Come On and Get High

What a mess I was this morning.

This morning I decided I was going to run the treadmill this morning. On this trip, I brought 2 pairs of shorts and 1 pair of tights in case I was brave enough to head out in the morning. I wore one pair of shorts in the park yesterday and gave them a quick sink wash last night (you do what you have to). They were still wet so I reached for my second pair. There was no second pair. I had forgotten to pack them. I was pissed with myself.

Poor packing dictated that I would be doing an outside run this morning. I pouted for about 3 minutes and then pulled on my tights. I brought 2 long sleeve shirts. One I wore yesterday evening for part of my run. I decided to wear the other one. Do you see where this is going? I did pack the second shirt, and as I started to put it on, I noticed it had thumb holes. THUMB HOLES! Yes, I had packed my wife's shirt. Grrrr. It was that kind of morning.

I finally got dressed and headed out towards the LDS temple. BTW, I am in Salt Lake City if I didn't already mention that. I was so slow. I managed to make it to the temple which was about a mile from the hotel. Wow, it looked amazing. It was still dark and they had it all lit up; it was gorgeous. No comments about the religion, but the architecture was beautiful.

After cruising around looking at other LDS building I headed back to the hotel. Again, super slow. But wait! A thought hit me. I just might be able to find an excuse for the 2 crappy runs: elevation! YES! It isn't me. It is the elevation!

Just to be sure, I looked it up when I got home. According to Wikipedia, Oklahoma City sits at 1,201 feet above sea level. Average elevation for Salt Lake City: 4,327. As you can see, it is not me SLC, it's you.

All of this elevation talk got me thinking. Maybe this will help me with my PR goal in this weekends 5K. What do you think? You see, i'm not just running in SLC this week. I am "high elevation training".

Running Can Sure Suck Sometimes

You know, I do this to myself all the time. I convince myself that I will run in the evening. I did it today. I was way to tired to get up and workout this morning before my flight, so I told myself "I will run when I get there". And I did. And it sucked. Just like it always sucks.

I feel tired. Sluggish. I keep burping up lunch (it's happened to you too so don't make that face). I just really hate it. Evening runners, how do you do it? What's your secret?

I am determined to have a good run tomorrow, even if it will be on the treadmill.

Here is a blurp from this months Outside magazine. Thought it might apply to a few of my fellow bloggers.

"Set a race in your sights and everything you do changes. Food becomes fuel. Sleep becomes recovery."

Time for me to go recover.

Edit: Forgot to Give This One a Title.

Yesterday, the wifey and I headed to Lake Hefner for a run. It would be the wifey's first and my second run on the 9.6 mile trail around the lake. The wifey's previous long run was 7 miles so I am very proud of her. She is amazing when she puts her mind to something. We took it easy and didn't push the pace, but we made it around the whole darn thing.

Also, I signed us up for a 5K next Saturday. This will be my first 5K this year and I am super excited about it. I am aiming for a PR even though I haven't done any real training for it. Can't wait!

I am off to Salt Lake City tomorrow for the week. I am hoping to get some good outside runs in this week, but we shall see.

Gym Rant Part 2 - Anytime Fitness Edmond Oklahoma

Yes, I am going to complain some more about "kettlegate".

I never heard back from the gym manager after a left a comment card about the kettlebell situation. After a wonderful treadmill run, I approached her about it.

First, I verified she got the comment card, which she had. She told me she ran it by "them" and "they" said no. I am in a quotes kinda mood today. So I asked her for an explanation and I received several. And the entire time, she had this look on her face like "I am your friend and I really pushed hard for you". You know what I am talking about, right? That fake "I am pretending to care but I really don't" look. It was ridiculous.

Excuse #1: "They" are afraid that someone might hurt themselves with the kettlebells if they aren't properly supervised.
Response to Excuse #1: It is a gym. Anybody can hurt themselves at any time. Besides, everyone signs a waiver that the gym isn't liable should an accident occur.

