Monday, January 31, 2011

Nine miles in the last two runs...

So I haven't updated the last couple of days but that doesn't mean I haven't been running. This past Friday and Sunday I put down a record by running a total of nine miles those two days (4.5 each). Right now, the plan is to be at a 10k (6.2 miles) by the end of February. I'm definitely going to have to get outside as soon as possible because I don't think I can stand the monotony of running over an hour on the treadmill.

Here are the times from the last two runs:

January 28th

2 miles: 24:46
5k: 36:21
4 miles: 47:04
4.5 mi: 52:17

January 30th

2 miles: 23:51
5k: 34:20
4 miles: 43:52
4.5 mi: 50:12

Total miles ran so far: 35.2 (7.04%)
Total time: 06:48:57
Total days so far: 31 (8.49%)

Goal tomorrow: Change before tutoring and run afterwords. Since it'll be busy at the gym, I'll shoot for a 5k.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

New Milestones Reached

Thanks to those that are reading! Lauren and I have dug ourselves out and we are feeling the shoveling muscles that we seem to discover every winter. But there is no rest for the weary and are planning to hit the gym on Friday! Wooot!

I ran early on Wednesday thanks to a snow day. I hit some new milestones. I was so excited about the impending snow that I forgot to log in my miles and times.

The first milestone was a new distance record for me. I ran 4.3 miles in 48:33. Why 4.3 miles? My total mileage before the run was 21.9. When I started running, I thought about doing just a 5k but then I realized that I was only another mile and change from getting to totalling a marathon. I thought what the hell, slowed my pace down a bit and finished off the last 1.2 miles.

I did some figuring while I was running because there isn't much to do aside from watching SportsCenter or whatever judge show happens to be on (Judy, Alex, Joe Brown). I calculated that I will run a little over 19 marathons by the time I get to 500 miles. I've knocked out one. Here's to the other 18 that I will be conquering (raising my glass of water).

Split times:

2 miles: 23:10
5k: 34:46
4 miles: 44:36

Total miles ran so far: 26.2 (5.24%)
Total time: 05:06:28 (about 11:40/mile)
Total days so far: 27 (7.39%)

Goal tomorrow: 3.8 miles- That will get me to 30 miles total with a goal to get to 35 by Monday.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Back in the Saddle and Lessons Learned

A couple of things that I learned about running today.

1. Two days off is probably one too many. I spent most of my time this past weekend at a board meeting for the Virginia Education Association. Suffice to say, that I didn't make the gym on the second floor. When I got back on the treadmill today, I didn't feel as good. Legs were tired and unresponsive. It could been the second lesson I learned today.

2. Don't run three hours after eating at Qdoba. I had a burrito for lunch on the way back from Richmond. First, I would suggest eating half the portion. I ate 3/4 and it was way too much. Second, the shredded beef is not flavorful. It's tender and juicy but it has no staying power in the flavor department. Chipotle's barbacoa is much better. Lauren, by the way, had the sauteed vegetarian burrito which she thought was good. But she would suggest not loading up the burrito with a ton of extras because it takes away from the flavor.

Back to the reasons why you shouldn't run three hours after eating Qdoba. One reason is that I was constantly fighting the urge to purge. I probably would've had my membership revoked for making a mess on the treadmill. The second reason was that I couldn't breathe properly. I had to take shorter breaths on account of the almost one pound of mexican food in my stomach.

It should be no surprise then that I was pitiful in my times. This is not to make excuses on my time. It's just to provide context on why I was terrible today.

Split time

2 miles: 25:23 (a little over two minutes worse than my last run)

Total run today: 2.5 miles (32:10)

So far on this run, I have completed 21.9 miles (4.38%) in a total time of 04:17:55 in 24 days (6.57%).

I've got to make up a little time tomorrow, so I will run before I tutor. Hopefully, I can get on the school treadmill!

Friday, January 21, 2011

January 21st...damn it's cold! 2 1/2 miles...

I was tempted to run a 5k today because my total as of yesterday was 16.9 miles. If I ran the 5k, I would be at 20 miles and I like round numbers. I ran 2.5 miles today in 27:57. My total so far is 19.4 miles (3.88%) in a total time of 03:45:45 in 21 days (5.75%).

Special split time:

2 miles: 23:04

I've been erratic in my pace and I'm unsure of what I am doing wrong. The first part of my run until about the first mile seems like I labor too much. The last mile to mile and a half I feel better and my breathing seems to steady. When I run my 5ks, I feel even better around the 3 mile mark. Any suggestions?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

January 20, 2011 5k run

I'm a day late because I forgot about the FEA RA meeting I had scheduled yesterday.

Ran a 5k today in 35:02. So far, total mileage is 16.9 (3.38%). Total time so far is 03:17:48 in 20 days (5.47%). Fell a little bit behind the pace I need to catch up and maintain. Tomorrow, I plan on running about 3.5 miles possibly at a slower pace.

Monday, January 17, 2011

MLK Day Run

Prior to today, I had run 9.7 miles in 1:57:44. Today, I ran 4.1 miles in 47:02. This brings me to a grand total of 13.8 miles (2.8%) in a time of 2:42:46 in 17 days (4.7%).

Special split times:

2 miles: 22:47
5k (3.1 miles) 34:43
4 miles (45:59)

New record for me: For the first time in my life, I have run over 4 miles in one run.

I will be taking tomorrow off to tutor. See you on Wednesday!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

First Post: What is the "Hickerson 500"?

I was sitting in school grading some papers a week ago when I looked up at a picture on my desk of my wife and I at a party from 2004. The one thing I noticed, other than the fact that my wife is still a knockout, is that I look significantly different. Now I know that it's been seven years but it's not that at all. I've definitely filled out. I feel lethargic at times these days. I don't have the same normal zip that I used to have. There are times when I look at the mirror and wonder how I let myself go. For example, my weight in 2004: 140 lbs. Weight in 2011: 191 lbs.

I hate New Years resolutions. Don't believe in them. If you're going to make changes, make them. So this isn't a resolution brought about by some vague notion that I need to make change. But I also realize that if I don't give myself something to stick to, that I won't exercise as much as I should. I'll continue to be on the same cycle of dropping a few pounds and gaining them back.

So I came up with the "Hickerson 500" as a way to focus. What is it? The main goal is to run 500 miles this year. That's approximately 1.37 miles per day. Even though that seems small, there's no way that I'm running every single day. That means I have to run a little over 2.75 miles every two days to maintain par. If I want to slowly get ahead, I have to start running 5ks (3.1mi). Eventually, I'm going to have to put some serious mileage down. To me, that would be in the 5-8 mile range every other day. The problem for me is that I've never ran over 4 miles in one setting.

I will post my mileage every time I run. I will also include the relevant times for that days run. I'll put up the aggregate mileage and time also (makes it easier to track). For a little added motivation, I've decided to give myself two dollars for every mile that I run. One will go to a "Fun Fund" for a vacation, the other will go to a "Charity Fund" with the charities that will benefit to be decided at a later date.

As of today, I'm at 9.6 miles (1.92%). Even though I started on the 10th, I'm counting the sixteen days that have passed (4.38%). Tomorrow I plan to run a 5k. The last one I ran this week, I timed myself at 35:02. Let's see if I can beat it!