Hot & Humid Run, June 10th

I'll keep this short and sweet. Wednesday after work and before the Blackhawks game, I got in a 3.6 mile run, up to the Wooddale Forest Preserve. Temps were around 85 degrees and extra humid. My legs didn't seem to want to move as fast as I would have liked, but the heat wasn't going to let them move any faster. Next run should be on Thursday, my body is extra sore and tight from the heat that I had to deal with, so today will be a rest day. Maybe I'll be smart and do yoga to help with the soreness.

Highlights from my run:

Yesterday's Run

My run yesterday was very short and I took it fairly easy. Still managed to run 7:39 pace, but it fely much slower than that. My legs have felt heavy recently, but I think I just need to get out a little more and need to watch what I'm eating. I've realized lately how important my nutrition is to my running. Its very hard since I love to eat, but I don't want it costing me run days. 

I'm happy that at least I put some mileage in here at the beginning of the month, so hopefully my stats later in the month will be better than last month. 

Today the search for a race starts hot and heavy, I'll be looking for a 5K to run before the end of June. Let me know if you have any suggestions, I'd be up for running any race as long as it has a good cause and is located in the Chicagoland area. It would also be cool if it wasn't over $35. Happy Running Everyone!

First Race Checklist

Since a lot of you ask what I should be ready for, when running my first race. So, I decided to put together a list of items and my usual routine going into a race. Some of these things are common sense but if you are in a hurry this list might be handy as you are sprinting out the door.

Now all of this makes much more sense if give you a sense of what to get ready for as a first race approaches. As for me, it kind of is my first race all over again. Yes, I have run races before, and yes, I've been running a lot the last few months, but this again will be my first race after recovering from my left Achilles tear.

Thinking back to my recovery of my right Achilles, my first race back was the Naperville St. Patrick's Day Run of 2012. I was extra excited to run that day, showed up about a half an hour before the race and did some sprints to the registration tent to grab my packet. My heart rate never seemed to calm down. After I did some stretches and jogs, I felt slightly better.

Once I got to the line to start the race, my adrenaline spiked, and I took off once that gun fired. Wearing the goofy green top hat was making me extra warm since there wasn't anywhere for the heat to escape, I ended up having to carry it the last 1.5 miles of the race. Because I was too excited at start of race, I never got my watch set. Once I passed the second mile marker it said my time was 12:50, I knew my 2nd mile was 7 minutes, I realized my first mile was a sub 6 minute mile! Way too fast!

So now I keep thinking what could I have done differently to ensure that I wouldn't die the last mile like I did in the St. Paddy's Day race. Leading up to my first race this time, I will try to describe my pre-race routine and anything else that I may think of. As of now, here's my basic list of starter items that will help make your race a little easier:

The obvious:
Shoes, Socks
Shorts/Legging/Pants, underwear
T-shirt/jacket
Hat/gloves (when needed)

Not-so-obvious
Headphones attached to iPhone
Sunglasses
Heart rate Watch
Water Bottle

My next posting on this will focus on Pre-race food, I'll will look at foods to have before, during and after the race. Thanks for stopping by!

A look back at May 2015!

Overall, I have to be happy with my monthly performance, but since it all came in the second half of the month, I know I can do better. April was a huge month for me and I know I was in recovery mode for awhile.  As of today it's been 270 days since my surgery and April & May have been 2 of the 3 best months in the last 5 years. I know I just need to keep getting myself out the door and the rest is history. 

Well done to my Nike+ running buddies; Jennifer, Steve, Minna & drummer boy, Brandon!! Huge 80 mile month by Brian!! I have to say, seeing everyone stats push me to get out the door.  I hope I do the same to you!

I'll be looking to sign up for a 5K race soon and more to come after that. If you have any suggestions or requests for run pics, please let me know and I'll do my best to find new things to capture with my lens. Happy running!