Bren’s JogLog

Ran this morning. Very moderate: ran 2.3 miles in 19.46 minutes, which is an 8.4 minute mile average. Not a bad pace for getting started again, but it wasn’t a very long run. That’s what I need to work on–longer distance, but keeping the pace relatively quick.

I’ve realized that I won’t run if I don’t have some kind of concrete goal to achieve. So I’m going to troll around the intarwebs to see what races are coming up and pretend that I’m training for them (I’ll really run the races, it’s just hard to admit that I’m “in training”…sounds goofy to me).

• Current weight (lbs): 233.4
• Current bodyfat: 24.0%
• Current distance (miles): 2.3

Ran today. First time in a while. I’m in Boise for the week, and hauled my shoes along. I always take my shoes and I never run. This time was different. I’m, you know, motivated.

Relatively short starter run. I don’t even know how far it was, but it lasted 24 minutes. It was a weird winding route through hotels and industrial complexes. I think I’ll try to find something more direct tomorrow.

Just ran for the first time in a while. Started easy with the 1.5 mile loop. Kept a 7.6 mile pace, which felt fine. In fact, the 10 minutes of stretching prior seemed more uncomfortable than the actual run.

• Current weight (lbs): 230.6
• Current bodyfat: 23.4%
• Current distance (miles): 1.5

I’ve been still, as in ‘not running.’ I’ve been active though–hiked a mountain, did a 5k, did an adventure race. And I walk stairs instead of elevators when I get the chance. I’ve got a 5k coming up this Monday. I’m in L.A. (at a conference) and the weather’s been nice. The 5k will be at 4pm on Monday, so it’ll be warm running. I haven’t run since I arrived on Thursday. I’ve intended to run each morning, but always wake up too late. Then today I resolved that I’d run in the evening, since I can’t be relied upon to run in the morning. But I’m going to visit relatives today and tomorrow, which’ll probably preclude any running. So I probably won’t run again until tomorrow evening, which I’ll take slow. Then the next day will be the 5k.  So I’m hoping that, at the very least, I’ll have run twice while I’m down here. Hopefully more.

I did nab some geocaches yesterday, and there are several more within walking distance that I’ll try to get before I leave. So there’s that, too.

Ran the 3.2 mile loop today at a nice pace that felt sustainable: 8.59. Bodyfat has been dropping lately too (looks like I’ve just edged into my goal bodyfat!), but weight isn’t doing much. I could stand to eat healthier, though, that’s for sure (not gonna happen).

• Current weight (lbs): 233
• Current bodyfat: 20.8%
• Current distance (miles): 3.2

I ate pretty good yesterday, I guess! Weight is way up, and I can feel it. Tasty huge cinnamon roll at Camp 18 yesterday morning, plus some great brats and beer for dinner. Whew!

Today’s sprints went fine. No pulled muscles or anything. My Achilles tendon is still sore, but I’m hitting the Aleeve and that helps. I’m on the countdown to the adventure race and 5k in Bend. I think I’m going to be really tired next Monday.

• Current weight (lbs): 236.0
• Current bodyfat: 22.1%
• Current distance (miles): .2

Taking a little rest right now. Got a strange pain in my left Achilles tendon that won’t go away. Probably from the new shoes plus the superfeet inserts. They make my heels higher than normal and I think that’s hurting the tendon when I run. Gonna let it rest for a couple of days (yesterday and today).

This evening I’m doing the monthly hike. Ron’s going too. We’re going up Saddle Mountain, which is in the coast range. There’s a geocache at the top which we’re aiming to nab as well.

Ran the 1.5 mile loop after a few days off (never did run in Boise). I pushed a little harder (and left Frodo at home) and ended up with a 7.34 minute/mile pace. Pretty good.

In about a week, we’re going to visit friends in Redmond. There’s a 5k in Bend that they’re going to do and they asked if I’d be interested in running it too, so I am. The the other day Troy called back to see if I’d be interested in being on a team in an “adventure race.” I wasn’t so sure about that one, since it’s supposed to be 5 hours long the night before the 5k. But he talked me into it. We’ve got 4 guys on our team, only one of whom I don’t already know. I’m sure I’ll be the weak link…just hope I don’t let them down (too much). You’re never sure what you’re in for until you are in the race, but the gear list includes stuff for biking, climbing and orienteering. And I’m sure there’ll be some running in there too. Yikes!

• Current weight (lbs): 231.6
• Current bodyfat: 23.6%
• Current distance (miles): 1.5

Ran a little longer today. Felt like I needed to after not running since Thursday. Never did make it down to the skatepark, since it stayed wet all weekend. Today’s loop went at a 8.85 minute pace. Seems like I could’ve gone a little faster, but there was a section in there where I was really breathing hard and it just didn’t seem like I could move my legs much quicker.

• Current weight (lbs): 231
• Current bodyfat: 22.4%
• Current distance (miles): 5

Didn’t run yesterday or today. Yesterday was a legit rest day, but today I worked hard moving lots of (heavy) furniture. Just got back from moving a pipe organ up to the second floor of someone’s house! There were six of us moving that thing–it was heavy!

Tomorrow I’ll probably go skate in the morning. Also an excellent cardio/leg workout. Might take a run in the afternoon. Maybe Monday I’ll hit the track again to try out the 5k on the flats. Monday night I go to Boise and come back on Wednesday. I’ll take my shoes and try to be disciplined enough to run in the mornings. It’s tough, though, since I tend to stay up way too late when I’m traveling. We’ll see.