… 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)!
Yesterday + today! First time I ran in 13 days… worked 11 of the last 14 days – over 110 hours… good for the pocketbook, not so much for fast times on the pavement. Still getting shortchanged by Garmin, not that it matters (just sayin’), need new satellites tracking me. Times are well off 27 minutes of my old form, but I’ll take them. Actually, feels so good/refreshing using running muscles, even if only on the weekend. Hoping for 2 more good runs next weekend… then the following weekend, I’m off to Vancouver!! I can’t believe it’s almost here… am so stoked, can’t wait!
Garmin was generous today, I’ll take it… usually on the wrong end of the GPS stick! Seventeen and a half minutes, only twenty-five seconds off my PR! Splits were consistent too, although my 3rd surprised me – it’s hands down my fastest, but not today? Strange?! Oh, well, I blame the slight headwind, lol! Feels good laying down a good time! Chuffed!
Finally a run to blog home about! I’ve been having a difficult time, and I don’t know why? I’ve been running over 2 months for the 2015 season, and don’t have the distance stamina I should, and def don’t have the pace I expect. I’ve been running very slow compared to my glory days of 2013 when I set all my records. I don’t know where this came from… I’m particularly proud of my 3rd split; I was shocked when my wrist buzzed and I looked down to see a 4:12, I didn’t feel winded, or that I ran it particularly fast/hard. I certainly had plenty left in the tank, and even my final split although fast as well, I never went out and killed it. I know one day I’ll be able to finish in 8:15… and if I could run a solid 2K to start, I’ll have a great chance at PR-ing. As it was, I only missed it by just over 30 seconds. And, to show you how slow I’ve been, my previous best this year was 18:50 (which I ran twice)! Today, if nothing more is vindication…
… I’ll take that anytime! Happily! Last year, near the end of the season, I was running quite a few of these. And, I feel the same way today as I did then … If I could run 10K (comfortably) in 47 minutes day after day … my running life would be perfect, lol!
I like pushing/testing myself. So, after a 30 minute 6K, sprinted as hard as I could for the last kilometer. The result; sub 4 minutes – 3:56 … wow! Made me think back to last year’s runs … I think the fastest I ever ran 1000m was 3:53, maybe 3:50 … and that was w/ fresh legs and lungs, making this time even more impressive! Wow, indeed!!
… certainly wasn’t expecting this! Couldn’t believe my splits, never felt I was running hard/fast. My only self complaint/criticism is that I was feeling so good throughout, I wanted to keep this going for 8-10K, but suddenly at 4.5K knew it wouldn’t happen. At that point, it was either push hard for 6, or shut it down at 5. I chose the latter. But, turning it into a positive, wanted to do another 2K at a slower pace; was looking at 5:30 – 6:00. Again not feeling stressed, surprised myself with splits of 4:55 and 4:51! Sweet!
I don’t know why my expectations of you are greater than RunKeeper. Maybe it’s the fact that I doled out $450 for you, compared to zilch for RunKeeper w/ its free service! And, I know I was gonna do an in depth comparison, but at this point, I can’t be bothered. I will say, both are great – most of the time. And, while in the grand scheme of things, improperly measuring distance occasionally ain’t exactly life-and-death. When I approach my 1K marker, and nothing happens … and I continue running, and still nothing?! Garmin’s inaccuracies still piss me off! I know damned well I ran at least 1.08 (maybe 1.1)K before my wrist buzzed. No fucking way I ran 5:08 … was def a 4:40 – 4:45. I said it before, I’ll say it again … all I want is to be credited with what I did. It’s what I deserve. AND, it affected the rest of my run – was playing on my mind the whole time. To be conservatively fair, I know I ran at a 4:47 min/k pace … corrected time would shave a minute off, crediting me with 1:07. Do any of you have the same issues Garmin? Do you care?
… + w/ yesterday’s 27′ 6K = 13K in 1 hour. Funny, last year I tried a few times running this distance in this allotted time, but always was short – never did achieve it … I think 12.7K was my best. Today’s run was a steady paced effort … the first 6K was even splits (the second and third were identical to the 1/1000 second. spooky), and then I picked it up for the final kilometer … to a lesser degree than yesterday’s run, were I was really able to quicken my pace. That’s something were I feel I’m a better runner this year compared to last year. I feel I’m maturing, and able to do more, even though my training is absent. Last year, I had no finishing kick … my best times all were the result of starting fast and maintaining the pace as far as it would take me. Just a personal observation of changes within myself, and were running is taking me.
Those who follow/read my blog, know my troubles of late running … trying to run I should say. I just haven’t been able to muster strength/energy for any sustained distance. Today I did. Maybe this post should read; from 800m to 12K?! Kinda like that one too, lol! Yes, I ran like I used to. Even a couple of kilometers in, I knew I had it. I felt it. And, as God as my witness, I kept saying to myself, “I’m gonna run a half-marathon” “I’m gonna run a half-marathon” … over, and over, I kept repeating it. At around 10K, my Garmin – for the first time too, gave me the LOW BATTERY warning. And, I had no clue how much time I had before it died completely. I started panicking, and bailed at 12K. Would I have gotten the 21.1K? Maybe, maybe not … I do know that I would have gotten 16 or 17 for sure. Anyways, it is what it it, I’m very happy … oh, and you know me, I still gotta kvetch about something, lol … Garmin messed up kilometer #1 … I easily ran 50m more past my marker. It shoulda been a 4:45 – 4:50 lap. I only mention this, ‘cuase it woulda made all my laps sub 5 minutes. Which they all were! Whatever … here’s this morning’s 12K.
Remember him? El Caballo (the horse)! Motherfucker was tall, and ran w/ that long stride of his. Ran fast too. Did double damage in Montreal in ’76 winning gold in both the 400m and 800m. Only man ever to do so too! Anyways, I regress. Made me reflect on my runs, and realized, I never attempted 800m … not once. I knew I wanted to, but focused late last year primarily on my 1 mile runs for shorter distances. AND, after today’s blistering (LOL) time … figure if I stay focused, and w/ a better plan, should be able to PR it; bring my time closer to the six minute mile mark. Hope so! Oh, and once again, lack of tracking is my enemy. I lace up my Sauconys and hit the road running without any plan. I just go running … seeing where it takes me. Seems like not too far these days. That’s ok, doing what I can … and am pleased w/ the results considering it all!
… 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!
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?!
… 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!
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!
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 GarminFINALLY 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!
… 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’!!
danistrulytheman 