Well, not literally. I did, however, push through my first run > 1 hour long (about 65 minutes) in probably two years, though, since I was last on a formal team for running. It wasn't incredibly intense (aside from the local hills), but it seemed like a nice accomplishment, which I hadn't really intended to do when heading out tonight. I'm finding it easier to put in longer distances running when there's not so much physical and mental fatigure from classes and other activities. It'll be nice to be in good shape for the family (real) camping trip to the Adirondacks coming up in two weeks (I believe), where we'll probably put in something like 30-40 miles of hiking in. Though having to wait up for the others during that does get slightly irksome.

There is rookie basics for marching band early next week, too, which I will be attending as a senior to show the ropes to the incoming freshmen. My mellophone section actually has freshman this year, yes.

I am totally loving how the local temperature has finally dropped back down to bearable levels (about 21C right now, with about 70% humidity). This is warm enough for a northerner.

I liked being on Varsity Track & Field, for the one year that I did, don't get me wrong. I intend to re-join "the team" next year (someone please remind of this next January). I've found, though, that there are a lot of things that I like about not being on "the team" too.

1.) Run on your own schedule. None of this "two hours after school, every day, even days off, and meets on weekends" crap. I run when I want to. Three PM. Nine PM. Eleven PM. Five AM. Works.

1a.) This means it doesn't conflict with brass ensemble or private lessons.

2.) Can take three days off, start back refreshed, and don't have to worry about not being able to keep up with everybody else. Running six days a week is HARD, and it takes its toll on the body. Plus, there are days when academic pressures simply don't leave a whole lot of free time. At least when you get back, you remember how much you like doing it, not how much you hurt from not getting any breaks.

3.) Manage your own schedule. I feel like running three miles, I run three miles. I feel like six, I go for six. Run/bike down to the track and do some speedwork? Done. It's fun to decide what you're going to do. Tomorrow I have planned speedwork at the track, weather depending (supposed to rain), and Friday is going to be long run day unless I hurt too much, in which case I'll throw in a couple easy miles then, and delay the long run to Saturday. This week's going to be somewhat lighter than last week, because of my three day break.

I've also decided that my goal is to make everybody in the neighbourhood think that WG marching band is some sort of fascist dictator-run cult (oh wait, it is...) by wearing marching band shirts while running all the time. Sometimes at crazy hours. Doing hill sprints. One and two and three and four! Hup to it! Pump those legs! Run, damnit! Pushups! Crunches! Go, go, go!

I was going to add something else too, but I can't seem to think of what it was. Uh... no more rubber bands on the braces... hmm.

This weekend's been fairly busy here.

Friday night, I watched the Syracuse NCAA basketball game with a couple friends, and then spent the night. They didn't seem to be in their element, and had a couple iffy calls against them (<COUGH> technical foul). Though I figured that they'd have a good chance of taking the game when it went into overtime.

It's almost shocking that they lost, at least IMO. I probably won't watch any other games; I hear that there were some other upsets as well, and I don't follow much else that's not SU anyway. Oh well. The scene (Lee, Sarah, and Mandy are friends):

First half:

Lee: "They suck, they're down by 2." Me: "Nah, they'll come back. Two's nothing." Sarah and Mandy: (making cupcakes in the background)

Later...

Me: "Crap, we're screwed." Sarah: "Fu..dge, we're screwed. Overtime, please..." Mandy and Lee: "They suck."

(After Vermont made that insane 3-pointer.)

(Group just sits there with jaws hanging.) Me: "That was insane. No way." Sarah: (starts attacking the tv) Lee: (laughs at Sarah and me) Mandy: (takes blackmail worthy pictures of Sarah and me getting into it)

At least I don't feel so bad about missing tip off, due to raiding a neighbour's basement for condensed milk (don't ask). (No, they weren't home.) (Yes, they had a dog.)

Last night, I had a gig with my brass quintet at a local church dinner (not my own). I never want to eat at another church function again. Let's just say that I'm sick as a dog, in a way that usually happens after eating improperly cooked food or else. Keep that bathroom close, and drink lots of water.

Wow, I feel like I've never felt this good in my life (though I know I've felt better). Just got back from a 30-minute run. Here's a few tips that I've learned over the few times I've tried to get back into shape after spending a period of sporadic physical activity.

1) Go for time, not speed. Tell yourself that you're going out to get 30 minutes of activity, not that you're going to try and run 7-minute miles for as long as possible. Especially if you've been in peak shape before (I have), you're going to feel frustrated when you get tired quickly. You're going to get a better workout if you stay at it longer; you'll build more cardiovascular endurance, and burn more energy if that's what you're looking for.

A few days ago, I went on a 35-minute run and took my heart rate when I stumbled back; the fact that it was over my training zone was a sort of wake up call to me. The body just can't go from nothing to speed demon.

2) Take it easy on hills. No reason to give yourself an extra reason to validate cutting a workout short by killing yourself tearing up a hill.

3) Vary your workouts. There's no better way to generate boredom and disinterest than by going out and running the same route over and over again. Never run the same route two days in a row. Try and throw in a little biking, aerobics, swimming, or club sports, or skiing or snowshoeing if it's the winter and there's snow.

4) Don't stop. Don't be afraid to slow down if you're feeling like crap, but if you start walking in the middle of a run, you're not going to get started again.

5) Don't make excuses. While you don't have to go out every single day, tell yourself that you do. It's really easy to say "I'll do it tomorrow."

6) If all else fails, run with a friend. Even those with the discipline to force themselves know the benefits of working out with someone else. When you work with a partner, you naturally push each other.

7) Don't give up. It's frustrating to not be able to do what you could once do, but it will get better. Heck, I'm still in the process of working my way out of my sporadic attempts to start running again this winter. They all failed because I was going for speed, and not time.

Being in great shape is a great feeling, and something that I'm looking forward to being able to experience again. Hopefully things will continue to go well.