So I had been putting it off for a while hoping to find a better armband than the Nike+ one to wear during my runs. While running the other day though my Ipod jostled out of my pocket and I looked down to see it hanging inches from the pavement by the headphone cord. There isn’t better motivation to go out and get an armband than seeing your $200 Ipod swinging over concrete. I broke down and picked up the Nike+ armband, against my instincts. Mainly I got it because it was quick and easy, also I only found one other model of armband that could accommodate the Ipod with the Nike+ sensor attached and it didnt have great reviews. My problem with the Nike+ band is that you cant see anything, its entirely enclosed and covered. While thats good to protect it from sweat it makes it impossible to navigate the Ipod and is frustrating as hell. Seems like Nike is yet again more worried about looking cool than being functional.

The easiest way to use the armband that I’ve found is to setup your workout to the point that all you have to do is press the center button to begin and then put it into the armband. When you’re ready to go press the center button. When you finish press the pause button and then when you’re able to pull the Ipod out and end the workout. Pretty inconvenient but I do recommend having an armband in general. Its really convenient and keeps the earphone cords from pulling out of your ears because they dont have to reach your pocket. Not to mention keeping your Ipod from falling out of your pocket.

Other than that the Livestrong Challenge training is picking up. Each week I add more miles to my runs. Im hoping that the weather will be warm enough in the next few weeks to get on my bike again. That way I can start alternating my runs with my biking to keep my workouts mixed up and fresh as well as getting ready for my rides. Being warm enough to run is far different than being warm enough to ride with only spring cycling gear. The wind of the ride is ten times colder and faster than what you get in a run.

Today registration opened for the Raleigh City of Oaks Marathon here in town. Raleigh used to have its own marathon but it disappeared for several years and has now returned. I registered for it this morning, making it the first marathon I have registered for and likely the first I will participate in. There’s an outside chance of doing another between now and then but I doubt I will. The registration is $50 and limited to the first 5000 participants. The 5000 limitation is cumulative and includes both the marathon and half-marathon. This race is one month after the Austin Livestrong Challenge so Ill be in shape but possibly still pretty knackered.

Take a look at the website and sign up if you’re so inclined. Through training for the Livestrong Challenge I’ve found myself adopting a much healthier and active lifestyle and you probably will as well, if not already. Once you cross that first Livestrong Challenge finish and experience that high of completion you’ll want to get it again and again by pushing yourself further and further. It may not be a marathon but you’ll find yourself doing much more than before you started.

Raleigh City Of Oaks Marathon
http://www.cityofoaksmarathon.com/

I was watching Fit TV the other day and they had a show on called Diet Doctor or something similar.  They were going over the Atkins diet for a guy who matched up fairly well to my size and fitness level.  The guy was a cyclist who was slightly bigger than he wanted to be.  They told him to skip the induction phase, the phase everyone knows which is when you go off almost all carbs.  Most people dont realize that there’s more to the diet and you’re not supposed to do that for only a couple weeks then add carbs back in.  Anyway they told him to skip induction because he was too active to give up carbs which I though too when the show first started.

She made him a menu that he was supposed to follow which sadly I forgot most of.  Ill probably go to the website to get the diet again.  I did, however, remember the breakfast which I’ve been cooking every day.  Maybe its because my diet’s been, to be nice, a little suspect that it tastes so good.  Its pretty simple, get 3 eggs, one tomato, and some mozzarella.  Dice up the tomato and put it in a bowl and put some mozzarella in it.  Next scramble the three eggs and put it all in the bowl and mix it together.  Thats all there is to it.  I don’t know if thats what she meant but thats how I’ve been putting the ingredients together.  I look forward to waking up in the morning so I can have it.  I also make sure to use as natural of ingredients as I can which may or may not make a difference.  Organic eggs, tomatoes, and cheese.

I know not everyone likes tomatoes but if you do give it a try.

So I’m back from Daytona.  It was a fun week, probably not as fun for my liver though.  I did get plenty of practice at beer pong but it sadly has no influence on my Livestrong Challenge results.

The whole time in Florida it was wicked cold but now that I’m back in NC things have started warming back up.  As a consequence of the warming, as well as the guilt of not training at all, I was able to get out and pound some pavement.  I did a four mile loop today in a time of 34:52.  Not one of my best times but one shouldn’t expect too much out of oneself after taking off so much time.

I did get a surprise out of my Nike+ system though, a message from Lance Armstrong.  Turns out that I set a new personal best fastest mile, well fastest that the system has recorded so far but not my personal fastest.  Anyway after the workout ended Lance Armstrong came on and said “Hi this is Lance Armstrong, congratulations on setting a new personal best for the fastest mile.”  I cant remember exactly but it was something to that effect.  That was a nice touch for the system and was unexpected.  I guess Ill find out over time if there are more athletes on there to congratulate you.

I leave tomorrow morning to head down to Daytona Florida to spend a week camping in the infield for the Daytona 500 and all the related races.  There’s little chance ill be able to access the Internet and even less that there will be anything remotely related to the Livestrong Challenge to post here.  So I hope everyone has a good week and is able to get in some training, fundraising, recovery, etc.  Ill be back and now that the weather has warmed up I should be able to start posting about my training experiences with me back on the road.

I have setup my first race by registering for the Run for the Oaks 5K in downtown Raleigh.  So come this time next month Ill be pounding pavement with the rest of the runners in the triangle.  And probably getting my a** served to me with my lack of training to this point.

See everyone around Monday or Tuesday.