Crappy Days are here again

Not sure what's happening but I've just had two crappy runs.

Yesterday was a total waste of time for me, I never did get into a groove of any type!

Today I pulled something in my left groin area and ended walking 3/4 miles home.

Now with the remainder of the holiday weekend, what am I to do?

My relationship with running isn't in a good place right now.......

It Hurts

We got our asses kicked in Extreme class! It appears that the more classes, the harder it gets.

I think since everyone in the class is showing progress, we’re getting through the rounds quicker.And since we have to fill out the entire 45 minutes, he has us doing more repetitions.


This WOD(Workout of the Day) was for thirty reps and four rounds.

WOD

Dumbbell Cleans

Dumbbell Shoulder Press

Burpees

Up/Down Planks

Mo' Research

Well its back to the drawing board for me. Since our running club had our 15th annual Grand Prix Shakedown on Tuesday evening, I was over served adult BEvERages and pizza.

I thought that my body could handle the pizza, since I’ve already proven that crappy eating is a part of my running success, but being over served wasn’t part of the formula.

So to ensure proper research, I opted out of the early morning run, in hopes that I would feel normal later in the day.

It’s amazing how that last BEvERage gets me the next morning???

I’m sure in a typical research study all of the variables that could affect the outcome are controlled better, but this is real low-budget.

So it was a lunchtime run, to continue my research into success running preparation.

Of course it was a thousand degrees outside and I was still struggling to hold onto my breakfast (literally), but research called.

I could tell from the onset that this would be a failed experiment but I continued. I love it when we run with the optimism that things may indeed get better, as if some divine intervention will take place.

Even with music blaring from my Ipod, I could still hear the pounding of my feet on the pavement or was that just my head pounding?

My heart rate must be close to 200 bpm for me to be feeling this crappy?

A quick glance and my Garmin read HR 145.

That can be right I’m dying out here!

Something must be wrong with the HR strap, let’s stop and readjust it.

How many times have you lied to yourself about stopping in order to get a break?

My favorite is the loose shoe lace.

So now I’m making deals with myself, which is always another sure sign of a crappy run.

I’ll only walk until that next tree or I’ll walk in the shade and run when the shade runs out.

I eventually made it back to work

I’m sure Thomas Edison had his setbacks when he invented the Model T and I’ve learned from this failed experiment.

So now I can scratch pizza off the list of crappy foods that make for great runs!

Wednesday’s Y

Why do people that are going to the highest floors stay in the front of the elevator?

The Secret

Believe it or not, I've found the secret to running success for me.

It's not the shoes or any training gizmo that strengthens your legs in thirty seconds.

The secret to running success is eat like crap for two consecutive days and go running early in the morning.

That's right, I had an awesome run after two days of crappy eating. To be certain, you may want to throw in one night of interrupted sleep.

I ran like I haven't run in years. Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't fast or lengthy but it seemed like I was floating with each stride. It was Gazelle like (in my mind).

Now I need to figure out a way to chart my crappy eating and lack of sleep.

I may add some over-indulgence of BEvERages to see what effect that has.

Wow, I feel like a mad scientist.....

Oh my aching head.....

We started immediately after the 10 mile race was completed, which had to be around 10:30 AM.

Since it was a thousand degrees outside the BEvERages went down too fast!

We followed this up with a night of listening to the 'Roosters and a Chick' one of our Tuesday evening runners band.

Now I paying for it, running with a hangover and in the heat!!!

Y do eye dew it?

TGI Alf

Well after a fantastic run, I was sooooooooo tempted to get in a few miles this morning although I always take Fridays off. I brought all of my gear and the morning temps were a little warm but nothing unbearable.
This would be great, I would run on an off day and be able to record those additional miles. Then it hit me, why do I take days off from anyway? Isn’t it to help me recover and be able to run better the next time? The other reason that I didn’t venture out and run is my ‘real’ job! I hate when work interferes with my play.
Tomorrow is the official end of summer for me, it’s the Saturday of the Crim Festival of Races and we wake up at the crack of dawn to drive to Flint, Michigan. This race is a tradition and even if I don’t run, I have to go and support the thousands of other runners that participate. It’s hell when you have these types of responsibilities to the running community.
WOD – 5 rounds of 20 assisted pull-ups, 20 pushups and 20 skull crushers using a 30 lb kettle ball.

A Beautiful Morning

Dear Running Gods-

Thank you for the great run that I had this morning. I’m not sure why it occurred but it was a pleasant surprise. I know that these runs should not be taken without the reverence that they are given, so I don’t expect them to continue. I’m also not sure what I may have done to assist in this run being so good.

Was it the extra fifteen minutes of sleep that I got because I didn’t want to watch the Olympic Gymnastic Gala?

Or maybe it was the daily multi-vitamin that I took for the first time this week?

I did purchase a new pair of Brooks Adrenaline 8, switching from my Asics Kayano, was it that? Could it actually be that my top-secret training is finally showing signs of working? Nah, it can’t be that.

Whatever the reason, suffice to say that I am fully aware that my next few runs will be like crap, but today made it all worthwhile.

