Rainy, dreary Saturday run

Steph and I got our long run in today in the worst weather. It was cold and rainy. Blech!!! We toughed it out however. I did 10 and she did 12. Next week I'll do 5-5-5-12 and Steph will do the same. She'll then begin her taper while I continue on the 5-5-5-12 pace. I want to get two 12 mile runs in before the Shamrock.

Other than that, not much to report.

Cheers!!!

The crazy backpack guy

So I've been doing most of running indoors on a treadmill. It's been pretty cold and since the sun doesn't come up when I need to run, I've decided to do my short runs at the WVU Rec Center. I still do my long weekend run outdoors (which reminds me that I have to pick up some pepper spray....Steph and I have had some run-ins with a dog the last few weeks).

Anyway, I usually get to the gym around 6:30am. Well yesterday I saw something I've never seen before. There was a guy who must be preparing to hike the Appalachian Trail on the treadmill next to me. You may be wondering how I know that he was preparing to hike...well, the nutjob had on full hiking regalia. That's right, he had on the boots, shorts, shirt, etc. which, in itself, is not that weird. What weirded me out was the fact that he had a full external frame backpack on. So for my entire five miles yesterday, I had Ranger Bob walking next to me.

What makes it worse was that everyone was staring at him and, of course, since I was next to him, they were staring at me (or at least I think they were). Good times....

Tomorrow, Steph and I will get our long runs in. She's doing 12 and I'm doing 10.

Cheers!!!

Weight: 158lbs
Exercise: Running 5 miles
Weather: Indoors.

Sometimes it's so hard to keep up the blog...

Sorry for not posting lately. I've been so busy!!!!

My dad had back surgery earlier this month, I've been running, I took up a martial arts system that's a blend of Aikido and Modern Arnis, I've been weightlifting on a consistent basis, I've been teaching, I've been setting up and running a few new projects (read companies), and Steph and I have been traveling. Sooooo, sorry for the delay :)

Anyway, things have been going well. My foot has almost healed. Steph ran 10 and I ran 8 last Saturday. I've been running 5 miles three times a week and then my long run on Saturday. This weekend, I'm going to up it to 10 miles. We have a little under a month for the Shamrock Half-Mary and I want to make sure I'm trained for it. Steph is doing great with her running. I'm so proud and happy for her.

Ohh, Steph and I booked our vacation for this summer. We are staying here....of course, its at the Outer Banks. That's where we go every summer. After the week there, Steph has to come back home in order to work. I, however, get to learn how to sail. I'm traveling to Charleston, SC to take part in a live-aboard program where I will spend a week on board a sailboat with one other guy learning how to sail.

I'm going to try and keep the blog up-to-date. Sorry again :)

Cheers!!

Super Wednesday

Got in 4 miles again. Actually, I think I got in more than 4 as the stupid treadmill reset itself about halfway through the run. In addition, as it was a new treadmill I was using and not the normal one I use, I forgot to start the timer when I started running. Doh!!!! Anyway, my foot still feels sore, but it certainly is better than what it was.

I also lifted today. I thought I could increase to 40lbs for my stuff, but nope...it looks like I'll be at 35 for a while. I was really looking forward to getting some preacher curls in, but the curling bars were used by other people the entire time I was there. That's the one thing I hate about going to the gym. You have to wait for the equipment. Oh well.

Tomorrow is just running (4 miles) and Friday is just lifting.

Cheers!!!

Weight: 159lbs
Exercise: Running 4 miles, Weightlifting
Weather: Warm 60 degrees.

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4 miles and some weight

I changed my lifting schedule a bit and am doing some incline and decline presses. If you haven't tried those, you should. They help more fully develop your chest. I also added some significant ab work and arms/shoulder work. Moreover, I increased my weight today. I usually do all my work with 30lb dumbbells. Today, I increased it to 35lbs and may increase it to 40 on Wednesday depending on how I feel.

There is a school of thought that says if you can lift a specific weight more than 10 times, you should increase the weight to a point where you can only lift it 6 times. Once you can lift that weight 10 times, then you increase it again. That way you are always challenging your muscles. Soooooo, that's what I'm doing. I'm also sticking with dumbbells as I feel like they work more muscles than just a barbell.

So I got 4 miles in today as well, which felt pretty good. My foot is still sore, but it actually feels better when I run rather than when I don't. Tomorrow is a rest day and then I think I'm going to do 4 miles again on Wed. and then the same on Thursday. I'm looking forward to doing 5 on Saturday. I have to begin to increase the mileages if I intend to race the Shamrock Half.

Cheers!!

Weight: 159lbs
Exercise:Running 4 miles, Weightlifting
Weather:40 degrees. Cloudy.

Good Saturday and 'Bodies'

Steph ran her usual 8 miles yesterday and I ran 3. My foot is still feeling better. I think I'm going to try for 4 tomorrow. If that goes well, I think I'll 4 on Wed and Thursday and then go for 5 on Saturday next week. If everything goes well and I continue to heal, I'll be ready for the Shamrock Dolphin Challenge in March. Slow and Steady :)

After our run on Saturday, Steph and I went to the Bodies exhibit. I have to say that I left there feeling more than a little creeped out. It wasn't the fact that the exhibit featured the disemboweled bodies of my fellow human beings. Science is good. And, anything that helps promote science in the masses is good.

It is more the fact that the folks in the exhibit used to be people. I know that sounds weird, but man, it is weird to see people with no skin and not think of them as people. Also, I'm not really sure where they got the folks who participated in the exhibition. My understanding is that they were from China. And, according to rumor, they may have been Chinese political prisoners. Now, I don't know that, but if it is true, I'm really upset that I spent 22 bucks for it. It's kind of like blood money.

Well, now that I've made this post really depressing. I'll leave on an upnote by telling you that I swear Steph and I saw a real live member of Whoville at dinner. She was about 75, but could have easily been a Who. Also, check out the video below Cindy Who....it's why I run ;)

Cheers!!

Weight: 158lbs
Exercise: Running 3 miles, Steph 8 miles
Weather: Cold, 35 degrees.

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Getting Stronger

So I got in 3 miles today and my normal lifting. I can tell that my foot is on the mend and, perhaps more exciting, is that I'm able to lift more weight than when I started...woohoo!!!! I'm now doing 30 lbs curls instead of 25. That is, I'm lifting 30 lbs in each arm. I do 12 reps in 3 sets. Next week, I'm going to start an inclined bench regiment.

Remember, I want to be able to benchpress my bodyweight at least 3 times by the end of the year. Looks like I'm on my way!!!

I hope I can get back in shape enough to get the Shamrock half-mary. Although I'm not pushing it, I can feel a little pressure to make sure I can run it. I had to have to miss that one too. I'm going to try for 3 miles again tomorrow.

Cheers!!

Weight: 158lbs
Exercise: Running 3 miles, Weightlifting
Weather: Rainy, cold 35 degrees.

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