The excitement is still fresh in my mind about the half mile I ran yesterday. Although I have walked off and on even in recent years, I have not run in a long time, so it is great to be able to do that. Maybe it doesn’t seem like much to an experienced runner, but to me it’s a real accomplishment. I am also excited to be associated with Tom Rohr who started the Padua Podcast Network. This was not mentioned by name in the show, but obviously Running: A Fever is part of it now. Tom is doing some amazing things, and I really enjoyed dinner with him and his wife Therese last night. I hope to be releasing episodes more frequently in the future. Today I’m hoping to run a half mile again, but I just do the best I can. That’s all we can do, but we have to try to do better. I do run a half mile, all together this time, and if feels good after a couple of minutes. I record the entire time, including the run, but unfortunately there was an audio problem that could not be fixed. When I stop running I always seem to slow my running pace. It’s not as safe as slowing to a very brisk walking pace. Or doing long strides like I do before breaking into a trot. But I feel so tired from the exertion that I almost want to stop. Pushing myself on the way back after the run is a challenge. It’s beautiful out on the lake, with the sun going down and airplanes streaking across that sky. I should probably look at an almanac to see when sunset is each day. And I feel better today, the twinge in my back has not returned. Sometimes you just have to shake off something like that and keep on going. Of course if it continues for a while, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. I’ve been drinking a V8 for breakfast and meal replacement shakes instead of lunch during the week, trying to lose weight. But a friend asked if I was getting enough protein, which is a good point. Perhaps I should choose a low-carb breakfast instead. Unfortunately I eat out a lot for supper, since that is the primary way I socialize. I feel it is important to lose weight now because it will improve by efforts to run my way to fitness. Today I feel quite fortunate to have good health and no injuries, though I do have aches and pains. I plan to run early tomorrow and then go to a running store in the afternoon for a gait analysis. When I do, I’ll try to record the experience.
Do you set New Year’s resolutions? I prefer to get started right away. I set my goal on November 18, before the holidays, and started working on it immediately.
Two episodes ago I asked the question, “Do you love your life enough to make it last as long as possible?” Today I have another question: “Why do you run?” If you answered yes to the first question, you may be running to extend your life. I think running is healthy. I am very grateful that I am able to walk and run, because some folks cannot. Maybe you run to get outside and experience nature. Even if I run the same course every day, each time it is a different experience. I am not the same as I was yesterday, neither is the ground beneath my feet. The air around me – I don’t know where that air was yesterday, it could have been anywhere. Particles of light shining down from the sun – it takes a long time for them to get to earth – are all different than the ones I saw and felt yesterday. There are many other types of exercise you could chose that would help extend your life. Running isn’t the only way. In fact there are some activities that are probably safer. For me, it’s tied up with podcasting. It seems like there are a lot of people who are really passionate about running and they love it. There are quite a few podcasts about running. I love podcasting, and it keeps my mind occupied, so I don’t think about how hard I am working and whether I should stop. I also think running is a good full-body workout. I get to work on balance and awareness, things that are increasingly important as I get older.
Weight: 266
Workout time: 50 Minutes
Distance (total): 2.48 Miles
Run Portion: .5 Miles
Heart Rate (min/max all day): 51/95
Steps: 9980
Goal: To run 10.5 miles in one day by 11/18/18