Just run

My youngest had trouble sleeping because she was congested.  She woke up in the middle of the night crying.  After my wife gave me some pointers, I took her out to the living room and we both eventually fell asleep.  Woke up early enough to get out for a run, but just looking at her sleeping was excuse enough not to.  I figured I would get to make it up at the end of the day like I did last friday.  As you can see from the big fat zero, I did not get that opportunity, but I'm ok with it.  I don't know how many mornings I'll get to be able to enjoy seeing my little ones sleeping peacefully.

There is a little, impatient youth that lives in my head.  Today the impatient one told me that because I enjoyed alternating 2 minutes of a moderate pace with 2 minutes of a jog that 3 minutes would be even better.  Jogged out to Emery Point to warm up and started the timer.  Made it out to University in the middle of the 3rd rep and almost made it to Chevy's by the start of the 6th recovery rep.  While I was cursing myself for listening to that youthful voice during the workout, I was glad that I did it after the workout.  Next time, I think 7 reps will be doable.

Fast University Route

25:56.01 (Out)   25:17.19 (Back)  = 51:13.20

After shamming the past couple Mondays, I finally get back on the board to start the week off right.  I was thinking up an excuse to get out of running today since it is a holiday, but decided to celebrate my independence by going out for a run and enjoying that freedom and fresh air.  Jogged a little to warm up and then my body started to settle into a rhythm were my jogging pace starts to feel like the only pace I can handle.  Set the timer for 3 minute intervals to break out of that funk.

Turkey Trot Route 32:00.75 (My new PR for this route.)

Legs unwilling to cooperate.  I think they dislike doing 3 minute intervals.  It was like dragging lead weights.  I'm seeing the effects of aging and not taking care of my body.  It doesn't do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it especially if I neglect it.  (But I still see some brief spurts that make me think I can continue down the path I've always tread upon.  Yes, I'm in denial.  Isn't age just a number afterall?)

Group run got scrapped this morning, but no complaints because I just went on a longer individual run.  Was just going to do 3.5 but what's another 1.25 on top of that?  Easy out and pushed a little harder on the way back.  I like feeling fast when I'm on the way home and with only walkers in front of me, I felt really fast.

Embassy Suites  27:00.06 (Out)  25:46.76 (Back) = 52:46.82

I think I have a bad attitude which is negatively affecting me.  So hard to move today.  Felt like I was dragging lead weights around for legs and I couldn't get my breathing down.  Even though I was just out for an easy run, it felt so hard.  All those negative vibes getting to my legs to weigh them down.  I started a little later than usual with a light meal still in my stomach which was probably a bad idea.  I was worried about the heat but it was perfect for running.  I'll just chalk this one up to a hard easy run.  The only easy mile is a mile that I've already run.

1.25 Mile marker 20:30.26 (Out)  19:58.84 (Back) = 40:29.10

Added 3 sets of 25 pushups and rowers, 3 sets of 30 sec planks.  That made me feel like I did a little bit of everything today, but it all felt so difficult.

Flat out procrastinated my running time away.  Had an opportunity before work and after work but it is amazing what kind of excuses I can come up with when given a chance.

Woke up way too late and gambled that there would be an opportunity later on in the day.  Unfortunately, my girls did not nap at the same time.  In fact, they tag teamed.  One would sleep and when she awoke, the other would sleep.  Needless to say I should've taken advantage of having woken up briefly at 3 and gone out and ran then instead of rolling over and thinking that I was going to get out of bed in another hour.

Clocked a mile in the morning at an 8:33 pace which is flying for me.  I was considering calling that good, but went for a 3.5 mile jog this evening after dinner.  Legs felt good and loose, but my shoulders were really tight.  I tried to focus on relaxing my shoulders and then just gave up and went with it.  Jogged out to the 1.25 Mile Marker and back.

21:14.00 (Out)  20:41.71 (Back) = 41:55.71

I've figured out that traffic lights and traffic play a role in my times.  While my return leg seems a little faster, I ignored the lights and darted across the streets while traffic was far away.  Probably took the same amount of time for both legs once you factor out the wait times at the stop lights since traffic was heavier to start the run.

Had the opportunity to hit the weight room this morning.  Let's just say it has been a while and everything feels heavy.  Got two laps around the park afterward.  Was aiming for a slow jog, but somehow it just felt harder than usual.  For some reason, I was chomping at the bit and had to restrain myself.  I should've just gone with it.  Might have gotten a new PR.  Oh well.

Lap 1 - 16:45.02  Lap 2 - 15:59.90 = 32:44.92

Boss allowed me time off to drop ma off at the airport.  Grateful for that.

It was at least a mile.  Maybe a mile and a half if I want to push it.  We did hill repeats.  After stretching, we jogged over to the hill and started.  The goal was to get 8 - 10 with the time we had.  I got to 9.  We didn't run out of time, but I guess the regulation says the number of reps should be 8 to 10.  I felt fast at the bottom of the hill then like I was slogging through sand near the top of the hill.  However, as I walked down the hill, I felt awesome once I caught my breath only to start the process over again.

