On the run again

This past week I finally gotten back to running again. Here in New England we've had quite the winter which put a huge damper on my running on the road. I wasn't too keen on running on narrowed roads due to six foot high snow banks coupled with temperatures hovering in the single digits a lot of the time didn't make it too enticing to bundle up and run a few miles.

Before the 100 plus inches of snow I had signed up for a couple of 5k's this month thinking I'd be able to do them no problem. Was I mistaken. Of course I procrastinated getting back to running until the last minute. I could have used the gym and hit the treadmill but that also fell victim to my procrastination.  Needless to say I was totally not ready to run anything close to 3.1 miles(5k). I had ran a total of one mile the whole month of February. Even going back to January I was only doing a mile or so mixed in with some walking.

Not only was I not in running shape I had gained back the weight I lost year in a short amount of time which has pissed me off. It has given me added incentive. This was my original motivation to running in the first place.

I had also noticed I was more tense and irritable than I usually am. I was prone to outbursts at times which. I think part of it was i missed the release and endorphins that relaxed me after a run. I had missed running which is quite new to me. Since I've started these past couple of weeks I've been more relaxed. It's a good tension reliever for sure.  

Finally these past two weeks I've finally hit my favorite running spot in Mansfield, Massachusetts along a paved bike path that the snow and ice finally retreated to safely run. Just yesterday I finally hit the 2 mile mark for the first time since December. It also was the first three run week in 2015. Very happy to be back hitting the pavement. Already have a few 5k's in mind and hopefully won't miss anymore.

Until next time, cheers!

Top 5 Running Songs.

The practice of plugging my earphones cranking the tunes out in my brain have been a staple of my running ever since started recently. It was a worry of mine when I did my first race whether or not I'd stick out using it. I've grown so used it and I'm not sure how I'd do with out it. I still carry my phone in hand with headphones stuck in. Runkeeper app tracking me and music rocking out. In the two 5k's under my belt I've found although the majority of fellow runners don't use them but enough do that I don't feel so self conscious about it. If anyone has any input I'd be glad to hear it(pardon the pun,LOL).

That being said hear are my top current favorite jogging songs in which to hit the pavement with.

Uprising - Muse

Beat the horse - Pomplamoose

I'm Alright(theme from "Caddyshack) - Kenny Loggin's

Candyman - Christina Aguilera

Kickstart My Heart - Motley Crue

What are your favorites that put a little extra pop in your step?

Post 5k Report

This past Saturday I did my first 5k run in South Yarmouth located on Cape Cod. It was an overcast morning when I headed out to the Culture Center of Cape Cod where the race was being held. I signed in and found out I qualified for a free t-shirt too which was pretty cool. I went outside to warm up and put my shirt in the car and warm up.

 

My first racing bib!

Being my first race this was a learning experience. I tried to observe how other people warmed up. I tried not to look too much like a newbie. During my training a warm up consisted of a brisk walk for about 5 minutes then starting up. I saw some stretching and some warm up jogs. So i did a little of both. 

Big question I had was my phone/music. I generally listen to music while I jog but wasn't sure I if it was acceptable during a race(officially or just frowned upon by others). I did see others that were using  them so I thought I'd be OK. I had bought arm band to hold the phone but had some issues on best way to use it. It worked alright but was hard to make any volume adjustments or use the touch screen while on your arm. I did listen to music but at a much reduced volume to be able hear whats going on around me.

 

 There's a bridge over a river there somewhere.

It was an overcast and foggy morning. The run was started down the street from the Culture Center itself and circled around it before heading out for the main stretch. The pack stretched as the race went on through the quiet moderately populated neighborhood. The view of the Bass River was covered with a blanket of fog so even seeing the other side river wasn't happening. Temp was in low 70's I believe so conditions were actually pretty good for this type of race.

Being pretty slow and new at this I was bringing up the rear of the pack. Near the halfway point the race looped back onto itself and caught  glimpse of the leaders pass me going the opposite way. Soon I'm among only handful of people. 

