I ran longer runs on Friday and Saturday, and the residual fatigue was more mental than physical: I got on the TM with the intention of getting one of the three weekly hr+ runs out of the way, but I couldn't draw my eyes away from the numbers moving ever so slowly...
1.75 mile super easy jog, then Zwow #25. The learning curve was steeper than normal because lateral movement is not my thing, but I pushed through it and got adequate exercise. This workout also had a "buy-in": 30 burpees. They had to be completed prior to the workout. This is a new thing for Zuzana, I think. I like the idea of a warm up more than a buy-in, and with that translation in mind, I did the 30 burpees with less effort than expected. Granted, I did competition burpees. I used to think these were harder because you have to go completely to the floor and back up instead of just in and out of a plank, but they are proving to be far easier with my questionable form, mainly because my knees help with the upthrust. Googling about this has revealed similar opinions from others. I suppose I will do the harder burpees when there are less reps, and try not to cave into doing the easier ones when faced with 20 or more at a time.
Meanwhile, it's hot. Judging by seasonal weather data, the next two weeks tend to be the hottest stretch of the year. I suppose I should be thankful that we've already been sort of exposed (acclimatized would be too strong a word) to hot weather, but, man, been there, done that.
I was recently told about the Tonganoxie Split, it's name and vague reputation (restricted rainfall and general crispiness, I gather) only, and will embark upon research shortly.
Why is this blog so much about weather? Well, it's totally cramped my style for like at least fifty zillion days.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Last run done!
It was a bit tough squeezing it into a surprisingly busy Saturday, but I hopped onto the treadmill, coasted for an hour, then hopped into the shower, into the car, etc.
It was a very easy run; the first ten minutes or so were kind of rough, as usual, and then things loosened up and I forgot I was running. At times I found a nearly perfect stride.
It's become sort of hot again here. Tomorrow's high will be 36C (and every other subsequent high for at least a week afterward) and I'm not sure how early, or late, we'll get up. Our "long" run might not be very long.
It was a very easy run; the first ten minutes or so were kind of rough, as usual, and then things loosened up and I forgot I was running. At times I found a nearly perfect stride.
It's become sort of hot again here. Tomorrow's high will be 36C (and every other subsequent high for at least a week afterward) and I'm not sure how early, or late, we'll get up. Our "long" run might not be very long.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Rain
It's raining! Hopefully it will rain enough to flush all the dead fish out to the river so that I can cool my dog off in the creek. Meanwhile, I don't think he is missing longer runs too much. In fact, it's hot enough that he seems content with 15-20 minutes of walking.
And I woke up early enough to bypass mournful canine eyes! 7 miles on the TM, including some tempo sections. I was trying to follow one of the workouts from run club that I'd looked at yesterday, without looking at it again today, and so I misremembered it and did one less repeat, but my rests were much shorter than specified. It was a satisfying workout. Afterward, I did rows and deadlifts and clamshells; unfortunately, I probably won't complete a 2nd such workout this week, but I should be able to do the third hr+ run tomorrow.
And my left hip and right shoulder weren't an issue at all! The hip soreness did return when I sneezed after the workout, but that shouldn't count.
And the gallbladder was gone yesterday! I have nothing to do with the crash cart it was sitting on, but I'll start looking there more often, although I think this was a case of "why is there silverware in the pancake drawer?" Or perhaps not.
And I woke up early enough to bypass mournful canine eyes! 7 miles on the TM, including some tempo sections. I was trying to follow one of the workouts from run club that I'd looked at yesterday, without looking at it again today, and so I misremembered it and did one less repeat, but my rests were much shorter than specified. It was a satisfying workout. Afterward, I did rows and deadlifts and clamshells; unfortunately, I probably won't complete a 2nd such workout this week, but I should be able to do the third hr+ run tomorrow.
And my left hip and right shoulder weren't an issue at all! The hip soreness did return when I sneezed after the workout, but that shouldn't count.
And the gallbladder was gone yesterday! I have nothing to do with the crash cart it was sitting on, but I'll start looking there more often, although I think this was a case of "why is there silverware in the pancake drawer?" Or perhaps not.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
puppy guilt
It is imperative to wake up before the dog does so that I can start my treadmill run without seeing any pleading eyes.
