OK, I did it. 13.1 miles and as far as I can tell, I did it in 2 hours and 58 minutes. I was getting a lot of messages "Weak satellite signal" as I walked so I'm not certain about the final data. I do know that I did the Bidwell 1/2 Marathon in 2002 and I did it in 168.25 minutes. This time? 178 minutes...the first time I did the Bidwell; 2001, I did it in 184 minutes. So I'm OK and on pace to be ready for a full marathon in October.
But...I was totally unprepared for the amount of perspiration I experienced. I drank two bottles of water and my shirt was soaked! I haven't experienced that before...
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Day 70
Later this morning I will be heading into town and to Bidwell Park for a long walk. It’s supposed to be warm today, so I need to start early if I want to be comfortable. I need to get in more long walks now that I’m down to the last few months of training. At the same time, I don’t want to over-train.
I did get in some speed walking yesterday, getting up to 4.7 mph or 12.7 minutes per mile. But I have to admit that I get somewhat pessimistic when I look at my times from the year 2001 and 2002. I was really fast then, and when I looked at my later times in 2002, I see that I was doing 5 and 6 miles walks at an average of 12.25, day after day.. Will I ever get back to those kinds of speed? (I did the marathon in 2001 at an average speed of 14.41 minute miles.) Well, maybe I can do it again…
And back in those days I kept an Excel spreadsheet that calculated everything for me, including my total distance walked. I was doing a "virtual" walk across the country and I would keep track of where I would be on a mapping program of mine. When I stopped using the program, in May of 2002, I was 212 miles west of Omaha, Nebraska. Maybe I should begin the walk again?
I did get in some speed walking yesterday, getting up to 4.7 mph or 12.7 minutes per mile. But I have to admit that I get somewhat pessimistic when I look at my times from the year 2001 and 2002. I was really fast then, and when I looked at my later times in 2002, I see that I was doing 5 and 6 miles walks at an average of 12.25, day after day.. Will I ever get back to those kinds of speed? (I did the marathon in 2001 at an average speed of 14.41 minute miles.) Well, maybe I can do it again…
And back in those days I kept an Excel spreadsheet that calculated everything for me, including my total distance walked. I was doing a "virtual" walk across the country and I would keep track of where I would be on a mapping program of mine. When I stopped using the program, in May of 2002, I was 212 miles west of Omaha, Nebraska. Maybe I should begin the walk again?
Friday, July 29, 2005
Another Day, 71 to go
We got a late start in the park today and so it was already 80 degrees and climbing when we started. After a fast (for Laurae) 3 miles...3.4 mph. I went out alone and did 2.25 miles at a 4.7 mph pace. That will help with the long walk tomorrow.
I stopped in at Fleet Feet the other day to look at some shoes for the marathon and was immediately hooked by some really lightweight cross country trainers. They looked great and didn't weigh more than a few ounces. But...would they last 26 miles on pavement? I need to do more research, but I may still buy them just because they are so cool!
I once had a pair of racing flats that I bought in the early 1970's and I loved those shoes. They were sold by a new company in the shoe business, a company named Nike. Those shoes were like slippers and you simply felt "faster".
I stopped in at Fleet Feet the other day to look at some shoes for the marathon and was immediately hooked by some really lightweight cross country trainers. They looked great and didn't weigh more than a few ounces. But...would they last 26 miles on pavement? I need to do more research, but I may still buy them just because they are so cool!
I once had a pair of racing flats that I bought in the early 1970's and I loved those shoes. They were sold by a new company in the shoe business, a company named Nike. Those shoes were like slippers and you simply felt "faster".
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Good idea
A friend sent me this following note and it seems to make sense. I have wondered, every now and then, what would happen if I collapsed while doing my training walks in the park. How would the EMT know who I was? (I try not to take my wallet with me when I walk.)
Following the disaster in London . . .
The Ambulance Services there have launched a national "In case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign. The idea is that you store the word "ICE" in your mobile phone
address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want
to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".
In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly look at your mobile phone and find out who your first contact should be and be able to contact them.
It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do.
Email this to everybody in your address book, it won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this, and it will become an international practice.
For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.
You might want to pass this idea on to others. It's painless and it's free and it makes sense.
Following the disaster in London . . .
The Ambulance Services there have launched a national "In case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign. The idea is that you store the word "ICE" in your mobile phone
address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want
to be contacted "In Case of Emergency".
