Week 22: Day 4 - 2012

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 5:40am) = 2.2 miles, time 24:45, pace @ 11:15

It took 1/2 mile before my right leg/hip joint to finally feel ok during my run. It was pretty uncomfortable during that 1/2 mile, but even after that, I just couldn't get into running because my leg/hip joint didn't really help make me feel better about running in the first place. I don't know what to do with my leg/hip joint and make it feel 100% so I can run like I used to. I don't want to stop running because then, I'll feel lazy from not exercising and I don't do a whole lot of other exercises. I only ride the bike once or twice a week and I can only go to karate training twice a week. Karate used to be three times a week, but I have to work on one of those nights. Work comes first because that pays me and karate doesn't.

Week 22: Day 3 - 2012

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I'm going to attempt running tomorrow morning because my right leg/hip joint feels better, though still slightly sore. I hope it doesn't get worse after one run.

Week 22: Day 2 - 2012

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 3 miles

I didn't feel like running today, so I went on a bike ride instead. It was a nice day for a bike ride anyway.

Week 22: Day 1 - 2012

cardio:

• bike ride to do errands (@ 9am) = 5.75 miles

Such a nice day for a bike ride. Sunny, low 70s, slightly windy...I even saw a group of 10+ gophers, including some babies, running around while I was out riding and doing errands!

Week 21: Day 7 - 2012

Total Weekly Mileage: 7.52
Total Monthly Mileage: 41.13
Total Yearly Mileage: 296.19
Total Shoe Mileage: 486.44

I did do a work out (karate) yesterday, but I forgot to update before heading out to work.

I didn't do a work out today, but thought that I should update so that I could keep track of my running miles. The main reason why I didn't run this morning was that my right leg/hip joint was bothering me. I walked around a bit this morning before running and it felt fine, so I thought I was fine for running. I didn't run on Friday morning (and thus, I didn't update that day either) because I had the same problem. After thinking about it this mornng, I've come to a conclusion that I've somehow developed this leg/hip joint problem shortly after I stopped taking glucosamine tablets. Glucosamine is something that helps joint movements...to help with the structure and functions in the joints. I didn't have any joint problems before, but I took these tablets because I thought that they would improve my joints even more especially since I was/am a runner. I stopped taking them because I thought that I didn't need to rely on them or use them anymore. I think I shouldn't have started taking them in the first place because I'm now not sure if my joints/body is feeling the side effects of not taking these tablets anymore and it's like my body is failing. I'm sad because I don't want to feel like I should rely on "medicine", but I can't figure out how to "fix" it except to continue taking glucosamine tablets.

Week 21: Day 4 - 2012

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 5:40am) = 4.22 miles, time = 44:51, pace @ 10:38

I felt like I didn't enjoy my run this morning. I can't possibly be motivated because I had a few non-running days last week, but I'm probably bored of the same scenery and need to run in a different area that I don't normally "visit". Except I'm not really motivated enough to get in the car and drive to a different city to run in.

Week 21: Day 3 - 2012

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Since I don't have anything to say, I've decided to look up some fitness/health articles. Here was something I found because I know that almost everyone reading this blog likes to hike, no matter what their level was. Who doesn't like to walk in a scenic area?

http://www.active.com/women/Articles/5-Reasons-to-Take-a-Hike.htm

Week 21: Day 2 - 2012

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 5:40am) = 1.1 mile, time = 13:35, pace @ 12:21

I decided to run a shorter hilly run today because I felt like it.

While my right leg/hip joint is still sore and uncomfortable while running, it's better than before. But I don't know why it's still bothering me if I've only done one run and took a break from running during the rest of last week. I can't figure out what caused this problem or specifically why I'm having this problem.

Week 21: Day 1 - 2012

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10am) = 5.25 miles

I won't be going to karate training this evening because I have to work, but at least, I got a work out done today.

Week 20: Day 7 - 2012

I didn't get a work out done today. Too hot for a bike ride and I didn't sleep well enough to get a nice run in this morning. But I'm updating this to keep track of my running miles.

Total Weekly Mileage: 4.48
Total Monthly Mileage: 33.61
Total Yearly Mileage: 288.67
Total Shoe Mileage: 398.92

Week 20: Day 6 - 2012

cardio:

• karate = 2 hours
• first (beginners) class = 12pm to 1pm
• second (intermediate) class = 1pm to 2pm

I didn't do a work out yesterday because I didn't feel like doing on. I think I'm ready to get back into running again.

