BBC Article on Effects of the Economic Downturn in Kenya

Kenyan Athletes Feel the Pinch

What's the Skinny?

Did somebody say skinny? Oh right, that was me. So, the skinny is that I have been running since I last posted. The whole 15 mi/week business was a great idea in theory, but I haven't been able to put it back into practice since my last post. Booo! However, there was a birthday in there, which required mostly drinking and only a little running. Then I did exactly what I said I wasn't going to do - weight training on my lower body. I overdid it, per usual, and the soreness put me out for a couple of days. The last two weeks my total mileage has been LOW - let's just say, below 10 but above 5. Sigh. Although I am not running as much, my time is still really good, so I will tell myself I am working on speed over distance at the moment :)

Anyschmoo, I would much rather blog about today's fabulous 6 mile run. I finally braved Rock Creek Park - for those of you in need of an explanation for why I use the word "braved" think Chandra Levy. Enough said. However, it being a sunny, mid 60 degree, Sunday afternoon, I thought it would be the best time to give it a go. There were lots of families out biking, lots of runners and walkers, so I was able to relax and really enjoy the path, the trees, and the great weather. I took the dog along and besides constantly having to yank the leash to get him out of the middle of the path (which is giving my left bicep a great workout), we had a really great run coming in at a 8:58 pace. This park is massive, in Maryland alone the trail is something like 14 miles (not incl. the rest of the trail that leads into D.C.). This will definitely be a great place to train for a marathon and do longer distance runs.

Lastly, as I promised, I am posting my most current playlist of running music (in no particular order). And a shout out and thanks to our "lurker" ;) for sending me her list! Excellent selections that I intend to incorporate and that I have posted below for the rest of you. Now don't be selfish and post your lists! :)

Dr. Pavement Pounder's Running Tunes:

Around the Bend - The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

Over and Over – Hot Chip

Shut up and Let me Go – The Ting Tings

Great DJ – The Ting Tings

Calabria 2007 – Enur

Paper Planes – M.I.A.

Adrenaline – Bauhaus

Joan of Arc – David Guetta

All Alone – Gorillaz

Handlebars – Flobots

Blind – Hercules and Love Affair

Sexy Hypnotist – Luscious Jackson

Dead Disco – Metric

Ça plane pour moi (Original 1977 Version) – Plastic Bertrand

Je ne te connais pas – Prototypes

Rosenrot – Rammstein

Out of Control – She Wants Revenge

Never Win – Fischerspooner

In the Morning – Junior Boys

That's not my Name - The Ting Tings

Backslider - Toadies

Drunkrunner Fan's Tunes:
Silver Lining (Recordist Mix)-Rilo Kiley
F**k you-Lily Allen
Just Dance-Lady Gaga
Poker Face-Lady Gaga
Come on Eilieen-Dexy's Midnight Runners
Eye of the Tiger-The Band
Video Killed the Radio Star-The Buggles
American Girl-Tom Petty
That's Not My Name-The Ting Tings
Untouched-The Veronics
What a Feeling-Peter Luts
Du bist den ganzen Weg gerannt-Tomte
You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb
St. Elmos Fire (Man In Motion)-John Parr
Portions for Foxes-Rilo Kiley
Gives You Hell-All American Rejects

I Love Running

I'm only a few runs back in to it, but I'm starting to realize how much I DO enjoy it. It was less than easy to get myself out running today. I don't really know why, except that I was just having a lazy day. A little packing, a little cleaning, but not too much of either.

I finally put on the shoes and headed out the door for two miles. It went really, really well. I ran the same path I always do which takes me along the Berlin Landwehr Canal. It's a nice quiet path and my nearest run in was with a 4 year old on a bike. She almost ran directly into me. Oh well, welcome to running in the city.

My legs are feeling great. There's no knee pain to speak of, and I'm keeping an eye on that. I did buy a brace, but I only want to use it if I have to. The best part is that I'm already getting a little faster. I know, I know. I promised not to use that word that starts S, sounds like peed, and ends in work, and I swear I'm not. However, we all know that we naturally pick up speed when we listen to our bodies. Just by running below the threshold where you start gasping for air, you train your body to perform better, thus increasing speed. My average mile today was 9:56. Not bad.

