day 30

wow. 30 days of running in the last 43 days of life. starting to sound impressive to this bumpy pickle...

time: untimed
distance: 3 miles

day 29

got a late start, so i ended my run in the dark. kinda nice, actually.

time: 38:50
distance: 3 miles

day 28

today was my last day running a fraction of a mile, which means it's likely to be my last day on the track for a while. i'm beginnging to like the non-loop (or at least big loop) run. it's all whole miles from here!

time: 32:29
distance: 2.75 miles

day 27

still going!

time: 37:25
distance: 3 miles

day 26

i forgot my watch today, so no time. it actually felt nice to just run without a watch -- no pressure, just go the distance. which i did. this running thing is working out, i think!

time: untimed
distance: 2.5 miles

day 25

onto Week 7!!

Week 7:
Warm up! Then a 3 mile jog. You are ready for a 5K for fun. Not one this weekend? Here's your weekly 'Stay in Shape' schedule.
Day 1: 3 miles

(unfortunately, this coming weekend I've got plans, so I can't run my 5K. it looks like my first 5K will be the Race for the Cure in October. I'm trying to find a team. woohoo!)

time: 30:37
distance: 3 miles

day 24

after failing, i took another day off. came back with no problems, thankfully. from now on, no watching the watch -- just run the distance!!

time: 23:44
distance: 2 miles

day 23

with only two miles on the plate, i bonked. my CV system felt fine, but my legs just couldn't take it. i think the effort to go fast two days ago worked against me today.

fail.

time: untimed
distance: less than 2 miles

day 22

knowing i'm only doing two miles all week, i find myself looking at the time on my watch (maybe not so good? i dunno...). this morning, i wanted to beat yesterday's time. i succeeded, and ran fast! zing!!

i noticed the time after mile 1, so here's the breakdown of my negative split:

mile 1: 9:20
mile 2: 8:32

that's my first under-9-minute-mile! score!!

time: 17:52
distance: 2 miles

day 21

track fact #12: when you run on a wet track, your shoes take on the color of the track.

here's to green shoes!!

time: 18:34
distance: 2 miles

day 20

saturday morning run, so the track was empty. the stands were a garbage zone after last night's football -- do those Brookies know how to use a trash can?

first day of Week 6 -- CONSOLIDATION WEEK. YAY!!

Week 6: Warm Up! Then jog 2* miles 4 to 6 days. (*Yes, cut back, let your body consolidate it's gains).

time: 18:39
distance: 2 miles

day 19

today i ran on campus at Birmingham-Southern, since Friday Night Lights took over the MB track. i ran around the hilltop, a one mile loop with significant down & up hill sections.

i think the watch must be faulty. i trimmed 3 minutes off my 2.5 mile time. doctor-la says that hills will do that. i'm not so sure.

time: ~20 minutes
distance: 2.5 miles

day 18

early morning on the track. i actually beat the sun out there today. i'm continually amazed that i'm actually getting up early and exercising. before this past month, i would have laughed at your face if you told me that i would be getting up at 5:30am to go run circles.

just goes to show that whoever you think that you are, you're not. you can change.


time: 23:10
distance: 2.5 miles

day 17

wow. day 17. far out.

time: 24:07
distance: 2.5 miles

day 16

first day of Week 5, and i'm on the track early this morning. the weather was GORGEOUS -- there was even a slight chill in the air.

the best part was that i ran 2.5 miles, no walking, and it didn't hurt! well, maybe just a little, but i didn't feel as whipped by the all-run distance as i have recently. maybe i'm making some progress, eh?

