Running Machines

A new beginning

mshmuel — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:08:58 +0000

Winter is slowly ending. its time to come out of hibernation. Its time to hit the trail once again. The goal: 25 pounds shed by june 30th. The challenge: 50 mile weeks by June 14th, with at least 1 10-mile run a week. Hopefully 15 miles. The training starts: 8 am, sunday morning. gives me 2 months to realize my dream. I will be a running machine once again!

A few good days

mshmuel — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 04:57:42 +0000

So here’s a quick recap of the past few runs and training days:

On Friday night, Ginger Mark and I went on an amazing run. We really pushed ourselves through a rough patch. then saturday night i took off and gave the guys a respite. Sunday i ran on my own, and the marks each had an extra day of rest. For my solo run, I trekked between woods and paved roads for a cool 3 miles.

Sunday came and went, and Monday I was sore as hell. Marky P and I decided to go swimming and hit the lap lanes. We had a great workout. My legs were especially thankful.

So tuesday Marky P and I decided to run a new course in new brunswick. We did a tour of Ward 6, which is our neighborhood and its surroundings. it was a nice change of scenery. I felt really unfulfilled after the run so we hit the parking deck, which has become standard in our routine. Mark was wiped, so I gave him an easier route and he did a great job pushing himself through to the end. Then Wednesday Marky P and I hit the weight room and really went all out. He was feeling too beat up to run but i did a great tour of Wards 5 and 6. I pushed it to the limit and felt great. Except my calves were about to burst out of m y skin. Ginger ran on his own, a good double take of our usual park, which i was happy to hear about.

So it looks like we’re getting into a stride, I’m incorporating muscle work and perhaps further down the line boxing and spinning. I’m really hopeful for the future. We are just about forming a habit, should take two or three more weeks to cement it.

As for the weight loss and the cardio, I think we’re getting there as well. Marky P’s lungs are getting stornger, Ginger’s attitude is getting better, and my overall conditioning and fitness is beginning to develop. Im hopeful for the next few weeks. If this weight lifting continues, were gonna be sick animals by october!

In the Beginning

mshmuel — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:10:19 +0000

So I started running a few weeks back, and all these websites for runners told me a blog was the way to keep my habit. I’ve been running with my two friends, Mark and Mark. Ginger Mark is in pretty good shape, but he’s too easy on himself. i try to push him and he gets frustrated. Frankly, I think he grew up without the “I can do it” attitude. Then theres Mark P., a former boxer and a guy in pretty decent shape. Of the three, i have the most weight to lose and the most pride to gain by getting back into the running habit. These guys look to me as an expert, and I feel like I’m letting them down. We’re about 2 weeks into it and we’re all sinking fast. Ginger is starting to skip days, while Mark P is running harder but isnt getting past his initial plateau. Me, well I’m losing ground myself as I struggle to finish each run without extreme pains in my calves and shins. We’re burning out and it hasnt even been 3 miles yet!

I’m giving all of us a day of rest. We’ll see if we can get back in stride sunday night. i also need to spice up our route a little bit by sunday. Im thinking a tour of our college campus. Maybe a change in scenery will raise our morale a little bit.

If anyone has any ideas, we sure need them. We are going nowhere fast, and we’re all starting to lose sight of our original goals. Im especially worried about Ginger. He doesn’t want to believe me when I tell him he can do things even though his body hurts. This guy has never been pushed a day in his life, and he certainly doesn’t like taking slack from me.

Please, runners everywhere, help me get us through this rough patch. I know the grass isnt greener o0n the other side, but we sure want to at least make it to the other side to see the grass for ourselves!