Thursday, June 29, 2006

Beginner Program IV

With the threat of rain, I dragged out my duckling (borrowing the term, thanks RK) for the first 3min run 3min walk set of intervals on the schedule...motivation was low but we got there. 3.6km in 36mins.
Other mile stones: deforrestation of the front paddock has been completed, I gave permission for strip mining followed by individual removal. Clearing took place over two days as we ran out of consumables on the first day and had to re-stock for the second. All I can say is ouch.
Also my roll on Sportshield arrived, now to test it out this weekend on some long runs...if my leg holds up :0)

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Einstein's Theory of the Niggle II

Well Theory number II, I almost exlusively run counterclockwise around the streets, hence I beleive that the right leg my be getting a pounding due to footpath camber which I spent all of tonights run inspecting all the way around, resting the urge to turn around and run back clockwise. This combined with Theory I... anyway I have vowed to do all future runs for a weekin reverse.

This evenings run was 9k with the fitpod Shred 155bpm remix on. This meant my average pace was 6:27min/km though I noticed a lt of variation up and down hills and if I concentrated on lengthening stride. So I found the 9k very tough towards the end. I am not sure whether this is because I am unconditioned and undertrained or whether keeping up the constant bpm and just varying stride length took more out of me? A question for the ages and one I have posted on CR.

Other thoughts for the day...Bloglines is making me antisocial in the blog community. I am reading all the blog entries through bloglines and therefore am not reading comments and not posting comments...how are people meant to know that I am reading their blogs and that their blogging and runnning efforts are appreciated if I don't leave comments? I must endeavour to break this antisocial behaviour.

135bpm too slow

I downloaded some remixes from Fitpod , they are 1hr long mixes at a set bpm. Last night I loaded up the 130bpm and 135 bpm to see how they would go. Started out on a 5k at 130bpm and it was way too slow so quickly changed to the 135bpm which was still very slow but my mp3 player didn't have enough room to load on anymore. 5k became 4k because time was running out and at 135pbm my average pace was about 7:20min/k. The slow run was probably good for the niggles but I was dissapointed with only doing 4k, should be good for 20k+ LSD though.
Next time I believe I will go for the 150+bpm, or slowly build up the bpm so I know how fast I go at each bpm and can use them to pace myself (which was the idea in the first place) anyway I have downloaded all the mixes from the site now and will be trialling them over the coming week.

Tagged - another version - why not

4 jobs I have had:
-Validation Engineer
-Child Care Worker (primary school age, after school care/vacation care)
-Civil Servant (NT)
-Does baby sitting count? I once looked after some kids for a week while their parents were interstate?

4 movies I watch over and over:
- Super Troopers
- Mullholland Drive
- Van Wylder: Party Liason
- Starwars 4, 5 & 6.

4 places I have lived
- Bourke, NSW
- Carnamah, WA
- Port Lincoln, SA
- Palmerston, NT

4 TV shows I love watch
- House (damn show is on the same time as spicks and specks :( )
- Simpsons
- Sunrise
- The biggest Loser (I also liked Celebrity Overhaul)

4 places I have been on vacation
- Flinders Ranges
- Hamesley Ranges
- The Grampians
- MacDonald Ranges (Let's just say I've been to almost everywhere on Mainland Australia)

4 websites I visit each day
- Coolrunning
- Bloglines/blogger
- AFL.com
- NineMSN

4 favorite foods
- Mashed Potato*
- Roast Chicken*
- Peanut Butter*
- Anything new and un-tasted

*note these are my comfort foods.

4 places I would rather be right now
- On the Road, running
- Germany watching the world cup
- France watching the Tour de France
- London watching Wimbledon

4 favorite bands
- The Living End
- Powderfinger
- Cake
- Black Eyed Peas

4 Bloggers I am tagging
- Are there any left? I will go for the double tag
- Royalkangas
- Bethroid
- Rachel49
- Brucer

Monday, June 26, 2006

Beginner Program III

Last night of 2min run 4min walk and we covered 3k in the 25 min after 5 min walking warmup. My right knee didn't pull up too well after yesterday and I struggled through the first 2min run till it warmed up a bit. Made it further today than both previous times so there must be some improve and I am keen to see how things go on a week 2 schedule :)

Sunday, June 25, 2006

when in doubt...clip...

