slacker

I have been slacking lately due to illness in the family... I missed my 8 miles last Saturday because I was catching puke in my hands instead ;), from Naomi of course. I am getting back on track, tomorrow I will run 6 miles outdoors since Jeff hooked me up with some outdoor running gear. I need to get back into focus, I had been following my running schedule to a "T". Back on track it is for me!

6 miles

OK< so I ran 6 miles on Saturday and I was feeling really good- it was very long, but I felt good during it. I ran it indoors since it was 20 degrees and freezing. I tell Jamie that I ran the six, but indoors and his response was " indoor doesn't count"... I was like "ummm it felt like it counted", and I know it did but whatever! It is going to be a challenge to run outside in this weather, it is so cold I can feel my lungs coating over with ice, probably not a good thing!

bienvenidos a miami

While Jamie is soaking up the sun in Miami for a visit with our grandmother I have been diligently sticking to my training schedule. I even ran when I went back home for Thanksgiving, and luckily my aunt is an avid runner and we braved the country roads together- this means there is no bail out room on the side, so if a car decides to run you off the road, they literally run you off the road. I cannot believe how big the hills are back home, they were a big challenge, but running with someone is a big motivator!
Enjoy the sun bro, remember I am hot on your tail!

weekend run

Well I did all my runs as scheduled last week, including the 6 mile on Saturday, which felt more like 12. I have not ran 6 miles in one shot in forever...it was a great feeling of accomplishment when I was finished, but during I kept thinking, wow this is taking a long time. Meanwhile, back in Kansas Jamie ran a 10 mile just for kicks- I need to step up my game if I want to beat my competition- I thought just completing it was a big deal, but Jamie likes to remind me it is not enough- we must run at a certain pace...but may I remind him, it was OK for him to just complete his first one!

Run rabbit run

OK so Saturday I didn't run the 5 miles - it was Naomi's party day and I had to focus... I did however run it on Sunday and thought I was running 10 miles. I could have swore I mapped my run out wrong I was dragging. I kid of was a baby about it and I need to toughen up, I completely let being tired get into my head and it affected my run. I did run my three miles today as well, and it was tough for some reason also. I am on new medication for my asthma so of course I can blame everything on that. I need to toughen up and I will, I promise. If anyone ever needs a good site to visit and track their miles I use map my run as a guide, you can plug in your address and literally draw your run and it tracks the miles for you, how easy is that?

pulled the plug

Today we got back from vacation and decided to hit the gym. I opted for indoor running today just because I had the opportunity to get it done and have someone watch Naomi- so while doing so I was feeling great and running a 9:20 mile (which is an improvement-scary I know), but it was my 3 mile day and I was really feeling great, strides were long, oxygen was good...you know, in a rhythm...then all of the sudden with 3 tenths of a mile left in my run a gentleman started cleaning my treadmill. I literally was like WTF, why is he cleaning it while I am on it? I was distracted by him, but decided to power through it and not let it ruin my mo-jo...then the lights went off and the treadmill came to a complete stop, game over. I wanted to yell at the guy, but instead looked at him and said "you accidentally shut off my machine" to which he apologized, but I think I was giving off that I was mad because he said" it was an accident, didn't you need a break anyway?" I looked at him and said "no" then walked away and did some leg press and squats... I later felt bad for being rude and went and apologized and said I wasn't mad, I was just in such a groove... me and Paul are fine now- but I am hoping he will learn to wait until someone is off the machine to clean it!

Tomorrow is a make up run from vacation- 2 miles, that is really starting to feel like a piece of cake, so far so good!

Outdoor running

Outdoor running is definitely more challenging than indoor, I found that out on my 5 mile run yesterday morning at 6am. It was so dark and I am such a novice that I do not have any reflective gear, so not only was I trying to run my 5, but I was also just trying to stay alive and not be hit by a car. Of course the route I took was not the most well lit area, but overall it was a good run. I ran very slow-I think it was only 39 degrees or so out- so the weather wasn't great. I can think of a million other reasons to toss in there for running an 11 min mile...yikes.

