Just Doin It
October 7, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
After my tiresome bitching and moaning about my lack of progress, I went out running today after work. No Nike Sport band, No heart rate monitor, no stopwatch, no electronic distractions whatsoever. Just me. I haven’t been out running in a month. Yes it was a struggle. Running is something that you must stay acclimated with in order to improve.
I could absolutely tell that I hadn’t been out for awhile. I ran for a bit before switching to walking, then back to a run. Then a walk. After a time I wanted to stop but I kept going. I ended up staying out for an hour.
Not my best effort but considering my recent inactivity, not too bad. I will keep going out and continue to improve. Fighting with myself is really becoming tiresome. Being my own worst enemy makes me weary.
I might as well run instead.
– D.
Tuesday 5:30 AM run at Henderson … finally
September 3, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
I finally got my hump out of bed for the weekly early morning run with Chester County Running Store. I arrived a little early and sat in my car, listening to tunes. I mean it was dark out, I could hardly see anything. I met this lady, Beth who was there for the first day also. We got down to the track and people were jogging in small groups, stretching and milling around. It appeared to be pretty informal so Beth & I decided to run together. To my surprise after we did almost two miles (see my run data), everyone got together w/ Kevin, the organizer to start the actual workout.
So today was interval training. We got into small groups and ran four 800s, walked a 400, and ran four more 800s. Well, not all of us. I personally stopped after 4 laps (Two 800s). Before you judge me, remember I already put in two miles (You get up at 4:30 and run 2 miles and then tell me how easy it is 
) I couldn’t get run data for the second run because the track wasn’t lit up and I couldn’t see my sportband interface to start it. I was dying for something to eat, not exactly used to this much activity this early.
The people I was running with were hard core, sub 22 minute 5k, marathon runner types. I definitely have my
work cut out for me. If I can keep up with these guys, I WILL be ready for Broad Street and maybe beyond. I will go back again, now I know what to expect. It was tough, but I won’t give up that easily.
5k number two is Friday. time to ‘Pasta Up’ and put my game face on. Weight this week, down another pound from last Monday to 175.
– D.
Bottled Water … Scam?
August 28, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
Tonight I took my run to scenic Goose Creek Park in beautiful Thornbury Township. It features a half mile paved walking/running trail and (bonus!) it’s right around the corner from my house. Fran was meeting me there for a walk after she got off work so I thought I’d get a run in beforehand. I felt good tonight and did over 2 miles at an 8.45/mile pace.
After my run I got a drink of water at the park fountain and wondered if they had bottled water at Goose
Creek Grill, the restaurant adjacent to the park. Fran hadn’t arrived yet so I walked over. I was happy to find out that they did, so I dropped $1.59 on a 20 oz. bottle. Why did I do this? The water at the park was perfectly fine, if a little warm. It wasn’t even a name brand bottle. I’ve been desensitized by the great marketing machine into thinking that bottled water is better. Twenty years ago, I didn’t think twice about drinking from the tap.
My wife still drinks from the tap and I give her a hard time about it (I think she does it to be stubborn and to drive me nuts). I should probably compromise, go green and buy a filter.
– D.
