"Everything ends badly... otherwise it wouldn't end"
I am officially 'closing up shop' on this blogging thing. It's not working for me. Without ever knowing exactly why I was getting into it in the first place, the main purpose was to ensure balance between my own selfish pursuits (like running and such) and family, work, and such.
When it comes down to it, I don't have the time or energy to keep up the blog. Plus, I feel like it's SO repetitive. With all the various social media, I keep in touch with the people I want to keep in touch with, say the things I need to say, and blogging is, well, just one more thing to maintain.
And for the 'strangers' in my life, well... YOU all have blogs! And I'm much more entertained and entertaining just commenting on your blogs.
That all said... I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't do more with this. I never posted enough pictures or links. I never blogged enough. I wanted to, but it just wasn't ever near the top of my priority list.
But I do have a couple loose ends to tie up. Things totally worthy of their own epic posts with multiple pictures... but not happening.
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Race REPORT: Ran a 3 minute PR (1:46), in costume, after a week of gluttony and walking the parks. Happy with the result, but really wanted a sub-1:45
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Race REVIEW: LOVED the race, but wouldn't do it again, because I'm a guy. But will consider Disney for future destination races, in spite of the cost, because it was that damn good. Like being cheered on by celebrities.
- Grand Island Half Marathon: Inspired by my Disney PR, I ran another Half a couple months later. 1:42:55! ANOTHER 3 minute PR! Happy... but my left knee really fell apart the last 3-4 miles. I can still do better. But, no more Halfs on the schedule for now... just lots of 5Ks and obstacle courses.
So... there it is. Thanks for following and your support. Hit me up at Facebook, or here with comments. I'll be around, just quietly around.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Spoke too soon...
"The Gods have a temper, and they've been drinking all day"
- Groundskeeper Willie, "The Simpsons"
I spoke too soon about the weather being cooperative, and helpful, or at least 'not that bad'. Because ever since then, it's been on a mission to convince me to sit on my butt.
It's not that it's gotten any colder. It's mostly the wind. I really dislike the wind. Even in warm weather, I dislike the wind. But this past Saturday, when I was supposed to be running 11 miles, there was 25 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph... plus it had already snowed a couple inches, plus it was still snowing, and it was under 20 degrees.
Basically, it was crappy. Snow had fallen and blown and drifted until you couldn't even see the sidewalks. There was very little visibility, and the blowing snow felt like little needles hitting your skin. I only managed 4 miles before I couldn't take it. It wasn't 'pain' or 'cold' as much as a Chinese water torture of little ice pellets hitting me directly in the eyeballs.
Sunday is a rest day, which was too bad, as it actually got warm (by Buffalo standards). Might've even gotten in the 30's.
Monday morning I truly planned on running... I had 5 miles on the calendar. But I was woken up multiple times by the howling wind. It was the kind of wind you can feel shaking the house. When I hear and feel wind like that, I don't even pretend I'm going to try and run... I just stay in bed the extra hour or so.
Turns out, I should've braved the wind. Yes, there were gusts up to 55 mph... but it was above freezing. ALMOST 40 degrees. I wouldn't have liked the wind, but that would've been the warmest run I've been on in months. Plus, it meant that there was actually some bare pavement and sidewalks... which is a bonus this time of year.
So this means, out of the last 16 miles I was 'supposed' to run, I ran 4. Because of travel plans, it means I will not have another 'long run' (or that I'm going to taper really hard!). I did get out this morning (9 degrees outside) and knocked out 5 miles. I suppose it was a tempo run since the middle portion was paced faster than the rest (and faster than I've been running for the last month. Exposed pavement will do that for you). But I'm admittingly feeling undertrained all of a sudden.
Plus, in an effort to overthink everything and sabotage myself, I am considering running in essentially brand new shoes for the upcoming half marathon. Stupid? Insane? Idiotic? Yes, yes, and yes. But, I'm 'logicifying' it by saying I can break in the shoes with a week of Disney fun and frolicking before the race. It'll probably be a game time decision... but it's about a 50-50 chance right now.
(Words not recognized by spell check: might've, should've (did spell check not take contraction class?), admittingly, undertrained, overthink. And 'logicifying', but that one was expected)
- Groundskeeper Willie, "The Simpsons"
I spoke too soon about the weather being cooperative, and helpful, or at least 'not that bad'. Because ever since then, it's been on a mission to convince me to sit on my butt.
It's not that it's gotten any colder. It's mostly the wind. I really dislike the wind. Even in warm weather, I dislike the wind. But this past Saturday, when I was supposed to be running 11 miles, there was 25 mph winds with gusts up to 40 mph... plus it had already snowed a couple inches, plus it was still snowing, and it was under 20 degrees.
