Weekend Recovery - Extended

This weekend, it seems as though took a bit of a toll. Not sure why. Perhaps the stresses of work and having to work Sunday for my volunteer job took a little too much toll, but Monday and Tuesday mornings, I was extremely tired, and didn't sleep very well the nights before. So as a result, my running didn't happen.....again. So, lame excuses aside, today I got up, sleepy but determined, and headed out to do another round on the dreadmill.

I realized after I got there that my iPod had a dead battery, and was resigned to watch the television for the run. I probably just should have lost myself in thought, but as I tend to stare at the numbers on the dreadmill during the run, I figured a distraction there would be best. I started out with my typical 5 minute warm up, and started my run. Ran a 13 minute pace for 22 minutes, covering about 1.7 miles, and did a 5 minute cool down walk. The DOMS is completely gone now, so all I have to really complain about is new pain, which I had none this workout. My heart rate monitor didn't work again, so I need to get the dang battery replaced. Hopefully I can get it done Friday. Good run today, and I forgot to weigh myself.

On that note, I must say I have been a bit more focused on what I am eating these days. Although I still have some crap in my diet, mostly I am trying to improve. My biggest problem is eating the protein bars right before bed. I think that is possibly keeping me awake. I am required to get at least 100 grams in daily, so having them is important on days I don't eat enough meat or soy. I will continue to be aware of my eating habits and try and get my food intake managed better. I definitely don't want to end up back where I started.

-Paul

Its a good pain....revisited

You know, I remember about 2 years ago, when I started blogging about my running, having a post with the title "and its a good pain" or some such. I am feeling that way again now. I woke up this morning a little sore, as expected. DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) is kinda sucky, but at least tells me that I am starting to do good things to my body. My legs are feeling a bit of muscle pain, but as this was expected, and quite mild, I ran anyway.

So, after winning my daily challenge with my alarm clock, I got up, dressed and out to run. Hit the dreadmill again, and am not trying to exceed any records or anything. Just trying to build my base back up. I ran 1.7 miles, with a quarter mile warm up and cool down. Did all this in about 31 minutes. My heart rate is where it should be for me, in the 150-170 range. All in all, a good workout. I weighed myself after, and saw 204 on the scale. Yecchh. Guess you gotta start somewhere. I am quite happily motivated again though.

Now...I just need to stay awake the rest of the day.

-Paul

The Good and the Ugly

Yesterday, I lost the alarm clock battle and slept in and didn't run. So as a result, I got up today and ran. I am feeling a few aches from Tuesday's workout, as expected. Mostly some light hip pain. I decided it was mild enough though to try and do the run.

Thankfully my heart rate monitor decided to work today, albeit intermittently at first. I got on the treadmill and did a 5 minute warm up, with the intent of running/walking another mile or so and cooling down, such as I did Tuesday. After my warm up, I started running. I focused on keeping my heart rate between 150-170 and before I knew it, I had run a mile and half without stopping. So I cooled down for 5 more minutes and headed in to clean up.

That was the good. Now the ugly. I turned on my scale this morning and weighed myself. I weighed in at 203 lbs, which means that I have gained 23 lbs this last year. Yikes. I guess if I needed any motivation, that was it. I will endeavor to have that gone before June. Hah! At least I have a good measurable goal now.

Later!

-Paul

Ok, New year, time to go again

I have decided that my lazy time is about over, and I need to not get fat again. I have gained a little weight since I ended my running career last year, and am already feeling a bit lethargic. So as a result, I will start running again. I don't think I plan on training for an event yet though. I just think its about time to get my base set again. So here is my plan:

Run 3 days a week until I can get up to a 3 mile full run without a time goal.

Then start training for a 5k again.

Today, I woke up early and plodded slowly out to the treadmill to do a run. As it really has been over a year since I have seriously ran last, I figured I will have lost a little endurance. Boy did I. I intended on a 30 minute workout nonetheless. I warmed up with a brisk 5 minute walk at 2% grade, and then upped to 4.6 mph and jogged a quarter mile. After reinserting my heart into my chest, I slowed down and walked another half mile and ran a half. I did that for about 20 minutes and then cooled down for 5 minutes on a slow walk.

I am definitely out of shape, and am sure I will be feeling a bit of muscle soreness later this week, but it is a start nonetheless. Now....I just need to keep the motivation, and the alarm clock set.

Wish me luck!

-Paul