Brisbane to Sydney Opera House (virtual run)

Its the eve of my 39 birthday.  I'm looking forward to turning 39 and then looking forward to turning 40.  This really is the prime of my life.  I couldn't ask for a sweeter existence at the moment.  I have a loving wife, I live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.......and Manchester United are at the top of the table.  Life is pretty sweet.  I haven't been running very much lately.  As it the weather heats up I'm finding myself getting lazy.  I don't want that to be the case so despite the heat rising I got out there and ran 3ks.  I am just trying to get my fitness level back to where it once was.

I've been pricing out new running shoes.  I think I'm going to settle on the Nike 3 Free run.  I'm going to jump into this whole barefoot running experience and the Nike free is a good shoe to start the process.  I was also looking at Merrile but that will be a shoe for the future.  I'm going to start slow and use the Nike Free on short runs.....slowly building up my distance and see how I feel.  Lets see if this helps reduce my recent injuries.

Here are the stats:


Distance: 3k
Total kilometres: 48.22k
Kilometres left: 962 (597 miles)
Weight: 91.5kg (201lbs)
Calories burned: 287
Total Calories burned: 4545

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Brisbane to Sydney Opera House (virtual run)

I’m finally starting to feel better.  I am injury free and my health has come back. I get up this morning at 5:15 am and was running by 5:30 am.  It was almost too hot to run at that time.  Today is a scorcher.  It has reached 39c today here in Brisbane.  It looks like this heat is here to stay for a few days.  I wonder what it will be like tomorrow at 5:30 am?  Even after I took my shower I didn’t stop sweating until I went into my bedroom and turned on the Air con.  Eventually I stopped.  I made a deal with Mrs. Slowrunning that she could go for a swim on the days that I don’t run.   So Mrs Slowrunning will be swimming tomorrow morning.  That’s the theory.  Lets see if I can actually drag her out of bed at 5:30 am.

Today’s run was just 3ks.  I’m going to slowly build up my fitness and I hope to make 5k and 7ks my short run days and get back to running 10 and 12ks.  My weight has plateaued and I can’t seem to get it under 89kg (196lbs).   I’ll keep you posted on how that goes.

Distance: 3k
Total kilometres: 45.22k
Kilometres left: 965 (599 miles)
Weight: 91.0kg (199lbs)
Calories burned: 287
Total Calories burned: 4258

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Day 51, Brisbane to Sydney Opera House (virtual run)

I went for a run this morning.....for the first time in 26 days.  The 26 days have seen some truly great and wonderous events (a trip of a life time to Vanautu) and some very bad days (foot and knee injuries,  Stomach flu and a headache that lasted for 5 days).  I think I have finally turned that corner and completed a 3k run at 5:30 this morning. 

Waking up at that hour was quite easy.  Sure, I didn't have a spring in my step(at first) but I was excited to run.  I took my time and didn't push myself in speed or distance.  I'll bring my fitness level back up and start some longer runs later this week.  My biggest fear is the foot injury.  I'm currently suffering from heel spurs (really its my own fault for training for a half marathon in my late 30's.  I should have done this in my 20's) and I don't want to go through that pain again.  I am going to set my alarm for 5:15 am again tomorrow and test my foot.  If it feels ok I'm going to do another 3k run.  If it still feels a little tender I'll give it another day. 

I've also decided (because of health and injury problems) to extend my virtual run till Dec 31st of next year.  I'm hoping that I don't need to extend it that many days but I'm really behind and I don't know if I will catch up.

Also my iPhone arm band has gone missing!  I blame my cat. 

Day 51
Distance: 3k
Total kilometres: 42.22k
Kilometres left: 968 (601 miles)
Weight: 91.4kg (201lbs)
Calories burned: 287
Total Calories burned: 3971

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning



Day?????

Hello readers.  I hope you are all well.  It's been awhile since I have posted anything.  Let's sum up everything that has happened in the last couple of weeks.  I have not run at all.  I'm dealing with a heel injury that has slowed me right down.  I was having trouble walking for a few days but it seems to be on the mend.  I'm going to try and go for a run tomorrow.  Nothing to extreme just a 3k run to get back into it.  Another reason why I have stopped running for 2 weeks is that I spent 5 days in the tropical Island of Vanuatu.  If you have never been to Vanuatu then you must go!  It was the most beautiful spot I have ever been to.  Pristine beaches and the most lovely clean green coloured oceans I have ever seen.  Go, stop what you are doing and go to Vanuatu right now.

When I arrived back from my trip I had every intention of going running.  I had put on 2 kilos on my trip and knew that I had to come back and work hard to lose those 2 kilos.  Well I didn't have to work very hard because I either got the stomach flu or food poisoning (or my wife is secretly poisoning me) that knocked me out flat(I also lost the 2 kilos that I had put on).  So flat that I fell asleep on my bathroom floor curled up in the fetal position.  I'm finally starting to feel better and can't wait to hit the trails tomorrow.

How does this effect my goal?  I'm not sure at this moment.  I'm 3 weeks or so behind where I need to be today.  It all depends how my run tomorrow goes.  If my heel does not bother me then giddy up I'm back.  I'll keep you posted.