This didn't happen today. I'm wiped. Due to deteriorating sleep hygiene (just ten more minutes, yes, I've taken them a few times recently), I haven't been able to nap once this week. I slept soundly and woke up too late.
Another factor is my body wanting to start naps earlier this week. I'm not sure why, but I've been ignoring these signals.
So we walked and then I did Zwow #24. My dive bombers are improving--major breakthrough today: I figured out the best way to breathe during them. It's amazing how sometimes I will struggle with an exercise and then realize that I'm holding my breath. Last year, I couldn't even do a dive bomber!
This leaves me with 2 hr+ runs to complete this week. It's still possible.
NAPTIME.
Update: Oh, yes! There was a hiccup because the stove was cleaning itself and the smell woke me up, so I moved the nap to downstairs and woke up 1.5ish hours later. And now I remember that I forgot the gallbladder at work. I found a gallbladder--not on the floor, in a proper specimen bottle--and I have no clue if they put this sort of thing in some sort of preservative that doesn't require refrigeration, or not, so I was going to take it to the lab and ask on my way out....but I was tired and I completely forgot. (Maybe not the first one to do so with this poor gallbladder). I guess forgetting my very first external organ at work is a good mark of sleep deprivation.
Update: Oh, yes! There was a hiccup because the stove was cleaning itself and the smell woke me up, so I moved the nap to downstairs and woke up 1.5ish hours later. And now I remember that I forgot the gallbladder at work. I found a gallbladder--not on the floor, in a proper specimen bottle--and I have no clue if they put this sort of thing in some sort of preservative that doesn't require refrigeration, or not, so I was going to take it to the lab and ask on my way out....but I was tired and I completely forgot. (Maybe not the first one to do so with this poor gallbladder). I guess forgetting my very first external organ at work is a good mark of sleep deprivation.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Real Wednesday
I'd edited last night's entry.
Anyway, my naps have been messed up these past two days and now I am pretty tired. 1.5 miles with the dog, mostly walking--the heatwave is over but it's still hot and humid (humidex 29C before 8 am).
Then I did Zwow #16. This is also one of my favourites, once it's over! Still, it was good to do a slightly longer workout for a change. I've been hitting the 10 minute ones perhaps too exclusively.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll wake up early enough for a longer treadmill jog!
Anyway, my naps have been messed up these past two days and now I am pretty tired. 1.5 miles with the dog, mostly walking--the heatwave is over but it's still hot and humid (humidex 29C before 8 am).
Then I did Zwow #16. This is also one of my favourites, once it's over! Still, it was good to do a slightly longer workout for a change. I've been hitting the 10 minute ones perhaps too exclusively.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll wake up early enough for a longer treadmill jog!
A new obsession
Or an old one rejuvenated?
I must perform a proper pistol/deep one-legged squat. About a decade ago, a sunny summer day on the slope of Mount-Royal, I was strolling with a couple of friends from northern England and the subject of one-legged squats came up. I'd never envisioned such a thing, but I was informed that performing such a squat was a mark of superior fitness, which none of us claimed that day. I flirted with acquiring the skill, but there were so many other things to do that summer, my last in Montreal, and I moved on with my life.
So, I can't say that I've spent the ensuing decade in strenuous pursuit of the successful one-legged squat, but the last few days have perhaps made up for that neglect. It's gotten under my skin. I've been practicing at work and at home, one on each side, now and then. It's gotten almost comfortable to drop down without falling over, but I still cannot get up.
Today, I jogged for an hour, 5.3 miles, and then I did Zwow #12 in shoes. That felt weird. Apart from the treadmill jogging, all of my household activities, and most of my backyard activities, are done in bare feet, and I've done weights and x-training in bare feet or socks for years. I don't like wearing shoes, and they don't seem to help in this pursuit.
The solution, therefore, is not an artificial heel lift, but a greater core and squat strength. I must hold myself up at the sweet spot, far enough down to count, thighs past parallel to the ground, but not so far down that my heels lift up and I cannot get back up. I can lower myself down but I seem to accelerate somewhat and I shoot past the sweet spot. I am not strong enough to resist gravity. Not yet.
