Day 2 - C25K faster!

I'm finally caught up on my blogposts.  This is my run journal for tonight.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
1 minute run

1.5 minute jog
Repeat Run/Jog interval 7 more times
1 minute run
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 2:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=300909

Total distance: 2.30 miles (.80 short of a 5k)
Total time: 31 minutes

Current weight: 217.5 lbs (lost .5 lbs)
Walk pace: 15:22 /mi (slower)
Run pace: 10:19 /mi (:28 faster!)
Fastest run pace: 8:43 /mi (:20 slower)

It was really freakin' hot outside.  Luckily, I started running at 8:30, and the sun was down mostly before I actually started running.  I kept my 9 minute run pace for the first 6 runs, then I slowed down slightly.  I'm very excited about that.  : )  I couldn't imagine myself doing this 9 weeks ago!
Day 2 complete!

Day 1 - C25K faster!

August 3, 2011

Since the catalyst of me wanting to run was that I wanted to lose weight, I think my next choose makes the most sense. In reading forums and talking to folks I know that run, it seems that running at a faster pace will cause you to lose weight faster, which makes complete sense to me. I have decided to do the same program again (C25K), but I am actually running (a 9-11 minute pace) when it tells me to run, and I am jogging (aiming for a 13 minute pace) when it tells me to walk. By the time I get to the longer runs, I'm planning on keeping the faster "run" pace.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup (15-16 min pace)
1 minute run (9-11 minute pace)

1.5 minute jog (13 minute pace)
Repeat Run/Jog interval 7 more times
1 minute run
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 1:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=300909

Total distance: 2.30 miles (.80 short of a 5k)
Total time: 31 minutes

Current weight: 217.5 lbs (lost .5 lbs)
Walk pace: 14:55 /mi (faster)
Run pace: 10:47 /mi (2:38 faster)
Fastest run pace: 8:23 /mi

The running was challenging, but I like the change of pace of doing interval training again.  I kept up the running pace for the first 3 runs, then I started to get slightly slower.

Day 1 complete!

Day 27

June 28, 2011

This is a little late posting, but I wanted to post the details for my final run of the program.  I finished!!!

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
30 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 27:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=300906

Total distance: 2.74 miles (.36 short of a 5k)
Total time: 40 minutes

Current weight: 218 lbs (same weight)
Walk pace: 15:56 /mi (slower)
Run pace: 14:11 /mi (slower)

Don't remember much about the run, and I put in my app that I felt good.  So proud of myself for remaining commited to this program and finishing it out!

Day 27 complete!  PROGRAM COMPLETE!

Day 26

Next to last run, before I complete my training program.  Now I'll be on the lookout for a new program.  I think that I want to build up my speed, but I'm not totally sure.  I also have been working on a drumline t-shirt, and here is the concept that I created!

Hopefully, that doesn't go through any anti-aliasing when you blow it up to see it.  Totally ruins the effect.  : )  The back is all 5x5 pixel lettering that lists all of the kids.  I had to do all of this pixel by pixel.  Kids loved how it turned out.  I know a couple of art ppl read this...any suggestions?

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
30 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 26:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=296568

Total distance: 2.81 miles (.29 short of a 5k)
Total time: 40 minutes

Current weight: 218 lbs (lost 2 lbs)
Walk pace: 16:42 /mi
Run pace: 13:25 /mi (29 seconds faster)

A very easy run.  I'm looking forward to training myself to run a touch faster.  This has gotten so easy!  The real challenge is going to be making the hour time block to devote to getting ready, running, and showering during the school year.

Day 26 complete!

Day 25

I went back and did the last day of Week 8 for this run, since I skipped it in Colorado.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
28 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 25:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=295600

Total distance: 2.58 miles
Total time: 38 minutes

Current weight: 220 lbs
Walk pace: 16:39 /mi
Run pace: 13:54 /mi

I wish I could show you what my pace looked like!  According to my Nike+ GPS app, I maintained a 12:30 /mi pace for my run...the entire time!  It showed my walking as a Yellow level pace and my running as a Green level pace.  Usually you can see my pace flucuating up and down, but this time, my run was all green!  I could maintain talking while running, and it would have been no problem.  I'll begin to slowly pick up the pace, but not too much, and not too quickly.

