See Corey Run: A Fitness & Nutrition Journal

Run 3, Week 6 (BOHR): A Perfect Night For A Run!

2008-07-24T22:31:00.027-04:00

Stats:
Weather Conditions: Temp: 70° F Humidity: 65%	Warm-up Walk: Start Time: 10:39 pm Distance: 0.40 mi Time: 6:00 min Avg Pace: 14:45 min/mi Calories Burned: 42	Run: Start Time: 10:45 pm Distance: 4.05 mi Time: 41:02 min Avg Pace: 10:07 min/mi Calories Burned: 421	Cool-down walk: Start Time: 11:27 pm Distance: 0.57 mi Time: 9:00 min Avg Pace: 15:47 min/mi Calories Burned: 59

I ran 5.25 laps tonight, or approximately 4 mi. According to my Nike+iPod stats, I ran the first mile at a pace of 9:52 min/mi, the second in 11:39 min/mi, the third in 9:40 min/mi, & the fourth in 10:09 min/mi, & the last little bit (i.e., 0.05 mi) in 9:56 min/mi. That means my usual distance of 2.96 miles, or 4 laps around the lake, was completed in roughly 31:00 min, or an average pace of 10:28 min/mi, (according to my own calculations & not the Nike+iPos pedometer!).]

Although the Nike+iPod pedometer reported that I did an average pace of 10:07 min/mi, I'm continuing to doubt the accuracy of those figures, based on the fact that the math just doesn't add up: If I calculate my pace using the total time in minutes (as recorded by the Nike+iPod, i.e., the only figure that seems to be accurate!) divided by previously established distance measurements (as specified by the lake's property manager himself), which are fairly accurate (i.e., 1 lap = 0.74 mi; 4 laps = 2.96 mi.; 5.25 laps = 3.885 mi), I come up with a much slower average pace of 10:33:43 min/mi for those 5.25 laps. This is the figure I'd rather go with for now, as it looks like my previous data doesn't jive with reality. Common sense tells me that some of the numbers have got to be off. Looks like I'll be recalibrating my Nike+iPod in the near future!

Other observations: I felt really strong during tonight's run. My energy was high throughout the run: Even by the final lap, I still had lots of energy & put in a strong finish.

There were a few reasons why the run went so well: I was well-prepared (i.e., well-hydrated & nourished), it was nighttime & the temperature was perfect for running (temperate, cool, & breezy!), & my body is becoming better conditioned. ;-)

Before heading out for tonight's run, I took some advance precautions: In order to counter the mild initial physical hunger I was feeling, I nibbled on a few grape tomatoes for a natural sugar infusion. I hadn't eaten anything very significant since about 2 pm (aside from a small dried fruit strip around 5 pm!) & was feeling slightly peaked. That helped to boost my energy.

Also, since I didn't want to be weighed down by my Nathan hydration system tonight, I made a point of drinking a 1/2 liter bottle of water before walking out the door for my run. That took care of any potential hydration issues. Of course, on that note, it also helped a great deal that I was running at night, in much cooler temperatures. Night running in cooler temperatures means that there's a lot less water to drink! (A person can go through a lot of water running in the heat & humidity!) No need to load up on all that water like a swishing human water tank!

And finally, it also helped that the weather was perfect: Not only was the cooler temperature more conducive to running, but it also really got me energized & excited to run. I really enjoy night running in general (so much more so than early morning or early evening runs!), & even more so when the weather's this beautiful! What's not to like!

Have a great night!
-C

HPTP (Day 3, Week 1): Another Day, Another Challenge

2008-07-23T12:26:00.002-04:00

I have zero time to write this, so here it goes, really fast!

Today's pushup workout called for intervals of 15, 13, 10, 10, & a max of atleast 15 pushups. Here's what I did: 15, 13, 10, 10, 30.

I doubled the minimum max on the last set - Who-hoooo! I'm definitely getting stronger.

And before you say anything, yes I realize that I didn't post about yesterday's pushup workout. That's because I didn't do it until today. I got sidetracked by my day off. ;-)

Hope you're all having a great Wednesday! Bye!
-C

Run 2, Week 6 (BOHR): Pretty Good Run (For Only An Hour's Sleep The Night Before!)