In an emergency situation ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly look at your mobile phone and find out who your first contact should be and be able to contact them.
It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do.
Email this to everybody in your address book, it won't take too many "forwards" before everybody will know about this, and it will become an international practice.
For more than one contact name ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.
You might want to pass this idea on to others. It's painless and it's free and it makes sense.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Better Late Than Never
And now, what about yesterday? Well, it started out with an early drive in to Chico and the VW dealer, where I left the car and headed over to Bidwell Park. As I was walking up 6th Street, near Flume, I spotted someone coming out of a small restaurant and setting up some tables and chairs on the sidewalk. Flo’s was the name of the place and I made a mental note to stop there on the way back.
It’s an enjoyable walk through this part of Chico, with lots of trees and old houses. The downside is the condition of the sidewalk, as it’s been heaved up and broken in so many places by the roots of those grand old trees. The city has tried to patch the sidewalk, but it’s still a minefield of tripping hazards and you have to keep your eyes down at all times.
Once in the park, I walked about 6 miles at a good pace. But again, I had to keep my eyes on the trail as for some reason, there were dog droppings everywhere…what’s with these people? And sure enough, as I was getting close to 1-Mile, there was a young lady with her dog and that dog was doing what dogs do in the park. The young lady was looking all around; who had seen her? I was the only witness so far, so she stood and waited, looking much disturbed, till she thought I was safely past…that’s life in the park.
I re-traced my steps to Flo’s and just as I was about to enter, my cell phone rang. It was the VW dealer with the bad news that I needed a new battery. A $210 new battery! Labor included of course.
OK, it was time for some sustenance and I entered Flo’s. It’s pretty small, but they had latte’s and I ordered a ginger-lemon muffin to go with it. I took them outside to enjoy the morning air while seated at one of those sidewalk tables. That’s when I noticed the doorway into Flo’s had mosaic art surrounding it. The doorway was framed with teapots, cups and saucers embedded in the grout. Very nice.
OK, here’s the review…excellent latte. The muffin was so-so. The flavors weren’t as intense as I thought they should be. But I will return for the coffee.
It’s an enjoyable walk through this part of Chico, with lots of trees and old houses. The downside is the condition of the sidewalk, as it’s been heaved up and broken in so many places by the roots of those grand old trees. The city has tried to patch the sidewalk, but it’s still a minefield of tripping hazards and you have to keep your eyes down at all times.
Once in the park, I walked about 6 miles at a good pace. But again, I had to keep my eyes on the trail as for some reason, there were dog droppings everywhere…what’s with these people? And sure enough, as I was getting close to 1-Mile, there was a young lady with her dog and that dog was doing what dogs do in the park. The young lady was looking all around; who had seen her? I was the only witness so far, so she stood and waited, looking much disturbed, till she thought I was safely past…that’s life in the park.
I re-traced my steps to Flo’s and just as I was about to enter, my cell phone rang. It was the VW dealer with the bad news that I needed a new battery. A $210 new battery! Labor included of course.
OK, it was time for some sustenance and I entered Flo’s. It’s pretty small, but they had latte’s and I ordered a ginger-lemon muffin to go with it. I took them outside to enjoy the morning air while seated at one of those sidewalk tables. That’s when I noticed the doorway into Flo’s had mosaic art surrounding it. The doorway was framed with teapots, cups and saucers embedded in the grout. Very nice.
OK, here’s the review…excellent latte. The muffin was so-so. The flavors weren’t as intense as I thought they should be. But I will return for the coffee.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
So Far...So Good
It's been close to two months since I started this blog, and when I started I weighed about 213 pounds. I'm down to 199 now, a loss of 14 pounds in 7 weeks. That's right on target. A 2 pound per week loss is healthy and doesn't endanger you.
I just checked my reflected image and although I'm a ways off from having 6-pack abs, I do have a 2-pack, and what appears to be a sack lunch, abs. Cool!
I just checked my reflected image and although I'm a ways off from having 6-pack abs, I do have a 2-pack, and what appears to be a sack lunch, abs. Cool!
