10x10 in 2010 » Running

Bauman’s Running Shop is Simply Awesome

Gerret — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:46:55 +0000

My New Running Shoe

Last weekend, in preparation for the running project, the family went on a trip to buy a pair of running shoes for yours truly. Since we were already at a sporting goods store it seemed like a good idea to save some time and buy the shoes there. Wrong answer. While the shoes weren’t “bad”, they didn’t fit quite right, and I’ve since learned that if running shoes don’t fit well at the store, they never will.

Fast forward to yesterday, when we took a jaunt up to Bauman’s Running and Walking Shop in Grand Blanc, Michigan. It’s about 20 minutes away, so not too far, and it also happens to be where Heather bought her shoes roughly six months ago.

Within 20 seconds of entering this smallish running shop we were greeted by Adam, politely inquiring if we could use some help. I explained my plight (heavy guy, losing weight, starting running, etc.) Adam had me roll up my pant legs, stand still, walk around, and generally check out my feet. He explained that my arches flatten out when I stand still, and so I’d want a control-based shoe with some arch support, to keep my knee from jinking inward on each step. I also take a size 13/14 running shoe – who knew!

Adam produced the first candidate, a big pair of shiny running shoes with the moniker “The Beast”. From there we tried on at least 5 different pairs of shoes, eventually settling on the Mizuno Wave Alchemy. They fit like clouds or slippers – light, no binding anywhere, and amazingly comfortable.

This entire experience lasted a little more than half an hour, during which Adam managed the consummate balance of customer service – attentive, knowledgeable, and still allowing the customer to experience and explore the products and options.

It was an OUTSTANDING customer service experience, and I highly recommend Bauman’s to anyone out there.

Couch to 5k – Week 1 Done

Gerret — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:25:53 +0000

Yesterday (Saturday) marked the first week of a nine-week subproject – the “C25K” project. It’s an interval program designed to take the average couch potato (me) off the couch and up to running 5k (3.1 miles) in only 9 weeks. By running three days per week (27 times total), your body is conditioned to run 5k non-stop. It’s not designed to make the hapless couch potato into a speed demon; that comes later.

So far, so good.

The Running Project Begins

Gerret — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:06:08 +0000

On a recent Saturday morning my amazing wife went out and just ran a 10k – because she could. Motivational is not precisely what I would call it, though she has been absolutely excited the past few days (as she should!)

After considering her victory, I’ve decided to (literally) follow in her footsteps and start the “Couch to 5k” workout series that led her down this path to becoming an honest-to-goodness runner.

This new side project supports the overall goals of the 10×10 in 2010 project by providing a healthy mechanism to increase health, burn calories, and lose weight. It has the added benefit of preparing me for a bright future of active living with the woman I love – that’s a tremendous bonus.

Here’s the link to the website with the interval mixes: http://www.djsteveboy.com/podrunner.html

If you’re interested in downloading them at iTunes (they’re free), here’s the link to the podcasts (will launch iTunes): http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=55501053&id=124686671

The Plan

3 days per week, 9 weeks – 27 running sessions.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Day 1 – March 22nd, 2010 – COMPLETE (and it didn’t kill me, or even hurt all that bad.)

My Wife Is a Faster Runner

Gerret — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:12:49 +0000

Today I went for a one-mile run with my wife. Now, to be fair (to her) she’s been running for over 5 months and has turned into an honest-to-goodness true-blue runner. I, on the other hand, haven’t been a runner since about 1992. And oh yeah, I weigh about 100 pounds more than then, too.

In any case, I struggled along like a manatee on life support. She power-walked next to me. They may take my man-card at the next guy-meeting.

She told me she’s proud of me for getting out there. If she weren’t so serious, I’d suspect patronization.

Next week, maybe I can get her to break into something approaching a jog.

First Run – Absolutely Worth It

Gerret — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:05:33 +0000

This post is somewhat late, since “The Run” actually occurred on Monday or Tuesday this past week. As many of you know, my wife started running about 5 months ago, and she’s been churning up the miles.

As part of this grand 10×10 in 2010 project, two exercises per morning simply won’t be sufficient to maintain a 2lb-per-week pace. Years ago (18 of them, gah) I used to run a fair amount (6 miles 2-3 times a week), but then … I stopped.

So, I decided to give it a shot, got dressed, stretched out, headed out the door, and…Ran a mile, with one short walk break at the halfway point, maybe 100 yards or so. Didn’t go fast, didn’t go far, but… I WENT. Wow did it feel good. Not physically, no, that pretty much hurt. It felt good inside – that deep, gut, visceral, HA! I KICKED THE WORLD’S BUTT! kinda good feeling. Like I put one over on Old Man Time.

So yeah, the past few days my calves have been petitioning for a separation on the grounds of abuse, but they’ve just about stopped complaining.

It’s time to lace up the shoes again and keep running towards 12/31/10.