The Week from Hell

When the nation catches a cold, Michigan gets Pneumonia. There are talks of automakers merging and the possibility of more jobs being lost. This week could have ended on Wednesday and it still would have been too long.

There is no joy in Mudville this week!

We definitely need a change!

Sorry for not giving details but it just sucks!

Where are my endorphins?????

Have a great weekend......

Going in Circles....

Today's run was against gusting winds and cooler temps. Every time the wind got to be too much I turned a corner.

My Garmin never picked up a signal and I didn't care.

It was just great to get away from work, so I needed the run.

Ugly Ken

My exercise routine really fell off this weekend. It started with a Friday night Halloween party.

Boy, I must have had a great time, (I think)....

Saturday morning's run was cancelled because my head wouldn't stay on my neck. I was finally feeling normal enough to walk by 4:00 PM.

This morning's run was windy and grey. It's always tough for me to get out on days when the weather sucks.

I start my TNT informational meetings tomorrow, so I get to convince more people to join in on the fun....

It Hurts so Good

Even though I haven’t been reporting it, I’m still going to EXTREME class and getting my a$$ kicked! Monday was leg torture day with the following:

Barbell Cleans w/20lbs dumbbells
Walking lunges w/weights the length of basketball court
30 Pushups
Walking lunges w/weights the length of basketball court

I’m just getting to the point where I don’t feel any aches in my legs.

Yesterday was Spinning class in the morning and then EXTREME class at lunch with the following:

10 burpees
20 High Plank into low plank
40 Reverse dips
20 Up and overs w/12 lbs dumbbells

Even though this is considered the off-season, it still hurts!

Who is Joe Sixpack?

Is Sarah Palin referring to him




















or him?

Wednesday's Why?????

Since this past weekend was the running of our local full and half Mary, today's question is rhetorical. Why do I love coaching Team in Training? Here's are the results from Detroit of TNT alumni that I've coached. The first six are full marathon times.

Mario Granata – 3:18:48

Angela Lipanski – 3:36:56

Al Durham – 3:59:19

Cassandra Sharkley – 3:43:20

Nicole Lucio – 3:54:15

Debbie Angel – 4:53:09

Lisa Lewis - 2:21:53

Dana Kott - 1:37:16

Sue Warner – 2:07:45

Lucy Sternburgh – 2:11:11

Michelle Hachigian – 2:29:17

Todd Hachigian – 1:42:57

Jamie Legato – 1:56:04

Lou Domin – 1:53:31

Sheri Koeppen – 2:33:13

Dorene Stuart – 2:22:35

Christine Breuckman – 3:19:25

Greg Breuckman – 2:50:45

Jamie Palmer – 3:12:21

Chris Hardenbrook – 1:48:09

Lori Stauffer – 3:24:39

Ann Bennett – 2:30:40

Tuesday's Thoughts

I’ve noticed that quite a few individuals have gotten really reflective after their endurance events have ended. I wonder if any of you are going through the so-called ‘marathon blues’ that strike after the culmination of all the training and sacrifice that takes place.

Great Lakes Running Gal has found peace with herself and her running times, no longer dwelling on the need for speed.

RunnerGirl speaks of the enjoyment that she derives just from being a small part of the race magnitude.

I know that a lot of bloggers even have the word ‘marathon’ in their Blog titles, as if once their event is done the blog will be discarded like a pair of running shoes.

I know that I personally couldn’t wait for my second attempt at another marathon, thinking I had learned all of the lessons needed to succeed, silly me.

So as I always tell the Team in Training participants, I expect to see them continue their running and hopefully see them at several local events. I hope that each of you is finding the enjoyment that running can bring into your lives.

Going running after work and then indulge in a few BEvERages........

Peace Out

Running in rural areas

WTF..... No leash laws in the country?

Needless to say my morning run wasn't as long as I intended.

My heart rate monitor said my HR was too high, no $hit!

I actually carried a stick for about two miles and kept looking for any movement.

It wasn't fun......

Obama and I

Our paths haven't crossed yet, but I'm sure he knows that I here.

Sandy and I are here for a wedding, so I'll be tracking my peeps in the Detroit marathon from afar!

I hope the wind is to your back and the miles appear short. Good luck to everyone....

It's tough to find a safe and good place to run, so I went to the local shopping mall to run the parking lot.
I'm glad the weather didn't require me wearing more clothing. I was getting some strange looks from the locals even in shorts and T-shirt.

There aren't any races or running clubs nearby, so I'll just do my own thang.....

Because of my short work week, I squeaked out a 2 -1 victory....

