Till my legs fall off.

My long run was set up to be on Sunday. Sunday just wasn't going to work, we had made plans in the afternoon and I had some house work to get done. So.... my long run got moved to Saturday morning. I woke up feeling great, after my 8 miles last Sunday I figured adding two more wouldn't be so bad... I was very wrong. I decided to pick myself up a pair of new running socks so I made my way to MC Sports. Found this great pair with a compression strip, thought I would try them out. I am freaking hooked... that compression strip really helped... but... not that much.

My run started off rough, I kept my pace down but must have still be healing up from the 8 mile last Sunday. I pushed as much as I could to get through the whole thing. I felt dead on my feet, every step was painful but I still pressed on. I won't post my time but after a dang good while I finally made it to the 10 mile mark. It felt good to finish that distance, only 3 miles away on my training runs to a half marathon, then onward and upward toward the big 26.2. 

I didn't feel like it...

I had a lot of yard and house work to do on Saturday so I missed my three mile run. Sunday was a bit of a busy day, I really didn't feel like running but I didn't have a good excuse. I tried to come up with stuff, eventually I decided it was time to go get my six mile run in. The whole drive to the gym I was trying to talk myself out of doing the full six miles. Doesn't your head hurt a bit, got a bit of a cramp in the left thigh, might want to take it easy and just do your three mile run, you know the one you missed on Saturday. I started my run and all talks of stopping early were thrown out the window... I was going to run the full six. I was feeling good, wasn't breaking any PR times but I felt good. I kept my pace a little lower and was going strong... coming up on six miles I decided I would shoot for seven. Then close to seven I figured I would just go for eight. Eight came around and I figured it was time to bring it to a close before I got to carried away. I was feeling great, probably could have ran a half marathon that night with out a second thought.

Its amazing to me that when I don't feel like running I normally have my best training runs. Today my legs are a little sore, nothing a little ice and a light four mile training run tonight won't fix up. 8 down only 18.2 left to go.

I'm back from exile!

So after the rash of bad training runs I decided to take a week off. I would love to say it was a hard decision but really it wasn't. I was starting to get bogged down, every run that I either didn't finish or finished by a hair was just pulling me further down. A week off to rest and regroup was just what I needed. I read a lot of training blogs and had time to flip through my runners world magazine. The extra insperation edition they put out last month was just what I needed.

Monday I came back at it with a fresh 4 mile run to kick things off. It went very well and even though I didn't break any great PR, I stopped after 4.3 miles and felt like I could have went further. Today I am set for another 4 mile training run, I have no soreness in my legs but we will see what happens when I go out tonight. To my maybe two readers... wish me luck.

Bad... very bad...

Its been a little while since I posted last. I will admit I really didn't want to make this post. After this weekend I didn't want to make a post about how bad it really was. It really was a good weekend some would say, but from a training point of view... its not my finest hour. Lets start off with the art of running. It wasn't an art for me over the weekend. I would call it the act of thinking I could run but my body had other plans. My three miles were cut short on Saturday from a cramp in my left leg that wouldn't go away. I thought nothing of it, figured I would make up for it tomorrow. Sunday would have been the day to get out and make up for the loss of miles. I had a six mile planned for that day... I didn't even make a move to do it.

That's right... never got up from the couch to go for a run. I could have ran that, but I didn't even try. I am ashamed of myself for that one. Then to top it all off I have to admit I threw my nutrition out the window for the whole weekend. Junk food... sure why not.. soda... yes please. I don't think I ate one healthy thing all weekend.
Things are back on track for this week though. Back to eating clean and pushing through every run. I'm not looking forward to tonight's run but I know it will be better than anything I did over this last weekend.

The weekend

Friday at work was long and I couldn't wait to get out of there. My wife took me back to my old high school for a football game. I haven't seen Elida win a football game since I graduated. I was ever so happy to watch them run up the score on Celina. We even left early cause my wife was getting to cold. I figured 62 to 14 was good enough that Elida had that one in the bag.

