#asylum #marathontraining

Gameday!  This activity snuck up on me this morning because I was expecting a strength workout.  Oh well, adapt and overcome.  60 minutes of sports related activities from a one mile run (literally) to surfing and wrestling and mountain climbing.  This is my 3rd time in the Asylum program but it is my first time that the 8 minute run didn’t bother me a bit.  The soccer juggling also didn’t bother me much.  I’ve managed to get into pretty decent cardio respiratory condition, despite the asthma!  JOY!

So Saturday was suppose to be my 6 mile run but I put it off til Sunday because of a pool party on Saturday and I got home really late on Friday night.  Saturday was also suppose to be Vertical Plyo, I put that off til Sunday as well.  Sunday was suppose to be Relief day…it got skipped.

Sunday afternoon about 4:30 I did vertical plyo.  Still not my favorite activity, I rank it somewhere around eat a dick and P90X legs and back.  I finished this, took a 20 minute break and decided that I needed to do my run NOW or it wasn’t going to happen and who wants to miss their first Long run?  I never thought I would get to the point where Asylum was my WARM UP activity for running…we’ve come a long way since last year.

Sunday in the greater Chicagoland area, around 5:30, when I decided to go running six miles, it was 90 degrees outside.  I downed some water, put on the vibrams and hit the road.  This run was not as miserable as you would think.  There was a decent breeze blowing.  Last year, I had issues with breathing while running.  This year, my lungs are doing pretty well, but my body is tired and doesn’t want to move.  This is a nutrition issue (and I am probably working out a little harder than I should but i’ll be done with Asylum in 2 more weeks so i can gut it out).  

Around mile 3 my big toe on my right foot started hurting a bit, I think a blister was wanting to form but didn’t.  I wear toe socks in my vibrams now for just a bit extra padding.  My right foot still doesn’t seem to like it much but it will adjust.  Seriously, who wants to go back to running in shoes?  I tweaked my right ankle during Asylum so it wasn’t to happy with me but we made along fine.  Ultimately my gps crapped out 1.7 miles of my run and the heat started to get to me toward the end so I only did a 5 mile run but i’m not complaining.  It’s a start.

Tomorrow I have Asylum Strength, Turbo-Kick and a 3 mile run!  Beachbody summit is in 11 days and the warrior dash is on Saturday!  Warrior Dash seems to be my race that starts all the other races for the summer.  I was hoping i would run more after doing the Disney in Jan but the get lucky in March killed me.

Keep pushing play and get those swim  suits out, it’s going to be a hot one!

#13.1  #1/2marathon 

Today was the day where 10+ weeks of running is to end in a 1/2 marathon.  The Chicago Monster Dash, I think about 25,000 people showed up and 3/4 of those were to run the 13.1

Its fun being ain a crowd dressed as the green lantern with my son dressed as a baby green lantern and my wife dressed as a hot green lantern and listening to people talk about the 1/2 they have done in the past and getting encouragement when it was found out that this was my first ever 1/2.

the first two miles of this race had everyone groaning as it seemed much further.  I had no idea how HOT i would get as the morning temp was 44 degrees so I was dressed in a dri fit Tshirt, a dri-fit hoodie and my costume.  The Hoodie came off during mile 3 and went around my waist.

Mile 5 was a water stop that was much needed and the first of the runners on the return route from the 13.1.  So seriously, don’t they have a race for people who can run that fast?  I think it’s call the olympics…geez on man some day  I want to be that fast.

The course zig zagged along the lake front and through Lincoln Park up to Montrose Harbor and back down the lakefront to Soldier Field (were the Bears play).  For the first six miles of the race i was at the 10 minute mile pace group.  Then I suddenly had to freakin PEE.

DAMNATION, I get to the porta potties and it’s a 15 minute wait.  I considered holding it and hoping it made me run faster but decided that I really needed to go.  It’s kind of sinking feeling to see people you passed miles ago passing you as you wait to go pee.  Business done I hurried back onto the course but i was clearly in a different pace group now and it really does effect your running.

Initially I was passing people and moving at a good click through mile 7-9 but when you get tired and your’e running with people that run “slower” than you, you no longer fight the flow and you kind of fall in with the pack.  I think I finally understand the importance of pacing groups.

