As I mentioned in my last post, running in south florida sucks. Now that "spring" has turned to summer it is even worse. I have decided to move to the treadmill. It has been an interesting transition as I have dreaded the treadmill throughout the years. Often it is boring and doesn't feel like my natural running flow.
Over the last 2 months I have been able to adjust to the change. I have been able to run for longer distances without having to stop. Although my pace has been slower than when I was running on the road most recently it is faster than when I ran outside last summer. My average distance completed has also been much higher. One of the things I have added to make running on the treadmill more bearable is adding watching tv instead of just music or staring at the wall. This has contributed to me getting extra miles in as I get caught up in the show that I just keep running,
Overall, it still isn't as fun but it is serving the purpose of keeping me moving. I don't think I will be beating any records with this but I am also not losing my fitness, which is the main purpose of my running. I have also been adding in speed work once a week and doing those outside. I have been surprised at the quality of those workouts despite me running on a treadmill most days.
Pros:
Running everyday
Run anytime of day (vs night or early morning for outside)
High miles per run
staying healthy
more comfortable environment
more tv time
Cons:
Inside
controlled enviromnent (no hills, heat, change ups)
slower average mile
Not building speed
more tv time
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Back to Running again, for now
I have gotten more free time lately due to COVID-19 and the slow down at work. I have gotten back into a regular running schedule since the new year but have now been able to pick up the training. Here are my thoughts from lately:
Running in South Florida Sucks:
-It is always hot (a few cools day but still)
- You need to run before Sun rise or after Sunset
-Both options suck. You either have high humidity or heat and often both
-I hate treadmills
-No good trails to run
-How did I ever run cc down here? Maybe that is why I sucked so much.
-No elevation unless you find a bridge.... I think everyone knows this but makes trying to change things up a bit harder and isn't much worse then South Georgia
- I miss the South Georgia Running Community. I haven't has luck finding one I gel with here.
Running as I have gotten older:
- I use to be pretty fast, comparatively ( I didn't often feel that way, although I didn't feel slow either)
- I use to workout hard- I knew that but man did I put the effort in. I find it hard now to do (lack of community? Accountability?).
- 15-20 lbs makes a difference and is harder and harder to keep off
- I eat bad.... Well really I eat to much and that doesn't help with the above issue
-I don't care to race so much as to be healthy and have a positive outlet. Although putting a race on the schedule has motivated me to run more consistent and have something to work toward in the past.
Making Running exciting while alone :
- I play little games on my runs. This has gotten me out of the habit of running the same boring route every day and gotten me to explore new areas of the neighborhood.
Running in South Florida Sucks:
-It is always hot (a few cools day but still)
- You need to run before Sun rise or after Sunset
-Both options suck. You either have high humidity or heat and often both
-I hate treadmills
-No good trails to run
-How did I ever run cc down here? Maybe that is why I sucked so much.
-No elevation unless you find a bridge.... I think everyone knows this but makes trying to change things up a bit harder and isn't much worse then South Georgia
- I miss the South Georgia Running Community. I haven't has luck finding one I gel with here.
Running as I have gotten older:
- I use to be pretty fast, comparatively ( I didn't often feel that way, although I didn't feel slow either)
- I use to workout hard- I knew that but man did I put the effort in. I find it hard now to do (lack of community? Accountability?).
- 15-20 lbs makes a difference and is harder and harder to keep off
- I eat bad.... Well really I eat to much and that doesn't help with the above issue
-I don't care to race so much as to be healthy and have a positive outlet. Although putting a race on the schedule has motivated me to run more consistent and have something to work toward in the past.
Making Running exciting while alone :
- I play little games on my runs. This has gotten me out of the habit of running the same boring route every day and gotten me to explore new areas of the neighborhood.
- Try to not run down a dead end
- Run down every dead end
- Don't run on the same street twice.
- Try to run a mile in a random neighbor hood
- guess how long a street is
- Try and run down every street in a neighborhood
- I always used running as a way to relieve stress or think about something that is going on or get always from thinking about something that is going on. I don't drink, I don't smoke, have many other hobbies and running has always been my outlet.
