October 7, 2011 TEN!

While running my farthest ever last week, I promised myself, "This is it. Nothing longer other than the half! Promise! No more of this craziness. This is far enough for training. Okay? Promise? Deal? Yeah, if I can get through this 8 miles, that's enough!"

That was a week ago. During the day yesterday, I went to the RunningAhead.com site that my buddy John Catania showed me. It's where I can plot and measure different distances. It's great. So, I got a little crazy. I thought, "8 miles is good. But what does 10 miles look like? How far east in Westerville must I go to add enough distance to make it 10?" So, I calculated a route and decided to break my promise from a week earlier.

Yesterday was unseasonably warm. Like, summer warm. When I ventured out after work it was 77! Still, I headed out. It was okay. Take it slow. Take it slow. I had my bottle filled with Gatorade and brought a GU packet. The run was long. Still, I took it slow. Main to Schrock. Schrock to Spring. Then, Spring all the way up to Maxtown. Keep pushing. Keep pushing. Take it slow. Don't stop. Drink when waiting at traffic lights. Keep pushing. The sun is setting. Getting cooler. Nice. Keep pushing. Aches. That's okay.

Keep pushing.

And then, I was done. I ran 10+ miles!

Okay, only shorter runs until the half ... which is in just 9 days! Still, I had run 10 miles!

10 miles!

October 4, 2011 8.26!

I need to run farther. (Or is it further?) I found a half-training schedule on the Columbus Marathon web site that said that I should have reached 10 miles by the beginning of August. Oooof. I'm not even close. Of course, I rationalize, that schedule is for people who really want to place in their time category. I just want to finish, I tell myself. And that sounds just fine.

After all, this is my first half.

Still, I want to break 8 miles. So, on Thursday of last week, September 29 (I'm almost caught up with this blog), I head out. Down to Schrock. Across State to Otterbein Avenue and all the way up to McCorkle. I take a GU packet before heading out and, this time, have my new hand-held water bottle filled with Gatorade. The Gatorage helps. I can feel it removing the aches every time I take a swig. Very cool, the body. I finish the route just as the rain starts. 8.26 miles ... a new outside record! And when I stop I am NOT winded. A far cry from February.

I am now satisfied at where I'm at, feeling that I can run almost 2/3 of the half. "Race day" will have Gatorade stops, sections that I may walk, and enough adrenaline to fuel my fire.

I am ready! God keep me from injuries!

September 30, 2011 Schrock Rd. (The Far Side of the Moon)

It is now mid September. About one month away from the half. I need to make up for lost time--big time. Which means I need to increase my distance if I am ever going to even complete the 13.1 miles.

Still, I am hearing things that are making me feel more comfortable about running a half. Or even a full marathon. Like, people walk them. Or portions of them. Really? I was amazed to hear this! I always thought, if you stopped you're out of it. No re-starts. But the casual nature of it all is sitting well with me. Enough about this. All something to file under "Rationalizations."

Increasing distance is at hand. By now, I am covering most of the Otterbein campus. An improvement from when I would run out County Line Road to State to Main Street ... and then peter out around the Otterbein stadium. Bleah! Now that the bridge construction is FINALLY completed on Main Street, I am able to do a large square around Otterbein. Which I believe is about 3.5 miles. But I need longer. So, I look on a map and see that Schrock Road is the next road south that connects Cleveland to State. Gasp. That seems SO far away! Still, one day I try it. And it was terrible. I made it 3/4 of the way around until just turning onto Main Street to cut across the Otterbein campus. 4.4 miles, I calculate later. Not good. A few days later, I try again. I am determined to make it all the way back to the Rec Center ... and I do! Just shy of 6 miles!

I realize that this may sound boring to anyone else. But it is a true milestone for me. The last time I ran this far outside was before Julia was born (1995-ish). 6 miles. Just shy of half of a half. I still have a ways to go. But, for some strange reason, I feel as if I broke through a personal threshold. And that's what matters and keeps me going.

September 28, 2011 New Shoes

Here's something else that happened while I was neglecting this blog: I got new shoes.

