Zola Budd was one of my heroes in high school. Unlike many runners, she was not flashy or whiny, like high maintenance Mary Decker (Tabb and later Slaney).
She disappeared for years, only reappearing in public long after she was past her elite prime. Humble, loves running and now, is going to run a 56-mile race.
Read the ESPN piece: Zola Budd to run in ultra marathon
Executive Speechwriting: Corporate, Weddings, Retirement
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Marathons Don't Boost Runners' Cardiac Arrest Risk in Study
News:
Marathons Don't Boost Runners' Cardiac Arrest Risk in Study
(Bloomberg) -- Competing in a marathon or half- marathon doesn't raise a runner's chance of suffering a cardiac arrest any more than other vigorous physical activity, according to a study reviewing a decade of data.
Marathons Don't Boost Runners' Cardiac Arrest Risk in Study
(Bloomberg) -- Competing in a marathon or half- marathon doesn't raise a runner's chance of suffering a cardiac arrest any more than other vigorous physical activity, according to a study reviewing a decade of data.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Faster Than Not Slow (with Rice) - 3.1 Miles
3.108 miles run (28:45 - 9:15/mile)
0.500 miles walk
total: 3.608 miles
course: home treadmill
Did not have much time to run tonight, and was full of Chinese food. That, and I still have a five mile run in my legs -- and I'll be adding one more day of runs to my week. Too many miles too soon is a bad thing in general, so this was win-win. And, I like faster more than slower.
My weight has yet to show movement. In fact, before the run, I weighed myself at 1.5 lbs higher than yesterday. The big lunch and not small dinner did not help. The treadmill thinks I burned 400 calories. I'll take it. I'll get there if I stay consistent (and persistent).
0.500 miles walk
total: 3.608 miles
course: home treadmill
Did not have much time to run tonight, and was full of Chinese food. That, and I still have a five mile run in my legs -- and I'll be adding one more day of runs to my week. Too many miles too soon is a bad thing in general, so this was win-win. And, I like faster more than slower.
My weight has yet to show movement. In fact, before the run, I weighed myself at 1.5 lbs higher than yesterday. The big lunch and not small dinner did not help. The treadmill thinks I burned 400 calories. I'll take it. I'll get there if I stay consistent (and persistent).
Catch me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/anthonytrendl
Follow my writing on my Facebook official page.
The Lakefront Trail: Training in Chicago for the 2012 Boston Marathon
That's no my running trail. I don't run there. That's 35 miles from here on an easy traffic day. And I'm not training for Boston. I'd love to be able to say that, but, no.
Pete B runs there, and, much like my blog, writes about his workouts and related running adventures. You'll see him as a frequent commenter here, and I thought you should check him out. A very decent runner with a 3:05 marathon PR, with Boston in his sites.
Scroll through -- he has some terrific photos as well. A good thing about running is the venue: forests, beaches, lonely roads. All make for great photos.
The Lakefront Trail: Training in Chicago for the 2012 Boston Marathon
Pete B runs there, and, much like my blog, writes about his workouts and related running adventures. You'll see him as a frequent commenter here, and I thought you should check him out. A very decent runner with a 3:05 marathon PR, with Boston in his sites.
Scroll through -- he has some terrific photos as well. A good thing about running is the venue: forests, beaches, lonely roads. All make for great photos.
The Lakefront Trail: Training in Chicago for the 2012 Boston Marathon
Catch me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/anthonytrendl
Follow my writing on my official Facebook page
Monday, January 2, 2012
Persistence Is Key to Losing Weight and Keeping It Off
I'm not a fitness or health expert. Most of my blog is reporting what I do and the relatedvresults. However, at best, this is anecdotal.
Most good advice will be plain spoken: eat less but eat smart, and exercise more, and don't quit. Quitting is usually the bane of most of us. We use excuses like, "My grandmother made me eat the cake," or, "Aliens stopped my exercise program."
Read the piece below for good ideas to deal with all of this. Decide today if 2012 will be different than 2011.
Persistence Is Key to Losing Weight and Keeping It Off
Most good advice will be plain spoken: eat less but eat smart, and exercise more, and don't quit. Quitting is usually the bane of most of us. We use excuses like, "My grandmother made me eat the cake," or, "Aliens stopped my exercise program."
Read the piece below for good ideas to deal with all of this. Decide today if 2012 will be different than 2011.
