I was informed by one of my friends that my blog was too much about running, and not enough about cheesecake. I responded with "really? you read my blog? thanks!" Seriously, though, I will be making some delicious cheesecakes for Christmas season this year. Definitely doing another Amaretto cheesecake with some toasted almonds on top, and I think I might go for a Blackberry one as well. No I will not share the recipe unless we are close personal friends, since I have a cheesecake reputation to uphold.
I got to spend a week in Florida last week finishing out my training for the job with some very exciting lectures and meetings at the corporate office. Worst part about it was that I had very little time to actually do anything besides sit in meetings and eat dinner. Best part about the whole thing was getting to run outside while I was there... the 2 feet of snow in NY kind of tends to ruin that. It was great, except the whole hotel/restaurant food thing wreaks havoc on my poor little "creature-of-habit" digestive system, and I realized after the first day that my shoes were just not going to cut it any longer. After doing a lot of reading about training and such, I figured out that the shoes I have are actually built for an entirely different stride-type than I have- which was leading to some pretty annoying tendonitis in my ankle, as well as making my toes numb. Needless to say, that isnt really conducive to running distance, so today I bought new shoes. And they are awesome. I cant wait to go running.
The goal by the end of December is to have completed 3 10-mile runs so that I'm going into the new year with some distance under my belt. By February I hope to have done a few half-marathon distances, and then continue to build from there. Trying to tackle the unpleasant idea of actually starting to use sports drinks... because while necessary for performance, they taste like shit- I will do some experiments and see if I cant find one that isnt too terrible. Wish me luck.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
The Best Day
Today was... rough, to say the least. It didn't start off that way. Started my morning off with a run (treadmill, unfortunately, due to the 8 degree weather and icy sidewalks), and it was one of those days where my legs just didnt want to go. Somehow I was able to motivate myself to keep going for five more minutes, five more minutes, until I had run the 6.5 miles I set out to run in the morning. I can say, though, that this one didn't come easily; in fact, the number of times I thought about quitting were numerous. I think starting after the first fifteen minutes, I was watching the clock count down in seemingly infinite minutes.
On top of that, I've developed the worst of all runners injuries. A blister. Damnit, and it hurts like hell. Time for new shoes, I think.
So after the run, I went off to work, babying my left foot the whole way, only to find out that the lunch line cook had called off, with no replacement. It's been over a month since I did my line training, but I stepped up and worked an entire lunch by myself on the line (thats five cooking stations at once), and did a commendable job I may add. Needless to say, by 4pm my legs felt like jell-o, and I was ready to eat my own hand if I didnt get food soon. My shift was scheduled 11-9, so I still had a ways to go.
Just got home from work, and I'm ready to pass out, but I can say that even though I feel exhausted, I wouldnt have it any other way. My day was full, and I accomplished a few things I didnt think I could.
I will leave with a list of my personal favorite songs to run to, if you've got these in your collection, check them out.
1. The Best Day- Atmosphere
2. Devil's Dance Floor- Flogging Molly
3. Freefallin'- Atmosphere
4. The Fairytale of New York (and seasonal!)- No Use For A Name
5. Walk Like A Zombie- Horrorpops
6. Map of the World- Monsters of Folk
7. Every Great Western- The A.K.A.s
8. Kick Drum Heart- The Avett Brothers
9. Highroyds- Kaiser Chiefs
10. Yankee in a Chip Shop- The Matches
11. Uprising- Muse
12. Help, I'm Alive- Metric
That will do, for now.
On top of that, I've developed the worst of all runners injuries. A blister. Damnit, and it hurts like hell. Time for new shoes, I think.
So after the run, I went off to work, babying my left foot the whole way, only to find out that the lunch line cook had called off, with no replacement. It's been over a month since I did my line training, but I stepped up and worked an entire lunch by myself on the line (thats five cooking stations at once), and did a commendable job I may add. Needless to say, by 4pm my legs felt like jell-o, and I was ready to eat my own hand if I didnt get food soon. My shift was scheduled 11-9, so I still had a ways to go.
Just got home from work, and I'm ready to pass out, but I can say that even though I feel exhausted, I wouldnt have it any other way. My day was full, and I accomplished a few things I didnt think I could.
I will leave with a list of my personal favorite songs to run to, if you've got these in your collection, check them out.
1. The Best Day- Atmosphere
2. Devil's Dance Floor- Flogging Molly
3. Freefallin'- Atmosphere
4. The Fairytale of New York (and seasonal!)- No Use For A Name
5. Walk Like A Zombie- Horrorpops
6. Map of the World- Monsters of Folk
7. Every Great Western- The A.K.A.s
8. Kick Drum Heart- The Avett Brothers
9. Highroyds- Kaiser Chiefs
10. Yankee in a Chip Shop- The Matches
11. Uprising- Muse
12. Help, I'm Alive- Metric
That will do, for now.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
What are you running from?
Today I sat around with my best friend discussing running, as per usual. Most of the time we get together, we just marvel on how far we've come in the past few years and how different things are. More than that, though, how happy we are with the changes. Seems like the more I run, the more running seems to dominate my conversations, especially with anyone who's willing to listen to me talk about it. (There are a select few, and to those people, I am eternally grateful... read: two best friends who mean the world) Hell, if one person reads my blog and decides "hey, maybe I'll start running"... that would make my week. And if everyone thinks I'm crazy? So be it.
