Pounding the Pavement

So this little item came across my desk at work the other day. I was intrigued:



My first thought was, yes! How awesome! Then I realized a couple of things. One, its next Saturday, as in just days from now. And two, I have yet to run outside since I started my little training a few weeks ago. Yes, I can run on a treadmill a little ways, but running outside on the hard, stationary pavement is a little different.

My plan has always been to start running outside Saturday mornings beginning in the New Year, but I would hate to have my first outside running experience be at an official race, especially one where I would be flanked by my co-workers.

So today I got up early, laced up The Beasts, and headed for the great outdoors on my first street experience. A little trial run to see if I am up to the task.

It didn't go so well.

OK, it didn't go terrible, I guess. I ran for a good 12 minutes before I had to stop and walk for a bit. The impact is a little greater, but I think my sweet new running shoes really helped out. The increased difficulty aside, it is also very weird running through a neighborhood I've driven through before. It seemed like the scenery should have been moving by a little faster than it was. I felt like I was running in slow motion. That stiff ocean head wind didn't make my return run any easier either.

In conclusion, running outside is kinda hard. At this point I'm not quite sure I'm fun run ready.

My Father, The Runner

He wasn't a track star. He never ran marathons. But for a good portion of my childhood, my father was a runner.

He ran around the neighborhood. He ran in local fun runs. He ran in circles at the high school track while his children whined and complained about being bored. He's trying to push down that tree again, we'd joke as he stretched.

He also encouraged us to run. Not that it helped. Rounding the far end of the track often marked my stopping point, if I even bothered running at all.

My younger brother would eventually take on the task. Memories of late-night marching band rehearsals still linger, me trying to avoid eye contact from the field as my brother and father looped by every few minutes. Your brother looks just like you, someone would say. The qualifying phrase, only smaller, was inevitable.

As much as my father ran, I never saw him cross a finish line. Heading out to the Great Texas Mosquito Festival early on a Saturday morning for the annual 5K Mosquito Chase was apparently too much to ask of his family.

I bet that first time he finished a race he was so happy. I wish I had that memory.

Today he shuffles around when he walks; a slight limp and dragging of his feet as he steadily goes.

Wait for your dad. Where's dad? He's back there somewhere.

He struggles against his own body daily. His left arm shakes. His face contorts as he tries to force his hands to grip and pull and lift. Physically unable to do the carpentry work that once supported a family of six, he spends his days trying to keep busy around the house and helping out on the occasional odd job with my uncle.

My father and I were never that close. That was more than obvious over the weekend. Only a handful of sentences were exchanged between us each time we were sent out to complete errands around town. The physical distance has dramatically decreased now that I have moved back to Texas, but I fear time will soon be against us.

Maybe all I'll end up doing is running around the neighborhood. Maybe all I'll ever be able to finish is a local 5K. Maybe no one will be there to cheer me on as I cross the finish line. What is certain is I will not be a failure. I will be just like my dad.

What I Love About The Gym

Running isn't easy. I already knew this, but over the past few weeks I expected it to get just a little bit easier. Maybe run a little further or at least have the short distance I do run not feel like a race towards death.

The past two weeks seemed particularly challenging. I had a lot going on at work, I wasn't sleeping as much I as I know I need to be and the workouts were kicking my butt. Going to the gym should be something I look forward to, so to keep me motivated I compiled a list of things I love about the gym. Maybe you'll find something that encourages you.

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For Less Than A Dollar A Day
My membership is only $10 a month. How insane is that? If I break it down to the five days a week I go over four weeks, that's only $0.50 a day. I can't park downtown for that little. Price is a big deal to me. I'm pretty cheap, so if I feel like I'm getting a steal I will take advantage of it as much as I can. It was also motivating when I was paying significantly more for a membership. I'll be damned if I'm going to spend that much and not use it all the time, I would think.

TV Land
There's this room called the theater room, which is full of treadmills and TVs. For a man without cable, having 12 or so TVs blaring different cable channels is a like heaven. They also have little consoles on each treadmill so you can plug in your headphones and listen to whichever TV you want. And the best part, no one knows exactly what I'm watching. Am I watching the Patriot's game? Maybe rolling my eyes at Greta Van Susteren? Or am I catching up on the latest escapades between LC and Speidi on The Hills. Probably all of the above. But mostly The Hills.

Don't Stop The Music
I really love listening to music. It's blaring in my car where ever I drive, and there's almost always some tune stuck in my head. So for the hour or so that I am at the gym, I get to listen to all the music I want. Everybody has different things they listen to to keep them motivated when they run. On my playlist? A little remixed Killers music, a horribly wonderful Bloc Party mashup, and a little of The Patrick HatTrick. There may be some Britney throw in there too. Don't judge.

Easy On The Eyes
A large number of people in the gym look like, well, me. Somewhat frumpy and disheveled people who really shouldn't be wearing shorts that short. And that's fine. Working out with unfit, unattractive people takes the pressure off and makes me less embarrassed that I can only bench 60 pounds. In the right situation, though, the beautiful people can be extremely motivating. Put some hottie bouncing on the treadmill in front of me, and I just might run an extra lap or two.

