Running is easier with a training partner - Iron Mountain

Was fun to have a friend from WSU join me on my run today. Thanks, KC! The run goes by a lot faster, and seems a lot easier, when you have someone to talk to running at your side.

Did the Iron Mountain Loop again. Hopefully won't be as sore as I was after the first time I did it last week.

6.5 miles, vomero shoes, a little under an hour

Queen Anne Loop - 3 miles

Went for a run with Mr. Balt the morning of his wedding in Seattle. Beautiful weather and a beautiful route.

3 miles, Pegasus shoes

This was the view we got at the end of the run. A couple of Texan tourists were there taking pictures of the city. How do I know they were from Texas? One, their accents seemed Texan. Two, the t-shirts they were wearing said TEXAS on them.

Iron Mountain

Didn't take it easy on my first run after the move. My legs were sore for several days after this one.

Just mapped it. No wonder: 6.5 miles with some serious hills.

Hill repeats on Turner

Did an early morning set of hill repeats up NW Turner in Pullman. At the top of the hill on the 2nd and 3rd repeats I could barely breathe.

4.5 miles with three Turner Hill repeats, Vomero shoes

Didn't think it would be that far, but that's what the mapping software says.

This turned out to be my last run in Pullman, at least as a resident. Perhaps fitting to go out by running hills.

Blogging is hard even when all you are doing is logging runs

So here it is a month after I did this run and I'm trying to remember what day it was. All I know is this: I've run four times in the last month on four different routes.

6 miles, Rec center loop, Pegasus shoes, unknown time

Finally caught up with posting/logging! 5 miles on the Merman loop this morning

That took a little doing to remember all my runs for the last few weeks. Fortunately, the pattern of every other day made it easier. Again, logging gym visits and time on the tread using Foursquare helped.

I definitely think it's time to throw some variation into my runs. I've got a base built up of 15-20 miles a week now and need to throw in some longer runs, speed work, and maybe some stairs at Martin Stadium. Only have two weeks left in Pullman, so maybe I'll see if I can do that on this Sunday morning before church.

Didn't feel that great on the run this morning, but I'm still acclimating to getting up at 530 am. May take a little longer to get used to than I was hoping.

5 miles, Merman loop, ~48 minutes, Pegasus shoes

The standby - Merman loop (5 miles)

Was going to go longer, but really didn't feel that great. One of those days.

5 miles, Merman loop, unknown time, Vomero shoes

6 miles Rec Center loop

Took Sunday off. Felt pretty good today.

6 miles, Rec Center loop, Vomero shoes, unknown time

Treadmill - 4 miles in 35:20

Inside again.

4 miles, 35:20, treadmill at Snap Fitness, Pegasus shoes

Didn't eat very well while traveling. Feeling the effects.

After weather/travel break - 5 miles

It's hard enough to stay in a rhythm while traveling, but on top of that the weather in Portland was solid rain for nearly the entire time there. Interested in one house we looked at and put an offer on. Pretty low so we'll see what comes back.

Kind of disappointed that I won't get to run Bloomsday. Was looking forward to experiencing the event, but with a move date set for April 29th, it's not going to happen. Will need to find an event in Portland to target.

5 miles, Merman loop, Vomero shoes, unknown time

Early morning run before heading to Portland - 5 mile Merman loop

Signed a purchase and sales agreement on the house the yesterday. Leaving for Portland to look for houses today. Up early to get the run in.

5 miles, Merman loop, ~48 minutes?, Pegasus shoes

Back on the treadmill - 4 miles in 35 minutes

Weather took a turn for the worse. Time to go back inside and run on the treadmill at Snap Fitness.

4 miles, 35 minutes, Pegasus shoes

Another 6 miles past the Rec center

Nothing creative here. Same run as the last time out on Thursday.

6 miles, Vomero shoes, unknown time

6 miles out past the Rec Center

Fallen way behind on posting. Important: don't wait a month to enter your runs. Foursquare check-ins at the gym have helped me keep track a little bit, but my outdoor runs don't get logged until they go on this blog. Might need to change that.

6 miles, unknown time, Rec center loop

On the tread by 5:45 am...

And yes, that was a first. Got up at 5:30 today. Also a first for when I'm not going to the airport.

Now that I now longer need to be in campus ministry mode (several late nights a week), there is no reason not to be on a schedule of getting up early. With our family in it's current state (kids get up between 7 and 730 without fail), this permits me to get my exercise in without cutting in to family or work time. If I could get home and showered quickly enough afterward, I might even be able to get my bible study time in before the kids get up. This could be huge, but requires getting up at 5 as well as sacrificing TV after 9 pm...10 for sure. I think it's worth it.

