It's Monday, and the start of a three day week here, as Thursday and Friday are Feriados here, basically it means Public Holidays, so we get a 4 day weekend next. Whilst ordinary holidays are not high here (except for teachers!), there are an awful lot of feriados in the year, and it's hard to keep track of them all. This weeks is el dia nacional de la memoria por la verdad y la justica, which started well on Sunday, when a football supporter was killed at a local game between Velez and San Lorenzo, apprantly by the police - no doubt "truth & justice" will get to the bottom of it all - So sad....
Anyway, on with my slow re-build, and this morning I was up early before it got too warm on this first day of autumn, where the temperatures still are hitting the high 20's (that's high 70's to low 80's in farenheit), and I ran the shorter 2 Km route I was running last week. Whilst making no attempt to run faster, just taking it easy as I ran, and with a couple of busy crossroads to naviagte with the morning traffic, I still managed to run some 10 seconds per kilometre faster than last week, and as I say, that's without trying. Augers well...
On the second front of my target to regain fitness and running respectability, I have been dieting and cutting out the worst offenders of weight gain, and gout. When I returned to Argentina from Ireland in February, I had reached a gigantic, by my standards, 98 Kgs (216 lbs), and without question that is the heaviest I have ever been in my life. I have set a target of getting down to 80 Kgs by the end of June, thats 176 lbs, some 18 Kgs, or 40 lbs to get rid off. A lot will depend on the running, as once I can get that up to a moderate level of consistancy I know the weight will be less of an issue, and the target will be attainable.
I weigh myself on a Monday morning, and on Feb 28th, I was at the starting weight of 216 lbs (98 Kgs) - Well, today, week three into the plan, and I am already down to 205 lbs (93 Kgs), a loss of 11 lbs, or 5 kilos in three weeks - an impressive start, but as I was carrying excessive "holiday weight", it was expected. The target is a kilo a week, that's 2.2 lbs, and from here on it will be interesting to see how I manage this.
All in, I am happy with the start, and all being well this week will see a little more mileage into the legs, and further positive news as I progress.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Well, it is a Running Blog, so.....
I went and had a run.
After the delight of the rugby, I decided that I needed to loosen the legs, and so, with the temperatures still around the 23 degrees mark, at 6 PM, local time, I laced up the shoes, and out I went. I had managed a couple of 2 Km runs this week, and with no side effects being felt, I went a little further today, extending the out and back route by 5 blocks, making a total run of 3.25 KM, which is more or less 2 miles.
Felt a little heavy on the run, and the legs are having to put up with all this extra weight, but, aside from it being a slow pace, I was pleased with the run and the way that I felt whilst running. While I have a long way to go, the journey has to begin with these first steps.
After the delight of the rugby, I decided that I needed to loosen the legs, and so, with the temperatures still around the 23 degrees mark, at 6 PM, local time, I laced up the shoes, and out I went. I had managed a couple of 2 Km runs this week, and with no side effects being felt, I went a little further today, extending the out and back route by 5 blocks, making a total run of 3.25 KM, which is more or less 2 miles.
Felt a little heavy on the run, and the legs are having to put up with all this extra weight, but, aside from it being a slow pace, I was pleased with the run and the way that I felt whilst running. While I have a long way to go, the journey has to begin with these first steps.
Annual Slaughter Maintained.......
OK, I know this is meant to be a running blog, but as I re-invent myself as a runner, and as a blogger, I feel the need to post about other things that have my interest. Today, it was the Rugby. I love the game, and over in Lansdowne today, the English arrived with the belief that they only had to turn up to complete the Grand Slam in the 6 Nations Championships.
Well, somebody forgot to tell the Irish, and once again, England leave Dublin with their tails between their legs - OK, they may be Champions, but they were humiliated in front of the Irish Crowd, by a tremendous performance by the Boys in Green, and the resulting scoreline of 24 points to 8, flattered Martin Johnson's men. From the very first play of the game, to the final whistle, Ireland ran them ragged, and my only regret is that I wasn't listening to the commentary from the BBC - I wonder what the excuses will be this time.
I can say "This Time", as this is the 7th time in the last 8 seasons that we have beaten the English since they won the World Cup back in 2003.... Whilst the overall performance of Ireland in the 6 Nations wasn't great, they saved the best performance to the last, and with Brian O'Driscoll scoring his 25th Try in the 6 Nations, he becomes the Highest Try Scorer in the history of the Championship.
Roll on the World Cup in New Zealand in September.... We can build on this performance, and the future looks bright, the future is Green!
