Tag Archives: fitness

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Morning run (08 Jul 11): Nike+

Good morning crew…
Happy Friday to all. It’s been a minute since I blogged about running, much less blogged at all, but since I have a few minutes this morning before I head into the office, why not.

If you’ve been noticing my FB page updates, I’ve been having my run stats posted there. I fell off the wagon last summer (right at vacation time) from running for the first time with the Nike+ system. Running is a great form of cardio, but frankly, I’ve NEVER liked running. It’s the techie in me that made running interesting, because with Nike+, I can track my personal performance metrics using a device I’ve grown to love since the first ones came out – the iPod. Running with music is great, the Nike+ website leverages superb marketing and offers a great deal of interactivity, not just with the site but fellow runners, known and unknown.

Most of my runs have been on a treadmill, but as much as I hate road runs, it’s not only the most popular form of running, but I’ll be doing it more and more to sever the reliance on treadmill running. The training of outdoor runs, for me, is tough now, but the gains I’ll achieve will keep my mindset looking forward to them. Combined with an improved diet, free weights and circuit machine workouts, I like what the combination is offering. Today’s run was not bad, the weather was perfect and I learned about pace. Time permitting, I may run at the gym today at lunch or after work, I’ll see. The good thing is I got my run in for the day either way. As for inspiration, this five year old commercial does it for me…this is where I am (at least) trying to get to:

Have a great day…

peace,
Doug

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12th Run – Nike+


(Image use courtesy of Nike.com)

Good day all,

I hope this post finds you well. I got up early this Saturday morning (5:30am) to go on an early morning run. I succeeded in doing so. I did a little editing of a podcast I am posting tomorrow, drank some Gatorade G2, had a little apple sauce. By the time I got to the track (6:39 am), it was already bustling with walkers. Anybody already out walking around a track at 6:45am on a Saturday morning, has got to be serious about their fitness.

I warmed up and started my run. After the first lap I already heard that G2 in my stomach and yet again realized one thing: I dislike running outdoors, which made me realize another thing: I have to start running more outdoors. While running outdoors is far more popular, running in the gym is more convenient for me (and my performance is much better). I want the best of both worlds, so time to have at it.

Today’s run was eh…not my best time. I’m still not convinced my form is quite right (meaning foot placement), maybe still too much heel. I’m learning to land a bit more on the balls of my feet but not totally, as I watch other runners for their form and it seems they are not on their heels at all. I’ll get there. Right now the goal is to build cardiovascular endurance.

On a related note, I got the pleasure of teaching a good friend all I know about Nike+ (she seems to think I should work for them or something, based on my blog posts- *wink*) I think she’s gonna enjoy using it, via the Sportsband or iPod solution! Best wishes whenever she gets started.

Ok, here are today’s run stats
Ran 1 mi on 8/14/2010 at 6:47 AM

Time to keep it movin’ this day….

peace!
F!

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11th run – Nike+

Evening crew.

Had a really good run during lunch. Everything about it from the mental prep through the end of it was good. The gym was packed with an exercise class right in front of me – maybe that added a lil energy to me as well.

The anomaly was me somehow during off the female feedback voice (or so I thought I did – checking the iPod now shows it as on) I didn’t hear her during the whole run, which resulted in a longer, but best workout length so far.

After work, my kids persuaded me to head out to the track so they could jog, so I guess I can add that on as post-run activity. I also met my first goal!

Here are today’s run stats. Ran 1.49 mi on 8/10/2010 at 12:14 PM

Answering my friend’s tweet, I’ll sleep good tonite!

peace,
F!

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10th Run – Nike+

Greetings…

Back from my run. This time it was on a different terrain – the track. Today I saw how much different running outdoors (again) is than running in a more controlled environment. This one was not one of my better runs (could it have been the nap beforehand?). I’ll attribute the less than desirable performance to the terrain – I had to walk part of it, as opposed to the steady non-stop runs I do indoors. This tells me I have to run outdoors more. I think it’s time I look into Nike+ Coach. Let’s go! This is where I’m trying to get to:

On another note…this was a family event. Wife and kids came this time. Son had a good share of running, while the ladies near power-walked. Great temps – low 70’s. More people were on the tennis courts than on the track, although by 8:15pm, people were still coming. I’ll miss daylight savings time.

Todays run stats: Ran 1.02 mi on 8/7/2010 at 7:50 PM

peace!
F!

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9th Run – Nike+

Good evening crew…

Short post here. Work has it’s ebbs and flows of busy-ness. Today was a flow, that flow right into my lunch hour. Needless to say I didn’t run during that time and decided to go right after work. About 3pm, and being a Friday, I started to skip the run altogether…BUT…missing out on a run last weekend put me behind in reaching my goal for tomorrow. Unfortunately this run was not a good one. I definitely wasn’t mentally hyped for it, and the performance showed (plus, they cut the AC off in the gym after 5pm….what? So what I was the only one there :-))

Anyway, the dreaded run stats: Ran 0.92 mi on 8/6/2010 at 5:44 PM. Looking to do a 6am run in the morning., Seeing as it’s 10:47pm, I should be getting in the bed, huh?

peace!
F!

