Archive for July, 2008

Speed Work Today

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

Today was my first ever speed work session. I guess it is also called “interval training”. Today’s workout consisted of the following.

1) Ran at a 10K pace (not easy since I had never run a 10K before)
2) Run for 800 meters (I hate the metric system. Call it 1/2 mile)
3) Walk/jog for 90 seconds (I chose to walk ;) )
4) Do this set 8 times.

Boy, that was a workout. I was wheezing like I was back in February training for a measly 5K. Thankfully, I’ve made progress since then, or I wouldn’t have been able to do this workout.

All told, I covered 4.x miles in XX minutes, including 7 walking breaks of..oh..let’s say..95 seconds each. Not too shabby.

Admittedly, I held back a little, which I assume one would do in a 10K. After all, it’s not a sprint. My running schedule actually calls for doing the long runs on Saturday. Since I did mine on Sunday, I only had one
light cross training day between my long run (my longest run since October) and today’s speed workout instead of two. That may have affected my performance this morning.

At any rate, I’m glad to have worked in some of the finer points of training into my running at least once in my life ;)

I’ll stick with the speed work as long as I can. I’m told it also helps you on longer endurance runs.

Stay tuned.

Cross Training Today

Monday, July 21st, 2008

Spent 45 minutes swimming today after work. Whew! I’m planning on trying a triathlon next year, and an Ironman the year after that, and I can say without a doubt that the swimming part is going to be the most difficult. I’ve never been a great swimmer. My legs have a lot of muscle and always sink instead of float. I can never quite seem to breathe in without also getting some water up my nose ;)

But I’ll have a wet suit for the triathlon, so that might help a little. May help me look better too. ;)

Bank of America Pimp Slaps Earnings Estimates!!

Monday, July 21st, 2008

Bank of America came out with Q2 profit of $0.72 vs. $0.53 estimates. Booyaa!!

I may unload some today and buy it back on a pullback.

Stay tuned…

14 Miles, 2 Hours, 34 Minutes

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

I made sure to get up very early this morning so I could go running. Had a bit of a run in with some large flying insects at mile 3 who just kept buzzing around my head and would not stop, even as a flailed my arms around my head as I ran. I knew I couldn’t keep that up on the way out, let alone on my way back, so I doubled back and changed my route to an open road. Much better than the paved trails deep in the woods. :)

This long run called for “Pace Plus” which means running 20 to 50 seconds slower per mile than your planned marathon pace. I chose the 50. ;) As it turned out, my 10 minute mile pace is much more of a challenge this year than last thanks to the extra weight from the off season. Plus I was carrying another 5 pounds of water on my back. As a result, I didn’t have to struggle to run at a 10:50 pace. Well, actually I did, but I was struggling to keep up! :(

In the end, I ran at an 11 minute mile. Not too bad for a long run. This was my longest run of the year, beating out the half marathon I did on June 1. This time I made sure to walk a bit after the run and do a little stretching as part of a cool down. After a nice hot shower, I made myself a protein shake. Much better for recovery than my usual Red Bull or a Starbucks (although I admit I’m drinking some Starbucks right now) ;)

I’m slowly but surely coming back. Hopefully the protein shake will help me recover and I can do some cross training tomorrow.

Stay tuned folks. I’ll keep you posted. Cool runnings! ;)

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No Running Today

Saturday, July 19th, 2008

After the 8.5 miles yesterday, my legs were too tired to do a long run today. I’ve got a little discomfort in my hips too. That was the source of my last two bad injuries, so I definitely want to take it easy.

We’ll see what tomorrow brings. I’m going to get up extra early to do my run because we are officially in a heat wave these days and I don’t want to get caught outside trying to run in 90+ degree heat. I’m also carrying at least 10 extra pounds on me, plus another 5 pounds for the water pack.

Say a prayer for me and stay tuned…

Jimmy Justice Is Full Of Himself

Friday, July 18th, 2008

So there’s this “activist” in New York City who calls himself Jimmy Justice who videotapes police officers breaking the law (mostly parking violations) and posts them on Youtube.

According to Wikipedia: “He is known for becoming verbally violent on camera, often loosing [sic] his temper, screaming at the police.”

Nice! It’s good know that the September 11th attacks, in which many New York City police officers lost their lives, has not been lost on this guy

Being verbally abusive to police officers who are not doing anything to you? For what? Parking near a fire hydrant? Just an aside, why post them Youtube? Why not write your congressman? Why not write the mayor? Maybe it’s because you wouldn’t get nearly as much attention.

Admit it, Jimmy, this is 25% about police officers breaking the law, and 75% about you and your internet fame.

Your worse than a blogger ;)

P.S. A true sign of a loser is one who gives himself a nickname.

8.5 Miles, 1 Hour, 32 Minutes

Friday, July 18th, 2008

Well, not exactly a land speed record, but respectable, especially considering I had to wait for the light to change during my run…twice. It’s amazing how tired I am from pushing it two days ago.

My schedule calls for a long tomorrow of 20 miles. There’s no way I’m going to be able to that. In fact, my knees are giving me trouble today after that run. I may put off the long run until Sunday. We’ll see.

Take care and stay tuned…

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No Running Today…

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Still hurting from kicking it up a notch yesterday. Of course, my friend Scott can just turn it on like it ain’t no thing ;)

I’ll try tomorrow morning for 8.5 miles, which I’m supposed to run at “Tempo”, whatever that is…

Bank of America - Dead Cat Bounce?

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Did I speak too soon? Ho-Lee COW we had a good day yesterday. Bank of America roared back with the rest of the financial sector over 4 points to $22.67!!! Woo Hoo! Talk about skyrocketing. Of course, this is the 3rd week of the month, so I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that this is a classic short squeeze. We may see BAC fall again by early next week after options have expired.

Then again, maybe this is “the bottom” and a recovery is on the way? Future oil demand is falling, along with the price of oil. The government (rightly or wrongly) is bailing out Fannie and Freddie. This may be the tipping point toward a new bull market!!

Time will tell. :)

6 Miles, 58 Minutes, 57 Seconds

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Man, I really had to kick it up a notch to make this. I was on my usual pace of about 10:20/mile or so, and then about halfway I decided that it had been too long since I completed a workout at my usual pace of 10 minute miles.

So at mile 3.5 I really kicked it up. I had about 0.2 miles to before I got to my condo complex. My condo sits about half way up a VERY steep hill. By the time 6 miles clicked off on my Garmin, I was wheezing like a guy that smoked a carton a day for 30 years. But man it felt good to come in under an hour :)

I’m going to pay for this later though. :(

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