2008-07-22T08:36:00.017-04:00

Stats:
Weather Conditions: Temp: 75° F Humidity: 70%	Warm-up Walk: Start Time: 7:49 am Distance: 0.39 mi Time: 6:14 min Avg Pace: 15:49 min/mi Calories Burned: 41	Run: Start Time: 7:56 am Distance: 3.19 mi Time: 33:08 min Avg Pace: 10:22 min/mi Calories Burned: 332	Cool-down walk: Start Time: 8:31 am (?) Distance: ? Time: ? Avg Pace: ? Calories Burned: ?

Today's my day off, but I still have to be at a 9 am meeting at work (which doesn't really make it feel like a day off, since the meeting's often run until noon & I can't sleep in -- Hmmmph!), so this is going to be my shortest post ever. ;-)

It was fairly hot & humid this morning, despite the fact that I actually made it out the door before 8 am. ;-) However, it didn't feel so daunting, since I was armed with my Nathan hydration system, this time stocked with two 10 oz. bottles. ;-)

By the end of the run I emptied both bottles. I was a bit tired from blogging nonstop the other night. (Don't ask what got into me. It was one of those nights in which I just had to write, & apparently, it was more important than getting sleep. ;-) ) Of course, I had to go to work the next day, but was surprisingly awake. And then, the other "of course" is that I paid the price a bit this morning during my run (!) -- I ran a bit slower today, although it still was a pretty good run even if you remove the "lack of sleep" factor.

OK, got to get ready for the meeting. Will probably blog a bit more about the run later, & will also do my pushups after I get back from the meeting. More posts to come.

Have a good morning,
-C

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Update (added on Tuesday, 7/22/08 @9:54 am): As promised, I'm adding additional info that I didn't have time to add the first time around, since I was rushing off to a meeting (which they didn't cancel until I'd already gotten to work -- No comment!!!).

So, I noticed some more familiar strangers today. There was a senior-aged guy there (with his wife -- they looked like they were in their mid-to-late sixties or possibly early seventies), who'd started off walking, ran a lap, & then rejoined his wife as she was making her way around the lake. During the fellow's lap of running around the lake, he smiled at me in recognition as we passed each other; I smiled at the wife, but she didn't see me; she was clearly in her own world, deep in thought.

The funny thing is that I think I might've seen this very same guy running the Twilighter earlier this week. Not 100% sure if it was him or not at the race, since I wasn't really paying attention when the person who looked sort of like him was crossing the finish line. (It was hard to get a good look at the fellow's face during the race; he'd whizzed by pretty fast!) The fellow at the lake had a very short running stride, but I can't recall if it was similar enough to the guy I'd seen finish the race.

I wanted to ask him if that'd been him I'd seen running in the race this weekend, but I'd stopped short of asking, since I was in a hurry to finish today's run. So, smiling at each other was pretty much the extent of our social exchange.

[Normally, I'm fairly outgoing (& when so inclined, can typically approach familiar strangers & even absolute strangers with relative ease), but today I was feeling a bit tired, & also, there wasn't really an opportunity to ask. By that point, I was running & he'd stopped to walk. Frankly, I'd have to have slowed down to get the question in & wait for the answer, & today wasn't the time for that, since I was already pressed for time. And anyhow, I was only mildly curious. ;-) ]

There's also a grey-haired man who always seems to be walking around the lake in the morning the same time I'm running around it. I'd gauge his age as somewhere in the late fifties or early sixties. He wears the same Oakley-esque sunglasses & typically wears a grey or light-colored shirt & white shorts. By this point, we are well aware of each other. ;-)

I didn't see the speedy gentleman (runner) with the curly greyish-brown hair & beard today, & haven't seen him very much at all lately at the lake, but that's because lately I've done more night & indoor treadmill runs. ;-)

As far as additional details about the run itself: Other than feeling slightly tired (you'd have thought it'd have been more than just slightly, but it wasn't!), my stomach wasn't cooperating. Of course, it was my own damned fault, since I'd downed the vitamins & glucosamine chondroitin shortly before heading out for my run. I tried to mitigate the nausea with a sip of milk (OK, I admit that since I was in a hurry, I drank from the carton -- Shhhh, don't tell anyone! ;-) ), to coat the stomach, but it didn't seem to help enough.

