Running With Friends (Not Scissors)

So this is one of those posts that I had started awhile back but decided i didn't like how that one was shaping up so I scraped it and finally decided to give it another crack so here goes...

So running for me is almost always a solo activity, my schedule makes it tough to join any kind of regular running group or even schedule regular runs. However I have had the opportunity to run a couple races and even get in some training runs with various friends and I must say there is nothing better than sharing the joy of running with others. Whether its getting someone started by helping them on their first couch to 5k run, or pushing someone to PR the 5k you are doing together, watching and pushing others to succeed is an amazing feeling. Even virtual support can make a huge difference while you may not be able to go on every run with someone even just commenting on someones facebook post about their last run can make a difference. So my advice to all my fellow runners out there is don't forget to share the joy and pass it on. You never know when you might be someones inspiration to help get them out the door and on the the run!

along that same line is the fact that I enjoy sharing my workouts via social media and I encourage all my running buddies to do the same. I have had a number of people tell me that seeing what I have been able to accomplish has encouraged them to get into a healthier routine, I cant stress what an amazing feeling that is. I stated way back in my first post that if I could get off my butt and do this than just about anybody could and its amazing to see the trickle down effect of that attitude. It doesn't have to be just running either, any kind of workout is a good one so if you happen to be reading this and not be in any kind of exercise routine go out there and find something you love doing and make it a habit, You will be amazed at what it can do for your well being and overall attitude towards life. I leave you with my ultimate running advice:

My Favorite Running Apps...

Holy Crap its been way to long, and for the 2 of you reading this I apologize but as I head into my Half-Marathon training I will attempt to be more regular with the updates, I am going to shoot for at least one a week. I've had a few other posts that I started but never got around to publishing I may bring them back at some point as I like the topics but just never got the gusto to finish them off.

I thought it would be nice to share a few of the apps that I use while running or have used and enjoyed so here goes nothing:

Couch-to-5K by active.com 
This is what I used to get started in running and I recommend it to anyone who is looking to follow in my footsteps. Ive talked about it before but I really cant praise it enough it does such a great job of easing you into things and the ability to change coaches and keep track of everything makes it a valuable tool.

Nike+ Running 
This is my primary running app and I love it. It truly has everything you could ever want in a running app. Training plans, both GPS and Treadmill support, run tracking, friends lists, social media support, are just a few of the many things you can do with it. I really could survive with this app alone and be satisfied that's how good it is.

Charity Miles
This is a bit of a different one, its purpose isn't to benefit you but to make your workouts have an impact on others. Basically you start up the app pick a charity (from about 20 or so different ones so there is something for everybody) and then hit the road like normal. The app will track how far you go and for every mile you run/walk you earn $0.25 for your charity. So simple and yet such an awesome idea.

Zombies, RUN!
This one is a little bit different, Its a fun way to spice up your runs every once in awhile. Basically it plays an audio story through  your headphones simulating you being in a world over run with zombies. It has a chase mode that you can turn on or off but when its on you will have zombies chase you and if you don't speed up your run you will get caught and lose your mission progress. Its an interesting idea and a fun way to change up your runs when you get bored.


So there you have it my favorite running apps hope you enjoyed it and I truly will try to make this blog a bit more regular for those of you interested in reading it.

am I really doing a 10k?

holy crap only 2.5 weeks this time...if I keep this up this might become a blog worth reading...

So after my sort of failure at my December 5k, I wanted to step it up a notch to prove to myself that I was capable of even more than I thought. So I decided it was time for a 10k It would be in February so I had 2 months to get of my arse and be ready. It was still hard to get out there most days because of the cold but I was able to get a pretty good amount of runs in and even resorted to the treadmill a few times just so I could do something. My longest distance during training was 5 miles but I knew as long as I stayed steady doing 6.2 wouldn't kill me. That might be the biggest tip I can give to my fellow runners, on race day you still have to run your pace, its hard not to get caught up in the moment and run to hard because you see other people doing it and that can lead to disaster on race day. I'm not an elite runner, I'm probably never going to compete for first place so I might as well focus on myself and just run my race. The race was the Chattahoochee Challenge and it benefited the Chattahoochee Nature Center. So anyway race day came and as it turned out Grandma kidnapped Jack Jack for the weekend so it was just Sam and I, she did the short 1 mile race before my 10k, and then it was my turn. .