Day 25 complete!

RMNP Hiking - Flattop Mountain

July 14, 2011

We hiked up to Flattop Mountain on Thursday.  A strenuous hike, but entirely worth the effort!  8.60 miles round trip. According to the books, it is 8.8, but they must have measured further down the trail than where we stopped! Burned over 1200 calories on this hike.  3.5 hours up and 2.5 hours back down.  Awesome!

View from Flattop Mountain

RMNP Hiking - The Loch

July 13, 2011

We hiked Glacier Gorge to The Loch on Wednesday.  Little bit harder hike, but still awesome.  5.60 miles round trip. According to the books, it is 6.6, but they must have measured further down the trail than where we stopped! Burned over 800 calories on this hike.  3.5 hour hike.

The Loch

RMNP Hiking - Emerald Lake

July 11, 2011

We hiked Bear Lake to Emerald Lake on Monday.  Great view and hike.  3.30 miles round trip.  According to the books, it is 3.5, but they must have measured further down the trail than where we stopped!  Burned over 500 calories on this hike.  2.5 hour hike.

Nymph Lake

Dream Lake

Emerald Lake

Day 24

July 10, 2011

Morning run in wonderful Estes Park, CO.  We were staying at the YMCA of the Rockies and I ran around the camp.  OMG, HILLS!  Everyone told me to watch out for having trouble breathing.  Let me dispel the myths now, breathing was not the problem!  It was the hills that go FOREVER.  : )  I accidentally ran week 9, day 1 instead of week 8, day 3.  Oops!

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
30 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 24:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=295054

Total distance: 2.5 miles
Total time: 40 minutes

Current weight: Unknown (No scale in the cabin)
Walk pace: 16:02 /mi
Run pace: 15:43 /mi

This was a hard run, but I am proud of myself for getting up and doing it, even though I am in Estes Park, CO, on vacation!

Day 24 complete!

Day 23

Morning run.  Very cloudy and cool today!  Slow and steady wins the race

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
28 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 23:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=291564

Total distance: 2.78 miles (.8 more than last run)
Total time: 38 minutes

Current weight: 220.0 (or 219.5)
Walk pace: 16:14 /mi (:01 seconds slower)
Run pace: 12:40 /mi (:53 seconds faster)

Today felt great.  My shins are not bothering me any more.  Never had trouble breathing.  I love that I have found a very consistent walk pace.  I can't wait till I find my run pace like that!  I'm so close to running a 5K!  My next run is going to be in Colorado, but I would still love to improve my distance slightly for it.  Here's hoping!

Day 23 complete!

Day 22

Morning run.  Nice and cloudy!  3 minutes longer, but I ran much slower at the start so that I could keep a more consistent speed.  I still sprinted the last 2 minutes at about a 8.5 min/mi pace.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
28 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 22:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=290878

Total distance: 2.70 miles (.9 less than last run)
Total time: 38 minutes

Current weight: 222.5
Walk pace: 16:13 /mi (:13 seconds slower)
Run pace: 13:33 /mi (1:37 seconds slower)

Walk pace slower.
Run pace a lot slower.
3 minutes longer, to go the same distance.

This must be a resting day for me, but that doesn't make it any better.  I would rather run faster at the beginning for better results, and actually feel tired, than what I did today.

Day 22 complete!

Day 21

Katie ran with me tonight.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
25 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 21:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=290455

Total distance: 2.79 miles (.19 more than last run)
Total time: 35 minutes

Current weight: 222.5
Walk pace: 16:00 /mi (:18 seconds faster)
Run pace: 11:56 /mi (:24 seconds faster)

Walk pace faster!  : )
Run pace a lot faster!  : )
Longest distance traveled in a workout!  : )

Check this out:
Run pace for Mile 1 - 12:17 min/mi  <---------Good
Run pace for Mile 2 - 11:35 min/mi  <---------BETTER!

