Sunday, July 30, 2006

Running in the Daylight

I ran in the daylight today for the first time in about a year. Turns out it is hotter outside when that big, bright hot ball of gas is out (the sun, by the way, not my wife). Also, it is weird seeing other people outside and them being able to watch me run. It seems very anonymous running at night, because most of the time, I can see people in their yards and on their porches, but they really can't see me. Occasionally, they might hear me and look my way, but they usually only catch a glimpse because of the dark running shirt I always wear. Probably not the safest thing to wear at night, but I would prefer the ability to disappear quickly if someone feels like messing around with someone running alone.

That isn't really an issue lately, though, because I haven't had to run alone. Aaron and I ran a little over 2.5 tonight, with a few hills thrown in, and felt pretty good. Of course, he ran about a mile and a half before I got there, so he is still working harder than I am! As usual, the first half mile or so, I felt pretty heavy and terrible, but after that I felt pretty good. My lungs took more of a beating tonight then my legs did. It is weird because I can't predict which will go first on any given night, the legs or the lungs. With the extra hills thrown in, I probably would have guessed the legs tonight, but neither one was enough of a problem to make us stop more than once or twice for short walk breaks. I've never run with others before, but I am really enjoying it. It is a cool way to get some exercise and also a good way to spend more time with two of my best friends. It also helps that we are all pretty similar in fitness levels right now, so nobody is having to go way below their natural pace (unless I am holding everyone back and they feel too bad to tell me!).

Aaron will be out of town this week, so while he is putting in the miles in Alabama, me and Jerome will be running here in town. I'm trying to get Jerome motivated to run the 1/2 with us in Tulsa in November. I am hoping we can get a big group of people together to go. Hopefully Kary, Shel, Chad, Pascal, Daylen, Sara, and her husband Chris and a bunch of others can get together and have a good showing in Tulsa! But I'm he only one I can control, so I have to make sure I can cover the 13.1! It seems pretty crazy that I would have to do tonight's run another 5 times to complete the half, but it really seems doable.

Friday, July 28, 2006

Ride the Lightning

Had a very interesting run last night. Is there anything more motivating than a few thousand volts of electricity? I was feeling pretty good all day yesterday, and tried to eat well, because I knew we were going running. I didn't feel like I had a very good showing when we ran on Tuesday, so I really wanted to run better this time. My foot had bothered me a little bit during the day, though, so I was a little worried that that would become a problem again.

I started to worry a little bit when the phone rang at about 10, because we were supposed to start at about 10:15, and I figured it was someone calling to cancel. It was Aaron checking to see if I had looked outside lately, which I had not, but it turned out we were in the middle of a pretty cool electrical storm, and the lightning was putting on quite a show. I've never been the sharpest pencil in the drawer, though, because not only do I love running at night, but I also love to run while watching a lightning storm. I knew Aaron had fears, but I didn't realize lightning was one of them. To his credit, though, he sacked up and agreed to run anyway.

So after waiting about 20 minutes or so for Jerome (who had forgotten we were running), we finally got started, and I felt great. I think all of the stretching and warming up I did while waiting for Jerome paid off, because the running was totally pain free. About 3/4 of a mile to a mile into the run, the lightning really started closing in, and we started hearing thunder (at 250 pounds, I always hear thunder while running), so we decided to cut about a third of our run off and head back. Instead of going long, we thought we would make it a speed workout and haul ass back to the cars. We kept up a pretty good pace, and I even had enough left for my pathetic version of a kick. All in all, a pretty good run.

Right as we stepped foot on the final block, it started sprinkling, and within 10 minutes or so of finishing, it started raining pretty hard. I'm really glad we are all running together, because with the weather conditions like they were last night, I'm not sure anyone would have gone out if we were running alone. Plus, its just cool to have some guy time where we can talk or not talk all night long (Best in Show reference, sorry). Aaron will be out of town next week, so we are going to run on Sunday, and then Jerome and I will run next week without him. I think we should go long on Sunday since Aaron will be gone all week. Maybe if we go long, he won't feel the need to run 2 or 3 miles before he goes out with us. Showoff.

