Welcome to My Running Journey
Hella Nice Day for a Run
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Run Cadence | Max Run Cadence | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent | Avg Stride Length |
5/13/2024 13:50 | Twin Falls Running | 3.1 | 392 | 0:29:02 | 143 | 153 | 161 | 170 | 9:22 | 7:36 | 89 | 128 | 1.07 |
This was the maybe the first day this year I could get dress in a tank and shorts and not be cold at all. I just couldn’t help going on a run, especially right now. Currently I am working from home as a teacher, and I have over an hour of “prep” time. But when you’re online all day, with no actuall face-to-face, you don’t need prep time. So I went running instead. In fact, I’ll probably do this all week. I did well too. I do remember the days when a 25 was really good for me, but I fear those days might be gone. I’m not making excuses, but I’m a lifter first, runner second. The fact is, muscle mass is extermely helpful in sprints, but not long distance. Think about how the fastest sprinters look like mini bodybuilders and the long distance guys look like walking sticks. I accept that, but I still try to get faster.
Slow but Long
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Run Cadence | Max Run Cadence | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent | Avg Stride Length |
5/11/2024 14:17 | Twin Falls Running | 7.75 | 1,091 | 1:26:31 | 146 | 165 | 156 | 165 | 11:10 | 8:54 | 276 | 246 | 0.93 |
One of the things I’ve always known would help me run faster in any distance, is to run a longer one. I have found this to be true for me at every level of distance. However, running a 10k is already a time committment of over an hour for me. Especially when you count warmups and cooldowns. But I decided to go long anyway. My time pretty much sucks but I suppose I shouldn’t have high expectations for a run that is almost 15% longer than my body is used to. In any case, I don’t expect that one longer run will have a significant impact on my 10k. And truthfully, I don’t expect this to be a regular occurrence. I guess we’ll see.
3rd 5k
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Run Cadence | Max Run Cadence | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent | Avg Stride Length |
5/4/2024 18:33 | Twin Falls Running | 3.09 | 406 | 0:28:55 | 151 | 168 | 161 | 175 | 9:21 | 7:23 | 72 | 121 | 1.07 |
The main reason I did 2 5k’s before this is that I would be gone for the weekend. My daughter graduated from Boise State. We left Friday around 2 and got back the next day around 6. Since ‘vacation’ with 4 kids is no vacation, especially when you have stuff non-stop to go to, it is not vacation at all. My vacations will begin in 11 years when my son moves (or gets booted) out. In any case, I needed to blow off some steam and so I went on another run. That’s 3 this week.
My running journey doesn’t always end up like I expect, but it did give me a chance to push myself more that I would for a 10k. However, I have to admit, it is a little bit discouraging that my time just isn’t very good. I feel like I should be able to at least get 25 or faster. My priority is building muscle mass in the gym, so it’s not like I’m built like a runner. I do have quite a bit more muscle to lug around than if I were strictly training for running. That’s my excuse at least.
2nd 5k
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Run Cadence | Max Run Cadence | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent | Avg Stride Length |
Running | 5/2/2024 15:23 | Twin Falls Running | 3.1 | 432 | 0:28:51 | 160 | 182 | 163 | 174 | 9:19 | 7:00 | 36 | 184 | 1.06 |
I’m a man of my word. I said I’d do 2 5k’s in a row and I did. Nothing to write home about but I just kind of ran the speed my body felt like running at. Of course in the last half mile or so I dialed it up, but for the most part, it was a mostly moderate run. Funny how I ‘lean into it’ and get a similar time as when I just go moderate. Go figure!
Running Splits
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Run Cadence | Max Run Cadence | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent | Avg Stride Length |
Running | 5/1/2024 15:33 | Twin Falls Running | 3.1 | 403 | 0:28:49 | 148 | 165 | 162 | 169 | 9:18 | 8:33 | 98 | 115 | 1.07 |
I tend to run a 10k on Saturdays and go to the gym the rest of the week. This weekend though, my baby is graduating from college, so I’ll be gone Saturday. So, I decided to workout AND run today and I plan to do the same tomorrow. So, I ran a 5k today and plan to do the same tomorrow. Of course two 5k’s isn’t the same as one 10k but it works.
Just Another Running Day
Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Twin Falls Running | 6.2 | 898 | 1:03:59 | 156 | 182 | 10:19 | 7:12 | 180 | 279 |
I called this one “just another” because there was nothing special about today. Last time I mentioned that I wanted to start doing hamstrings in the gym to get a better stride when running. At least that’s the theory. I have started that but I’ve only done a single hammy workout and it was just two days ago. In short, I had no expectations for this run because of that. It’s just not enough working out over enough time. I’ll certainly take the time I got. it’s nothing to complain about, for me at least. However, in getting the data for this post, I happened to see a run from 2020. It was in Washington and yes, 4 years ago, but it was a 10k at 56 minutes. How I have fallen! I’d like to get back to that, and I will certainly try (or die trying).
