Run, Noob! Run!

Moving Day!

2011-03-01T10:42:00.002-06:00

I'm back in the saddle today...

However, I'm moving the site to its own domain.

Join me at runnoobrun.com!

Week 4 Underway

2010-08-30T11:05:00.001-05:00

Friday night, I headed back to the trusty Cool Springs YMCA with an idea that I would do Week 3 Day 3 all over again...so that's what I did...and it was hard. Again. I don't really know why, but it was...

So yesterday rolls around...I know I have to do something...and in my head, I'm completely confused. I'm thinking Week 4 Day 1 is a 3 minute run, a 5 minute run and another 3 minute run. In actuality, it's a 3 minute run, a 5 minute run, a 3 minute run and another 5 minute run. For three weeks, I had been running 9 minutes total...on Sunday, I was required to run 16. Honestly, if I had been clear on that, I might have psyched myself out, but when I got on the treadmill at the Franklin Y (the Cool Springs Y is closed on Sundays), I figured I'd at least try it to see how I did (considering how hard Friday was).

I turned on Ray Lamontagne's new album and just ran. And ran. And had problems with the first three minute run...but once my legs were warmed up, it really wasn't that hard. A couple of times, I considered turning the speed down to about 3.8, but I figured I'd keep going until I absolutely could not run at that speed...and I finished it.

Week 4 Day 1 is in the bag. We are trucking, baby!

Week 3...In the Bag...Kinda

2010-08-27T11:26:00.000-05:00

Wednesday night, I finally got around to finishing off Week 3...after spending 30 minutes on the elliptical.

It wasn't easy...not remotely, but I got it done. I'm going to do a "Day 4" tonight of some sort so that I can start Week 4 during the same week...I also think I'm going to start weight training tonight...

Sadly, the only aspect of Wednesday's night run that stood out to me was that the Braves blew a 9 run lead...it was a replay, but I hadn't seen it yet and didn't know the result yet...so it made me sad...and I'm sure that's why the run was harder. That and the 30 minutes of interval training on the elliptical before it.

If I do train on the elliptical on running nights, I'm going to do easy routes and do the hard ones on my off days...which means if I go tonight, we're going with virtually no incline or resistance.

Excitement ensues!

Weight Watchers Redux - Week 2

2010-08-24T16:32:00.001-05:00

Starting Weight: 303.4 lbs

First Weigh In (8/24/2010): 302.2 lbs (-1.2 lbs/0.39% weight loss)

Well, this was disappointing. Although, they say that any week with a loss is a good week...I was hoping to be under 300.

I really have to step it up this week.

Sore

2010-08-24T09:06:00.001-05:00

I'm sure this will be a subject that comes up often...

I'm going to restart Week 3 tonight. After I ran Day 2 on Wednesday, I planned on running Day 3 on Saturday. I woke up Saturday morning and helped my friend Kim move kids into Belmont...and, after 3 hours of carrying heavy boxes up and down stairs, I was exhausted...and sore. So, no running on Saturday.

Sunday, I woke up...even more sore. So I figured that I would just restart Week 3 on Monday.

Monday morning. Still sore. Last night I went to the gym anyway. I knew I couldn't run, but I had to find something to do.

I hopped onto the elliptical for an hour while I watched the Titans game...I burned 700 calories...but guess what? Still sore.

Week 3 - Truckin' Along

2010-08-19T09:25:00.001-05:00

Last night got hard for some reason.

I'm not too sure why.

I went to the Cool Springs Y, popped onto the "good" treadmill and started up Day 2. The first running interval went by pretty smoothly, but the first 3 minute one was a struggle. I really don't know why...it was an effort to keep putting one leg in front of the other. Finally, it was over. The second 90 second interval wasn't that bad and the second 3 minute interval wasn't really bad at all until about the last 30 seconds. Not sure what all of that was about...

After I finished, I hopped onto the elliptical and did a good 30 minute workout without too much trouble. At the end, the elliptical said I had burned 400 calories...and when combined with the 111 the treadmill said that I had burned, it was a pretty good night.

I just wish that I knew why it was so much harder last night than it was on Monday night.

Weight Watchers Redux - Week 1

2010-08-17T14:06:00.001-05:00

Starting Weight: 303.4 lbs

That's a little horrifying. The last time I started, I was at 314. Now I'm at 303. Seriously. It's horrifying. I had been down into the 280s.

The class I'm doing now is at work. It's a 12 week class...for this one, they gave us all of our books up front and a nice little box with some extra books, a three month tracker and a few other goodies.

My point target for the first week is 42 points. That...that's just a lot of points. The one advantage is that can eat a little more than the average person. The disadvantage is...I can eat a little more than the average person. Let's hope I tell myself over and over not to get accustomed to it.

The good news is that in order to hit my 10 percent by the end of the 12 week class...I need to lose just 30 pounds. That means I just need to lose just 2.5 pounds per week for the next 12 weeks. It also means I'm going to start completely busting my butt at the gym every night. I also need to get a new scale after I work out tonight so that I can do "unofficial" weigh-ins each morning to make sure that I'm making progress.

Here we go again...

Week 3 Redux

2010-08-17T08:43:00.001-05:00

It occurred to me late yesterday that I left out a major piece about Thursday night's run - I went to a different Y...and I went again last night.

The Cool Springs YMCA is a tiiiiiiny Y. Like tiiiiiiiny. It's in a converted warehouse/business park and only takes up about a third of the building. The wellness center features zero rowing machines and zero recumbent bikes. Aside from all of that, it was a really, really, really awesome treadmill that the other Y does not have. It has a feature on it where I can just punch in a number and it automatically goes to that speed. It makes the converstion from walking to running on the C25K all the easier.

I'll be spending my nonrunning (rowing) days at the trusty Franklin Y, but for the running ones, I think I'll be heading to Cool Springs...if for no other reason than their TVs get more channels (read: the ones with Braves games).

Last night was Week 3 Day 1. As I mentioned yesterday, it consists of two 90 second runs and two 3 minute runs. While the runs themselves weren't horrible...I will say that the second three minute run did leave me looking at the clock a lot...the treadmill was off center. It wobbled during the entire run...and I'm not entirely sure why...I think it may have been resting on a cord.

Also, the big toe on my right foot hurts today. That's a new one.

Weight Watchers is coming to my work later today, so I'm restarting the program. Details to come.

Week 2 Complete

2010-08-16T14:38:00.001-05:00

Apparently, my last run on Week 2 went so well that I forgot to blog about it.

Don't you hate when that happens?

However, I did finish the first two weeks within a two week time period. That, I'm quite proud of. I didn't get to do my extra run on Saturday due to attending a Tomato Festival in the 100 degree heat...my legs are still sore though from all of that...I'm not entirely sure what that means.

Week 3 Day 1 is tonight. I'm a little nervous, but I've done it before. Moving from 1 minute to a minute and a half during Week 1 and 2 wasn't a huge issue at all. However, I remember quite well that the three minute runs are the start of the "not fun" part of this. Week 3 features a 90 second run, a 3 minute run, a 90 second run and another 3 minute run. Again, I only run for 9 minutes every day this week...but the 3 minute intervals are a wee daunting.

Week 2 Redux - One to Go!

2010-08-12T16:49:00.001-05:00

Two down. One to go. Week 2 is almost done.

I didn't run back-to-back days as I had initially planned because I had a friend who needed me, so tonight will be the conclusion of Week 2. In two weeks, no less. So far I'm at my fastest completion rate yet!

Anyway, I showed up to the Y and found a treadmill. While I was listening to a book on tape on my iPod, I tend to want to turn the TV on while I run just to give me a little visual stimulation since I can't have the normal running down the road stimulation. Unfortunately, at this Y, all of the TVs with remote controls were taken, so I had to find one and hope it was on something I would want to watch...it was on ESPN2 and it was primetime, so I thought I was safe. Not so fast my friend. 3 minutes into the run, we came back from commercial break - professional women's softball. That's right...as I sat there running along, the whole gym saw me watching professional women's softball.

Did you even know there was such a thing as professional women's softball?

But I digress...the run wasn't hard...as I mentioned earlier, I'm going to try to finish up Week 2 tonight...so we'll see how it goes!

Another Week...Another Run

2010-08-10T13:37:00.001-05:00

I hit week two running. Well, mainly because that's the point.

I'm too lazy to go back and look, but this may only be the second time that I've actually reached week two. The last time I made it through week five. I know as a fact that I've only made it into week three once.

As per week one, last night was on the treadmill...I listened to an audiobook while watching the Reds-Cardinals game.

A quick sidebar: I've been asked how I can listen to an audiobook when I run...basically, I just zone out...or I focus on more than one thing at a time. As you've seen from this blog if you've read back at all, I tend to go back and forth between books and music. Right now, I'm on books. I guarantee you that as soon as I run through Stieg Larsson's Millenium Trilogy, we'll be right back to Pearl Jamming and DMBing it up. And now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Week Two consists of six 1:30 runs and 5 two minute walks. As I did last week, I did all of my walks at 3 MPH and my runs at 4 MPH. We're going on a flat course...my theory being that once I get the distance, then I can start messing with the speed and the terrain. In all honesty, it wasn't that much harder than any of last week's runs...towards the end, I started thinking that maybe I should have had a little bit more water before I came, but other than that...it was smooth sailing.

I'm learning quickly that the art is to go slooooow. As in, run as slow as you can while still maintaining a running stride.

Finally, again this week, I am running into a Friday night where I won't be able to run, which leaves me with two options - I can run again tonight and then Thursday or I can run tomorrow and then Thursday. I'm thinking that tonight would be my best option, so I will be doing W2D2 this evening and hoping that I recover enough to do W2D3 on Thursday.

Slow Slow Day

2010-08-06T10:31:00.001-05:00

I don't really know what happened. Of course, I also don't know about the rowing machine, so there may be a setting that I'm missing. No matter how hard I tried, I could not move my pace under 10 minutes. I would lean forward and row as hard as possible...and I couldn't move under 10 minutes. I was just slow. So so slow.

My final time was 10:32.4, which was almost a minute and a half slower than Tuesday...and I don't know why. I should have been much faster, but I couldn't go.

The run, however, was decent. It was a little more exhausting than usual (considering I had just been on the rower), but it really didn't take me entirely too much effort to finish. And surprise - I'm done with Week 1! And two days in a row wasn't bad...I feel fine today. I really do think my only problems with soreness and tiredness were related to coming off the rower.

Contemplating going ahead and starting Week 2 tomorrow.

A dilemma...

2010-08-05T11:33:00.001-05:00

I just realized that I won't be able to make it to the gym tomorrow night.

Tonight is my rowing night. Do I dare attempt Week 1 Day 3 the day immediately following Week 1 Day 2? I feel good enough after last night that I feel can do it...so I'm going to try it.

I'm just worried about how I'll feel tomorrow...and the day after tomorrow. I hope it doesn't set me back. Hopefully it will leap me forward.

There's only one way to find out!

C25K Reprise: Week 1 Day 2

2010-08-05T08:34:00.001-05:00

In what I believe is my fifth attempt at the C25K, I think this is only the third time that I've made it to W1D2 and it may actually be only the second time I've made it there within the span of a week.

The run was almost the exact same as Monday...I built up to 3 MPH on the treadmill during the warmup...then did every run at 4 MPH. I was able to snag the treadmill in the corner, which meant I wouldn't be running in front of someone on an elliptical. For some reason, I don't want random cute girl on the elliptical to see me huffing and puffing and slowing down to a walk every other minute (or running at a blazing 4 MPH).

Also, my TV wouldn't work, so I listened to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo instead. Horrors, I know.

It definitely was the easiest W1D2 of the bunch, which I attribute to a) my new pacing rules and b) the fact that this isn't my first rodeo. To be honest, I could probably do all of Week 2 right now, considering that I run an extra 5-10 seconds on each run just to make sure I go all the way through it, but I want to do it correctly, so we'll stick with W1D3 tomorrow.

9:10.3

2010-08-04T09:59:00.001-05:00

Subjects are hard. After a while, when you don't really have any rhyme or reason to naming your blog posts, you sort of just have to wing it...like yesterday's post, which I brilliantly named "Monday Monday" despite it being written on a Tuesday.

I did the rower last night and had a new personal best, thus, the title of the post. I at least have found a way to give my brain a little bit of a rest...I just have to get a personal best every day I do the rower. Or not.

Moving on, obviously, I finished my 2000m in 9:10.3. My initial timed runs last week were 9:44.9 and 9:48.5. Somehow in a week, I've become 30 seconds better. The only difference I made this time was I warmed up for about 5 minutes, going at a 15 minute pace. I also wore weightlifting gloves which, per my calculations, made me look approximately 8.2% more badass. And finally, I didn't have music because I forgot the armband to my iPod. It wasn't easy...not at all. For one thing, there was a guy on the rower next to me and he managed to move his rower over closer to mine. While it never hit hard enough to do anything but be annoying, he was so close that about every ten strokes or so, the bar from his rower would brush across my elbow. I wasn't a fan of that, but it wasn't like I could just get up and move his. Other than that, it felt like a strong run, but it probably could have been stronger. At one point near halfway, the monitor said that I was making about an 8 minute pace. My theory is that when I try it tomorrow, I should aim for a negative split so I have energy left in the last half to try to get below 9 minutes.

After my row, I went to my old trusty recumbent bike and did the old trusty Alpine Hill at old trusty level 8. I got past 10 miles, which was my goal - I've been out for a week, give me a break! While I contemplated a cooldown row, I realized that with my legs exhausted and W1D2 of the C25K coming up today, it was time to call it a night. And that's what I did.

Monday Monday...

2010-08-03T08:55:00.001-05:00

No, this time I haven't been slacking. I've just been sick.

The last time I worked out was last Wednesday (July 21). The following night, I put on my gym clothes and went to eat dinner at the Cheesecake Factory before heading over to the gym. However, I was full and figured missing one night wouldn't hurt me.

At 5 am, I woke up...and I was sick. No gym for me Friday through Sunday. I still felt a little iffy on Monday and Tuesday. When I finally hit normalcy on Wednesday, I decided just to take the whole week off so I would be fully recovered and ready to rock and roll on Monday. Also, I managed to probably lose about 10 pounds while I was sick (I don't recommend it...at one point I decided that losing a limb would have been more pleasant).

Last night, I headed back to the trusty YMCA with running in my head...so I decided to try C25K one more time with what I believe is a failsafe strategy. I started out on the treadmill walking at 3 miles an hour and only ran at 4 miles an hour. Yes the runs were extremely slow, but they caused no pain and there was no doubt that I would get through them. In all of the W1D1's I've had, last night was the easiest. There really isn't much more to tell.

Tonight, I continue my rowing quest after my brief hiatus.

Row, Noob! Row!

2010-07-20T22:23:00.002-05:00

Rowing is exhausting. Let me start with that.

Tonight marked my realization 6th trip to the gym in 7 days...that in and of itself is a small accomplishment.

I walked in, popped on the rower and set forth on my 2000m course. The other day, I finished in about 12:30, but I really didn't know what I was doing. I had a little more knowledge today, but started out very, very fast...it was sort of like starting out a run at a sprint...I knew I couldn't keep the pace, but it was fun while I did...and I clocked a 9:44.9 while burning 111 calories. Not too bad. Plus, when I got off, I was absolutely drenched in sweat...it was definitely an awesome 10 minute workout.

For my next magic trick, I went to the old trusty recumbent bike. For some reason, tonight some guy decided to plop right in the middle one. Maybe it's me, but I like for there to be a buffer machine if at all possible. Of course, if three people are using the machines, then absolutely - all three will be used. But if you're the only one there and all three machines are the exact same...take the one on the end. Don't be all up in my hula hoop. And don't be looking at my time trying to race me...I'm not doing the same workout you are.

Anyway, I hopped on to the bike, set it at Alpine Pass level 8 and just booked it for 30 minutes while watching Wipeout (which I'm fairly certain is the only thing that comes on TV in the summer). I made excellent time and finished with 11.59 miles. I might have been able to have 12...but I probably would have thrown up or passed out if I went any harder. Now that I've significantly passed my goal for the week, I'm probably going to take it a little easier on the recumbent bike tomorrow...perhaps going down to a level 6 or perhaps doing a non-Alpine Pass route as sort of a rest day. Alpine Pass, however, is a quality program on the recumbent bike.

Finally, I made my second round on the rower. This one was going to be more of a cool down, just get reps in 2000m. I wasn't in any shape or form trying to race my previous time...until I realized that I was pulling at a slightly more consistent rate and could come close to hitting my previous time. As the clock wound down on what I intended to be an easy 12-15 minute row, I realized I had a shot to break 10 minutes again, so I pushed for it...and nailed it. Second row was 9:48.5 and I burned 110 calories. My new goal for the remainder of the week is to knock the time under 9:40.

Tomorrow, we're back to the "easy" day...recumbent bike and elliptical. I'm starting to dig this.

Day Five!

2010-07-20T09:06:00.001-05:00

I have been to the gym on 5 of the last 6 days!