- You get the point.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Schedule
It is that time of year were I am doing a lot. School is back in session and so is my crazy schedule. I am teaching a first year experience course, officiating football, and helping manage a running group, on top of my regular job as store manager. Here is what my schedule looks like for a two week period.
Sunday
7a 8 mile long run w/ GLCR
9a -3p work @ the store
3:30-6p mandatory Allstar Football Association meeting
Monday
7a-6:30p work at the store
9a-10p Teach FYE class
6:30p- 40 minute run @ Chehaw
Tuesday
7a-5:45 work at the store
6p - group run at WildSide running
8:30-10p Football Confrence call
Wednesday
7a-5:15p work at the store
9a-10a Teach FYE class
5:30 GLCR speed workout
Thursday
7a-4p work at the store
12p-1p treadmill run @ Gym
4:15-8:30p JV game @ Miller Co
Friday
7a-4p work at the store
1p-2p treadmill run @ gym
4:15p-12a Varsity football ECO @ Bainbridge
Saturday
8a- 30 minute run
7:30-9a prep/cook food for officials crew
9:30a-2:30p work at the bookstore
3p-4p finish & pack food for game
4p-1a Varsity PCO @ Calquitt Co (ESPNU game)
Sunday
7a- GLCR 8 mile long run
9:30-3p work at the bookstore
2p-4p football meeting (guess I'll miss the first half)
Monday
8a-5:00p work at the store
9a-10p Teach FYE class
5:30p- 60 minute run @ Chehaw
Tuesday
8a-5:45 work at the store
6p - group run at WildSide running
8:30-10p football conference call
Wednesday
8a-4:00p work at the store
4:15-7p Midle school game @ Lee Co
7:30- 30 minute run
Thursday
7a-5p work at the store
12p-1p treadmill run @ Gym
5:15p-10:330p Varsity game @ Hugh Mills
Friday
7a-4p work at the store
1p-2p treadmill run @ gym
4:15p-12a Varsity football ECO @ Cook co
Saturday-Sunday
Travel to Atlanta to spend time with the nieces.
Monday
6a-12p Macon Labor Day race
Travel back to Albany
This doesn't include everyday things like cooking, cleaning, sleeping, studying for football, planning for GLCR, grading assignments..... You get the point. I enjoy what I do but it is tiring sometimes.
Monday, July 25, 2016
2016 Devil Take The Hindmost run, FSU's Mike Long Track
This past weekend I had an opportunity to participate in a unique event in Tallahassee. I missed out on it last year since I was out of town. Even though I was origanlly suppose to be on the other side of the country I was excited to get a chance to do it this year.
The race is straightforward the person that is last each lap is taken by the "Devil". Or shall I say the lady dressed in a devil costume. Every two minutes starts a new lap & you have to have completed the previous lap before the next one starts. So In addition to not being the last finisher you had to finish each lap in 2 minutes as that is when the next lap starts.
After arriving at the beautiful FSU track, Alisa and I changed into our running attire. We started with a warmup and some basic stretching. Alisa & I discussed our goals. Mine was to make it at least 8 laps. Hers was to not be the first one snatched of the track as she had spent the earlier part of the day zipping around town on a bike workout.
Participants and innocent bystanders started to gather near the start line to see the Devil snatch away the unlucky runners each passing lap. Us runners received a two minute warning to the start of our journey to hell. The race started with the Devil leading the 23 participants in an untimed opening lap. After that the clock was turned on and we were off. The first timed lap was slow @ about 1:45. Everyone was being casious which lead to a sprint to the finish. Alisa made the cut & wasn't the first one gone. Unfortunately she fell victim to her bike workout & the devil got her.
I breezed through the first mile with the same easy pace & kick to end the lap. The pace picks up some each passing lap as the feild begins to shrink. At 8 laps I was feeling a little hot but good. Alisa brought me over some water as we started the next few laps.
By lap 10 the pace was now getting into the mid 80 second range. After 11 I was starting to feel the heat. By 12 I felt done. I even started the 13th lap a second or two behind as I contemplated dropping out. Hey, I made it further than my goal. But I went for it. At 150 meters into the lap I was about 10 meters behind the next runner, with me being in last. At 200 meters I decided to go for it & sprinted. I managed to catch & pass the feild finishing the lap in first. Unfortunately I still fell victim to the Devil, as I didn't start the next lap. I finished tied for 9th place with two other runners, one that was in last at the end of the lap and another runner that couldn't go on like me. The rest of the participants kept it going, picking up the pace each lap until only one was left.