Signed

TNT Coach Ken

Weekend Recap

Okay, in my mind’s eye I run effortlessly across the horizon as I wave to the spectators and passersby. But did the Jamaicans make running 100 meters seem almost too easy? I’m sure someone will start the investigation into the Jamaican sprinters before it’s all over.
Friday was a day of 150s, I did 150 Wall Balls with a 20 lbs medicine ball followed by 150 assisted pull-ups. Damn 150 is a lot of anything!
Saturday I had the opportunity to help out with the Winter TNT team going to San Antonio. I’m hoping that Sandy gets an opportunity to go to this TNT event, it should be a blast. I love hearing the stories of people saying that they’ve never run this far in their life. Each week brings a new milestone for them.
Sunday was a day to get on the bike and venture out. I had no set destination but I knew I wanted to get in at least 40 miles. I almost ended up riding to downtown Detroit but the roads were getting worse and I didn’t want to chance it. As it turns out I got a flat just three miles from home. Note to all you new cyclists, carry that tube and everything you need to change a flat.
It’s Monday again and I can feel it!

I Remember When......

I remember when I would go to lunch with co-workers and have a few cocktails.

I remember when Happy Hour was a few cocktails after work.

I remember when my only exercise was any sport that include a few cocktails

I remember when you could have a few cocktails and not worry about the next day effect.

I remember when people would invite me to go play golf and have a few cocktails afterwards.

I remember when Friday evening was the start of the weekend.

Boy, it sure is good to be in shape......................

I heart Running................sometimes

I should have known better than to run this morning. I was tired and a little achy but I though the Running gods would make that go away once I started running.

I’m not sure if my Garmin Forerunner 301(real old version) is on its last legs or not. I go from 13 hours of battery charge to zero in one workout. This morning my heart rate stayed in the 200 range, even in my warm-up! My Ipod charger isn’t charging the unit, so I would have to run sans music. Now if I had been paying attention to all of these signs, I would have stayed inside and rested but nooooooooooooo, I have to be a real runner.

My morning run sucked! The Garmin kept telling me my heart-rate was too high and then it would beep and tell me to speed up! It became a distracting cycle of too high, speed up......

So maybe this is my excuse to go take out a loan and purchase the Garmin 400000001 with the built in defibrillator, internet access and Blu-ray player. Then I’ll have to replace my Ipod shuffle with the Ipod Touch with all the bells and whistles.

Ah yes, the good old days when running was just going out the door.................

Tuesday Thoughts

When I first saw the women’s synchronized diving I just watched for a few minutes and switched to something else, knowing that this wasn’t going to hold my attention. So what does NBC show in primetime last night? Men’s synchronized diving and is it just me of did a lot of those guys look a little weak in the wrist? Why was I subjected to seeing these ‘divers’ in those little skimpy Speedos? I think the Women’s Beach Volleyball team is wearing the same shorts as these guys!

The running gods must have read my last post and decided that my next run wouldn’t be as pleasurable. I didn’t have any real aches and pains, I just never got into a rhythm with my stride. It seemed as if I was galloping instead of my normal Gazelle-like stride (I wish)!

Have any of you given thought to about how much time you spend exercising a week? Now I’m not just talking about running but the whole enchilada, cycling and weight training and yoga and anything else you can think of. I’m sure it’s probably a lot more time than you realize.

Some of you asked about Wall Ball and it’s a 20 pound medicine ball being thrown against the wall. Give it try next time you’re in the gym.

Weekend Recap

Since I’m not training for a marathon or Ironman, I’m not obligated to run a thousands miles over the weekend. Saturday I had a leisurely run trough my favorite Metro Park with a couple of TNT alumni. It’s remarkable how pleasurable a run can be when you don’t have to look at a schedule to determine your mileage.
Sunday was the inaugural Running for Water 5k and I volunteered to help out in any capacity. It was a perfect weather for a race. There were over one hundred runners/walkers, which is great for a first race. I was a human delimiter on the course and even handed out food at the post-race celebration. The remainder of the day was television watching and consuming BEvERages. It’s remarkable what a day off will do for an old body.

Two We Lost this Weekend

Bernie Mack and Issac Hayes. One made you laugh and the other made you move to his sounds. Why does it touch me a little more now that I'm older?

TGIF

WOD - Wall Ball 150 for time, this was followed with pull ups and push ups.

Please Enuff Already

Mayor of Detroit goes to Jail! He's in trouble again.....

This story just will not go away! Remember the good old days when the news media just reported on crimes, such as murder and robbery?

Well, I'm ready for those days to come back. We've been inundated with this story for the past seven months and enough is enough!

On a happier note, I had a great run this morning with none of the previous days aches and pains. Not sure why but maybe the OTC medication helped a little.

I have my Tivo set for the Opening ceremonies, bring on the events.

Good Times

Well it had to happen eventually, 'A bad training run'.

I'm talking about one of those runs when nothing goes right. I couldn't find my rhythm and my breathing was labored. I even felt twinges and aches in spots that normally haven't bothered me.

It was like the Running Gods were telling me to slow my roll and not get to cocky about my training over the past few weeks.

The good thing about these situations is being able to take it in stride and look towards the next day.

On a lighter note, Sandy had her TNT Winter Kick-off celebration. So that means she'll have two teams to deal with on those Saturday group runs. Maybe we'll be going to San Antonio......

The track workout was 3 X 2000M @ 10K pace and everyone did great. We even threw in some fast 400s on the last set.

Today I get to go to my EXTREME class with a tired and sore body. Don't you just love this stuff.

Too Funny

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

100 pushup Challenge

Today in EXTREME, we did 240 pushups over the course of four sets with the reps varying from 30, 20 and 10. In between each repetitions of pushups we did 30 overhead squats (which I hate), 20 skull crushers and 10 burpees( which I can’t do with my knees).

The reason I mentioned the 240 pushups is I recall the initial excitement of the 100 pushup challenge and I haven’t heard a lot of you guys in Blogland mentioning it anymore. Is anyone on course for their 100 pushups?