I freakin' knocked this one out of the park.  On cloud 9, but man does my body HATE me right now!

Day 21 complete!

Day 20

To Recap:
49 days since I began running.  The furthest that I have run without stopping is about 2 miles.  I could go longer.  25 days and 7.5 lbs since I began really watching what I ate.  If I did a 5k tomorrow, I would be able to do it in around 35 minutes.  I would say that overall, I'm very proud of my progress.  This post's run is from Saturday, July 2.

Today's Run:
5 minute warmup
25 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day  20:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=290298

Total distance: 2.60 miles (.13 less than last run)
Total time: 35 minutes

Current weight: 224.5
Walk pace: 16:18 /mi (1:08 seconds slower)
Run pace: 12:20 /mi (2 seconds faster)

Note to self....don't tell C25K app that you are done when there is 5 seconds left!  It thinks you are a quitter!!!  Dumb.  Luckily, it did save all my info.  It just didn't complete that day with a green dot, and darn it, I want my green dot!
Took Katie's water belt today.  Don't think I really need that yet.  Wore my perscription sunglasses (cool) and they worked great.

Day 20 complete!

Day 19

Long days and pleasant nights, do ya kinnit?

5 minute warmup
25 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 19:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=289483

Total distance: 2.73 miles (.13 more than last run)
Total time: 35 minutes

Current weight: 224.0
Walk pace: 15:1 /mi (52 seconds faster)
Run pace: 12:22 /mi (21 seconds faster)

Run and walk pace were improved and I went further, so today was a sucess.  I maintained between a 9 1/2 min to a 10 min/mi for the first half of the work out according to my Nike +GPS app!  Around there, my lower back really started to ache, and my right shin is bothering me.  Going to go ice it down.  It usually goes away by the next morning.

In three weeks, I'll be running at least a 30 min 5k!  : )

Day 19 complete!

Thankee-sai

Day 18

I updated my iPhone yesterday and my c25k app got deleted....

I'm using one iTunes account.  I seriously wish that Apple would figure that crap out.  I want the apps on my phone to stay there, and I want the stuff on my computer to stay there.  I don't four hundred questions about which apps to sync...especially when it is all marked DON'T SYNC.

Good thing I'm OCD about my running and have a great log here!

This was the longest straight jog that I have done in this training.  Here's the schedule:

5 minute warmup
25 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 18:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=288830

Total distance: 2.60 miles (.2 more than last run)
Total time: 35 minutes

Current weight: 225.5
Walk pace: 16:57 /mi (23 seconds slower)
Run pace: 12:43 /mi (18 seconds slower)

This was a good 25 minute jog.  Mile 1 was a fast pace about 9:30 /mi.  Mile 1.5-2 was an average (slower) pace.  I picked it up for the last bit of the jog/walking.  Great breathing this rep, and only minor pain in my right shin.  I need to force myself to actually run more often during my jogs.  I've gotten to where I can regain my breath and slow down my heart rate while I'm running, so it's easier to stay in the jog groove.  So easy, I sometimes slow down too much, when I could still be pushing!

On to Week 7.  No more walking in the middle of runs from now on.  Bring it on!  Surely by the end of Week 8 I can have my distance up to 3.1 miles.  : )

Day 18 complete!

Day 17

My schedule has changed again.  This is Day 2 of week 6:

5 minute warmup
10 minute jog
3 minute walk
10 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day 17:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=288011

Total distance: 2.40 miles (.4 less than last run)
Total time: 33 minutes (1 minute less than last run)

Current weight: ??? (unsure; away from scale)
Walk pace: 16:34 /mi (about 1 minute slower)
Run pace: 12:25 /mi (19 seconds faster**)

This was on my last day at my friends' house after the past week of teaching drum camp.  It was relatively cool outside, but there was sadly not much of a breeze.  My pace was great for the first 10 minute jog, but just okay for the second one.  I want that to get better.  Pretty much the same distance as last time, considering that I ran for 1 minute less.  I have a slight ache in my right knee, but it goes away as soon as I start walking instead of jogging.  I am not slowing down because I get winded, but because my legs get tired.  I probably just need to keep building muscle mass to improve on that. 

