I already know how to run slow
Category: Training
Sometimes I learn stuff about myself when I’m training. And, sometimes I write about what I learn.
Running an #Anywhere5K is a blast!
In the 20+ years I’ve been running today marked the third time I’ve run a race without being anywhere near my fellow runners. The concept is called virtual running. The race I ran is called an #Anywhere5K.
What makes this particular race special is that together with a few friends we organized, promoted, and hosted the race. We invited the world and about 40 showed. From New York to California. From the Australia to the Philippines to Lithuania to Singapore to the UK. Runners really did run the Inaugural #Anywhere5K from wherever they were.
READ MOREShould You Race to Win or PR?
In the height of my running I trained to compete. I ran intervals, hills, speed, and long distance. I did pushups and situps. I ate right. I did all of this to win.
My hard work paid off. First, I began placing in my age group at 5Ks. Then 10Ks. After a while I began placing in the overalls. Third, second, and eventually, and only once I might add, I won a 5K.
Now, years later, I am slowly gaining my competitive fervor. This time around, something has changed a bit. I run each race to win, but not against others. I race to PR.
READ MORERun an #Anywhere5K
Every New Year’s Eve I tell myself I’m gonna be healthier. I start by saying I’m gonna run every day. Which quickly changes to every other day. And eventually settles on somewhere between three and five times a week.
I didn’t run every day this past year, but I did get my health in order. My running is up and weight is down. For 2012, I’d like to ride that momentum and created something new for all to enjoy. If you’re game, I suggest you run an #Anywhere5K with me.
READ MOREHow-To: Turn your baby jogger into a sleigh
Dressing up as the Grinch and running in the Reindeer Romp 5K this past weekend was loads of fun. It was great to see the efforts that my friends and family directly and indirectly contributed to the project pay off. The costume was way better than races past, and because it was a team effort, more enjoyable as well.
If you’re wondering how you can misplace your sanity and create a sleigh for your baby jogger in order to fill it with a kid you’ve dressed as a dog so you can dress up as the Grinch and run a 5K then let me enlighten you. You’re going to need a few hours, a craft person (should you not be), and about $20 in supplies.
READ MOREI’m Running the 2011 Blue Ridge Relay
This time tomorrow I’ll be running with Team Lost Soles in the 208 Mile Blue Ridge Relay (BRR208) as a last minute sub for an injured runner. Starting at Grayson Highlands State Park, Grayson County, VA, which is near the base of Mount Rogers (5729′), the course follows country roads and winds its way through North Carolina’s High Country to the finish in Asheville. The course features some of the region’s most spectacular scenery including the balds of Grayson Highlands State Park, the New River, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain (5964′), and Mount Mitchell (6684′), the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.
READ MORENo gas. No shoes.
What a crazy two weeks it’s been. Last week temperatures rose into the upper 90Fs (mid 30C) and the barrios of Buenos Aires were intermittently without power and water. Luckily (or is it thankfully?).
This week there’s a petrol shortage that’s said to last until after the new year. As a result, cars have been lining up for several blocks just for a chance to fill up their tank. As I did for the power outage, I wanted to get in on the action. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out the way I planned, and the story ended up being about shoes instead of gas and street fires.
READ MOREI Heart Running
I <3 running. All I need to do is throw on a pair of shorts, an optional shirt, and my Vibrams (also optional), and I’m out the door. Sure, that’s all I need but I tend to run with a visor, sunglasses, an iPod, Garmin Forerunner 305 w/HRM, and my dog, Bella.
Unfortunately, this past year has been a rough one. I’ve battled injuries (from shin splints to knee probs to a thrice torn calf ) and put on 35lbs (thanks to my reluctance to give up the high calorie runner’s diet). Yeah, this past year has sucked pretty bad.
Well, my leg is finally healthy (knock on wood), and I’m ready to get back to where I was. To motivate myself I’ve set a personal goal of 100 miles in 30 days.
READ MORERunning, Injury, and Awakenings
In Awakenings, a doctor (Robin Williams) finds himself with a ward full of comatose patients; victims of an encephalitis epidemic many years prior. He tries out a possible cure on one of the patients (Robert De Niro) and it works. The patient has a blast, lives life to its fullest, but eventually falls back into a coma after only a short time.
In January, I tore my left calf. The doc gave me PT exercises and my leg got better after 5 weeks. My first run out and the calf tore again. Back to the doc. Back to the PT. Another 5 weeks and bam, the calf tore again! Sweet JMJ. Well, I took it easy. Completed the exercises. And it appeared I was ready to go.
Share the road
So I’m running the other day minding my own business when out of nowhere my right arm is clipped by the side mirror of a Ford Escape. I looked at the car as if to say, “Hey! Yeah you! I’m on the curb of a two-lane road! Why don’t you move over? Don’t honk at me. Don’t curse at me. And above all, don’t hit me!”
To the guy who hit me and left, let’s think about this for a moment. You’re in a car. A big friggin’ machine with no give. I’m a human. A little bigger than a bread basket and easily broken by big friggin’ machines. Perhaps you were in a hurry or perhaps you are just a prick. Whatever the reason, you (and all drivers) should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians like me.
If you’re in disagreement I kindly direct you to North Carolina law 20-174D which states:
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