I felt rushed doing my walk this morning, & perhaps didn't have enough time to allow my stomach to settle. But it did get a lot better by the second lap. I ran what felt like a very moderate pace, & it was only until the final lap that I really turned on the turbo-charge. ;-)

Part of the reason that I didn't run my usual pace for the first three laps was certainly due to the lack of sleep, but the other part was that I felt fairly nauseous for about half of my run. When I sped up, my stomach revolted. ;-) My body usually sends me unmistakably direct signals, & has its own way of letting me know what it can handle. And it was clear that my stomach was giving me instructions to not go any faster, lest it take action & send me second-&-much-less-pleasant message. ;-) (I absolutely abhor throwing up; OK, certainly no one really likes it, but it's probably on my top-10 list of most un-favorite experiences. ;-) )

At any rate, the legs, heart, & lungs felt good though, even in the heat & high humidity, & I'm sure that under different circumstances, & with the cooperation of my stomach, that I could've done a lot better. But it is what it is, & I'm not going to get my knickers in a bunch over it. ;-)

I know I definitely motored the last lap. My stomach did surprisingly well on the final lap, so there wasn't too much nausea to contend with at that point.

All in all, it was a decent run. I think I'm going to make a point of going to bed early tonight.

OK, now it's time to do those pushups.......

Weigh-In: It's Good News All Around!

2008-07-22T07:34:00.003-04:00

I weighed myself this morning before my run & was pleasantly surprised to discover that I'd lost 1.8 lbs & 1.4% BF since 7/16/08. Now, I am only 6.6 lbs. aways from goal weight! I have a bit more to go on the BF% front, being about 22% to goal at this point. (I seem to have lost a tiny bit of ground on that front, slipping back 2%, from being 24% to goal just 8 days ago.)

And speaking of posts about weight-loss progress (i.e., weigh-ins!), I've completed yet another brief backdated post on this very topic, which you can view here. Enjoy!

HundredPushups.com Mentioned On Major Websites!

2008-07-21T04:26:00.009-04:00

I couldn't help but notice that my pal Cymrusteve's pushup website, HundredPushups.com, has been getting a great deal of notice lately on the internet. The number of people who've officially signed up for the pushup challenge itself (& who are also blogging about it!) is certainly awe-inspiring. And the amount of press this site is getting is simply staggering. Way to go, Steve!

Check out the following articles:

AppsScout.com article

Lifehacker.com article -- The Lifehacker.com article has 2711 Diggs! (on Digg.com)

There are even You Tube videos of people doing the hundred pushups program. ;-)

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So of course I had to congratulate Steve, in the form of an enthusiastic comment on his running blog:

Hi Steve,

I’m sure you’ve probably already seen this link, but congrats for getting lots of great press from Lifehacker.com for your Hundred Pushups website. That’s truly awesome!

As of today, the Lifehacker article has gotten 172,301 views & 119 comments - Wow! Talk about some great PR.

Looks like you’ve started a push-up revolution!

-C

Ladies, Please Join Us to Become Lean, Mean "Hundred Pushups" Queens!

2008-07-21T02:44:00.015-04:00

I'd like to encourage more people to join us & participate in the Hundred Pushups program. Well, what are you waiting for?! 8-)

Now, I know an awful lot of guys who are doing this program, but we also need the ladies to adequately represent here, OK?! It seems that there are only a scant few ladies doing the Hundred Pushups challenge right now -- And among them are fellow runner-blogger, kch (i.e., Kristen) of Run Faster, who is one of the brave ladies currently taking the challenge along with me & a few others.

Why so few ladies? What's up with this?! Surely, there've got to be some gutsy, strong women out there who're just chomping at the bit for the opportunity to step up to the plate & go for it?!

So whom else amongst the ladies has the courage & the feistiness to join us?! Where's your pluck & your steely, almost-supernatural resolve? Ladies, it'd certainly be nice to have more (female) company here. So, c'mon & join us!

To spark a fire (or perhaps I should say, "light a fire under some derrières" ;-) ) & generate some fun, motivational impetus to encourage other women to join, I'm starting the "I Am A Lean, Mean, Hundred Pushups Queen" club, (or the "Hundred Pushups Queens" for short).

Here's how it works: Ladies, after you sign up for the Hundred Pushups challenge, please email me or drop me a comment to let me know that you've joined the Hundred Pushups challenge participants list.

(Also, when you join, please don't forget to email Cymrusteve, so he can add your blog to his ever-growing list of Hundred Pushups participants.)

Once I've gotten confirmation that you've committed to the program, I will add you & your blog to the eponymously-named link list on the front page of my blog. In fact, you'll even get top billing, at the upper left sidebar of my blog.

I'd like to see this group grow to be a hundred strong! So how about it?!

