The Big storm is coming. Hurricane Sandy is on its way and should hit here sometime tomorrow night or tuesday. The wind was starting to pick up a bit, and a shower here or there. I went for a run. A nice slow 5 miles. There are some people that won't be fit enough to get through this storm. There are some that may be fit enough but it will just be their time.

I don't want to live forever. However, I do not want to die because I am so out of shape that I am unable to save myself. I want to be able to pull myself out of a car window if I have to. I want to be able to climb out of a house window, hang and drop if I have to. I want to be able to walk a mile to get to high ground if I have to. I am fairly ready to die if a meteor falls on my head, but I am not prepared to die from being too comfortable on my couch.

Run for your life, really your life may depend on it...

Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean that I have been vegging. At this home, only the cat is gaining weight and losing agility, though she is still much more agile that I am. I am still using the treadmill more than going outside, and am getting a little spoiled with the ability to watch TV and still exercise. I also like the ability to regulate my speed, going from 8:20 minute miles to 5:30 minute miles for a little while, then slow again. It lets me know when I have gotten to 5 miles or 8 miles or 10 miles. I am not trusting it 100% but it is keeping me in the ballpark where I can play and progress. Whether inside or outside, on a treadmill or on a sidewalk, the key is to move.

One step at a time, keep moving, keep living

Been a while

It has been a while since I wrote, but that doesn't mean I haven't been exercising. I've been doing some running on the treadmill, and some running outside too. I have also been getting on the recumbent bike, plus doing a variety of other things, just to mix it up a little.

The weather was in the low 70's this morning and the running was nice. I did a few miles up at the park and got home before the rain. I haven't run at the park for a week or so, and it was nice. There were a few people running or walking, and a few kids on the playground. It won't be long before the weather changes and some people complain about the snow and the cold. A lot of the biggest complainers will be the same ones that didn't leave the house all summer because it was too hot, or too wet, or too nice inside.

Enjoy the day, everyday

I have been running more lately, though I haven't been blogging much. Most of my running has been on the treadmill, playing games with myself using different paces. I've also been watching the Olympics quite a bit, cheering on the U.S. even though they can't hear me. Yesterday we watched as Oscar Pistorius, of South Africa, came in 2nd in a 200 qualifier. Oscar is a double amputee from almost birth (he was a baby). Some people think that he has an undue advantage using carbon-fiber "feet." Personally I say if you are worried about that kind of "advantage" there is no rule saying that you can't hack off your lower limbs and get carbon-fiber ones. Unless of course you are not willing to stand behind your accusations. This kid is obviously NOT Oscar, but feel free to look at him, then look at your legs, then YOU decide who probably has the advantage.

Run with abandon, with whatever you have.

I felt the need to mix it up a little today. I have been slowing down a little this summer with work and all. So I went to Nay Aug Park, did a few miles that included a hill run and a few things to play on. The weather was a little cooler than it had been lately (still in the 80's though) so out and about I went. The pool is of course open and there were people around. There were walkers, runners and pets here and there. A few people that looked moderately homeless were there also, mostly sitting at the picnic tables. Mostly it was pretty quiet though. I had no problem getting in everything that I wanted. I highly recommend enjoying the weather whenever possible. 

Fun in the sun

Road Rash: the weather was nice again today, perhaps a little humid. I did not realize it initially, but by mile 4 or 5 I had a pretty good sweat going. I was about 1-1 1/2 miles into my run when a chunk of sidewalk jumped up and snagged my toe. It was really no big deal. I fall once a year or so. The 1st thing I do is look around to see who might have seen me. Then I get up, curse and start down the road again. I only mention it because if you run and probably even walk, you are going to trip from time to time. Nearly everyone does it, it is never fun but it usually is no big deal. I am at times forgiving of mistakes. I say that "the only one that doesn't make mistakes is the person that doesn't do anything." The same could be said for falling. You will not ever have to worry about scraping your knees or elbows if you stay on the couch. One other side note. For a decade or so I taught karate and part of that was doing falls & rolls. Notice that my elbow is scraped, my wrist isn't broken, and my face is still pretty (well, kinda). When you fall, TURN YOUR HEAD -- BEND YOUR ELBOWS--- GET YOUR FOREARMS IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE.... DO NOT REACH YOUR ARMS OUT... Your forearms might bleed, but if you reach out, your wrists will break.

Go for a run and, have a nice trip.

The weather was nice today, none the less I hit the treadmill. The thing that I have grown to appreciate about the treadmill, is that I can control the speed better. I can set the speed at a 6 minute mile pace (or 9 minute mile pace) and teach my muscles how to move at that speed. That gets into my brain and my muscle memory. To be able to rely on my muscles to move at a specific speed, my muscles have to know what that speed feels like. That way I can train to run a 30 minute 5K, or a 20 minute 5K. I can also teach my muscles a speed that is currently beyond my long distance capability. I can run at a 4 minute mile pace for any where from 1 to 4 minutes than slow down to a 8 minute pace before my heart explodes, or I trip and get shot out the window behind me from the treadmill. Then fast again. I have almost total control. I don't trust that the treadmill is 100% accurate (though I do believe it is close), that is why I have ALMOST total control. I could also do that at a track with more accuracy, but there is not an accessible track nearby. So, if you have a treadmill, or a track nearby, do a little speed play. It will make the run a little more fun and a little more exciting. Indoors or out, do something beside "VEG."

Be active, be happy.