Hi folks. This is a just a quick check-in. It seems that the blog world has been oh so quiet lately. I guess everyone is busy with summertime activities, as am I.
I would like to extend some major kudos to Chris, Kevin and Nigel for their excellent podcast: The Extra Mile Podcast. I listened this morning while trying to accomplish some impossible intervals.
So, everyone, make your presence known!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Roadrunner Sports
A friend told me about Roadrunner Sports over the weekend. He said has been nothing but impressed with their customer service and return policy.
I signed up for their email notification and the welcome letter said that shoes can be exchanged within 60 days as a part of their Fit Garauntee.
Their VIP club is about $40, but you save 10% and get free shipping on your purchases. If you think about it, if you buy four pair of shoes a year, you would break even.
I signed up for their email notification and the welcome letter said that shoes can be exchanged within 60 days as a part of their Fit Garauntee.
Their VIP club is about $40, but you save 10% and get free shipping on your purchases. If you think about it, if you buy four pair of shoes a year, you would break even.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
IPODs and Lightening
As a fierce storm with lots of thunder and lightening moved over my house just now, I happened to see this CNN article about the hazards of wearing an IPOD when lightening might be present.
I've been caught in such a thunderstorm while running outside a couple times. The storm just seemed to come out of nowhere and, foolishly, I continued running instead of crouching down low and staying away from trees or other tall objects. I never wear an IPOD while running outside, but if I did I probably would not have thought to remove it.
Please be safe, especially those of us who live in Central FL, the Lightning Capital of the U.S.!
I've been caught in such a thunderstorm while running outside a couple times. The storm just seemed to come out of nowhere and, foolishly, I continued running instead of crouching down low and staying away from trees or other tall objects. I never wear an IPOD while running outside, but if I did I probably would not have thought to remove it.
Please be safe, especially those of us who live in Central FL, the Lightning Capital of the U.S.!
I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now ...
... so goes the refrain in Bob Dylan's song, My Back Pages.
I was running on the beach at Gott Bay last night. It was a pleasant evening. I was thinking to myself how, about a year or so ago, my attitude to running was "I wish I had thought about this 25 years ago". It was almost as if I was trying to convince myself that I might have had a much more fulfilling life if I had only done a little more exercise. Or maybe I believed it was too late to make a difference.
Last night, during a round trip of five miles on the beach, I suddenly realised what poppy-cock this was.
At the back of my mind, you see, is the knowledge that my father passed away when he was 63 and his father died when he was 62. I suppose I've been presuming the same thing will happen to me.
So I came to a decision last night. I decided to live for at least another thirty years.
I decided this at about mile four.
Running is a funny thing like that: you start off, knowing how many miles you have to run, feel the task a little daunting. Early cramp and a bit of puffing and blowing try to convince you that this is a bad idea and that you should stop, go home, get a cool can of lager from the fridge and put your feet up.
The thing is, by the time you get past the half way mark on your run you realise the pain has gone and that you're actually enjoying yourself. That's when I start to get inspirational ideas like I will live another thirty years.
The seed for this idea - I realise this now - was when I was talking to a young friend last week and thought to myself "when I was your age I was much younger than you". You can figure that one out for yourself.
This led to me thinking about my elders, in particular my father. When I look at pictures of him when he was roughly the age I am now he looks like such an old man. Now, maybe I look like an old geezer to younger people on Tiree and I certainly don't claim to know how my father felt when he was my age but you know - I don't feel all that different from how I felt thirty years ago - health-wise, at least.
Nowadays it's not uncommon to hear things like 'fifty is the new forty'. The general assumption is that because we eat a healthier and more balanced diet, because (in this country at least) we have a higher standard of living than our predecessors did and because we have access to a health service (which, when all is said and done, is a pretty remarkable thing) we have a more positive attitude to life and this translates into longevity.
But this isn't a passive state of affairs. I think you have to do something yourself - such as a bit of exercise (and it doesn't have to be a lot, not even running) and do something to stimulate the old grey matter.
It 'aint over 'till it's over.
So I've come to the conclusion that, far from being almost over, life is, in fact, and in many ways, just beginning. It's an adventure, every day.
Do not go gentle into that good night, as Dylan Thomas says, rage, rage against the dying of the light.
For my part the light isn't dying. It isn't even flickering.
I was running on the beach at Gott Bay last night. It was a pleasant evening. I was thinking to myself how, about a year or so ago, my attitude to running was "I wish I had thought about this 25 years ago". It was almost as if I was trying to convince myself that I might have had a much more fulfilling life if I had only done a little more exercise. Or maybe I believed it was too late to make a difference.
Last night, during a round trip of five miles on the beach, I suddenly realised what poppy-cock this was.
At the back of my mind, you see, is the knowledge that my father passed away when he was 63 and his father died when he was 62. I suppose I've been presuming the same thing will happen to me.
So I came to a decision last night. I decided to live for at least another thirty years.
I decided this at about mile four.
Running is a funny thing like that: you start off, knowing how many miles you have to run, feel the task a little daunting. Early cramp and a bit of puffing and blowing try to convince you that this is a bad idea and that you should stop, go home, get a cool can of lager from the fridge and put your feet up.
