Garmin Link
5.16 miles
8:15 pace
It's been a tough week since the last run. While the weather has been perfect for running most days - cool mornings, with highs in the sixties - I have been stiff and achy like never before since the last run with Chris. That run was faster than usual, but nothing too radical, so I'm not sure how to account for it. It just did not seem to get better all week, and I even developed a sore and painful back for a few days.
On top of that, I am putting on some weight, which is not only disheartening, but will become a practical problem if I don't nip it in the bud, since I got rid of most of my fat clothes in the past year.
Yesterday I wasn't expecting to run, but a couple of the women in the office, Raminder and Susan, were heading out at about 2:00 yesterday. Raminder was part of our original group that trained together and ran the 2007 PDR, and Susan is the friend who planned the Valley Forge bike trips that Doug and I have ridden on a few times. Raminder asked if I wanted to come, but I had to decline as I had a client coming in for a meeting. Soon after they left the client called and canceled, so I changed quickly and decided to try to catch them.
I didn't end up catching them, but we crossed paths when I was at about the 2 mile mark and they were heading back towards work. Wish I would have had the presence of mind to snap a picture for the blog.
I was still digesting a turkey hoagie from lunch, so had to keep the pace and distance relatively short. I'm thinking that as an experiment I might try taking the distance and speed down a notch, but run more often - maybe five or six times a week. I wonder if more consistent (but less intense) exercise might help with the weight issue.
I have an appointment in center city this evening, so I might try running (about three miles each way), then do another 5-miler tomorrow at an 8-8:30 pace. We'll see - I might find it too hard on my body after only few days, or maybe it will work out.
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3 comments:
I know that studies have said that long slow exercise is best for fat burning and weight control but it has never worked for me and I don't believe it. What I think works best is exercise that keeps your heart rate high (130-150)for at least an hour preferably two. You need to do this 4 to 6 times a week and stay with it (no problem for you.) It's not just the calories burned while exercising. This routine raises your metabolism. Of course, it goes without saying that it also helps to watch what you eat. I avoid fats, especially saturated, as much as possible and I try to keep my portions reasonable although I do have a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, it's tough to keep this routine by running due to injuries. Cycling is best but it takes a lot of time and it's not just casual cycling. Swimming might be a possibility but I've never had the swim-fitness or desire to do that.
That sounds like good advice, Dad. I'm going to start a little more conservatively (45 min. to 1 hour runs daily), but if my body can take that, I will increase it. The pool will open in a month. For a while last summer I was doing 1-2 mile swims a few times a week. Will be doing some weekend bike rides (50 miles to Valley Forge) soon, I think. Of course, food portion control is probably my biggest opportunity. I just don't have your diet discipline.
I could maybe ride a bike for 2 hours, but I definitely can't run for 2 hours (or 1).
I've read that it's the muscle building routines that increase your metabolism--weight lifting and probably speed training.
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