A guest post from my running buddy
I’ve mentioned a few times that one of the great things about running in 2010 was that I got a running buddy. He asked me to mention the importance of data on my blog so I did the next best thing and gave him the opportunity to do a guest post:
One of the things that has changed/improved my running (aside from hitting the road with Andrew) is tracking my performance. In other words, the use of data/information.
It was ‘simply’ by tracking how much I was eating (calories) and my weight that I managed to lose 28Kg. In tracking calories and weight, I began to make decisions that were better informed. I didn’t deliberately set goals, I just made informed decisions about what I choose to eat. In case your interested what I did was based on the “Hackers Diet“.
Running has been like that for me too. I track my performance and that allows me to make informed decisions. Knowing what I actually can do, and how much I’m doing helps me make informed decisions. That’s how I came to try running with a 5:15 pack at the YMCA … the data suggested that it was a real possibility. That’s how I went and broke my PBs for the 5k and 10k yesterday … the data suggested it was a real possibility. That’s how I know when I can (and cannot) do a 30k run (without injury); because I have the evidence about how I’ve been responding to longer distances.
I think many guides to running suggest keeping a running log, as it provides essential and concrete feedback on how things are going. A that allows realistic decisions to be made.
For me, I track my running using an iPhone app. I’ve a lot of them, and the best I’ve found is RunMeter. It’s outstandingly reliable, and that’s important to me. I hate doing a run and not having any data at the end of it. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Of course I ‘advertise’ my running date through some of the social websites (e.g., DailyMile) but that is primarily for my social network (and the great support one gets from such networks). But my primary log is RunMeter.
You can follow Peter on DailyMile or at his personal blog.
Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone
Shauna (Dietgirl) and Carla (Mizfit) published episode 11 of their “Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone” podcast today. The episode title is “Let’s Hear It For The Boys.” It’s all about men and blogging and they were particularly interested in why there appears to be fewer men than women participating in fitness/healthy living blogs.
I was lucky enough to be invited to participate and I think my contribution is enough to reinforce my opinion that I’ll never be a podcaster! Have a listen as I think it’s pretty interesting overall.
I listened to it while out on a run this morning. I did 15.4km on a bright sunny autumn morning and it was great!
In other news I’m changing my half marathon entry in the Christchurch Marathon to the full marathon! 
Smiling on the run
Michelle over at Just trying to figure it all out did a great post on smiling the other day:
It may be 7am, you may be one of those cars stuck in traffic as I run by you, you might have a horrible day coming up, but the sight of a happy, bouncy, running person with two spotty trotting dogs beside her happily smiling as you go by is bound to make you smile too, whether you like it or not.
Thus, I have passed the smile on, and hopefully made your day a little bit better, if only for a second.
I’ve seen her once or twice and she does smile a lot.
But the part of her post that resonates is this:
What is nice is that the regular walkers see me coming, and are now ready with a big smile for me when I come running by. They know the drill, they know I am chirpy in the morning and will smile and say something to them, and so they prepare themselves with a big smile too, and a quick “Lovely morning today” or “I’ll catch up with you one day” response.
I’ve got my regulars too! And it’s great to give them a cheery smile and get that cheery smile back.
A slack week and a bit of link love
It’s been a bit of a slack week with regard to my running. Monday and Tuesday were great. 14km and 13km respectively. Wednesday I was away all day at our local Microsoft headoffice as I had some student groups presenting in the Imagine Cup finals. Thursday we had a staff retreat and on Friday I had to go in very early to catch up on the work that I hadn’t done while being out of the office. I probably could have done a bit better with my planning and gotten some runs in but I think the rest will do me good so I’m not too fussed.
This morning (it’s Saturday here in NZ) I got up early (5AM) and headed out for a run. I love the early runs as I love running along and watching the sun come up:
Conditions were great and it was really nice to get out and stretch the legs. Once the sun was up it got a bit warmer:
But it was still great!
I’ve done 252 km in February and 516 km (321 miles) for the year so far. That’s not bad if I say so myself.
In other news, Brandon over at So long, fatass has issued a Weekend warriors challenge which I think I’ll enter. He’s noticed that he’s great at healthy living during the week but not so great on weekends. That’s one of my biggest weaknesses as well. So the idea is that next weekend we live healthy as well and see what results we can get.
Kepa, from The Lazy Fat Guy (and a fellow New Zealander), met and fell in love with Mary over at A Merry Life. She’s recently been here in NZ to visit him and now that she’s back in the States he’s pining away for her. He wants to visit her but he’s a poor student so he’s asking for donations. The blogosphere has been very kind to him so far and he’s almost raised enough money for his trip. If you’ve got a minute head over to his blog and read his story. He’s quite an impressive fellow who started off at over 500 pounds and has recently hit his first goal of getting under 220 pounds. He got on the TV news for that!
Ten things I love
The lovely Erin from Erin takes control tagged me to list out ten things that make me happy. I don’t normally bother with these things but I think happiness is important so I thought I would have a go. It’s things not people so I won’t list my lovely wife and daughter although they are #1!
1. My iPod Touch.
I love this device. I carry it almost everywhere I go. It carries my books, my music, my podcasts, my twitter and all sorts of other apps. Love it, love it, love it.
