Starting over

I have to admit that I am disappointed in myself. I started off too quickly and not thinking about the old shoes I was running in. If I would have I probably would have avoided this irritation in my Achilles Heels (yes both of them). With the old 180s being retired (will have a full post on those later) I can start fresh with brand new shoes and enjoy the start of a whole new training schedule.

I will start a new training as soon as my new 360s come in the mail. This one will start off at 3k's for a couple of weeks and then progress to longer runs towards my 10k run just before Thanksgiving (I am going to have to join a gym or something).

So in the mean time I will be posting about the Human Race sponsored by Nike and a few other things that inspire me to keep running. I already miss it and I am just taking a week off to heal! This is great stuff and the Nike+ system is a fantastic way to have fun with it. In addition the health benefits are amazing. With the nearly 40 kilometers I ran in August and eating a little bit healthier I lost eight pounds and look and feel better. Its great!!!

Good News, Bad News

I was scheduled to run 4.1 kilometers today and set out this morning to do so. The bad news is that I stopped after 2.9 kilometers. I just could not keep going, it wasn't that I was tired or struggling in a cardio way. It was my Achilles and they are just hurting way too much for this much running.

Now the good news. I finally received my email from Nike that my shoes are on their way and will hopefully be here in a week. I will then be able to retire my old worn out shoes that are causing stress on my tendons and run on brand new shoes.

So here is the plan - My Achilles needs to be rested or otherwise I might cause myself serious injury. You should always listen to your body - especially when it is screaming at you! So I am listening and will take a few days off until my shoes come. Then I will start back up and pick up where I left off. I will have to adjust my training schedule or maybe start over but I am not sure.

I will end the post on some good news and the bottom line. Despite the pain that I am feeling I know that I am doing well with the running. I am feeling healthier, am losing body fat, looking toner and have more energy. This is all great news and I am certain that it will keep going with the new shoes and some rest for my Achilles Heal... literally and figuratively. Oh, the irony of it.

Thursday Stress Run

This morning's run was another stressful event but not quite like yesterdays. This move up to 3k is a little bit more difficult than I thought it would be and I am not quite sure that I am ready to do 4k on Saturday. I know that I can do it but am I ready to it.

There is some good news from today's run as I improved on the time for the third straight day to 5:30 a kilometer average. The difficulty could just be that I am pacing myself too quickly and wearing myself out in the middle of the run. But take a look and tell me what you think:



I took a totally new route to help me see different parts of the neighborhood and make sure that I could not count down blocks till I done.


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Unfortunately I ran by the Alderman's office where it looked like they were taping some show/movie on the same corner and I got in their way. Oops!

Here is my playlist as well:

"Sick & Tired" by Default
"Vitamin R" by Chevelle
"Out of Control" by Hoobastank
"Rock Star" by Nickelback
"Born of a Broken Man" Rage Against the Machine

And an update on my new shoes. Evidently there is a delay on Nike's end because they didn't have the materials and it is going to take longer. It could be after Sept. 8th before I get them. I was hoping to have them this week... no longer the case!

Tough run this morning

Wow, was that run tougher than normal to get through. I thought that I did a very good job on Monday's 3k but today's 3k felt very labored. There were certainly times that I wanted to quit and start walking.



But as you can see I pushed through it and finished the run out two seconds faster than Monday. It was quite rewarding as I tied my longest run and Lance Armstrong's voice came over the headphones once again. I get to hear it tomorrow with my 3.1k run (that just might be pretty damn difficult if today is any indication).

I am now just 6.75 kilometers from my goal and will surpass it as expected Saturday during my 4k run.


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I started on Belden just west of Lincoln and basically made a nice loop back with some good music blaring. With a great morning song to get started!!!

"Beautiful Day" by U2
"Lazy Eye" by Silversun Pickups
"Anthem of Our Dying Day" by Story of the Year
"Stuck in America" by Sugarcult

Lots of "s" bands in that playlist. But I made it regardless and I am very proud of that fact. I have finished 14 runs in 22 days and am keeping pace with my training schedule. You can't do much better than that.

Hey a 3K

My first three kilometer run is done and over with. Take a look...



Not too bad of a run as I did it in just over 16:30 for an average kilometer of 5:32 burning over 250 calories. It certainly had its bursts of speeds because of some uphill parts as well as downhills and stop signs.

But now I am over 30 kilometers for the month and plan on finishing the rest of week strong. My route was a longer version of some of my two kilometer runs but I reached North Ave which was something new to see.


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Playlist:

"Shine" by Collective Soul
"There is" by Box Car Racer
"Last Train Home" by Lostprophets
"Doesn't Remind Me" by Audioslave

Now I am taking care of a stiff Achilles once again. New shoes where are you??

