West LA Running - Back to the Basics

We decided to do the Franklin hill as another short run. We didn't quite go as fast as the last 5k (which was about 8 min miles), but we did manage to do it in 8:42's. (Again, Dave was a bit faster at 8:35's...and I'm sure he could have gone faster given that he waited for me and Asia at the top of Franklin).

Anyway, Asia said that his knee didn't feel all that bad, and we were all able to get a nice, quick run in. I calculated the calories burned - only 439...I guess if I'm going to keep this weight loss program up, I'm going to have to supplement those runs with some other exercises. Based on what I've been doing so far between running and boot camp, I think I'll be in good shape as long as I'm burning somewhere around 700 calories exercising. Obviously, the easiest way will be to continue to run farther distances (i.e., 5 miles at 8:45/mile pace) - so I'll keep pushing towards that goal.

(Total run count since I started the blog: 117 miles)

Boot Camp - Shoulder Workout

Wow! I really should have lifted some weights yesterday as I've totally exposed my weak points:

Still, my pushups are not anything to write home about
in addition, my shoulders are so weak! We did some work with the SPRI bands and my arms were shaking like never before.

Of course, my running is getting much stronger (though I did feel a side stitch coming on....aargh!)

Well...stay tuned as I try to figure out where / when to fit some weightlifting into my schedule!

Rest day

I don't know what it was, but I just couldn't do anything! I woke up at 10am, and I felt like doing nothing but watch TV. Is there something I'm doing wrong in terms of recovery? I know I ran 7 miles yesterday, and after that, I had a huge lunch and tried to walk around for a lot of the afternoon. After that, had a decent sized dinner --- maybe that's it! I didn't have enough calories. Anyway, I still have to work out figuring out how to NOT tank the next day after a hard workout.

Well, hopefully tomorrow is much better - the last week of my 2nd boot camp!

Ran another 7 miles - Slow!

Did the same 7 miler I did with Asia back on Sep 11.

It was so hot today - I ended up running it in 9:32's...oh well...maybe next time!

Tomorrow, I should go lift - I think I'm going to focus on my legs (what's left of them) and maybe a little on my arms / shoulders (boot camp is getting to the point where I know I need to get stronger if I'm going to improve - and that's gonna require me to do some serious resistance training in addition to the normal calisthenics)

Boot Camp - Lots of running today!

Wow - we had a slow start today - definitely focused a lot on abs with some bug, some bicycle kicks, definitely plank (2 x 3 min) and a sprinkling of some pushups. On top of that, we ran quite far (relatively speaking)...all the way to Pico and around the park and back (~2 miles). Typically, Nandor doesn't invest 15-20 minutes of boot camp to running, but it was good. At least I felt good - I am positive all of the running with Asia and Dave has really helped out. In fact, I took a little tally of what I've been up to, and since I started this blog, I've run over 107 miles!!!

Woo hoo!!!!

Quick Shorty - 8 min miles!!!

Asia proposed that we run a shorter distance so that he can ease back into the routine (he was in Chile snowboarding last week..I know....rough life, right?) Anyway, we did our own 5k through "westwood-adjacent" neighborhoods and just as Asia promised, we ran faster. 8 min miles! I didn't even think I could go 8:30's...(Dave went even fast at about 7:52's!)

Anyway, here's the run in case you're interested:

Boot Camp - Ab mania!

Today's boot camp was pretty good. I've kind of gotten into a groove with it, but today I was glad that it was changed up enough to still give a great workout. There was a lot of focus on abs and core today (bug, plank, straight leg kicks, inch worms) - given that we did a lot of chest and arms (lots and lots of pushups) on Monday, we laid off that muscle group.

Of course, we also did the obligatory random runs around the park - running up and down a hill as well as some "follow the leader" at the end of the session really got my heart pumping!

Anyway - Asia's back and should be sending out his proposed run for tomorrow anytime now.

Finally back running in LA!

Dave and I ran the airport run this morning - only backwards. No, I didn't literally run backwards, it was that we did the course in the reverse direction. I have to admit, it was a much easier run. Basically, all of the hills going in the reverse direction are longer on the way down and shorter on the way up (you may recall from the first run up Franklin around my house was way easier than running it in the other direction for the same reason).

Anyway, here's the run (we ran it at a much slower pace - I dunno, maybe it was because it did all of jack sh*t last week - weak sauce, I know)

Lagging on the Blogs!!

9/12 (nothing - red-eyed in)
13 (nothing - jamanda's)
14 (nothing)
15 (ran 5.5 miles around the longfellow and harvard bridges - really windy)
16 (very little cords)
17 (very little cords)
18 (ran another 5.5 miles - same route) - need to map it out
19 (not much - maybe 20 pushups)
20 - nothing
21 - nothing (travel)
22 - bootcamp - really sweaty - tried 50 pushups!!!

Super Windy and Humid!!!

Here's the 5.5 mile run across the Longfellow and Harvard bridges while at C1 Training:

Somerville Five Hills (pending - didn't do)

Super short bursts

20 jumping jacks
1 minute plank
1 quick run around the park
pushups
20 jumping jacks
etc...

As if the runs can't get longer!!!

Ha! 6.94 miles. 9:16 pace. 995 calories!

Bring it!

Boot Camp - So sore!

I don't know what it was...maybe the razorback hills yesterday, or maybe the evening boot camp with not enough recovery time before the run -- all I know is that my body (especially my legs) were so stiff, sore, and aching! Anyway, I took it easy today at boot camp...basically, didn't try to be up in the front whenever we ran, and when it came to doing scissor kicks, plank, etc., I tried, but I was just dragging.

Anyway, I managed to wake up and go to the morning class, so hopefully we're back on schedule (yeah, just in time for one more class before I have to skip an entire week when I head out to Boston for Training). That will be an interesting week - I'm still contemplating what I'm going to do to maintain this exercising. Of course, I'll incorporate running. But as far as resistance / boot camp training...I did buy a green and red SPRI band from Nandor - so maybe I'll be able to create my own little boot camp at Butterfield Manor!

Need to update Blog....

Tuesday, Sep 9: 4.3 miles (need to upload Asia's map); 41:47
Monday, Sep 8: missed morning boot camp; went at 6:30pm class
Sunday, Sep 7: nothing - walked around D.C.
Saturday, Sep 6: nothing - hung out with Ross fam - weighed myself - down to 195!!!
Friday, Sep 5: nothing - traveled; Brennan's wedding
Thursday, Sep 4: Running club - 5.5 miles; 54:59; Judy joined (need to show revised map)
Wednesday, Sep 3: Boot Camp - first day back
Tuesday, Sep 2: Ran with Dave (29:15)- can't remember the run - need to go thru emails
Monday, Sep 1: Nothing (traveled)
Sunday, Aug 31: Nothing (wedding)