I’ve been looking at my Running Records. My 2013 Running Records. At every record I set/accomplished occurred in 2013. And being a firm believer of setting goals, and the benefits gained chasing them … today – March 2 … I am determined to run a 10K in 44:44. And I will, believe me … I will ... fortyfourfortyfour here I come! Last year’s best time was 45:08. I REALLY REALLY wanted to run 45:00 (or a sub forty-five minutes)!
Missed it by that much … thanks Max!!
… it’s been awhile since I posted one of these. Weight is great! Despite not running, I’m still maintaining, although I suspect that may change in the upcoming months if I shut it down completely – which is something I really don’t want to do.
Plain ‘n simple, easy peasy post. I became a runner 6 months ago. I have plenty of thoughts on the subject, but for now, I wanna keep my lip-zipped … a kinder, gentler danistrulytheman being careful not crushing tender tippy-toes. I’ve become a regular peruser of blogposts, and I’ve learned SO much from so many (ok, actually, only a few), but lately I’ve become disillusioned with it all. Firstly, why do bloggers feel it’s their plagiarist-punk-ass right to steal use photos/shots/pics that aren’t theirs? It’s blatant too, purposely borrowing eye-catching visuals, along with their cutesy captions, hoping to suck you in … but, as quickly as I see it, I just as quickly tune out. Bloggers with agendas – ain’t nothing new to me, I get it … but RUNNING bloggers? You mean even THAT’S not exempt? How low can you mofos go … shit’s blasphemous!
… emphasis on noodles! Feeling sick, under the weather, whipped this up without stopping at the grocery store. Had all I needed at home. Those are Hungarian egg noodles (sorry, no pic) from Starsky Fine Foods, they’re thin and short – like needles, when dry, but as you can see, really plump and sop up broth when cooked. Speaking of broth, that’s organic chicken broth I had in the pantry, PLUS I had organic baby kale in the fridge so I tossed that in as well. I like finishing with grated cheese (Romano Lupa), and hot sauce, today I went with good ole Tabasco. A few pics y’all!
I did it! I PRed what is one of my tougher runs, and so late in the season. Last 10K PR occurred on September 6, so it gives you an idea of how hard it is to beat. Was cruising comfortably, looking for a sub 45 minute time, and was on pace to finish in 44:50 – ish. But at my 40 minute audio cue, I needed to be at least at 8.89 – 8.90, instead was only at 8.87 kilometers. I knew then, any hope was lost. Now, only question was of PRing, and by how much. Bettered it by 4 seconds, and missed 45 minutes by 8 seconds. It was my 8 and 9 kilometer splits where I lost about 15 seconds. Still pleased, I mean a PR is a PR, lol!
I needed it! I’d a rough go of late, with missed training and illness, it really has been a struggle. Today’s run was reconfirmation!
After my fast 4K accomplishment, jogging home at a relaxed, comfortable pace finishing up my running, was in order. Near the end, I was waved down by an old lady using a walker thingie with wheels. She was looking for an address, I offered help, but with her advanced age, and needing assistance walking … and more importantly knowing she’d have about 1 kilometer more to go pushing, supporting herself on that old-fogey stroller thingie, I asked, “how far can you go?” … “as far as I have to” was her speedy smiling reply. You go grandma, I thought, lol! And, not one to miss an opportunity, she took a moment to solicit me with some religious crap (pamphlet/literature). Naturally, I took it and thanked her kindly … I didn’t want her to think that her long life spent peddling fantasies were in vain!
map to heaven – just what I need, lol …
happy w/ the sub 18 … not so much with lengthening splits …
Running is hard! It’s very hard when you haven’t trained, for whatever the reason. It’s very hard to put on your gear and head out the door. I had two goals in mind after what amounts to being unable to run for the past eleven days. I wanted to complete my 8K run without stopping, and I wanted to establish a good pace from the 1st kilometer, and keep it till the end. I wasn’t looking for anything near my PR. I wanted to run, non-stop at a fairly fast pace. I did it. I’ll admit, it wasn’t easy … running at times takes so much mental strength, as well as physical conditioning. I’d rank today’s run as one of my best ever, especially with all of my adversities of late. I’m hoping with better health, and good weather, my training will continue uninterrupted.
