Week 3 of 5k training

It's the beginning of week three, and last week I actually ran every day I was supposed to! well, not necessarily on the correct day, but four days of running. I didn't do the cross training days, but, I just feel like I have so little time that I'll take any little bit I can to stare at my word processor and try to pump out a few good paragraphs in whatever story I feel like working on at the moment.

I was supposed to run today, it being the start of week three and all I should have pumped out 2.25 miles, but I ate a big dinner, and it was getting late, so I did some core workouts and push-ups. I'm not staying on top of those like I was over the past few months...but like I said, time, time, time.

I'm getting ready to open an IRA (deviation from the workout update, but I'm still trying to better myself, so =P). I'm a little afraid, partly because I know very little about the stock market, and partly because I hear that there may be a drop in the next few weeks, so I feel it would be better to get in after that drop. But like I said, I know nothing of the stock market, so maybe I'll just open it with the minimum amount of money, and then if nothing happens I'll have a little, and then I'll max it out later in the fall.

I've been thinking about going back to school to study writing, I have this recurring fantasy where I'm some sort of science journalist, but I don't know. The market for news writers seems to be saturated, and collapsing, but I'd like to study writing nonetheless. It probably wont happen. It's too expensive, and I can't really imagine earning a living as a blogger. Graduate school would only be thousands of dollars to pursue what is at best a hobby. And that makes me depressed.

Update

I know, I know. It's been a long time.

My first 5K race is about 7 weeks away, and I've hardly ran in the passed 10 or so days. I've been kind of distracted, going away on the weekends, or just being lazy. I need to get myself moving again. I'll keep track better I promise.

Running in the Rain and Other Things

Ran in the rain today, as you probably already figured out. 3.76 miles (6.05 km) in 30:27. that's 5:05/km. I haven't run for three days, and I kind of pigged out at a family reunion on Saturday, so I'm pretty happy that my time hasn't been too adversely affected, though it certainly hasn't helped.

As for the 'other things'. I feel like I have to decide between working out and writing. I do like to write, stories and stuff, but I feel like I never have time, and when I do have time, I can't focus. I guess that's what the theme of this blog is supposed to be, cutting out all the extra stuff in my life. All the rambling web surfing and pointless TV watching. If it doesn't better myself, it needs to go. Unfortunately, it isn't working. Again, I guess it's about my problem focusing, and I don't know what to do about it.

There's this Libertarian Candidate for the 32nd District here in Dover who got some press over the weekend. It was the first time I heard of him. I like to think I'm Libertarian, but who knows. Maybe I'm more Conservative, but I don't really know the difference. I'm trying to find out more about him. His Blog http://www.willmcvay.com/ I haven't quite gone through all the way, but I was hoping for more specifics on where he stands on some issues, but he's only 25, maybe he doesn't know himself.

A Bunch of Hot Air

For the past few weeks I've been running at night, around 8 o'clock or so, because it's so hot during the day that it's so much more bearable, but I think it's been screwing up my sleeping habit, because I'm up for so long after I run, midnight or 1 o'clock before I actually fall asleep.

But on Thursday and Friday while running, it was so humid out that I felt as though I was breathing water, and I just couldn't push myself through for the whole 30 minutes no matter how hard I tried. I ran 20 minutes on Thursday, and on Friday I decided to only go for a fast 1 mile, and it wasn't even that fast! It was a hard week... and this week will probably be harder again because it's been so long since I've done a full 30 minute run, but a week of low 90's to mid 80 temperatures should help.

Just me complaining a little bit. Excusing myself for my lack of effort this week. And I've been snacking more than usual, so I have to get that under control again, too. There's no excuse for that one.

Everything Else in Life...Kind Of.

Disclaimer: This is not an entry about my workout regime (it's still going quite well, thank you.)

This is about the rest of my life...or at least what I'm going to do with it. Or not do with it. Just a little venting.

A friend of mine is thinking about Law School, so that means that I'm thinking about Law School, just like when another of my friends left his job and became a teacher I, too, thought about teaching. Since I'm stuck at an entry level state government job, I might as well take stock of my other options.

I don't know if I'd be happy at law school. I do have this nagging little man that lives in the back of my head and gives me fantasies of grandeur, that I can change the world, and Law School could indeed help me get there. But, I believe that people are called to do things. Maybe they never know it, or never care to listen, but I am. At least I'm trying...waiting by the phone, if you will.

Is that the end? Or do I have to pick up the phone and make some calls first? I downloaded a practice LSAT test and I'm going to take it tomorrow and see how I do.

But, if I were to be really honest with myself, wouldn't I just be happier in a consulting job, living 20 minutes from the beach, and having enough free time to write novels that will never get published? It's funny that being happy might mean never achieving anything of importance.

Back from Hiatus

Me Surfing. Bad form, I know. I was out there for a few hours and I stood up (kind of) once, and got knocked in the head once, MAN those boards hurt!

"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. " Bruce Lee

I know It's been a while, but I'm back.

I havn't been slacking on my workouts, but I think I've been snacking more...

I changed my crunch routine to only 100, for time and because I read that too many can be bad for your back. I'm still stuck on pushups, I can't crack the limit there, but....

Today I just ran for my 30 minutes and reached 6.01 kms, which means that's 4:58/km which means that's a 24:51 5K!!!!! My goal has been met! I'm sticking with that for a little though, but maybe I can shoot for 24 minutes? who knows.

Fartlek! That's a funny word!

Today

PUSH UPS: Week 5: Day 2: Column 1 www.hundredpushups.com
Total: 105

CRUNCHES: Week 6: Day 2: Column 2 www.twohundredsitups.com
Total: 344

I am totally going backwards on these push ups, but what can you do?

The crunches, on the other hand, I'm totally on track with and I can't wait till I'm finished!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Run Fartlek
Total: 1 mile (1.61 kms) in 7:13 minutes Avg. Speed: 13.36 km/hr Pace: 4:28/Km

Fartlek is a Swedish word that means "Speed Play". The general idea is to run a distance while varying your running speed: maybe you'll start out sprinting and then go into a light jog and then maybe increasing your speed gradually until you end your run in a sprint. The pace is good, but the sprinting really wears me out, so there's no way I can keep up the 4:28/km for 5 kms (yet).

I'm still running for 30 minutes 3 times a week and then one day I do a one mile fartlek run. Hopefully I'll make it 4 x 30 minutes this week.