9 miles untimed

In my excitement to post on my own blog about my last run, I didn't post it here.

9 miles of pavement carving their way into my knees =P

Writeup here.

4.5miles untimed

I ran on the road after ages yesterday. I'm fasting these days, so I can't run during the day, but my response so far was to not run at all.

Yesterday my roommate said I was looking fat.

At 3am.

So I put on my shoes and hit the road, planning on just walking, but then I couldn't help myself and ran/walked the 4.5 miles. It wasn't quite an unbroken run, but that wasn't the point. I interspersed it with skipping about and just having a good time. The weather was great, and it all felt really nice.

The one black mark was the realization that about 18 months ago, I had almost exactly the same physical fitness as I do today. There were times in between when I was much fitter, but let exercise go for a few weeks and you lose it all very quickly.

Anyway, I guess the positive is that I haven't bloated as badly as I could have...

Template Change

I was experimenting with a new template on my own blog and thought I'd try something new here as well.

Let me know if you don't like it.

Okie, I don't understand why Blogger won't let me click on the Title section.

7-10-7

I'm going to Niagra Falls tomorrow InshAllah, so this was probably the last workout of the week.
NB857 additional mileage = 3.3miles in about 33 mins (including 5 mins warmup/cooldown and about two minutes of walking in between) + 30 mins elliptical

In zone = 41.10
Av/Peak/Min HR = 170/194/131
Calories = 1409
Total time = 1:07:00
Recover 1 min = 166-118

Felt harder than yesterday. I could barely keep the elliptical machine moving. Still didn't manage to go through the treadmill workout without taking a two minute walk-break

If you only looked at this blog, it seems as if I've been very irregular with exercise. Untrue. I had pain in my knees and ankles earlier (probably because the Nikes were old), and so I was getting a lot of swimming/racquetball/biking/Elliptical machine/weight-training done. The upshot is that I have lost about ten pounds over the last two to three months, and I'm feeling the fittest I've been in a long time.

=)

First NB-857 run: 3.2k on the treadmill

Correction: Oops, it was 3.2 miles, not kms. Can't fix the title. Don't know what's wrong with Blogger

Notes:

So the new shoes finally came under use. I don't know if its because my old shoes were so old or these new ones are so great, but the run felt so easy, and didn't stress my feet.

I did have to slow down to a walk for a couple of minutes in between to allow my HR to slow down. But otherwise, I felt in good shape by the grace of God.

Conversely, my recently repaired watch doesn't seem to have been repaired properly. I miss the good old days when it wasn't so messed up.

Later, I jumped on an elliptical trainer for another 30 mins.

Total Time = 1:03:00
In zone: 38:42
Av, Peak, Min HR = 149/192/75 (including changeover from treadmill to elliptical)
Calories = 1576

...and now, my new cross-trainers!

NB 621, for the gym and racquetball.

Time to throw out the Nikes!

Ali's sasky new New Balance Ndurance

New Balance 857

Not every run is a race. For long-distance training at a slow pace, this stability shoe delivers a surprisingly smooth ride for runners seeking firm support. All testers—even those who don't pronate—scored the 857 high for protection, cushioning, and durability. Stability is enhanced by stiff support under the arch and dual-density medial posting. The relatively stiff and chunky construction render this a one-dimensional shoe, but that's just what you need when you're ramping up your mileage.
Bonus: Even the hard-to-fit will find the right size; like most New Balance shoes, the 857 is available in multiple widths. Bummer: Rabbits of the road will find it a bit too heavy. 14 oz; www.newbalance.com

...and again, though not early

Nearly identical workout. Ran 3miles in 30, which felt REALLY weak since the girl next to me ran about 4 in 35, and was almost always at higher speeds.

Hopped on the cycle for another 30 mins/10miles.

Didn't take my ankle wraps off between the treadmill and the cycle, and having just taken them off, I've realized that my blood circulation was awfully constrained by keeping them on for so long. Ouch!!!

To the gym, bright and early!

Treadmill and stationary cycle for almost precisely 30 mins each:

Treadmill = roughly 3 miles (5k) (I didn't bother checking distance)
Cycle = Precisely 10 miles

2006 Mileage till 1-11-06 = Approx 10km

Mileage since 1-11-06 = 123.2km and counting!

7k in the morning!

Couldn't sleep after Fajr, so I hit the road. The sun was out, but not as sapping as last time. Lots of traffic though: had to run on the spot many times while waiting for the pedestrian walkway to open.

P.S. My previous calculations were slightly off. The 7k runs earlier were probably closer to 6.5-6.8. Needlessly pedantic I know, but wanted to straighten the record

Another 7k...

...at 3pm, on a rather hot day, tiring and time-consuming...

7k

Unlike the last run, there were no hiccups tonight and I managed to run straight for 7k. It's more hilly than Race Course Park used to be, but 7k really isn't pushing me too much nowadays. However, I'm kinda constrained by the available running areas in my neighborhood.

Oh, and this was done on a windy, damp midnight right after light rain. Gorgeous weather!!! I was kinda (actually, very) sore after the last run, which was my first in ages, but the weather decided it for me tonight!!!

P.S. Once again, no time!

6.5k

My Timex just managed to break its strap. It's been a wonderful watch over the last three years, and it still works perfectly, but I really don't know how to reclaim it at this point. Since my watch is also my HRM, I have lost use of that too, for now (I'll try to figure something out, maybe get a new watch that receives HRM data). Running without clocking myself, and without the HRM felt pretty nice actually. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Stopped at the midway mark because my new ankle wraps were too tight, and were stopping blood circulation. Stopped after another km again because I (almost literally) ran into a very close friend waiting for a bus. However, at the end of the run, I wasn't much out of breath. Either its because a first run after a break is always brisk, or the long runs in Pakistan have left their mark on my stamina. Either way, it was a fun, relaxed run and my first in the US after returning from Pakistan.

Addendum: Eeeep! I just realized I was just two days short of two months without a run...