Last night didn't add anything too wonderful or exciting to the repertoire other than my realization that a C25K on an elliptical is next to impossible due to a) the fact that I'm already pretty exhausted just doing the elliptical normally and b) the fact that the elliptical is best suited for interval training. Thus, if I train to go for 30 minutes on all high intensity, I'm not exactly getting the benefit of the elliptical. So, instead, I did 20 minutes of the interval course.

First, however, I went to the reliable recumbent bike. Actually, I went to a different one since mine was in use. That's right - mine. There's a row of three and I had been using the far left one every day...last night, I had to use the far right. Again, I did the Alpine Pass route for 30 minutes at level 8 intensity. After a 10.55 mile and a 10.62 mile day, I really picked it up last night, clocking 10.90 miles in 30 minutes...my goal for this week is to pass 11 miles in thirty minutes.

As I mentioned already, I then headed over to the elliptical for 20 minutes of interval training...I'm very, very careful not to rest on the rails when I do it...I know that takes away some of the calorie burn.

I'm actually starting to look forward to going each day. Tonight, as I mentioned yesterday, I'll be doing the rower again. After doing a little research, I discovered that there are actually indoor rowing competitions (?!?!?!) and that they always row at 2000m. That's also the distance that they travel during the Olympics on the water. Thus, I'll stick to two 2000m routes - one before the recumbent bike and one after. I didn't pay all that much attention to my time the other day, it was around 12:30, but I will definitely start tracking my time. If I can get down to 6:15, I might actually enter one of those competitions...who knows?

Row Row Row Your Boat...

2010-07-18T15:53:00.002-05:00

Made it to the gym for the fourth time in the last five days...that's definitely not bad at all...

The only downside to working out on Sunday is that the Y I have decided to frequent is only open from 1-6 on Sunday...the other one the same driving distance away isn't even open on Sunday and most of the others either have the same hours or open at 12. The only one that actually does open at 8 am is also the busiest YMCA in all of the Middle Tennessee area...compound the fact that for four hours on Sunday mornings, it's also the only Y open in the Middle Tennessee area...and it makes for something that I really really don't want to go through...at least not for now.

So I waited until the 1 o'clock opening bell and headed into the Y...the good thing I've found about this Y is that it's not really that crowded...at the Y that I used to frequent (the Green Hills Family YMCA), virtually the only time you could find parking was after 8 o'clock PM. Even then, getting an exercise machine was hit-or-miss.

With the Franklin Family Y, I have been 4 times this week at 3 different times of day - 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Not once have I had an issue with parking or with finding an available machine.

But...as usual...I digress.

When I rolled into the Y, I had a plan for once...today, the plan was another 30 minutes on the Alpine Hill on the recumbent bike and to try out the rowing machine.

I hopped on the bike, turned on the IRL race and started rolling up the Alps on level 10 (yesterday I went at level 8)...however, about halfway through, I realized that this was actually too much...I was bordering on the edge of quitting...so I backed it down again to level 8. I figure that I will climb my ways through the levels, spending the rest of this week at level 8 before moving onto level 9 this week. Today, I completed 10.55 miles in 30 minutes and - according to the monitor - burned 254 calories.

After hopping off the bike, I found the rowing machine. I turned on an audiobook on my iPod (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson) and selected a program called "Fish Game". Unfortunately, I had no idea how to play the fish game and after rowing for 5 minutes, I had a score of 0 and I had paid absolutely no attention to my audiobook, so I started over.

This time, I turned on M. Ward's Hold Time and selected a 2000 meter course on the machine...it took me approximately 13 minutes to finish it, but every muscle in my body was sore due to the fact that I was essentially doing squats and resistance training for almost 20 minutes. On Tuesday (which will be the next rowing day), I think I will try the 5000 meter course and finish with the recumbent bike...this definitely seems to be the machine that will work me the hardest...at least right now.

Tomorrow, I will begin the C25K on the crossfit elliptical thingy...after looking at it again, I think "crossfit" might be a brand name, but I'm not positive, so we'll call it a C25K on the elliptical instead. I recognize it's no substitute for the real thing, but probably when I'm done, I'm guessing it will make the real thing that much easier. Basically, the plan is to up my intensity during the running intervals and kind of recover during the non-running intervals. I can actually see this working with the bike, too, but let's do one thing at a time.

Finally, the Y has this program where you get points with every swipe...it's called "My Y Rewards"...you get 20 points with every swipe and there is a website full of "rewards" that you can buy with your points. Most of the stuff isn't too bad...books that you would actually read, DVDs that you would actually watch, some exercise things...I even saw an iPod shuffle. However, every 12 times you swipe, you get to spin a little fake prize wheel that they have. When I started going on Wednesday, I had 32 visits, which meant that I had 2 spins (both just got me 15 more points)...I've been 4 times since, which means I've accumulated another spin on the prize wheel, which I'll be taking tonight. In case your curious, I'm saving up my points to get the new Hank Aaron biography...I have about 20 more visits to go!

Until tomorrow!

This is new...

2010-07-17T14:34:00.003-05:00

So last night, didn't get a run in due to Joe Biden visiting town and practically shutting off all routes South (aka: home) from work. Once I got home...rain started falling...and then thunder...and then then a big blob of red on the radar came right over the house.

Well, all of this completely ruined my plans for Week 1 Day 2 last night...considering that by the time the rain finally got to a point that I felt comfortable driving in, it was time for me to go to my friends' house for game night.

While we're sitting around...I look down at my feet...and notice that my left foot is huge...like HUGE. It's very, very swollen...no idea why.

Fast forward to this morning...we're still swollen...but I still need to work out.

Needless to say, I didn't run today...instead got on the recumbent bike and rode a route called "Alpine Pass" at a level 8 out of 20 for 30 minutes. According to the monitor, I covered 10.62 miles and burned 222 calories.

Then I moved over to the crossfit machine and worked there for about 15 minutes before I felt that I could not go any further...I'm going to have to keep working at this one...

Due to the swelling, not really sure I should run until I cut down on my weight quite a bit...it seems like the impact is putting too much weight down on my feet and my feet are fighting back...so I'm going to try to do a fake one on the crossfit first...plus, once I finish that, I should have my weight down enough to where maybe running won't cause me such an issue.

Since I did it today, however, I'm going to stay off it tomorrow and do the rowing machine (yes, they had one) and more recumbent bike. Monday should prove to be interesting, since it will be crossfit C25K Week 1 Day 1.

So far so good...

2010-07-16T08:55:00.001-05:00

Well, I made it to the gym for the second night in a row...unfortunately, I didn't really have a plan in mind of what to do, so I just kind of haphazardly went about it while watching Wipeout on the gym televisions.

For 31 minutes, I walked on the treadmill generally between a 2.8 and 3.0 MPH pace. I recognize that's not remotely fast, but I didn't want to tire myself out for tonight's run. Also, instead of doing a flat course like the run, I did a program called "Pike's Peak" which obviously features a lot of inclines.

After the treadmill, I hopped onto a crossfit machine for 20 minutes...and after 20 minutes, I realized that it's what I should have been doing instead of the treadmill, as it clearly works different muscles in my legs.

Not sure if they have a rowing machine in there or not, but I'll be on the lookout for it tonight when I go for my run...gotta build up my 6 pack!

One. More. Time.

2010-07-15T09:21:00.001-05:00

Here's hoping it's the last time...

Actually, my goal isn't to promote that I've updated the blog once I've completed all of Week 1 this time. But I have to update it anyway to document if I fail again.

I'd say it's getting ridiculous, but the more I read about it, the more common this is...people will get excited, start a routine, go out for one or two days...and then quit and start making excuses.

I tell myself no excuses. I tell myself I won't quit. And yet...I keep doing it. The worst part is that I'm not even meaning to quit when I quit...I just make an excuse ("Oh, 'The Bachelorette' is on tonight.") and then do it again the next day and the next day...and then before you know it, I haven't worked out in over a month.

I feel fatter than before...I would wager that if I stepped on a scale, I'd be close to 300 pounds again. It's frustrating...a lot of these blogs are about success, but for the most part, mine is about failure after failure after failure...and I want to stop that.

Last night, I started C25K yet again. This time, however, I'm going about it a little differently - on a treadmill with no incline. I figure that once I can run 30 minutes, then I can start throwing terrain at me. The good part of the treadmill is that it tells me exactly how far I've gone so I can mark definitive progress.

I recently discovered when the YMCA took a debit out of my checking account that I was still a member there, so I dug up my pass and headed over to the Franklin Family YMCA. I've determined a smaller goal of mine is to go to every Y in Middle Tennessee and review them...I mean Y not? Bwahahahaha. But I digress.

I went to the Y, walked in and quickly found the Wellness Center (the doors are marked with signs above them and it was on my left as soon as I walked in). The treadmills were at the front of the room in front of a big glass wall...I wasn't a fan of that, considering I kind of don't like to be seen when I run. Preferably, I'd be at a treadmill tucked away in a corner somewhere away from wandering eyes. Yes, I'm self-conscious. Instead, I felt like I was essentialy on stage at the front of the room. The windows, however, provided a different experience because they made me actually feel like I was going somewhere instead of just standing on a treadmill. There was also a television in front of each treadmill. Unfortunately, mine did not have a remote control and was stuck on Fox News. Luckily my iPod and Jack Johnson's En Concert were there to save me.

The run itself wasn't really anything to write home about...but look at me, writing home about it. It was the typical C25K Week 1 Day 1 (W1D1) workout - 5 minute warmup, eight 90 second walking intervals, nine 60 second running intervals, 5 minute cooldown. On my first interval, I tried to run at 5 MPH, but realized there was no comfortable way I could do that, so I backed it down to 4.5. The rest of my intervals were run at 4.3-4.5 MPH (although I think I had a 4.2 in there) and most of my walking intervals were done between 2.8-3.0 MPH. I was a little disappointed by how slow I could comfortably run, but I had to keep reminding myself that it was only the first day - endurance first, speed later.

When I finished, I had completed 1.68 miles in 31 minutes, a snail-like average speed of 3.2 MPH, meaning I ran a penguin-esque pace of 18:45.

Back in Black...

2010-06-07T22:10:00.003-05:00

I've already mentioned that last week's run was painful...seriously, seriously painful.

The next few days afterwards, I started to get extremely sore...could barely move my legs...much less contemplate running...all of which I attribute to the fact that I didn't finish out my cool down and went straight from running to my car.

Tonight, I began again...well, not really "began again"...I took off on my second go round of W1D1, considering the last one more of a fitness trial.

This time around, though, I have several things to consider. I'm a big guy, so I don't exactly wear light colored clothes. Thus, all of my workout clothes are either black or navy blue. This worked well back when I lived at the apartment because I ran on the concrete sidewalk that was lit for miles. Now, however, there is very little lighting to speak of whatsoever.

Thus, I popped onto my old friend RoadID.com and purchased some new gear to help me be more visible running during the night: a green FireFly Supernova (this thing is freaking bright...I also got green because I didn't want to be mistaken for a firetruck or a police car), reflective shoelaces and this spiffy hat (actually, the hat makes me look a bit like a dork...but it's reflective and comfortable).

After putting everything on, I headed out the door tonight at 9:00 and just took off exploring side streets. The Supernova is essentially a miniature strobe light and it is bright. I know I've already said that, but I need to emphasize that it. is. bright. Like I could see living rooms light up when I ran by them and it would flash. There's a way to turn off the strobe and turn it into one constant beam...I may do that for my next run. However, I was certain that I was being seen. I saw two cars very specifically change lanes to move out of my way. Of course, I probably look a little crazy with a green strobe light on my wrist.

There are several huge differences in running in this neighborhood versus the old one. For starters, my run tonight was almost entirely flat. While I did have the option of taking a pretty steep hill, I remember there being some dogs up there that weren't in a fence, so I didn't want to chance that in the dark. The other thing is that it is dark out here. I'm used to running under a street light every 50 feet. At one point, I had to take down a trail between two little sections of our neighborhoods and had to use the SuperNova as a flashlight...and the strobe wasn't exactly comforting...which is yet another reason to turn it to just a constant light...or I could dig out my old Petzl headlamp. That might be an interesting look for someone who isn't an ultramarathoner.

The run itself went fine...the air was a little humid but not suffocating...as I mentioned, the terrain is mostly flat...instead of the sidewalks, however, I ran on the streets. I've noticed in 5ks that for some reason it's actually been tougher for me when I hit asphalt...so I figure I may as well make sure that I get plenty of it in.

All in all, it was a good real Week 1 Day 1. I didn't really run any sort of route...I just ran around...I know this neighborhood like the back of my hand and still managed to get slightly lost (I turned one street to early trying to come back)...that was a little bit fun and a little bit frustrating...but I'm just glad to know that I'm back.

Third time's a charm...

2010-05-31T15:17:00.002-05:00

Well...here we are again...the third try. This one, however, is the one.

Life has changed a lot for me over the past few months...I moved out of my old apartment and moved back home with my family...I'm planning on going to grad school for the next year or so and now I will have the chance to focus on my studies and save my money.

Also, I wrote a little blog that inspired a lot of people. I did the media circuit for a while...and now I'm almost all the way back to earth.

My life has finally started to settle back down and so now, it's time for me to start it back up.

It's Memorial Day today, so I don't have work...thus, I figured, today is a great day to get back into the swing of things. The temperature is in the 70s, the weather is sunny for the most part, pools are open, birds are out...it's a good day to start a running program.

I've been here before. Hopefully, today was my last Week 1 Day 1 and I won't be back here again in a few months explaining how I'm starting over again and I promise that this time will be the time. I do have a few things going for me now...my support system is a little bigger...my family lives in the house with me now, so they're going to be pushing me out that door...it's easy to make excuses on the phone and on the internet...not so easy when they're staring right at you telling you to go run.

This afternoon, I moseyed on over to Granny White Park...the sight of several of my runs earlier this year with my friend Mandi, including the infamous snow run.

To put it lightly, today was not a snow run. Today was hell.

Week 1 Day 1 is easy. I knew that. The first time sucks a little, but altogether, by the end of Week 1, it's practically a cakewalk.

So why did today suck so hard?

If you've ever been to the South in the summer, you know about the humidity. It's stifling. Yeah, the temperature was in the 70s, but the humidity was simply suffocating. My first few one minute intervals were fine, but the longer I went, the hotter I got...and the hotter I got, the dryer I felt.

At one point, a city truck drove up behind me and started blasting his horn...mind you, this is on a pedestrian trail in a park that isn't even wide enough for a truck...

I completed two full laps around the 0.8 mile trail before I hit the cooldown.

However, because I was so hot and since I was fairly close to dehydration, I skipped the cooldown, walked to my car and turned the air conditioning on high.

Which means there are three things I learned today for summer running: a) run in the morning before the sun gets up high in the sky and heats everything up, b) drink tons of water and c) bring water with me. I didn't have any with me because I've never felt the need after a thirty minute run to drink all that much water...today was entirely different.

And it's not even summer yet.

An Unexpected Setback

2010-04-09T08:56:00.001-05:00

Did you know that you can injure parts of yourself that are not in your legs while running?

I sure didn't...but all day Wednesday and Thursday, my left shoulder was killing me to the point that I was absolutely convinced I had torn my rotator cuff. I had to beg off my first softball practice last night and haven't been able to get any crosstraining in because even slightly moving it hurt a ton.

Luckily, this morning, all the pain is gone...so I'm guessing whatever it was worked its way out during the night.

Okay, it's not really a setback...I just missed one night of running that I can easily make up tonight...but it was still kind of bizarre to hurt my shoulder running.

What are some of the more unconventional running/workout injuries that you have had?

Reboot: Week 1 Day 2

2010-04-07T09:46:00.001-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, last night I felt fit enough from my run on Monday to head out for my second straight day.

After about 10 minutes, however, I didn't feel so fit. My legs felt heavy and my whole body felt like it was trying to wade through mud, but I kept on and finished just a little further back from where I did on Monday. The main difference between the two runs was that I felt like I had to expend a lot more effort during this run than the last.

The good news is that I finally figured out my Nike SportBand and was able to get my run uploaded onto the internet.

The bad news is that for some reason, my left shoulder is absolutely killing me right now. It woke me up at around 4:30 and I wasn't able to get back to sleep. Icy Hot and Advil have helped a little, but I'm not sure what's going on with it.

Tonight, so I won't be swinging my arms back-and-forth and so I won't feel like I'm running through mud, I'm just going to ride the exercise bike for a little bit and then get back out on the road tomorrow.

The Before Pics

2010-04-06T23:58:00.004-05:00

Surprised I haven't posted these yet...here are pictures of me from last September when I went to Japan...I'll start posting weekly "after" pictures each week after Weight Watchers

Reboot: Week 1 Day 1

2010-04-06T14:55:00.000-05:00

Last night I restarted the C25K. It's been almost 6 months since I began my attempt to become a runner...something's not quite right here. I feel that after about December, I started to half-ass my way through it...and that's not exactly something I planned to do.

So last night, I began again.

