D228 - Consolidate

I really need to consolidate my running 'supplies' for this training program as it's getting to be a bulky mess out on the road. As it stands, I have my mobile for speed/distance/timing of my runs, my ipod for music to run to, and headphones (obviously). Also I carry my ID in case I get stopped for running in the middle of the night as if that hasn't happened already. A house key and a flashlight are the last two items. I used to not carry the ipod but my mobile likes to recycle while playing music because it's awesome.

Tonight, I ran my fastest time yet, but can only prove it by what my phone recorded, which was only 2.3 miles at 19:34 minutes. The last mile recorded was a 9:31 and I pushed pretty hard through mile 3. At about 3.2 miles I took my phone out to see my time, it was powered off. Awesome. My ipod was at 28 minutes and some change. This isn't the first time I've lost my time and sadly it will not be the last. At least until I upgrade to a new device. But until then, if you see a guy running down your street at 2am with bulky pockets don't call the police, it's just me. Besides after 3 miles I'm mostly harmless!
Ja mata, Brian

D208 - Trip & Fall

I don't know if yesterday's post was a prediction of today's run, but I'm glad we pulled the band-aids out. Sara and I set out to run at 9PM, she did good going up the hill and kept a good pace. On the way down she tripped herself up and fell towards the bottom of the hill. After brushing off the gravel from her knees and telling her she would be OK, the remainder of the run was her on my back and we jogged back home. We did a little clean up and then put a band-aid on each knee. Sara didn't want the Go Diego Go band-aides since they were kind of small. She has been saying she is never going to run again since the fall, but we will be out again tomorrow running it out.

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D200 - Lights and Rope

Time to add a little fun and safety to these nightly runs. For the past few weeks I have ventured out 2-3 times a week between 12 and 2 am. It's a pretty peaceful run with only minor car interruptions. So instead of just crossing the street when a car approaches I picked up a L.E.D. to wear as to alert drivers to my position. Also I grabbed a jump rope to assist in my warm up before running. Helps get the heart rate up as well as endurance. For today's photo it's a product shot of the light and rope. I used the inside of a shoe box as housing and off camera flash bouncing off of the wall behind the camera. Jump rope strings were secure with tape in the back.

 Enjoy...and get jumping. (So glad I'm doing this at night where not many can see me, I'm sure I will look like a hippo doing an impersonation of a dolphin jumping out of water. Awesome!)

D193 - Signs

It's funny how I see 'running' is everywhere, and it's only a banana shot tonight because the sticker. Back to running, today was a break day, I will be back at it tomorrow seeing if I can knock out 3 miles under 11 minutes for each mile. The latest tip I learned to help get the most out of my run is leaning forward at the ankles, this helps get your feet under you to avoid heel strikes. Make sure you are not leaning at the waist that makes for a sore back, as I found out the first week. The best way to get your form down is to run up hills, you tend to run properly up a hill. Just have to remember the feelings and positions then try to run on flat ground.

Get your run on!
Enjoy

Ja mata, Brian

D192 - 10:12

After about a week and a half of toying with my pace in running, it was time to see how much I needed to push to get a 10 minute mile. Today I ran 1 mile in 10 minutes 12 seconds, this actually hurt a little to run, and I was sweating up a storm [which I generally don't do].  Now that I know what that pace feels like, I can back off to 11:20 minute miles and slowly work my way back down to the low 10 minute miles. Should be a fun week of trying to get to 10 again.

Enjoy.

Ja mata. Brian

D188 - Dry Map

When I arrived home Sara was excited to run again, so after switching to my running gear we headed off running .3 miles. Halfway through the run, we stopped to rest by some dried dirt where Sara tells me she found our path to the finish line. I don't see the map until she points to the cracks in the dirt saying 'See, this is the path to the finish line and here is where I will win'. The funny thing about her races is when I am in the lead she is always sure to tell me it's not a competition. Yes, I lost the non-competition race again. (the finish line is at the bottom left of the image)

Enjoy.

Ja mata, Brian

D187 - Running Partner

Today Sara and I took out first run together. Since this past weekend she has talked about being my running partner. This morning she put on my reflective ankle straps and kept them on all day at school. She looked so proud telling her friends the straps glowed in the dark. So this afternoon Sara and I ran about a quarter mile and she did awesome. She keep running the whole time, didn't complain, and even beat me in the end, though I am still confused about it being a race. This will be fun having her as my running partner, especially since her running for is better than mine. That keeps me on my toes, literally. On to another day and another run.

Enjoy.

ja mata. Brian & Sara ("the fastest runner in the world!")

D186 - Tranquil

Sometimes you need a break through all the stresses to get through some days. Today was not a bad day, but it's nice to drift off for a bit before you start brainstorming or a new activity. It's almost like erasing the chalk board momentarily to make space for the next grouping of wild writing. Tonight was my first night running with the minimalist shoes, they take some getting used to, but I focused on the below scene during the run. It's a nice take 'me' away.

Enjoy

Ja mata, Brian

D185 - Minimalist

Since I have been running lately, it seemed like a good idea to get some proper running shoes. Today, at the Cleveland Running Company in Shaker Heights, I picked up a pair of minimalist running shoes. If you have not been to this store and you run, this is a must stop for you whether you are a newbie or a seasoned runner. They take the time to answer all your questions, they are a great resource for upcoming 5Ks, tip how run with correct form, and what shoes are best for the runner. For the longest I thought the minimalist shoes were the ones where the toes are separated out and you didn't wear socks, I'm so glad I was wrong about that. Minimalist shoes are ones that allow your feet to work as if you were barefoot while wearing them. I will go into more details on tomorrows post.

Enjoy & Checkout Cleveland Running Company

Ja mata,
Brian