Week 5: Warm Up! Then jog 2.5* miles 4 to 6 days.

all running from here on out!

time: 23:53
distance: 2.5 miles

[NOTE: my left ankle is all good now. i didn't use the ace bandage this morning, and didn't even notice it gone. score!]

side trip!

i skipped three days of running to go backpacking in the Sipsey Wilderness this weekend. TOTALLY WORTH IT.

i missed friday's run, which would have been Day 5 of Week 4, because I wanted fresh legs for the trails. that was a good call.

we did about seven miles over two days, but there were plenty of hills and i was carrying thirty pounds on my back. i felt a small pang of guilt for not running in three days, but my body feels good. my ankle doesn't hurt at all, so i think we can say it's all healed up.

the Sipsey is beautiful. this weekend the temp didn't climb above 85 degrees, and it got down to the low 60's at night. sleeping on the ground wasn't great, despite the fact that i've done it for years without problems. i guess i'm not as young as i used to be (why does that phrase keep ringin through my head these days?!?).

i always feel spiritually rested after spending a couple days in the woods, and this trip was no different. bring on Week 5, Danny!!

time: 24 hours
distance: 7 miles (hiking, with a 33 pound pack, yo!)

day 15

back on the track this morning for a pleasant run. i like the days with two long-ish runs separated by a short walk. my first mile was 9:23. not too bad for a bumpy pickle!

i caught myself thinking ahead and looking forward to week 6, where i cut back distance. unfortunately, i have to get through Week 5, which is all running. ouchie!

also caught myself thinking, "this is all mental, nick. don't let your mind beat you! keep running!" but, if i only have one mind, than what mind was accusing the other mind of trying to beat 'me'? ahh, metaphysics intrudes on an otherwise peaceful morning.....

Week 4 Day 4: Repeat Day 2 (Day 2: warm up, then: 1 mile jog (4 laps) 1/4 mile walk, 1 mile jog; total 2 1/4 miles. Go home.)

time: 22:58
distance: 2 1/4 miles

day 14

first day of all-running for 2 1/4 miles. it wasn't easy, but i made it.

i ran in the morning, around 6:30am. i think school is about to start (or has started), so no football to contend with on the track. it's quite pleasant that early -- very quiet, and the other runners keep to themselves.

Week 4 Day 3: warm up, then: 2 1/4 mile jog (9 laps) NO WALKING!

time: 21:47
distance: 2 1/4 miles

day 13

had the track to myself for about ten minutes this evening. so i went around it clock-wise, instead of the standard counter-clockwise (so you can read the numbers, ya know?). it was nice. running wasn't too difficult.

Week 4 Day 2: warm up, then: 1 mile jog (4 laps) 1/4 mile walk, 1 mile jog; total 2 1/4 miles. Go home.

time: 22:20
distance: 2 1/4 miles

day 12

back on the track on Sunday morning. very pleasant temperature, and my sweetie came running with me. finally broke the 2 miles barrier.

Week 4 Day 1: warm up, then: 1/2 mile jog, 1/4 mile walk, 3/4 mile jog, 1/4 mile walk, 1/2 mile jog: total 2 1/4 miles. Go home.

time: 24:25
distance: 2 1/4 miles (Run/Walk)

day 11

fail.

my first day when i couldn't hack it. my legs hurt alot all day, but i decided to go ahead and run in the evening. pushed off the track by Two-A-Days, Mountain Brookie-style, i headed to the river. i made it through the first section of running, but i just couldn't push myself through the last running segment. i hobbled back to my truck with a whimper.

Week 3 Day 5: 3/4 mile jog (3 laps) 1/2 mile walk (2 laps) 3/4 mile jog; total 2 miles. Go home.

LESSON LEARNED: if my body says, "NO", i should listen.

time: pathetic
distance: less than 2 miles (Run/Hobble)

day 10

second day in a row doing 2 miles with no walking. today HURT. i think it was the hardest run i've ever done. it was the first time i ever remember being close to throwing up WHILE running.

i kept thinking, "i wonder when i get to push through that wall everyone keeps talking about? it must be nice on the other side." i never found that wall -- i think i was pushing against it the whole time.

the only thought that kept me going through the last couple laps was, "nick, it only gets HARDER from here. if you can't do this, you're sunk." so i pushed through. i made it.

now, it only gets harder from here.

time: 18:54
distance: 2 miles (Run only)

