Exercise Buzz

In my reading, I have seen references to "runner's high" and people making the comment that they feel like they have more energy during the day after working out in the morning. As I have stated in an earlier post, I have personally experienced having more energy during the day after a good morning run or calisthenics. Trying to understand this "runner's high" concept seems a little foreign to me.

I have noticed that my mood has been considerably better with working out regularly. I am typically a pretty low key person, but, I did catch myself singing along in the car and just generally not letting things like traffic bothering me. We have a lot of road construction going on where I live and I had to go the long way to go home after work on Saturday. Working on Saturday, didn't get me down. I got a lot accomplished and felt good about that. The Sun was shining and I felt good being in it.

Even tonight, after a 10+ hour work day and putting in a 3 mile run. I feel really good. That is not a term I use very often. I have read that the body releases Endorphins during workouts and those chemicals make a person feel good. That is where the "runner's high" comes from according to some theories. I have not run any major races or gone really far during a run. I am still working on my endurance and just trying to keep the workout habit going. I am very anxious to see if "runner's high" has anything to do with how far the runner goes.

Another repeating thought in my reading is that a person should consult a doctor before starting a workout program. Even The Biggest Loser recommends this practice during their end disclaimer. I am going to the doctor tomorrow for a full physical. Given what my stated goals are and the recent loss of family, it seems like a good idea. I expect to hear that I am fat. I am working on that. Beyond that, I don't know what will happen tomorrow. My last physical was over 20 years ago. I am interested to see where I stand medically. I can only say that I feel pretty good at the moment.

What Have I Gotten Myself in To?

Well hello again,

I apologize for the virtual dust build up here. With the events of the past couple of months, some of which I have mentioned in previous posts, I have had very little time to post. Thank you for checking for something new here, or subscribing to the documentation of my journey.

Since I have made the declaration that I am training to participate in triathlons, I have shared this goal with some people who, quite frankly, have been less than supportive. I am not referring to anyone who reads this blog. I don't believe that the naysayers are much for reading blog posts. I have been told that the distances are too far, I done have the time it takes to train and that I will probably give up when it gets hard. In the words of Bugs Bunny, "They don't know me very well, do they?"

Some people, both positive and negative, have either quoted wrong distances or have asked me how far the race is. To start with, there are two different kinds of triathlons. There are sprint triathlons, which I am just getting into reading about, so I am far from an expert there. There are also Ironman Distance Triathlons. There are more races at that distance than the famous one that happens on Kona in October. Ironman races are comprised of a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride and finished with a 26.2 mile run. While I will participate in sprint triathlons as part of my training and preparations, my goal is to race in the Kona Ironman.

Being able to race in this event is more than just training like a madman. There is also a number of elements that are 100 percent out of my control. From what I have been reading, just getting a spot in the race is an accomplishment in itself.

There are only 1500 spots in the race. Most people qualify for a spot by qualifying at a selected event. There is also the lottery. There are 200 lottery spots every year. 150 of which got US applicants. There are approximately 5000 people who enter this lottery. 125 of the 150 spots goes to a Member of the Ironman Passport Club, a membership organization for Triathletes. There is an annual membership fee, but, for the increased chance to compete, most people say it is worth it. Applicants must apply and pay the fee to enter the lottery by the end of February and a computer selects the competitors in mid April. People who get a spot are notified on May 1 and have until the end of July to validate their spot.

Kona is not the only Ironman race out there. The one closest to where I live is in Idaho and is run every June. The distances are the same as Kona and is a qualifying event to be invited to race at Kona.

I am in need of some feedback. What sort of questions do you have for this lunatic? What do you want to know about what I am doing and how I am doing it? Feel free to ask me. Send me your question in the comments or email me at 1pairofshoes@gmail.com. I will see you on the road.