Overall it was a fun and novel race to get a good workout in. In retrospect I should have at least started the next lap instead of dropping out. This is especially true since I had 40 seconds left between the laps & threw in the towel to early. Maybe next year I can outrun the Devil.
Photos courtesy of Herb Wills check out his blog for more about the race: http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2016/07/devil-2016.html?m=1
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Fantasy Sports
With the end of Fantasy basketball now closed it is the end of another disappointing year. This year I had two fantasy football teams and a fantasy basketball team.
The Yahoo team was great. I ended up winning the championship over the league manager. I had a stacked team and made a big move that showed to be very crucial down the line. I pretty much dominating the league losing in week one and a few other weeks with some bad match-ups for my players (bye weeks). I made good pick ups week to week and with only 10 teams in the league to was crucial to have all positions solid since the free agency pool was fairly deep.
The big Trade (Before RG3 got hurt): RG3 and Gore for AP and Spiller.
Starting Team:
Final Roster:
Davone Bess
Justin Blackmon
Tom Brady
Michael Crabtree
Tony Gonzalez
Vincent Jackson
Brandon Myers
Carson Palmer
Adrian Peterson
C.J. Spiller
Roddy White
David Wilson
Stephen Gostkowski
Indianapolis
San Francisc
In the ESPN league it was messy. We had a lot of teams (12) which made for thin teams, It was hard to get a solid team together. I made it into the payoff but made a quick exit. Half the league ended with the same record of 7-6. Maybe next year when we eliminate the snake draft.
Basketball which just ended was the biggest disappointment of them all. I had the hands down best team but due to paying more attention to fantasy football in the beginning of the season I took a few Ls I shouldn't have. This made me have to make a big push to end the season to make it into the playoff. I ended up with the #1 Seed but all 4 playoff teams had the same record of 13-6. I drew the #4 team and he ended up having his biggest week of the season and was the eventual overall champ. Looking at the stats even though my team had the most points on the year I had more points against then the two in the final. Actually , the two in the finals ranked low overall in PF but had low PA. This just shows how much luck of the draw is in fantasy. Not to take anything away from either GM as they both optimized their schedule and roster.
Well, it was fun. Win or lose it is always fun because the leagues are made of good friends and it makes sure we stay in contact on the regular....... No to start preparations for Fantasy football. Who should be my first pick in this years draft?
The Yahoo team was great. I ended up winning the championship over the league manager. I had a stacked team and made a big move that showed to be very crucial down the line. I pretty much dominating the league losing in week one and a few other weeks with some bad match-ups for my players (bye weeks). I made good pick ups week to week and with only 10 teams in the league to was crucial to have all positions solid since the free agency pool was fairly deep.
The big Trade (Before RG3 got hurt): RG3 and Gore for AP and Spiller.
| Trade | ||||
|
Starting Team:
| 1. | (2) | Tom Brady(NE - QB) |
| 2. | (19) | Maurice Jones-Drew(Jac - RB) |
| 3. | (22) | Roddy White(Atl - WR) |
| 4. | (39) | Tony Gonzalez(Atl - TE) |
| 5. | (42) | San Francisco(SF - DEF) |
| 6. | (59) | Frank Gore(SF - RB) |
| 7. | (62) | Vincent Jackson(TB - WR) |
| 8. | (79) | Robert Griffin III(Was - QB) |
| 9. | (82) | Darrius Heyward-Bey(Ind - WR) |
| 10. | (99) | Stephen Gostkowski(NE - K) |
| 11. | (102) | Jacquizz Rodgers(Atl - RB) |
| 12. | (119) | Dustin Keller(Mia - TE) |
| 13. | (122) | Santana Moss(Was - WR) |
| 14. | (139) | Toby Gerhart(Min - RB) |
| 15. | (142) | Mario Manningham(SF - WR) |
Final Roster:
Davone Bess
Justin Blackmon
Tom Brady
Michael Crabtree
Tony Gonzalez
Vincent Jackson
Brandon Myers
Carson Palmer
Adrian Peterson
C.J. Spiller
Roddy White
David Wilson
Stephen Gostkowski
Indianapolis
San Francisc
In the ESPN league it was messy. We had a lot of teams (12) which made for thin teams, It was hard to get a solid team together. I made it into the payoff but made a quick exit. Half the league ended with the same record of 7-6. Maybe next year when we eliminate the snake draft.
