I've got some more ideas for my movie mapper, but I'm waiting until I have a conversation with a better movie data source, before I put more time into it.

I've started jogging again.  I feel like it's safe to say that now that I've managed to jog three times in one week.  My first goal is to get to where I can make it 3 miles in 30 minutes.  I made it 2.51 miles today in the 30 minutes.  So, it's a pretty realistic, short-term goal.  I'm not sure what I'll shoot for after that.

Here's what you do.  Train for and run a half-marathon.  Then, whenever you start feeling guilty about not exercising or eating like a pregnant lady, just remind yourself of that day you ran 13.1 miles all at once.  Pat yourself on the back (do this figuratively; literally might require exercise) and eat another cookie.  So far, I've ridden this wave of rationalization for 6 1/2 weeks.  One day, I'll get new shoes and get back on the horse.  One day.

I'm sure that many of you thought that this blog had turned into a running blog, and when I stopped blogging, it was probably because I had stopped running.  While my training became a little less consistent since my last post, I continued to run.  The reason I didn't post was because a lot of people were eulogizing Kyle on their blogs, and I kind of thought I should do the same.  If I were going to do that though, I couldn't post about other trivial things.  But there was also a big part of me that didn't want to use this space to "send Kyle off".  I'm not entirely sury why, but I think that maybe I feel that stories about Kyle deserve to be told face to face.  I don't know; it doesn't bother me to read other people's blogs about Kyle, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  Thus, the very long gap in blogging.

But now, I've accomplished the task that turned this thing into a runner's diary to begin with.  I ran the half marathon on Sunday.  My gun time was 2:51, my chip time was 2:47, and my Garmin Forerunner 301 GPS watch time was 2:43.  The reason for the discrepancy is two-fold.  The chip couldn't tell that I had to wait in line to use the restroom around mile 2.  I was able to pause the timer on my watch during that time.  Also, I actually covered the 13.1 miles prior to crossing the finish line due to lateral movement on the road.  I did break down into a walk a couple of times, but I was able to jog the last mile, and my overall pace was 12:28/mile, just under the 12:30/mile that I was hoping for, though finishing was more important than finishing fast.  Don ran with me for the first couple miles, but I was holding him back, so he went on ahead.  The guy who won the marathon passed me when I hit mile 10.  He was on mile 23.  It was pretty cold the day before the race, so I got a long-sleeve UnderArmour shirt that helps keep you warm without getting weighed down with sweat.  I highly recommend that.  It helped me stay just the right temperature throughout the race.  The two things that slowed me down in the race were some pretty nasty blisters that I got for the first time last weekend while training and the uphill portions of the race.  The hills weren't terrible, but I trained on perfectly level terrain.  Two days after the race, my calves are the only things that are sore.  Hopefully, I'll be back to normal by tomorrow. 

So, now that it's over, will I run again?  A half marathon?  A whole marathon?  At all?  Well, I'm going to take this week off.  In fact, maybe a week and a half, as Jen Lake will be out here visiting Fri-Wed.  Then, I'm going to change my runs to shorter, faster runs.  I'm thinking of working for six weeks on speeding up my 3-mile pace.  Then, maybe I'll look for a 5K or something.

Scheduled Distance: 8miles
Actual Distance: 8 miles
Time: 1:41:58
Gmaps Route (4 mile route twice)
RPE: 5

While some of my recent blog entries have been on the day after my scheduled runs, I've actually managed to do all the runs on the scheduled day.  This run followed the same pattern of all of them.  I ran the second half considerably faster than the first half.

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 34:35
Gmaps Route
RPE: 4

Good run for a Thursday.  I now take one Advil about a half-hour before I run, which helps me get through that first mile or two better.  Is that bad?

Scheduled Distance: 5 miles
Actual Distance: 5 miles
Time: 1:01:36
Gmaps Route
RPE: 4

Today's run went well.  The temp outside was pretty chilly.  It actually took me a half-mile just to warm myself.  I didn't hit a rhythm today until after 2 miles or so.  My 5th mile was actually my best.  I wish I could figure out how to get into a rhythm quicker.  Overall, I was pleased, but I've got to get up earlier to start this, since I need to be at my desk at 9:00 a.m.

