I have a real problem with candy bowls/jars at work. I never would go and buy a candy bar, but if a walk by a bowl of Hershey Kisses, I can’t resist dipping my hand in. After lunch I seem to crave a sweet treat. If I limit to one or two pieces, it’s fine, but sometimes I eat way too many,
For the first time ever I ran 2 races this weekend, (both 5ks) but I had to support 2 of my “heroes” and their causes: Greg Olsen on Saturday (I took it easy, 23.58) and Jimmie Johnson on Sunday (23.17… gosh, it felt faster than that! LOL) @ohiopublic I have recently tried masters track, running only the 800. In the past year 3 races have been 2:54, 2:53. 2:55. and I think with some more speed work and smart running could net me a 2:50. Last race I ran the first lap in 1:22, so 2nd lap was an exhausted 1:33! Thank goodness for age groups! (M60-64) I know I am only so-so, but I was marginal in high school so why would I be a great runner now? It is fun, as long as I am not pulling/straining muscles.
Good job, NJRes! You guys are good at the 800. We need a relay!
I hear this is a new fitness trend:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/prison-workout-the-jailhouse-strong-routine.html
Had a really bad Mexican dinner today… The guys said there is no bad Mexican food in Silicon Valley. Boy, we must have hit that “I feel lucky” one. Rubber carnitas. I ate the beans and left all of the meat… Following Busdriver’'s strategy and sterilizing the dinner with a glass of zin. But I made sure I hit 12,000 steps on my Fitbit!
Well, I’m wide awake now! Too bad I don’t have a home gym like Michael’s and I could go workout. I just got my 747 badge from Fitbit - 4000 floors since the end of January. Woo hoo! I hope that’s accurate!
Woo-hoo, sabaray!! Got mine last week, too! 
I am p’d off that there was no Everest badge. Like they did not want anyone to get the mountain itch?
(Just read a series of articles on BBC about trash and dead bodies on Mt. Everest. Sent chills down my spine!).
We have a giant candy container at work - the good thing is, I have to walk downstairs if I want a piece. That means I also have to walk back up. All the candy in the world could not get me to Everest - but I will be anxious to hear how fireandrain enjoyed her trip. This might be another adventure she’s interested in:
https://www.jennyhadfield.com/inca-trail-marathon-adventure/
So here’s an update on my personal chemistry experiment. Some of you may recall that a couple of months ago, I started supplementing with Creatine monohydrate. Creatine has been proven to be effective in increasing muscle mass and strength. It has been exhaustively studied and researched for the last 18 years and there is no issue as to its safety and health impact. There are reported side effects of feeling bloated and gassy but these issues have been virtually eliminated by the use of a lab quality formulation that is sold to manufacturers under the trade name of CreaPure and by reducing the particle size through a process that is labeled as micronizing. It only produces results, however, if you are involved in regular intensive resistence training. The protocol for its usage is to go through a loading phase of 4 X 5 gms/day for 5 - 7 days and then reduce to maintence levels of 5 gms/day.
Creatine as a supplement augments the Creatine naturally produce by our bodies. It is used in the phosphogenic energy process in our muscles that produces the energy needed for strength based movement. Normally, our bodies can only produce phosphogenic energy in very limited quantities. By enhancing our body’s natural level of Creatine, we are able to produce more phosphogenic energy for longer periods of time. The result is that we are able to work with greater intensity for longer durations thus causing greater increases in strength and promoting growth in the number of muscle fibers. In addition, Creatine causes our muscles to retain retain more water which contributes to muscle growth.
