Zac's blog thinger

Treadmill. Felt a bit run down. Last week's mileage increase has taken a toll. Even though keeping up a strong pace was difficult, I did feel stronger mentally in my ability and commitment to putting in the miles.

I started slow the first mile and then built up to a comfortable 8 minute pace through mile 4. I picked it up to 7:30 for mile 5 and then to 7:00 for mile 6. I picked it up to 6:30 for mile 7 but couldn't hold it and slowed down to 7:00 after 1/2 but picked it back up to 6:30 for the last .2 miles. Cooled down for 1/2 mile at 9 min pace and then ran out of time.

Not a great run but I’ve had much worse.

Treadmill. Slow 1st mile. 2nd and 3rd miles 8 minute pace. Felt fatigued (in my head, I think), picked it up and ran mile 4 in 5:49. That was not easy. Did mile 5 in 8:30 and mile 6 at 8:00. Mile 6 felt terrible. I was going to stop but decided to pick it up to 7:00 pace for 1/2 mile more and then ran out of time and had to go back to work. It was weird. I felt great for the half mile. I must of either been struggling to recover from mile 4 or it was all in my head.

Treadmill. Speedwork. Slow warm up mile and then 10X400s with a slow 200 between. Did 8 in about 90 seconds, 1 85 seconds, and 82 seconds for the last. I didn't feel like I was really killing myself too much so it was probably too slow. I'll wait a while before I try to really push the speed. I need to get used to the mileage first.

My total time was 56 minutes. Not very fast as a whole but that wasn't my purpose. My recovery is still pretty weak and my last two miles weren't too fast but I enjoyed the run.

Weight: 174 (goal 160)

Ran a mile pushing the kids in the stroller. Matthew doesn't fit too well (he's 5) but I took my two boys on a fun evening ride. I didn't even look at the time. It's tough pushings these guys up hills.

Treadmill. Slow run for the most part. Picked it up for mile 4 and then the last half of mile 7. 57 minutes. Felt pretty fatigued. I was just trying to get through the run.

Forgot to weigh in. I suppose I should just do that weekly.

Treadmill. Another somewhat fatigued day. Maybe its the treadmill getting to me. Started really slow for the first mile. Ran miles 2-5 at 7:30 pace. Slowed down to 8:30 for 3/4 mile and then 8:00 for 3/4 mile. Then I ran 7:30 for 1/4 and 7:00 for the last 1/4. My stomach felt terrible. I was sweating a ton (not unusual). I think I was becoming dehydrated a little. This was likely affecting my stomach. I spent some time in the rest room.

Weight: 172 (goal 160) - the large weight loss (given it is the same time of the day) was probably needed water.

Road/Hills. Ran the 1 mile loop around my neighborhood pushing my 2 year old. My daughter tried to bike with me but with only one speed she was unable to get up the hills fast enough. The first miles was slow (little over 10 min). The second mile was about 8:30, mile 3 was 8:26, mile 4 was 8:26 or so, and mile 5 was about 8:15. Then I went on a flatter 2 mile loop and my watch short-circuited on me and so I didn't get a total time.

I was hoping to run a lot more but with family errands and things going on I was glad to have at least completed 7 miles.

Treadmill. Felt a little tight and beat up at the beginning. I was up half the night with a sick 5 year old who had some type of need every hour. I might be suffered a little from his cold too. He's a good kid but drove me a little crazy last night.

Anyway, I took the first mile slow as always. Then I ran a 7:40 pace for the next 3 miles. Mile 5 I picked it up to 6:00 minute pace to see if I had anything in me. It was pretty tough.

Held a pretty gentle recovery and ran the next half in 8:30 pace, the following half in 8:00 pace, 1st half of mile 7 in 7:30 pace, and the last half of mile 7 in 7:00 pace. It didn't feel bad. I did a slow 10 minute pace half mile to cool down and then ran out of time and had to return to work.

Treadmill. Slow first mile and then slowly went from about 8:30 pace to 6:40 pace over the final 6 miles. My body is obviously feeling the effects of increasing my training a little too quick but it's hanging in there. I don't think I should increase any more for a while and I plan to maintain the same basic pace for a couple weeks. Then I'll consider increases in the range of 5-10% (time allowing).

I read an article about treadmill running that leads me to believe that it is clearly an inferior way to train but in the absence of a better option right now, I'll continue.

My goal is 8 miles per day and a bit more of the weekend. I'm not quite there yet but close. I hope to run more outside. I definetly prefer being outside (spring - fall).

Ran 7 miles out and around the perimeter of Liberty park twice. It might have been a touch under 7 miles but according to mapmyrun.com it was very close. Felt great finishing in 52 minutes. Felt like I could have done it again (maybe). Once inside, I had some time and ran another slow mile on the treadmill (about 8:45) to cool down.

Weight: 173 (goal 160)

Ran another slow and hilly two miles in the evening pushing my boys in the jogger stroller.