Day 27 - Brisbane to Sydney Opera House (virtual run)

I had decided not to run today. I was due for a run. Long over due but I had my plans with my friends (and fellow slowrunning alumni) DA and KW to do a bush walk. I have recently bought a new Canon 60D camera and a bush walk in Spring Mountain Conservation Park sounds like a perfect place to take some pictures. We got in my car and drove (my GPS of course stopped working so DA had to rely on his mobile phone for directions) and when we got there......it was closed. It seems that a few weeks ago a bush fire had ravaged the entire area. So what was going to be a 6.3km bush walk turned into a drive to Ipswich to take pictures at the Japanese Gardens. Not a bad alternative and the company more then made up for any disappointment at missing my first Australian bush walk.

I waited till the heat died down and went for an easy 3k run at 5:30 pm. Thankfully there was a very cool wind blowing around forest lake which made the run as pleasant as could be expected. After my run (as I sit here typing this up) I am feeling no pain. I'm going to wake up early Sunday morning and do a proper run.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this but on Wednesday Mrs. Slowrunning and I are off to Vanuatu for 5 days. I will not be doing any running while I am there........my wife has asked me not to.....in case I get injured (she also asked that I not do Movember as she doesn't want me looking like a Mexican waiter while we are on holidays). I am looking forward to the 5 days of relaxing......in the tropics of the South Pacific. I've never been to the South Pacific.

Day 27
Distance: 3k
Total kilometres: 39.22k
Days left: 338
Kilometres left: 971 (603 miles)
Weight: 90.5kg (199lbs)
Calories burned: 281
Total Calories burned: 3684

Day 24 - Brisbane to Sydney Opera House (Virtual Run)

Stretching......I like it.  I never really do it.  I should do it more often......but will I?  Only time will tell.  I'm going to give you the straight juice (huh?) I did not feel like running today.  I came up with every excuse in my head why I should not run.  I'll run tomorrow.  I'm too tired.  Before I really gave my self too much time to wallow I had my shoes on and I was out the door running around Forest Lake. 

It was a good run (except for when my shoelace decided that being tied was too good for it) but I kept it short and sweet.  3k run today.  My body was not hurting today.  My knee is no longer giving me a problem.  My back is a little tender but nothing that I can't deal with.  I'm finding that my stretching is helping that.  Oh, don't forget to let me know from where in the world you are reading my blog from.

Here is what my journey looks like.

Day 24
Distance: 3k
Total kilometres: 36.22k
Days left: 341
Kilometres left: 974 (606 miles)
Weight: 90.5kg (199lbs)
Calories burned: 283
Total Calories burned: 3403

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Day 22 - Brisbane to the Sydney Opera House (virtual run)

I used to (many years ago) wake up Sunday morning/early afternoon and feel like hell.  The night before I had gone to some bar or a house party and tried to do as much damage as I could to my body.  This continued up until I went for a physical and my Doctor thought I had hepatitis.  Lucky I didn't have hepatitis.  What I had was a weekend drinking problem.  Since then I have cleaned up my act and I am now (as my Australia friends would call me) a cadbury.  I had a beer with my good friend AP last week....and I felt a little tipsy.  After one beer.  It was quite sad.  Now, I wake up early Sunday morning and I do a 5k run instead.  I miss the old me sometimes.

The weather was absolutely brilliant this morning.  A storm sauntered in last night and cooled everything down.  It was 20c when I left the house but there was no humidity and the clouds did a great job covering up the face of the sun.  What I had instead was a cool breeze to welcome my running steps. 

I've also changed one thing about my runs.  Before today I would stop at the 5k or 7k mark and walk back home.  But now I'm going to run all the way home and include the total run and not stop when I have completed a full kilometer.  I figure I'm officially a week and a half behind my goal and I need every last bit of distance to make it.

The above figure shows how far I have run so far.  I've made it out of Brisbane and still far away from the Gold Coast.

 

This above figure shows you how far I still have to go.

 

There is a new Poll question at the bottom of this blog.  You can now also see other blogs that I currently enjoying.

Day 22
Distance: 5.22k
Total kilometres: 33.22k
Days left: 343
Kilometres left: 977 (607 miles)
Weight: 90.8kg (200lbs)
Calories burned: 488
Total Calories burned: 3120

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Day 19 - Getting it back.

I've been pain free for a couple of days.  That lingering knee pain has gone.  I couldn't be happier about that.  I didn't want to do too much to fast.  So today my goal was just a very easy 3k run.   I will progess slowly and increase the distance as I go. 

I went out around 7 am and it was quite mild despite the oppressing heat over the last few days.  Getting lucky with a 7 am run is something that I will have to forget about soon.  The 3ks was quite lovely.  I wasn't running very hard and speed was not a concern.  Near the end of the run my body stiffened a little bit.  I iced my leg as soon as I got home and I will do some extenisive stretching tomorrow to try and loosen my muscles as much as I can. 

I've run 28ks so far and have made it (virtually) to the Pacific Motorway!

 

 

Day 19
Distance: 3k
Total kilometres: 28k
Days left: 346
Kilometres left: 982 (610 miles)
Weight: 90.8kg (200lbs)
Calories burned: 286
Total Calories burned: 2640

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning



Day 17....cause some days you just have to say f%$# it.

