My new GPS

My parents gave me a new GPS for Christmas. I tried it out this afternoon, and here is my first run:

Sometimes Things Don't Go As Planned

Don't ask me if I took this video while driving down the interstate. My heart goes out to this semi driver whose trailer exploded last week. Things have been a little less exciting for me. I didn't get to go back home and visit the family this weekend for Christmas, but I was able to have a nice, quiet Christmas here at home with Beth.

I tend to become frustrated with this chronic hip flexor strain that has kept me from running marathons for the past 2 years, but in many ways I am in better health than I have ever been. My life has evolved in many ways since last year. I have changed significantly since last year -- physically, mentally, and spiritually. God's plans and my plans have not been the same, yet He continues to change me and provide for me, despite my resistance. No, sometimes things don't go as planned, but we have a good God, and things always go as He plans.

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Winter storm

Winter is here again! Although almost all the schools in Dayton were closed today, we still had a decent showing in the office. We cancelled the first 2 hours of appointments, which was great for me, because the commute took me a full 2 hours. This evening's activities consisted of one hour-long Krav Maga class and one hour-long Crossfit class. I left the gym in shorts and a heavy coat, and I definitely felt the 11 degree weather.
As I type, I hear Beth's pager going off yet again. . . making up for the month she spent away in Birmingham.
I set a goal at the beginning of December to lose 2 pounds by the beginning of the year; this is probably as close to a New Year's resolution as I will get. With the overabundance of unhealthy food, I will be happy even if I break even. More to follow. . .

Endomondo Running Workout

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 3.85 miles in 37m:51s using Endomondo." Nice, cold run with Peter.

Those crazy Black Friday shoppers!

No, I didn't go shopping on Black Friday.  I rolled over in the bed at 6:40 am yesterday and silently judged all the idiots who were willing to get up in the wee hours of the morning to fight all the other idiots, just to get a good deal. I don't think that any of the deals were worth that much to me. Then I got up this morning at 4 am so I could drive an hour to a location where I would sit in the freezing cold up in a tree and hunt for deer. Who's the idiot now? I guess it all distills down to priorities.

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Endomondo Running Workout

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 3.38 miles in 35m:00s using Endomondo."
It was a beautiful night with a temperature in the upper 30's. Nubbin went with me, and she was very happy to be out of the house.

Endomondo Running Workout

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 4.00 miles in 40m:01s using Endomondo."

Just checking to see if I could post my runs here using Endomondo.  This run was over 2 weeks ago, but it was the last one during which Endomondo worked correctly.

Thanks, Krav Maga!

So I finally worked up the courage to take the Krav Maga Level 1 test. I was on call that night, so I arranged to have call covered while I took my test. Perhaps my mistake was that I waited until the night before to register for the test. When I went online to register, I discovered that the test had been cancelled, probably because there were not enough people registered.

The next day (yesterday), the office closed at 1 pm. Out of frustration, I went to the gym and began doing a solo workout of my own. First I warmed up, and then did about 30 minutes of strength training (chest press, squats, and pullups). Then I swam for 30 minutes. Then I rowed for 30 minutes. Then I biked for 30 minutes. The I ran for 30 minutes. And then I did a "no no" for endurance athletes: I went and sat in the hot tub after a workout that lasted nearly 3 hours.

So how did I feel the day after such a grueling workout? I didn't feel like going to Krav Maga and Crossfit like I normally do, but I did feel like running 4 miles in the morning. So I would like to extend a hearty "Thank you" to the activities of Krav Maga and Crossfit. You haven't turned me into an Ironman (yet), but you have given me much more endurance. And you have taught me a little bit of how to defend myself if I end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. The only things you have taken from me are time, money, at least 10 pounds of fat, and the fit of my favorite size 34 pants. So I'll take that test in January, and hopefully I will be even more prepared to pass it.

Sincerely,
Tim

Intro to MMA

Thinking that we were going to a kickboxing class, Beth and I ended up in an intro to MMA class today (I had MMA confused with cardio MMA). It was a good intro to ground fighting, but I don't think I'll be doing any ultimate fighting anytime soon. We learned the Americana armlock, as well as the reverse ude-garami keylock. What's the next step on this ride: subdural hematoma?

Crossfit

I went to my first Crossfit class on Wednesday night, and I found it to be very demanding. It was nice because I could give my knuckles a rest from all the punching I've been doing lately. Crossfit is designed to give you full-body strength and aerobic training, often with minimal use of weights. I'm sore today, and I know that I will definitely be back!

Have you been accidentally punched in the face today?

Today was my second day of Krav Maga class. Krav Maga is a form of martial arts that focuses on self defense. Taking classes has taught me a few things about myself:
1. I am not a natural fighter.
2. I am not physically conditioned to participate in this activity for any sustained length of time.
3. I love Krav Maga.
4. I can (and must!) eat a lot more food on days when I am doing Krav Maga.

I love summertime

Today's lunch consisted of two peaches, two ears of corn, and 1/4 watermelon! I am very blessed to live in a region with such an abundance of delicious food available. An hour ago there was a severe thunderstorm, but now it's sunny and the radar is clear, so it looks like good biking weather...

Endomondo Running Workout

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 3.05 miles in 29m:29s using Endomondo."

My First Spring Veggies

The first share from the CSA

Running in a new direction

After running consistently for years, and then even more consistently for months, I decided to make a blog about my running. This blog was primarily for myself, but also for friends and family to see what I have been doing. Not too long after I started the blog, a nagging, chronic hip pain began to become more and more of a problem for me. After a two months of physical therapy and a rest from running, I began running again, but only occasionally. I have still been running with my buddy on a very irregular basis. Nubbin (the mini Schnauzer) hates it the most.

While the marathon is still something that I want to continue to do, it may be a long time until I actually do another one. Until then, I think I will shift the focus of my blog to food (among other things). I have become obsessed with good food, primarily due to reading a book by Michael Pollan, The Omnivore's Dilemma. This book has really revolutionized the way I think about food, and I have discovered many great books since then, as well. Although the idea of a food blog is hardly novel, at least I'll have fun doing it.

In May I joined the Wayward Seed Farms CSA, and I have been enjoying fresh, local produce for this growing season. Because the food is so pretty, I'll probably be posting a few photos as well. My posts will by no means be comprehensive (an will probably be relatively infrequent), but please check back from time to time.

Tim

Endomondo Running Workout

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 4.47 miles in 45m:57s using Endomondo."

It's Cold Enough For Frozen Eyelids

I ran an easy 6 mile run today. I wasn't sure if our Bible study group was meeting, so I ran to the church building and back.

Pilates

I did a pilates session today, & I loved it! Every time I do pilates I tell myself I should do it more often.

Nubbin

I'm just testing to see if I can upload from my Droid

New Year's Day

November and December were busy months, and I logged runs very consistently, totaling 131 miles in November and 132 miles in December. Working out with a running buddy has really helped my consistency. I will be tracking nearly all of my outdoor runs by GPS, with results on the BuddyRunner website, and they are available at the top of this blog.