6-26-13 Winded

It's strange to think how each day is so different. Tonight my wife and I went to the gym. I got on the treadmill and started my run, almost 4 minutes in I was breathing heavy, unable to control my breath. I was out of it. I walked until my 10 minute mark and this time only made a 1 or 2 minute run.

I will be going earlier in the day tomorrow, and making sure I eat more responsibly. I think that had something to do with it.

21 minutes 1.25 miles.

6-23-13 Family In Town

So life huh... This week started out with a great run and going hiking, but then family on vacation caught up to me. My mom came into town on Wednesday, and my brother and his family on Thursday. It's not often I get to see them, but it was really good to see them. I remembered how much I miss hanging out with my brother and his family.

I had plenty of opportunities this week to get in my other two runs I needed to, but I didn't do them. I will be doing four runs this week to get myself on schedule again.

Monday 7:00 am - 7:30 am
• 5 minute run / 5 minute walk (x3)

Wednesday 7:00 am - 7:30 am
• 5 minute run / 5 minute walk (x3)

Thursday 7:00 am - 7:30 am

• 10 minute run / 5 minute walk (x2)

Saturday 7:00 am - 7:30 am

• 10 minute run / 5 minute walk (x2)

I have decided that I am going to change to a 4 day a week program that will be consistently 4 days a week. I decided this because I want to have a consistent training schedule that I  will be able to maintain when school starts again in the fall.

Something great that my brother and I worked out was where I was going to go running when I head to St. Louis & Indianapolis this August for GenCon. The YMCA in Missouri and out hotel has a fitness center in Indianapolis.

6-18-13 Hiking

Today I didn't do a run, but I did yesterday and it was a great run. I did 5 minute run followed by 5 minute walk three times. I made a 15 minute mile by doing that. It was a really encouraging experience. I had a real morale boost afterward. It was nice to see a little improvement.

Along the lines of a little improvement, I had the chance to go hiking with the boy scouts tonight. I went to a spot where I tried trail running before. I struggled even walking the area at the time, but tonight I made it up and down hills without a problem. I felt really good when I was done. It was a mile and a half hike, and a nice change of pace from the gym. It was another area where it was nice to see some improvement. I am seeing my clothes fit a little different, and I bet they would be an even larger fit if I could get this eating thing under control (loosing the plunger to our juicer hasn't helped).

6-15-13 Running With Chocolate Milk

Today I ran, and got down to a 16 minute mile. As I was on the treadmill I had a funny internal dialogue, I started out jogging and was able to maintain breath control, but my legs were getting tired.
Internal Dialogue:
"Why are you running, you could be walking..." Then I slow the treadmill down to a walk.
-5 Minutes Later
"Why are you walking, you could be running right now..." So I start to run.

This process repeated a couple of times in my head, I told my wife about it this evening as we were heading to a BBQ in the canyon by our house. We got a good laugh out of it. It did get me thinking about internal dialogues though. I have tons of them. There have been days where I go to the gym and talk myself out of running for this reason or that. But there are times where it has helped me greatly, like testing for my Black Belt, or driving on long trips and everyone else has fallen asleep.

This little dialogues we have with ourselves can have a major impact on us. I think of school this past week, I am taking a figure drawing class and was really not focused a couple of days this week. I struggled to get anything to a mostly complete state. It wasn't until Thursday that I finally was feeling better, but the class ended for the week. Now I get to prep for it again, I have been doing a lot of drawing in my sketchbook for this class since Friday. So I hope that come Monday I am more with it and am able to glean more from the class. It was that little internal dialogue that hurt me so much when it comes to drawing, but now I get to address the conversations with myself, and change them to be more supportive. Putting up though guiders is what I'm going to do. When I run, have a note in front of my to reign in my thoughts and control the internal dialogue.

With my run (onto a different subject), I felt goof today. I get to do the 5 run 5 walk next week, and am looking forward to it. This is going to be a challenge to me because of that internal dialogue. I will run Monday after class and I will try to post before I go into finish school assignments mode (this figure drawing class ends Thursday and I need to finish my sketch book).

I will post my measurements again when I go to my doctor next (I think it's later next month).

Until Next Time...

I never explained the Chocolate Milk in the title, at the end of the Tri-State Marathon in December, they will be serving chocolate milk at the finish line. So I tried some at the end of my workout. It was really satisfying! So I now have some chocolate milk for my next run. It's the little things that really bring happiness.

