Back to it

So, I have been what as known around the running world as "lazy as f***". Its a technical term. Seriously, I have not been working out very much at all. I walk to work on a regular basis, but that is all of three blocks. Not exactly breaking a sweat here.

I have added to my running apparel arsenal. Behold the track jacket:

Paleness to scale.

Yeah! That looks badass! And indeed it does. I dawned it this afternoon in 50 degree and drizzly conditions and set out, not knowing what to expect. 

The jacket did the trick. Kept me warm (even had to roll up the sleeves on occasion). The route was a four-miler. That said, upon consulting Map My Run when I got home, I found I lobbed off a few blocks. That's ok.

The run started off decent. I didn't run very hard, just getting back into it. After a little over a mile, I picked up the pace a bit. I never really went hard, but was able to work up a sweat.  It a was a decent run. I could have gone harder, but I didn't want to push myself. In later days (and this time, I mean DAYS) I'll do that.

All in all, a good run. And I think I looked cool with the track jacket.

Thanks, Map My Run, for the failure

First off, I've downloaded this song because its in every Geico ad. I feel like you should watch the video. I'd work out to this.



So, I have been real lazy about...oh, everything lately. So, I decided that with the advent of good weather to break out the bike. I had a ten-mile route planned and was ready to go. Here's the route, thanks to our friends at Map my Run.



This route goes well until we get to about here.




This is when the bike ride gets interesting. This road is not paved. Its not even gravel. Its covered with rocks. I took this picture with my phone to illustrate the rocks. In the foreground is a mini-Krackel bar.




I was NOT riding on this. Did I mention it was down and up a hill? It was.

Now, you'll notice that Bryant Lane connects with the Hotze Road via Henderson Lane. In fact, it does not. It comes to the back of an elderly care center. If you think this is awkward, you basically summed up my opinion. I walked my bike far from any windows and once I got on the parking lot was able to ride out of there. Not sure if anyone saw me, but it was...um...weird.

Now, excuse me, I have to design a new 10 mile route.

Alan

Power Protein Smoothie

In my last post, I mentioned buying and using a blender to make a smoothie. I went with a protein power smoothie. The recipe is thus...

~2 cups milk
~2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
~1/2 teaspoon dry chocolate pudding mix
~1/4 cup peanut butter
~1 banana
~1 cup ice

Put everything in blender. Blend.

Taste: Real good. Lots of peanut butter, obviously, and the hint of chocolate was good too. By the end of the smoothie, I was ready for something different, but it was fairly enjoyable.

Affect: I felt real good the morning after the workout. Smoothie related? I don't know, but I felt good. I'll try this one again and get a better gauge of that.

All in all, a good smoothie. I'll make it again for sure. I might halve the recipe because it was a bit large, but still a good drink.

Back to the treadmill

So, it turns out I did not get a blender for Christmas. I was just in some sort of mental-Margaritaville. So, I went out and changed that prior to this evenings workout. Did I make a smoothie? Yes, yes I did. Review will go up tomorrow. I know how it tastes, but does it help me feel better after the workout? We shall see.

Anyway, I was back n the treadmill today, I ran 4 miles at a good clip. It had been awhile since I had been to the gym, so it took more out of me then I expected. Cooled down on the bike, then came home and made said smoothie.

There was one wrinkle to this run: I ran with music. Good idea, it made it go by way quicker than I thought it might. One of the songs from the workout? How about Indestructible by Disturbed?



You think that's a bad-ass ay to start a workout? You are correct.

I'll probably take tomorrow off but will get back at it Tuesday...just in time for a Wednesday Weigh-in, a feature that has been missing for awhile.

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.