Finished my run for today. The run went well except that I started off with too aggressive a pace and had to cut my initial 10 minute run short. So I ended up running 8 minute, walking 5, running 12, walking 8. The goal was 30 minutes but I ended up 3 minutes walk from home so that’s why there’s extra. According to google maps I ended up moving 2.1 miles total.

I have played hockey and been on a number of bike rides (I can do 20 miles easily on the bike), but running uses totally different muscles. My main problem is that my lower legs just aren’t ready to run. I walk with my wife so that motion is fine, but as soon as I start to go into the running motion my calves and shins start screaming. It’s getting better though. I’m able to do ~10 minutes continuously now which is a big improvement. I just need to make sure I keep my pace down since after all my goal is to build up those muscles… not to tear them apart by working them too hard.

One really cool thing I noticed is that running outside really makes the time fly by. Running on a treadmill indoors seems like it takes forever, but outdoors I barely noticed the time. Oh… and it sure is hot outside. I’m glad I picked up one of these drink bottles on Friday:

Also, here’s an excerpt from Mom’s most recent email:

I ran 54 minutes today. I must be insane to have started this running
program in July and August on the Gulf Coast. It was already hot and
90% humidity at 6:30 am this morning. But I figure if I can run now
in the heat and humidity it only has to get easier as the weather
gets cooler. At least I know that my sweat glands are fully
functional. I did not realize I have so many on the top of my head.

One thing I learned is that if you are a woman, do not put your
running shorts on in a hurry. The elastic goes all the way around and
in a hurry one can confuse the front with the back and there is a
definite front and back. So if you slip them on too quickly one can
get fabric in body crevices where one does not want fabric. Now I
look for the little string and put that in front. I prefer to use
men’s running shorts, the legs are longer and since my legs are more
than a half century old that fact is postive. In addition men’s
shorts have pockets. What do they think, women don’t ever need
pockets to put things in or maybe they think we are going to go
running carrying a purse. Whatever.