Break

A break already?!?!?! Well it rained on Friday (hailed at my house!!!). Saturday Danny and I went to Brandon to pickup a Bowflex and a TV from my coworker, and Sunday is a rest day. It was promising that Danny asked if we're running today. I hope it all goes according to plan.

My shins seem to be better, but I've run to my car in the rain a couple of times and I've gotten a bit of pain. We'll see how it goes when I'm not wearing my boots and trying to run.

That is all.

Running In The Spooky Woods

So it rained yesterday but stopped in time for our run. I think the rain brought out all the animals. Pretty sure that there was something bigger in the woods than armadillos. So we hightailed it out of there... the problem was that wen we ran for the bikes my form was bad enough that my shins began to HURT! So we tried to run in the clearing, but there was still movement in the edges of the woods. That was enough to end our running for the night. We ended up just biking harder to make up for the cardio.

The problem now it that my shins still hurt. I think this 8 week plan might have to be extended a bit so my shins can take it slower. But for now a lot of biking will have to do.

That is all.

Tuesday

Just some bike riding around the neighborhood, today.

That is all.

Oh, and strength training.

Building Endurance

So we increased our running time to 2 minutes and decreased our walking time to 1 minute while keping our total workout time at 30 minutes. After the first rep, I was afraid that it would be too much. My shins started hurting and I just felt really stiff. Well, after a couple reps I started feeling better, I had to slow down a bit after about 4 reps, but I knew I could make it to the end. I did indeed make it all the way, even ran the last one at double time! I was a great workout, and I'm feeling pretty good now, not in too much pain. Now if only my shin pain would go away completely.

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.

God Bless

The Second Week

Today (and pretty much every running day hereafter) is the day we increase our running time. I hope that I can do it. Running for 1 minute doesn't seem like very much, but running for 2 may prove to be a bit harder. On the other hand, it could be just as easy, now that I've worked on my form a bit.

I've come to realize that biking to our running destination is a nice low impact warm up. Anything low impact is good in that it keeps my shins and knees fresh for running.

That is all. I'll let you know how it goes tonight or tomorrow.

Friday's Workout

Friday's workout was good. We got to the trail where we run before it got dark so we could actually see for one while we were running. When we started I thought that the pain in my shins would be too much of an impairment, but as we went along it seemed to get better and better. The pain was still there, it just wasn't getting worse. I think that the technique tips I got from the internets were a big help. I've also decided that I won't be lifting weights with my lower body on days before running, since the running should be enough to work my legs. So, we finished up just as it got dark and biked back. It was a good training day!! Now off to lift weights (whole body since there'll be no running today or tomorrow).

Eating in the Middle of Exercise

Well, since this is our easy day, we decided to bike. Then someone suggested ice cream. So off we went to get a tasty treat from Twisty Treat. Going the way we did made it almost 2 miles, which isn't all that much. So we got there and got our treats and sat down on a bench. Talk happened and it became decided that Danny wanted a coke, so off we rode to IHOP (another mile). So, Danny got his coke, I got OJ and water, and Jess got 2 eggs, 2 sausages, and 2 pancakes. I guess we really only rode 5mi total, so I'm not sure if all the extra crap that was eaten was even worked off. I guess at least we're trying to make an effort. Anyway, 4 days into the 8 Week Plan and we've stuck to it so far. Tomorrow (or rather, today) it's another 1min run, 2min walk session. We're going back to the woods so we can run on the dirt. Wish us luck, or pray for the best, or both. Whichever you're inclined to do.

Also, I think I'm over-striding. That's raised the amount of impact I received with each stride. My high arches and bad knee have have made it all the worse. I bought insoles to lessen the impact, and will focus on keeping my stride shorter. Hopefully all of this will improve my technique and reduce or even stop my pain.

Thank you, and goodnight.

Mah Poor Knee

I hate the fact that I have an injured knee. During our run/walk, I think after the 5th or 6th run, my knee started to hurt. It was rather painful and forced me to stop running for the night. I'm not sure if the strength training I did yesterday had anything to do with it, but it just felt too weak. It was as if it was threatening to give out in the middle of running. Well, I don't like to do face plants so I walked the rest of the way back to Danny's, limping half the way. I think that perhaps I need to focus on getting the muscles around my knee stronger so that it can deal with the increased impact of running.

This was the first time that we have ran on a hard surface (we went around the block on the street). Before this it was nice compacted dirt in the woods. The problem with running in the woods is that they're a bit spooky at night, we have to ride our bikes to get there, and that it has lots of turns. I think that we need to look for a place that is grassy and long.

Anyway, I've just looked at the time and realized that it's really late, and I'm starting to ramble. Good night, internets :)

Tuesday Workout Wednesday Preview

Ok, then. Got home and did strength training on the weight machine. Ate some dinner, then went to Danny's. Watched NCIS and The Mentalist, w00t!!! Then we went for a short bike ride (only 3.8 mi), but we stopped at a low wall to do some parkour. 'Twas a good daily workout altogether. Tomorrow, after church, it's 30min. of running for 1min, and walking for 2min 10 times according to the 8 week plan.

8 Weeks to Running 30 min

I decided that if I'm going to be a traceur (practitioner of Parkour) then I should have some endurance. Well, I found a program at Runner's World that had just what I was looking for. w00t! Just started yesterday. I'll keep you posted, just wanted to get a first post up here before leaving work.