And now, I think I will go for a run .....
Well, somebody forgot to tell the Irish, and once again, England leave Dublin with their tails between their legs - OK, they may be Champions, but they were humiliated in front of the Irish Crowd, by a tremendous performance by the Boys in Green, and the resulting scoreline of 24 points to 8, flattered Martin Johnson's men. From the very first play of the game, to the final whistle, Ireland ran them ragged, and my only regret is that I wasn't listening to the commentary from the BBC - I wonder what the excuses will be this time.
I can say "This Time", as this is the 7th time in the last 8 seasons that we have beaten the English since they won the World Cup back in 2003.... Whilst the overall performance of Ireland in the 6 Nations wasn't great, they saved the best performance to the last, and with Brian O'Driscoll scoring his 25th Try in the 6 Nations, he becomes the Highest Try Scorer in the history of the Championship.
Roll on the World Cup in New Zealand in September.... We can build on this performance, and the future looks bright, the future is Green!
And now, I think I will go for a run .....
Friday, March 18, 2011
This would be hilarious - If it wasn't true....
It does say in My Blog Title - Ramblings.... So, this post has nothing to do with running, but I felt the need to write it anyway. normal service will be resumed soon.
As most of you know, I relocated to Argentina as part of my sabatical from work, and have been living here for nearly 18 months now. The place is different to Ireland, obviously, but also there are differences that begger belief.
Many that have known me for, (too) many years, will be aware that I used to work for a Trade Union, back when I lived in England, and I have always been pro-union, and believe that Unions serve an essential roll in protecting their members from the worst employers. However, I have always been a progressive trade unionist, and I understand the need of the employer to create the jobs in the first place, and there is little place in a modern society for Unions to exert a political control on the economy. In general, that's how Unions work today in the UK, Ireland, and (Wisconsin aside), the US, with Partnership being the key phrase.
Well, here in Argentina, the unions live in another world - I like to think of it as Cloud Cuckoo Land... next Monday, there is to be a National Strike of the Transport Union here, bringing all modes of transportation to a halt - Trucks, Deliveries, Trains, Buses, even Taxi's, if it moves - it won't on Monday.
Why you might ask? Are the truck drivers under paid? Has their been a major employer conflict between Capitalism and The Workers? NO !!!!
No - The strile has been called because the Leader of the CGT (read TUC or AFLCIO), a guy called Hugo Moyano, is being investigated by the Swiss (yes, that's Swiss as in Switzerland!) Authorities for potential Money Laundering. He happens to be the leader of the Transportation Union as well, so naturally, in order to put pressure on the Swiss Authorities, the people of Argentina are to suffer on Monday, to protest about some judge in Sitzerland investigating a crime. The gnomes of Zurich will be quaking in their boots with this strike, there will be mass demonstrations in Geneva calling for the head of the Swiss Police, Basle will be brought to it's knees..... etc., you get the picture? - Yeh, right!, Like they will even notice, and certainly they won't give a damn......
Now, when I was young, you occassionally heard of strikes taking place, really as an excuse to have a day off, but next week, Thursday and Friday are National Holidays anyway, so effectively, next week will be a Two-day Week for many, thanks to the disruption that will be caused for NOTHING.... It beggers belief....
Here is a link to the, brief, story in the local english language newspaper
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/61938/more-cgt-unions-join-call-for-national-strike
Naturally, there is far more to this than meets the eye. The Union Movement is a Law onto itself here, and this is a Political move of the worst kind - Sadly, the people follow, accept it is inevitable, put up with it all, shrug their shoulders and life goes on... As I say, sometimes, it beggers belief.....
OK - Think I will go for a run now.... Rant Over.....
As most of you know, I relocated to Argentina as part of my sabatical from work, and have been living here for nearly 18 months now. The place is different to Ireland, obviously, but also there are differences that begger belief.
Many that have known me for, (too) many years, will be aware that I used to work for a Trade Union, back when I lived in England, and I have always been pro-union, and believe that Unions serve an essential roll in protecting their members from the worst employers. However, I have always been a progressive trade unionist, and I understand the need of the employer to create the jobs in the first place, and there is little place in a modern society for Unions to exert a political control on the economy. In general, that's how Unions work today in the UK, Ireland, and (Wisconsin aside), the US, with Partnership being the key phrase.
Well, here in Argentina, the unions live in another world - I like to think of it as Cloud Cuckoo Land... next Monday, there is to be a National Strike of the Transport Union here, bringing all modes of transportation to a halt - Trucks, Deliveries, Trains, Buses, even Taxi's, if it moves - it won't on Monday.
