New features for 2009

So, here are some new features that I have planned for 2009. We'll see how they work out.

~Smoothie review. I now have a blender and will make an effort to try some new smoothies and see how they are. They're supposedly great after workouts.

~This month in Runner's World. I love the magazine and this feature would share my favorite stories and factoids from the lateest issue.

~Alternative workouts. Its mainly a running blog, but whose to say I can't do other things?

And of course more "iPod it" and "Gym diaries"

Here's to more posting in 2009!

Treadmills are incredibly boring, but football takes a long time to play

I hate treadmills because they make an already relatively boring proposition and take out any of the fun. Maybe I have ADD, I don't know, but I like to be visually stimulated. Running down long straight aways doesn't do that. Hey look! MORE CORN. Whee.

However, running outside does off its advantages such as the occasional bird. Maybe a dog tries to chase after you. There's the ever popular fat people in SUVs who look at you mouth agape because, "What the HELL is THAT guy doing?" 

At the treadmill, there are no birds, no dogs trying to chase you, and the fat people are trying to get fit so they know what you're doing. BOO-RING.

Luckily, the gym I joined has a TV, so deciding that I wanted to run an hour, I tuned into a football game. I watched the first half, and what do you know. The first half and my hour coincided nicely. I went a little into overtime, so that helped pass the time. Richmond's sweet flea flicker for a touchdown didn't hurt either.

I also spent about 10 minutes on the bike and afterwards looked sweaty, gross, and wonderful. Good times, might go back tomorrow.

Hey, I haven't done an iPod it for awhile. How about...the Killers from their new album which you must buy right now.

The random crowd shots are the best. There's a panda, some Asian girls, and an old dude. That show seems fun. Also, the name f the song is Spaceman, but you knew that.

Back at it

So, today I joined a gym. Mostly because since the half marathon I've done absolute jack. OK, so that was part of the plan. I wanted to take a week or so off. Then I realized I missed getting all sweaty and went and joined up.

The place has 24 hour access, which is great considering I 1) hate mornings and 2) sometimes work late.

First workout was simple, half hour on treadmill then a half hour on an exercise bike. There's also weights and the such there, so I'll be able to try out some new exercises.

I'll keep you posted. St. Louis has a half marathon in April and I wouldn't mind running that one...only with better results than Seattle.

Seattle Half Marathon: A Recap

It was an absolutely gorgeous day for running in Seattle today. A bit foggy along Lake Washington, but overall, a great day to run. The Hoffmann family gathered at some weird hour of the morning that I tend to avoid and set off for 13.1 miles.

There were a lot of racers out there today and between the full marathon walk which for some reason started 10 minutes before the half marathon run, it was a sea of people heading down Fifth Avenue.

My foot injury did not rear its ugly head during the run, but I defiantly felt the affects of not being able to train for a few weeks prior to the race. After some big hills and some foot pain (just from it striking the ground over and over again, nothing big) though I was exhausted. This was at about mile 9. I kept trying to get through the wall, but my legs didn't respond to that very much. By mile 10 I was walking and not at a fast pace. My dad was with me the whole time, so he's probably feeling good today. We ended up running the last 1/4 mile which was good. I crossed the line at 3:15. Not the pace I was looking for, but I wasn't at my peak either. I'll take a bit of time off, join a gym and get back to it in mid-December.

At any rate, I have a medal and another t-shirt, plus some sore muscles. Wonder when I get to do it again?

Alan

Foot recovery...its boring

So, it was tendonitis in my foot, which the doctors put some sort of cream on and made magically better. However, they said to take it easy and to test out the foot first. To do that, they had me go to the track. To the map!




God, this was boring. I made it, as indicated, six laps before saying "this sucks. I'm going to watch football!" My foot was fine. Felt great. I'm going for a real run tomorrow.

Why do people run long distance in track?

I do not recommend limping 3 miles

I went out for a run on Sunday, and it could be called a miserable experience for several reasons.

1) Wind. Running in the cold sucks. Running in the cold with wind? More so. Running into said win? There is no adjective to describe the suckiness of that.

2) I got the hiccups at one point. Yeah, running when your diaphragm decides to suddenly involuntarily contracts (thank eMedicine!) is a blast. Really helps getting into a rhythm.

On top of that, my foot was bothering me. It had been doing this at the end of my runs as of late, and I thought it was just fatigue from repeatedly putting a lot of pressure on my foot over a two hour period. Running can be a strenuous thing and these things are almost expected.

However, this time...the pain started at mile 2.5. I tried to gut it out, but nope. I decided that it simply was not going to happen today, I may have decided this a bit late. Decide for yourself, using this handy map.




I don't know how long it took me to get home. A while is a good way to put it.

I went to the doctor today. X-rays negative. Hooray! Maybe its tendonitis. Boo! Let's see what the interwebs have to say about tendonitis.

Walking or running up hill, i.e. golf courses or marathon running can be the catalyst for tendonitis in the foot.

Treatment: Cease all sporting activities and try and stay off your feet as much as possible.

I have physical therapy on Wednesday. We'll see what happens. I hope I can run the half marathon in two weeks...but we'll see.

Alan

Running...I've been doin' it

Since its been nearly a month since I posted here, I figure lets blog.

I have been running. When I last left off, our valiant hero (me) was running six miles. He was quite studly.

Flash forward to present day and I'm running NINE MILES and am somehow studlier. You didn't think it was possible, dear reader.

TO THE MAP!!




As you can see, its a nice long run in the country. What you don't see is that there is no place to pee. There are houses with people in them that would see since there are no trees to duck behind.

The other thing you don't see are the hills. I didn't think Salem had any. Apparently, that assertion was incorrect. At about mile three there's a short but fairly steep one. Also, from mile six to seven, its one long gradual incline. Wheee!

Anyway, doing this one in about an hour 50 minutes. Not bad. I feel good.

I am studlier...er.

Alan