I must be getting older, because I sure am getting a lot pissier about small stuff. All this hurricane panic is really getting under my skin. It just doesn't make sense. The news is escalating all the storm-hype, which is nothing new... but c'mon, the freakin landfall is almost certain to be more than 250 miles East of Galveston!!! Last night the anchorman was interviewing people from NOLA, who had evacuated to Houston. Are they really that stupid? Why drive 6-hours to a city that is 40 miles from the coast. Drive NORTH idiots!!!
Even my job is showing signs of ciaos. It's always nice knowing that people call the Fire Department when they don't know whom else to call. We take incidents that are completely out-of-hand and we organize the ciaos and if luck is on our side we're able to mitigate the incident. Over the last couple days our administration was considering mandatory callback of every single employee to active duty during the storm. I'm not sure what I think about these idea. And out of respect for the FD administrations authority, I will keep those thoughts to myself. I do know when the average citizen sees city officials "panicking" they feel their sense of fear is warranted.
As always, just my opinion.
Ran with Andrea while pushing the stroller and Alison joined us on her bike.
Run: 1.01 miles, 12:20, (12:13 pace)
I had plans to run the Fired Up 5k. I'm worried I'll drive 50 miles to find out the race has been cancelled. The site says nothing either way. If anyone knows the intentions of the RD please, please, please let me know before I drive out there tomorrow.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Bulls-eye
At work today.
Scheduled 2 miles at 12:15 pace. Finished within 4-seconds of my projected time. Weather station said 91 degrees and 100 heat index. It was hot, but it wasn't a big deal. Mileage was continuous.
Run: 2 miles, 24:26, (12:13 pace)
Upper body workout.
I really fill good and I'm happy.
Scheduled 2 miles at 12:15 pace. Finished within 4-seconds of my projected time. Weather station said 91 degrees and 100 heat index. It was hot, but it wasn't a big deal. Mileage was continuous.
Run: 2 miles, 24:26, (12:13 pace)
Upper body workout.
I really fill good and I'm happy.
Friday, August 29, 2008
No running
I probably understated how easy yesterdays run was. It might have been the easiest run I have ever ran, albeit only a single mile.
Today is my only off day this week. I'm trying to run 6-days a week. I've replaced a couple off days and threw in some really easy stuff... like yesterdays single mile.
Had to re-group my push-up challenge schedule. I started over on level one of week three. The workout is still plenty tough. Almost didn't finish again, but I managed to get them in as prescribed.
64 push-ups
Today is my only off day this week. I'm trying to run 6-days a week. I've replaced a couple off days and threw in some really easy stuff... like yesterdays single mile.
Had to re-group my push-up challenge schedule. I started over on level one of week three. The workout is still plenty tough. Almost didn't finish again, but I managed to get them in as prescribed.
64 push-ups
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Great, short run.
My legs felt sore and heavy all day. They ached so much I wondered how in the world I would finish one mile. Forced myself out the door with the help of Andrea and Taylor. Completely shocked at the results. The mile was smooth and easy. Shooting for a 12:15 pace, but I'm still coming in a little faster than scheduled. I know.... don't get too excited, its only a few seconds.
.... aaaah, reaping the benefits of hard-easy adaptations.
Run: 1 mile, 12:04, (12:04 pace)
.... aaaah, reaping the benefits of hard-easy adaptations.
Run: 1 mile, 12:04, (12:04 pace)
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tour de Art Run
Road Runners Club of America "Run at Work Day", Houston edition.
Great run. If you've never run this event, it is a DO NOT MISS EVENT....
I've run twice and still can't wait!!!
Great run. If you've never run this event, it is a DO NOT MISS EVENT....
I've run twice and still can't wait!!!
Ex-haust-ed!!!!
At work today.
Co-worker and friend, Tom Miller joined me for a 2-mile run. The scheduled pace was 12:15 min/mile. We covered the distance in 24:11, 12:06 pace. Not too shabby. As we started our run, the fire station weather sensor read 91 degrees with a heat index of 103. Trust me, it felt like every bit of 103 and MORE.
Run: 2.0 miles, 24:11, (12:06 pace)
84 push-ups.
Today I started my third week of push-ups. Up to this point the 100 push-up challenge has been easy. For whatever reason, I could NOT finish all the push-ups, as prescribed. I actually did the appropriate number of push-ups, but it took several extended rest breaks to finish them.
