Running Giant: My Journey

So here I am sitting here (still coughing and clearing my throat) from running in the inversion in SLC. It was a great run (accept the inversion). As you look at my splits you can see it's even faster than my Saturday run. Yeah mile 2 and 4 where my mid range speed drills (where you go moderately faster than your normal pace instead of going all out for a shorter amount of time). My first mile was a lot faster than it should have been, but I was cold and wanted to warm up as fast as I could. When I started my second mile due to going the pace I did for mile one, I was spent, and happy I was able to push faster than mile one at all. Mile three was heaven, I was able to catch my breath in time to push it again for mile 4. Did I mention today was a really good run? I need to make sure I emphasize how good it was. I ran close to my Turkey Trot time, which was a race. I am excited about getting better and better times as I run. I really like running, even when it's frustrating ...

I am sitting here at my computer, and can only think about food. Which is understandable. I did just run 6 miles on a bagel with cream cheese, a banana, and a Light and Fit Greek yogurt. But I found that to be my perfect pre-run meal. It was a really good run today and I feel like me again. Doing a long run seems to wake up my senses a little more. Yeah I can only think about food after the run, but it's worth it. Because of that run I burned around 1700 calories. I kept a good pace today too. I stayed around a 13:22 average split, and believe mile 7 would have been my fastest if I would have finished running it. My lateral arch on my left food is a little achy, and my right knee is bothering me some (but I need to roll it out so I should stop whining about it). With school right now I am trying to get accepted to the BFA program (which will allow me to apply for an MFA program for grad school). So I am reworking a lot of older pieces (like the runner I posted a while back. I un...

I have now done two work outs for my training group, and so far so good. I also just got the email today for my Saturday workout, I will be doing a 6 mile run. I haven't run further than 4 miles since I ran my marathon, and the 4 mile run was tonight. But if i focus and listen to my music as I focus on form I'l be alright. The path I'm running isn't very hilly, I'm not sure if there are any at all. Also with my run tonight, I did the 4 miles and my knee is doing fine (even without the knee brace)! Nutrition wise I have been getting closer and closer to my caloric goals each day. Today since I worked out I was able to get under my caloric intake without an issue, and had quite a few calories to spare. I keep forgetting to weigh myself at the gym as I am on my way out. Hey look, it's a short post! Thanks for reading, Riley

Today was the paperwork day for the training group I will be joining. It was nice, I was excited about running again afterward. I also got my first weeks workout. Tuesday: Easy 3 miles Thursday: 2 mile warm up, then 6x20x20 (I think she means 6 sets of 20 second sprint, then 20 second jog, so that's what I'll do) Saturday: Either a 4 or 5 mile long run She is giving me one easy day, one speed day, and one long day. I think I will talk to her about putting one more day in there of cross training on a bike. My run tonight was really nice, I was at a steady pace I could have run a while at for my first two miles, then I increased my speed gradually over the last mile, and did a full on sprint for my last .2 miles. it was a nice run. Silvia came to the gym with me for this run, it's always nice to have someone to workout with, even when they are rocking the elliptical in front of you. I have been running in my Wave Riders out of fear that my Torin are the problem for...

Today is going to be a short post. I still don't know what's going on with my knee, but it's bothering me again. After my run I have to take steps one at a time so it doesn't hurt. It sucks. At school all day it's fine as I traverse the stairs, but add running on a treadmill in and all the sudden things get screwed up. My run today was good, I was able to power past the discomfort in my right knee and finish my run trending how I should be, in a decrease in time with each mile. I read other blogs about runners and see they are getting in miles at a 6 minute or 8 minute pace. It can be discouraging to read, but then I remind myself I have only been running for just over 8 months and am still hovering around 300 lbs. So I am able to not get down because of that. So if you are just starting out or have been at this running thing a while, keep in mind where you have come from. But to improve, write down where you want to be, and strive for. That's what I have to d...

