Day 4: Waiting for the Cold Front

Daily Running Log
Unplugged
~3 miles
6:32-7:02am
63 degrees under threat of impending cold front

Run cut rather short this morning due to empty threat of swift-moving front.  In Texas, the temperature can drop 20 degrees in a matter of minutes.  I was preoccupied with this thought throughout the entire three miles.  I think it did motivate me to run harder, and my time would've been much more reflective of that if the wind hadn't been blowing back at me 15 mph faster than I was running.

Off Day

Having started on the weekend, my schedule is a tad mixed up.  Long runs will be on either Saturday or Sunday--hence yesterday's 8 miler.  The day immediately after will be an off day.  Though, I did do quite a bit of running up and down the Mansion's steps decorating for Christmas.  Early to bed/Early to rise.  Looking forward to the cold front which should arrive before my morning run.

Day 2: Running Unplugged

My usual stompin' grounds--Water St.

Daily Run Log
78 minutes

No music/No GPS

Estimated Mileage: 7.75 miles

Beautiful Mid-60s

9:12am-10:30
Early twinge in right knee; Ache developed in ball of left foot

Without IPOD company, 82 minutes is quite enough time to grapple with ALL the world's problems.  Think of it as 82 meditative, soul-searching, potentially epiphanic minutes.  Today, I set myself a specific topic upon which to ruminate.  As a runner, I'm pretty slow (as you can see from my stats).  It's never been important to me how fast I run but rather how far or how long.  And, truth be told, you burn just as many calories running a slow mile as a fast one--it's just going to take up more of your time to accomplish it.  Thinking on this point, I began to wonder about the other things in life that are equally beneficial or more beneficial when undertaken at a slow pace (besides my Sunday morning 8 miler).  Here's my list--surely it is by no means complete.

Splendidly Slow Activities
Sipping the First Cup of Morning Coffee
Meditation and Prayer
Barbecuing
Driving or Walking on Icy Surfaces
Yoga
Stilt-Walking
Sunset Walks on the Beach
Ageing Wine
Glass Blowing
Love Making
Bread Kneading and Rising
Water Aerobics (due more to physics than the desire to move slowly and/or due to age of participants)
Family Hugs

Day 1 of the Quest toward the Half-Marathon

Daily Run Log
5.07 miles
51 minutes
519 calories
Temperature in the High 40s/Low 50s
7:09am-8:00
Current Listening Pleasure: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Audiobook


So, I've been running consistently (or maybe inconsistently to some) since I was in high school. Back then, cross country was a "forced" sport for most of us--off-season training for baseketball or softball. I only ever aspired to finishing my measly 2 miler without stopping to walk. So, now when I finish my Saturday morning 5 miles (and I feel like I could do another 5 if I had the time), I don't feel 10 years older. I feel 10 years healthier!

This blog is more for my own fitness accountability than for anyone else--but if you enjoy the daily blood, sweat, and laughter-to-tears, feel free to read on. I am endeavoring through this run-blog to train more consistently for a Half-Marathon run in the spring.