Basketball which just ended was the biggest disappointment of them all. I had the hands down best team but due to paying more attention to fantasy football in the beginning of the season I took a few Ls I shouldn't have. This made me have to make a big push to end the season to make it into the playoff. I ended up with the #1 Seed but all 4 playoff teams had the same record of 13-6. I drew the #4 team and he ended up having his biggest week of the season and was the eventual overall champ. Looking at the stats even though my team had the most points on the year I had more points against then the two in the final. Actually , the two in the finals ranked low overall in PF but had low PA. This just shows how much luck of the draw is in fantasy. Not to take anything away from either GM as they both optimized their schedule and roster.
Well, it was fun. Win or lose it is always fun because the leagues are made of good friends and it makes sure we stay in contact on the regular....... No to start preparations for Fantasy football. Who should be my first pick in this years draft?
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Downtown Albany - Loan Central
I have lived here in Albany Ga for a few months now. I think it is time to give my view on it. I don't feel like I have had the full Albany experience but I pretty much go out of town every weekend. I guess that says something about Albany itself.
For now I will concentrate just on "downtown". This last weekend I decided to take some time and do a little self guided walking tour of the portion of downtown I hadn't seen yet.
The downtown area consists of about a 6-10 block area that sits right on Flint river. The area near the river is real nice. It consists of an amphitheater, children's park, a spray park, a walking path & a riverquarium (pretty cool took my niece), the civic center & an area dedicated to Ray Charles. Actually I believe the whole trail is dedicated to him. They have a statue with a piano key style sidewalk. The statue plays his songs on cycle. The Hilton is as also right there across the street.
Right next to the riverquariam they have a few shops & a local BBQ place (River Front BBQ). It is pretty good. The rest of the downtown is fairly typical of a small city. No tall buildings (none more then 5 stories or so). Most of the buildings are government or public facilities like court houses, energy company, police, library school board & like agencies.
Their are several small businesses & restaurants that close in the 5p time frame when all the government buildings close. They also have limited hours on the weekend. The downtown area also has a bunch of closed up shops & empty store fronts. A run down sign of a revitalization sits on one of the buildings. This area is also home to a local favorite Jimmie's Hot Dogs. Which you go for more for the name then anything. They only sell hot dogs. I'll do a review of them in another post.
The one thing that struck me as odd was the number of loan business located in a small area. I counted six in a 2 block area. They out numbered Salons (5), restaurants (3), banks (2), retail stores (3) in that same two block area. These are like pay day, title loan places.
After thinking about it I noticed Albany seemed to have a high concentration of these types of businesses for its size city. They have them all over the Albany area like Starbucks in NYC yet the city doesn't even have a Dunkin Donuts & only one Starbucks. Just seems odd.
Anyway, that is pretty much the Downtown area of Albany. Nothing special and besides the riverfront part pretty dull. To end the day I visited the Museum across the street from my house. Not bad at all for its size. No big time names but still had some good piece. Surprising enough it was free.
Stay tuned for my take on the greater Albany area. As of right now it doesn't look like it will be a shinning review but you never know the place could change my mind between now & that post.
For now I will concentrate just on "downtown". This last weekend I decided to take some time and do a little self guided walking tour of the portion of downtown I hadn't seen yet.
The downtown area consists of about a 6-10 block area that sits right on Flint river. The area near the river is real nice. It consists of an amphitheater, children's park, a spray park, a walking path & a riverquarium (pretty cool took my niece), the civic center & an area dedicated to Ray Charles. Actually I believe the whole trail is dedicated to him. They have a statue with a piano key style sidewalk. The statue plays his songs on cycle. The Hilton is as also right there across the street.