I ended up talking to a lady who was telling me about different groups in the area and how i should run with them as I’ve done all my running alone.  Then she said something that really made me feel good.  ”we have beginner groups all over the place but…you’re not really a beginner anymore once you finish this.”

At some point I got to another water station and they said the finish is two miles away.  Across the bridge by Navy Pier was another group who said the finish was about 2 miles away (I KNOW i just ran 1.3 miles)  Everyone laughed at the confusion but UGH, this was the longest run.

***SIDE NOTE***  When I got me second wind around mile 9.  It wasn’t Tony Horton or Shaun T in my head telling me to Dig Deeper.  I was CHALENE throwing her arms open and pointing at the screen shouting “YOU”RE NOT TIRED!!!”  I think I now love that woman.  I am a turbo girl!  ****End side note***

My feet started to hurt around 10 miles which is something that has happened consistently so maybe i need to talk to a running coach about that.  The final stretch people are cheering and I see my family waiting for me at the end.  

YES!!!  I am a runner! I did 13.1 miles!!!

The entire way little kids and other people kept cheering for the Green Lantern so I had encouragement the entire way, which is good.  One of the people I started the run with told me it was impressive doing my first 13.1 with no one running with me, I guess God provided an entire city to cheer me on rather than a running partner, I can accept that.

I dont’ think I EVER want to run another 1/2 marathon…until the one I do in Jan in AZ, the rock and roll :)  It’s in my blood and i need to get faster because a year from now, I want to be the guy on my way back while the majority of the pack is just closing in on the 1/2 way point.

Bad news:  I’m almost ready to cry thinking about this.  I have a routine that I never take my bib off until I get home.  We went out for lunch and I unpinned it and lost it.  I’ve collected all my racing bibs and now i’m missing my biggest run yet :(  The bib means more to me than the metal…i’m really kind of bumbed…to the point that i’m considering not collecting bibs anymore at all.

Anyway, I did the run, I think my final time is around 2:40 minutes but i’m not sure yet.  I would normally be hanging a bib on my desk at work come Monday to hang proudly wit hthe other’s but I guess that won’t be happening this time.

13.1 done!  

What’s next!

I now have a headache and i think i’m dehydrated so it’s time for some rest…I think

#running #training #1/2marathon #vibrams

Continuing in yesterdays theme, TODAY is the day to just go do something amazing with your health!  I completely didn’t feel like running this afternoon and I was ready to make all kinds of excuses why I couldn’t but then I reminded myself that i’m better than my excuses and the foundation I’m laying now is for the rest of my life.  Time to run!

I got to the forest preserve and took off running like a bullet!  the first mile few by in about 9 minutes!  I think I finally figured out STRIDE along with pace because this run just felt good!  Mile 2 I slowed a bit to make sure I wasn’t going to fast and I continued to mile 3.  My phone rings 1/2 mile into mile 3 and i answer it because its my wife’s aunt.  She called to sing happy birthday to my son, I told her i was running and she should call the house.  I ANSWERED THE PHONE WHILE RUNNING AND DIDN’T BREAK STRIDE OR PACE AND WAS ABLE TO CARRY ON A CONVERSATION!!!  How that for Doing Something Amazing for today?  Then the freaking cops showed up and kicked everyone out of the park.  It closes at dusk :(

So I went to the soccer park and since they are having games right now, I finished my 2nd 3 miles under the lights!!!  Total time was about 59 minutes!!!  Thats 10 minutes faster than my 10K the other day!

I had to switch my vibrams for running now.  The bikilas are great but i’m having impact pain on the balls of my feet so i’m wearing my Treks now.  They are about .5 thicker and that’s just enough extra cushion to kill the pain.  I guess they are my new official running shoe until whatever is hurting heals up.  

I was getting nervous about doing my 1/2 marathon but this run actually make me think that I WILL do this.  For the first time i’m really feeling good about knowing I’ll be reading in 3 weeks.  

Sat is a 3 mile run and Sunday is a 10 mile run.  I’m sure that may alter my though process again but for now i’m on cloud 9!

I think i must have swallowed a ton of bugs running because if felt like every other minute I was gagging on something I watch fly directly into my mouth as if it were trying to kill itself.  Maybe I needed to protein and this was natures way of force feeding me since I stopped eating Pork and Red meat 3 weeks ago.

