home for 18 hours, then I leave again! and, with a little luck will be back by the weekend! hey, with a little luck – time permitting, will go for a run before i go. with a little luck!
love & peace y’all!
Category Archives: running
my slim blogging window!
… WP iPhone blogging is a pain in the ass, as evidenced by my previous post. So frustrating – ya REALLY think I wanted repeating pics, lol? Whatevs, can’t be bothered to fix it now that I’m home either … fuck it! Only back home for a day and a half too – felt incredible sleeping in my bed, showering in my shower (as I start this post, in 23 hours I’ll be gone again), but, thankfully already accomplished so much. And, am blogging for blogging’s sake really … touching base, sayin’ the proverbial ‘hi’ to everyone! Even went for a run. In my new life, although I’m outdoors, I’m not aerobic AT ALL (as a positive I drink at least 2 liters of water daily, and NO beer – is that a positive, or a negative … hmmm?) … so my plan before I pounded the pavement was simply to finish, lol! I had great(er) expectations (really wanted to run 8K) … but 4K will suffice. Actually, I’m very pleased. I’ll tell you why; The whole time I never felt overwhelmed, I never felt distressed … sure, I was concerned with my distance limitations, but I never felt like the pace was killing me. It wasn’t. And, for what it’s worth, coulda stretched it out another kilometer. Oh, and on the way back home, walked/jogged without any pressure. OMG, what a pleasure it was too, not being under Garmin’s watchful eye, lol … just took it easy, enjoying the temp, the sunshine. Anyways, I feel, I’m starting to ramble – really could gone on talking shit, lol … but gonna quit now till next time. Perfect time to fire up the charcoal, grill some burgers … and finally enjoy a brew (or two, lol)! Cheers y’all!!
considering not being able to train … chuffed as fuck!
… the post run, outta the shower selfie. shave mofo, lol!
Be Yourself
… Is All That You Can Do. To be yourself is all that you can do!
Been trying hard to catch-up on things that needed catching-up on! Accomplished plenty in a short amount of time so am really chuffed – voted in the Ontario election, went for a run too – ok, only 2.5K … but at this point I’ll happily take it, and focus on its positiveness … is all that I can do!
Audioslave – Be Yourself
my running intent!
my training has been seldom and sporadic. today, I planned on running farther and slower. I really was hoping for a 12K at maybe a 4:48 – 4:50 pace. I know too, that this was probably overly optimistic, but that was my plan. my 4:41 first K, I was fine, I felt well within myself … slow it down for the next K I said to myself. 4:31 – yikes, but still felt good. when I saw that 4:34 third K, I knew I was fucked! my lungs were beginning to burn too, not helping matters – lack of training is my enemy. shut it down at my proverbial 4K run, and I’m fine w/ that. I’m always happy with a sub 18 minute 4K – I know this one wasn’t, but easily coulda been – I ran it thinking, I’d be running farther than a 4K, so I was saving some gas in the tank. still thrilled w/ an 18:17! have I told y’all lately how much I REALLY miss running, lol?!
I’m home for a day … so I run!
… er, tried to! I needed to see what I have in me, what I can still do. I miss running, so today was gratifying. Upon reflection, I don’t know what surprises me more – my decent 1500m time considering lack of training/fitness level – OR, the fact that I accomplished the feat w/ coffee (3 cups this morning) and water (2 liters) being all I consumed (still haven’t eaten … yeah yeah, after I finish this post, lol) after a 13 hour day?! And then mere seconds after stopping my Garmin (being ever critical of myself), said, “shit, shoulda ran 110m more trying for a 1M PR” … LOL!
1K warmup
1500m
Flesherton 4K!
2K up the hill! 2K down!
Bad news! And my Garmin 10K PR!
Only fitting today I had a great run! This will be my last run in awhile. I don’t know when I’ll be running again. It’s not by choice, I hope it won’t be as bad as I fear. Also, I won’t be around WP as well. I won’t be blogging, and I don’t think I’ll be commenting?! I want to, but my Reader/Feeds fucks-up on my phone at times, making simple tasks impossible! I’ll try my best to read blogs of friends, when and if I’m able to, and do what I can, if and when I can! It is what it is!