Looking back and looking ahead

There is just a week left in the month of August and I am 12.78 kilometers short of my goal for the month. Over the last 18 days I have ran 12 times ranging from 2k to 2.6k and burning a total of 2339 calories just from the workouts. I am confident that my metabolism is rising and I am really seeing results by dropping just over two pounds during the same span.

As September rolls around the corner my goal for the month will dramatically increase to 88 kilometers with much longer runs and sustained schedule of essentially five days a week. To gear up for September I will be ending August with four runs this week: Monday a 3k, Wednesday another 3k, Thursday is 3.1k and Saturday a jump to 4.1k.

I know that I can personally do this by taking the right steps and preparing myself, which is exactly what I am doing with the short 2k runs. The training will help me to effectively be able to run a standard 10k race while at the same time losing the extra weight I have been carrying around.

There is one that I am concerned about. My calf muscles or more likely, my Achilles' heal is consistently stiff and it takes at least a kilometer to work it out but I do not feel it should be doing this. Its my old running shoes not giving me the proper support and placing too much strain on the tendons and somewhat on my shins. As my distances increase I am worried that so will the stiffness and stress on the Achilles. I am patiently (read with sarcasm) awaiting my new Nike Air Max 360s. I hear that they are like running on air - that would be bliss right now.

Lance Armstrong Spoke to me

This morning I ran 2.66 kilometers and triggered Lance Armstrong's voice on the Nike+ system telling me that I just had my longest workout yet besting myself from the other day. I just really enjoy hearing that I ran my longest distance yet. Its such a great motivational tool and I plan on hearing it a lot more in the coming weeks.



I really need my new shoes to come soon because my Achilles heal is really becoming my weakness on these runs. They are sore and stiff after these short distances (I realize that I am not actually running all that far) and my current shoes are the reason. Besides the stiffness this was a great run.


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With another great but yet heavier playlist that kept me going the entire time.

"Beautiful Day" by U2
"Sleep Now in the Fire" by Rage Against the Machine
"I Stand Alone" by Godsmack
"The Red" by Chevelle

The rock music really helped me push along but I also had two other reasons for pushing myself at a faster pace (5:25/km). As you all know, I am sure, Barack Obama picked Joe Biden as his VP. I was not happy with that and wanted Kathleen Sebelius or someone who reinforced Obama's message. Second, someone who I had not seen in while told me that I had gained weight... THANKS!!! While I know its true that I have, there are nicer ways to tell someone that they look different or that you didn't recognize them. Plus, its not like I gained 100 pounds. I put on 20-25 pounds and have lost 8 of them. Oh well... just more motivation to keep running and eating healthy.

An Amboy Friday run

I am in my hometown for a wedding this weekend and woke up for a nice run this morning that was basically to our town's park and back. Just a simple 2 kilometer run:


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I had little bit more of an inspirational / motivating playlist for this run as well to gear my self up for the weekend.



"Beautiful Day" by U2
"Brain Stew" by Green Day
"How Far We've Come" by Matchbox Twenty

And now I am off to bed because I am going to wake up and do my 2.5 kilometers.

Furthest run yet

Alright I know that 2.63 kilometers is not all that impressive but when you achieve your longest run on the Nike+ system Lance Armstrong comes on and tells you "Congratulations that was your longest workout yet." It's pretty cool and I knew that I wanted to hear it last night so I ran the extra 30 meters. Its a good motivational tool. Oh and it helps to run with a partner as E and I ran together as well. She finished her goal of two kilometers in fine shape as well.

Here is my run from last night:



It is much steadier until near the end when I drop off and speed back up to finish the run out. I am glad that it was more consistent albeit a little slower pace than usual.

It was also a normal route starting on Belden and the final stretch on Clark.


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I changed up the playlist with slower music to slow the pace and be a little steadier. I also didn't want something too loud while running at night.

"9 Crimes" by Damien Rice
"Fix You Up" by Tegan and Sara
"Falling Awake" by Gary Jules
"Breathe" by Anna Nalick

9 runs in two weeks

Today is my 14th day of this training as well as my 9th run. In these two weeks I have focused primarily on running between 2 and 2.5 kilometers as a way to get myself used to running again. Its next week when I move up to 3 kilometers and then steadily move myself up further in the following weeks. Should be good times. Here is my run from today:



Another sporadic effort but an accomplished one at that. Here is the route I took as well as my playlist.


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Playlist:
"Sleep Now in the Fire" by Rage Against the Machine
"The Red" by Chevelle
"Post Script" by Finch

Not too shabby of a run or a playlist for the quick workout.