Anyway, this was a fun run, I hope they keep going this way!

#running #training #1/2marathon #fitness

I got up early today as it is the first day of football (I don’t count Thursday’s game) and did my 6 mile run. I’ve had to make some adjustments to my 10 week program as my 1/2 marathon is still actually 8 weeks away.  Maybe I should have picked a different program or THOUGHT out when i started a little better but i’m happy just running.  So I figure I’ll stay on week 5 and 6 for the next three weeks before continuing on with the program…but who knows, maybe i’ll find an earlier 1/2 marathon to be my first.

i switched up my vibrams today and wore my Treks instead of my Bikilas which initially was a great idea.  My feet have been a little sore in the bikilas since I’ve been losing weight and my feet are getting thinner.  The Treks are have a slightly thicker and firmer sole than the others so it felt good running in them for about 3.5 miles.

A funny thing happens when you run, you feet actually get bigger.  In a freak washing accident, my wife, shrank my Treks.  I can still wear them for a limited time but when my feet begin to expand, they get to tight.  Around mile 4 my shoes started to hurt my big toe, oh well, i pushed through.  I also took a different street route than I’ve taken in the past and discovered a hidden 1 mile trail tucked back in the middle of town complete with wild flowers, hills and HILLS.  My god the hills!

My stupid phone cut out at 4.8 miles and i had to restart it but missed about 1 mile of my run being recorded.

Total time for 6 miles : 1.25 minutes

Not bad, definately not my race running time but it shouldn’t be.  at the 3 mile mark i was was 35 minutes so i figure each mile was on average 2 minutes slower than if i were running a 10K.

My first 3 miles in running now is a lot stronger, i’m beginning to feel my 4tth and 5th mile get stronger as well, I imagine wihen I get to 9, 10 and 11 mile runs my second 3 miles should be pretty solid.  This running thing is becoming rather addictive and i’m really enjoying it.

We run again Tuesday and I’ve still go Turbofire abs 20 to do tonight after the football game.  I’ve got people coming over so i need to run and clean up.

Enjoy the day

#running #training #3k #halfmarathon

Today was suppose to be a 7 mile run, I’m happy with the 5 I’ve done.  So it started out this morning a normal lazy sun, not planning on doing much, I was even considering NOT doing my long slow run today (shutter, the horror)

looking at the paper this morning, my wife tells me that there is the local feet fest 3k.  We talked about it for a few minutes and decided to put my son in the backpack and do the 3k family walk run.  Side note: I love what this summer of fit has done for me, before we would have NEVER at the last minute, decided to just go do a 3k with my 30lb 10 month old on my back.  Beachbody workouts and my consistent running and monitoring of my diet has gotten me to a point where I can actually have fun doing things like this again.  If you made the decision to get fit this summer and it hasn’t quite worked out the way you planned, DO NOT GIVE UP!  Make it the fall of fit, join my support and accountability group with beachbody, I and several other will help you reach the goal of a new, fitter you.  Just don’t give up before you’ve had a chance to experience what being in shape can do for your life. ** end side note

Slow jogging with Aaron on my back I realized how far I’ve come.  At the beginning of the year when I ran my first 5k I was 340 lbs.  Todday  I did this at 294, with the addition of 40lbs of baby and carrier and stuff on my back.  It was freaking hard!  And I used to lug that much weight along naturally?!  NEVER AGAIN!  The best part of this was seeing other families cheer us along since i was running with him on my back and he was laughing and bouncing the entire way!  This afternoon we are going back downtown for the last day of Street Fest, i need to get me some ribs.  Check out a few pics from after the run:

After the 3k, we eat breakfast and I decide to do my 7 mile run, only i’m not really feeling up to it, i’m tired from the last two days of meetings and just poor eating but I headed out anyway because doing something is better than sitting around doing nothing and wishing I was in better shape, right?  1/2 mile into my run I decide to take off my vibrams and do the path completely barefoot.  This means i have to run slower and watch where I step as not cut or impale my feet on anything too sharp.  Overall, I like running barefoot now.  Sometimes, even in my vibrams, my feet get tired and when i take all shoes off its like a breathe of fresh air.  I did 3 mile barefoot, probably walked the last 1/2 mile as my feet were sore.  Interesting side note, tar actually feels pretty good on your feet when it’s warm but not yet gooey.  It’s like soft jello.  The 3 mile barefoot run took me 45 minutes, the 2 mile baby backpack jog took me 30 minutes

Total miles for today 5 (although i’ll probably do another two walking up and down the street fest).

