If you don't track it did it happen?

I ran this morning, but didn't Nike+ it. I don't know how far I ran, or how fast. I know I got about 1000 fuel points according to my band. My hip seems to be OK without the band. It still aches a bit, but isn't getting worse, and doesn't seem to be popping out of joint as it did pre-band.

another morning, another lackluster 3 mile run

Tried running without the hip-band today. It's been hurting all the time, but not in the way the band is supposed to help, so I figured it might be making things worse, and I'd see how I feel without it.

Beautiful weather, but I'm not feeling the magic. I'm stressed out about a bunch of things and it's just making me feel like shit. Running helps, but the stress isn't helping running.

wow. that was slow.

Hot. Humid. My hip hurt. My ankle hurt. My face hurt (long story). My stomach hurt. I've been awful about nutrition and I'm feeling it. I think I hit rock bottom today, and am back on the wagon. This is dumb.

excuses excuses

It was too hot
My hip hurts
I've been working a ton
I'm sore from yesterday's work out

That's why I've been such a slacker this week. It was brutally hot earlier in the week, I hit the treadmill, I ran in 80 degrees at 6:30a.m. It sucked. Then later in the week (and weekend) work took over. I've been up for a few hours working today (Sunday) and have to go into the office in a few hours and really should go run a few miles, but my legs are screaming from yesterday's squats and lunges and I'm just worn out. Not good. I know. I need to break the cycle and run. I should have zero excuses tomorrow. And may yet get inspired today.

And yes, my hip is still aching. Should probably do something about that.

at least I ran?

Summer is here in full force. I hate summer. I got up early to run at the coolest part of the day. It was already 80. I took it slow. It sucked.

that damn app - pushing me again

I went to the gym today to run since it was stinking hot out and I only have an un-airconditioned bathroom at home (so I end up sweating enough while getting ready to need another shower). I did a mile on the treadmill, then saw I was at 99 miles on the Nike+ app, so I had to run another just to hit 100. Even though my hip kind of hurt. Not too bad. But not without discomfort.

Tomorrow I'm riding my bike to work and may do a mile or two once I get to the gym. We'll see how hot and horrid the ride is.

recovered?

That hip injury that I mentioned in my last post has been lingering. So I gave into it for a few days. I've been icing and aleving. And I think it's better. I'll give it a shot tomorrow. Didn't make my miles this week. But I know it was the right thing to do.

oy

I'm in SF for work, so was really excited for the cooler weather and change of scenery. I woke up at about 4:30 due to the time change, and my stomach was super upset this morning - made for an interesting run, including a visit to a public toilet. Not recommended. Hip is a bit sore from Monday's run. All resulted in a slower pace, but I started to feel a bit better after a few miles, so kept going. Tomorrow I'll hopefully do as much, if not a few more miles if I get some sleep and feel better.

From 11:49 to 9:57!

I've been watching a lot of Tour de France lately, and decided that I'm going to do an individual time trial each month. Today I ran the same route that I did on June 8 for my first run of this project. This is what that run looked like:

66 degrees

I ran the same route today:

 78 degrees and pure humidity

I'm super proud of myself. Especially considering the temperature differential. That pace is pretty much what I used to run. And I've been steadily getting faster. I did push a little bit today, but the pace improvement has been consistent over the past few weeks (about :10 - :20 per mile faster each run)

Month 1: a review

Today's run wraps up my first month of running anew.

It was hot and humid.

I ran 42 miles this past month (ok, Nike+ says 41.91, but I'm rounding up). I've made steady progress improving my pace, from 11:49 on that first run on June 8, to 10:21 today. I'm going to do the same run I did that first day on Monday (and at the start of each month) to see how I progress.

I also cycled 78 miles including my first ride to work in a very very long time.

I feel like I'm getting my old self back.

Things I've (re) learned:

1. I like numbers. I like tracking and I'll go a little further to hit a target. I've been using the Nike+ running app, and I wear a FuelBand, and I am motivated by the trends and streaks and data.

