Monday, February 28, 2022

February Update

For the month of February, I ran 332.10 miles over 28 days running for the month.  This averages out to 11.86 miles per run. This brings my yearly totals to 653.39 miles over 59 straight days of running. This is averaging out to just over 11 miles (11.07) a run for the year!

I ran 10 half marathon or longer routes with 5 of them in a row.

I am still on track for both of my goals for this year.  To run all 365 days and to average 10 miles per run. I hope reach at least 350 miles for the month of March to make the quarter 1 total of 1000 miles.

How did your February turn out and what do you have planned for March?



Thursday, November 05, 2020

Running in the Rain

 Today, the forecast was a chance of rain.  Before I went out, I looked at the radar and then at the sky. I figured about halfway during the run, it would start to rain.  I grabbed my jacket and then went out.

At first, it was nice and sunny.  But then a little over 3 miles in, it started to rain lightly.  After about 2 more miles, the skies opened up and the rain really started to fall. I was getting soaked.  But, I was having so much fun. Its so freeing to run in the rain. 

Earlier this year, was the first time I ever ran in the rain. I used to use rain days as a day off or adjust my schedule and go out a different time. I was always afraid my shoes would get ruined or I would slip.

The trick is to be prepare for the rain.  You cannot go as fast or hard as you normally would.  You can easily slip.   I left the phone at home and put my ID in two baggies so it would not get wet.

The hardest part of running in the rain is not the rain itself or getting wet from the rain, but when you are running on the sidewalk next to a street and cars drive by and you can get splashed. 

I adjusted my route to avoid certain streets where the water starts to run when it rains. I also got lucky. A bus was about to pass me and I was as far over as I was able to. The bus driver saw me and moved slightly over to avoid the big puddle and splashing me. So did the driver behind him. 

I then cut through the park to avoid another street with a  curve that usually has big puddle when it rains. Lastly, I finished my route by running on the walking path rather than on the sidewalk. This way I avoided the last chance to get splashed. 

I completed 9 miles and I was soaked. But I had so much fun, that I would do it again.

When I arrived home, I put everything in the wash and newspaper in my shoes to dry them out. 

Don't be afraid to run in the rain. Its just water and you will dry out. 

Tuesday, June 06, 2017

My Favorite kind of Run

I like to mix and match my runs during the month. Sometimes I do wear a watch if I am going for speed or a new distance. Other times I listen to a podcast, the radio or a playlist. And a few times I run without either. I even leave the cell phone behind as well. I have a totally free run.

These usually turn out to be some of my favorite runs of the month. All day long I am on the computer for my job.  I am usually listening to music during my commute to and from work. But when I head out on my run without music or a watch, I can really clear my head.

My mind wanders. It goes from the day at work to what I need to do tomorrow. I just think and day dream. It is a great feeling.

Do you ever go out for a run and leave everything behind? How do those runs compare to your others?

Monday, June 05, 2017

Dogs and Their Inconsiderate Owners

Near the end of my run, I was contemplating either extending it by a mile or two or just ending it. I was already over 5 miles and was satisfied with how it went. The last mile was my fastest and I was cruising comfortably.

I was on the walking path near my house and I passed a lady with a small dog. I quickly noticed the dog was not a leash and started running towards me. She started calling after her dog. The dog did not listen. At first it just started barking and looking like it was going to jump on me. I kept running thinking it would stop and return to its owner as others have done before.

It kept following me and jumping. I finally had enough. I turned around, stomped my foot and screamed at the dog very loud. The dog got scared and ran away. I then screamed to the woman "What the F&ck? and held out my middle finger to her.

I am not proud of that. In fact I felt pretty embarrassed. However, because the dog was jumping on, I had go from a fast sprint to a complete stop a lot quicker that I usually do. At the time, I was worried about an injury. I was just very angry and annoyed. This is not the first time this has happened.

How often does this happen to you and how do you usually handle these situations?

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

So Close

My current running goal is to break 45:00 for a 10K. My time frame is July when I may have a race scheduled. Over the weekend, I came very close and reached the 10K mark in just under 46:00 at 45:58 to be exact.

I was surprised that it occurred. It has been a few months since I have completed a run that I would consider fast. I have run a a few distances during that time, that were around the 10K length and some of those were completed in under 50:00, but not close to 45:00.

Also on Saturday, I went out for a 1.5 mile run with my oldest son who is just starting to run. I then went out immediately afterwards to complete my run and I bonked.  I got so hungry midway through the run that I just stopped after 2 miles and then walked home the rest of the way. It has been at least a year or two that this has occurred that I honestly do not remember the exact time that I previously could not finish a run.

When I got home, I decided I would go out and try again in the evening. I am glad that I went for it. I went from having one of the worst runs ever to having one of the best.

Thursday, February 02, 2017

February 2017 Goals

February is another tough month for me because of the weather. This February, I am hoping to reach 20 days running during the month. I have never made it this many days in this month. This mainly has to do with February being 2-3 days shorter than the others months of the year.

I am also would like at 2 runs of 7 miles and one run of 8 miles.

I may attempt one day of speed and try to break 45 minutes in the 10K. I am very close, My personal best is at 45:27, so this is doable. I anticipate this falling at some point o 2017.

What do you have planned for 2017?

Wednesday, February 01, 2017

January 2017 Recap

What a month!!  123.01 miles in 22 days. This was my best month not including April and May of 2015 when I ran every day during those two months. This was only the second month that I exceeded 120 miles for the month. Last time was 3.5 years ago in July 2013 when I ran 121.0 Miles over 25 days and that included an 11 mile run.

January has historically been one of my weaker months, I really do not like running in the cold.  My motivation just drops to nil the colder the temperatures fall. Also, here in Israel, January can be a very wet month. I have been lucky this past January. It was drier and warmer than in the past years.

I started off the month by running 7 out the first 8 days and finished out the first half with getting out there 12 out of 15 days with a mileage total of 68.08. Towards the end of the month, we had a few days of rain and I had to get on the exercise bike for a couple of the nights. These rides are usually shorter than I typically run.

I had 10 runs over 6 miles during the month. I even added jump-roping to do after some of the runs. I was very happy with my consistency over the month and am looking forward to carrying the momentum into February.

How was your January?