… my first time running since November 1st, and considering poor conditioning… killed it!! I see so many daily runners in this mild winter weather, luckily being able to continue running/training throughout the year (me, w/my job makes it next to impossible), and am SO jealous… yet, they’re still slow-poking it? What’s up w/that shit?!
Chuffed as fuck w/my x-mas run… 15 minutes for 3K is only 2 minutes-ish from my PB… and w/regular sessions 13:30 would be easily attainable day after day! I’m also happy as hell w/negative splits (lungs began burning 400m in, lol)!
… chuffed as fuck! I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am. Can’t believe these two deals I got from john varvatos either, it’s as if he’s giving them away (+ free shipping too folks)! Saw my postman stopping his truck, and approaching from my kitchen window to deliver these bad boys, couldn’t contain my giddiness … ran out to greet him. I love my other pair, this one WAY more. It’s a true-fit 10 1/2 … my perfect Con All Star size. Love the black, distressed resin, and the gold eyelets … fucking awesome!
… 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!
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!
OMG, I just realized something! As you all are aware, I signed up for my 1st marathon, the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon (October 19). Unfortunately, I’ve been housebound w/ training … building a cardio foundation best I can. I tried hitting the roads about a month back, but winter wouldn’t let go its nasty grip. Now the plan is to FINALLY start/resume full-on training tomorrow (stay tuned) – YEAY!! Looking at the weather forecast, looks like were in for double digit temps for at least a week. Ok, back to my realization!! I see from my Running Records that I PR’ed a 12K on October 20th of last year. Took me a second putting 2+2 together … but that was the day LAST year’s marathon was run … and now I recall it completely; I purposely went for a dedication run of sorts that morning, acknowledging all the competitors. I also remember it because afterwards, I spent the entire day working doing demolition/construction/renovations! Even though it was a record run (I don’t run 12K often), I did it running well within myself! And, seeing that time/run … AND now focusing and visualizing for what lies ahead, all I can think is; if I could repeat that effort (3 1/2 times over) on October 19th, I’d be chuffed as fuck! AND, I know my title has absolutely nothing to w/ any of this … it just came to me. All the hard work anyone who attempts a marathon must endure isn’t lost on me in the slightest … and I thought it was appropriate knowing I’m in for a world of hurt …
This was on my Christmas wish list. I NEED (needed) protection for my new iPhone 5s. I went high end because other cases/sleeves were either in the midrange $40-$60 or $100++ … and it was Etsy that sealed the deal. Prices were way too high for what you were getting, and who you would be getting it from. Sketchy-Etsy I say! Nothing replaces a trusted reputation from a 125 year old company. Ordering online from the UK is very civilized as well, never a worry. I’m still in awe, I ordered on the 18th (really, the 19th considering the time difference), and here it is at my front door on the 23rd before 6:00! Now, while I’m VAT exempt, and shipping was free (another thing; I scored free shipping with 2 days remaining on the deal, and depending on how you decipher their fees, if I’m considered USA, it’s £20, if I’m Rest of the World, it’s £30 … HUGE savings, woohoo!), but because it was delivered courier and not Canada Post, I’m not duty, tax free – was nipped for $34! Bloody buggers! It’s a thing of beauty, made in Italy … so mother ‘fn chuffed!
exquisite packaging; Nile Blue box, tied with navy grosgrain ribbon
gorgeous, gorgeous detailing
personal message from me to moi … embossed, no less
Running has been sporadic lately. Hard to find motivation, combined with complying weather. Today had both so off I went. No longer do I have expectations or goals. I feel since it’s no longer running season, just getting out occasionally not worrying about times/accomplishments is achievement enough. But when I do surprise myself, the run is def all the sweeter. I tracked 38 RunKeeper 8K runs, this was my 4th fastest. Yep, onetwelvethirteen was good day!! Mother eff chuffed!
… love my 1st 6 splits, EQUAL splits! Only slowed slightly for the final 2, but still kept every split in the 4:30’s!
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!
… have been making incremental progress! I’m happy where I’m at – 6:23 … but now I’d love to lower my time to 6:10 – 6:15 … THEN, I’d REALLY be happy where I’m at, lol!
Today’s effort came on the heels (a mere eight minutes later) of another super-quick, sub 18 minutes 4K, a great run by its own right. So all things considered, another awesome day of running … am chuffed as fuck again!!
Wow, I amazed myself. Lord knows I needed a great day, my endurance and pace have been suffering lately. And my 4K is tough for me to improve upon, since my old time was fast, but I bettered it by 5 seconds. AND THEN, fifteen minutes later … I surprised myself lowering my mile to 6:31 (an 8 second improvement). I still can’t believe I had enough left in the tank after those grueling, energy sapping four kilometers?! Oh, and am also surprised since it’s very humid (feels like 30°), and the air feels so thick, making breathing difficult. Like I said, wow … chuffed again!