If you read my earlier post then you know I tried to go for a run this morning......that run didn't work.  I also dropped off my wife at the train station....and if you know my wife you know that she forgets things all over town.  Today she forgot her yoga clothes in the car.  That meant that I had to drive to her yoga class and drop off her change of clothes.  This meant that I had one hour to kill.  Sometimes you just have to say screw this and just run.  I just ran.  I can also proudly say that I felt no pain at all during my run.  This is a load off my mind.  I'm still worried about the injury so I'm currently sitting on my couch with an ice pack on the back of my leg.  Fingers crossed there is no pain in the morning.

 

 

Day 17
Distance: 5k
Total kilometres: 25k
Days left: 348
Kilometres left: 985 (612 miles)
Weight: 90.8kg (200lbs)
Calories burned: 475
Total Calories burned: 2354

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning



Day 17 The injury part 3

I woke up at 5:45 am expecting to run this morning.  I was surprised that I woke up with a smile.  I've been dying to run.  When I am driving my car and I see people running I feel that pang of jealousy.  I want to be that guy again.

I put on my shorts......my climacool Adidas shirt and grabbed my sunglasses.  I completed a few stretches and the pain in my leg was there.  Now the pain wasn't as bad as it was last week.  It lingers....and I didn't like the feeling.  I'm now sitting down, watching the Newsroom (my new favorite TV show) and icing my leg again.  I could have run.  I almost did.  But I didn't want to risk another week off.

So we try again tomorrow.  Same routine....waking up at 5:45 am and stretch and see how I feel.  Fingers crossed that its all clear tomorrow.  The only piece of good news this morning is that I have not put on any weight during this week layoff. 

Day 12 - The injury part 2

I went to see the physiotherapist as I was really worried that I had done some damage to my knee.  The last thing I wanted to hear was that I had busted any ligaments or tendons.  After a few checks the good news was that there was no damage at all to the knee.  What I had done was strain a tendon in my leg that was referring pain in my knee.  So icing my knee didn't do anything at all as the strain happened in the leg.  The physio worked his wonders again and my leg is feeling better and I hope to be running again by Monday or Tuesday.  I'm still having problems walking up stairs.  I'm doing a very good Quasimodo impression. 

I still have 990ks to do and one week behind schedule.  I'm also having trouble sleeping as I every time.


If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Day 9: Brisbane to the Sydney Opera House (virtual run)

The injury.

The strangest thing has happened today.  I got home from work and decided I was going to do a run tonight.  Nothing impossible.....just a 5k or a 7k run.  But as I was walking around my kitchen I felt a sharp pain in my left knee.  I wasn't doing anything.....not twisting or turning....I was just walking.  I've iced it right away and now, a few hours later it feels slightly better.  I know that my run for tonight has been scraped.  While it feels better I don't want to risk a more serious injury.  I'm going to ice it for the rest of the night and take it really easy and see how I feel tomorrow.  I hope this does not put my Sydney run into any jeopardy.  I still have 990ks to do. 

Anyway, fingers crossed that its not a very serious injury.  I'll post more info when I have it.


-The Slow Running Man-

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Day 6 Brisbane to the Sydney Opera house (virtual run)

Week one.

If you are reading this blog for the first time let me sum up my goals.

I've just completed my running goal for this year (doing a 15k run) and I had to pick a new running goal for 2012-2013.  The goal I picked was to run from my front door step (Forest Lake, QLD Australia) to the Sydney Opera House in one year.  The distance is 1010 kilometres.  Which equals to about 20 kilometres a week.  The reason for this goal is simple.  I get bored quite easily and I need to have something to keep me interested.

The first week has been good.  I was able to run 20ks this week. I was hoping for more ks but the weather in Brisbane has been terrible the last few days.  One running day got washed out by rain and the next day was ruined due to a hurricane speed winds (OK I exaggerate but it was windy!).  I woke up Saturday morning not knowing what to expect.  Luckily the morning was perfect.  Sunny and cool.  Quite a respite from the 33c day we had early in the week.  I had 7ks to run today due to the fact that I had just run 13ks this week.  Very slowly I completed my 7k run in 45:19

Day 6
Distance: 7k
Total kilometres: 20k
Days left: 359
Kilometres left: 990 (615 miles)
Weight: 90.2kg (198lbs)
Calories burned: 659
Total Calories burned: 1879

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Day 4 Brisbane to Sydney (virtual run)

I was in a meeting at work......my friend and sometime commentator on this blog SH pulled me aside.  "I have something I want to say to you.  But I don't want you to take it badly."  I told her I would not take it badly.  "I want to teach you how to work out with weights.  It will help your running."  She told me to go out and buy some weights.  Once I have the weights she will teach me a few things.  I've never really thought about weight training.  I know its important but that has never been anything that has ever interested me.  Since I've starting running that is all I ever wanted to do.  The weight training that I do are with a medicine ball/exercise ball.  Working on the core.  I'll have to get back to you on this weight training. 

