Day 1

Iron: is a metallic chemical element with the symbol Fe (Latin: ferrum) and atomic number 26. Iron is a group 8 and period 4 element and is therefore classified as a transition metal. Iron and iron alloys (steels) are by far the most common metals and the most common ferromagnetic materials in everyday use. Fresh iron surfaces are lustrous and silvery-grey in color, but oxidize in air to form a red or brown coating of ferrous oxide or rust. Pure single crystals of iron are soft (softer than aluminium), and the addition of minute amounts of impurities, such as carbon, significantly strengthens them. Alloying iron with appropriate small amounts (up to a few per cent) of other metals and carbon produces steel, which can be 1,000 times harder than pure iron.

Woman: A woman (irregular plural: women) is a female human. The term woman is usually reserved for an adult, with the term girl being the usual term for a female child or adolescent. However, the term woman is also sometimes used to identify a female human, regardless of age, as in phrases such as "Women's rights".

Began 26-week marathon plan based on Marnie Caron's book, "Marathon and Half Marathon: The Beginner's Guide." Today was hot, about 80 degrees, so I waited till 7:00 at night. The neighborhood kids were running around. Love how they ride and park their bikes on the sidewalk. According to the plan I am supposed to alternate a shuffle with walking. I am still not clear as to what a shuffle is. The book says it is like a fast walk where you don't bounce. I seem to only have a fast walk to jog speed. At any rate, I ended up going somewhat faster at some points, and somewhat slower at others.

I would like to register for an actual marathon at this point. The problem is, 26 weeks from now, it will be the end of Feb. and there are NO marathons on in this part of the country! I could either continue on the plan and run my own marathon at that time, or I could just complete it and try to maintain fitness for about 2 months before a marathon in my area comes available.

My overall goal is to complete Ironman Louisville next year. The race is being held next weekend and I would need to register soon after. The registration fee is $500. My plan is to do a 26-week marathon plan, then a 26-week Ironman plan.


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Now playing: Dave Matthews Band - Christmas Song
via FoxyTunes

Running in the rain

Yesterday, I went off for lifetime brick #2. To kill two birds with one stone, Drew took the girls to the dog park, and I set off to do my silly exercise thing. First of all, I need to inflate my front bike tire, My bike seat I put on backwards, and my chain dropped, but I'm getting better at fixing it, so that is ok. I went to explore a new bike trail at a local park. It was only 3.34 miles, and I was supposed to do 4, but that's close enough. Dropped off the bike with Drew, and went to go running. There is something about the bike-run transition that makes me want to throw up. They say that all of your blood is in your 'bike muscles' and it has to have about 15 minutes to get into your 'run muscles'. It seems to me that legs are legs and muscles are muscles, it's all connected, right? All this time, there was a big black rain cloud in the east, but thats, no problem since weather moves from west to east, right?

One little sprinkle: 'oh cool, it won't be as hot now'

A raindrop or two: 'ooh that's refreshing'

Downpour: 'oh shit, where did that come from?'

It seems that this hurricane on the east coast is pushing all weather in the opposite direction. I see now why I sometimes see those crazy runner types running in the rain, it actually feels good; especially when it is hot. I called Drew on my cell phone, and he came to pick me up, and had a towel on the car seat for me, and the girls were packed up in the back seat. It wasn't bad at all. Running in a downpour.