Basically, it was crappy. Snow had fallen and blown and drifted until you couldn't even see the sidewalks. There was very little visibility, and the blowing snow felt like little needles hitting your skin. I only managed 4 miles before I couldn't take it. It wasn't 'pain' or 'cold' as much as a Chinese water torture of little ice pellets hitting me directly in the eyeballs.
Sunday is a rest day, which was too bad, as it actually got warm (by Buffalo standards). Might've even gotten in the 30's.
Monday morning I truly planned on running... I had 5 miles on the calendar. But I was woken up multiple times by the howling wind. It was the kind of wind you can feel shaking the house. When I hear and feel wind like that, I don't even pretend I'm going to try and run... I just stay in bed the extra hour or so.
Turns out, I should've braved the wind. Yes, there were gusts up to 55 mph... but it was above freezing. ALMOST 40 degrees. I wouldn't have liked the wind, but that would've been the warmest run I've been on in months. Plus, it meant that there was actually some bare pavement and sidewalks... which is a bonus this time of year.
So this means, out of the last 16 miles I was 'supposed' to run, I ran 4. Because of travel plans, it means I will not have another 'long run' (or that I'm going to taper really hard!). I did get out this morning (9 degrees outside) and knocked out 5 miles. I suppose it was a tempo run since the middle portion was paced faster than the rest (and faster than I've been running for the last month. Exposed pavement will do that for you). But I'm admittingly feeling undertrained all of a sudden.
Plus, in an effort to overthink everything and sabotage myself, I am considering running in essentially brand new shoes for the upcoming half marathon. Stupid? Insane? Idiotic? Yes, yes, and yes. But, I'm 'logicifying' it by saying I can break in the shoes with a week of Disney fun and frolicking before the race. It'll probably be a game time decision... but it's about a 50-50 chance right now.
(Words not recognized by spell check: might've, should've (did spell check not take contraction class?), admittingly, undertrained, overthink. And 'logicifying', but that one was expected)
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Cinderella story outta nowhere
"I don't think the heavy stuff will come down for a while"
- Carl Spackler (Bill Murray), "Caddyshack"
Weight: 157
Much like the best game of the Bishop's life in the movie - the good Lord, Mother Nature, or whatever figmentary creature or being you believe has controlled the weather has been strangely good to me.
Running & training in Buffalo, New York... outdoors... in the winter... with a 5:00 am start time... is not what anyone would call 'ideal'. In fact, it's pretty darn stupid. You have to have reasonable expectations of what you will accomplish. You have to know that sometimes, you're just not going to get your run in because it's too snowy (and there is no safe place to run) or too cold, or that you're going to get sick.
For this Disney Princess Half Marathon, I am basically following a 12 week program that generally calls for 5 days a week of running. (every 3rd week is only 4 days) It averages out to about 20 miles a week (less at the beginning, more at the end). This morning's run completed week 9.
So I started this program at the beginning of December. And so far, I have missed exactly ONE run! ONE!!! And that was this past Wednesday, Groundhog's Day, and it was just a little 3 mile jog. And being a '3rd week', that meant only 3 runs this week, and I still was between 19 and 20 miles.
Not all of my runs have been enjoyable or easy. A handful of times the temperatures are single digits, and a few times, the wind chill is sub-zero. But again, I think this is working to my advantage.
Normally, for me, any run of 5 or fewer miles, in temperatures of 30 or more degrees, and I'm wearing shorts. I shun tights... sorry, I just don't think it's flattering for a guy to wear tights. I have a couple pairs of sweat pants I rotate. Additionally, while I have some nice long sleeve tops, I don't really have running gear for temps this cold. So I'm throwing on big bulky sweatshirts to run.
Fashion aside, I think this is just what I need. Since I'll be running the Disney Princess Half in a Prince costume, running in heavy pants and top is as close as I can get to that costume while training. I thought about actually wearing the costume once for a run... but not only am I pretty sure the police would stop me (and do a mental wellness check), but I don't want to ruin the costume or 'sweat it up' ahead of time.
Anyway, I missed my 3 miler on Wednesday because I had to shovel snow instead. We got maybe a foot overnight, and then another foot during the day. So I shoveled in the morning and in the evening. All in all, it wasn't a 'bad' storm for our area. We're used to snow. And when we have that kind of prep time knowing it's coming, it's no big deal. They closed the schools for the day the night before... and honestly, they probably could've had them open. But not having the buses on the roads just made it easier to get everything cleared.
Thursday and Friday were both rest days (again - 3rd week is a shortened week).