It’s not 7 but it’s something.  Next weekend is my first 10K.  I need to focus on the diet and training this week so i can effectively run my 10k.

Keep running and enjoy the afternoon.

im sitting on the chicago metra train on my way home to the NW burbs getting mentally focused for my run.  Today im doing the 7 miles i should have done yesterday but being exhausted i took a rest day.  im nervous as ive never run this far for fun.  i dont know if i have the energy to do this as the anti biotic for the sinus infection is draining on my system.  Im nervous becuase its humid and i have to work harder to breathe in humidity.  Im nervous because this is a new mile stone and it came really quick after my last one.

im hydrated and ill carry water with me.  My ankle isnt perfect but its not hurting and i will have my inhailer just incase.  My vibram Bikilas are nicely broken inand i can run barefoot.  Ive been working towards this since I did my first 5k in March.

3 miles - people who want to get in shape run this

5miles - people who are in shape and like to do 5ks run this

7 miles?  Today im really going to become a runner.  it may be slow and tiring but i will be a runner.  Next im going to need a runners garmin as my phone wont cut it anymore.

IAm a runner.  its time for me to accept that and just do it.  Leave the fear behind, find my pace and go.

Lets Do This!

#running #vibrams #training #1/2marathon

Not much to say about this afternoons run other than it was sucky.  I did 2 miles instead of 3 but I feel so heavy and sluggish and just blech that i’m happy i Powered through that.  I picked up meds for my sinus infection so i’m fighting one of those again.  Weather changes and pollen are not good for my respiratory system.

The vibrams are performing swimmingly as my feet are not hurting and getting stronger.  I think i’m just tired from all the working out and I haven’t been eating the best over the last 3 days.  When i get sick, All i crave or want to eat is sugar.  

Tomorrow is suppose to be a whopping 7 miles, I don’t like to skip the long runs but I may have to rethink this beast as I have to take the boys back down state and after a 6 hour round trip drive, I don’t think running is going to be high on my list of things to do.

I’m not going to beat myself up because this week brought me one of my best runs (5 miles in under and hour) and one of the worst (2 miles in 30 minutes).  I can tell where my mental focus and body is by looking at the run times and I find that interesting.  

My 10K (plus 1 mile warm up and 1 mile cool down) is rapidly approaching on Sept 4th.  I have a 5k scheduled at Brookfield Zoo Sept 25th and my 1/2 marathon is Oct 29th.  I know I will be ready but the little setbacks like this are annoying at times.

Keep running!

#running #1/2marathontraining #training

Guess what?  I ran today!!  Guess what again?  I had my best 3 mile run EVER!  Yes I said Ever! (ok not really ever but this year).  My ace ankle wrap fit perfectly in my vibram bikilas.  My stride and foot striking was dead on.  I’m told that if you’re running in vibrams and doing it right you don’t make much of a sound, I “snuck up” on 3 people while running.

3 miles…actually 2.7 because my trail was off again, in 32 minutes.  I know it’s not the best if your’e a steady runner but i’m still a beginner runner for distances and for me to do a better 3 miles training than I’ve done in a 5k all year is telling me that I”m finally getting faster and having breakthroughs in my stride!

Even better, I had two back to back 11:15 miles which means i’m keeping a consistent pace.  I slowed down for the 3rd mile because my ankle started to get a little sore and I didn’t want to injure myself but this felt GREAT!  Maybe that week from running is what i needed.

Thursday i’m suppose to do 4 or 5 miles (I need to double check).  I’m not sure If my ankle can hold up that long but I know I’ve got a solid 3 in me and we can see what happens after that.

The weather was perfect, I felt strong and consistent.  I think a lot of it has to do with my last 10 days of Insanity: Asylum training program so kudos again to beachbody!

Let hit this run again on Thursday!

#Asylum #fitness #workout #beachbody #supportgroup

I started out this day tired, my left ankle hurt so much i had to take a cab to and from work and i have already decided that im not doing my three mile run today.  My leg needs a rest.  Then I got home and remembered something i tell the people that look to me for motivation…at least put your workout in the dvd and just push play and watch it.