Why you might ask? Are the truck drivers under paid? Has their been a major employer conflict between Capitalism and The Workers? NO !!!!
No - The strile has been called because the Leader of the CGT (read TUC or AFLCIO), a guy called Hugo Moyano, is being investigated by the Swiss (yes, that's Swiss as in Switzerland!) Authorities for potential Money Laundering. He happens to be the leader of the Transportation Union as well, so naturally, in order to put pressure on the Swiss Authorities, the people of Argentina are to suffer on Monday, to protest about some judge in Sitzerland investigating a crime. The gnomes of Zurich will be quaking in their boots with this strike, there will be mass demonstrations in Geneva calling for the head of the Swiss Police, Basle will be brought to it's knees..... etc., you get the picture? - Yeh, right!, Like they will even notice, and certainly they won't give a damn......
Now, when I was young, you occassionally heard of strikes taking place, really as an excuse to have a day off, but next week, Thursday and Friday are National Holidays anyway, so effectively, next week will be a Two-day Week for many, thanks to the disruption that will be caused for NOTHING.... It beggers belief....
Here is a link to the, brief, story in the local english language newspaper
http://www.buenosairesherald.com/article/61938/more-cgt-unions-join-call-for-national-strike
Naturally, there is far more to this than meets the eye. The Union Movement is a Law onto itself here, and this is a Political move of the worst kind - Sadly, the people follow, accept it is inevitable, put up with it all, shrug their shoulders and life goes on... As I say, sometimes, it beggers belief.....
OK - Think I will go for a run now.... Rant Over.....
Thursday, March 17, 2011
St Patricks Day, and a run.
As I am sure I do not have to mention, today, March 17th is St Patricks Day. The patron saint of Ireland, my homeland, and a day when millions around the world become !Irish for the Day". It's a regular feature in American cities, but surprisingly, here in Buenos Aires, it is also celebrated with much gusto, and green beer.
Obviously, the Irish ex-pat community, which is relatively large, celebrate in their own way, and last night I was invited to a reception held by "El Embajador de Irlanda". Today there will be official celebrations at the Cathedral and at Recoleta cemetary, where Admiral William Brown, founder of the Argentine Navy, and son of Mayo, is buried.
Tonight, the streets will be lined with "Plastic Paddies", all decked in green, wearing Guinness hats, and getting completely hammered. Me, well, I will be working this evening, but may grab a pint at the end of the night, to raise one to all the friends back home, who will all be tucked up in bed by then.
But before all that, I managed to get out for a morning run. Again, not a long one, just another little step as I regain some fitness, before starting to think about training, as against turning the legs over slightly faster than when taking a brisk walk. I ran the same short 2km as on Tuesday, albeit some ten seconds faster than then, although I am not trying to run for time, and I am glad to report no ill effects.
So, on with St Patricks Day celebrations, and to one and all,
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!
Now added back all my race results
Well, thanks to the SAVE button, I managed to retrieve my marathon results, and along with all my Race Results, over the 26 years (gulp!!!) I have been running, I have included them here for your delight (or in case you are suffering with insomnia).
The decline can easily be seen, but there are some fond memories in there.
The decline can easily be seen, but there are some fond memories in there.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
While I have been away...
Well, having redesigned the front door, I thought I better explain a few things as to what I have been up to while I have been away from posting. The last couple of years have been a dry period, to say the least, in my running. Oh, I managed a couple of little races here and there, but in reality, I haven't even been going through the motions of serious training. With the latest upset (the gout!), and the arrival of another birthday, it's time to refocus, before it gets too late!
Whilst I haven't been doing any serious running, I have been keeping myself in some sort of athletic state, by becoming a regular participant with the Hash House Harriers. Firstly in Dublin, then when I moved to Argentina, I became a regular with the Buenos Aires Hash. Many purists, (Mick!) scoff at the idea of the Hash, and dismiss Hashers as a bunch of drunks, who maybe run a few miles, not helped by our own motto, that the Hash is "A Drinking Club, with a Running Problem".
Well, I can honestly say that I have met a lot of serious runners who enjoy taking part in a Hash event. They are sociable, enjoy the fun, and find it a relaxing way to run, away from the pressures of a HRM, Intervals, and trying to take a couple of seconds of their PB's. And lets be honest, how many serious runners don't enjoy a Pint after a hard race, or club training session? I like to think of the Hash as a form of Social Running, and I will continue to take part in the BA Hash while I stay living here.