6 miles on the Woodway, 53:30, Pegasus shoes

Sometimes the body decides how far it will run...

And today was one of those days. Planned on doing 7 miles on the tread, but my body clearly had another agenda (which I won't describe, but you can easily guess). Had to knock off at 3.3 miles and defer most of the miles until next time. Perhaps a blessing, as I don't want to ramp up my miles too fast (as I'm prone to do).

One positive: 3.3 felt like I was just getting warmed up. With great fondness, I remember the days when I felt that way after 6. Perhaps I can be back to that point in a a month or two.

Build those miles...

A repeat of Monday's run, though this time without the hip pain. Hoping for this to continue to be the case...indefinitely. Did the Merman loop again, probably about the same time as on Monday (48 minutes). Starting to get in a consistent rhythm of running every other day with weights on the in betweens.

At this point, Bloomsday is still looking to be a go.

New running music - Passion: Awakening

Downloaded the new Passion worship album, Passion: Awakening, before heading down to SNAP to put in 5 miles on the Woodway. Haven't had enough chance to listen to give a good review, but on the whole I really liked it. "Our God" by Chris Tomlin was the first one that stood out to me. I know some think he is too mainstream, but I think he just understands how to write good corporate worship songs.

As for the running: 5 miles, 44 minutes, Vomero shoes. Now that I'm back in a routine, 9 minute miles are starting to feel a bit too easy. However, I seem to remember that for distance running you're supposed to train 2/min/mile slower than your race pace. I should look that up and see if it's true.

Didn't find the answer, but found this good quote on wikipedia:

Running can also have psychological benefits, as many participants in the sport report feeling an elated, euphoric state, often referred to as a "runner's high".^[20] Running is frequently recommended as therapy for people with clinical depression and people coping with addiction


But what if my addiction is running?

It's nice to run outside

Did the Merman loop today (5 miles, ~48 minutes, Vomero shoes). Felt pretty good. Hip bothered me a little after the run, but not too serious...yet.

Listened to the latest TWIG podcast. They recorded while at SXSW down in Austin, TX. I guess it's the first time they had all been in the same place when doing the show, and the energy level reflected their excitement of being together and being at this big conference.

I had some amazing brainstorms when I was running and listening to this podcast, but now I forget them. Okay, one that is not so amazing was related to the hosts (Leo, Jeff, and Gina) talking about how skeptical they were of blogs (narcissistic!) and twitter (irrelevant!) when they first came out. It made me think how a blog is a little analogous to giving talks (sermons, etc.): it's only narcissistic if you use it in a narcissistic way. Do some use public speaking opportunities to puff themselves up? Of course. But many use them to serve the audience they are speaking to.

Which leads me to think through this blog: it's primarily a way for me to track my running and be at least a little accountable to stay after it knowing someone out there might be paying attention. But perhaps the purpose should shift to thinking about using this to share whatever modicum of insight I have in to physical training with those that might benefit. Serve my audience (even if it just might be a handful that benefit) rather than just talking to myself. Hmm... ;)

6 miles on the tread

Love the Woodway treadmill at Snap.

6 miles, 53 minutes, Vomero shoes

Listened to the Catalyst Podcast where they interviewed Mark Driscoll. A few things I remember:

1. The number of single people in the church now exceeds the number of families. This is a pretty radical shift. Wonder what the stats were 20 years ago? 30 years ago? Mars Hill is adjusting for this reality. How many others? Matches with what I've read and observed.

2. The most impact at Mars Hill is being made on 20-something, college-educated men. That is an impressive demographic to be seeing results. Not only are they a tough group to reach, but they are also hugely influential (for the future, with gifting to bring to the church, etc.) when they are reached.

3. Driscoll was a comm major at WSU, and has always seen the value in using the technology to expand influence. He was also raised Irish Catholic. I think this explains part of #2 above.

4. States vs. Nations. Denominations/churches as different states. Those that fall outside orthodox Christian beliefs are different nations. I like this analogy.

5. I've never gotten in to Driscoll's books, but I really like listening to him. I need to check out that appearance he made on Loveline (Feb 9th) with Dr. Drew. I heard it was a masterful performance...

5 miles in 45 minutes on the tread

Just a repeat of two days ago.

5 miles, treadmill, 45 minutes, Pegasus shoes

Starting to think about running Bloomsday. Being our last year on the Palouse, there is no better time.

