After running and riding to work for a bit now, I have grown to really enjoy the commute! Online, there are numerous websites devoted to cycling to work, and I have personally taken a lot of good information from these sites and put them to work in my own bike commute. On the other hand, running to work is not nearly as popular (yet), and as a result I haven't been able to find any sites devoted to the topic.
So I have decided to start my own. A quick search showed that www.runtowork.org was an available domain. I snatched it up (my first very own domain), and have put together the very early beginnings of a website together. Please stay tuned for updates and content :) Also, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Please mark this link in your favorites for future use :)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Rollin'
ahhhhh . . .
This week has been pretty good!
Courtney is getting close, and I mean really close to her due date. So we are both in overdrive to get the house in order. That includes cleaning, and wrapping up projects big and small.
I took the past two days off from work to make some headway on our master bath. I had ripped out the old two piece tub/shower enclosure and was going to replace it with a one piece tub unit and a tile surround, only to later decide that a shower would be more prudent . . . unfortunately that meant more work - plumbing needed redone and the walls were waaay out of true. Well, after procrastinating for about two months (while the old tub was ripped out mind you) I got some help with the plumbing, and I finally took a couple days off and got most of the tough stuff out of the way - trued the walls as close as one could get and set the tileable shower base with the help of my Uncle Dominic.
Three days this week, including two of the days I was off from work, I accomplished some very nice running. Tuesday is our Second Sole Strider Racing Team track workout night. Coach Peter Quigg had us on 400's - I logged 10 in 77-79 pace with 200 meter recovery - about 5 seconds faster each than I had done earlier this month for the same workout (with two more repeats too).
Next on Wednesday, I ran to the Second Sole for our weekly club run - about 3 miles to the shop, and then 5.8 miles on our club run - I went out conservative, but then Adam Gent caught up with me and we cranked it: last three or four under 7 and last two miles in the low six's! The three mile run back home was kinda tough (hurting at 7:30 pace) but I managed to make it back for a total of 13 miles that day - the farthest I've run since back in high school?
Finally, yesterday I was gonna take it easy on a six miler due to the distance I ran the previous day, but my legs felt good, and I just started rollin'. My first mile was 6:24, felt easy, second mile 6:04 - no sweat, third 6:10 (19:14 5k split), Fourth 6:24 flagged a little since I was pushing for that sub 20 5K split, Fifth - 6:10 or so, sixth 6:02, 10k split at 38 and change - less than a minute withing my 2nd fastests 10K and my average heartrate was only 163 about 80% of max I think. (link to workout data)
I'm suprised with my times and progress this week--these really felt good. I do think the Tuesday track sessions are helping! I wonder if my taking off work, i.e. not sitting in a chair for 8 hours those past two days helped in any way?
I am just thankful to God for having the ability to do these things - Courtney and baby Caroline Leigh are doing good, I've made progress on my daunting house project, and my running is picking up again. Top that off with a wonderful family extended and immediate (thanks for throwing a great baby shower Mom!) and things are looking real good. Now if I could only kick the bicycle shopping habit . . .
This week has been pretty good!
Courtney is getting close, and I mean really close to her due date. So we are both in overdrive to get the house in order. That includes cleaning, and wrapping up projects big and small.
I took the past two days off from work to make some headway on our master bath. I had ripped out the old two piece tub/shower enclosure and was going to replace it with a one piece tub unit and a tile surround, only to later decide that a shower would be more prudent . . . unfortunately that meant more work - plumbing needed redone and the walls were waaay out of true. Well, after procrastinating for about two months (while the old tub was ripped out mind you) I got some help with the plumbing, and I finally took a couple days off and got most of the tough stuff out of the way - trued the walls as close as one could get and set the tileable shower base with the help of my Uncle Dominic.
Three days this week, including two of the days I was off from work, I accomplished some very nice running. Tuesday is our Second Sole Strider Racing Team track workout night. Coach Peter Quigg had us on 400's - I logged 10 in 77-79 pace with 200 meter recovery - about 5 seconds faster each than I had done earlier this month for the same workout (with two more repeats too).
Next on Wednesday, I ran to the Second Sole for our weekly club run - about 3 miles to the shop, and then 5.8 miles on our club run - I went out conservative, but then Adam Gent caught up with me and we cranked it: last three or four under 7 and last two miles in the low six's! The three mile run back home was kinda tough (hurting at 7:30 pace) but I managed to make it back for a total of 13 miles that day - the farthest I've run since back in high school?
Finally, yesterday I was gonna take it easy on a six miler due to the distance I ran the previous day, but my legs felt good, and I just started rollin'. My first mile was 6:24, felt easy, second mile 6:04 - no sweat, third 6:10 (19:14 5k split), Fourth 6:24 flagged a little since I was pushing for that sub 20 5K split, Fifth - 6:10 or so, sixth 6:02, 10k split at 38 and change - less than a minute withing my 2nd fastests 10K and my average heartrate was only 163 about 80% of max I think. (link to workout data)
I'm suprised with my times and progress this week--these really felt good. I do think the Tuesday track sessions are helping! I wonder if my taking off work, i.e. not sitting in a chair for 8 hours those past two days helped in any way?
I am just thankful to God for having the ability to do these things - Courtney and baby Caroline Leigh are doing good, I've made progress on my daunting house project, and my running is picking up again. Top that off with a wonderful family extended and immediate (thanks for throwing a great baby shower Mom!) and things are looking real good. Now if I could only kick the bicycle shopping habit . . .
Friday, June 11, 2010
First Post: Commuting by Running
So this is my first shot a creating a blog. I actually set this up a few weeks ago, but have been procrastinating as usual (right Courtney?).