Excuse #2: Kettlebells are expensive and "they" have other ideas on what they want to spend their money on.
Response to Excuse #2: I looked them up last night and you can get a set of 3 for $300. You can't tell me that $300 is expensive.

Excuse #3: "They" said there isn't a need to have a set of kettlebells in the gym. Any exercise you want to do with a kettlebell, you can do with other gym equipment.
Response to Excuse #3: (yes, I am a persistent little jerk sometimes) If other equipment can be used, then why do the trainers use kettlebells? The whole point is to use other equipment to change things up.

Obviously I wasn't getting anywhere. I explained to her that if there is going to be equipment that only certain people can use, then it needs to be marked in some way and/or put away when the trainers are not with a client. She basically said "well, the kettlebells do belong to the trainers" I guess meaning that they can do whatever they want with them. I then asked her if I can bring in my own kettlebells to use. Of course she said no.

I asked her if the trainers said no or if corporate said no. Due to her ambiguous use of the word "they" and the fact that she kept pointing at the trainer left me confused. She said it was corporate that said no. I asked her to get corporate on the line so I could explain it to them. She said no.

The wifey told me to drop it. I was not a happy camper.

Oh, and listen to this. Totally unrelated but still. So the wifey and I are running on two treadmills side by side. The manager was cleaning up, sweeping, dusting and such. She started to wipe down the cardio machines. After finishing up, she comes over to the treadmills we are currently using, and starts wiping them down. She wipes down the side runners, the TVs, the front of the machines WHILE WE ARE ON THEM! The wifey and I couldn't believe it. Tell me that isn't crazy!

Suck it Anytime Fitness on 164th!

Gym Rant

After reading one of Rachel's blog posts, I decided to do some venting about my gym. I belong to a local Anytime Fitness. While I mostly like the gym, there are a couple of problems that I just can't get over. Perhaps the issues I am ranting about are common and I just don't realize it. So, if I am complaining about nothing, please let me know.

My problems revolve around the new personal trainers that started a few months ago. It is a husband and wife team. Nice enough people, I guess, but the gym has gone downhill since they started.

The gym is ALWAYS (yes always) a mess. They leave dumbbells all over the place, fitness bands thrown about, and weight plates are never reracked. In fact, about a month after they started, the manager hung signs up reminding people to rerack their weights. Um, hello. Talk to your trainers! They never rerack. Now, I can understand if they are in the middle of some super-sets with their clients or something, but that is not the case. They just don't put things away.

Recently, I started to notice a few kettlebells in the ab workout area. Sweet, I thought-- it's about time the gym got a few of these for us. Not so fast. We are not allowed to touch those kettlebells. The personal trainers bought them for use with their customers. Even though they are left out, we can't touch them.

My friend started to use them a couple of weeks ago and the manager came out of the office and stopped her. I noticed they have a 35 lbs kettlebell and I have been wanting to get one. I wanted to try it out to see if it is worth the $80. I went back and asked the trainers if I could use it. You should have seen their faces. It was that look of "we really don't want you to but if we say no, we will look like jerks". So I did 3 sets and loved it. They were none to happy.

Am I wrong or is it not BS that there is equipment out on the floor that I am not allowed to use?

I have left comment cards about getting a set for everyone and I never hear back.

Couple of quick things

Well, the wifey and I have decided we will be going to the reunion. Judging from the comments, the only real reason to take her is to show off her hotness! Kidding. I think. But seriously folks, you won't believe how much this thing has started to motivate me. I have 6 months. Not really thinking along the lines of needing to get in shape, but that I need to stay commented to my workouts. Tell me you wouldn't feel the same way. I ran 6 miles yesterday and half of it flew by as I thought about this thing. And who am I kidding--part of me just wants to see what has become of everyone. 15 years is a long time.

Back to running:

Running Warehouse has a killer sale going on right now. A lot of last year's shoe models are selling for $60. Don't forget, they have 2 day free shipping and free returns. They have a lot of sizes left so you might want to take a look before they sell out.

Women's Shoes
Men's Shoes

Here is a picture of the wifey and I at last weekend's Frigid 5.

