On Monday I conducted some client meetings with a colleague who also runs - not marathons, but runs - and, I think, she is probably about 20 years or more younger than me. I was asking her how her daughter's running was going and we talked a bit about my progress.

I mentioned how I have this habit of counting my steps during my run intervals to keep myself motivated in that I only have so many steps left in a run interval and I can then look forward to a rest (walk) for a minute or so. It has always been my intention to let go of this habit once I get running more and further. She suggested I just stop now and focus on listening to my music.

So, Tuesday being my next Run I did that. HOLY CRAP! I cut a full 2 minutes off my time! That said, I was getting exhausted towards the end of my last couple of run intervals. (I have been careful to avoid having that happen - up until now.) My next Run is tomorrow morning. I will need to somehow adjust my pace without the benefit of "counting" and see how I do. I want a full 45 minutes of activity (minimum) including my warm-up walk. But, I do not believe I am ready to extend my distance based on my Run yesterday. Not just yet, anyway.

 BTW - Does the colour of your home's front door match your car? After my wife's recent house painting, ours does! Or, at least it matches my wife's car. I guess my car matches our roof!


Today's Walk - 5:55am; 5.3kms; 53mins; 18c; clear

Yesterday's Run - 6:05am; 6.0kms; 43.5mins (wow!); 17c; clear

Monday's Walk - 6:05am; 5.3kms; 52.5mins; 12c (birr!); partly cloudy

My Run on Thursday went fine. I woke up with a bit of a sore back, but I did my Run and I have been fine since. Didn't even hurt my back re-installing the toilet!

So, the painting is done - for now. We have a newly painted main bathroom, front hall entrance and a bright yellow front door! It matches my wife's car! Oh, well. You have to have some fun in life!



Thursday's Run - 6:05am; 6kms; 46mins; 17c, clear

Friday's Walk - 6:00am; 5.3kms; 53.5mins; 17c; clear

Yesterday's Run - 6:10am; 6kms; 45.5mins; 16c; clear

Today's Walk (off day, casual walk) - 7:20am; 5.3kms; 53.5mins; 17c; clear

I have been having trouble keeping up with posting on this blog - obviously.

Anyway ...

So, I stretched my Run on Saturday as I intended - moving from 60 seconds run/90 seconds walk to 75 seconds run /75 seconds walk. So, I both increased my run interval and decreased my walk interval at the same time. Boy, that was a tough Run. But, I made it!

Because I wanted to make sure I am active for at least 45 minutes, on Sunday I went for a walk to measure out some slight changes to my route. And, I did the same on Monday with my usual Walk day.

Meanwhile, my lovely wife is taking this week off from work for "vacation" time. And, of course, she has decided to start to repaint the inside of our house - starting with the upstairs (main) bathroom. This necessitates removing the toilet so she can properly paint behind it. Well, removing the toilet and putting it into the bathtub out of the way caused me to strain a muscle in my back - lifting and twisting without thinking, of course.

Tuesday morning, I woke to a sore back. It was supposed to be a Run day, but I wasn't sure how it would go - especially with my newly extended run intervals. Amazingly, it went fine!

This morning I woke up fine. But, as soon as I went to get dressed my back went and I could hardly move. I still went for my Walk, but I wasn't sure how far I'd get. (I had visions of phoning my wife to come and get me in her car.) Well, I made it. But, as you can see by my time, it is one of the worst paces I have had in a long time, although most of the slow part was the first half.

Geez ... I must be getting old!


Friday's Walk - 6:05am; 5.3kms; 52mins; 17c; cloudy

Saturdays' Run - 6:05am; 5.9kms; 44mins; 18c; clear

Sunday's Walk (off day, casual walk) - 5:55am; 6kms; 59.5mins; 18c; clear

Monday's Walk - 6:00am; 5.3kms; 53.5mins; 17c; partly cloudy

Yesterday's Run - 6:10am; 6kms; 46mins; 16c; clear

Today's Walk - 6:10am; 5.3kms; 57mins; 16c; clear