I wise person said this to me once (well it was only 5 mins ago) "when in doubt...clip..." but the advice came too late for on particularly long toe. Adding this now to Lesson's Learnt #3. If your toenails look long, they are long and you should clip them, of course unless you are trying to slice a toe in half. Needless to say 6k into a 9k run this morning I had to remove my left shoe to rearrange my toes through a bloodsoaked coolmax sock. Run was good though, not too much niggle and a faster than expected time 54min24sec, almost 6min/km, wasn't really watching the clock, just out for a cruise, and pushed it up the hill to the beat of a good song. probably was a pb for that particular training route but I haven't checked yet.
Was in the hills yesterday but didn't manage to get out and challange spring gully road, instead spent all afternoon and into the wee hours in front of a bonfire scoffing down damper, marshmellows, baked potatoes, rissoles and boler roasts all cooked on the coals...I was a good boy though and didn't down too many alcoholic beverages. It was great to sit around a roaring blaze again...it has been a while. Needless to say my belly was feeling a little heavy this morning, or maybe just fueled up for a good run?
Going out shopping now, probably come back with some running stuff :). All ready bought some sportshield online just now, just warming up the plastic.

Friday, June 23, 2006

Einstein's Theory of the Niggle

Well 5k today in 31mins.
Now to the theories. I have formulated a theory (mostly during run time) about the emergence of a niggle, though I can never place where, in my right leg. It moves from knee to ankle to shin to achilles to calf region? what is with that? anyway, I am a left side sleeper, that is I sleep on my left side. Over the last week or two Miss Simlin has been putting the electric blanket on the 12hr timer setting now laying all night on my right leg, with it being heated can't be good for my muscles etc...especially since I changed to evening runs! Therefore I have taken to turning off my side of the electric blanket before I get into bed.
I wonder if everything will get better now?
Wore my new running shorts today and I must say the high cut took a bit of getting used too....I normally wear long shorts and it felt like I was running around today in nought but my knickers...oh and for shame my white thighs! Of course they also rode up a little and caused a little bit of chaffing (another day closer to ordering some sportshield) but worst of all was the chest, where the newly purchase microtape failed to hold up its end of the bargain and disappeared somewhere out on the pavement resulting in a very red raw nipple.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Beginner Program II

OK second scheduled session this evening. Keeness prevailed all round and 5 2min run 4min walking intervals happened with a 5 min warm up and cool down walk foolowed by lots of stretching again. I found tonights stretching awesome and my legs felt really good afterwards.
Too exciting to think about running right now...that's a first...but the socceroos are playing in the morning and I hope they don't choke. In more sporatic news I bought some Spalding running shorts from target tonight for $11, have to try them out tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Finally it's Here!

The CR CAP has arrived and should be followed by an updated profile picture shortly. The Coopers red truckers hat has served me well but it is time to get serious, so headed out this evening in my New Balance 719s (for Miners), Coolmax socks, new running shorts, new running top (purchased on Ebay from Big Mac...recognised his name on the return address), Garmin 201 strapped to the wrist and new CR running cap! WOW am I a runner now? Nope, all I need now is to get a mention in the non race coolrunner gear sighting thread...but I am one step closer. So setting out kitted out I planned 5k and started out at what I though a comfortable 6:30min/k. well at 2k the stomach cramp started and continued until the end, so the comfortable pace became a constant struggled...oh well toughed it out and blamed it on a lack of fluid intake today...almost non-existent...what an idiot!
To the biginner training...Miss Simlin was very sore today, my advice was to continue moving to warm things up...now the challange...second training session!

