EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE

My alarm was set for 4:45 A.M. so that I could get around and head for downtown Ft. Wayne where a segment about our F4F Group was to be covered for the Indiana News Center morning broadcast. I grabbed some coffee and a chocolate covered donut on the way at the local Marathon. We went on the air about 6:30 and after that Jamey and a few of us ran a couple miles on the pathways of Headwaters Park. It was pleasant running this morning except I immediately realized that my chocolate covered donut didn't want to run. Not good. I battled the ache for a bit and then walked a hundred yards or so to get comfortable. That along with running slow anyway put me behind every one else. I did get to running again and was able to finish out. The gang waited on me back at our starting point. Then we went to Panera for breakfast. That beats a donut anytime.
What we spoke about in the interviews in the broadcast segment was "Persistance". All of the group has made progress, some through adversity, and one key to that progress has been persistance.
That can be hard to fit into a daily routine but the rewards are great if you can hang in there.

My goal for this Saturday is to get beyond six miles and run seven miles for the first time.

JUST ME AND THE ROADKILL

Hey this is serious stuff. When you get so bored that road kill ahead brings anticipation you've got a problem. When you get to the six mile runs there comes a time when the same old scenery becomes drab and lifeless. What will 7 miles, or 10, be like? I did accomplish another 6 mile jaunt this morning. Normally I run "plein ear" so to speak and haven't used an mp3 or radio to help pass the miles. Last Sunday I had an fm radio strapped to my arm. I enjoyed it. Only got tangled in the cord and flung the ear buds a couple times. Today I used it again. Problem is you hear music instead of cars. There were only two today and both surprised me.
Last evening at group session only a few of us were there. We didn't get the e-mail until after we left home. Jamey had to stay longer than expected with the producers of a DVD on back pain exercise he is doing. After visiting and sharing our running progress and problems some ran and some left. I ran one circuit and quit. Still recovering from Sundays 6 miles and it was 89--and so on.
The new plan is to meet early on Thursday morning, as a group, and appear on the Indiana News Center broadcast. Then run a couple miles and go get breakfast. We'll be in downtown Ft. Wayne, right where the F4F Marathon starts in September.
I don't know where breakfast will be but after two miles I will stink. Sort of like old vegetable soup right before you throw it away. Which brings me back to roadkill. I think having a running buddy or two to share the workouts with is a good idea. That was the theme of Jamey's early morning broadcast a couple weeks ago. Not just for the companionship but the accountability.
In the meantime I'll keep on venturing out on my own, running all kinds of thought processes through my brain as I run.
Don't step in that!

IS IT A WALL OR JUST A HURDLE

Today, after having returned from vacation last Friday night and spending yesterday in household recovery mode, I ventured back out on the running part of my life. What a pleasure to get out in our comfortable weather. I picked a new set of roads to run this morning so there were new sights to see. I maintained a run the whole time with the exception of waiting on traffic at a couple cross roads. I made six miles. Less heat and humidity helped me cut seven minutes off the time it took to run the six miles in Florida last week. Here's where the "wall or hurdle" dilemma comes in. Upon finishing and during the last few hours I am physically drained and lacking recovery in my legs. Is this all I'm going to be able to do? I don't think I could have gone much further today. Hopefully this is just a hurdle that somehow I will break through soon. I am becoming increasingly aware that September 27 is just over the horizon.
Oh, by the way, I'm a six mile man with a two mile bladder. Thankfully in Ohio we have lots of cornfields.
And another tidbit of info. My daughter informs me that mile 10 and 11 of the Fort 4 Fitness Run are a gradual up hill run. Does that mean 12 and 13 are down hill? Hope so.
Time for a shower--the flies are after me.

RATIONALIZING MY DAY AT BILTMORE

It was a workout. Believe me it was. Well, I didn't run anywhere but I sure walked a lot. Up and down hills. Up and down stairs. There are a lot of those in a five story house with 250 rooms. And acres of beautiful gardens. And a farm and a winery.
As we wend our way back to Ohio we do plenty of sitting so today's visit to Biltmore was an enjoyable break. We really enjoyed our visit--it is an awesome place.
We'll be home soon and I want to repeat my 6 mile as soon as I can.

