it…out

Being inspired partly by Kevin, I’ve decided to chart my running miles here — I’ve done about 8 so far this week–, and I’ll post the totals in this category from time to time.  They’re not great, but they’re a lot better than they were when I started almost 3 years ago.  When I started running, I couldn’t make it to the end of the block.  Next I tried to make it around the block.  Now I’m working on being able to run out to Tommy’s school and back, with him in the jogging stroller, which is about 4 miles.  We’ve made it a couple times so far this year, but it’s hard to do in January.  In the meantime (eg when it’s too cold, or I can’t convince Tommy go get in the stroller) I’ve been using the treadmill, which is easier, but much more boring.  Now for the tech:

For the outside running, I’ve been using  a Garmin Forerunner 301 that Lindsey got me for Christmas back in 2005.  It does a great job of charting your heart rate, speed, etc throughout a run.  It works great for biking too.  The “jogging stroller” is just a convertible bike trailer with a fold-down wheel, but it works.  We can ride to the park and then go for a run once we’re there.

For treadmill running I ease the boredom with a portable DVD player with some clip-on earbuds.  I do have a TV in the room, but that gets commandeered by Tommy, and I usually can’t hear it anyway.

I also just got some orthotics from my Podiatrist — when your feet are as screwed up as mine, every little bit helps. 

Last summer I picked up a HeadSweats cap.  They look kind of goofy, but they keep the sweat/hair out of my face and make a decent helmet liner for biking too.