Master the Met Training Log

2010 Met Run Conclusion

2010-03-07T13:38:00.001-08:00

I didn't keep track of my training on here this year. I went with a different strategy because after the thousands of training floors last year, it still hurt like year one. This year's training, though not as dedicated on the surface proved to be more efficient. I put more weight training into my routine. I also feel that I'm in a slightly better 5K shape because of the running I did over the winter. I also had the benefit of 2 training runs at The Met 2 and 4 weeks ago.

The first practice I did at about an 80% effort just to see where I was. I started out at a slower pace and didn't push it through the tough floors in the 20's. By floor 36 I was able to increase for a final kick letting me know I had some left. My time for 40 floors (training was 2 floors shorter than the real thing for building reasons) was 7:38. Pretty slow, but I still had a month to put in and I wasn't hurting all that bad. I was about where I expected.

Instead of the usual stairmaster that has a sort of escalator step on it, I used the older version with the little step pedals. I feel that that machine forces me to push my whole weight up. I also used the elliptical machine a lot more. I wasn't able to go to as many of Beth's "boot camp" classes (okay, I didn't go to any, just her pilates classes instead), but I did make it to several spin classes. I don't own a bike anymore but spin class really strengthened my legs and built some endurance over the weeks in December and January.

Student teaching really cut into my time and energy this year. Some days I only worked out for 15 minutes because I no longer have the luxury of waking up and strolling into the gym at 10:30 anymore.

By the next practice which took place 2 weeks before yesterday's event I was ready to see exactly where I was timewise. I gave a full 100% and by the top of the 40th floor I was at a 5:07. I told them "that's not right," as I walked away upset that they had messed my time up. Beth and our team captain Kenny came too and helped me recover as best they could but I still ended up puking in the parking lot...after a practice.

I prepared the best I could for the next two weeks tailing things off by Tuesday and only doing light bike and elliptical in the gym. I was so upset that they had messed up my practice time because I really didn't know what to expect. What really worried me was the headaches I was getting after the practice. They was a sharp pain in the back left "corner" of my head after practice for a few hours. It finally went away but then came back when I went to bed. The next day I was okay but as soon as I put any effort into lifting (I think I was bench pressing) the pain came back which started to freak me out. I've been taking Motrin which always helps.

Race day came and I decided to get up at 6:00 and eat 2 pop tarts at 6:15. I showered and we headed down to The Met to arrive at 7:30. This year I had the advantage of starting 4th overall. There were 1445 runners and the practice runs and previous years have always been plagued with slow runners in my way. Passing on a stairwell is much more difficult than passing in a road race. The #1 bib was Missouri's Lt. Governor. The #2 runner was missing. #3 was a guy who ran his practice in 5:55 and was overconfident.

I had a lot of adrenaline going and decided to just shoot up the first 8-10 floors. I passed the Lt. Gov. by the 6th floor (he started 27 seconds ahead of me). I passed the #3 runner around the 18th floor which put me in the lead with (as they say in NASCAR) clean air ahead. Each floor has volunteers letting the runners know where the break floors are (every 10 floors). I ignored them as they offered rest and water (as if!). Could they not see the crazy look of determination in my eyes? I'm a complete nutjob for this event and yeah, it's great to raise money to fight lung disease, but this race is the competitive highlight of my year...so no...no water stops.

By the 30th floor I was back to the living hell that makes this race so hard. Everything in the body says stop. It's kind of like drowning because every muscle is out of oxygen. I took two Motrin with breakfast so my headache wasn't getting to me. I used my arms to pull myself up each set of steps (two at a time the whole way). Ignore the pain, it will go away. This is one of the few interesting things you'll accomplish and have to ~~brag~~ talk to people about for another year.