Treadmill. Felt pretty beat up from the previous run (legs weren't used to the uneven ground around the park, I think - reminds me that I need to do more trail runs).

Ran slow. Total time 63:45 or about 8:30 per mile.

Weight: 172 (goal 160 lbs)

Treadmill. Not to special; just got the job done. Slow first mile and then went slowly from 8:30 mile pace to 6:30 mile pace over the next 6 miles. Except for the last couple of miles, it was pretty slow.

Weight 172 (goal 160)

Long moderate hills up and down. Pavement. Ran pretty average. It was tough running in the dark. It was so dark I couldn't hardly see where I was putting my feet and then to make it worse, passing cars would blind what little sight I had. It didn't start getting light until I was home.

Anyway, my total time was 1:37:55 (this makes for very slow miles). I was just glad to be able to complete 50 miles for the week. That's a huge achievement for me. I need to not worry too much about speed and just get used to the distance. I know the speed is in me and if I lose a few pounds it will help even more.

I remember a time when 6:30 miles were easy. Now, they kill me. It'll take some time to find that missing runner within.

Treadmill. Tried out some new shoes. Felt a lot better at first but after 5 miles the cushion under the ball of my right foot was almost causing more pain than relief. I might of had them laced up funny. I guess this is why you shouldn't wear a pair of new shoes in a race.

Anyway, 1st mile slow. Mile 2-3.5 at 8:30 pace. Mile 3.5-5 at 8:00. Mile 6 at 7:40. Mile 7 increased from 7:30 to 6:30 gradually throughout.

Total time for this slow run - 57:30. All the tendons in my legs are struggling a bit with the increased running. I have to take it easy to ensure that I don't get injured.

Treadmill. Was suffering from a eye strain headache. I get these pretty bad if I haven't gotten enough sleep for a couple of days. Also had a bit of a cold. Very froggy throat.

Ran 1st mile slow. Miles 2 and 3 were at 8:30 pace. Miles 4 and 5 were at 8:00 pace. Ran miles 6 and the first half of mile 7 at 6:30 pace and it felt pretty good. Finished the last 1/2 mile at 7:30 pace (felt slow after running the 6:30 pace. Total 56:30.

Weight 173 (goal 160)

Treadmill. Still have the frog in the throat but feeling ok.

Ran 1/2 mile slow. Ran the next 3 miles at 6:30 pace. It felt pretty fast but got more comfortable after a 1/2 mile or so. It felt clearly too fast the last half mile.

Ran the next mile and 1/2 at 8:30 pace. The slower pace is an indication that the 6:30 pace took a toll. I ran the next mile at 8:00 pace and the last mile at 6:30 pace. Oh and then I did a really slow 1/2 mile cooldown at 10:00 pace.

The total time was about 57 minutes.

4 miles in one work out at 6:30 pace is a pretty good improvement for me. I still have a long way to go before it becomes comfortable again (it's been years). I'd like to be able to run 6:30 for about 26.2 miles or so.

Weight 172 (goal 160)

Treadmill. Tried to run slow but I was running out of time and wanted to get in at least 7 miles. Ran slow first mile. Miles 2-4 at 8:30 pace. Mile 5 at 8:00. Mile 6 at 7:30. Mile 7 sub 7:00 just to get it done.

Didn't feel too bad but my legs are a bit fatigued from over-running yesterday (too fast). I wish I had more time but right now I'm stuck with what I've got.

Treadmill. Ran 8 minute miles. Little slower in the first mile and a bit faster the last mile but overall, I maintained 8 minutes straight through.

I noticed that my knee hurts a little but feels better when I speed up. I need to take it easy. My right knee and foot have been giving me some minor problems.

Weight 169 (goal 160) - that is the first time I have seen 160s in years. I'm probably not hydrated enough but it was still fun to see.

Pavement. 5:30 AM. Dark and moderately cold. Would love to run all the great trails by my home but I don't dare do it alone in the dark. I ran a 4 mile loop out to the entrance of the Ranches and back. Heard a bunch of Coyotes howling, which freaked me out a bit. I saw several amazing shooting stars. Some of them were huge balls of fire.

After that loop, I did a short 1 mile loop around the neighborhood and then I did the whole thing again. It was 10 miles in total.

I felt like I could have easily done another 5 or more but there was no time. Family photos at 9:00 and I had to help get the kids ready.

Total time was 1:26:48 (very slow) or 8:40 per mile. I could of gone faster but it felt good to take it easy.

Treadmill. Left leg felt tight and dead. Ran 8:30 pace for most of the run. Picked it up a bit at the end. 59 minutes total.

Weight: 173 (goal 160)

Pavement, trails, and major hills. My son had tubes put back into his ears and his adnoids taken out so I didn't go to work today. Ran my 1 mile neighborhood loop in 8 minutes (pretty good for the hills) and then I did a 6 mile (1/2 trail and 1/2 road) loop. There are a couple of huge hills on the loop and it probably peaks at around 6,000 ft, which is pretty good for the foothills near my home. I probably was going sub-5 min for a small portion of one of the downhills. It felt good to really open it up and go but probably was a little hard on my legs and body. I finished the loop 49 minutes, which makes for just over 8 minute pace. That's pretty quick considering the terrain and hills.

