The Hills Are Alive

So I am at camp and have been doing a lot of running. In the afternoons we play a game in the woods where we run around, and after that we play capture the flag. It really wears you out but it is a lot of fun. After our church services on Sunday some of us went running. We estimate it was at the least 5km. However, by Illinois standards we were running in the mountains. They call them hills here, but I think of the sound of music when she sings "the hills are alive" and she is running through the mountains. I have parts of my legs that are sore that have never been sore from running. Maybe if you slip and do the splits, but never from just running. I am used to simply running on a treadmill so this was a huge difference. I think I will be sore for a while and with all of the games it will just get worse. I still plan on running again tomorrow though. (only if my shoes are dry though).

Sunday: 5km

Theories

So I hurt my back this weekend and I'm not sure how I did it. It was feeling better on Monday so I decided to run and just do some upper body workouts. I was very worried that my competition (http://1010intwentyten.blogspot.com/) would get ahead of me. Plus I'm going to be gone all of next week so I knew I would have a hard time competing against him then.

But a strange thing happened... my competition was also injured. Coincidence? I have a few theories.

1. He wanted to try out the new health care reform. Is it just a coincidence that he was injured about the same time the bill was passed?

2. He is simply having sympathy pains. Because I was hurt he too was feeling it. Or maybe it is vice versa. We have a pretty close bond.

3. Maybe somebody was feeling threatened by all of the miles he was running and put a hit on him. As of yet I have no suspects to go along with this theory.

4. He was hoping to be put on crutches, knowing that the extra bumping around would cause the pedometer to count each step double.

5. The fifth and last theory is that he was hurt playing basketball. I find this highly unlikely though and not at all as exciting as the other theories.

If I were a betting man I would guess theory number 1 to be correct. As a matter of fact I don't think I need to exercise anymore because now the government will fix everything. We don't have to be healthy because our good old uncle Sam will pay for everything with his never ending supply of money. And if he does have money problems he can just print more.

Yesterday: I ran 6.29 km

Today: I wish I hadn't

Today I tried to focus on endurance running. Instead of running my normal half an hour I decided to increase it to 45 min. I slowed down the speed to a little bit slower than what I normally run at and kept it there until 30 min. After the first 30 minutes I kept increasing the speed. I ended up with a total of 7.8 km. Plus however much walking I did today while I was downtown. I estimate at least a total of 10 km on foot, and another 10 on my bicycle. I am pretty tired now. I think I should go to bed.

BEST WORKOUT EVER!!!

So today I had the best workout ever. I reached several small goals.

First, I easily completed a goal on bench press.

Secondly, I decided to run a mile as fast as I could. So I turned up the tread mill and took off. I almost gave up in the middle. I started to slow the thing down and give up. Then I realized I was already over halfway there so I sped it back up. I made a mile in 6:22. I have never wanted to die so badly before.

Thirdly, It was awesome workout today because after I ran the mile and caught my breath again, I felt like I had even more energy than before and added extra to my workout.

Fourth, after I was finished running I and started working out again, someone I know came up and started talking to me. And then I had someone to workout with. Which always makes it more fun, and I haven't had anybody to workout with since I was in the states.

I almost got on the cross training machine at the end of my second workout but decided to take it easy and not over do it, and then maybe I can get some running in tomorrow as well.

Total for today: 2 km

Don't forget to check out Seth's Blog too. He is currently having a give-a-way. http://1010intwentyten.blogspot.com/

Jell-o Legs

So today when I was running at the gym when my legs starting getting tired and I wanted to quit after only 10 minutes of running. With all of the extra running I've been doing lately I don't know if my legs can take it. I've always got that rubbery, jell-oey feeling. However it is nice to know that the reason I want to quit is because of sore legs and not because I'm gasping for air.
Even though I wanted to give up I kept pushing on, because a man that was about 30 years older than me kept looking over at my screen like he was competing with me. And I was not about to be embarrassed. I WON!!!. He quit after about 4o minutes of running. I had started about 10 minutes ahead of him, but I couldn't quit at the same time he did. I knew it would look suspicious. So to make a long story short I ran 55 minutes (5 of those were running backwards, and another five was the cool down).
8.58 Km.

p.s. I have gained 3 kilograms since I started all of this running (actually just in the last week). Isn't my weight supposed to be going in the other direction. Either that or the scale at the gym is messed up.

Pedometer

I really want to get a pedometer before I leave for church camp in two weeks, since I will probably be doing a lot of running while I'm there. Does anybody have any suggestions for a good pedometer (that doesn't cost much).


Today 5.46 Km.
plus (doesn't count towards total) 2.5 km walk to pick up my bicycle from the train station
plus (" " ) 2.5 bicycle ride back

So I thought after running all last week it would eventually get easier. I also thought that since I had 2 days to rest since my last run it would be an easy day of running. I think I gave up around 4 km. today but actually stopped at 4.3
Tips for all of you runners out there:
1. Wear underwear
2. Stretch
3. Listen to music to get your mind off of wanting to puke
4. Don't cry in Public

Total today 4.3 Km

I only made it 1 kilometer today and to all that have doubted my previous blog. That is my foot.


1 km.

Dang it. I've got a blister on my little toe from all of this running. In fact all of my toes are hurting. I hate running. At least it is getting easier.

March 5th

Before

After

5.43 on the treadmill today
7.00 on the exercise bike (too bad it doesn't count towards the total)

March 3rd

I ran 5.14 Kilometers today. I'd like to give a shout-out to my boy L.L. Cool J for inspiring me to get through the last five minutes of my run today.
"I'm gonna knock you out (HUUUH!!!)
Mama said knock you out (HUUUH!!!)
Don't u call this a regular jam
I'm gonna rock this land..."

YOU'RE GOING DOWN SETH

You don't stand a chance against me and my European measurement system.

The beginning

Seth has inspired me to run more. So even though he has had a two month head start I am still determined to run more Kilometers in 2010 than he will run miles.

Feb 27. I ran 5 kilometers
March 2. I ran 5 kilometers