6-14-13 Stinkin Thinkin can kill

Today according to the treadmill I hit a 19 minute mile... two of them actually. It was a little bittersweet, because I had just gotten down to a 15 minute mile a few weeks ago. But I guess it doesn't really matter how fast it was two weeks ago if I neglect consistency in working out.

I have been reading in "The Non-Runners Marathon Trainer" about using your brain to stay off your own attacks of doubt, and negativity. Using your frontal lobe to visualize more effective training. Picturing that you are running effortlessly... etc. So I tried this a little today at the gym. I had an audio book going on my iPad (Dresden Files book 3) and used on of my painting programs and wrote on the screen, RUNNING MAKES ME HAPPY! Though running is not able to make me do anything (because it's an activity I do), this little sign in front of me served as a good reminder the reason I am running. It's to change my life, and be healthier, stronger, and help me be more active.

As I was working out these two lovely younger women came into the gym and got on the treadmills that were a couple down from me, they were laughing and talking as they warmed up (about what... probably nuclear fission and thermodynamics, it would only make sense to talk about that while working out). What really stuck out to me was when they were not running they was having fun talking (unless laughter isn't an indication of having fun). But when they were doing their run, they were focused just on that and didn't disrupt each other. Having someone to train with seems like a wonderful thing, and to me is a grass is greener on the other side scenario. I see where having someone to train with would help to keep me away from my own thoughts, but as much help as it would be, I need to learn to handle myself.

-Riley

Funny Images in regards to running.

Change in Venue

I was doing research on the various marathons that are close to home. I found the Tri-State Marathon that starts in Mesquite, NV, goes through Utah, Arizona, and back to Mesquite. It takes place December 7th. It's a month later than the one in Willcox, Az. But it's 30 degrees cooler and closer to home. So I am going to register for it tomorrow night when Silvia and I are both home and am committing to it. It is exactly 6 months from today.

I AM REGISTERED TO RUN DECEMBER 7th

If anyone would like to run it with me I wouldn't stop you.

http://runplanetultra.com/tri-states-marathon/

Yesterday and today 6/6/13 -6/7/13

I've started to look at various training guides for a marathon, and am looking at other cooler temperature races to run. With Willcox, Az being in the lower to mid 80's to day of the race and the distance of travel to get there, I was thinking I should change which race I will run. As soon as I decide which race I am running, I will register, pay for it, and post it.

Yesterday I made it to the gym for the second time. I even went as far as riding my bike the mile to get there. Tat nasty brain of mine got in the way again... I was able to run/walk for 36 min, make an 18 minute mile. I need to be around 15 to really start training. But idid discover that my fast walking pace done in a slow run was easier of my legs.

I ask myself daily, "what am I getting myself into here?" But the answer is always the same, "I really just don't know yet."

So diet is what I am going to ramble about right now, and meal suggestion I can start working eating (that isn't pasta) would be great. My body and Italian style pasta don't like to work well with one another. Also right now I am coming off of soda, I think I need something that's sweet to replace it, but I'm not sure what. By sweet I don't mean another sugar filled replacement. Again, I'll keep everyone apprised of my situation. I've also started to (sporadically) use a of do journal, I forget a lot. I'm going to work harder at it.

 It's been one month today since I've decided to run this Marathon. It's been a challenging month, and I think the summer ahead will provide more challenges. Thanks for reading!

New way to run 6-4-13

Today I signed up at Planet Fitness to better handle running in Utah's lovely summer weather. According to my phone it feels like 84 outside right now. I know I have chosen a Marathon in Arizona to run, and it will be hot when I do run it. But as it gets warmer I will make it outside more.

Today was my first day on a treadmill in a while, I am finding that my head is my worst enemy and I am only at a mile and a half. I also discovered that 3 min run and 3 min walk is a little out of my league right now. I am about a week behind schedule.

The mental aspect of things is hard to win against and I have always struggled with getting out of my head. I believe this will be the hardest part of what I'm choosing to do, the mental aspect deals directly with so many different parts of me. My weight, my negative self talk, my laziness... etc... If anyone who follow this has any suggestions I am open to receiving them.

I will be back at the gym tomorrow, and will work at getting on track to finish this marathon.