Tag Archives for running

Getting after it, again

In the last month I trained for the Shoney’s 5K Family Fun Run in Downtown Nashville, only to check myself into the hospital that morning instead. The diagnosis was gall stones and an infected gall bladder and I required two procedures, one to remove each of them, and was on short term disability for two weeks. The following week I traveled to Los Angeles for vacation and after spending 10 hours walking around Disneyland, the next morning I caught a nasty head cold that in some ways is still lingering. Yesterday, for the first time in over a month, I went into the exercise room at the office and went through my workout routine.

I’m slowly approaching the point where I need to concentrate more on exercise and less on diet. As long as I keep active and chasing after a time/distance goal and keep the diet in check, the weight loss should take care of itself. Now it’s just a matter of getting after it. I need to find another 5K.

Country Music Half Marathon

Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes. –Henry David Thoreau

My alarm went off at 4am on Saturday. I had my clothes picked out carefully, my GPS tag already affixed to my shoe, and a cooler packed with powerade, bottled water, and beef jerky.

Finished in 3:52:39. Not bad for walking. At least I finished before the people wearing chicken suits and swinging hula hoops.

I’m so sore. Sore doesn’t even cover it. Now I know how C3PO feels at the beginning of Star Wars. My ankles and knees just weren’t ready for that kind of endurance test. It was so very worth it. As a part of my weight loss plan, my plan to change my life, I definitely think this is a great step forward. I couldn’t have imagined myself doing this 12 months ago. Now I’m excited to do even more. I think it’s time to get back to training, start building up to do some actual running. 5K, 10K, another Half Marathon. I can’t believe I’m looking forward to it. I’m getting blisters just thinking about it

The day before a vacation day

The day before a holiday is different. On July 3rd or Wednesday before Thanksgiving, everyone is downshifting, sending out status update emails, and stretching their legs after 2pm. Everyone is excited about the day off. When you’re taking a vacation day, the world only slows down for you. In fact, today I’m finding I have to run twice as fast.

I’m taking Friday off. Saturday is the Country Music Half Marathon, so I’m taking off Friday to spend time with out of town friends, do a little “Half Marathon After Party” shopping, and attend the expo downtown, which should be a great experience.

What I really want is for Friday to come and go at the office and no one curse my name because I didn’t turn in a deliverable.  So today I’m spending the day working all the unholy projects I spread out over the afternoons of Wed-Fri. Yesterday was busy, tomorrow is vacation, today is no fun. Well, at least tomorrow is vacation.

scratch that, I’m officially tired

and the weekend hasn’t even started yet.

Friday night I’m going to Harrah’s Metropolis to participate in the local Rock Band competition. We have our song picked out and we’re likely going to get smoked by some 1337 guitar heroes, but it should be fun. I plan on spending no more than $20 gaming, but according to my track record I should make back gas money on the slots.

Saturday I’m running 8 miles. By running I mean walk/run/walking 8 miles. I just want keep my leg muscles loose and my willpower strong.

My dad made me two 4′x4′ planter boxes for the back and I need to figure what to grow. The book “Square Foot Gardening” is going to help me through it, but I’ve got some work to do.

Sunday is Easter and my parents are cooking up a storm for the day. It would be a long day of driving, but I would get to see my nephews on an egg hunt. Still undecided there