A thunder storm is the only thing keeping me inside right now, instead of getting one more mile in so I could hit 100mi for the month. I'll be content with 99.1...
I basically ran all negative splits today for 4x4/200 intervals. My second 400 and third 200 were up one second. The last 400 and all the 200s were done on the local track. The school wasn’t using it, and I found the way in. So I did the Start-circle-Start-circle thing for the first time in 11 years or so. All my times were lower than expected. Because I felt they could have been even lower, I need to decide how fast I’d like to run my 5k this weekend. Last time I wanted under 25:30, and I’m not sure if shooting for 24:00 is unreasonable?
Our A league team has one game left on the schedule. And we can’t finish any lower than first place. We beat the second place team yesterday, and it felt good after we lost to them the first time we played. It would actually mean something if we got the next fall league free for winning this spring league, which happens some places. But not here.
More baby classes this week. At work this morning I got very anxious, almost like a panic attack, because I’m not sure our house is ready. I’ve got to finish a couple projects and would like a new kitchen, and I wanted to leave work to get these things done. About five minutes later, I realized this is my way of being nervous. Mostly your typical Provider type concerns scattering throughout my head. And it’s all irrational thinking, because I know I’ll be a good dad. I’ve been preparing for this since mine walked out, and I picked up his racquetball racquet and thought “I need to learn this game to be the man of the house.” I was six.
It’s our second anniversary, our last without kids running about, and I’m watching hockey, and my wife is doing homework, both listening to thunder. Party animals I tell ya.
I still have the racquet.
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby. Show all posts
Monday, April 30, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Training Week
After my first race, I just picked up the same training plan and started it again. Albeit at a spot that fits for my next race! I’ll say it again; using a training plan/guide is much easier than just trying to run a few days a week. If I need to keep racing to make “training” this much more enjoyable, I’ll keep finding room in my schedule for them. I think I’ll go for a 10k after this one though.
Our first baby class is this week. It’s a class on breastfeeding. I’m going to hopefully learn a thing or two, and be supportive. Also, I’ll remember things my wife won’t, and visa versa. This means I can’t play golf tomorrow like I hoped, but I still get to skate against a guy I grew up against (I’m 4-0 against him in the last two years).
I took a CPR/First Aid class through work on Monday. The CPR guidelines are changed so often, it’s nice to get this refresher before our kid arrives. There were two downfalls however; I ate pizza for lunch and ran intervals after work, and a new guy started in the shop that day. I was able to meet this new guy for a few minutes before I left for the training class, and he seemed like a nice guy. The next day, he arrived to work at 5:00am, showing promise. After going over a few things for 15 minutes or so, I was set to have him just observe for an hour, and he ran to his vehicle to grab his tools. And never came back. No idea what happened, but its kinda funny. Who wakes up at 4am and then quits right after getting to work?
A friend was supposed to start running today by doing my warm-up with me and the dogs. Maybe Friday.
Our first baby class is this week. It’s a class on breastfeeding. I’m going to hopefully learn a thing or two, and be supportive. Also, I’ll remember things my wife won’t, and visa versa. This means I can’t play golf tomorrow like I hoped, but I still get to skate against a guy I grew up against (I’m 4-0 against him in the last two years).
I took a CPR/First Aid class through work on Monday. The CPR guidelines are changed so often, it’s nice to get this refresher before our kid arrives. There were two downfalls however; I ate pizza for lunch and ran intervals after work, and a new guy started in the shop that day. I was able to meet this new guy for a few minutes before I left for the training class, and he seemed like a nice guy. The next day, he arrived to work at 5:00am, showing promise. After going over a few things for 15 minutes or so, I was set to have him just observe for an hour, and he ran to his vehicle to grab his tools. And never came back. No idea what happened, but its kinda funny. Who wakes up at 4am and then quits right after getting to work?
A friend was supposed to start running today by doing my warm-up with me and the dogs. Maybe Friday.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
My dogs are sissies.
My knees have been bothering me as of late. My right knee one day, left the next, but only while running. So, even though earlier this week I planned on running today, and taking tomorrow off, I’m taking today off. The training guide I’m using has today off and intervals tomorrow, but I play hockey tomorrow and have a meeting at work that will keep me later than I’m accustomed to on a Thursday. But, I don’t think it would be wise to take three days off before my first race, so I’ll try and fit a short set in someplace in my day. I could wake up at like 2:30am and get a morning run in. That would give me an hour and a half less sleep, and hopefully let me be rested enough for hockey at 9:00.
I have to call my step-dad and decline his invitation to join him for a half-marathon on May 5th. It’s the inaugural half in Prairie du Chien, WI. I think I could run that far by then, but not recover for my last A league game the next morning. Also, I don’t think I want to try a half until I can finish in less than two hours. Maybe it’s a bad thing to set standards like that for myself?