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 33:20
Gmaps Route
RPE: 5

My best time yet for the short run.  I ran it pretty hard, and my left ankle only bothered me a little bit.  I was really crunched for time today, but made sure to get my run in early.

Scheduled Distance: 7 miles
Actual Distance: 7 miles
Time: 1:37:58
Gmaps Route
RPE: 5

The first mile started off rough.  My right shin was hurting in a different way than either leg had hurt before.  Once I got past the first mile and a half or so and I stretched again, my legs stopped bothering me.  I started out doing the steepest climb of the run, so I wouldn't have to do that at the end.  Since it's my longest run to date, I paced myself just to finish.  I still had plenty left by the time I finished, so I definitely could have hit a faster pace.  The problem is that the pain from the first mile lingers in my mind, and I worry about pushing myself too fast.  Ah well, I made it.

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 41:24
Gmaps Route
RPE: 1

Today started out great.  After the first two miles, I was on pace to have my best 3 miles yet.  Then, both shins started slowing me down.  After another half mile, I was reduced to walking, and even that hurt.  I managed to get back into a jog for the last quarter mile or so, but it was rough.  Notice the RPE is just 1 though.  Every other part of me was rarin' to go, so I was pretty disappointed.  I'm going to speculate some more on this later.  Expect an update on this post.

Scheduled Distance: 4 miles
Actual Distance: 4 miles
Time: 48:36
Gmaps Route
RPE: 5

I thought that I started out pretty slowly, so I was surprised I finished the whole distance so quickly.  My legs hurt for the first 2 miles or so, but didn't bother me the rest of the time, and I turned it up a notch.

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 35:19
Gmaps Route
RPE: 4

I ran without my headphones today.  My book suggests it, and my right arm and shoulder were tense after the 6-mile run on Saturday.  I don't think I'll do that again, because I need something to fill in the gaps between things that my thoughts wander off towards.  Otherwise, I think too much about breathing or hurting or sweating.  Instead, I just need to find a portable audio device that I can strap to my arm.

Scheduled Distance: 6 miles
Actual Distance: 6 miles
Time: 1:20:00
Gmaps Route (3 mile route doubled)
RPE: 5

I kept it pretty slow to make sure that I would finish, and I stopped to stretch out my calves a couple of times.  Fortunately, my legs didn't hurt as badly as they did on Wednesday and Thursday.  After the 3 mile mark, I was in a pretty good rhythm, and my legs were feeling great, so hopefully my stretching has paid off.  So, I ran a total of 16 miles this week, and tonight's run was the longest run I've ever done.  At least until next week...

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 37:21
Gmaps Route
RPE: 6

Well, the pain came back at about the same point in today's run, which slowed me down.  I'm going to do a lot of stretching today and tomorrow before I attempt my six mile run.  It's frustrating, because it had gotten to the point of not hurting any more on Monday, and now I'm back to square one.

Scheduled Distance: 4 miles
Actual Distance: 4 miles
Time: 55:40
Gmaps Route
RPE: 8

Apart from covering the necessary distance, today's run was a bust.  After fifteen minutes, my legs were in some serious pain, and I slowed to a crawl.  I thought maybe I'd started out too fast or that Monday's run had been too aggressive.  Then, I realized that I had neglected to do a very important stretch before setting out.  I hadn't stretched out my calfs and shins (if you can stretch a shin).  It was really hot again today, which didn't help matters.  So, I stopped, drank a little water and stretched.  After that, I walked a bit and then got up to a jog, but about as slow a jog as you can get.  I was never able to get into a rhythm, though, and I expected that it would take me over an hour to complete the miles.  I was actually pleasantly surprised that my time wasn't much past last Wednesday's run.  Hopefully, tomorrow will go better though, because I'm going to stretch, and because I purchased a new running shirt today.

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 34:40
Gmaps Route
RPE: 4

Well, I ran late today, but not because of laziness or busyness or business, but because of illness.  I laid low today, doing minimal work, trying to get better.  I decided not to miss my run though, and I even ran pretty hard, as my time improved quite a bit.  I'm getting to the point now where I can envision keeping up my faster pace through the entire 3 miles.  As for my left ankle, it has been bothering me less and less, so I think the new shoes are doing the trick.