Ok, now my Garmin good news – I’m very pleased w/ today’s run, had a great rhythm going – 46:12 – the final 5K in 22:52 – the final 3K negative splits, finishing w/ a 4:27!
speed work!
I’ll be honest; sometimes (read: most times), when I go for my run, I do so without ANY training plan in mind! I start running, and after my 1K mark, I check my pace and I pretty much make it up from there … doing what my body tells me/allows me to do! Today was @ 4:35 … and I know that’s bullshit ’cause I ran for a good 10 seconds past the actual 1K mark before Garmin FINALLY buzzed my wrist! So, outta the gate, suffice it to say, I was flying. K#2 @ 4:23 pace (nice!) … I really wanted to push it far & long like this, but bailed at 3K, as I was now running into a strong headwind and knew that I’d be upset I wouldn’t be able to keep my pace down while battling that big breeze! After this run, I continued walking along for a couple hundred meters, and now was keen to attempt a 1M run (against wisdom of trying it on fresh legs, lol), so turned around and w/ the wind at my back took off. But inexplicably, ok, not REALLY inexplicably; for the final 200m or so kept sneaking peeks at my watch, and started seeing my pace slowly creeping upward from 3:45 …so ‘stead of 1M-ing it, 1K-ed it! Got it? Good! Oh, I know I’m nitpicking here, but goddamngarmin had its own mind again?! And wouldn’t stop, when I definitely & decisively PRESSED stop?!
What’s up w/ those extra laps? I did hit stop @ 3:48 @ 1.01K?! PISSED!!
At that point, wanted to get home quickly. Ran another (not wind aided either, lol) @4:04!
in my happy pace!!
… started my morning run with no expectations, knew I’d be reigning in the pace was all. at around 3K, the plan to go 6K at the same pace, and wanted to kill it for the final 2K arriving home for my 8K run. on that 6th kilometer, wasn’t really feeling it … so I stopped, and walked a few hundred meters. now, plan B was to run ‘n gun it for 1.5K to my house. best laid plans, right? anyways, I did run hard for 1K, and I’m glad I took that break after six … I know from the runner I am, it’s much easier establishing a pace, as opposed to changing a pace! those couple of minutes rest was just what the doctor ordered. first 6K slightly under 5:00 pace … final 1K @ 4:15 … and, honestly … woulda KILLED that final 500 meters a smidgen more – just sayin’!!
Monday Morning 5K!
A new PR (Garmin PR) … beats yesterday’s time by a minute. I think it’s my 3rd fastest ever. I rarely run 5Ks. The 1st time I did last year, I stopped the clock at 22:02 and was pleased enough – although I did run it again to better it. I know I’d rather run 4Ks … or run through 5 kilometers and stop at 8K, or 10K. I know running hard up the hill to stop the clock isn’t my favourite thing – I’d rather push hard up the hill, and then know my run is flat for the next few kilometers. I’m happy w/ today’s time – I love running 4:30s – 4:25s … but right now this is my distance limit doing so. I remember last year carrying that pace for 8K, 10K. Looking back, I see I was a streaky runner; I’d run fast times for days straight, then suddenly wouldn’t be able to match them. In fact, I PRed my 8K runs on back to back days. Almost identical times too … and that’s what I’m talking about when I say carrying my speed, my 8K record run, I ran the final 4K in 17:42 … negative splits. But for the most part, all the kilometers would be run very evenly. I don’t have the stamina right now. That’s why today’s run was good, is important to me – I really have no interest whittling down today’s time by much – I really want to run this pace farther. I want to run this, and then run it AGAIN continuously for a solid 10K time.
…yes, I accept!
… my splits!
… and so, I veered left!
my 4K run ends at a major intersection. 150 meters before that is a traffic light. a traffic light which 90%+ of the time shows me green as I approach, allowing me to run through, to run hard straight to the finish. not today. plan B; I have a secondary route if this occurs while I’m killing it. nearing, and I all I see is RED (damn you all to hell timed traffic lights, lol)! at the last possible second … I veer left … to continue making up the necessary distance without stopping. this sharp turn alone costs me a couple of seconds, but due to ongoing construction in the area, not permitting traffic, pedestrian traffic as well as I painfully found out to continue, I unknowingly ran myself into dead-end … AND, as close to a 4K without being a 4K. but luckily, I saw stairs that weren’t part of this blockade, and were left accessible for pedestrians. stairs that ultimately I ran up to finish my final few meters. I know this musta cost me at least 10 seconds on my final lap … as well as a a lot of ‘can you believe that shit’? laughter afterwards, as I admired my run on my Garmin, lol!
