Just A Stone's Throw Away

Let’s be clear: when we decided on which apartment complex to live in, I did not know that a certain running store was in the parking lot across from our unit.  In fact, it’s literally a stone’s throw from our back porch.  So lucky!

Anyway, the store itself is enormous, with only about enough merchandise to fill a small car.  It’s actually a bit unsettling, as if they are in a constant state of moving out or moving in.  But who am I to judge… my apartment is in a constant state of moving in.

However, on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:45 (pm, for those of you wondering), a group meets up to go line dancing for a run.  Yay!  So I showed up Wednesday, water bottle in hand (a Texas necessity as I’m learning, though I was the only one there with water).  I did get some “good idea” comments, but no one opted to bring / buy one.  The eight of us headed out down a new route (though admittedly I only have one route thus far) which mainly stuck to sidewalks and bike lanes along not-too-busy roads.  As for the pace, the only way to put it is: fast.  I was a little surprised, but kept up pretty well.

Overall we ran about 6 miles, at under 7:30 minutes per mile.  (My Garmin hadn’t been reset since last time, so it was a bit of a combination of two runs…)  I’ll definitely be going back for more pain, as I was introduced to the 3 H’s: Heat, Humidity, Hills.  Until next time, have a good life.

2010
05/13
CATEGORY
austin
2 comments

A Texas Beginning

I’ve been a bit out of touch for the last month recently, so I’ll try to get you up to speed quickly and painlessly.  Firstly (beware, there may be no “secondly”), I haven’t been running much, hence the lack of enthralling blog posts to get you through your day.  I’ve started four different posts and gotten sidetracked, but I plan to get back to at least a few of them.  Some small life events have gotten in the way, like driving cross-country with everything we own from DC to Texas, moving into a new apartment, buying a car, and learning a new city.  And what better way to explore a city than run it?  (Admit it, that’s a great segue.)

Well not that great, because like I said, I haven’t been running much, so there hasn’t been much in the way of bipedal exploration.  I got out Wednesday morning to check out a nearby trail in my new shoes.  The key is to get out early, because the temps were going from 60s in the morning to 90s by early afternoon.  And a warm run does not a happy Mike make.  Friday was more of the same.  Both times I got home around 10am feeling like it was the middle of the rain forest, without the excitement of wildlife.  Except some “people” like these local characters do pop up every once in awhile.

Anyway, it’s going to take some getting used to, but I’m excited for the prospects!  Keep an eye out for a future post about, well, the future!

2010
05/11
CATEGORY
austin
1 comment

Moving On Up

This here blog has been getting cozy at its current address for nearly a year now and is thinking of upgrading to someplace a little less on the west side* running-only.  Why you ask?  Well that will all be answered in more detail in an upcoming post.  The long and the short of it is that I’m hoping to break into the triathlon scene, and so I’d like to have a more balanced blog presence.

I’m also thinking of dropping the “.wordpress.com” and buying the website address.  I know what you’re thinking.. “But Mike! Don’t bother! Your blog is already my homepage, so it doesn’t matter!”

Believe it or not, there are still a few people on the Internet who do not check my blog before anything else.  Anyway, I’d like to get your feedback on what my new website should be.  Some of the facts to consider are:

  1. It should relate to a broader activity base, rather than focusing solely on, say, running;
      (For example, facerunner.com and pikerunner.com are out)
  2. It should be somewhat witty, but still stand on its own if someone has no sense of humor doesn’t get it;
  3. I’m fairly good at running, so-so at biking, and terrible at swimming.

Here are a few options to vote on, or feel free to add your suggestions in the comments!  (Please add suggestions in the comments, I’m stumped for other ideas!)

*We’re movin’ on up, To the East Side, To a deluxe apartment, In the sky, etc etc.

2010
04/06
CATEGORY
dc
general
running
5 comments

Slow Down!

Still no race on the calendar, but that hasn’t stopped me from hitting the pavement.  I’ve been getting out there 3 – 4 2-3 times a week, bright- dark-and-early (stupid Spring Forward).  I’ve been heading out on my regular 7.68 mile (yes, exactly 7.68, so says my GPS) route most mornings and take on the rest of the day per usual.  However, something comes over me on the weekends that is both awesome and unrecommended.  ”What can be both awesome and unrecommended?” you ask.  Drugs! Grand Theft! Unprotected Chess! Country Music!* Teletubbies! I’ll give you a moment to get all the inappropriate comments out of your system.