Scheduled Distance: 5 miles
Actual Distance: 5.2 miles
Time: 1:08:26
Gmaps Route
RPE: 4

It's hard for me to believe that I ran for more than an hour.  The temperature was mercifully back in the 70's and there was a heavy marine layer, so I occasionally felt like I was running through little pieces of mist.  Basically, perfect running weather.  TQ was in my legs for the first couple of miles, and then I settled in and just kept going.  The reason I ended up going past the 5 miles was because I couldn't remember how I had routed my last mile, so I ran another lap around our block just to make sure.  I was feeling so good still that I would have kicked myself if I had come in and checked and seen that I only ran 4.8.  I got back in time to watch the last minute of regulation for the Baylor game.

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 37:34
Gmaps Route
RPE: 5

After having done 4 miles yesterday, 3 miles was in no way daunting for me today.  However, I'm leaving the RPE up at 5 for two reasons: faster pace and hotter day.  I figure that my short days are the best days to add some bursts of speed every now and then and increase my overall pace.  Hopefully, by the end of October, I'll be comfortable running on my short days at a constant fast pace that I can only do in bursts now.  The reason heat was such a factor today was because of, um, well, my nipular region.  Yowch!  I'll try to avoid running in the afternoon on days this hot.  On a follow up note from last time, I think that taking longer strides does make it easier on my legs and harder on my cardiovascular and respiratory systems, which is a good thing, because my heart and lungs were getting off too easy.

Scheduled Distance: 4 miles
Actual Distance: 4 miles
Time: 53:28
Gmaps Route
RPE: 6

I decided to keep the watch on, not so much for obsessing about my pace now but so that I can hopefully see a trend towards improvement later on.  My left ankle is still a little tender, but hurt much less after I got through the first mile.  The Quit (TQ) was predominantly in my legs still, though my mind kept bringing up the longer distance.  I find that the second half of the run is always easier mentally.  I'm curious if my legs are really just the weakest link or if there's a way that I can displace some of the stress on my legs somehow, maybe by lengthening my stride or something.  Anybody have any ideas?

Scheduled Distance: 3 miles
Actual Distance: 3 miles
Time: 39:45
Gmaps Route
RPE: 5

I made the distance today.  It wasn't too bad, but I was a little disappointed in how long it took.  Not that it matters.  I'm training to do the distance not to do it in a certain time.  So, I may stop wearing a watch for awhile, so that I don't get distracted by that.  The Quit today was in my legs.  By "The Quit", I mean the element of my being that was trying to get me wuss out on the run.  I figure there are four elements where "The Quit" can come from: mental, heart, lungs, and legs.  I'm hoping that the legs were just still complaining about the hilly run on Saturday, but we'll see.  My left ankle is bothering me.  If it still hurts like this after Saturday, then I'm going to have to do some research on what to do there.

As I start to run longer distances, I eventually want to get the Garmin Forerunner 201, which has GPS in it, plus a whole bunch of other neat stuff that you can read about if you follow the link.  Until that purchase is made, I needed some way to measure out some routes, as I start running for distance tomorrow instead of time.  I did a little searching and found this little dandy that somebody did using Google Maps (http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/).  You can even permalink routes that you've built, so tomorrow, I'll be running this route.

UPDATE: The link has changed to http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/.

Scheduled Time: 30:00
Actual Time: 38:02 (some walking)
RPE: 7

Today started off great.  I headed down to Road Runner Sports in San Diego, so that I would have full confidence in someone helping me pick out some new running gear.  Jeff was supposed to meet me, but APPARENTLY being with his parents and future in-laws as they meet for the first time was more important.  And it's not like the groom really needs to be there to look at the church or potential reception venues.  Anywho, Jamie went with me, so I wasn't all by my lonesome.  The girl helping me took a look at my feet when standing still, then had me walk across the room and back.  She measured my feet and then went to the back to pull some shoes.  My right foot rolls in slightly, so she went with stability shoes.  I tried the first pair and like them.  The next two pair weren't as good as the first, so I tried the first pair on again to make sure, and I still liked them.  They are made by Brooks.  I'm not sure of the model.  The heel on my right foot slipped a little bit, and so she taught me a clever little way of lacing and tying my shoes that pulls the heel in.  I snagged some running socks and a CamelBak water dispenser thing that straps to my waist and has a long straw.  Pretty soon I'll be on long enough runs where I'm going to need some water along the way.  My helper also explained that the only differences between the Garmin Forerunner 201 and 301 was a heart rate monitor and the price, so when I get a GPS watch, I'll be going for the cheaper one.  Gear-buying mission accomplished!

