… my first one hour run for distance! Have been meaning to attempt this, giving myself something new/different to strive for. As you may know, I’m an 8K a day guy, and I do occasionally stretch out to 10K … and I have completed one 12K. I extrapolated, did the math, and knew (know) that on a good day, I’d be able to span 13K in one hour. And, on a so-so, average day would be close, but no cigar! Today was that kinda day. I started running with the one hour goal in mind, no matter my time. Unfortunately around 6 kilometers, I was ready to bail, I dunno – really wasn’t feeling strong, and was tightening up. But, I drew inspiration from this runner’s blog (I’m in awe of her – her ability, her knowledge, her training methods) I stumbled on … actually, have been perusing running blogs … and the majority of them, I have to give my head a shake reading them … now, while I don’t dare say anything on your blogs, on mine, I’ll simply say this … your attempts/efforts are terribly misguided … ’nuff said. And this from a person who only took up running three months ago, lol. So, here I am ready to pack in my attempt, but I remembered her words from earlier this morning … and I didn’t quit! I told myself – push hard for the next kilometer, and see what happens … so I did … and surprise, surprise I continued pushing hard for the remaining 25 minutes completing the hour run. Considering everything, I’m extremely pleased … and proud!
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 …
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!
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!
Today was a great day for running, all that humidity we had lingering lifted … nothing but sunshine, and a cool breeze to enjoy my early morning run. Was perfect. After two kilometers, I knew I wasn’t on any sort of record pace, so I settled into a comfortable run … it was then I knew I wanted to challenge myself for distance, and I thought 12K would be easy enough. And it was, I maintained a consistent pace (as you can see from my splits), and I was very happy with my time – a 57:43 clocking. And check out the calories burned – 960 … yeah, I’ll take that. Nice way to start the day!
… didn’t know what to title this post. Had a whole bunch of thoughts, things to say, figured it was as good a blogpost title as any. Today I tallied my RunKeeper numbers and this is what I’ve accomplished since I started running (took up running, to be precise) May 14th … and I ran for 25 consecutive days – 202 kilometers. I’ve only missed two days since I began. Unbelievable! Currently, I’m on a 20 day streak … riding it out as long, as far as I can.
… today was another good Saturday run, was running crazy fast from the get-go … 1.13K after 5 minutes, 2.3K after ten minutes … but at my fifteen minute cue, slipped a bit (1.08K), and I felt a 4K PR was gonna be too close for comfort, think I started panicking/tightening up … so I bailed, and clicked “stop” … a mere minute and a half away from my marker (douce-bag personified … I know) … and in 52 days of running, I’ve NEVER quit running hard to my halfway point. I was proud of that. That’s what I love about my circuit. Every step towards my 4K mark takes me further and further from home … and after those 18-19 minutes have elapsed … every step conversely leads me home. I run hard without any back-up plan, no one’s saving my sorry-old-ass … after hitting my halfway point, I know I gotta run home!
… I was on pace to equal my 17:45 PR
… a 4:19K split – my FASTEST ever
… days before my May 14th life changing day, I was getting into a groove, was waking up early, driving to my local high-school, and running laps ’round their track. Thing is, I was running in regular shoes, walking shoes … bullshit shoes, lol … what a joke I was. That’s when we went running shoe shopping. I had no idea of the brand variety, or of the assortment available … it was mind-blogging looking at that huge wall of shoes. Plus, this sports store was offering “buy one pair, get an equally or lesser priced pair for half price” on this weekend, so as you can imagine, the place was rammed. It was all I could to to commandeer a sales associate for assistance. I tried on a few pairs … keep in mind, I’m a novice, not really knowing what to look for. I do know fit and comfort are important, also I wanted a light shoe … but I wasn’t quite there yet in my selection process. After a few pairs, I was walking around (bouncing happily, lol) in my Saucony Virratas … I couldn’t believe the snugness, the way they felt … it was incredible. Oh, also the store’s busyness worked in my favour … it gave me time to do last minute reviews on my phone before purchasing … I had no idea what minimalist – zero drop shoes where, lol?! Also, I was becoming increasingly exhausted with the whole process – continually trying to get my sales associate’s attention (since he was dealing with many customers at once), then having him going to the stock-room and bringing out different shoes for me to try. I was just SO incredibly happy with the Sauconys, I just told him to give me two of the same … why bother looking for a different brand for variety’s sake I figured, I loved them! I was done! Side-note: Making this deal even better, two weeks later, went back for a price adjustment – which they weren’t obligated to honour, but for me they did, lol … lowering the price again – it’s sick what they cost. Recently am reading runner’s blogs … where I see buying/trying different brands/shoes appears the thing to do. Perhaps. Maybe I’m not there yet, it’s NEVER crossed my mind for that matter. As I’ve said, I couldn’t be more happier. I’ve always been blessed with good feet … nay, beautiful feet! Good circulation – no callouses, no bunions, no ingrown toenails, no problems whatsoever … if there’s an equivalent to having priest’s hands … it applies to my feet, lol! After 52 days – 427 kilometers of pavement pounding, and close examination of said soft tootsies (not even a single blister) … can proudly/thankfully say, it’s as if I’ve haven’t started running at all, haven’t ran a single day, a single kilometer … let alone four-twenty-seven-emm-effing-kay!!