I've created the blog to document some of my experiences while running etc. . .
I will try to set a precedent by not writing anything too long: e.g.
I like to get to work without driving my car. These past few weeks I have mostly ridden my bicycle, a 1973 Raleigh built Hercules 3 speed. Identical to this one except with chrome fenders and a matching white seat to the grips.
Often in the morning before work, I will run first thing, eat, shower, pack my lunch and ride my bike to work or drive. More often I will skip my morning run and run during lunch at work. It occurred to me some time back that I could possibly save some time and run to and from work (about 2.2 miles one way) and get the majority of my daily run done.
My running log on running2win:
http://www.running2win.com/community/public-log.asp?m=vecinimod&k=blog
I had not tried this until yesterday, mostly due to the fact that I wasn't sure how I would configure a backpack to carry my work clothes. It ends up that Courtney had a perfect back pack for the task, a 25 liter rei vista with sternum and waist straps, mesh back pads and adequately wide shoulder straps.
I set out a 7am so I'd be at my desk by 7:30am (showering at my company's gym in between).The run which is uphill to about half way definitely felt more difficult with the pack. At first I was worried that it would bounce to much, but the design of the pack is such that this was not the case.
Pushing the pace without a warm up (7min pace) everything was just about like a normal run except my legs really felt the extra 10 or so pounds of the pack, lunch, pants shirt, belt, shoes, socks, phone and wallet I was carrying. This is interesting since between October '09 when I started running again and now, I have lost about 25 pounds. It really puts in perspective how added weight takes its toll on the legs and feet, plus all the added energy required. I hope this makes me a stronger runner without adding injuries?
The run was really quick, and I made it there thinking that it was not significantly longer than my bike rides to work. They take about 10 minutes and the run took about 14:40. Maybe the not having to stop a stoplights help more than I expected? Of course the difference is that my shower is moved to work after the run, not before I leave home as when I bike. In the end I think the amount of time it takes in traveling + showering is only 3-5 minutes more with the run vs the ride.
Heading to my desk first to pick up my shower flip flops and towel I have stashed there, I took a shower at the gym downstairs, then back to my desk by 7:30 as planned.
The run home was a lot easier (left the shoes and socks at my desk), but much warmer out. By the time I got home and Courtney let me in the house, I was dripping with sweat. The round trip put me at 4.4 miles or so. I decided to head back out and do my 2.5 mile neighborhood loop for good measure :)
Since I enjoyed the new commute I repeated it today, except Courtney and I are going to see our prospective pediatrician for Caroline Leigh V. directly after work so I wont get a chance to run home. . . hmm, maybe a bike ride with Scott after he gets off work will rectify this? Not too late or heavy though, 5:30am run at the west side market with my Uncle Vince through the flats tomorrow.
Well I guess that wasn't a short post after all! See that's why I didn't post earlier.
I've created the blog to document some of my experiences while running etc. . .
I will try to set a precedent by not writing anything too long: e.g.
I like to get to work without driving my car. These past few weeks I have mostly ridden my bicycle, a 1973 Raleigh built Hercules 3 speed. Identical to this one except with chrome fenders and a matching white seat to the grips.
Often in the morning before work, I will run first thing, eat, shower, pack my lunch and ride my bike to work or drive. More often I will skip my morning run and run during lunch at work. It occurred to me some time back that I could possibly save some time and run to and from work (about 2.2 miles one way) and get the majority of my daily run done.
My running log on running2win:
http://www.running2win.com/community/public-log.asp?m=vecinimod&k=blog
I had not tried this until yesterday, mostly due to the fact that I wasn't sure how I would configure a backpack to carry my work clothes. It ends up that Courtney had a perfect back pack for the task, a 25 liter rei vista with sternum and waist straps, mesh back pads and adequately wide shoulder straps.
I set out a 7am so I'd be at my desk by 7:30am (showering at my company's gym in between).The run which is uphill to about half way definitely felt more difficult with the pack. At first I was worried that it would bounce to much, but the design of the pack is such that this was not the case.
Pushing the pace without a warm up (7min pace) everything was just about like a normal run except my legs really felt the extra 10 or so pounds of the pack, lunch, pants shirt, belt, shoes, socks, phone and wallet I was carrying. This is interesting since between October '09 when I started running again and now, I have lost about 25 pounds. It really puts in perspective how added weight takes its toll on the legs and feet, plus all the added energy required. I hope this makes me a stronger runner without adding injuries?
The run was really quick, and I made it there thinking that it was not significantly longer than my bike rides to work. They take about 10 minutes and the run took about 14:40. Maybe the not having to stop a stoplights help more than I expected? Of course the difference is that my shower is moved to work after the run, not before I leave home as when I bike. In the end I think the amount of time it takes in traveling + showering is only 3-5 minutes more with the run vs the ride.
Heading to my desk first to pick up my shower flip flops and towel I have stashed there, I took a shower at the gym downstairs, then back to my desk by 7:30 as planned.
The run home was a lot easier (left the shoes and socks at my desk), but much warmer out. By the time I got home and Courtney let me in the house, I was dripping with sweat. The round trip put me at 4.4 miles or so. I decided to head back out and do my 2.5 mile neighborhood loop for good measure :)
Since I enjoyed the new commute I repeated it today, except Courtney and I are going to see our prospective pediatrician for Caroline Leigh V. directly after work so I wont get a chance to run home. . . hmm, maybe a bike ride with Scott after he gets off work will rectify this? Not too late or heavy though, 5:30am run at the west side market with my Uncle Vince through the flats tomorrow.
Well I guess that wasn't a short post after all! See that's why I didn't post earlier.
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