January 15th – Marathon Training Update

by Charley on January 16, 2010

Okay, I forgot to post yesterday, but I did run.  I did my two miles in 23:04.  I get a little faster each time.  Unfortunately, the pain in my shins is a bit persistant.

I weighed in today at 192 and ate moderately, and well.  Had sushi for dinner, some eggs for breakfast, Juiced some apples, carrots and celery, and had a small piece of cheese lasagna.  The important part is that I managed to stay away from snacking which isn’t always easy to do when I’m sitting around the house caring for three babies all weekend.

Tomorrow is a long run and I may attempt it outside.  The temperature is supposed to be in the upper 30’s Fahrenheit which is quite nice this time of year here.

Week Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Jan 4 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 1 m run rest 2
Jan 11 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 2 m run rest 3
3 Cross Rest 2 m run 2 m run 2 m run rest 4
4 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6
5 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7
6 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5
7 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9
8 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10
9 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7
10 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12
11 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13
12 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10
13 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15
14 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16
15 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12
16 Cross Rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18
17 Cross Rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14
18 Cross Rest 5 m run 10 m run 5 m run rest 20
19 Cross Rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12
20 Cross Rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8
21 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest RACE!

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January 14 – Marathon Training Update

by Charley on January 14, 2010

So, despite my garage burning down twice today, I still managed to get my run in.  I ran a mile as prescribed in 11:45.  My bodyweight remained the same as yesterday at 193 lbs.

My left shin is killing me right now.  I assume this is what is meant by shin splints.  I’ll be looking forward to my rest day on Saturday.   I’m sure it would be better to rest the shin now, but I’m not about to let a nagging injury keep me from running.  I’ll make some form adjustments and see what happens in the next few runs.

Week Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Jan 4 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 1 m run rest 2
Jan 11 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 2 m run rest 3
3 Cross Rest 2 m run 2 m run 2 m run rest 4
4 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6
5 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7
6 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5
7 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9
8 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10
9 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7
10 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12
11 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13
12 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10
13 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15
14 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16
15 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12
16 Cross Rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18
17 Cross Rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14
18 Cross Rest 5 m run 10 m run 5 m run rest 20
19 Cross Rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12
20 Cross Rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8
21 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest RACE!

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January 13th – Marathon Training Update

by Charley on January 13, 2010

So, after a day of cross training and a day of rest, I was back on the treadmill today.  Weather outside is still sub-freezing, which again, doesn’t bother me, but the lack of concerned citizens shoveling their sidewalks kind of f*cks up my attempts to run outside.

Just as a side note, I’ve done two cross trainings so far, one on each monday of this plan, and I’ve simply been doing some yoga to begin to build some fundamental strength and to stretch out my sore body.  I almost feel I’m on the verge of shin splints from the running, but I’ve never really had them so I don’t know what they feel like.

I ran a mile today.  This time a 12 minute mile.  Again, just trying to get a bit faster each time till, ideally, I am running nine minute miles.

Weighed in at 193 today, which is up a bit.  That may be from weighing myself at night instead of the morning this time, or it might be the junk food binge I hit today when my stress level hit 9.0 at work.  When stress comes barreling down, some folks drink, some do drugs…Charley eats chocolate.  Very unmanly but it is what it is…

Week Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Jan 4 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 1 m run rest 2
Jan 11 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 2 m run rest 3
3 Cross Rest 2 m run 2 m run 2 m run rest 4
4 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6
5 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7
6 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5
7 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9
8 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10
9 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7
10 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12
11 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13
12 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10
13 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15
14 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16
15 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12
16 Cross Rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18
17 Cross Rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14
18 Cross Rest 5 m run 10 m run 5 m run rest 20
19 Cross Rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12
20 Cross Rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8
21 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest RACE!