So I have been kinda doing a half hearted training regime since I started running again. This time it's a bit harder. I am waiting to start running with my training group starting next week. So I haven't been putting my all into my runs. I was able to push it up to an 8:34 pace while running today and sustained it for over 2 minutes. I stopped and went down to my 13:00 minute pace and struggled regaining my breath after that. The second time I started at that pace today (I was supposed to run x2 quarter mile segments at that pace), I lost control of my breath and my right knee started bothering me. I finished off that mile at a slower pace than I was aiming for. Then I walked most of my last half mile. My knee is still bothering me, it hurts to go up and down stairs (until the inflammation goes down), so ibuprofen here I come. I think cross training and strength training may help to improve what ever is going on. I am looking forward to next week, when my training group st...

So I went to the gym and pounded out 3.28 miles today in the record setting time of 49 minutes (.28 was 5 minutes of that). I know I can do faster, and I tried... and tried... and did not succeed. I was running an 8 minute mile at one point for about a minute, that was awesome. But I didn't have the energy to sustain the run. I ran out of gas towards the end of mile 2. The problem was simple, I didn't eat before I ran. I just hopped in the shower (because I don't like running feeling grungy from the day before), and got ready, grabbed my water and walked out the door. I really should have eaten. It's like running a long run. Eat before hand then at about the hour mark (1:15 is my magic number to begin fueling while running), pop a gel or a waffle, and keep going, 30-45 minutes later repeat (my magic number here is about 30 minutes). So why not eat a bagel with peanut butter before you run? I should have today, then maybe I could have had the mental stamina to go long...

Today I did great with my run, I found my knee brace, and put it on, focused on my form as well. So as of right now my knee is doing great. My IT band isn't bothering me at all. I believe I will keep sporting the knee brace for my next few run. I also wore my new shoes again today, they were actually comfortable to run in, so I think I will keep them. I know I waffle back and forth on things a lot, but after today I think they are a good fit. I did something while running that can really successfully be done on a treadmill. My second mile if you look at my split is better than mile 1 (warm up mile), I did a .1 mph increase every .1 miles. So by the time I made it to the start of mile three I was running at 5 mph. Then I pumped it up to 6 mph until I wasn't able to control my breathing very well (about .25 miles). With a treadmill you can be more exact on numbers, which is nice and all, but I look forward to running outside again. It was snowing today so I passed on the outdo...

It takes a certain level of security in who you are to go outside in shorter shorts than you are used to running in, and bright yellow shoes. Last week I added to my ever increasing shoe collection a pair of big yellow Mizuno Wave Rider 16. Today is my first run in them. I am partial to my zero drop Altra's since I wear a pair every day, but I figured I could give these new shoes a try. As of me writing this I have yet to get out on the treadmill (where my run will take place today). I will include a more detailed review of the shoe when I get home from the gym. Post Gym: With the shoes it feels like I am running on my whole foot with the heel being so big, which I don't like. I may trade them in and get the Nike Pegasus (the other shoe I was considering) because it has a lower heel, and the more trail quality to the sole of the shoe. I would like to get under 10mm with my heel to toe drop, but with my wide feet it's not looking possible without getting another pair of Alt...

Today was my first day toward the SLC Half Marathon. I am having some of the same pains in the right knee as I had in the left back in October. I believe it's IT band but I am not 100% this time. So I am going to have my wife help me out with massaging it, and I will work on my torture roller. I didn't feel like I was able to push as myself like I had been pre-marathon. I believe it's because I don't have a committed goal (a race paid for) that I am lacking that drive. The aching knee isn't helping. So as soon as I can I will get my first race paid for, and start focusing on that. I also need a workout plan. I have a rough one in my mind, but I just don't know if I can trust it. I can't wait until the 21st when I start with the training group. Right now I have the biggest loser playing as I write this, keeping in mind the choice to get healthier. I will be doing grocery shopping this Friday for next week (we have most of it already, but the produce). I ...