3-31-14 Late post for a nice run

Today was a nice midday run. I went out at around 12:30 (which won't be a good idea in a month or so), but today it was perfect. I was at the end of my running clothes, so I need to do my laundry before I run tomorrow.

My run today was nice, it bordered on great, the border was because I was short .2 miles on it for 5 miles. I could have easily fixed by continuing to run into the Orem cemetery, but I didn't I wish I had a reason, like vicious chaffing, or the hills killing my knees, or something real, but it was just me, I couldn't make myself do it. I did make it home afterward for lunch with Silvia, and then out in time for my chiropractor appointment.

I have been seeing a chiropractor for just over a week, my back was all screwed up after my run last Monday. I think my camel bag is having a negative effect on me, I need to strengthen my back. But the time to do that is nigh impossible to find right now.

During this summer I was going to take off of school, but it looks like I will be doing two classes. Figure drawing (which I did last summer as well) and a Plein Air painting class (on site oil painting in nature). I was told today the reason I didn't get into my BFA program was because of my drawing, so one of the instructors I work with regularly said I should take it so I can keep drawing all summer. Then I have him for two more classes in the fall, both are drawing classes. I am praying I can get accepted to the program this fall, so I can graduate next year. Right now it looks lie I will be able to pass my classes, and that's refreshing. I will be doing double time painting and drawing for the first few weeks of the semester.

Wow, I am getting tired and need to do laundry, thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-29-14 Running Through a Race

Today was a nice run, I could have done it in a short sleeve shirt it was so nice out. The first mile was windy and nice. I had a small hill to do at the beginning. At mile three apparently I was struggling. I remember my form suffered, but I thought I was keeping pace with the rest of my runs. The last mile was fun, I encountered a 10k turn around point, and the first couple of people to get to it. Everyone who I saw running by there after, I smiled and waved to them. But I got to experience some of there race day magic and picked up speed. It was a cool feeling

21 days left until my race, one more week of training before my taper. I am looking forward to my next race. Next Saturday we are meeting at the beginning of where the race will be and doing our long run there. That will help a lot, having run the Provo Canyon trail multiple times made the Halloween Half Marathon a lot easier to run.

Last Monday beat the crap out of me, my back is still suffering from from it. My erectors are like re-bar, and need to be worked. My legs are still tired, but not to the extent of Wednesday. I figure my run on Monday was hillier than I expected, and that's what did some damage to me. I think a solid massage would help to fix a lot of my problems.

And about Ragnar, I was supposed to meet up with a couple of other people from my group this morning, but woke up a half hour later than I wanted to. But I did see Mike (team captain) doing his run this morning. Which was encouraging. It was nice to see someone I knew more than bumping into them as I start my Tuesday morning run.

I finished early, it was about 9:45 am when I finished. It was strange finishing that early, I came home got an early lunch at Which Wich. So I ate, then came home and here I am. I have an exciting day of drawing and painting ahead of me, so thanks for reading today, and if you have a run today, have fun with it, set a small reward at the end if you're having a hard time getting out.

-Riley

3-27-14 Meatballs in the Oven

So I did my run this evening and the weather was great, it was about 48 outside with a slight breeze, and a little moisture. The trail was almost empty, and I was able to run without my energy crapping out. My run Monday did a number on me, and that run Tuesday just didn't work. Even yesterday I was still sucking wind. But today I really felt good as I ran.

My day has been a lazy day where I went tot the chiropractor and made out budget for the next couple of weeks. So it's been a good day. I don't feel like I have furthered anything in regards to my education, but I am a little more stress free than I had been.

I have run out of time to write, so thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-26-14 Uncommonly Hard Run

My legs didn't want to cooperate with me today. Three miles felt like running with cement feet, and I wanted to keel over. It was such a pain in the butt. I did make it through though. I haven't wanted to swear while running like this for quite some time.

I could complain about how it seemed like I was running forever. But I finished and burned a few calories doing it. I did my run at the gym today, the overcast threat of rain with a cold breeze kept me from hitting the trail.

