Nutrition et al.

So today while I was running I got to thinking about my nutrition and the added running I'll be doing. I have to admit, I'm pretty much a dummy when it comes to this, so any ideas, advice would certainly be appreciated. Right now, I'm running 12 miles a week, so I'm not too concerned with my input, but as I increase mileage I want to make sure that I'm getting everything I need.

I've read all kinds of articles, books, etc. and it seems that everyone has a different take on what works. I would imagine that its kind of specific to the person, but I'm sure there are some standard things that everyone does. Soooo, please comment and let me know what you think about diet.

On another note, my lower left leg is causing me problems again. This time, I think its the muscle though. You know the muscle that sits on top of your tibia? I think I've strained that...it feels kind of like that stress fracture, but its higher up and the pain is different...its not like the fracture (although I could be giving myself another fracture). Also, that muscle is spasming so I really think its the muscle this time.

By the way, if I am giving myself another fracture, I really need to figure out what I'm doing wrong. I have good shoes, I'm running on a track, I'm only running 3 miles a day four days a week, I stretch before and after my run. So I have no idea what's causing the pain. However, like I said, it doesn't feel quite like it did before. I'm also icing it this time and using some of icy hot which seems to help. I've also started doing these things called wall-pushups that I learned about over at Cool Running. They seem to help.

I also made an appointment with the physical therapy folks for Monday. Hopefully, they can give me some insight as well.

The run went well this morning. 3 miles and then a 1/4 mile walk. Weather was decent. I also scoped out a place to swim today. I think I'd like to add that to my cross-training regimen. There is a local gym down here that has a pool so I think I'm going to look into that.

Later.

Weight: 172lbs
Exercise: Running 3 miles, walking 1/4 mile
Weather: 80 degrees, humid.

Icy Hot...Icy Awesome!!!

So today I discovered the wonder of Icy Hot. What a wonderful invention this crap is. After my run today, my calf was a little sore, so I thought I'd try it. Wow, when they say icy to numb the pain and hot to melt it away, they weren't kidding. My calf feels really good now. Steph doesn't like it so much as it stinks up the whole house, but I think I'll be using it more often. I have used Bengay in the past, but Icy Hot I think is mucho better.

The run today was a bear. It was really hot and extraordinarily humid so I was struggling. I ran 2 1/4 miles, walked a 1/4 mile, and then ran another 3/4 miles. So I ran 3 miles total and walked 1/4 mile (excuse the poor grammar, I don't know if I should pluralize or not). Anyway, it went well except for the soreness in my calf and the fact that I was dragging.

Tomorrow is a rest day and then back to running Thursday.

Weight: 172lbs
Exercise: Running 3 miles, walking 1/4 mile
Weather: Hot and Humid, 92 degrees

Glad to be home

Whew!!! what a great (and tiring) two weeks at the beach. I know, I know....stop complaining about having two weeks vacation at the beach. Man was it fun!!!

We kayaked (give 'dem kayaks Larry--long but worth it), went 4WD on the northern beaches to look at the wild horses, rode a ferry, sat out on the beach, visited Ocracoke, sat out on the beach, rode our bikes, got caught in a torrential downpour, ate great seafood, sat out on the beach, and sat out on the beach.

In addition to all that fun, I ran 3 miles a day, four days a week for a grand total of 24 miles over the past two weeks. In addition, I lifted the first week. I decided to skip the second week as I felt I was overdoing it a little.

While we were at the beach, I have to say I got hooked on SCUBA. That is, I think I'm going to get certified to do it next month. We have a little place here in Morgantown that provides the classes and I think I'm signing up. They are PADI certified. So, in case I didn't have enough physical crap on my plate, I think I'm going to learn how to SCUBA dive as well. It's only one night a week for five weeks...should be pretty easy, but we'll see. I became fascinated with the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" while at the Outer Banks and decided I wanted to swim in some wrecks...anyway, here's to me becoming the next SCUBA Steve.

I ran 3 miles today and will do so again on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I'll follow the same schedule for next week, and then the week after, I'll be starting my training for the marathon.

Cheers!!!

Weight: 172lbs
Exercise: Running 3 miles
Weather: Hot, hot and wet, that's good if you with a lady, but not if you running.

Off to the Beach!!

Well, this is my last post for about two weeks. Steph and I are headed to the beach. We have a beautiful oceanfront house at the Outer Banks...woohoo!!!! As most of you know, I do no work when I'm on vacation, so no email, computer, cellphone etc. I hope I don't have withdrawals :)

In the meantime, I'll let you know that after my run on Monday I was a little sore...actually, I was a lot sore. I ran 3 miles after a month of no running and my legs felt like lead the next day. Anyway, I think I may have pushed it a little. Today was the first day I ran since Monday. I ran 2 miles and walked 1 mile then lifted.

Today I also picked up some new running shoes. They are great. The folks at Fleet Feet in Pittsburgh are really great people and helped me pick out the perfect shoe. If you find yourself near Pittsburgh, I would definitely suggest you stop in.

I'll be taking my weights to the beach and will be attempting to run on the beach so I won't be resting too much.

See you soon!!!!

Weight: 172lbs
Exercise: Running 2 miles Walking 1 mile
Weather: hot, damn hot, 92 degrees

3 mile run Baby!!!!!

Woo hoo!!! I did 3 miles today :) My 4 week hiatus from running is over....I decided to jog today and man did it feel gooooooooood. My calves are a little tight, but it's a good sore. I did the run in 30:55 (10 minute mile) so, as you can tell, I didn't overdo it. But, wow is it nice to be running again.

There are some folks who I talk to about running and they complain about it not being fun. It's like a pain in the butt for them to run. I don't really get that. Granted, I'm still kind of new to this, but I really enjoy it. The way I see it, if you don't like running don't do it. Why force yourself to do something you don't like to do?

Anyway, I'm back :)

I guess I should mention that I also lifted today (arms/chest). I'll be running again on Wednesday and Friday. Tomorrow and Thursday are gym days where I'll be cycling.

Weight: 173lbs
Exercise: Running 3 miles, Lifting
Weather: Beautiful, 78 degrees, no humidity

Stupid should hurt

So, the damn bike rack situation finally worked itself out. We finally got it installed on Friday. Those freakin' guys from Advance Auto should do all of us a favor and quietly end their lives. For some reason, they thought this whole ordeal was funny. Needless to say I won't be returning to that particular store. In fact, for those folks in Morgantown, do me a favor and don't ever go to the Advance store on University Ave. if you can avoid it.

In other news, Steph and I and a few of our friends went for our 40 mile bike ride yesterday. What a great time we had!! We had beautiful weather and it wasn't overly hot. The ride itself was pretty flat and there were plenty of refreshments along the way. The trail took us from Prickett's Fort all the way to the Wharf District in Morgantown and back. At the halfway point, we were treated to a free sub from Subway and then headed back to Prickett's Fort. The last five miles, a buddy of mine and I decided to sprint the rest of the way. So after 35 miles, we then hauled ass to the end. We did the last 5 miles in just over nine minutes (we were moving).

After our ride, we then celebrated with a bunch of my former students by having dinner at a local Japanese steak house, followed up by drinks at a local pub. So all in all, it was a great time.

In terms of training, the only exercise I did this weekend was the bike ride. I've switched my rest days to Sundays now as my training is going to require that I do my rests on the weekends. Tomorrow I'm back to strength training and my cardio.

Weight: 173lbs
Exercise: 40 mile bike ride
Weather: Sunny, warm.