Change is coming! I have a new website for this blog!

For all future running updates and blog entries, check out


www.BornToWaddle.com


and let me know what you think!  I've never had my own site before, so I'm open to suggestions (and help)!
Tim

Long run versus long day...run wins.

I am happy to report that I had a full 11 hours of duty day, including a formation flight, maintenance problems, and popup thunderstorms.  Then MP (my beautiful wife) and I took some time and had a great dinner date.

Then I ran.

My performance: I'm pleased.  I did 2.8 miles tonight, solo, with no intermissions, pauses, walks, or strolls.  This is an improvement over a shorter run with a side cramp and struggling to walk up the hills, even with a friend edging me on.  The lower temperature makes a difference, of course.
I intentionally shortened my stride and increased my pace today.  I was able to run without static resting, which I am stoked about!
My diet: I started with orange cinnamon rolls (my favorite guilty pleasure).  During my tactical flight today I ate 5 corn tortillas with black beans.  We've also got an abundance of wheat thins.  And I drink at least two XS drinks every day...they are awesome (I'm the self proclaimed leader of the Lemon XS fan club).  Tonight our dinner was a good Italian dish with chicken, penne, spinach, and lemon.  We may or may not have indulged in some frozen yogurt.
Word of the day:  Incremental.  I'm working to be consistent, and I'm making reasonable improvements intentionally on diet, nutrition (vitamins), and of course my running.
Frustration: My smallest toe on my right foot feels like I hit it with a hammer because part of the nail fell off last night.  I can feel some wear on my shins and knees.  Despite this, I had one of the best full runs I've had this year.
The positive: One of the best things about running is how you will feel when you walk back through your front door after a long run, drenched in sweat.  The feeling of finishing a run is fantastic.  I have not been stretching too much, but my legs feel good too.  I honestly feel great and I'm excited about improving. 

This is the part where I start to run...

I woke up with about 3 1/2 hours of sleep, feeling surprisingly awake.  I decided to get my run in before an afternoon Travelers game.  I texted my buddy Josh and we started about 12:30 from my house.

My setting: In Sherwood, AR, we have a lot of hills and a lot of paved roads and sidewalks.  In June, AR is very hot and humid.  (Most people consider running mid-day completely nuts, but most people tend to avoid running anyways.)  Today we started from my driveway and ran hilly roads for about 2 miles.  It was 95 degrees with 60% humidity.
My equipment: I have a pair of "modern" running shoes that cost about $80.  Last year I went to the NB store and they "analyzed" my foot and recommended these.  My shins are hurting, my knees are tender, my feet feel heavy, and I strike on my heel when I run.
My performance: Today is a good example of where I am as a runner.  The run tackled 2 decent hills twice.  My friend Josh can comfortably run alongside and hold a conversation.  I can comfortably say "yes" in response to his conversation before I'm out of air.  I had to walk 3 times for a couple minutes to catch my breath, and I was probably pacing about a 9 minute mile when I was running.  Today during the second half coming up the hills I felt like I was suffocating in the heat, centered mostly at my head.
My diet: For breakfast about 1/2 hour before running I had some Cracklin Oat Bran with milk and drank half a bottle of water.  After my run, MP (my beautiful wife) fixed tortillas with black beans and cheese.
My nutrition: Today I did not take any vitamins or supplements before my run because my stomach was pretty empty.  I regret not taking a couple Rhodiola 110, which have helped me with energy and recovery in the past...I could have used the extra help today.  After the run, however, I have made it a habit to drink 1 or 2 Joint Health Twist Tubes, which noticeably help with knee and back pain for me.
My form: My friend Josh helped highlight how I was mostly moving my arms from the elbow only, and demonstrated a conventional armswing from the shoulders.  We had some good discussion on stride, breathing, and side cramps, but I do not actually know where to turn for good constructive help on improving my form yet.
My thoughts: I will post separately about lessons learned and my personal quest for better running.

Interesting product of the day: The Green Silence.  This shoe, according to my internet searches, is turning heads with new and experienced runners.  It may be a good compromise between minimal soles and road shoes.

Born to Run. In my case, waddle.

SO...it's June in Arkansas.  It's hot.  I have a little bit of a gut, and I haven't run more than 1.5 miles in about 3 years.  Born To Run sparked a desire in me to fix my running, but I have no idea where to start.  I am literally firing from the hip as I begin my journey to running more, changing my diet, and supplementing where it makes sense.  My ONLY goal is to learn how to run so that I can still be running no matter my age. 

Hello, this is day 1 of the Born to Waddle blog.  

I just finished the fantastic book by Christopher McDougall, Born to Run.

I have been running casually, at least every other day, for about 2 weeks.  My distance is somewhere between 2 and 5 miles, and I've been going any time I can find time.

A little about ME:  I have ZERO running experience.  I look like a T-Rex when I run, and for my entire life I've been given a hard time about how I "waddle" when I walk or run.  My nickname in the Air Force is, in fact, Waddle.

I have an idea about running: there must be a way to run that will be productive rather than destructive.  

This blog will track my running progress, the lessons I discover on my own or through others, changes in my diet, and nutrition.  I have my own Amway business, so I have access to Nutrilite's best natural supplements and sports nutrition products, and I intend to put them to the test, as well as different running shoes.