Reflecting on a Memory from 6th Grade Track Tryouts

This is a memory from 6th grade track tryouts.

It was my first year trying out for track and I was still testing the waters. I wasn't sure what I was good at, but I kind of knew I wasn't fast or strong enough to throw the shot put far enough. The team had made it through tryouts and were pretty sure we all made the team(the track team at Lumpkin County Middle School wasn't that big). On the last day of tryouts our coach said, "If you want to make the team you need to run around the gym for the entirety of practice.

The gym was a hot and humid place. It didn't help that it was raining and they had the heater on.

We started running. The first 10 laps or so were okay. I felt I was inching toward the farthest I had ever ran(2 miles) and the clock was still ticking.

What felt like hours went by. I kept my legs moving, even though my some of my peers were walking. These peers were also getting yelled at by the coach. I wanted my coach to see that I was strong and that I could perform in the hardest of conditions.

One or two other kids had more laps than me, but I didn't care. They were better runners than me and had more experience. I was just focusing on myself.

Finally, after doing what felt like 100 laps the coach blew the whistle and told us that we all made the team.

For the remainder of track I was put in the 2 mile run group(the longest distance available). I wasn't the fastest, but I always finished and had gas in the tank. I learned a lot about myself during that run though. I found that I had an inner strength to just keep going, even in the most strenuous of conditions. Sure I have a permanent memory of the wresting mats we ran past every lap, but it was all worth it. Never, in a millions years, would I have though it would pay off some time later when I decided to start running ultra marathons.

My P90X and Ultra Running Schedule

Since I am starting to feel better from the strep throat I am going to start doing P90X again. I previously did P90X, got a month into it, and stopped. I think back to when I did it and think, "I would be in such good shape if I didn't stop." Well I am back at it again with an ultra running schedule!

This plan takes 2 weeks, then repeats until I feel I need to change it to something else.

Short runs range from 3 to 5 miles and will be performed at a faster pace (7 min/miles to 9 min/miles) weighted, hilly, or all/some of the above.

Medium runs range from 5 to 10 miles and will be at a moderate pace (9 min/miles to 11 min/miles) and will be weighted, hilly, or all/some of the above.

Long Runs range from 15 to 20 miles and will be at an ultra trot (12 min/miles to 15 min/miles). I will carry my Camelbak and run these on mountainous trails or hilly roads.

Of course the speed is going to slow when I add weights or hills. Essentially I am shooting for high intensity short workouts and low intensity long workouts, meeting in the middle on the medium run.

Monday: Shoulders and Arms + Ab Ripper X
Tuesday: Short Run
Wednesday: Medium Run
Thursday: Legs and Back + Ab Ripper X
Friday: Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps + Ab Ripper X
Saturday: Long Run
Sunday: Yoga X

Monday: Back and Biceps + Ab Ripper X
Tuesday: Short Run
Wednesday: Med Run
Thursday: Legs and Back + Ab Ripper X
Friday: Core Synergistics + Ab Ripper X
Saturday: Long Run
Sunday: Yoga X

So what have I done to make sure I stick to this?

• I met a P90X coach on Facebook, Lou Trentadue, that has added me to his P90X group THE RESISTANCE. We motivate each other.
• I created a group called The Yahooligans for us Dahlonega natives to hook up and run together.
• I created an Astrid Tasks list to remind me on my phone.

Basically I am going to use peer pressure and annoyance.

I would like to say that I am going to change my diet and eat healthy, but I don't see that happening. Hopefully exercise is enough.

Bring it!

Trying a New Posting Format

I am going to try to post different things on different week-days. This will keep blogging fresh, just as changing up running locations and workouts keeps you wanting more. This will be the layout until I decide to change or tweak it.


Motivational Mondays: I will find some good phrases or images that motivate the runner to be the best they can be. Some readers may see this as a girly subject. I kind of do as well, but it went well with the word "Monday". I'll try to man it up a bit.

Man Up Monday: Quit your whining and go run.

Tricky Tuesdays: There will be a trick every Tuesday to make you a better runner. Whether it be what to eat, how to run, what to drink. These are things that I find help me.

Worship Wednesdays: I pick a famous or not-so-famous person that has an inspiring story and interview or write about them. This should help me expand my knowledge of other runners and can help in other days when I pick up tricks from them!

Thoughtful Thursdays: I write about aspects of running that are on my mind and my stance on them. I come up with some great ideas during my long runs, especially when I chat with my Dad and Mitch. I would like to get these in writing.

Fun Fridays: I do something or plan to do something fun to change it up. Maybe introduce something quirky into my workout, then write about it if it helps.

As you can see, this is more than just barefoot running. I hope to sometimes benefit everybody, but always benefit the barefoot or minimalist runner. Chances are I won't be able to post everyday, but when I feel like posting I will most likely have a topic to write about.

EDIT: I like my dad's suggestion of "Man Up Monday".

A 5K Every Day For One Month

I have been trying to run a 5K every day this month. I have attempted this before and it ended in injury. This time feels different and I am having much less trouble.

So why didn't I announce this 10 days ago? I wanted to know if I could do it. Too many times have I said I am going to do something only to have to stop it for safety's sake.

I find that the little aches and pains that I think could be injuries typically disappear after a few days. Although I would rather not, I am still comfortable with the idea of stopping the streak to make sure that I am healed for the Peachtree Roadrace on the 4th of July.

My current pain is below my first metatarsal. I can still run without pain if I am paying attention to my form(maybe this is a good thing). I believe it has to do with the tendons since I don't remember bruising it. I think it happened because I drove 11 hours without shoes on from North Carolina. I use my toes to accelerate.

Running a 5K every day has taken a toll on me, but it seems to get easier with time. The best part of it is that I may be able to break my current record of 113.8 miles in a month. Today is the 11th(yes I waited a day to post this) and I have almost passed my previous months miles. This is definitely a great way to get the mileage up!

A Different Way to Schedule Push-ups Into Your Busy Day

So I got pretty far in the 100 Push-up Challenge(along with squats and situps), almost to around week 5. Why did I stop? Because I could run. See, I had problems with my knee and worked other parts of my body to heal. Once I was able to run I was too lazy to include other exercises in my routine(this is bad). Luckily, I heard a nice little trick to include these in your day, especially easy if you work from home.

At the softball game yesterday some girls were talking behind me about one of their friends. Apparently the girl does 10 pushups and 10 situps every time she goes to the bathroom.

Genius! Sure, it doesn't seem like a lot each time, but by the end of a nicely hydrated day, or a fun night, you can possibly do more than 100 push-ups and sit-ups. I am starting out focusing on push-ups and may add sit-ups in later.

To do this, first learn how to do a push-up. This video is great!






Then do it!

Confession of a Barefoot Trail Runner[video]

A great video was posted on reddit. I thought I would share it. :)




Confession of a barefoot trail runner from Daniel Martinek on Vimeo.

By the way, check out reddit.com/r/barefoot for some great barefoot running and lifestyle discussion.

Charity Dollars

Inspired by a Harvard Graduate's Gym Plan(You gotta read that), I have decided that every day of training that I miss is going to cost me $5. There are some stipulations.

1. If I feel I will injure myself or impede my health I will not train.
2. Training will be scheduled in advance to account for races, tapering, and recovery.

Short list. 

So far it has worked. When I finally get some money(I hope it's not too much) I will donate it to charity. So the question is... Am I disgracing humanity by exercising?