I thought that I would just go for a little run today. I have that race on Sunday that will almost undoubtedly kick my heiner. I wanted to do a couple easy miles. I need to maintain without stressing my muscles and/or joints too much. Since it is Flagday, I thought it might be nice to run past the courthouse and view the  flags. There is a vatiety of statues and war memeorials there. I did about 3 1/2 miles or so at an easy pace. I'll probably do something similar the next few days, maybe dropping down to a 2 mile run on Saturday. It is important to keep moving every day or at least every few days. There are forces inside your own body that are trying to  stop you. Trying to lock up your joints. Trying to covert muscle to fat. Trying to slowly kill you. Fight back!

Fight for your life

Up and Away   Today was a good day for a run, but with that obstacle race coming up in just over a week I figured I had better do a little extra training. A wall here, a little sprint there, a couple dips and of course some stairs thrown in. I wanted to get a workout in at the park, just in case there is a lot going on at the park this weekend. They use Nay Aug Park for various charitable events. Walks and community events, and there are always groups or families having picnics and cook-outs there. I certainly don't begrudge anyone that type of activity, but sometimes it is hard to get near a wall, or on the various "playthings" that I try to incorporate in my training.

Walls are made to keep things in, or out,,,, or just to play on....

Tread Lightly

I know from experience, that if I show up for a race and it is raining, I'll be racing in the rain. But, today with a cool drizzle outside, I opted to try out the treadmill. A couple of decades ago I tried running on a treadmill and had to stop because I was making A LOT of noise slamming onto the track. I figured I was just meant not to run on a treadmill. Today however, I chose to once again try and run on a treadmill. So off I went. I did about an hour at varying speeds. I kind of liked it because I could control speed better. I do not entirely trust the speed that it was showing, but I could speed up for a 1 1/2 minutes, then slow down for 3 1/2 and then faster agian. I don't look too bad here for a 65 year old. Unfortunately I'm not 65. Maybe I should get some sun.

Be active, indoors or out.





Yesterday I went to Nay Aug Park. It was a little cooler when I got there, probably in the mid to high 60's, with a fair breeze. It was still sunny though and pretty nice. I was surprised that there were so few people there. There were some runners and walkers, but not nearly as many as I thought there would be.

I did a warm-up mile, give or take, then did a little loop. Up this hill, then a little rock climb, then some "jump-ups" of about 14". I run in between and pick up the speed for one stretch of about 40 yards.I did 5 laps like that. Then I do a slow mile (even slower than usual) to cool down. I have that race coming up with Denise and though I know I'll get through it, I wouldn't mind being a few pounds lighter when I have to pull myself up that cargo net. I'm sure when losing weight is important enough to me, I'll cut back and exercise more and "git er done."

Be fit, life is NOT a spectator sport. 

Spring has sprung. I'm in summer school, and we are coming up on June, the number one marriage month of the year. Denise went to Florida this past weekend for a wedding. A friend of hers from pre-high school got married.

While in Florida, Denise and Haris  saw a few sights. She sent out a pic of her cradling a gator. She also said that they went to the beach a few times and they got around by bicycles. Haris has been going to the gym a lot during the last few months. Denise has been going to the gym and even running a little. Her and I have the obstacle race coming up in less the 3 weeks. I explained to Denise that I don't really have to be in the best shape possible, I like beer and food too much. I just want to be in good enough shape to be able to ride a bike, or go to the beach or fast dance at a wedding. Perhaps that is the subject of this blog, being in good enough shape. What is good enough for one, may or may not be good enough for another. But DO try to be good enough to enjoy life, whatever that might mean to you.

Life's a beach........

With a break in the weather (though it really was a mild winter), it is time to step up the training. In less than a month I will be doing a little run with a few obstacles thrown in for good measure. That will make the running part easier, though it will make the entire event a little more of a workout.

I was up at Nay Aug Park, running aound the paved road that encircles it. It's about 1 mile give or take a bit. It is not very beneficial to get hung up on a specific distance all of the time. Just go out, run a little, and have fun. Here, in this picture I'm climbing a small outcropping of rocks, perhaps 8 or 10 feet high. I run a little, then I climb this as I go by, then I run some more. Climbing these rocks I use my legs in a different way then when running, I have to stretch them a little, and I also have to use my hands and arms. All in all, it is more a full body workout. Of  course I also throw in a little hill running, and maybe some pushups, dips, or chin ups. The idea is to mix it up and have fun.


Run, climb, play...

It  has been nice the last few days. I haven't written here, but that does not mean I haven't been running or doing anything. I have been busy with finals, and I had a bit of a cold for a week, so I haven't been running like I was for a week or two. I have been getting on the bike for a while though. Yesterday I was back at Nay Aug running in a circle after warming up for a mile. I did some sprints, and some stairs, some dips, and climbed up over a 5 foot wall a few times. It was nice to get out in the sunshine and sweat a little. All in all it was a nice way to spend an hour or so. Hopefully I can keep at it now.


Stay fit, stay active.