2. My Garmin Forerunner 305
I love knowing how far, how fast, how high, and how hard I’ve worked out. This GPS watch gives me all that and more.
3. My Sennheiser MX75 running headphones
These headphones are brilliant. Water resistant, fit great and sound brilliant while letting in ambient sound so that mack truck doesn’t run me over!
4. My iPod Shuffle
My brother got this for me for Christmas and I love it for those days that it is a bit wet and I don’t want to risk getting my iPod Touch wet.
5. My internet connection
I love being connected and having access to so many great things/people/ideas. I especially love that my internet connection gives me access to you folks. The ever supportive blogging community. I’ve received so much support, advice and encouragement – it’s truely a blessing.
6. My city
I love living in Auckland, New Zealand. Consistently ranked in the top 5 places to live in the world and I can testify that it is great.
7. Peanuts
I love peanuts and they love me. Enough said.
8. Mowing the lawn.
I really like mowing the lawn for some reason. It’s almost like therapy.
9. Reading books
I read a lot. Way too much according to some. I normally go through at least 2-3 books a week and I can’t imagine not having access to a book. My first paying job was in a bookshop but it didn’t pay enough for me to make a career of it.
10. Running
Last but not least. I love running which I think you’ve guessed by now.
Speaking of which I did a beautiful 10K this morning. Conditions were great:
Auckland is definitely lovely.
Never run alone – running with virtual friends
I love my running time but on most days I don’t want to just run. I want something to listen to as well. The sounds of my breathing puts my stride off or something. I’m not that keen on listening to music unless I want something quiet in the background while I ponder some problem or suchlike. Normally though, I listen to a podcast. I’ve just had a quick look in my itunes podcast directory and these are the podcasts I’m currently subscribed to:
Phedippidations is my favourite running podcast. Steve is a middle aged, back of the pack runner who talks about many interesting running topics such as famous runners, races, his training and other rambling diatribes.
Burning 2010 is a new podcast by the Zenrunner. This podcast is nominally about his aim to lose 20 pounds in 20 weeks this year but he talks about all sorts of weird and interesting stuff. The naked weigh-ins are not to be missed!
Two fit chicks and a microphone is hosted by everyone’s favourite Mizfit and Shauna the Amazing Dietgirl!
The Runners Round Table is where runners from around the world share tips, tell stories, and keep each other motivated. Sometimes this is great, sometimes it’s just good.
Running with Ghosts is another podcast about a runner but this one is following a lower carb lifestyle and doing crossfit.
4 Feet Running is a biweekly podcast with Nik and Dan! She’s a marathon runner training for her 6th. He’s a beginning runner who finished the C25K program and just ran his first half-marathon. I find it very entertaining.
Run Run Live is a podcast that I have loaded up but I haven’t actually listened to yet. Still working my way through the others! I have heard good things about it though.
WNYC’s Radio Lab is a science podcast that I absolutely love. They cover all sorts of interesting topics and I always feel smarter after listening to it.
I’ve also got a bunch of language lesson podcasts that I’m going to listen to (someday I’m sure) as I would like to learn a bit more Mandarin.
This morning I did a great 10.2K run in the Auckland Domain and I was listening to Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone. I got caught in a very wet shower for about ten minutes but the sun came out and dried me off very quickly.
Auckland marathon only 75 days away!
I saw this on Aaron’s blog and it got me pumping! I can’t wait for work to end so I can go for my run!
Inspirational Bloggers: Andrew’s Blog
I’m starting a new series of posts where I’m going to highlight some of my favourite blogs.
One of the things I personally find very helpful is reading about other people who have been there and done that and the first of these that I’m going to mention is my friend Andrew (AJH) from Andrew’s Blog. One of the great things about blogging is that you get to become friends with people you would not normally meet.
A bit about him in his own words:
In July of 2004 I weighed about 40kg more than I do now, and I’d been overweight for the previous 20 years of my life. By June of 2005 I had lost about 24 kg by sensible eating and increasing the amount of exercise I took – primarily walking and cycling. I wanted to lose a bit more, but started to find it really tough, hitting a plateau – big time. I joined a gym and started a 6 month plan with a personal trainer – this helped a little, but not a lot. My PT kept telling me I should run, but I had never been a runner, and didn’t think I could do it. However, he persisted (as they do) and I decided to try – it was oh so hard at first (run a few steps, die a little, run a few more), but gradually I got addicted.
In 2006 I completed my first half marathon, in 2007 I completed my first marathon and in 2008 I completed my first triathlon.
A more visual representation of his transformation:
Andrew’s blog is more than just a running and fitness blog. It’s a bit of a personal journal and I’ve learnt quite a lot about Melbourne and his life just by reading his blog for the last year or so. If you are ever in Melbourne on a Saturday odds are you’ll find him in the Victoria Markets!
I think each blog has a main theme or lesson that you can get from it and this one is no exception. Andrew is one of those folks who’ve lost the weight, gotten fit and kept himself that way successfully for a few years now. The main lesson I’ve picked up is that you have to keep exercising. Persistence and dedication do pay off.
Head on over and introduce yourself to him.
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