Day 22 of Training

I ran real early today, jogged I should say.  About 1 mile, just keeping loose and using the muscles from the longer run yesterday.  It was cool, cloudy 64 degrees and no traffic.

The Doctor called earlier with the results from the CAT scan, I have an inflammation of the left lobe of the liver for some reason.  The next step is a biopsy, with a needle being inserted to draw out fluid and try to determine why.  And so we go through the process to determine the right fix.  Now waiting on that call for an appointment.

So your health is important, don't take it so lightly.  Once again listen to your body, whether running listening for soreness or pain, or other problems during the rest of your day.

God Bless, Captain

Day 21 for Training

Today was a good day, cloudy, cooler 71 when I hit the streets.  I jogged 1.7 miles, felt good, got the breathing going after a warm up of about 1/2 mile, and felt I increased my speed without trying.  Get in the zone.  Everything felt good.

My mind wanted me to walk during certain points, but I overruled and jogged the whole way.  I didn't wear a watch, but it would have been interesting to see the time.  The problem is, once you press start on the stopwatch, you automatically run faster, and you keep glancing down at your watch to see how your doing.  Remember, slow base building.  LSD  Long slow distance.

Tomorrow will probably around a 1.3 jog, then 1.7 again on Saturday.

Waiting on the Doctor to call with some CAT scan results.

God Bless, Captain

Day 20 of Training

First, I have to say " Happy 43rd Wedding Anniversary " to my wife.  You can't leave that part of your life out of any training program, or anything else for that matter.



I walked 1.3 miles today, no particular reason.  I just wanted let my inner body get back in sync again.

This morning I had an abdominal CAT scan done and had to drink that yucky stuff that lights up your intestines for them to see more clearly.  I have been having a mild discomfort running horizontally just under my ribs for about 5 weeks, it just didn't feel right.  Like something was growing and it shouldn't.  My Doctor said there was no heartbeat and I was greatly relieved over that.  But we decided that we should take a look and see what is what.  I might know the results tomorrow and then the next step can be determined.  So anyways, my stomach and intestines have been rumbling and growling all day, so I thought a walk would be good.


It was still hot, but the humidity was not so high, so all and all it was a nice day.


So not much to add at this point, will let you know.

God Bless, Captain

Day 19 of Training for Mini

It's HoTT-hot in Indiana.  Started my walk/run today @ 8:30, temp. was 82, ended @ 85.  Supposed to be close to 90 for next 7 days.

Take water and drink it, that is the tip of the day.  Even if you don't feel thirsty, drink it anyways.  The key is not to wait till your thirsty, then it's too late.  Sweating is your body's way of dealing with and shedding the heat from within, if you avoid drinking you are setting yourself up for dehydration.
When and if you ever jog, run a race of any length they will provide water along the route.  Depending on the temperature, weather; you should have water every mile or every 2 miles.  Obviously if it is 10 degrees and the water is freezing, you may not have water, and you probably won't be sweating.

Over the weekend on my 2 days off, I forgot I was going to have to walk home from the Race track, about 1.5 miles.My sister drove us to within 2 blocks of our seats, but the traffic is way too bad for her to pick us up.  Thanks, sis.  So I did get some walking in, but I'm not counting it towards any kind of workout.

Today, I jogged about 1.5 miles, and walked .25.  Did just fine, but now I need to work on my breathing.  All this time I've been concentrating on the legs, joints, etc.  But I now need to get the breathing together.  How you say? And shouldn't it be automatic.  Yes, it is automatic, but you can get your breathing in a rhythm that will put you in a zone that makes the running 100 % better and automatically faster.  Once again trust me on this.

More later for now I will say, exhale deeply all at once, then slowly take a breath allowing your lungs to fill, then exhale again.  It may seem very odd at first, but with practice it will become second nature. This breathing is for when you are jogging/running, not when you are sitting in the recliner. You don't want to be panting the whole way.  More later, sheesh, somehow I have to keep you coming back.

Talk about the mystery women, today there was a whole pack of them.  Not sure what I got into, but it was perhaps a beginning running club or group of some sort.  As I approached the park I saw this group walking and then together as a group they started a jog about 1/2 way around the park.  I passed them as they stopped to stretch and don't know what happened after that.  As it was about 1 hour earlier than I normally run, I may not see them for a week.

So the plot thickens.  God Bless, see you tomorrow, Captain

Day 18 of Training

I walked 1.7 today.  It was one of those beautiful mornings, sun was out, temp. was around 58 degrees.  As I walked through the park, families were starting to get the picnics set up with the games for later, people were walking their dogs, each one carrying plastics bags to pick up, well, you know what.

I walked just to rest everything, am noticing no strains, no hurts, just resting.  I did jog around 4-5 miles total this week.  Up from nothing 18 days ago, so rest is good.

As I said I'm going to the Indy Race tomorrow and Monday is an off day so I will get 2 more days of rest.  Which might be good as the next 2 days are supposed to be around 90 degrees.

So have a great Memorial day week end, and let's remember our Vets, both those protecting us now, and those who gave their lives for our freedom.

God Bless, Captain

Day 17 of Training

Cool 53 degrees and cloudy, great jog.  I didn't take any water, ran in a t-shirt, felt the goose bumps but it was very nice.  Jogged a complete 1.3 miles, got into my breathing ( that keeps me from  panting like a dog ), felt like a good even pace, but not pushing it too much.  May just walk tomorrow, then I'm taking 2 days off.  Sunday and Monday.

Why?  You Ask.  My son and I got tickets to the Indy 500, The Centennial race.  I know it is the only one I will see ( Centennial ) and he has never been that I know of.  We go to the Brickyard every year, but that has become tradition with the men of the family, about 9 of us now.

So next week, thinking I will move my jogging distance up to the whole 1.7 on a couple of days, with lower miles in between, maybe no walking except for cool down.

Maybe I should mention, stretching and cool down.  What I do.  For these training jogs and runs, I do not stretch ahead of the run.  I believe I start out slow enough to feel my body's strengths and weakness that I'm ok.  Most people stretch after their runs when the muscles are warmed up and more pliable.  After the run, I always walk at least 4 blocks, down and back, to stretch my legs, ankles, etc.  using exaggerated strides to really pull and push the ligaments around the joints.

Now, if it is a race, I will defiantly stretch before hand, and I will jog slowly 1/4 mile or whatever before the race.  Because now you're in a race and your going to be starting out much quicker.  We'll talk about this more, but do not be a rabbit and start the race with sprinting to get to that first mile marker.  You will be sorry big time. As you will be out of wind, out of energy and in general feel like crap and even wonder if you can finish.  I've been there and done that, Trust me.  And you will after you forget my words and find out yourself.

See you tomorrow, God Bless, Captain

Day 16 of Training

We survived the storms last night, now it is just raining and cooler, like 68 degrees.  This morning I jogged and walked the 1.7 course thru our local park.  I saw 2 trees blown over, but that was all.  I guess downtown an old building lost it's roof.  Oh well, minor compared to other parts of the nation.

My jog was uneventful, I was able to pick a spot between rain showers and didn't get wet. And yes I've had my shower so aren't you all happy.

Short and sweet today, stay with it, slow and steady.

God Bless, Captain