Pre-Race Cold but Ready

as the gun went off I felt really good and the course was really nice, mostly flat and right along the river for most of it, I stayed focused on just enjoying the view and trying to keep my pace steady. I was running about a 10 minute mile and was feeling really good energy wise. I kind of zoned out and just got lost in my music and enjoyed myself. The course went past the finish area and then looped back around and that kind of psyched me out a little not to mention there was a pretty good sized hill right towards the end that took me out of my happy place pretty quickly, it took all of me to keep going and I slowed to a near walk near the crest of it, but I kept going and then I kicked it into the finish and managed a pretty decent time for my first effort.... 1:04

Approaching the Finish

and crossing the line

I was really happy with my time but also pretty much spent energy wise, But it was a good kind of spent, I had pushed myself and happily succeeded and even thought I was gassed I was already thinking of how I could step it up again. Sometime along this journey, and I cant say exactly where it was, but I decided I was really enjoying this running thing and wanted to keep doing it and keep stepping it up. Sam was totally supportive to and that made it even better, I started making plans and dreams. Two things I was sure of...I wanted to try and do a Half Marathon and I wanted to run a Disney World race. Disney does a Tower of Terror 10 mile race in October and that is my goal Though I wouldn't get to do it this year (we are already going there in the spring and making two trips down in one year is a little much) 2015 it will happen. So then it was time to find that local half marathon and make it happen (more on that in a later post) so now this blog is going to shift gears a little and Ill be posting more about my training and other running related things hope it is still interesting for my loyal readers (all 5 of you...just guessing there it may be less lol )

The aftermath...yes I'm spent but happy

my time

Hitting The Wall...

Hey this time it only took me a month to write another post that's an improvement right...


So after my great run in October I was feeling pretty good and this running thing was become more routine for me but as the days grew shorter and colder I found it harder to get my runs in. I signed up for my next race though...It was The Reindeer Run to help benefit needy children in Cherokee County. December 7th would be the day and it would be here before I knew it but I still found it hard to get out on regular runs and my training suffered. Even though I have a treadmill at home I am not a big fan of running on it for me it just doesn't have the same effect as getting outside and hitting the pavement it works in a pinch but if I have my choice I will always run outside. So race day quickly approached and overall I wasn't feeling great with how I had led up to it and when it arrived of course it was a very cold morning and that made it even worse. I was determined to try my hardest anyway and as I started off I made the worst mistake a runner can make I went way to hard, and sure enough about halfway through I hit the dreaded wall. I had to stop and walk for a little while and it killed me after a little bit of walking I got going again and finished with an ok time (I don't remember my exact time but it was somewhere between my previous two races). I considered this my first true let down since I had started but rather then let it break me I let it inspire me to try that much harder. So instead of making my next race a 5k I stepped it up and went for a 10k.

The Journey Part II

Ok so its been way to long since my first post but dang it I started this thing for a reason and I might as well keep at it, So after I finished my first 5K I can say that I was hooked running made me feel good (most of the time) and it had to be helping my health even if I wasn't seeing the immediate results. One thing that I decided as I looked for my second race is that I wanted to always try to run races that benefit causes that mean something to me. Some people pick them based on theme or  just look for something close and go...I didn't want to be that guy I wanted my runs to mean something and also I figured if the causes had meaning it would also boost the motivation factor. So off I went in search of 5K number two and I stumbled upon a great little one in the SEGA Athletes Helping Athletes 5K (https://www.facebook.com/AthletesHelpingAthletes5k), not only was it close but it was a great cause. While not a greyhound owner personally Im 100% a dog lover and 100% believe in adoption over buying. The fun twist of this run was the Running Mates, Basically you were assigned a greyhound to run for, while I was unable to meet up with mine before the race we met up after and as it turned out she ran the race with her owner and finished just a bit behind me. I had managed to keep up my training pretty consistently leading up to this one and was hoping for a good time at the very least wanted to run under my first time. The only drawback to this race was that it had said that headphones and ipods, iphones, ect were not supposed to be used on the course (though as it turned out this wasn't strictly enforced). So this would be a first for me...no music, no pace info just me and the road. This was a different feeling as I ran, while I like running with music sometimes its good to go with out and just take in the sights and sounds of you and your fellow runners. This was a much smaller race than my first one and I definitely enjoyed that part of it more it was also a nice easy course and even though I felt slow the whole time as I came down to the finish line I was shocked to see the time on the clock not only was I going to be faster than my first I crushed my PR... official time 29:20.  So now I could officially see the results and I wanted more but with all the ups there are bound to be some downs and that's where we head next....