Ravi's Running Blog

May 9

2007-05-09T20:03:00.000-04:00

Spring evening run

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 30
Course: Paths along J-way to Little League ballfields at Bynner and back.
Time of Run: 07:00 pm
Pace: Moderate
Memorable song(s) on iPod: Panda Bear album Person Pitch

This run suited me better... and I didn't even think I would go out tonight. I took it easy at first, stopped to stretch at the Pond, and then picked up the pace. Some tightness in my outer left hip, so I'm icing that.

Tuesday, May 8

2007-05-09T20:01:00.000-04:00

Early morning intervals

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 25
Course: Jamaica Pond.
Time of Run: 06:30 pm
Pace: 30 second high-tempo, 90 second slow
Memorable song(s) on iPod: Still the new Rush album, Snakes and Arrows

I'm trying a workout routine from a Men's Fitness book recommended by my brother-in-law George. So I did some speed intervals. My right ankle was very tight and my right knee hurt a bit also. I don't think I'll do speed intervals until I can get to the point where I can run 15-20 minutes first. It usually takes that long to get all the kinks out.

Starting up again

2007-05-09T19:56:00.000-04:00

May 2nd jog

Distance: 2.5 miles
Time: 25
Course: Jamaica Pond.
Time of Run: 06:30 pm
Pace: Very easy
Memorable song(s) on iPod: New Rush album, Snakes and Arrows

After many months of physical therapy in the fall and some treadmill running at our gym over the winter, I thought it would be good to get out and try running for real. I took it very easy as I'm way out of shape.

Actually running!

2006-05-21T23:26:00.000-04:00

5 minute intervals

Distance: 1.4 miles
Time: 15:00 (5 minute jog, 1 minute walk, 5 minute jog, 1 minute walk, 5 minute jog)
Course: Jamaica Pond.
Time of Run: 01:00 pm
Pace: Very easy
Memorable song on iPod: Painter in Your Pocket, by Destroyer

This was my first real run since I've been having hip problems. Sonia and I walked one lap around the pond, then I stretched for a long time before running. I think I've been able to locate where my hip is tight, so I was able to really stretch that out. It felt good to run again. I iced for a while afterwards and am putting heat on now.

One small step for man...

2006-05-07T09:38:00.000-04:00

So I've been officially off of running for the last few months due to a strange hip ailment. I first noticed this when I was getting into the car -- it was very difficult (and painful) to lift my left leg -- at the hip point. I've gone to some specialists, had a "sensory deprivation" MRI and X-rays. My hip (apparently) is fine.

I've been on prescription anti-inflammatories and have stopped carrying my jumbo George Costanza like wallet in my front pocket (my theory is it was pressing into my hip when I was sitting). And I've been trying to wear looser pants (aka "fat pants") to not aggrevate the hip.

So things have been feeling a little better and I took my first short strides yesterday while walking around Jamaica Pond with Sonia.

Two 60 second jogs.

No immediate pain and I feel okay today.

Yeah yeah, I'm hip, I'm hip!

2006-03-02T21:14:00.000-05:00

So this blog has been dormant due to my nagging hip weakness/pain...

I had an X-ray yesterday and I've an appointment with an orthopedist in a couple of weeks, so hopefully I can figure out what is going on in time for the spring... and in time for me to start running again!

As it is, this lack of activity and bum hip make me waddle more than walk now.

Saturday, November 12

2005-11-13T20:48:00.000-05:00

Okay, I've been off this blog for about a month... in that time I did go for a couple of short runs, but overall I've more or less taken a breather. The cold, dark weather has not helped.

But I went out yesterday morning, on the heels of finally registering for the upcoming Gobble Gobble Gobble.

Distance: 3+ miles
Time: 27:23 total; 13:40 splits
Course: Two laps around the pond.
Time of Run: 10:00 am
Pace: Moderate.
Memorable song on iPod: Cool Rock Boy, by Juliana Hatfield

How I felt: Very out of shape! I wanted to stop after the first lap but gutted it out for one more. I need to get my distance up (quickly!) in preparation for the Thanksgiving run.

Tufts 10K for Women

2005-10-10T18:01:00.000-04:00

No, I didn't run the Tufts 10K for Women (though that does sound like a good Three Abreast premise!)

My wife ran it with some of her friends. I was there to cheer the gals on!