The schedule called for a 15k race today (Saturday). Since even in good weather there aren't many of those around, I just planned on 'a little more than 9 miles with effort'. And I've been trying to really use my lungs as my guide for 'effort', ignoring my legs as much as possible. Tough to ignore them completely as it only take about a mile before my right Achilles feels like... feels like...
Well, have you ever had someone give you a really, really good wedgie? (If so, you must've had older siblings like me... if not, you suck). Not quite 'atomic' where something rips and there might be blood... but when you THOUGHT something ripped, but it was really just the elastic waistband going all 'un-elastic'? That's what my Achilles feels like. Like an un-elastic waistband.
I planned on a 5 mile-ish loop to the park, followed by a residential 4 mile-ish loop. At the park, the local "Team in Training" was running. This, was awesome... and again, good prep for the Disney Princess Half. Why? Because I'm fairly certain the local Team in Training is about 95% female.
Look, I'm happily married and eternally faithful to my wife. But if I have to see a lot of asses, I'd prefer they be female. This might make me a pig, this might just make me human. Whatever, it was me running with a large bunch of women... I felt like a whore on dollar night.
The hard part was, it's very hard for me to find my pace in that scenario. Not because of the scenery, but because I have a hard time with 'slow passes'. I feel like if I take too long to go past someone, especially a woman, that it's creepy. I don't want anyone (man or woman) to feel creeped out. So, once I get close, I try to pick up the pace for the pass.
This meant I went a little faster than I should have for the first half of my run, and I paid for it on the second half. Combined with the extra effort running through the parts of neighborhoods that people haven't shoveled, and my legs are a bit toasted.
But... tomorrow's another rest day. In 2 weeks I'll be in Florida, and in 3 weeks I'll be a Running Prince(ss). It's nice having that to look forward to.
And by the way - while I am out of town, I have a wonderful good friend staying at the house. He is an ex-football lineman, ex-bodyguard, and ex-convict. He is staying here with his pit bull and rottweiler, and his 3 guns. I am leaving him enough meth that he will not sleep the entire time. And I'm turning off the heat to put him in a foul mood, because I want him feeling extra stabby in case of intruder. You've been warned.
(words in this post not recognized by Blogger spell check: Stabby, meth, creeped, must've, could've, figmentary. I didn't know I was so creative in my vocabulary)
- Carl Spackler (Bill Murray), "Caddyshack"
Weight: 157
Much like the best game of the Bishop's life in the movie - the good Lord, Mother Nature, or whatever figmentary creature or being you believe has controlled the weather has been strangely good to me.
Running & training in Buffalo, New York... outdoors... in the winter... with a 5:00 am start time... is not what anyone would call 'ideal'. In fact, it's pretty darn stupid. You have to have reasonable expectations of what you will accomplish. You have to know that sometimes, you're just not going to get your run in because it's too snowy (and there is no safe place to run) or too cold, or that you're going to get sick.
For this Disney Princess Half Marathon, I am basically following a 12 week program that generally calls for 5 days a week of running. (every 3rd week is only 4 days) It averages out to about 20 miles a week (less at the beginning, more at the end). This morning's run completed week 9.
So I started this program at the beginning of December. And so far, I have missed exactly ONE run! ONE!!! And that was this past Wednesday, Groundhog's Day, and it was just a little 3 mile jog. And being a '3rd week', that meant only 3 runs this week, and I still was between 19 and 20 miles.
Not all of my runs have been enjoyable or easy. A handful of times the temperatures are single digits, and a few times, the wind chill is sub-zero. But again, I think this is working to my advantage.
Normally, for me, any run of 5 or fewer miles, in temperatures of 30 or more degrees, and I'm wearing shorts. I shun tights... sorry, I just don't think it's flattering for a guy to wear tights. I have a couple pairs of sweat pants I rotate. Additionally, while I have some nice long sleeve tops, I don't really have running gear for temps this cold. So I'm throwing on big bulky sweatshirts to run.
Fashion aside, I think this is just what I need. Since I'll be running the Disney Princess Half in a Prince costume, running in heavy pants and top is as close as I can get to that costume while training. I thought about actually wearing the costume once for a run... but not only am I pretty sure the police would stop me (and do a mental wellness check), but I don't want to ruin the costume or 'sweat it up' ahead of time.
Anyway, I missed my 3 miler on Wednesday because I had to shovel snow instead. We got maybe a foot overnight, and then another foot during the day. So I shoveled in the morning and in the evening. All in all, it wasn't a 'bad' storm for our area. We're used to snow. And when we have that kind of prep time knowing it's coming, it's no big deal. They closed the schools for the day the night before... and honestly, they probably could've had them open. But not having the buses on the roads just made it easier to get everything cleared.