Monday is my longest straight running day, so hopefully I can keep a great pace and improve on my performance from Day 15!!!  I may run tomorrow if I get in the mood.  : )

Day 17 complete!

Day 16

There's a new running schedule for this, the first day of Week 6:

5 minute warmup
5 minute jog
3 minute walk
8 minute jog
3 minute walk
5 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

I am in disbelief that I have continued to run for 6 weeks!  I am very proud of my progress, and I can't wait to continue to improve.

Map of Day  16:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=287235

Total distance: 2.44 miles
Total time: 34 minutes

Current weight: ??? (still unsure and away from scale)
Walk pace: 15:44 /mi (fastest this has ever been!!!)
Run pace: 12:44 /mi (31 seconds faster)

It's a LOT more hilly in Belton than in Melissa.  This much more of a city run than what I am used to as well.  I also think that I saw a drug deal go down on my run today.  A man rolled up next to a house, leaned across the front seat and motioned for someone to come to him.  About 30 seconds later, a small child (approx. 7-8 yo) runs to his car, glances both directions, leans into the car, talks to the man for a second, opens the door to the car, gets in the passenger seat, and the man starts to creep forward.  All the while the man and boy are talking and I see some upper arm movement from the man.  He advances two houses down the block, stops in the middle of the road, the boy hops out and glances both ways before running back to his porch.  The man then does a 5 point turn-around in the middle of the road and comes back down the neighborhood road, seemingly to avoid going onto the major road less than 20 yards from where he is.  EXCITING!

This is the longest distance that I have actually traveled in a workout!  I am not including the 5K since that took me an extra 15 longer than my real workout.  My right shin hurt a little bit today (the day after the run,) but overall I feel good/tired.

Day 16 complete!

Day 15

I had some computer problems, and I am using my friend's laptop to write this post.  I'm down in Belton, TX, for a drum camp.  This run was my first 20 minute straight run, and I did it at home in Melissa.

Map of Day  15:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=287229

Total distance: 2.15 miles
Total time: 30.5 minutes

Current weight: ??? (Didn't check that day, and I don't have a scale now)
Walk pace: ??? (app error)
Run pace: ??? (app error)

I made it through this run without stopping, which was my goal.  I did add in some running, but only a little.  I was just glad I finished without skipping anything!  My app recording all of my running and walking under the "Walk Pace," so that got screwed up and everything was averaged.  I need to start pushing myself to jog a little faster.  My walk pace is gradually getting faster, but I think that I can start jogging faster for more immediate gains.  The distance I jogged today was the same as what I walked/ran at the Komen Race for the Cure 5K (minus the additional 12 minutes of walking at the end!)

I am VERY pleased with my progress.  : )

Day 15 complete!

Day 14

There's a new running schedule for this, the second day of Week 5:

5 minute warmup
8 minute jog
5 minute walk
8 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day  14:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=285668

Total distance: 2.10 miles
Total time: 31 minutes

Current weight: 225.0 lbs (5 days in a row with weight loss!)
Walk pace: 16:15 /mi (2 seconds slower)
Run pace: 13:15 /mi (2 minutes slower)

I did the jogging portions all very slowly (compared to the last week's worth of runs).  I really wanted to make sure that I would be able to make it through 8 minutes of running, without wimping out and stopping early.  I totally succeded.  I was not winded at all and I will definitely take things at a faster pace next time.  I am planning on interspersing actual running with my jogging for Sunday.  Sunday I move on to a 20 minute jog with 5 minute warmup/cooldown.

Next week, I get to see how my running skills hold up down in Belton, TX!  I'll be down there to work at my buddie's drumline camp.  It's going to be pretty awesome.  : )  It's okay, I really do enjoy working during my summer!

Day 14 complete!

