28 Minutes

The best part about starting to run is that you set a new record every time you go out, even if you have to be tricky in rationalizing it.

Today I went back to a distance based objective. Set out a route of 5 kilometers (I would give you all the decimals, but my girlfriend closed the pedometer window, despite me asking her not to) and timed it. Tried to not pay too close attention to my time, just checked it every once in a while to see how long it had actually been, compared to how long it felt like.

And as the title of this post implies, it took me 28 minutes. Again, there were some decimals, but I haven't figured my father's old watch out completely yet, and I pressed the wrong button. So again, the distance based objective led to me pushing myself further, as it felt more tangible, and like I could better judge my gastank on how much further as opposed to how much longer.

During the final stretch of my run (just as I was getting to a hard-pumping part of the later portions of that LCD Soundsystem album I always run to, but had never heard before) my endorphins kicked in hardcore, and I was able to sprint faster than I had the whole time. I should have kept going with it, but partially it was the glee of getting near the finish line, and it was too tempting not to stop and check my time.

Tried to sprint more in general this way, as my superfit roommate gave me some advice on muscle growth from running. Also think that I may start trying to integrate time goals with distance goals more readily. Any suggestions running people?

Mostly I'm proud that I went running on a saturday night.

After doing homework all day!

Albums bumped while running: LCD Soundsystem's 45:33.

Stay true.

Streets Is Rough Out Here

Today I woke up to find the damage of Thanksgiving weekend: a three pound increase. Thus putting me at 5 ’10, 178 this morning, the heaviest I’ve been in a while. Of course, for some reason I thought that I should put a halfhearted “last hurrah” on top of it and scratched the itch I’ve had for Harvey's for the last month. I got a grilled chicken sandwich though, so that should count for something.

Nevertheless, I got out for my run when I came home from my group meeting. It was about 8:30 and it was starting to spit again, so I had to substitute my Nike track jacket for a MEC waterproof breathable shell. Also, because my headphones are being replaced under warranty, I was running with DJing headphones on, which actually turned out to be pretty great, aside from having to account for its’ insanely long cord.

I felt really proud of my run tonight. Using this handy device that allows you to use Google Maps as a pedometer, I set out a run of about 2 kilometers that would take me from my house, around the large part of my uptown neighbourhood and back. According to the calculations I am about to do, I actually ended up running…3.689 kilometers. This took me about 26 minutes.

I know this because I was jogging to LCD Soundsystem’s 45:33. It’s an album from a series Nike commissioned where artists wrote music for a run. I know Aesop Rock did one as well, and I’m not sure who else really. It’s an absolute banger to run to. More on it later I think.

The whole time during the latter portion of my run, I was essentially doing smaller and smaller concentric circles around blocks surrounding my house, thus allowing me to set modest goals (“only that much more”), achieve them and then do more. Pushing myself that much felt really great. I kept thinking about what I’d write here, fantasizing about reaching my goal so early of being able to run the full 45 minutes and 33 seconds of the LCD Soundsystem album. But I wasn’t breathing like an asthmatic this time, and I found it a lot easier to keep pushing myself. I really felt a sense of ownership over what I was doing, if that makes sense, and I’d actually been relatively excited for going out for the run beforehand. I was looking forward to it.

Jesus I hope I don’t become one of those middle-aged guys “taking life one day at a time”, running in the park in obscene spandex pants.

Albums bumped while running: LCD Soundsystem - 45:33

Stay True.

Stay True

This is the beginning of my running blog. Moreover, it is the continuation of my blog that is an assignment for my class on the intersection of autobiography and Internet media studies. For some background, random diatribes, and thoughts on the assignment thus far, go here.

My goal for this blog is to write about my experience trying to become that asshole who runs every day. I have spent the last five years getting into better health, having lost 65 pounds at my best. This was achieved primarily through dietary reform though, not the addition of physical exercise.

I am not very good at running, because I have a problem with my feet that leads to me getting no shock absorption. I’m also not good about wearing my orthodics. In fact, today I realized it’s been so long since I’ve seen them that I do not know where they are anymore. More on this later. You know, background details, health concerns, diet, etc.

Today I started by getting “serious” and buying some Nike shorts and some vaguely fancy socks to start running in. I am using a pair of New Balance cross-trainers otherwise, and thus far my Mishka windbreaker because it has a chest pocket that fits my iPod, though it’s probably far too expensive and fashion-purposed to be running in. Anyways, there’s nothing like accumulating commitments like starting a blog and expensive workout shorts to convince yourself that you’re actually going to do something.

Today I ran to my voting station (and voted Liberal – Canadian here – for the first time ever) and then ran to the bank to deposit a cheque (wish I was unable to do because I forgot wallet). I then ran home. This was a pretty fair distance, and largely I found myself not having to stop, except for things like very busy streets with long lights that made me feel ridiculous “jogging on the spot”. It was about 30 minutes of running/voting/being forgetful, and distance-wise maybe, shit I don’t know…from what I can tell from some very haphazard google maps finger scaling, about 2 kilometers. Some elevation changes, one fairly steep hill.

By the end I was breathing like someone going into anaphylactic shock.

Albums bumped while running: A-Trak’s Dirty South Dance, LCD Soundsystem’s Sounds of Silver.

Stay true.