I cannot believe that in just 8 full weeks of running we've gone from intervals of 2 to 3 minute runs with a walk in between to 30 full minutes of running starting today...as we move into the 9th and final week of the Couch to 5k program!!! I am truly amazed at our progression through the program!! Running is now an integral part of our daily routine!! The data from the Forerunner gps watch has proven very informative and continues to help keep us focused on our next steps as we move forward from the Couch app to new and exciting things...like our first 5k in late September!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
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Monday, August 20, 2012
PR on distance...
3rd day out with Garmin Forerunner starting first day of 8th week of Couch to 5k program...made a PR for distance on this mornings run...in the rain!! I'm finding that the gps readings on the Forerunner seem more accurate than the C25k app...makes sense...Garmin is in the gps business after all. I continue to be impressed with our efforts running. I NEVER would have imagined myself in this position...as a runner...8 weeks ago!! Going to Spin class in the morning...then run Wednesday.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Up-ing my game!
As we get closer to finishing the Couch to 5K program...I decided the other day that it was time to up my game and start preparing for what comes next. I did some research on gps running watches. I want to be able to keep track of things as the Couch program comes to a close. All the reading I did on these watches convinced me that it would be a good idea to take the plunge...so I did! I got a Garmin Forerunner. Tested it out today. It came with a heart monitor as well. The data that this thing collects is sick! It uploads to a website that allows me to look over the data and think more about my running goals. It also allows me to share the data on both Twitter and Facebook...so I can get encouragement from my followers and friends.
About 7 years ago...I found the writer in me...this summer...I have found the runner in me and it feels great! Naming myself a runner makes me proud of what I'm becoming!
About 7 years ago...I found the writer in me...this summer...I have found the runner in me and it feels great! Naming myself a runner makes me proud of what I'm becoming!
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Last day of summer begins with two PR's...
After a well deserved day of rest...we started our 7th week of running today. 25 minutes of running...the second time ever we've run for that amount of time. We improved on our distance (2.3 miles) and pace (15:12/per mile) this morning...2/10ths of a mile longer and 30 seconds faster than Monday's run! I am so impressed with our progress in such a short amount of time and I am positive that all of our Spin training has prepared us to embrace running! Running has truly helped me through a very busy summer.
Most of audience knows that I'm a teacher and while the general perception of a teacher's summer revolves around the myth that they just sit around and do nothing...you all know that this is NOT true for many of us and it is certainly NOT true in my case. In fact, you might say that my summers are just as hectic as when I'm working with children each day at school. That said--I am convinced that running will help me stay balanced with all that lies ahead of me as this summer comes to a close...including a new school year beginning (tomorrow)...my very last doctoral class beginning (next week)...and the defense of my dissertation proposal (hopefully some time in September) leading to my research/writing of my dissertation (some time after the proposal defense).
It is my intent to continue blogging through all of this. Like running and spinning and yoga...I feel that blogging has helped me stay balanced.
Most of audience knows that I'm a teacher and while the general perception of a teacher's summer revolves around the myth that they just sit around and do nothing...you all know that this is NOT true for many of us and it is certainly NOT true in my case. In fact, you might say that my summers are just as hectic as when I'm working with children each day at school. That said--I am convinced that running will help me stay balanced with all that lies ahead of me as this summer comes to a close...including a new school year beginning (tomorrow)...my very last doctoral class beginning (next week)...and the defense of my dissertation proposal (hopefully some time in September) leading to my research/writing of my dissertation (some time after the proposal defense).
It is my intent to continue blogging through all of this. Like running and spinning and yoga...I feel that blogging has helped me stay balanced.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Permission to rest...granted!
Yesterday's 25 minute run...a first for the two of us...resulted in today's decision to rest! I care enough about my body (specifically...my knees) and the fun I'm having running to know enough when to take a break. All the reading I've been doing about running supports my decision to rest at least once a week...if not twice. Think I'll use the time I'd be running reading some fun stuff about running!
This thinking about resting in between runs has me wondering more about guilt. I don't feel guilty having made this decision to rest today so why does guilt come into my life after, during or before the time I write and work on my doctoral studies? I know this guilt is 110% mental...in my mind...not the world...yet I cannot get over it. I can write for 3-5 hours in a day then try to sit down and relax and struggle with it...feel bad for trying to do something fun or just sit and relax. Knowing that this guilt is self-driven is a first step...figuring out how to get over it and enjoy my life is a process...one day at a time. Writing about that process "here" is a part of the process. Getting this thinking out in front of me does help me reflect on it...helps me figure out how to give myself permission to rest...relax...enjoy life.