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Another Day...76 to go
I'm just back from a walk in the park. I did a 10.4 mile walk and did it in 2:30. That was not my plan though; my plan was to do 13.1 miles and I felt I had it in my grasp. But around mile 8, I began to feel a little pain in my right heel, the beginning symptoms of a blister. So I stopped and tightened up my socks and laces. That helped and then I started feeling my left sock bunching up beneath my toes. OK, it was time to give it up and head back. I will give it a break tomorrow and try again on Monday. Also, I'm throwing away that pair of shoes. They are old and can only get worse; same with the socks.
Of course it wasn't a waste of time...I maintained a 4.19 mph average and that is always a good thing.
Of course it wasn't a waste of time...I maintained a 4.19 mph average and that is always a good thing.
Friday, July 22, 2005
I'm Back Again
More good news, I tried out my recently healed feet and they work just fine.
The day started out cool and so I thought I would try for some distance. I ended up doing a little over 10 miles and I kept a 4.4 mph average for the last 7 of those miles. If I can keep up that average for the marathon, I will do it in under 6 hours and that would be faster than my time in 2001. And I can say that today, after 10 miles, that I could have done another 5 without too much trouble. I think there's about 80 days left to practice...I will register today and get that part out of the way.
The day started out cool and so I thought I would try for some distance. I ended up doing a little over 10 miles and I kept a 4.4 mph average for the last 7 of those miles. If I can keep up that average for the marathon, I will do it in under 6 hours and that would be faster than my time in 2001. And I can say that today, after 10 miles, that I could have done another 5 without too much trouble. I think there's about 80 days left to practice...I will register today and get that part out of the way.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
What's New
It's been a bad few days for me. I have injured my feet and have been unable to get in some good walking. The problem started with a visit to the gas station and a gas spill. Somehow, my Birkenstock's wicked up enough gas into the material on the strap to really irritate the skin under those straps. It looked like and felt like a chemical burn (which it was) and not much would relieve it. I tried Aloe and it helped, but it burned as well. I'm hoping that keeping my feet bare for a couple of days will help to heal it. The burn already looks better and so I may try a walk tomorrow...I don't need delays like this!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Tough!
Hot day! We went to the park at 8:30 and it was already 88 degrees. So off we went, moderately fast. We took about 56 minutes to do 3.2 miles at a 3.4 mph average. Pretty good for Laurae! She is beginning to work up some speed now.
Then it was my turn and I suppose the temperature was up to about 90 or more. I went back and did 4 more miles at an average 4.5 mph...but I noticed something odd happening with the GPS unit. I left the parking lot with the distance set back to 0. I went till the distance read 2.0 miles and then I returned. Now the distance read 4.3 miles. And I have noticed some discrepancies with the clock function as well. Here's my theory; since I am depending on 3 satellites to pinpoint my location, Bidwell Park might not provide the optimum conditions to do that...there are large trees everywhere and at two locations, I have to cross under the freeway, shutting me off from satellite view for a little distance. I guess I will take my trusty old kitchen timer with me next time and double check some of my times.
Then it was my turn and I suppose the temperature was up to about 90 or more. I went back and did 4 more miles at an average 4.5 mph...but I noticed something odd happening with the GPS unit. I left the parking lot with the distance set back to 0. I went till the distance read 2.0 miles and then I returned. Now the distance read 4.3 miles. And I have noticed some discrepancies with the clock function as well. Here's my theory; since I am depending on 3 satellites to pinpoint my location, Bidwell Park might not provide the optimum conditions to do that...there are large trees everywhere and at two locations, I have to cross under the freeway, shutting me off from satellite view for a little distance. I guess I will take my trusty old kitchen timer with me next time and double check some of my times.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Hot laps
Whew! A hot day, but I did well…at Bidwell! Hey, it rhymes.
I went 10 miles and I did it in 145 minutes. That’s obviously a 14.5 minute average per mile and I’m happy with that. I think I could have gone a few more miles, but not much more than that. The heat and humidity were wearing me down, but I did keep up the 4.1 mph average and that’s the important part of the training; not fading under pressure. And I was happy to get into the double digits (10 miles) at last. Maybe I can do a half marathon (13.111) next week?
This is a bad week for training as the temps are forecast to be over 103 for the entire week. Next weeks shows promise of getting back into the mid 90’s and that will be a relief.
I went 10 miles and I did it in 145 minutes. That’s obviously a 14.5 minute average per mile and I’m happy with that. I think I could have gone a few more miles, but not much more than that. The heat and humidity were wearing me down, but I did keep up the 4.1 mph average and that’s the important part of the training; not fading under pressure. And I was happy to get into the double digits (10 miles) at last. Maybe I can do a half marathon (13.111) next week?
