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.