So, I will report on my running, and, naturally, on my Hashing. They are inter-linked these days, and just so you can see that not all running has to be taken seriously - Here is a picture from last Sundays Pre-St Patricks Day Hash - No apologies for the apparel!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
And a new Design too.....
Maybe the new design will encourage me to use the site more - although I appear to have lost my records - Hope you like it..... See, I do run at times.......
Gout
OK, I would be the first to admit that my training hasn't been too good for the last year or so since my move to Argentina. However, along with a couple of friends here, we had agreed to train for the Rosario marathon in June this year. I had started back into training in December, and whilst not setting anything on fire, I was beginning to feel the benefits when I flew home to Ireland in early January for my summer holiday.
I managed 5 runs back home, before waking up one morning with one hell of a pain in my big toe (left foot). Now, this has happened before, and I always put it down to tendonitus, and in the past, a few ibuprofen, and the pain had gone the next day. This time, it got worse. the toe was very inflammed, and the pain was such that I couldn't walk. I took the opportunity of heading to the doctor as I was home, and lo and behold, I was diagnosed with a severe case of Gout.... And let me say, it darn well hurts like hell.
Well, after two weeks of virtually being housebound and a check up for kidney stones, the de-tox regime, along with the anti-imflamatories started to work, and I was able to return to Argentina at the end of February. Whilst the pain has subsided, it hadn't gone away, and the toe was still sore when trying to walk at any pace, so no running.
Last Sunday, I went along to the St Patricks Day Hash (yes, I know, I am a hasher as well, but I believe you can be both!), as I was laying the trail, and once the pack started off, I managed to jog a couple of easy kilometres to test out the toe -.
Thankfully, there was no reaction. Whilst I can tell its not 100%, there is no more inflamation, and today (Tuesday) I manged to run a proper 2 Kilometres - I know its not much, but i have been out for nearly 2 months.
Whilst in Ireland, and obviously not running, I put on a few kgs more than i would have liked, and with the new anti-gout diet, I have managed to drop 4 Kgs (8.8 lbs) since I got home, leaving me at 94 Kgs (207 lbs). My target, both as a runner, and because of the gout, is to get to 80 Kgs, which is around 176 lbs. Obviously, I don't expect the speed of weight loss to be maintained at the present levels, and I have a target of the summer, and a build up for a spring (southern hemisphere) marathon...let's hope.
So another dawn, one of so many in recent years, but I still know I can run the good race, and with the added incentive of ensuring no more bouts of gout pain, I am more determined than ever to reduce the weight, and get back to running, which is the best way to maintain weight there is.
I managed 5 runs back home, before waking up one morning with one hell of a pain in my big toe (left foot). Now, this has happened before, and I always put it down to tendonitus, and in the past, a few ibuprofen, and the pain had gone the next day. This time, it got worse. the toe was very inflammed, and the pain was such that I couldn't walk. I took the opportunity of heading to the doctor as I was home, and lo and behold, I was diagnosed with a severe case of Gout.... And let me say, it darn well hurts like hell.
Well, after two weeks of virtually being housebound and a check up for kidney stones, the de-tox regime, along with the anti-imflamatories started to work, and I was able to return to Argentina at the end of February. Whilst the pain has subsided, it hadn't gone away, and the toe was still sore when trying to walk at any pace, so no running.
Last Sunday, I went along to the St Patricks Day Hash (yes, I know, I am a hasher as well, but I believe you can be both!), as I was laying the trail, and once the pack started off, I managed to jog a couple of easy kilometres to test out the toe -.
Thankfully, there was no reaction. Whilst I can tell its not 100%, there is no more inflamation, and today (Tuesday) I manged to run a proper 2 Kilometres - I know its not much, but i have been out for nearly 2 months.
Whilst in Ireland, and obviously not running, I put on a few kgs more than i would have liked, and with the new anti-gout diet, I have managed to drop 4 Kgs (8.8 lbs) since I got home, leaving me at 94 Kgs (207 lbs). My target, both as a runner, and because of the gout, is to get to 80 Kgs, which is around 176 lbs. Obviously, I don't expect the speed of weight loss to be maintained at the present levels, and I have a target of the summer, and a build up for a spring (southern hemisphere) marathon...let's hope.