2. I am competitive. I don't have many "friends" on Nike+ (if you're on and want to play, please reply in the comments and I'll connect to you), but I will admit to going a little further than I planned today to retake the lead from Chris:

3. Don't touch the iPhone while running. I have had a problem with ending runs in the middle when I just want to pause or change music. Annoying.

4. I started out having the voice tell me time and pace every mile. I got depressed about my pace. So I shut off the pace narration and just had it tell me how far I'd run. Then that got annoying and disruptive too, so now I don't have the voice turned on at all, and I run as far as I feel like running, and I keep getting faster. I just keep reminding myself that I'm making progress and that's what matters. Some might say "just do it" (groan, couldn't resist)

5. There's still magic in a longer run or ride. I really missed that head-clearing time that comes after about the first half hour.

6. A three mile run is never a bad idea. I always ALWAYS feel better after. No matter how much I think I don't want to go.

7. Knowing that I committed to this blog really does motivate me. I know that I can't go more than 2 or 3 days without running, and know that I need to keep moving when I'm out on a run because the numbers don't lie, and I'm sharing the numbers.

8. I've actually had that feeling of "I need to go for a run" after taking a day or two off.

9. I'm starting to think about events. Not 5ks or 10ks, but marathons and 50ks. I know I'm getting ahead of myself but once I hit the 10 mile mark, I'll feel like I've turned a corner and I can sign up for a goal.

10. I'm excited about going for a longer, real run on my trip to SF this week. I've been running on my previous work trips, but that was more like walking with a few spurts of jogging. I'm going to go for a real run, along the bay. How long will depend on my schedule and how much time I have. I'd love to do 8 or 9 miles, but don't know that I'll have that much time before work.

11. My foot/ankle is actually feeling better! It doesn't bother me as much while I'm running, and I think I'm limping less overall (it usually stiffens up when I'm not active and I get a bit limpy when I start moving).


This week I did 13.25 miles - my most in a week so far. Next week's goal is 15. I'm going to do the short baseline run Monday, then a longer run Tuesday and Thursday, and will round out the week with whatever else I need to hit 15 on Saturday.

It's all coming togther

Had the day off today and celebrated with a 30+ mile ride. Not quite up to the whole path, but should be there next ride. Having thoughts of a century.

note that this includes time spent waiting at traffic lights. And there was a lot of that. 

soggy lunch break

I'm working from home today. Didn't feel like running when I got up, everything ached, so I got right to work. By noon I was itching to move, so I went for a quick run. My weather app told me there was a chance of light sprinkles so I decided to risk it.

The full on rain started about a mile in. My app stopped the run instead of pausing it at the turnaround. I was faster getting home - wanted to get out of the rain!

It was kind of fun.

I think my ankle is feeling better. Foot hurts less than it did a few weeks ago. Or I'm getting used to it.

I'm that cyclist who stops for traffic signals

Yes, I'm the dork who comes to a complete stop and just stands there waiting for the light to change. I'm terrified of traffic. I do not like city riding. But I decided it was time to overcome my fear and ride my bike to work.

It's been about 10 years since I last did that. And I think I did it once. I only remember the day because I stopped on my way home from work and got my belly button pierced and I remember that crouching over on the bike hurt after the piercing. So yeah, over 10 years ago.

City cycling in Chicago has improved immensely in those 10 years. Most of my route is protected bike lanes. My office has a locked bike room and a gym. It was 60 degrees out. On July 2. How could I not do this!

It was actually fun and not stressful, and I can get over the fact that I'm a nerd and I obey the law. And getting in an hour of exercise instead of an hour of commute is a pretty good deal.

And yes, my legs were sore after yesterday's "long" run.

This is why I run

Perfect morning. Great run. Finally ran long enough that I had a few miles of feeling good. This makes up for missing my longer run Saturday and Sunday.