Facebook and Reunions

As some of you know, I recently signed up for Facebook. If you haven't done so, you should. It is pretty amazing how many old friends are out there; I have reconnected with people I haven't even thought about in years.

One thing I have noticed about Facebook and others like it (Daily Mile for example) is the oddity known as serial-befrienders. I often get Facebook friend requests from people I don't know. Why? Why do people want to get status updates from me if we have never met? Seriously, someone explain this. There is a guy on Daily Mile that sends a friend request to every new person that signs up for the service. WTF? Does he think that every single person on Daily Mile wants to know how his training is going?

Ok, got a little off topic. Back to Facebook. The whole point of this post was to talk about a buddy from high school that found me on. He also told me that our 15 year high school reunion is in September. Can it be? Has 15 years really passed since I graduated? Ugh. I don't like the sound of that.

The fact is I hardly remember anyone from high school. I only attended that particular school for my 11th and 12th grade years. I was a dork, shy, an introvert, nerd, whatever. I was all of those things. And more. Admittedly, I might still be a dork and I am certainly a nerd, but I have lost the shyness and while I am still an introvert to a certain degree, I am 1000% more outgoing.

So here it is: I am scared to death to go to this reunion. If I don't remember any of those people, they certainly wont remember me. Should I go? Any advice? Did you go to your high school reunion? Do I pretend I am now a millionaire and CTO of Facebook?

Frigid 5 Race Report

Yes, I am shamelessly stealing Terri's race report format from the 6k she just did.

Now, onto the race report! (yeah, even stole that line!)

***************************************************************

This was a 5 mile race, not 5K. I mention this only because it seemed like there were a lot of people at today's race that might have thought it was a 5K. Not that anyone said it, but when the race started people took off like a bat out of hell. I am use to that with a 5K but I figured a more even race pace would have ruled the day being a bit longer of a race. I can't tell you how many people I passed during this race. Felt great! Take that you 8th grade twerp who thought you were so cool when you zipped in front of me at the start! Yeah, I saw you walking! Punk. What? WHAT?

I also think that a lot of these runners had never run at Mitch Park either. Mitch can be a beast--lots of peaks and valleys. Nothing ridiculous, but enough inclines to give your legs some work. I told the wifey at the beginning to take it easy on the declines, to use that time for some recovery. Steady pace. Most of the ones around me could have used that advice. Mitch is where I do most of my training so I knew what to expect.

At every decline, I got passed. At every incline, I would pass them back, and then some. It actually became a little game for me. I would accelerate into the hills and pass runner after runner. It really was a great feeling.

Elevation chart from today's run.

I ended up leaving the wife at one of those hills. I know it is V-day and all, but come on! She was slowing me down!

The pros about this race:

• nice selection of food post-race. Catered by Panera Bread--can't go wrong there.
  
• very well organized. This race seems to be getting more and more popular each year. They were expecting 1000 people but I think the numbers were closer to 700.
  
• timing chip. First year for this race.
  
• running (at least part of the way) with my sweetheart.
  
• it's Mitch. I love Mitch!
  

The cons about this race:

• no timing mat at the start line. I HATE this. Why even have timing chips if you are only going to put a mat at the end. Ticks me off.
  
• a bit expensive, I thought. $26 for a local race is a bit steep.
  

My stats:

• Garmin watch time and distance = 45:29, average mile pace = 9:12 for 4.99 miles
  
• Official time (remember there was no mat at the beginning): 45:44 for 5 miles, average pace of 9:09.

Frigid (and windy i'm sure) 5

Today the wifey and I signed up for the Frigid 5, five mile race scheduled for tomorrow morning. We weren't going to do it--mainly due to the cost of $26 per person. Seems a little steep for a local race, don't you think? But we asked ourselves what else we would do to celebrate Valentine's day. To be honest, I am not big on this "holiday". Is this not the worst made up holiday ever?

Anyway, we thought about going to dinner, but we do that all the time. Hardly seems like a big deal. So, instead of wasting $60 on dinner we decided to spend $60 on the race. Maybe not romantic but should be a lot of fun.