As I have previously mentioned I pick up my wife from UQ and that is where I run every Tuesday.  It was about 25c when I got out there but the sun was going down and there was a nice cool breeze coming in so the heat didn't effect me at all.  I completed my run in about 30 minutes.

 

 

Day 4
Distance: 5k
Total kilometres: 13k
Days left: 361
Kilometres left: 997 (619 miles)
Weight: 90.5kg (198lbs)
Calories burned: 468
Total Calories burned: 1220

  

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

 



Day 3

I've made it as far as The Oxley Golf Club. I've never played at the Oxley Golf Club. I would like to play golf at the Oxley Golf Club (hint hint  for possible Christmas gifts). But I am getting ahead of myself.....let me start from the....well the start. I got up at 5:45 am. Terrible time to wake up but yesterday it was 35c and I didn't want to run in any heat whatsoever. I didn't get out of the house and running till about 6 am. While I got ready I did manage to watch a few minutes of the Man United vs. Newcastle game (a game which the red devils destroyed Newcastle) and got out of the house before I got really stuck into the game. At 6:00 am the temperature was a perfect 18c. I could not have picked a better time to run. As I have previously stated I'm not concerned with how quick my runs are. I am concentrating on getting the distance done. Today I ran 5ks in 30 minutes.

This is as far as I have run so far.

 

 

Day 3
Distance: 5k
Total kilometres: 8k
Days left: 362
Kilometres left: 1002 (622 miles)
Weight: 89.7kg (197lbs)
Calories burned: 468
Total Calories burned: 752

 

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning



 

Day 1

6/10/12 - Day One

I've started my journey.  It has started badly.  The heat got to me and I only completed a 3k run.  An auspicious start but I am nothing if not positive and I'll do better tomorrow.  I tried to get a way with sleeping in a little bit but it ended up getting me in the end.  I just have to resign myself to the fact that it's hot and I don't handle the heat well.  Getting up at 5 or 6 am for the next few months is just something that I will have to get used to. 

I'm going to change how the blog will look.  I'm going to move away from recording specific stats such as kilometer splits or the songs that I listened to on the run.  I'm not so interested in speed work at this moment.  Right now my focus is going to be about getting in shape, running longer distances and to continue to lose weight.  Music is still a very important thing in my life so I may do a write up of a song that inspired me when I wanted to quit but it will not be as prominent. 

On every blog posting I will include a map of Australia showing how far I have run.  So, follow along with me as I take this journey of 1010 kilometers (1007 now after my pathetic 3k run).

As always I want to hear what you think.  I have setup a new readers poll.  The question is should I create a Slow Running Man FaceBook page?  Have your say at the bottom of this page.


Day 1
Distance: 3k
Total kilometers: 3k
Days left: 364
Kilometers left: 1007 (625 miles)
Weight: 91kg (200lbs)
Calories burned: 284
Total Calories burned: 284

 

 

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Stats

On Thursday (It might not be Thursday....really depends how I feel.  My calf muscles are a bit sore from the 15k run on Sunday) I am going to start my run (equivalent) to the Sydney Opera house.  From my door step to the Opera house is 1010 kms.  I figured I would have to run about 20ks a week to make it there in one calendar year.  Since January 1st to Sept 30th I have run 404 ks.  That is far enough to have run past Coffs Harbour and just outside Nambucca Heads NSW.

Clearly I'll have to run a lot more this year then I have been.  This new challenge will push me and I can't wait to get it started.  Here are my stats from Jan 1st to Sept 30th:

Total running time: 46:37:20

Calories burned: 40,042

Distance: 403.89

Total Workouts: 85

-The slow running man-

Living up to my name.

The 15ks are done.  It was a perfect day for running.  I woke up at 6 am and it was a cool overcast day.  Heat was not going to be a problem today.  I got up and watched about 10 minutes of the Manchester United vs. Spurs football game....part of me wanted to stay at home to finish the game......but (after watching a terrible Spurs goal) I was out of the house.  A quick trip to McDonald's to buy a bottle of water and 20 minutes later I was at the starting point.  I wanted to pace myself as best as I could.  I didn't want to run at my 5k speed.  I had a long way to go.  Once I was stretched I started running.  Well....I lived up to my name.......it was slow running at its best.  I took my time and finished 15ks.  In all it took me one hour and forty minutes of running but I finished.  The goal for 2012 has been completed.  I'm going to take a few days to recover and then I start again.  If you are reading this blog for the first time my goal next year is to run the equivalent of my front door to the Sydney Opera House (which is 1010 km) in one year.  I can't wait to get started.