Persistence Is Key to Losing Weight and Keeping It Off
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Three Accomplishments - 5.0 Miles
5.00 miles run 0.50 miles walk
total: 5.50 miles
course: home treadmill
A solid first run of the year. Much better start than last year. Then, not only did I run just a mile on New's Year's Day, I had run only one mile in all of the previous December. This last December, I ran 26.24 miles over 11 runs.
As I ran, I wondered about some stories I'm working on. A few are stuck, with problems I need to resolve. A few ideas were loosed up around mile three.
Accomplishment #1
Today, this first day of the year, finishes a rolling week with 15.373 miles run. I've not cleared 15 miles in a week (just counting running) since mid-November, 2010.
Accomplishment #2
With 5.0 miles today, I'm again, digging back to November 2010.
Accomplishment #3
total: 5.50 miles
course: home treadmill
A solid first run of the year. Much better start than last year. Then, not only did I run just a mile on New's Year's Day, I had run only one mile in all of the previous December. This last December, I ran 26.24 miles over 11 runs.
As I ran, I wondered about some stories I'm working on. A few are stuck, with problems I need to resolve. A few ideas were loosed up around mile three.
Accomplishment #1
Today, this first day of the year, finishes a rolling week with 15.373 miles run. I've not cleared 15 miles in a week (just counting running) since mid-November, 2010.
Accomplishment #2
With 5.0 miles today, I'm again, digging back to November 2010.
Accomplishment #3
I stuck at 10:00/mile the entire way. Slow? Hard to say. Two days ago, everything felt fast. The important thing is I kept it slow. My body is still getting into the most basic of shape. Just because a couple kinks are out does not mean I cannot be dreadfully foolish.
Catch me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/anthonytrendl
Follow my writing on my official Facebook page
New Year's Resolution: Running
Whose New Year's Resolution involves running? Tell me about it. A time? A big race? Total miles?
Friday, December 30, 2011
Unsatisfying Last Run of the Year - 2.1 miles
2.101 miles run
0.25 miles walk
total: 2.351 miles
course: home treadmill
Why so little? Very slow too.
Not enough sleep (all week). Didn't hydrate or eat well. Stress. And residual tiredness from the previous run. Not that complicated. It adds up.
However, as the last run of 2011, this is still good. I didn't skip it when I didn't feel like it.
Catch me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/anthonytrendl
Follow my writing on my Facebook official page.
0.25 miles walk
total: 2.351 miles
course: home treadmill
Why so little? Very slow too.
Not enough sleep (all week). Didn't hydrate or eat well. Stress. And residual tiredness from the previous run. Not that complicated. It adds up.
However, as the last run of 2011, this is still good. I didn't skip it when I didn't feel like it.
Catch me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/anthonytrendl
See you in 2012!
Follow my writing on my Facebook official page.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Canonized and Funky - 4.727 Miles
4.272 miles run (40:15 - 9:25/mile)
0.500 miles walk
total: 4.772 miles
course: home treadmill
I was not as tight as I expected from the previous run, and, in fact, felt very good. Why? I don't really know, but I'm willing to believe it could be because my overall mileage is still low, my recovery time is two days, and my longest run wasn't especially long.
All of this will accrue, and aching, tired days are ahead if all goes well. Strange to say that but it is true. Stranger still is that I look forward to this. It means I'm still at it. Consistency. I thought about my tea drinking friend. His recent post about preaching tea to the choir has flavors of consistency as well. He sticks at it, keeps trying.
In the meanwhile, regarding tonight, things went well. Spotify was treating me well as I sent songs from iTunes to Spotify (iTunes is not available on my phone, and I'm learning to prefer Spotify). Used an old playlist, and got down to Wild Cherry, finished with a walk to Pachelbel's Canon.
A few videos. The last is a funny look at a famous classical piece.
Wild Cherry - Play that Funky Music
Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D Major
Comedian/musician Rob Paravonian - Pachelbel Rant
0.500 miles walk
total: 4.772 miles
course: home treadmill
I was not as tight as I expected from the previous run, and, in fact, felt very good. Why? I don't really know, but I'm willing to believe it could be because my overall mileage is still low, my recovery time is two days, and my longest run wasn't especially long.
All of this will accrue, and aching, tired days are ahead if all goes well. Strange to say that but it is true. Stranger still is that I look forward to this. It means I'm still at it. Consistency. I thought about my tea drinking friend. His recent post about preaching tea to the choir has flavors of consistency as well. He sticks at it, keeps trying.
