Running in Life's Slow Lane

5w-10r-3w-10r+cool down walk for a total time of 33:05.
Covered a distance of 2.6 miles for an average pace of 12:42.

 Toughest challenge today was running through a head full of phlegm. The head cold has not really changed for the better or worse but just seems to be lingering in a steady state.

 Temp 49F sunny wind from NW 0-5 mph.


 

Today was a fun run: no distance or time objectives.
1.59 miles in 20:50 (avg 13:06/mi).

Okay, it started out as a fun run but really turned into an effort as the left calf that has been bothering me really became painful. For lack of a better description it felt like someone had "frogged" me on the inside edge of the left calf about midway between the heel and the knee. I did notice that for some reason I had taken off at a much faster pace than my usual so the calf may have been reacting to my hubris. In any case, I forced myself to intermix short jogs and walks to get at least 1.5 miles in before calling it a day.

 60F, sunny, wind NW 5-10mph gusting 15mph, 18% humidity - gorgeous day

On a note that some will appreciate -
Got definite proof that running is good for us computer programmers. I had spent most of the day trying to find a problem reported by a user, but after being unable to find anything I gave up and went for the run. As I came back into the house the phone was ringing: the same user telling me it was not my software but another program causing the problem. Hence, my new running schedule will now include impromptu runs whenever I get bug reports in hopes that running solves my lack of programming skills.

 

5w-10r-3w-10r + lots of cool down walking for a total of 43:30.
Covered a total of 3.24 miles for an average pace of  13:25/mi.

The wind blowing from the south really seemed to upset my running today. During the first 10 minute cycle I felt like I was breathing all wrong which is a first for me. Generally I just jog along and let the breathing take care of itself. Today I felt like I couldn't get the air all the way into my lungs or something. I kept trying to breathe deep to 'reset' things but basically just plowed through the 10 minutes. The breathing was not a problem during the second 10 minute cycle though I was definitely wore out and my pace really slowed down.

I was feeling a twinge from the lowest right hand part of my back. A little to the top of my tailbone but nearly in line with my spine of the right side. This I attribute to the fact that today was the first in several days during which I tried to sit upright while working. My recent cold had kept me reclined on the couch near tissues and such for a long while.

My left calf was still bothering me so I decided that tomorrow is an off day and I would baby the leg a bit. Having made that decision I went ahead and walked a bit extra at the end of the workout to get a little more distance done. Tonight and tomorrow will see me taking my anti-inflammatory pills and elevating the leg as much as I can.

Sunny, 59F, winds S 15-20 gusting to 25

Oh, and I made it under 175lbs today!

5 minutes walk + 20 minutes jogging + walking for a total of time of 45:31.
Covered 3.32 miles for an average pace of  13:42/mil (dragged down by the long cool down)

The big news here is that I survived jogging for 20 minutes without a break! In October 2007 when I started on this program 20 minutes seemed an impossible goal. Even as recently as yesterday I was expecting that I would have to walk at least a bit of today's 20 minute goal. But I made it. Only in the last 2 or 3 minutes did I really begin feeling it. I covered a distance just shy of 1.75 miles in the 20 miles so my next goal will be to jog for 2 miles.

Of course, my success did meet with a bit of disappointment. My iPod nano lost my workout information. It would have been enough to push me over the 20 mile goal in a challenge with the coworkers as well as possibly contained my best time over a 2 mile distance. I guess that will have to wait for another day.

On to farther and faster goals!

Fun run with no objectives.
Covered 1.21 miles in 15:39 for an average pace of 12:54/mi.

After spending several hours trying to help a friend replace the floor in her bathroom (some people have no business doing basic carpentry) I escaped to run at sundown. Not having time to get into my full cold weather outfit I was limited more by cold as the sun set than my desire. I got about 0.45 miles of walking and the rest was jogging at a nice pace.

I still cannot get my iPod Nano to update the Nike+ website as it did earlier this week. There are two runs totalling 4.53 miles on my iPod but iTunes is not updating the website when it Syncs. Visiting the Nike+ site I have tried a few suggestions from there without success. Guess I will work on it more tomorrow.

So who is everyone picking in Sunday's NFL playoff games?


 

5 minutes walking + 10 minutes running + cool down walk for a total time of 23:00.
Covered 1.74 miles for an average pace of 13:13/mile.

I was definitely feeling the lack of real sleep as it seemed nothing was in synch today. Plowed through it enough to get the 10 minutes done.

Really starting to hate the Nike+ thing. Today I started it up to go on my run only to have it refuse to find the foot sensor. Went with my trusty handheld GPS unit to measure my distance and time. The only measurement I miss in using the GPS is a "current" pace as it only gives me the moving average. But I admit that I really like being able to upload my mileage into the Nike+ site and setting my goals as well as sharing challenges with my coworkers.