Hey yall. I’m moving this blog over to sweat365

It is a community of bloggers specifically created for those interested in fitness. You can countdown to races, keep a “log book” of runs, post on a blog, etc… and the engine is very similar to wordpress! (maybe created by the same people?)

Anyway, I really like it. They have fewer “themes” but the data and community is much better. Check it out!

Here is my new blog address: http://26point2.sweat365.com

See you later.

This is an amazing video about “normal people” running a Marathon! Watch it, buy it, enjoy it!

If this is ever “removed” by google, you can watch all of the video’s on NOVA’s website.

Hey all!

I ran 2 miles today as planned. I ran really slowly because I’m still a little nervous to reinjure my knee, but it was a good run. I had to mow before the run (while it was still “cool”) so I was a bit zapped from the start. I walked twice during the run and stretched a few times so that I was sure to take my time. Below are some stats:

• Weight: 290.4 lbs
• Runtime: 27:18
• Distance: 2 Miles

All that is about normal for where I left off before the mission trip. And yes, I do realize how incredibly slow I run. I know. But you have to start restart somewhere!

Catch you later.

Hey all!

It has been a while since I ran and even longer since I have written.

All was advancing well. I took my week off and then learned the Sunday before leaving the country that I would be gone an additional 2 weeks (and this is not a place that I could run or visit a gym). The mission trip was incredible/unforgettable/amazing and all that jazz!!! Needless to say, I have been set back on the running schedule so I will not be running the 5K this weekend (Dam Night Run). However, I think I will have enough time to prepare for the next race (Bass Kick’n 5K). I’m really excited to get back to it now that I’m home. I’ve missed the clean air & exercise!

Next week, I will be starting slow again to avoid injury and get used to running again. Then I will start the millage listed on week 14 and 15 of my plan.

I’m probably not going to post every run like I used to. I got to run 6 and was already tired to posting about my running, but I will be keeping an old fashioned pen and paper run log and I will post on this thing if anything interesting happens. I’ll also be sure to post race reviews and gear reviews, etc… It just isn’t entertaining enough for me to post every run!!

See you soon,

Ray

Yesterday was Run 6. It was only my second day of the week, but I’m learning that my knee is more sensitive than I first thought. I’m having to take it a lot easier than I wanted to. Hopefully I can still hit my time goals and run just 3 or 4 days a week vs the planned 5. Also, I hope that I will be able to run more and more days of the week as my body becomes used to the torture.

This run was a good one. Same loop, same time. 2.17 miles, 29 minutes and I still had to slow way down on the back side of the loop. I’m not running for distance yet, just time. 30 minutes non stop is the goal and I think I will get there. I was feeling really good after this run and even though I was out of breath, I wasn’t devastated like I was on the first run!

Just call me the tortoise!

Yesterday I had a great, late day run. I hit my goal, but made it home one minute early. I ran the same route as last Monday. My times were (9:00 Run & 2:00 Walk) X 2 + 7:00 Run for a total of 29 minutes. I covered 2.17 miles. I know that is incredibly slow for most people (and me), but my goals are just to hit my times. I have no concern about distance. As a matter of fact on the last 7:00 I slowed down quite a bit so I didn’t have to run circles! So, I hit my times, and I’m happy about that.

Have a great day!

Yikes! What a bad week! I had a great run to start the week and then it was all downhill from there. I missed one day due to some soreness, and 3 days due to rain! That isn’t good!

I think I’ll be shooting for the (9r/2w)x2+8r cycle this week. Who knows what this week will hold!

Keep me in your prayers! I need them!

Anyone else have a hard time running on the tread mill?

I can’t stand it! I only focus on the pain & I can never “zone out” like I can when I’m running outside. So, I’ll wait on the rain to stop! Hopefully I can get a run in today before dark.

Yesterday I didn’t get in a planned run because my knee was feeling really funny after Monday. I was a little disappointed with that, but I realize that easing back into running is ideal for my knee. I’ve started to take a supplement called Fast Flex which really helps the healing and inflammation of my joints and cartilage. It is really just a good vitamin pack of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, & MSM, with some extras thrown in: White Willow Bark extract, & Fish Body Oils. You can get the same generic supplements from Wal-Mart for cheaper. The quality is a little less, but the effects are essentially the same. You shouldn’t use it more than 2 months at a time because your body will start to get used to it. Hopefully that will really start to help!

Has anyone else tried supplements like this one to help heal and prevent injury or rehab an injury? What did you use & how well did it work?

Last night, I decided to run about 7:15ish. I wanted to go out to a soft track, but it was going to be dark soon and I had to run around my block. My goal was to run 09:00 | walk 2:00 | 2 cycles + 8:00 run. After last week, I didn’t think I would be able to hit these goals. I took off Saturday due to soreness and rested Sunday.

When I started the run last night, I took about 20 steps and realized that I was starting at a much faster pace than I was finishing with. Instead of keeping this pace, I decided to slow down to more comfortable pace. Before I knew it, 9:00 was here! I walked for 2. Then on the back side of the loop, I forgot I was running! This used to happen to me all of the time when I was marathon training. I would kinda go into a zone where my feet kept moving at a comfortable pace and my mind would think about other things. I LOVED it when this would happen! It was the only way I got through the long runs. Before I knew it, I was at minute 20:00 & feeling pretty good. I walked for 2:00 and begin on the home stretch. I slowed my pace just a little when I figured that I would be home about 0:30 – 1:00 early if I continued at the current pace. I focused on form and  reducing the shock on my knees. I made it home at the 30:00 mark & I HIT ALL of my goal times for the first time since I starting running again!! This was really encouraging for me and I was happy to have gone into “the zone” again. I don’t know how that happens, but THAT is why I like running.

Just for fun, I went to www.MapMyRun.com and found out that I ran 2.17 miles. My average pace was 13:49.49 min/mi & my average speed was 4.34 mi/hr. That is SO SLOW! But, I hit my timed goals. Right now, it isn’t about distance or speed. For me, it is about building endurance. If I don’t have the ability to run for 30 minutes at a time, then I can’t work on speed or distance!

Thanks for reading!

After the Unexpected Hill Work day, I couldn’t really walk on Saturday so I decided that a day off might serve me better than forcing a run and risking injury. It was a tough week. It was my first three days back to running in 9 months and it showed! I’m probably starting a little to fast, but I have several “repeat weeks” in these first 10 weeks that will hopefully make up for my inability to hit every goal this week.

I’m really happy to be running again with race goals ahead of me. I feel fresher, fitter, cleaner, & faster when I run regularly.

I’m looking forward to week 2 (and a little nervous).