Saturday morning started with a run at the gym with the guys. I was having some muscles problems in my right thigh all week and was not looking forward to this run. Its funny though how the runs I am not looking forward to doing always end up being my best runs. I ran my 5k in 30:30... I was happy to have another good time under my belt. Gotta keep on working my distance though. When I got home I wasn't ready to rest, so I jumped on my bike and headed out. I rode up to Crankers bike shop and hung out there for a while, then home. It was a nice 10 mile round trip ride.

This morning was a busy morning but I still found time to ride 13 miles. Its 7 miles to my parents house. Right now I am riding 7 miles in 30 min. Gotta keep working that time down, my phone says I am riding at a 14 mph average. I don't know how accurate that is but I would like to get that into the high teens. Might help to get a better bike but my trusty used 12 speed will do for now. 

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better...

Today I hit a PR, not just any PR but one I didn't think I would get to this quickly. I got off work today and headed for the gym. Today I ran a sub 30:00 min 5k. I came in at exactly 29:42. I was so happy I almost shouted right in the middle of the gym. I kept my composure though and waited till I got in the car to grunt manly over my accomplishment. I might not get back to that kinda time for a few weeks, but now that I know I can do it i am going to strive to make this a regular time. What a great week this has been in training this has been.

A rough work week, but a great week in training

Its been a long week. I have to start by saying that my work place has tried to kill my mind everyday. I don't think there was a day that went by that something wasn't broken. When things break at an ISP calls come in, and when calls come in I have to take them... but what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger and I made it through. I already posted about Monday's run and yoga class. Tuesday was a rest day, but then came Wednesday, and what a mighty run that was... well at least for me. I really didn't even want to go run. I was tired and just wanted to go home, but I bullied myself into going to the gym. I jumped on the treadmill and started my run. I was running along and feeling great, everything just seemed right. My head was clear, my legs felt good. I was running along at a constant pace. Next thing I know I look down to see I have ran at a constant pace for over 23 minutes. You have no idea how happy this made me. I have been trying to run at a constant pace for at least 20 min for a while now.

Armed with my new runners high I slowed down a moment to catch a drink then fired everything back up again. I ran my best 5k at 34:00 min sharp. When I was finished I felt exhausted though, I might have been able to run that a bit faster if I would have eaten something before I went to the gym. I just felt drained, but still very happy with my work that evening.

 I was looking forward to Friday all week. I had the day off, I was going to take the bike over to the bike shop to make sure it was fit to me alright and just have it checked out. I have to start of by saying that Crankers Cycling in Lima Ohio is an amazing place. I pulled up around 9:30 only to see they opened at 10:00. I was starting to swing around to leave and come back later when I was waved inside. The owner was there and opened the bike shop early for me.

I can't begin to tell you how much this shop and the owner rock. If your in the area stop over and see him. The web site for the shop is being worked on but you can find it here. http://www.crankerscycling.com/
Since I was going to be riding my bike home that day I had to get myself a helmet. I found a great helmet that matched my bike.

  

I also had to get a new seat post. I was told the wooden seat post just wasn't the best idea. So I got a new seat post while I was there. 

 It looks much better than the wooden one. Plus I got it adjusted to the correct height. I left the bike shop and headed for my Mom and Dads. I had to drop off my old 55 Plymouth to be stored for the winter. I got the new seat post in with the help of my Dad ( I don't think I would have gotten everything together without him. thanks Dad!)  Hung out with Dad for a while and then it was time to head for home. Jumped on the bike and rolled down the road. It was a quick 7.2 mile ride back home, but I loved every moment of it. I am sad that I didn't get a bike sooner this year. Its getting cold out quick, and I am only going to be able to ride outside for a little while longer.

And now for something completly different

Today should have been a rest day. After spending a week with a cold and not training at all I figured who needs a rest day, I need to get warmed back up. So after a long day at work it was time to hit the gym. I figured I would just work on some abdominal exercises and stick with my normal run schedule. It wasn't long before that was out the windows. I started with 3 sets of 50 crunches, then thought I would run a mile to see how my legs felt after a week off. Was a happy to run that mile dialed in right at 10:00 min. I went back to the floor and knocked out another 3 sets of 50 crunches. Then back up for a light run, just put in a 1/2 mile to see if any pain would flair up if I upped my speed a bit. Then back to the floor for another 3 sets of 50 crunches.

