Running & Beer Drinking! Is there anything better? God, I love you both, lol!
This may be the single best run I’ve had since I boarded TheRunningTrain. Sure, I PRed, but it was much more than that. I felt very strong throughout, even when I finished … normally I feel so winded, completely spent. Not today! I ran the first 5K in 22:57, I brought home the final 5K in 22:14! Are you f’ing kidding me? To put that in perspective; my 5K PR is 22:02. Honestly, I know having my RunKeeper set providing audio cues every minute helped. During that second half, I was determined to keep my pace at 220m per call … and I did. In fact, often covering 230m, even 240m occasionally … and anytime/every time I achieved those distances … I dug deeper, giving it all I had for the following minute, feeding off the accomplishment of my previous minute … you know what I mean? Yep, def has to be my greatest effort to date! Now … where’s my beer?!
… 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!
… for about a week now. didn’t help i overextended myself with my stupidity stubbornness trying for a new distance record. i swear, not only did i pull my hammie (same one), i fucked up my achilles (i think it’s my achilles? it’s around the back/outside of my ankle … and with my daily running – it ain’t gettin’ any better). i really needed this today! a sub 18 minute 4k (24 seconds shy of a pr) … and quickening my pace with each successive split!
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!!
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!
… I cracked the seventeen and a half minute barrier, bettering the old record by 14 seconds, quite the margin considering I’ve been running fast 4ks like crazy lately. Plus, this PR comes on the heels of my impressive Saturday 5K …
Body’s beat to shit, but getting better with each passing day. Days ago I was only able to run as long as I maintained a jogging pace, and even then was sore as hell. Wednesday I laid down a solid 10K – a sign of things turning around. Yesterday, I crushed a 4K – 17 minutes 49 seconds (9 seconds off my PR) … interestingly, I have five recorded runs within a 13 second span … 17:40 -17:53 … and today I smoked an 8K’er … 37:23 (53 seconds slower than my record run), so I MUST be bouncing back … even at my age, lol!
Thirty CONSECUTIVE days! Since May 14th when I began, I covered over 500 kilometers. That’s from Toronto to Ottawa (now, I have to run back, lol). This past week has been a particularly good one. I’ve felt strong, having accomplished new goals, set a 10K PR of 45:33 – my proudest achievement – but it’s my last 6K (my quickest splits) that still blows me away … 26:57.
For the last few days, I’ve been trying to better my 17:45 4K time. Sunday, I ran 17:53. Monday, I did the same, 17:53 – how’s that for consistency? And, it’s been hot (and humid) as hell lately, even in the early morning … temps feeling like 32°. Today, I ran it in 17:46 – one second off my PR … and right now, I honestly don’t know where I can improve?! I look at my splits, I just don’t see much more that I can give … but I can promise you, I’ll be trying!
… felt like 32°, actually was that hot/muggy throughout the night, we didn’t get any relief. At that point breathing becomes increasing difficult, let alone running. But off I went, and you know at times when you start your run, you’re still unsure how you feel? Today was one of those days. I felt OK after 5 minutes, and pushed hard during the next 5 minutes … it was after my 10 minute distance cue, I knew I felt strong, and that I’d try hard for a fast 4K time. And I did well! My second fastest time ever, missed my PR by 13 seconds … a sub eighteen minute clocking … also, I achieved a PR for min/km pace – 4:16 … AND, each successive kilometer was faster … I quickened my pace from start to finish. All in all, a solid run, a positive run! Oh, plus my run home – my second 4K was no slouch either, was a good run as well!
… 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!!
A few thoughts, a few numbers. I obliterated my previous 8K record by a whopping 1 minute & 12 seconds. That’s a HUGE improvement! I think because I’m usually trying for a great halfway split (4K), or a fast 10K time, neglecting running as hard as I can trying to improve on my 8K time … but today I did. Maybe it has something to do with my Saturday runs, lately they’ve all been PR’s. Funny, it wasn’t till later (at home, after my shower) that I thought to myself I could have annihilated my previous 10K PR as well (sub 46 minutes was def attainable), but like I said, I can only attempt one record at a time, and I’m happy I accomplished this one. I was at 4K in 17:50 (only 5 seconds slower than my fastest time), and I finished (the second 4K) in 18:37 – a very fast time in itself. And, I’ve never run (or timed) a 5K race … but adding my first five kilometers totals 22:26 … for those who have finished a 5K run, lemme know what you think – please (and thanks)!
I think was really amazes me, is my continual improvement. Whenever I achieve a new benchmark, I say to myself, “that’s it, that’s the best I can do” … and I mean it, but you know what? It never is, I eventually do better, and it seems like leaps and bounds better!
Also, I should provide a bit of background. I’ve never been a runner. I’ve never considered myself a runner. I’m a 50 year old dude who recently decided to take up running. I’ve also started to become smarter about what I put into my body – I’m talking healthier eats, if it’s beneficial – I’m eating/drinking it! Uhm, I know my body weight, my BMI (21.8) has worked in my favour (oh, and that’s another story … that was through hard work as well), perhaps providing me with a bit of a head-start. Also, my youthful athletic prowess shouldn’t be discounted, despite the great distance separating the what was, and what is, I still know the most important part of what makes a top athlete is … NEVER SAY QUIT … above and beyond everything else, THIS is it! And it’s still a part of me, who I am … Intestinal Fortitude y’all!! But, I’m curious, and for those runners who may read this, REAL runners (hardcore runners) … I would love any thoughts/insight/opinions you may have on my progression/my accomplishments to date … and on anything I should/need to do to keep advancing further … muchas gracias!
Saturday morning runs are fun. They’re relaxing. Last week as you may remember, I set a personal best for the halfway point – 4K, and today I set out attempting to see if I could come close to equalling it. I was running comfortably, and fairly quick. I was almost at my 2K marker running east, when I saw another runner heading north on the street I was approaching, the very intersection and direction I was would be heading … and it’s a straight 2K, and I was confident he’d continue on the same path for that reason. And more importantly … he appeared to be hauling ass! Great, I thought! I got me a rabbit!
Now, I come across many runners, but usually it’s in the opposite direction and we exchange pleasantries – runner’s etiquette … and sure, occasionally I’ll come up from behind someone … and just as quickly I’ll blow right by them. I rarely see runners who are fast. I knew this guy was one of those … he was young, in great shape … and like I said … he had plenty of pace! As, I turned the corner, he was about 80 meters in front … now keep in mind, I’m already running pretty much as hard as I can wanting a good 4K time … he became my added incentive … and also, keep in mind – he’s completely unaware I’m on his ass, and that I’m racing him! I have 2 kilometers to catch ‘n pass … and I really was confident that I would. My eyes are fixated! All I’m focusing on is him. I’m continually measuring the distance between us. As much as I tried, as hard as I ran, I was only able to shorten the distance by 30-40 meters … and time was running out. I knew I wouldn’t catch him, let alone pass him … and the whole time I was chasing him, I was in awe, and amazed at the smoothness and calmness of his running style, his stride … if I ever did approach his flank and surprise him … I felt he’d have buried me!
On a positive note, I was able to better last week’s time by a full ten seconds, a new PR … all was not lost. Thanks rabbit!
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 