This thinking about resting in between runs has me wondering more about guilt. I don't feel guilty having made this decision to rest today so why does guilt come into my life after, during or before the time I write and work on my doctoral studies? I know this guilt is 110% mental...in my mind...not the world...yet I cannot get over it. I can write for 3-5 hours in a day then try to sit down and relax and struggle with it...feel bad for trying to do something fun or just sit and relax. Knowing that this guilt is self-driven is a first step...figuring out how to get over it and enjoy my life is a process...one day at a time. Writing about that process "here" is a part of the process. Getting this thinking out in front of me does help me reflect on it...helps me figure out how to give myself permission to rest...relax...enjoy life.
Monday, August 13, 2012
New PR and time for a rest...
Today we ran for 25 sustained minutes...first time ever! It felt great but about 9 minutes in...I started to feel some pain in my...of all places...right knee. I was wearing my knee sleeve on my left knee (as always) and it felt great the entire time. I was surprised a bit about the right knee "acting up." I say surprised a bit because we have been working out a lot recently...with no days off to rest since last Monday so I think my right knee was trying to send a message to my brain today...7 days in a row (5 running, 2 cycling) ='s time to take a break! I listened and we plan to take tomorrow off. Now...back to that 25 minutes!! I am so proud of us (Steph and I) for going the whole 25 minutes without stopping. It was a beautiful Monday morning for a run...clear...cool...lots of stars out...the moon looked awesome...it was quiet...just Steph, myself and the road! Knowing that my knee was bothering me a bit...I really tried to land soft and as flat as I could...not trying to thump! When we got back home...I iced both knees...did some yoga and plan on icing the knees more later on today. There were a few moments on the road that I thought about stopping and just walking but I really wanted to run for the whole 25 minutes. I did not think it was unrealistic to complete the run. I still feel the same way now...almost 3 hours removed from the moment. I promised myself that if I could just finish...I'd give myself a day off and I will keep that promise...feeling good about what we accomplished today!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
What is Spin class?
What is it that makes a Spin class...a Spin class? You need bikes, you need an instructor, you need music. Wait...do you really need music? This morning our instructor was unable to secure the music for our class. She was very apologetic and told us that she'd teach the class without the music if we were willing. No one left the room. For the next 40 minutes she proceeded to take us through a grueling workout that included several climbs, numerous sprints and a few hovers...just for kicks and giggles. Some of the people were a bit perplexed and dare I say "lost" without the music. Not me. I turned inward and thought about cyclists that compete on the road...they don't have music. I began to visualize myself "on the road" with my fellow cyclists...riding...trying my best to do my personal best. In the process...I visualized myself climbing hills, sprinting down the road...passing my fellow cyclists...giving myself up to the ride...pushing myself...my instructor's commands in the background...guiding me through the race I was constructing.
At the end of the ride...I felt great about my performance and knowing from this point on...the only playlist I need is my own determination to make each class my personal best!
At the end of the ride...I felt great about my performance and knowing from this point on...the only playlist I need is my own determination to make each class my personal best!
Friday, August 10, 2012
An excerpt from the Writing Marathon...
Yesterday, I ran for 20 minutes and...participated in a Writing marathon. A Writing marathon involves getting together with other writing enthusiasts...moving from one place to another...spending time writing in each place...sharing that writing and moving on to a new destination. This blogpost captures a bit of that marathon in which I struggle with unpacking a 6 Word memoir I'd written the day before.
Here's a connection...I've noticed in the 6 weeks that I've been running that there are moments during the run where I attempt to unpack thoughts that occupy my mind...like I did yesterday during the Writing marathon. This is one of the cool things I'm coming to enjoy about running...it can be whatever you want it to be...time to ponder...time to meditate...time to let off steam...
So...here's some of what I came up with during the marathon...
I (r)-ycle, I (wr)-ead, I sleep. I'm starting this marathon by mining my daybook. We wrote memoirs yesterday in varying forms...the 6-Word memoir I wrote yesterday looks like this..."I run, I write, I sleep." I realized this morning that there was space within the original memoir to mash things up a bit...hence...what you "heard" me "read" as I started. I spent time earlier thinking about what it would be like to un-pack this memoir to give you a fuller picture of how it defines my life. I'm thinking about breaking it apart...into segments...maybe I'll piece it back together at some point...maybe I won't.
I (r)-cyle...initially...I wanted you to know that my days usually start around 4:15 or 5 am...getting up to run or cycle with my wife...both of these activities have been an effort on my part to find balance within this "6WMUM"...balance in the form of exercise (it's hard to imagine that just over a year ago I was weighing in at an obese 185 lbs)...balance in the form of spending more time with my wife Stephanie (who has been a doctoral widow for the past 5 years and has about 2 more to go...if things go well)...balance spiritually (the pressure and stress that comes with the "second" part of this memoir has scared me on many levels). So, (r)-cyling has done many things for me...I've lost over 20 lbs, I'm spending quality time with Stephanie and the "high" I feel while running and cycling cannot be measured or described by mere words on a page. I mean, I could try...let's see if a haiku does it...