The baby has been moving a lot lately, so I’m told. I’ve felt him/her move before, but yesterday my wife said she could see her belly being pushed out during her workday. Then at night, the baby calmed down, so I just talked to him/her. I learned, and humored my wife, that yet to be born babies can’t be scared into jumping.
At least my dogs are calm. The male is afraid of the snow, so he doesn’t want to run today either.
I have to call my step-dad and decline his invitation to join him for a half-marathon on May 5th. It’s the inaugural half in Prairie du Chien, WI. I think I could run that far by then, but not recover for my last A league game the next morning. Also, I don’t think I want to try a half until I can finish in less than two hours. Maybe it’s a bad thing to set standards like that for myself?
The baby has been moving a lot lately, so I’m told. I’ve felt him/her move before, but yesterday my wife said she could see her belly being pushed out during her workday. Then at night, the baby calmed down, so I just talked to him/her. I learned, and humored my wife, that yet to be born babies can’t be scared into jumping.
At least my dogs are calm. The male is afraid of the snow, so he doesn’t want to run today either.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Summer in March.
3 hours in between hockey games is the exact wrong amount of time to sit. I played well in the first game yesterday, and not so hot in the second. To top it off, the Gophers lost. Bad hockey day when it’s all said and done. Oh well.
Today my usual routine was off because of another U/S. Not really a bad thing. They’re actually quite fun, and I think our baby has his/her mom’s nose, and likes to have his/her feet by his/her forehead.
My hockey schedule is different this week, and that added to my not wanting to run. But it’s over 80*F in Minnesota in March, so I made myself get out the door. The same leg pain returned today that I had on Saturday, so I cut my run short. It seemed like every time I hit a corner where I could turn towards home, the pain increased. A few houses past that point, it would subside. Third times the charm, and I turned home. I’m going to run tomorrow though, and hope I feel better. (I feel like a schmuck saying this after reading a blog by a woman who ran a marathon this past weekend.)
The baby is healthy, and tomorrow is another opportunity.
Today my usual routine was off because of another U/S. Not really a bad thing. They’re actually quite fun, and I think our baby has his/her mom’s nose, and likes to have his/her feet by his/her forehead.
My hockey schedule is different this week, and that added to my not wanting to run. But it’s over 80*F in Minnesota in March, so I made myself get out the door. The same leg pain returned today that I had on Saturday, so I cut my run short. It seemed like every time I hit a corner where I could turn towards home, the pain increased. A few houses past that point, it would subside. Third times the charm, and I turned home. I’m going to run tomorrow though, and hope I feel better. (I feel like a schmuck saying this after reading a blog by a woman who ran a marathon this past weekend.)
The baby is healthy, and tomorrow is another opportunity.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Wild game.
I’ll be at the Wild/Coyotes game tonight. Upper level, first row, along the Wild’s defensive goal line in the first and third periods, on Manny’s or Backstrom’s glove side, Harding’s blocker side. So you could look for me if you knew which face to look for.
My A league game on Sunday was wild in its own right. We beat an undefeated team, and they didn’t like it. A fight broke out late in the game that our guy absolutely did not want any part of. He didn’t want to drop his stick, let alone his gloves. Fighting about a beer league hockey game is stupid, that’s the best word for it.
I played well, and appreciated hearing that from a bunch of my teammates. And a team that I’ve subbed for has asked me to fill in this weekend. Ego Boost, which my wife will tell you, I don’t need.
Yesterday's run was odd for me. I wanted to run at an uncomfortable pace (not sure of all the terms, is this a tempo run?). I figure if I’d like to get faster, I shouldn’t take it easy all the time. And my dogs would like me going their speed for once. But, my dog Gus (she’s a fawn uncropped Doberman) started limping about half a mile out, so both dogs came home. If one gets to come running without the other, the one at home goes crazy.
Around the 1.5 mile point, I started thinking about how far I wanted to go, and thought about three miles would be good. When I got to the block where I would take a right and head home, I went left. Going three just didn’t seem like it would cut it (or I was putting off grocery shopping), and I’m glad I kept going. Even if my right leg was sore today, instead of my usual left. My GPS said I went 3.86, but http://www.usatf.org/ and my car said 4.1. So if the GPS was off that much on the distance, I wonder if it was also off on time. I hope not. It felt like I accomplished something, quickly. Maybe my short days will now be closer to four, instead of two miles.
Last night, I had a dream where I asked my kid if s/he would like to play with dad, or go to school that day. S/He said go to school, which meant I’d have to go to work.
First dream I’ve had where I was a parent in the dream.
My A league game on Sunday was wild in its own right. We beat an undefeated team, and they didn’t like it. A fight broke out late in the game that our guy absolutely did not want any part of. He didn’t want to drop his stick, let alone his gloves. Fighting about a beer league hockey game is stupid, that’s the best word for it.
I played well, and appreciated hearing that from a bunch of my teammates. And a team that I’ve subbed for has asked me to fill in this weekend. Ego Boost, which my wife will tell you, I don’t need.