Anyway,  the awesome / unrecommended item I am referring to is, on the weekends, I seem to run like people are chasing me.  What I mean is, I run nearly as fast as I can for as long as I can.  Case in point, this last weekend, for no reason, I started off a little too quick (8:00 min/mile) and only got faster.  Why?  Because it is awesome.  I even sought revenge upon my archetypal (GRE word) nemesis whom you may remember from my Power Suit post, and flew by a girl in a 2009 Boston Marathon shirt.  (Ev pointed out she was probably 2/3 of the way through a 22-mile run, but I still passed her!)  Makes me feel like I’m racing every week, in which case I am the winner!  (and loser, I suppose).  ”It’s not recommended to run so hard too often.  You should slow down”.  Yea, that’s what you say if you’re a Teletubby you hate fun.

Perhaps it’s because I’m awake for a few hours instead of a few minutes before running, or just the change to warmer weather (thank you again, Global Warming, for raising Earth’s temperature so quickly**).  So for now, I’ll take pleasure in these long, fast runs, and continue to challenge myself as if I’m racing each weekend.  Rationality be damned!  I will not slow down!

Last Saturday’s Run

Distance: 12.34 miles
Time: 1:36:57
Pace: 7:51 min/mile
Average HR: 161 bpm

*Country music is neither awesome nor recommended.

**Some uninformed types might call this “the seasons changing from Winter to Spring”.  Ahh, ignorance, such a beautiful thing.  Suck it, Al Gore***.

***Thank you for inventing the Internet.

2010
03/31
CATEGORY
dc
general
running
8 comments

It’s a No-Go

Well, I’d first like to say thanks to my only reader, who voted 17 times all 17 of you who voted in my poll about running the National Half Marathon.  It really means a lot that you would find 17 different computers to vote from.  That’s dedication. Thanks for taking a moment to cast your single vote in something so unimportant.

Anyway, through laziness, procrastination, and downright vigorous disinterest, it appears that the registration deadline has come and gone.  Yes, it is true.  As of 11:59pm on Pi Day (3/14 for the mathematically impaired), my participation in the race had evaporated into thin air like perspiration during a half marathon.

So, for the 18% of you who voted for me to “Save My Money”, today is your day to shine.  You win by default, but a win is a win.  (Kind of like this story from October where first place was disqualified for using a water bottle handed to her by a friend in the crowd, and 2nd place also being disqualified for listening to an iPod.  So for those 18%, you are like third place!)  As it were, I’ll continue my disorganized running schedule until a race presents itself.  Hasta la pasta.

2010
03/16
CATEGORY
dc
running
12 comments

The Power Suit

I’ve had a wonky sleep schedule this week.  Actually, the schedule has been fine, but my body hasn’t really been sticking to it.  The past 3 nights I was lucky enough to see the clock at 3:31am, 3:15am, and 1:52am.  Not ideal, and it left me more tired than usual.  Well this morning I got my rear in gear, despite sleeping lightly, and trekked out for a gloomy 7 miles.

I threw on my power suit: Chicago Marathon finisher’s shirt and Marine Corps Marathon hat for that extra “I’m better than you” feeling and headed out the door.  The legs felt surprisingly strong considering some nagging tightness in both calves throughout the week.  Cruising along and exuding awesomeness through my attire, I felt pretty high and mighty.  Until…

POP!  My bubble was burst.

Heading towards me was a girl wearing an unmistakable yellow Boston Marathon shirt.  For the uninitiated, the Boston Marathon is the only race you need to qualify for by running another race within their qualifying times.  Fast qualifying times.  Like times that I don’t think I’ll be hitting… ever.

And just like that, my “power suit” was nothing but any old shirt and hat.

Distance: 7.00 miles
Time: 57:54
Pace: 8:16 min/mile
Average HR: 158 bpm
2010
03/12
CATEGORY
dc
general
running
3 comments

An (Un)Important Decision

This will be brief.  As I’ve mentioned (and mentioned (and mentioned)), I’m considering running the National Half Marathon on March 20th.  Currently, the one factor holding me back is cost.  Here’s the breakdown:

PRO CON
No Travel $93 Registration
Finisher’s Medal $93 Registration
Great Sense of Accomplishment $93 Registration
Meet Up with Old Friend Wake Up Early on a Saturday

And there you have it.  A pretty unimportant decision to be made, and an over-the-top analysis of something that you couldn’t care less about.

So please vote!  And leave comments if you’re feeling generous :-)

2010
03/11
CATEGORY
dc
running
8 comments

Next on the Hit List

Just a few places I want to try next...
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