Strength Training

My legs felt sluggish after driving the 5+ hours home from OBX today, so I decided to ge the lead out and do some strength training. I combed through Runner's World and pieced together the following excercises:

• Bicep Curls (3 X 15)


• Tricep Dips (3 X 30)


• Calf Raises (4 X 25)


• Lunges (4 X 25)


• Squats (4 X 25)


• Crunches using my Ab-Doer (4 x 30)


• Push-ups (3 X 15)


• Side Bends (2 X 25)

My body definitely felt the workout when I finished. The best part I didn't have to step foot outside the house.

30 Minutes

I ran in the Outer Banks, NC with my brother and a couple younger friends who run XC in school. My brother used to blow me away in XC meets in high school, but I have the upper hand on him these days--only because I've been running more than him (he will catch up soon enough). The girls were relentless, though. They didn't lose any breath, despite wicked winds and chilly temperatures. The girls racked up second and third places in their repective age groups in a Thanksgiving Day race, so dusting us off was no problem. I felt fine throughout the run, except for a bout of phlegm that always accompanies me in colder weather.

For those not familiar with geography, OBX is a thin peninsula with the Atlantic Ocean to the east and a sound to the west. We started next to the sound, which was incredibly windy, and ran toward the beach, which had winds high enough to blow me off my feet. I have to say that I enjoy running in Loudoun moreso than at the beach. I have hills and mountains and trees and streams. The beach is just too flat.

Stats
Place: OBX
Time: 30:00
Heart Rate: n/a

3 Mile Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving was fantastic. I started the morning on the treadmill for a hilly 3 miles to get me good 'n' hungry before the Thanksgiving feast at the in-laws. Amy and I headed over to her folks place to watch the Macy's parade. I was served a breakfast of sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, and a bagel with salmon. Next we watched the American Kennel Club Dog Show with some crackers and spinach-artichoke dip. Eventually, dinner preparations reached the home stretch and we sat down for the big meal: turkey, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, lobster bisque, and more!

Stats
Place: Treadmill
Time: 30:00
Incline: 1.5-7.8
Heart Rate: 159

6 Miles

I ran for an hour at Ida Lee before heading home to join my wife and her friend for dinner (grilled vegetables with pasta). Nothing special. I just cruised on the treadmill until the time passed. I completed 6 miles.

Stats
Place: Treadmill
Time: 60:00
Incline: 0-5.5
Heart Rate: 162

4 Miles

At long, long last, I made it for a run. I went to Ida Lee with my wife and hopped on the treadmill for four miles. The first couple miles were done on the "HILL" setting (difficulty = 10). The hills ranged in incline from 1.5 to 7.8. This definitely worked my heart.

The run itself wasn't much, and felt like even less being on a treadmill, but it was still a run. I feel much better now. I was really worried about myself there for a while. My goal now is to run everday through Sunday. Of course, I'm not trying to bust long runs everyday--to minimize the risk of injury--but at least one longer run is needed to feel like I'm back on the horse.

Stats
Place: Treadmill
Time: 39:30
Incline: 0 - 7.8
Heart Rate: 165

Another Missed Day

I really thought yesterday would be the day that I broke the drought, but alas life once again got in the way. We made an offer on a house and it was accepted. That meant I had a lot of phone calls to make, a lot of paperwork to put together, and a lot of quick planning to do. Of course, I didn't sleep well and this morning I felt positively crappy, so getting out for a run just didn't happen. Maybe tonight will be the night! I can only dream. I can only dream.

Getting Bummed

With life intervening in my running, I'm starting to feel out of sorts. Between work, homebuying, and other life events, I don't have the time to get outside for a jog. Now my body feels like it's going through withdraw. My mood is a little depressed. I don't have as much energy and I feel incredibly lazy. Tonight, I wanted to run, but we need to talk to our real estate agent. Alas, I'm just whining. Life could be worse.

Of course, it could be better.

60 Minutes

Nothing spectacular. Just made it outside for a ramble.

Stats
Place: Leesburg
Time: 1:00
Heart Rate: 156

More Inspiration
You can have anything you want, if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish, if you hold to that desire with singleness of purpose.
--Abraham Lincoln

60 Minutes

So the 3 runs/week (7,8,10) idea just isn't working out. I think I'm going to try to run more often, but shorter distances (though I still want a 25 mpw target for the winter). Tonight I made it out for an hour. The weather was cool with a little bit of warmth in some parts. I basically just ran around town.

Stats
Place: Leesburg
Time: 1:00:00
Heart Rate: 153

Today's Inspriation
The true runner is a very fortunate person. he has found something in him that is just perfect.
--Dr. George Shehan