So, I am happy to report that yesterday's run was a success. I have the results posted below:
Scott Pierson Test Run at Garmin Connect
Test Run Map
Somehow, it managed to not start raining until I had gotten home, not quite sure how I managed that one. Still, gotta appreciate the little things. This run officially puts me at running over 20 miles a week, which means that I intend to be at 25/weekly within two weeks, and 30/weekly within a month. That should put me well on the path for being ready for any runs that happen to come my way.
Speaking of which, I happened to be up in Seattle yesterday selling one of my old motorcycle jackets on Craigslist, and decided that it would be worthwhile to swing into Super Jock and Jill and sign up directly for the Seattle Marathon. I had heard that it was supposed to be the definitive running store for Seattle, with products that I couldn't find anywhere else (I wasn't planning to buy any, but I heard that they sold the barefoot running shoes I was considering last year). After fighting the horrible Seattle traffic and the agony of finding parking, I'm afraid I have to say I was rather disappointed. The store was about twice the size of South Sound Running here in Tacoma, but their selection was virtually the same, the same three brands (Nike, Adidas, and Brooks) that I could find at any Big Five or Sports Authority. Yes, they had a very well trained and helpful staff, yes they provide a central hub for the areas runners, but it still felt sorely lacking.
I mentioned later to my father, when he asked me what exactly I was looking for in these running stores, that I keep expecting to find something more like performance bicycle- a store packed floor to ceiling with products; a wide variety of brands, including obscure lines that you can't find anywhere else; and a general feeling that the store exists for one purpose only- to get you out enjoying your sport as conveniently as possible. For the record, I only complain because I worry about these smaller stores. It's not that I don't expect them to survive in the coming years, its just that they have so much potential to grow that they are letting go to waste. Running is a booming sport, and these stores should be growing by leaps and bounds. Instead they feel like they're stagnating.
After I told him all of this, my father mentioned that I need to check out Fleet Feet in Bonney Lake, since they sound more like what I have been looking for in a running store. I am going to need to replace my running shoes reasonable soon, so I will have to make a point of checking them out.
One last item- yesterday my copy of A Step Beyond: A Definitive Guide to Ultrarunning arrived. I haven't gotten very far into it, but so far it looks promising. I will have to report back later on anything useful I gleam from it.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Training
I've been trying to run 20 miles a week, more or less. Currently that means I need to clock in about 10 miles tomorrow morning. I'm thinking I'll follow the Scott Pierson trail here in Tacoma, but I haven't decided yet if I should run to the trail, or drive over and start my run there. I only live about a mile from the south end of it, but it means a dip through Nalley Valley, and that could be dangerous. Not really sure hopping back in the car when I'm all sweaty just to drive a blooming mile is any better of an idea though.
With any luck it won't be raining by tomorrow morning, at the very least, although my weatherbug is not very optimistic on that front.
Currently my first goal of the season is the Tacoma Narrows Half-Marathon coming up August 7th, which will be followed by the Seattle Marathon at the end of November. Hopefully I'll actually maintain my routine over this next winter, and will be able to move on to even bigger plans by this time next year.
Gah, I really hope the weather is better tomorrow. I really don't want to run in the rain.
With any luck it won't be raining by tomorrow morning, at the very least, although my weatherbug is not very optimistic on that front.
Currently my first goal of the season is the Tacoma Narrows Half-Marathon coming up August 7th, which will be followed by the Seattle Marathon at the end of November. Hopefully I'll actually maintain my routine over this next winter, and will be able to move on to even bigger plans by this time next year.
Gah, I really hope the weather is better tomorrow. I really don't want to run in the rain.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Special Saturday Report
I am not sure what surprises me more right now- how not tired I feel after just pulling a 65 hour week, or how much I am looking forward to the next 9 or so. At this time last week, I knew I had to crank up my hours, but I was not sure if I would feel burned out after just a week of it or not. I am happy to report that so far I feel no such ill effects. In fact, when I woke up this morning, I was struck by the fact that this would be my last free Saturday until the end of April, which just led me to think of all the extra work I would be able to get done. That was when I realized I had already entered stage two of tax season.
These are actually the five stages of running, but over the years I have adapted them to the overall tax season, since both long runs and long work hours require much the same skill set- that being a great deal of concentration, constitution, and training. The five stages (adrenaline, excitement, focus, grit, and pain) are good indicators your overall health at any given point during the season, but sadly there is not much you can do to counter their effects other than to stop and rest, a luxury which you cannot afford during either a run or a busy March rush.
But enough about work.