5 miles on the tread at Snap

Cold front moved through. Had to go inside for this one...

5 miles, 45 minutes, treadmill, Pegasus shoes

Merman Loop - 5 miles

First time doing this route in a while. Felt so good in the early spring sun. Went nice and easy (9/min mile?) and was able to run the whole way except the hill coming back up Larry.

5 miles, ~48 minutes, Pegasus shoes

Treadmill - 3 miles in 26:00

Back in Pullman. Time to get back in a routine...

3 miles, treadmill, Vomero shoes

5 miles - Bull Mountain loop

I wasn't ready for this one after not running for almost two weeks. Traveling requires an extra level of discipline to maintain exercise routines. If I sign up for a marathon at some point, I'll have to get more serious about this.

About me: I like running hills. In training, at least.

5 miles, Bull Mountain loop, Pegasus shoes.

5 miles in 45 minutes

5 miles, 45:00, treadmill, Pegasus shoes

Felt really great. The 9/min mile pace felt really relaxing and easy. Good to extend the run to 5.

3 miles in 23:00 on the treadmill

3 miles, 23:00 minutes, treadmill, Vomero shoes

4 miles in 36:00 on the treadmill

Hip was bothering me a little today. Stretched like crazy after the run and feels okay. I think my lack of stretching over the years has led to some overly tight hamstrings.

4 miles, 36 minutes, treadmill, Pegasus shoes

Listened to three Catalyst podcasts while running/lifting. One of them was an interview with Bill Bright back in 2002. It reminded me of why our ministry has flourished over the last (almost) 60 years. A slave of Christ until the very end. I want all our new/younger staff to hear this and be reminded of the heart of everything we do: a devotion to our Lord Jesus. I feel blessed that I was able to have joined staff while Dr. Bright was still with us. I might have to expand this more on my other blog this weekend.

4 miles in 32:00 on the treadmill

4 miles, 32:00, treadmill, Pegasus shoes

One additional thought about the Google ad (see yesterday's post): It tells a compelling story...through a search bar.

4 miles in 34:00 on the treadmill

4 miles, 34:00, treadmill, Vomero shoes

Listened to the latest on TWIG. Fun to listen to them speculate on what the Google Super Bowl ad (below) would look like (the podcast was recorded on Saturday the day before the game). Gina was the only one that got really close to guessing it before a listener in the live chat room tipped them off what it was going to be. She speculated it might be a day in the life of using Google, showing how their products can all be part of what our routines. While this doesn't highlight much beyond google.com, it certainly does show how integral search has become in many different aspects of our lives.



Love the ad. I've always thought the right emotive song with interesting text makes for a great presentation. This shows just how fast text can move by while still being able to keep the viewers attention. Without doubt the best ad during the Super Bowl, and not just because I like/follow Google.

3.5 miles on the treadmill in 29:30

Two runs in one week. Progress. And had another showing on the house. That's good news.

3.5 miles, 29:30, Pegasus shoes

4 miles in 34:30 on the treadmill

Exact same as last week. Pure maintenance mode right now.

4 miles, 34:30, Vomero shoes

4 miles in 34:30 on the treadmill

Just like last week. Vomero shoes. Had to break it up in to two different chunks with a 1/4 mile walk in between.

3 miles in 25:30 on the treadmill

It's a mild winter by Pullman standards, but it's still too cold/dreary to really get going in a rhythm of running outside. I'm just in maintenance mode on the treadmill until the weather turns...barring some unforeseen motivating force.

3 miles, 25:30, Vomero shoes

4 miles in 34:30 on the treadmill

4 miles, 34:30, treadmill, Pegasus shoes

My post with thoughts from the run got too long so I moved it over here.

Treadmill - 4 miles in 34:30

Just watched some playoff NFL football while on the tread down at Snap. 

4 miles, 34:30, 1/2 mile cool down walk, Pegasus shoes

I'm posting this several days after the fact and haven't run in the meantime. I need to get back at it. It's not freezing cold outside (near 50 today again!) so I don't have any excuses. Tomorrow...

PHS track in the freezing cold - 3.5 miles

My outdoor temperature gauge said it was in the mid-30's, but I'm pretty sure it was colder than that. It was two miles before my face didn't feel like it was going to fall off. Might stay on the treadmill until it warms up.

Track, 3.5 miles, (?) minutes, Vomero shoes

Felt pretty good, though. Ready to get in a routine that could carry through 2010. Will be easier to set goals and target races once we get to Portland.