Success, Failure, or To Be Determined?

Six months ago I set out to see if a fat man could run again.  This is what I said...

This is my goal: Six months from today, June 21st 2012, I, Michael David Terrell, will be running again.

Did I make it?  The short answer is, yes, my goal was acheived.  To leave it at that would not really do justice to the last six months.

To review, the reason I started this experiment was three-fold:

1. I missed running, despite how much I love cycling.
2. The concept of "barefoot running" came on the scene and was intriguing.
3. I wanted another avenue for exercise that was not as time or equipment intensive as cycling.

First, do I still like running?  Yeah, but not nearly as much as cycling.  If I had to choose between the two, cycling would win hands down without a second thought.  Running is certainly enjoyable enough that I will continue with it.  That and running a 5k race is fun.

Second, did the whole "barefoot running" thing work out the way I had hoped?  Yeah, pretty much.  Granted, I'm not actually running "barefoot".  I do wear shoes that could best be described as running slippers.  Their only real job is to protect my foot from objects I might step on.  A few caveats should be mentioned for those with an interest in trying the same experiment:

• Currently, I run about twice a week for about 30 minutes at a time.  That is it.  No high mileage for me.
• It is hard to imagine doing anything more than a 10k race.  At this point, I have no desire or ambition for anything more.
• There was a lot of time put into the transition from no-running to barefoot-running.  Anyone thinking of trying a barefoot running style should: 1) thoroughly educate themselves regarding good, natural running mechanics, 2) start with very small distances, 3) build themselves up slowly, and 4) listen to what their bodies are trying to tell them.  Those who fail to listen will suffer the consequences.  You've been warned!!!
• I have had the benefit of having a well-trained and experienced orthopaedic physical therapist to consult (that would be me, by the way).  Not to toot my own horn too much, but I know what I'm doing.

Lastly, is running a good alternative to cycling?  Honestly, this is where I am getting my main motivation to continue running.  Here is a good example...this past weekend we spent time with Michelle's family for Christmas.  This involved driving to McBain, then to Midland, and then back to Grand Rapids.  I loaded and unloaded the van more times than I can remember.  If I had added a bike and the necessary cold weather bike gear, it might have sent me over the edge.  Packing for running is much simpler.  Also, finding time for 30-40 minute run is easier than a 1-2 hour bike ride.  Running was a much better fit than cycling.

How is my right knee feeling?  To be honest, it is not pain-free with running.  Right medial knee pain was the reason I stopped running in the first place.  My hope was that the barefoot-style of running would solve that little problem.  I'm not convinced that it has.  On the other hand, it has not worsened or gotten to the "this isn't worth it stage".  I need more time and a more consistent running schedule to see how this pans out in the long-term.  I only ran once between Thanksgiving and Christmas (not because I didn't want to, but life just got real busy).  The new year should be better for consistency.

Am I a runner?  That is not how I see myself.  I am a cyclist who runs on occasion.

So, how will my experiment continue?  As I mentioned above, I will probably stick with a couple runs a week for around 30 minutes at a time.  There will probably be the occasional 5k and maybe, just maybe a 10k race sometime in the vague and distant future.  Running will always be supplementary and secondary to cycling.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I go through no-running stretches as I'm preparing for big rides.

Yeah, that sounds pretty reasonable to me.  How does that sound to you?

The Occasional Update and Exericse ADD

Over the last several weeks, my runs have been 30 minutes/3 miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Admittedly, this is really nothing to write home about.  What's the big deal, right?

Well, they are getting easier.  That's what.  There is less right knee discomfort.  Less right lower leg fatigue.  I feel like I can go a little longer.

I've even been able to "pick up the pace" at the end of the runs, which feels really good.  Let's face it, fast is fun.

There was a period of time where I thought I might be stuck at the 5k distance.  I was beginning to think it was all my body could handle on a regular basis.  I think this will be true for a while, but adaptation is slowly taking place.