I needed this 8K!
Not so much the time – although I’m very pleased; only 75 seconds from a PR … but, more pleased in the way I ran it. I know I’ve had a few other good runs in terms of time, but till today, I always felt I was struggling. It wasn’t coming easily, or naturally. Every time I finished a run, I felt like death – a lot of times DURING a run, I felt like death. It was hard, it’s been hard getting motivated knowing/feeling that. Yet, I continued to persevere. Today, I was able to run, and for the first time, I felt incredibly strong, relaxed … I was enjoying it SO much. I was almost tempted to keep going, making it a 12K run. Check out my 4 middle splits – three 4:42 laps, and one 4:44 … WHOA, steady as she goes, lol! I picked up the pace and shaved 8 seconds on kilometer 7, and then I took off 8 more seconds on my final kilometer, finishing my run. I stopped my Garmin (36:58), and I just stood there … I didn’t hunch over, I wasn’t gasping for air … I stood there in amazement at what I had just done. I stood there thinking, I can’t believe I ran hard for 8K, and I feel as if I hadn’t ran at all – I felt THAT good! Not only was this my best run to date, it was my most enjoyable one as well. God, I missed that feeling, loving running! I’m happy it’s back!
healthy eats!
… I know I was posting last year some ‘o this good stuff … healthier foods/drinks etc., that w/ my running became an integral part of whom I am in the here and now … my, in the grand scheme of things effort becoming a healthier (better too) human if you will! Tiff found the recipe on one of her many foodie sites; is the second time I’ve made it this week. I love salads, especially tasty-good-for-you-salads … chick peas, lentils, radishes … drizzled & tossed w/ a lemon, dill, dijon, garlic, vinaigrette … so mothereffing awesome!!
… a coupla pics, y’all!!
bustin’ out ma new kicks!
New, as in never used! Bought 2 exact pairs a year ago, S T R E T C H E D the first pair’s lifespan, its usability longer than I should have. Boy, you can sure feel the bounce in these bad boys! Took ’em out for a quick spin … a few light kilometers, they felt so incredible. Finished w/ a quick 1K testing them out … I swear, these require NO break-in, none whatsoever. In fact, I’m currently shopping for another couple of pairs, I love them that much. I may be a newbie runner, but I know what works, don’t wanna try experimenting! OK, not true, would consider a different model, but it has to be Saucony!
Friday Morning 10K
I said I was going to do it, and I did. I think that’s what kept me motivated to complete it … saying I was going to do it to inspire/motivate … yet, I was the beneficiary, lol. And, I’m pleased w/ my time – 47:06 … 2 minutes short a PR. Although, I had another nagging issue trying to get my watch to stop, then reset (you can see by the extra two laps; 11 & 12). Those little things bother the fuck outta me, it coulda been disastrous with the clock ticking away, as I’m finished the distance, trying to get it to stop. And if you add time (the 10 laps), it comes to 46:58, not to mention my moving time (whatever the hell that is) of 47:01 – I know, it’s only slight differences, but I’m anal that way, and I only want the clock to measure it accurately giving me the time I deserve! Anyways, still chuffed – my 10K!
rain run!
I LOVE running in the rain – getting caught running in the rain. Starting out my run when it’s raining – not so much. Today marks 1 month of training, 2 weeks from today and it’ll be 1 year I became a runner. AND, since I’m talking anniversaries; watch for my next blog post – is an ANNI-BIGGIE – fair warning!
I ran 7.5K today. I stopped and restarted, not because I was hurting, but because of an issue w/ my Garmin. Don’t wanna get into it now, give details – will soon enough! First 5.5K was on a 4:36 kilometer pace, so I felt good. Finished the final 2K stronger – sub 4:30 … YES, 4:29 is sub 4:30, lol!
my mile!
