Run, Run, Run Week 1 (Again)

Yep- I am rehashing the title of a previous post from a previous post (review if necessary)...

So I started week 1 of my campaign to run a half-marathon- again. Sadly, I was getting ready to run my longest run of my training so far (6 miles) before the gallbladder attack that sidelined me for nearly 3 weeks. After the surgery, recovery didn't seem to be going so well, so the hiatus was longer than I anticipated. With that much time away from the pavement, I was nervous that I would lose all of the momentum I had created in the weeks prior. I was right to be concerned.

For those not familiar with the struggles of new runner, running on a treadmill has is benefits and detriments. The benefits are a nicely controlled climate, TV to watch as I run, and speed control so all a person has to do is run. On the contrary, running indoors means no matter how fast you run, you never go anywhere and your eyes become fixated on how many minutes or distance you have left before you can stop. Running outside allows for the mind to be clear and enjoy the fresh air. However, it also means that you are at the mercy of the climate.

One thing I was not prepared for was the amount of pounding my legs would feel after my first run outside. The treadmill has a lot of give and also provides a runner with some forward-propelled motion to move to the next stride. Running on the ground provides a tougher surface and does not provide the forward momentum- you body must do all the work. Therefore, I felt as if my legs were beaten with a bat after my first run outside. My legs did not recover for several days. I had to actually push through the pain to complete additional runs while the legs were still sore. Eventually the legs began feeling better and I no longer had the pain in the aftermath of any run since.

I write this in order to say that after 3 weeks off from training, my first run felt the EXACT same way they did the first time I started running again. Hence, I lost all the endurance that I had built over August and September in just 3 weeks. While I was previously running approximately 15 miles per week, last week I was only able to run. a mere 5 miles. It's pretty pathetic to know that  if you don't continue to exercise, your muscles will atrophy to the point that you have to start over once again. All that endurance- gone.

This week I notice that I am building up endurance a bit faster than I did before, so all is not lost. This week I have already ran 5 miles in my first 2 runs of the week, so I should get to 10 miles this week. Next week, I hope to be closer to 12 miles or greater. Either way, I hope that I will not have any problems or illnesses that take me of the roadway in the near future. I am back on my quest for half-marathon!

If you are interested in daily runs, you can follow me as @mrogerson on Twitter, where I post each of my daily runs. If you are running, I would encourage you to use Nike+ which will track all of your runs, so you don't have to the work yourself. Also, with Nike+, you can challenge others and play running games that will encourage you and your friends to keep running. Let me know if you are using Nike+ and I will find you on Nike+ so we can keep in touch. If not, I will also keep you posted here as well. I hope to have a half-marathon completed in Spring of 2012. Depending on my progress, I may have a half-marathon completed by the end of the year! Wish me luck!

A New Window to the World

I love technology. I love finding tools, gizmos, and gadgets that make life faster, easier, or more fun. I love text messaging because it allows communication at a distance and adds to the instant gratification our society desires. Heck- blogging allows me to write an open letter to all people interested and keep a bizarre type of 21st Century diary...

For quite some time, my sister has been on me to join Twitter. She has been on it for quite a while and has told me that I really need to be a part of it. What's in it for me? Her response was simple- "It allows you to tell everyone what you're doing." Okay, but why do I really want to do that? I don't really care to know all of that about anyone. But- she is my sister and she is quite tech savvy as well, so I opened an account several months ago. I started to create my account and had to provide and email address and my cell number if I wanted my updates delivered to my phone. That wasn't something I was looking forward to divulging. I have an easy email address and an even easier cell number. If I am forced to change it because my info was sold to some marketing company, I am not going to be happy about it. After creating my account, I immediately chickened out and closed my account. How pathetic is that? I didn't like having to provide that information.

Months later, I was listening to my favorite radio show and heard Coach John Calipari (a guest on the show) give out his Twitter ID to follow him on his transition to Kentucky. I like him a lot and he has such an inspiring vibe about him. So I rejoined Twitter and began to follow him. Obviously, I also began to follow my sister, mother, and a couple of others that I knew had accounts. Then it clicked. I got it. I realized that this was one step further from society. Allow me to explain.

In the past, we communicated face-to-face. Next, telephones allowed us to communicate verbally without any visual contact. Then we create the Web and email, which eliminates the verbal communication provided by telephone. It also allows for one to send a message when time permits and the recipient to read whenever they have time. SMS (or text messaging) became vogue as a short message that allows a person to communicate is written bursts. Make a statement, go about your business. Instantly respond and continue what you are doing. Another step away from personal communication. Finally, Twitter- basically the most impersonal way to communicate to others. Now we can just shoot out a mass message that is not directed toward anyone in particular.

People have continuously said that the Web has brought the world closer together, but the converse is also true. We no longer have any real need for personal communication. We are able to distance and isolate ourselves further and further from one another. We can hide behind keyboards and shield ourselves with our cell phones. It is quite disheartening. Is it any wonder that people are so depressed living in a world where we continue separate ourselves from one another?

That said- I have thoroughly enjoyed Twitter. I am having a great time with it. If you wish to follow me, you may. Search for me: @mrogerson. I would appreciate it. I am making my sister proud. Thanks, Michelle- I am not sure what you have done to me and I am not sure if it is for better or worse. I guess we will see as time drifts on...

Get out of the tech world for a minute or two and do something novel- give someone a hug! That should be more instantly gratifying than any technological advance in our society.