Cool Runnings!

After taking a week off due to illness, I got back on track last night.  Since it was raining and I was just recovered from illness, I stayed inside on the treadmill.  Started off walking for 1.5 miles, then bumped the treadmill up to 8 mph at an incline of 1.0.  Ran the first mile at 8 mph, concentrated on proper running form.  Increased the speed to 8.5 mph for the first 1/2 of the second mile, then increased again to 9.0 mph for the last 1/2 mile.  I can tell I need to make it in to the chiropractor - when I am out of alignment, it is 1) easier to run with poor form and 2) requires more exertion to run at the same speed than it does when I am fully aligned.  I can equate this to the alignment on a vehicle - if the alignment is off, efficiency suffers as it requires more effort not only to keep the vehicle on track but as a result also requires more power to drive at the same speed.  With that said, I am going to call the chiropractor and schedule an appointment for this week.

The good news is that I continue to lose weight, albeight slowly - I am about 3 pounds away from my goal weight now.  Next item on my agenda is to purchase a new pair of running shoes (needs to be done within the next couple of weeks).  After a stint with Saucony, I have decided that I am going back to Brooks, as I actually had my best experience with the Adrenaline GTS 5, and they have improved the Adrenaline GTS 7 to offer a fit more like the GTS 5.  With my weight being down now, I feel more comfortable running in a normal stability shoe.  I have never had much luck wearing the heaver shoes - every time I have done so, it seems to exacerbate any condition I may have had.  I was actually in the best shape, and had my best year in a while when I was running in my GTS 5's, so it would make sense to me to go back to what worked well.

Ran another two miles today - started out with 1 mile walking, then ran 2 straight miles, then walked another 1.5 miles.  Decided to wear the HRM today out of curiosity.  My HR while walking was right around 120.  However, when I started running, it shot up to the 170's, giving me a good indication that my cardiovascular fitness still has a ways to go.  Mile splits for the two miles I ran were:

1st mile:  7:44 (felt good and relaxed)

2nd mile:  6:44 (I started off at the same pace as the first mile, but about halfway through, my competitive juices started flowing, and I stepped up the pace)

I think that next week I am going to add more mileage.  My wife got as an early birthday present from her best friend a registration in a local 4.2 mile run which is run on her birthday.  The event is called Pat's Run, in honor of Pat Tillman, and the event benefits the Pat Tillman foundation.  I have decided that I am going to run in it as well, so I need to start upping my mileage.  The event is on April 7, so I have about 1 1/2 months left.  Should be plenty of time.

Ran 2.6 miles about an hour after eating a hamburger, and ended up regretting it.  I thought I had given my body enough time, but I forgot that my red meat intake has been cut way back, and as a result, I have a bit of a harder time digesting it.  The last time I did any kind of physical activity following a meal with a lot of red meat, I almost lost my dinner.  And that was just going for a walk with my wife . . .

So, on to the report.  Walked the first 1/2 mile or so, then ran 2.6 straight miles.  Don't have the splits any more.  After the second mile, I was really feeling the hamburger in my stomach, and knew I wouldn't be able to run 3 miles, which was my goal.  Cut it short at 2.6, as I felt if I had run further, the hamburger would have ended up on the side of the road.  Walked the last mile back home, still feeling a bit out of sorts.  Stretched out, and finally started to feel better.  Mental note - give myself plenty of time between dinner and running - at least 2 hours if possible :)