Someday on a summer stroll, or whenever, wherever, I will balance on one foot and float down and back up effortlessly.
I must perform a proper pistol/deep one-legged squat. About a decade ago, a sunny summer day on the slope of Mount-Royal, I was strolling with a couple of friends from northern England and the subject of one-legged squats came up. I'd never envisioned such a thing, but I was informed that performing such a squat was a mark of superior fitness, which none of us claimed that day. I flirted with acquiring the skill, but there were so many other things to do that summer, my last in Montreal, and I moved on with my life.
So, I can't say that I've spent the ensuing decade in strenuous pursuit of the successful one-legged squat, but the last few days have perhaps made up for that neglect. It's gotten under my skin. I've been practicing at work and at home, one on each side, now and then. It's gotten almost comfortable to drop down without falling over, but I still cannot get up.
Today, I jogged for an hour, 5.3 miles, and then I did Zwow #12 in shoes. That felt weird. Apart from the treadmill jogging, all of my household activities, and most of my backyard activities, are done in bare feet, and I've done weights and x-training in bare feet or socks for years. I don't like wearing shoes, and they don't seem to help in this pursuit.
The solution, therefore, is not an artificial heel lift, but a greater core and squat strength. I must hold myself up at the sweet spot, far enough down to count, thighs past parallel to the ground, but not so far down that my heels lift up and I cannot get back up. I can lower myself down but I seem to accelerate somewhat and I shoot past the sweet spot. I am not strong enough to resist gravity. Not yet.
Someday on a summer stroll, or whenever, wherever, I will balance on one foot and float down and back up effortlessly.
Monday, July 9, 2012
got up early to run with the dog
And about a 1/2 mile later, we saw a loose dog on the road. And it wasn't road-smart. After stopping traffic and getting sour looks from "nice" people in nice cars, and coaxing the dog to follow us to a workshop where I asked for a rope or something while the dog skittered off and around the block, me and my dog in pursuit, until we wound up back at the shop where we got a rope tied to its collar and I'm so proud of my dog for being such a good boy while we caught and brought home a stranger...anyway, back at the ranch, the dog wanted in, but not without a bath and possibly deworming, and animal control wasn't open for another 2 hrs (9 am), and the dog was starting to get yippy unless I was in sight so I sat on the floor by the door and read and waited.
It was an old schnauzer type dog, probably female but I couldn't tell for sure because of the fur and the large tumour on its underside. That probably made it uncomfortable for the dog to sit down; I didn't see it sit down once.
Anyway, an animal control officer came and got her, and now it's almost nap time. So much for our run! My dog got some mental and emotional stimulation at least, and now he's pre-nap napping. For our first loose dog event here, we got off very lightly. There are so many pit bull mixes around here, and my dog being one himself, it's not always the best mix.
The other dog got considerably more exercise than it normally does: it was pretty tired by the time we got home. Hopefully it goes back home to its home soon. Dogs are hard-wired by ten thousand years of co-habitation to go indoors, any indoors, but this dog had a collar and a fairly new trim and, I suspect, sofa privileges somewhere.
I was going to try out my new Stars of the Lid album on a treadmill jog after the dog jog. Tomorrow, I guess!
It was an old schnauzer type dog, probably female but I couldn't tell for sure because of the fur and the large tumour on its underside. That probably made it uncomfortable for the dog to sit down; I didn't see it sit down once.
Anyway, an animal control officer came and got her, and now it's almost nap time. So much for our run! My dog got some mental and emotional stimulation at least, and now he's pre-nap napping. For our first loose dog event here, we got off very lightly. There are so many pit bull mixes around here, and my dog being one himself, it's not always the best mix.
The other dog got considerably more exercise than it normally does: it was pretty tired by the time we got home. Hopefully it goes back home to its home soon. Dogs are hard-wired by ten thousand years of co-habitation to go indoors, any indoors, but this dog had a collar and a fairly new trim and, I suspect, sofa privileges somewhere.
I was going to try out my new Stars of the Lid album on a treadmill jog after the dog jog. Tomorrow, I guess!
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