Well, I don't have to worry about overuse injuries! ;)

So, I went running on Saturday with Meg at Sugar House Park. I didn't do as well as I had hoped there. I ran under 3 miles in 22 minutes. I am actually quite upset at this, although I was able to maintain a 7:52 average mile. I guess I shouldn't be too upset seeing as how this was on average the fastest I have run yet at 7.52 mph. I should look at the brighter side of things more often! I guess now that I've looked back on it, I was running quite well on Saturday. Anyways, I haven't really worked out since then so overuse injuries are kind of out of the question at this point in my training.

You see, I have this really nice mountain bike that I let sit in the storage space provided by the apartments. I haven't used it much, but I'd like to start using it more. I started tonight. I figured it was a good exercise to stress other parts of my legs more than running does. Running is great because it is not just a leg workout, but it also incorporates many muscles in your body. It is the most encompassing workout that can be done. Biking really isolates your leg muscles.

I had a goal to bike out to the 215/80 interchange and bike on the trail that goes by 215, but by the time I had reached 2.5 miles it was getting dark and I was ready to turn around. So I did. Maybe later I will check out the sweet trail that goes somewhere over the... (don't say it)... Mountain. Luckily my bike is equipped with a front and rear light, so it was safe to ride in the dark along Foothill Drive. I have been told that when working out it is best to push yourself so much that the last little bit (or last few reps) takes you right up to your breaking point, but not to push you past your breaking point. I was very satisfied with the last climb up Sunnyside Avenue where I felt like that was the case. I made it up the hill, and across Arapeen to our apartments without having to stop and walk my bike at all. Yes, my legs do feel like jello right now, thanks for asking.

Recently I have been reading "Born to Run". This book was recommended to me by my brother. There is a part in the book where the author talks about Chia Seeds as being a great source of nutrition. That's right, you heard me.... Chia as in Chi Chi Chi CHIA!!


The secret truth here is that these Miraculous Growth Seeds that seem to do everything that a little kid wants them to do in 1-2 weeks actually are quite nutritious as well. You won't have to look hard to know what I mean either. I just googled "Chia" and came up with this blog that tells more on the nutritious elements of this seed. With this little bit of knowledge acquired, I decided I'd give it a shot and buy some. I went to the Sunflower Market, and was surprised to see it in many different prices. I chose to take from the bulk bin because it was SO much cheaper, and honestly, how can the bulk seeds be any different than the more fancy bottled seeds? So I have been throwing them in smoothies that I mix up, due to their bewildering texture that they have after being properly prepared and soaked in water to enhance their nutritional value. Here's a pic of how they come.




And here are some that I have sitting in my fridge gelled up.



I think you can see some chia seeds sprouting on the bottom of my lip!

Ok, so all you followers of mine... and those that just read this once in a while, or those that have just started reading my blog for the first time... I NEED YOUR COMMENTS! I have been dismotivated by the lack of motivation! I would love to be ultramotivated by the presence of supermotivation!

Get yourself outside, run, jog, bike, or whatevs, just move, and don't forget your Chia Pet. Mine is that cow above.

JABI!

"Don't let the barriers you see define what you do." Sonal Shah

Today I was supposed to wake up and go running... but I didn't.
I woke up and went to work.

After work, I got home to a ready-to-eat meal. I was really excited because this meant that I could go running sooner. So I did just that. I wasn't really excited knowing that I was going to try for my 5 mile run tonight. I thought back to my 3 mile run where I was literally hunched over gasping for air for the last 1/2 mile and wondering if I could make it. I was remembering how sore I got from the first few runs that I went on. This was a freakishly hard obstacle in my way. BUT I did it, I got out and ran. It was an amazing night for running, and my thoughts changed from dread to desire. I started off a bit slower today, but picked up the pace after a few minutes. I was enthralled with the scenery as I ran up around the zoo and back.