Today was much better running my 3 miles, I ran at a 10 min mile pace, which I was OK with since yesterday was a big suckfest. I ran when it was a little lighter out and I have decided to not run with my mp3 player since I cannot run with it during the race. I figure I do not want to rely on my music if I have to go without it on the race day. I spoke to Jamie this morning and he is training for the full but running th half with me... so this weekend he has a 13 mile run... WTF. He is already running the 13 and I am working up to it. I can see I am going to have to do some work in order to beat...ahem I mean run with Jamie!

I haven't had any profound thoughts come to me while I am running, I am really hoping for some sort of epiphany or something...but so far my only thoughts are "how much further?", "need more air!", "another god damn hill!", "holy shit that dog's invisible fence is awfully close to the sidewalk!"....you know very deep thoughts.

Make up

I ran 2 miles this morning and will run my 5 tomorrow- this will get me back on track for the week. After being sick all week, I think I am back to normal. I feel like I am getting better at running, still not at the 8 minute mile...but I have until March 2nd to work up to it. I am sure Jamie ran 13 miles along today- but whatever!

Recovery run

Well, with Jamie nipping at me heals daily I am worried that my bout with food poisoning has slowed me down for a few days. I am getting back on track today- already ran 3 miles this morning and plan to do 2 more today at the gym. This will make up for my missed run on Wednesday and Thursday. I was in the ER on Tuesday night/Wed morning until 7am- zero hours of sleep-dehydrated and sick as a dog. I am better now and ready to take on the world, well at least another 2 miles! Bring it on bro! Sick or not, I can still take you.

New to this bloggity blog stuff

For all of you out there that might do this kind of stuff all the time this whole blog stuff is new to me. Surprising, I realize, me being a hip and up to date 90's kind of guy. In all actuality the only reason I am doing this is for my little sister since she set this whole deal up, so I can show her that I appreciate her time setting it up. And so I can talk smack since right now might be the first time in my life I might be able to take her in some athletic type event. So this is for you Natalie. When you're training just think how you'll feel when your older brother who has to take a handful of chondroitin, omega 3, vitamins, anti-inflammatory and ginko biloba every day is 1/2 a mile ahead of you at the 12.5 mile mark on March 2, 2008. Not to mention the fact that I have to ice everything south of my thighs every night. I will try to keep updating on a daily basis. After reading my sisters posts evidently it is harder to run in Ohio than it is in Kansas.

Off Day

Today is an off day and I need it. My legs are sore from running and lifting. I guess I have not been pushing myself as hard as I thought I was...oops. I am going to do the elliptical or something for 45 minutes today, as well as swimming with Naomi (not sure if that counts).

Here is a link to Jamie's marathon photos- they are awesome, it really gets me excited to do this!
Way to go bro!

Monday run

I did 2 miles today and it felt really good, it is a far cry from 13. I ran at a 9:30 pace and if I want to participate at Jamie's level I better do better than that! I also lifted legs afterward and boy were they tired! Anyway, I added the link to the marathon on the right hand side of the blog.
Oh, also in reviewing the course I guess there are some hills to contend with, so I better start training somewhere where there are more hills...

I am really excited about doing this with Jamie and doing it for myself. I don't even like to run, but I like how I feel when I am done and all red-faced! Now, our master plan is to get Trent and Sean to join us for another one...then maybe mom and dad could walk one also. We will make it a family affair!

It's official

Well, it is official Jamie and I are going to run a half marathon together in Little Rock, Arkansas. Date is March 2nd, and I have been instructed to run an 8 minute mile at least...I am going to try my hardest. Jamie has already ran one last weekend in Kansas City, so this will be his second. I will look to him for some sound advice, and ribbing of course! I have already trained 2 days this week, 3 miles on Friday and 4 on Saturday. I am following the schedule religiously as I figure this will get me in the best running shape since it is created by runners. Here we come Arkansas!

I hope Jamie doesn't slow me down... hence the title sibling rivalry...