So another dawn, one of so many in recent years, but I still know I can run the good race, and with the added incentive of ensuring no more bouts of gout pain, I am more determined than ever to reduce the weight, and get back to running, which is the best way to maintain weight there is.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
I suppose occassionally I should update this
Not really sure why I should even think about writing anything on here, as to be brutally honest, I am hardly running at all at the moment. I Hash with the Buenos Aires Hash House Harriers every two weeks, and in between, I pop to the gym and jog on the treadmill, if I'm honest, twice a week would be a good week!
Why has it come to this?
Well, unfamiliarity with the local area was the initial reason, coupled with the hot, humid weather when I first arrived in Argentina. At first I did manage to "train" a fair bit in the gym, and for the first few months here, I was keeping relatively fit. Then a couple of silly injuries were used as excuses, and the real truth started to hit me - I'm not 30, or even 40 any more!, and weight seems to creep up on me whenever I am inactive, and these days, its so hard to shed it when I re-start to run. I have to confess to having hit 94 kilograms, which works out at almost 15 stones, or for my American friends, 207 lbs..... That's the heaviest I have ever been.
Other Problems
Motivation is very hard right now. Given the excess weight, naturally my speed is so slow. When it becomes hard to maintain an 8 minute mile pace, for one mile, and feel really tired after a 3 Km (less than 2 miles) run on the treadmill in 16 minutes, it's tough to go back the next day. It's not that long ago, I could time trial a 5:15 mile, and run repeats over 400m in 75 seconds, seriously within the last 5 years, that was within my range. When I run 400m on the treadmill in 2 minutes, and struggle, it simply becomes impossible to raise a smile and be enthusiastic about coming back again tomorrow.
So, What can i do about it?
Well, I can moan and do nothing, but that isn't going to get me off my butt and do anything about it. Maybe by writing this down, it can help, expressing my thoughts to the world (well, OK, both of you who read this!) I am shaming myself into doing something. I'm not going to pretend that I will diet, cut out beer, train 7 days a week, and drop 30 lbs, run a 3:30 marathon etc..... It's not going to happen like that. What I can do, is watch my diet a little more astutely than I have been. Cut out the silly junk sweets and biscuits that I indulge in. Reduce my drinking to Friday Nights (Can't beat Frinks!), and after the hashes, and start to train with a little more method. If I can organise myself to go to the gym three times a week, the work should start to pay off after a month or so.
No targets, no goals. We'll see what happens over the next couple of months, and maybe then I can set my sights on realistic goals for 2011. I know what I would like to aim for, but that isn't going to happen unless I take these first steps, and reduce the weight and regain my mojo.... Hopefully it will come......
Why has it come to this?
Well, unfamiliarity with the local area was the initial reason, coupled with the hot, humid weather when I first arrived in Argentina. At first I did manage to "train" a fair bit in the gym, and for the first few months here, I was keeping relatively fit. Then a couple of silly injuries were used as excuses, and the real truth started to hit me - I'm not 30, or even 40 any more!, and weight seems to creep up on me whenever I am inactive, and these days, its so hard to shed it when I re-start to run. I have to confess to having hit 94 kilograms, which works out at almost 15 stones, or for my American friends, 207 lbs..... That's the heaviest I have ever been.
Other Problems
Motivation is very hard right now. Given the excess weight, naturally my speed is so slow. When it becomes hard to maintain an 8 minute mile pace, for one mile, and feel really tired after a 3 Km (less than 2 miles) run on the treadmill in 16 minutes, it's tough to go back the next day. It's not that long ago, I could time trial a 5:15 mile, and run repeats over 400m in 75 seconds, seriously within the last 5 years, that was within my range. When I run 400m on the treadmill in 2 minutes, and struggle, it simply becomes impossible to raise a smile and be enthusiastic about coming back again tomorrow.
So, What can i do about it?
Well, I can moan and do nothing, but that isn't going to get me off my butt and do anything about it. Maybe by writing this down, it can help, expressing my thoughts to the world (well, OK, both of you who read this!) I am shaming myself into doing something. I'm not going to pretend that I will diet, cut out beer, train 7 days a week, and drop 30 lbs, run a 3:30 marathon etc..... It's not going to happen like that. What I can do, is watch my diet a little more astutely than I have been. Cut out the silly junk sweets and biscuits that I indulge in. Reduce my drinking to Friday Nights (Can't beat Frinks!), and after the hashes, and start to train with a little more method. If I can organise myself to go to the gym three times a week, the work should start to pay off after a month or so.
No targets, no goals. We'll see what happens over the next couple of months, and maybe then I can set my sights on realistic goals for 2011. I know what I would like to aim for, but that isn't going to happen unless I take these first steps, and reduce the weight and regain my mojo.... Hopefully it will come......
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