Asylum day 2 strength.  

So i’m a religious person, I have my faith in Jesus and I pray all the time.  My prayer today, “Lord, I just started this, don’t let me get hurt so i can’t finish my running that I’ve been working so hard or on the workout I just started.”  How does God answer this prayer?  Day 2 of asylum is all strength!  So basically not a single exercise in this workout bothered my ankle.  When i’m barefoot, i noticed that my ankle doesn’t bother me (another wonderful reason I use vibrams).  I’m not going to run today but i’m relatively certain that the insanity workout more than made up for the 3 miles I didn’t do.  I’m still considering going swimming but it looks like a storm is a brewing, so the smart thing for me to do would be to relax the rest of the night.

Anyway, this workout is pretty smurfin good!  I really enjoyed all of it, I’m stronger from P90X so the exercises didn’t particularly bother me from a weakness perspective and I could focus on the movement and working the muscle i’m suppose to be working.  I sweat easily as much as I do when i’m out running so I know i’m getting a solid workout and my body is responding by dropping more inches off my waiste.

NEVER decide what you can’t do until you at the very least attempt to perform an activity.  I was so close to not working out at all today and licking my wounds and this activity is just what the doctor ordered.  I get another day to rest on my ankle before I have to do a 5 miler and i fully expect to be find by tomorrow.  The only reason I’m so sore today is because yesterday I walked what had to be about 5 miles to and from work and to and from the concert.  I was standing for 3 hours at the concert (Paul McCartney still rocks at 70) and i wasn’t wearing my vibrams which is obnoxious because I almost wore them yesterday.  I didn’t eat a ton yesterday and I didn’t get to sleep until about 1 am only to get up and head out to work at 6am.  The body needs solid sleep to heal and i didn’t get that, my bad.  Pay attention to how far you push yourself and know when to back down.

Today could have been a total bust but I took my own advice and decided to 

Just push play!

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Just got back from a 2.1 mile run and it was pretty difficult.  I’m learning that there is a solid difference between running on a track, running in a forest preserve and running on the street were every other step someone is stopping me to ask me about my cool shoes. (Yes vibrams rule and if you don’t have a pair you really need to check it out).

I was originally planning on going back to the forest preserve and doing a 5 mile loop, knew that would be hard but I think/know i can do it and its one of those things you need to get under your belt so you can continue to progress.  That didn’t happen, my 9 month old was sleepy and seemed to only want me so I had to get him to sleep and by the time that was all done, it’s dusk and the forest preserve closes at dusk.  

Improvise!  

Now is one of those times where you can say, oh well, i’ll do it tomorrow OR just take your ass outside and run a mile or two. It doesn’t have to be the greatest run or the fastest run, you just need to do something to remind yourself that you’ve committed to running, or whatever workout you’re doing.

Special thanks to http://idyllicmandy.tumblr.com/ because of a tip I got yesterday, I was able to say my ABC’s while running and if i felt like stopping i just focused on that.  I seemed to get stuck on C and everyone knows that C is for cookie and that’s good enough for me.  (Funny huh, now try running with this being the only thing in your head cookie, cookie, cookie is for me…and repeat).

Today is also day two of my Shakeology cleanse.  I haven’t really been hungry and I have enough energy to do the things I’ve wanted to do.  Running was probably pushing it but I still have my last shake of the day to drink so  I should be all good.  I”m going to add berries into this one because i think i need a tad more calories for Yoga tomorrow morning.

So today I worked out P90X and then had a greenberry shake.  ate a banana for a snack around 11:30, had a chocolate shake at 1, had almonds for a snack at 3.  Got home and had grilled chicken breast and salad, no snack and i’m going to make my final shake as soon as I post this.

If this is your year to get back into shape and you’re looking for an accountability partner, or someone to just compare notes with.  join my beach body team.  Like I always say, the account and tools are free and it’s a good time.  I’ve been a coach for 2.5 months now and i’ve been in contact and helping people almost every day overcome some issue during their workout or spark a need for motivation.  It’s a ton of fun.

Keep running!

Join my team: coach brucea
twitter: @bruceaveryheart
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