Running at Incline

I usually run on the treadmill at a 2.0 incline. That’s probably a touch low for the hill as I leave my ranch, but it’s a decent incline that helps keep me in shape. I worry about running too much higher.

However my son used the treadmill recently and I ran outside a bit, and when I came back to the treadmill one day, it felt funny. It felt like I was running downhill. Sure enough, I checked, and the incline was 0.0, which is slightly downhill on some treadmills.

I fixed it and everything felt fine, but it reminds me how far I’ve come. I used to run at 0.5, or 1.0 and struggle to run a mile and a half. Now I bang one out without thinking.

Day 629

Back outside, this time trailing the family as they rode bikes. I tried to race through this one to get it done so I could get on a bike. Just a short jog along the trail.

15:02

1.46mi

Day 628

A group run, on the track, helping my son get ready for his karate test. We jogged 8 laps, 2 miles, but he needed to walk a bit, so I jogged on place with him through some quarter laps, trying to keep him motivated. Not sure how accurate the distance is, but it was north of 2 miles. I was jogging/running the whole time.

28:57

2.54

Day 627

 

Too windy outside, so a quick treadmill run.

16:00

1.54mi

Day 626

A late run, and too big a lunch during errands. I struggled to run, almost feeling nauseous as I made it a bit up the road.

20:04

1.86mi

Day 625

It wasn’t too windy, and it was warm, so I got the kids outside with me. We drove up to the mailbox and then we jogged down the road. It was slow going, the kids walking a bunch and me running in place beside them. I think I covered 1.5 lateral miles, but 2.0 by running in place more.

24:00

2.19mi

Day 624

Too windy to go outside. My ankles felt good, but I took it easy.

16:00

1.47mi

Day 623

Another windy day, chilly too. A late afternoon run, taking it easy on the ankles.

16:00

1.45mi

More Motivation

I've been coasting a bit. No reason to stop running, but no real motivation to keep going. Hitting 600 days was cool, but what's next, 700?

I did find a bit of motivation that might get me to 750 or so, and then perhaps I can push to 1000. My son has a black belt test at the end of this year, at least that's the schedule. One of the requirements is that he needs to run 2 miles in 18:00 or better. He's not ready, so we've started to try and run twice a week, building up some endurance, and speed in his body and get him ready. It's not everyday, but it gives me some motivation to keep pushing as I try and get him to be a better runner.

Day 622

Sore ankles after baseball, so a short cruising run.

16:00

1.50mi

Day 621

A morning run, before baseball, on the track at a high school with the karate crew. It was supposed to be a 2 mi run, but I shortened it since I was late and wanted to hang out with people.

1.73

20:12

About 5 minutes of this was walking with people.

Day 620

Another inside run with wind blowing outside like crazy.

16:00

1.57mi

Day 619

Had to get a quick one done before the grad party. Did it inside since the wind is crazy outside.

14:00

1.39mi

Day 618

Family in town, had to bust out a run outside before heading out to a kid’s party. Felt great outside.

20:35

1.98 mi

Day 617

A quick run around some chores.

16:00min

1.51mi

Day 616

1.51mi
16:00
A nice, steady run today.

Five Fingers

I've broken out my Five Fingers shoes for the warmer months, wearing them around as I go about life. After having not worn them for months, probably since early November, it was strange to put them on again, but they felt fine and I adapted quickly.

I haven't run in them, though I might give it a try a few times this summer. I do think that it has helped me feet get stronger. In karate, baseball, everything they just seem to be able to stand up a little better to the activity. I highly recommend them for runners, at least if you can wear casual shoes most days.

Day 615

It was nice outside, warm, not too much sun, so I headed out for an easy one, the right ankle sore. I struggled to get going, with a jog uphill on uneven gravel that was bugging the ankle, but as I got to a level area, and software sand, it felt OK. Still achey, but it numbed up a little and didn’t hurt.

I don’t have a great place to run short, so I went further than I wanted, but I didn’t want to push it too hard.

23:00

2.15mi

Day 614

A sore ankle today and after a baseball game, I struggled a bit. Went slower, for longer, to get through it. I should have run outside, but I was trying to get it done quicker without worrying about footing.

20:00

1.69mi

Day 613

A long day of chores, of getting things done around the house, and then I had to knock this our quickly before we headed out at night.

16:00

1.45mi

Day 612

A nice steady run today.

16:00

1.52

Day 611

Nothing planned tonight, so I cruised along on a run, getting up there for some quicker intervals.

16:00

1.55mi

Day 610

I felt much better today, almost no illness left. I sped up a bit more, trying to push things, though the Nike + didn't reflect that. It seems that the faster I go, the higher the error rate on it. Likely needs a higher speed calibration.

Still I did a couple intervals at higher speeds, pushing a bit more to a Body For Life run, which I might shoot for this summer. Working for a 20 minute interval.

16:00
1.52mi

Day 609

I was thinking that we'd do a double karate class tonight, but I still pushed a little harder on the treadmill with it being windy and chilly outside. I did a couple faster intervals at 7mph as well that felt good.

16:00
1.50mi

Day 608

No karate tonight, so I cruised along on an easy run. I wasn't feeling good with a cold, so I didn't push things.

16:20
1.48mi

Running While Ill

Today I woke up with a little bit of a cold. My throat was slightly sore, my nose running a touch. I had chores to do in the yard, but with wind outside I bailed quickly.

I needed to run, and I was glad my son wasn't interested in running outside. Today was a day to run together, but since he was willing to treadmill it, so did I.

I pushed hard, a good speedy run, a slightly higher pace, but I felt worn out. Even though my legs weren't tired when I decided to slow down, I did since I felt done. Even afterward, I don't have that charge of energy. My guess is that I am about to get sick for a couple days and need to take it easy.

Day 607

I was going to run with Delaney outside today, but it's windy, and I'm feeling a little sick. So a good push on the treadmill.

18:00
1.69mi

Day 606

I had about 20 minutes to slam this one in before we left for the day, so I hurried along. No Nike+ Sensor (grr), so I went on the treadmill.

14:00min
1.39mi

Day 605

Another outside run. A little chilly and windy, but I felt better, cruising up the hills easily.

20:00

1.95mi

Day 604

Outside today, it was a little chilly and windy, but not bad. I struggled to get up and down the hill out front today.

26:00

2.4mi

Day 603

Tired legs, with karate tonight. Took it short.

14:00

1.29mi

Day 602

A nice cruise today, still inside with lots of wind outside

16:00min

1.46mi

I Hate the Wind

I was all set to run outside at lunch today and when I went upstairs to change, I could hear the wind howling against the windows and see trees swaying pretty good.

So much for outside in that weather. Apart from annoying me, it makes my eyes dry and sore.

Day 601

I felt great, so I went a little further today, despite being crunched for time. Too windy to run outside, and too cold, so I hit the treadmill again.

18:00

1.68mi

6 Centuries

I made it to day 600 today. Quite the milestone for me and I was looking forward to it. I had a quite morning, up late, and was trying to decide how to tackle the day. With a noon baseball game, I decided to try and run before we played.  Just to be safe. I haven’t gotten too hurt during a game, but it would stuck to stop at 599.

I arrived a touch early, and took off around the high school grounds, a nice jog on a chilly, windy morning. It was one long lap and then a couple of laps around the parking lot before I decided to stop and get ready to play.

Not a great run for the milestone, but a run nevertheless.

Day 600

Another milestone. A light jog before baseball

13:25

1.30mi

Day 599

A quick one this afternoon, hungry, tired, a long day with kids.

16:00
1.52mi