New Shoes: Adidas Supernova Sequence 3 M (ASS3M)

Today I broke down and went into Pacers, a local running store on 14th and P St NW, to get advice and a fitting recommendation. I,it seems, need a stability shoe and tried a Saucony, a Mizuno, and the Adidas. The Adidas felt the best in the store and I ran home (6 miles) and must say thus far I am impressed. The pain in my foot led me to the experts. I may have to stay away from the off the rack shoes. ASS3M will be the abbreviation to look for as I hope to move on with my training without pain, discomfort, and the wondering if going to the running was worth it. Stay tuned.

Long Run Experience

Christmas day 2010 Saturday. I started running and knew I needed it to be a long run so I ran from the house to Southern avenue to Marboro pike. From there I follow Marlboro pike to Forestville Road to Pennsylvania Ave to Silver Hill road to Old Silver Hill road to Branch avenue back home. 11.993 miles finished in 2 hours and 15minutes. I felt good afterwards once I got over the chills, got some fluids, jelly beans, and a shower. Sunday December 26 2010 I feel good with minimal soreness in the quads, calfs, and lower back. I have the most pain in my left foot/ankle...my knees were a little achy. I respect every inch of the 12 mile run.

Gummy Bears May Have Saved a Life

Today, I am reminded of the fact that our steps are ordered. I rode my bike to work for the challenge of facing the cold and continuing my journey toward fitness. When about to depart work I decide to run to the pool where my granddaughter practices so I can walk her and my wife to the car. A hand dancing class was going on after the practice and out of the blue the wife decides she wants to try it. It was only a half an hour. We danced it was not pretty and we left early. I wanted gummy bears so we stop at Branch and Penn at the CVS. I don’t want leftovers for dinner so we head to KFC. A large body Benz is blocking traffic and everyone ahead of us go around this car. The wife is driving and as she passes the Benz states that the driver may not be okay. We stop and find the driver is not conscious and not breathing. We activate EMS and begin CPR. Of all the things couples have done together this probably is not a likely activity they usually share.

I was proud of us. We don’t know if he made it as the paramedics came and took over ending with the transport to the hospital. We left our contact info with the police. So now I am wondering a couple things. Suppose I didn’t decide to run to the pool, or we didn’t stay for the hand dancing class, or me continue wanting my gummy worms, or lastly what if I was okay with the leftovers? All these steps could have changed us being present to possibly help save a life. So when you think your decisions are solely individual think of my today and know you and I are but pawns in a large game of chess. Guess who is moving the pieces?

Suntrust Marathon Training

Challenging myself again and have signed up for the 2011 Suntrust Marathon. Lately running 26 miles non stop seems a bit crazy. It fits though I love that crazy mode when I am able to say I did something that no one else I know has done.
The worst that can happen while training for this is that I have a goal with small steps to reach it and another reason to complain. Last week, from Sunday to Saturday I ran 30 miles total and completed 5 consecutive days of running between 4 and 7.5 miles.

5.5 Southern to Marlboro Saturday November 27
Last night I ran 5.5 from the house to Southern Avenue to Marlboro Pike to Alabama Avenue to Minnesota to 30th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue to Branch. It was a night run kind of cold it took 60 minutes. I should note this run ends with several large hills (Penn ave and Branch).

6.5 1125 Office to Deanwood Recreation Friday November 26
L street to Mass. to New York to L St to Florida to Benning to Minnesota to Sheriff to Meade to Minnesota.

4 Home to St. Barnabas to home Thursday November 25 Thanksgiving Day

6.5 1125 Office to Home Wednesday November 24

7.5 Bally's Treadmill Tuesday November 23

Stay tuned.
I worked on increasing speed and recovery. this running challenge will help me become a better human I am sure.

Swimming a Challenge

I have been off since the 24th of July and have swam everyday but one. I usually swim at least an hour and find it to be a very therapeutic exercise. I now know what the big deal is now. This leg of the tri would propel me into a whole new dynamic in my life: the Triathalon. Wow I would love to add that to my list of accomplishments and have already pushed my self in the water far beyond what I would have every imagined. I am comming to love swimming.
I have incorporated several drills into my swim workout they include the catch up (this is a freestyle drill where the swimmer does not pull unit his hands meet after the last pull), the superman (the swimmer places one hand on his hip and reaches forward with the other and kicks, breathing with a rotation of the body), the pull(the swimmer pulls with only one hand while the other is extended breating only on the side he is pulling), kicking only(with or without the kick board), backstroke streamline, and all with paddles/flippers/buoy.

I have run this week twice and find that my breating seems improved. I would like to think all of those who have encouraged me along the way...Christann, Dawn, Roy, Coach Al, Coach Roger, and Remy. Each in their own way have offered me something that has pushed me to improve. Also, multiple sites on the web, youtube, and swimming blogs also have helped.