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January 10th – Marathon Training Update

by Charley on January 10, 2010

Just a quick note as it’s been a busy day around the house, but I just completed Week One of my Marathon training program.  Today was a two mile run that I ran in 24:28.  I’ve slowly upped the treadmill speed by one tenth of a mile each run and I will enter this week at a slow, but improving 5.0mph.

Also, I weighed in at 193 today, so I’m down seven pounds from the beginning of the year.  Good start, and I’m just taking it week by week.  My cross training right now is Yoga until the weather warms a bit and then I’ll join the pool downtown and can mix in some bike commutes.

Week Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Jan 4 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 1 m run rest 2
2 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 2 m run rest 3
3 Cross Rest 2 m run 2 m run 2 m run rest 4
4 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6
5 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7
6 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5
7 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9
8 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10
9 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7
10 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12
11 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13
12 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10
13 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15
14 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16
15 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12
16 Cross Rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18
17 Cross Rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14
18 Cross Rest 5 m run 10 m run 5 m run rest 20
19 Cross Rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12
20 Cross Rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8
21 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest RACE!

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January 8th Marathon Training Update

by Charley on January 8, 2010

As it’s mid-winter in snowy Buffalo, New York I’ve been doing my training on a treadmill this week.  Sunday is my long run and it’s supposed to be 14 degrees Farenheit for the high (which is minus a shytload Celsius).  So, we’ll have to play it by ear.  I’ve certainly trained in sub zero weather before but I was 15 years younger and sixty pounds lighter back then.

I ran my one mile just a short while ago.  I worked all day and then taking care of the triplets tonight, I was unable to find a minute to train till 10pm EST.  It’s fine, I’m more of a night person anyway, and I felt pretty strong running.  I did one mile in 12:30.  I try to slowly step the speed up one tenth of a mile per hour on the treadmill each time.  I’ll keep increasing that till I cannot comfortably up it any longer.

I weighed in this morning at 192 lbs.

We had a fish fry tonight for dinner and I only had a half dozen bites which is a good thing.  Normally, fried food appeals to me but it was kinda make me ill.  Yes, I know, I’m only 8 days into the new year, but eating better seems to be my upward trend right now.

Week Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Jan 4 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 1 m run rest 2
2 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 2 m run rest 3
3 Cross Rest 2 m run 2 m run 2 m run rest 4
4 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6
5 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7
6 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5
7 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9
8 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10
9 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7
10 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12
11 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13
12 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10
13 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15
14 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16
15 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12
16 Cross Rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18
17 Cross Rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14
18 Cross Rest 5 m run 10 m run 5 m run rest 20
19 Cross Rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12
20 Cross Rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8
21 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest RACE!

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January 7 Marathon Training Update

by Charley on January 7, 2010

Did my run on my lunch today.  One mile run in 12:45 so, slightly better than yesterday.  I weighed in at 192 lbs this morning, down eight pounds since the beginning of the year but I attribute much of that to being active again, after being sedentary for a good seven months.

I’ve also been eating a lot better.  Definitely not starving myself, but since I’ve been keeping myself more busy with my goals, I’ve had less time to sit and think about food. 

For breakfast today I had a Go Raw bar and two cups of coffee.  For lunch, some leftover whole wheat pasta and vegetables with a glass of milk and a clementine for desert. 

I’ve been dying for some rice pudding lately, though and I’m not doing this to deny myself of stuff I love.  So, I’ll make some tonite or bribe my wife to do it.  Not that rice pudding is the richest of deserts but it is moderately so.

Week Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Jan 4 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 1 m run rest 2
2 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 2 m run rest 3
3 Cross Rest 2 m run 2 m run 2 m run rest 4
4 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6
5 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7
6 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5
7 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9
8 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10
9 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7
10 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12
11 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13
12 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10
13 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15
14 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16
15 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12
16 Cross Rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18
17 Cross Rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14
18 Cross Rest 5 m run 10 m run 5 m run rest 20
19 Cross Rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12
20 Cross Rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8
21 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest RACE!