Troubled man
finds his Zen
While running and cycling
Here's a connection...I've noticed in the 6 weeks that I've been running that there are moments during the run where I attempt to unpack thoughts that occupy my mind...like I did yesterday during the Writing marathon. This is one of the cool things I'm coming to enjoy about running...it can be whatever you want it to be...time to ponder...time to meditate...time to let off steam...
So...here's some of what I came up with during the marathon...
I (r)-ycle, I (wr)-ead, I sleep. I'm starting this marathon by mining my daybook. We wrote memoirs yesterday in varying forms...the 6-Word memoir I wrote yesterday looks like this..."I run, I write, I sleep." I realized this morning that there was space within the original memoir to mash things up a bit...hence...what you "heard" me "read" as I started. I spent time earlier thinking about what it would be like to un-pack this memoir to give you a fuller picture of how it defines my life. I'm thinking about breaking it apart...into segments...maybe I'll piece it back together at some point...maybe I won't.
I (r)-cyle...initially...I wanted you to know that my days usually start around 4:15 or 5 am...getting up to run or cycle with my wife...both of these activities have been an effort on my part to find balance within this "6WMUM"...balance in the form of exercise (it's hard to imagine that just over a year ago I was weighing in at an obese 185 lbs)...balance in the form of spending more time with my wife Stephanie (who has been a doctoral widow for the past 5 years and has about 2 more to go...if things go well)...balance spiritually (the pressure and stress that comes with the "second" part of this memoir has scared me on many levels). So, (r)-cyling has done many things for me...I've lost over 20 lbs, I'm spending quality time with Stephanie and the "high" I feel while running and cycling cannot be measured or described by mere words on a page. I mean, I could try...let's see if a haiku does it...
Troubled man
finds his Zen
While running and cycling
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Text complexity and Spin Class...
Half way through our Spin class this morning...which focused on different elements of cycling in the Olympics...I started thinking about the class as a site of text complexity. I'm participating in a professional development workshop this week and we are learning about how to identify elements of text complexity as well as the text complexity we bring to our experiences. So...here's what I'm thinking...how text complexity and Spin class are mashing up to me...through the language I heard this morning...from our instructor and the songs/music that provided the informational and persuasive backdrop to our ride...
"Turn up your RPM's so they are between 65-70...get up...sit down...burn it...It's the eye of the tiger...We can be heroes--just for one day...We are the champions...You can do it...Go for the gold...30 seconds to go...If I could reach, I'd reach much higher...I'd be stronger...Perfect pedal strokes...2 minutes 'til the top of the mountain...GO!!"
It's all in there. Structure->simple, Language Conventionality and Clarity->literal, clear, conversational/domain-specific, Knowledge demands->simple theme...Olympic cycling, Cultural/Literary knowledge->high intertextuality...in that the instructor made several references and illusions to other texts...text that we needed to have an understanding of in order to respond to her during the ride.
"Turn up your RPM's so they are between 65-70...get up...sit down...burn it...It's the eye of the tiger...We can be heroes--just for one day...We are the champions...You can do it...Go for the gold...30 seconds to go...If I could reach, I'd reach much higher...I'd be stronger...Perfect pedal strokes...2 minutes 'til the top of the mountain...GO!!"
It's all in there. Structure->simple, Language Conventionality and Clarity->literal, clear, conversational/domain-specific, Knowledge demands->simple theme...Olympic cycling, Cultural/Literary knowledge->high intertextuality...in that the instructor made several references and illusions to other texts...text that we needed to have an understanding of in order to respond to her during the ride.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Another day...more PR's...
In 5 weeks of walk/jogging...we've gone from walking most of the time to jogging for 20 sustained minutes!!! Our distance and pace were awesome as well...especially for such a longer jog. We really focused on proper technique this morning...no leaning forward, no thumping, landing soft...on the ball of our feet...proper breathing...we were very mindful of it all!! The process...the journey...that's what it's all about.
In my writing...I try to focus on my process all the time. Whether its freewriting or revising...I attempt to remain mindful within the process...to enjoy the journey! As I mentioned in a previous post...I'm thinking that reflection after the "event" is as important as mindful engagement within the "event." It is only through reflection that we become mindful and appreciative of our efforts...our PR's.
In my writing...I try to focus on my process all the time. Whether its freewriting or revising...I attempt to remain mindful within the process...to enjoy the journey! As I mentioned in a previous post...I'm thinking that reflection after the "event" is as important as mindful engagement within the "event." It is only through reflection that we become mindful and appreciative of our efforts...our PR's.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Post write reflection...