I crossed the line first to an applause of strangers and immediately found a table to lean on. No chairs. I begged for one and threatened to puke, but no one helped. I wasn't as "sick" as I normally am though. It's not that I didn't give 100%, my body just didn't have to puke this time. My teammates crossed the line a minutes later including my lovely wife who clocked in at 8:48 (I promised her $160 boots from ALDO if she broke 8 minutes so she was a little upset). My time ended up being 5:58. I felt like I went faster at practice so maybe if you take away the 2 extra floors and the landing on the 41st floor, I actually did run a 5:07 at practice. The good news was I improved from last year's time by 22 seconds. Sadly, the result was the same. 4th place overall (that guy who won the St. Louis Marathon was repeat champion at 4:48). I won my age group of men 30-39 because top 3 runners don't get to place in age group as well. Still, I guess I can say I'm happy with the result. I may have run faster at practice, I'm still not sure. I'll be back next year most likely. I know what works, I just have to do more of it. I don't fear the headache pain anymore. Spin classes, elliptical machine, and running are the key. I talked to the 2nd place guy and he's some hardass runner who travels the world with his wife doing marathons and 10K's. Like I said, the winner is a marathoner training for the Olympics. The 3rd place guy was some personal trainer looking guy...and then there's me. I figure those 3 all run a few miles every morning and watch their diets. I was the guy drinking 4 pints of beer afterward instead of a cool down. (Scary--5th place was the overall woman's winner just 17 seconds or so behind me!)

I'm proud of myself, my wife, and our efforts. Thank you again for those who donated. I'll try again next year and see if I can finally crack the top 3!

Half Marathon Training recap

2009-09-09T07:49:00.000-07:00

The race is this Sunday morning at 7:15 (way too early). I've been running pretty regularly for a few months now. Other than yesterday, it usually doesn't hurt. I did a workout of 10 miles once on a treadmill. I did 8 2/3 miles outside once, that was hard, and a bunch of workouts of 5 to 7 miles, usually once or twice a week. Yes I under-trained but my knees, etc. can't take a regular schedule and my goal is to run the whole way. I've been training at a pace under 8 minutes, but don't plan on doing that for 13 miles. 9 or so is the plan and then just like my workouts I'll play it by ear. After the race I plan to stay in shape and run a few 5 K's and then take that training into the winter for Master the Met next year.

updates

2009-07-05T06:42:00.000-07:00

I've put in a few 6 and 7 mile days. I ran 7 on Friday at a gym in Columbia and then 4 yesterday here. My leg leg hurts just above my ankle but I can't tell it it's a pain of injury. It's just sore. I'll run a few more miles today outside while it's still cool.

OK seriously...

2009-06-15T16:30:00.001-07:00

Today I started started my half marathon training with 4 miles on the treadmill at just under 9:00 per mile (8:40ish?). Tomorrow, more miles, maybe 3 or so outside if it's dry. Felt good.

Running a half marathon

2009-04-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

I'm going to run the St. Charles Half Marathon in September. I've been running for a week and some highlites include doing the mounds (just 5 times yesterday), running a 5K on the treadmill in 22:00. Running a sub 6:00 mile and not breathing that hard. I feel like I've broken through on a few things and will get my 5K time closer to 20:00. There's a race in about a month near our home that we did last year. Another race in July to improve further on. Tomorrow I'm going to run 6 miles in the park (provided tonight's party doesn't get too crazy).

Also, I get married in 6 days.

2nd place team!

2009-03-31T17:14:00.001-07:00

Kenny and I got a 2nd place award for our "team." Wow, I guess you only needed 2 people to make a team. I got my first place men 30-39 award yesterday...they didn't mail it, they left it at my door (weird!).

I've been training as usual though I just got over a foot injury so I haven't been running as much. I started running again today though and felt rested. I was in Wichita all last week and only got 1 trip to the gym (there was a blizzard). I ended up losing 2 pounds as a result.

loooong jog

2009-03-15T11:48:00.001-07:00

I jogged with Beth today in Forest Park. We were both hurting from bad knees so we walked a little. It was between 5 and 6 miles.

A day off

2009-03-12T07:00:00.001-07:00

I didn't exercise yesterday. Tonight is lifting and pilates but I needed a rest yesterday. Here's the picture from Saturday...that girl was in my way.

Still working hard

2009-03-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

I forgot to add the steps from t race. 3751 + 42 = 3793.

Good news, I GOT MY IPOD BACK! The people who put the race on had it for me.