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8th Run – Nike+

Hey Crew…

I trust all is well with you. I got in not too long ago from the track, where my kids decided they wanted to go for a run. It was my daughter’s first time and she did well. We jogged two laps and walked two. As expected (at 8:10pm) there were a good amount of runners and walkers at the track, per the cooler temps.

After a few days off, I finally got back to my regular lunch time run schedule. Today was another personal best (as notified by Tiger Woods in my headphones after I completed the workout). It’s really convenient to have a gym in the building, as lunchtime is the perfect time to run for me during the week. Run stats are below, along with a description of my run.

My daughter has a new iPod Touch, which comes with the Nike+ app preloaded. If she gets into running, all I need to do is get her the sensor and maybe even the shoes…or neither…go for the wristband. Looking for a cheap iPod Nano for my son, as he is sensor all the way. He gets a kick out of the Nike+ minis (think Wii Miis) on the website…go figure.

Today’s run. Ran 1.12 mi on 8/4/2010 at 12:21 PM

Until next time…peace!

F!

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7th Run – Nike+

What’s up crew…

Hope all is well. After a string of HOT days, the temps have eased down a bit. I packed my gym bag this morning hoping to run, but didn’t think I’d get it in. Boss is back from vacation and had ANOTHER meeting that dipped into my lunch hour, but I went and did it anyway. Turns out, it was my best mile yet, so I’m definitely excited about getting THAT news.

The pace was good, finally getting the breathing rhythm going a lot smoother. and the form is slowly getting better (less and less shin splints).

I’m definitely down with the whole Nike+ system. Always good encouragement:
10 kilometers down. Now let’s see what else you’ve got. You’re off to a fantastic start. Whether your first 10K was a breeze or hard-earned, keep it up.

Anyway, today’s run stats.

Never knew I’d love running so much. Hopefully I can hit the track this weekend sometime.

peace,
F!

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5th Run – Nike+

Greetings crew:

I hope this post finds you well. Today was the first indoor run using the Nike Plus system. As you already know, I am definitely into it. It was a lunch time run in our corporate gym on the first floor. Turns out that I may be doing a great deal of running here for many reasons (especially during the winter). The run was good, breathing pace was the best yet and it also turned out to be my best mile time to date. Running on a treadmill proved to be the easiest thus far, with running on a track being a very close second. As I get seasoned, I hope enjoy running along various city and landscapes, but right now the terrain is less than desirable.

One of my regular readers, Rezzy asked me, in the previous post, what’s my playlist is. Take a look here. What’s the Power Song? “Housequake” – Prince/Sign Of The Times

Anyway, here are the stats from today’s run. Already looking forward to tomorrow’s “power lunch”.

peace,
F!

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4th Run – revisited (Nike+)

It’s about 8:17am. I got into work early this morning (but not early enough) hoping to get into the software lab before my colleagues, to do a run a quick login procedure for a practice demonstration later this morning. Getting in early also allows me to leave early (5pm). With this scorching heat lately, I decided I’d try and run at lunch (no, not outside) but in our fully equipped workout facility on the first floor – complete with three treadmills. If things go as scheduled, I should be down there around 12:30pm (that is if I can break away to go home and forget the shorts I forgot-lol)

Anyway, I was still curious as to why my iPod didn’t record the last run I (umm…”we”) did. I brought it in and decided to have it find the sensor (as I shake it in my hand to simulate walking) and record the data. To my surprise, I booted up the iPod and checked History to find out it DID record the data. Cool. Now when I go home, on the shorts run, I can upload the data to Nike Plus. Gotta love technology!

Here are the run stats:

Time: 8:20pm
Temp: 82 deg
Weather: Sunset
Distance: 1.32 mi
Time 22:52
Pace: 17:13 min/mi
Calories: 178
Type: Run/Walk

Looking forward to the lunchtime run…

Have a great day…
F!

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4th Run – Nike+

Greetings….

Just got in not too long ago from run #4. It’s been a crazy busy weekend and I would have much preferred to run early this morning, but that wasn’t possible at all. That being said, I had to wait until late this evening because of this crazy heat. Lately, my eight year old son has taken up an interest in running since I started, and especially having an understanding how Nike Plus works. He’s always asking for “sensor shoes” and I always gotta tell him they’re not made in his size….yet. Anyway, he begged to go along this time, so we both headed over to PGCC’s track. I knew that it didn’t make sense to log this workout data, figuring I wouldn’t get a consistent run in.

We got there and I took him through a stretching routine then we started the jog. I was pleasantly surprised for two things: 1) We did a whole lap non-stop and 2) Running at his pace told me MAYBE I should slow my pace to his on my regular runs!

We completed lap #1 and walked a cool down lap for the second one. Lap #3 was a job again…all the way through…I’mproud ;-). Lap #4, the final lap was a cooldown walk, followed by stretching. Big surprise was a 5th lap…wow, at his request. It was fun, and in hindsight, I might have done my best time in the mile yet…something I didn’t expect this evening. Too bad I didn’t log this data on the iPod! Oh well.

The plan is to hit the track at 6am tomorrow, but the morning rush to work. Which means off to bed within the hour. Have a good night.