Apparently old people blog...

Why did I start this blog?  Well, as I mentioned before I started a training plan with Frisco Running Club. For 35 bucks you get a training plan, coaching, workouts, a t-shirt, & 15% off at the Frisco Running Company store. There are also links to the club & store are at the top of my page. 

When I started that program I also started a weekly Facebook post with photos from the week. Pictures of whatever I encountered that week of training. So for 6 months I’ve been journaling by photo. There were many times that I wanted to share more about the individual photos, but didn’t want to be one of those long posters... My Facebook Album

A blog seemed like the natural progression. I can type it out & you can read it or not. My oldest daughter said I was old for starting a blog. “We vlog now.” I could vlog I suppose, but it would be more labor intensive with the recording & video editing. Been there done that.  That’s a story for another time. 

This week has been light week. 3 milers on Monday & Tuesday to start the week. Both of which I wore the Bluetooth shoes from my previous post. 

MONDAY

I'm an early morning runner.  It works best for me.  It doesn't interfere with family life or work.  But, on occasion, when the weather is cool I'll sleep in & go for a lunch run.  Monday was one of those days.  I tried out a route through one of the newly opened neighborhoods across the street. Ended up with an odd distance, but it was a nice loop.

TUESDAY

Run-crastination led to me joining an impromptu FRC evening run from the store. I really enjoy running in groups. It’s one of my favorite things about running. 

It was a pretty small group. Since covid came to town it’s been pretty low attendance. I remember last year we would have 50+ on some runs.  This time of year it's nearly dark before we start.  

**Always make sure that you have some sort of lighting when running in the dark.**

WEDNESDAY

Mid-week brings us to my guys, The Ninja Turtles. That’s what we’ve named ourselves. There are four of us.  We're not ninjas, & we’re not fast either.  Typically we run together every Wednesday & Saturday. We all met through FRC. Our pace group originally was larger & had men & women.  Over the course of 6 months of training & the aforementioned covid we dwindled down to the four of us for the most part.

One of the quad was going out of town this week. So you just get 3 of us. 

We did 10 miles with threshold pace intervals. 2 miles easy pace, then 2 miles threshold pace. Alternating to 10 total miles.  It felt pretty tough.  Especially the 2nd threshold section.

THURSDAY

Cross-training day (XT). This weeks workout had a name. Annie on the Run. Sit-ups, jump rope, & running pyramid style.  

Man, I used to be terrible at jumping rope.  Back in May I could barely get to 5 before I was missing a jump.  Now I can do 50-60+.  Back then I also cut all of the workouts in half.  I just wasn't in shape enough to tackle the full workouts.

Moral of the story... Anyone one can do this stuff.  Modify the workouts as needed & get it done.  Consistency is key.  Keep at it & you'll get stronger!

FRIDAY

The best day of the week!  REST DAY!  

Nothing happening but foam rolling & hydration today.  Getting the body ready for tomorrows long run.  I like to sit in that chair & look at my running wall.  It reminds me that it all started with a guy in his mid 30s that wanted to lose a few pounds.  I would go the the high school track every morning.  I would run as far as I could.  The first day I could only make it half a lap.  Run 1/2 & walk 1/2.  No watch, no tracking.  I just ran till I was tired, rested a bit & went again.

That big ole G also reminds me that it's only a couple more weeks until Hope For the Holiday Half Marathon in memory of Garrett Yeager.

SATURDAY

Nothing like waking up at 4:30am on Saturday to run with your friends. Some say we’re crazy. Maybe, but that’s what we do. 

Once again, 3 turtles strong, we took on the streets of Frisco, TX.  What was supposed to be 15 Easy turned into 10 Easy, 3 terrible, 2 miserable. 

I’m not really sure what happened. The humidity was pretty high & it was in the mid 60s. Either way, not every run is good. Some are just not. 

Everything seemed to be going fine. The first half of the route had some solid hills. Around mile 11 I ran out of water. I ran into the Golden Arches & refilled one bottle. That gave Leonardo (name changed to protect the innocent) the perfect opportunity for a pic. Typically I’m the photographer, but today I just wanted to be done. I literally look dead...

Only 4 more miles to go. Shortly after the pit stop I noticed my left nipple burning. Which was odd because I was wearing band-aids. A quick peek revealed a major wardrobe malfunction. I guess with all of the extra humidity & sweat ole lefty fell off leaving one raw nipple. Ouch!  I did not enjoy the shower later. 

Anyway I pulled my shirt off & slugged on. Which brought comments about me just wanting flex for the passers-by. 2 more miles to go. This is where a few brief walk breaks were added to the program. My feet & lower legs were just done. Not sure if it was all the jump ropes Thursday or if my shoes need replaced. 284 miles seems a little low for the Nike Pegasus. Nonetheless I pressed on & finished it up. The other turtles kept looping back to make sure that I had not died. That’s what friends do. They hang around even when your having a rough day. Runners are good people.  You should be too!

So that’s it for the week. I hope it wasn’t too much.  Check back with me soon for another week in the life of an average runner.