Okay, time to find a BEvERage store.....

Wednesday's Why????? and Mo'

I am actually enjoying my early morning runs!

This coming from a guy that hates getting up and doing anything early in the morning.

Now this sudden change may come to a dramatic halt when the temps are below freezing and the sun is nowhere to be found!

I think the fact that I hidden to the world as I glide through the streets of downtown Detroit is helping. That’s right, I’m gliding....

Today's why isn't earth shattering or controversial, but it happens in this area. Why are race directors still handing out T-shirts, why can't we receive something else like a cowbell?

Work 3, Ken 2

Well my day started off with me scrambling at work and it didn't end until I left!

My streak for good runs also ended with a quick not so well run. I think my mind was still on work and I never got into a groove. We're also having some great spectator weather but it's a little warm to run in it.

I hope all of you bloggers running Chicago stay safe and take it easy. Maybe they should schedule a picnic in Chicago instead of a marathon, since the weather doesn't cooperate.

Weekend plans to run both days. Good luck to all you Speedracers....

OMG

I can not believe the great run I had this morning. I've had three consecutive runs where things just clicked and nothing went wrong!

I should not be writing this so the Running gods will read it and change things for me, but I want the world to know... jk running gods

This morning was reminiscent of a marathon race day morning. The streets of downtown Detroit were void of most traffic and there was a slight chill in the air. The street lights illuminated the route, since the sun hadn't risen yet. I started slowly but gradually increased my pace until I found my rhythm. I knew it was going to be a good run and I was tempted to go further and faster but I didn't. I ofttimes tell my team, 'if you're feeling good, slow down', so I heeded my own advise and slowed down.

Maybe I had that 'runners high' thingy? Nah, those days are soooo long gone.

Probably just the remnants of last nights BEvERages??????????????????????

Wednesday's Why?????

It was mentioned briefly in the debate last night, but why haven't we gone back to the moon?

Obviously if there was a tangle resource that man could exploit or ruin, we would gone back on a regular basis.

I had another good run and look out 2012 Olympics!

Smiley Faces

I had an awesome run this morning and I just tied the score with work (Ken -1, Work - 1). If only the weather would go back to a few weeks ago and be warm in the morning and the remainder of the day.

This is the time of year when I can actually change cloths three times in the course of one day.

I wearing my gloves to run in, even if the temps are int eh high forties. My digits are the first thing to get cold and then the run is no longer any fun.

I had an uplifting experience during the course of my lunchtime workout. I actually smiled or laughed the entire hour! It was as if no one had a care in the world, everyone was in a good mood and the distractions of the outside world were left outside.

I greeted about a thousand people in that hour, even if I didn't know their names. As the saying goes, ' I gave my smile' to everyone I came in contact with and it made me feel terrific!

Of course that ended when I got back to my desk but it was fun while it lasted.

Okay, let's see if I can keep this streak going.

Hey Sarah Palin

Weekend Recap from the Slug

I ran, I consumed BEvERages, I slept.

This was a lazy, do nothing weekend. I did get a chance to go through my winter running stuff, so bring on the freezing temps......

We had the inaugural Brooksie 1/2 marathon and 5k races. I went out to support Sandy and cheer. I was amazed at the number of TNT alumni that I saw. It's truly a pleasure to see so many of them continuing their running odyssey. Some people have told me that my voice carries a little further than the norm. If you've been to a race as a spectator, the runners start to look alike, so I try to keep yelling, so I'll be seen.

If you're in taper mode out there in Blogland, enjoy it.....

Better Living Through Science

Well I started to take my meds once again and to be honest, I feel great!

I had a great lunchtime run, even if it was a little slower than normal. I ran with a slower co-worker that's training for the 1/2 marathon in Detroit.

Running with my drugs got me to thinking about how far would we go to enhance our running abilities? I'm not talking about Ben Johnson and Olympic shame, but what if you could achieve the BQ time or set an unbelievable PR?

Would you take a drug that made your aches and pains go away or cut the recovery time in half? Now you would still need to train like a MoFo but the drug would help make you a little stronger, faster...... It would only be for a short period of time also (sure that's what they all say).

Wednesday's Why?????

The one constant that you’ll usually see in a good sized health club is a sauna. Now it can be a wet or dry sauna but most will have one. I usually partake in a fifteen minute sweatfest because it helps in blood circulation and helps with the relief of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).

My question is why are the majority of individuals in sauna of the older generations? Is it the relaxation aspect or do younger people lack the patience to sit in a relaxing environment? I’m not sure if this crosses over to the female persuasion but it definitely hold true for the guys.