Well, here it goes! I have many thoughts running through my mind during a long run, and my thought on today's 14-miler was "I should blog about running". My goals will be to share the ups and downs of training, training tips I read about, talk about some of the cool gear out there, and speak out on other random things.
How the Journey Began
I started my journey back in October 2009. At that time my weight had ballooned to nearly 230 lbs, and my life was full of stress and poor coping mechanisms with that stress. Then, on a Saturday evening, between slices of pizza, bottles of beer, and levels of Call of Duty, I received a text message. It was my brother Andrew. The message was simple: "lets run a marathon". I nearly spit out my beer and laughed for about a minute. Sure, I had been in good shape just a couple years ago, even completing a 107 mile bike ride, amongst other bike races, but I was in NO condition to run a marathon, nor could I even imagine training for one. The most I had run at a time was 5 miles, and that was 10 years ago, and I did it just once! I had "sort-of" run for a few months each spring and fall in medical school and residency, but no more than 5-10 miles per week. I don't want to say I was too busy to exercise regularly, because that is a cop out. Some of my med school classmates had found time between classes and clinicals to train for and complete the Madison Ironman after all! I was merely lazy and in denial about my deteriorating physical health. Like most Americans these days, I like my comfort food, and love to wash it down with a tasty beverage or two. The problem was that as I became less active, my diet worsened along with it. Throw in the added stressors of having a child, moving to a new state to start a new job, and the "results" were in. I was fat. I knew it, but it took a catalyst to make a change.
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Nice blog, Josh! Got the link off Facebook. I'm interested in your thoughts. I'm now training for a 1/2 marathon. I'm following the Hal Higdon (?spelling) schedule I got on-line. So far, so good.
ReplyDeleteFor equipment, I've always used New Balance. This year, though, one of the guys at Running Fit put me in Brooks. AMAZING!!
I've got to figure out hydration for the longer runs. Hip belt vs. hydration backpack?
Wow 2 blogs in 1 day! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteSounds great, Dave. Which 1/2 are you training for? I used the Hal Higdon Beginner program for my first 1/2, and am loosely following the "Intermediate" for my upcoming races. I think the running fit experience is great for most people. Glad you like the Brooks!
ReplyDeleteAs to hydration, I have two different water belts. One is a Nathan that carries 20 oz combined between two small bottles. It is okay for most runs 6-12 miles in reasonable temps. I also have a larger capacity belt called the Ultimate Direction for the summer runs over 12 miles. I think it has 32-36 oz total between the two bottles. It's been awhile since I've needed that one. I got them both at REI last year. They have a nice selection. I didn't think the backpack was a good option for me, as I felt it would impair my sweat evaporation and cooling. That's just my opinion. I look forward to your input!
Josh
Josh, may I recommend the book, "What I talk about when I talk about running" by Haruki Murakami. All about long distance running, and how the writer got into it. Pretty quick read, and once I started the book I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed it very much. Should be at the AA public library.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book recommendation. I'm planning on posting a "reading list" soon!
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