I took Beth's last Tuesday circuit training class last night. It hurt, my legs still aren't 100%
I think for next year I'll focus less on leg strength and more on breathing and stamina from being able to breathe better. I really didn't feel like I was in better shape this year compared to last, I just ran harder and pushed myself beyond. So next year I'll just run more distance, perhaps up hills. I may never come close to winning if cyborg guy is still competing, but I can at least defend my 30-39 Men's title and improve my time. I'll get my picture up from the race soon too.

another race today

2009-03-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

I did a 5K today in 22:07. There were a ton of people there so I didn't place but it felt okay. I didn't push myself as hard as I normally do for a 5K. I could feel that my legs weren't there in the first mile but I finished strong. I was pleased with the time so I must be in decent 5K shape. We got a packet with a bunch of other upcoming races this spring and a few in the summer. Perhaps this is the year I break 20 minutes

Results

2009-03-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

I got 4th place overall. I'm pretty happy with it. I ran a 6:20 so I dropped 28 seconds from last year. Sadly, I somehow lost my iPod on the way up. I new it came unplugged but I didn't know it came out of my holder on my hip until I got home.

This was easily the most pain I have ever put my body through in any athletic event. Worse than any high school cross-country or track race. I tried to puke afterward but nothing was coming up. My head hurt, I could barely sit up, it was worse than being super drunk at the end of the night when it's all about to fall apart. Add that feeling with the sensation of drowning and that's about where I was.

Going into the race I knew I wasn't going to win...someone had already post a 4:42. 2nd place was 5:05 but 3rd was only 9 seconds ahead of me at 6:11. Since the top 3 overall don't count toward their age group results I "won" the men's division age 30-39. I'll get a small award for that.

I'm coughing pretty bad so I don't know about running that 5K tomorrow. I have 2 more shows to perform in tonight. For now I'm just going to let myself recover.

Full results here... http://www.fleetfeetstl.com/racetiming/results/MASTER_THE_MET_2009_42_OA.HTM

It's go time

2009-03-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the day. I feel ready and confident. I did a light elliptical machine yesterday for 10 minutes and did a short jog today. My bck and neck feel fine, I have no cold symptoms for the first time in weeks and the weather shot up to about 70 degrees today. All is ready. I think I'll use Radiohead's Iron Lung and/or Modest Mouse's Spitting Venom for my iPod. Pace is important. Mental toughness is even more important. I've trained too long to let myself wuss out halfway up. I logged over 3700 floors and ran a lot of miles for this. I can only wonder who if any are taking it as seriously.

a few days left

2009-03-04T07:09:00.000-08:00

I did 20 floors in 5 minutes yesterday just to move my legs. I ran a mile also at a slow pace. Then pilates class. Today I'll exercise bike it for 10 minutes and jog for a few as well. I feel confident. I still haven't picked a song yet.

Total floors = 3751

Scouting

2009-03-02T14:52:00.001-08:00

I found the webpage with last year's results and scanned through. Like I said, the winner last year is hurt. There seems to be 1 guy who had a faster time than me competing this year, David Klein. He's only 25 or something. But at that age your life changes a lot from year to year. His time was only 20 seconds or so faster than me. I really think I have a shot at winning this thing.

final few days

2009-03-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

Today I ran a mile and change, about a half of that on an incline on level 5. I'm getting ready for a possible 5K on Sunday (there's open beer tap after that race) if my legs feel okay.
After the run I did 40 floors in 5 minutes on the stairmaster. I'm now being mocked by the staff at the gym but I probably deserve it for being so serious about all of this. I suppose I will do light steps tomorrow and a few Wednesday, then jog Thursday and then walk Friday leading up to the race on Saturday morning. My lungs still get a little bit of yuck in them after tough workouts but not as much each time. I feel pretty good overall other than my neck hurting.

total floors = 3731

1 week away!

2009-02-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

I did 2 workouts today as I finish up my harder training before tailing off. I did 90 floors in 20 minutes while carrying 20 lbs today. I realize that makes me look like a jackass in the gym but I've stopped caring about that. All drinking will stop by ~~Monday~~ Wednesday and I'll pick up my packet to find out when my starting time is. Good news, they're letting us wear iPods this year. I'm torn on which song to use for my 6 minute climb. I may go with Lazy Eye by Silversun Pickups, or the last 6+ minutes of Modest Mouse's Spitting Venom. Whatever I choose will be permanently associated with pain from then on though. I'm taking this extremely serious but all in good fun. I miss competing; I miss winning. I honestly think I have a shot at it. Only 1 person broke 6 minutes last year and he's out this year. I need to drop 48 seconds for 42 floors. So pretty much what, 1.023 seconds per floor or something like that?