Right next to the riverquariam they have a few shops & a local BBQ place (River Front BBQ). It is pretty good. The rest of the downtown is fairly typical of a small city. No tall buildings (none more then 5 stories or so). Most of the buildings are government or public facilities like court houses, energy company, police, library school board & like agencies.
Their are several small businesses & restaurants that close in the 5p time frame when all the government buildings close. They also have limited hours on the weekend. The downtown area also has a bunch of closed up shops & empty store fronts. A run down sign of a revitalization sits on one of the buildings. This area is also home to a local favorite Jimmie's Hot Dogs. Which you go for more for the name then anything. They only sell hot dogs. I'll do a review of them in another post.
The one thing that struck me as odd was the number of loan business located in a small area. I counted six in a 2 block area. They out numbered Salons (5), restaurants (3), banks (2), retail stores (3) in that same two block area. These are like pay day, title loan places.
After thinking about it I noticed Albany seemed to have a high concentration of these types of businesses for its size city. They have them all over the Albany area like Starbucks in NYC yet the city doesn't even have a Dunkin Donuts & only one Starbucks. Just seems odd.
Anyway, that is pretty much the Downtown area of Albany. Nothing special and besides the riverfront part pretty dull. To end the day I visited the Museum across the street from my house. Not bad at all for its size. No big time names but still had some good piece. Surprising enough it was free.
Stay tuned for my take on the greater Albany area. As of right now it doesn't look like it will be a shinning review but you never know the place could change my mind between now & that post.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Reply all? Sure why not.
A friend sent out an email to a group of her closes friends about her 2013 dreams and aspirations. She asked us to share back with her or even reply all to all of the people she emailed. So I did here was my response:
Reply all? Sure why not.
- Career - My career has been moving along fine here in the boring corporate world. I recently was promoted to a bigger store (not a big pay bump though). Really it is more of the same stuff with more stress and less hands on. In 2013 for my job I want to make sure I turn the store I am at around, reduce loss by half and improve campus outreach (FYI if you didn't know I am bookstore manager.. yeah yeah I know overpriced books). I also want to concentrate more on revenue flow from outside of my 9-5. Hopefully you all will here of some of the things I have planned in 2013. None of those pyramid style schemes or multi-level marketing things (stay away people stay far away).
- Financial - In 2012 I didn't accomplish all my financial goals. I wasn't able to pay off my car but will in the next 2-3 months (now a 2013 goal). I didn't invest as much into stocks as I planned (did some just not enough). In 2012 I cut my expenses down to the bare minimum and after moving went the opposite way. In 2013 I hope to go back to reducing unnecessary spending and use those funds to help with my career projects.
- Education - I am good on pursuing education for a while. Well at least formal education. I would like to still teach. Maybe I'll make that one of my 2013 goals, to become an educator.
- Family - 2012 I made a bitter sweet move. I moved back to GA closer to my mother, nieces, and one of my best friends (my sister to I guess) but left being close to my other family members- including Natasja (I don't think I will ever be able to get rid of you). In 2013 I want to take full advantage of of being closer to my nieces. Spend more time with them both and be a positive male role model for them.
- Artistic - Lets face it I am not an artistic person but I can support my friends artistic desires (I am working on that project btw Natasja). I am more of a problem solver.
- Attitude - I need to get my positive attitude back in 2013. I need to re-motivate myself. I have lacked a desire to push toward my goals maybe this email will spark it.
- Physical - Continue to workout on a regular basis and continue to do 5ks and participate in sports in 2013. Most importantly finally get through the whole series of Insanity without taking a break. I have been able to do P90X. For some reason I always get interrupted with life when I start Insanity.
- Community Service (I Added this one)- Giving back is an important part of being a good person. It helps keep me grounded and reminds me to be thankful for what I have. In 2012 I didn't do much to give back to society. I donated some clothes and some money to not for profits. That isn't the same as working with a child, volunteering at a community center, or handing out food at a soup kitchen. In 2013 I want to make sure I do some of those things.
- Additionally! - I would like to continue to travel in 2013 and beyond. I have had to cancel several trips in 2012 (including my Miami NYE trip) due to work or family conflicts. I want to make sure I don't use those as excuses this year and use some of my 110 vacation hours I currently have.
I am not sure why I hit the reply all but thank you all for allowing me to share. Best of wishes in 2013.
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