My total time was 57 minutes. It was a lot of fun.

Treadmill. Ran slow. I felt sore from yesterday's hills. They were very intense and I took them pretty fast. Because of the soreness, I started todays run at about a walking pace. My first mile was over 12 minutes. Mile 2 and 3 were about 8:30 (if I remember right). Mile 4 - 6 were 8:00 pace. Mile 7 increased each quarter from 7:30, 7:00, 6:30, and 6:18. The total time was about 59 minutes.

Weight: 173 (goal 160)

Treadmill. Legs and butt felt pretty sore. The 2nd day of soreness is always the worst for me and I took those hills on Tuesday way too fast. Some of the grades were likely 30+%.

Took the first half slow. Ran various speeds from 8:30 to 7:00 pace. I attempted to guesstimate a comfortable aerobic training pace vs a threshold pace. Based on my current resting heart rate of 48 BPM and my age, an online calculator estimated this comfortable range to be at an HR of 147-155. That sounded high to me but I really do not know. My threshold would start at around 162-165 HR. My heart rate varies somewhat throughout a run but it seems that a good aerobic pace for me based on my treadmill running would be between 7:30 to 8:00 (probably should stick closer to the 8:00 minutes right now). My threshold started at about 7:00 mile pace. Threshold is apparently a good predictor of one's 10k pace so my 10k would be 43:40, which is slow. So who knows how accurate all this stuff is?

To meet my long term goal, I roughly estimated that I need to get my body conditioned to where my heart is beating about 165 BPM at a 6:12 pace. I have a long way to go.

Total time - I don't know ~ 56 minutes.

Weight: 172 (goal 160)

Treadmill. Slow first 1/2 mile. 8:30 pace next 1.5 miles. 8:00 pace for next 4. Felt some leg aches that eventually went away after 3-4 miles. Heart rate by the end of the 6th mile slipped up to 148. It's probably a sign that I need to do more longer runs or simply do more miles in my longer runs because my heart seems to drift up a point or two each mile at 8:00 pace. I don't know how accurate the treadmill heart monitor is - so who really knows.

Ran 7:00 pace for mile 7 and 6:30 pace for mile 8, just to make sure I was still alive. Felt great (aches and pains gone). HR the last quarter reached 172. I'm not exactly sure what it all means but it's fun to gather the info and see how it changes over time.

Weight 172 (goal 160)

I believe I am recovering faster. I base this solely on the amount of time after a run that I'm sweating to death. It seems to be shortening dramatically but it could just be a change in the weather. Of course, I run mostly indoors so that shouldn't be too big of an issue.

Pavement and country dirt roads. About 6 miles of road and 7.3 miles of dirt road. If I were to continue on the route I would eventually end up in Herriman arriving from the South through the Mountain foothills. Went out in 55:30 or roughly 8:19 pace. Slight uphill all the way (~1% grade maybe??). On the way back ran it in 50 minutes or 7:29 pace. I felt pretty good. My legs felt a little beat up but that is probably normal since my legs are still adjusting to the new running schedule.

No coyotes today. One pheasant. I told the little guy that he better watch out for hunters. I don't think he was listening. He was heading for a pheasant hunting preserve.

All in all it was a nice, relaxed run. It was good to be off the treadmill.

Treadmill. Slow first mile. Legs didn't feel too great. Monday is always the worst for dead legs. Not totally sure why. Probably has something to do with a longer run on Saturday followed by no run on Sunday.

Mile 2-6 were at 8:00 pace. Progressively felt better as the run progressed. Did a fast mile for mile 7 @ 5:40 pace. Ended with a slow 1/2 mile but felt good and the pace was back up to 8:00 pace pretty quick. A month ago, a 5:40 mile would have wiped me out. I felt pretty good after this one and probably could have almost immediately gone back to my 8:00 mile pace and continued for several more miles.

I'm excited about the progress. I need to be careful not to pick the pace up so much. My body still needs to adjust to the distance and the increased pounding.

Treadmill. Started out feeling fine but by the end, I was pretty anxious for it to be over.

1st mile slowly working up to 8:00 pace. Maintained the 8:00 pace through mile 2. At mile 3 I decided to try to run a fast 5k (became curious about my current fitness after running yesterday's mile). I went out at 6:00 pace but after 3/4 of a mile I knew it was a mistake. Psychologically, I think it messed me up a bit. The rest of the run felt exhausting. I ran 8:00 pace until the last half mile of mile 7. I picked it up a bit the last half mile.

Total time was 55:30.

Weight = 170 (goal 160)

My pants felt bigger than usual, which is probably a good sign. I must really be losing some excess weight!!