run jim run!

Backpack: Osprey Aether 85

2009-03-24T00:16:00.000-07:00

In addition to training I'm starting a series of posts about the gear I will be using. Last week I went to Eastern Mountain Sports in Albany and was properly fitted for a backpack. This included chest measurements and weight bearing tests. The majority of pack weight should ride comfortably on the hips and not tight on the back. I chose the Osprey Aether 85:

Many years ago when I did my first long distance touring trip to Kansas City, I carried a backpack for the first three days of my trip. As many touring cyclists can attest, bicycling with a back pack is back pain. After cycling with a backpack for thirteen days I learned my lesson: take proper weight distribution seriously, and take the weight off the back for long trips. On this trip weight distribution is critical. As I will be traveling solo with a minimum ten days of food and water, I will be carrying over forty pounds of food, water, and gear. The size-large 5400 cubic inches Aether 85 fits my frame well. The pack rests snug on my hips, with little potential for chafing around the shoulder strap. Additionally, I can also have the straps heat molded to fit my hips more snugly.

Appalachian Trail 2009: Glencliff, New Hampshire to Katahdin, Maine

2009-03-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

Description

400+ mile self-supported solo hike on the AT

Timeframe

Approximately three weeks, mid-late June to mid-July, 2009

Location

Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine

Personal Challenge

Trekking through the 100-mile Wilderness solo

Training

Daily conditioning based on Willett's plan:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=184425

2008-10-19T15:37:00.001-07:00

So I am seriously out of whack with my workout routine, and I need to start keeping track for increased motivation. So here goes:

Wednesday (10/15), 7 miles ride, 1.2 miles run at 5% incline, crunches, free weights (50)

Thursday (10/16, 8 miles ride, 1.2 miles run at 5%+ incline, crunches, free weights

Friday (10/17), 8 miles ride, crunches, free weights

Saturday (10/18), 8 miles ride, 100 crunches, 35 min cycle through Nautilus machines at the gym

Sunday (10/19), 8 miles ride, 100 crunches, 35 min cycle through Nautilus machines at the gym, outside 5 lap run on the track, what a beautiful run weather-wise

50/50

2008-01-14T05:41:00.001-08:00

I have learned a number of important things this week about running:

(1) I need to get properly fitted for a pair of running shoes. Helloooooo 15th-o-the-month paycheck!

(2) Running on cement is way more brutal than running on asphalt (Thanks Kevin for that info)

(3) Yoga is really, really important for me to do a couple times a week in order to properly untighten my hip muscles.

(4) I need to eat more quality food and not eat dissertation-burritos.

(5) I am back to a regular weight lifting schedule because running doesn't do very much for the upper body (ddduuhh jim).

^I am learning a lot about physiology because of this high impact training. I now know what a hernia actually is (thanks Weird Al!).

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Ok, so on the plus side: the dissertation work is coming along very well this week!

2008-01-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

My running resolution for the new year is to do extensive pre and post stretches. I've been doing them all week like a religion, and I feel considerably better. The week before I had to take off completely because the right side of my inner thigh was hurting. I've been running for an hour every other day on the treadmill to get back into proper condition. Here's to an injury free 2007!

Data? What data?

2007-12-17T01:43:00.000-08:00

So I finally received my new toy, the Nike + IPod running kit. I was excited to try it out on ran Saturday night, only to learn that it was in sore need of proper calibration. So Sunday afternoon I calibrate the system on my treadmill, and later in the evening I decide to do a full run even though there is about a foot of snow on the ground. The whole course I am thinking, "Data! Data! I am making Data!" Meanwhile, approximately half the time involved me carefully strategizing a run resembling more a series of jumps, something like those tire courses the military uses. When I finished the run, I eagerly checked my IPod only to realize I had forgotten to hit the "Start Run" menu option. So much for my elusive data!

I need to read up more on the impact of these winter runs. I am running lately on extremely uneven surfaces and am jumping frequently, which has lead to some soreness for the first mile and a half/two miles of each run. However there doesn't seem to be any additional muscle problems post-Run. Also, big props over to Bill HD for his one year anniversary marker!

errata of the finals week

2007-12-13T04:13:00.001-08:00

I need to make sure I am doing a proper stretching regimen. The distances are starting to get serious, and as Bill has talked about this week the chances of injury increase. In other news I'm currently waiting anxiously for my IPod running kit to come in the mail, which will allow me to post graphs and data from my longer runs. Today is more cross training and swimming.