This is a bad week for training as the temps are forecast to be over 103 for the entire week. Next weeks shows promise of getting back into the mid 90’s and that will be a relief.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Memories
I guess that last post unleashed some memories...
I have always been a walker. I remember, as a child of 7 or 8, walking down the Strand from Manhattan Beach to Redondo Beach and back. About 8.5 miles...just because we wanted to. And since we lived in the tree section of this beach town, we had to walk a little over 1 mile to get to the beach, and that was a daily occurence. Our mother didn't drive, so whining didn't work to obtain transportation. High school was a mile and 3/4's away and I walked that daily...until I got my drivers license!
After high school, the Navy beckoned and my first memories of boot camp are of being introduced to the "Grinder". That was acres and acres of asphalt that we were to spend days and days walking up and down, back and forth upon. The "Grinder" or Parade Grounds, were immense! I remember our drill instructor telling us of some impossible number of miles that we were going to spend marching upon its surface. I have forgotten the exact number...but I do remember that it went on for 3 long months. "Company!...Left oblique...hut!...
All of this time I had to wonder just what kind of Navy I had joined? How far can you march on a ship?
I have always been a walker. I remember, as a child of 7 or 8, walking down the Strand from Manhattan Beach to Redondo Beach and back. About 8.5 miles...just because we wanted to. And since we lived in the tree section of this beach town, we had to walk a little over 1 mile to get to the beach, and that was a daily occurence. Our mother didn't drive, so whining didn't work to obtain transportation. High school was a mile and 3/4's away and I walked that daily...until I got my drivers license!
After high school, the Navy beckoned and my first memories of boot camp are of being introduced to the "Grinder". That was acres and acres of asphalt that we were to spend days and days walking up and down, back and forth upon. The "Grinder" or Parade Grounds, were immense! I remember our drill instructor telling us of some impossible number of miles that we were going to spend marching upon its surface. I have forgotten the exact number...but I do remember that it went on for 3 long months. "Company!...Left oblique...hut!...
All of this time I had to wonder just what kind of Navy I had joined? How far can you march on a ship?
A Day Off
I’m thinking that I might not walk this morning and give my foot a rest. It went well yesterday, with just a few minor pains. But they were beginning to grow in intensity when I finished. I’m starting my mornings with ibuprofen for my left foot, but I would like to be able to get back to using aspirin only. Aspirin is also good for your heart and I had been taking one a day. I know my cardiac health is good… (Why do I say that? I don’t really know that; I am only assuming that because of the weekly walking routines.) Walking is the perfect exercise and good cardiac health usually goes hand in hand with a regular walking regimen.
I read a story yesterday about a 350 (was 400) pound man who is walking across the country. He is determined to lose weight and that is certainly happening as he is walking through Arizona right now. With temperatures over 110 every day, he doesn’t get very far. He walks for a few hours in the morning and then again in the evening. He usually sits under a freeway overpass or a bridge during the worst part of the day. The story is not about good planning, (why July?) it’s about determination. I worry about him but I also applaud him.
I see a lot of people in the park that could be kinder to their bodies if they would just stop running and start walking. They are overweight and they have no form, so you can see their feet coming down with a crash at each stride as they attempt to emulate the form of a long distance runner. I can’t even imagine what that’s doing to the joints in their knees and ankles. It takes longer to obtain weight loss results with walking, but it’s much safer than running.
I read a story in the Bee about an experiment in how to stay fit while working and it was accomplished by turning the office into a modified gym. Work stations had modified treadmills instead of desks and magnetic work surfaces replaced horizontal surfaces, so you could be standing all day. The goal was to keep moving at all times. Treadmill speeds averaged about 1 mph, quite slow, but effective. Most workers were burning an additional 1,100 calories a day simply by being vertical.
I can see the difference in my own body as the weeks of walking have firmed up some flab. I have only lost about 8 pounds and I’m down to 205. It’s slow progress, but it’s progress!
I read a story yesterday about a 350 (was 400) pound man who is walking across the country. He is determined to lose weight and that is certainly happening as he is walking through Arizona right now. With temperatures over 110 every day, he doesn’t get very far. He walks for a few hours in the morning and then again in the evening. He usually sits under a freeway overpass or a bridge during the worst part of the day. The story is not about good planning, (why July?) it’s about determination. I worry about him but I also applaud him.
