There's nothing like...

....having a great run to make you want to blog about it and tell the world. 

It has been an insufferable winter. With the extreme cold temps and record precipitation it has made for a tough first winter of running.

I have been outside twice this year for a run and I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Better weather is just starting to come.

So, I ran yesterday. Yes, it was in the morning hours during the wind and snow. Not in the afternoon when it reached 38 and was partly sunny out. However, I had one of the best runs in my life. The best part was that I finished strong. I ran the first mile at right around a 10 min mile, the miles in between at 10:50 ish, then finished with a 10:10 mile on mile 7. So yeah, 7.1 miles and 1 hour and 15 minutes later.

So. I am curious, anyone ever use a training plan? I am running a 25k in May and found a training plan for it. Just curious if training plans work well. 

I usually run M-W-F... But from here on out it'll be T-W-R-Sa. I plan to follow the plan as closely as possible. I'll let you know how it works out.

At least my workouts have been more consistent this year:

I am also curious if anyone else has problems with doing speed work on treadmills. Everytime I push my pace on a treadmill I inadvertently get sore knees. 

So my fastest to date is 7.6 MPH for 1/4 mile. What's your fastest speed for a quarter mile? 

Maybe I'll try more speed work when I start running on the road more. I have a feeling it is the treadmill that is doing my knees in.

Keep Running!

     Otto

Be my....

Running Buddy!

Ok, so yesterday was Valentine's day. Most people say, "Be my Valentine." However, in the back of every runners mind is really, "Be my running buddy." And we mean that in every sense of the words. We really do want you to run with us. I mean, who really doesn't dream of growing old with their sweetheart and being active. Does any dream of growing old, sitting on the couch, and starring out

the window? We all have aspirations of someday retiring from our labors and being able to enjoy life a little. Do some volunteer work, take that once in a lifetime vacation, and doing it all with your sweetheart.

 So when we say, "We run not to add days to our life but, life to our day." We really mean it. We want to grow old and grow closer with our sweethearts. Part of growing closer usually involves doing an activity together.

While all runners hope their sweethearts will take up running, what do you do if you really do not care to run? Let's face it. Sometimes opposites attract and the list of things you might like to do together may be able to all be counted on one hand. So, how can you be a running buddy if running does not appeal to you?

Well, I have to look no further than my own sweetheart. My wife, DeAnn, and I have 4 kids. One of those kids is a 5 month old and we have a 9 year old in a wheelchair. Talk about having two full time jobs besides taking care of me. Even if she wanted to run with me I am not sure she could find the time. She is absolutely amazing and I don't say that lightly. So what does she do exactly? She allows me the pleasure of running. Running takes a lot of dedication to a training plan if you are going to run a race. It takes even more dedication if you are trying to train in colder and snowy months.

So, if you are the spouse or significant other of someone and really do not want to participate in the sport you can be a running buddy by being supportive. Allow them the training runs. Allow them to plan vacations around a running event. Allow them to enjoy the one thing that relieves stress. The one thing they do that will add life to their days.

That being said, don't take that sweetheart for granted. I've been there. I desired so much for my wife to do some physical activity with me that I couldn't see she was supporting me better than I could ask for. So, rule number one for you runners out there. If your sweetheart does not run with you, don't take them for granted. Make sure they know you appreciate them just the way they are and all that they do for you or without you while you are out running.  So yes, miss that training run to make sure they get the valentines present they really want... and take the 5 month old at 5:30 in the morning on Saturday when he decides it's time to get up. Do it all with a smile. Remember love is about what you can sacrifice to make your sweethearts life better. 

And sweetheart, if you are reading this, I want you to know you are the best just they way you are but you are always welcome to join me running. We could find a way if you really wanted to and thank you for being my running buddy.

Go running,
        Otto

To Treadmill or not to Treadmill....

That is the question.

So over the past week I have been debating purchasing a treadmill. 

The idea was that if I had something here at my house I'd be able to run at a more convenient time of day or night. It is really too dark to run outside in the morning or after I get home from work.

I started out by visiting MC Sports and Dicks Sporting Goods websites. I had a Proform treadmill about 10 years ago that I liked and thought they would fit the bill. Let me just say the price has gone up over the past 10 years. I paid $300 then for what is now clearly a $700-800 treadmill. 

Then I happened to find treadmilldoctor.com. Here I found reviews from a repair companies point of view. They even have a buyers guide, so I ran through the guide and answered the questions. It recommended the Sole F80.

Nice looking machine, I know. I kept searching online and review after review had nothing but good thing to say about the company and treadmill. I was sold on it. 

Then Sticker shock hit, $1,500. 

So I poked around treadmill doctors website some more and found a treadmill in the $600 range. Then I read their review of it. Great for people under 200 pounds who will use it for about an hour a week at a max of 6 mph. Any more than that they recommended a gym membership.

So I looked around. Colleges, fitness centers... Nothing was coming up real close to home. Then I remember a year or so back the new Salvation Army Kroc Center opened up. It's just a half mile down the road from work. Really nice equipment, pool, etc and only $35 a month. The fact I'll only need it for 4-5 months means I'll be spending a whopping $140-$175 by the time it's all said and done. 

So for me, this made more financial sense. If there's not something close to home or work then your limited in your options and a treadmill is probably better. Unless your like us and really don't have space for one either.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Otto