Completed a lower body-workout without any issues.
I'm tired.
Co-worker and friend, Tom Miller joined me for a 2-mile run. The scheduled pace was 12:15 min/mile. We covered the distance in 24:11, 12:06 pace. Not too shabby. As we started our run, the fire station weather sensor read 91 degrees with a heat index of 103. Trust me, it felt like every bit of 103 and MORE.
Run: 2.0 miles, 24:11, (12:06 pace)
84 push-ups.
Today I started my third week of push-ups. Up to this point the 100 push-up challenge has been easy. For whatever reason, I could NOT finish all the push-ups, as prescribed. I actually did the appropriate number of push-ups, but it took several extended rest breaks to finish them.
Completed a lower body-workout without any issues.
I'm tired.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
...almost
Not quite a mile. The plan was one easy mile at 12:15. I overlooked the fact that I turned my watch on for the 0.10 walk. When I saw the mileage on my garmin as 1.0 miles, I shut it down... not realizing what I had done till now.
Walk: 0.22 miles, 3:48, (18:02 pace)
Run: 0.89 mile, 10:48, (12:08 pace)
Found our race results from Sundays NOTC 3-mile anniversary race:
Bill: 33:00 (11:00 pace)
Andrea: 32:28 (10:49 pace)
Walk: 0.22 miles, 3:48, (18:02 pace)
Run: 0.89 mile, 10:48, (12:08 pace)
Found our race results from Sundays NOTC 3-mile anniversary race:
Bill: 33:00 (11:00 pace)
Andrea: 32:28 (10:49 pace)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Lots-o-Exercise
My newest training schedule called for a 2-mile run at 12:15 pace, yes, you're reading that right... 12:15!! Andrea joined me for another great run through the greenbelts, joined by her daughter on her bicycle. We walked 0.20 to our start point, ran 2 miles, and walked 0.20 miles back to the house. The numbers look like this:
Walk: 0.40 mile, 7:00 minutes, (17:30 pace)
Run: 2.0 miles, 24:10 minutes, (12:05 pace)
The run was within 25-seconds of what it was suppose to be. Very happy about the pacing. At home we did a mid-body workout, followed by 59 push-ups.
Finally ate some "healthy food" and I feel so much better.
Walk: 0.40 mile, 7:00 minutes, (17:30 pace)
Run: 2.0 miles, 24:10 minutes, (12:05 pace)
The run was within 25-seconds of what it was suppose to be. Very happy about the pacing. At home we did a mid-body workout, followed by 59 push-ups.
Finally ate some "healthy food" and I feel so much better.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
NOTC race
Just walked in the door from my trip to New Orleans. What a whirlwind of fun and excitement!!! One thing strikes me really odd.... I enjoy taking pictures and I always have my camera with me, but I didn't take a single photo the entire weekend!
This morning Andrea and I ran the New Orleans Track Club "45th Anniversary Race". NOTC is a HUGE club and they had some nice perks, yet I noticed some fundamental flaws at their race. On the positive side, we received an awesome tech shirt and an embroidered "cool towel". On the flip side.... only 4-porta cans for a large crowd. I know you can never have enough porta cans at a race, but the line wasn't the issue... by the smell, it seemed they were all "full".
The 3-mile race started late, because the prior one-mile race didn't have a cut off time. Not a big issue, but they allowed everyone the opportunity to finish the mile race, which included a few 20+ minute walkers. Essentially, that pushed the main race back 15-minutes.
Another issue I saw, but did not affect me was the finish line shoot. They had separate female and male shoots, manned with three people. This wasn't a chip-timed race, so everyone needed to stay in order AND get a finish slip. I saw countless people leave the shoot without ever getting a slip and witnessed even more people accidentally changing their position in the shoot before receiving their slip because they didn't know what to do. As I said, this had little to do with my race and me.
Both these issues don't amount to much for a walk-runner like me. I was a bit surprised for a club that states they are the 6th largest running club in the US. What did "bother me" was with the volunteers, which seemed to be club members. I interacted with a couple volunteers, which seemed less than friendly. Don't get me wrong, they weren't yelling or cussing, but they were stern, to say the least. My perceptions lead me to believe they didn't want to be there. Just my dumb ole 2-cents.
