Cats Come From Behind to get another "W"

Run Time: 5PM
Distance: 6.6 miles
Time: 1:05:31
Run Type: Easy
Location: Eastlake (around the lake)

Breakfast at EastLake Church

I had a chance to eat breakfast with the men of EastLake Church this morning. This was an event that EastLake hosts in order to get more men involved with small groups as well as church based activities. I had a good time and actually joined a small group. This will my first small group and I don't know a soul but I'm excited nonetheless.

Run Time: 7:15AM EST
Distance: 4.3 miles
Time: 41:14
Run Type: Easy
Location: Eastlake

Manipulation

Manipulation is a skill that is learned at an early age. Apparently at the age of 2 to be exact. Below is an excerpt from my wife's email:

"I put Will down for his nap and he jumped around and played for about 45 minutes. He started whining for me to come get him and I resisted for about 20 minutes and I finally went in. I opened the door and there was your son...naked from the waist down saying "I had to take my diaper off!". I found his diaper behind his bed. It looked like a band of hyenas had been in there! He was soooo proud of himself...he had a smile the size of Texas on his face when I took him to get a new diaper!"

Run Time: AM EST
Distance: miles
Time:
Run Type: Easy
Location: Eastlake

Better Than Nothing

I didn't do as many miles as I had planned this morning but at least I got out the door.

Run Time: 5AM EST
Distance: 2.8 miles
Time: 27:46
Run Type: Easy
Location: Eastlake

Easy Like Sunday Morning

My long run didn't happen yeasterday so I did it this morning. A whopping 6.6 miles which is by far my longest run since.....well, who knows? Anyway, I took it nice and slow which is how I intend to do all my runs until I get a bit of a base back. And that may take a while my friends.

After taking more than a year off from running and enjoying too much time sitting around on the couch, I have hit a new milestone in the weight department. I knew that I was gaining weight but I never really knew how much. You may ask, "How can you not know?" Very simple. I don't own a scale. Actually, I do but it's 2000 miles away at my home in KY.

So when I jumped on the scales last week for the first time in 6 months, I confirmed my suspicion that I had set a new PR. :-) I don't know why I felt so surprised because I knew I was being a lazy slouch but when you actually hop on the scale and see those new numbers staring back at you, the reality sinks in.

So, I fully intend on getting down to my fighting weight in the low 150s but I know this will take quite some time before the weight starts falling off. This always is a frustrating process as the weight never comes off like you expect. Then one day you wake up and you've dropped 30lbs. At least that's the way it works for me. I've been blessed with a farily good metabolism. It did slow down when I hit the big 3-0 but I can still eat pretty much what I want as long as I'm working out on a consistent basis.

It actually rained today and I ran in a steady mist. It was really nice because it wasn't raining hard enough to get drenched but still enough moisture to keep your face cool.

Run Time: 7:20AM EST
Distance: 6.6 miles
Time: 1:04Run Type: Easy
Location: Eastlake(around the lake)

Whale Sighting

I saw my first whale today and I'm not talking about Sea World. The family loaded up and went to the Point Loma Lighthouse and we actually spotted a gray whale off the coast. Granted, it was a long way off the coast and we couldn't see much other than the spray but I think you've got to note it when you've seen your first whale.

Over 20000 whales will migrate past SD on their way to Baja Mexico. The purpose of this journey is for breeding and once they take care of business they head back to the artic for feeding. The reason they go to Baja is NOT for Tequila but for the warm waters as it protects them from their natural predator, Orcas, which don't enjoy the warmer temps. So that's the lesson for the day.

Day 3

Run Time: 4:40AM EST
Distance: 4.3 miles
Time: 43:52
Run Type: Easy
Location: Eastlake

Internal Alarm Clocks Don't Work

I woke up late this morning. I've gotten into a bad habit of depending on my internal alarm clock which is normally pretty reliable, however, I woke up about 30 minutes late today. I know. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I briefly contemplated skipping my morning run which would have been demoralizing since this is ONLY the 2nd day of my training schedule but I quickly decided against that. Thus, I rushed out the door and knocked about 2 miles off my normal run. The lesson learned today; "Never rely upon your internal alarm clock."

One of the great things about being a runner is that it forces you to be more organzied, more dedicated and in the end more disciplined. Hey wasn't that a New Year's resolution? If you don't plan your daily run, it simply doesn't happen.

I have this theory that runners make better workers because of the reasons mentioned above. In fact, I think I'll start slipping that into my interview questions. "Sir, could you tell me how many times per week you run?" If the answer is zero, then you move to the next candidate. If you are lucky enough to find a morning runner, then you've really found a jewel as these people have elected to pass on the warmth of their bed to go run for miles and miles. That is truly impressive.

So I didn't get my 4.5 miles in as planned but I did run 2.8 so at least I can feel good about not missing a workout yet. :-)

Run Time: 5AM EST
Distance: 2.8 miles
Time: 28:38
Run Type: Easy
Location: Eastlake

Let the Journey Begin

Yes. Day one of my training schedule is complete. Though I despise working out in the wee hours of the morning, I guess this is what it's going to take. I'm not sure why I have such a hard time getting out of bed and then out the door because I've never once finished a run and said, "I should have stayed in bed." I always feel so good after wrapping up a run so why do I find it so difficult when I know this? I chalk it up to having very little discipline. Since I didn't establish any New Year's Resolutions for 2006, maybe I can work in this area.

It looks like I'll be training for the Derby Mini solo which is something that's new for me as well. In the past I've always had a dedicated running partner to share the miles with. What a difference that makes when you just don't feel like doing it. It's not that I'm one of these people that needs to be around someone all the time because quite frankly I'm quite the introvert. I prefer hanging out with small groups of people (like 1 or 2) as opposed to running with packs. And the same goes for running. I'd much rather run with one person whose company I really enjoy rather than just sharing miles with an aquaintance for the sake of having company. Running can be quite a spiritual event and I really don't want to share that with just anyone. Call me crazy but that's just me.

It was a beautiful morning and like most nights in San Diego the sky was very clear. The stars almost seem closer to earth in SD. I'm not sure if its because there are so few clouds present or why that phenomenon exists. As Will likes to say, "Daddy, the moon is awake" and it certainly was.

Run Time: 4:20AM EST
Distance: 4.8 miles
Time: 48:08
Run Type: Easy
Location: Eastlake

Not what I had in mind

Well, I was going to kick off my official training schedule for the Derby mini today but I tweaked my ankle playing racquetball. Nothing major but just sore and swollen enough to be uncomfortable. I should have known better as I did not wrap my ankles which is something I do religously when I play basketball. I'll take it out for a spin tomorrow.

89 Degrees in January?

It was 89 degrees yesterday. Wow! Quite a change from Lexington but I'm not complaining. I would rather have that than 20 degree gray sky days that are so common in KY this time of year.

Today was much better....temps in the mid 70s....just another gorgeous SD Saturday.

Run Time: 8:10AM PST
Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 28:53
Run Type: Very Easy