Day 13

There's a new running schedule for Week 5:

5 minute warmup
5 minute jog
3 minute walk
5 minute jog
3 minute walk
5 minute jog
5 minute cooldown

Map of Day  13:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=285042

Total distance: 2.33 miles
Total time: 31 minutes

Current weight: 225.5 lbs (4 days in a row with weight loss!)
Walk pace: 16:13 /mi (40 seconds faster)
Run pace: 11:05 /mi (58 seconds faster)

For 6:45 AM it was pretty hot outside.  I was happy with my first two jogging sections, but the last one was mostly up hill and I was really unsuccessful at maintaining a good pace.  I was at about 10:00 /mi for the first two (awesome!) but the last chunk brought my pace WAY down.  : (

On Friday, I jog for 8 minutes, walk for 5, then jog 8.  On Sunday, I jog for 20 without walking.

Day 13 complete!

Day 12

We went to an amazing wedding yesterday.  I'm so excited for Andy and Jennifer!  : ) 

Began my run at about 7:00 AM and I took a different route this time.

Map of Day  12:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=283681

Total distance: 2.22 miles
Total time: 31.5 minutes

Current weight: 226.5 lbs
Walk pace: 16:58 /mi (slightly faster)
Run pace: 12:03 /mi (quite a bit slower)

I've been having some computer problems (random BSOD supposedly caused by hardware problems).  I have a feeling it is my graphics card, but I'm still trying to figure that out.  I'm writing this up a day after I ran.  Here's hoping I can fix the problem!

Tomorrow morning I start Week 5.  According to other blogs, this is the week that weeds out the men from the boys. 

Day 12 complete!

Day 11

We ran in the Komen Race for the Cure 5K this morning.  It was pretty awesome!  Over 10,000 racers came out to participate.  This isn't the first time that I've run 3.2 miles, but it is the first time I've actually done a 5K race.

I ran Day 2 of Week 4 for the race.  I walked the last 8 minutes and ran the last 20 seconds or so for my wife's picture. 

Map of Day 11:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=283681

Total distance: 2.40 miles (Up from 2.3 miles)
Total time: 31.5 minutes

Current weight: 228.0 lbs
Walk pace: 17:06 /mi
Run pace: 10:32 /mi

Slightly slower walk pace, but run pace increased by over a minute!  It was pretty toasty and humid outside, so I would like to stick to my early morning runs in the future. 

Obviously, the info above is only for the workout for C25K.  I walked out the rest of the race, with a spurt of running at the very end.  I am pretty excited that I finished the race, and could still breathe and talk!

We went out to IHOP after the race and had some good socializing with our Sunday school class.  Then I went and wandered aimlessly around the mall with Katie!  : )  Now, I'm going to go watch Inception and probably fall asleep and  experience my own dream within a dream.

Day 11 complete!

Day 10

I'm pretty excited for Super 8 to come out.  Evidently there was a super secret early release last night, but I got the memo about 2 hours too late.  I don't really care for watching sports, but the Mavs are playing again tonight and I'm pretty sure we are going to get together with some peeps to watch that (and play Risk: 2210 at the same time).  We were also supposed to finish our Call of Cthulhu session with Marshall tonight, but I have a feeling that will get postponed.

Map of Day  10:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=283003

Total distance: 2.30 miles
Total time: 31.5 minutes

Current weight: 230.0  lbs (What the heck?! I ate hardly anything yesterday!)
Walk pace: 16:49 /mi
Run pace: 11:41 /mi

Here's the interval schedule for Week 4:
5 minute warmup walk
3 minute jog
90 second walk
5 minute jog
2.5 minute walk
3 minute jog
90 second walk
5 minute jog
5 minute cooldown walk

Walk pace is way down, and run pace is + :30.  I don't know what to think about gaining 3 pounds in a day.  Retarded!  My legs are pretty tight, but that tends to go away by the end of the day.  The morning after is always the worst (I'm leaving you wide open here).

Day 10 complete!

Day 9

Great summer.  So far I have done absolutely nothing.  I tried to do some research on genealogy, but quickly realized that I am at a brick wall with the people that I want to know more about. 