So...earlier this morning I blogged about the importance of looking back at what I accomplished during my writing and feeling good about it. In 30 minutes time I...entered into a conversation with two of my thinking partners...members of my writing community. The conversation comes in the form of comments I'm making to an email that each of my thinking partners sent me last night. The comment function in a word document provides...in this case the opportunity for others to see what you are thinking about their thinking. My comments included defining some terms, revising research questions, attempting to clarify ways I see myself revising the work I've already complete as well as a promise to read some mentor text that will help with the revisioning of the very important thinking I've already engaged in. My thinking partners will read over my comments and comment themselves. This exchange helps me clarify what I am trying to do and why it is important. All of that in a little more than 30 minutes after a long day professional development training!
Some movement is better than no movement at all.
Some movement is better than no movement at all.
Another morning...another PR...
This morning's walk/jog involved another personal record...16 minutes of jogging! Our pace was better by nearly 2 minutes! Small steps forward. I'm wondering what it would be like to think of my writing the same way I am thinking about running. I've never had an issue with amount of time spent writing...I do tend to get "lost" in it...and the time does go by very fast. I'm not usually concerned with the amount I write in that time nor do I think I should be. In my writing it's not about "the distance traveled" it's more about "the journey" the thinking...making of meaning and revising that thinking/making into something that others will understand. When I finish these writing sessions...why don't I feel the same way I'm feeling after a run? If you think about it, each writing session offers space for PR's. I'm wondering what might happen if I spent a bit of reflective time after each write thinking about why it represents a PR? Even the smallest movement forward deserves mentioning...some movement is better than no movement all...someone famous said that once...maybe Henry Ford. We ran one more minute longer today than yesterday and shaved almost 2 minutes off yesterday's pace. I'm excited to carry this thinking over into my afternoon write!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Summer coming to a close...a reflection...
Like most of my summers...this one was busy! Spent most of it working with my National Writing Project colleagues. In and around that work I found time to continue thinking about my dissertation and am currently working on my proposal. This past weekend however saw work "put on pause." I went to the mountains with friends and family and did several things for the first time...I biked the Creeper Trail, rode a 4-Runner, kayaked the New River and...went fishing. Each of these new experiences produced Zen-like...in the moment feelings where I was focused and enjoying every moment of that focus! I totally surrendered myself to each experience! I am bringing that Zen-like mindset "down the mountain" as I move into the next turn on this path that is my life. Starting this morning with a great walk/jog with my wife...continuing to the campus of UNCC with my DC colleagues...engaged in a great professional development session that will last all week long. It's interesting "being Tony the teacher" in this training...watching my NWP colleagues work the room. I'm so happy my DC peeps are here "breathing the NWP air." It's getting me excited to start the school year!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Re-programming the daily narrative and reaching new PR's...
Last day in the Windy City...didn't get to see much of it...too busy doing amazing work with amazing people for amazing reasons!!! In between all that amazing-ness...I found 35 minutes each day to walk/jog...today I decided to push myself just a little more...to see what was possible. I recorded a person record for distance and time per/mile! I desperately want to "bring this" passion and momentum into all aspects of my day and truth be told...it's probably already there to some degree. Not to "blow my own horn" but...I don't know many other people that can get as much out of a day as I can. Yet...I spend the micro-moments "in between" beating myself up because I'm not doing enough! I need to fill those moments up with other thoughts...like the thoughts that pass through me while I run...thoughts like, "This is amazing!" or "You are doing great...keep it up!" or "Keep going...you can do it!" Re-programming the micro-moments of my daily narrative is a life long journey...I get that. So...let's see where that takes me today!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
The Importance of Intervals...
I had a sort of "ah-ha moment" this morning while walk/jogging. Some of you know that I'm trying out this Couch to 5K thing and as a result...running has found me. I'm doing the program with my wife for several reasons...it's a part of my "balanced approach" to working on my Phd, it gives me 30 more minutes of activity each day and most importantly...it gives me 30 more minutes of quality time with my wife! We're in a holding pattern right now...between "weeks" due to my travel commitments. However, we did promise each other to remain active while apart from each other. For my wife, that's resulted in extra Spin classes. For me...that's resulted in trying out the treadmill at the hotel I'm staying at. I'm walk/jogging the routine my wife and I just finished prior to me having to travel. I thought it would be a cool way to revisit that workout...get to know it and myself as a novice runner--better. So...where's the "ah-ha moment" you ask? During this morning's workout...I started to see the importance of intervals...whether you're running...cycling...or in my case...working on my Phd...writing. Allow me to explain. There have been moments in my writing where I've "jogged" (attempted to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time...writing creatively about my research). There have been other times when I've "walked" (slowed it down...thought critically about what I did while "jogging"...this mostly in the form of revision). I'm not sure I'd be where I am...as a novice runner, would-be cyclist and emerging scholar if it were not for intervals. I consider "this"...blogging...one of those "slowing it down" moments...necessary...if I intend to "finish."
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