Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Next Obstacle
I've found my next race for which I hope to run. It's June 14th and part of a series of runs that are geared to prepare for the San Antonio marathon/half marathon in October. It's perfect timing giving me 12 weeks to prepare and gun for that personal best. I did about 6 or 6.5 today with Elliot and at about 9:30 pace, which is great considering I had a stroller with me. I need to recalibrate my nike+ipod because it adds about 20-40 seconds to my actual pace, I'll have to find a track sometime soon to get that done.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
First Milestone
I participated in a 5k this weekend. It was my first one and I was really happy with how it went. Apparently, I need to re-calibrate my nike+ipod because it was slightly off for my time. I finished in 25:26 which is about an 8:11/min mile. Considering I was thinking I'd try to go out at a 9:45 pace in the first half (9:30 if I was pushing it), I was pretty surprised. When I looked at my watch at the 1-mile checkpoint, it was only 8:22. The course was mostly uphill the first half, so I knew that if I could just keep it up for another mile, the last one would be easier. I think I did the last mile in about 7:50. What I'm most excited about, is that my prediction now for a 10k is below my personal best at that distance (same for half marathon), so I know I am making good progress, now to start the 10k training program...
Sunday, March 16, 2008
YES!
That is what I wanted to shout today when I finished running this run.
It was the best run I've had in a several weeks. I did intervals (5x1000m) at about a 9:10 pace. Man it felt good. Gave me hope, joy, and lifted my spirit. It's funny, but I often reflect on how running is related to faith. It's true in a lot of ways, but I really feel a sense of peace and wholeness when I run that is hard to describe, but I want to share that experience with other people. Same is true for my faith and my belief in Christ as Savior to the world.
The latest podcast by Steve Runner, Phedippidations, comments on the reasons we run. He reported the many different reasons people run and had a lot of comments from listeners writing their thoughts. I think the reasons can change and evolve over time, and I've related to almost all of what people mentioned. Personal health reasons is often toward the top of the list. This is big for me, and it's not only physical health, but mental and spiritual health as well. A friend of mine often would say, "Being a follower of Christ makes me a better husband, father, friend, brother, neighbor, etc." I feel that being a runner makes me a better person as well, in that it keeps me healthy in mind, body and spirit so that I can invest in relationships with others. My hope is that it makes me a better husband and father. Yes, I want to live long enough to see my boy grow up and enjoy life. I know that running isn't a guarantee of long life, but it definitely increases your chances.
But it's not really all about long life though. My aforementioned friend would also quote a mentor of his by saying, "Believing is not about heaven someday, it's about Christlikeness, now." Meaning, I shouldn't worry about heaven or hell, but about being obedient, today. God created this world the one I'm in, right here, right now and he cares for it. In the same way, running is not about long life-someday, to me. Sure, it'd be nice. But it's about an improved way of living today. It's about having energy, facing challenges and enduring, peace, patience, self-control. Wow, as I write this list thinking of running, it's funny how many of the adjectives are fruits of the spirit as well. Hmm...
Okay, enough late night ramblings. All that to say, I feel rejuvenated. Easter is a time of hope and joy.
Progress report: I've run/walked 181.4 miles so far this year and I'm down to 119.5, down 24.5 lbs. since I started this. I'm hoping to run a 5k within the next month or so so that I can gauge my progress on my pace goals, but I think I've knocked about a minute/mile off my pace for a 10k from what I was running at the beginning of the year.
Thanks for reading and for your encouraging comments. They really are a driving force.
It was the best run I've had in a several weeks. I did intervals (5x1000m) at about a 9:10 pace. Man it felt good. Gave me hope, joy, and lifted my spirit. It's funny, but I often reflect on how running is related to faith. It's true in a lot of ways, but I really feel a sense of peace and wholeness when I run that is hard to describe, but I want to share that experience with other people. Same is true for my faith and my belief in Christ as Savior to the world.