In the meanwhile, regarding tonight, things went well. Spotify was treating me well as I sent songs from iTunes to Spotify (iTunes is not available on my phone, and I'm learning to prefer Spotify). Used an old playlist, and got down to Wild Cherry, finished with a walk to Pachelbel's Canon.
A few videos. The last is a funny look at a famous classical piece.
Wild Cherry - Play that Funky Music
Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D Major
Comedian/musician Rob Paravonian - Pachelbel Rant
"Goal?" Asks the Tea Drinker
A friend (see his tea blog, 39 Steeps) I showed my progress and regress of running and weight over the last few years -- I have a long spreadsheet -- he asked what my goal is. Seeing a steady number of runs, he suspected I'm back on track. I'm only back on track if I stick with it, and that's yet to be seen.
But, as far as goals go -- when I began this re-entry into running a few years ago, I boldly proclaimed I would break 20:00 for the 5K. Git as low as 21:35, but still a better than solid minute and a half off. That's a long time. And, I mentioned more than a few times I wanted to run a marathon fast. Not an unreasonable goal if I put the work in, but I didn't.
Lack of steady training was certainly one cause. Other factors might be at play, like age, diet and so forth, but not one matters if I am not consistent.
So, I told him my goal is simply consistency. Naturally, I want those other things, but I don't have much of a right to stake a claim unless I am otherwise getting in regular runs.
For now, regular runs will be every other day. That's on purpose. The next step up is four days a week, per some kind of specific schedule, with two days in a row somewhere in there. If I manage that without getting hurt, then five days.
If I'm good with five days for a while, I expect three months will have passed, and it will be early March. I should begin to see an impact. By then, no matter how weak my runs are, I will have logged some real miles, and enjoy some cardio fitness, and maybe a a pound or two lost.
Consistency, had I applied it in all the major blank spaces in the last year, will have given me so much. If I had run, say, 100 more days at no more than five kilometers on those days, I would have 310 miles behind me, and as much as 10 lbs lost. But -- I didn't.
So, to consistency, and beyond!
But, as far as goals go -- when I began this re-entry into running a few years ago, I boldly proclaimed I would break 20:00 for the 5K. Git as low as 21:35, but still a better than solid minute and a half off. That's a long time. And, I mentioned more than a few times I wanted to run a marathon fast. Not an unreasonable goal if I put the work in, but I didn't.
Lack of steady training was certainly one cause. Other factors might be at play, like age, diet and so forth, but not one matters if I am not consistent.
So, I told him my goal is simply consistency. Naturally, I want those other things, but I don't have much of a right to stake a claim unless I am otherwise getting in regular runs.
For now, regular runs will be every other day. That's on purpose. The next step up is four days a week, per some kind of specific schedule, with two days in a row somewhere in there. If I manage that without getting hurt, then five days.
If I'm good with five days for a while, I expect three months will have passed, and it will be early March. I should begin to see an impact. By then, no matter how weak my runs are, I will have logged some real miles, and enjoy some cardio fitness, and maybe a a pound or two lost.
Consistency, had I applied it in all the major blank spaces in the last year, will have given me so much. If I had run, say, 100 more days at no more than five kilometers on those days, I would have 310 miles behind me, and as much as 10 lbs lost. But -- I didn't.
So, to consistency, and beyond!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Besides Running, I Write Folk Tales: Join the Conversation
Some of you might know in my offline life, I'm a writer. Mostly, speeches and marketing material, but I also have been writing short stories that are regularly published by AOL Patch. My author page: http://facebook.com/AnthonyTrendl. Please click, then like the page.
I discuss writing, literature, folk tales, humorists, as well as include updates about writing projects. Plenty of discussion regarding my Bluster County tales project, a series of loosely connected stories told in the manner of Garrison Keillor and Mark Twain. You'll see links to related videos, free books, events and other things that might be interesting to you.
Join the fun.
Monday, December 26, 2011
6.4 Kilometers (I looked it up) - 4 Miles
4.00 miles run (38:43 - 9:41/mile)
0.25 miles walk
total: 4.25 miles
course: home treadmill
I missed yesterday. The goal is to run every other day through New Year's, then evaluate if slipping another day in every seven is a good idea. But yesterday was Christmas. A busy schedule dominated the day. I slow cooked ribs and chicken, with a myriad of Hungarian dishes as well. Celebrating my Lord's birth is more important to me than running. Was a beautiful day for those of you who managed running.