It's been a while since my run, and my legs aren't as hammered as they were. I guess that advice I used to give my karate students about repeating an exercise to get rid of the fatigue that the exercise had created when previously done was good advice.

My mind is empty right now and I need to get focused to finish a digital painting in the next three hours. So until tomorrow, thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-24-14 Long Run on a Monday?

So today I did my long run, right now I am 2 miles short of having the complete long run done. Not to go into the details, but chaffing stopped me from completing the last two. But After I get out of class tonight I have every intention of going and finishing those two miles at the gym, or by my house.

I didn't fuel right before I left for my run, a single banana right before hand, and two taquitos 4 hours earlier made it a difficult run energy wise. My had was down most of the run, which caused unneeded strain on my back and neck, and for some reason I wasn't able to keep my eyes looking forward. I did have two Salted Caramel Gu, and some Sports Beans. So it was a decent nutritional supply as I ran. I also finished most of my Camelpak. I was so spent after the run, my legs just didn't want to work anymore. My knees burned with every step, and I couldn't bring myself to walk the last 2 miles (regret is creeping in right now).

After my run I met up with my wife and went to Cafe Rio, a 1000 calorie burrito taste so much better after you have burned almost 3000 calories. So does ice cream, cup cakes, and Gatorade. But if you run only so you can eat... and it keeps you getting outside to run, keep it up (but you may want to find a little more solid of a reason to run, like it helps me sleep when I run a good run).

It's now the morning of the 25th, I didn't make it back out last night, my knees and chafed spots didn't allow it. I also haven't made it to my normal run this morning. I will be doing that later today when I get what distance it should be. It will be a bit slower, but I am going to get that done today. I have a portrait that I need to paint today and that will be my break at about 5:00 or 6:00 to go run for an hour.

During my last class yesterday I was sitting there and one of the guys asked me if I had been running, I was shocked because I hadn't really told anyone, and he quickly pointed out my sun burn. I am fairly burnt right now, my wife looked at my arms and laughed at how long my shirt was, because the sleeve almost went down to my elbows, so now I am going to be rocking a farmers sun burn for a while (until I get a sleeveless top to run in for the summer).

And the final thing, I was on pace to run close to the time it took me to run my half marathon last October. Isn't that exciting, especially for a training run.

Thanks for reading as always.

-Riley

3-22-14 Missing Runs

So I missed today's run. I will be pushing it back to Monday after I get out of class. The I will hit the Murdock Trail for 13 miles. But it doesn't change that pang of regret from missing a scheduled work out. I don't know what happened today, but I have been asleep most of the day. And mentally I am a mess. Which says to me that running would help, but I just can't will myself to get out and do it. IT SUCKS! So I took some medication that is supposed to help, but the drawback after I take I am not supposed to run, because it increases blood pressure and heart rate. This medication is as needed and was prescribed after three weeks of depression. Running is so therapeutic, and I wish I could always experience that post run feeling. I hope this post wasn't depressing, but it's a peak inside of what happens to me periodically.

Thanks for reading.

-Riley

How do you feel when you miss a workout?

What stops you from getting out at times?

3-20-14 On your left

I am not sure if I have talked about it over the past few weeks, but I have been battling a severe bout of depression. Running has helped to relieve the low and speed work surprisingly has helped the most. After I do it, I feel a little more normal. I missed my 5 mile run this week that wasn't speed work and I regret it. I was supposed to wake up early yesterday to do it, but had some homework to do.

The run was great, I didn't want to got at a faster pace for 8 minutes, but I did, and after the first time, I needed a second. I noticed by the end of the second 8 minutes my form had completely disappeared. I used all I had, and didn't fuel properly before I ran. A bow of cereal just wasn't enough. But after I ran I had a burrito, which was fantastic (even though it cam from a convenience store).

