Week one

Well, week one of "training" is over. It was complicated by a stomach flu in the middle of the week, but I was still able to run three times. Monday, I ran 2 ten-minute miles, and could still talk during them, so a good sign. I was also very red and sweaty and sore the next day, a bad sign. I learned that Miley Cyrus Party in the USA is a great running song, and that Elton John's I'm still standing, really isn't. I also learned that the ipod + Nike sensor is not a pedometer, and doesn't work indoors. So I guess I won't be recording my running with the Nike site until it is warm enough to be outside. Wednesday I ran a ten minute mile followed by a 9.30 mile mile, and felt a lot better, even then I had on Monday. I wasn't as sore the next day. All songs on the second day's mix came through fine. Friday I went running, but I didn't have my head phones, so I had to listen to the gym music, which sucked. So my run sucked, and really shouldn't count. Still, this is how habits form. I'm confident my body will respond better next week.

Bought Shoes

Today I went to Runner's Edge to buy a pair of shoes. They were incredibly helpful. First, they watched me walk, flexed my knees, checked my arches, and measured my feet. The verdict was that I slightly underpronate, which means I need a cushioning shoe, and my left foot is slightly larger than my right. The guy then walked out with Asics that fit perfectly, so I bought them. I also bought the holder for the ipod + Nike sensor, and got my shoes all ready to go.

The plan this week is to test music for running. A 10 min mile is approximately 160 beats per minute, so I've looked at some websites to find out what songs I know and like are close to the right bpm for the pace I want to run. I've made several running lists, so this week I'll listen to them as I run and try to find the best ones for my pace. The plan this week is to run 4 days and lift weights twice. Hopefully I'll be able to stick to it.

Joined the gym

Today I joined the gym at work, and I intend to start running on Monday. My calves have been tight all afternoon in anticipation. Psychosomatic? I ordered the Nike + iPod sensor, but I still need to go buy shoes. The current blizzard has so far dampened my desire to go out and get them.

I've been reading online about common injuries for long distance runners. There are of course the obvious- blisters, pulled muscles, chafing, soreness, and dehydration- that I was surprised found their way onto sites for runners. I mean, come on, obviously your muscles have every right in the world to be sore after a punishing 20 mile run. There were also two injuries that appear serious, preventable, and common that I found listed on several websites- IT band injury, and runners knee. I've asked a physical therapist friend of mine to give me some stretches and exercises to hopefully prevent these two common problems from becoming one of my problems. I'll keep this posted as to the nature of said therapies.

Otherwise, I am still excited to be getting started. I need to buy some good running music.

Getting started

I've decided (very recently), that I am going to train for the 2010 Chicago marathon. I've also decided to chronicle this odyssey in a blog. I've never kept a blog before, but I think it will be a good way to stay accountable to my training schedule, and to keep track of everything I learn along the way. Besides, every other member of my generation has a blog, and I wouldn't want to be left behind.

So, this is the beginning of the beginning. As a point of disclosure, I haven't run consistently in about a year, and I haven't run at all in the last 3 months, due to the very cold Chicago winter. My first steps over the next week will be to buy shoes, buy the nike shoe chip that will keep track of my miles for me, and join the gym at work so I can start running even in these sub-zero temperatures. I guess that counts as a little retail therapy before the big plunge. . .