Not What I Hoped
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Running | 4/20/2024 14:22 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 848 | 1:03:08 | 150 | 162 | 10:11 | 8:00 | 223 | 210 |
I think I’m going to change the direction of my running journey a little bit. I’ve been focusing lately on my stride. Nonethelss, I’m finding that my stride, as measured by my watch, isn’t any larger than normal. My time is also not faster than normal, as you can see from today. Granted, I don’t necessarily expect a faster time, or even necessarily a bigger stride because it requires more energy out of me than my body is used to giving. In other words, my body isn’t trained to run like I’m really supposed to. I just don’t have the capacity to do it at this point. So although maybe I’m running like I “should,” I should NOT expect to be faster at it…Yet. So, I think in the gym I’ll do my hamstrings with light weight and lots of reps in place of abs.
Also, if and when I do a shorter run, I will focus not on time, but on my stride. Maybe that’ll get me on track to increase my speed. I have to admit, I was disappointed today. 63 minutes isn’t terrible, but I feel like I gave everything I had. And like every Saturday, I pump myself up emotionally with “this will be the day!” and by the 3rd or 4th mile, I’m just doing everything I can to keep going. This with beta alanine, beet root and about 250mg of caffeine! In fact, I push so hard, I usually can’t even “feel” the effects
Couldn’t Help it Again
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Running | 4/19/2024 14:46 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 2.49 | 334 | 0:25:01 | 143 | 155 | 10:03 | 8:46 | 59 | 72 |
Today I had the time and I just couldn’t help myself. It was such a nice day and I had previously worked out, but a run was inevitable. It wasn’t very long though because I was focusing on my stride again. I was getting my legs up. You know, like the fast guys at all the races. Anyway, it was just so much effort that I couldn’t keep it up. It certainly didn’t help. Consider my average pace was 10min/mile. I can occaisonally get that on a 10k.
Stride Time for the Running Journey
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Running | 4/13/2024 7:41 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.1 | 777 | 1:02:22 | 137 | 148 | 10:14 | 8:27 | 220 | 315 |
As I mentioned from my mile a couple days ago, I really need to work on my stride. Well, that’s what I did on this run. It makes for an interesting story in my running journey. The whole time, I tried to focus on decent strides, but at no point did I really push myself hard. It was about a moderate pace the whole time.
You don’t see it here, but the funny thing is that my watch recorded a cadence of exactly 1. In other words, exactly average. Yet at the same time, my time was great. I’ll take a 62 minute 10k any day of the week. That’s a great time for me. Here’s what’s odd. My stride was not actually bigger than normal, even though that’s what I was going for, yet my time was faster than I would expect for a moderate run. I think next week I’ll try again but also try to push a little harder and see what happens.
Chill With a Friend
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Running | 4/12/2024 11:38 | Gooding County Running Journey | 3.86 | 532 | 0:42:59 | 139 | 151 | 11:09 | 9:13 | 79 | 118 |
This was a slow run and really meant to be. I worked today and went on a run with a colleague around lunch time. We just talked and looked for early sprouting aspargus because we running mostly next to asparagus farms. The time sucks but neither of us was trying for time. Besides, some of it was just spent looking for asparagus. I did find just 2 little sprouts and I put them in my bag, but I also found a hole in my bag later, when I couldn’t find my asparagus. Bummer!
Just a Mile – But I Had To!
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Running | 4/11/2024 18:11 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 1 | 115 | 08:34.3 | 144 | 156 | 8:34 | 7:47 | 36 | 39 |
When I got home tonight after work and the gym, it was just too nice. I HAD to go running. For really the first time this year it was shorts and tank top weather. In addition, I tried something. I recently went on a race and was reminded of something. The super fast dudes have much longer strides than me. They keep them up too. Even when I try to extend mine, it doesn’t last long because my legs get tired. Then I revert to short steps with very little movement of my legs.
From a physics/biology standpoint, it is clear that you don’t want too big of strides or the energy cost outweighs the increase in speed and you just can’t keep it up for longer than a sprint. At the same time, short strides cost little energy but don’t propel you forward much. There is a magic amount of leg movement and these “fast dudes,” seem to have found it. Yet their strides are ALWAYS bigger than mine. So I tried to run this mile with a bigger, but not inefficient stride and only run at a moderate pace. The funny thing is that my time was really good. This suggests to me that I need to work on that aspect of my running more.