… LOVE LOVE these – hardly look used
… second (brand new) pair, still in the box
… remaining thoughts: Can’t help but notice, I’ll be awfully close to having run a total of 500 kilometers by July 14!! My first two months running span. Yep, chuffed!!
… future goals: Achieving PRs – 4K, 8K, 10K, is obviously always there. But, after today’s PR pace per kilometer achievement – 4:19 … I know a 4 minute kilometer is in my sights. Also, I wanna achieve a distance PR for 20 minutes … on a perfect day, 4.6K is mine for the taking (I’m realistic, at the moment, I know a 20 minute, 5K is still a dream). I want that! I know I’ll want that 20 minute 5K too … one day eventually I’ll get it … one day!!
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, June 15! As I’ve posted before, my 8K run is a circuitous route, and the halfway point falls beautifully (and perfectly) at a center of sorts. Don’t want to be too descriptive, divulging anything … there’s many community activities/events held here throughout the year … and Saturday morning during the summer months, it’s bustling. Today, I knew beforehand (least, it’s what I planned, sometimes my body doesn’t co-operate – tells me differently), I was going to run hard for 4K and hopefully set a solid time, then stop, walk around, see what was going on … taking pics of today’s fun. There was obstacle courses/races being set-up for little kids to participate. Later on, there was a FREE BBQ planned … like I said, very strong community minded participation indeed. What I didn’t realize (at first anyways – halfway through, I knew I was onto a great time) was that I would stop the RunKeeper clock in 18:18 … my fastest 4K split EVER! And afterwards on the second half of my run, I was planning on taking it relatively easy, was hoping to be home in 20 minutes … but after my first one kilometer interval, was extremely surprised that I was running faster than I thought (my audio cue had me at a whopping 1.08 kilometers after 5 minutes), in fact it was equal to the pace to my eighteen-eighteen time. Plan B: The wheels in my head are turning … now, suddenly I’m on a mission to try my best to match that time … after the second interval, I knew I wasn’t quite going to make it, but it STILL didn’t stop me from continuing trying … and I came home in 18:50 … still very respectable – and combined, puts me at just over 37 minutes for the complete run … not too shabby, eh?
… consecutive days I should add, 8K everyday! Not to mention the occasional nightly 3-4K walks with Tiffany K … not even counting those. That was gonna be my blog entry, the days and distance … but something remarkable happened on the 25th day, I recorded my best time ever. And not by a bit, by a lot, I obliterated my previous best (39 minutes) by a whopping 1 minute and 18 seconds! Gonna email my personal trainer and tell him that’s all I’ve got to give and not to expect anymore (private joke, lol)! To put it in perspective, my single best 1K split was 4:42 … today I ran the whole 8K AVERAGING 4:42 … I know, insane, eh? Friday Morning Run June 7, 2013 RunKeeper stats y’all!!
… ain’t shittin’ y’all, was literally dancing home those few stranded blocks when I hit “stop” after completing my 10K run!