The thing is, by the time you get past the half way mark on your run you realise the pain has gone and that you're actually enjoying yourself. That's when I start to get inspirational ideas like I will live another thirty years.
The seed for this idea - I realise this now - was when I was talking to a young friend last week and thought to myself "when I was your age I was much younger than you". You can figure that one out for yourself.
This led to me thinking about my elders, in particular my father. When I look at pictures of him when he was roughly the age I am now he looks like such an old man. Now, maybe I look like an old geezer to younger people on Tiree and I certainly don't claim to know how my father felt when he was my age but you know - I don't feel all that different from how I felt thirty years ago - health-wise, at least.
Nowadays it's not uncommon to hear things like 'fifty is the new forty'. The general assumption is that because we eat a healthier and more balanced diet, because (in this country at least) we have a higher standard of living than our predecessors did and because we have access to a health service (which, when all is said and done, is a pretty remarkable thing) we have a more positive attitude to life and this translates into longevity.
But this isn't a passive state of affairs. I think you have to do something yourself - such as a bit of exercise (and it doesn't have to be a lot, not even running) and do something to stimulate the old grey matter.
It 'aint over 'till it's over.
So I've come to the conclusion that, far from being almost over, life is, in fact, and in many ways, just beginning. It's an adventure, every day.
Do not go gentle into that good night, as Dylan Thomas says, rage, rage against the dying of the light.
For my part the light isn't dying. It isn't even flickering.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
I've almost decided on my next half-marathon
I am so close to signing up for my next half-marathon. The first one was so very exhilarating. I don’t think I performed as well as I could have, but it was high in altitude and in elevation. The one that I am contemplating runs from Georgetown, Colorado to Idaho Springs. It is a drop in elevation of 1,000 feet. Lately, that has become nothing for me. I’m still not as fast as I’d like to be, but I’m only 54 years young!
It will also be by first race that will end in a stadium!
If you are interested, you can read about the race here - Georgetown to Idaho Springs, Colorado 29th Annual Half-Marathon.
I have been training for it. I have the ability to get a shuttle for Colorado trail rides almost every weekend. I go with a bunch of Jeeps on a trail ride. I get to drive half and run the other half. It gives me a cool (not city hot) running environment in the beautiful Colorado backcountry.
What do you think? Should I do it?
It will also be by first race that will end in a stadium!
If you are interested, you can read about the race here - Georgetown to Idaho Springs, Colorado 29th Annual Half-Marathon.
I have been training for it. I have the ability to get a shuttle for Colorado trail rides almost every weekend. I go with a bunch of Jeeps on a trail ride. I get to drive half and run the other half. It gives me a cool (not city hot) running environment in the beautiful Colorado backcountry.
What do you think? Should I do it?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Look Both Ways Before You Cross...
It's no secret, I love my iPod. I think that most of us listen to music or podcasts (or both) when we're running.
For safety's sake, it's important to be aware of your surroundings. If you need a reminder, read this news story.
If it didn't come from a reputable source, I would think this was an urban myth.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Guess What I Got in the Mail?
I just checked the mail and recieved my Pray for Elijah band!
A HUGE Shout out to Susan for her touching note and kindess for sending these bracelets to us!
I am wearing mine now.
A HUGE Shout out to Susan for her touching note and kindess for sending these bracelets to us!
I am wearing mine now.
Come run with me!
As some of you know, I'm heading out to Canada (Vancouver) next week with my family on a 3 week home exchange. Two of the weeks we'll be in Vancouver, the last week we're going on a road trip to Seattle and the Olympic peninsula. I love running on holiday - it's a great way to get a feel for the place and I can imagine that running in Vancouver is amazing - Stanley Park etc. sounds wonderful and a nice change from Lincolnshire - but does anyone out there know a runner out there who might take me on their favourite loop in Vancouver? Failing that, can anyone recommend great running routes? Any suggestions welcome.
Monday, July 2, 2007
What's Fueling You?
I was reading a comment on Shirley's Blog earlier today where she mentioned she had worked through a performance limiter - nutrition.
Maybe because I just got back from vacation, which included dining out for every meal, so I was eating things I normally wouldn't...
I have been thinking a lot today about what others are fueling themseves with before they run. I understand that this sort of thing requires a lot of trial and error and it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.
I know that I feel stronger on long runs when I have pasta with sausage. I have experimented with ground beef and it just doesn't have the same effect. But does it make sense to have that for dinner every Friday night? What else is there to eat to add variety yet keep me strong?
I want to make wise fuel choices that will help increase my performance.
What works for you?
Maybe because I just got back from vacation, which included dining out for every meal, so I was eating things I normally wouldn't...
I have been thinking a lot today about what others are fueling themseves with before they run. I understand that this sort of thing requires a lot of trial and error and it's not a one-size-fits-all solution.
I know that I feel stronger on long runs when I have pasta with sausage. I have experimented with ground beef and it just doesn't have the same effect. But does it make sense to have that for dinner every Friday night? What else is there to eat to add variety yet keep me strong?
I want to make wise fuel choices that will help increase my performance.
What works for you?
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