Right now, per Weight Watchers, I weigh approximately 295 pounds. I started at 314.8. While I've been under the 300 pound barrier for a few weeks now, I want to break the 290 pound barrier at some point while I'm young, so I'm going to dig deeper and push farther.

I took out on a route that I've become a little more accustomed to lately. It's a 4 mile loop that's an extension of the Marriott Route that I was so fond of. I start at my trusty old fire hydrant and instead of turning around just past the hotel, I keep running all the way down to the end of the street. The route is hilly, but scenic and filled with all sorts of landmarks so I can mark my progress. Admittedly, I'll be running it in the daytime come summer due to my deathly fear of snakes.

It was a decent first run back...I ran it late at night as is my general M.O. I like to be on the road alone when I run, although I feel that I should invest in a reflective vest of some sort. I did see three deer, which also made me realize that it will probably be snake territory come summer. In all honesty, I've run the route two other times "off the grid" recently, but this time made it much further than I had. My first goal is to make it to the turn around point before my time runs out. That would give me approximately a 15 minute average mile.

My next step might be mildly controversial to C25K adherents...while I plan to add some cross training and weight training into my plan, I feel fantastic today...so I'm going to run again tonight. With the C25K plan, you're supposed to rest every other day, but I'm ignoring that. I know my body needs rest, but my last attempt showed me that the C25K may provide a little too much rest. It was next to impossible for me to complete some of the later runs, so I'm going to add more to build my endurance. I don't necessarily have a set "plan" for how this is going to work each week. Right now, the only plan is that if I feel I can run, I will run. I'm not going to push myself to the point of injury. If at some point tonight I feel that I've hit my breaking point, I'll stop it and walk.

If I don't, I'll just keep running.

Polar Bear 5k (2010 Run 11)

2010-03-01T10:28:00.001-06:00

Date: 2/24/10
Time of Day: 6:00 AM
Location: Belmont University

Conditions: 26 degrees F, cloudy (when the sun came up)
Music: Random Running Music

Clothing: Jacket, short sleeved wicking shirt, lined compression tights, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

For homecoming week, my alma mater - Belmont University - had their own 5k...dubbed the "Polar Bear 5k".

Unlike pretty much any 5k I've ever done...it was run on the morning of a workday...although it was run extremely early.

I met my friend Mandi and we headed over, found the runners and realized that despite still being in our 20s...we were the oldest people there. In fact, we may have been the only alumni there.

It was cold. And early.

Mandi and I moseyed to the back of the pack of about 80 so that we would be out of the way of the ones that were running the whole route. I knew this would be a hilly course, so my plan was the same as my Fangtastic 5k plan. I would run the downhills and walk the uphills.

The course started out relatively flatly and I ran for the first 6 minutes until it cut off of Belmont Boulevard and onto a side street.

Then the uphill climb began. For the next 20 minutes, the course went continuously uphill through streets that were not exactly blocked.

Finally, after what seemed like hours...I hit a downhill...and it was a BIG downhill.

I started running and actually CAUGHT Mandi (who had been walking for a portion...but she generally walks faster than I run, so this was an accomplishment for me).

We turned left and started walking. For the remainder of the course, we would pick landmarks and run to them and then walk again.

At one point, however, we noticed that the entire pack was cutting left onto a side street...and had not been directed to do so. Neither Mandi nor I thought this was right (I would have finished in about 32 minutes had that been the case), so we pushed on without turning. Sure enough, we got to a couple of students telling us to turn left. I'm fairly certain that we were the ONLY two people out of the whole field who had run the correct course.

We came to the unmarked finish line and decided to hit it running...which we did...in 44:18 according to their time...which according to my body means that it was not a full 5k.

Nevertheless, we both claim it as a victory...as we are confident that were the only ones to run the route correctly.

11 down. 199 to go.

Shorts in February (2010 Run 10)

2010-03-01T10:02:00.001-06:00

Date: 2/20/10
Time of Day: 12:00 PM
Location: Crockett Park

Conditions: 60 degrees F, sunny
Music: Random Running Music

Clothing: short sleeved wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Less than a day after my speed drill, I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous and unseasonably warm day in Nashville.

It was sunny, it was comfortable...it was running weather.

Near my apartment, there is a park named Crockett Park. It features a variety of trails...and is right next to the campus of the middle school where I won my only career wrestling match (it was by forfeit, but a win is a win).

I put the top down on my convertible and headed over to do a little run. I had no idea what sort of terrain I was getting into, so I didn't really head in with any true goals.

After looking around for a minute, I found a trail and hopped on it. This trail ran into some woods and near a frisbee golf course. I came to a bridge and decided to start running...and when I got to the other side, I was in a giant open field.

I was able to push out about 4 minutes of running before the previous night's speedwork got to me, so I walked for another 4-5 minutes or so and started running again.

This time the trail took me around some soccer fields and past a guy running with the absolute goofiest pose I've ever seen (I fear that it was the POSE method or Chi Running...both of which I've been curious about...but if I look that goofy, I don't have the confidence to do it). I started to loop back around and then decided to walk for a minute.

This time I had covered 8 minutes. After a little more walking, I ran one more time and re-entered the loop I was in.

The last run I pushed for 12 minutes, giving me 24 minutes total run time. And 3 runs in a week for the first time in a very, very long time. It's a trail I will definitely try again.

10 down. 200 to go.

Moving Indoors (2010 Run 9)

2010-03-01T09:48:00.001-06:00

Date: 2/19/10
Time of Day: 10:30 PM
Location: Apartment gym

Conditions: 71 degrees of climate controlled goodness
Music: Winter Olympics

Clothing: Short sleeved wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

I decided to try something different. On a whim, I wanted to see how fast I could run.

Thus, I abandoned any usual training (not that my training had been remotely usual or routine) that I had been doing and went indoors.

I switched on the Olympics and tried to run a 10 minute mile. I knew it was going to be hard and I'd probably be very panty by the time I was done, but I tried it.

The first 10 seconds or so went well...and then I started to feel it. It was actually a little scarier than I had anticipated. While I was able to keep the pace, I did start to worry as I sped the treadmill up that my legs would not be able to keep up with the machinery and I would be zoomed off the back. Luckily, that didn't happen. What did happen was every muscle in my body started to ache as I was clearly pushing waaaaay into the anaerobic zone. I was able to make 2 minutes before I couldn't go a step further...so I backed it back down to a walk.

Then I decided, we'll just do Week 1 Day 1 at essentially a sprint. Work in some speed drills. I was able to complete 4 reps before I really, really started hurting.

In the end, I only ran for 6 minutes, but I ran at a pace that was about 120 percent of my usual pace...it was a speed drill. And I was definitely exhausted.

9 down. 201 to go.

Trying to Find Motivation (2010 Run 8)

2010-02-18T09:07:00.001-06:00

Date: 2/17/10
Time of Day: 9:30 PM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 35 degrees F, breezy, (29 degree wind chill)
Music: Under the Dome by Stephen King

Clothing: Jacket, short sleeved wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Lately, I've been having trouble finding the motivation to get out and run. I don't know why.

Every excuse in the book that I can find, I use it.

"Oh, it's too late, I'll run in the morning."

"Oh, it's too early, I'll run after work."

"Oh, I'm so tired from work, I'll run later."

"Oh, I haven't eaten yet, I can't run on an empty stomach."

"Oh, I'm so full, if I run now I'll pop."

"It's too cold/snowy/rainy for running."

I keep having these 10-11-12 day gaps in my running. What this means is that as of yesterday morning, I had only run 7 days this year. My goal is 210. To put it in the nicest terms possible, I'm behind my goal. To be more blunt, I need to get off my fat, lazy butt.

Somehow last night, I was able to convince myself to head out the door.

The Marriott Route was just as I had left it (although at one point, I did jump when I saw the shadow of a sprinkler flag because I thought it was an animal).

As I have in the past, I started out with a warmup run. I ran from my starting point for 8:30 according to my watch. Usually I run around 5, but I was determined to push a little harder and a little longer due to my inactivity.

After a four minute walk, I kicked into gear again, ran to the halfway point, turned and ran all the way down the hill and within probably a tenth of a mile before my starting point. Time of second run - 16:00. I was contemplating doing another out-and-back at this point, so I was walking back to the starting mark.

Unfortunately, when I turned, I realized that I really was tired (which I felt was an acceptable excuse after running for 24 minutes). So I walked back to the point that I had stopped running, turned and ran back to the start. This only took about 2 minutes, but it allowed me to finish running.

It wasn't my best run and it wasn't my worst run. It was just a run. And that was the whole point. I needed to run.

Now I need to run again.

8 down. 202 to go.

Fangtastic 5k (2010 Run 7)

2010-02-08T16:11:00.001-06:00

Date: 2/6/10
Time of Day: 10:00 AM
Location: Downtown Nashville

Conditions: 32 degrees F, windy, light snow (20 degree wind chill)
Music: Under the Dome by Stephen King

Clothing: Jacket, short sleeved wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Just when you thought I was getting back on track, the Snowpocalypse hit Nashville.

Two days after my long run, a snowstorm came and dropped about 3 inches of snow on the ground...and then another half an inch or so of ice. If you're not from the South, you probably are thinking...so what? Well...it rarely snows here, so we're not really prepared for it. The roads are slippery because they are ice, we don't have snow tires or chains or anything of that nature. As it was virtually impossible to walk outside without sliding all over the place, I spent about 5 days in a row snowbound.

Thus, I went into the Fangtastic 5k woefully untrained.

And woefully unprepared. It was around 35 degrees when I left the house. I didn't check the weather because the local weather channel tends to run Degrassi: The Next Generation on Saturday mornings. As much as I care about Paige Michalchuk's angsty teenage years, I really just want to know if I need to put on long pants or not. I risked it and put on shorts, figuring that if it was 35 now, by about 10:30, it would be in the 40s...and with running, I would be warm.

Instead it cooled down. When I wasn't running, I was cold.

The race started next to the Sommet Center (Formerly the Nashville Arena-Gaylord Entertainment Center-Nashville Arena) tower. The gun went off and it took me over 3 minutes to get to the start line. Once I got there, Gnash, the Preds mascot, was cheering everyone on and pointing them in the direction of the first turn.

The race started with a short run down Broadway. I started running from the get go. From Broadway, we turned left onto First Avenue where we ran up the hill. I kept running until the course forked off onto Gay Street to go under the bridge. If you're not from Nashville, just pretend you are following along. Essentially, I ran until there was an uphill.

I walked the uphill until I reached the center of the "peak" and ran the downhill around as far as I could for about 6-7 minutes. The course snaked around some other streets and past the Municipal Auditorium. At this point, we had another big downhill, so I ran it to the bottom for another 5 minutes or so.

Once we reached the bottom, we were at the bottom of Capitol Hill...and now we had to go up it. The road next to the Capitol was insanely steep and I don't know that I would have run it if I could...it looked like it would be hell on my ankles. So, I walked it. Walk the uphills, run the downhills. That was my strategy as soon as I figured out that the course was uphill both ways...in the snow (because it was very much snowing).

When I hit the top of the hill, we were next to the Downtown Library...and some homeless men started trying to hit up runners for money. Not to be rude, but my shorts didn't even have pockets...I don't know where they expected the money to magically appear from. I politely declined and was promptly yelled at. Since the course was about to meander on the downhill and since I was now scared for my life...I started running again.

This time, I ran all the way down the hill, took the right on Second Avenue and ran until second crossed Broadway. I walked from Second Avenue until the course took a right onto Demonbreun. I continued walking until it took a right back towards the finish line next to the Sommet and ran the remainder.

It was a tough, hilly course. But I definitely did better than my usual. It was a new PR - 47:08 (looking forward to the day I laugh at that). My goal was to hopefully beat 50 minutes. I beat it by almost 3 minutes...which makes me optimistic that 45 minutes is just around the corner.

7 down. 203 to go!

Testing My Limits (2010 Run 6)

2010-01-27T09:00:00.001-06:00

Date: 1/26/10
Time of Day: 9:45 PM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 30 degrees F
Music: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin, Blind Side by Michael Lewis

Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, tights, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

A couple of days ago, I signed up for the Nashville Predators Fangtastic 5k, which occurs on February 6th. I also didn't think about how the 6th is less than a week-and-a-half away and I haven't been able to run longer than 3 minutes since the beginning of the year. I also didn't think about how the Predators tend to add "Fang" to words to make them hockey related. It's sort of like Bring It On where normal prefixes are replaced with "cheer-", as in "cheertastic", "cheertastrophe", "cheermare", etc. But as per usual...I digress.

I had a couple of things on my mind last night: I needed to run to get back into my routine, I needed to finish my audiobook (Born Standing Up by Steve Martin) and I wanted to test my limits AND see how fast I could finish 3.1 miles. Okay, so technically that's four things.

I've only run the Marriott Route last night, but my plan was to go out-and-back twice, which would take me a little over 4 miles. My plan was essentially just to run when I felt I could run and walk when I felt I could walk. For the time being, I've abandoned any strict adherence to the C25K and will just focus on running. It seems that if I run more days in a week, I'll be able to maintain my fitness better. Obviously, I'll push harder on some days than others.

The run began with a nice 7 minute run before I decided to walk. The bottoms of my feet were hurting a bit, 7 minutes being the longest run I've had this year. I walked for about the next 5-6 minutes (I didn't really track my walking time) and kicked into gear again at the stoplight, with my plan of running to the end of the route, turning around and running back to the stoplight.

Instead, I ran from the stoplight, to the end of the route...and then ran all the way back to my starting point. I ran for 17 minutes and - for the first time ever - completed an entire length of the course running. According to Nike+, I had covered 2.34 miles at that point, which means I had just run for over 1.2 miles (because I started running before the course turned). I then turned around to start my second out-and-back, walking back to the point that I had stopped running the last time. I figured it wouldn't be too much stress to cover the only part of the route that I had walked earlier, meaning that I would have run every inch of the route. And I did just that...it took me about 3-4 minutes to cover the portion of the route I missed (admittedly, I forgot to look at my watch at this point, focusing more on completing the part I had missed earlier).

I stopped a little past the point where I had started earlier (because I wasn't sure if I had run through the crosswalk before...I wanted to be sure to cover it). I hit my turnaround point, walked back to the stoplight and started running again. And ran for the next 10 minutes until I reached the last bit of sidewalk near my starting point. I had run for a grand total of almost 40 minutes.

When I hit my finishing point, I stopped the Nike+. According to that, I had covered 4.65 miles in 1 hour and 8 minutes. Which means my pace was slightly over 14.5 minutes - and I walked my two walks fairly slowly. After the first out-and-back, it had my pace at slightly over 13 minutes...which means my pace is significantly improving.

I'm not entirely sure how stopping running has improved my pace...but it has. And it felt awesome. The test run, I think, is going to become a weekly thing until I can complete at least one out-and-back without stopping (it's the all-uphill beginning that gets me, I think). And then I'll work on completing a second circuit and so forth.

6 down - 204 to go!

Pain Free! (2010 Run 5)

2010-01-25T14:41:00.001-06:00

Date: 1/23/10
Time of Day: 10:30 AM
Location: Granny White Park

Conditions: 53 degrees F, cloudy
Music: Miscellaneous

Clothing: Short wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

So far this year, my New Years' Resolution of running 210 days seems to have been overreaching for me. It is a little disconcerting to have injured myself on the first run of the year. If you've been keeping up with me, you'll know that I've missed runs and ultimately took 12 days off due to the fact that I pretty much couldn't walk anywhere due to my limp. And then it still hurt.

So again...I took another week off. Which meant that before Saturday, I had run a grand whopping total of one (1) day in the last 19. Yup. This resolution is going fantastic. At this pace, I'll have 60 days of running in before the end of the year.

I should explain before I get further that I'm planning on adding more running days to my repertoire as I get more in running shape. The worst part about my extended absence and so forth is that I have completely lost where I was. A little over a month ago, I was able to pull off a 20 minute run. Now 3 minutes is difficult.

Mandi and I gathered at our usual Saturday stomping grounds - Granny White Park. (Sidenote: Yes, that is the real name. Granny White ran an inn in the 1800's that was famous for the "white lightning" served within. So in the fashion typical of a state that named a college after a Jack Daniel's master distiller...they named the park and the street it's on after a 19th century barmaid. Classy!)

Since I've fallen so far behind in my training, as I mentioned last week, I've decided just to pick up where Mandi is...so this run was Week 3 Day 2, which of course shouldn't discourage any of you...I mean, I know it's hard to believe we're already on Week 3...especially when you consider that I started the play FOUR MONTHS AGO. But I digress...

Saturday was warmish - at least in the morning. By "warmish", I mean...it wasn't snowing. So...as I am somewhat insane. I went out on January 23rd in shorts and an Under Armour t-shirt. Because I'm a real man.

Anyway, we set out on the trail (while avoiding children riding their bicycles on the walk/jog only path followed by their yuppy mother on her cell phone) and began the second run through week 3. The first minute and a half run wasn't difficult. It rarely is. I don't actually think it was difficult even during my first go round.

