One of my favorite shows is coming back on the air. Yes, I'm a big dork.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Feelin thirsty
Thursday morning at the butt-early hour of 4:30 AM I ran the HEB loop with Dino and Stephanie. Man, its a lot more fun to run with friends than to run alone!
Saturday AM, I ran the runtex2rogue 20 miler. It was a good run and I think I learned something. I noticed that the pace I could keep at a given pulse gradually eroded. I think it comes down to hydration.
Today, I ran 7 miles, weighing myself before and after. I lost about 2 lbs in the 70 minutes I ran. Since a gallon of water weighs about 8 lbs, I figure I lost a quart of water in about an hour! I'm definitely not drinking enough during my runs to compensate. That's even on a relatively cool morning. Imagine what I need to do on a hot day!
New plan is to try drinking a lot more water, even carrying my water with me in bottles to help measure my intake. I'm going to start with the 20K trail run I'm doing this Saturday. Since it will take me about 2 hours, I'll run with two quart bottles of water and make sure I'm on pace to drink one per hour. A good measurement of success will be if I'm able to maintain a more consistent pace for a given pulse rate. I'll try the same thing one week from Saturday which will be my last long long run before Big Sur.
Saturday AM, I ran the runtex2rogue 20 miler. It was a good run and I think I learned something. I noticed that the pace I could keep at a given pulse gradually eroded. I think it comes down to hydration.
Today, I ran 7 miles, weighing myself before and after. I lost about 2 lbs in the 70 minutes I ran. Since a gallon of water weighs about 8 lbs, I figure I lost a quart of water in about an hour! I'm definitely not drinking enough during my runs to compensate. That's even on a relatively cool morning. Imagine what I need to do on a hot day!
New plan is to try drinking a lot more water, even carrying my water with me in bottles to help measure my intake. I'm going to start with the 20K trail run I'm doing this Saturday. Since it will take me about 2 hours, I'll run with two quart bottles of water and make sure I'm on pace to drink one per hour. A good measurement of success will be if I'm able to maintain a more consistent pace for a given pulse rate. I'll try the same thing one week from Saturday which will be my last long long run before Big Sur.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Meet Myles, my new running buddy
He just arrived tonight, so no running for a while. Working on some basic training tips like no chewing the towels. He's doing good so far.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Important (to me) Idea of the Day
Broken lines, broken strings, Broken threads, broken springs,
Broken idols, broken heads, People sleeping in broken beds.
Ain't no use jiving Ain't no use joking
Everything is broken.
from 'Everything is Broken' by Bob Dylan
Brokenness is everywhere. That's a fact. I should know, I fix things for a living. On top of that, I own a house and I am married with 3 kids. There's a lot of stuff in my life that can and does need fixing from time to time including physical objects as well as moods, emotions, and relationships. Hell, there's a lot of my stuff that's broken right this second. I look around and it feels like there's enough broken crap around that I could spend the rest of my life fixing it.
Here's the big idea though. It's ok that a bunch of stuff is broken, well the fixable stuff anyway. Broken things are blessings in disguise. To wit:
That's all I got for now. Getting late. Happy fixing!
Broken idols, broken heads, People sleeping in broken beds.
Ain't no use jiving Ain't no use joking
Everything is broken.
from 'Everything is Broken' by Bob Dylan
Brokenness is everywhere. That's a fact. I should know, I fix things for a living. On top of that, I own a house and I am married with 3 kids. There's a lot of stuff in my life that can and does need fixing from time to time including physical objects as well as moods, emotions, and relationships. Hell, there's a lot of my stuff that's broken right this second. I look around and it feels like there's enough broken crap around that I could spend the rest of my life fixing it.
Here's the big idea though. It's ok that a bunch of stuff is broken, well the fixable stuff anyway. Broken things are blessings in disguise. To wit:
- Have you ever let something that was broken get on the corner of your nerve and gnaw away until you're really irritated and discouraged and don't even know why? Let me turn it around: have you ever finally fixed something after that period and it turned out to be much easier than you ever thought it would be to fix, to the point where you're a little exasperated that you didn't just fix the damn thing when it first broke? Fixing stuff sets you free from the insidious nature of broken stuff in your life.
- There was until recently a problem with my front door. The latch wouldn't pop out and catch the door for what seems now like forever. You could only keep the door closed by locking it. Irritated everybody in the house. I finally fixed it by replacing the mechanism and it makes me happy every time I close the door and the latch keeps the door closed. Fixed stuff (that you fixed, anyway) is more satisfying than stuff that never broke.
- You do more to help overall by fixing stuff, because you help foster a culture of fixing stuff. In my case, I'm showing my kids how to fix simple problems by example. This is a skill I hope they will always have in life. Fixing small things can create big changes.