I've posted a clip of the start of the race over at blip.tv (dipping my toe into the vlogosphere)

Friends of Borderland 5-K Race

2005-10-10T16:24:00.000-04:00

I ran the first Friends of Borderland 5-K Race on Sunday down at Borderland State Park. It was actually more of a 3-miler according to the organizers and it seemed as if the course was kind of "adjusted" at the last minute. There was a strange half mile loop to start, so that we came back upon the start line after 4 minutes or so.

The rest of the course was nice -- trails and fields. Nothing too crazy.

It was a cold and rainy morning and my legs generally felt tight. Still I was happy with the race. I finished at 27:20 or something. If I'd run a little faster I might have gotten third place in my age group! (it was a small running field).

Sonia came out to cheer me on, along with Helen (my mother-in-law) and Savannah (my dog-in-law).

Thursday, October 6

2005-10-10T16:22:00.000-04:00

Pre-race tune-up

Distance: 2+ miles
Time: 21:30 total
Course: Pond down to football field at Bynner and back to Pond, with a little extra.
Time of Run: 7:00 am
Pace: Moderate.

How I felt: In pain! My knee was bothering me and then when I stopped to stretch I felt a serious pinch/pain in my left hip and groin area. Ugh. I almost considered just walking back at that point, but ran it back. I may have to see a doctor at some point for all these knee/hip/groin thingies.

Tuesday, October 4

2005-10-05T08:23:00.000-04:00

5K plus more

Distance: 3.2 miles approx
Time: 28:50
Course: Jamaica Pond, trails to Route 9 and back, with a loop around the pond.
Time of Run: 6:00 pm
Pace: Moderate with a fast finish

How I felt: Best strong finish I've had to run, but still felt tough.

Monday, October 3

2005-10-05T08:20:00.000-04:00

Don't Tread on Me

Distance: 1.5 miles
Time: 15:00
Course: Treadmill at the Woodstock Fitness Club in Vermont.
Time of Run: 9:00 am
Pace: Moderate

How I felt: Okay, but it was odd to run on a treadmill after so long (I used one at my former gym last winter)

Saturday, October 1

2005-10-01T18:43:00.000-04:00

5K repeat

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 33:00
Course: Jamaica Pond, trails to Route 9 and back, with a loop around the pond.
Time of Run: 10:30 am
Pace: Easy, then faster
Memorable song on iPod: Babs and Babs, by Daryl Hall and Robert Fripp

How I felt: Since I hadn't run since last Sunday, my legs felt strong. I had a good strong finish to the run.

Tuesday, September 27

2005-10-01T18:38:00.000-04:00

Cross-training day -- bicycling

Distance: approx 15 miles
Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Course: From JP to WGBH in Allston, from WGBH to Fenway Park and back, WGBH to JP
Time of Run: 9 am, 1 pm, 3pm, 6pm respectively
Pace: fairly quick

How I felt: I felt good to be cycling. We had tickets to the Red Sox game on Monday night, but it got rained out, so the make-up game was 1 pm on Tuesday. My supervisor at work kindly shifted a 3 o'clock meeting to 3:30. It only took about 15 minutes to bike to Fenway park from work! It was a gorgeous day -- and the Sox won!

Sunday, September 25

2005-09-26T07:49:00.000-04:00

A Run in the Woods

Distance: 4 miles
Time: 38:00 total
Course: Borderland State Park loop.
Time of Run: 11:30 am
Pace: Moderate

Memorable song on iPod: Brainwashed by George Harrison

How I felt: Quite good. The spongy surface was a nice change from asphalt. I broke off one of the main trails to a smaller trail (Bob's Trail); lots of quick turns through the woods. Very Ewok country! There's a 5K race at Borderland in a couple of weeks that I think will be my next race.

I'm going back to titling each entry per the day that I ran, in case I update on another day (like today).

Success!

2005-09-24T11:37:00.000-04:00

We ran the 5K race this morning! Sonia and I ran together at a nice, steady pace. It was a small race; maybe 150 runners...

The course took a clockwise loop around the Pond and then went down the bike paths towards Brookline Village, up along the path on the J-way, back to the Pond.

We were greeted by Sam Yoon before the race, who informed us that he's running for the City Council election on Tuesday. Good thing he told us as we weren't aware there was an election! "Get Out the Vote" combined with "Get Out MY Vote"

Anyway, it was a fun race. Here we are, glowing with our race T-shirts.