I started this run, as a way of supplementing my other runs. I only ran it after running a strong 4K (or 5K). I’d be out of breath, and would walk briskly to my starting point about a kilometer away. I mean, I had to get home anyways, so I figured it’d be a good way to work on my speed (or lack thereof, lol), and it’s such a beautiful straight run! Looking at my Runkeeper right now, I see that I only started 1M timed runs on August 23 – I ran August 24 too, and my times then, when apparently I was in tip-top shape were 6:39 and 6:40 respectively. Today, April 25, I clocked 6:41 … woohoo, I’ll take it! After those 2 runs, I see I ran the distance 7 more times … funny, outta those 7 runs, 5 times I ran 6:30 or 6:31, lol. I guess that’s my mile time basically … other than my 6:23 PR (must be an aberration). Another funny thing; I quickly grew hating running it. It was all an all out gut-wrenching effort (and pain) every single time. My modus operandi was to run as fast as I could from the sound of the gun, trying as hard as I could to carry my speed as far as I could. Today, knowing that strategy wouldn’t work, eased off from the get-go, and just ran … ran hard the whole time mind you, but just kept running. Hey, not only am I happy w/ my time, I’m more happier I didn’t hate running the damned thing, lol!
a HUGE pain in the ass!!
I only learnt about this by googling my girl Natalie Morales running The Boston Marathon. Apparently, she was diagnosed w/ proximal hamstring injury – proximal hamstring tear – high hamstring tendinitis … (different names for it) causing her great pain/discomfort. I did some reading on the subject, and it’s definitely a runner’s infliction (ooh, the crosses we bear, lol) … and I HAVE IT!! Well, I have similar symptoms, I can’t sit for prolonged periods without feeling excruciating pain in my rear! And, this all started when I resumed running this year, so putting 2+2 together, I assume it’s related. I haven’t been diagnosed yet by a doctor (yeah yeah … am going, lol), but I’m hoping *fingers crossed*, what I have is something not as serious and will eventually self-heal w/ time. Funny thing is, that I really don’t notice it much in terms of pain when I run – maybe 5% if I had to quantify it, But man, when I’m sitting on my ass, it’s def 100%, and soon as I get a chance, need to get up and walk around for relief!! Maybe should read: Butt man, lol!
3 runs 3 runs 3 runs – yes sir!
… 5.94K – 27:04 minutes! I’ll take it – was a great day for a run, blue skies and cool, albeit a bit breezy by the lake for my liking. Don’t know what to make of my runs lately, I don’t necessarily feel strong yet, not like last year … but my pace doesn’t indicate that?! Funny; my final run, saw a strong runner approaching, so I waited and let him pass – allowing him a generous lead, then took off following. Was never my intention to pass, just to keep pace – but surprisingly was quickly on his heels and knowing I’d be stopping shortly, wasn’t about to pass showing him up. BUT he veered off onto a parallel path – THEN, I figured all bets were off – all’s fair in love and running … so I kicked it into high gear for my remaining 400 meters, intentionally giving him a periphery of speedy danzoles, lol!!
long run!
Longest one to date – 14K … and just 3 weeks into training. Been reading lots, getting advice from runners wiser than me, and today took to heart slowing down, running farther! I even felt as if I wasn’t slowing down enough – next time I’ll try reigning myself in even more. I must say, I’ve never had such a GREAT GREAT run in a long time! I stumbled upon a path I wasn’t aware of, and being all alone, felt so quiet and peaceful, the sun shining in my face … I kept thinking, “I hope this path goes on forever, I ain’t getting off” … I swear, I woulda ran forever! It felt THAT good, I felt THAT good! I think it ended after 1 kilometer, so back to the sidewalks I went. I knew I’d be stopping as I neared my house, so NOW, I picked up my pace in anticipation … and for those few kilometers, running once again became running for time, and it became harder! So weird, it’s not even that much pace difference, but boy, do you feel it – sure makes a difference! And now, can’t help but think, today I ran 1/3 marathon … so invariably I extrapolate multiplying my time by three – plus tacking on 1 minute for the extra 200 meters, and I kinda like what I see. And I think, there’s still so much room (ok, a LITTLE room, lol) for improvement. I know marathons aren’t run on paper, they’re run on the streets … but, it sure is nice to think!
danistrulytheman 