And ladies, please, let's not make excuses or shortchange ourselves by giving into the stereotypical, old-school notion that we ladies "just have to accept that our arms just aren't very (naturally) strong." That's someone else's label from another era, & those outmoded notions just don't hold any water anymore. Why let other people's expectations & perceptions of our bodies determine how we see ourselves? So there, take that & stuff it in your front shirt pocket! (And if you are in fact, actually doing the Hundred Pushups program, then that shirt pocket will be adjacent to some very well-toned arms! LOL.)

Speaking of which, if there are any ladies out there in the blogosphere who want to firm up their underarm muscles (& eliminate the dreaded "flabby underarm" syndrome which typically plagues so many women), let me tell you, pushups are a quick & highly effective way to do this!

Sure you could do kick-backs with free weights to achieve the same effect, but the really cool thing about doing pushups (instead) is that it doesn't just strength your triceps; it will also strength multiple muscle groups at once -- your triceps, pecs, abs, shoulder muscles, etc. It's like a fierce four-pronged attack! ;-) Just think of the amazing upper body definition you'll have after working your way through this program.....

Here are some other reasons to join: The triceps are a typically underused muscle for us ladies. Unless women are doing exercises specifically geared towards strengthening their triceps, chances are that this muscle group will typically be neglected. But of course, you can change all this, simply by doing pushups on a regular basis.

And guess what?! There's yet more impetus for the ladies to join the program: As a woman, you'll be able to honestly say that you're most likely stronger than the average female. ;-)

Then you can do your best Hans & Franz SNL impersonation & say things like, "Ja, I break you in two, like tiny little twig." ;-)

Goodnight! (Er, that'd be good morning now.... ;-) )
-C

HPTP (Day 2, Week 1): The Pushups are Done; Can I Go To Sleep Now?! ;-)

2008-07-21T00:47:00.013-04:00

Got to get to bed soon, so this post's going to be super short: Today's pushup workout called for intervals of 12, 12, 10, 10, & a max of atleast 10 pushups. Here's what I did: 12, 12, 10, 10, 15. (And tonight, while I rested less than 90 seconds between the first three sets, I did, in fact, take the full 90 seconds of rest preceding the last 2 pushup intervals.)

Even though my arms started to shake around the 8th pushup of the 4th interval set, I was still determined to squeak out 15 pushups on my last set, in order to equal the max set I did on Day 1. Oh, were my arms feeling it on the last set. Ouch! Boy, am I happy that tonight's pushup workout is over.

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The one concern I have is that I'm only two days into the program, & already I feel fairly sore during the final two interval sets. At this rate, how am I going to make it through to Week 6?! Frankly, when I'm getting ready (i.e., mentally preparing) to do my pushups, I usually can't think past completing the next interval set of my current pushup workout!

So, is it normal to be so fatigued during the final max set so early into the program? Should my arms be ready to give out by the last 5 pushups of the last interval so early into the workout program?! Is that a good sign, because it means that I'm putting in the effort & really working my triceps to the max?! Or is it because, maybe after all, I should really be resting the full 90 seconds between all of the intervals?!

I also wonder, am I really doing enough pushups for the max set?! What's the norm for other ladies out there who're doing max sets? Also, I'm curious to know how many ladies are doing girl-style pushups & how many ladies are gutting it out with regular, full-on pushups?!

[Frankly, I've always thought of myself as a person with a great deal of arm strength -- This is honestly not said to brag, but I often find that I'm (naturally) much stronger than the majority of women I know/encounter. However, right now, my biceps are definitely stronger than my triceps -- i.e., one of the primary muscle groups used/exercised during a pushups workout. For the ladies who are doing this pushups program, how do you think you stack up against other women in terms of arm strength? Would you say that your arm strength is above-average, below-average, or just average?! How many pushups can do you do? And how many pounds can you typically lift above your head?! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic.]

Anyone (in general) care to compare notes & voice their opinion about their own HPTP experiences?! How are the rest of you finding this workout?! At what point in your interval sets do your arms usually start fatiguing?!

OK, hope you all have a good night!

-C

Run 1, Week 6 (BOHR): A Faster Treadmill Run

2008-07-20T23:39:00.003-04:00

Stats:

Run:
Start Time: 10:25 pm
Distance: 3.20 mi
Time: 30:10 min
Average Pace: 9:25 min/mi
Calories Burned: 333
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It was raining quite furiously after I got home from work tonight, so I headed into the gym to do a treadmill run. I came in there with the full intention of doing my workout immediately upon my arrival & then leaving shortly thereafter. I would've finished my workout in about 40 minutes max. However, the only obstacle to this outcome was an unintentional & quite annoying social interaction that I don't feel like explaining -- Let's just say that I was on the receiving end of a very long, one-sided conversation (i.e., a never-ending monologue from an absolute stranger) that I really didn't want to be part of! (Cringe, cringe.)