The weather was a good as it gets for late August. The race should have went better for us due to no fault of NOTC, but Andrea and I had a weekend full of eating massive amounts of Cajun Creole food with one night of entirely too many alcoholic beverages. The race time was just a couple hours ahead of TS Faye, which left NOLA overcast with a nice cool breeze. Due to my lack of training and horrific fueling, I was forced to take TWO walk breaks just to finish the race. Oh well, we had fun.
Not sure of our times and I haven't been able to find anything online yet, but..... I'm pretty sure I finished in the high 33-minute range. Andrea dropped me at the 2-mile marker and finished somewhere closer to low 32-minutes.
Funny thing happened Saturday night. After all our drinking on Bourbon Street Friday night, Andrea and I decided to walk to the French Quarter for a nice quite dinner. As we were walking on Canal Street I saw a man wearing a Houston Strider half-marathon shirt. As I was about to point out the shirt to Andrea, I realized it was Jim Phiffer. What's the odds of that? He wasn't there for the race, just a mini-vacation with his beautiful wife. I thought that was really cool to cross paths so far away from home with a Houston runner, who is no stranger to the winner's podium.
This morning Andrea and I ran the New Orleans Track Club "45th Anniversary Race". NOTC is a HUGE club and they had some nice perks, yet I noticed some fundamental flaws at their race. On the positive side, we received an awesome tech shirt and an embroidered "cool towel". On the flip side.... only 4-porta cans for a large crowd. I know you can never have enough porta cans at a race, but the line wasn't the issue... by the smell, it seemed they were all "full".
The 3-mile race started late, because the prior one-mile race didn't have a cut off time. Not a big issue, but they allowed everyone the opportunity to finish the mile race, which included a few 20+ minute walkers. Essentially, that pushed the main race back 15-minutes.
Another issue I saw, but did not affect me was the finish line shoot. They had separate female and male shoots, manned with three people. This wasn't a chip-timed race, so everyone needed to stay in order AND get a finish slip. I saw countless people leave the shoot without ever getting a slip and witnessed even more people accidentally changing their position in the shoot before receiving their slip because they didn't know what to do. As I said, this had little to do with my race and me.
Both these issues don't amount to much for a walk-runner like me. I was a bit surprised for a club that states they are the 6th largest running club in the US. What did "bother me" was with the volunteers, which seemed to be club members. I interacted with a couple volunteers, which seemed less than friendly. Don't get me wrong, they weren't yelling or cussing, but they were stern, to say the least. My perceptions lead me to believe they didn't want to be there. Just my dumb ole 2-cents.
The weather was a good as it gets for late August. The race should have went better for us due to no fault of NOTC, but Andrea and I had a weekend full of eating massive amounts of Cajun Creole food with one night of entirely too many alcoholic beverages. The race time was just a couple hours ahead of TS Faye, which left NOLA overcast with a nice cool breeze. Due to my lack of training and horrific fueling, I was forced to take TWO walk breaks just to finish the race. Oh well, we had fun.
Not sure of our times and I haven't been able to find anything online yet, but..... I'm pretty sure I finished in the high 33-minute range. Andrea dropped me at the 2-mile marker and finished somewhere closer to low 32-minutes.
Funny thing happened Saturday night. After all our drinking on Bourbon Street Friday night, Andrea and I decided to walk to the French Quarter for a nice quite dinner. As we were walking on Canal Street I saw a man wearing a Houston Strider half-marathon shirt. As I was about to point out the shirt to Andrea, I realized it was Jim Phiffer. What's the odds of that? He wasn't there for the race, just a mini-vacation with his beautiful wife. I thought that was really cool to cross paths so far away from home with a Houston runner, who is no stranger to the winner's podium.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Spicy?!?!?!
50 push ups. Lots of water in an attempt to re-hydrate after last nights drinking binge. Lots of walking around the French quarter.
I thought Cajun food is suppose to be spicy? Everything thus far has been good, but on the blah side. Maybe I'm too accustom to Houston's hotter than hell Tex-Mex salsa's.
I thought Cajun food is suppose to be spicy? Everything thus far has been good, but on the blah side. Maybe I'm too accustom to Houston's hotter than hell Tex-Mex salsa's.
