October 2013 Summary

Runs - 16
Running Days - 16
Weightlifting Days - 10
Avg Miles per Running Day - 6.9
Vertical Feet Ran - 6,000
Injured Days - 0

I'll start with the main focus this month and that being Weightlifting.  In past years, I would have taken most of the summer off from the weight room, leaving me in position that required a few months to get back into the swing of things.  Not the case this year.  I saw a few weeks of finding a groove starting late last month which allowed for solid efforts this month.

I focused on everything this month.  Upper body, core, legs.  Put on a solid 7 pounds this month.  Spending 60 to 90 minutes in there with each visit.  I also made each visit a cardio session of sorts making sure that rest between each set was no longer then a minute.  I would find myself knocking out 5 sets of bench press while some clown next to me did maybe one but shared stories of how he hooked up with the hottest chick in Denver over the weekend.  Nice work there you lying meathead.  My gosh I hate meatheads regardless of sport they are into.

I also continued on with my Push Up Challenge.  For the month, I averaged 132 push ups a day.  For the year, I'm averaging 103 a day.  

As for Running, my goal was to just let it happen.  I tried forcing it a few times early in the month, getting out for a run here and there at some set distance only to realize that a) I had no interest in running or b) had no interest in running that far.  The first 18 days of the month saw me run 8 times at an average of 4 miles per run.

One simple trail run in Durango got me rejuvenated and saw much better running to close out the month.  The running was still very unstructured and done to simply stay in running shape, but it's the best I have felt since Run Rabbit Run.

It's also been nice to run in the dark and cold again.  For some reason I thought this would deter my running, but that hasn't been the case.  I've actually really enjoyed the calm that comes with running at 5:30am around my hood this time of year.  The next 4 months of early morning running is going to be awesome.

Speaking of Durango!

(pics of Steamworks & Carvers Brewery not included)

Looking Forward

20 miles.  Pancakes.  Highlands Ranch.  Yeah baby!

More of the same for the month of November.  Lots of weightlifting and a healthy increase in miles and vert.  Might even mix in a 10K to show off how slow of a runner I really am.  

   

September 2013 Summary

Runs - 8

Running Days - 8

Weightlifting Days - 3 

Avg Miles per Running Day - 16

Vertical Feet Ran - 23,000

Injured Days - 0

The Running highlight of the month wasn't finishing the RRR100 but rather the experience of running the race AND sharing it with family and friends.  This is what I remember most of the experience.  What I will always remember.  How lucky I am to have my pacers sacrifice their weekends to assist me in my selfish journey.  My family sacrificing a day plus of our 5 day vacation to follow me around town.  I am forever grateful for their selfless acts that weekend.  

I was pretty surprised by how great I felt within a week of the race.  However I just didn't see much of a point in running.  Granted I did, but only a few times at a very limited distance.  Never once tracking any of the runs.  I simply woke up and dragged my lazy dog around a few blocks for runs never exceeding 15 minutes (poop time included).

The only issue I have is some tenderness surrounding my right knee.  Not at all surprised about it considering I easily spent the last 15 miles of my race running/walking with a very poor gait.  With each passing day, the tightness slowly goes away.  Mix in some stretching and icing and the knee responds great.

I honestly had no intention of Weightlifting this month.  As I wanted to focus all of my attention on the taper and recovery of the race.  However, roughly 10 days after my race, I got up out of bed at 5:15am.  No alarm and not at all tired.  So I threw on my running gear and hit the weight room.  Did that a few more times before the month ended.  In hindsight, I was actually very happy to be back in the weight room so quickly after the race as it gave me a way to burn some energy that didn't involve running.

Similar to the weightlifting, I had no intention of making any progress with my Push Up Challenge.  I honestly thought I'd take a huge step back in this challenge.  I took a good 2 weeks off during the month yet I still averaged 84 push ups per day for the month.  Most of my push ups coming near the end of the month.  Year To Date I'm at 99.8 push ups per day.      

Looking Forward
Running is going to come around when it comes around.  I won't force it one bit but I do look forward to one last escape to the high country and possibly a little weekend getaway to Moab by months end.

I do plan on spending a lot of time back in the gym and my short term goal is to put on 5 to 10 pounds of muscle.  This would put me at a nice weight of 185-190.  Right where I was at this past fall/winter/spring. I seem to run at my healthiest in this weight range.

The one thing I am looking forward to the most though is finally, FINALLY getting a chance to submit my name into the Hardrock 100 Lottery.  My dream race and not to be confused with some dumb bucket list race.  The only real reason I've ever wanted to run a 100 miler was in hopes of giving myself a shot of running this race.

Trust me, I know my odds here and they are terrible at best!  But you know what, these are the best odds I've ever had and I couldn't be more excited!