[NOTE: i'm curious as to why i ran faster today than yesterday. it was much harder to get through the 2 imles today. i guess i just pushed and pushed. i wasn't trying to push harder -- it was hard enough just to get to the finish line!]

day 9

i wrapped my ankle and pushed through 2 miles. it hurt a little at first, but i managed alright.

first day with no walking. ouch.

time: 19:13
distance: 2 miles (RUN ONLY!)

day off

i took yesterday off, and will probably skip today too. didn't/don't want to, but my left ankle was sore and tender all day yesterday, and by the time i got home and took my shoes off it was noticeably swollen.

as i investigated the ankle last night, my thoughts were like this:

nick the runner: "yeah, it hurts a little, but running is mental, isn't it? don't let it keep you down!! get out there!!"

nick the thinker: "i hear ya, runner-man, but what if i am actually in danger of hurting my ankle? i could damage it today in exuberance and be on the sidelines for months..."

nick the runner: "don't be a wimp!!"

nick the thinker: "shut up, young-un! i only just met you recently. i'm the boss here!!"


...so i took the day off.

this morning, my ankle feels better and isn't swollen at all. but i've made plans to have dinner at Cosmo's Pizza with an old friend of mine, and i ain't about to hit the track after pizza. so i'll rest today, too. i feel lazy, but if it means i'm healthy, i'm all for it, despite what my inner maniac thinks.

does this count as my first running injury? am i in the club now?!? :)

time: negative infinity?
distance: zero miles

day 8

a late Sunday run. toughest so far, but tomorrow is worse --> the first day without walking. it's a little intimidating, but i have to remind myself that i used to could run 3+ miles. oh, how times change.

Week 3 Day 2: 5 minute warm up, then: 3/4 mile jog (3 laps) 1/2 mile walk (2 laps) 3/4 mile jog; total 2 miles. Go home.

i did laugh a little while i was out on the track. some kids were in the middle, playing touch football on the field. one kid went out for a pass on a curved path, then jooked to the outside to shake off his defender. but when he changed direction, he let out a huge fart! he missed the pass because both him and the defender were on the ground laughing. the quarterback yelled, "what happended?!?!?" and the would-be receiver jumped up and started screaming, "DO-OVER!! DO-OVER!!" haha!! too funny!

time: 21:54
distance: 2 miles

day 7

first day of week 3! i'm moving right along.


Day 1: Brisk 5 minute warm up walk, then:
1/2 mile jog, 1/4 mile walk, 1/2 mile jog, 1/4 mile walk, 1/2 mile jog; total 2 miles. Go home


i'm back on the MB track, as I was able to run in the evening on Saturday. all this week will be evening runs, so i can have the track at my disposal. nice!

time: 21:04
distance: 2 miles

day 6

i've given up hope for using the Mountain Brook track in the morning. my better half thinks that i should just go down and run amongst the football players, but that doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. can you imagine the testosterone levels down there? i bet you could power a small african country off their bravado...

regardless, the temperature sure is better at 6am than 6pm, i'll tell you what! especially at the bottom of the hill, next to the Cahaba...

in fact, i was overcome by a nice warm feeling as i ran this morning down by the river, like all was peaceful and calm. maybe it was the chipmunks running across the road in front of me, or the crows that hopped out of the way as i sweated past them, but it felt all right. not easy, but all right.

my legs hurt like tenderized chicken, but i made it through. i might have made a mistake by not taking a day off earlier this week, as my lower half aches quite a bit, so i might skip tomorrow's run and do the first day of week 3 on Saturday. we'll see....

time: 18:14
distance: approx 2 miles (Run/Walk alternating)

day 5

the football players kept me off the track again today. stoopid football. they've got the lanes on lockdown until the evening, and for now, the morning is the only time i can run.

a good workout on Old Overton, though. nice and cool.

lookin forward to Friday evening's run, and the start of Week 3!

time: 18:14
distance: approx 2 miles (Run/Walk alternating)

day 4

today, i'm up early to run. tuesday evenings are full -- prayer service at the dharma center -- so if i want to run today, i had to get moving before work.

