So...what's going on....

So I've been really negligent about maintaining my regimen of running. I suck.

Quite a bit has happened since I last blogged.

First, I had intended to run the Chicago Marathon in October, but life happened and I won't be going. There's always next year, right?

Second, I was included in an article in Wired Magazine that featured the Nike+ technology. No, not just an article on the website, but the actual printed publication. The article can be found here.

Third, I *may* be doing the Dallas White Rock Marathon, *IF* we can find a sitter for the kids and *IF* there are any spots left. If not, I'm going to try a different event in early 2010...maybe the Cowtown or maybe the Austin Marathon.

So right now, I'm training with the assumption that I'll be running the Dallas White Rock marathon. I'm doing all the miles that are part of the training plan. I'll be logging some heavy miles in October, but in September I logged more miles than I had in any month before, even when I was training for the half marathon.

We'll see where life takes us now.

EA Sports Active - Review

So it's been awhile since I posted, but I *have* been running...just not lately.

I had a medical procedure recently that has forced me to take it easy on my feet, including running. So while I've been just letting myself heal and get back to where it needs to be, I still can do some low impact workouts.

So lately, I've been getting back to using the Wii. Yeah, Wii Sports is a bit on the weak side if you're already in better shape than a couch potato, but EA Sports, those fine makers of the Madden Football franchise, Sims, and a whole slew of other sports-related games, have come out with a game called EA Sports Active.

It's a program (I wouldn't really call it a "game"), that gives you a good CV workout and some minor resistance training. The EA Sports Active package comes with the game disc, a resistance band, and a leg strap that allows you to holster your Wii Remote Nunchuck.

I'm only Day 2 of the 30-day Challenge program but so far the workouts have had me do various lunges, kick-ups, running (in place), simple kickboxing, among other exercises in a 30-minute window. After the first day, I was impressed that it gave me a pretty decent workout.

So how does it compare to the Wii Fit? Well, for some of the exercises, you can take advantage of the Wii Fit Board, but it's not a necessary accessory. I would say that the Wii Fit game is good for fine-tuning your balance and the games that come with the Wii Fit Board emphasize that. EA Sports Active definitely takes it a level above Wii Fit but also in a different direction.

I think EA Sports Active addresses some of the criticisms of the Wii Fit game in that you can't really get a decent workout by training your balance. EA Sports Active does give you a better comprehensive workout by working your cardio, strength (to a limited degree with the resistance band), and your balance.

BUT...I don't think EA Sports Active can totally replace going to the gym, or actually going out and run. I would say it's a good compliment to working out and running...it may act as a substitute for going to the gym when you don't have the time or it may not be convenient. For anybody who can't afford to regularly go to the gym, or is just starting to get into shape and want to do so in the privacy of their own home, EA Sports Active is a good choice compared to the some of the other workout games for the Wii and reviews of those games.

Fort Worth Zoo Run - 5K

Okay, I *have* been running, just not that much. It's been reduced to a couple of times a week and 3 miles at most, but at least it's something.

So today was the first race of my season. It was a 5K event at Fort Worth Zoo. It was also about a year ago this time that I entered this very same event for my first 5K ever so this event has some meaning for me.

Today was a pretty overcast day. A good day for running but that was offset with the moisture in the air which made it a tad humid.

I recall the same time last year I was pretty nervous, not knowing what to expect. This year's course layout was the same as last year's so I had some familiarity with it and knew what to expect.

I thought I did pretty good this year. I actually felt better this year than last year but what bit me this year were all the 5K walkers and people walking with strollers that had started near the front of the corral. This caused all the other timed 5K runners to waste energy slowing down, speeding up, dodging side to side, weaving in and out. It totally screwed up my pace at the beginning. Another thing that made it difficult to get a decent pace going at the beginning is the route for the first kilometer of the 5K. The first section actually takes you through the zoo itself, which doesn't have wide laneways. This made it a bit difficult with so many people bunched up at the beginning and getting squeezed together didn't make it easy to get a steady pace going.

Once we left the zoo, we made an ascent up a small, but somewhat steep hill into a residential area that someone separated people out a bit. The residential area was pretty flat and straight which made it easier to maintain a steady pace. It was here that I felt that I was actually going at a pace that faster than normal and felt like I improved over last year.

The last third of the 5K is a downhill descent that takes you back into the zoo parking lot and to the finish line.

I finished in 29:47 (officially) which is under 30 minutes, but significantly slower than I want to be. So, there's room for improvement.

My Nikeplus sensor is AFU and only said I ran 2.4 miles so it's time to recalibrate that.

Oh yeah, I pretty much abandoned the Pose Method/midfoot running for this race. My legs just don't have the strength to maintain that consistently over a long distance. I think I may employ that during training more and "regular" running cadence during events.

Signs signs everywhere a sign...

Monday was my first run since the last days of 2008. It was a simple 2-miler. I had many opportunities to go for runs, but never really did take advantage of them. Sleep sounded like a better idea. The late-night and early morning baby feedings had taken an initial toll on me.

I started getting signs it was time to start rundning again. I started getting additional magazine subscriptions to Running Times and Runner's World. I got an e-mail that the registration for the Chicago Marathon was open. I got something in the mail for a local running event. Someone was telling me something.

I completed the 2 miles without problem. It felt good to be running again. I took my usual gear with me but my Nike+ sensor had died so I wasn't able to track my pace. I consider that a sign too. Someone telling me not to worry about pace and just go out and get moving. So I did just that. It was free and easy, not thinking about pace, heart rate, or some other metric.

So, it starts today. Running is back.

So the reason I'm not running...

...was just born on Friday.

Yep, Joshua Kellan was born late Friday. Mom and baby are doing awesome, and Sydney is ultra-excited about being a big sister.

Photos can be found at http://gallery.me.com/ricklawphoto/100113.

Now that everyone is home, I'm *hoping* that once everything stabilizes, I can get back to running. All I'm hoping for now is to get *some* mileage.

Mile 1 attempt, coming to a weekend near you...maybe...

It's been 15 long days since I ran anywhere. Given my childcare situation, it makes it difficult to actually go out and run.

It *was* my intention to go running this weekend, albeit at 24 Hour Fitness, it's still a run. They have Kids Club there that allows its members free daycare while they go workout. It's convenient for those who want to work out but can't because they don't have anyone to watch their kid(s).

So then, life happens again. Sydney has a cold...nasty cough and runny nose type of cold. So there's really no way I can leave her at Kids Club and get a whole bunch of other kids sick...so that's out...at least for this weekend.

I'm hoping that Syd will pick up running soon so she can go running WITH me. :)

The craziest start to 2009

Well, I'm 8 days into 2009...and not one single run attributed to it.

Why? Well, it all started with ... INJURY! Yes, after my milestone-breaking run, my ankle pain returned with a vengeance. It's only finally subsided in the past 2 or 3 days, but I'm taking some extra time off to make sure it needs the rest that's required.

Next, if I could run I would, but there are some things you can't control. Like life. Christine has been diagnosed with pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, which means she's been put on bed rest for awhile. This means that your's truly is responsible for watching our DD, and caring for Christine since she's not allowed to get out of bed, save for bio breaks and food.

Thankfully, my employer and my boss is VERY understanding and has allowed me to work most days from home so that I can take care of our daughter.

All the running around hasn't given me much time or energy for running...so maybe it's all a blessing in some sort of disguise that I have to put running on the backburner until life straightens itself out which will allow my ankle to get better.

So we'll see when I'm able to get Mile 1 in...but everything that life has thrown at us so far has been awesome, so I wouldn't give it up for anything.