I tried to disengage at several points during the never-ending monologue, but the person obviously wasn't getting the hint, nor did they seem to care much to whom they told their story. All he wanted to do was talk to someone -- anyone really -- nonstop. I might've just as well have been a tape recorder. ;-) In fact, I wish I could've just replaced myself with one of those cardboard-poster replicas of myself & made a run for the door. ;-) The poor fellow on the treadmill next to me had been the previous "victim"; I should've paid more attention to the fact that he'd completed his workout in a hurry & had scooted off in a mad dash, as if to escape from literally being kept as a "captive audience." About half-way through, I seriously contemplated walking out while the person (i.e., said source of my annoyance!) was in mid-sentence. This mind-blowingly selfish person obviously made it plain that they didn't care about me, so why should I be emotionally invested in such a person? I'm not typically a rude person, but this individual was serious pushing the limits of civil discourse & my patience! And he was seriously infringing upon my time.

We all (unfortunately!) know or have met people like this. They are negative, unhappy, self-centered, indiscreet, & only care about expressing their own thoughts & emotions at the expense of everybody else's.

This is yet another reason why I prefer running outdoors to indoor/gym workouts; unwanted social interactions can be kept to a minimum because you're not going to slow down to stop & talk! ;-) Plus, if you wear headphones, you can block out the rest of the noise around you & just focus on your workout. Either that, or you can always pretend like you don't hear the noise around you. ;-) (And since I usually don't run on the street & make a point of either running in well-populated areas or with others, the obvious safety issues & concerns surrounding the impact of running with headphones are kept to a minimum.)

Next time, I'm going to walk into the gym with my headphones already on, in order to avoid these sorts of strange & unwelcome interactions! (I don't mind a little bit of light, friendly chat, but some people really need to learn the difference between a brief chat & bending someone's ear to point of almost snapping it off! :-) It's also highly inconsiderate behavior, since the other person was so self-absorbed that they obviously didn't care if I or anyone else in the gym that night finished their workout or not.)

I ended up walking for 45+ minutes instead, waiting for the gym to clear out (Hint, hint! ;-) ), & then doing my 30-minute workout. What a warm-up, eh?! ;-)

The cool-down walk was only a mere 6 minutes, which seemed like a drop in the bucket compared to all of the other time I spent (or rather, wasted!) in the gym tonight, (not counting the actual workout of course!).

(In hindsight, I should've just left the gym & worked out outside; the rain had stopped after about 20 minutes, & it would've been a much more pleasant & cooler experience on multiple levels. ;-) )

Anyhow, despite the above minor inconvenience, I had a great run. I really made a concerted effort to keep my heart rate up for the whole 30 minutes. I kept the speed on the treadmill above 6 for most of the workout, & even ran at 6.2 for about 10 minutes. I gave myself brief recovery periods of a few seconds here & there -- where I dropped the speed down to 5.8 & 5.9, -- however, then I soon pumped up the speed again, back to 6 & above.

OK, well it's now a minute past midnight & I still have yet to do my pushups. OK, here goes...... I'll posting another update very shortly.

Have a great night!
-C

Is She Serious?! If You Have to Ask.....

2008-07-19T00:09:00.012-04:00

If you haven't gathered by now, one of the qualities I find completely irresistible in other people is a good sense of humor. I'll take a witty chap over a dull one any day of the week. ;-)

Intelligence, character, honesty, intellectual & emotional depth, & compassion obviously rank very high in my book, but if these qualities aren't tempered with humor, to me they seem to lose a bit of their luster. Or, put another way, wit is the spark that makes the other qualities sparkle. ;-)

It's also the salve that binds. Sorry to say it, kiddies, but that Mary Poppins chick got it all wrong. Humor is the "little bit of sugar that makes the medicine go down." ;-) (And anyhow, too much unrefined sugar can really do you in! LOL.) As Oscar Wilde once famously said, " If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you." ;-) And if those people are laughing, then just maybe they won't bludgeon you over the head for telling them what they need to hear. ;-)

Sure, the early bird might get the worm, & the tortoise often beats the hare, but the cheekiest little monkey acquires more than just another pile of bananas. ;-)