Here's what happened last year. I knew to pace myself early but I still flew up the first 9 floors. That's about where most people "in shape" start to become aerobic and their muscles run out of excess Oxygen. My goal this year is to not hit that wall until around 15 floors. Having an extra 6 floors of speed would really help my time. Last year I grounded out floors 10-mid 30's and then I don't remember how hard I ran those last few. There's a landing on floor 19 and 40 so my legs had to adjust to just running on flat ground for a hallway. (2 women got in my way on floor 40 last year) They're starting people on 12 second increments this year instead of 15. There could be a little more traffic.

My goal this year is to, like I said, get through the first 15 anaerobically, then push through to about the 35th floor, and then just all mental for the last 7. I was able to sprint up the last of 5 trips to the top of the mounds on Wednesday so I know my legs have more boost in them. I'm just convincing myself I'm in much better shape this year (I am). All I can aim for is to be under 6 minutes. If someone runs another 5:30 and wins, so be it, I'll just train harder next year, but if I can get under 6 minutes I'll be in really good position for placing high.

3691 total floors

2009-02-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

Last night I took Beth's classes and worked my legs a lot more. They hurt pretty bad but were fine today so I went out and ran the mounds 5 times without stopping. My lungs burnt really bad once I got back to my car and I've been coughing a little but it isn't too bad. There really is something wrong with me that every time I have to push myself to breathe that much it ends up giving me a cough for at least a week. Hopefully it'll clear up soon. I don't have many more super tough workouts left before I tone it down for the week going into the race.

3551 + 50 = 3601 total floors

2009-02-22T16:36:00.000-08:00

80 tough floors through different exercises.

3551 total floors

yesterday's workout

2009-02-20T13:58:00.000-08:00

I did 71 floors yesterday in 15 minutes. That's a pretty fast pace actually. I've also been running on the treadmill a lot lately for some 5K's in the future. I think the first is the day after the Met Race. I'm going to hold off on registering to see how my lungs feel. Hopefully I won't get sick like last year with that plagued cough. I did some steps in the aerobic room today as well as some jumproping. That's good for lower leg exercise.

Anyway I'm up to 3471 floors.

2009-02-18T17:37:00.000-08:00

Juts 40 floors tonight. I ran a half mile and did some squats on the BOSU ball with a 30 lb. weight. I'm still kicking this cold with Mucisan. (that's not how you spell it)
Somehow I put a few pounds on this week. I was up to 181 for the first time in months. I'm back at 180 today. I took some creatine so that may have done it.

3360 + 40 = 3400 floors

2009-02-17T21:11:00.000-08:00

I did 68 floors of intervals in 15 mintues tonight. It was a pretty tough workout but didn't last that long. Very effecient I guess. My legs are still tired from Sunday's madness. I don't know what I did that much more of but I'll recover. I need to get all of this sickness out of me. Being 100% would be nice.

total floors = 3360

2009-02-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

This weekend I did a few more workouts suing weights and even running a 5K on the treadmill. I'm fighting a possible Strep Throat but so far I'm still okay. Beth just got over it with antibiotics...I don't have health insurance so I'm hoping just to push through it like a champ.

3236 + 56 = 3292 total floors.

leg workout

2009-02-12T05:47:00.001-08:00

I lefted legs yesterday, not as hard as usual. I did 10 minutes of stairs for 58 floors.

3178
+ 58
____
3236 floors

Back at the Mounds!

2009-02-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

I ran (very hard) 10 laps up and down the Cahokia Indians Mounds today. Each trip up is 156 steps, plus a small incline in the middle (4 steps up?) so I round it to 160 steps per lap which is 10 floors per lap. So 10 trips for 100 floors today. It took me about 31 minutes (because of resting and the trips down) but it was by far the toughest workout I've put in so far. In other areas, I hurt my neck/back benching today. I do this every few months or so it seems, I was due. Time for some mild meds...~~and some beer~~.

total floors = 3178

This week

2009-02-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

This week has been light. I took Monday off as I will be doing every week. Tuesday was a tough circuit class with Beth. Wednesday was upper body only, yesterday just pilates. Tonight will be tougher and then tomorrow we're hoping to run the mounds. A restful week can help.