Here are the stats:

 

KM 12: 7:08

KM 13: 7:02

KM 14: 7:27

KM 15: 7:21

 

Calories: 1419

Time: 1:40:43

Weight: 90kg (198lbs)

 

Tracks:

The hardest button to button - The White Stripes

Barely listening - Pilate

Washing of the water - Peter Gabriel

Buddy Holly - Weezer

London Calling - The Clash

Voodoo lady - Ween

Creeping out Sara - NOFX

Leave my body - Florence & The Machine

Rebel Rebel - David Bowie

11th Dimension - Julian Casablancas

Don't you (forget about me) - Simple Minds

Tell me in the morning - Cold War Kids

Electrical storm - U2

Dead leaves and the dirty ground - The White Stripes

Take it easy - The Eagles

Human - The Killers

Boy, oh boy - Streamer Bendy

Date with the night - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The hill - Marketa Irglova

Finding out true love is blind - Louis XIV

I put a spell on you - CCR

Take me out - Franz Ferdinand

Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves) - The Wombats

My body is a cage - Arcade Fire

Slow dancing - U2 feat. Willie Nelson

I only want you - The Eagles of Death Metal

In a little while - U2

 

P.S. The look of the blog will be changing slightly.  I will be moving away from stats and going more to completeing the 1010 kilometers to the Sydney Opera house.  Look for a new readers poll in the next few days.

 

 



A day late.

I went for a run yesterday......but I am posting this today.....why?  The miCoach app wasn't allowing me to upload my 5k run stats.  Last night as I was tossing and turning in bed I was finally able to upload the data.  It was an OK run.  Nothing too great.  My run was 29+ minutes which was a little disappointing but I am OK with that.  My 15k run is now only 2 days away.  I'm starting to get excited.  I've been checking the weather for this Sunday and it should be quite mild with a chance of rain.....fingers crossed that it stays cool.

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Calories:  466
Weight: 91 (200lbs)
Distance: 5K

Tracks:
I don't feel like dancing - The Scissor Sisters
The hill - Marketa Irglova
Pumped up kicks - Foster The People
Home - Edward Sharpe & Margnetic Zeros
I put a spell on you - CCR
Yoshimi battles the pink robots pt. 1 - The Flaming Lips
Remedy - The Black Crowes

Habits and your brain

Have you ever heard of Dr. Alice?  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Roberts) Dr. Alice is an anatomist, osteoarchaeologist, anthropologist and a paleopathologist as well as a TV documentary presenter.  One of the programs I saw was about the brain (human) and the evolution of the brain (human).  One of the topics that interested me was brain patterns or habits.  I'll give an example.  When you meet a stranger right away the brain is trying to come up with some kind of pattern.  Do you know this person?  Do they look like someone you know?  Are they friend or foe?  Once this pattern has been established every time you meet someone one new this is the pathway your brain takes.  Another example is when you hear a song by a new band.  Who do they sound like?  What genre is this music?  It's all about patterns.  This is what I thought of at 6:00 am this morning.  I hate to have to get up at that hour to run.  But I love running.  I have to change my brain pattern.  If I continue to wake up at 6 am and hate it I will always hate it.....but if I wake up at 6 am and think of it as a positive thing then I will always think of it as a positive thing.  This is what I am currently working on.  Let's see what 6 am brings tomorrow.

As far as my run went.....it went really well.  I was able to complete 5K's in 28:42.....speaking of patterns.....it seems that I am consistently getting my 5k's done in under 29 minutes.  With my 15k run only a few days away I am feeling pretty good about it.  I'm doing another 5k's tomorrow and then on Friday I am doing a gentle run with running friends CW and VH around the Brisbane river. 

Also some very good news.....we have added a third to our slowrunners group on the Adidas micoach site.  KelKel10 is our newest member.  Thanks for signing up KelKel10!

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Calories: 476
Distance: 5k's
weight: 90.9kg (200lbs)

Tracks:
All these things that I've done - The Killers
11th Dimension - Julian Casablancas
Pumpkin soup - Kate Nash
Viva la vida - Coldplay
Boy, oh boy - Streamer Bendy
Creeping out Sara - NOFX
Here comes your man - The Pixies
Fell in love with a girl - The White Stripes
Higher ground - Stevie Wonder

Yesterday......all my troubles seemed so far away....

This post is a day late.

I decided to wake up early and go for a run.  My alarm was set for 7:00 am (this does not sound early but it was early for a Saturday).  As the bells rang I checked the temperature (on my phone.  The days of getting out of bed and looking out a window are long gone) it was 14c.  14c is no big deal.  I can handle 14c any day.  I decided to go back to bed.  I woke up at 7:30 as my dog decided it was an ideal time to lick my face.  I looked at my phone again for the temperature.  It's now 18c and I better get up before it's too late (and too hot). 

I struggled out of bed and I finally made it out the door at 8:00am (it was now 20c) and on the running road.  I felt good but my 5k run was squashed down to a 3k run as the heat intensified.  By time I finished my run it was pushing 24c.  Ah the joys of living in Australia. 

This heat (and its quick increase) brought to mind what to do for my 15k run.  I'll have to start very early.  I figured it's going to take me about one hour and thirty minutes to finish the run.  If I am out of my house by 6:00 am and running by 6:30 I should be done by around 8 am.  That wont be too bad.  I could handle that. 

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

 

Calories: 280

Weight 90.5 (199lbs)

Distance 3k

 

Tracks:

Viva la vida - Coldplay

M.O.R - Blur

I am one - Smashing Pumpkins

I wish I knew Natalie Portman - K-OS

Live at PJ's - The Beastie Boys

Finding out true love is blind - Louis XIV

run run run!