this is incredibly hard for me. i like to sleep. a lot. like, more than is healthly, i think. AND we just got a new NASA memory foam bed, which is the nicest sleep EVAR. so when my alarm went off at 5:30am, i just groaned.

somehow i forced the cat off my legs and slid out of bed. the cold water splashing on my face helped get me going, and i was out the door at 6:30. unfortunately, high school football training just got started yesterday, so i was denied track time. i went down to Old Overton to run, which is actually very pleasant, just not distance-marked like a track. i did my best to guesstimate distances based on my time, and got a good workout in.

[note: running by the river on Old Overton is the BEST. once i get past the need to alternate running and walking based on distance, i plan on running by the river as much as possible...]

i have to get used to waking up early and running, as i've got three more obligations in the evening this week, leaving me no time to run after work. chalk this up to another "i guess i'm an old fart now" decision, as i'll probably be in bed by, like, 8:30pm tonight so i can wake up and run. all my old drinking buddies should pour a little on the ground for this converted hommie.

am i the same nick that i used to be??!?

time: 19:24
distance: approx 2 miles (Walk/Run alternating)

day 3

back on the track for Day 3 of Week 2. my legs felt heavier today, but i fought through it!

i'm reading a little about running and exercise, and found some good tidbits -- things that i should have learned years ago. like this: every six weeks, mix up your strength-training workout. not only does it change which muscles are being used, but it keeps things from getting boring. since boredom is one of the main reasons i always seem to stop exercising, i'm keeping this one with me.

i also downloaded some simple exercises to strengthen my core, which i have realized, after trying the exercises, is WEAK. man, just doing the side-plank about killed me! i guess if it's this hard to do, that's all the more reason to do it. my new doctor recommended strength training to improve my core, so i'm committed. but boy, my stomach is gonna hurt tomorrow!!


time: 22:11
distance: 2 miles (Walk/Run alternating)

ps -- where do they find these models for Running World and exercise mags? are they made of plastic or something?!? where are the real people, for crying out loud!!

day 2

i missed running yesterday because of the rain and all the errands i had to do.

my wife came out with me, too, which was nice. she's been swimming more than running recently, but we're both on the road to health. lots of others on the track & field today, too -- it's nice to see families out exercising and playing together.

here's my current routine:

Week 2:
(4 to 6 days per week) Start with a 5 minute warm up walk, then alternate walking & jogging and walk only half the distance of each jog, as follows:
Jog 1/4 mile (one lap) then
Walk 1/8 mile (1/2 half lap)
Jog 1/2 mile (2 laps)
Walk 1/4 mile (1 lap)
Jog 1/4 mile (1 lap)
Walk 1/8 mile (half-lap)
Jog 1/2 mile...go home

Danny left off the stretching and cool-down period from his descriptions, but i won't hold it against him :)

time: 18:34
distance: 2 miles (Walk/Run alternating)

note to self: it's friggin HOT in alabama in August!!

day 1

i'm starting at Week 2 of the Couch to 10K program, as I'm not a TOTAL couch tater.

i'm out on the track, doing laps. not used to running in circles like this, and it makes me want to run faster, but it's not bad. i could get used to it.

all in all, the run was harder than i thought, but i did it. i wonder if it will get easier.

time: untimed (i gotta buy a watch!!)
distance: 2 miles (Walk/Run alternating)

[NOTE: Mtn Brook High School's track is NICE.]

Road to Vulcan

i'm going to run the Vulcan 10K on November 7th, and perhaps a 5K sometime in September. i've never run that far in my life.

i used to be in pretty good shape, but i never focused on it like i am now. i will run 4-6 days a week, following Danny Haralson's Couch to 10K program. i'm going to try to do some strength training as well, and generally try to turn my physical shape around.

PRESENT SHAPE: Bumpy Pickle. i look slim, but feel tired and slow

DESIRED SHAPE: Smooth Pickle. i doubt i lose the lumps, but i want to FEEL better.