Hookey Run

So, I was sitting around work yesterday, doing nothing (should I be getting worried?) and decided to bail. I headed home and went for a run after fueling up on some pretzels and peanuts. I was starving for some reason. I definitely did not have it yesterday -- everything felt leaden and slow.

I took a brief turn to do my 5 mile route but decided against it. I opted for my 4 mile route instead. I worked hard on just running a moderate pace and felt pretty good in the last mile. Overall though, this was sort of a tough run physically and mentally but I'm glad that I got out. I also found an iPod shuffle that I need to see if it works. It seems to, but I'm a bit hesitant to plug it in for fear that it's holding nasty viruses to bring down the financial system by turning my machine into a zombie . . . oh, that's already happening, guess the iPod is not a messenger of ruin.

On another front I was toodling around Twitter last week and came across an interview in which the guy was talking about the 100 Push-ups program. I think I'm going to give it a go. Is anybody else interested? I'll probably start it within the next week or so -- depending on the arrival of Child Three, who is resisting entering our world as of this morning

Run Number One

Well, I put the new shoes to work for the first time last night. Following Agricola's good avice, I walked mostly, went about 27 minutes and probably ran about 1/3 of that time. Stopped to stretchthe calves a bit after 15 minutes, and had to run the smallest FA to the potty at some point, too.

Ms. FA and I ran together on the treadmills in my building's gym, but I have promised myself to avoid running treadmills as often as I can going forward. I kept hitting my hands on the console, and suffered other small indignities, not the least of which was a persistent cough, which appears to have descended on me in the last 36 hours. So, it was a wholly unsatisfying first outing, but I felt great afterwards and I want to do it again. The next run will be on the road.

I wore the HR monitor, but didn't start it on time, so my metrics aren't worth posting.

Veterans' Day Weekend

I got in two nice runs Friday and Sunday evenings, sandwiched around a day of manual labor on Saturday. I was scheduled for a run on Friday AM but I got a wicked headache on the way home Thursday night and was feeling the residuals on Friday morning. I laid low, went to work and then bailed early. Mrs. Agricola had a meeting Friday afternoon and when I got home we had a baby sitter staying with the kids so I took advantage of that situation and got in a good four miler at around 4:45 PM. I felt really good and enjoyed my trot -- covering the distance in 32:57.

I raked and mowed my yard on Saturday and that was a couple of hours of good solid work -- it was my first yard work since building our patio in October.

Sunday I took the kids out for the day -- a Boston Adventure -- while Mrs. A did some freelance work. After coming home I went for a 5er yesterday (5.3 actually, in 42 minutes). It was a beautiful afternoon and I enjoyed this run as well. These have not been my fastest runs but my legs feel good and my wind is decent -- I'm looking forward to a productive winter and hoping to take advantage of the cooler (colder) temps to build up my mileage.

I'd like to make sure to give my thanks and deepest respect to our veterans who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to defend this country and all for which it stands.

Family Run 2

I met one goal this weekend which was to get out with the whole family for another family run. We did a little different route and had a nice time on a gorgeous day for a 30 minute trot. Mrs. Agricola started out blazing and paid for it at the end. She's getting stronger and as a result is having some trouble with the pacing aspect of her workouts. That's a good problem to have I think; and the pacing piece will work itself out. The kids were ensconced in the stroller with animal buddies and snacks. Child Two was very quiet, uncharacteristically so, and Child One sang "Bingo Was His Name-O" over and over again.
We had a good time and are looking forward to the next run.

I didn't get out for my trail run Sunday, but I did manage to make a huge pot of Chicken Curry and an apple pie, so the day wasn't a total wash.

Family Outing

Yesterday was a beautiful day, and the whole family went for a run. Mrs. Agricola has been running and building up her endurance. We've been going solo for reasons of differing running-fitness-levels and child care stuff, but yesterday we went out together, all four of us. Child One and Child Two rode in the stroller carrying various animal buddies, snack sacks and drinks. They didn't fight or complain until the immediate end and it was a great time with one exception.