Thursday and Friday were both rest days (again - 3rd week is a shortened week).
The schedule called for a 15k race today (Saturday). Since even in good weather there aren't many of those around, I just planned on 'a little more than 9 miles with effort'. And I've been trying to really use my lungs as my guide for 'effort', ignoring my legs as much as possible. Tough to ignore them completely as it only take about a mile before my right Achilles feels like... feels like...
Well, have you ever had someone give you a really, really good wedgie? (If so, you must've had older siblings like me... if not, you suck). Not quite 'atomic' where something rips and there might be blood... but when you THOUGHT something ripped, but it was really just the elastic waistband going all 'un-elastic'? That's what my Achilles feels like. Like an un-elastic waistband.
I planned on a 5 mile-ish loop to the park, followed by a residential 4 mile-ish loop. At the park, the local "Team in Training" was running. This, was awesome... and again, good prep for the Disney Princess Half. Why? Because I'm fairly certain the local Team in Training is about 95% female.
Look, I'm happily married and eternally faithful to my wife. But if I have to see a lot of asses, I'd prefer they be female. This might make me a pig, this might just make me human. Whatever, it was me running with a large bunch of women... I felt like a whore on dollar night.
The hard part was, it's very hard for me to find my pace in that scenario. Not because of the scenery, but because I have a hard time with 'slow passes'. I feel like if I take too long to go past someone, especially a woman, that it's creepy. I don't want anyone (man or woman) to feel creeped out. So, once I get close, I try to pick up the pace for the pass.
This meant I went a little faster than I should have for the first half of my run, and I paid for it on the second half. Combined with the extra effort running through the parts of neighborhoods that people haven't shoveled, and my legs are a bit toasted.
But... tomorrow's another rest day. In 2 weeks I'll be in Florida, and in 3 weeks I'll be a Running Prince(ss). It's nice having that to look forward to.
And by the way - while I am out of town, I have a wonderful good friend staying at the house. He is an ex-football lineman, ex-bodyguard, and ex-convict. He is staying here with his pit bull and rottweiler, and his 3 guns. I am leaving him enough meth that he will not sleep the entire time. And I'm turning off the heat to put him in a foul mood, because I want him feeling extra stabby in case of intruder. You've been warned.
(words in this post not recognized by Blogger spell check: Stabby, meth, creeped, must've, could've, figmentary. I didn't know I was so creative in my vocabulary)
Monday, January 31, 2011
I wasn't lazy, I was 'resting'
"Me fail English? That's unpossible."
- Ralph Wiggum, 'The Simpsons'
Weight: 157 (5 lbs less than last year... and I've really 'settled in' at this weight, which is good)
Not sure exactly how I managed not to write anything for 3 months. Sure, I've been busy... the holidays can be a chore. But truthfully, I think I suffered a bit of blogitis. An inflammation of the blogger tendons that causes discomfort. Generally brought on by a combination of overdoing it as well as not being consistent in blogging activity.
I think I was trying to turn every blog into something big... like turning every run into a mid-distance tempo run. Only I was doing it without any real base, and I burned out. I took a little time to think, to heal, and I think I may have figured out what will work for me.
I'm going to treat this more like my running schedule. Sometimes it'll be short and quick, sometimes it'll be long and drawn out (and probably painful). Variety. Now, if I can keep it 'regular' like a running schedule, I'll be on to something.
Generally, I am good with schedules... and organization... and maybe I'm known to go a little overboard when it comes to planning things out. But in the time i was not writing, I've gotten myself on a new sleep/run schedule (essentially early to bed, early to rise... run before anyone else is awake). I'm happy to say my running has been very consistent over these cold winter months.
In fact, this past month, my weekly miles have been greater than the average temperature for the week. (Not extremely difficult when the average weekly temperature is about 20 degrees). I don't know that I'm getting faster, or building endurance, but I'm not losing much fitness.
Running in winter is interesting up here in Buffalo NY. Every run turns into something like a trail and/or beach run... only really cold. The packed snow is like trail running, the fresh snow is like running in sand. Hard to push the pace, as you have to be constantly worried about footing, as well as hitting a puddle of slush that will about freeze your toes off. But I do enjoy it. Mostly I enjoy the scrunchy sound or running on snow... kind of like rubbing your hand on a balloon.
Additionally, I am still getting over last year's case of Achilles tendinitis. Last year was a downer as far as running and races go (performance-wise). Too much pain. It's getting a lot better... I'm just a lot slower.