The three minute runs, though, were painful. Thankfully, for the first time all year, the pain was not in my AT. It was side stitches. I guess I've been out of it so long, I've lost my breathing training. But my leg was pain free...that was the big accomplishment.

I am still slooooow. Mandi had to keep turning around to catch up with me (and I think at one point walked at my running pace), but I finished it again. And, again, finished without pain. That's the best part. The very best part.

Now...to keep it rolling. I can't fall out of training again. I've already learned what happens.

5 down. 205 to go!

Weight Watchers

2010-01-19T14:04:00.001-06:00

Holy bajeezus!

It occurs to me that I've been doing Weight Watchers for 6 weeks and I have yet to blog about it.

So...I've been doing Weight Watchers for 6 weeks.

My starting weight was 315.6 pounds. As of Saturday's weigh-in, I am at 299.6. That puts me halfway to my little 10 percent keychain. And out of the 300s!

Weight Watchers in and of itself is actually quite easy. At the start of the plan, I was able to eat 43 points...after losing a few pounds, now I'm "only" able to eat 41 points a day. Trust me. 41 is a LOT of points.

The problem I run into each morning is breakfast. I can never seem to get breakfast, but I've discovered all sorts of low point meals.

I'll go into more detail in the future...but right now, 16 pounds!

Fighting Through Injuries (2010 Run 4)

2010-01-19T09:18:00.001-06:00

Date: 1/16/10
Time of Day: 10:30 AM
Location: Granny White Park

Conditions: 42-47 degrees F, cloudy
Music: Running Music 1

Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Twelve days.

I didn't run for 12 whole days. Admittedly, this is because I've barely been able to walk due to the pain in my Achilles Tendon, much less run. I am so off my plan that it's not even funny.

I met Mandi at Granny White Park for our Saturday run. W3D1 was her planned run...and considering I was so far off of my training...I figured I'd just follow along.

For January, it was a nice day. Heck, considering the negative wind chill days we'd been having, it was outright gorgeous. I was running in shorts, after all.

The first 90 second run ended before I knew it had started, but the first 3 minute run surprised the heck out of me. I remember struggling through it the first go round...and today was no different. Plus, I was hitting the ground a little more gingerly due to the Achilles.

The third run was another 90 seconder which, again, went by fairly quickly. But the final run - the second three minutes - admittedly had me in tears. For one thing, I was able run for almost 30 minutes a mere month ago. Now, I'm struggling to knock out three minute runs. For another, my Achilles was absolutely killing me. It hurt so freaking bad. And I don't even land ON my heel.

But I finished. Granted...in tears, but I finished.

And it hasn't hurt since.

4 down...206 to go.

Welcome to Marriott (2010 Run 3)

2010-01-05T10:24:00.001-06:00

Date: 1/4/10
Time of Day: 7:00 PM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 23 degrees F, windy, 15 degree wind chill
Music: Random Britney
Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, jacket, cold weather running pants, gloves, knit cap

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

(I'm trying more creative names for this year)

Mandi came for our second running meet-up of 2010. This time we took to one of my personal routes...my recent favorite - the Marriott Route, my uphill out/downhill back route.

I felt like a magician revealing my magic tricks as we headed out the door.

For starters, being January, it is going to be cold everyday...but considering how cold it was on Saturday, this was practically warm in comparison. Also, I bought new running pants on the way home at Academy Sports. Essentially, they are lined tights and they look oh so attractive. I threw some shorts over them so I didn't look like Tron Guy.

Mandi is on Week 2...and considering I seem to have lost a lot of my built-up endurance and my Achilles has been bugging me, I decided to do it right along side of her.

Unfortunately for me, I was having trouble with my iPod, so she actually started out a minute in front of me...so I essentially sprinted my first interval to catch back up to her (as I've mentioned before...she's a lot faster than me). This turned out to be my mistake of the evening. I obviously bumped my heartrate up into the anaerobic stratosphere because it had not really come back down by the second interval...and so I had to push along through that one.

My Achilles continued to bug me through about the 4th interval when the soreness finally went away (downhill also probably helped).

Meanwhile, my iPod kept throwing "Toxic" remixes at me...I just kept hearing, "Can you feel me now?" over and over and over and over.

I didn't have trouble finishing it...considering I had done 90 second runs with 2 minute walks before...and far longer intervals...but for some reason, it wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.

Regardless, I knocked out another day of running and had fun running with my friend.

3 down. 207 to go!

I may be crazy.. (2010 Run 2)

2010-01-04T09:59:00.001-06:00

Date: 1/2/10
Time of Day: 9:00 AM
Location: Granny White Park

Conditions: 17 degrees F, windy, light snow, 4 DEGREE WIND CHILL
Music: Random
Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, jacket, tights, lined pants, gloves, knit cap

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

So...this running thing is making me a little bit insane, I think.

My friend Mandi is my real life accountability partner when it comes to my running. She's the only one that doesn't think I'm insane when I tell her the things I do and she's always supportive. So, for the new year, we've decided that every Saturday is Patten-Mandi Run Hour. She's afraid she's fallen off the horse...and I want someone to actually see me doing this so they know I'm not just supercreative and making the whole thing up. Also, because I wanted to prove to the Internet that I do in fact have a social life...but I digress.

We met at Granny White Park in Brentwood, Tennessee. The snow was falling and the temperature was...well, according to my thermometer, there wasn't one. I took a sip of water and left it on the trunk of my car. Within about a minute, the water had a layer of ice on top. It was cold. And there were snowflakes falling.

Granny White Park consists of a .8 mile loop. Admittedly, I didn't know how much running would actually be occurring due to my 5k the previous day and some residual Achilles Tendon soreness. Thus, I started out slowly. There was ice all along the sides of the trail, so I had to be careful not to step in any.

I didn't run to any specific C25K run this time either, since I knew I couldn't hit W6D3, especially not with the sore Achilles. Instead, I decided I would just run to every other song on my iPod and pray that Free Bird didn't come up. Admittedly, I didn't get all that far with it, probably running a total of 1 loop with my runs combined. I haven't done the math with the time, but I do know that the songs I ran to were "Womanizer", "Apache" and one of the songs off of the Rocky score. Probably about 8-10 minutes of total running time.

The soreness went away a bit during the first run and was completely gone by "Apache". However, I noticed that my entire body just felt heavy when I tried to move my legs. It was definitely a little more difficult due to fatigue. Also, my sweat appeared to be freezing.

When I rounded a corner on my last lap, I saw Mandi stretching and waiting at her car (yeah, she completely kicked my butt), so I figured...last run, let's end it like yesterday. I picked up my feet and went into a dead on sprint...and the finish never seemed to come...according to MapMyRun.com, my sprint was .2 miles. My legs, though, didn't feel it afterwards, which was fantastic.

Also, despite the 4 degree wind chill...I was hot. True story.

I'm starting to think this is how I'm going to end all of my runs.

2 down, 208 to go.

Resolution Run (2010 Run 1)

2010-01-04T09:32:00.001-06:00

Date: 1/1/10
Time of Day: 10:00 AM
Location: Downtown Nashville

Conditions: 25 degrees F, windy (16 degree wind chill)
Music: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, jacket, tights, lined pants, gloves, knit cap

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

The holidays absolutely killed my running schedule.

I would have my run time planned out in advance...and without fail, I would be called to do yard work or meet at someone's house instead. Or would somehow not be able to use the shower.

I went 9 consecutive days without running...and it felt awful. In fact, it started to feel like I wasn't going to be able to get back out. Once I got completely off my routine, I wasn't able to get back on it.

Then New Year's came. Everyone tries to start anew on the New Year, I'm no different.

For 2010, I've made the following fitness resolutions:

- Run 210 Days

- Weigh 210 Pounds

- Run a Half-Marathon (I'm assuming that I'm going to finish a 5k, so I'm not even considering that a resolution...)

I had already registered for the Resolution Run in Downtown Nashville, assuming it would be the first 5k I would complete with running. However, considering I hadn't run in a week and a half, I honestly had no idea how I would do. I went in with no plan and no goals. Just finish.

I parked behind the Sommet Center (or Nashville Arena, depending on how the current naming rights lawsuit is going) where my beloved Nashville Predators play and then got in a very, very long line to pay at the electronic kiosk. After waiting about 20 minutes and the line barely moving, one of the race officials came over to say that we did not have to pay to park. That was a relief, as it was getting close to start time and I still hadn't picked up my packet.

The weather outside was frightful. Okay, maybe not, but it was definitely colder than anything I had run in before. After I ran my t-shirt back to the car, I attached my number and my chip and moved to the starting line in front of the Schermerhorn Center. The race ran down to First Avenue by the river. I decided to try W6D3, not sure if I'd be able to complete it. My run kicked in right as we passed under the pedestrian bridge and I was able to keep running the Church Street, which, according to MapMyRun.com, is 0.31 miles, pretty much all uphill. Not really my best effort to date, but at least I was running. Day 1/210 officially complete there, but miles to go before I sleep.

So we get to the top of the hill by the Davidson County Courthouse and turn onto the Woodland Street bridge and head over the river. The bridge is pretty much downhill, but I was still pretty much worn down from the run that I didn't start again until about the one mile point. When the route turned onto Interstate Drive, I started running again and held on until the water station in front of LP field, which according to MapMyRun is a .67 mile run. From there, I walked around the stadium and to the middle of the pedestrian bridge. At this point, I felt like I had done a whole lot of nothing.

I could see the finish line.

From the top of the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge, I took off running, building up speed down the slope that eventually lets out onto 3rd Avenue. Still picking up steam and blowing by pretty much everyone walking to the line, I followed the route back to the finish and passed a few people in the last few feet. I had pretty much sprinted from the top of the bridge back to the start. Supposedly, that's .4 miles that I ran as hard as I can. So...while my endurance is definitely off, I felt like I had accomplished something at the end.

After catching my breath, and grabbing water...I moseyed my way into a line where they were serving black eyed peas (it's a Southern thing apparently...never seemed weird to me...brings you good luck in the coming year) and went back to my car and headed home.

2010...1 down. 209 to go.

Week 6 Day 2

2009-12-24T09:52:00.001-06:00

Date: 12/23/09
Time of Day: 9:30 PM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 51 degrees F, windy
Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, hockey compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

So, if you're like me, you've noticed that it's taken me forever to get through Weeks 5 and 6. Life's been getting in the way a little. My boss quit, so work is stressing me out. Plus all kinds of hockey games put me home late at night. Then, of course, Christmas.

Long story short, I'm getting a little out of my routine. Hopefully I'll get back into it. I've already planned on bringing my running stuff to my mom's to run tomorrow. Christmas Day and W6D3 will be one and the same.

Anyway. To the run. As I mentioned on Saturday, I really didn't have any trouble getting through the run, I just ran out of time.

It was very windy when I went out last night, though. The first 10 minutes were actually a little harder than I was expecting. Of course, I'm getting out of my routine, so that probably has a lot to do with it. Also, when I was showing the route to a friend the other day, I realized that the entire out portion of the route is uphill. Probably explains why I had so much trouble with the 20. I was trying to do it uphill.

Anyway, I knew that if I got through the first 10, the second should be a lot easier since it would be on the downhill.

It was hard, but it wasn't the hardest run I've had. I didn't feel like I was going to die or vomit or anything when the first 10 ended, but I did feel the need to make the 3 minute walk a little slower than usual. Considering I had another 10 coming up, I'd be sure to be rested. I'd never run two runs that long back-to-back.

The second run, as I mentioned, was mostly on a gradual downhill. Thus, it wasn't that difficult. Again, it wasn't exactly easy. You can't just go get on a 26.2 mile slope and expect to finish a marathon, but it is easier on your legs.

When the cooldown chimed, I was in the middle of crossing an intersection. I figured it wasn't safe to just suddenly pull into a walk in the middle of the intersection, so I ran through it. When I hit the sidewalk, I decided to run until the pavement changed. When I got there, I decided to run out the cooldown.

Thus, my second interval was 15 minutes. Even on a downhill, I'm surprised that I'm able to push that far when less than 3 months ago I struggled to get a minute. And now I can run 15 minutes after already running for 10 minutes.

The worst part of the run, honestly, was the podcast. It was a short story read by this woman with the most grating, nasally voice. And it never seemed to end. I lost the plot because I was so focused on how she overpronounced words that it was about to drive me mad. It was almost like I was trying to run away from her. But it was done. I only have one more podcast left on my New Yorker Fiction. Then we'll have to move into something new.

So tomorrow...I try the 25. I'm not that worried. I've done 20. It's just five more minutes...and I've shown that I have no trouble getting just 5 more minutes. I'll probably do a brief warmup run before I go for it...but unlike the 20, I'm not worried about it at all.

25 on the 25th! That's the goal!

Week 6 Day 2 Attempt 1

2009-12-20T13:19:00.002-06:00

Date: 12/19/09
Time of Day: 7:45 AM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 39 degrees F, sprinkly

Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt over short sleeve wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Yesterday's run was annoying.

It's one thing to end a run because something is hurting...it's another to end the run because you run out of time.

A couple of weeks ago I started Weight Watchers, and I've been attending the Saturday morning 9 am sessions.

Yesterday, I got out the door at 7:45 am. My theory was that running before my meeting would help me lose weight. Unfortunately, my time math was off.

As per the past few times, I started with a brief warm up run. This one was 7 minutes. After the 7 minute run, I started into my warmup.

W6D2 features two 10 minute runs separated by a 3 minute walk. I started into my first 10 minute run, which was uphill for the most part. It was a little difficult, but I completed it.

However, I actually passed my starting point on the second run and decided to stop the run because I had a feeling I was running late. Sure enough...it was 8:30. I had 30 minutes to shower and get to Weight Watchers.

No time to finish my run, no time to cool down. I had to go inside, shower and get back out the door.

So I'll try again tonight. I know I can do it...and could probably move on to W6D3, considering I was getting along pretty nicely, but I don't want to cheat.

I'm not considering this a failure...because I really didn't. This is an abort.

Week 6 Day 1

2009-12-15T10:04:00.001-06:00

Date: 12/14/09
Time of Day: 10:00 PM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 53 degrees F

Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts

Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

For a week and a half before Christmas, the weather was surprisingly comfortable. I mean, I ran in shorts and a highly breathable t-shirt.

Anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time knows about my struggle with the 20 minute Week 5 run. It took me over 3 weeks to complete it. I've heard Week 6 is actually harder because you go back to intervals.

I admit that I haven't looked at what Week 6 entailed at all. I was so focused on finishing W5D3, that I really wasn't sure of what I was getting into last night. Turns out that W6D1 was a 5 minute run-3 minute walk-8 minute run-3 minute walk-5 minute run.

I actually started the first run expecting it to be 10 minutes. When the chime came on telling me to walk, I was admittedly a little disappointed. After preparing for a longer run, the first one was already done.

The 3 minute walk came and went and I started my 8 minute run. When I was going through Week 5 the first time, I was practically about to keel over during my 8 minute runs. This time, I started on an uphill. At around the time the C25K app hit the halfway chime, I hit the 1 mile point. That gave me a little pick me up. Then I turned around, ran through the office park parking lot that I had run through the other day (it's really the only flat part of the course), turned back out onto the sidewalk and finished the 8 minutes.

Sometimes I admit to wanting to quit. This time, I'll admit that I didn't even feel like I had started yet. The last 5 minutes came and went so quickly that I decided to keep going. At first I was going to push to the end of the street, but I knew I still had energy, so I decided to just run through the cool down. I ended up with a 10 minute run to close out the day, but I probably could have done 20 or even 30 if I had wanted to.

It amazes me to say it after how badly W5D3 kicked my ass, but W6D1 was the easiest run so far. By far. It was actually kind of fun once I got going, which is why I pushed the end out. I know W6D2 probably won't be easy, but I can spend the next few days knowing that on at least one day of the C25K, I showed it who was the boss.

Week 5 Day 3 - FINALLY!

2009-12-12T17:36:00.002-06:00

Date: 12/12/09
Time of Day: 12:00 AM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 25 degrees F

Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeved wicking shirt, compression tights, shorts, fleece pullover, gloves, Under Armour hat
Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

I felt just a wee bit insane.

It was sub-freezing. It was after midnight. But...I needed to get my run in.

I walked out the door with no real plan. I had noticed that during my last run, I actually did better in the middle intervals after a little bit longer walk.

So I started from my usual fire hydrant. After about 7 minutes of running, I decided to pull up. I had decided not to push the first run and just consider it a warmup. Then I walked until my legs felt completely ready. And then a little further just to be safe.

Finally, I hit my turnaround point and started running again.

I took a detour and ran through an office park near the turnaround point and came back out on the main sidewalk...I looked at my watch...I had been running for 4 minutes.

For my next magic trick, I decided that I would at least try to keep running to the stoplight next to the Marriott. My legs really started to feel it, but I did a quick mental rundown of what I was feeling in them and determined that it was effort and not pain or fatigue...so I'd be best to just keep pushing.