I'm now using two apps with my runs: Nike+ GPS and Couch to 5K

The C25K app is great in that it is completely programed for the specific intervals that I need to be running.  It also has some great record tracking in it.  It puts my run/walk pace on separate graphs.  I like it.  CON:  It stops recording EVERYTHING as soon as I get to the end of my 5 minute cooldown.  On my current route, I am usually 0.05 mi from my house at that point, so the distance and time spent running it tracks is not totally accurate.  Also, sometimes it shows that I'm crossing a street when I'm not....weird.

The Nike+ GPS app is great too, and it fills in for the inadequacies of the C25K app.  The GPS tracking on it is seemingly more accurate.  I can have this running in the background and it will track my full distance for the day.  It is not setup for interval training and does not distinguish between running and walking, so it's pace record is not accurate.

I'll be using these apps to record better my stats for the runs.  The running maps will probably show a slightly different distance that what I actually ran.

Map of Day  9:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=280749

Total distance: 1.97 miles
Total time: 29 minutes

Current weight: 227.5 lbs
Walk pace: 17:11 /mi
Run pace: 11:09 /mi

I pushed my running speed much more in the first two sections of running.  I took the last 1.5 and 3 minute runs pretty normal, until the last minute of the 3 minute run.  I pushed that pretty hard.

Updating the last weeks worth of posts to include walk/run pace and adjusting time and distance appropriately.

Thus concludes Week 3.

Day 9 complete!

Day 8

Schoooooooooooooooool's out for summer!  The graduation festivities have gotten in the way of my running for this week, but so is life.   : )  I'm really proud of all of the graduating band students.  They are leaders in so many aspects of their lives, and I am gracious for being a part of their education!  I can't wait to see them return next year at Homecoming.

We have church today then we are going to jazz band pianist's solo recital.  I'm very excited for that.  I know she'll do a fantastic job.

Map of Day  8:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=280749

Total distance: 1.97 miles
Total time: 30 minutes

Current weight: 228.5 lbs (I blame this on Gloria's!)
Walk pace: 17:24 /mi
Run pace: 11:57 /mi

Katie ran with me today and we started at 6:25 AM.  It was fun to run in the morning, but wow does Melissa STINK at that time!  I don't know if dogs had been out takin' care of business the whole morning or what, but it was pretty rank.  Never had to worry about the heat which was nice.  We had to wait on a guy pulling out of his driveway, so that set us back a little, but we added a quick little run at the end to catch back up.  When we reached the halfway point, we were quite a ways behind where I was last run.  We were able to make the second half of our run a little faster to catch up and it worked out great.  I'm really excited the second half was faster...if I want a part to get quicker, this is the part!

My knee is starting to hurt at the beginning and middle of the run, but by the time I get home I don't notice it.  When I go into the doctor for my summer checkup, I'll bring it up and see what he says.  Shins hurt pretty bad at the very beginning of the first jog portion, but it goes away after about a minute and never returns.

I'm so glad for the summer.  Now I feel like I can make the every other day run without any problems.

Day 8 complete!

Day 7

The school year is winding down!  Finished some auditions at the MS today.  Did a little planning at the HS.  More of the same for tomorrow.

Map of Day  7:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=280749

Total distance: 1.97 miles
Total time: 30 minutes

Current weight: 227.5 lbs
Walk pace: 16:49 /mi
Run pace: 11:40 /mi

A little hot, but not a bad run.  Ran around 6:30 PM.  I'll probably run a little later next time.  Knees are aching pretty badly during and after my runs now, but other than that I'm feeling good.  The pacing changed for Week 3.  It is now run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes.  You rep this twice with a five minute warmup and a five minute cooldown.  I'm thinking that now would be a good time to invest in some real running shoes.

Day 7 complete!

Day 6

It's the last week of school!  We're staying busy by finishing up leadership interviews at the high school and final exam playing tests at the middle school.  Katie and I are trying to get the Graftons to go to dinner and a movie tonight (voting for Hangover 2). 

