Skip to main content

Getting started

Hi.  I'm Chris.  This is me:
 OK so that's maybe not the best pic to start off a running blog.  Here's another shot during the same run:
Anyway, that's me running in the 2014 Carrabba's 1/2 marathon relay.  I recently did a practice "lecture" on running and its benefits.  I had to cut many parts of what I wanted to say, which had already been pared down considerably.  The presenter that followed me started talking about creative outlets, pointed right at me, and told me that I should start a running blog.  So.... here it is.  My first shot at a running blog.  I'm not 100% sure where I'll go with this just yet.  2016 has brought on a lot of changes.  One of the main ones is moving from San Antonio, Texas to San Angelo, Texas.  Sure it's only about 200 miles and the climate is very similar.  But it is a world apart in what I've found for running so far.  Granted, I have only been here for 3 weeks.  One of my challenges will be finding quality running locations.  I have already discovered that the area around my apartment won't work.  The state park a few miles down the road has 60 miles of trails!  and many rattlesnakes! and mountain lions! and costs $7 each time I enter.  I will definitely use the park while training for trail races, just not often.  Not only will be running trails be a challenge, a running partner will be a challenge.  My wife runs with me occasionally.  I love it, but we often have different goals.  She has no desire to run more than a 5k (let's be honest, I'm stoked she ever has the desire to run a 5k) and I've got a goal of finishing a 100 Miler within the next 3-5 years.  I had a great training group full of friends and fun in San Antonio.  They're irreplaceable but I'll have to look for something.  
Another big change is my eating and training philosophy.  At least, I'm going to try.  I've been following Mark Sisson's books on the Primal Diet for 21 days now.  I'm down 8 pounds and feeling good!  Haven't grown back any hair yet though.  Tomorrow starts my adherence to not only the primal style of eating while training (I've been resting since the 21 March Prickly Pear 50K and have probably only run 50k since then) and tying it in with Dr. Phil Maffetone's style of "less is more" training philosophy.  I have my first MAF test tomorrow and am interested to see how that goes. (45 minutes without letting your heart rate go into anaerobic.  My max, according to Maffetone's formula, is 153.)  I'll let you know how it goes!

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fanciness, gardens, and you're a guey

 Day 4 was "supposed" to take place mainly outside. The forecast called for rain most of the day and, well, it looked like we would be running ourselves ragged to make the self-imposed time hacks. So, we made a little adjustment. We still decided to go to a couple different gardens. However, we needed breakfast first (let's be honest, it was second breakfast for this hobbit). We went to Confiteria La Ideal for a fantastic breakfast. I had thought it was a smaller place to grab a coffee and snack and then be on our way. However, we walked in and realized it's not that type of spot. The cafe originally opened in 1912 and was long considered the best example of porteno (coming from Buenos Aires) gastronomy for the best part of the 20th century. They closed their doors in 2016 but reopened in 2022 after a massive restoration project.  We also saw that we were way underdressed. Luckily, we could play the ignorant tourist card and, if need be, I could always speak horrendou...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shannon Trail Series Finale 2018

We're getting ready for the third race of the Shannon Trail Series on February 17th!  I didn't write race report blogs but I wanted to do a little of that mixed with a preview of what to watch/run for in the next race.  Mike is bringing Dennis and I in to teach us how to race direct in hopes that one (or both) of us will take over some races in the future.  And, I think, so he can rest a bit.  After doing just a portion of the work, I can totally see why.  Since I was running around before and after the races trying to learn and make sure things were going well, I didn't get any pictures.  I've got some pics that others took that I'll throw in here. Race one took place at Middle Concho Park.  It was freezing that morning, with temperatures in the mid 20s at the start.  I was almost ready for that.  I forgot to wear warm socks so my toes were frozen but everything else was good.  The race had a bigger turnout than I expected with the co...
Post a Comment
Read more

Swag bag

 It's been a busy few weeks since I wrote my last post  about the state parks we've been visiting.  Well, we did it again.  I wanted to roll up our trip to Jordan Lake with an update on the Csapo Family 5k and a shortened write up from our in-person 5k.  So, let's get to it. We hit up state park #5, Jordan Lake, a few weeks ago.  Just a bit outside of Raleigh, the man-made Jordan Lake is the 7th largest lake in the state.  Upon its several inlets, the state park includes several campgrounds, boat launches, and recreation areas.  We wanted a 2-3 mile trail so we went with the red trail at Vista Point.  Many of the other trails were either different distances or accessible only to campers.  The red trail has an inauspicious beginning as it's located kind of near a rentable pavilion.  It took us a minute to find it as there wasn't much of a trailhead sign.  Furthermore, it is a path through the woods, not quite the obviously delin...
Post a Comment
Read more