Nike+ Human Race 10K

Workout: Walk 6.92 miles (Nike+ The Human Race 10K)
Time: 2:38'53"
Calories Burned: 1011
HR max: 134
HR ave: 118

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A month or more ago, while plotting out my training plan for my Half Marathon in October, I stumbled across information about the Nike+ sponsored "Human Race 10K". The concept is to have 1 million+ runners running together ... there are 26 race sites on several continents, plus all the people running on their own, using their Nike+ products to race along with those at the organized races.

Unfortunately, I've been sick for over a week. So, haven't trained at all this past week. And, have found it difficult to get workouts done, with the heat, all summer long. So, I knew there was no way that I could run a 10K ... and not pay for it later! So, I decided to walk the race.

The problem, was coming up with a route for my race. I could head out in one direction for 3.1-ish miles, and then return. Or, I could do my usual 3 1/2 mile loop twice. But, since I was afraid I might get wiped out, because of my recovery from illness, I chose to walk around the neighborhoods near my home. (Gave me the added benefit of scoping out the current home situation in one of the areas that I'm interested in purchasing.

Because I don't seem to be able to calibrate my Nike+ accurately, it seems that if there is any variance in my pace (which is most of the time), I get inaccurate mileages. I like that it uploads everything automatically to the webpage, and I can view my pace with the little graphic. But, I'm thinking about going back to my garmin ... it just takes so long to sync up with the satelites. And, I feel like such a nerd wearing 2 watches (HRM & GPS). Hmmm, maybe that's the excuse I need to buy the upgrade?

Anyway, I wandered around the neighborhood in a fairly circuitous route until my iPod told me I'd walked 6.21 miles. Having measured it with Nike's "map-it" function, it turns out I actually walked 6.92 miles. 2:38'53" was my time ... speedy 22:56 min./mi. pace!! Oh, yeah ... just call me speedy!!

It's certainly not the kind of time that I was wanting to try for. But, I'm glad I did it. I'm proud of myself for completing it.

The beginning

Life has gotten in the way, lately. Between a very painful muscle strain in my back (rhomboid) and bursitis in my shoulder, and then the occasional (chronic) pain in my wrist I had managed to get away from working out, and the body that I was actually starting to become proud of.

Because any little workout seemed to cause my back to flare up I got completely away from working out. I would walk, occasionally, but even that had to be fairly sedate ... or I risked triggering more spasms.

Because walking was such a different workout style than I had become used to, with the P90 and P90X programs, it almost seemed "too lame" to me ... so, instead of accepting the benefits of a workout that I could do, I mostly did nothing.

Even my eating was starting to get out of control.

My shoulder no longer hurts when I raise it above my head. I can lift patients without feeling any discomfort under my shoulder blade. And, the "normal" mobility is back in my wrist. I'm actually feeling good. So, I've decided I'm ready to get back on a "program" (that seems to be how I function best). Actually, I've been ready for two weeks, but, have been afraid of causing all the pain to come back.

Beginning tomorrow, I am starting a round of P90X+ Classic. I'll start slow this first week, and see how things go ... if I have to do the shoulder exercises with water bottles instead of weights, because I'm afraid of bringing back the bursitis ... that's what I'll do.

Basically, I've decided I need to (in the words of Nike) JUST DO IT. Jump in with both feet. (You know all the cliches ... so do I.)

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My Workout Details:
Jog/Walk (3.5 miles)
59 min.
burned 548 cal.
HR max: 176
HR ave: 149