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Google Calendar Rules – January 6 Writing Update

by Charley on January 6, 2010

I’m new to Google Calendar….yeah, I’m new to a lot of things.  I started using it over the weekend to actually set appointments where I would go workout or to set writing blocks.  Yes, this is not some new, grandiose life hack, but the fact is, it’s damn effective.

I’ve decided to most my writing sessions for my book online every day, in the spirit of Radical Transparency.  Unfortunately, I can’t seem to hide and nest pages using this Wordpress Theme, so I’ve had to post them over at my main blog, You Simplified.

So, if you want to check out what I wrote today, the entire whining, muling first draft, click here.

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January 6 Marathon Training Update

by Charley on January 6, 2010

Day 3 of training for the Buffalo 26.2 Mile marathon.  This is the first actual day on the schedule where running is involved.

I ran one mile today in 13:02…not exactly lighting it up.  I am four pounds short of fat guy (now 196) with the hopes of getting down to 166 by the race on May 30th, 2010.  I had to wait till 9pm to get the run in because I worked all day and then we had company over to visit the triplets.  But, I made sure I got it done.

It’s easier to be motivated to do this when I have the Training chart handy:

Week Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
Jan 4 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 1 m run rest 2
2 Cross Rest 1 m run 1 m run 2 m run rest 3
3 Cross Rest 2 m run 2 m run 2 m run rest 4
4 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 6
5 Cross Rest 3 m run 3 m run 3 m run rest 7
6 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 5
7 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 3 m run rest 9
8 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 10
9 Cross Rest 3 m run 5 m run 3 m run rest 7
10 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 12
11 Cross Rest 3 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 13
12 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 10
13 Cross Rest 3 m run 7 m run 4 m run rest 15
14 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 16
15 Cross Rest 4 m run 8 m run 5 m run rest 12
16 Cross Rest 4 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 18
17 Cross Rest 5 m run 9 m run 5 m run rest 14
18 Cross Rest 5 m run 10 m run 5 m run rest 20
19 Cross Rest 5 m run 8 m run 4 m run rest 12
20 Cross Rest 4 m run 6 m run 3 m run rest 8
21 Cross Rest 3 m run 4 m run 2 m run rest RACE!

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What is Radical Transparency?

by Charley on January 4, 2010

Radical Transparency is, essentially, a form of management where all decision-making is made publicly.

How it is applied here is that this site is a very public, daily account of my progress towards my 2010 goals.

That means as I write my book manuscript, I include frequent updates of the content here.

That means I share my training plan and my daily progress going from Couch potato on January 1, 2010 to Marathon runner on May 30th, 2010.

That means I document here my experiences with living 365 Days with 100 possessions.

It means that anything I care to share about my personal experience goes here.

This is the first post on this site. As it’s the first Monday of the New Year, I began day 1 of my training regiment for the 2010 Buffalo Marathon. At 5′ 9″ and 200 lbs on a very small frame, I am a dismal mess. My ideal weight is 160.

And what did I do on Day 1? Well, I didn’t run. It so happens the way the training is structured, I do my long run on Sunday, followed by a day of Cross Training. Given that my body is so rigid and inflexible, I elected to do a Yoga Routine this morning as my Cross Training. It was a 7 Minute Routine that is part of Nate Rifkin’s Lumberjack Yoga program.

Also, I’ve been working on an Outline for a book on Simple Living. Today was Day 1 of writing and I decided that if I wanted to have a 200 page book written in a reasonable amount of time, I would write two pages a day separated into two short sessions. A page is about 300 words so, if I’m uninterrupted, I can usually blow through that in about fifteen to twenty minutes.

I do one session on lunch at work, and another in the evening after the babies are put down for bed. I finished session 1 today and it was a bunch of garbage, as most first drafts are, but this one was especially shitacular. I will be adjourning to a second session immediately after I publish this post.

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