Ok, my title is On your left, yesterday I watched the first 11 minutes of Captain American: The Winter Soldier. In the beginning it has Captain America running laps around the reflecting pool in from of the Washington Monument. Every time he passes this other runner he says, "On your left." The other runner gets a little miffed and starts saying the last lap the Captain America does, No don't say it. Then he passes saying, "On your left." I laughed because I know how it feels to have that faster runner pass you, and what it feels like to pass someone. So it struck home to me and I thought someone else out there may appreciate it.

Time for homework, thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-18-14 A Great Run & 1 month until SLC Half!

To start off, I have been using the wrong name for my trainer. Her name is Lisa Menninger (not messinger). She's awesome. She has helped me to start running with better form and also challenges me some great work outs. She's going to help me through my spring and fall races, and shave time. I did 4 great miles, all under 13 min miles. Last year at this time I was sitting around not doing running and being overwhelmed.

The miles today I challenged myself to beat a 13 min mile. After Saturday I firmly believe that I can maintain a 12:20 for at least a 10k, if not more. I have yet to set my goal for my next half marathon, but it's going to be AWESOME! When I went into the run I realized I was going too fast for my usual pace, but I was breathing without wheezing, or losing my breath. When I got to mile 4, it was a big moment, because I accepted the challenge to run faster for that mile when I wasn't required to. I did what an article in Runner's World suggested and did 10-20 second bursts every few minutes to keep my pace up. I was running a sub 12 min mile without losing my breath. So now I am going to work at going faster when I do my long runs but making sure I am keeping at a pace where I'm not losing my breath.

This week I have three days of running in a row since I didn't make it out yesterday. I will be heading out tomorrow morning for an easy 5, I will keep all the miles sub 13 at least because I need to get my body to accept that my new pace is faster than what I have previously done, or accepted as my speed. Then on Thursday it's speed training, then Saturday a 13 mile long run where I am meeting up with the Ragnar team for the first part of the long run.

I went into a new running store that will be opening in the next couple of months today. I look forward to going there once they open. Why you may ask, because it's a big comfortable store. I like that. I will still get most of my gear and nutrition at the Runner's Corner, because they have been great to work with, and have encouraged me from the first day I walked in and said I decided to run a marathon. They have put up with my never ending questions and given there personal opinions. They also directed me to different places to run.

I have 10 more minutes until I start my homework, so thanks for reading!

-Riley

Questions:
When was your last great run?

How fast were you when you started running?

Run on 3-15-14, long run with mid range speed work

Yesterday was my long run, I was busy with getting this for Ragnar figured out, as well as spending some time gaming (I should have been doing homework). So I didn't get home until around 9, when I started work on some things for church today. It was a lot of being busy yesterday.
But here I am to report on my run. I did 7 miles (in my Torins) and made it through doing what I was suppose to, 4 miles slower, then 3 miles faster than the 4. I think I can keep up my 12+ min pace for longer than three miles. Which has me excited. I was only huffing and puffing when I increased my pace to 11:30 mile, or faster. Both mile 1 and 4 were under 14 minutes, I stopped to take some photos on mile 4, and was getting to the start of the trail for mile 1.

It's nice getting faster, the fartlek's and other speed drills have been very helpful. I owe a lot to Lisa Messinger for helping out with everything so far.

So I ran on the Murdock Canal Trail yesterday. It was nice to another trail besides the couple I have been running. This one will also be great for future speed work, it's fairly flat. I will be heading out tomorrow morning to get one of my mid range runs in before I head off for school. I will do an easy 5 miles.

For Ragnar I will be doing leg 5. Which has something akin to a trail run for the first set of miles, helping me to accomplish the goal of doing a trail run this year. I'l keep everyone posted as it comes closer.

I have decided on my second half marathon for the spring, I will be doing the Alpine Classic Half. If anyone wants to join me, you are more than welcome to come. It's fairly inexpensive for a half marathon ($55). So I will have races April, May, and June. Then I am going to focus on cross training and more speed work over the rest of the summer, then October, and November for my last races of the year.