On Saturday, I woke up at 3:30 AM and left the high school at about 4:45 AM driving the equipment truck down to Pfluegerville for State Solo and Ensemble.  We had 2 Marimba solos, 1 xylophone solo, and 2 percussion ensembles performing (in addition to the multitude of other band students).  One soloist received a 1 on his solo.  I'm really proud of Brian he is going to be a great leader and player.  Here's hoping that he sticks with music!  His brother was the xylophonist and he received a 2.  I thought that he played great.  Very accurate, musical, and technically correct.  I thought that the feedback was good, but is it weird to think that he gave him a two because he was playing a 2-mallet solo?  All that I know is, Jeffrey played the snot out of that piece, and I'm very lucky to have such a talented student in the percussion studio.  The top band ensemble received a 1 on their performance of Identity Crisis.  It wasn't our best showing for that piece, but I was still very proud of how they played.  When we finished the judge gave no verbal comments, which weirded out the kids.  He did write a thesis on our performance, so that is good, but I thought it was strange since our room was 30 minutes ahead of schedule.  The second band ensemble received a 2 for their Metric Lips performance.  If I never have to hear that piece again, I will be happy.  The bad news about that is, KIDS FREAKING LOVE IT!  This means that I will end up giving it to some group of kids every 4 years...

Map of Day  6:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=280749

Total distance: 1.97 miles
Total time: 30 minutes
Current weight: 227.5 lbs

I took today's jogging portions at a slightly faster pace, and it showed with my time getting shaved down by 4 minutes.  It was a freaking hot run.  I ran from 4:30 PM to just before 5:00 PM.  It was very humid and I was really having trouble breathing.  Not a fun run today.

Day 6 complete!

Day 5

Had dinner with the Graftons at Gloria's tonight.  That was great.  Not pumped about the run, but I'm not down about it either.  I think I'm less excited about it, because I know that I need to be up at 3:30 AM tomorrow!  We have State Solo and Ensemble tomorrow and we have two percussion ensembles playing and three percussionists playing solos.  I'm very proud of the hard work of these kids.  They make coming to my job easy, even if it is at 4:30 in the morning!

Map of Day 5:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=280749

Total distance: 1.97 miles
Total time: 31 minutes
Current weight: 228.5 lbs

A little bit different route today.  I planned the route ahead of time and tried to make it a bit longer.  That coupled with the fact that I took the jogging at a slightly slower pace today made for a little bit longer of a run.  My left leg is starting to feel the burn.  I had a stretch before I went out and that helped a lot.  No trouble breathing today (slower pace, no mowers!), but my legs are starting to feel stressed.  Thank God for the days off between runs.  That's helping my recovery immensely.

Good luck to my kiddos tomorrow.  I know that they will do great!  I say this, yet I don't have kids or parents as friends on Facebook...

Day 5 complete!

Day 4

I caught 3 kids skipping class today.  That was fun. 

We got our first movement of the marching show music for the drumline (battery) yesterday.  I'm really happy with the work of our arranger, Adam Clay.  Click his name if you want to check out his work.  Adam was one of the bass techs at Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps when I was marching. 

Week 2 of C25K lengthens your run and walk times.  You now run for 90 seconds and walk for 2 minutes, with a 5 minute warmup at the beginning.  The free plan says to do this set for 20 minutes, but for the mathematically astute, that doesn't really work out.  Since these are 3.5 minute sets, I made the executive decision to do 6 sets for a total of 21 minutes, with a 5 minute brisk walk. 

Map of Day 4:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=278692

Total distance: 1.96 miles
Total time: 26 minutes
Current weight: 228.5 lbs

We changed our route significantly today.  We loop around the outside of the subdivision, which was nice since the sun was setting and the second half of our run was blocked from the sun by the subdivision's wall.  We ended at our house just as the final walk cycle ended.  Also, our brisk walk at the beginning is starting to go faster, and we are covering more distance before we actually start the first set.

No podcast listening today.  We just talked about our days whenever I could catch my breathe.  She is awesome at this and regains her ability to talk well before me!

My brother is Skyping in tonight and we are going to get our role playing on!

Day 4 complete!

Day 3

Busy day today with church, lunch with friends, trip to my FLGS (read: Friendly Local Game Store, www.madnessgames.com), and grocery shopping.  Trying to get The Witcher to work on my Windows 7 x64 OS without much luck when I decide to just go do my run.  Also, we have a Tornado Watch till 9:00 PM and I can see the storms brewing on the radar.