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Three's Company

I had a nice run last night. It was kind of odd, though, because I am used to doing all of my running alone. But last night, I ran with 2 of my best buddies for the first time. Time really seems to fly when running with others. It was probably good that I had others with me to keep me going, because last night I felt like a big fat guy who hasn't done much running in the last month. Not sure why that would be.

I was definitely the slow guy of the group, even though Jerome hasn't done much running since his escape from prison, and Aaron had already ran 3 miles (fueled by 16.5 pounds of lasagna). That's OK, though, it was nice just being out there. I have to admit that it was a little frustrating knowing that I had lost all of the stamina I had built up while running consistently. I felt really heavy and sluggish, and even the slightest downhill makes my knees hurt. Stop me if I have said this before, but I have to lose some weight. I am still gunning for 245 by 8/1. I can't fathom what it will feel like running at 205 or 210. I'm guessing it will be better.

The good news is that I lifted weights at lunch again today, and we are all planning on getting together again tomorrow night for another run. It is a little easier to get out there when you know there are 2 other people counting on you to be there. I am going to focus a little more on what I am eating tomorrow to see if that makes much of a difference. We'll see.....

Monday, July 24, 2006

Easy does it

Did a pretty easy half hour of walking/running tonight. I had planned on running a little more than I did, but I saw Jerome about half way through the run, and stopped to talk for a little bit. I think we are going running tomorrow night, though, so I decided to take the second half easy so I won't be sore. We are planning on taking off from the Pollard at about 10 or 10:15 if anyone wants to come out and run for 30-45 minutes. Time to start stringing a few workouts together and see if I can't drop a few pounds. Today is the 24th, and I weigh about 250 right now, so let's see if I can get down to 245 by the first of August.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Hot

Damn it is hot outside. It is really hard to get motivated to do anything outside when it is this damn hot. I haven't been running in quite a while, but I haven't been totally bed-ridden. I've started lifting weights and tonight I push mowed as much of my 3/4 of an acre as I could before it got dark. I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, but I want to make sure I don't get hurt this time. The way to do that is simple, but it is something I haven't been able to accomplish yet. I need to add strength and lose weight. No big mystery. So what I need to do is no surprise, and the way to do it isn't that complicated either. There is only one way. Yep, surgery.

Seriously, though, everybody these days is looking for the easy way to do things. To lose weight, people want to take a pill, or drink some magic green tea, etc. The one thing nobody wants to do is bust their ass exercising and eat healthy food. Losing weight isn't easy, but it is simple. I know how to lose weight. People are always giving me advice on how to lose weight. I'm sure they mean well, but what they don't understand is that I probably know more about losing weight and getting in shape than most people. They see me as the big fat guy and think that I have always been this way. None of my friends now know me as an athlete. My problem isn't a lack of knowledge. It is a lack of willpower and commitment.

I think that may be worse, though. The fact that I know what to do really gives me no excuses. It's embarrassing. Something has to change. I thought I was on the right track until the foot problems. It is so easy to find excuses not to get off of the couch, or to go eat some fast food for lunch. The problem is, none of the excuses are valid. I hope I don't sound whiny, because I'm not trying to. I am not blaming anybody else and I am not trying to say "poor me." But I know who I am and what I need to overcome. I also know that it can be done. Easier said than done, huh?

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Back in the Swing

Tomorrow is the day. I have to start running again. After running pretty steadily for weeks, after I hurt my foot, I fell right back in to doing nothing. Inertia is a powerful force. It is really going to be uncomfortable running in this heat, but maybe it will help me lose the weight faster. I weighed myself this evening, and the scales showed me a very flabby 249. It's funny, because I haven't really gained much weight back after not running, but I can really tell a difference in the mirror. Everything was starting to get pretty solid before I hurt myself, but now I feel (and look) like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man. Disgusting.

So I'm not really sure what the status of the marathon is. Actually, I do know the status. The marathon will happen, but I'm just not sure what my part in it will be. Do I run the half? Do I suffer and run the whole thing? I guess we will have to see what the next week or so brings.

Sorry for the lack of new posts, by the way. We have been having some computer problems, and also, this is supposed to be about my training, and I just having been doing anything. Unless you count training for eating contests, which is what I feel like I am doing. Tomorrow, I will try and find the Thorlo's and get back out there. Keep your fingers crossed.....