Race Day!

2005-09-24T07:38:00.000-04:00

Sonia and I run our race this morning!

Easy Run

2005-09-24T07:34:00.000-04:00

Tuesday Run

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 26:39 total, 13:53 first lap, 12:46 second lap (1 1/2 mile per lap)
Course: Two laps around Jamaica Pond. First lap counter clockwise, second lap clockwise.
Time of Run: 7:00 am
Pace: Moderate

How I felt: Okay, I took it easy.

Distance Run

2005-09-18T21:51:00.000-04:00

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 49:00 total
Course: Started at Jamaica Pond, paths along J-way to Landmark Center loop and back.
Time of Run: 9:00 am
Pace: SLOW

Memorable song on iPod: I Against I, Bad Brains and Freedom of Choice, DEVO

How I felt: I felt lousy! Kept a slow pace, but it was a struggle overall. And now my right hamstring is tight and my knee kind of hurts. Crap!

Race Prep

2005-09-17T11:04:00.000-04:00

Pre-race prep

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 26:00 total
Course: Started at Jamaica Pond, around Leverett Pond, Olmsted Pond to Route 9 and back.
Time of Run: 9:15 am
Pace: Moderate

Memorable song on iPod: Dazed and Confused, by Led Zeppelin

How I felt: I felt good today. I took it nice and easy. It was cool and misty, so I wore a warm-up long sleeve running top during the run. The leaves were heavy with last night's rain and I brushed my head against them as they hung over the paths -- very soothing!

This was kind of a run-through for the Fun Run next Saturday.

JP Fun Run

2005-09-16T14:17:00.000-04:00

There's a 5K "Fun Run" next Saturday in JP -- starting at the Pond Boathouse and going around Olmsted Pond and Leverett Pond (a route I've run regularly).

Maybe it will be my first race of the season?

It's for a good cause (The Home for Little Wanderers in Jamaica Plain) and it could be fun to get the adrenalin going!

Thursday, September 15

2005-09-15T19:53:00.000-04:00

Speed Intervals

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 26:10 total, 13:35 first lap, 12:35 second lap (1 1/2 mile per lap)
Course: Two laps around Jamaica Pond. First lap steady pace, second lap speed intervals.
Time of Run: 7:00 am
Pace: Moderate, then fast/slow

Best song on iPod that came up: Quadrophenia, off of the same titled album, by the Who

How I felt: I felt a little sluggish and the intervals were a struggle. Afterwards I felt like I was burning up. Even after I showered, I was still radiating heat. I had to eat my breakfast with my shirt off I was so overheated.

Saturday, September 10 Run

2005-09-14T20:48:00.000-04:00

Still working backwards here.

Speed Intervals

Distance: 3 miles
Time: 26:00 total, 13:30 first lap, 12:30 second lap (1 1/2 mile per lap)
Course: Two laps around Jamaica Pond. First lap steady pace, second lap speed intervals.
Time of Run: 10:00 am
Pace: Moderate, then fast/slow
Best song on iPod that came up: I can't recall...
How I felt: Good! It was fun to run with some others during the first lap (Christine and Azure (sp?) )

Here's a shot of us finishing our first lap. Thanks to the folks at Shangosoul for their training run images!

Sunday, September 11 Run

2005-09-13T21:54:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm working backwards here.

Distance Run

Distance: 5+ miles
Time: 49:18
Course: Started at Jamaica Pond; bike paths to Landmark Center and back to Pond.
Time of Run: 9:00 am
Pace: Moderate
Best song on iPod that came up: King Crimson, live version of Starless (from Great Deceiver box set)
How I felt: Quite good! My longest run since the Disney 10K I did last October.

My second blog!

2005-09-13T12:45:00.000-04:00

I've started running again recently, and an article in this month's Runner's World sparked the idea of keeping a running weblog (as opposed to scribbling my runs in a datebook).

I should look back through those scribbles to try to flesh out the last month, but I'll save that for later.

Today's Run

Distance: 2+ miles
Time: 20:35
Course: Jamaica Pond, counterclockwise (1 lap plus a 6 minute extra)
Time of Run: 6:45 am
Pace: Easy
Best song on iPod that came up: Revolution Rock by the Clash
How I felt: sluggish! This was a tough run. I never felt like I woke up...