For some reason, my kids love to take a spin around the block when either leaving or returning to the neighborhood. So there we were, geared up, loaded up, ready to run . . . and the kids wanted to go around the "blocky," as Child Two calls it. Rather than disgruntle the passengers before departure we humored them. The entire neighborhood was out yesterday and there we were, pushing a laden jogging stroller, wearing our running garb and feeling really self conscious . . . it was a funny in an uncomfortable way. We felt like total dorks.

We endured and hit the road. Mrs. Agricola set the pace -- though running with me she pushed it a bit more than she normally would have -- and recorded a PR! It was a good workout on the 3.3 route that I frequently run and post about up here. It was great fun to have a running buddy, three actually!

Cape Cod Long Run
VTR's family and mine are getting together on the Cape this weekend for some socializing. VTR needs a long run for the CCM and I thought it might be fun to get some people together to help him run it and take on a team approach to his long run. Let me know if you're interested.

Mini Me

For my first ride since Bastille Day I took the elder little artist for a spin in the Park early this morning. It was a successful outing, the first time she didn't need help getting up the hills. We stopped a few times, but in all she was a trooper and loved it and it was truly sad and delightful to see how strong she's grown.

As I figured she'd need me to hop off and on my own bike a few times, I rode the mountain bike I acquired during the first Reagan administration. That was odd. Heavy. No toe clips. The saddle was comparatively comfortable. But as I watched all the roadies whiz past us, I longed to ride again. I am blocking out time and hoping this will be my week.

More on that later, fellas.

Mental Game

Time: 35:26
Avg HR: 154
Peak HR: 178
Calories: 591
Distance: TBD
Start Time: 6:03 AM
Training Effect: 4.5
Temp: 62 F (90% Rel. Humidity)
Date: 7/27/07

This is such a mental thing, running. Yesterday was my day, but I couldn't do it. Like last week, this week has been a grind at work that's leaving me mentally (& physically) tired. Child One lost her stuffed kitty, Meowser, on Wednesday (we found her the next day, it's a good story). We were so bummed out about the possibility of losing Meowser that we were both just wiped. It sounds crazy but that added bit of baggage just kept me in the rack -- i was up at 5:30, I couldn't roll out though.

So, I went today. I took it easy in the first third or so, ran a decent hill and then just sort of fell into a good pace with a strong last mile. It was humid again but this Friday it didn't destroy me. I'm just focusing on heeding temp/humidity and the signs from my body about how to proceed. I need to map this course to get a sense of distance. I'm enjoying the running-for-time thing but without any exact understanding of distance I'm not sure where I stand in relation to my goals for the Falmouth RR which happens in two weeks. That's created a bit of anxiety for me. I'm looking to get a 50-53 minute run in this weekend -- maybe tomorrow to up my weekly run count, or maybe Sunday to start next week strongly. I'll let you know either way.

The Big Weekend

So Mrs. FreeArtist bought a roadie this past spring, and we got out together for the first time today.

We had a big downtown wedding last night and celebrate our anniversary tonight, so Gammy and Poppy FreeArtist have the little artists for the whole weekend. I say, the sense of liberation is palpable. Went out hard last night, got in late, slept in, rose hungover, went for brunch, worked out together, and it ain't over yet. Oh me, oh my.

So anyway we turned three laps together and then I put on a fourth with more verve. It was a big slow ride but I haven't been so relaxed and happy on the bike in a long time. It is a beautiful day here, hot, dry and clear, and the beatiful people are running and sunning all over the Park. I had U2's "40" on the brain, which closed last night's party. All is well. Cheers, gents.

The Numbers:

Time: 1.57.47 hrs
Distance: 24.90 miles
Mx Speed: 25 mph
Av Speed: 12.7 mph
No heart data today.

