Run Rudy Run!

2010 GOALS

2010-01-02T18:07:00.003-06:00

The Goals-
1. Running 700 miles+ this year.
2. Lifting weights 2-3 times/week. Getting a slight cut on my arms, chest, and shoulders again.
3. Running anything 10k or less at a sub 7:30/mi. pace. Running anything 10k+ sub 8/mi. pace.
4. After cracking goal #3, shave 30 sec/mi. off of each of those goals.
5. Run my first Marathon sometime before 2010 comes to a close.
6. Quit screwing around w/ a college job. Get a real job so I can finish up any remaining college. Get a 2nd job for a while if necessary.
7. Stop hashing so much.
8. I know who are my real friends and people who are simply acquantices. Make sure they know that.
9. Get a serious girlfriend, whom I find challenging, attractive, intelligent, and with all her wits about her.
10. Become the man I can be, not the one I currently am.

Hopefully, thats enough for 2010.
For now I'm going to break each goal down, 3 to 4 at a time.

The Issues-

problem----

Running? Less than accomplished this year.

I logged a total of 223.09 miles running.

Those are logged miles only. I do not log runs in which I don't have a watch. I don't always log runs that are at an unacceptable pace. I demand of myself an average of 8min/mi. or less. I will log runs that are usually 9.30/mi. or less. I also did not count hash running, and I'm sure if I did, I would be closer to 400-425 miles of total running this year.

Solution----

I'm setting a goal of 700 miles this year. I may not hit it, but it's a good goal to start. 13 measly miles/week. If I don't hit it, I'll still get a good chance of exceeding this year's run because of injury, hashing, or laziness.
Ideally, I'd be 170-175, or LESS- with my height (5'11")

Which brings us to problem #2.

Problem----

I don't lift weights anymore. This is a huge problem. I'm not looking to get into Vin Diesel shape, but Russell Crowe shape would suffice.
Now, this is a two-fold problem-
A. I like running, and running is far more important than the rugby shape.
B. I'm so far out of great running and chiseled shape, its going to be hard. Haven't been in that kind of shape in about 5 years.

Sol'n---- I've found a free gym that I'm supposed to start at next week. Lifting has never been an issue for me. It's paying the gym fees. So if the gym is free, seems to me that the lifting should come into play.

Idealy, I'd be 175 lbs w/ the form that I had on my chest, shoulders, and biceps when I was 21.

I'm going to attempt to lift weights twice a week, with an ideal goal of 3 times/wk.

Problem---- I'm not running fast enough. I run well on shorter distance, a lot of the time around 7:15/mi. However, at medium distance (what I consider 3mi - 10k length) my speed is lacking. I can run faster than I've done this year, and I can run more efficiently! I find that I admire Prefontaine because ideally, he is the type of runner I am. I don't conserve energy, I simply don't know how to keep it on cruise control. If I can't conserve energy, than the only solution is to get a whole lot MORE energy.

Sol'n---- Start speed sessions. Go back to the track. and use the treadmill on those cold winter days rather than to let my speed drop. Consistency is my friend for now, and once I develop that, than I need to learn to move FASTER.

I'm going to make a goal of turning 1-2 of my weekly runs into track runs.

To BE CONCLUDED (in the next few days)....

I know noone probably reads my blog anymore, but hey- it at least helps me develop a plan if I can write about this stuff.

Chicago

2009-11-14T14:54:00.002-06:00

Havent blogged in a week. Ran 3x times in the past week, but really only one real one. I'm in Chicago on Jme's laptop right now and I'm sure we'll go running sometime today. For now, I'm just having a good time spending it with her, no matter what we do?

Hope to run today if I ever get moving, but the Iowa-Ohio State game is on right now. Not leaving TV until I am assured an Iowa victory- but they are at the shoe....

Sorry for the sentence fragment format--- I am in random thought mode and haven't really had a chance to sit and think. More later. Better grasp of rhetoric as well. I promise.

bad habit

2009-11-07T22:03:00.003-06:00

I've been thinking about a horrible habit I have- smoking.
I don't smoke unless I'm drinking, I'm still a 100% certifiable social smoker. I don't buy a pack on a Monday and smoke all week. I buy packs on the weekends! I've always been able to contend with it while running, and believe it or not- I STILL CAN! Most runners I've met that smoke can do it no problem, and they like the rush of nicotine/metabolic booster? I like it a lot too.
However, that little smoking "buzz" that I get is starting to be felt the next day, and it SUCKS. I went out with the hash last night, probably logged...4 miles? (As I don't count hash running as real running, I don't map it.) After I ran, I went drinking with the hash and decided I wanted to smoke. Not only did I smoke half the pack from last night, I've smoked a few today as an encouragement to "quit" the habit. Well, I feel like crap right now. Yeah, I will sleep it off and feel better tomorrow when I run 6, but why am I doing this to myself now? Phew. No MORE. After this pack is gone, I quit. I quit when drinking, and I quit after drinking. Although I don't THINK it affects my running (my pace has been faster), I'm sure that it does.