Its a Planet Fitness
Which means, I don't have to work out with people like this. They have a big alarm at the back of the gym that I have yet to see go off.

All Grown Up
Most days I still feel like a kid. In fact, I think my mind stopped comprehending time somewhere around 2002. In some ways I've still got that not quite mature, looking to make his way in the world mindset. But each day I head to the gym. I get a glimpse of something different. I carry a gym bag in my car and head straight there after work (if I go home first I'll think of 101 reason why I shouldn't go work out). There is this huge wall length mirror that I see myself walking in towards the locker room. Everyday I see myself, wearing my work khakis and either a tucked in polo or a button up shirt. My ID usually still dangles from my neck as I carry my gym bag ready to do what I got to do. I don't know. Every time I see that, I feel like an adult. And it feels kind of good.

Project RunDay
Some of the treadmills have their own individual TV attached, which comes in handy on Wednesdays. Wednesday nights are all about Project Runway, the fantastic Bravo TV show I've become addicted to over the last few years. Wednesdays are also run days. So I combine the two, running during the show and taking a walking break during commercials. I'm actually able to watch all but the last 15 minutes of the show like that. I can't wait until the day I can skip the walking and run right through the commercials. That little goal is oddly motivating. When I first started running a few years ago, I would take off right at the climax of a song. That first time, I didn't make it to the end of the song before stopping to catch my breath. I remember the first time I made it through an entire song. I was so happy. A minor accomplishment, but to me it meant so much. As my goals get longer and longer, I know that feeling of accomplishment will only get sweeter.

Get Loose
There are actually several of the weight training exercises I like, but my favorite thing to do happens at the very end. The stretching. I've never been a big fan of stretching. I go through the motions a little before a run or some heavy lifting, but mostly I didn't much see the benefit in it. Until I read that stretching can be a runners best friend. In fact, getting a nice long stretch after a run helps fight off the soreness and stiff muscles that I would always get from a challenging workout. The day after a hard run used to leave me hobbling around. Now I actually feel good and refreshed the day after a good run. How great is that.

Being Fit Just Might Come In Handy
Last week Friday I covered a high school football playoff game at the Alamodome. Good times, except that the game ran late, putting me in a deadline squeeze. So when it was all over and I had my sad, we-just-lost-the-game shots, I had to turn around my photos fast. So I ran. I ran from the center of the field, through the tunnel behind the end zone, wrapped around the under the concourse and back to the center to make my way up into the press box. It kind of sucked, but when I made it upstairs, I didn't want to die. I've ran in similar situations, but usually I stop and walk some when I'm out of sight (or breath), but this time I kept running. It kind of sucked and I was obviously winded, but I didn't feel like I was going to die. It was an oddly practical use for running I'm sure I'll need again sometime.

New Shoes

What's the most exciting part of my week so far? It just might be the acquisition of my brand-new running shoes. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the Beast:
Why are they called the Beast, you may ask? Is it because they are clunky and painful like a beast? Maybe. Actually, these nifty pair of Brooks running shoes are pretty comfortable, but they will take some getting used to. They have additional padding for the heel-striking inward-rolling strider such as myself. Sounds great, but it makes them a little weightier than I'm used to. Also, since I'm not used to running in the correct position that these shoes force me into, they leave random running muscles a little soar.

I was warned that would happen by the incredibly helpful saleswoman at the Fleet Feet running store where I picked these up. I'll be honest, I was very hesitant to set foot into the Fleet Feet. It was a little intimidating, and I was afraid they would kind of laugh at me or dismiss me when I walked in. It turned out to be quite an experience. I haven't had anyone put a shoe on me and lace me up since I was a kid. I'd sit down and take off a pair, and there she was slipping a new pair on my feet. I still had to do a little work, though. She had me run up and down the front of the store with each shoe so she could watch my stride and I could get a good feel. About five pair of shoes and several laps in front of the strip mall later, I had the ones. I had the Beast.

Back On Track

We are going to forget all about last week.

From the sickness to the missed workouts to the annual debauchery that is Thanksgiving. I came out with my game face on, but was quickly defeated. My sister put chorizo in the stuffing and made about a zillion different deserts. I'm only human, man. I couldn't resist.

But that was last week. One thing I've learned is that as soon as you let one or two bad meals or a missed workout get you down, it becomes very easy to throw your hands up and say 'forget it.' I could just have easily decided last week was shot, so why not have some pizza at the office the next day and just restart my plan Monday? Well, it's not a plan or a diet or a temporary state of healthy I'm going for.

If I'm going to run this marathon, it has to be a lifestyle change. It has to be about making the right choices everyday, and not getting discouraged when I slip up now and then. Keep you eye on the prize Zamora. The Capitol 10K is only 125 days away.

Damn it, I'm Sick

This definitely puts a snag in my plans. Now what do I do? I know, rest and fluids and such, but can I go to the gym? Should I? There isn't anything on my Men's Health personal trainer that tells me what to do. Ugh.

I slept til about noon today, and after a quick breakfast went back to bed for another three hours or so. When I stood up out of bed I felt dizzy and feverish. Maybe I shouldn't be on a treadmill right now.