3078 floors

70 floors

2009-02-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

I somehow put on 5 pounds this weekend. I did 70 floors yesterday and plan on doing more today before I break out my deep fryer for The Super Bowl. I did my squat workout yesterday too. It's just a set of 25 with 135, then 25 on that half-ball balance thingy, then a set of 20 on each, then 15, then 10. Lots of reps. Today I'm taking the Reebok steppers and doing a hard 6 minutes up and down, up and down.

over 3,000 floors!

2009-01-28T12:02:00.001-08:00

Two big deals today. I reached $100 of donations and also topped my 3,000th floor. I did a 25 minute workout averaging level 10.8 and got to 148 floors.

total floors = 3,008

We almost went home

2009-01-28T10:23:00.000-08:00

Because of the snow no one came to pilates last night. So Beth talked me into a spin class. The instructor was there by himself and did a half hour with us. Great workout that I think will help with step training. I had never "spun" before. Then 2 ladies showed up for Beth's Cicuit training class. Ouch, of course. Before spin class I lifted and ran 2 miles. So I won't add to the floors total but today will be a longer step workout...if I can get my car out of the snow. If I had boots I'd do some Rocky IV training.

level 14

2009-01-26T09:49:00.000-08:00

2 days to write about. One the first day I doubled up the Reebok steppers again and did 12 minutes for around 50 floors. On the next day I wanted to see what doing 42 floors on the stairmaster felt like (in under 6 minutes). I had done it in 7 which is level 11. But now I needed to increase it to level 14 for 6 straight minutes. I got the 42 floors in in 5:32 however realistic that is compared to climbing real stairs up a building. I did 3 more floors in the last 28 seconds for a total of 45. 87 floors for the weekend

2773
+ 87
------

2860 total floors

Off yesterday

2009-01-23T08:57:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I rested my legs and worked upper body and went to Beth's Pilates class. This afternoon I'm going to do a tougher legs workout with weights and steps. I did a little research and the guy who won Master the Met last year is out with a hamstring injury for this year. So now it looks like anything under 6:00 will have a chance at first place. I'll need to drop 48 seconds off of my time from last year. I think the step aerobic workout I did in Chattanooga for 15 minutes did wonders, and gave me this cold. I don't know if it was my old asmtha coming back or just the cold air but it's just starting to clear up as the week ends.

45 minutes

2009-01-21T09:24:00.000-08:00

I did 45 minutes on levels 5, 6, 7-9 with ankle weights today. I high stepped them to work on my upper leg fatigue problems. I was told ankle weights are bad for the knees. I suppose I should just hold weights.

2601 + 172 = 2773 floors

2 more sessions

2009-01-21T06:17:00.000-08:00

I did a workout on Sunday with 2 of the Reebok steppers stacked on top of each other. I just went up and down them for 15 minutes at a really fast pace (about 90 floors). It made my lungs burn and now I'm sick just like after the race last year. I don't know what induces it. Asthma? It's just a minor cold so I'm still training and carrying on with things. Last night before Beth's 2 classes I did 7 minutes for 45 floors.

2466 + 90 + 45 = 2601 floors

Training on the road

2009-01-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

Today in Chattanooga Dan Swartwout and I went to the YMCA. I did a lot of lifting and then got on their stairmaster for 15 minutes totaling 62 floors. I guess I need to sign up for the Met race now. It's getting near race time, less than 2 months away!

Total Floors = 2466

80 more

2009-01-12T09:15:00.000-08:00

I did another 18 minutes yesterday for 80 floors with the ankle weights on. Tonight is a fitness class by the new guy and there could be running in it. My legs are getting stronger but I need to be in better cardio shape (breathing). Perhaps I could do some more running. I wish it would warm up but that's not happening anytime soon.

Total Floors = 2404

Hardest Workout Ever

2009-01-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a Saturday and I felt really motivated. I did 4 super-sets of squats then squats on the (that little half ball thing you have to balance on). 25 squats with weights, and then 25 on the ball, 4 times, then calf presses, leg curls and extensions 3*10. Then I got crazy and strapped on the ankle weights and carried a 10 lb. dumbbell in each hand to the Step master and did 80 floors in 20 minutes. About half way through I realized "I've made a terrible mistake!" but I got through.