I have not run in a few days.  I've been getting up very early in the morning to get to work by 8:00 am.  I am up.....in the shower....cup of coffee.....toast and into the car to get to work.  But when I got home today I decided it was time to get a run in.  Home from work......took care of some business around the house.....and got ready for my run.  I couldn't do a 5k run due to having to pick up my wife in 20 minutes.  Instead I completed a 15 minute run.  I ran that 15 minutes as quickly as I could!  I completed my first k in 4:54 which is a personal record for me.

 

Calories: 264

Distance: 2.88km

Weight: 91 (200lbs)

 

Tracks:

Falling at your feet - Bono and Daniel Lanios

Dear catastrophe waitress - Belle & Sebastian

Stay - Belly

The world we live in - The Killers

 

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

another 5ks

I had the intention of doing a 7k run today.  But when I woke up at 8:30 am I kinda figured I missed my 7k running window.  I quickly got dressed in my running gear and was out the door.  While the heat wasn't oppressive as such.....I know the oppressive heat is in the post.  It will be here soon.  By the time I finished the 5ks it was 20c and I'm like a wilting flower in the heat.  The good news is that once again I was able to finish the 5k in under 30 minutes (28:50 to be exact). 

Yesterday I found some writing I had done about my running 2 years ago.  I was 10kg heavier and having trouble running 5ks.  I was reading about how I set a 5k record of 39 minutes.  Now I'm running it in under 29 minutes.  That was a good feeling.

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

 

My fastest k was done in 5:34 and the last lap was done in 5:38.  I'm pretty happy about my run today.  My 15k run is 2 weeks away and I have to extend my running at some point.  I have Thursday and Friday off next week.  I'm playing tennis on Thursday with AP.....so Friday I might have to a 12k run.  Just to get those ks under my belt.

 

Calories: 477

 

Weight 90 (198lbs)

 

Tracks:

 

Cannon ball - The Breeders

I want you back - The Jackson 5

Just what I needed - The Cars

I only want you - The Eagles of Death Metal

Yesterday - The Beatles

Voodoo child - Jimi Hendrix

My body is a cage - The Arcade Fire

Awkward - San Cisco

Hard road - The Sam Roberts Band

Hot!

I live in Australia.  Australia gets hot.  Really hot.  The kinda hot where you need to have 3 or 4 showers a day kinda hot.  I hate it.  I mean I really don't hate it.....I live in the tropics....how can you really hate living in the tropics?  But.....I don't handle the heat very well....I'm a Canadian transplanted into Brisbane Queensland Australia.  The Sunshine State.  It's starting to get hot.  The winter here (not really winter) is perfect.  On the coldest of cold days it may get down to 7c...at night or early in the morning....but really you are looking at a day of 22c with sun.  I know....it's a tough life.  But its almost summer.  7 am and its already 30c is just around the corner.  When I went for my run this morning at 8 am it was already 18c (and climbing) and they day topped out at 27c.  I'm going to have to start waking up at 5:30 in the morning to get my runs in......I'm not looking forward to that.

My run today was fantastic.  5ks in 28:49  One of my fastest 5ks yet.  The one thing that has let me down is not doing a long run.  My 15k run is a little more then 2 weeks away and I have to get some long runs in there.  I'm hoping to run 12ks Saturday morning.  Not sure which route to take.....I might wake up early and drive down to the Brisbane river....just to change the scenery up a little bit.

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

Calories: 470

Weight: 90.1kg (198.6lbs)

Time:
1K: 6:05

 

Tracks:

Maps - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

20th century boy - T-Rex

Violet hill - Coldplay

Just what I needed - The Cars

Ch-check it out - The Beastie Boys

Take your moma - Scissor Sisters

Silence is easy - Starsailor

Creeping out Sara - NOFX

My body is a cage - The Arcade Fire



3 days of fun.

Ok....let’s see what I have done for the last 3 days. I've run 10k's (5 on Saturday and 5 on Monday) and I have done 175 push-ups (75 on Saturday and 100 on Sunday) and the result.....I'm in pain. While I was driving home from work yesterday I started to get back spasms. Goes to show maybe I shouldn't try 100 push-ups in one day......build it gradually. Live and learn.

The GPS didn't turn on when I went for my run today.....so officially I guess I didn't run....but I did run....so maybe un-officially I didn't run.....anyway I ran 5K's in twenty minutes and fifty two seconds.

I went for a run at 5:00 pm.....decided that a run at dusk would be lovely....except for the little flying bugs hitting me in the face......I hope I didn't swallow any....but I probably did.

 

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

 

 

Calories:  500 ish?

 

Weight: 89.9 (198lbs)

 

Tracks:  I don't have a clue.  30 minutes worth of rock and or roll type of sounds

 



First post B2B run.