It was safe to say that my abs were worn out when I was finished. I was ready to call it quits and was heading for the locker room when I over heard one of the trainers saying they didn't have enough people for their class. My wife is a trainer at this same gym and I always feel bad when she has to cancel a class cause she doesn't have enough people. So I asked what kind of class it was... turns out I was going to try yoga for the first time. I have always had a thought in the back of my mind that I wanted to try yoga sometime. With all my back problems I thought maybe it could help. An hour later I am sold that yoga is very helpful. I felt great when I walked out of there. After my work out the calm stretching was a nice finisher. So it looks like I may pick up this yoga class on Mondays as an active rest.

Also on the good news side of life I may have a side job coming up soon. Nothing much just a one day thing, but the money it brings in would be great to go toward a bike helmet and a bike trainer. After that I have to find a wet suit, goggles, and a tri suit. Everything is falling in place just have to be patient while I gather everything up.

Dear Body

A little letter I wrote at work today. 

Dear Body

I am writing this letter to you cause I am tired of you being sick. You are making it so I can not have fun torturing you with running and biking. As these are things I now enjoy I expect you to suck it up and get better soon.

Be aware that I am going to make you hurt once you are over this cold. I am probably going to push you a little harder than normal and I expect good results from you with very little back talk. Thank you for your time and your ability to still get up and move. 



Well it turns out I am still sick. This cold isn't horrid but its lingering and making me grumpy. Looks like I am just going to end up taking the rest of this week off from any training. By the time I make it home after work I feel exhausted. Eyes are now set to Tuesday when I will start my run up again.

The bigger they are... the harder they fall

Yesterday was a great day. I got up early and put 4 miles on the bike. It needs a bit of adjustment but I had a nice ride through the neighborhood. After getting cleaned up it was time to great ready to go to Icthus music festival in Ft.Wayne Indiana. With tons of great bands to see and christian speakers, it makes for a nice day.
http://www.ichthusfortwayne.org/
It was overcast and a bit cold all day. I got the nice chance to sit in front of a pizza hut food vendors booth for over an hour while the wife and I waited for them to open back up. That was by no means the best part of the day. At about 11:30 PM it was time to head for home. I didn't get to bed till after 2 in the morning. Waking up this morning was not fun. To make matters worse I think I have a cold, my head feels like it is going to explode and my throat is on fire. No 6 mile run for me today, that really makes me sad panda. I hope I recover from this fast. Would like to get some more time on the bike and get a week of good runs in.

A great week so far

Monday was a rest day and Tuesday was a good 3 mile run. Wedsnday was a great 4 mile run, I finished just a little over 46 min and for me that is really great. I had to wonder if my amazing run on Wesdnday was not caused by the fact that I finally got a road bike. Yes ladies and gentlemen the search is over. I was browsing craigs list as I often do for bikes. Low and behold someone had posted one in good shape for $20.00 bucks. I phone the guy and was told someone was already going to be picking it up tonight. I offered him $30.00 and that I could pick it up right away. He took the deal and I cruised out to get it. If for by some chance of fate the guy I bought the bike out from under is reading this blog post, then I am sorry but dang it I needed a bike badly. Its a 12 speed and had brand new tubes and tires. I don't think I could have found a better deal. Here are some pics of my new bike. She isn't much to look at but will get the job done for now.

  

I know what your going to ask... yes that is a wooden seat post. The guy I bought it off of said that he was too tall for the bike and needed a longer seat post. I'm going to leave it for now, gives the bike even more weird character. I took it for a spin yesterday after work. Just rode a couple quick miles around the block. It felt comfortable, was a nice easy ride. Its an older bike so its pretty heavy. Nothing nice, new and light like a good triathlon bike or newer road bike, but not a bad start. Over all I am happy with my cheap purchase.

Well that is about all for this week. I took Thursday off from running so I could see my wife before she went to bed. With Icthus music festival this weekend I won't get back to running till my 6 mile run on Sunday. Until next time.