NO MORE smoky.

In other news, I just mentioned above about my pace getting better. It IS! I've been running at a 7:30/mi. pace or less probably the last 5 times I've run, whether it be 2 miles or 5 1/2 miles! Lets hope I can keep it up tomorrow in the park!

Getting back to it?

2009-11-04T15:13:00.003-06:00

I used to run 4-5 times a week. I haven't been doing that for sometime now. HOWEVER, something this week has given me the running bug again? I've gone Monday, Tuesday, and I'm going in about 20 minutes. Probably going AGAIN tonight! haha As a matter of fact, I have to catch Alysha in the middle of a 5 miler! Will blog in a little bit about it! ahhhhh!!!!

will

2009-11-02T22:56:00.001-06:00

blog tomorrow. Must sleep.

another boring run post

2009-10-26T19:51:00.002-05:00

I ran today (monday) after work and re-upped my usual pace. Thought I was starting to trail off as of late because of my massive 3 week sinus infection, but looks like i'm holding in there! I ran 3&3/4 miles today and did it in less than 29 minutes, which was good for around a 7 min, 42 sec mile average. Not bad! Idealy, in terms of running, I want to be able to run what I consider mid-distance (from 5k to 20k) at around a 7 min/pace no matter what. Then again, thats sort of hard to do when you're hovering around 190 all of the time!

To me, exercise doesn't seem to be my problem, its beer drinking, eating, and the WORST = drinking soda. Control my sugar, control my weight loss. control my weight loss, gain speed.
I heard an excellent metaphor one time for being 15 lbs. too heavy... "It's like running, then picking up a 15 lb bowling ball and trying to run at the same pace." That's scary.

2009-10-23T19:41:00.002-05:00

When I decided to restart my blog, one thing I said to myself is that I wasn't going to NOT write because I felt I had nothing entertaining to write about. (<---triple negative?)

Well, good news is I felt a whole lot better health-wise today- less snotty. I ran today for the first time in 2 weeks, but my first...clear-lunged? run in nearly 3. Felt ok, pace was slower than I'd like, but hey- you have to keep training in order to maintain.

Run Rudy Run

2009-10-22T18:21:00.003-05:00

I can go out to dinner. or I can run. As stupid and corny as it sounds, I just watched like half of The Bourne Ultimatum on cinemax. Whenever I run with (sorta) OST music on my iPiddle, I always listen to parts of that particular ST from the Ultimatum. fuck, I wanna go run over buildings right now. I should probably let my nose, throat, and lungs recover for JUST one more day.

sick... or sick in the head?

2009-10-21T16:45:00.002-05:00

Probably both. I worked this morning but left early as my throat was feeling like hell. I probably should have just stayed home but I had to go around to a few places for work & make sure my shit was done. anyways, took a half day, took my antibiotics for hell-cold 3000, and now I kinda sorta feel like hashing tonight...?

this is probably bad news? but do we follow our own advice?

greetings!

2009-10-20T22:01:00.003-05:00

Is it unacceptable to read about drugs on wikipedia for like an hour? probably so.
I guess that's what happens when you've got the sinus infection from hell & maybe strep throat with it... In related news, I went to the doctor and found out I was like 187, which is still 15 lbs heavier than I should be- but I do have a good heart rate & an "excellent blood pressure". Hey, I havent been to the doctor since I broke my foot in... '06 was it? gotta take what I can get.

I stopped blogging for some time there. Why? whats so interesting about my life, really?

The last couple years have been interesting to say the least- but no point in looking back, JUST MOVE FORWARD. Maybe I'll re-explore this later, probably not.

hopefully giving you some new stuff from time to time now...
Joe, 10/20/09

ps- if you're just getting here for the first time, I've written a lot more- I just realized that I used to write about a lot of dumb stuff and deleted that stuff. whack.

holy post, batman.