Any suggestions on which song I should definitely listen to in tomorrow's run?

My Monday run

Last night I went out for my eighth run in 12 days and am noticing some a difference in the way I feel and look. I am losing weight and have more energy. The running is well worth it and I encourage you do do some yourself. Here's my run from last night.



E and I ran together with her pulling in about 2 kilometers and myself finishing my goal of 2.5 kilometers. Earlier in the day I bought new soles for my shoes to buy me some time before my new running shoes are delivered. This really improved the impact on my shins and calf muscles. The soreness was not as bad as it had been on previous runs. But as you can see there is still some sporadic patterns in the running and not all of it is because of stop lights or signs. I still need to improve on that.

Here is my 2.5km route from last night:


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And my playlist:

"Walken" by Wilco
"Shadow of the Day" by Linkin Park
"Demons" by Guster
"Seein Red" by Unwritten Law
In the future I will include links so you can purchase the songs that I am listening to as well. I usually try to change up the flow of the songs to create a variety and not get bored while I am running. Never a good idea.

Oh and I have another two kilometer run tonight. I am already excited by it. See you then.

Nike Plus' fault

Alright, so I get back from my run tonight after sleeping in too late this morning to get it done and the Nike+ website is down. I guess I will have to share my run, route and music tomorrow morning with all of you. Sorry!

Explaining my training

You can see my goal sitting there off to the right with a big 15.3 staring back at the intimidating 40km goal for the month. I didn't get started with my 10k training that I am currently following until August 6th. It is now the 16th and I am less than half way there. Over the last 15 days of the month I will need to run 24.7 kilometers to reach my goal. If I am able to follow my scheduled runs then I will be just fine. Here is what I have left:

8/18 - 2.5k
8/19 - 2.1k
8/20 - 2.6k
8/22 - 2.0k
8/23 - 2.6k
8/25 - 3.0k
8/27 - 3.0k
8/28 - 3.1k
8/30 - 4.1k

Which equals 25 kilometers even just pushing me over top of my goal for the month. I am hoping that I get my new shoes by mid next week when I move up to the 3 kilometer area and that will relieve some of the pressure I am putting on my shins and calf muscles.

Then I will be moving onto my September goal of over 80 kilometers during the month with much longer runs of 5, 6, 8 and 8 kilometers on each Saturday.

As a side note beginning with tomorrow's run of 2.5k I will plan on sharing my playlist as well as a map of my run. It should make it all more interesting that way.

Seventh run - 8/16/08

Ok, so now my posts are all caught up and I can talk about the run that I took today. Once again E and I set out to run together. She just recently received the Nike+ Sportsband, so she will also be keeping track of her runs and training.



As you can easily see in this run we started off slow and then I broke away to finish my goal of 2.6 kilometers in decent time. Once again the same trends appear with an inconsistent speed and also finishing faster than any other time during the run. I guess I get eager as I hear the voice come over the headphones telling me that I have 400 meters, 300 meters, 200 meters and then just 100 meters to go. Its a great motivation!

Sixth run - 8/15/08

On Wednesday's run I added a few hundredths of kilometer just to push myself out of the 2k routine of my first four runs. I think it paid off as I pushed myself past 2.5k with this run. Once again the run is kind of sporadic and the shin and calf soreness is real. Can't wait for those new shoes. The good news was that I saw a remarkable uptick in my speed as I progressed. I am showing quite improvement as continue this running routine.

Fifth run - 8/13/08

Its in this fifth run of mine that I am realizing how old my running shoes are and its not making the after affects any good. My shins and calf muscles are hurting a little bit more than I think they should be. So I will soon be hanging up my Nike Air Max 180s in the coming days.



I ordered the Nike Air Max 360s and custom designed them. I am looking forward to getting them soon (and hopefully very soon). Here is a snapshot of what they will look like:

Fourth run - 8/11/08

As you can see my runs are not even and I think this is part of the beginner stages of finding one's stride. As I progress to longer distances and thus gain endurance I am confident that my speed will stay steady (barring any stops needed at stop lights or the like). This is also the first of four runs for the week with Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to come.

Third run - 8/9/08

I was joined in my third run with my partner, E, for most of it until she stopped her own run and I finished off my goal of 2k. The last little part of it I ran down a steep hill which was a nice way to finish it. It was almost like a little reward for the workout.

Second run - 8/8/08

As the Olympics got started with their opening ceremonies I went out for my second run in which I ran faster and felt an improvement from my first one.

First run - 8/6/08

On the sixth I started my 10k training with a small 2k run in which I ended up running 2.02 kilometers in 11:35. I felt good and was happy to finish.