Another Blustery Day – and SNOW
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Running | 4/6/2024 16:18 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 849 | 1:01:44 | 155 | 174 | 9:58 | 8:19 | 207 | 315 |
We woke up to snow on the ground today. Sure we live in Idaho, but its APRIL and I am on a running journey to get faster! Not slide for 10k! As a result, I decided I would run in the afternoon and hoped the snow would by then. I was right. In my favor, I downed about 340g of caffeine and a healthy serving of beta-alanine before a bit before my run. Against my favor is that it was pretty windy.
Like hills, for whatever reason, when I run in wind, going with the wind just doesn’t quite make up for running against it. Nevertheless, I still just barely made it under 62 minutes (10min/mile pace). I’ve gotta be proud of that. I notice that the run was a constant battle between my legs and lungs. My legs were sore still from squats the other day and my lungs seemed like they weren’t ‘used up,’ yet I couldn’t really push it beyond a certain point because my legs just couldn’t match my lungs. Sometimes my lungs can’t keep up with my legs, but that is less common.
My Kids Kill Me – But Sometimes Make Me Run
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Running | 4/4/2024 17:29 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 3.1 | 390 | 0:29:25 | 146 | 161 | 9:30 | 8:03 | 92 | 118 |
I have lots of kids. Two in particular right now are nothing but trouble. Alone they are fine, but my 15 year old and 11 year old (both girls), fight like girls. My wife was working and I was leaving work. Most days, I go straight from work to the gym. But today, at the same time, there was a meltdown at my house and I felt like I needed to go home, which I did.
After cleaning up the emotional mess, I just couldn’t stand to not do anything exercise-wise. The gym is on the way home, which I already passed on, so I decided to go on a run. Not a 10k because I’m planning on doing that on Saturday and I don’t want to be entirely wiped; I’ve only got 2 days. It was not a very nice day, in fact, it was very windy. The first maybe 1/4 mile was against the wind, and while I wan’t pushing particularly hard, I was exhausted by that point. Fortunately I did manage to overcome that and ended up with a half decent time.
Slow and Steady, the Turtle LOSES the Race
Activity Type | Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Best Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
Running | 3/30/2024 9:11 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 852 | 1:08:03 | 145 | 161 | 10:59 | 9:11 | 220 | 243 |
Today my running took a bit of a turn. Or should I say, MUCH slower result. I decided to ‘take it easy’ today for a couple reasons. First, my lower back was still killing me from deadlifts a few days ago. As in, it’s hard to stand straight up from a sitting or laying position. Second, my legs are still a little sore from squats, although this is pretty common anyway. Third, I did a really fast 5k just two days ago. And lastly, I just wanted to see how I would do if I just did a moderate pace.
Normally I run to get the fastest time possible. This time, I just ran at a ‘moderate’ 50% or so effort pace because I wanted to see if ‘pushing myself,’ which is what I normally do, really makes much difference. Apparently, it can mean more than a minute per mile! Good experiment though because now I know what NOT to do. At least in 10k or less.
My Spring Break Sprint
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
3/28/2024 14:38 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 3.1 | 390 | 0:27:45 | 155 | 171 | 8:57 | 49 | 92 |
It is spring break (or screen break as I tell my kids; they don’t buy it!) and I am currently teaching high school. That means I’ve got the whole week off, so I’ve gotta run at least one extra time during the week. That was today. Clearly I only did a 5k, but I gave it my all. In fact, I’ll take under 9 for any distance! Hopefully it doesn’t slow me down for my planned 10k on Saturday, but if so, “oh well.” No matter what, I’m getting more out of my week, “running wise” than usual. I might have even been a bit faster, but I was pushing with only about a minute to go and I felt the dry heaves coming, so I had to slow down. I still kept as high a pace as possible without losing my lunch.
Worthy of My Running Journey Log!
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
3/23/2024 7:28 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 835 | 1:00:05 | 157 | 174 | 9:41 | 131 | 249 |
Man, running felt great today! It was really the first day that I could run in a t-shirt and shorts without feeling uncomforably cold. Starting out was a little chilly, but not for long. I felt like I really cranked it out, but I still BARELY got over an hour for a 10k. That’s a shame because that is always my goal, but man do I really have to push it to get under an hour. In fact, I’ve only broke an hour on a 10k once in the last year or two.
An Actual Race – Haven’t Done One in Over a Year
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent | |
3/16/2024 10:00 | Gooding County Running Journey | 5.39 | 736 | 0:50:36 | 160 | 174 | 9:24 | 105 | 187 |
This was an official race.It was amazing, especially given that I forgot to stop my watch until probably 30 seconds after I finished. I went with a friend and his brother and met some others there. Only one guy was slower (and younger) than me, but he wasn’t in great shape and is also about 6’4”. My official race time was 48:50 with a pace of 8:50. For me, this is lightning fast, but there are some things to consider. Most weeks I lift Monday-Friday and run Saturday. This week I only exercised on Monday and Tuesday. Second, I pushed myself to the limit. I’ve never barfed after a run, but I was close. I did dry heave a little bit. The guy I came with was in the same age division as me and got second. I got third.