Since we did hills yesterday, I figured today would be a good day for a fun run.  Went out to the aquarium and back.  I think I have a PR for my return leg.  The lack of traffic played out in my favor as I didn't have to pause at the crosswalks.  One of these days I might miss seeing a speeding car and get run over, but today was not that day.

28:01.10 (Out)   24:04.69 (Back) = 52:05.79

Easy miles.  Just went off of feel.  I think it was the first time that I intended to go easy where it actually felt easy.  Stomach started acting up on the way back.  Tried to ignore it, then slowed down but I had to sit down for a few minutes until it settled.

Fastest University Route

27:36.59 (Out)   33:10.26 (Back) = 1 hr 46 sec

Wife was sick.  Stayed in so I could handle the kids when they woke up and allow her more time to sleep.  I was expecting the kids to nap in the afternoon like they usually do so I could sneak out for a couple of miles.  It never happened.  Instead I walked them around and around trying to tire them out.  What do you know?  That was a dumb idea.  I was the one that got tired of carrying them when they got tired.  Oh well.  It was a wonderful day to spend playing with my girls.  They're growing up so fast.

Ran to the Toyota dealer to pick up my car.  Used the 1/4 mile marker to add in an extra mile to get 4 out of the route instead of just 3.  I felt really good today.  Because I felt really good I automatically became suspicious and restrained myself from just letting loose.  Easy jog all the way out to the dealer with the traffic lights not in my favor.  However, the sun was out and smiling down upon me.  Good day to get outside.

45:44.89

Ahh yes.  There is that thing called procrastination.  Took a nap and didn't set an alarm to wake myself up.  Big mistake.  By the time I woke up, I was already into my timeline for preparing for my last youth activity with the branch.  Went down to the chapel and did a run through with audio and video.  The setup was not the best but it worked.  Went and ordered the "refreshments" from Costco and got home in time to chat with the family for a little while before hitting the bed.  I think I ran maybe 10 meters.  Not anything significant to log.

We'll call it a mile in the morning.  Timed run which seemed to run out way too fast.  It was at least a mile.

In the afternoon, I was feeling tired and looking for a nap.  However, doing so would have put in jeopardy my preparation time for my last activity with the youth here.  Instead, jogged out to the Embassy Suites and back and I was no longer tired after that.

26:35.59 (Out)  28:36.28 (Back) = 55:11.87

I discovered it takes me about 5 minutes to stroll a lap around the track.  That puts me at about a 20 minute mile with no weight on my back.  Interesting.  Walked a mile and a half this morning.  Rather I strolled along for a mile and a half.

Jogged out to Embassy Suites again but this time took two laps around the lake.  I think I'm getting bored with that route.  At the same time, it is the best route for an afternoon jog because it has the least traffic.  Regardless of how I feel about the route, I will probably continue to go that way if I run in the afternoons or evenings.  (In the mornings, I can go the other way.)

35:59.53 (Out)  37:11.72 (Back) = 1hr 13:11

Got up at 2:40 to give my body some time to wake up.  Sipped a little water.  Dinner last night was two tacos.  Enough to convince myself that I put something in my stomach.  Could I have eaten more?  Absolutely!  Jogged the aquarium loop to work off those tacos.  Mission complete for the day.  Now I have one more month to hit that target weight.  Close but not there yet.  Weighed in at 255.

29:11.59 (Out)  27:10.93 (Back) = 56:22.52

Did not run.  Pulled a 24 hour CQ shift that started this morning at 8 am.

Six repetitions of 60/120s around the track.  I forget if I included the warmup lap, but I know we did at least six laps.  While I feel a little faster, you would never know it by how many people pass me up on the track.  Good thing I don't have to run faster than they do.  Was going to run a little more in the afternoon but opted to make a run for home.  Always nice to go home.

I was trying really hard to talk myself out of this run.  I thought that I was feeling ill, but a little fresh air and jogging at my own pace cured all of that.  I was thinking of doing 3 then 3.5 but decided to just do the whole route.  Next time I might hit the beach.

Embassy Suites

26:54.00 (Out)  26:31.06 (Back) = 53:25.06

Call it a mile.  Really slow pace.  Kept pace with the slowest runner on the way out.  Group turned around at 10 minutes.  Kept going until I found the rabbit who was suffering from hunger pangs and couldn't maintain his pace coming back.  It was an easy mile until the rabbit regained his energy on the hill at the finish line.

Completed a 24 hr CQ shift this morning at 8 am.  After turning in the books, took a nap and headed home to spend some time with my family.

Once again I opted to head for home.  This might come back to haunt me especially after abandoning my normal diet in favor of garlic fries at McD's and a mango banana smoothie and half of a big mac.

Ahhh yesss!  The weekend has arrived.  Thought I ran more this week, but guess I didn't.  At least the crazy work week is over.  Ran the turkey trot route this morning.  The gates were closed when I started but opened by the time I finished.  Felt good running at an easy pace.  I could've gone faster but opted against it.

36:19.85