… FINALLY!! It’s been a long haul getting here, but today I can optimistically say I’m getting better! Everything went well, and this time I capitulated and snagged a painkiller prescription before I left. But, not before Dr. Harry asked for my driver’s license. Huh? Apparently a new (new to me at least, lol) government policy. Same thing happened at the pharmacy … but, at least this time when she began her explanation, I stopped her telling none was necessary.
A couple of quickies:
Was just getting into it w/ the assistant, telling her my running stories/accomplishments before the good doc came in, ready to go to work, abruptly ending my few moments of glory. She was all interested, and impressed, asking lots of questions. Was a great, relaxing/calming way to begin the procedure. It made me happy talking about it. Other than my blog, really don’t get an opportunity to say much about it with anyone. Oh sure, Tiff gets an earful, but it’s exiting the other one just as quickly, LOL!
Dr. Harry said something to me, something about me … and, I was only thinking about it a day or two before, something I’m only realizing in my fifty plus years. I want to say, it’s something I hope to change, but, I don’t think that’s possible, so, I’ll say … it’s something I hope to lessen … “you’re too hard on yourself” – Dr. Harry.
my meds (+ 1 on hold at the pharmacy)
gave me the gov’t literature too, lol
Knew it was gonna be a rough run. Distance wasn’t an option. Really, only wanted to duplicate my previous one. I did. Travelled 2.35K in 10 minutes, plenty far, plenty fast for now. And again, jogging back was pleasant, very relaxed. Caught up to a couple of runners nearing home. Am I the only one still sporting summer gear?
Protein smoothie. Shower. Pop a pill. Appt. w/ Dr. Harry. Wish me luck y’all!
My first run in over a week! Eight days exactly … last run was Sept. 28th … I never miss more than one day (ok, maybe missed two consecutive days once or twice, but that’s it), so to be outta running commission so long tells ya how I felt. I’m still on antibiotics, and I have to go back next week for my “medical procedure” (is all I’m gonna say ’bout that), and I’ve been feeling so dragged down, so faint, so tired – now, I’m not sure if it’s the infection, or all these meds making me weak? I didn’t know what to expect today, and when I started running, after only 100m my legs felt like rubber, but I persisted. Imagine my surprise, hearing my 5:00 minute audio cue, and I was further along my route than 99% of my previous first calls! And my 2K time was my 3rd fastest ever! Don’t misunderstand, I was still weak … truth be told, I was reaching into my pocket, fumbling with my phone, and inadvertently hit stop on RunKeeper – I was planning on at least reaching the 3K mark before I stopped, so I was a bit premature, lol. Good enough!
I stood there, admiring my accomplishment (I’m still in awe, when taking everything into consideration. Plus it was very humid – my glasses were fogged up, lol). I then turned around, and jogged home – comfortably, but at a steady. A nice to be back 5K run … and it was plenty … oh, and on top of everything – I had a bird in the oven … a practice Thanksgiving turkey, and I didn’t want to be out too long ‘ncase it needed tending to, lol!
quick run
negative splits
… the infection, the bacteria … I’m hopped-up on some serious hard core shit! Which now means, I have even more unpleasant side-effects to deal with. And no, it’s not the discolouration of my urine and feces that I’m talking about, it’s the strict adherence to ten straight days of not allowing any beer entering my system that I find most worrisome and disconcerting. Very unpleasant, indeed!! 😥
Haven’t ran all month. SEE, I told ya it was bad, lol! In rough shape y’all … presently am taking two different antibiotics. Have another ℞ at the ready, for back-up! Taking Advil (only) for pain … I refuse to take painkillers – if I can help it/stand it! Codeine? Umm thanks, but no thanks! And, while I know I have more shitty days ahead … am finally happy/relieved my man Dr. Harry (long time no see btw – oh, and thanks for the eight bucks too, lol) is in my corner after today’s consult. Just watch, I’ll be back to my cheery, energetic … wonderful (?, lol) self in no time *fingers crossed*! 😆
… today’s 4:20 … and I NEVER 4:20 either btw … no painkillers remember – herbal included, lol …
Not that July, or August weren’t filled with good runs – they were. Seems like in September, I kicked it up a notch, and was particularly good. I set five PRs during the month … all within a nineteen day span! Plenty chuffed with myself!
