10/11/10 - Day 1

Day 1

I am 161 pounds (about ten more than any time in the past) and am sorely out of shape. I haven't run consistently in a few years and I want to feel good about completing a 20 miler again, and hope to run a few more marathons with some dignity. This blog will serve as a way to process the process of pulling my sorry ass back together as a runner, and losing some weight, getting fit, and feeling healthy again. I ask anyone who I send this to to please serve as an accountability factor to provide support, call me out, and generally engage in this process with me.

Goal: 5 miles , easy pace, no pressure
Workout: started out running towards congress from Aud Shores, but ran into an old running friend Brian from the Gazelles. Brian and I used to train really well together, and had a goal of running sub - 17. Brian finally ran it in 07 at the bun run (16:56) and I came close in 04 (17:00) at the Ash Dash. He was wearing those vibram feet and has been dealing with long term injury for the last few years. That's Brian on the right. He is a really positive guy and a great inspiration. I was glad I ran into him.

I walked with him for about 400 meters and caught up on life, and then started running. It was a great day, but I didn't feel so great at first. Legs very tight, dehydrated etc. I never felt comfortable and cut the run short at 4miles. I then did 3 strides and stretched for a few minutes at the park, enjoying the dogs running, and the beautiful weather. People in my condition (aging, out of shape after being in really good shape, and stressed out at work) tend to put themselves down a lot when not performing at the same levels as the past. I started to get discouraged yesterday, but came to the realization that I had been getting discouraged for a number of years now, and it didn't seem to be helping. So I am trying this thing called Positive feedback, where you think nice things rather than shitty ones. I practiced saying some nice things to myself like
"great that you are out here, good work, 4 miles is better than no miles" and it seemed to get me into a better space. I will keep trying it since telling myself that I suck is getting old.

I also ran into three other of my favorite people at the Gazelles core workout. I saw Floyd, Liliana and Erin there. It took a bit of effort to go in and say hello, because I was still trying to think good things about my workout, but they are all so great and supportive that I am really glad I did.
They are up there with Brian.
Floyd is clowning around with another friend, Fred, at an old IBM 10K race...

Lesson: Friends are important.

4 miles around the lake. No watch. But guessing about an 8:30 -9 pace.