2007-09-17T03:22:00.000-05:00

So it looks like I haven't written a blog on a while. Hell, I was quoting Oasis last time I did. (Update: They still rule, but I'm not that weirdo "I'll sing Oasis all day" phase anymore.)

What have I been up to all summer?
-I moved into Dogtown finally, and no, I'm not telling you where I live. It's so awesome I'd have to blindfold you in order for you to see it. Kind of like Robin Hood in Nottingham Forest.
-I rejoined an indoor team in like late May? Well, its a stepping stone towards getting back to the real game. It might be October before I do, but I WILL play outdoor in some form again, soon enough.
-Running had been an off and on thing all summer, but I finally got my new Ipizzle like 2 weeks ago, so I'm back to the schedule I'm usually on, like 5 days a week running. Gotta run off my beer!
-I went to Table Rock in late July to visit my sister and my niece and all that, don't think I've had time to put photos up like EVER, but I'll do that pretty soon. They'll link to my flickR, so here's the LINK
-Went golfing for the first time in almost a year. Simple thing to remember about golf: you don't practice, you're going to suck. I'll be practicing more often throughout this winter so I can kick ass in the spring again.
-No, I'm not finished with school yet. No, I probably never will be. Just kidding, but it will be a while before I'm out I'm sure. I love school, but I don't really have the $$$$ to live how I want to, so I'm forced to juggle school & work. YES, this is the dumbest thing you can possibly do, but being caught in the quicksand is a different experience than saying, "hey! You're in quicksand, ya moron!" Give me time, I will NOT FAIL this goal.
-I joined a new church. Its so much more comfortable to be back in an actual old school Roman Catholic church, not this new pseudo Christian bullshit. Why would you want a full band in a Catholic church? Might as well call yourself protestants, you shitty bunch of fools. real mass = going in, praying, standing, sitting, standing, sitting, reading, shaking, praying, communion, praying, leaving. <--- Catholic mass condensed. Another great thing about this church is the actual IRISH catholic part of it. I saw my priest today at a country fair with a chicken sandwich and a beer in his hand. There is beer at like every event in my church. I'm not an alcoholic, but its tradition, damn it. Why do these new catholic churches have to be so "holier than thou?" NO. Being religious is about loving and respecting God just as much as being a good and memorable person in your community. Ah, enough about religion right now!
-Owen has been on target for Newcastle lately. 3 goals in international competion this month, plus 2 goals in 2 games for domestic play. Newcastle takes on Derby tomorrow, and you can bet I'll be at the Arms tomorrow to watch them deliver a beating.
-The Cards have pretty much been done for all year, but now it seems more so than ever. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I didn't appreciate the WS last year, but the 2004 and/or 2005 teams were the teams that really DESERVED to win it, not the 2006 and DEFINITELY not the 2007 team. Get rid of Duncan, get a pitching coach that lets the boys throw the ball a little. Quit being such tightwads about spending. You can splash a little money and not be broken. You can still find bargains that will produce, but citing association football as the biggest example- all the big teams that can spend are the ones that win the Cups/league. You don't see West Ham winning the league, but Man Utd. can year after year.

Thats all I have for now, I'll try to write more often as I can.

Joseph

JooF: Live from SSB 204

2006-10-04T18:40:00.000-05:00

So, I did something PROBABLY against doctor advice on Monday. Probably against most good advice actually. Monday I decided to re-engage myself in the ruling sport of soccer. Its not a full 11 on 11 mens league, but school intramurals are enough to get my body in shape right now. Mind you, my body was not in oxygen shape really. My foot was DEFINITELY not in stop n' go shape, and I definitely could not afford a slide tackle to that foot. So, do I take it easy?

Well, does anyone take it easy playing forward?
Ok, so theres some truth and some false to that. A. I didn't play forward necessary, I played more like an attacking midfielder. and B. No, I did not take it easy.

My touches on the ball weren't exactly great, but I got plenty, and about 5 minutes into it (guessing), I got a nice shot on goal from the right side that was exactly what most footballers
like. low, and hard. just skitted about a foot wide of the right side post. well, the other team took posession and although you can't entirely place blame on bad keeping, you can place a good portion of blame on it. We didn't neccessarily play defense at all, I played worse than I usually do, but by no means bad. HOWEVER, the other team took the ball from us about 2 minutes after my first shot and scored on a goal slide tackle. yep, thats right. could have stopped it with a dive using his HANDS, but he tried like an idiot to use his feet. ugh.