Back at it

Tuesday is almost done, my three mile is in the log. I shed another 2 Min off my time, it was a nice run but still can't run at a constant pace.  It felt good to get back at it after the long weekend. The Renaissance Festival was a lot of fun, and hanging out with our friends Jeremy and Lexi really just made it a nice weekend. We left straight from my work on Friday, an hour and 45 min later we were pulling into the bed and breakfast.

I truly love this place. We have been going to the Wooded Garden for years and I couldn't imagine staying anywhere else. Here is a link to this place if anyone is ever interested in a nice weekend getaway.
http://www.woodedgardenbedandbreakfast.com/
Rich and Cherry are amazing hosts and the breakfast in the morning is second to none. Having a nice dinner Friday night after we got in we headed for bed so we could get up in the morning for the festival.

I really don't have any pictures from the festival itself, but I do have one of us just getting ready to leave.

 

It was pirate weekend and we were dressed in epic pirate garb. We had a great time sampling everything that the Ohio Renaissance Festival has to offer. That night we went back to the Wooded Garden and played some Cabo. In the morning after a nice breakfast it was time to hit the road. We stopped by a couple flea markets on our way back, and grabbed some dinner at Lone Star steak house. When we finally made it home we were exhausted. All and all I would say we had a great weekend. Gotta put some miles in the bank this weekend and get ready for the Icthus music festival this up coming weekend.

Inspiration

I know I promised pictures of my weekend but I am going to post this first. While at work this fine morning I ran across this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbXgQqbOoU&feature=player_embedded

It is safe to say I was inspired. I have never been a big person, actually I have always been the exact opposite. I only weigh in right now at a very light 130 lbs. At my heaviest I have weighed in at 135 lbs. Its not easy being this light, its very hard to gain any weight, but that is besides the point right now. Maybe I will post on my struggles to gain a bit more weight at a later time. Right now I want to talk about what this guy did.

You can find his blog at http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com

First weight and body image are very key in happiness. Before someone stumbles into my blog, reads that and decides to flame me in my comment section let me explain. I am by no means saying that everyone has to be a supper skinny super model body style, or even for us guys, we don't have to be all muscle bound movie stars, but we have to be happy in our own bodies. Would you be happy if you had trouble getting out of a chair, or grew winded just getting up to check the mail?

I wasn't happy when my back was having problems, or when I was younger and had knee problems. Limping around, or not being able to get off the couch is frustrating to me. I felt if I couldn't will my own body to do what I want than what good was I. A year ago I got up and did something about it. Just like this guy woke up one day so unhappy with his life he decided to make a change. This man has crossed the finish line to and Marathon and an Ironman, both things I wish to do someday down the road.

If someone is reading this and thinking that they would like to change, they would like to wake up feeling better and happier then I challenge you to make today the first day of a new life. Don't sit idle, don't let life pass you by. Wake up and take hold of it all, take the first step and dare to be great.

The return of Pain

I had a great run Tuesday after work. Just a simple 3 miles run to warm things up for the week. I am still not getting the 30 min time I would like to have on a 3 mile run, but I was happy with the 34:30 I did get. I really need to get that time down, If I could just run a steady pace the whole time I would shed those 4 min with ease. The bad part about that run is that the next morning my left knee was in a good deal of pain. Its not bad if I am just sitting but to walk hurts a lot. I tried to run it out Wednesday night but I didn't even make it past two miles. The pain just wouldn't go away and once it became to much I knew it was time to step away. So that's it for this week, I am taking tonight off to rest up. We are leaving for the Ohio Renaissance Festival this weekend. No running all weekend but will do a good deal of walking. Going to be a fun but painful weekend. Will post up some pictures when I get back.

just when you can't get any lower...

Just when you think you have hit rock bottom.... you have an epic run like the one I had on Sunday. What a day, I was dreading my 6 mile run all day. I even thought about skipping it. I pushed myself though and went to the gym anyways. Jumped on the treadmill and started to move. Not even half a mile into it I almost gave up. My left leg started to cramp up, my knee started to throb. I just about stepped off and then decided I should at least go for a full mile. I could limp along that far at least. Pushing into the first mile suddenly I felt great. All the pain in my leg left and I felt fast. it was like a huge chip was lifted off my shoulder. I bit down and started to pick up the speed. 6 miles later, 1 hour and 15 min later I was finished. I felt great. That was my fastest 6 mile run yet, and better yet the fastest 3 miles I have ever done. I still feel unstoppable. Today was a rest day. Tomorrow I return to my running schedule. My goal is to run the full 3 miles with out slowing down. Just a nice constant run. Shooting for a 30 min 3 mile. If anyone is actually reading this please wish me luck.

