iRun

I got a good start to the week (something that has been lacking the past few weeks) with a 2 mile run tonight. I'm still in need of a sportswatch, but using aproximate calculations I'm running around 9-minute miles so it is frustrating to get all hot and sweaty for a mere 18 minutes of running and a few minutes of walking. My legs definately felt like I have run at least another half mile, but due to a late dinner I was cramping towards the end of the run.

I took my 20gb iPod photo with me tonight to see if it would enhance my running enough to invest in an iPod Nano. I did enjoy the music, although holding the iPod in my hand and using the Apple headphones was not a pleasant experience. I honestly want the Nano solely for the Nike+ system, but the music can provide a nice boost of energy during a sluggish run like tonight.

I did kind of miss hearing my feet pounding the ground, and my rhythmic breathing keeping my pace consistent. There is something primal about running, something so humanly natural that it seems best enjoyed with only the open road out in front and a destination that is on the horizon, with every step taking me closer. Running at night is especially freeing, running down the center of dark streets with no peripherals guiding your sense of speed, I can simply put one foot in front of the other and know that eventually I will reach my destination.

August begins tomorrow, as does my first full month of running. My monthly mileage goal is 70 miles of running, and 50 miles of cycling cross training. My first 5k is also later in the month on August 20th at the Track Shack Celebration of Running, so overall a very exciting month.

"A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." ~Lao Tsu

Weekend

I kicked off the weekend with a 2.5 mile run following dinner at my brother's house in college park, this is the furthest run since I started running at the beginning of the month. I suprise myself every time I set a new mileage goal and reach it, and can now say I understand what a runner's high is.

Saturday morning I woke up at 7am and played 27 holes at Lake Orlando Golf Club, and lost several pounds to dehydration so the remainder of the day was spent rehydrating. I took my new bike (2003 Specialized Allez Comp Double) for a 5+ mile loop through the neighborhood of Dommerich on Saturday evening. I definately confirmed my concerns of how out of shape I have become over the last 3 years in college.

Today was wasted away with lots of sleep.

This week I wil continue with 2 mile runs, and a 3 mile run on either Friday or Saturday.

"A shot glass of desire is greater than a pitcher of talent." ~Andy Munthe

Tired

I continue to stay up late, get up early, and then daily pledge to go to bed early...but it never seems to happen...tommorow night I will.

On a positive note, I completed another 2 mile run tonight (It didn't feel any easier, but I did run at a slightly faster pace) and I am shooting for a 3 miler this weekend. If progress continues I'm going to enter a 5K trail run at Moss Park on August 5.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~ Mark Twain

Rain Run

Just returned from a nice 2 mile loop through dommerich, enhanced by a light rain that helped keep it cool. This was the first time I was able to run 2 miles straight through (previously fell short with dry heaving) and I am hopefully back on my training plan pace.

I have set a new goal of running the ING Miami Marathon on January 28th, 2007. Along the way I will run the following races:

August 20th - Track Shack Celebration of Running 5K
September 2 - Miracle Miles 5K
September 30 - Autumn Rock 'n' Run 5K
October 22 - UCF 5 Miler
November 12 - Track Shack Founders Day 10K
December 2 - OUC Lake Eola Half Marathon
January 20 - Seasons 52 Park Avenue 5K (may skip for tapering purposes)
January 28 - ING Miami Marathon


With just 186 days till the marathon, and only running for the last 3 weeks, I am facing a challenge.

"Accept challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." ~George S Patton

First blog back

Long ago I started a blog somewhere in out there in the world of the unknown, and it has been lost...

I start a new blog, with new hope, new goals, new ambitions, new opinions and new outlooks on life. I hope you will join me on my journey to grow physically, mentally and spiritually...

And here we go...