Week 14: Day 1 - 30 March 2020

• morning run = 4.7 miles; time = 1:06:47: average pace @ 14:13
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I was originally going to do a 3-mile run this morning, but my legs didn't feel as sore as I thought, so I went for a longer run.

Week 13: Day 7 - 29 March 2020

• morning run = 3.85 miles; 56:09; average pace @ 14:36
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 17.05

Total Monthly Mileage: 58.37

Total Yearly Mileage: 168.24

Total Shoe Mileage: 21.83

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 77.91

Total Monthly Mileage: 127.16

Total Yearly Mileage: 742.85

Total Bike Mileage: 108.69

So sore from yesterday's ride. No pain, no gain as they say? Of course, it only hurts when I'm running up the hill. Running up hills uses the quads. Riding a bike also uses the quads.

Week 13: Day 6 - 28 March 2020

• morning solo ride = 45.48 miles; time = 3:47:45; average speed @ 12 mph
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total

I like using this website (https://legacy.usatf.org/routes/map/) to map out my runs and rides. It doesn't tell me anything about elevation profile or grade % (steepness) on any hills. This is a good thing for where I go into a ride blindly and not knowing what the elevation profile is or how steep any hills are. If I realize that my own rides are hilly, I would probably change my mind and make another route for a flatter ride. I already mapped out my ride for today and figured out where I would be going before heading out. In my mind, it wouldn't be that bad. The first half of my ride was easy. I slowly started struggling, starting the second half of the ride and it didn't help that I was getting hungry because I didn't bring any snacks with me. I was finally forced to make a food stop at mile 33 because I was desperate for food and couldn't finish until I ate something. I'm mad at myself for not bringing any snacks for the ride. I did a 47 mile hilly ride before and had a lot of snacks (one peanut butter sandwich and three protein bars). I had one protein bar, ate half 90 minutes into the ride (even though I wasn't hungry) and ate the other half 90 minutes later even though I wasn't hungry. I was telling myself that I didn't need food for this ride. Also, since I didn't know what the elevation profile was like on this ride, it was probably a little too soon to do such a hilly ride considering that I didn't ride very much in three to four weeks and I lost a lot of leg strength. During this time under quarantine and social-distancing, I'm working on my climbing legs. By the time this whole global crisis is more normal and quarantine is over, I'll get to play with my friends and conquer mountains.

Week 13: Day 5 - 27 March 2020

• morning run = 5.09 miles; time = 1:04:36; average pace @ 12:42
• walked dogs = 2.5 miles total
• solo ride = 16.19 miles; time = 1:23:30; average speed @ 11.6 mph

I need to do a better job at eating before a ride and eating not so healthy food doesn't help.

Week 13: Day 3 - 25 March 2020

• morning run = 5.07 miles; time = 1:10:28; average pace @ 13:54
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total\

Just updating this....

Week 13: Day 2 - 24 March 2020

• solo ride = 16.24 miles; time = 1:20:48; average speed @ 12.1 mph
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

Working on getting my climbing legs and I imagine that it won't take long. I did a challenging hill at the beginning of my ride.

Week 13: Day 1 - 23 March 2020

• morning run = 3.04 miles; time = 43:44; average pace @ 14:23
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

I woke up with a stiff neck! Those are not fun. I was worried that it would bother me all day with whatever I was doing as it was a bit painful during my run. Luckily, it felt a little better (not 100%) and less painful after the run.

Week 12: Day 7 - 22 March 2020

• morning run = 4.78 miles; time = 1:09:41; average pace @ 14:35
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total

Running: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 15.61

Total Monthly Mileage: 41.32

Total Yearly Mileage: 151.19

Total Shoe Mileage: 4.78

Cycling: 