Week 20: Day 4 - 2012

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 5:40am) = 4.48 miles, time = 47:31, pace @ 10:36

While my left leg/hip joint is still sore and uncomfortable during a run, it's not as bad as my last run from last Sunday. I'm not sure why I'm still sore there and I haven't figured out why or how I've become sore. I'm also generally feeling a bit better than my last run, but I'm still debating if I want to run tomorrow morning just because I'd like the soreness in my left left/hip to go away faster which can only happen from rest/no running.

Week 20: Day 3 - 2012

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I'm going to attempt running tomorrow and hope that I actually enjoy it a little bit.

week 20: Day 2 - 2012

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10:30am) = 5.25 miles

I didn't feel like running this morning, so I went on a bike ride to enjoy the nice weather.

Week 20: Day 1 - 2012

cardio:

• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

I think I will take a rest day from running tomorrow. I didn't feel great/motivated on my last run (yesterday). My left leg/hip joint also could use the extra rest day.

Week 19: Day 7 - 2012

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 3.88 miles

Total Weekly Mileage: 11.53
Total Monthly Mileage: 29.13
Total Yearly Mileage: 284.19
Total Shoe Mileage: 394.44


I forgot to update this yesterday. I was able to go to karate class. I didn't do a work out on Friday because I just couldn't get into it.

I'm not going to bother recording my time for this morning's run. By the time I realized that my stopwatch wasn't running, I had already ran a mile and I usually have my stopwatch running from start to end.

My soreness felt slightly better today, but still bothers me when I run. I'm still finding a hard time getting into the mood to run. As much as I don't want to because I took a one week break from running at the end of last month, I think I need another unplanned break. There is just something not right going on with me and I'm probably losing motivation again.

Week 19: Day 4 - 2012

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 5:50am) = 4.65 miles, time = 51:28, pace @ 11:04

I still have a random soreness in the joint where my right leg meets my hip. While I was running this morning, I started to think that this was my body's way of telling me that it needed a break/rest from running even though I just took a one week break from running near the end of last month. I can't figure out why else for this random soreness. While I woke up and got ready for my run just fine and I slept ok last night, I couldn't get in the spirit of running this morning. I don't know if this mental/emotional block had something to do with the soreness or if I truly "ran" out of motivation. How is it that I need another break from running again so soon? What have I done or what have I not done? I'll probably still do a run tomorrow morning. Running on Sunday morning is up in the air. Partially because of random soreness and possibly lack of motivation, but also because I have to work very late (until 3:30am) on Saturday night, so I'll probably be very tired and mentally out of it to run on Sunday morning (I don't like the idea of running past 8am, now that the weather is getting warm).

Week 19: Day 3 - 2012

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 11:30am) = 5.54 miles (with a short break/rest halfway)
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

So hot today! I thought that it wouldn't be that bad, so I went on a bike ride mid-day to do some errands. 11:30am was the worst time of day to exercise outside! Going uphill during the first half of the ride made it feel hotter than it really did and the hill felt pretty challenging too. I did the same route before in December and while I was a little sick and had a bit of a respiratory issue at that time, it didn't seem as bad and the weather was so much cooler too. I think I should ride this route more often so I can get used to the hills.

Week 19: Day 2 - 2012

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:15am) = 3 miles, time = 34:33, pace @ 10:46

Oops, I forgot to update my blog last night. I did get in some exercise for the day. A three mile bike ride and an hour in karate were what I did yesterday.

This morning, I did my three mile run on a hilly trail area. It was cold (not as cold as I'd like), cloudy and a little foggy. It's starting the clear up and become sunny now, but it was nice to run with that kind of weather this morning.

Week 18: Day 7 - 2012

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 5:50am) = 5.33 miles, time = 58:06, pace @ 10:54

Total Weekly Mileage: 17.60
Total Monthly Mileage: 17.60
Total Yearly Mileage: 272.66
Total Shoe Mileage: 382.91

Because I had to work yesterday afternoon, I couldn't make it to karate training. But luckily, I didn't have to work at night since I finished early in the evening so I could go to sleep at a reasonable hour like a normal person and my mind would be off "work mode" by then.

But for whatever reason and I'm not sure if it's because I have a job that makes me tired from working hard (probably because I'm not used to that), I couldn't get into my run. I just wasn't in the spirit of it. I was also feeling sore on one side of my hips. I hate to blame my age for any random soreness because I don't consider myself old (not until I'm 50 years old and I'm not there yet), but I can't figure out how, where or why I got this random soreness from. I did the same things last weekend (and two weekends prior) as I did this weekend, and I didn't get any random soreness while running during all these last few weekends.