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Beginner Program

I have been set a challenge. If I can get Miss Simlin to run 5k comfortably by September then she will run the 6km at the City to Bay Fun Run. So it begins.
One simple rule - she must do the minimum 3 scheduled training workouts a week. So I have 12 weeks so I turned to CR for advice and came up with this:

Wk 1 : Run 2mins Walk 4mins, repeat sequence 5 times, total time 30 mins.
Wk 2 : R3 W3, rpt 5, tt 30
Wk 3 : R5 W2.5, rpt 4, tt 30
Wk 4 : R7 W3, rpt 3, tt 30
Wk 5 : R8 W2, rpt 3, tt 30
Wk 6 : R9 W2, rpt 2 then R8, tt 30
Wk 7 : R9 W1, rpt 3, tt 30
Wk 8 : R13 W2, rpt 2, tt 30
Wk 9 & 10 : R14, W1, rpt 2, tt 30
Wk 11 & 12 : R30


or there is the Couch to 5k on the american CR. Don't know which one is better really, or if there is a better one out there. The couch one is 9 weeks, which would leave time for running the extra km, but I think the slower one above may be advantageous (because it is slower and there is room in the last two weeks to increase distance)

Today we did a 5 min walk followed by 4 R2, W4, then some stretching all up a total of 35mins. Covering 4km. Not a bad start and good rest for my niggling leg. (According to Sportstracks my shoes have done 160km, maybe they are the wrong shoes?)

Now to draw up a wall calender training schedule for the fridge...should include my own training on alternate days to cover the distance for my HM in August.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Caged tiger, lemming or something

After a week of resting (oh boy how did I do that!) I rushed out this morning to do a 4km loop I haven't done since February. Instead of taking it slow and easy, to evaluate any niggles...of course I pushed it reasonably hard, coming home in a sub 5min km (Woohoo) and averaging 5.30min/km over the 4k. Now for ice, massage and stretches to make sure niggles don't turn to something more sinister! Plan for the restof the week is to keep up the low KMs and evaluate next weekend.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

No running II

Yep, ran to the car from the fish and chips shop (oops) and still had a niggle, so decided to rest for the rest of the week.

PortRnr- I have seen the movie in question and am aware that if the nipples are to stay attached, some sought of vasaline like substance should be applied (unlike in the movie scene).
SparkD - You are on, but I will need to wait for it to grow back first.

Edit: further to Blkbox's comments...I have all ready had the backage area veeted before, now I am up for some pain and suffering. and no, I like my legs the way they are thanks.

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Getting bored

OK two nights of excercise bike and I am bored all ready. Another 90mins on the bike tonight. Give me the pavement anyday. Still nursing my leg, but hopefully tomorrow arvo I will get out around the block to test it out.

Finally set up my bloglines properly now so I can keep track on everyone...that's right I have my eye on you!...Looks like I will miss the River Run this weekend, pitty, but got my new Runner's World today in the mail and say the Torren's Classic in there, so might have to hold out for that one. Also expected in the mail this week:
--> My CR cap! yay! I believe they will be sent out tomorrow!
--> A white running top I bought on E-Bay for $10 (free postage) Hopefully I will not "be too fat for it" like the person selling it stated on there Ebay listing.
These should go well with the $15 shorts I bought from Myer on the weekend.
Oh boy this post is random. And to add to that, I took the plunge on monday and dehaired the front...not a fan. Might try waxing next time, though I am yet to run with the hairless frontage? Should be easier getting that nipple taping off though.
OK time to go straighten my brain now....

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

No running

OK no running today or yesterday, resting the leg. Today instead I peddled out 90mins on the exercise bike. Very easy workout, probably should have got the heart rate up a little higher but was just happy to turn over the wheels. Spent the whole time wishing I could go out for a run, but think I will take it easy tomorrow as well and then maybe take out the leg for an exploratory run on Thursday.
Great win to Socceroos last night...ah messed up sleep patterns.
R.K...6k to work? you can't resist that for ever...the time will come!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

GO EAGLES!