Today, I added 0.90 miles to my longest run. My legs are still getting used to this, and four miles is a genuine workout.
I'll be tight tomorrow. These days between are precious.
0.25 miles walk
total: 4.25 miles
course: home treadmill
I missed yesterday. The goal is to run every other day through New Year's, then evaluate if slipping another day in every seven is a good idea. But yesterday was Christmas. A busy schedule dominated the day. I slow cooked ribs and chicken, with a myriad of Hungarian dishes as well. Celebrating my Lord's birth is more important to me than running. Was a beautiful day for those of you who managed running.
Today, I added 0.90 miles to my longest run. My legs are still getting used to this, and four miles is a genuine workout.
I'll be tight tomorrow. These days between are precious.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Ran a 5K an Hour Ago. You? 3.108 Basement Miles
3.108 miles run (29:14 - 9:24/mile)
0.392 miles walk
total: 3.50 miles
course: home treadmill
I sort of ran a 5K today. In my basement, dim lights and laundry piled next to me. Not really, of course. I have no delusions treadmill running is the same as outside running, but it is cold, I wanted to tune out and just get it done. Which I did.
If it were a 5K, I would have not come in last. I'm looking forward to knocking out miles at 8:30/mile and longer, and this, though a minute off, is encouraging. I felt OK on this even of Christmas Eve.
All said, I'm up to just over 17 miles for the month, on pace to finish with 31. I'm satisfied with that even though I can name a few friends with 30 milers as their Saturday run. I can name 100 more who never do squat and are suffering from inactivity. That was me last month. I'm one skipped run due to laziness away from this status.
0.392 miles walk
total: 3.50 miles
course: home treadmill
I sort of ran a 5K today. In my basement, dim lights and laundry piled next to me. Not really, of course. I have no delusions treadmill running is the same as outside running, but it is cold, I wanted to tune out and just get it done. Which I did.
If it were a 5K, I would have not come in last. I'm looking forward to knocking out miles at 8:30/mile and longer, and this, though a minute off, is encouraging. I felt OK on this even of Christmas Eve.
All said, I'm up to just over 17 miles for the month, on pace to finish with 31. I'm satisfied with that even though I can name a few friends with 30 milers as their Saturday run. I can name 100 more who never do squat and are suffering from inactivity. That was me last month. I'm one skipped run due to laziness away from this status.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Machinery? Bah! 2.75 Miles
2.752 miles run
0.248 miles walk
total: 3.00 miles
course: home treadmill
I'm sitting here eating Raisin Bran, feeling the warmth of a workout slide through my body. It is a good feeling.
I have a nice treadmill, and have a comfortable home. There are nicer treadmills in nicer homes, with fitness coaches, massage therapists and all the rest that some people might enjoy. OK, everyone would enjoy. But, not everyone has. My point -- all that doth not fitness make. A good run is not complicated. Better devices, even better shoes won't get it done. Those things can limit injury, or help the run be more enjoyable, or a faster recovery time for hard workouts, but nothing replaces sweat.
I don't begrudge the guy with all that. I too, compared to many, just by merit of having good shoes and the treadmill, have more than so many runners. Just look at the Ethiopians. Or Kenyans? Look how the lack of technical running has impeded their efforts. ;)
I wanted to run longer. That's a good temptation. It means progress, But it is a dangerous temptation. Run too far now, and next month I'm back where I started.
0.248 miles walk
total: 3.00 miles
course: home treadmill
I'm sitting here eating Raisin Bran, feeling the warmth of a workout slide through my body. It is a good feeling.
I have a nice treadmill, and have a comfortable home. There are nicer treadmills in nicer homes, with fitness coaches, massage therapists and all the rest that some people might enjoy. OK, everyone would enjoy. But, not everyone has. My point -- all that doth not fitness make. A good run is not complicated. Better devices, even better shoes won't get it done. Those things can limit injury, or help the run be more enjoyable, or a faster recovery time for hard workouts, but nothing replaces sweat.
I don't begrudge the guy with all that. I too, compared to many, just by merit of having good shoes and the treadmill, have more than so many runners. Just look at the Ethiopians. Or Kenyans? Look how the lack of technical running has impeded their efforts. ;)
I wanted to run longer. That's a good temptation. It means progress, But it is a dangerous temptation. Run too far now, and next month I'm back where I started.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)