Started off nice and easy, first mile in 8:25.  I was having a hard time getting into a rhythm today, and I was struggling during the entire run to get things going.  During the first mile, my lower back also started to tighten up.  Second mile in 8:05.  I could feel that I was pushing it a little bit more on this mile but was determined to get through the run.  Last mile in 7:43.  I wanted this to be over, so I finished pretty strong.  Cooled down afterwards.  Now it's time to get some sore muscles rubbed by an ever-so wonderful wife and then go to bed.

PM - I ran 4 miles outside this evening.  It was beautiful out.  Cloudy all day, and I don't think it ever broke 100 - it may not have even broke 90!  Started off nice and easy again, first mile was 8:31.  Second mile had a bit of gentle downhill, and I kind of got into a groove, so it was a bit faster - 8:14.  Turned around, and was originally taking it easy, but towards the end, I started pushing it a little.  Third mile was 8:18.  I really pushed it on the last mile.  My legs were fine, but my lungs were burning at the end.  The last mile was 7:13.  Overall, 32:20, average pace of 8:05/mile.