It’s not a tumour … apologies Arnold (twice, lol). Just chuffed as fuck with my back to back 8K record runs! Went out running this morning without any thoughts/expectations/goals, knew I was moving well/comfortably … and at the 25 minute audio cue, I suddenly became highly motivated – I think I was EXACTLY where I was for yesterday’s record run … but I also knew I was about to better it! Today, with under 3 kilometers to run, I felt much stronger than during yesterday’s run … and while I was so proud of yesterday’s 35 minute audio cue – 7.78 kilometers … today, I was filled with anticipation (and giddiness, lol) as I neared my marker, listening intently for it in my earbuds … 7.83 kilometers …170 meters more, 24 hours later – a new 8K PR … HOLLA Y’ALL!!
Ok, so technically NOT an official, organized one. Hey, I tried signing up for the JAZZ RUN in the Beaches tomorrow, but they were sold out. Fuck it – I’ll run my own 5K TODAY!!
Quickie Recap:
I run 8K daily – EVERYDAY … and usually I run two 4Ks wanting a great 4K PR time – and as I’ve mentioned before it’s a circular route, and the halfway point is the perfect spot to stop my RunKeeper app. At times, I run the 8K without breaking it into two separate runs, and 10K occasionally – even 12K too, bottom line, I travel well past 5 kilometers every single day, but I’ve never hit start/stop for the 5K distance?!?! I know, weird eh, lol?! Now, I knew (roughly) what I was capable of by looking at my strong 8K runs, and of course, at all of those fast 4k times I’ve put down. I figured I could go sub 18 minutes for the four, tack on another four and a half minutes for the fifth kilometer, and I’d be sitting chilly on a quick 22:30 5K – and I’d def be chuffed as fuck with that!
Today’s Run:
Started like I always try to – like a bat outta hell … and as typical, I began questioning how well/fast I was traveling/feeling, lol! After my 15 minute audio cue, I knew I was flying … after 20 minutes, I was at 4.53 kilometers … HOLY CUBAN CIGAR SMOKES BATMAN – 470 meters more, and I hit STOP on my app … twentytwominutes&twoseconds … I couldn’t fucking believe it … I STILL can’t believe it – 22:02!! Not only did I exceed expectations, I blew them away by a huge margin! And knowing myself, and especially not wanting to disappoint myself … I don’t know if I can ever run a 5K again, lol!
… been on a roll of late – 4 consecutive record runs, culminating with this PR 10K, bettering the old mark by 50 seconds. I know I (my body) still have more to give … and I will, but today … I’m Canada Day chuffed!!
God we’ve been blessed with the best temps lately … lows of 10° and highs of 20° … ideal for sleeping, yet not hot during the day … and today was a not-a-cloud-in-the-sky-clear-blue-sky-day … I love it!!
Ok, this blogpost is one of those all over the fucking place posts … fair warning!
I had a lot of shit on my plate today … good shit though … I went and got a physical today, first time I’ve had a physical in I don’t know how long I’ve had a physical, lol … weighed in at 73kg – 160lb … I don’t think I’ve been that weight since I was a teen-ager … and how excited do you think I was ready to spill the beans, divulging to the Doc ’bout my 8K mornings … no way I was gonna refrain from telling him that, lol … and yeah, the good doctor was impressed, and by my weight … the changes in my life – will get to that, be patient (pun, lol) as well!
Oh, and this early morning’s 6:30 run turned into a 10K’er … and I responded with a PR of 48 minutes – one full minute faster than before …
I’m proud that I was under 5 minutes on every single kilometer split … in fact, I was very, very consistent throughout – my slowest (KM 9) was only 10 seconds off pace … I think I was reserving energy while waiting for the 45 minute audio cue, leaving something in the tank for the final surge … OH, and also (forgot to mention) … I’ve been going out nightly with Tiff for her 5.3 km walks … and lemme tell y’all they ain’t exactly easy, they take a toll on my body as well. Lately, I’ve been a 12 hour run/walk cycle … like clockwork!
And all these changes I mentioned; flaxseed, hemp seed, edamame, Greek yogurt, Rainbow Trout (not new, but more of it), organic pre-washed baby kale (and spinach) … I know I’m missing many … the point is I’m eating/living better! Since we got the Vitamix, we’ve both been doing incredibly better – in fact for one week straight, we were using it four times daily (Tiff with her Harley body reset diet, and me with my own thing) … even now, it’s two or three times a day, and right now, it’s been only for smoothies, healthy smoothies … but still, we’re def getting our money’s worth!
Things are going great lately with all of this, the running (and walking), the healthier diet … I’m just chuffed as fuck with it all … today was a perfect day in my paradise, and I thought I’d share!!
danistrulytheman 