At about 2 1/2 miles in I started feeling a little bit more tired, but I wasn't to the point of slowing down, in fact I picked up the pace and it felt GREAT! The 3 mile mark was at the intersection of Foothill and Sunnyside and a guy on a push bike was waiting on Sunnyside for the light to turn green. As I passed this guy he simply yelled an encouraging "YES!" I responded with my own "YES!" as I felt my feet move a bit faster beneath me. Within 1/4 mile I saw some neighbors of ours and they also were quite encouraging. It was perfect timing, because what followed next was the hardest part of the run.

"A great friend knows how to take you by the hand and lift you up when you are down and if you are really lucky they will take you for a run" via @RunningQuotes twitter

Next I encountered a lot of uphill running, 155 foot climb in about 1 1/4 mile to be a bit more specific. Ok, I'll admit it... I walked for about 1 minute... It's hard climbing that much after 3 miles of running! Anyway, when I got to the top of this climb, I started to speed up again. It felt GREAT! I then finished my 5 mile run, and walked home for my cool down.

After a good run, I feel like I am capable of anything"

This is truly a personal best. I've never run more than a 5K race at one time. Now I have run 5 miles. I feel so good, I don't feel exhausted or worn out, although I do think that I will sleep quite well tonight. I hope that everyone can see that they can also do it, they can work hard and complete their physical goals! Now I need to complete the other goals that I have set.

"One day I won't be able to do this, today is not that day" via @healthoc

Help keep me accountable. Give me encouragement that I can feed off of, just like the random biker I saw tonight. Comment, tell others, and follow this blog!

I've failed to mention, but.......

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!!! @jabiracing!!!

I just ran 1.49 miles. Look back here this evening for a more detailed post on how I'm feeling. Comment with words of encouragement and support!

First 3 mile run

Things are like this... Today I ran 3 miles straight. It was really exciting learning that my Run Keeper app is doing terrible, because I swear the last .30 miles were the longest. I'm going to be trying out a few different apps, and hopefully they work better. The problem may not lay in the map, but rather in my ancient and decrepit phone! I'm still sportin' the iPhone 3G.

The run was great. I started when it was already dark outside due to many contributing factors like FHE, hospital visits, and dinner. Speaking of dinner, that didn't want to stay down at about 2.5 miles into the run... in fact, the last 3/4 of a mile I was making a sound that Sasquatch would probably make. I don't think anyone heard me or else they would have stopped by and made me go to the ER. I would have told them "*grunt* I'm *grunt* ok! *grunt*".

Seriously though, it was a great run, not too bad, and I was able to run despite the 9:39 pm start. I think I'll feel a little bit sore tomorrow, but not as sore as I felt last week.

P.S. The Soul Patch has started. It's time for the men to MAN up and put your SP on!
P.P.S. I have had a suggestion on putting a video of me running up on the blog... Could I get everyone to comment and tell me what they think of this idea, and how I can pull it off (me holding the camera while running? or other person filming me running from a car or something? etc.)

FINALS ARE OVER!!! Renewed commitment to my peeps!

Y'all!

Just wanted to let you know how terrible at accomplishing my goals I have been this week. First of all, it started Wednesday when a co-worker took me out to lunch. He paid, and of course insisted that I get a soda as well. I was weak, and gave in. Unfortunately that led to worse decisions through the rest of the week. I had a 'pick-me-up' drink to help me get through the sleep deprivation that I caused myself by writing a 10 page paper in 2 days, my boss paid for lunch on Friday for me... another soda, double date with my friend C.J. and his wife to a SL Bees game led to another soda, and the wonderful BBQ for my brother-in-law resulted in 1.5 cans of soda being consumed. To add to the terrible nutrition choices, I didn't run... I got caught up in school, and yard work and playing with friends that I failed.

--Renewed Commitment--
The original goals stand... 4 Liters of water, run 5 days a week. Simple right???????
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We'll have to see.
I have also added a few goals,

1. It takes 21 days to form a habit, so I need to stick with this routine for 21 days, tomorrow being day 1.

2. SP -- All male JABI marathon runners will have a Soul Patch. This will help remind you of your own personal goals. It can be neatly trimmed or extremely bushy according to your desire.