ATTAINED NEW GOAL--TOOK IT'S TOLL

At a quarter to seven this morning I got back in the saddle, so to speak, and began my run. After so many days off it felt good to be back on the trail at the nearby park. It did cool down last evening and Cyndy and I took a mile or so walk. That was leisure after the miles upon miles we walked at Disney World. This morning was like most have been here. Humid and already heating up. I was soon joined by a number of other runners and walkers. I was the first one there and the last one to leave. Guess that none of them were going to go six miles. THAT'S RIGHT--SIX MILES. I made it to six so hoping I'm not too far behind schedule. Today is group training day and I miss the others in the group. Next Monday I'll catch up on how they are doing.

It is taking me a lot longer today to recover from my run. Legs weak and achey and I'm just plain tired. Thankfully no cramps or anything. Tylenol and an hour nap so hoping I snap back by evening. The heat index is around 100 right now so I suppose it was pretty high this morning. Craving water and I thought I had hydrated pretty well. So I'm sipping water constantly. There was a strong impulse to quit at four miles, then at five, but I'm glad I stayed with it and made six. I feel good about that now that I reached that level. We will begin our travels back north in a couple days so another opportunity to do six may not arise until we arrive back home. Glad I got it accomplished.

DOING IT ALL--WITH WALTS HELP

We have been in Florida for two weeks. Week one was filled with visiting with family and some beach time. I was able to do some running in the mornings so I felt like I maintained my schedule to some degree. This past week we traveled to Disney World for a few days. On average we were in the parks about 14 hours a day. I didn't wear a pedometer so I have no idea how many miles we walked. A lot. I didn't run at all. We did it all--rides, shows, shopping, dining--amazing things, especially for a technology fan like me.
Today we have returned to Mom's home and it has been a day of rest for sure. Tomorrow morning I will get back on track and run. I promise.

As you can see from the pictures, it took a little magic to get me from the frog to my reign as King Arthur.

FIVE ON FRIDAY

After some procrastination I headed out about 7 a.m. and started a run with no plan as to how far I would go. As it turned out the humidity and temperature were a bit more tolerable and I was able to do 5 miles. While I should have been doing six miles it was all I could do at five so I stopped and stretched and headed back to the house.
Tomorrow I'll rest and hopefully on Sunday morning I will try for six.

WEDNESDAY--AN EARLY RUN

This morning I started earlier in order to be more comfortable. The temperature today was to hit 95 with 100% humidity. I wanted to do a three mile run so I started at 6:30 a.m. No matter, it was still difficult. I ran as much as I could but found that I did have to take walking breaks. I just couldn't call up much energy. Made the three miles, stretched, and headed back to the house. Weather prediction held true. This evening we are out on screen porch for first time today. I'll decide in the morning about tomorrows workout.

EARLY TO RISE---OR DIE RUNNING

I got out yesterday morning for my first attempt at running down here in Florida. I headed for the trail in the nearby park and began at about 7:15 a.m.. It was already up in the seventies and dripping with humidity. The trail is excellent and follows the perimeter of the park and is roughly a half mile long. As is usual for me the first part is the hardest, making me think "this isn't going to work". After the first half mile I got in the groove though and it got better. I didn't know how far I would go and started with three miles in mind. Two miles running and I was able to keep on going--so I did. After three I did walk for a short way and then had four miles in mind. (The humidity was oppressive--I sipped some water along the way--and wiped sweat. My sweatband was soaked.) I made the four miles and kept on chugging. TO MY SURPRISE I MADE IT TO FIVE MILES. After not being able to try for that last Saturday this was a great feeling.

THE THIRD & THE FOURTH

Yesterday was a busy day getting ready to leave for vacation, last minute shopping and finishing the many things that need to be done before heading out. In the afternoon we made a trip to Ft. Wayne and after several stops we went to our daughter's home to await their return from their vacation trip. While there I ran on the path in Hunter's Point and Chandler's Landing. It is three miles.

Today was mowing, packing and last minute items to get my big list all checked off. I did get in a two mile walk. I plan to keep up with our schedule while in Florida. Will try to get some postings on here while we're there.

Happy Fourth! God Bless America!

OH C * * P

Well on Monday everything went down the drain--so to speak. I awoke at 4 a.m. with the flu and spent the day dealing with that. Couldn't go run Monday evening as planned. Recuperated and finally got to try out my weary bones. Was able to run three miles so felt that I had bounced back pretty well. Am hoping to go back out tomorrow and do the same. My schedule for this week is all messed up so I think I'll repeat this week's schedule next week. That way by late next week I should be ready to try for the five miles that were scheduled for this Saturday. Somehow I'll combine vacation and training and keep up.