I learned not to spend too much time drinking water from the water stations. Throws you off your rhythm of running and breathing. It did help though as I did seem to have a short burst of energy afterwards. Perhaps from just quenching my dry mouth. 

That elusive third mile marker, I missed the others, came insight. I seemed to find an extra burst of energy near the finish. I see the time clock and cones lined up where I'm supposed to funnel into. People are clapping and yelling words of encouragement. I finish only having a vague notion of my time. I grab some water off a table and cool down.

It feels great to have finished my 5k race.Felt proud and happy. It's the longest race I've ran since my Army days over 27 years ago.  After quitting smoking four years ago I had proved to myself it could be done. It felt good to be apart of this group of runners.  I can't wait to do it again. 

Not last!

Pre 5k Run

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Today I hit the trail for my last run before my first 5k this Saturday morning in West  Yarmouth.  My regular training path is the World War 2 Veteran's Memorial Trail located in Mansfield, Massachusetts. It's little more than a mile and half paved path stretching from East Street near the center to Fruit Street across the street from Mansfield Municipal Airport.

I believe this will be a the last full jog(or run) before my first 5k in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts for Run/Walk for the Arts at The Cape Cod Cultural Center. I chose this because it seemed beginner friendly and a low key event.

The first few weeks were perhaps the hardest. Just between the winter weather that seemed to linger on in this area and getting used to jogging regularly. Felt awkward at first but soon got used it. Now amazingly I look forward to it now.

Another motivation was that when I was in the Army back in the Reagan era I did very poorly on the morning PT runs. I probably held the record dropping out of runs at my unit which was not something I was particularly proud of. So to do this and even do something like a 5k run would be a personal victory for me.

 

This is my latest stats(runners love stats, lol). I'm slow as molasses but I am improving. Can't wait for Saturdays 5k. I'm nervous and can't wait at the same time. Later.

Long and Winding Road

 

Took my couch to 5K training to the Cape Cod Canal yesterday. It was a sunny warm day with a cool breeze off the water. It's not my first time here but I usually hit here about once a week. It's an ideal place for beginner runner's like myself. It's fairly level so it's not so intimidating for newbie runner's like myself. 

The area I run is on the south side of the canal in Bourne between the Bourne Bridge and railroad bridge although my circle is expanding as my distance grows. So far I've onlt seen the occasional sailboat or pleasure craft on the water. Usually some guys along the way fishing along the rocks. The canal access road is also popular for walkers, bikes, joggers and just plain sightseer's.

Today's run stat's.

 I've been at this couch to 5k training for little over two month's now as a fun way to lose weight and get into shape. I had packed on the pounds since the fall and when spring time hit fewer of my clothes even fit any more and of course the comment's of my shape increased also. Something clicked inside me to get off my butt and do something.

I had heard of couch to 5k program's and app before and thought it would be good way to start. I figured having a goal would help my stay with it. After looking at a few I did choose Active.com's Couch-to 5k program. Between the mapping run's and using  music it seem to win out. The first few run's were actually the hardest. It was still early spring and as fellow New Englanders will tell you this past winter did not want to go away. Some of the first weeks were were really cold(for me at least) in the 30 and 40 degree range.

The picture above is misleading as I'm actually in my tenth week. Around the third week I had hit a stumbling block.I had a couple of crappy run's between the the app I was using messing up. Probably hitting a button or two which through my rhythm off. So I scrapped that week and decided to do that whole week over. It seemed to be a turning point as it's been steady progress since then.

MyFitnessPal app

Over ten weeks ago I started off at a portly 220 lbs and just this past weekend I weighed in at 211 so I seemed to be averaging a pound a week which was my goal. I'm feeling much better and my cloth's are fitting better too.

I've already signed up for a 5k and I'll post more on that later.

Thanks for coming by.