no excuses

I remember about a year ago that I used to make a lot of excuses not to go running. After 6 months of heavy-duty training, I realize there are no excuses to skip a run aside from torrential downpours or sub-freezing temperatures. And those are lame excuses at best.

"Its too cold" - Your body will warm up after a few minutes of jogging. (A hat and gloves are especially important as your head and hands have very high surface area to volume ratios. That means you lose the most heat through these body parts.)

"Its raining" - Rain is cooling, and running in mud is fun.

"Its dark" - Its also peaceful - be sure to be in a safe place, and be wary of branches, roots, and other stuff on your path and you'll be fine.

"Something came up" - Wake up 45 min early and run in the morning. You'll feel good all day and you won't be tempted to skip an evening run.

I'm not sure I'll be doing any marathons in the future, but I will keep running way into my old age. I may have to run with a cane, but I'll do it.

Marathon update

In 490 BC, Pheidippides ran 150 miles in two days and then ran another 21.4 miles from Marathon to Athens to annouce Greek victory. It is this achievement that is the inspiration for the modern-day marathon. After proclaiming this victory, Pheidippides dropped dead.

I've come to realize just how crazy marathon running is. After a series of minor injuries, illness, and lack of discipline on my part, I fell behind my marathon training schedule while in Holland. I'm sad to say that I will not be running the Houston Marathon on January 14th. But I will complete the half-marathon that day, which is no small feat.

I am running to raise money and awareness for education in India, specifically a school in Manipur called SACSAS Academy. Follow this link to find out you can support me and my cause.

cold rain run

It was a dark, and stormy night...ok, it wasn't stormy. But it was raining and cold when I got home from lab last night. Nevertheless, I decided to go for a run to keep up with my marathon training. Before I left, I made sure I checked my city map to know where I was going - I decided to head towards Goffert Park, where the Nijmegen football club plays.

As I departed, the rain picked up and it seemed to get darker, but I thought I could handle it. After about 30 minutes, I was "in the zone," but decided to turn around and head home since I was already pretty wet. But this wouldn't be an "amit" story if I didn't miss the turn back to my place and get lost. I had to ask for directions twice and finally reached my apartment soaking wet.

Quite an adventure, and also a great run!

Running pains

I'm starting to question this whole "running a marathon" idea. I ran 10 miles on Saturday and it felt great. By Saturday afternoon my foot was hurting, so I wrapped it in an Ace bandage and got by. I felt better on Monday, so I went for an easy morning run. On Tuesday night I was preparing to run speed intervals when I felt a sharp pain in my lower leg from my ankle up (maybe my Achilles tendon?). I completed the run, though without the speed intervals. Now today, after getting fitted for some new (and expensive) orthotics, my knee is giving me trouble. Its all in my left foot.

And I was really looking forward to running 12 miles this Saturday morning including the Race for the Cure 5K.

A few running pains can't stop me, though they might slow me down for a bit.

Blood, sweat, and salt...

Ran 10 miles today. As I strolled back to Memorial Park amid the coaches clapping and cheering for us, I was proud of myself for making it that distance (especially after only 4 hours of sleep). But I was a mess when we finished. Salt on my face (caused by sweat evaporation). Bloody nipples again (despite using Nipguards). And pain in my knees and legs.

It will get better. More strength training. Better preparation. More sleep.

Its on like Donkey Kong.

Some running firsts

On Saturday I ran 9 miles continuously for the first time in my life. It was an awesome feeling. I felt great afterwards, until I started walking back to my car and noticed a trickle of blood coming down a nipple. I had been warned about this, but had not taken precautionary measures. Apparently, the friction of a shirt rubbing against a nipple combined with chafing, "goosebumps," and sweating, can result in bloody nipples. It wasn't painful until I took a shower and then it hurt for the rest of the day. I'll be better prepared for the next long run.

Another observation: This week we ran through some tremendously nice neighborhoods in the Memorial area. At least two houses were toilet papered, which I thought was quite amusing. I love to look at the ginormous and beautiful homes, especially the new constructions with Spanish tiles and huge windows. As a male Texan, of course a part of me wants one of these houses one day. But as I look at these houses, I can't help but think of how big a waste they are. How many people live in there? Do you really need all that space? Are you just showing off? Or compensating for shortcomings?

I don't need a big place like that. And I don't expect to have a huge family that will need a huge place either. Nice to look at, but even if I am someday filthy rich, I'd like to resist the temptation to live like that.

running

So today I got up when it was still dark (as an old friend would have called it, the “butt-crack of dawn”) to go running. It’s a Saturday morning, and the second week in a row I’ve gotten up to run. I’ve got 25 more weeks of this to look forward to.

I joined Houston Fit, a running group to train for the Houston Marathon in January. I’m running to raise money for education projects in India, but also to prove to myself that I can do it.

The roads were empty on my way to Memorial Park, but as soon as I got to the entrance, it was packed. Like crazy. I didn’t know Houston had so many eager runners. Most of my friends and most people my age are probably hung-over or at least sleeping in on Saturday mornings. At least that is what I was doing the for a few weeks before I joined the group.

I was also surprised to see so many normal looking people in the group. Big people, small people, young people, old people, everyday looking people, not especially athletic looking. I felt more comfortable.

The run was fun. I’m looking forward to the next few months. That is an understatement, after the run today, I was super-excited for the next few months. We’ll see how it goes.