In the beginning of my little experiment, my body was changing quickly.  I could add some distance on a regular basis.  Now, it feels like I need to spend more and more time at a given distance before I move up a notch.

Some of the barrier seems psychological vs physical.  When I made it to the 5k distance there was a You've made it!!! type of thought in my head.  That thought put me into a take it easy and just run mindset.  There is really nothing wrong with this but I knew deep down I would eventually have to move beyond it.

As a rule, I get bored easily with workouts.  I need to be constantly changing things up to make it interesting.  Part of the problem comes from having such a wealth of knowledge & experience about exercise, the human body, physiology, and different training techniques.

During a typical run, I probably change my mind on what I'm going to do, how far I'm going to go, and what pace I will run about a dozen times.  I call it Exercise ADD.  My mind shoots from one idea to another like a dog in a room full of squirrels.  It does keep things interesting.

The problem with Exercise ADD is that you never really get to see the results of a particular exercise routine.  As an example, let's say I was to do 2:1 intervals while running (that would be twice as much slow pace running vs fast).  If I was to do this, consistently, for a month, I could do a before and after test on my 5k time.  Now, let's say I get to the second 2:1 run and decide to make it 3:1 or 1.5:1 or race pace run.  Then the third run is long, steady pace.  The fourth run is back to a 2:1 interval.  By the time the month is up, I won't be able to tell what effect the 2:1 intervals had because I won't have done them consistently enough.

I have to admit that deep down I don't really care.  I like mixing things up and being imaginative.  What exactly am I training for anyways?  Fun is more important than "good training principles".

Just Cruisin' Along

There hasn't been a post since October 4th...hmmm.  Why not?

As I mentioned in recent posts, my running has really transitioned to a less intense, maintenance phase.  Basically, there isn't much to talk about.  Over the last several weeks I have run on Tuesday & Thursday mornings.  I get up, help get the kids ready, see Hannah onto the bus and then take off for a 30 minute run (give or take a little).

I don't even keep track of time while I'm running.  My Garmin 500 beeps every 10 minutes, but otherwise I'm not keeping track.  Why do I do this?

Good question.  My running is really for enjoyment and some exercise.  It feels good to get out there and run.  It feels good to know that I've done something healthy before I even go to work.

When I get to the 6 month mark on my little experiment, I will re-evaluate how I am doing and will declare goal met or goal not met.  At this time, I don't see any real problems.

It's all relative

Last Wednesday I rode my bike for 103 miles.  It took about 6.5 hours of riding and 7.5 hours of total time.  That's a lot of time.

After doing a ride like that, a 1-2 hour ride doesn't really seem like all that much, even if you are riding really hard for that 1-2 hours.  Thirty miles seems like a long ways until you remember the 103 mile ride.

By contrast, my typical run takes between 30-35 minutes.  By the 30 minute mark of a bike ride, I'm getting nicely warmed up.

Back in 2008-2009, when I transitioned to cycling from running, a 45-60 minute bike ride seemed like a really long ride.  Most of my runs were probably in the 30-35 minute range, at that point.

Before too long, that 45 minute bike ride didn't seem like a whole lot.  In fact, I started to feel like I needed to ride for at least 60 minutes for it to be even worth it.

It's all relative.

Three to four years later and I have done multiple century rides and many training rides in the 50-90 mile range, which will last 4-6 hours.  My perception of "a lot" of exercise has changed.  A 30 minute run feels good but it does not feel like an extreme exertion.  This morning I did a 34 minute/3.4 mile run before work.  Am I really tired?  No.  Am I really sore?  No.  Do I feel wasted for the day?  Not even close.

Cycling has been good for my running.  It has given me perspective.  I have seen "hard" and this is not it.

My hope is that the running will also be good for the cycling side of me.  Running is a good alternative if I am in a cycling rut.  Running challenges the body in a different way (any triathelete will tell you that).  It is something I can do when I don't have a lot of free time but I really need some physical exertion.  It is also a lot easier to pack for a weekend away with Michelle's family if all I will plan to do is a run (there is just plain-and-simple less stuff to bring).