I hit the stoplight and kept going. I didn't look at my watch. I decided I wouldn't until it was absolutely necessary, but I did notice that my first podcast had run out. That was a good sign.

The second podcast started and I ran past the entrance to my neighborhood. Since it was well past midnight, the stoplight had gone into blinking mode. I ran looking over my shoulder and headed across the street past the entrance and onto the route that I call "Neighborhood Route". I ran down to the street that I usually turn on and then turned right.

This portion of the route, as I have mentioned, is a gradual uphill. I took it on...When I hit the end of the sidewalk on the uphill, I looked at my watch.

I had run for 22 minutes.

And...it was actually pretty damn easy.

I think I'm going to try it again tomorrow just to be sure. But...WEEK 5 IS FINALLY COMPLETE!

Off-Plan Run 2

2009-12-08T08:30:00.001-06:00

Date: 12/8/09
Time of Day: 6:00 AM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 43 degrees F

Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeved wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts
Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Wow...it's been almost a week since I've run. I was actually extremely worried this morning that my fitness may have significantly deteriorated.

For the past week or so, I've used the temperature and the lateness as an excuse not to run. Slowly, the days continued to creep up on me. Finally, I decided to do something about it. I'm never doing anything at 5:30 AM besides sleeping, so why not do it then?

Oddly, after years of making plans like that and never sticking to them, it was actually extremely easy for me to get up this morning. It was still dark out...and I felt like Bart Simpson ("There's a 5:30 in the morning?!?!"). My cat, Lexie, is obviously very attuned to my schedule, as I actually woke up before her for once. In fact, once I got out of bed, she went and curled up on one of the blankets and went back to sleep...but I digress...

After taking my shower and brushing my teeth (I figured this would save time when I got back), I popped an energy gel (since I was on an empty stomach) and headed out the door.

My plan was to do some Gallowalking again and try to at least get to 30 minutes. I did have the slight issue of a time crunch, as I didn't get to my starting point until about 6:10, which means that when I do this Thursday, I'll be waking up about 15 minutes earlier.

The first half of the first four minute interval was fairly normal, no pain, a little bit of soreness, but the second half was a lot more difficult than I was expecting. When I hit the end and walked my minute, the soreness actually started to intensify.

I pushed my way through 2 minutes of the second interval and began to worry that I had managed to destroy everything I had built up. I could not push further, so I walked after the 2 minutes. Then after the brief walk, I managed another two minute run. This put me at 8 minutes of total running. By now, however, my legs were exploding. There was no way I was going to be able to run again in 1 minute.

So I didn't.

I walked from there for about 5 minutes. Finally the throbbing in my legs had subsided and I took off again, hoping for at least 2. When I got to around 1:30, I realized I could hit 4 minutes. Again, I walked untimed after this interval. I had run 12 minutes so far. Somehow, someway, I was going to have to fit in 8 more minutes of running. After about another 3 minutes of walking, I started running again.

And kept running.

And finally when I realized I was going to reach the end of my route before I ran out of gas, I turned around and ran the other way. Finally, I maxed out at 12 minutes...the longest I've ever run in one stint. It wasn't the 20 minutes that I'm trying to attain, but it was definitely uncharted waters. Part of it made me realize the benefit of the warm up. The other part made me realize that I'm probably a lot closer to that 20 than I thought. With a week off, I managed to put in my longest interval to date. I don't know the science behind that...but I like it.

Thursday morning, it's supposed to be in the low 20's...which means I will finally break out the tights.

Off-Plan Run 1

2009-12-03T09:37:00.002-06:00

Date: 12/2/09
Time of Day: 10:00 PM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 43-45 degrees F, windy, light rain (35-38 degree wind chill)
Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeved wicking shirt, compression shorts, shorts (note that I am eschewing brand names from here on out, as it's hard to keep up with)
Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Last week I had a bad bad week. We all knew it.

This week so far hadn't started out too great either. The Predators played on Monday night, which again put my arrival home at too late to do anything worthwhile. Then Tuesday night, I just felt plain crappy. I don't know if I was sick or just exhausted, but I didn't feel like all the Patten I could be.

Finally, last night...I was able to get started with my Off-Plan runs.

Needless to say, I had no idea how it was going to go. Essentially, I haven't run in a week...and haven't run significantly in almost a week-and-a-half. While I really wanted to Gallowalk enough intervals to at least get 20 minutes total running time, I was just going to go as far as I could and re-establish my fitness base. I knew that while taking a week off doesn't help...it also probably didn't totally wreck what I had built up.

So...I hit the door. First thing's first...it was chilly. It was raining and the wind was blowing heavily. As I walked to my starting point, all I could think was, "I should have worn gloves." But, since I was already out the door, that wasn't an option. Next time.

I reached my starting point - a fire hydrant - ran through some quick stretches, made sure my shoes were tied appropriately and took off.

Since I don't have an iPod app to help me here, I had to improvise. I pulled out my Timex IronMan watch, set the timer to 1 minute and started the stopwatch function. The alarm went off at every one minute interval and I would check the stopwatch. If the minute portion of the stopwatch ended with a 4 or a 9, I would walk. If not, I ran. It actually sounds more convoluted than it was...it was really quite simple.

My first 4 minute run was easy. Almost too easy. When I say it was easy, I mean...it was easy. There was no struggle, there was no push, there were no mind games. That was a good sign. Two months ago...4 minutes was unheard of, yet during this run, it was absolutely nothing. I knew it wouldn't stay that way, but it was good to know.

The first 1 minute walking portion flew by...before I knew it, I was running again. The second 4 were not so easy, partially because it was a hill...and partially because I discovered quickly that the 1 minute walks were so short that they were not breaks so much as brief bits of recharging. At this point, I wasn't to the 1 mile point...I thought to myself, "I can probably get one more interval in." I figured 12 minutes of running would be a good start. Plus, I'd have time to walk back and listen to the rest of my short story.

After the second run, though, the 1 minute flew by and I was off to the races again. As I mentioned, I was planning on the third run being my last and I finished it just as I hit the one mile point. The third run was the hardest yet. However, I still had some juice left.

Now, in my head, I determined that I could get to 15 minutes. I'd run a minute and walk a minute for the next 3. So, when the 1 minute walk ended, I kicked into gear...but after the first minute of running ended, I decided...may as well try for 2. When I hit 2, I was like...hey, we'll just finish this one out.

With 16 minutes of running in the bag, I had 1 minute to figure out what to do. I didn't know how much I had left in the tank, so when my alarm beeped at me, I just kicked into a run to see what would happen. Before I knew it...I was done. 20 minutes of running in the bag. Frankly, I didn't see that coming.

What I really didn't see coming, was what came next. My timer went off again and I thought, "What the hell?"

I ran again. Minutes 20-24 of running...probably the hardest of the day, but I didn't have a doubt in my mind. I devised my new plan.

Instead of turning back home when I hit my usual turn, I crossed the crosswalk. My minute walk ended in the middle of the crosswalk and I high-tailed it again. Again, this 4 minutes wasn't easy, but it was extremely doable. I don't really remember anything aching.

28 minutes done. By now you should know what I was shooting for. Last one should be easy. If not easy, at least not impossible. After all, I was only running 2 minutes. The goal was 30 minutes. More importantly, the max was 30 minutes. In the back of my mind, that was my pre-established maximum...but I never thought I'd actually be here.

Yet...over 2 miles down the path (as I've mentioned before...I'm not fast...yet), the timer beeped. 30 minutes of running done...in 37 minutes.

Without a doubt, this was the best run I've had so far on the plan. To be honest, I probably could have finished the 20 last night, but I've decided that until I can do it every time, I probably shouldn't attempt it.

I think I'll repeat the exact same exercise at least one more time before I start increasing the length of the runs. I'm also considering adding a 4th day of running to each week. I was thinking of alternating running and walking every 30 seconds for as long as I could do it on Saturday.

The best part is that my confidence is back and I feel like I'm doing something again.

Going Off-Plan

2009-11-30T09:08:00.001-06:00

Admittedly, I haven't run since Thursday's disaster, largely due to allowing the shin splints time to heal.

I can't get to 20 minutes as it stands...that is painfully obvious. This, of course, means that I can't advance to future weeks because I can't finish the W5D3 exercise.

So I'm going to have to go off-plan. Please do not misunderstand..."off-plan" does not mean "quitting"...far from it. It only means that I'm going to have to change my method and utilize my current built up fitness to focus on getting to 20 minutes before I can focus on getting to 30.

So...here's the plan: Gallowalking. For those not in the know, Gallowalking is a technique made famous by Jeff Galloway that consists of 4 minutes running, followed by 1 minute walking, over-and-over. It has been used by many to finish not only 5ks, but even marathons and ultramarathons. For me, however, it's going to merely be a training tool. I fully intend to run 20 minutes straight in the coming weeks, but I'm going to have to keep working to it. So, I figure I'm going to run as many Gallowalking intervals as possible with a maximum of 8 (which would be 32 minutes running). Then I'm going to gradually take out those 1 minute intervals and increase the running intervals.

Hopefully, this will get me to my 20 minute run. I don't have a set date on this one, but we'll know it's successful when I finally finish W5D3. For now, however, we're on "C25K Off-Plan Run 1".

Habitrot 5k

2009-11-30T08:58:00.000-06:00

Date: 11/26/09
Time of Day: 8:00 AM
Location: Cool Springs Galleria

Conditions: 41-44 degrees F
Music: Running Music 2
Clothing: Long sleeved wicking shirt, Compression shorts, Under Armour shorts
Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Week 5 has turned into my Mt. Everest.

I've read of people zooming right through it. That the 20 minute run was "cake city" or whatever.

I can't do it. No matter how hard I try. I can't do it.

On Thursday, I did everything "right"...I was well rested, I ate well, I was properly hydrated...but I only made it 5 minutes...and then I only got 3 minutes on the second leg of my W5D1 repeat.

I'm not quitting...but I need a new plan to get me to that 20 minute run...more on that in a later post...for now, let's deal with the race.

My friend Bob surprised me by showing up to run the race (and he killed it...running a sub-30...his first 5k running all the way through, so mad props to Bob!).

I woke up at around 7, took a shower and got to the race at about 7:15.

First off, it was easily the least organized 5k I've ever been a part of. When I walked into the indoor football field that was the registration area, I had absolutely no idea where to go. There was no one directing anyone to the registration tables and there were no signs pointing them out. I had to push through the crowd to finally find them. When I got there, for the second time in a row...no 2X shirts. Alas.

The race began next to the Harley Davidson dealership. As per my usual modus operandi, I started as close to the back as possible. The one bright side here is that no one passed me the whole race. The course itself had one downhill at the beginning, but the uphill portion was so gradual and spread out that you never noticed it. For the most part, the course was fairly flat.

When it was time to run, I ran, but there was no way I was getting 20 minutes. First of all, people kept stopping in front of me. Some stopped to wait on people, some stopped with their strollers...and some just stopped. More than once, I almost tripped and fell.

At around the 4 minute mark, shin splints started kicking in. It took me six weeks to get shin splints. I tried to keep going, but I couldn't...it was just simply too painful. So I backed it down...thinking I would just do W5D1 again like on Monday.

The next run, however, was all shin splints...and 3 minutes was just about all of the torture I could take. So I walked the rest of the way.

I finished the race, but I felt - and still feel - completely defeated.

So many people are able to do this...why can't I?

Week 5 Day 3 Attempt 1

2009-11-24T09:55:00.001-06:00

Date: 11/23/09
Time of Day: 10:00 PM
Location: Marriott Route

Conditions: 52 degrees F, sprinkling
Music: Running Music 2
Clothing: Under Armour shirt, Compression Shorts, Majestic Braves shorts
Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Sometimes, things just don't go according to plan.

It took me until my 15th run...the first one past the halfway point...to finally fail a run.

I was supposed to run 20 minutes, but I only got to 5:36 until my body started screaming at me to stop.

I don't know if I started out too fast or if I need another week of week 5 or what, but it didn't happen.

I walked out the door last night with a new route mapped out. There is a Marriott hotel next to my apartment complex...if I run from my usual starting point to an entrance in the back, that is exactly one mile, which means I would have an exactly one mile out and back. This route I creatively call "The Marriott Route".

The first 3 minutes were easy...but I didn't feel quite right. Part of it was that I had a slice of pizza at the hockey game earlier...not a great pre run food. Perhaps I didn't warm up enough or didn't cool down enough on Saturday, but I hit a point where my mind was telling me to keep pushing but my body was telling me, "Yeah, no, you're going to have to stop."

Usually, it's the other way around. In this case, I figured I would trust my body and stop. There's nothing that says it absolutely has to be done in 9 weeks...and I was not going to make 20 minutes. So at 5:36...for the first time in the C25K program...I walked.

Needless to say, I was pretty dejected. I thought about turning around and going back home...but I realized...everyone has bad runs. It's okay to have a bad one every once in a while...maybe I'm not ready for the 20 yet...but I'm definitely not going to quit.

So...having seen that ~5 minutes of running would be my limit for the day, I set my iPod app to re-do Week 5 Day 1 - the one with three 5 minute running intervals. Granted, I had a slightly longer walk break than I'm supposed to have, but I also ran for slightly longer, so I think it evens out. What was amazing to me was that last week, Week 5 Day 1 kicked my ass. This week, it was hard...but it was never, "OhmigodI'mgonnadie" hard.

When I run my 5k on Thursday, I'll be trying the 20 again...but I won't be dejected if I don't make it...I'll just make sure to at least complete Week 5 Day 2 again. Since Week 5 Day 1 was easier on the second go-round, I'm fairly certain Week 5 Day 2 can't possibly be harder when I've already done it once. I just have to remember to not get dejected and not get mad at myself. I have to be patient...I'll get there.

I'm disappointed that I didn't finish the 20 minute run, but I'm proud of myself for not quitting.

Week 5 Day 2

2009-11-22T19:18:00.003-06:00

Date: 11/21/09
Time of Day: 10:30 AM
Location: Nissan Route

Conditions: 56-62 degrees F, sunny, warm
Music: Running Music 2
Clothing: Under Armour shirt, Compression Shorts, Under Armour shorts
Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Yesterday's run was different for several reasons.

First of all, it was the first day time run I had made that was not a 5k. Secondly, it was honestly the closest I have come in any of my runs to quitting.

I missed Friday night's run due to getting home at a late hour and having no energy. I made a promise to myself to run in the morning. One thing that I have learned about the C25K program is that unlike in the past, when I make promises like these to myself...I keep them. And I kept this one.

Thus, I walked outside yesterday morning for Week 5 Day 2. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, which was a plus.

Week 5 Day 2 consists of two 8 minute runs separated by a 5 minute walk. While it seems like a fairly straightforward, easy exercise compared to the past few, running 8 minutes in one stretch is extremely difficult when the longest I had run so far was 5.

I started the first run and after about 3 minutes, I could very much feel it. As I've mentioned, the Nissan Route is pretty much up a hill and then back down the hill...although there are a lot of flat portions. Anyway, it was rough, but I managed to finish it.

The second run at least started out easier...but it got harder as it went on...to the point that I very, very much wanted to quit. I was contemplating what time today I could retry it...I did not feel like I could finish it. I even contemplated how to label the blog posts if I missed it...but I didn't miss it.

It was probably the most difficult last two minutes of anything I've ever done...I had slowed down to a snail's pace...and had to look very attractive as spit formed on my lips...but I managed to pull it off.

In fact, I made it back to the starting point before the music ran out, which was the first time I had done that.

I recognize that I've accomplished quite a bit at this point. In fact, I'm past the halfway point.

However, I don't know which I'm more surprised about...that the workouts keep getting harder or that I not only keep finishing them, but keep moving onto the next harder one.

Anyway, the next run is the big 2-0. The 20 minute run. After the way I struggled through the 8 minute runs, I'm not so sure how it will go, so this week I am not considering week 6 until I finish it.

I'm not sure I will finish the 20 on the first attempt, so I've set aside this week to make 3 attempts at it - Monday night, Thursday morning and Saturday morning. If I can get it...I'll move on to week 6. If not, I'll keep trying until I get it.

This is it. If I can do the 20 minute run, I can finish the program.

So...until then.

Week 5 Day 1

2009-11-19T08:47:00.004-06:00

Date: 11/18/09
Time of Day: 9:30 PM
Location: Nissan Route

Conditions: 43-44 degrees F, chilly
Music: Running Music 2
Clothing: Long Wicking shirt, Compression Shorts, Target-brand Shorts
Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

I say this every run, but man...last night was hard.

For those who are unaware, none of the workouts in Week 5 are the same. Day 1 (last night) consists of three 5 minute running intervals with 3 minute walks in between. Day 2 is two 8 minute runs with a 5 minute walk in between. And....Day 3 is the dreaded monster 20 minute run.

On paper, it seems that W5D1 would be easier than Week 4 because you are running for 1 minute less. However, as they say, runs aren't done on paper.

The first thing I realized was that last week, I had been using the wrong set of hedges to mark my 1 mile point, so I moved back up the sidewalk a ways to start from the correct spot. Also, earlier this week, I had updated the C25K app on my iPod...and this would be the first run with the updated version.