Despite what you see, and what you may think, this IS NOT becoming a runner’s blog. It’s just that I’m in awe of what I’ve accomplished in such a short time, and am proud of my progress. Funny, after yesterday’s milestone run thought to myself since I have a great time (it’s a beautiful circuitous route starting and ending at my house – exactly 8K) under my belt, maybe next time when I’m feeling strong, will continue running and try for a 50 minute 10K. Today only three kilometers in, I was already thinking that … and thankfully because of my run yesterday, I mapped out in my mind, in my neighbourhood – to tack on those extra two kilometers. After 35 minutes (that’s another thing – I LOVERunkeeper’s audio cues … cutting into my music, w/ time, distance, pace … keeping me updated throughout it all), I could have easily pushed hard and finished under 39 minutes eclipsing my previous best (yesterday, lol) for 8K, but I knew I had my sights on setting a solid 10K time … and I did it!! Not only was it it sub 50 minutes, it was 49 minutes (ok, 49:02) … my first ever 10K, my first EVER recorded/legitimate 10K too!!
Also, I want y’all to know I’m the antithesis of a runner (… no shit eh? What else would ya expect eh?)!! No cool gear, no tight shorts, no lululemon … I’m strictly old-school, tattered T and short shorts, lol … I run to rub it into the face of the running establishment, lol!! Check out my dress socks (I LOVE them, cotton, very thin – plus black on black w/ my Saucony Virratas fucking kills – least for my skinny motherfucking avante-garde tastes ass anyways, lol). Ok ok, I’ll tone down the daily updates … or, on second thought, maybe I won’t … is MY blog after all …
I have the greatest playlist for my runs … Hitchin’ A Ride started it on shuffle, and a mere 10 seconds into my run those are the first 10 words I hear in my earbuds … I’m laughing thinking Billie Joe Armstrong is ACTUALLY talking to me, lol! What a Nimrod (get it??), lol!! This mister was in a hurry, and on my 12th consecutive 8K day … FINALLY cracked the 40 minute barrier – 39:30 for 8.01K to be exact … my average pace; 4:55/K …WOOHOO!! And look at my steady-as-he-goes-splits, after running hard for half an hour with 6.01K in my wake, I reeled off a 4:44K … my fastest kilometer split EVER. Don’t know why, can’t explain it, hmmm, come to think of it … I did load up on carbs last night – tons of linguine w/ homemade sauce and all that OMG focaccia, lol! Anyways, here’s my splits!
… 88 kilometers!! This morning was VERY cold – minus three w/ windchill … tuque and gloves were mandatory. While it wasn’t my fastest time, something about today’s run made it the best so far (RunKeeper even gave me two new records – distance & calories burned, lol), I was well within myself despite the frigid/windy conditions, I did quicken my pace and my final 3K were strong. Also, I’ve noticed that forcing myself to run every day, has pushed me past the point of where my body constantly feels beaten to shit … no more lingering soreness, tight muscles … no more strained hammies, pulled groin … quads are pain free too. I know eventually, I’ll need a break, I’ll hit the wall … just might not tell y’all though, lol!
… every morning, everyday!! Ain’t easy at times, but I haven’t missed a single day since I began. Am posting a few RunKeeper pics … funny enough, my first two attempts were my best (maybe my body needs a break), and I did manage to squeak under 40 minutes on my second run, but the GPS shortchanged me on the distance, didn’t credit it for a full 8K. I did time myself once for half my circuit, and was under 20 minutes (while being a tad over 4K), putting me under the 5 minute per km barrier … but, as you can clearly see, I’m more of a 5:05/km runner. Ain’t the fastest fucker … but certainly ain’t no slowpoke either. I’ve NEVER been a runner, NEVER considered myself a runner, so now starting something so hardcore strenuous at my advanced age, AND, meanwhile achieving these times … well, let me say … am as proud as the proverbial motherfucking peacock!!
Downloaded this app last week, and this was a trial walk (not run) … a brisk walk. Great app, very useful and helpful. Here’s my results minus the route GPSed … wouldn’t want any fellow bloggers banging down my door.
danistrulytheman 