Jamie and I are still in Fallbrook, and I knew I _had_ to run today since I missed day 7.  One problem: hills.  Her parents' neighborhood is very hilly compared to our flat Playa Vista.  On the way out, Don decided to join me for the run.  He's been running these hills for a long time, so it was a cake walk for him.  He started us off at a pretty brisk pace, which I foolishly matched.  Eventually, I slowed down a little, and he just started zig-zagging back and forth to stay back with me.  I actually made it further than I thought I would before walking.  At minute eighteen, ascending a particularly long hill, I broke my barely even jogging pace down to a walk.  I tried to keep my walk a fast one at least.  I walked to the top of the hill in 2:30 and then started running again.  I maintained a more measured pace, and was able to keep going to 38:02 total time.  The shoes were great.  Tomorrow, my legs will be sore.  But I learned a couple of important things: 1) When running up a hill, don't look at the top of the hill, because progress seems slow.  Instead look down.  2) Don't try to keep up with Don.

UPDATE: The shoes are Brooks Adrenaline GTS 6.

Scheduled Time: 30:00
Actual Time: 30:34
RPE: 4

Still feeling pretty good.  It's funny how the first couple of minutes of running my body and mind want to revolt.  I keep trying to procrastinate until I've been at it for about 5 minutes.  Then, I finally get in a rhythm and it's not such a big deal.

Scheduled Time: 30:00
Actual Time: 30:38
RPE: 4

No time to explain, just report.

Scheduled Time: 30:00
Actual Time: 37:58
RPE: 5

Unfettered by time constraints, I ran a little longer than necessary today, since Saturdays will soon become my long run days.  I'm happy that I successfully fit 4 runs in this week, because it was a busy week, and it's a good sign that I'll be able to keep it up for the next 17 weeks.  A very small blister is forming on my left big toe.  I'm really looking forward to getting some new running shoes and socks next weekend.

Scheduled Time: 30:00
Actual Time: 30:00
RPE: 3

A bunch of stuff came up yesterday, so I didn't get a chance to run.  I managed to squeeze it in this morning, and it went fairly smoothly.  After the long run on Monday, that dull ache stayed with me all through Tuesday, and I was worried that it was the beginnings of some sort of injury.  But after running for just 30 minutes on Wednesday, it didn't bother me at all yesterday, so I'll attribute that to soreness.  Tomorrow will be my first back-to-back pre-training days.

Jeff, now you can breathe again.

Scheduled Time: 30:00
Actual Time: 30:00
RPE: 4

Today was a little bit rougher, because Of time constraints.  I had to be in the office at MRM around 9-ish this morning, so I had to get up early, immediately eat a Balance bar and hydrate, let it settle while I stretched and read email, and then hit the trail.  The route and pace worked out perfectly, so that I finished up at my starting point at almost exactly 30 minutes.  Tomorrow is my first day to do back-to-back running, so I'm a little nervous.  At least tomorrow, I don't have to force it all in to a schedule.

Scheduled Time: 30:00
Actual Time: 45:54
RPE: 3

I'm feeling pretty good right now, because my run today was the longest I've ever run in my life (time-wise).  I could have kept going, but decided not to get too over-excited.  It's a relief, because my last run on Saturday, I pooped out before the 30 minutes was up.  I noticed that I had run a much faster pace than normal, and I just couldn't last.  Today, I concentrated on maintaining a slower pace, so that I could go the full 30 minutes.  Also, I read about running form in my book, and I had to pay attention to running more forward and less up-and-down.  Something else that may have contributed to the extended time was that I had a Balance bar about an hour before the run.  Normally, I eat one after the run, but I think I'm going to try this hour before thing for a while.  The RPE mentioned above is the rate of perceived exertion, where 0 is no exertion and 10 is maximal exertion.  My lungs had no problems with the run today; I only noticed my breathing once or twice.  My only physical complaint is my left leg.  There's kind of a dull ache somewhere in the lower portion; it's hard to pinpoint.  I'm hoping that this will be solved when I get new running shoes in two weeks when I visit Jeff and Road Runner Sports in San Diego.

