Training Post

I have been real busy lately. I have had a lot things going on, so I haven't been keeping up with the blog. I have been working out though. Even if I'm really busy, I try to do some sort of workout. Those are the times that you really benefit from the workouts. They help me to relax and buffer the stress from all the demands being placed on me. But enough of that. I had a nice run this morning. I ran 13 miles this morning on a route that I haven't ran in a while. As the say, it was revisiting that old friend. The weather was nice and there wasn't very much traffic, so I was able to enjoy my run. Now it is time to get back to all those things I didn't finish yesterday.

Training Post

I ran 6 miles today. My route was around the neighborhood, so it was nice and flat. I was happy because I finished the run in 46 minutes. I have another race coming up, so I'm tapering the distance. I also wanted to attend the Jazz mass at church today, so the short distance made that possible. I still had to wake up early for the run though. They do this mass every year and it is a fun experience. They have musicians come in and play some great music that liven ups the service. It's a nice change of pace that I look forward to every year.

Training Post

I had a lot going on today, so I did an abbreviated workout. I did the 29 minute total body workout and cycling at the random setting for 30 minutes. I worked up a good sweat and I'm glad that I was able to fit in some type of workout today.

Training Post

The air quality was bad today. There was heavy amounts of ash in the air from the Lake County fires. I decided to workout inside the gym today. I used the octane machine for 30 minutes today at a setting of 125 bpm. It was a good workout, but not as good as running. The octane machine says it mimics the running mechanics, but it doesn't feel the same. I did complete 6.25 miles on that machine.

Training Post

I ran on the treadmill today. This time it was using the variety setting @ 7 mph for 30 minutes. I ran a total of 3.95 miles. After my run, I performed 3 sets of flutter kicks for 45 seconds. I felt strong on my run and was able to watch a Jeopardy! episode from start to finish. I like running while watching this show. It distracts my from the run.

9/9 Training

I did some interval training on the treadmill today. I started off with a 5 minute warm up and then I did the intervals. I ran 1 minute @ 10 mph and then dropped down to 7 mph for 2 minutes for my recovery. This was repeated for 30 minutes. I ended up running 4.36 miles and finished off my workout with 3 sets of 20 reps of kettle bell twists.

It was a good workout. I enjoy doing the intervals and look forward to them every other week. I'm thinking about taking my speed up to 11 mph for the next workout. I'll see how I feel and then make the decision that day. I never thought I'd be running this fast on the treadmill. Two years ago, 7.0 mph was my top speed. I'm glad I stuck with it and kept pushing myself. Who knows, maybe one day I'll look back and laugh at 10 mph being my top speed.

Training Post

I rode my bicycle to and from the gym today. It is a good warm up and cool down for my workout. For strength training, I did the 29 minute total body workout, assisted pull ups, hip abduction, and hip adduction workout. It is good for runners to exercise their hips and develop those muscles. It can help improve running form and prevent injuries down the road.

I finished off my workout by using the rowing machine for 30 minutes. It was kind of boring using that machine today. The machine doesn't face a tv with the station I like, so I was going to listen to my iPod. However, I forgot it today. I was stuck listening to the music that is being pumped over the gym loudspeakers. My fault for being forgetful.

A rest day with the Oakland A's

I took Labor Day off from training and spent it watching the Oakland A's.  They defeated the Houston Astros in a thriller. The Astros got off to an early lead, but the A's had a big inning and took over the lead for good. The Astros rallied, but it wasn't enough. Sean Doolittle recorded the final outs for the save. He was out with a shoulder injury, so it was good to see him back to form.

My seats were in the value deck. If your not familiar with the seating in the coliseum, its in the upper most level. The tickets have a $6 food voucher on them, so that's why they call it the value deck. I used my credit to buy a hotdog during the fifth. The food at sporting events is like the food at movie theaters, its ridiculously expensive. That's why I stopped of at the grocery store for snacks beforehand. I saved so much money and I was able to eat healthier snacks by doing that. 

I don't mind sitting that high up in the coliseum. I had a great view of all of the field. However, I was too high up to make out the players without the help of their numbers on their jerseys. Not a big deal to me. They upgraded the scoreboard this year, so I was able to watch the replays on it for the close plays that I had trouble seeing on the field. I do miss the view of the Oakland hills. Before they built Mt. Davis (the upper deck portion of centerfield in the photo below), you could see the hills from those seats. I miss them. Oh well.

I got there early because it was the striped backpack giveaway. I waited in the hot sun for an hour before the gates were open. There were games in the past that I barely missed getting the giveaway because I didn't get there soon enough. I was 10 people away from getting a bobble head last year. Ughhh!!!! Today, I was determined to get that backpack. I was on a mission. So, I got up early to get to the O.co Coliseum before they ran out of them. 

I was surprised by the quality of the backpack. It's a full size pack with a large front pocket and padded straps. It'll be perfect for the next time I go to a game. Nice job promo department.

A little bit on the warm side, but it was a beautiful day at the park.

Here is the reason why I didn't sleep in today.

9/6 Training Post

I ran at a slow pace today for my long run. These long, slow runs are for developing the slow twitch muscles and the blood vessels in my legs. However, I really wasn't feeling it today. Normally, I'm excited for these runs, but not today. I might change up the route next week, to see if that will help get me out of my running funk. I did complete my goal of 14 miles, but I really had to force myself. I would use tricks like focusing on my form and breaking down my run in increments to keep me going.

9/1 Training Post

I had a good workout today. I lifted weights and used the stationary bike for 30 minutes. My weight lifting session was the 29 minute total body workout at the gym. I'm thinking about adding another set to my workout. Right now, I'm only doing 2 sets. This was mostly because of time constraints, but now I can fit in the time for an additional set on the total body circuit. 

I increased the setting on the heart rate to 125 for the stationary bike for this workout. It was more challenging and I worked up quite the sweat. I have been riding the bike on my off days a lot. I need to do a better job of switching up my off day cardio workouts. That way I'll work different muscles and prevent burnout.