Wind sprints on the E. River

So, this morning I went for a run instead of the gym. Why? Because I didn't feel like running yesterday morning... or evening.

Anyhow, I took off, and just wasn't feeling it. Generally I feel like I work through the tiredness in the first 3-5 minutes. It didn't happen today. So I pulled out one of my tricks I like to use to feel like I put in a good workout, but don't want to run for very long. I just did a bunch of wind sprints. Well, not that many, I guess. I did 5 100 yard dashes. Then I jogged home.

Getting back to a recurring theme, I don't really know what this accomplished, other than almost making me throw up. But I do know that I feel like I got a run in and it was a break from the routine, so I guess that is enough for me. Of course, I got laughed at by a few people as I ran at a full speed sprint down the jogging path under the FDR overpass, but that was okay with me.

The Ultimate ( ) Machine

I have participated in athletics my entire life, and there is no doubt that my emotional state changes after a good workout. However, I wouldn't say that I gain a clarity, but rather I lose a cloudiness.

For some reason I have trouble thinking too deeply about anything when I run. Sometimes I try to force myself. I begin to intentionally lead myself into a train of thought about work or some other facet of life that needs attention. However, it quickly gets replaced with thoughts of split times, distance already traveled, the people running around me (read - girls running around me).

When it is all said and done, I always feel like I have removed a layer of film from my mind. It is similar to the morning fog that is lifted with the sunrise. I like to think of it in this way:

I was created to be a highly functioning being, both physically and mentally (we all are, but I will keep this internally focused). My body and my mind are able to do things that no human invention could ever duplicate. Both my mind and my body are sharpened and honed with activity. When I provide the necessary activity, I am able to experience the fruits of my body and mind functioning much closer to their intended level.

The great thing about this kind of thinking is that the highest level of performance can never necessarily be attained. Rather it is a kind of transformation that is chased for a lifetime.

Best Run Ever

This Saturday was divine. I think I can officially say that it was the best run I have ever been on. Or, at least it affected me the most.

I was planning for a long run. 1 hour. The basic run for 30 minutes and then turn around and come home. A friend is staying with me and I asked if he wanted to come along. He did, and so did my roommate. we headed out with the plans of going for an hour at the pace of the slowest runner. We started out on the E. River and headed south. As we got closer to the Financial District we decided to just keep going around the southern tip and come up the w. side.

The pace was relaxed. The weather was perfect. The company and conversation was unexpected and refreshing. We were having fun. Not taking it too seriously, but still pushing each other. It took me back to high school. The camaraderie was great.

80 minutes and 10 miles later we were back at the apartment. The best part was pulling away at the end for a strong finish. I doubled the pace and finished with a 4 block sprint up Park Avenue. It was too crowded on the sidewalk, so I ran with the cars. I was catching the lights and expending every bit of energy I had. I reached the point where your whole body tingles because you are working so hard.

Things accomplished Saturday morning were:

- Good workout
- Great fellowship with friends
- Enjoyment of amazing weather
- Early start to a great weekend
- Re-establishing the passion for running

What do I eat?

In a world where everyone is "health concious", how the hell do I know what to eat?

I run, so I need more carbs, protien, and probably hydration than others.

I read a magazine that said I was supposed to eat:

- Fish from cold water
- Food with a skin (fruits)
- Seeds
- Dairy and milk that comes from animals
- meats and eggs that are free range and/or grass fed

In a world where I'm told to eat no carbs, eat all protien, cut out fruit, eat only fruit, only do organic... I do well if I even remember to have dinner. How do I manage to give my body what it needs to keep up with an active lifestyle?

New route

Wednesday was another day of waking up late and running in the evening. This is definitely a pattern I need to break. It throws off my whole evening, and makes it extra hard to wake up the following morning and go to the gym.

For the run, I took a route I almost never take. I decided to head west. The West Side Highway is much better lit than the E. River, so I worked my way through the streets from park ave and 21st to the West Side Highway at 14th street. I headed south on the Hudson River Park until I got down to Tribeca, and headed back on the same route. It was a hard run. 45 minutes at a moderate pace. probably about 6 miles (I can't be too sure, as google maps is broken). Ab workout when I got home. That is becoming a habit and I like it.

Hard part was I didn't eat dinner. Between a fairly intense 6 mile run, and waking up early to hit they gym, I am feeling a bit lightheaded as I type this. I need some fruit and coffee.

Naproxen and Rest

Knee still hurting last night.

Didn't run this morning, but will take some Aleve and go for it this evening.

Good thing there is not football during the week or I might not ever run after work.

Case of the Monday's

Well, the morning run didn't happen, but I squeezed it in before Monday Night Football. 2 interesting developments in my running routine on Monday's run. While it was a typical, easy week 30 minute run at a moderate pace, here were the deviations:

1) My ipod was out of batteries. I discovered this as I rode the elevator down to the lobby. I had no choice but to put the earphones in my mailbox (which were missing this morning, but that is a whole other story) and head out with no music. This was not the first time that I have run without music, but it was the first time in a long while. There was something very invigorating about it. The obvious point is that I could hear myself think. But I felt as though I actually smelled and felt things a bit more as well. I was in touch with my senses more than I usually am, and it was pretty nice. I may try this out for awhile.

2) I stopped halfway through my run and did a short workout. As I have mentioned before, I don't feel like I know what I am doing when I run. I was recently reading Running magazine (which is fairly useless, as I don't understand most of the terminology used), and a former olympic marathoner said he does an ab workout after every run, along with stretching. Well, I don't have any grass by my apartment, so I stopped halfway through and worked the ol' mid-section. It was amazing. It was kind of like taking a normal run, and adding a little spice to it. Probably won't do it every time, but I could get used to it every now and then.

So, 21st to 14th street on Irving Place. Irving Place to Ave D on 14th Street. Back up to the FDR. Down to the soccer field. Workout on the soccer field. Back up to 20th street, and west to my apartment.

I felt my left knee hurting yesterday. I kept running, but it hurt a bit more this morning at the gym. If it is not feeling better tomorrow I will not risk it, and I might be missing my Wed. run.