Sept. 5 – 1M – 6:23
Sept. 6 – 10K – 45:12
Sept. 14 – 5K – 21:44
Sept. 16 – 4K – 17:05
Sept. 23 – 21.1K – 1:41:03
Friday morning 4K was a good run. Not crazy fast, but fast enough … but more importantly only 2 seconds separated all four kilometers. And since I ran my 4K run today, it also gave me a crack at my 1mile run … and yep, you guessed it – 6:30. Mister Consistency indeed!
I’ve been saying to myself for quite some time now, “one day I’m gonna go for my run, and run a half marathon”. That day never came, never came close … 12K was as far as I got. Even then, I was going through it in my mind, and I knew 100 minutes would be around my time (well, the time I wanted to achieve), but I also felt, I’d probably miss it by just a bit … and I did … 101 minutes & 3 seconds. Typically, I’m a bat outta hell type of runner, running fast from the start, so when I near home (8K), I stop. Today, I reigned in my pace from the beginning, I knew this would be the only way I’d ever run a half marathon. And at the 50 minute mark – what I perceive as the half way point, my audio cue had me at 10.64K … so I was well ahead of a sub 100 minute pace … and I kept up that pace for 13K … but as you can see from my 14K – 21K splits, I started slipping … slowly, not much … and again, at least all those splits were consistent. And check out those calories burned – 2384!!!! WHOA!!
… not only foggy, humid. Was welcomed as well … too many cold morning runs lately. Felt so good stepping out the front door, and not feeling a chill. Happy Friday y’all!
posing, lol …
… we don’t even buys egg anymore – egg whites only. Same for milk (dairy) – almond, or coconut (unsweetened) only. WOW, talk about a change in lifestyle. Honestly, can’t remember everything that ended up in my gorgeous frittata – lots of fresh veggies … I see organic vine ripened cherry tomatoes (sliced in half) on top – along with a heaping helping of fresh garden herbs. I know I used leftover meat, Tiff K’s sublimely spiced minced turkey concoction we had for our nacho dinner the day before. Cheese too … I think a few slices of Jarlsberg I had on hand … maybe a few remaining slices of turkey breast too. Nothin’ gets wasted here folks! As y’all know, I’m the king of usin’ ‘n utilizin’ leftovers, the king of changin’ it up … creating new meals! Completely, new and different dinners with what’s on hand! Anyways, enough talking – a few pics. Enjoy!
hot outta the oven
outta the frying pan, onto the cutting board
the closeup
my frittata wedge w/ toasted marble rye
… wildman of Borneo runner pics, lol!! Y’all should see my scruffy mug, lol! Snapped today, August 25th … a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.
I just don’t quit – and you have no idea need what my day/night yesterday entailed … and I ain’t sayin’, lol. But, here I am, the morning after … up and at ’em hitting the pavement, killing the 4K again. I think I need one of those Run like a Kenyan t-shirts …’cept I need one that says, Run like a Kenyan, Drink like a German … ‘specially after my Saturday (once again, ain’t sayin’, lol)! Hey, I really enjoy running, and I LOVE my beer … no apologies, no explanation!
Hmmm? Wonder if I can danistrulytheman trademark that slogan? Well, maybe half, lol!!
Once I establish a PR that I’m content with at any given distance, I become that … content. June 29, I set what was at that time a pretty good standard – 36:30 … but I’ve been killing sub 18 minute 4Ks at will lately … PLUS, I’ve been comfortably recording 37 (and change) minutes 8Ks without really pushing myself. All this time for over a month I’ve been improving … I knew the time was ripe to challenge my 8K PR, and I knew exactly how I was going to go about accomplishing it. Run a sub 18 minute first half, and continue carrying my speed, doing the same for the second half. I did it – EXACTLY as planned! I bettered my PR by over 30 seconds, AND I finished under 36 minutes! Sweet!
35:57 – my new 8K PR
even splits – WHOA mr. consistency
… least that’s the way I feel lately… with my newfound healthy lifestyle. Eatin’&Exercisin’ … (healthy eats) like it’s nobody’s business. Do you know we don’t buy milk anymore? Almond and coconut milk only folks. Anyways, a pic for posterity, my runner’s bod … Tiff needles me … “your Weiner pic” … “but hon, you can’t see my weiner”, LOL!! Yeah, yeah Anthony A-hole I get it … but in my defense, I am kinda Ichabod Crane like (a bit more cropping, and I am the headless horseman, lol) … and for the first time ever sharing with y’all … am sportin’ the speedo style ginch … 😀
danistrulytheman 