Sunday, December 10

2007-12-09T23:01:00.000-08:00

Sunday is the day I increase my base distance. Today I increased from 5 miles to 6 miles (At least I think it's roughly six miles, I need to use Google Maps later to figure out roughly how far it actually is). The temperature was considerably more forgiving, hovering somewhere in the vicinity of 30 Fahrenheit. I'll post a map later of my route later.

State of the Run

2007-12-07T01:19:00.000-08:00

Progress at 5m. Sunday will mark an increase to 6M. Yesterday night I ran through the falling snow (17 degrees Fahrenheit) with little discomfort of any sort. Cross training: check!

five mile mark

2007-12-04T00:49:00.000-08:00

The last few runs have been the five mile mark. Cross training is going per usual, swimming 20-40 minutes three or four times a week, walking on rest days to/from campus, and of course bicycling. I'm currently running with three layers of clothing (thermal, light hoodie, safety vest), a scarf, hat, gloves and sweat pants. So far that rig is holding up OK at 20 degrees. I've also shifted my route. Instead of running in big circle six times, I'm now doing a .7 mile warm up run around Northwind Drive, and then running to Olds Hall and back on the River trail and Grand River. This route also provides me with inclines and declines, as well as diversifying my scenery. I'm excited to hit the 6 mile mark.

Accountability

2007-11-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

20 degrees Fahrenheit outside and I am going to run in an hour. I'm posting this here so I have to run in an hour, now that I have written I will do so. Winter is here. Time to get tough with the weather real quick.

Post-Turkey Day Update

2007-11-25T21:14:00.000-08:00

I had the strange experience of working out in the Detroit airport yesterday during an absurdly long layover, particularly given the 60 mile distance to Lansing. So, I decided to work out at the airport. With little cameras surely following my movement, I hiked from terminal to terminal with my all-in-one pack for about two hours, covering approximately four and a half miles of distance. Not bad. I then did crunches and backpack curls in an empty gate area. The effect of this was a success physically, but the economic cost was high. Mental note for future: empty contents of all pockets and secure them in my pack.

Today was back to running. I did the same continuous four mile run I did last week, and ran the distance with little effort. I will maintain this four mile distance for an additional week and increase next week to five miles. I'm excited to get back to the pool again this week. I've had no chance to swim Wednesday - Sunday on account of my travels.

other stuff

I'm wearing a safety vest now so I'll be visible at night. I've been freaked out by cars a few times this past week.

Update: November 20

2007-11-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

Cross training is going really well. I'm doing the economics of compounding running. I don't do a long run, but every other day I run a set weekly amount with a 10-15% increase. This week is four miles. Next week will be 4.6 Miles. The week after will be 5.4 miles. The week after will be 6 miles. And so forth. I'm either swimming, walking, or bicycling on the cross-training day, and this has been going well. I'll start posting daily summaries again after Turkey day.

11/13/2007

2007-11-14T00:42:00.001-08:00

I woke up today with a massive, debilitating headache and went back to sleep. I think I may have had an allergic reaction to something. I'm still not sure. Around 6PM I was 90% active again and cross-trained over the course of the next eight hours.

45 minutes of laps (3 strokes)
15 miles of commuter bicycling
3.5 mile run
110 crunches

My calves are a little sore tonight so I will maintain the same 3.5 mile base for another week, and then move up to 4.0 miles.

11/12/2007 && 11/11/2007

2007-11-13T01:38:00.000-08:00

Today:

40 minutes of laps (crawl, breathe stroke, back stroke)
100 crunches
5 miles bicycle-commuting

Yesterday:

3.5 miles run
100 crunches
3 miles bicycle-commuting

OK - A start!

2007-11-12T19:20:00.000-08:00

I'm not a runner. I've never been a runner. I suppose that is one good reason why a marathon seems like a worthwile objective. I'm currently cross training. I'm swimming most weekdays, bicycling for transportation purposes, and running every other day. My intermediate fitness goal is to run a comfortable 15K by January/February. I plan to maintain and build from that base until March, where I will do two long runs a week until the big event in May. This blog will be a daily record of my progress in meeting these goals!