The first run started out easily enough...but by about the 3 minute mark, I was pushing it. Another one of those feelings of, "How am I going to keep doing this? It's so hard!" As usual, I picked a landmark that I thought would be close enough to the end of the run and ran to it...knowing that if I could make it there, I could make it to the end of the run.

It's weird how I know I can run that far - I did it 6 times last week - but something in my mind is still telling me...oh, but you haven't done it enough in your life, you might not do it now. I always do, though. Again, not a lack of confidence...a lack of prior evidence. I guess I actually have to see it to believe it. And every day, I keep proving to myself that it can be done.

The second run was a little easier, mostly because most of it was downhill. I hit the halfway point both in the run and in the program in the middle of the run here. It definitely wasn't easy...it was still one of my hardest intervals ever...but it was definitely easier than the first one.

At this point, not one inch on my body was cold. Despite it being 40 degrees and my body being covered in sweat, every single inch of my body was warm. It was a very strange experience to be standing in 40 degree weather wishing you had on short sleeves.

Finally, I hit the third run. I saw my shadow in the streetlights and realized I had to look very penguin-y running along and chuckled to myself. The fact that I was able to laugh, however, told me again that I would be able to finish...as long as my breathing isn't hurting me, I'm pretty much fine. And so I finished at approximately the same spot as Sunday, despite running one minute less and starting further up the trail. At least my pace appears to be improving.

I keep having to argue with myself on virtually every run...after every running interval, I think, "Wow...that was really hard...I don't know how I'm going to do the next one." And I have to tell myself, "Of course it's hard. That's the whole point. It's not easy. It will get easier the further you go."

And I keep telling myself that.

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Note: I also started the Hundred Pushup Challenge on Monday. Last night was W1D2. Not much to report other than...I did a lot of pushups.

Week 4 Day 3

2009-11-16T09:00:00.003-06:00

Date: 11/15/09
Time of Day: 10:00 PM
Location: Nissan Route

Conditions: 53-54 degrees F, clear
Music: Running Music 2
Clothing: Long Wicking shirt, Compression Shorts, Adidas Shorts
Shoes: Nike Air Pegasus 26+

Sometimes life gets in the way of your runs.

I had originally planned to run W4D3 on Saturday night, but by the time I got home from the Predators game, it was already past 11, which - by the time I got out on the road - would have put my run past midnight. To me, this didn't seem like the world's safest idea...so I delayed my run until Sunday.

So...Sunday night, I put on my new shoes and headed out the door. After driving around and measuring distances, I found the exact (or at least close to exact) 1 mile marker for my run. Therefore, that's where I started. My first 3 minutes of running weren't easy, but my feet weren't bugging me. More importantly, I kept my eyes off of my iPod and focused on running for the entire interval.

The first 5 minute run was even rougher. And I chalk up the problems that I began to encounter here to eating less than an hour before heading out the door. I started to get serious side stitches...and my breathing was definitely more erratic than usual. My legs felt okay, at least...it was the side stitch that was getting to me. But again, did not look down at my iPod, which means I was not as worried about continuing as usual.

I hit the 1 mile marker at exactly halfway, turned around and headed back up the "halfway hill" as I call it (I guess to myself). I still had side stitches when the second 3 minute run started. In fact, this was the hardest one of all...my breathing was funky, I had side stitches and I was running up a hill. I practically felt every ounce of my 304.2 pounds during this one. I picked a landmark that I would get to and then look at my iPod to see how much time was left...luckily, it was only :08...and I got my 90 second walk.

As per the rest of the week, the last 5 minute interval was the easiest one of the day...while I still had side stitch issues, I think the fact that I know that it's my last run must do something mentally to get me through it easier. I finished that one with no problems (and almost at the exact same point as Thursday, despite starting further back). When the cooldown ended, I was only about 20 feet from where I started, which means that I made 2 miles in 32 minutes (counting the 16 minutes of walking). Not bad when you factor in the leisurely pace of my cool down.

So...here we are. Week 5. The big one looming at the end of the week...a 20 minute run. But first, I have three 5 minute runs on Tuesday and two 8 minute runs on Thursday. I know it's there, but I have to take it one step at a time...like I have the whole way so far.

One step at a time.

New(er) Shoes

2009-11-15T19:06:00.009-06:00

Well, it only took a month...I had to go shoe shopping again on Friday night....I took the Five Fingers out for a nice leisurely walk the other day...on the way back, I looked down at my feet...and where there should have been shoe, there was skin. My new Five Fingers are already falling apart. There is a very large hole in the side of them, as you can see:

I haven't had a chance yet to see if the store I purchased them from will return them (it's on the other side of town from anywhere that I usually go, so I'm going to have to set aside a special trip just to see if they will take them back. Of course, the bigger issue here is that I'm back to needing a new pair of running shoes. Needless to say, I don't have much faith in a product that falls apart in less than 20 miles. While I understand that sometimes companies will accidentally put out a faulty product, a google search revealed that this seems to be pretty common. Thus, it was time for me to seek out a new pair of running shoes?

First, as I explained earlier, the reason I have to get new shoes is that the Puma Sierra Trails that I am running in cause blistering on the side of my feet due to the elastic that holds the tongue to the base of the shoe. I have been wearing Band Aids over the hotspot, but they are still occurring, as you can see.

The way I figure it, the sooner I get in to a better pair of shoes, the sooner I can quit worrying about the blisters popping up on the side of my foot in a longer run. And...since I'm a week away from the 20 minute run...I figured it was probably the best time to go ahead and snag a pair of shoes that will last me a while.

So, on Friday night, I went looking at a few stores...I'm sure I looked very silly running up and down the aisles of the stores trying on shoes...and I know a lot of people recommend going to a running store to get your proper shoes, but I wasn't going to spend a ton of money on shoes and felt guilty putting them through the motions and then going somewhere else for a better deal.

Anyway, after some searching, I succumbed to the lure of the mighty Swoosh. I purchased a pair of very Nike Air Pegasus 26's for $65. Also, it's Nike+ compatible. There's a small slot under the left insole for the Nike+ sensor.

My first run on them will be later this evening...and I will report on them first thing tomorrow morning.

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Note: Due to the lateness of last night's Nashville Predators game, W4D3 has been delayed until this evening.

Weekly Weigh In

2009-11-15T18:55:00.003-06:00

This week's weight: 304.2 pounds. I've lost 2.2 pounds since my last weigh-in and 8 pounds total since beginning my journey.

Week 4 Day 2

2009-11-13T09:12:00.003-06:00

Date: 11/12/09
Time of Day: 9:30 PM
Location: Nissan Route

Conditions: 46 degrees F, clear
Music: Running Music 2
Clothing: Wicking shirt, Compression Shorts, Under Armour Shorts
Shoes: Puma Sierra Trail II

I'm not going to lie. Beginning a running program is not easy...last night reminded me of that.

I'm not a pessimist by any stretch of the imagination, but sometimes I'll get out in the middle of a run and think to myself, "There is no way I can finish this." And when you're running longer distances each week, boldly going where you have not gone before, those thoughts run through your head. As I've mentioned before, it's not a lack of confidence, it's a lack of certainty.

I finished Week 4 Day 2 last night...and it was another one of those nights that I was amazed that I was able to do it. Last night was a little different because I had taken about a 5 mile walk on Wednesday night in the Five Fingers (more on that this weekend). The bottoms of my feet were blistered and my calfs (or is it calves?) were sore. I thought about delaying my plan by one day...but then I thought better of it.

The run began a little further out than usual. I gave myself a little more time to warm up due to the aforementioned calf soreness...plus, I wanted to start past the stoplight so I wouldn't have to stop and run in circles.

The first 3 minute run was not easy. Not one bit. And it had everything to do with the aforementioned calf pain. Somehow, though, the 90 second walk loosened them up and I got through the 5 minute run...while not easily, I wasn't gasping for hair or wincing in pain, which is good. I turned around at the bottom of the hill and ran my second 3 minute interval mostly on an uphill.

For the second time this week, the last 5 minute run was the smoothest run...I promised myself I wouldn't look at the timer on my iPod until I hit a certain landmark. Normally, I'll check it every so often to see how long I have to go...and more often than not, I'm somewhat frustrated with how much time is left. It's hard not to look when you know it's there, but I promised myself I would not.

Sure enough, I made it to the landmark...looked at my timer...only :30 left. The last :30 were a complete breeze after that. I didn't run it out this time...I figured it was better for the legs to not do any extra work.

Altogether, this run was the hardest one I've done so far. At least once I actually got into the first 5 minute run, I at least knew I would finish, but due to overtraining in the wrong shoes on Friday, it was not easy. Don't get me wrong, the run is completely doable...and I finished it and felt absolutely fine afterwards...I just learned that the cross-training I do on my off days can affect my run enjoyment.

On the other hand, I can't believe I've made it this far.

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Note: You can now access this blog from RunNoobRun.com. While the blogspot address still takes you directly here, this one works as well. Also, it makes it easier for you to tell your friends! Plus, it looks better on a t-shirt...(yes, this means I'm making myself a shamelessly self-promoting t-shirt).

Week 4 Day 1

2009-11-11T09:27:00.003-06:00

Date: 11/10/09
Time of Day: 9:30 PM
Location: Nissan Route

Conditions: 56 degrees F, clear
Music: Running Music 2
Clothing: Wicking shirt, Compression Shorts, Nike Shorts
Shoes: Puma Sierra Trail II

Week 4...the gauntlet.

While you add :30 per interval on Week 2 and they double on Week 3, you're still running roughly the same amount of time (8 minutes in Week 1, 9 minutes on Weeks 2 and 3). On Week 4, however, the amount of time you are running essentially doubles - to 16 minutes. That's a daunting number when you look at it at the beginning...especially if you struggled through the 1 minute runs at the beginning like I did.

Week 4 consists of a 3 minutes running-90 seconds walking-5 minutes running-2.5 minutes walking-3 minutes running-90 seconds walking-5 minutes running. Total running time is increased...and walk time (compared to the first 3 weeks) is virtually non-existent.

Honestly, I headed out the door last night thinking that I wasn't going to be able to do it. It wasn't so much a lack of confidence as it was a lack of belief. On that first 5k on W1D1, I had trouble with some of the 1 minute intervals. Heck, I even had trouble during the 5k on Saturday. I was just going to push as far as I could...and hopefully I'd complete most of it.

I headed out the door and put on Running Music 2. Republica got me ready to go...and when my 5 minute warmup ended, I started running my first 3 minutes.

For the first time, I changed my route. Instead of running back in the neighborhoods behind my apartment complex, I ran the other way, past Nissan HQ. From now on, we'll call this the "Nissan Route". The reason for this change is actually pretty simple...a couple of weeks ago, they extended the road, so it simply goes further...the more I do this program, the longer I'll be able to run down the same street.

Back to the run, I finished my first 3 minutes...and it was actually fairly easy. That's always a good sign. However, I hadn't looked at the plan for the week other than seeing how long my runs were going to be. The walking portion was only 90 seconds...which meant that I only had a minute-and-a-half to give my legs a little rest until I was back pounding the pavement. To make it worse, "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls was starting to play on my iPod. I didn't realize until this moment that I don't like that song.

As luck would have it, the 5 minute interval started before I had to cross the street, so I sat there running in circles at the crosswalk for about 20 seconds before the walk signal flashed...once it did, I took off across the street onto the sidewalk next to the business parks that surround my apartment. For pretty much the entire 5 minute run, I was on an incline. It wasn't a hill, but it was definitely not flat...and when I looked at the timer on my iPod at one point...I had 2:30 to go...yeah, this was hard. How on earth was I going to do it again?

Finally, the timer chimed and told me to walk...and I did. After the quickest 2:30 of my life, I had to kick in another 3 minute run...this one was definitely easier. At this point, the sidewalk had changed to a pavement trail. I didn't even know it did that...I had never been this far. As I came upon Nissan headquarters, the iPod chimed for me to walk again.

One more. I had made it this far. So I told myself, "Just two 2.5 minute runs. That's all it is." And when the timer chimed again, I took off...and it was easy. Well, not easy, but it wasn't a struggle. I could put each foot in front of the other one. Granted, I was going at a glacial pace, but speed will come later. As Rocky said, "It's not how hard you hit, it's how hard you can get hit," and at this point, I was taking a pounding. I was going to do it, though. I knew it. And I was running with a smile on my face because I realized I had actually accomplished something.

As "Praise You" was playing on the iPod, the final chime sounded and told me to cool down. I was done...or was I?

I wanted to at least run to the stoplight at the next intersection, so I kept running. When my foot landed in the crosswalk, I had run an extra 1:30...meaning that in 22 minutes, I had run 17:30. I pumped my fist and screamed a loud, "Woo." And I know I did this because I instantly looked in all directions to make sure no one had seen that. A month ago, I struggled to run 1 minute...and I just ran 5 minutes twice...and still had gas in the tank.

I've had days during this plan like I was on my way to doing something big that I hadn't done before...this was the first time that I had actually done something I hadn't done before. I ran longer and farther than I ever have in my adult life.

And I'm going to do it again on Thursday.

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Note: As I mentioned, I realized that during my run, I actually didn't like one of the songs on my playlist...so I've adjusted Running Music 2. Here's the new tracklisting:

1. "Ready to Go" - Republica - Republica

2. "Weapon of Choice" - Fatboy Slim - Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars

3. "3" - Britney Spears - 3 - Single

4. "Toxic" - Britney Spears - In The Zone

5. "Womanizer" - Britney Spears - Circus

6. "Gimme More" - Britney Spears - Blackout

7. "Praise You" - Fatboy Slim - Praise You - EP

New Music Tuesday

2009-11-10T09:35:00.003-06:00

In a sense, at least...it's "New Music Tuesday", as tonight will be my first run with new music.

As much as I love listening to my podcasts and stories, it's really hard to concentrate on them when you get to running...so I'm going to save them for the walking portions. I've set up some playlists here for multiple reasons. First off, I've put music in that's going to get me psyched. Secondly, I've made every one of these between 30-35 minutes so that I can somewhat judge my improvements by which point in which song I'm on at certain landmarks. If that sounds convoluted, that's probably because it is.

In summation, here is my new music...and evidence that I sometimes have the musical taste of a 16-year-old girl...

Running Music 1

1. "The Battle" - Hans Zimmer - Gladiator Soundtrack

2. "The Final Game" - Jerry Goldsmith - Rudy Soundtrack

3. "Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)" - Bill Conti - Rocky Soundtrack

4. "Olympic Theme" - L'Orchestra Cinematique - Olympic Themes

5. "Going the Distance" - Bill Conti - Rocky Soundtrack

6. "Gonna Fly Now (John X Remix)" - Natalie Wilde & Bill Conti - Rocky Balboa: The Best of Rocky

Running Music 2

1. "Ready to Go" - Republica - Republica

2. "Weapon of Choice" - Fatboy Slim - Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars

3. "3" - Britney Spears - 3 - Single

4. "Don't Cha" - Pussycat Dolls - PCD

5. "Toxic" - Britney Spears - In The Zone

6. "Praise You" - Fatboy Slim - Praise You - EP

7. "Womanizer" - Britney Spears - Circus

8. "Gimme More" - Britney Spears - Blackout

Running Music 3

1. "Ready to Go" - Republica - Republica

2. "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" - AC/DC - For Those About To Rock We Salute You

3. "Express Yourself (Remix)" - N.W.A. - N.W.A.: Greatest Hits

4. "Here It Goes Again" - Ok Go - Oh No

5. "Galvanize" - The Chemical Brothers - Push the Button

6. "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" - Cake - Comfort Eagle

7. "Do the Evolution" - Pearl Jam - Yield

8. "The Distance" - Cake - Fashion Nugget

Running Music 4

1. "Weapon of Choice" - Fatboy Slim - Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars

2. "Gimme More" - Britney Spears - Blackout

3. "Praise You" - Fatboy Slim - Praise You - EP

4. "Womanizer" - Britney Spears - Circus

5. "The Rockafeller Skank" - Fatboy Slim - The Rockafeller Skank - EP

6. "Toxic" - Britney Spears - In The Zone

7. "3" - Britney Spears - 3 - Single

I don't know which one I'm going to run with tonight, but from now on when I do my post-run summaries, I'll put the (not very creative) name of the playlist in the music portion. That way you know what I'm listening to...and I'm sure there will be more coming.

Week 3 Day 3: Hoover Run For Hope 5k

2009-11-08T14:34:00.000-06:00

Date: 11/7/09
Time of Day: 8:00 AM
Location: Ravenwood High School
Conditions: 54-55 degrees F, sunny
Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, Compression Shorts, Adidas Shorts
Shoes: Puma Sierra Trail II

When I got to the elementary school where the race started yesterday, I was feeling good about myself. I was well rested and I had a good 3 weeks of running under my belt.

Then I got out of the car.

The first problem I ran into was when I got to the registration table.

"What size t-shirt would you like?"

"2X, please," I responded.