Another come from the dead for the West Coast Eagles tonight! There running out of games is inspirational to those wanting to get fit! (Like me :O)).
Thanks R2B and SD for your words of encouragement. took the leg out for a nice 9k run this morning and the niggle is still there (though it felt lower down the leg than I initially thought yesterday, more like lower calf region. Walking to the DVD store this afternoon I explored the problem...walking up the hill the pain was up towards the knee, but walking back down the hill it was back down towards the ankle? No idea what's going on there! might have a rest tomorrow, icing the leg tonight and biking it over the next couple of days!

Apparel news. Caved in today in big W and went to find some gloves, the mens were chunky and made my hands look twice as big as they are...to the ladies I went...and yep! found a pair of dainty black glove (actually it was a 2 pack and Miss Simlin is having the grey pair). They look quite amusing on me if you look closely as the fingers are half as small as mine!...gives me short fingers.

(BTW RK I only run home from work one day a week not 5!)

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Just Desserts

After a late night watching the world cup opener and gorging on all kinds of bad food, I set out for a run this morning in deperation to take back all that "bad" food. Alas, it was a forced v. easy run as my legs were very stiff, also a niggle starting at the right knee then radiating down the outside of the leg to the ankle...I fear it is the dreaded ITB and as such after completing the v.easy 10k promptly stretched, stretched some more then am icing the affected area as we speak...I might even reconsider the long run I had planned for tomorrow, but I will see how it feels.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Say NO to popup comments!

Ran home from work again last night…might become a weekly thing. Took an alternative route to the main stretch (Direct route), which ended up only being 1km longer at 12.5km (surprising), but with 60km/hr speed limits and footpaths all the way I was hardly complaining about the extra km. It also felt good to run over 12km at a LSD pace, though I must admit I felt like I had a lot left near the end (as I should) and stepped on the gas slightly over the last 3 kms, increasing my pace by 30sec/km. Pretty keen for my next run, which will have to wait till Friday as we have dinner guests tonight, also looking forward to a long run this long weekend...ah feels so good to be this enthusiastic again...feels like a wait has been lifted off my shoulders...or from around my middle (can only hope).
Just for Royal Kangas (who seems to be blocking popups these days) I have changed the comments settings to no popups!

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Out you Infernal Demons

I think I have finally overcome the motivation monster. This Demon has been plaguing me for about a month or since I completed my first major goal (a HM) but the time has come when I am confident I have exorcised it. Steps to exorcising those Motivation Demons:

Step 1: I tried setting new goals, though about a marathon in August (too close) and another HM (been there done that), lined up some other intermediate runs (no real hunger), let the new goals slide...
Step 2: Try running in new places. Finally ran in the hills...it was lovely and I have been back and am determined to conquer one particular hill (Spring Gully Rd) but still not motivating enough to get me out there at 5am to run up hills...which led to...
Step 3: Run to/from work, starting last week...this kind of worked, but more just led me to the light at the end of the tunnel...
Step 4: realize that it is not bloody summer anymore and getting up at the ridiculous time of 5:15am was impossible for motivation, resign to the fact that running straight after work is the only way forward. I think a combination of all previous steps led me to this epiphany...OK this is turning into a long post now...

Why I was so set on running in the morning:
a) it didn't seem to take any time out of the day for other things, because I would be home by the time I would normally get up if I was not going to go for a run.
b) in the beginning I thought I looked like a bit of try hard fat idiot out there running so wanted to do it when it was dark and limited traffic.
c) temperature wise in summer it was the best time of day to run especially seeing as I traditionally have a big dinner at 7'ish which puts late evening running off the agenda.

So what now? I have the confidence to get out there straight after work, 5pm, and just do my thing. It is before dinner, there is still a little light, it is not that cold yet and I don't have to try and get out of bed when it is ridiculously cold and dark.