Looking forward - Disney Princess Half Marathon. I have my prince costume, and am ready. I am cautiously optimistic I can PR at that race... mostly because all my previous half marathons have been so miserable, but also because with my winter training, I feel like the distance is no issue. I just have no clue about speed.
I do not run with a watch, or GPS. My miles and times are all estimated. It's my own little bit of Zen in my totally un-Zen life. Maybe later I'll start to worry about time more... for now, I'm just enjoying being pain-free.
Also already registered and paid for - Spartan Race Toronto and Warrior Dash Ontario! These 'Adventure Races' are probably just the latest trend, and I did a Warrior Dash last September (I blogged about it). Lots of fun.
If you're like me and grew up on the Superstars competition, or the Battle of the Network Stars, you probably remember watching the obstacle courses and thinking how fun they looked. if you're younger than me, you probably grew up watching shows on Nickelodeon with 'physical challenges'. Basically... that is what you have at these races, and I would recommend them to anyone who likes to have fun.
I'm sure there will be some road races and a short triathlon or two as well... just haven't put my money down yet. Plus, I promised my wife to pace myself a little better - no more than 2 races a month.
Hmmm... maybe i should pace my blog the same (2 a month). Could I possibly be interesting 24 times a year? That's a lot of times to figure out how to work "like a whore on dollar night" into a story. (maybe it's time to retire that, huh?)
We shall see.
- Ralph Wiggum, 'The Simpsons'
Weight: 157 (5 lbs less than last year... and I've really 'settled in' at this weight, which is good)
Not sure exactly how I managed not to write anything for 3 months. Sure, I've been busy... the holidays can be a chore. But truthfully, I think I suffered a bit of blogitis. An inflammation of the blogger tendons that causes discomfort. Generally brought on by a combination of overdoing it as well as not being consistent in blogging activity.
I think I was trying to turn every blog into something big... like turning every run into a mid-distance tempo run. Only I was doing it without any real base, and I burned out. I took a little time to think, to heal, and I think I may have figured out what will work for me.
I'm going to treat this more like my running schedule. Sometimes it'll be short and quick, sometimes it'll be long and drawn out (and probably painful). Variety. Now, if I can keep it 'regular' like a running schedule, I'll be on to something.
Generally, I am good with schedules... and organization... and maybe I'm known to go a little overboard when it comes to planning things out. But in the time i was not writing, I've gotten myself on a new sleep/run schedule (essentially early to bed, early to rise... run before anyone else is awake). I'm happy to say my running has been very consistent over these cold winter months.
In fact, this past month, my weekly miles have been greater than the average temperature for the week. (Not extremely difficult when the average weekly temperature is about 20 degrees). I don't know that I'm getting faster, or building endurance, but I'm not losing much fitness.
Running in winter is interesting up here in Buffalo NY. Every run turns into something like a trail and/or beach run... only really cold. The packed snow is like trail running, the fresh snow is like running in sand. Hard to push the pace, as you have to be constantly worried about footing, as well as hitting a puddle of slush that will about freeze your toes off. But I do enjoy it. Mostly I enjoy the scrunchy sound or running on snow... kind of like rubbing your hand on a balloon.
Additionally, I am still getting over last year's case of Achilles tendinitis. Last year was a downer as far as running and races go (performance-wise). Too much pain. It's getting a lot better... I'm just a lot slower.
Looking forward - Disney Princess Half Marathon. I have my prince costume, and am ready. I am cautiously optimistic I can PR at that race... mostly because all my previous half marathons have been so miserable, but also because with my winter training, I feel like the distance is no issue. I just have no clue about speed.
I do not run with a watch, or GPS. My miles and times are all estimated. It's my own little bit of Zen in my totally un-Zen life. Maybe later I'll start to worry about time more... for now, I'm just enjoying being pain-free.
Also already registered and paid for - Spartan Race Toronto and Warrior Dash Ontario! These 'Adventure Races' are probably just the latest trend, and I did a Warrior Dash last September (I blogged about it). Lots of fun.
If you're like me and grew up on the Superstars competition, or the Battle of the Network Stars, you probably remember watching the obstacle courses and thinking how fun they looked. if you're younger than me, you probably grew up watching shows on Nickelodeon with 'physical challenges'. Basically... that is what you have at these races, and I would recommend them to anyone who likes to have fun.
I'm sure there will be some road races and a short triathlon or two as well... just haven't put my money down yet. Plus, I promised my wife to pace myself a little better - no more than 2 races a month.
Hmmm... maybe i should pace my blog the same (2 a month). Could I possibly be interesting 24 times a year? That's a lot of times to figure out how to work "like a whore on dollar night" into a story. (maybe it's time to retire that, huh?)
We shall see.
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