It may sound funny, but wearing the right shoes is critical when running. Something that I found out the hard way. You see, when I started out running in early spring, I already had two pairs of "running" shoes that I had bought off the shelf. Both at Marshall's, I believe. Yeah, I know, it was about as relevant as going to a hardware store for fresh fruit. They were about $30 each. And they looked just fine. But as I ran more and more and the aches and pains grew less and less, I noticed that my ankles remained constantly sore after every run. I really felt it when I would stand up after being seated for a time. Even walking was hard. Ouch.

Eventually, I decided that it was time to be "fitted" for some new shoes. Ted, my running neighbor across the street, told me to go and ask for Matt at The Columbus Running Company in old Westerville. So, one rainy Saturday morning, I went there, met Matt, tried on about 20 different pairs of running shoes, and eventually settled on a great pair by Mizuno.

Long story short: After my very next run, no aching ankles. Nada. And they haven't hurt since.

Thank you, Ted and Matt. I am a believer in "the investment." And will never look back!

September 28, 2011 Post-Honduran Blues

I knew that I would not be running during the week I was in Honduras. What I didn't expect was to return home in early August with a double ear infection.

It was terrible, lasting nearly an entire month and taking me off of my running schedule. I would think, "Okay, I sweated a LOT while in Honduras and kept the weight off. That's cool. One extra week of not running will be okay." But my ears never got better, even after two doctor visits and two prescriptions of antibiotics ... and steroids! Then, another week went by. I feared that all that I had accomplished was for nought. My energy level sagged and I could feel the weight coming back onto my frame. Not cool. Then, another week went by. I was into Week 4 of not running. A month! It became easier to say "Maybe next week. Give your ears some time to heal." Yes, I did still feel like I was underwater. Whatever I "got" really must have twisted itself inside of me. But I felt that the little voice that said "Run!" was growing weaker by the day.

I had to do something. Fast.

So, I went to the rec center one day during lunch. I was expecting ugliness. Aches. Pains. But not so much! I got back into the groove right away! I remember it well; it was between 3 and 4 miles. Not too shabby. Then, I set my sights on something longer: Schrock Road, all the way down Cleveland Avenue. Stay tuned.

September 27, 2011 Fast Forward!!!

The bad news: I have ignored this blog for six months. The good news: I have dutifully kept up with my running. That said, I will try to encapsulate the past half year here as my half marathon is just under three weeks away!

The "Couch to 5K" program went well. It's easy, in fact. I re-read my previous blog posts from earlier in the year and smiled. “I added an extra two minutes.” Now, my longer runs last for over an hour. Before, I was switching between walking and running. Now I run the entire length. Albeit very slow. But still, a “short” run is now 3 or 4 miles, while my longest outdoor run is about 8. I am happy with that. Very.

Still, I try not to be too smug—an easy thing for a “Kellow male” to do. The “C-2-5K” plan worked well for me. It gave me the very, very slow start that I needed and was looking for. I have heard too many stories of guys my age starting too quickly and paying the price. Not here. Thank the Good Lord.

From March through July things went well. Slow, but well. And although the weather grew warmer outside, I really took a liking to the treadmills at the rec center. They helped increase my mileage. I recall dutifully going while Pamela and the girls were in Wisconsin in June. Even early on a Saturday morning. My highest mileage was 8 miles. And although treadmill running is easier than “real” outdoor running, I was making progress. And that’s all that mattered to me.

No one to compete with. Just me.

March 4, 2011 The end of Week 1

Started officially this week Monday. Again, I'm doing the "Couch-to-5K Plan." Walked five minutes. Ran two. Walked another five. Easy. Seemed too easy. So, I added another two-minute run. Another walk. Another run. Another walk. Didn't even break a sweat. Might be the dry winter weather even though I was inside with all the octogenarians. I missed Wednesday as I was busy with worked. Sucked. I hated to miss a run. Especially so early in my training. Still, I went today. Felt great. The only addition was that I ran for three minutes instead of two. Nothing is sore. Not yet. Which is good. Even though it is incredibly simple (so far) ... I am now 47 as of last Monday. : )

February 24, 2011 First steps!!!