Anyway last night I went for a run straight after work. Nice and easy run, 9k in 58mins and got my first "RUN FOREST!" yelled by someone leaning out of a passing car. Oh what joy running at a sensible time when well adjusted normal human beings have dragged themselves out of bed. It makes me feel like a real runner!

Sunday, June 04, 2006

West Ward HO!

Had to return some DVDs this morning so slipped on the running gear and ran to the DVD store...used this oportunity to do my first run to the west of home. With trusty Garmy in tow on my wrist I covered 7k but saw some potential for longer runs out this way. (I don't like crossing main roads which has stopped me going this way in the past...all that standing around drives me crazy!) Heading back towards home I wasn't satisfied so through in an extra bit around the block to take the run up to almost 9k. I was trying to run at an LSD pace (embarrasingly I still don't know what this acronym stands for) but anyway, it took about 4km to finally get my pace up to about 7min/km, my legs just didn't want to go that slow. Arrived home refreshed and started about cooking a delicious 3 course lunch (Though I must confess the first course was just nibbles and desert was made my Miss Simlin but I did make slow cooked mouth watering home-made pasta...and left flour all over the floor to prove it)

On that front, was stoked this morning to weigh in for the first time under 115kg... I have been waiting for this day to come for a while but it finally arrived...weightloss has been a bit slow this month, probably due to the onset of cold weather bringing about the love of hearty hot food and nice warm beds.

This week I am contimplating some more runs from work, but over a longer, safer route. I have done it once, but running a couple of metres from cars doing 100k an hour, even if only for 800m is a bit too risky just for some excercise. I think my safer route will be about 14-15km and thus too far for to work for me...but once or twice during the week from work could be good as I have been looking to do some longer midweek runs but struggling to find the time, because getting up earlier is just not going to happen.

Friday, June 02, 2006

The Great Run to Work Adventure, Part 2

BURSTS! into June after a disappointing May where my resolve started to waver.

Well, I am here, which means that I made it out of bed and to work this morning, I must have looked like a steam train this morning, especially weighting at the lights...I think I could have got lost in my own fog. And don't worry Blkbox, running to work is not a race for me...both yesterday and today were supposed to be LSD recovery runs, though as stated in the previous post I got a little excited last night, but this morning easy does it, especially as it took a while for my legs to warm up in the chill of the morning. I ran past one of those electronic temperature signs with about 5k to go and it said 5°C so not freezing but cold enough.
Ran a little further this morning than last night, trying to avoid running alongside the Main North Rd for as long as possible (I think I have it down to 800m of running on the verge, its a good couple of metres of verge so don't worry), total 11.8km in 1hr18mins.
It felt great walking down the corridor from the change room to the Engineering Department after having a shower and feeling all refreshed, what a great way to start the day!

Thursday, June 01, 2006

The Great Run To Work Adventure, Part 1

The adventure start with a restless night of feeling a little under the weather, and a day full of, I can just drive home...I feel a bit crap. Spent 2hrs in the morning trying to buy tickets to the Ashes test at Adelaide oval...finally success after two hours...though a little muted celebrations...couldn't get all the tickets I wanted or all premium reserve like I wanted. But hey, I am going to day 1, 2 and 3. I am sure there are many disgruntled people who are going to none...anyway...back to the adventure.
After a cup of hot Milo at 3pm my spirits lifted and I had a renewed energy to run home this evening, thus making sure I have to run to work in the morning (No car you see). I will feel better once I start I thought...either that or I will crash and burn tonight and not even make it out of bed in the morning...only time will tell...stay tuned for "The Great Run to Work Adventure, Part 2".
The run was good, just feeling out the safest way to navigate down the main road, got a little annoyed by some rain and traffic light forced stops, but was also a little gratedull as the excitement of acually doing this (running home to work or visa versa) had me going out way too hard in the first 4 km. All in all 11.2k in 1hr15mins.

May in Summary.

15 runs for a total of 120.2km and 13hrs
This month included my first HM, yay!
Weight yesterday 115.2kg.