Blog Reading

Mini Survey:

How many blogs do you follow:


Do you read them directly or use a feed reader:

How much time do you dedicate to blogging per week( reading and writing):

Are you a lurker or do you frequently comment:



My answers:

I'm currently following 54 running blogs, but always on the lookout for more.

I recently started using Google Reader, and love it!

I probably spend about 8-10 hours a week on blogging.

I have to admit, the majority of blogs I follow I rarely comment. For the others, I've been lazy with commenting lately.

Marathon Training Schedule

Here is my training schedule.  I don't have any set speed work or cross training on here.  It is simply the mileage.  For speed work, they will be part of the Tuesday or Thursday runs depending on how training progresses.  I felt that by just listing mileage, it will be easier for me to maintain the schedule.

Calories, Trails, and Training

I've really been watching my caloric intake the last few weeks.  As you know, I haven't had much luck losing any weight this entire year, and I've suspected it's due to an increased appetite, late night snacking, and morning donuts.  I'm proud to announce that I've cut out the late night snacks completely.  It's been about three weeks since I've snacked after dinner!!

Getting back to calories, I've been trying to maintain a lower calorie intake and have been fairly successful (minus Thanksgiving Weekend).  During the work week, I've been drinking coffee alone for breakfast (no more donuts or other pastries), and I've been bringing lunches, mostly some variant of noodles.  Then I tend to have a large lunch.  Yeah, it goes against the recommended method of a large breakfast, medium lunch, and small dinner.  However, I know myself, and even when I eat heavier early, my body still wants a full dinner.  It's working well, and I've lost about 5 lbs total in the last couple of weeks. 

Since many other fitbloggers post weekly weigh-ins, I've decided to start doing the same.  SO to kick it off, here was my weight this morning: 207.0 lbs.

I'm hoping to hit below 200 before the year ends, then try and keep lowering it until I'm around 175-180.  Thinking back, that seems to be my ideal weight.

Yesterday, I hit the NCR Trail and did a long and slow 6 miles.  I ended up heading out later than I should, and it was fairly dark when I finished.  I didn't see a single person the last 20 minutes or so.  The run was great, I did a 1.5/1 run/walk and started out at an 11:30 mile, but slowed it down to an average of 12:42 finishing in 1:16:10.  Slow and steady!  My heal felt fine, however, I could feel some weakness in my hamstring tendon, which I hurt 5 weeks ago during the Army 10 Miler.  It wasn't painful, but enough to notice.  I'll keep an eye on it, and if it starts to act up, I'll adjust my training. 

Speaking of my training, I'll post my marathon training, which officially starts this week, later today.  My training calendar (modified from this) is too big to post, so I've got to create an excel spreadsheet that is easy on the eyes. 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is ready for the Christmas season!

Oh Yeah!

I got a 3.08 mile run in today at lunch.  Yay!  This is the first lunchtime run I've done in awhile, and I need to get back into them.  Especially with it getting darker earlier now.  It's supposed to rain this evening and I've got several things I need to do tonight so I decided to bring my gear and run at lunch.  It turned out great!  The weather was nice and I ran the loop around the small lake outside my office.  Each loop is .77 miles, and I did 4 laps!  I forgot to bring my watch so I was forced to estimate my intervals.  I imagine it wasn't every consistent, but oh well.  I'll just call it a fartlek!  3.08 miles in 35:10 (11:26 pace).  Not bad for being out so long.  Here is the course, it's relatively flat, with great scenery. 

A Relaxing Weekend

This weekend was nice and relaxing.  We saw the new Harry Potter Movie (Awesome!) and other than that it was pretty much sitting around playing with the kiddos. 

Today I finally started back to running.  I was hesitant at first, it’s been two weeks since my last run and only my third run this month.  The hammy I pulled during the Army 10 Miler was great.  Not a peep of pain out of it. My left Achilles tendon was sore.  Nothing major, but enough to notice it.  I only ran 2 miles (technically about 1.9) and It felt great to get back out there.  I’ve got two weeks before I’m officially in marathon training so I’ve got some reconditioning to do between now and then. 

As for the Achilles tendon, I went to the doctor on Friday and he said it could be either bursitis or a bone spur.  He’s leaning towards a bone spur.  I got x-rayed and a referral to the office podiatrist.  I’ll make the appointment tomorrow and hope for the best! 

Tomorrow I should be getting my new car back from the service department.  They’re replacing the lower control arms tomorrow at 1:00 so I hopefully will be picking it up after work!! 

Time for bed so catch ya later!