Friday, August 22, 2008
NOLA
First official "out-of-state" run. Nice 1.5 mile run along the Mississippi River, near Woldenburg Park. Covered the distance in 17:17 with an average pace of 11:31. With so much to see along the waterway and the company of Andrea, the run seemed really short. Approximately 0.25 mile to the start point and 0.25 mile back to the hotel.
51 push-ups.
51 push-ups.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Solid Effort
The cooler weather left me eager to run all day, yet I waited for my running partner. It was dark by the time Andrea got off work, so we decided to do a little speed work on the lit streets of the neighborhood. The plan was to warm up with a walk, run 8 x 30/30's at 1-mile race pace, and cool-down with a walk.
Our plan was executed exactly as stated and our effort level was what I wanted for the short, albeit tough workout:
Walk: 0.32 mile, 5:26 (16:47 pace)
Overall distance/time for 8 x 30/30's: 0.78 mile, 7:05, (9:04 pace)
Walk: 0.86 mile, 15:49, (18:19 pace)
I also planned to workout in the gym but we simply ran out of time. We've been busy trying to get ready for our weekend trip to New Orleans. I started eight days of vacation when I got off work this morning!!! Woo-Hoo!
We are both excited about our trip.
Our plan was executed exactly as stated and our effort level was what I wanted for the short, albeit tough workout:
Walk: 0.32 mile, 5:26 (16:47 pace)
Overall distance/time for 8 x 30/30's: 0.78 mile, 7:05, (9:04 pace)
Walk: 0.86 mile, 15:49, (18:19 pace)
I also planned to workout in the gym but we simply ran out of time. We've been busy trying to get ready for our weekend trip to New Orleans. I started eight days of vacation when I got off work this morning!!! Woo-Hoo!
We are both excited about our trip.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Work and a few exercises
Busy day at work today.
Josh joined me for 48 push-ups and a small jump rope session. I followed those activities with an upper-body workout. Walked 1.76 miles in 30-minutes on the treadmill.
Josh joined me for 48 push-ups and a small jump rope session. I followed those activities with an upper-body workout. Walked 1.76 miles in 30-minutes on the treadmill.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Time Trial
Contacted numerous people for a one-mile time trial at the Bear Branch Middle school track. Lots of people seemed interested, but the only person that showed up was Andrea. A few items were stacked against us, such as:
We both ran the day before
I did a lower body workout yesterday
Late start, therefore hot and humid (10am)
Heavy breakfast
No pacer(s)
With all that was against us, we made the best of it. Andrea surprised the hell out of me with a finish time one-minute faster than expected. I myself, was disappointed and thought I could have run at least 30-seconds faster.
Andrea:
2:11, 2:21, 2:14, 2:06
8:54!!!
Bill:
2:21, 2:13, 2:13, 2:04
8:52
We started the session with a 1/4 mile run, 1/4 mile walk, and a few basic stretches. After our one-mile run, we cooled down with a 1/4 mile run, and a 1/4 mile walk.
No push-ups today, but we did an upper body workout a few hours after the run.
Pictures compliments of Andrea's daughter, Taylor. Lot of pictures were taken, but only these 5 made it to the blog...
We both ran the day before
I did a lower body workout yesterday
Late start, therefore hot and humid (10am)
Heavy breakfast
No pacer(s)
With all that was against us, we made the best of it. Andrea surprised the hell out of me with a finish time one-minute faster than expected. I myself, was disappointed and thought I could have run at least 30-seconds faster.
Andrea:
2:11, 2:21, 2:14, 2:06
8:54!!!
Bill:
2:21, 2:13, 2:13, 2:04
8:52
We started the session with a 1/4 mile run, 1/4 mile walk, and a few basic stretches. After our one-mile run, we cooled down with a 1/4 mile run, and a 1/4 mile walk.
No push-ups today, but we did an upper body workout a few hours after the run.
Pictures compliments of Andrea's daughter, Taylor. Lot of pictures were taken, but only these 5 made it to the blog...
Friday, August 15, 2008
East End Park Run
I've missed enough workouts in the gym that I am sore all over from "starting over", again. I should have run yesterday, but I traded days off with today in an attempt to recover.
Ran 1.5 miles at East End Park. I warmed up and cooled down with a brisk 1/4 mile walk.
Walk: 0.50 mile, 8:01, (16:02 pace)
Run: 1.5 miles, 18:24, (12:16 pace)
I'm off work this morning to watch Alison finish her Cheerleading Camp. Pictures to follow. This evening while at work I completed a lower body workout, which loosened some tight muscles. The workout was preceeded by 48 push-ups.