"The largest we have is an extra large."

"As in you are out of anything larger...or that is the actual largest shirt you have?"

"It's largest one we have."

Okay...so that's not a good start. I've entered numerous 5ks...this is the first one I've been in that did not have a 2XL t-shirt. It's a small complaint, as I didn't enter this race for the t-shirt...but it is kind of a good feeling to pop out of the shower when you get home and put on your ugly 5k t-shirt (they're almost all ugly) and wear it around for the rest of the day. So I got an XL...maybe I'll wear it sometime in the future.

But I digress...you want to know about the race.

As usual, I flipped on my iPod, started my New Yorker podcast and got ready to start my C25K app and waited. And waited. And waited.

Finally, the 8:00 gun went off at about 8:10...and I was in for my next surprise.

I had mapped out the run via Google Maps and had done the street view for the whole course. What I gathered from street view was that I was going to be running a mostly flat course with a small hill in the third mile.

Google Maps lied.

After running about 100 yards, we made a left turn...and went down a very long hill. In my mind, I knew...if we're going down, we have to come back up.

My first 90 second running interval kicked in about halfway down the hill. So I took off running. At the bottom of the hill, the course flattened out for about 30 feet while we ran across the street between the school and the neighborhood. Then we started climbing. For about 45 minutes of the first run, I was climbing.

Then...after 90 seconds, my 3 minute run kicked in...and we were still climbing. At this point, I was starting to wonder if it'd be easier to just repeat W3D3 on Sunday.

Finally, about halfway through the 3 minute walking interval after the run, we hit a flat portion...and I had my 90 second run again...this time, slightly downhill.

When I hit the second three minute portion, it was mostly in a downhill...and I finally hit the end of the three minutes at the bottom of the hill.

At this point, every muscle in my leg was killing me. My original plan had me continuing for the rest of the race...but my race strategy had been based on a flat course. This was not a flat course.

The course continued down the street and turned into another neighborhood. At this point, a car came zooming by...and it wasn't the safety car. There were also a few people cutting across the course to take shortcuts...I honestly couldn't believe this...but I did come upon a group of volunteers crossing race numbers off a list, so they were clearly anticipating that someone might try it.

The street we turned onto was another hill. Therefore, I decided that it would probably be better for my progress if I walked the rest of the way instead of continuing to run. It's too early in my journey to worry about my times...and I had finished Week 3.

So...I walked the remainder of the way...and it was quite literally uphill both ways. Of course, another couple of cars came zooming down the course...which I again found very bizarre.

Finally, I hit the line at 54:33...but hey, I was tenth in my age group!

Next year, I'll probably run it again, because I feel like this course completely kicked my butt...and I want to get sweet revenge on it. Until then, however, I have to continue my C25K journey.

And I've finished Week 3...which makes me 1/3 done. And that's what I really have to remember. One-third done means that I am not done. I shouldn't get that discouraged from how the race went when I was working on essentially 1/3 fitness. Again, it's a baseline...and it shows me that once I get through with C25K, I need to start tackling hills.

Luckily, I know that the Habitrot 5k on Thanksgiving is mostly flat.

Onto Week 4!

Pre-Race: Hoover Run for Hope 5k

2009-11-06T11:00:00.001-06:00

Now it's time to talk a little race strategy...

As I have mentioned, tomorrow morning, I am running the Hoover Run for Hope 5k.

Since I'm only in week 3, it's not very realistic to think I could run this entire event. However, as the Oktoberfest 5k taught me, I should be able to run a large portion of the event.

I will begin the race by completing the W3D3 exercise. After the last interval, I will restart my iPod application and walk 3 minutes, run 1 minute and walk 1 minute. After this five minute portion, the running portion of the app should kick back in, which means I will finish with my 90 second run, 90 second walk, 3 minute run and 3 minute walk. I am not anticipating having to go all the way through W3D3 twice tomorrow, but I know it's a possibility.

Also, should this become too hard (after I have finished the running portions of W3D3), I will not hesitate walking the rest of the way in order to avoid injury. At the moment, though, I'm heading in with the thought in my head that I will be able to merely extend W3D3 all the way through the race.

My primary goal tomorrow is to finish Week 3. My secondary goal (should I complete all of my running) is to beat my PR (and only time) from 10/10 of 49:47. However, if I beat Week 3, I will come home feeling satisfied.

Race starts at 8 a.m.!

Week 3 Day 2

2009-11-06T08:59:00.001-06:00

Date: 11/5/09
Time of Day: 10:00 PM
Location: Neighborhood
Conditions: 39-40 degrees F, chilly
Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, Compression Shorts, Champion Shorts
Shoes: Puma Sierra Trail II

We hit the 30s last night...and I was still in shorts, although I think I'm going to invest in one or two pairs of running tights tonight. As macho as I am, my legs do get a wee chilly every once in a while.

Week 3 Day 2 is complete! I took a slightly different route last night...instead of a straight-out route, I ran an out-and-back. I found approximately the one mile point in my run, got to it, turned around and ran back. It still took me slightly longer than 30 minutes, but no worries...speed comes later.

As for the run itself, the first 90 second run was fairly easy...but the first 3 minute run was absolutely brutal. As each foot hit the ground, I thought to myself, "How am I going to keep this up? There is no way I'm going to be able to run 5 minute intervals next week." I also had to step around a dead squirrel. That didn't make it any better.

When I finally hit my 3 minute mark, however, I was further than I was on Tuesday. After my 3 minute walk, I kicked in another 90 second run and decided to turn around at approximately the one mile point instead of continuing further out as I usually do. Not that I was quitting, I just wanted to see if I could make it back to my starting point before time ran out.

The second 3 minute portion was remarkably easier. Don't get me wrong - it wasn't easy by any means. However, once the chimes on my iPod app told me it was time to walk, I decided to prove to myself that I had more gas in the tank (and that I'll be able to continue next week) and set my sights on a tree. I ran to the tree...and decided to set my sights on the next tree. Then I saw the dead squirrel...and set my sights on the tree past him. Finally, I ran past a part in the sidewalk where it has a bit of a lip (that I always seem to find with my big toe) and decided to walk before I went to far and injured myself. When I looked down at the timer on my iPod app, I had added 38 seconds to the final run. And that is what gives me confidence going into next week.

Tomorrow, I am running a 5K for W3D3...obviously, in order to finish the race, I will have more intervals, but I will get into my race strategy in a subsequent post.

On to W3D3!

Past My Bedtime

2009-11-04T09:34:00.001-06:00

So on Monday night, I get the bright idea at about 9:45pm to go head over to my apartment's gym before I go to bed and get in a quick workout.

I took the long way from my apartment to get there and turned on the World Series and did 30 minutes on the elliptical once I was. I was the only one there.

Side note: I noticed that when I'm in the gym, my iPod absolutely has to be on music. For some reason, when I'm not actually going anywhere, I can't focus on the story, so I switched on Ben Harper's new album.

When I finished the elliptical, I thought, "Hmm...I'll do some weights." So, I walked over to the chest machine and did 3 sets of 12. Then I moved to the lat machine and did 3 more sets of 12. I moved the bar down to the bottom and did rows for 3 sets of 12 (getting an idea yet?). Then I moved to the ab machine. On this one, I did 3 sets of 35, switched it to back mode and did 2 sets of 12. Then, I went to the resistance machine and did bicep curls for - you guessed it - 3 sets of 12. Finally, I did some tricep presses on it for 3 more sets of 12.

I couldn't feel really any soreness and was afraid I didn't spend enough time there (I always forget that this comes the day after)...so I checked my watch...it was 12:05. I had been doing this for over 2 hours.

Needless to say, I'm going earlier tonight.

Week 3 Day 1

2009-11-04T09:01:00.001-06:00

Date: 11/3/09
Time of Day: 10:00 PM
Location: Neighborhood
Conditions: 43-44 degrees F, chilly
Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeve wicking shirt, Compression Shorts, Adidas Shorts
Shoes: Puma Sierra Trail II

I'm not going to lie. This one was hard.

For starters, I switched back to my first shoes. When I looked at the bottoms of the Puma H Streets, I noticed that there was some very significant wear in the forefoot area...and that was just from two runs. Considering they're always watering the sidewalks, I felt it would be safer to run in something more grippy. While the Five Fingers are definitely more grippy, the wind chill was in the 30s when I took off running. Considering that my feet got a little cold in the 40s, I figured I needed something warmer, so I went back to the Sierra Trail. This time, however, I stuck a Band-Aid on the place on each foot where the band tends to rub. Problem solved.

I was moving slow last night. It wasn't intentionally, it's just that dinner didn't quite sit with me right and I had fallen asleep on the couch while watching TV (probably due to my late night gym session the night before). When my cooldown ended, I wasn't as far along the path as I usually am (but only by about 20 feet). The first 90 seconds went by fairly easily...but I guess I didn't look at the plan enough because I was not expecting the break between the first and second runs to only be 90 seconds.

My app chimed telling me that it was time to run. And here I was...a 3-minute interval...twice as long as any I've done so far...and it was hard. The devil on my shoulder kept asking me, "Why are you doing this? Just walk...it's not that different." I didn't listen to him. I backed my pace down...but I finished the first one. Then I got a three-minute break. I needed it. Even the next 90 second run was hard...plus, I had to run through more sprinklers. Seriously...why is it so hard to point them at grass?

Finally, I hit my last three minute interval. It was easier than the first...admittedly, my pace was a crawl, but I didn't have trouble doing it. In fact, once it was through, I probably ran another 20 feet just to prove it to myself. Then, my iPod app gave me a huge surprise. Instead of saying, "Cool down," as it usually does when I have finished my intervals, it said, "Walk." When it tells you to walk, it means there's another run coming. So I prepared myself...and walked for the next 3 minutes...and when the chimes started, I picked up my feet and started running again...only to hear, "Cool down." That's right. Due to the way the C25K program is set up, the intervals all end with walking intervals this week.

So...despite my initial difficulty, I finished. I was actually ready to kick in another 90 second interval at the end, which I think bodes well for my progress.

Aaaaaand...with the completion of W3D1, that means that I have completed 7 of the 27 workouts, which means I am one-quarter of the way home. Hooray to me.

On to Day 2!

Week 2 Day 3

2009-11-02T10:51:00.001-06:00

Date: 11/1/09
Time of Day: 10:00 PM
Location: Neighborhood
Conditions: 42-43 degrees F, chilly
Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast
Clothing: Long sleeve Under Armour shirt, Compression Shorts, Under Armour Shorts
Shoes: Puma H Streets

This time, I didn't make the mistake of running in short sleeves when it was chilly. Knowing that my legs always heat up when I run, I stuck to shorts (if it's above freezing, I'm most likely going to be running in shorts).

Again, I wore my Pumas, although I did it this time due to the temperature...I have no blistering on the bottoms of my feet.

I took my usual route and listened to my usual podcast. I should note that instead of doing an out-and-back run, I run out...and then walk back. And my "usual route" actually differs each day, but I stick to the same general area a) so I don't get hit by cars and b) because it's well lit.

While running down one long street I usually run down, I hit the 4th running interval and had a bit of trouble, but just slowed my pace down and finished it. When I crossed to the other side of the street, I noticed that the street I usually run on has a slight incline, which means I've been doing a very small amount of hillwork without really knowing it. Good to know for the future.

Also, I had another horrifying sprinkler surprise...imagine running through cold water at 42 degrees...then imagine running soaked in cold water. Brrr.

When the last interval came, I had my eyes set on a lamp post that I was going to make it to, but the interval ran out before I got there. Nevertheless, I kept running, making sure I passed my goal...and that's the whole point of this, isn't it?

I can't believe I'm already done with Week 2.

Due to last week's weird scheduling...I only have one rest day between Week 2 and Week 3, but I don't think it's going to affect me. I begin the next stage tomorrow night.

I'm amping up my cross training this week...and I have a 5k on Saturday (the Hoover Run For Hope).

On to Week 3!

Weekly Weigh In

2009-11-02T08:36:00.001-06:00

Picture Coming Soon

This week's weight...306.4. That's right...only two-fifths of a pound since last week, which means I need to ramp up my cross-training.

Week 2 Day 2

2009-10-31T17:15:00.000-05:00

Date: 10/30/09

Time of Day: 10:15 PM

Location: Neighborhood

Conditions: 59-60 degrees F, rainy

Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast

Clothing: Wicking Shirt, Compression Shorts, Adidas Shorts

Shoes: Puma H Streets

Sometimes you'll start a new activity and give it up at the first chance of difficulty. Actually, most times that happens. Sometimes it will just be an inconvenience that sets you back one day...and then every day thereafter.

And then sometimes, you'll have a day when you realize you're in it for the long haul. Last night, I had my "I'm really doing this!" moment.

It was pouring...I mean, very, very, very seriously pouring. We're talking walking outside for five seconds and getting absolutely soaked to the bone.

Thus, I had an option...I could wait it out and tell myself I would run this morning...or I could lace up my shoes and head out the door, knowing I was getting soaked to the core. So...I laced up my shoes and went running. I had the iPod in an old case that covered it completely - while I had to hold it in my hand instead of wearing it on my arm, it at least didn't get wet.

As I mentioned earlier, I wore the Puma H Streets due to the blisters I got the other day. That ended up being a good idea, as my feet didn't bother me in the least. Unfortunately, unlike my Five Fingers, since I was wearing socks...it wasn't long until my feet and socks were both soaked...but I figured that was something I'd have to learn to do anyway.

With my wet feet, I proceeded on my C25K journey...all was well until I took a different route and hit a steep hill on a street I had not been on before. Of course, I happened to hit it the second that my fifth running interval started. This hill was the single hardest thing I've had to do in my C25K and I will openly admit that I almost stopped running when it was starting to get very difficult...but I didn't. I finished my interval...and then my entire exercise.

When I got back, I was entirely and completely soaked from head to toe. My shoes were wet, my socks were soaked and my Predators hat was drenched. But...I was home and I had completed Week 2 Day 2.

I'm doing this. I'm really doing this.

Tomorrow, Week 2 Day 3!

Book Review: Born to Run

2009-10-30T15:38:00.001-05:00

Sometimes, I succumb to peer pressure.

On running message boards all over the interwebs, there's a lot of praise for Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall. I had also read that there was a large portion of the book detailing the benefits of running barefoot and on minimalist footwear (specifically, Vibram Five Fingers) and that many feel that the book has done a lot to keep the VFF flying off of shelves.

Of course, I had already purchased and used my VFF, but I wanted to read more into it, so I took a little journey over to Barnes and Noble, used a gift card and snagged myself a copy.

Let's just say, I couldn't put it down - I read the whole thing in one sitting.

Contrary to popular misconception, the book isn't about "barefoot running", it's about an underground 50 mile race through Mexican drug territory between some of the United States' elite ultramarathoners and members of a very elusive Native American tribe called the Tarahumara (pronounced Tara-oo-mara).

The Tarahumara are like real life Forrest Gumps...everywhere they go...they are RUNning! Seriously, though, they will run hundreds of miles at a time in nothing but homemade sandals made from old tires. In fact, Tarahumara runners have twice won the Leadville 100 in Huarachi sandals.

Basically, the book covers the race between the Americans (including the author) and the Tarahumara and all of the personalities in between. It's extremely fascinating, gripping and definitely one of those books you'll want to go back and reread at some point.

I defy you to read the book and not want to head out the door running at that exact instant.

Week 2 Day 1

2009-10-30T12:07:00.001-05:00

Date: 10/28/09

Time of Day: 9:00 PM

Location: Neighborhood

Conditions: 53 degrees F

Music: New Yorker Fiction Podcast

Clothing: Wicking Shirt, Compression Shorts, Majestic Braves Shorts

Shoes: Vibram Five Fingers KSO

It was not my initial intention, but I ended up taking an extra day off between W1D3 and W2D1. My plan was to run Tuesday night, but a rain storm came through...and considering the next band was yellow (in other words, more intense and potentially with lightning), I decided that throwing my schedule off by a day was the preferable alternative to being zapped by lightning.

I made one minor change to my routine this week...instead of listening to music, I listened to a podcast. I had read that the New Yorker Fiction podcast was a pretty good one for running...and I have to agree. My run seemed to fly, mainly because I was listening to the story. Therefore, I went back and downloaded another podcast (This American Life) and two audiobooks. Also, it makes the run a lot easier for another major reason - my feet aren't trying to keep time with the music.

For Wednesday night's run, I took more or less the same route I took on Thursday, although I was able to cover slightly more ground due to the extra minute of running. The temperature (to me) was the absolute perfect running temperature...53 degrees...not a chance of overheating, but a little too high for me to be shivering. Week Two of the C25K appears to actually be easier that Week One due to the fact that instead of running eight 1 minute intervals with 90 second walk breaks, I am running six 90 second intervals with 2 minute walk breaks. In other words, I have two fewer running intervals and only a minute more of running. Obviously, this is meant to be a bridge into next week's more difficult runs, which include three minute intervals.