Happy Birthday

Time: 26:12
Avg HR: 154
Peak HR: 176
Calories: 380
Distance: 3.3 miles
Start Time: 5:51 AM
Training Effect: 3.7
Temp: 60
Date: 7/12/07

I kept it short today because it's Child One's birthday and I didn't want to make her wait to open gifts etc. while I pounded the pavement. It was pretty humid today. I always feel like it's harder to breathe in this type of weather. Not much to report, rally though it was a pretty day, with the sun coming up, into a clearing sky.

Foggy Run

Time: 32:57
Avg HR: 164
Peak HR: 178
Calories: 589
Distance: ~5?
Start Time: 6:03 AM
Training Effect: 4.7
Temp: 60
Date: 7/10/07

It was a foggy day today and therefore somewhat more interesting than the normal morning trot. I actually went out for 41 minutes but neglected to start the watch until 9 minutes in. So the data is for the recorded run. My quads were pretty tight, but I kept on trucking. My goal is to consistently run in the neighborhood of 40 - 45 minutes 2 times each week, with one or two shorter 3 milers thrown in for good measure. I figure 15 - 18 more runs before Falmouth, so I think I'm in a good position for that race.

Vacation Recap
On my 1 July post I mentioned that I wanted to do two 5 milers on the Cape. I did them. The first I did pushing Child Two, the second I did alone. The latter was a bit painful because it was after a nasty lunch that consisted of a fish sandwich (yes, fried, I was on Cape Cod for vacation!)and a cone with the kiddies. These are not optimal training foods (new running rule!), and I had to stop a couple of times because I felt like I was going to hurl. Data is below.

With Child Two
Time: 43:55
Avg HR: 154
Peak HR: 170
Calories: 690
Distance: 5
Start Time: 7:38 AM
Training Effect: 4.7
Temp: n/a
Date: 7/3/07

Solo
Time: 41:42
Avg HR: 164
Peak HR: 176
Calories: 676
Distance: 5
Start Time: 4:59 PM
Training Effect: 5.0
Temp: n/a
Date: 7/5/07

Saturday Stroller Run: BUMP!

Time: 38:07
Avg HR: 157
Peak HR: 171
Distance: TBD
Start Time: 5:00 PM
Training Effect: 4.5
Temp: low-70s
Date: 6/23/07

I pushed Child Two around the town on Saturday for a nice run. I was laboring for the first 25 minutes -- there are more hills in my town than when I took both kids out on Cape Cod, so it was a good tough run. I really started to enjoy it though in the last third when I started goofing around with my boy and going over a bumpy part of the course -- he was giggling and laughing as we shouted "BUMP! at every bump. It was very cool, and the run bore out my observations that over 30 minutes it gets easier, and if I just relax it's easier to run.

Memorial Day Weekend

Here's my log for this past weekend:

Saturday, I cross-trained with Manual Labor. I worked in the yard for a good 4 hours, edging, spreading mulch, trimming various flora and planting a bush. It was good, honest, hard labor, very sweaty and dirty. I was beat the next day.

Sunday Played lacrosse-keep-away on the beach with my nieces. It was a good thirty minutes of stop and start sprinting. I almost blew out my knee, however, when I planted my foot in the sand and my knee locked because my foot didn't move. That would have been nasty.

Monday I went running with two of my favorite people -- my kids. I threw them in the double-jogger and went out for 36:43, with an average HR of 153 and a max of 168. We covered 4.2 miles and it went very well -- no real fighting and no real demands made by my little passengers. We had a nice chat and both serenaded me the whole way. When you figure that my little ones weigh a combined 60 pounds and the stroller weighs nearly 20, and you factor in blankets, snacks and stuffed animals I was pushing around 80 pounds and that changes the workout. I have to say though, that once you get the cargo rolling you actually have to restrain the whole thing -- so, while you're pushing, you're also holding back. We ran on the shoulder at times, in sand and grass, and that really added a whole different dimension to the workout too. Despite the fact that the Cape route is pretty flat, the off-road effort made it seem like running up-hill. I'd love to go out with my kiddies every week and given that they behaved so well, I think I will try it again this weekend.

How'd the race go VTR? I'm looking forward to the post.