Today I am officially starting my pre-training for a half-marathon.  Actually, I'm following the training for a full marathon (from this book), but my plan is to run the half-marathon in Carlsbad on January 15th with recently engaged Jeff Webdell.  Depending on how the whole process works out, I may then search out a marathon in which to attempt to murder myself.  I say pre-training, because the prerequisite for the book training program is that I be comfortable running for 2 weeks, 4 times a week for 30 minutes.  Now, I have been in pre-pre-training, during which time I have been running 3 times a week for 30 minutes or more.  I'm posting my training schedule here, and then I hope to report back on my progress as things move along.

Pre-training
9/12 - Run 30 minutes
9/14 - Run 30 minutes
9/15 - Run 30 minutes
9/17 - Run 30 minutes
9/19 - Run 30 minutes
9/21 - Run 30 minutes
9/22 - Run 30 minutes
9/24 - Run 30 minutes

Training
9/26 - 3 miles
9/28 - 4 miles
9/29 - 3 miles
10/1 - 5 miles
10/3 - 3 miles
10/5 - 4 miles
10/6 - 3 miles
10/8 - 6 miles
10/10 - 3 miles
10/12 - 4 miles
10/13 - 3 miles
10/15 - 7 miles
10/17 - 3 miles
10/19 - 5 miles
10/20 - 3 miles
10/22 - 8 miles
10/24 - 3 miles
10/26 - 5 miles
10/27 - 3 miles
10/29 - 10 miles
10/31 - 4 miles
11/2 - 5 miles
11/3 - 4 miles
11/5 - 11 miles
11/7 - 4 miles
11/9 - 6 miles
11/10 - 4 miles
11/12 - 12 miles
11/14 - 4 miles
11/16 - 6 miles
11/17 - 4 miles
11/19 - 14 miles
11/21 - 4 miles
11/23 - 7 miles (in Vegas)
11/24 - 4 miles
11/26 - 16 miles
11/28 - 5 miles
11/30 - 8 miles
12/1 - 5 miles
12/3 - 16 miles
12/5 - 5 miles
12/7 - 8 miles
12/8 - 5 miles
12/10 - 16 miles
12/12 - 5 miles
12/14 - 8 miles
12/15 - 5 miles
12/17 - 18 miles
12/19 - 5 miles
12/21 - 8 miles
12/22 - 5 miles
12/24 - 18 miles (Merry Christmas?)
12/26 - 5 miles
12/28 - 8 miles
12/29 - 5 miles
12/31 - 9 miles
1/2 - 3 miles
1/4 - 5 miles
1/5 - 3 miles
1/7 - 8 miles
1/9 - 3 miles
1/11 - 3 miles
1/13 - Walk 3 miles
1/15 - Run 13.1 miles at the San Diego Half Marathon

Ironically, I found that the Olympics inspired me to glue my butt down on the couch and watch TV for two weeks.  I did exercise a couple of times while watching the games.  I found that the soccer games were a good thing to run to, because I knew how much harder the players on the screen were working.  It's finally over, so I can go back to my non-TV-watching everyday life, and it's none too soon, because I actually watched The Patriot on TV today.  No, not the cool one with Mel Gibson, the lame one with Steven Seagal.

I haven't gone surfing just yet, but I hit the six week mark today of working out every weekday.  I only missed one day during that time, because I was both sick and out of town.  Results?  Well, it kind of seems like there should be some dramatic differences based on that regimen, except for one important detail.  I didn't really change my diet.  The only significant change is that I try to stop eating when I'm full.  Novel, I know.  In spite of that fact, there definitely has been a change.  I've probably lost 5-7 pounds and can actually tighten my belt one more notch.  Not too shabby, but I've still got some work to do.  I really thought that working out would be easier once I got in the habit, and I think doing something every day for six weeks should be habit-forming, but every day there's still that option to sleep in.  The way I see it, though, the first six weeks has really been kind of a primer or a base coat.  Hopefully, the next six weeks will see some accelerated improvement.

We saw Harry Potter today.  It was pretty darn good, I must say.  I can't rate it very objectively having read the book already and the one that follows it, so I'd be interested to hear reviews from some of you who have not read the books but have seen the movies.