A 4 Miler (Finally!)

Another unseasonably warm, unseasonably gorgeous day in San Francisco.

It was beautiful out there, kids. By around 3pm I stripped the headphones off (I'm very, very nearly done with the first song for Hella Sound!) and hit the road.

Funny thing: a while back I was doing a post-run stretch that was recommended by Runner's World—the same stretch that caused Nitmos' foot to curl up into a "c"—when @LosBee walked by and pointed out that my legs were 2 different lengths.

"Your legs are 2 different lengths!" she said, or something to that extent.

Which got me thinking about how that may very well be contributing to some hip and lower-leg pain I seem to get. Then I was reading about the impact this type of physiological inconsistency can have after X number of miles (again, Runner's World I think), so I decided to go out and get a little lift to put in my not-as-tall-side shoe. Today was the test run.

It went pretty well, actually. At first my butt and my lower back were like "...heeeeyyy buddy, what's going on?", but within the first mile I got comfortable with the change and cruised along.

I'll report back if I spend all day tomorrow in excruciating pain.

I ran my scheduled 4 miles along my usual Bay route, through Crissy Field. There was a nice breeze, which always helps. After that I hit the gym.

Weightlifting

Bench Press: 3 sets of 5 reps @ 185lbs
Deadlifts: 3 sets of 5 reps @ 70lbs
Still Dips: 3 sets of 5 reps
Pull-Downs: 3 sets of 5 reps @ heavy weight
Seated Elliptical Rows: 3 sets of 5 reps @ heavy weight

I also generally do crunches on the Swiss ball, but I feel weird noting that I did "30 Ball Crunches"—it just sounds sorta...odd...and painful.

Hopefully it's nice out tomorrow. I'll make up for the 3 mile run I so flagrantly ditched yesterday (and instead went out for Chinese food). Mmmmm Kung Pow Chicken...

Photo courtesy of tanakawho on Flickr.

A Different Kind of Workout

Admittedly, I did not run or lift weights this weekend. I didn't do what would normally be called a workout.

I did, however, have the fine fortune of hitting the slopes in Park City, Utah for some skiing. I realize that vacation travel is a sweet luxury, and I'm very thankful to have been able to take this trip. I'd never been to Park City before (actually, @LosBee contends that we did drive through it when we moved from Chicago to San Diego, but I don't recall specifically) and was excited to check it out.

It really is a beautiful part of the country. We initially wanted to spend this vacation time skiing in Tahoe, but the weather has been so warm that the runs in Tahoe were very limited and (we heard) crappy. With the help of an online deal and some banked United miles, we were able to get out there and stay in a hotel for less than Tahoe would have cost.

Growing up a Midwesterner of modest means, I never really had the opportunity to go skiing. Three years ago, at age 33, I was lucky enough to attend a wedding in Aspen with @LosBee. I took the beginner skiing course at Snowmass and was hooked.

I'm finally starting to catch up with @LosBee—she's a pretty darn good skier—and am not slowing her down as much as I used to. We actually got somewhat competitive this trip as we barreled down the slopes. We were flying.

It was great.

Well, until we both had some hellacious spills and decided to tone it down and call a truce.

Anyhoo, you can really get a nice workout cruising down a mountain, carving turns, poling up some speed on flat parts, etc. And thankfully, the only injury I got (my *first* skiing injury) was when the buckle on my rental boot snapped as I tightened it, flying up in my face and hitting me on the chin. It made a nice welt and drew a little blood, but didn't leave enough of a gouge to make me look tough.

Such is life.

So, while I didn't run 12 miles over the weekend or do any drills or lifting, I do feel like I got some resistance training and cardio work in. And I had an awesome time doing it.

Beautiful photos courtesy of michael_schamis on Flickr.

Gettin' Closer... Gettin' Closer...

Beautiful weather in San Francisco—unseasonably warm as a matter of fact, and sunny sunny sunny. My kind of weather.

I ran the path along the Bay at Crissy Field, feeling pretty strong. I did stop for a brief walk at around mile 3, but I got all 4 miles in as planned. Every day it gets a little better.

Weightlifting

Bench Press: 3 sets of 5 reps @ 185lbs
Squats: 3 sets of 5 reps @ 95, 115, 135lbs
Still Dips: 3 sets of 5 reps
Seated Rows: 3 sets of 5 reps @ heavy weight

San Diego 2: The Redemption. Kind of.

Another warm day in San Diego. @LosBee and @MapleJen were off doing lady stuff™ and @Russellnuts had to go to work, so I broke loose and hit Florida Street canyon again. The results were a little better than yesterday, but I still fell short of my 3 mile mark.

Ahh well.

I'm realizing how the ramp-up process takes time. I took a whole month off, probably gained a couple pounds, and I just gotta get back into it.

Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!

Sannn Deee Ahh Maaaay Go!

I do likes me some San Diego. Luckily, @LosBee and I were down visiting some friends and enjoying the sunshine. It was as sunny as usual, a little warmer than it normally is in January, and gorgeous.

I do have a wee little bit of an issue with heat, in that I tend to have crappy runs when it's warm, and this run was no different.

But whatever, it was fun. And gorgeous out. And everything.

While @Russellnuts went to tennis class and @MapleJen and @LosBee hit the spa for a little mani-pedi, I trotted through Florida Street canyon.

It's a beautiful place near Balboa Park. The run was a wee bit crappy, but at least I put some time in.

While @Russellnuts was finishing up, I sprawled out on the bleachers at a nearby baseball diamond and caught some sun. So good, y'all. So good.

Image courtesy of Snorg Tees. Now that's a damn fine shirt.

Gettin' Back on the Horse

This evening I hit the gym. I normally like to work out during the day, but that's how it goes sometimes.

Not a great run today, but that's okay. Again, I ended up walking some, but I'm just getting back into stride so I think it's okay. I also shorted the distance, but again, I'm okay with that. All I need to do is get back into my schedule and ease into my training plan without incurring injury and I'm golden.

Weightlifting

Bench Press: 3 sets of 5 reps @ 155, 175, 185lbs
Dead Lifts: 3 sets of 5 reps @ 50, 70, 80lbs
Still Dips: damn. I forgot to do still dips. Damn.
Lat Pull-Downs: 3 sets of 5 reps @ heavy weight

Tomorrow's a day off. Have a great weekend!

Well Hello There

Okay, it looks like my iPod is alive again. I reset it through iTunes and it seems to be back on track.

I hit Crissy Field today to get in a quick 3 miles, per my training plan. Unfortunately, I had to walk a bit at the 2 mile mark. Taking a whole month off has its effects I tells ya.

I should be back in the swing of things soon enough. Tomorrow's another 3 miles, plus weights. Wheeeeee!

¿Por qué se comporta extrañamente mi ipod?

Looks like my iPod may very well be dead.

Nonetheless, @LosBee and I hit Crissy Field for a little 2 mile run today. I have no Nike+ widgetness to verify this, but trust me, we were out there trotting.

Been a long time.

<Insert Huge Conspicuous Gap Here>

Yeah, it's been a month since my last post. A whole month. I've run once in that time (haven't posted the run yet), but that's it. Been busy, been traveling, and most recently I've been sick with a cold.

But I'm itching mightily to get back in the swing of things. The Workout Schedule will be updated in a jiff.