I've decided to stop telling you all when I plan to run and to post only after I have run. I've found that telling you is not a motivator for me. However, if I reward myself with a post to the blog I might actually get myself out there more.

Carry on Drunk Runners, Carry On!

Yesterday's Run: An Update

I realized yesterday's post was less than emphatic, so I thought I'd correct that.

I'm very happy to be back running again, and if my legs today are any indication of what lays in store for me as I recover, well then I'm absolutely, positively, and pleasantly excited! I'm not sore. Well, not really. My quads are tired, but the soreness I felt in my ankles after the last run has not plagued me today. I attribute some of this to the fact that I stretched a lot more yesterday than I normally do. I also focused a lot on not letting my form deteriorate as the run went on. You know when you get tired and you start to schlepp along? I did my best not to do that.

This means I need to stretch more before running, and some added situps are definitely in order to help control the form. Abs! Not my favorite exercise.

So, I'm feeling good and ready for another run tomorrow!

Another Run

Yep, there's not been much to report since the last run, except a lot of soreness, and a bowling adventure that left me with an incredibly sore right buttock.

Today I ran another 2-miler and it felt good. I'm running slowly, focusing on form and working on recovering healthily. All very difficult tasks for me. So, my 20 minute 2 mile run was great. It was relaxing and beautiful.

Nothing more. I'll blog every time I run so that I keep track of when and how often I run, and to hopefully provide some motivation for the others on the blog. I would encourage you to do the same.

Carry On My Wayward Drunk Runners

Hey there everybody. Long time, no hear. I know we have all been drinking but the question is whether any of us have been running. Thanks to Sixpack for the update. It is good to hear that he is taking to the streets again. I, too, have found my way back to the flock and will be posting more regularly. Until about two weeks ago, I hadn't really run with any regularity since Thanksgiving.

But I am back and back with a vengeance. I have recommitted myself to running. After all, short-sleeve weather is just around the corner and don't even get me started about swimsuit weather. Speaking of weather, yesterday's 3 miler was set against the backdrop of a brisk 27 degrees. I take great pride in the fact that I got my butt out to run in below freezing weather. Now I know I am going to hear from the Wisconsin contingency on this one and I already agree that you are way more bad-ass than me. I have decided that I prefer running in the cold over running in the heat and humidity. You can always add layers but rarely remove enough layers without running the risk of public indecency.

Last week I managed to put in 15 mi. (3-3 milers and 1-6 miler). Apparently, the dog prefers 6 miles over three as demonstrated by his frantic laps around the backyard after returning from our 3 mi. runs. I am sure that having four legs gives him only a slight edge over me.

I am really pleased to see how quickly my conditioning is returning. My times are coming down quickly, perhaps too quickly. As usual, I need to pace myself and not get so caught up in what my Garmin tells me. However, I doubt I will ever reach enlightenment and free myself completely from my obsession with pace. I really admire Deetschei who, at least recently, was running sans watch. That is just far too radical for a control freak like me.

I also purchased an incline ab board and am LOVING it. I forgot just how much I love the pain that comes with sit ups and crunches. Seriously, I am an ab freak. I am holding off on any serious weight training for my legs, however, until they have gotten used to the running routine. I am a total wuss when it comes to soreness and don't want it to interfere with my running schedule.

So, there you have it. I am running again as well and looking forward to Sixpack's posts. Hopefully, Daddy Deetschei will soon find time to blog about his runs. I am also putting out a request to you drunk runners regarding your music playlists. Always in search for new running music, I am asking you to post your playlist for a 60 min. run. If you have your mp3 player set to random/shuffle, then please list whatever comes up. I will return the favor by posting my favs.

Gunnin' Fer a Sixpack!

I ran today! That's big news. I mean, it's huge news. I haven't run since before I went home for Christmas. By my calculation that's almost 3 months. That's a long time. In the meantime I'm hoping my cartilage and stuff did a lot of healing.

Today's run was a simple 2 miler. Just getting my sea legs and I don't want to push it. I took it slow and nice and relaxing. I promise as I try to work back in to things that I will not utter the word speed work for the next several months. Except for that one time right there.

Wish me luck as I get back on the road and try to take running back from it's dark abyss. My goal is 6 miles this week, which I will repeat again next week.