Once my run was complete, I took my cold shower as usual and sat down to peruse a book when I looked at the bottoms of my feet and noticed a few blisters on my toes and something that looked like tape hanging between my big toe and index toe. I pulled on the tape looking thing and when it came off, I realized it was skin from a popped blister. Ouch!

So, I've determined that my next run is going to be done in "normal" shoes...a few years ago for my birthday, my sister got me a pair of Puma H Streets...they are remarkably comfortable (I tried them out on the elliptical last night to be sure) and are still fairly minimalist (the upper is entirely loose mesh). For the time being, I believe I am going to alternate between the two pairs of shoes in order to minimalize my blistering. They do say there is an adjustment period for the Five Fingers...so...here I go adjusting!

On to W2D2 tonight!

Week 1 Day 3

2009-10-25T20:46:00.000-05:00

Date: 10/24/09

Time of Day: 10:10 PM

Location: Neighborhood

Conditions: Chilly, 43-44 degrees F

Music: Backspacer by Pearl Jam

Clothing: Wicking Shirt, Compression Shorts, Adidas Shorts

Shoes: Vibram Five Fingers KSO

I wasn't able to actually get my run in until many hours later than my initial plan, but I did manage to run. While the run itself went well, there were several factors which affected my total enjoyment.

For starters, it was waaaaay colder than I anticipated. I had dressed planning for a 55-60 degree run...instead, it was a sub-45 degree run...that meant that instead of long-sleeves, I was out in my WalMart faux-Under Armour shirt...brrr. In addition, I found the first flaw in the Five Fingers...breathable = cooooooold. My feet were a wee chilly. I would imagine about 5 degrees colder and it might have been too cold. They make a cold weather version called the Five Fingers Flow, which I may ask for for Christmas, but considering I just bought the new pair, I don't think it's time to throw yet another pair into the rotation...I'll go through my current shoe collection and see if I can find a sub-40 degree pair...but I digress.

I took a route somewhat similar to the other night, but instead of turning into the neighborhood I went through the other night, I went past it and ran by a small shopping complex.

Running without the GPS was definitely more relaxing...I never felt that I got to a speed above my "comfortable" pace...I hope the first run next week is as doable as I think it should be considering the fact that the third run of Week One was somewhat easier than I believed.

Perhaps the weirdest/most surprising/least comfortable part of the run was when I unexpectedly ran through a line of sprinklers which all hit me directly in the face, back and iPod...other than making me cold, though, no damage was done.

I do appear to have taken at least one bad step because my left heel feels somewhat sore. However, it feels better today than it did last night...which means that when Week Two begins on Tuesday, it should feel perfect.

Next run is Tuesday!

Weekly Weigh In

2009-10-25T20:41:00.000-05:00

And this week's number is...

306.8...down 5.4 pounds from last Sunday...making my total weight loss over 1 week 5.4 pounds.

Week 1 Day 2 (or Day 1b)

2009-10-23T08:57:00.001-05:00

Date: 10/22/09

Time of Day: 9:30 PM

Location: Neighborhood

Conditions: Slight drizzle, 67-68 degrees F

Music: Backspacer by Pearl Jam

Clothing: Under Armour Shirt, Compression Shorts, Adidas Shorts

Shoes: Vibram Five Fingers KSO

After work yesterday, I drove to Cumberland Transit to try on the Five Fingers KSOs...after struggling for about 10 minutes to get my toes in the slots, I walked around in them and loved the way the felt. It's almost like wearing a flip-flop with a sock on top of it...it very much does not feel like wearing a shoe. So, I bought them and wore them out of the store (partially because I was afraid that if I took them off, I'd never get them back on) and went home.

Once I got home, I practiced putting them on and taking them off. While I pretty much can get my toes into their slots with relative ease (every once in a while, I have to back my foot slightly out to unbend my middle toes), I still have trouble getting the back portion over my heel...when I do, however, it's an almost perfect fit.

At around 9:30, I put on my compression shorts under my workout shorts (this is pretty much my no fail anti-chafing strategy), strapped on my iPod, put on my GPS, wriggled my way into the Five Fingers and headed out the door.

To my surprise, it was drizzling. Fantastic...

When I got to my starting point, I turned on my GPS, started the Day 2 portion in my iPod app and started my warmup. The Five Fingers felt absolutely fantastic. Every once in a while, I would walk off into the grass to feel the crunch under my feet.

Finally, when it came time to run, I confirmed (as I had suspected) that I already had the proper running form to run comfortably in the Five Fingers. My midfoot hit every single time and I don't think I had a single heel strike.

Instead of running with a set route, I decided to "get lost"...or at least, just kind of go where I felt like going when I got there. My route took me into a dark, slightly hilly neighborhood behind my own neighborhood. I had never been into this neighborhood, so it was pretty much an adventure...especially when I ran by a very dim streetlamp and noticed that my GPS had decided to turn off.

"Okay", I thought. "Looks like I'm running this one blind."

That turned out to be a good thing. I quickly discovered that running was a lot more fun (and relaxing) when you weren't constantly checking your watch to see your pace. The only problem was that I had never been into this neighborhood, it was dark...and I wasn't entirely sure of the way out. Luckily, my natural sense of direction propelled me back to the exit.

I'm not sure how far I actually went during my run, but I can say that I absolutely loved running on the Five Fingers. I discovered that grass is absolutely a softer running surface, which is something that is generally hard to ascertain when running in normal cushioned shoes. Also, I admittedly ran out of my way to run through puddles just to feel the water.

I also learned two other things. First, running is more fun when I don't have the GPS. Sure, it's a useful tool during a race or a timed workout, but right now, it's probably better (and easier) for me to run at a comfortable pace instead of feeling that I need to pick up the pace because my "comfortable pace" is too slow (I also have a feeling that as I lose weight, I'll pick up speed). The second thing I learned was that running in the rain is fun. I'm sure it won't be as fun when the weather gets colder, but yesterday, it was absolutely amazing.

When I got home, I turned the shower on as cold as I could get it and ran my legs under it, stretching them and running cold water over them as I leaned against the wall and stretched them out. Then I took my shower. Apparently, this seems to have worked, as I have very little soreness today (of course, we'll really know if it worked if I have soreness tomorrow).

I'm not experiencing the pains that I hear you get from doing too much too soon with the Five Fingers, which makes me think that perhaps I didn't do too much too soon (at least one can hope).

Needless to say, the run went quite well.

More Shoes...

2009-10-22T12:05:00.001-05:00

I'm trying not to Carrie Bradshaw this and make my whole blog about shoes, but*...

In my research over the past couple of days on new shoes, I've pretty much dead set on the Vibram Five Fingers.

I've found a place to go after work to try them(and have called to make sure they are in stock...as the place I tried to go yesterday wasn't even in business anymore).

Here's my theory...I'm starting running just now...essentially, I have no base with which to build off of...I'm pretty much a blank slate. Why not restart at the very beginning using the best possible method and form? My next run would more or less be Week 1 Day 2, so why not make it Week 1 Day 1 again and run it either barefoot or in minimal gear? It's worth at least a try, right?

Running barefoot (or in minimalist gear such as the Five Fingers, which are essentially an all-weather sock with a thin piece of rubber on the bottom to protect your foot from the various things that can crop up on the road to snag your bare foot) supposedly encourages a better running gait, more endurance, better speed, better foot health, better posture and a lower incident of injury.

Modern running shoes, from my readings, encourage a heel first gait, which is not the natural human running form. The natural running form is a midfoot gait...to my surprise, after doing a brief trial jog...I have a midfoot landing (probably due to my love of Teva flip flops).

Like beginning anything new...I'm going to have to take it slow...but to say that I'm excited...that would be an understatement...

So...it's off to Cumberland Transit...the journey begins!

*considering I've only seen like four episodes of Sex in the City...I feel somewhat proud of my ability to make that reference.

Shoes

2009-10-21T09:10:00.001-05:00

I've learned some things pretty quickly about running.

Bad shoes can kill a run. And good shoes with a design flaw can kill the next run.

This is my current choice of running shoe, the Puma Sierra Trail II. I actually purchased them off of Zappos.com about a year ago, but never really wore them all that much until recently. They are extremely comfortable and light...until you take them off.

You see, Puma has put an elastic band on the inside of the shoe to give you added support and to hold your foot in place. While a good idea in theory...and perhaps my girth is the reason for the issue...the band rubs my foot like crazy and creates hot spots in the same places around the balls of my foot everytime I use them.

I'm left with two choices. Keep using them and stick some moleskin on the hot spots and hope that it eventually goes away...or get new shoes.

I've decided that if I'm going to be doing this, I should probably get new shoes and use these as cross trainers (the rub doesn't seem to occur when I'm on the elliptical). After much research (and admitted curiosity), I've determined that I am going to REI after work to check out the Vibram Five Fingers. Supposedly, these shoes will give the sensation of running barefoot, which in turn will provide me with better balance, posture and running form...which are always good things to have.

Obviously, if a purchase is to be made, there will be more to come on this matter.

Waking Up Is Hard To Do...

2009-10-20T11:31:00.001-05:00

So last night, in my big moment, I set my alarm to go off at 5 o'clock this morning.

When 5 o'clock rolled around this morning, I rolled over, said, "I'll do it tonight," turned it off and slept for another hour and a half.

I have great intentions the entire day before...I'm perfectly logical, I plan out my route, plan out my attire...but before I'm even conscious enough to form a complete coherent thought, I completely overrule my workout plan for the day...and now I have to work out at night.

It's frustrating...I want to be disciplined and I want to keep 5:00 a.m. Patten from messing up my plan.

I guess I just have to keep fighting him. The worst part is that I know that as soon as I sit up in bed, getting up will be a lot easier...so why can't I do it?

Goals

2009-10-19T11:56:00.001-05:00

It's hard to run when you don't have goals...and I've found it's easier to give up when you make your goals too lofty and harder to achieve...while I have bigger and longer goals with my running...here are my current goals:

Run a 5K. This one is pretty straightforward...sure, in the future I'll go for longer distances and faster times...but this is kind of the big first step here.
Get into a habit of waking up at 5 o'clock every weekday morning to do something, whether it be walk, run, do the elliptical, lift weights. Do something. For the whole rest of the day, I won't have to worry about fitting it in...and I won't feel guilty for missing anything.
Keep track of my workouts. I want a log of exactly what I did and for how long.
Fit into Extra Large shirts. I've been wearing 2XL shirts for almost 3 years now. In fact, some of my shirts are actually 3XL. In addition to the embarassment of having to wear bigger sizes, there are fewer options for bigger people, they are more expensive...and frankly, some of them are just plain ugly.
Weigh weekly. Sometimes I'm afraid of that number on the scale, but I can't motivate myself unless I see it.
Blog regularly. Even if I don't write about how my workout went, I need to write something to keep me going.

Of course, once I complete the ones that are completable...I'll update them.

Weekly Weigh In

2009-10-18T19:02:00.000-05:00

First official weigh-in...this will be the starting point...

So here we go...

Germantown Bier Run 5K

2009-10-16T16:13:00.001-05:00

It was still dark when I woke up on Saturday. That's never a reassuring sight.

I rolled out of bed, took my shower, fed my cat and searched through my dresser for one of my two pairs of compression shorts (I have chaffing issues). Before heading out the door, I grabbed a granola bar and my water bottle - I learned a long while back that working out on an empty stomach is not remotely fun.

When I met my friends and arrived at the course in the Germantown section of Nashville, the sun still wasn't out, but I decided to put on my sunglasses anyway. I wasn't going to be fast, but I was going to at least be stylin'.

Most 5Ks give you a t-shirt for signing up and this one was no different. While most of the time you'll get one that's at least acceptable enough to work out in...every so often you'll get one you can wear out in public. At the same time, every so often you'll get a shirt that should never be worn by anyone in society...ever. This shirt was one of those. Falling into the realm of the tuxedo t-shirt, the Bier Run 5K shirts were liederhosen t-shirts. It's a shirt I might wear to sleep in...but it's something I don't see myself ever wearing to a place where people can actually see me. Simply put, it's hideous...but that's not really the point here.

I turned on my Garmin Forerunner to acquire the satellites (a useful tool if I ever saw one) and we headed to the starting line. I cranked on my iPod and turned it to the new Pearl Jam album, which I had downloaded from a wireless signal I had acquired while standing next to the Germantown Cafe. Then, I opened up my Couch to 5K app, which provides audio cues while running to tell me when to run and when to walk so I don't have to constantly look at my watch. The app only runs 31 minutes...and I knew that I'd be taking far longer than 31 minutes (my goal, for 5K number 1, was to finish in under one hour), but I figured I had 31 minutes to come up with a solution.

The first week of the Couch to 5K plan consists of a 5 minute warmup, and 8 alternating 60 second jogging and 90 second walking intervals. The plan was to do a few more intervals until I finished the race...and then use Sunday and Monday as rest days before doing a normal 8 interval workout on Tuesday.

Anyway, the three of us (Amanda, her friend Flynn and me) got in line at the back so we were well behind the runners when the gun went off. Flynn had run a marathon earlier this year and Amanda had been running since January, but they were both a little out of training, so they were going to be taking it slowly as well...although not as slowly as I was. It took 3 minutes (according to the results sheet) for me to get from where I was standing to the actual starting gate. I clicked the little start button on my Forerunner and the start button on my iPod app and away I went.

The first portion of the 5K was mostly flat, through the area of Nashville that is called Germantown largely because of the architecture in the area. The entire neighborhood is really only about 3 blocks, but it's really beautiful and very scenic. When my app told me to run, I was almost directly behind a group of walkers...I took off at a very slow jog (my jogging pace was always around 13:30)...I pretty much blew by them...and got a little excited by it. So excited that the next time the app told me to run, I went a little faster, which was a mistake. My feet and my legs started hurting...I contemplated taking the next few intervals off, but the old adage of "no pain, no gain" came to me...and I just decided to slow down my intervals. I powered through and it took about 5 minutes for my legs to feel comfortable again, but I didn't encounter any more pain issues.

When the app ran out, I was running past the Bicentennial Mall...I decided to take one extra long 150 second walking break during the "warmup" portion when I rebooted the C25K app (unfortunately, it won't let you skip the warmup)...then I timed myself on the run and the walk before the app took over and started giving me cues again. Also, unfortunately, at this point, the video that came with the Pearl Jam album started playing. Since you can't exit the C25K app without shutting it off completely, I was stuck listening to that for the next 9 minutes or so.

The course took a bizarre turn once we ran through the Bicentennial Mall and actually ran indoors through the Farmer's Market (and through the food court...because you want to smell curried goat on your 5k run). I got a little frustrated by this because I came upon a group of walkers taking up the entire path during a running interval and it slowed me down...it took about 4 "excuse mes" to finally get around them.

After that, it was pretty much clear sailing. I came out of the Farmer's Market, up a small hill and back to the start finish line (thankfully during a running interval, which left me with a nice finish photo).

I finished in 49:55, beating my goal by a good 10 minutes and 5 seconds.

I grabbed a bottle of water past the finish line and got in line for my free 9am finisher's beer (for it was the Oktoberfest Bier Run).

All in all, an extremely rewarding run. Unfortunately, it left my legs so sore that I haven't been able to pick back up this week. I finally feel good enough to give another go tomorrow morning.

Until tomorrow!

Reboot

2009-10-07T13:48:00.001-05:00

My name is Patten, I'm 28 years old, I weigh 309.2 pounds (as of this morning)...and I want to be a runner.

Since I graduated college in 2003, I've put on approximately 100 pounds through a diet of chicken fingers, Doritos and sheer couch-potatoishness. I've gone from large shirts to extra large shirts to XXL shirts to the point that I even own some 3XL shirts.

I went to a go-kart track this summer and I had to get a seatbelt extension. That moment may have been one of my lowest points. When I flew to Japan a few weeks ago, I couldn't put my tray table down because my gut wouldn't let it go down. I've gotten so fat that it's started to affect the things which I am able to do.

I can't go indoor skydiving because I weigh too much.

I can't ride a horse because I weigh too much.

I can't play hockey because I weigh too much.

Simply put, I'm as fat as hell and I'm not gonna take it anymore.

So why running?

I've never been a very athletic person. Most sports that I try, I end up sucking at them because I have more of a penchant to be a fan than an actual athlete. When I ran cross country in middle school, my goal in every meet was merely to beat at least one person (which I did).

This time, however, I go in with a different mindset. I'm not competing against other people, I'm competing against myself, which is why I picked running.

Running is cheap. I know how to run...and running is something where it's fairly easy to mark your progress. I can do it anywhere, I don't need special equipment...and I've had moments before when I've tried to become a runner where I actually have experienced that elusive runner's high. I want that feeling of euphoria again.

As with anyone who begins a running program, I have a lofty goal of someday running a marathon, but I'm going to start with a much smaller goal for now: I want to run a 5k.

I have actually entered into a 5k this coming weekend. Don't worry, I have no pretensions about my skill or how this will go. I will be utilizing the Couch to 5k plan to get to my end goal and merely be including this weekend's race as a baseline to see where I stand.