So here are the changes I’ve noticed and that have been noted to me. First, during my parallettes routine, go from L-Sits to shoulder stands has become much easier and my shoulders and arms feel much stronger. I have progressively increased the weight when doing weight enhanced chin-ups and dips from 20 lbs to 35 lbs and am about to increase to 40 lbs. I am now able to do sets of hanging pike leg lifts with my legs extended above my head when before I was limited to hanging bent leg ab crunches bringing my knees towards my chest. My dead lifts have increased by 15%. Others have reported to me that my muscle size and definition on my arms, shoulders and chest has increased. And I’ve also gained 4 lbs which was expected due to increased water absorption and retention in the muscle tissue. I haven’t, however, measured my body fat in the last couple of months to determine whether the weight gain is associated with any increase in body fat, whether there has been an increase in lean muscle tissue or whether the weight gain is more associated with the water absorption. I’ll be doing that shortly. There has been no appreciable impact on my cycling performance nor did I expect there to be. Creatine has not been found to enhance performance in endurance sports.
So far, I’ve been pretty pleased with the results and will be interested to see where this goes through the summer as I start to phase into the rings training program I intend to do (if it ever stops raining 
).
That’s truly amazing, Michael. You’ve done a great job documenting your results! I don’t doubt the rings training will be a success.
@ohiopublic, glad your computer is working again. I assume it was excessive clearance between the magnet and the sending unit? Don’t be surprised if it happens again. Over the miles, the vibrations can cause movement of the sending unit position. If you have a front fork mounted sending unit, taking the front wheel off and on can often smack and move the unit. If your sending unit is on your chain stay, the heel of your shoevcan often dislodge the sensor.
@NJres, great job on the races!
@GertrudeMcFuzz, the exercise site you posted the link to is great. More and more, body weight training is gaining in popularity. It is so versatile and can be done anywhere. I haven’t done bench presses with an Olympic bar for close to a year and have no regrets.
@MichaelNKat - lol, I posted that in honor of MOWC.
Yeah, I got that but couldn’t restrain myself. Perhaps had a need to atone for my sins by making a positive comment. ;).
LOL. I’m running laps in small circles.
Michael- good report. Incredible detail!
NJRes - I started back running 6 years ago. I was a former runner that ballooned up to almost 190 lbs. Started off with couch25k and encouragement from this group. 50 less pounds later I’ve found that I’m focusing primarily on Masters Track. I ran the 800 in HS and college. Only lasted a year in college. Couldn’t handle the mileage demands. They wanted 100 mile plus weeks and it was hard for me. Plus I was a lazy runner. I’ve got a masters (senior games) qualifier in the next couple of weeks - 60-64 age group. Not 60 yet but will be in Dec. I think runners are the only people I know who look forward to turning 60, 65, 70, etc. Life is all about the age group medal!
Finally a better day outside - 55 degrees and only 90% humidity. Short 30 minute “recovery” run. I really need to work on my running dynamics - I feel like I’m just shuffling along! Oh well - in my dreams I’m Shalane Flanagan. That’s all that matters, right?
I’ve been struggling getting back into running. Yesterday I decided to go back to a C25k, maybe doing that will give me some confidence that I need. I started at week 3, seemed like a good starting point. I just need to build up my breathing and endurance.
It’s been a stressful time for me personally and I’ve put on a few pounds, which at my age is easy to do, unfortunately. Trying to slowly take off these pounds and stop the creep. I was eating too many desserts and drinking more than I usually do. It was fun while it lasted. B-)
ohio- I hear you about the birthdays! I turn 64 in September and have been thinking “what a stupid birthday! I don’t even get a new age group!”
Running group last night and yoga this AM.
I was able to avoid a co workers candy jar for several years, but once I fell it was bad. Thankfully she decided not to have the candy anymore.
Wow, feeling the energy on this thread this morning. Thanks for the motivation to get through this work day so I can get home and get active!
Question for you morning runners - and referring to Sabaray’s comment above that she feels like she’s “shuffling along” - do you ever try changing it up and running at alternative times (when possible) - an afternoon run? Evening? Variety is the spice of life for me with exercise and I often find that when I occasionally change my exercise time or route the run just feels energized and I feel like it’s a whole new experience.
I recognize that morning is NOT the best time for me - but occasionally, when I do run in the morning, it feels fresh and new.