Ouch

I've run quite a bit in the last couple days. Perhaps, too much. Check out my sock when I took my shoe off tonight...

That's blood, and that's no bueno.

One Hundred

I finally hit the 100 mile mark tonight! Woo hoo! Who would have thought?

Now that I've run 100 miles I feel like I can share some observations:

- It is best not to run on the night before trash day. There is a stench in the air that can only be described as nasty!

- With "Eye of the Tiger" on your iPod, anything is possible

- Just keep moving, it takes time for the endorphins to kick in.

- It is best not to drink a lot of water and/or Gatorade before a run, you're stomach may decide to reject it.

- If you see a garage door opening, beware that a small dog may dart out, causing you to look terrified.

- Just keep going, you'll be able to breathe eventually.

- Running so many days a week has really increased the amount of laundry I have to do.

And, my most important observation, it is SO much better to run with friends, even if you have to do it virtually!

I lost

The Nike+ Challenge Kristy and I were participating in officially ended last night at midnight. And, I lost. Here's the final results:



The last two weeks have seen me running way more than I ever thought possible, so, I guess maybe I didn't lose after all. Congratulations, Kristy! I'll get you next time! :)

I like to think of it as giving 100%

So, about a week ago Wednesday, I discovered that after a lifetime of failure I may indeed be able to do this exercise called running. Two nights of successful (depending on definition) running convinced me that I needed a new pair of shoes, so I bought some. Now, I didn't just go out and find a pair of comfortable running shoes, I found a pair of comfortable running shoes that would broaden my knowledge of something else I enjoy, electronic gadgets (especially ones made by Apple)!

Today my "running system" is complete. I own a pair of Nike+ Running Shoes, a Nike+ Sport Kit, and an iPod Nano. Combined, these items make me look like the serious runner I am so NOT! But, it's ok to pretend.

You see, the little red thing goes in the bottom of my shoe and the little white thing attaches to my iPod. Then they talk to eachother.



While I'm running and listening to music a voice will come on and tell me how far I've run, how long I've run, and what my pace is. When I'm finished it will even tell me how many calories I have burned. Then, when I connect my iPod to my computer it automatically sends the information to the Nike+ website. Then, the website keeps track of all my runs and goals and stuff. It's pretty cool!

Here are a couple screen shots of my stats for tonight. I actually did 3 workouts tonight - the first one was to calibrate the sensor to my running so it would be accurate. This was a half mile that doesn't "count." Then I did 1.04 miles:


Followed by another .57 miles, for a grand total of 2.1 miles tonight. A couple days ago (before I had the sensor and Nano) I set up a goal for myself to run 25 miles in 4 weeks. Here is where I am right now, and apparently I am a bit behind where Nike thinks I should be at this point.


I guess I'm going to have to do a lot of catching up!

So, you can see I'm what a lot of people might consider obsessive compulsive when it comes to running and electronic gadgets, but I prefer to think of it as giving a 100% effort!

30:00.5

Thirty minutes and 5 tenths of a second. That is how long I ran today. Without stopping. And, I'm pretty sure I ran up Mt. Everest too.

I don't mean to bore everyone with my less than spectactular skills, but seriously, 30 minutes running. Me? I can't quite believe it myself. I'm not quite sure of my distance today because I actually did a little off-roading. Here's what I look like post-thirty minute run:


I look good, don't I?

Well, I'm kind of tired

What a day it's been! Certainly nothing to complain about, just lots of really good stuff all in one day.

I started the morning with a baseball game. Then I made my way to Mayfest to watch some performances and spend some time with a cool kid named Parker. Then I went to another baseball game. Then I went to dinner with some more cool people. Then I spent some time with Will and Allie. Then I went to Walmart with Will. Then I played with Will and Allie some more. Then I ran 1.75 miles. Then I did some laundry. And that brings me to right now! Crazy!

It's been several weeks since I have seen Will and Allie and I honestly kind of wondered if they would really remember me. I mean, I knew they would remember me, but I just worried that it wouldn't be the same as when we were hanging out about once a week. Just seeing them made my heart happy, but hearing a "Will Story" really made me smile. My parents had taken them to Chick-Fil-A for dinner and as soon as they walked in Will ran over to the booth we sat at one night and told them, "this is where I sat with Aunt Emily." How crazy is that? That happened three months ago, and, he was totally right! I love that kid! Allie is growing like a weed and talking so much. My favorite thing she said was, "purp" for the color purple. It was really cute.

They weren't really cooperating in the picture department, too much playing, but here's an attempt:














Now, about the running 1.75 miles. I'm pretty sure that is the longest distance I have ever run in my life. I'm convinced it was made possible by my brand new shoes:


That's right, after my little breakthrough the other night, I convinced myself that I could go even further if I had some better shoes. In a couple days, I will be able to unveil something else these shoes can do, it's pretty cool! (I really need to get a life!) :) Seriously though, the shoes were great and I feel like I could have gone even further if it hadn't been 9:30 and the fact that I was already back at my house. Maybe tomorrow!

I was runnin'

"Now you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows. From that day on, if I was ever going somewhere, I was running!"

Quick, name the movie this quote comes from! Ok, it's Forrest Gump, one of my all-time favorite movies. And, you wouldn't believe me if I told you, but I've been runnin'. When I do tell people that, they are like, why? Are you training for something?

The answer is no, I'm not training for anything. The truth is, I hate running, and hate is a strong word. I've never been good at running and could never really run for long periods of time. So, I decided about a month ago that I was going to make myself learn to run and maybe even learn to enjoy it. I believe it's the simplest, most effective exercise. All you need are some good shoes and you're set.

My plan was simple, start walking and throw in some running. The first week I alternated walking for 3 minutes and then running for 1 minute. The second week I walked 2 minutes and ran for 90 seconds. The third week I was walking 90 seconds and then running 90 seconds. And, to be honest, 90 seconds felt like a long time. For 90 seconds everything would hurt and I would just about talk myself out of the whole thing. Then, I started walking/running at the track, I would run one lap and then walk one lap. I would do that for somewhere between 2 and 3 miles.

All of that has led up to tonight. It was kind of late and getting dark so I knew I wouldn't have much time. I just stepped out of the house and started running just to see how long I could possibly stand to go. I made it around the block one time (at a pace just faster than a walk) and decided I'd just keep going. By the time I had had enough I had ran for 12 minutes and 28 seconds. It seems silly but I feel like that's quite an accomplishment. I was halfway through the block so I decided to just walk for awhile but my legs wouldn't let me, they wanted to keep running! It was the strangest feeling! When it was all said and done I had ran for about 19 minutes. Crazy! And, the best part is, I can't wait for my next running day (although I'm sure by then I'll be singing a different song).

Another bonus from my little run tonight:


A great reminder that the "dark" is always preceded and followed by awe-inspiring beauty.