And frankly, if you find yourself taking life or yourself too seriously for too much of the time, you should probably be fined by the "Department of Humor Correction" for being entirely too un-fun, & then carted away to the Department of Humor Analysis at the Humor Research Center for "funny bone" testing. There, you'll be lined up against the wall by the "laugh riot" firing squad, & then be pelted mercilessly with rubber chickens. ;-)

Sure, I can be serious at times, but if you take me or every single one of my posts 100% literally at all times, then you are just missing out on a whole lot of fun. And no, I'm not going to be putting a "humor alert" label on the exact posts which are supposed to be funny, ironic, or tongue-in-cheek, so you'll just have to figure out which ones I'm talking about here. ;-)

Obviously a serious dissertation on nutrition or long-distance race training can still be sprinkled with some amusing anecdotes here & there. Maybe it's just safer to assume that there'll be underlying strain of humor which runs throughout the course of this blog.

There are times you might be wondering,"Is she serious?" If you have to ask, then we're probably not on the same page. Or possibly not even from the same planet. ;-0 My native country is Freedonia, & if you don't know where that is on a map, then I just can't help you, my friend. ;-)

We'll have to bring in the laugh doctor to make it all better.

Yet Another Backdated Post.....

2008-07-18T22:46:00.010-04:00

Coming up with ideas for posts isn't usually a problem for me. However, since I've got so many ideas swirling around in my head, the issue then becomes actually having enough time to write & finish all of them!

Truth be told, this blog has just way too many posts just sitting around in draft form; and since some of them can be finished more quickly than others, the ones that are going to get published first are the posts which are basically finished but just need a bit of final editing before they "go to press." ;-) I'm slowly-but-surely checking those draft posts off my list, one by one, whenever I can squeak a small block of writing & editing time in there, but it's still going to take some time to get them all finished. So please just bear with me as I continue to announce the arrival of more backdated posts. I am hoping to end this trend at some point, but for now, there are still a few more to come.....

So here's the latest arrival: A (Not So) Brief Update Before My Workout Begins (originally from 7/10/08). Enjoy!

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As for what's just around the corner in the continuing series of backdated posts, I've got some very exciting & useful posts in store for you: There'll be the report of my fairly recent shopping excursions to buy running shoes & apparel, including a review of the apparel & shoes I tried on that day, as well as a discussion of gait analysis & other useful insights regarding the purchase of running shoes. Also, coming soon will be an article on the website, RunYourCity.com, an overview of the World Hash House Harriers (WH3), a report on sugar-free replenishment/recovery supplements, & a special, heartfelt tribute to my little sister. ;-)

So stay tuned for all of these posts & more!

Have a good night!
-C

HPTP (Day 1, Week 1): Starting From Scratch, & This Time Correctly!

2008-07-18T12:33:00.003-04:00

I have zero time to write this, so it's going to be quick. Today's pushup workout called for intervals of 10, 10, 8, 6, & a max of atleast 7 pushups. Here's what I did: 10, 10, 8, 6, 15.

Not bad. I doubled the minimum "max." ;-)

OK, now I've really got to get out of here. Bye!

Run 3, Week 5 (BOHR): I'm Officially Half-way Thru The Program Now!

2008-07-18T09:36:00.016-04:00

Stats:
Weather Conditions: Temp: 83° F Humidity: 57%	Warm-up Walk: Start Time: 8:36 am Distance: 0.39 mi Time: 6:01 min Avg Pace: 15:20 min/mi Calories Burned: 40	Run: Start Time: 8:43 am Distance: 3.56 mi Time: 38:02 min Avg Pace: 10:39 min/mi Calories Burned: 371	Cool-down walk: Start Time: 9:23 am Distance: 0.36 mi Time: 6:01 min Avg Pace: 16:36 min/mi Calories Burned: 37

Whoah, it was a scorcher today. I knew I was in trouble when I got a late start this morning. All I had to do was look outside the window at the very bright sun, & I just knew it was going to be hot outside for this morning's run.

I sprung out of bed at 8 am (I'd forgotten to set my alarm clock the night before, having fallen asleep on the family room couch), but didn't get moving (i.e., wasn't very functional!) until about 8:15 am. [In my defense, I got home from work around 10:30 pm, so needless to say, I was a bit tired in the AM, & so, was not too eager to drag my carcass out of bed this morning. Let me add that I don't (ever) wake up with any caffeinated stimuli to get me going either. ;-)]

So I didn't get out of the door for my run until 8:30 am. (Ideally, I like to get on the running trail before 8 am.) By that time, the mercury had already risen to 83°F, & it was still well away from mid-afternoon, when the sun's usually the hottest, i.e., at its highest point in the sky. And, on top of that, the temperature is still climbing as I speak; it's supposed to reach 95°F by this afternoon. Uh-oh. It didn't look good.