3. Keep a food journal! Record every piece of food that touches my lips, every beverage that tantalizes my tongue, and every snack that satisfies any craving.

and finally

4. READING!!! I have a few books that I'm going to start reading. I'm starting with more of a story book titled "Born To Run" borrowed from my brother.

Follow my blog... Comment on my posts... This is the type of motivation I need to keep me away from the soda. I need to be accountable, and you are the people I will account to, so comment/follow to let me know who is there!!!

Day TWO!

So day two is behind me. I thought this was going to be harder than yesterday. You can check out my route under the "Map" tab. I again had some issues with the app I'm using. This time it may have been a little bit of user error. SORRY!! But don't worry too much, I was still able to map out my run exactly.

THURR

The hardest part of my run was getting started. I hummed and hawed, but I knew that there was a great prize at the end of my run. I planned to meet Megan after her yoga class at the field house. So I got my running attire on and put a bottle of water in my backpack. This was a bit experimental, but I did okay with it. I guess the route I took helped me adjust well to the added weight since it was nearly all downhill. Anyway, I made it to the field house, went in, and did a few push-ups and sit-ups, then went and shot a basketball around for a few mins before Meg was done with her class.

Remember, tomorrow's post will be short since it will be my rest day, but feel free to come back, read it and comment with all of your great ideas!

Work hard, have fun.

TRAINING RUN 1!

HERE IT IS!!! Training day number 1 is in the books. Be sure to check out the Map tab above to check out my running route. Unfortunately, you won't have all of the cool features of how fast I was going at any given point. This is due to the app that I used. It's a really cool app, but it didn't like the path I had chosen. I probably will take a less tourist like route tomorrow.

I had a harder time than I thought. If I tap the screen while running, the app will quiet the music for the perfect mood and tell me the time that has elapsed, followed by the distance traveled, and then finally, it will provide the average mile pace that I have kept. The first time that I tried this was just after I had ran up a hill close to me (Chipeta Way). The app mockingly told me that I had only traveled a distance of "Zero point three three miles, average pace... 16 minutes, 45 seconds". I went into instant huff and puff mode. Only 1/3 of a mile? That's 1/6 of what I want to run tonight... I'LL NEVER FINISH 2 MILES!!! How can I even beat the average marathon time of 4 something hours, let alone reach my goal of 3 hours 45 mins??
I told myself to get moving. You won't finish if you keep complaining. So I did. I got to a mostly straight, some what declined road and picked up the pace. I then ran across the Legacy Bridge and back. I checked again and this time the app had good news in store for me. I was averaging about 10.5 min mile. I felt better about myself, and was able to continue my pace steadily until I reached my 2+ miles. I then walked home, and spent some time outside stretching before I came inside.

Thoughts upon return and recollection (THURR):
I believe that the route I had chosen to run wasn't very well thought out. It included that massive hill on Chipeta Way that may have killed my run. However, this route could prove to make me a better runner. I found out that my Run Keeper app didn't work as well with this route either. If I run better routes, I may be able to get a whole lot more useful data than it provided on its own (I had to manually input the map on the website). The weather cooperated very well tonight. I was amazed that just Saturday we had so much snow, and now we have weather like this! AWESOME! I am excited to see what tomorrow brings. Soreness and all!

This program is going to start off simple. I will have a rest day on Wednesday, and Sunday each week. The reason for the set two days off is because I have seen a lot of programs that rotate which days are off, unfortunately due to my religious preferences, I am not willing to run on Sunday's. But feel free to decide any program that best suits your lifestyle.

My first week of training will start Monday May 2nd. I will start off by running two miles at a rate of 10 mins per mile or faster. This will increase after the Wed rest to three miles. Lets see how that goes for now and change if we need to.