Hydration, Tally, and an Update from Dort Munder Proper

Here's an update from Dort Munder himself:

Jackson

So yesterday (Wed) I did another 35 minutes on the treadmill at Wellworks. I improved my rate, mainly by starting faster now that I’ve found a comfortable speed, to the 18 minute mile. So that is two points shaved off of Tuesday’s 20-minute mile. If my math is correct, within nine day I will be able to teleport myself instantly?

On a more serious note, I added a small incline to the tread mill, and managed to work up a medium sweat and good cardio level.  My legs are tired but not beaten.  I plan to take advantage of the sunshine these next two days and skip the gym, instead walking back and forth from home to school, which is actually 1.5 hours per day, but not brisk.  I may break out into a run at some point – we’ll see

Dort

I, of course, suggested that by next week, he'll be walking so fast, he'll be travelling back in time . . . Dort and I are both terribly funny amateur theoretical physicists -- have I mentioned that yet?

As for my serious note, this is fantastic -- at this point, we're still seeking a comfortable intensity such that we can make gains without causing injury. For anybody else interested in working out with us, I'm of the opinion that an hour and a half worth of walking will be enough of a work out for a day at this point. Later in the season, we'll see, but, again, no need to overdo it.

Also, a tip: I'm noticing my skin is becoming dry -- which is one of my indicators that I might be getting dehydrated. It took me a long time to realize how easily I dehydrate in the winter, but it happens easily when we're running in the cold, not noticing the sweat. We're living in the dry heat of our offices and homes. We're not drinking water to cool down. It happens easily this time of year . . . I'm not dermatologist, but do beware of dehydration -- it can be awful. Some signs: dry skin and lips, brown pee, headaches (I'm sure there are others, but, like I say, I'm not hydrologist).

Also I just wanted to say pee in these updates.

Two more quick things:

1. I hadn't anticipated this, but it seems to be working fine: I'll probably post Dort's workout's consistently the day after the workouts -- I think it might be overwhelming for him to get a status report over to me late each evening, and I'm certain it would be nerve-wracking for me to sit around awaiting such a note. I think it works fine anyway.

And

2. I just started keeping a running (Ha!) tally of my own running for the year, and, while my spouse refers to it as obsessive and weird, I like it.

Dort's "Running" Tally:

As of 04 January 2012

Days Running: 3

Minutes Run: 100

Make that 3 things:

3. As a long time runner, I consider each moment of these workouts "Running," as long as we're in motion. Runners do not, under any conditions, "jog" etc. If we sit to rest, rest is good, but, at this stage, what other folks might refer to as "walking," and what we might also report occasionally as walking, still logs as running.

Keep up the resolutions. If anybody has slipped, right yourself, hydrate yourself, sleep and unstress yourself, and get yourself back in stride.

Resolution Declaration . . .

Okay, that settles it. We're gonna hit the ground running in 2012. A friend voluneered to be the guinnea pig first volunteer on this blog, and we're going to work towards a 5K this spring.

I'll go into more details about his stats, vitals, name, likes, and dislikes soon, but for now we'll start with this: I asked him, "Well, how long has it been since you've gone for a run?"

He said, "You mean, like on purpose?"

"Yes, on purpose."

He scrunched up his face for about ten minutes, then said, "I don't know, thirty years."

So, well, okay, 5K (that's 3.1 miles, a standard community road race distance) by spring. Longer term, we're talking a possible 10K fall 2012. With just a touch of luck, the Mayans will be right and we won't have to worry about training the coming year for a marathon.

Anybody who would like to join us in our training, feel free. We're starting with a two mile walk / short run on 02 January. We need to get an idea of what kind of shape we're in, then we'll build a program.

For the record, I have been running regularly for quite some time with no specific goals in mind. For the record, my most recent 5K time (early October 2011) was under 21:00 minutes -- we'll probably be shooting for something considerably higher than that time.

Also, for the record, as I promised on the very second post in this blog, please feel free to praise both of us for our efforts and our commitment as we initialize this project. An occasional prayer to the deity or universe of your choice is always welcome.