Plus, admittedly, I was a bit, er, shall we say "less than enthusiastic"?!, about running this morning. ;-) Of course, I grumbled to Erik about not wanting to run this morning, but hey, give me some credit, I did it anyway! ;-)

Well, I dug my heels in & decided that, if it was going to be a hot one today, that I'd be adequately prepared for it. So, I pulled out the brand new running skort that I'd gotten at "Tar-jay" (i.e., the rather mocking, phony French pronunciation that everyone seems to use when referring to "Target." Of course, Target started the whole trend of high-brow designers creating chic-but-affordable items for the masses. OK, so they are basically a much hipper version of places like KMart & Kohl's. But enough fashion analysis, back to the running report..... ;-) )

I'd originally slapped on my new black Adidas capris, (which I bought at R N J's & absolutely adore!) but then thought, "Well, I really should try the running skort; it'd probably be much cooler than the capris in this weather." Plus, I needed to get some first-hand experience wearing the skort, in order to write my review of it, since, as most of you know, I'd recently posted some very skeptical first impressions about the darned thing; also, I was curious to see if my experience of actually wearing the skort would differ any from those initial ideas.

Would I be a running skort convert?! Well, stay tuned to find out. [You can read my review of the thing as soon as I get the chance to write it (!). I've got to get ready for work soon -- it'll be another late one tonight -- so I don't know when I'll be able to post the review. Hopefully, I'll have time to post it over the next day or two.....]

I also tried out some other new running gear today -- the Nathan Speed 4 Energy Belt that I'd purchased on my previous trip to R N J Sports. The unit has 4 10-oz. flasks; for today's run, I removed all but one bottle in the front. In hindsight, that was probably a mistake, as there wasn't really enough water in that one bottle to get through a hot day like today. By the end of the second lap, I'd realized my error, after becoming exceptionally thirsty & then looking down rather dishearteningly at my 10 oz. bottle that was about three quarters full. However, I decided to sip moderately & conserve water for the remaining two laps still to come. Of course, I made the water last throughout the entire run, so I'd have just enough for the recovery afterwards, but it certainly wasn't enough. Not in the least. I really was craving another bottle by the third & fourth laps!

Since it was my first experience using the thing, I'm sure I'll get better at judging whether it's going to be a 1, 2, 3, or 4 bottle run. ;-) (I know there's also a formula for figuring out that sort of thing; was it on Runner's World or some site like that?! I know I saw it, but just can't remember where. Anyone know the link?! I'll probably look it up later. Anyhow......)

My initial thought when I'd stepped out the door this morning was that I didn't want to be weighed down by too much water. I was worried that the unit was going to jiggle & that the combined effect of the jiggling & the weight of the water would offset my balance. It did take some getting used to the thing, but then after a while it was fine. I've never worn the waist-belt hydration systems before, except for a small ungainly "fanny-pack-esque" kind with a single bottle, that wasn't really designed for running in the first place. (I'd worn that horrible unit out of desperation on a scorching hot day for one of my previous runs, but decided to never repeat the experience after feeling the water bottle bounce excessively as I was running. I must say, it was quite a jolting experience. ;-) After that, it was going to be a waist-belt hydration system, or nothing at all!)

At some point, I'll also post a review of the Nathan unit I bought as well. (On this subject, I'm also curious to try out the Amphipod hydration system, which I don't recall seeing at any of the running shops I visited, but seems to get consistently good reviews. I like Amphipod's bottle release mechanism & the easy way the water spout can be accessed, as well as the way the water valve mechanism can be securely turned on & off. I didn't bother with the Fuel Belt unit, because I didn't like the way it was constructed; the water units looked like they'd be much harder to put back in their stretch-strap holsters, which don't have any structure to them, unlike my current unit.)

Anyhow, I've really got to wrap up this post, do my pushups, & then hop in the shower.

So just a few final quick notes about the run itself: I did fairly well under the circumstances -- I was able to quickly readjust my attitude once I got on the road, & focus, as well as mitigate the effects of the heat by drinking a bottle of water before the run & another 10 oz. bottle during the run itself.

Don't get me wrong, it was still hot as Hades outside. I was of course, very thankful for the shady portions of the lake, which didn't seem to come around nearly as quickly (or as often!) as I would've liked.