Katie and I did the interval training together again.  Only two mowers today, and I took my allergy pill before hand.  No trouble breathing after the run.  Temperature 88 F + Humidity 70% = Lots of sweat.

Map of Day 3:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=277566

Total distance:  1.65 miles
Total time:  24 minutes (I finished the last set of running as I reached my house)
Current weight:  228.5 lbs

I changed my run slightly and ran to the very front entrance of our subdivision, which meant that I didn't need to run past my house at the end.  I did leave off about a minute of of walking at the end of the session, which means that I actually would have traveled about the same distance as the past two days.  If would have probably made it about 1.8 miles if I had walked the last bit.

Continued listening to the Bradford players play Horror on the Orient Express (www.yog-sothoth.com).  I'm on podcast #33, which means that I have listened to roughly 66 hours of them playing this game.  Now I just need to find more people to actually play with!  I'm trying to get my brother, a Marine stationed at 29 Palms in CA, to Skype in and play with Katie and I.

Day 3 complete!

Day 2

I called Katie after finishing high school percussion auditions today and she mentioned dinner and maybe a run afterwards.  I was not feeling it today as I have a pretty bad headache.  When I got in the car to come home, I remembered that I had some Excedrin in my glove compartment, so I popped one of those bad boys in my mouth.

Got home (only 30 minute drive today!) and my headache was already starting to wane.  I chowed down the sausage and veggies she had prepared (awesome!) and then she brought up the run.  I brought up that I wanted to play Call of Cthulhu with her (I finally got her to create her character last night!).  She agreed to play with me after the walk.  I should point out that she said she would not play the whole session, only "a little of it".  I let her know that I was planning on doing my interval jogging and not just walking.  I think that made her happy.  I took an allergy pill before I left today (a good choice).

Map of Day 2:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=275712

Total distance:  1.88 miles
Total time:  25 minutes
Current weight:  230 lbs

Only one person mowing his yard this afternoon.  About halfway through the run, I knew that I was a little further along than Day 1.  We reached the house about 1 minute earlier than yesterday, so I lengthened the final stretch a bit.  Tight chest for about an hour after the jog, but no wheezing today.  Either the pollen was not as bad today, or the pill helped.  I'll probably keep taking that before I go out.

Didn't listen to any music/podcast today.  Talked to Katie for about first 10 minutes, then it was too hard to talk, so I just said, "Run" and "Walk" when my interval timer went off.

My legs are starting to feel a little tense, but so far I haven't gotten a stitch in my side and no pains during the run.  I've just got to train myself to breath better during the exercise.

Day 2 complete!

Day 1

May 15, 2011 (posted a day late)

Yesterday, Katie and I discussed some things that we wanted to change about our lifestyle. I committed to eating breakfast out less and to start a running regimen. She committed to wanting me to eat breakfast out less and start a running regimen. I honestly can't remember that she committed to anything. She has been running on her own off and on for about two months, and I think that she wanted me do to the same. : ) She doesn't have a problem eating breakfast out.

I did some research online and came to the C25K program at the link below:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Turns out one of my coworkers and her husband are also doing the Coach to 5K program. I printed off the free guide, downloaded an interval timer app for my iPhone (it is called Interval Timer - For Fitness and Workouts). The app is easy to program and will play timer sounds over your iTunes music.

The first week of C25K is three workouts. It starts with a brisk five-minute warm-up walk. Then alternates 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes (25 if you include the 5 minute warm-up).

Map of Day 1:
http://www.runningmap.com/?id=275711

Total distance: 1.80 miles
Total time: 25 minutes

There were a lot of people mowing yards this afternoon and it was pretty rough on my allergies. For Day 2, I need to take some meds before I go out. Wheezing continued for about 2 hours after I got inside. Took two allergy pills as soon as I got inside.

Today, I was listening to a podcast that I have become addicted to. It is a recording of a Call of Cthulhu role playing session. I'm on episode 31 of the Horror on the Orient Express campaign. It's seems like a great way to keep my mind off the work of running.

Day 1 complete!