I need to get back to making dinner, thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-13-14 Speed Work... Speed Work... Speed Work!

Today I did speed work. My run was ho hum until I started my speed work. At mile 2 it started, I picked up pace to just under a 10 minute mile. I continued it for half a mile, slowed down to my 13:30ish pace, then after a half mile boosted back up to my faster pace again. I did that a total of three times. Holy, that third half mile I thought I would be able to maintain the hard breathing pace pace, but I was winded. It was tough.

Weight wise (if you didn't see my Facebook post) I have lost 40 lbs. since I started running last may. 20 of that has been since January. After my marathon I put back on 10 lbs. and went back to 306 lbs. I am now down to 286 lbs. My goal for the next three months is another 20 lbs. If I keep to my training and watching my caloric intake, and change what I eat a bit more, I should be able to do it easily. My goal weight is currently 240 lbs. But when I get there I will evaluate if I want to lose more.

When I first started I was wearing a size 44 pants, XXL t-shirts, and 3XL button up shirts (that I couldn't do the top button on. I am now wearing a size 38 for my pants, and an XL in t-shirts and button up shirts. I am still unable to do the top button on my shirt but that's because I have a big neck, holding up a fat head.

Races for the year. I will be paying for Ragnar this week (and will be looking at the various routes this Saturday). Salt Lake City Half marathon is already paid for. I am looking at doing the Vigor Big Cottonwood Half or The Alpine Half. They fall in the right spot to recover from the SLC Half, and will allow me recover time for Ragnar. Then I will not be doing any runs during the hot time of the year and just train for the two fall races I will be doing, the Provo Halloween Half or and the Thankful 13 at thanksgiving point. I may volunteer at a race during the summer.

Well I have homework to do still, thanks for reading.

-Riley

3-12-14 When a short run becomes long

Today I made it to the gym for a few miles, and really struggled to get them in. They just seemed to drag out forever! I wish I could have done it all yesterday. Tomorrow I have speed drills in the morning, it will be nice. I need to get to work on some drawing, thanks for taking a minute to read this little post.

-Riley

3-10-14 Running with my Wife

I got back from my run just over 4 hours ago. It was a real eye opener for me. I had the chance to run again with my wife (who is amazing) and got to experience running like it was when I had only been doing it for a little while. She is in better shape than I was when I first started, and will be better than me at running if she decides to keep at it. But it was nice to get a peak at where I have been, and compare it to where I am now. I have come a long way in 10 months. My last mile on my splits is the one I did with my wife. I also did part of mile 4 with her,, otherwise I would have run too hard and exhausted myself before my run tomorrow.

Now that I have determined I can run in my Altra's again, I will be starting up my rotation with my shoes again. So I will do all of my runs in my Altra's this week (which should put me close to 180 miles on them at the end of the week). I really like the zero drop platform for a shoe. I don't experience the heel dragging at all which is nice. I also like how light they are. That's the biggest difference between my shoes.

I think I will leave this post as it is, thanks for reading.
-Riley

3-8-14 The extra long run

Alright, my long run was a good run. I ran more than I thought I would. I was only supposed to run 11 miles, but messed up my distance tracking at the beginning. I realized it when I reached mile 4 (which is at an entrance to a park with a route that forks, that's the only way I know). So at the end of my run, it said I ran 10.72 miles, until I made the map adjustment, and it added an extra mile.

My average pace would have let me finish a half marathon at the same speed I ran my previous one at. So I am looking forward to see what kind of time I will be able to finish the SLC half in. I will be using that race day magic to see how fast I can finish.

My wife is doing a couch to 5k (or at least that's what she has told me). Our local running store has a training program that's being sponsored by Altra shoes (which is a local company). I think I will be trying to run in my Altra again this week. I do have the additional run, so I will have an additional chance to run in them.