I need a bike

I took Thursday off from running. My left knee felt horrid, if I pushed it I probably wouldn't be able to run Saturday or Sunday. With my time off Thursday night I decided to go bike browsing. I stopped into a local bike shop here in Lima, Ohio. The owner is a great guy and they do group rides out of there all the time. I couldn't afford any of the road bikes there but he told me if I found something to ride in a triathlon to bring it into him and he would help me set it up. Then... then the man made my day. He said that he may even sponsor me. Granted he said that before he knows how bad at running I really am. I will probably never win a triathlon or a marathon, but I always give my best. I would love to have a sponsor, Having someone else backing me like that would be a huge help in my push to get stronger and faster. My hunt for a used road bike continues, but first I need to secure the funds for one.

Epic Fail

Today is the day that I had an epic fail. In good spirits I went to the gym. I had a four mile run lined up and was ready to go. 1.2 miles later I am in pain and stepping off the treadmill. My left knee just didn't want to let me finish. I tried, I really did, but after I had to step off to the side of the treadmill for the third time I knew it was time to walk away. It was hard to do, I felt like I let myself down by giving up. There was just no sense in pushing myself into further injury so here I am now on the couch, with my leg up. After all my time spent on the couch when my back was bad, this is really the last place I want to be right now.

Another 3 down

Three more miles down. I even got a PR on my 5 k and finished at 34:09. Its the only time I will say that I am glad I don't have readers of this blog cause dang that is a bad time, but its a great time for me. To many years of neglect and my legs are taking a beating to get back into things. If I can just get my legs to take a steady beating for 3 miles. Right now I take 3o second walk breaks from time to time. Cut those out completely and I can get this time under 30:00.

Besides all the progress I have been making with running I am still looking forward into triathlons. Right now trying to figure out how I am going to afford a road bike and some gear. Well hopefully with Christmas coming up I might get a few items.

I didn't die

Well 5 miles later I am still alive. It turned out better than what I expected it to be. Granted it still was pretty slow, but in the end I still made it to the five mile mark. Half way through though I was thinking about what I was doing... could I really run a full marathon. 26.2 miles feels so far away. I can't even run a constant pace for 3 miles. Once I got those thoughts out of my head I got back into the run and finished up. I really need to work on my pace though. If I could just get my pace steady for 3 miles I would feel like I accomplished a lot.

Today was miserable

The marathon training guide I am following had me run 4 miles Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. I had a rest day on Friday and for today I had to run 3 miles. I figured this would be an easy three miles... boy was I wrong. 42 min later I finally got off the treadmill feeling like junk. Both my legs are cramped and I felt exhausted. To make matters worse my training guide has me running 5 miles tomorrow. I truly don't know how I am going to run that tomorrow. Well I guess the only thing I can do is rest up and hope for the best tomorrow.

A inspiring quote

I was sitting in the doctors office today and saw a quote that was framed on the wall. When I read it I was amazed how it opened my eyes. It was like it was wrote just for me and what I was going through. I have been training hard for a year now, and I am training even harder this year. I dare my friends to do the same with little results. This quote is for them as much as it is for me.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt

The start of daring to be great

Hello and welcome to my first post. I am embarking on a great adventure to push myself farther than I ever have. Two years ago I would have thought there was no way I would ever be at this point in my life. It was this time two years ago that my back hurt so much there were days I couldn't even walk. I would spend those days on the couch feeling like half a person.

I woke up in August of 2009 and decided it was time to take back my life. Everyone was giving me advice to try exercising more, that it would help with my back problem. August 28th I got a membership at a local gym and started down the path of better living.

Here I am Sept 3 2010 with few and far between back pains. I have ran a few 5k's and I am currently training for my first marathon. After this marathon I hope to get into triathlons.