Anybody else racing this weekend?

Click here for more info on this race.

Bay to Breakers is Back. With a Twist

Were you thinking of running Bay to Breakers this May in San Francisco? Maybe you are considering drinking the run instead of actually running it.

Bay to Breakers is one of the most popular races in the US. It actually made ESPN's 101 things all sports fans must experience before they die. And it isn't just the beautiful run through Golden Gate Park. It's the costumes, it's the jello shots at Mile 3, it's the nude runners. Well, maybe it isn't the nude runners. But this race embodies San Francisco.

You can imagine all upset race fans were when race directors announced yesterday that alcohol and nudity will be banned this year. We are talking protests and potential boycotts. Now it is just another race in a beautiful city.

Check out the article here.

There's No Place Like Home

I am sure you heard about the tornados that touched down yesterday in Oklahoma. One of the main places hit is a city called Edmond, just north of Oklahoma City. Edmond happens to be where I live. You are probably saying "Wow, that must have been a terrifying experience for you". Nope. I was stuck at the airport in Salt Lake City. I can tell you that it SUCKED sitting in the damn airport knowing what was going on at home. Horrible feeling.

I can tell you that I started to freak out a little when I saw the Breaking Report pop up on CNN saying a Tornado had hit Edmond. Called the wifey and she was driving home from work. My mom was driving home after picking up Piper from school. Luckily everyone made it to the house safe and sound. This is the very reason we had a storm shelter put in when we first moved here.

Here is a little map to show you how close they got to the house.

So, each square is one mile. The bottom one was a little to close for comfort. The second one hit Mitch Park. I am sure you have heard me talk about Mitch many times in the past; it is probably my favorite place to run.

Sadly, 8 people lost their lives yesterday.

So Proud

Last month USA Today released another one of those great lists that ranks the slimmest and fattest cities in America. I am not sure I understand the point of them since I don't think anyone actually cares if they live in one of these cities. It's not like the entire town is going to step up and decide to make a change. Sure, the slim cities probably feel some pride but America continues to grow, and I don't mean in population.

Top 5 fattest cities in America:

1. Miami
2. Oklahoma City
3. San Antonio
4. Las Vegas
5. New York
   

To be honest, I am rather disappointed in OKC. To get the silver medal just sucks. I blame the mayor. Last year, after OKC showed up on one of these lists, the Mayor put the city on a diet. His goal for us was to lose a million pounds in one year. You could sign up and log your progress. I think we hit something like 300,000. Pretty sad really.

Top 5 fittest cities in America:

1. Salt Lake City
   
2. Colorado Springs
   
3. Minneapolis
4. Denver
5. Albuquerque

For the full list, click here.

Run, you fool!

This has been a great weekend. Yesterday, the wifey and I went to Rocktown for another round of indoor rock climbing. I can't say enough about it. It is a killer workout and so much fun. On top of that, it counts toward "doing more together"! I am sure the married ones out there no what I am talking about!

Once we got home, I felt further punishment was required so I did a kettlebell workout. Everyone is probably getting tired of me talking about my kettlebells!

Yesterday was a perfect spring day. I think it got up to about 78 degree's. The neighbor came over to invite me to play (and by play I mean get my butt kicked) some ping pong. Hells yeah! Of course, the ping pong table brought out a few other guys. Beers were flowing, the women folk got together to cook dinner; before you know it, we were having a party. Those are the best kind, right?

I had planned on running 8 this morning but as I was going to bed I told the wifey that I was probably just too tired to head out in the morning. She gave me some tough love and reminded me that I will be unable to run on Monday or Tuesday due to a grueling business trip. If I didn't get out there today, I would regret it.

If she hadn't said that, I wouldn't have made it to the park this AM. I was there right as the sun was coming up. It was a little windy, but the low temperature was 51 so I knew the weather was on my side. I ran my eight. That is my longest since the half marathon last November. Tired now, but feel good. The best part, now I can have some M&M's. I blame Lindsay for that!