Michael 1, Thanksgiving 0

Some friends from work invited me to a pre-Thanksgiving meal tonight, and I thought it was a good early challenge to my new healthy eating routine.

I did pretty well. I skipped over some of the high-fat, cheesy concoctions and stuck to the salad, mashed potatoes (sans gravy) and a nice portion of turkey. I small slice of pie and some coffee completed the meal. And it was fine. I didn't feel like I was really missing out. Hopefully I can continue when I get to the Thanksgiving table at my parents house.

One problem with the evening. When I left, I started feeling sick. Not from the food, but sick as in I may be catching a cold. Damn it. That's what I get for leaving the house and socializing I suppose. Well, that won't happen again.

Watch Out Austin

I've found my first race. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the Capitol 10K.



And I got the most commitment I could ask for at this point from Bryan, when he sent me a one-sentence email saying "I will have to check my track schedule, but if I can it looks good."

Hooray! This is so going to be us in Capitol 10K next year:

My apologies to Tony Barron, Carl Stones and Statesman photog Laura Skelding for this aberration of a photo.

Baby Steps

So I've learned that I should probably not have a full marathon be my first race, so says the copy of "Marathon Training For Dummies" I started reading at the CVS pharmacy down the street from my house.

The book was actually pretty helpful. I might even buy it, or at least check it out at my local library. I also learned that I'm a heal striker, and that I should buy running shoes with a high arch to support the outward role of my feet when I run. Or something.

I also think I need to drag someone into this with me. That's where Bryan Dibley comes in. Bryan is a friend of mine from college who now teaches English and coaches high school basketball. I informed him of my decision tonight, and I think he may have doubts. Our phone conversation went something like this:

ME: So I need to tell you something, mostly because I want you to hold me accountable when this time comes around next year. And I might need your help.
BRYAN: (with a mix of concern and boredom) What?
ME: I have decided I'm going to run in the New York City Marathon!
BRYAN: (with a mix of disbelief and disgust) WHAT!
ME: And I have decided that you should run it with me.
BRYAN: That's not gonna happen. You're not running anything.

I guess I understand his skepticism. There was that time when I told him I was going to drop journalism and start training to be a speed skater in order to qualify for the 2006 winter Olympics. I've told him I'm emigrating to Australia. I've told him I was going to get us on "The Amazing Race." And he's still waiting for me to go after that masters degree I keep talking about (the plan involves living on the second floor of his house while attending school and stringing for the Star-Telegram, so he may or may not be looking forward to that one actually happening).

So what's different this time? Honestly I don't know. The good news is he kind of agreed that maybe he will run a 10K with me if I find one in late March or April of next year. And if that works out, maybe, possibly he would be willing to think about considering something more later. Its hard to get Bryan to do anything he doesn't want to do (you should see our horrible "Amazing Race" audition tape), so the fact that he's willing to consider this first step is good news.

Not So Fast, Fatty

So a couple of early snags.

First of all, who knew you had to apply for the New York City Marathon? Obviously not me. Apparently they get more than 90,000 applicants and only have about 38,000 people accepted. Luckily its not like applying for a job or college or anything. They don't really evaluate your abilities. They have certain groups of people that automatically qualify (big-time winners, long-time participants, people rejected three years in a row, Lance Armstrong), but for the most part people are selected in a random lottery. That's slightly encouraging I suppose.

And second, lets address the elephant in the room right now. If you've ever met me, you know I'm not in the best shape. So before I do any serious running, I need to drop a few (by few I mean about 50) pounds or so. This may sound hard to believe, but I know how to lose weight. Commitment has always been my issue. Using a plan approved by the trainers at Men's Health, I once managed to lose about 40 pounds. I got really heavy in college, ballooning to nearly 240 pounds. At 5'5ish, that is so unhealthy. I moved to Wyoming for a job, and by the end of my run there I managed to drop to just over 200. When I moved for my next job in Arkansas, I had trouble maintaining the routine. I got down to below 190 at one point, but my chaotic schedule and lack of discipline finally caught up with me. I stopped going to the gym regularly and looked for any excuse to eat out.

When I dropped below the 200lb mark, I told myself I would never go that high again. Yet here I am, just over the 200lb mark today. I need to make this commitment. Even if this whole thing fails and I never run a marathon, I need to make a commitment to myself to live better.

Just Do It

I've made a decision. I want to run a marathon.

I know it sounds crazy, especially since I still get winded climbing the stairs up to my third floor office. In fact, the furthest I've run at one time was a little over 3 miles. Inside. On a treadmill. About two years ago. I didn't say this was going to be easy.

I don't know where the compulsion came from. Maybe I just need some sort of hobby or goal in my life. Maybe it's because I turn 30 next year and want to enter the next decade of my life in better shape than the current one. Maybe it was seeing that glib Katie Holmes crossing the New York Marathon finish line without breaking a sweat. Maybe I just need that feeling of accomplishment in my life.

Whatever the reason, there it is. I've said it. It's out there. I plan to run in next year's New York City Marathon, and with this blog as my witness, you'll see me in the Big Apple next year. For now though, I need some running shoes.