Back before I became a running "convert," so to speak, I used to think aloud every time I saw someone running outside. "What are you running from?!" To be fair, often I used to yell it at them out of car windows. But the phrase was constantly in my head, and sure, it was funny and always sort of a joke to me; but I guess it goes both ways. And I figured out that everyone, regardless of their age, habits, job, etc. is running for a reason. One of two reasons, actually.
Everyone who runs can answer one of these two questions:
What are you running from?
or
What are you running toward?
I find myself leaning more toward the second one, because it sounds better, but when it comes down to it they are both the same anyway. I run because I'm running toward a goal, a goal of proving to myself that I am capable of taking control of my life and actually achieving something great, instead of being comfortable with mediocrity. Running toward the inexplicable "glory" of finishing a marathon. To me, there is no bigger athletic event that seems quite as daunting. Sure, I am awful at soccer and would probably fall flat on my face were I to attempt it- but for me, it's the marathon. What are those crazy people thinking... running 26 miles. The first guy to attempt that DIED. Shouldnt that be a sign? But no, I decide to do it. So in the course of running toward self improvement, I am running from the aforementioned mediocrity.
Everyone's got a reason. Often it's stress relief, the need to get out of the house, not having the money to afford a gym membership, or the desire to "get in shape." But I think no one really realizes that that goal isnt something that's achievable, and then put aside. Most "life goals" are things that people can do, and then reflect on and think "wow, I did that..." Not so with the whole physical fitness thing. That's something that you can achieve, and just as quickly lose if it isnt maintained. So it has to become a lifestyle change, not just an immediate behavioral one.
And so I realize that in setting the goal of running a marathon; my personal goals (and the answer to the good old question... what are you running from/toward?) have changed. At first I figured, yeah, sure, I'll try to run a marathon... maybe I'll drop ten pounds in the process...bonus! So when I began running, to be honest, I never thought I'd actually get there, but I secretly hoped that I might slim down a bit. But then something clicked, something changed, when I figured out that it was getting easier, that I was getting stronger, and faster, and leaner. The whole weight and body image thing stopped being a part of it, sure I like that my clothes fit better and that I get to wear a smaller size, but there's an immediate sense of pride in finishing a 7 mile run. It may hurt like hell to get there (and dont let anyone tell you differently), but I think it's all worth it when I can look back on my day and realize that I truly have achieved something. So that's what keeps me going toward the whole marathon thing. I know it's gonna be hard, especially going into the dead ass winter months where even getting out of bed makes you freeze right to the core, and when work starts to get stressful, or my personal life becomes complicated; but I do know one thing, that running is keeping me remarkably balanced now, and hopefully it will continue to do so. And as the daily mileage creeps up into the double digits, it will only get harder; but hey, i sort of have a thing for challenges.
And all this in just a few short months. Imagine what a few years can do... and luckily, I've got the time.
Back before I became a running "convert," so to speak, I used to think aloud every time I saw someone running outside. "What are you running from?!" To be fair, often I used to yell it at them out of car windows. But the phrase was constantly in my head, and sure, it was funny and always sort of a joke to me; but I guess it goes both ways. And I figured out that everyone, regardless of their age, habits, job, etc. is running for a reason. One of two reasons, actually.
Everyone who runs can answer one of these two questions:
What are you running from?
or
What are you running toward?
I find myself leaning more toward the second one, because it sounds better, but when it comes down to it they are both the same anyway. I run because I'm running toward a goal, a goal of proving to myself that I am capable of taking control of my life and actually achieving something great, instead of being comfortable with mediocrity. Running toward the inexplicable "glory" of finishing a marathon. To me, there is no bigger athletic event that seems quite as daunting. Sure, I am awful at soccer and would probably fall flat on my face were I to attempt it- but for me, it's the marathon. What are those crazy people thinking... running 26 miles. The first guy to attempt that DIED. Shouldnt that be a sign? But no, I decide to do it. So in the course of running toward self improvement, I am running from the aforementioned mediocrity.
Everyone's got a reason. Often it's stress relief, the need to get out of the house, not having the money to afford a gym membership, or the desire to "get in shape." But I think no one really realizes that that goal isnt something that's achievable, and then put aside. Most "life goals" are things that people can do, and then reflect on and think "wow, I did that..." Not so with the whole physical fitness thing. That's something that you can achieve, and just as quickly lose if it isnt maintained. So it has to become a lifestyle change, not just an immediate behavioral one.
And so I realize that in setting the goal of running a marathon; my personal goals (and the answer to the good old question... what are you running from/toward?) have changed. At first I figured, yeah, sure, I'll try to run a marathon... maybe I'll drop ten pounds in the process...bonus! So when I began running, to be honest, I never thought I'd actually get there, but I secretly hoped that I might slim down a bit. But then something clicked, something changed, when I figured out that it was getting easier, that I was getting stronger, and faster, and leaner. The whole weight and body image thing stopped being a part of it, sure I like that my clothes fit better and that I get to wear a smaller size, but there's an immediate sense of pride in finishing a 7 mile run. It may hurt like hell to get there (and dont let anyone tell you differently), but I think it's all worth it when I can look back on my day and realize that I truly have achieved something. So that's what keeps me going toward the whole marathon thing. I know it's gonna be hard, especially going into the dead ass winter months where even getting out of bed makes you freeze right to the core, and when work starts to get stressful, or my personal life becomes complicated; but I do know one thing, that running is keeping me remarkably balanced now, and hopefully it will continue to do so. And as the daily mileage creeps up into the double digits, it will only get harder; but hey, i sort of have a thing for challenges.
And all this in just a few short months. Imagine what a few years can do... and luckily, I've got the time.
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