#19

Yesterday was my scheduled cardio day, but I was so tired when I got back I procrastinated and didn't get out of the house, nor get on the stepper. I wished I had done some running, and I'm not making any excuses, but I think a bit of rest was better. In any case, that meant more evening time to spend with the Mrs.

We had a staff training day today which I opted to go for, because a) I got paid a day's work to attend, and b) the place it was held is directly opposite where we live - I could sprint there in twenty seconds! There were three sessions, and the first was really good, showing how to deliver instrumental tuition in a group context, but the others sort of fizzled out and weren't that promising. Still, being paid to put bum on seat isn't that bad.

Did 3.5 miles of running today. It felt really cold when I left so I put on a thermal, but after the 30 minutes the sun came out and I was really boiling. The last time that happened a couple of Fridays ago, I got the flu after that, so I'll make sure that doesn't happen again. The first 3 miles were run at a really easy 7:45 pace, and then I just jogged/trotted/plodded the remaining half-mile. I didn't really have any energy because I hadn't eaten properly all day.

I'm close to reaching the half-way mark of my 50 cardio sessions/runs and I'm pleased with how things are going. I can't say how more efficient it's made me at work - I have to do things quickly to free up time to exercise, and thinking about that, as well as the run I have to do, makes the stresses of work seem insignificant.

I've been listening to the podcasts on EnduranceRadio.com and some of things people do are inspiring - hundred milers and all that. That's nearly four marathons back to back and challenges the perception that the marathon/triathlon is the epitomy of distance training. It's interesting, for me, to think how those endurance athletes have to balance running, nutrition, temperature AND sleep deprivation over the course of the hundred miles. Phew! Imagine someone talking about hitting the wall... at mile 60!

For me, however, while I read about the exploits of triathletes and marathoners (and rowers!), I think the distance I prefer best is the half-marathon. I like it because I can achieve that distance based on the level of training I'm doing - which is really minimal, three runs of twenty to thirty minutes a week. Also, I consider that to be a good blend of distance, speed and logistics. I can carry enough water in my Camelbak for a half-marathon and run with it - I just feel that aid and water stations along the course of a distance like a marathon sort of degrade that self-sufficiency aspect; it's no longer a race you run on your own. The half-marathon, for me, is also a matter of speed-endurance: being able to run a fairly fast mile repeatedly over the course of thirteen miles. I don't see it as a difficult distance to cover but more as a challenge of speed than anything else. I have no endeavours to run a marathon - or "run/walk" it. If I'm going to walk it, how different is it from daily life? And as I said earlier, the 26.2 miles is a matter of perspective and the people doing 100-milers make it seem less of a big deal. Nor do I have any ambitions to race and push myself to the point where I throw up along the course. I exercise to keep fit, so that when I'm older I'll have a better-functioning body than most people who didn't work to keep it that way.

Of course, that's not everyone's line of thought. Still, I will not allow my journey to be sidetracked by those who choose a different path to mine.