So, we're down 1-0. I decide to sub off and take my foot easy, and while i'm out, two of the guys i'm playing forward with take advantage of the other's goalie's mistaken throw and shoot a soft shot right past him to tie it 1-1. It stays tied until halftime.

2nd
We get back in the second half, we take possession, and I decide its time I start going on some runs and see if I can get a good pass to me. Well, luckily enough, I get a great pass just inside the 6 yard box and boom, I fire with my right foot into the left corner. Holy crap, I scored a goal. I didn't even expect to play soccer for another month, and now I just gave my team a 2-1 lead. awesome. We ended up losing, but because of cough cough goal cough cough keeper cough cough. 4-2 final. at least I had the lead goal until the very end of the 2nd half.

Other fun facts...
I got hugged by a defender from behind. thats right. hugged. Comparable to a HOLDING penalty in HOCKEY, yet the ref didn't show a card. bullshit. I should have had at least a free kick, if not a penalty shot.

That same defender proceeded to grab my arm almost the entire game with the exception of my 2 shots on goal. The last time he held my arm he decided it was unwise to after, cuz when we went after the ball, I proceeded to stomp on his left foot. Kind of mean of me, deserving of a card, but what the hell. eye for an eye.

Anyways, foot is feeling better. More on that later.

JooF

Shitty shit news.

2006-09-13T18:45:00.000-05:00

Short one folks.

I haven't been to my orthopedic guy in a month and my foot was beginning
to feel better. <--Thats the end of the good news.

I went for my month checkup today and he told me the bone hadn't healed at all. The Doctor said that it has healed since I'm not feeling nearly as much pain as I used to, but in the xray, the bone is still in two different pieces. fuuuuck.

I go in for another checkup in a month, and if my foot isn't healed by then, then I might get a screw put in my bone. shiiiiiit.

stressing vowels todaaaaay.

damnit.

Joseph

whoa, almost a month!

2006-09-11T21:59:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the non-updates for the last month. The end of August was somewhat insane. From seeing a doctor for a severely broken fifth metatarsal, limping across a decent sized campus during registration week, switching my work schedule, getting back into form for a University, it has been somewhat nuts. I'm going to make a serious effort to blog at least twice a week now, since I'm at school two full days a week.

So, the story of my foot. I WAS drinking the night of the foot break, I WAS NOT drunk when it happened. I basically was just trying to save not 15 seconds by jogging down the sidewalk towards my friend's apartment vs. walking. Luck would have it that I roll the ankle. I sprained my ankle (which has been the worst pain recently) and broke the bone in my foot that attaches the ankle to the pinky toe, otherwise known as a "fifth" metatarsal. Off and on the last couple of weeks, the bone pain has started to subside, but the muscles in my foot have started to cramp nonstop. The ankle hurts on occassion, but only when the shoe is poorly tied. No cast, you say? Yes, no cast. apparently the break is a break that "doesn't require a cast". I get reevaluated Wednesday by my orthopedic guy, and hopefully within the next month, I'll be ready to get back out on the soccer field.

Now, for the gruesome. Not so gruesome, but you can't even see my ankle bone! hahahaha?

photo on 8.13.06, two days after the break

photo on 9.11.06, one month after the break.

I also grew a fatass beard during August cuz I couldn't really go out too much with my broken foot...I'll post pictures sometime. maybe... hahaha

JooF

Indoor Soccer

2006-07-26T00:34:00.000-05:00

I love futbol in any form, indoor or outdoor, but I don't know how much longer I can take the shitty fields at Soccerdome. I need to get back to Concord if I'm to play indoor, and more or less stop playing indoor on astroturf all together. I'm getting closer than I ever have to having my own outdoor team, and I'm somewhat thankful for that- My legs can't take indoor anymore, hahahaha:

Nice right ankle huh?

I kicked someone's toe with the side of my foot, and apparently his toe was ok? hah, go figure.

sexy.

El Joofis

Wikipedia

2006-07-18T02:55:00.000-05:00

I just spent like the last 2 hours reading about Rasputin and the Russian Revolution and the USSR and Soviet premiers and the Romanov family and the animated movie Anastasia and GENERALLY BULLSHIT on wikipedia, when I should have been sleeping.

Why do I write about this? Because of Wikipedia, I hate that nonsense. By hate I mean if wikipedia took the form of a hot female with EVEN an average face, I'd propose to her this instant. Wikipedia rules and it also sucks.

Soccer has been good in the last couple of weeks, I'll write about it soon. I've got 4 goals in this session thru 7 games. not bad at all.

Until after the next latenight wikipedia read,

Joseph