A Sad Running Journey Day
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
3/9/2024 7:44 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 877 | 1:02:10 | 160 | 181 | 10:02 | 157 | 276 |
When I embark on my running journey I always have a big shot of caffeine. Today I also used beta alanine, but I just didn’t have “it.” I tried pushing myself, but it felt like mostly uphill. Obviously, it was mostly downhill, but sure didn’t feel like it. Still, for me, a 10 min pace is pretty good.
Just a Casual Run – Not Impressive
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
3/8/2024 12:12 | Wendell Running Journey | 3 | 413 | 0:32:33 | 146 | 164 | 10:50 | 23 | 72 |
Currently I teach school and once a month we work Friday. My friend and I took some time out to go on a run around lunch time. As you can see from the results, it was moderate at best. We were talking and stuff, so it wasn’t like we were trying to get a record. Nonetheless, the plan is still to go running on Saturday for me ‘usual’ 10k.
Yuck – This One is Lousy
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
3/2/2024 7:51 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 855 | 1:04:02 | 151 | 167 | 10:20 | 154 | 285 |
So this run pretty much stunk. I was half tempted to NOT post it in my running journey log. 64 minutes isn’t terrible, but my goal is to get 62 or less. I was trying out trying to keep it rather moderate the first half or so, but it didn’t work out. I still was pooped and so maybe I’ll try uping the pace initially because I’m going to slow down, no matter what.
Almost There!
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
2/24/2024 8:37 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 793 | 1:00:55 | 147 | 167 | 9:50 | 138 | 331 |
So close! I gotta celebrate this one though. I’ve only gotten under an hour on a 10k once in the last ‘who knows how long,’ so I’ll take it! Considering it’s still winter weather and I’m bundled up and thus packing around a little extra weight, I’m pretty amazing, hahaha.
I Can’t Complain About This One
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
2/17/2024 14:44 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 902 | 1:01:33 | 164 | 178 | 9:55 | 190 | 279 |
Man, just about there. When I start any 10k running journey, I try to get at least a 10min/mile pace. I did that here and this no time to shake a stick at, but my real goal is to get under an hour (9:39 or better). I haven’t been able to do that, except once recently, within the last couple years. Although I haven’t tracked it well enough to know, but it could be because I got “the disease” and later the vaccine, a long while back. (Believe me, I did NOT want to!) It’s certainly possible oneor both of them slowed me down a little. However, it couldn’t have been significant, if I was affected long-term.
One of the Best in a Long Time
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
2/10/2024 14:20 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 794 | 1:00:13 | 148 | 165 | 9:43 | 115 | 308 |
UGH! 13 seconds!!! I pushed so hard at the end, but I just couldn’t do it. It felt like a sprint for the last mile or so, and actually was a sprint for the last couple hundred yards. At the end I watched as the seconds clicked past 60 minutes and I was giving it everything I had in the gas tank. I guess I need a bigger gas tank! Hahaha.
Day of the Running Journey Slacker…
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
2/3/2024 8:12 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.2 | 843 | 1:03:08 | 153 | 174 | 10:11 | 154 | 318 |
I just didn’t have it today I guess. Even in the beginning I felt as if I were ready to be done. As usual, I had a huge jolt of caffeine running through my veins. Nonetheless, it didn’t seem to get me going like it normally does. Better luck next week. It probably doesn’t help that I work out almost every day before I run on Saturday. I do squats, deadlifts, calves and all other major bodyparts. There’s no holding back either; I do EVERY set to failure. But the truth is, that’s my priority. I really only run for the health benefit of it, but it is still a challenge and why would I give it any less than 100% every time. After all, I’m going to spend the time anyway, I might as well get the most out of it.
I Can’t Believe It! After More Than a Year!
Date | Title | Distance | Calories | Time | Avg HR | Max HR | Avg Pace | Total Ascent | Total Descent |
1/27/2024 14:20 | Twin Falls Running Journey | 6.21 | 880 | 0:59:13 | 164 | 183 | 9:32 | 85 | 128 |
THREE CHEERS FOR MY RUNNING JOURNEY!!! I don’t even remember the last time I ran a 10k in under an hour! In fact, I know its been at least a year, perhaps as much as two. The funny thing is it was actually a tiny bit more than 10k. Yet I still managed to get my ultimate goal. I’m Ok with anything under 64min, and am satisfied with 62 or less, but under 60; I want to swear with happiness! Of course, this run was painful and I really pushed it, but it seems like I always do, but I just don’t run this fast normally. I hope I can keep this going so this eventually becomes my “Ok” time.