Cotter’s Corner

Okay, another bad running day. It wasn't quite "everything I could do" but I struggled with the run today. I suppose it might have something to do with the nearly ten pounds I've managed to pack on in the past two weeks (even WITH the running). I've been eating like a King and I need to knock that crap off. Stupid co-workers and their wanting to go out and eat. I also think it might have something to do with what Doc said in his comments to one of my posts about running. I don't think I'm getting enough water. So, I've got a few things to repair. But I'm not discouraged, I know I'm a work in progress. And I'm seriously debating repeating this week in the program. We'll see how the run on Saturday goes. Unless it goes better than this one – I'm redo-ing this week. 

I was a little nervous about starting this week because of the (two) 3 minute segments but I got through them with no issues whatsoever. The Tues/Thur/Sat schedule may yet be a problem, but it is worth it because I ended up working until midnight on Monday night. So, not much choice in the matter, but I do like Mon/Wed/Fri better and I'll return to it after this week.

The three minute segment was a lot more intimidating in theory than it was in practice. I just whizzed right through it and didn't really have any issues. Breathing was good. I tend to breathe in a pattern, so… four steps on a breath in and then four steps on a breath out. Which may seem kind of weird but it helps me keep pace AND stay oxygenated – so those are good things. When I'm a little more tired I do three and three but that's usually at the end of the workout. 

In a work related note we got the three Cisco 6509 switches installed on Monday night. Things could have gone better, but it wasn't a total disaster. I didn't have to make any major changes to the configuration of the switches – so that was one small victory. They worked exactly as I had expected them to – which was flawlessly.

And lastly – I'm in the market for a new vehicle finally. Been looking for either a Land Cruiser or a Lexus LX450 (which are really the same thing). I liken it to trying to find a four leaf clover. It's damn near impossible – but I persist in looking and will continue to do so. Wish me luck. I'm looking for a 1994-1997 model which has a 6 cylinder engine that runs about 300K (on average – my luck will vary) before there needs to be any major mechanical work done. I just want something semi-nice and reliable. Oh yeah, and cheap.

I finished it yesterday. I've modified my running schedule from M/W/F to T/T/S for the time being. I've got some stuff coming up for work and it'll be better for me this way for a little while. Anyways, the run yesterday was good. I breathed well and my feet feel great – so I am going to move into week three! I debated about doing this week over again, but I think I am up to the challenge of the next week. We shall see…

Somehow I also managed to shed about 4 pounds over the last week (maybe it was the running AND the stress from the big project at work). Anyways, that's helpful. Of course, now that I'm here in the weekend I've got a bad habit of throwing my (somewhat) good eating habits during the week – out of the window. Next week I'll be able to eat well and I'm hoping to be able to break through my 225 plateau.

Also, house update – we had some people come through last week who apparently LOVED the house, but no offer as of yet. We're going today to walk through the house we love. Not sure why – I think it's some sort of self-torture to make ourselves feel bad that we can't actually HAVE the house. Oh, and we're also going to check out a new one that popped up in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  

Was feeling just generally meh about the run until I hit about minute 16. Then I really got into it. The run was a challenge but I did it and my form was excellent throughout. So, there is that. I had to put off the run a day since work has really been insane for me for the past few days. But I did it. So, now I'll need to decide whether I do the run on Friday or Saturday. I will get it done though. I'm anxious to start week three. And it's just like DrFaulken said in the comments on the last post – it's not the one big decision it's the ton of smart little decisions that matter. It's sticking to it and that's what I am trying to do.

Oh, and feet still feeling okay. Not super duper good, but okay. So, I'll be happy with that. 

Sorry I didn't post about Day 3 of Week 1. I was a little busy this weekend and didn't get a chance to update. Anyways, Friday's run wasn't the best. I was spot-on for times and completion but it didn't have the same feel for me. Probably because I had some stuff come up and I didn't run on Friday night and I waited until Saturday morning instead. Anyways, the run was a little tougher for me than it should have been. I was disappointed that I kind of chugged through it instead of the previous two runs' brilliant breathing performance. But, I did it and I'm moving on. Any week I'm not able to complete (and I'm going to be honest with myself here) is a week that I will repeat. And I will do it with NO shame, I'll just do it and be happy I'm running. I have discovered that I've added five pounds in the past month or so and that really ticks me off. I need to get back with the program. I had salad today for lunch and I'll continue to try and be a good boy as much as possible.

Today is 90 seconds of running and 120 seconds of walking for 20 minutes (after a 5 minute warm up walk). I almost started with this week, but I'm glad I didn't. I need to continue the slow ramp up and take it easy. It'll be better for me in the long run. I have to keep telling myself that. 

Week1/Day2 is complete and I had no issues whatsoever while running. I didn't feel as great as I did on the first day (probably adrenaline) as I kind of chugged a little with my breathing, but physically I experienced no discomfort. The shoes also felt a lot different to me. I bought these shoes…

They are Brooks Beasts (2007 Model). I have a pair of the 2004 model as well and these feel different on the bottoms (more spring) and the upper feels a lot cooler while running, I can really feel the airflow moving around my foot – much more than the previous model. These are also shoes that help with motion control, so, it makes my ankles feel good. And lastly, they are designed for those of us who are a little bigger (6,2 – 225). So when I heel strike I don't destroy my knees. All-in-all they felt great last night and probably the best news is that I have ZERO foot pain with them. Which is better than the other pair. And these are also correctly sized for my feet (Size 12 versus a Size 11). It's these good shoes that will keep me from having an excuse to not run.

So I ran last night. And it was good. I felt fantastic. No foot pain while I was running (a little after the fact, but manageable – so I'm not whining). I am excited to get my new shoes. I wish they'd hurry up and ship the damned things. I decided to stick with the Brooks Beast but I did get the newer model. Supposed to have some really cool new technology built in, so I'm anxious to compare it to the previous generation of shoes.

I am also very excited that there are now 4 other Ars people (and non-Ars people, right Marc?) who are taking up running via the Couch to 5K program. Not sure if Marc is on that plan or not, but we'll assume he is.   Anyway, I'm debating making a post out of it on Ars and getting more people to sign up and participate. I sure could use the encouragement. Well, as I was writing this I decided to go ahead and make a post – it is here.

May 8 will be the day that I begin the Couch-To-5K program once again. I've tried it two times now. The first time was almost a success as I made it all the way to week 7 (two weeks from the end) and only stopped because of the holidays. I'm an idiot for stopping. And then I tried it AGAIN and had to stop due to my left foot being in agony (Thanks Morton's Neuroma!).

My new plan is to start again tomorrow. I'll run Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (I think I like the schedule at this point).  I may run tonight tho, so we'll just see how it goes. I'm hoping that my foot holds out. I am also armed with some new information. Seems that your feet continue to grow well past the normal stages that you think your body changes. So, I discovered that while I'm currently in some size 11 shoes – that I should actually be in some size 12 shoes. Who knew? I got fitted at Team Nashville and they advised me to get the correct size before I look to expand the size of the toe box since the main problem is that the biggest part of my foot isn't inside the biggest part of the shoe.

So, new shoes are on order, but the guy at Team Nashville told me how to lace up my existing shoes to get them to fit better.

If that doesn't work I've read lots of good things about the alcohol injection treatment working for Morton's Neuroma patients. That is going to be my Plan B in case of pain.

I am also VERY pleased to see that two of my on-line friends are also taking up the C25K plan. Cailin Coilleach & Wynk are both taking up the challenge. Wish us all luck.