They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first steps.

I went to the rec center yesterday. It went well. Very well. It was absolutely wonderful to move my body outside of simple walking. I am doing the "Couch-to-5K" plan. Which starts with several minutes of walking, then running, then walking again. And then you take the next day off. Now, I'll be 47 in a few days, but this is pretty easy. (I did two extra sets of running with walking just to make it seem worth it.) Back to it tomorrow, Friday. Of course, it will ramp up in the next few days and weeks. And after eight weeks I should be running 5K (3 miles and some change). By that time it should be warm enough to run outside and then I'll start on an official "Training for a Half" program.

Lovin' it!

February 22, 2011 Westerville Rec Center!

Today, I signed up at the Westerville Rec Center! I can officially start running inside during my lunch hour! I am going to start with the "Couch to 5K" plan. Pretty whimpy, I know. But it's the best way to ease into this commitment. Especially, since this body will be 47 in less than a week. And the half is now less than eight months away. Excited!

January 30 "Nothing"

Nothing really new. It is damn cold out, that's all. I have been staying away from fast food. It is amazing how many opportunities afford themselves to this option. It's just so convenient ... by design of course. That said, I cannot say that I have been eating all too well either. Just normal, I guess. I have been doing push ups and arm curls with weights several times a week. Yeah, I'm taking it slow. But I believe that that's the only way I can slowly adapt to a newer, better lifestyle. The half is now less than nine months away. I need to sign up at the Westerville Rec Center soon so I can start running inside. And, perhaps most importantly, I need to set a firm start date to start running outside. Maybe St. Patrick's Day. This endeavor may be bigger than I first imagined. But I am determined to accomplish it, God willing. And, I know that the Ron that will cross the finish line come October will be a vastly different one than the one who is typing this blog post one a cold January Sunday morning. I so look forward to meeting him.

January 5, 2011 "Beauty and the Beast"

I had a colleague swing by my desk yesterday. Nice guy. Great guy. He commented on this photo of Pamela and the girls that's the wallpaper on my larger monitor, "Dude, she is WAY out of your league!" He meant it as a slight jab and a compliment to my wife. But I've heard this all too many times from other people. What does she see in you?! Not fun. Maybe it's time for me to step up. Get in better shape. And at least be a few degrees closer to Pamela--who is beautiful both outside and in.

1.2.11 (194.5 lbs.) "The Pathetic Before"

This is the pathetic part. You know, the "before" photo. The left side that we glance at in order to contrast it to the better, improved image at right. I weighed in this morning. I thought after a week of eating in Wisconsin that I'd be well over 200. Only 194.5. Not too bad. Not in shape. Not anything solid. Not too respectful. But still, not a bad starting point. Tomorrow, I will go through my running stuff and take an inventory. Probably a lot to throw out. Probably a few things I need to purchase. Two relatively new pairs of running shoes; that's good. And at $175 for the year, the Westerville Rec Center (with indoor track) is way too sweet of a deal to pass up. I plan on signing up (along with several dozen other "New Year's Resolution Makers") later this week. As for eating, it went well today. A bit of a headache due to lack of coffee. But it's tolerable. Like yesterday, a banana to start my day. Pretty decent eating day. No crap. I know this may be boring to most readers. But it is important to me. I am taking baby steps. It is the only way I know I'll finish this and complete my half marathon. If I jump into it all at once and start running like a crazy man, dramatically changing my eating habits over night, etc., I know I'll fail. But being 207 lbs. this time last year, and 194.5 today, I know that I can do this!

January 1, 2011

We left Wisconsin for Ohio in the morning. It is officially "Day 1" of my new regimen. We stop for lunch with the girls requesting McDonald's. One last fast food visit ... and no more for 2011. My thinking: it will be easy for me to remember January 1st as the last time I had fast food. Might be breaking the official "New Year's Resolution" thing by a day, but it works for me. We are now home, unpacked, safe and sound. I will take an inventory of my running gear tomorrow. It is supposed to be a high of 29 degrees tomorrow. Not the best weather to start running. Maybe I'll walk to start.