Who are you calling a fatty?

The wifey commented this morning that my abs are "looking good". Sorry, I don't see it. I just can't get rid of these damn love handles. Sure, they have gone down, but I am not sure they will ever go away.

Why is it so hard to get rid of them? That question led me to the internet and a little bit of research. I think at this point, nothing I read will come as news; perhaps it is just as good to "remember" what we all already know. So here it is: fat loss basics. None of this is new but I bet we have all kinda forgotten it.

• First, there is no such thing as spot training. Really? Those late night infomercials tell me otherwise.
• For men, the most difficult fat to lose is the waist, belly and lower back. And of course, those are the exact areas I have problems with. For women, it's the upper thigh and butt. Why is it so difficult to lose in those areas? Brown adipose tissue makes up the majority of those areas; as it turns out, that type of fat receives very little blood flow. Low blood flow means the fat can't readily be carried away and used as fuel. Hence, muffin tops and thunder thighs.

According to my research, this is why people have had success using products like aspirin and ephedrine (or other thermogenic compounds); these drugs can increase circulation in those hard to reach areas and help to carry away that ugly fat. Has anyone out in blogo land had success with thermogenic compunds?

Ok, now I leave you with more common sense stuff. What is required to loss weight? Here are the basics:

1. A calorie restrictive diet
2. Regular cardio. At least 30-45 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week.
   
3. Weight training. Great for your metabolism when used in conjunction with a cardio program.
4. High amounts of EFA's. Essential Fatty Acids like those found in fish (Omega-6 and Omega-3). Gotta start taking that nasty fish pill!

Note: I am not a doctor and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn.

Worthless post

Admittedly, I don't have much to blog about. But I am making an effort to spend more time blogging and less time thinking about blogging.

At the beginning of the week I looked at the weather and it seemed like Mother Nature was tossing me a bone. A full week of 50-60 degree weather. Because of that, I scheduled myself for 3 runs of 6 miles and 1 of 8. I have been hating the TM and needing some outdoor time. This would be that week.

What the weather didn't mention was the wind. Wind, wind, wind. Wind gusts up to 30 MPH. Today's run sucked. I did 5.5 miles but my legs felt like I had run 10. So, if mother nature is listening, I will take the warm days but let's get rid of the wind. Deal? I know, I am so picky.

So tomorrow's scheduled 6 will probably be cut down a bit since the wind is supposed to be even worse tomorrow.

Oh, one more thing, I did a full body kettlebell workout yesterday. It was fantastic! I woke up this morning in pain. So, go down to Target and pick yourself up a set.

Update!

I have been planning this post for a while but I just haven't been able to find the time to tap it out. Having just finished a 6 mile run outside (If Terri can run in 7 degree weather, I should be able to handle 30), I figured this was the perfect time for an update.

First, the new job is fantastic. The pace of a start-up is unbelievable and I have been extremely busy--far busier than my last job (I will call the old job FF). I think I have worked harder these past 3 weeks than I did in my last year with FF. Also, I have rediscovered how to use my brain! I turned it off after a couple of years with FF but now it's back! Amazing! So, the new company is a true start-up. No market as of yet (it deals with dynamically optimizing patient through-put within the hospital--buzzwords galore!) so we are busy creating a market, signing up customers, and getting them installed as quick as possible. The pace is maddening but the product rocks. I couldn't be happier right now. I will admit that I miss my old team with FF. Lot of good friends. You know how it is.

My running has been ok I guess. Some weeks better than others. I will admit that it is harder to stay motivated since I am not really training for anything. Lately, I will ask jlou (if you aren't reading her blog, you should be--she is a hoot) how many mile she is planning for the week and just copy her! Of course, she is training for a marathon so I won't be able to keep up for long. I need to find something I guess.

My posts will most likely be sporadic but you can find me on Daily Mile which I am pretty consistent with. I have also recently joined Facebook and have found a number of my fellow running bloggers.

Enjoy the day. Go Cardinals!