Week 18: Day 5 - 2012

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 4.86 miles, time = 53:50, pace @ 11:05

I thought I slept ok last night, but I don't think I really did because I woke up feeling tired this morning. It was difficult for me to get into my run and enjoy it. I'm pretty sure I'm not unmotivated or bored because I took a break from running all of last week. I thought about just doing a super short run this morning and just run for two miles. I took a break at mile one to stretch, but I decided to continue my planned distance/route. I felt a tiny bit better at mile 2.5 and slowly/progressively felt better as I kept running after that. I was slightly mentally tiredsleepy at the end of the run, but so much better compared to the beginning of the run. I'm glad that I didn't feel worse when I kept running longer than one mile.

Week 18: Day 4 - 2012

cardio:

• trail/road run (@ 6am) = 4.43 miles, time = 48:09, pace @ 10:52

My run was fine this morning. It was cloudy/overcast, but no mist. Since I don't have much else to say, I'm going to share this article with everyone. I think it can apply to everyone for general health/exercise and not just athletes.
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Five Best Carbs For Athletes
By Erin Connelly
http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/5-Best-Carbs-for-Athletes.htm


Carbohydrates yield the quickest energy production in the body. However, choosing the best food sources can be a challenge. Athletes need to consume more carbs than the average person to properly fuel and recover.
In addition, active individuals look for foods that help promote overall health and well-being, to keep them feeling good enough to enjoy their sport. When it comes to comparing foods, it’s important to look at the total nutrient composition. For example:

• What does this food have to offer?
• What does it contain besides its carbohydrate content?

Here is a list of minimally or unprocessed foods that you are able to find in the perimeter of your local grocery store:

1. Sweet Potatoes

The bright orange color of these root vegetables is a visual cue that they are an abundant source of the high-powered antioxidant, vitamin A. They also are a great source of potassium to help soothe sore muscles and maintain the right amount of fluids in the body. One cup provides 27g of carbs, 4g of which are fiber.

2. Oats

This breakfast staple has been promoted as a “heart-healthy” food due to its high soluble fiber and low saturated fat content, both of which have been shown to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol levels.
Besides keeping your ticker kicking, the magnesium found in oats helps to maintain nerve and muscle function and is involved in over 300 metabolic reactions in the body. One 1/2 cup of dry oats provides 27g of carbs.

3. Wild Rice

Going a little wild on your rice gives you an edge over the commonly hyped brown rice. Wild rice has the added bang for your calorie buck by providing 6g of protein and double the amount of fiber (3g) for 35 less calories than brown rice per 1 cup serving.

4. Banana

This finger-shaped fruit is widely recognized as a source of potassium. While this is true, bananas are also a source of vitamin C and support your immune system. They also contain prebiotics and help maintain healthy bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics help improve the absorption of other nutrients (i.e. calcium) for added bone health benefits.

5. Chickpeas

 

 

The legume that is used to make hummus is often forgotten as a quality source of carbohydrates. Chickpeas not only provide a generous 22g of carbs in one ½ cup, but also a whopping 6g of fiber and 7g of protein. Fiber helps to keep you feeling full, maintains steady blood sugar levels, and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Week 18: Day 3 - 2012

cardio:

• bike ride (@ 10:15am) = 3 miles
• karate (@ 7pm) = 1 hour

Last week when I was watching the weather forecast on tv, it said that it would be sunny this week. I think I'm glad that it's wrong because even though it's not winter anymore and I can't get SUPER cold temperatures until November or so, I prefer overcast/cloudy weather over sunny, semi warm mornings for my runs! I haven't checked the weather forecast for tomorrow, but I hope it will be overcast and slightly misty in the morning!

Week 18: Day 2 - 2012

cardio:

• hilly trail run (@ 6:30am) = 2.98 miles, time = 32:17, pace @ 10:50
• basketball (@ 6pm) = 2 to 3 hours

It was misty this morning when I started my run. At some point during my run, it stopped. I was too hot and sweaty to notice that it had stopped.

I'll be playing some basketball with some people this evening. I don't feel like updating this after playing, but I'm guessing that we'll be playing for two to three hours (with some breaks/rest). I heard that playing basketball is a good crosstraining/alternate exercise for long distance runners..so playing, I will do!