I added a couple pictures from an Astros game that Alison and I attended Wednesday. If you didn't see it, that was a weird 6th ending. We're now 8-in a roll after a two team sweep. Go 'stros!!!!
Ran 1.5 miles at East End Park. I warmed up and cooled down with a brisk 1/4 mile walk.
Walk: 0.50 mile, 8:01, (16:02 pace)
Run: 1.5 miles, 18:24, (12:16 pace)
I'm off work this morning to watch Alison finish her Cheerleading Camp. Pictures to follow. This evening while at work I completed a lower body workout, which loosened some tight muscles. The workout was preceeded by 48 push-ups.
I added a couple pictures from an Astros game that Alison and I attended Wednesday. If you didn't see it, that was a weird 6th ending. We're now 8-in a roll after a two team sweep. Go 'stros!!!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Alison Runs
Alison is always asking me to take her running. I've looked for information about advantages and disadvantages of running at her age. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information out there.
When we run together, I always allow her to dictate the effort level, although I try to keep her at an even pace. Most kids want to run "all-out", stop, then run "all-out" again. Alison is very disciplined at maintaining a consistent pace.
Today we walked a quarter-mile before starting our run. We ran, or I should say, I ran 1/2-mile. Alison ran in front of me with very little effort. On the way back home I walked a swift half-mile, which resulted in her jogging beside me. So, essentially she ran one-mile. Then we slowed down for the last quarter-mile and walked hand-in-hand the rest of the way home.
We both enjoy these moments. With any luck, her desire to run will continue and maybe help get dad out the door when he doesn't feel like it!
Walk: 1 mile, ~16:00 minute pace
Run: 0.50 mile, 5:43, (11:22 pace)
Afterwards I did a mid-body workout, followed by 33 push-ups.
When we run together, I always allow her to dictate the effort level, although I try to keep her at an even pace. Most kids want to run "all-out", stop, then run "all-out" again. Alison is very disciplined at maintaining a consistent pace.
Today we walked a quarter-mile before starting our run. We ran, or I should say, I ran 1/2-mile. Alison ran in front of me with very little effort. On the way back home I walked a swift half-mile, which resulted in her jogging beside me. So, essentially she ran one-mile. Then we slowed down for the last quarter-mile and walked hand-in-hand the rest of the way home.
We both enjoy these moments. With any luck, her desire to run will continue and maybe help get dad out the door when he doesn't feel like it!
Walk: 1 mile, ~16:00 minute pace
Run: 0.50 mile, 5:43, (11:22 pace)
Afterwards I did a mid-body workout, followed by 33 push-ups.
Running post for the 'ladies'
Naked man runs across america...
This is not something I would normally post, but it made me laugh. It looks like it's a good photo shop job. I could be wrong.
Enjoy!
This is not something I would normally post, but it made me laugh. It looks like it's a good photo shop job. I could be wrong.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Blogging slump
I haven't had the time or energy to blog lately. Sorry. Truth be known, there hasn't been much to blog about. All you've missed is a few short bike rides and walks around Kingwood.
I've not been working aggressively on my diet, but I'm proud to say the weight is staying in a reasonable range. Saturday I weighed 237, which is a lot better than I expected, given my intake.
Today I ran one lonely, pathetic mile at work. Wait.... that sounds negative, huh? I enjoyed my solo mile and it was without any issues. Ran one mile in 10:30. I also threw in a 30-second stride for good measure.
After the run I hit the gym for an upper body workout. I feel really good and I'm happy.
I've not been working aggressively on my diet, but I'm proud to say the weight is staying in a reasonable range. Saturday I weighed 237, which is a lot better than I expected, given my intake.
Today I ran one lonely, pathetic mile at work. Wait.... that sounds negative, huh? I enjoyed my solo mile and it was without any issues. Ran one mile in 10:30. I also threw in a 30-second stride for good measure.
After the run I hit the gym for an upper body workout. I feel really good and I'm happy.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Bike
Andrea and I felt the need to get outside and do SOMETHING. We biked to boat docks and back, which was 5.63 miles round trip. The trek took us 29-minutes with an average speed of 11.52 mph. Not to shabby, considering we were on mountain bikes.
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