The latest podcast by Steve Runner, Phedippidations, comments on the reasons we run. He reported the many different reasons people run and had a lot of comments from listeners writing their thoughts. I think the reasons can change and evolve over time, and I've related to almost all of what people mentioned. Personal health reasons is often toward the top of the list. This is big for me, and it's not only physical health, but mental and spiritual health as well. A friend of mine often would say, "Being a follower of Christ makes me a better husband, father, friend, brother, neighbor, etc." I feel that being a runner makes me a better person as well, in that it keeps me healthy in mind, body and spirit so that I can invest in relationships with others. My hope is that it makes me a better husband and father. Yes, I want to live long enough to see my boy grow up and enjoy life. I know that running isn't a guarantee of long life, but it definitely increases your chances.
But it's not really all about long life though. My aforementioned friend would also quote a mentor of his by saying, "Believing is not about heaven someday, it's about Christlikeness, now." Meaning, I shouldn't worry about heaven or hell, but about being obedient, today. God created this world the one I'm in, right here, right now and he cares for it. In the same way, running is not about long life-someday, to me. Sure, it'd be nice. But it's about an improved way of living today. It's about having energy, facing challenges and enduring, peace, patience, self-control. Wow, as I write this list thinking of running, it's funny how many of the adjectives are fruits of the spirit as well. Hmm...
Okay, enough late night ramblings. All that to say, I feel rejuvenated. Easter is a time of hope and joy.
Progress report: I've run/walked 181.4 miles so far this year and I'm down to 119.5, down 24.5 lbs. since I started this. I'm hoping to run a 5k within the next month or so so that I can gauge my progress on my pace goals, but I think I've knocked about a minute/mile off my pace for a 10k from what I was running at the beginning of the year.
Thanks for reading and for your encouraging comments. They really are a driving force.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Ups and Downs
Well, it's been a little while since I last posted progress. Maybe that's because I've been procrastinating and allowed some complacency into the picture. Yeah, the move did take a little toll on my workouts. I've been busy getting the house ready (painted) and then moving, then upacking, then getting the old house ready to sell, etc. So I haven't gotten the three runs in the last two weeks, or the cross training days. I did get two 6 milers in in each of the last weeks, so it wasn't a complete waste. My diet on the other hand, has been not so good. Hard to eat healthy when your pantry is in boxes. But I'm getting back into it. I did weigh this past weekend and it was better than I expected. I'm weighed in at 221 which is down a couple pounds from about 3 weeks ago. I need to remember that this is a long process and not to worry when I don't lose 1-2 pounds a week. I also need to not get discouraged when I've had a hectic week and forget why I started this. At this point I'm more than halfway to 200 and running is getting better and better.
I love being able to go running to the park from my front door and not having to drive there. Elliot and I went today and it was beautiful. I've started using an online program to track my workouts called Buckeye Outdoors. It's a great online program to use and if you run or do any other exercise, you should check it out.
I've also been thinking about my races for the year. I'm really looking forward to doing the 3rd annual Phedippidations world wide half marathon this October. It's a race that brings people from all over the world together, and it's free! It's really encouraging to take part in it and hearing all the race reports and cheers on Steve Runner's Phedippidations podcast. There's also a "Kick the Couch 5k." So if you're thinking about picking up this running thing or maybe even thinking about doing a half marathon. Let me know, it'd be really cool to train with people and run with out on this weekend. Think about it! You won't regret it!
www.worldwidehalf.com
I love being able to go running to the park from my front door and not having to drive there. Elliot and I went today and it was beautiful. I've started using an online program to track my workouts called Buckeye Outdoors. It's a great online program to use and if you run or do any other exercise, you should check it out.
I've also been thinking about my races for the year. I'm really looking forward to doing the 3rd annual Phedippidations world wide half marathon this October. It's a race that brings people from all over the world together, and it's free! It's really encouraging to take part in it and hearing all the race reports and cheers on Steve Runner's Phedippidations podcast. There's also a "Kick the Couch 5k." So if you're thinking about picking up this running thing or maybe even thinking about doing a half marathon. Let me know, it'd be really cool to train with people and run with out on this weekend. Think about it! You won't regret it!
www.worldwidehalf.com
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