There were a few other runners this morning -- or should I say, "masochists"! Hahahahahaha! I don't count myself among them, because my late start was unintentional; running in this kind of heat is certainly NOT something I seek out, nor do willingly by choice. ;-) ) None of the runners did anywhere near as many laps as me: The most that any of them did -- and it was only one guy -- was two laps; I did about 4 1/2 laps around the lake, so THERE! ;-) So I wasn't going to feel badly at all about any of them passing me. ;-)

On my first lap, there was a cute little, fuzzy white baby duckling by the lake, waddling around near its parents. By the third lap, the duckling was sleeping in a rather cute but awkward pose, as only new ducklings who are just getting used to their limbs can do! Of course, when I first saw the precious little duckling, my first thought was that I wished I'd have brought my mobile phone or digital camera along with me, because I'd have loved to have snapped some photos of the adorable little creature & its "duck family." But my second thought shortly thereafter was, "Wait, if I'd brought along those gadgets, that'd be another few ounces in weight...." And, on a hot day like today, the hydration system was just about all I could manage! ;-)

Of course, the "mama" & "papa" duck were very protective of their offspring, & one of them, most likely the mother duck, hissed at me the first time I passed by. I waved them off, as if to say, "Hiss all you want, it doesn't matter to me." It's not like I was going to get offended by something like that. ;-) Of course, I was more concerned with skirting around the minefield that was their droppings, which was like its own very challenging obstacle course. ;-)

Speaking of amusing observations & oddities, I also noticed something rather unintentionally funny. One of the gardeners was holding the water hose in between his legs as he was watering the flowers this morning. From far away, it looked like... well you get the idea. ;-) (It was like that scene from the third Austin Powers movie.... Those of you who've seen the last one know exactly which scene I'm talking about. ;-) ) I wondered if that gardener realized what (possibly alarming!) effect that might've had on some of the passerbys. ;-)

OK, so I didn't really talk that much about the run itself. ;-) There's not much to say about it except that I definitely felt the heat, but tried to make the best of it & keep pace as best I could. By the final lap, I'd picked up the pace somewhat -- mostly because I thought I should be able to finish atleast 4 1/2 laps around the lake in those 38 minutes. And I didn't want to just melt away into nothing. Plus, I had too much pride to just give up or give in at the end. I was still going to give it my all, even if I was melting in the process. ;-)

Also, one more detail of note: Since July 4th, I've stopped stretching at the half-way point of my runs. Instead, I've used my warm-up & cool-down walks as the stretches, & so far, I've felt perfectly OK. (I do walk a heck of a lot at work, so perhaps that's why I'm typically OK with minimal stretching.)

This way, I also get a better sense of my "true" pace for the entire, uninterrupted distance.

When I start doing longer distances, then maybe I'll make a point of doing a warm-stretch segment at the half-way point again.

OK, I've really got to hussle out of here, so that's it for today. Yikes, it's already 11:30 am now. Not sure if I'll have time for those pushups or the subsequent post. We'll see......

Oops...... Looks Like I'll Be Restarting the Hundred Pushups Program From Scratch!

2008-07-17T22:59:00.006-04:00

As kch thankfully pointed out, it appears that I haven't been doing the Hundred Pushups program correctly. Maybe it was just my subconscious hoping for an easier go of it (LOL!), but it looks like I was supposed to be following the vertical columns & not the horizontal ones for each week. Ooops. There were supposed to be 5 intervals of pushups (one interval for each level) & not the 3 intervals I was previously doing.

Well, no wonder those pushup workouts felt so easy. ;-)

Well, it's back to the drawing board for me. Looks like I'll be starting the program from scratch after all. ;-)

HPTP (Day 3, Week 2): Another Day, A Few More Pushups

2008-07-16T23:08:00.005-04:00

OK, I just did Day 3 of Week 2 of the Day Hundred Pushups Training Program (HPTP): 4, 8, 12 pushups (with a 120 sec. rest in between each interval). I didn't need the full 120-second resting periods, resting instead for about 30 seconds between first two intervals, & for about a minute between the second & third/final intervals. This time, I didn't start to tire until about the 10th pushup of the final set, but did have to put in a tad bit more effort for the final 2 push-ups.

Looking ahead to Day 1 of Week 3, I see that there are considerably more pushups coming around the corner: 12, 15, 17 pushups (with a 60 sec. rest between each interval). Hmmmm, better appreciate tonight's relatively easy workout. It looks like it's going to be the last one, as the "Ouch!" factor is most likely just around the corner. ;-)