2244 + 80 = 2324 floors.

2009-01-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

I started my ankle weight training yesterday. They total 5 lbs. between the 2 of them and it wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be so maybe I'll carry dumbbells next time and look like a complete psycho. Not sure what I'll do today. Beth has another pilates class I could go to tonight. That would be 4 classes in a week, 2 pilates, 1 circuit, 1 "bootcamp."

2158 + 86 = 2244 floors

2009-01-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

I did the curl workout yesterday and then only 7 minutes of steps to get a race pace started. I'm going to start ankle weights tomorrow I think. Tonight some military guy is starting a boot camp class. Beth is very excited. I'm hopeful it won't be as tough as hers. It'll be weird having her next to me during class instead of teaching it.

2116 + 42 = 2158

lost 3 lbs.

2009-01-04T08:01:00.001-08:00

Yesterday's workout was very tough and I lost 3 pounds from the start to the finish. I did a lot of squats and all of my leg lifts and then 30 minutes on the stepmaster for 140 floors. I should have cooled down some but I was too tired. Today I'll just do arms.

1976+140 = 2116 floors.

20 minutes

2008-12-31T08:18:00.000-08:00

I did 10 minutes the day before last on the stepmaster. I'm on the road for a couple days so I don't have access to the gym but starting January 1 I'll "step" eh-hem it up (have I already used that one?) a bit. I need to do longer workouts even if I don't go as fast. I don't have patience I guess.

1924 + 52 = 1976 floors

2008-12-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

I did my extreme leg workout against yesterday. Then 96 floors in 20 minutes. I was pretty exhausted by the end. I forgot to add the totals from last time.

80 + 96 + previous total = 1924 floors.

10 weeks to go

2008-12-27T15:38:00.001-08:00

Only 10 weeks left to train and I'm going to start stepping it up a bit. Ahh, lame phrase, sorry. I did 16 minutes after a 14 minute run and got 80 floors in. Tomorrow is going to be another circuit lifting session with some steps.

a few sessions

2008-12-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

I did another tough leg workout and have forgotten to log a few stair workouts. One was 50 floors in 9 minutes, one was a 5 minute 20 floor warmup.

1668 + 70 = 1748 floors

2008-12-20T13:14:00.000-08:00

I did 20 floors as a warmup to a weight lifting circuit yesterday. It was quite the workout, and I'll need to do more like it in the future.

Anyway, total floors is 1668.

2008-12-19T11:14:00.000-08:00

I'm about to head out for another workout so I figured I'd put in what I did previously. I need to do more aerobic legs work, that's all there is to it. So I'm going to do some sort of squats with lighter weight but a lot more reps, and then move into something else right away. Then hopefully I can finish up with more steps.

1559 + 86 = 1645 floors

anaerobic legs

2008-12-17T15:10:00.000-08:00

Two days ago I did a 30 minute stair climb of 136 floors. It hurt. Yesterday I took Beth's circuit training class and realized I need to be in the kind of aerobic shape that she's in to compete better in this thing. I need to be able to get rid of all that lactic acid that accumulates as I exercise. I need to increase exercises on top of lifting with little to no rest. The hardcore training shall begin mid-January. For now, I'm going to head over to the gym and see what I can get tonight. Probably no more than 15-20 minutes.

1423 +136 = 1559 total floors

20 tougher minutes

2008-12-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

I turned it up a little yesterday and did 20 minutes for 96 floors. It wasn't that bad at the end, I distracted myself by watching TV. I lifted pretty hard before hand so Beth's class tonight should be pretty tough.

Total floors 1423

short

2008-12-05T13:36:00.000-08:00

I did another 45 floors in 10 minutes before pilates class. I did some squats and other leg lifts stuff before so I was kinda tired. I still need motivation of some sort. We're going to couples yoga tonight. More extensive longer workouts this weekend. My headphones broke so I'll blame the lack of iPod-age for my slacking.