Ok.....I admit it.  I have been taking it easy since the Bridge to Brisbane (interesting that take it easy by the Eagles was the first song off my playlist).  I haven't been putting in the miles like I was 2 weeks ago.  But today was different.  I woke up at 7 am.  Checked the temperature outside on my iPhone.  It was 12c.  Perfect for running.  The weather is starting to heat up and my 8:30 am runs are now a thing of the past.  I'll have to wake up earlier and earlier.  I had a cup of coffee and I was out the door by 7:30 am (the temperature had risen to 14c).  It felt great getting out there.  I was inspired by how many other runners were around.  What pleased me the most was when a whole pack of runners came out.  Each running together but at their own pace.  It was very inspiring.  I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to complete the 5k in under 30 minutes.  I had been almost a week since I had run.  But luckily I got in there at 29:57 and my last K was the fastest at 5:49

I don't want my week to sound totally devoid of all physical activity.  I was able to play tennis with AP after dropping off my father in-law at the airport last Tuesday.  We played for about 2 hours.  It was great to play another sport.  I almost felt like wearing my iPhone to judge how many calories I burned and how many kilometers I ran.....but that would be the behaviour of an odd ball......no?

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

 

Weight: 89.8 kg (197.9lb) 

Calories: 475

 

Tracks:

Take it easy - The Eagles

Sticks 'n' Stones - Jamie T

Yoshimi battles the pink robots Pt. 1 - The Flaming Lips

Date with the night - Yeah Yeah Yeahs

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

National anthem - Radiohead

The killing moon - Echo and the Bunnymen

The B2B is done!

I had to wake up at 3:45 am........it's my nephews birthday today (Happy 12th birthday Nick!) and I woke up early to call him in Canada.  When I called to wish him a happy birthday he wasn't there (I had to settle for a facebook message later in the day).  I was out of the house by 4:10 am and off to pick up AM in front of his building.  I munched on some orange slices while waiting for him and after a few minutes it was off to get our next friend BS and get to the start line.  We met up with MA and NM and got ready for the 10k race.  I had 1 goal for this years run (2 if you add I also wanted to finish the race) and that was to beat my time last year.  I ran it last year in one hour and nine minutes.  The run got off to a rocky start when my shoe lace came undone before the first kilometer.  So I made it over to the side of the Gateway bridge making sure I didn't impede anyone else (mission accomplished) and I was off running again.  Last year I took a walking break at the 5k mark......not this year.....I hit the 5k and kept going.....past the 6k, the 7k and ran past the 8k....then I got to the hill.  The hill is a steep incline around the 8k mark.  The hill beat me this year.  That is the last time.  Next year I will run the 10k without stopping.

I finished the 10k in 1:03 which is 6 minutes quicker then last year!  Very excited about that.  Now I just have the 15k run on September 30th. 

To see my results: http://tiktok.biz/bridgetobrisbane/2012/08241

 

 

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning





Calories: 1000

Times

1K: 6:45
2K: 5:41
3K: 5:59
4K: 6:09
5K: 6:05
6K: 6:04
7K: 6:01
8K: 6:21
9K: 6:35
10K: 6:12

Tracks:
I want to take your higher - Sly and Family Stone
Dear Catastrophe waitress - Belle and Sebastian
Need you around - Smoking Popes
I will survive - Cake
Slow dancing - U2 feat. Willie Nelson
Lets make love and listen to death from above - CSS
Pumped up kicks - Foster the People
Home - Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros
Addicted to drugs - Kaiser Chiefs
Ain't no sunshine - Bill Withers
Stephanie says - Velvet Underground
Year of the rat - Badly Drawn Boy
We walk - The Ting Tings
Rebellion (lies) - The Arcade Fire
Deep blue - The Arcade Fire
You're so cool - Streamer Bendy
Take me out - Franz Ferdinand

The 15ks

I have finally decided on a date and course (that I am happy with) to do my 15k run.  If I can stay injury free the date I have chosen is Sunday September 30th. Using the website www.mapmyrun.com I have found a route that I think will be challenging and interesting.  For a long time I've been trying to come up with a running route in the city and the below picture will show you what I have come up with.

On September 30th I'm going start off at Orleigh street and run to the Story Bridge and back.  I will then have completed my running goal of 2012 of running 15ks.  I then can take a week off and starting running the 1010ks of my house to the Sydney Opera House (equivalent).

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

The B2B is tomorrow.

The Bridge to Brisbane is tomorrow.  I'm very excited.  I almost injured myself taking out the garbage on Wednesday.  It was dark and I hit a divot in the grass and turned my ankle a little bit.  After a few painful steps and much swearing under my breath I walked it off.  It felt tender that night and the next day so I have not done a preparation run for the B2B.  My last run was Tuesday.  I was hoping to do 5 or 7ks yesterday but I didn't want to aggravate my injury any further.....maybe I just wussed out? 

I'm picking up friends of the blog AM and BS at 4:30 in the morning and then we had out to MA house to park our cars near the starting lines.  It was 7c when I woke up this morning at 4:30 am and the weather tomorrow should be the same.  I love running in the cold so I can't wait to get out there.  If you see me on TV tomorrow then it has gone horribly wrong.  My last years time was 1:09 and I'm hoping to be around the 1:05 or under mark.  Fingers crossed.  I'll have an update tomorrow of how the race went.

