Tag Archives: 12-hour clock

No morning reads, no run then redemption

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So my idea of posting each morning what I’m reading and what is going on in my fitness and world sort of blew up Friday.

I worked until 2 a.m. I didn’t sleep until 3:20 a.m. I was up at 8 a.m. I dropped over $400 on car repairs by 9 a.m. I was pissed at the latter and then remembered the repairs I paid for on the vehicle that was serviced was given to me, free. So, really I couldn’t be that mad.

Still, no morning reads and no morning run either on Friday.

And it’s getting harder to get out there and run anyway because it is getting hot, hot, hot in Cincinnati. Luckily the running group picks back up in a few weeks and then I will feel guiltily committed to running the miles with others crazy enough to suffer the sweltering summer temps right along with me, all with hopes of marathon glory in the fall.

And my rotten Friday picked up a bit, as I was able to sneak in a 45 minute swim and still make it in on time for another day of work. (I was a little bleary eyed. Sacrificed a nap for the gym.)

Saturday saw a treadmill run (again, me talking myself out of an outdoor run because of the heat) and more work and eating. Lots of eating. This weekend is the Taste of Cincinnati. On my dinner break I walked the few blocks to sample some seared pork tacos, ribs, hanky panks, and locally churned ice cream. And if I hadn’t run out of cash I would have eaten more.

So, yeah, after racking up 40 miles a week just a few short weeks ago I eked out 12 miles this week and my carb intake was ridiculous. I feel am bloated.

Still, I have managed to read and plan and scheme for better race times in the fall since the last post.

Portobello and Asparagus Pasta

If you couldn’t tell one of the most passive, yet important, aspects of fitness and training I have to deal with (well okay, besides running in heat) is diet. I’m just not good at it, or more importantly I am not good at planning healthy and impulse control. For any healthy person out there, if I told you my Taste dinner was not the exception, well, you’d probably shudder or be grossed out. I’ve been the size of a bus in the past and it’s why I have to run more than 12 miles a week if I expect to fit in my pants tomorrow, much less next week. I think it’s why I continue to gravitate towards recipes and pins dealing with health recipes on Pinterest.

This meal looks good and sounds complicated and health and perfect for the next time I’m carbing up for a race. This is not to mention that I love pesto. Pesto is our friend.

The State of Running 2012

Finally got around to reading this speculative and opinionated piece on the state of humanity and running. The author delves into rather the popularity of running has contributed positively to humanity and where technology stands in all of it. Pretty heady stuff, but I can see some of his point. Discussions of GPS, heart rate monitors, head-gear to run to, etc. are all worth discussing (and how much is their worth). For a few runs since my marathon I left the GPS at home. I’ve thought of the appeal to run just to enjoy the run, not to plot it and analyze it on my home computer.  How much happier would I be with myself and my runs if I was simply dependent on my gut telling me how well I did? At the very least it’s all worth considering.

WTF, Marc Maron

So, my unrelated running read for the day contradicts the above post in terms of technology. Being a Facebook thief (and fortunate follower of some pretty smart people) I came across Marc Maron. Ever heard of Marc? Me neither, but he does this podcast appropriately called WTF. Marc is classic neurotic as explained in the linked Grantland article. He’s explained as this stream-of-conscience, self-absorbed and painfully awkward comedian with a podcast that’s highly entertaining. I listened to his interview with Craig Ferguson, my absolute favorite late night tv host and the verdict was sold. So yeah, tech is bad, but it can also be good, at least so when you are not moving. Subscribe to this podcast. (And buy flowers, which Marc does a ridiculous amount of pimping for in his show.)

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Photo a day 46: Playing in stairwells

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As I typed this at nearly 3 a.m. I debated hitting the publish button. I scheduled it to post in the a.m., thinking I’d give myself some time to change my mind. Plus, it feels like cheating, being done with a day’s photos before I’ve even slept.

These photos were completely unplanned and quite possibly the result of sleep deprivation as I was leaving work near 2 a.m.

The stairwell, with its geometric shapes and shadow caught my attention. I thought some black and white shots might be interesting. I also have played with self portraits. I rested my camera on my backpack, set the timer and scurried down the stairs and turned around. I am also slightly out of focus while my surroundings are sharply in focus. Guess I can’t hold still. I kind of like the effect.

This above photo is obviously edited. I like it, I think. I’m going to share another version at the end and I’d like some feedback on which you enjoy more.

But first two two perspective photos you can click on to enlarge:

One up and one down the stairwell. The view up is particularly interesting, in my opinion for its play on light and the shape of the ceiling above. The one down reminds me of that scene from the Exorcist. (Yes, I do see a lot of the photography framed in terms of movies I’ve seen. Guess that’s what makes most of them classics I suppose.)

And for a layer of jocularity, I realized afterward there was a security camera that probably recorded my whole photo session. I can only wonder what the night watch thought of the nut playing in an empty stairwell at 2 a.m.

Speaking of which, here is the less toyed with self-portrait. Thoughts?

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Marathon training 2: Electric boogaloo

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So, I was sitting at a red light the other day heading into work when I saw this from my car windshield – snow.

The accumulation was not much. It was more of a microburst of flurries that didn’t last too long. Boy, was it cold outside though.

As I sat there, waiting for the light to change by taking a photo, a simple thought cropped into my head – I want to run in this.

I want to feel the cold on my face. I want the slight dread of getting started and then realizing four miles in that I’m warm from my perspiration underneath all of those layers of clothing. I look forward to that mental toughness that comes with the level of dedication to be outside and moving when it is snowing and 20 degrees outside.

Ill, I know. Even a couple more dedicated and experienced runners than I (namely one ultra-marathoner in particular) said they’d rather be under covers than facing running winter weather.

Perhaps I will agree with them as the weekends of long group runs draws near. I signed back up for the running group on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

I timidly asked my boss if I could switch shifts with him for Saturdays. I actually gave up one of my rare first shifts so I can run in the morning with the group. He agreed. So, for the next few months I will work 4 p.m. to midnight or later on Friday evening, awake at 6:30 (or 6:45) to run with the group at 7:30 a.m., hopefully work in a nap, and be at work from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday night.

Oh, I also decided to run the race same race again, the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon in the Spring.

My goals this year are to hopefully stay injury free and remain dedicated to an actual game plan. Last year I set huge goals of running a super-fast pace that may or may not have led to stress fractures and missed even what I would have considered a reasonable pace goal.

So this year, low and slow, that is the tempo, I hope. And when I mean slow, I mean having the discipline to hold a little back so I have enough gas (and health at the end of the race).

Last year I proved I could finish, even injured. This year will be about running smarter, and hopefully staying healthy.

(And honestly, I pray to not injure myself so I don’t have to listen to more of the somewhat annoying comments I am getting because I am doing this again. Around family the mantra is, “Oh, yeah, Brian’s running the marathon again so he can break his leg.” Ugh.)

So, here is hoping for a solid year of running. And winter weather, be ready. Here I come.