Start of Training Week 3

Sunday was an off day for the legs but I went ahead and got in a light upper body work out in the early afternoon. My legs, being refreshed on Monday did not disappoint as I ran a 5k, arriving back inside my condo at just under 28 minutes.

Tuesday was cross-training on the stationary bike again. I rode for 50 minutes, mostly at resistance four at about 83 rpm.

While I'm constantly worried about it, I can't seem to get a handle on the condition of my leg muscles and my knees. I get minor pains now and then which scare me but so far nothing serious. It's raining today so I think I'll hit the treadmil for the first time in a few weeks. Hopefully that will be a touch lighter on the impact and I can get a good 5k time.

Twinge

Friday yielded a pretty good run. Just another 3 miles but again I shaved a few seconds off and came in at a nine minute pace. After the run, later in the evening and this morning I felt minor pain in my knee. Were I not nervous about injury I probably wouldn't have noticed but being hypersensitive to the possibility, I was scared.

I had wanted to run but instead went with the bike. I had a great 42 minute ride at resistance 4 with a pace around 85 rpm. The sweat poured off and I think my knee actually feels better.

TGIF and Run day

Another 80 degree day, Wednesday yielded a good 3 mile run. I bettered my time from Monday by about fifteen seconds. I felt little twinges in my knee in the beginning and after the run but nothing came of it. I keep having to tell myself to take it slow. I'm not going to get any better sidelined with knee pain or shin splints. As a precauion I used Thursday to do a light upper body workout and rest my legs.

That means later this evening I'll tackle another 3 mile run. It'd be nice to come in under 27 minutes...but I'm having Chinese food for lunch :)

Week two starts

I entered week two of my workouts with the pleasant opportunity to run outside on Monday. I'd thought rain would keep me on the treadmill but instead I had a nice outdoor run.

Monday was another 80 degree day. I went three miles this time, whereas last week my outdoor runs were only two miles. All things considered, I was happy with my 9:08 pace. If only I could run ten times as far in hotter temperatures at that pace!

Today was a cross-training day. I once again hit the bike (it is by FAR the easiest cross training activity) this time going 40 minutes. I stayed at slightly over an 80 rpm pace and spent the majority of the time on resistance number 4. When a good song came on my iPhone I went ahead and jumped it up to resistance level five.

Weekend workouts

My Friday included a great 35 minute bike ride. Sweat was pouring off me but my pace stayed steady at >80 rpm for the entire ride.

I followed up on Saturday with a three mile run. I think that is a good distance for me to work on for a couple weeks.

Sunday was a full rest day, the first since the Saturday before. It didn't feel needed but I'm glad I rested.

It's raining today but I'll go hit the treadmill again for another three miles and hopefully start off the week with a nice short run.

Brooks

It's been my intention to wait until I built up a base of 15 miles a week before I went to get fitted for running shoes. After thinking a bit more about it I decided that there really wasn't any reason not to go now except the embarrassment of being a newbie in a specialty shop.

Today my plan had been to hit the stationary bike but after getting new shoes I couldn't resist going for a run.

I got a pair of Brooks stability shoes. They are white with blue trim. I like them.

I ran the exact same route as yesterday a mile down Platt and back. The temperature was about the same (80 or so) but my pace was more than 20 seconds a mile faster. I got back in the door just under 17 minutes.

I don't think it was the shoes but I did feel a little bit more energy than yesterday. I think my second mile was actually a tad faster - the opposite of yesterday.

I'm bummed that I can't go run tomorrow (three in a row even at these distances might be pushing it at this point on the road) but I'll try to hit the bike and some light weights.

The Vision Test

Today I left work early for my month post-op appointment for my PRK surgery. I ended up getting home about four o'clock and went out for a quick run.

Today was a challenge, it was the first time I've run outside in about nine months, maybe longer. It was 80 degrees and sunny. I only ran two miles but It was a challenge. My first mile was at a decent pace but the mile back was at slower than 9 minute/mile pace. The two miles took me 17:40. I suppose I'll take it.

I do feel continually motivated. Had I not had a goal, I would have stopped to walk but I know that every run I can get for the next nine months is important. I pushed through a slow second mile.

After an hour or so I felt more energy. I considered going for another run but am going to be very careful about running too much. I instead opted to head to the clubhouse and got a short weight lifting workout in. I did some quads and lats and shoulders.

All in all a decent day.

Stationary

The plan for today was to hit the weights. It has been a while since I lifted but seeing G.I. Joe right after work provided adequate motivation. Unfortunately somebody else was using the weights when I got to my gym. The gym has definitely been hoping this year compared to last which will cause some issues in the future. Earlier seems to be better. I decided to go for the low impact stationary bike instead.

About 25 minutes in to my 30 minute ride I got a bloody nose. I was able to stop it pretty fast and finished a slightly extended ride.

I've managed to eat....not terribly the last couple days. I feel pretty good. Tomorrow I should be home early so I should be back from an outside run before 5:30.

First run

Today I received confirmation of my spot and receipt for my payment towards the race registration. The email included a guide and pictures from previous events as well as the marathon route.

Very cool!

I was as excited as I've ever been to run today. I know that early on in my training the hardest thing for me will be to not push to hard to increase mileage. I was still a touch sore from the bike yesterday but my short run of 2.2 miles went great. I felt motivated for the entire run which was a great feeling. I was sure to stretch after my workout (which is something I've never done).

All in all a good day. Tomorrow is weights!

Jitters

I've gone through the process of telling some of my family and friends about my upcoming adventure. A couple days in, I'm beginning to realize how much work I have ahead. It's a daunting task but one I am excited to take on.

I haven't had the time to develop any type of training program and really all of the "planning" is a work in progress. I was only able to spend some time on the bike today but I'm glad I did something. I really did feel like I was working towards something and can't wait to go for a run tomorrow.

So for now it's magazines, shoe reviews and web articles.

The newness of it all has been a challenge too. Knowing that the idea is a great conversation starter, but that the work hasn't even begun yet is an uncomfortable feeling which is why a run tomorrow will be great!

No time to waste.

Namibia 2010

I often search for callings. I wait, I ponder, I search and eventually I find.

Ever since I got back from Tanzania I've known Africa was in my future, I just didn't know how.

I have my answer.

Today I registered for the marathon in Namibia in May of 2010.

This blog will be where I track my own progress and continue to motivate myself. One of the exciting things is that I know I will not fail. This will provide me yet another opportunity to prove to myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to.

Living with that knowledge will truly make it all worthwhile.