I see a lot of people in the park that could be kinder to their bodies if they would just stop running and start walking. They are overweight and they have no form, so you can see their feet coming down with a crash at each stride as they attempt to emulate the form of a long distance runner. I can’t even imagine what that’s doing to the joints in their knees and ankles. It takes longer to obtain weight loss results with walking, but it’s much safer than running.
I read a story in the Bee about an experiment in how to stay fit while working and it was accomplished by turning the office into a modified gym. Work stations had modified treadmills instead of desks and magnetic work surfaces replaced horizontal surfaces, so you could be standing all day. The goal was to keep moving at all times. Treadmill speeds averaged about 1 mph, quite slow, but effective. Most workers were burning an additional 1,100 calories a day simply by being vertical.
I can see the difference in my own body as the weeks of walking have firmed up some flab. I have only lost about 8 pounds and I’m down to 205. It’s slow progress, but it’s progress!
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Another Day...90 to go
I was going to try a much longer walk today since the temperatures were right for a maximum effort. But I soon felt the effects of “Uncle Chong’s” dinner from last night. That, and a pinch of pain from my right foot made the decision easier for me and I quit after 92 minutes. And to compound my problems, the battery on my GPS unit failed about ¾ of the way through. I had been keeping up a 4.3 mph pace and I maintained that easily to the end.
I should note here that this is the 100th anniversary of the year that Annie Bidwell gave her private park, “Vallombrosa”, to the public for a fee of $1. What a magnificent gift! It’s a gem among parks and irreplaceable. Though, even today there are those would gladly sell off parts of it to finance some city scheme. These are the people who think a nice park is an acre or two with some ball fields on it and any more than that is simply wasted on the average citizen. A pox upon them!
I should note here that this is the 100th anniversary of the year that Annie Bidwell gave her private park, “Vallombrosa”, to the public for a fee of $1. What a magnificent gift! It’s a gem among parks and irreplaceable. Though, even today there are those would gladly sell off parts of it to finance some city scheme. These are the people who think a nice park is an acre or two with some ball fields on it and any more than that is simply wasted on the average citizen. A pox upon them!
Yesterday
The walking went well...I did a little over 6 miles and I averaged 4.5 mph. The best part was that I didn't feel a twinge of pain from my left foot.
I did make one mistake though, I went walking without my tape recorder. So here I was, all alone with my thoughts for an hour and a half and no place to unload them.
One memory; as I was heading back towards the car, a group of 4 women were coming towards me, all wearing bright new exercise garb and all perfectly coiffed and made up to the hilt. 2 were talking on cell phones and as they passed, the perfume enveloped me in a cloud that didn't dissipate for at least 100'. Fitness has many guises.
Ah! Life on the trail is filled with surprises at every corner.
I did make one mistake though, I went walking without my tape recorder. So here I was, all alone with my thoughts for an hour and a half and no place to unload them.
One memory; as I was heading back towards the car, a group of 4 women were coming towards me, all wearing bright new exercise garb and all perfectly coiffed and made up to the hilt. 2 were talking on cell phones and as they passed, the perfume enveloped me in a cloud that didn't dissipate for at least 100'. Fitness has many guises.
Ah! Life on the trail is filled with surprises at every corner.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Back at it...slowly.
I tried out my foot today. Gave it a short walk just to see how it would react. It was so-so, with a little pain coming back after about a mile and a half. I slowed down and relaxed and the full 3 miles were slowly accomplished. But that's good, no matter how slow, as it gets me back on track. I've only lost a few training days and should be back in good shape in another week. It's 93 days till the marathon begins and I intend to be there.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Vacation
I'm taking a couple of days off to get my garage/glass shop in shape and do some other things that are needed around here.
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Bad News
Aaah! Now I have a problem. My left foot is really painful to walk on. I don't know where it came from, but I suspect it was some barefoot time on concrete, working in the garage. A month or so ago, it was my right foot that bothered me and I thought all my pains were gone when that finally healed. I hate losing practice days like this, but they can be easily replaced. The main thing is to reduce the pain and let it heal. I'm using ibuprofen, which I don't like...but it does reduce inflamation.
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