jogging the memory stick

I run the same routes as I did when I last trained for a marathon. I live in south Florida, east of the interstate, so my choices, while scenic, are somewhat limited. And, as I run I am reminded of old memories, old thoughts and old posts from my old blog which wrote the story of another person in another life, seemingly.

I'm not sure how all this sits with me...makes me feel like I experienced some sort of deliverance into a new world that still doesn't fit quite right. And, I don't like that scratchy feeling when something doesn't fit exactly how I want it to fit.

Anyway, I thought I 'd post pictures instead of writing anything else...

04/16/10 - running - 4 miles - 40:32
(9:58, 10:07, 10:22, 10:04)



Me and stinger -- I've convinced myself I need a new helmet that matches the red bike frame...we'll see how good of a deal I can find after scouring the internet.


the dog and I took some self-portraits yesterday while I was waiting for a file to download. He looks very distinguished. I've started this regime of brushing him every day because apparently that is what a good dog parent is supposed to do.

person #2 and bruiser - Bruiser was named before he truly earned the reputation. I learned to ride on Bruiser - anyone who has every been on a bike can tell you that was a bad idea...he's a little heavy and has a lot of power. One day I was making a left turn and my head told me I was going to hit a shrub so my hand squeezed the brake. I used my leg to protect Bruiser (bad idea) and had the worst muscle pull/tear I can remember in recent times. I make that same left turn every time I ride - I don't know why I thought I was going to hit that shrub. Oh well.

Happy trails - enjoy your Friday.

they call it a breeze

but sometimes the "sea breeze" can be downright cruel.

The last two days it has definitely impacted my workouts. And, plus, I like it to be HOT when I ride my bicycle (I think this might be my vanity. I would like to be thin and tan and since the former isn't happening, I'm hoping I can accomplish the later) and when it is windy it is not hot enough for me.

Alas, workouts have been done and they've both gone reasonably well. That said, a truck carrying a few landscapers honked at me this morning and at the time I felt like a super-saturated beached whale and I was a little disturbed that they were honking at me.

My iPod shuffle (gen 2, so it has the option to not shuffle) works fine so I think the charger is the issue. I ordered a replacement USB type charger thingy from the great world wide web and hopefully it will arrive soon.

does happiness abound on this hump day? yea, I guess so.

04/13/10 - biking - 16.26 miles
04/14/10 - running - 5 miles - 52:22 (10:07, 10:41, 10:48, 10:10, 10:34)

resuscitation necessary

I am afraid that my iPod shuffle might be dead. I am going to try to find a different charger for it and see if that is the problem. I damaged the charger a while ago and perhaps it might just be entirely dead now, I am not sure.

Anyway, I can't run comfortably with an iPod touch and I don't want an arm band or anything else that might cause chafing so I'm going to see if there is another solution.

Did an early morning run this morning and my back is a bit sore, but I'm off to do some weekend errands now.

04/10/10 - 4 miles 42:46

have to run, no splits today.

continuing saga of the measuring pants

They fit better everywhere but the waist, but I did just return from a run so I am not sure how that effects fit.


Nonetheless, I have lost some weight and I know this because my bat wings are almost entirely gone. I'm not sure if that is the real (technical) name for this fat deposit, but I will explain the location. When I gain weight the area of my thighs below the hip joint becomes very well padded. (My dog gets extra hair in this area too and it makes him look chunkier than he is, but he's cute with or without them; me, not so much.) In other words it isn't pretty and it annoys me. Luckily they are almost gone.


I did another 5 mile run this morning. 3 minutes 45 seconds faster than last week's 5 miler. 5:1 intervals seem to be working quite well, except when I can't add or remember and I do a 4 minute interval instead. I'll survive. Hopefully my memory and addition skills will return to me quickly because I have work to do today and those are important factors in my productivity.


Have a good Friday.


04/09/10: 5 miles - 53:27 (running)
(10:31, 10:50, 10:56, 10:50, 10:14)

change, or rather upheavel, of plans

Rather than having my normal schedule this week, I spent time supervising person #2's children. (thank you census bureau for that good moniker) He had to go to work and they were on spring break and I work at home, imagine that arrangement. Anyway, it was a change from normal and a little stressful, but I think am back to my regularly scheduled life now.

There was a definite lack of sleep in the past few days so I didn't have the energy to run this morning. I went out riding on my bicycle instead which was adventurous - my chain popped off twice, I'm not sure why, but I will take a look at it some time later today.

back to the grind in these parts. Have a happy Thursday.

04/08/10 - 20.93 miles - biking

getting through the next workout

the mental blocks after a "bad workout" are usually more punishing than any physical pain.

don't have much time to post today, but I did do an early morning workout. I included my five minute walking warmup in my first mile, so overall these numbers are pretty decent. I did 5:1 run-to-walk intervals which might be the right ratio for the moment.

4 miles - 44:50
(12:37, 11:15, 10:41, 10:15)

have a happy easter.

once upon a time

once upon a time I was in good shape.  now is not once upon a time.  clearly.

I'm not like grossly out of shape. chances are I could beat most people in a foot race, a short sprint in a pool and if endurance is the goal I could probably suffer through a longer bike ride than most people.  But, I'm not happy with the current state of affairs.  I wish training condition was a cummulative thing - so if I was once in a good shape, I will be permanently in good shape.  I know this isn't the case.  It isn't that I don't want to do the work or don't enjoy the challenge of training, it is the mental torture that happens on the way to the goal.

I vacillate between "I don't care" and "I wonder if I can have a lobotomy on an outpatient basis."  If I could change my thinking and my self-judgment it would probably make this process easier.

So, I ran 5 miles yesterday.  My average pace wasn't horrific...about 11:20.  However, my third mile was terrible.  It seems that after about 21 minutes of running all of my joints let out a collective sigh and asked "Why are we doing THIS again?" 

Because we are and that is that.

So, numbers.

04/01/10: 5 miles, 57:11 (running)
04/02/10: 26.2 miles, 1:42.36 (biking)

it wasn't an intentional marathon distance ride - just the distance from my front door to the inlet.