When i got to Salt Lake I missed the main body of the group by about 6 minutes. I really wanted to run with them. With the daylight savings time starting on Sunday, the Saturday run time is going to move to an hour earlier. Which means I need to get to bed about an hour earlier. Back to arriving at the meet up point to run, all the sudden I had to use the restroom. It's still March so most of the restrooms on the route are closed. It was at mile 8 that I finally got to use it. My guts hate me right now because of this.

After my run I went to Maverick (a gas station/convenient store for those who don't know what they are) and picked up a Pepsi Max fountain drink and added there cherry concentrated flavor to it. It changed it to taste like Dandelion & Burdock, which I haven't had in a couple of years. Right now I have yet to really eat anything substantial because my stomach is still not doing hot.

This coming summer I won't be doing school, due to being burnt out. I need a break. Which will make it easier to run Ragnar and also go on vacation. We are most likely going to head to St. Louis. Which will be fun because I will be able to run at sea level again, oh yeah, see family and take a break as well. I am starting to get a little hungry so food here I come.

Thanks for reading,
-Riley

3-6-14 Third time is the charm

Today I got dressed to run 3 times and the third time is when I finally made it out the door. I really wanted to run outside today, but each time I just couldn't get myself to do it. It was so hard, so by the time I got out it was pouring rain and the gym. I saw someone I am in classes with and talked to him for a few minutes (which was good).

So today was speed drills. They kicked my butt. I started out with a 2 mile warm up, then 4 minutes at a 10:30 pace, then down to a 14:00. Then back up to 10:45 for 4 minutes, then back down to 14:00 for 3 minutes, finished with a 11:00 pace, then did an easy run my last half a mile. The reason I wanted to go outside and run was because I had this awesome 5 mile run planned. I will make up for these 4 indoor miles on Saturday with my 11 mile long run.

For my run Saturday I will be loading up on the Salted Carmel and the Peanut Butter GU. I may bring my sports beans with me since I found a bunch in my gym bag. Starting Monday I will be adding an extra day to my running routine. It will be my mid range run (1/2 of my land run distance). I am still very hungry since I just finished my run and am going to go and rectify that situation.
Thanks for reading,
Riley

3-4-14 Running in the Rain

What a day today, I went to SLC, and it started to lightly rain as I was driving. By the time I got to where my coach was, it was pouring rain. It continued to do so until after I got groceries. Which I did in my running clothes (I lived life on the edge with that one).

So I ran in the rain today, and was supposed to do 2 easy miles then increase speed for #3 and increase speed again for #4. So I thought I did for number three, but was caught at two busy roads (which I am convinced took a minute of my time). while I was running it was nice to have a pocket that wouldn't make my shorts fall down (which are too big for me and need to be replaced).

By the time I got back to the Salt Lake Running Company (which is our starting point and finishing point of Tuesday runs), I was soaked. The other runners were also wet, only one person brought a towel to dry off and it wasn't me. I ended up buying a new running shirt, another runner did the same, and one other picked up new shorts as well. It was amazing how much rain was coming down.

On another note I am now down to 288 lbs. I have lost 4" off my hips and around my mid section. I am now wearing XL button up shirts (which I wasn't able to wear 2XL when I started running last May). I have been doing well with my calorie watching, and the amount of calories drops every time my weight does so there is a slight adjustment to get use to it. I know this because I went out and bought a new pair of jeans, which are a size 38, a XL button up shirt, and a sweet red Marty McFly vest. I am happy because I am steadily losing weight, and am making some better choices with eating.

Well it's time to do some drawing.

Thanks For Reading,
Riley

3-1-14 Long Runs Mean Extra Food

One of my favorite things about long runs is that I get to eat more. So tonight I am going to enjoy some Japanese curry. It's delicious and even more so when you are really hungry.

I made it 8.6 miles then drove home and changed to go to the gym to finish my run. The trail was closed at the 3.4 mile mark and I was too big of a woos to bend the rules to finish my run outside.

This is horrible I am too hungry to focus so I am going to make some dinner.

Thanks for Reading,
Riley