Ran the Pt. Gamble trails yesterday, Sunday 12/29/2013. I was out on the trails about 2h 5m, the time keeping from Google Tracks which registered my time on trail but no distance. It seems the application is not smart enough to turn the GPS on, it just told me one wasn't available. I discovered how to turn the GPS on after returning home and having an opportunity to research the problem.

I am not sure how far I ran, but it was enough to hurt my legs and I did have to walk the last mile back to the car. I wonder if it is smart to run further than you can run back. I can see the benefit of doing so, I get a cool down walk, I also push myself to run a little further – walk – run – walk. I am wondering also, if this type of training would, instead of training me to run further would train me to give up before reaching the finish line, since I would be used to walking the last mile or so,

There were many times I wanted to just stop, turn around and head back to the car, but I kept going and in fact actually chose to run further at one point; this is probably the extension that caused me to walk the last mile. The benefit of adding to the run when I did, is that I got more comfortable with a seldom used route, and I found more roads to research and add to my route, to add variety. and distance.

I am already 1 5K down on my running goals so will need to pick another one up, maybe in Feburary as I am suppose to do a 5K and a 10 K this month, or I will do 2 5Ks this month and move the 10K to February.

Yesterday, my plan was to run on the trails today.  However, I had a bad night.  I didn't sleep well, I woke up itching.  I went to see my son yesterday and he has like, six cats and I am slightly allergic to them.  I alos took him to dinner and we had Thai food... it is possible that I was allergic to something in the food.  Needless to say, I slept very late and did not feel like running.  Then the Seahawks were on, the one and clenched the division title and home field advantage for the playoffs. 

I did some chores and went to Jeannie's to turn the water off that I had left running for last weeks cold spells.  I then went to Costco and returned home.  I then started cleaning my kitchen closet, there is a lot I need to cull from there so I have room.  Things I couldn't get rid of while Jeannie was alive.  Well, now I have to sort that and donate it to Goodwill -  I also have other stuff to clear out of my life and declutter my life.

Well since this post is about training for the runs I have planned in the next 16 months, I did run 3.1 miles on the treadmill - it took 37 minutes, I burned 530 calories and did most of the running on an incline.  I also did 25 reps with a 35lb kettlebell that I picked up at Play it again sports.  I am foing to do those everyday and see how it improves my shoulder.

Another good piece of news is that my back did not tighten up tonight.  I hope it is a sign that it wont when I am on the trails.

Today, after a week of sub-freezing temperatures in my garage, I was able to run on the treadmill.  2.39 miles in 30 minutes.  I have a long way to go in order to meet my goals, but all it will take is training and perseverance.

I need to remember that training doesn't mean I am running at race distance and speed, but that I am building distance, speed and endurance.  I am training my body to work for long periods of time.

Training means that I am building to my goals and that I am getting better each day that I train; even on those days that I run a shorter distance at a slower speed.

Food is important in training and exercise.  Over the last few years, I have learned a lot about the food I have been feeding myself.  The sugars, trans-fats - GMO foods, the feed lot raised beef, poultry and pork.  I know I need to purchase organic and grass fed meats, but I bulk at the expense.  I know I need to cut out the sugars, grains and phoney fats, but I still find myself back sliding and gorging myself on them.  Yet these are not failures, but setbacks.  They are lessons learned.  I don't have to start over, but just pick myself up and continue on.  Each good meal and food choice I make is better than not doing anything at all.

Runners World sent me an e-mail with a teaser - Runners giving up glutton - buy our glutton free cookbook.  I wonder how they are carb-loading now?