1327

2008-12-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

I've been slacking a bit. I'll sugarcoat that and call it recovery. I did 8 minutes the other day to get to 47 floors. A mild speed workout.

total floors = 1282

2008-11-30T08:35:00.000-08:00

After a weekish off I returned to the stairmaster a little out of breath. Legs were fine but my cardio has slacked without being in Beth's classes the last 2 weeks. I did 90 floors in 20 minutes today.

Total floors...1235

Stairs and beers

2008-11-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I did 98 floors in 20 minutes then got ready for the Bears Rams game. To get to the metrolink we had to walk up 2 more flights of stairs giving me an even 100 for the day. I'll take it.

Total floors = 1145

Yesterday's steps

2008-11-20T10:32:00.000-08:00

I did 9 minutes for a total of 45 floors yesterday.

Total floors now at 1054.

1000 floors!

2008-11-17T12:26:00.001-08:00

Half and hour of steps yesterday. I controlled the speed instead of using a program which made me a little slower. I did 145 floors. I'll put in a good lift tonight so I doubt I get on the stairmaster. Maybe just a few minutes or so.

total floors = 1009

shorter week

2008-11-15T09:09:00.001-08:00

I added another 45 floors on yesterday in 10 minutes. That brings the total to...

864

yesterday on, today off

2008-11-11T16:30:00.000-08:00

I took today off because as I was walking up the steps in a parking garage everything felt heavy. I'm not sure how often it is healthy to push ones self in step training while I'm still building a base. Yesterday though I did 75 floors in 15 minutes.

Total floors is now at 817.

1,000,000 steps?

2008-11-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

I thought it would be possible to reach and a great goal to aim for...I did the math, and no, it's not possible by March. Today I did a legs weight workout and then 7 minutes for 42 floors.

Total floors--742

25 minutes

2008-11-08T16:11:00.000-08:00

After lifting I did 25 minutes of aerobic cycle on the stepmaster for 106 floors. It was hard, but I'll do another 100 or so tomorrow I think. I haven't been lifting in the legs much, just doing aerobic workouts in Beth's classes. We did couples yoga last night too. It was surprisingly fun and easy.

Total floors--an even 700

Another day

2008-11-06T15:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I did 20 minutes and 105 floors using the fat burner program. It has higher highs but lower lows than the aerobic one. I can't figure out if it's harder, I think it is. I started at a higher level early on, 8, but peaked around 12 for most of it until the end.

Total floors: 594

Last night

2008-11-05T14:50:00.001-08:00

Last night I did Beth's 1 hour circuit training class. I don't know how many steps that's equal to but it hurts like hell. I'm off to the gym soon to do more steps tonight and up my total number of floors.

Today's training

2008-11-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

I messed up on some earlier totals and added 40 more floors than I should have. Today I did 30 minutes again on the aerobic training cycle of the stepmaster for 141 floors.

Corrected grand total is now at 489 floors.

The top outside parts of my hips hurt but my calves are fine. I'm traveling to Ohio and back the next two days so I don't know what my training will be on those 2 days.

Days 5 and 6

2008-11-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

Day 5 was a brief was tough workout. I did 10 minutes and reached 62 floors before hitting the bars.

Day 6 was a longer workout of 30 minutes, 147 floors. That was the longest I'd done on the stepmaster.

Total floors is now 388.

Days 2, 3, and 4

2008-10-31T10:02:00.000-07:00

Day 2 Beth made me stay home because I was sick. Day 3 I did 92 floors in 20 minutes, with the same pattern of levels on the aerobic workout. Day 4 (yesterday) I did curls and pilates class. We'll say pilates builds the core strength to help climb the steps. Today, once I get my laundry in the dryer, I should be able to make it over for a 25 minute stair workout. Many steps to climb.

Total floors (87 + 92) = 179

Beginning

2008-10-28T08:26:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I did 20 minutes on the stairmaster. 87 floors, fatburner program, level 5 in the first 5 minutes, level 10 in the middle 10 minutes, and level 15 for the final 5 minutes. I did this a lot last winter to train for the Master the Met race March 1, 2008. This year I hope to place anywhere from 1st to 5th. I ran a 6:43 last year and got 10th out of 900 or so people. The winning time was around 5:20 by some personal trainer in his mid-20's. There were a few firemen who beat me as well. This year I'll do better because I have experience and a lot more motivation.
So far 47 total floors.