 

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

 

 

A better 7Ks

I had to switch things up at work.  I was originally supposed to start work at 10 am but went in for 8 am.  Which meant that I could run at UQ after work.  As you have read in previous blog postings Sarah (my wife) does Yoga at UQ on Tuesdays and when I can I run there while waiting to take her home.  I finally got my heart rate monitor working again (I had to get a new battery for it) so for the first time in 9 to 10 months I was able to run with a heart rate monitor.  The good news is that my heart is not working as hard as it used to.  The rate has come down quite a bit.  That was a nice surprise.  The other spot of good news is that for the first time ever I completed the 7ks without taking a walking break.  I am pretty pleased about that.  Because I was trying to run the whole distance I ran a little bit slower then I normally do and completed the 7ks in 43:22.  My fastest lap was the 5th which I completed in 6:02.  The slowest was the last K which I finished in 6:18. 

 

Calories: 676

 

 

Tracks:

 

I will survive - Cake

Step on - The Happy Mondays

Just like honey - The Jesus and Mary Chain

Gods gonna cut you down - Johnny Cash

The national anthem - Radiohead

Bizarre love triangle - New Order

Silent sigh - Badly Drawn Boy

One time too many - P.J. Harvey

Waste - Foster the People

Steady as she goes - The Raconteurs

Deep blue - Arcade Fire

Scattered diamonds - Hungry Kids of Hungary

Higher ground - Stevie Wonder

 

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning



 

7Ks

I completed a 7K run today pain free.  This was my first long(ish) run that I've had in a long time.  I haven't run very much lately and I could feel that as I was running.  I completed my 5K run 30:10 and I felt rather sluggish.  I'm not too far off my fitness level but I plan on doing a lot more running between now and next Sunday (Bridge to Brisbane).  I finished the 7Ks in 42 minutes.  I'll have to try and get that number down if I want to even come close to doing the 10k in under an hour.  I can proudly announce that I've reached my goal weight of running the B2B.  I'm at 90.6kg (199lbs) and have lost 8kg (18lbs) since starting this blog and 13kg (28.6 lbs) since my heaviest recording.  Lets see if I can lose another kilo or two before race time.

calories 672

Times:

1K: 6:07
2K: 6:10
3K: 6:13
4K: 6:13
5K: 5:44
6K: 6:43
7K: 6:36

 

 

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning



 



The Dilemma

I'm not sure what to do.  Currently I am using the miCoach iPod app to record my distance, pace and time.  Which is great because I love trainspotting my running.  Finally the miCoach iPod speed_cell and iPod connect is available in Australia.  It retails here for $99.00 and I'm really considering buying it.  It would also hook up to my heart rate monitor and I would be able to track that as well.  Also when I play tennis and soccer or any other sport I wont have to wear my iPod to record any data as the speed_cell will do all that and I can sync it later. 

I have recently made an exercise and medicine ball purchase and doing some core strength exercise.  As my back played up a couple of weeks ago I'm going to do my best in strengthening my core and make sure that I stretch as much as I can.  I don't see my running as a year to year thing.  I see it as a life time thing.  Not to mention all the cool gadgets and technology that is coming out.  I used to joke with friends about 20 years ago that soon I would need an instruction book when I bought shoes.  Now when I buy shoes there better be an instruction book! 

For more information on the miCoach products please click on this link    http://www.adidas.com/au/micoach/ui/Product/#!/speed_cell

If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning

What a busy day

Yesterday was one busy exercising kind of day.  In the morning I met up with AP and we played tennis in Bulimba for 2.5 hours.  It is still officially "winter" here in Australia but it was quite warm.  After the game we settled in at Grilled and ate some burgers.  My favorite thing about the tennis is hanging out with AP.  He just moved back from London and its great to hangout again.  I said my good-byes to AP and headed home.  My left calf muscle felt a little tight.  I got home and put some ice and heat on it.  It started to feel much better after a couple of hours. ( I also received a message from my friend CS.  She is also looking into starting a running program.  I gave her some tips on what to do.  I'll post her progress as I get it.)  I had a very nice hot shower and then it was off to meet VH for a run around UQ.  We are starting to prepare for the B2B (12 days away as I type this) so we needed to get another 5K in.  While she wasn't feeling the best before the run I wanted to push her a little bit and I waited until we were quite warmed up before I challenged her with a sustained running distance.  The first one was to run up an incline for a couple of minutes.  No problem at all.  The second challenge was to sustain a 5 minute run at the end.  Which we also nailed.  She is ready to do the 5K B2B and now its just about getting her time down.

Calories: 500

Time: 43:00

Tracks:

Jean Genie - David Bowie
Silence is easy - Starsailor
Just what I needed - The Cars
Rudy got soul - Desmond Dekker
I only want you - Eagles of Death Metal
Addicted to love - Eagles of Death Metal
I will survive - Cake
Falling at your feet - Bone & Daniel Lanois
Juicebox - The Strokes
Boy, oh boy - Streamer Bendy
I want you back - The Jackson 5
Poster of a girl - Metric
I bet you look good on the dancefloor - The Arctic Monkeys
Walk away - Franz Ferdinand


If you have anything to add please leave a comment or email me at Slowmanrunning73@gmail.com

I created a group on the miCoach website for all the slowrunners out there. If you are interested in joining the group please sign up on the miCoach site and download the free miCoach app for your smart phone. Here is the link:

http://community-micoach.adidas.com/groups/slowrunning