Friday, June 13, 2008

Ducky does gardening

We are getting ready to put our garden into the ground. I have my tomato seedlings hardened off and everything else is going in by seed. I was geocaching recently when I came across a garden in the woods and some strangers offered me spinach and radishes. Other than making for a good story I found out about "The Geneseo Food Project" which includes a community garden. More information can be found here: http://www.geneseo.edu/CMS/display.php?page=6568&dpt=gfp. I signed up for the list serve so I can see how this develops. It sounds great, the veggies were tasty, and the people I met were really kind.

Another community action plug: Check out http://www.communitywishbook.com/. Its a website directory of Rochester area not-for-profit agencies looking for donations of goods or volunteer time. Check it out! Maybe you can help them and help yourself by getting rid of things you don't need.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Run Ducky Run!

I have been meaning to get into running for most of my life now. The puppy and I get "Runners World" magazines and I love reading about running so I decided it was time to do something about wanting to run. I read that sometimes you need to schedule a race before you even start training in order to give yourself the motivation to start training. Well Puppy and I have planned on doing the Medved 10 Ugly Men 5k Race: http://www.medvedrunwalk.com/events.asp?action=view&ID=68

The first thing I did was go to Fleet Feet Rochester: http://www.fleetfeetrochester.com/

They measured my feet and suggested some running sneakers. They had me try them on and they watched me walk on a treadmill to make sure they worked for my feet. This was a very pleasurable experience. The staff was helpful, they asked questions, and really tailored the experience to my needs. As a larger runner I was worried that their would be a hint of skepticism in their assistance but their was none. I got home with my new Asics and hopped online certain I would find them cheaper but I was pleasantly surprised to realize I got a better deal (when you account for shipping fees) at Fleet Feet than I could find online. I also impulse purchased 2 pairs of Balega wool running socks for $18 total for 2 pair. I love these socks. They keep my feet cool in 90+ degree weather.

To start training I downloaded "Couch to 5k" running podcasts

Program info: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

Podcasts: http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page6/page6.html

From Roberts site: "When I decided it was time to get back in shape I looked around at the options, I found the "Couch to 5K" program at coolrunning.com. The only problem with the plan was that every week had a different running schedule. To help, I developed these podcasts to help with all the different pace changes. I hope you like them."

And I do like them. He tells you what to do (running/walking/warm-up/cool-down) and when and for how long. Tie that in with some peppy music and you have a running success story. I have only completed the first week but its really fun to do it with the pod casts. I am certainly a beginning runner. I still weight quite a bit at 266 pounds (down from 357) and I found that I was able to keep up with the program in the first week. My plan is to keep advancing week to week and if I reach a point that I can't run all the running parts I will go back a week until I can progress. I think the big thing that will make me successful this time is not starting out too quickly and getting burned out.

I am also following a 5k training schedule I found in "Runners World" that consists of 5k training 3 days a week on alternating days, 3 days a week of cross training (I like geocaching, swimming, and biking), and one day off. I plan to eventually add in strength training but I am also trying to make lasting changes by adding things slowly and making them habits before adding new things.

Signed happily: A running Duck