I have been developing a taste for a band called Iron & Wine lately, which has led me to develop a great interest in the folk revival movement. I have been eating up the works or Bon Iver, William Fitzsimmons, Horse Feathers, and The Tallest Man on Earth. It is great music for when I am working through a tax return or just relaxing at home reading a book. I might even try running to some of it, though fear of being surprised by a dog will probably keep that from happening.
Speaking of running, I managed a run on Thursday, just a short 2 miler, but still impressive, especially since it was 7 PM after a 13 hour workday when I finally headed out. I thought I might actually fall asleep while I was moving, but fear of hitting a rock in the dark kept me alert. It was actually quite enjoyable when it was said and done, so I may just try it again.
Of LOST, I will say nothing more than I highly enjoyed the first episode of this season, and look forward to more.
Well, I had best be off. I have some things to deal with today, which is why I am not at work, actually. Even though we officially do not start Saturdays until next weekend, I am the only member of my team not in the office today. Of course, I am also the only member who is not a partner or who was not out on audits all week, but there is still plenty I could be getting done. But I will save that for Monday.
Till tomorrow then.
These are actually the five stages of running, but over the years I have adapted them to the overall tax season, since both long runs and long work hours require much the same skill set- that being a great deal of concentration, constitution, and training. The five stages (adrenaline, excitement, focus, grit, and pain) are good indicators your overall health at any given point during the season, but sadly there is not much you can do to counter their effects other than to stop and rest, a luxury which you cannot afford during either a run or a busy March rush.
But enough about work.
I have been developing a taste for a band called Iron & Wine lately, which has led me to develop a great interest in the folk revival movement. I have been eating up the works or Bon Iver, William Fitzsimmons, Horse Feathers, and The Tallest Man on Earth. It is great music for when I am working through a tax return or just relaxing at home reading a book. I might even try running to some of it, though fear of being surprised by a dog will probably keep that from happening.
Speaking of running, I managed a run on Thursday, just a short 2 miler, but still impressive, especially since it was 7 PM after a 13 hour workday when I finally headed out. I thought I might actually fall asleep while I was moving, but fear of hitting a rock in the dark kept me alert. It was actually quite enjoyable when it was said and done, so I may just try it again.
Of LOST, I will say nothing more than I highly enjoyed the first episode of this season, and look forward to more.
Well, I had best be off. I have some things to deal with today, which is why I am not at work, actually. Even though we officially do not start Saturdays until next weekend, I am the only member of my team not in the office today. Of course, I am also the only member who is not a partner or who was not out on audits all week, but there is still plenty I could be getting done. But I will save that for Monday.
Till tomorrow then.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Beginning of The End
Somehow I entirely forgot about posting an entry on Sunday until sometime on Tuesday. Not entirely sure how that happened, but will make up for it later, perhaps a post on Friday when I am not as tired as I am right now, and very tired I am.
I technically should have been in bed 10 minutes ago, and I still have to pack a lunch, but I wanted to at least pen a short entry. I was informed by my wife that the last season of LOST has officially started airing, which we will, hopefully, be watching on Friday. I have been awaiting this season with equal parts excitement and dread. There was a time when I obsessed overly too much about LOST, but so many other new shows have appeared since then, that it has become more of an old, stable friend. Of course, I have yet to encounter any other show that brings me such enjoyment to watch, or that has that level of surprise and mystery. I hope one day to find another show that measures up to it, but that has not happened yet.
What I am trying to say is that, come what may in this last season, good or ill, it has been a wonderful journey. I first started watching LOST when I was a Sophomore in college, and now find my life completely different at the show's end. So let us see what this last chapter has in store, enjoy both its highs and lows, and in the end we shall dust ourselves off, and see what else is out there in the world.
Did that last sentence make any sense? I cannot tell. Bah, I am going to bed.
I technically should have been in bed 10 minutes ago, and I still have to pack a lunch, but I wanted to at least pen a short entry. I was informed by my wife that the last season of LOST has officially started airing, which we will, hopefully, be watching on Friday. I have been awaiting this season with equal parts excitement and dread. There was a time when I obsessed overly too much about LOST, but so many other new shows have appeared since then, that it has become more of an old, stable friend. Of course, I have yet to encounter any other show that brings me such enjoyment to watch, or that has that level of surprise and mystery. I hope one day to find another show that measures up to it, but that has not happened yet.
What I am trying to say is that, come what may in this last season, good or ill, it has been a wonderful journey. I first started watching LOST when I was a Sophomore in college, and now find my life completely different at the show's end. So let us see what this last chapter has in store, enjoy both its highs and lows, and in the end we shall dust ourselves off, and see what else is out there in the world.
Did that last sentence make any sense? I cannot tell. Bah, I am going to bed.
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