- Accept brokenness as an opportunity and maybe even a blessing
- If something is broken and its irritating you, FIX IT or at least start working on fixing it.
- Even small fixes can be greatly satisfying and so are a great start
- The very process of fixing things will fix you in ways you didn't imagine
That's all I got for now. Getting late. Happy fixing!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
spooky run
Went on a 9-mile ramble around my neighborhood yesterday morning. This was a new kind of craziness for me as I got up at 4, was out the door by 4:30 and back at 6:30 before anyone else in the house was awake. It was also the first time I've gone on a serious run in my neighborhood. The plan was to run down to Walnut Creek Park and do some trail running for the bulk of the run, then head back for about 10 miles. I even broke out my headlamp for the first time since it those trails were going to be so dark.
Here's the thing... running in an empty park (well, there were some moths) at 5 in the morning is friggin spooky! I did just under a mile, eventually getting to an empty swimming pool that must be closed for the winter. Something about the look of the pool contributed to the overall sense of being in a scary movie, so I booked out of the park and did the rest of my run on the road.
I still plan on doing that kind of run again, although hopefully not alone. It's looking like we're getting a family dog this weekend. I'm going to lobby for a running buddy.... a big one, preferably with big pointy teeth.
Here's the thing... running in an empty park (well, there were some moths) at 5 in the morning is friggin spooky! I did just under a mile, eventually getting to an empty swimming pool that must be closed for the winter. Something about the look of the pool contributed to the overall sense of being in a scary movie, so I booked out of the park and did the rest of my run on the road.
I still plan on doing that kind of run again, although hopefully not alone. It's looking like we're getting a family dog this weekend. I'm going to lobby for a running buddy.... a big one, preferably with big pointy teeth.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I am shamed....a little at least
So Cassie and I argue every once in a while about the footprint my running has on her life. I tend to feel like my watching the kids every Friday night pays for my Saturday morning run. Then again, I also sometimes stay late after work for a running workout. Perhaps she has a point. :-) At any rate, I follow this guy's blog . In the article, he talks about his philosophy that runs must be completed before 7:15AM on weekdays and 9AM on weekend days to ensure he still has family time, doesn't impune too much on the spouse, etc. We're a lot alike in that we both have small children, a full time job, and both are runners.
Here's the critical difference: he has the philosophy while training for the Western States 100! I'm training for a race that's a quarter of that. I am shamed. I better brake out my head lamp and get ready for some early runs. :-)
Here's the critical difference: he has the philosophy while training for the Western States 100! I'm training for a race that's a quarter of that. I am shamed. I better brake out my head lamp and get ready for some early runs. :-)
Saturday, March 08, 2008
First Long Run Since ATT Marathon
Technical details are here
My first workout with the Spring Marathon group. The group is much much smaller than ATT, but there's about the same mix of faster and slower (my speed) runners. Some folks are training for Marathons in the beginning of April (London, Paris) and so were doing 20-22 while the late April marathoners were doing 16-18. Although I'm less than 3 weeks out from ATT, I elected to run 18.
I did see a few familiar faces. Mary and Dee from the Brew Runners were there this morning to run about 6 miles easy. We ran together for a bit and it was good to catch up.
This was the first long run where I've tried to keep my pulse down in the 130-140 range. Man, it was annoyingly slow and I was almost the last person in behind even the 22 milers. Took me 4 hours to run 18 miles. I guess that's ok. If nothing else, I'll get used to being on my feet for a longer period of time. My pace was somewhere in the 11's whereas my ATT Marathon pace was in the high 10's. That's actually good, since long run pace is supposed to be slower.
Other nuggets:
I decided to use the mp3 player, but it had no juice when I first tried to turn it on several miles in. Thankfully, I had some money in my shoe pocket and was able to get a battery at the Walgreen's on 45th and Guadalupe. The woman in front of me in line at Walgreen's was taking forever buying stuff for herself for the Heart of Texas Regatta. Her daughter's team is racing. Brought back old times.
Evidently, Saturday morning at the intramural fields is when the Chinese folks in Austin play softball. Part of the run involved a loop around the inside of the fence of the fields and I ran past at least 4 games/8 teams of all-Chinese softball teams. They could have all been students I guess.
I ran the Mt Bonnell hill about 11 miles into the run! These spring marathoners aren't playing around. The Mac Special is a challenging run. I'm feeling pretty beat as I write this. Gonna make it an early night.