Yesterday's run was odd for me. I wanted to run at an uncomfortable pace (not sure of all the terms, is this a tempo run?). I figure if I’d like to get faster, I shouldn’t take it easy all the time. And my dogs would like me going their speed for once. But, my dog Gus (she’s a fawn uncropped Doberman) started limping about half a mile out, so both dogs came home. If one gets to come running without the other, the one at home goes crazy.
Around the 1.5 mile point, I started thinking about how far I wanted to go, and thought about three miles would be good. When I got to the block where I would take a right and head home, I went left. Going three just didn’t seem like it would cut it (or I was putting off grocery shopping), and I’m glad I kept going. Even if my right leg was sore today, instead of my usual left. My GPS said I went 3.86, but http://www.usatf.org/ and my car said 4.1. So if the GPS was off that much on the distance, I wonder if it was also off on time. I hope not. It felt like I accomplished something, quickly. Maybe my short days will now be closer to four, instead of two miles.
Last night, I had a dream where I asked my kid if s/he would like to play with dad, or go to school that day. S/He said go to school, which meant I’d have to go to work.
First dream I’ve had where I was a parent in the dream.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
(opening to Time by Pink Floyd)
I really wanted to run Friday after open hockey, but my better judgment prevailed. I figured that after almost three hours of hockey in just over 12 hours, my legs could use a break.
While resting Friday evening, I decided to try for seven miles Saturday morning. Most of my run today felt good. At any given moment, I couldn’t tell you how fast I’m going, but it seems to work out to the same 10 minute mile easy pace. On my easy days that is.
It was even a productive run with a stop at the local hockey shop to pick up some laces. Around the six mile mark, my shins began to hurt just below my knees. This may have been psychosomatic(sp?) considering I’d just read the Runner’s World review of my shoes. To me, the review says I’m too light for a stiff shoe, and I had it in my head already that I’d like a new pair. I haven’t spent any indulgence money since my upcoming parenthood was announced, but bonuses were just handed out at work. Tonight, my knees are still a bit sore, but got better after an icing.
After my run and an errand or two, our nephew spent the day with us on a spur of the moment call by his mother. He’s not quite two, and doesn’t talk yet, but you can still read his emotions. It was discovered that he likes our dogs better when his mom isn’t around, death metal can put a baby to sleep (he liked The Ocean), and my time will be given away freely to my kid when he/she arrives. I’ve known my time would be more in demand when that day comes, but having our nephew around put it very much into perspective for me. I can’t wait. Hence the title of this evenings post.
I still need to relace my skates for my game tomorrow, and doubt I’ll be getting new shoes any time soon.
While resting Friday evening, I decided to try for seven miles Saturday morning. Most of my run today felt good. At any given moment, I couldn’t tell you how fast I’m going, but it seems to work out to the same 10 minute mile easy pace. On my easy days that is.
It was even a productive run with a stop at the local hockey shop to pick up some laces. Around the six mile mark, my shins began to hurt just below my knees. This may have been psychosomatic(sp?) considering I’d just read the Runner’s World review of my shoes. To me, the review says I’m too light for a stiff shoe, and I had it in my head already that I’d like a new pair. I haven’t spent any indulgence money since my upcoming parenthood was announced, but bonuses were just handed out at work. Tonight, my knees are still a bit sore, but got better after an icing.
After my run and an errand or two, our nephew spent the day with us on a spur of the moment call by his mother. He’s not quite two, and doesn’t talk yet, but you can still read his emotions. It was discovered that he likes our dogs better when his mom isn’t around, death metal can put a baby to sleep (he liked The Ocean), and my time will be given away freely to my kid when he/she arrives. I’ve known my time would be more in demand when that day comes, but having our nephew around put it very much into perspective for me. I can’t wait. Hence the title of this evenings post.
I still need to relace my skates for my game tomorrow, and doubt I’ll be getting new shoes any time soon.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Why I started
We are 22 weeks pregnant today. Which means that 18 weeks ago, I had a very good reason to want to quit smoking. So I did, and gained about 10 pounds in two weeks. We were at some friends house and they had a scale sitting on the floor in their dinning room. So I stepped on it and my number came to a stop, and my friend made a comment about this number being small, but it was the highest number I'd ever seen on a scale while I was standing on it.
So I started running parts of my walks with the dogs.
Today, the dogs and I had my wife join us on the beginning of our run. She did very well, even if she disagreed. The four of us did almost mile, then I did two more. Felt great. And I think I'm finding a rhythm that allows me to play hockey well enough for me. 3 miles is by no means a good long run for a Saturday, but I'm not getting OCD about it and hurting myself. It helps to reassure myself that I've only considered myself a runner for two months now.
Back to my point. Just before my post run shower today, I stepped on our scale. And the number was below the weight I've gained since I quit smoking. It was in fact, within the 5 pounds that I find ideal to fluctuate within. Hooray!
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