Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Still Running...
After a very busy week and a work schedule that has been unbelievably busy, it was great to get out and do some easy mileage tonight. I really enjoy the fact that I'm no longer running with my ipod and that I'm focusing on my form and my breathing. There is something very calming about that. Still taking it easy. It's been four years since I ran regularly and I can feel every one of those years out there. But the journey has been much more pleasant since I'm not pushing myself to the point of exhaustion (yet). Just concentrating on building my base and getting fit.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Back to Reality...
It seems like it was a million years ago. but it was only 3 and a half years ago when I ran the NYC Marathon. It was a bitter-sweet experience. I committed to run the marathon in my 40th year and was able to accomplish it.
However, my initial goal of hitting a specific time goal (less than 4 hours) fell by the wayside. My finishing time was about 6 hours and (to be honest) there were times when I was pretty sure I was going to drop out of the race and call it a day. But I did finish. I'm happy about that.
My other disappointment with the NYC Marathon in 2006 was the fact that although I had intended to lose weight and become fit, I actually gained weight during my training period. Especially during the last 2-3 months before the race. I had heard that that could happen but I would have never guessed that it would happen to me!
Looking back, it was pretty easy to see why that happened. Toward the end of my training when I started doing regular long runs of more than 13 miles on Sundays I would return home wiped out and exhausted. I looked upon the fact that I had done so much work as a license to eat whatever I wanted. (bad idea). I was also so worn out that in addition to eating everything in sight I would regularly be unable to even do a recovery workout for the next 4-5 days. So clearly 1-2 workouts per week plus a caloric excess for 7 out of 7 days per week is *not* a reasonable formula for achieving success in a marathon...
I also pledged that I would *never* run another marathon again.
Well, I was wrong. Over the last 3 years I have tried to stay fit with resistance training. I've attempted to convince myself that I liked lifting weights although I clearly don't.
Fast forward to last year. Surgery in May. No exercise throughout the summer,fall and winter and 30 pounds to show for it. Yipes.
In January, I decided to change my diet and to become a vegan. Principally for health reasons, but after doing extensive reading (see future blog posts) I also became convinced that it was the right thing to do from the standpoint of ecology and animal welfare.
I've lost 20 pounds in 2 months with virtually no exercise; but now, I want more.
My goal is to run another marathon by the end of 2010. I've done it before (the wrong way). And now I intend to do it again. (The right way).
Win, lose or draw, I'm sure the process will be enjoyable.
BTW, I was helped immeasurably in my attempt to become a vegan by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine's (PCRM) 21 day Vegan Kickstart in January, and I would recommend it highly to anyone interested in improving their nutrition.
However, my initial goal of hitting a specific time goal (less than 4 hours) fell by the wayside. My finishing time was about 6 hours and (to be honest) there were times when I was pretty sure I was going to drop out of the race and call it a day. But I did finish. I'm happy about that.
My other disappointment with the NYC Marathon in 2006 was the fact that although I had intended to lose weight and become fit, I actually gained weight during my training period. Especially during the last 2-3 months before the race. I had heard that that could happen but I would have never guessed that it would happen to me!
Looking back, it was pretty easy to see why that happened. Toward the end of my training when I started doing regular long runs of more than 13 miles on Sundays I would return home wiped out and exhausted. I looked upon the fact that I had done so much work as a license to eat whatever I wanted. (bad idea). I was also so worn out that in addition to eating everything in sight I would regularly be unable to even do a recovery workout for the next 4-5 days. So clearly 1-2 workouts per week plus a caloric excess for 7 out of 7 days per week is *not* a reasonable formula for achieving success in a marathon...
I also pledged that I would *never* run another marathon again.
Well, I was wrong. Over the last 3 years I have tried to stay fit with resistance training. I've attempted to convince myself that I liked lifting weights although I clearly don't.
Fast forward to last year. Surgery in May. No exercise throughout the summer,fall and winter and 30 pounds to show for it. Yipes.
In January, I decided to change my diet and to become a vegan. Principally for health reasons, but after doing extensive reading (see future blog posts) I also became convinced that it was the right thing to do from the standpoint of ecology and animal welfare.
I've lost 20 pounds in 2 months with virtually no exercise; but now, I want more.
My goal is to run another marathon by the end of 2010. I've done it before (the wrong way). And now I intend to do it again. (The right way).
Win, lose or draw, I'm sure the process will be enjoyable.
BTW, I was helped immeasurably in my attempt to become a vegan by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine's (PCRM) 21 day Vegan Kickstart in January, and I would recommend it highly to anyone interested in improving their nutrition.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)