My first workout with the Spring Marathon group. The group is much much smaller than ATT, but there's about the same mix of faster and slower (my speed) runners. Some folks are training for Marathons in the beginning of April (London, Paris) and so were doing 20-22 while the late April marathoners were doing 16-18. Although I'm less than 3 weeks out from ATT, I elected to run 18.
I did see a few familiar faces. Mary and Dee from the Brew Runners were there this morning to run about 6 miles easy. We ran together for a bit and it was good to catch up.
This was the first long run where I've tried to keep my pulse down in the 130-140 range. Man, it was annoyingly slow and I was almost the last person in behind even the 22 milers. Took me 4 hours to run 18 miles. I guess that's ok. If nothing else, I'll get used to being on my feet for a longer period of time. My pace was somewhere in the 11's whereas my ATT Marathon pace was in the high 10's. That's actually good, since long run pace is supposed to be slower.
Other nuggets:
I decided to use the mp3 player, but it had no juice when I first tried to turn it on several miles in. Thankfully, I had some money in my shoe pocket and was able to get a battery at the Walgreen's on 45th and Guadalupe. The woman in front of me in line at Walgreen's was taking forever buying stuff for herself for the Heart of Texas Regatta. Her daughter's team is racing. Brought back old times.
Evidently, Saturday morning at the intramural fields is when the Chinese folks in Austin play softball. Part of the run involved a loop around the inside of the fence of the fields and I ran past at least 4 games/8 teams of all-Chinese softball teams. They could have all been students I guess.
I ran the Mt Bonnell hill about 11 miles into the run! These spring marathoners aren't playing around. The Mac Special is a challenging run. I'm feeling pretty beat as I write this. Gonna make it an early night.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Sunday, March 02, 2008
big weekend
Friday - Picked my sister and her friend from the airport, lunch at Veggie Heaven, and explored the UT Art department. Then, picked up the the kiddos for a trip to Whole Foods for Shopping and then to Chick Fil-A for kid food.
Saturday - up at 6:30 for Jillian's first soccer game. She did awesome! I'm so proud of my little athlete! After soccer, we went and saw the Sea Monsters 3d IMAX movie with the kids, then to Freddie's for lunch. Then home, personnel change, and we took Jillian to run the 1K Hawk Hustle. She was pretty tired. Then, out on the town with my sis and her friend for beers, sushi, sake, and more beers.
Sunday - Trail run. Went and explored Walnut Creek park for the first time. Couldn't believe how convenient it is and that I haven't been there until now. Probably didn't do more than 3 miles or so, tho. My run was interrupted painfully by.....erm.....digestive issues. Got back home and it was time to feast again. Met mom at Trudy's for breakfast buffet. Then home for various activities with sis, friend, and kids. Then an airport dropoff followed by a disastrous visit to Veggie Heavan with the boys (you may be wondering why twice in one weekend. I'm hooked on coconut bubble tea...its the sh!t). Then home. I did a 10K erg piece, which I feel got my cardio work in just fine, and then dinner with Cassie's grandma, brother, sister-in-la, and two nieces.
Whew, can't believe I made it through all of that. What's more, I just read my marathon training regimen for Big Sur and there are a LOT of miles in it. In fact, I'm supposed to run 5 tomorrow. I got my stuff together to do a treadmill run tomorrow morning, but now I'm thinking better of it. Better do some yoga instead.
Sleepy time.
Saturday - up at 6:30 for Jillian's first soccer game. She did awesome! I'm so proud of my little athlete! After soccer, we went and saw the Sea Monsters 3d IMAX movie with the kids, then to Freddie's for lunch. Then home, personnel change, and we took Jillian to run the 1K Hawk Hustle. She was pretty tired. Then, out on the town with my sis and her friend for beers, sushi, sake, and more beers.
Sunday - Trail run. Went and explored Walnut Creek park for the first time. Couldn't believe how convenient it is and that I haven't been there until now. Probably didn't do more than 3 miles or so, tho. My run was interrupted painfully by.....erm.....digestive issues. Got back home and it was time to feast again. Met mom at Trudy's for breakfast buffet. Then home for various activities with sis, friend, and kids. Then an airport dropoff followed by a disastrous visit to Veggie Heavan with the boys (you may be wondering why twice in one weekend. I'm hooked on coconut bubble tea...its the sh!t). Then home. I did a 10K erg piece, which I feel got my cardio work in just fine, and then dinner with Cassie's grandma, brother, sister-in-la, and two nieces.
Whew, can't believe I made it through all of that. What's more, I just read my marathon training regimen for Big Sur and there are a LOT of miles in it. In fact, I'm supposed to run 5 tomorrow. I got my stuff together to do a treadmill run tomorrow morning, but now I'm thinking better of it. Better do some yoga instead.
Sleepy time.
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