Total Weekly Mileage: 30.78

Total Monthly Mileage: 49.25

Total Yearly Mileage: 664.94

Total Bike Mileage: 30.78

I recently picked up my new bike and did my first ride with it yesterday. I picked up a new pair of running shoes yesterday (from the post office as it was purchased online and was finally delivered to me) and did my first run with them this morning. Now that I have two new set of gears (one bike and a pair of shoes), this will be easier for me to keep track of the mileage on each. I need to find a way to be more motivated to update this blog thing. Running shoes are generally good for 300 - 500 miles and my previous/last pair reached 300 miles. It was time for a new pair of shoes since my feet and lower legs were getting achy. I waited a little too late to pick up my new shoes as I usually liked to go to the store and trying on shoes before paying. I usually go to REI to pick up shoes, but all 162 stores closed down early during the week (Monday) due to the whole global Coronavirus crisis. After I left work at 5:30pm on Thursday, it was drizzling a little bit so I decided to head out and pick up my new bike. I almost turned around and went home at some point because the rain got scary on the freeway. I fought through scary rain, but I'm glad that I picked up my new bike when I did. Shortly after I got home from picking up my new bike, I got a text message from my manager that the governor of California ordered the entire state to stay home and only essential businesses were to stay open. Normally, I really hate group/mass text messages where one person sends one text message to a group...when one person responds, everyone else gets the same text reply. Normally when I do a group/mass text message, I make one text message, send it out to a group, but everyone gets the text message individually so they don't see other people's phone numbers and everyone gets a text message when someone replies. It was so annoying when I was getting everyone's text messages, but in a way, it was a good thing because people were asking "Are we working tomorrow (Friday)?" My manager called me directly and cleared it up, making sure that I (and others) didn't show up. We were in total disbelief, shocked and surprised that it actually happened and we were confused if we should go to work. Anyway, my bike is a Jax-specific product. Jax is a bicycle shop. I know that Jax in Fullerton was closed as I saw that their gate was locked when I passed by during my ride yesterday (I passed by 11am when they were normally open). I don't know if all Jax stores are currently closed or if each individual store would decide for themselves if they want to be open since they are all independently owned (FYI: fast food places are still open for pick up and deliveries, but no dine-in options even with the state order to stay home and only essential businesses are to stay open...grocery stores are essential businesses, but not restaurants and fast food places). Anyway, while my friends let me borrow their bikes until I was able to pick up my new bike, I had a really hard time finding the motivation to ride. I'm glad to have my own bike that is specifically/properly fitted for me. Since I'm temporarily out of work, I'll be able to sleep in a little bit and do runs longer than three miles each time and I have more time to ride.

Week 11: Day 1 - 09 March 2020

• morning run = 3.86 miles; time = 55:50; average pace @ 14:27
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total

Just updating this...that's all.

Week 10: Day 7 - 08 March 2020

• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total
• afternoon ride = 18.48 miles; time = 1:33:22; average speed @ 11.9 mph

I'm having a hard time finding the motivation to ride, but when people are trying to be nice, letting me borrow their old bikes (I got rid of my old bike immediately after I got a new bike in August), I have to appreciate their help and be grateful, and make myself go for a ride.

Today was the first ride that I did on my loaner bike. It took a few minutes to get used to the way that the gears (for shifting) were set up, but I'm good at learning quick. I have to change the height to the seat. It's a tad low and I'm uncomfortable with it.

Week 10: Day 6 - 07 March 2020

• morning run = 5.46 miles; time = 1:14:24; average pace @ 13:38
• walked dogs = 2.7 miles total

I was going to do a run closer to home this morning, but decided to do one at Chino Hills State Park instead because I needed a change of scenery. I was going to run at Chino Hills State Park next weekend, but I didn't want to run in the mud (I don't like to run in mud) after raining most of next week including possibly next weekend.

Week 10: Day 4 - 05 March 2020

• morning run = 4.29 miles; time = 57:04; average pace @ 13:18
• walked dogs = 2.8 miles total

Didn't do a group ride tonight. Just wasn't feeling it.

Week 10: Day 3 - 04 March 2020

• morning run = 4.2 miles; time = 58:04; average pace @ 13:50
• walked dogs = 2.6 miles total

So after much thought, I decided to sign up for the Long Beach half marathon (to be held on Sunday, 03 October 2020). I did one athletic event (10k run) last year because that was all I was able to afford. Even though I recently lost my bike and purchasing a new one on lay-away have set me back somewhat (someone set up a gofundme page to help me pay for it), I'm in a better financial situation now compared to the end of 2018, beginning of 2019. It took me awhile to get used to my new job with a new schedule and working more hours, so I was always tired. Then I got sick in October/November and again two months ago (January) because someone got too close to me and breathed germs on me both times (if you have the coronavirus, the flu or the common cold, please stay away from me until you get better) even though my illness had been mild and short. It would/should have been two years if I had made it to January without getting sick. My colds/illness used to be worse...a lot of coughing with a sore throat that took forever to go away, congested/stuffy head, congested chest, and respiratory problems. By training for a long-distance event like a half marathon will stop me from being a lazy runner...for three months. For many months, I've been running three to four days a week, doing three to four miles each day and I run when I feel like it on the weekends. I feel like running less has made my immune system weak. I used to average 15 - 20 miles a week and that was just for fun without training for a half marathon.

Week 10: Day 1 - 02 March 2020

• morning run = 3.3 miles; time = 48:37; average pace @ 14:43
• walked dogs = 2.2 miles total

I have to get back into the habit of this thing. I got lazy in the last week or so.