Swim Laps T=30

I took a week vacation after completing a long weekend of education. This tends to happen sometimes, I get so excited about one thing I forget all the other things I am doing. No two things can occupy the same space at the same time. There is truth to science ;)

After my first day of classes I decided to use the pool to relax and get the blood circulating in my body. Laps for about 30 minutes, mostly froggy style.

MapMyFitness.com - Laps / Swimming Pool: swim on 08/31/2009

Run D=4.13 T=42:46

Again, procrastination took over a good part of the day. I didn't so much have an agenda today, other than to really enjoy the last bit of peacefulness i may experience for awhile. Landmark this weekend and then School starts monday.

Today's run felt really good. I pushed myself to stay just ahead of lazy. My focus was really to stay relaxed but to actually pick my feet up. I think really focusing on keeping my body loose helped a lot. I paced better than I have on most of my other runs. I think one or two more runs at this distance and then increase a little bit again.

MapMyFitness.com - Regular Run: run on 08/27/2009

Swim 60:00

Today I had a really hard morning, really lethargic, and just not feeling very present in life. I decided late afternoon, early evening that I should do something and came to the conclussion today was a great day to do laps. Laps are not as harsh on my joints and the feeling of the water hugging me is really calming. I swam for 60 minutes which was much more than I thought i would, but i just went until i felt I had accomplished what I had set out to do. It really helped pull me together and was a great working as well.

MapMyFitness.com - Laps / Swimming Pool: pool laps on 08/26/2009

Run D=1.73 T=15:28

After procrasting and forgetting why I am training, I was able to focus and throw in a quick last minute run to satisfy myself and my integrity. I hadn't left enough time for myself to get a full distance run in, so instead I ran a much shorter distance but I ran it hard. I was pushing myself thru the whole thing as my pleasure in the run ran out after about 2 minutes. This run is an our and back, down hill then up hill. surprisingly I enjoy the uphill more. I was pleased with the pace as well as the way I felt after the run.

MapMyFitness.com - Quick Run: run on 08/25/2009

Run D=4.13 T=47:55

This run wasnt the most awesome, i cramped in my left calf almost immediately after starting. really used this as an opportunity to learn how to focus on being present and not fighting the cramp (allowing it to exist and pass). ended up doing a slightly longer run than usual.

MapMyFitness.com - Regular Run: Regular Run on 08/24/2009

Run D=3.57 T=42.33

Today's run was after a bit of lazing around, oh wait, that is nearly every workout I have! I stretched before my run today, which resulted in a crampy calf. well, result is a harsh word for my stretching, but that is when the aggravation started. By focusing on the pain, and not fighting it, i eventually worked through it and was able to do my entire run, even though it was a mere trot.

MapMyFitness.com - Regular Run: Regular Run on 08/23/2009

Swim 25y laps

Today I swam for about 30 minutes, various strokes. Wow, this was the first time I had really used swimming as a mode of transportation since I was maybe 12 years old. It is really exhausting! I tried to do those turn and spin things, I am admittedly not very graceful at that. I will keep at it, at least once a week. It was really great to be in the water.

Run D=3.19m T=36:24

Today I did a late morning run, took me awhile to get outa bed and then of course I putted around looking up this and that on the internet, of course non-of-which was productive in any way shape or form. However, I did go running with much hesitation, dragged myself out the door, patted myself on the ass and said Go, Now!

3.2m, that's about a 5K right there so half way. and it felt good. I felt like I probably coulda pushed and done some more, but the goal here isnt to rush to be able to do it and get hurt, its to train appropriately and learn to enjoy the art of running. Total kid and the bathtub syndrome for me though, "I dunwanna!" ten minutes later, "Oh, wait, this isnt so bad after all!".


MapMyFitness.com - Regular Run: Regular Run on 08/20/2009

Hike: Will Rogers

Today I decided to use my off day for some leisurely exercise. And yes, there is such a thing because I did it! Although- I do have one complaint about this adventure. Parking is $12. That seems outrageous for the maybe 3 mile hike I played on. Regardless the hike was enjoyable and beautiful. What a great contrast, to your left- green mountains with a few large houses along the edge just to remind you that you really are just so close to civilization, to the right-urban landscape. both amazing views, just such a different root of beauty.

Oct 3rd, 09 Manhattan Beach 10k

Yesterday I spent much of the day putting this and that together. I signed up for the Manhattan Beach 10k (6.2 miles) to raise money and awareness for the CdLS Foundation. This fundraiser is a tad bit different from most of the other events I do or help out with or think about doing. This one is personal. My younger brother was born with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. The race itself is not designed as a fundraiser for this foundation, however there is a team that is participating, either by running, walking or volunteering who has decided to raise money and awareness for this cause-team CdLS.

My older brother has teamed up with me so that we support each other in our support :) or so to speak. I myself never was a great runner, I was always involved in sports but the act of running in and or itself was never pleasing to me, though try as I might, I wanted it to be. My older brother, he was a cross country, road race running, loving the whole running thing, running machine. So between the two of us, we should average out at just fine. This is for you Jack. We love you, we miss you, and we think about you often.

We have created a cause page through facebook, where you can join our cause and donate money. I am not asking for much-if each person donates $5 or $10 we will surely hit our goal and then some. A small gift goes a lot way. Maybe this means make coffee at home for a week instead of starbucks, maybe it means walking somewhere instead of a cab. Perhaps it means, something else.

Either way thank you so much for your support.

Click here to donate: http://tinyurl.com/cdls1032009
Click here with questons and contact info: http://www.lexstanley.com

Run D=3mi T=34:04

Today I ran without music, just testing out the idea of really being present in the moment. I'm not sure how well it worked, time seemed to pass slower and each footstep was work. I was determined not to rest at the lights, none of this lazy stuff, a race or event won't allow for that type of shenanigans. When I encountered a red light i would simply cross the street in whatever direction allowed me to continue on my way.

MapMyFitness.com - Training Log for race2presence

Run D= 3.46 mi T=36m57s

D= 3.46 mi T=36m57s

Today marks another day with another goal. What makes this day different is that I will follow through. Starting this very day I will log my workouts, distance, duration, thoughts, how it went etc. Why? Simple. I want to track my own progress and hold myself accountable for the sake of having integrity with my goals. Failure is not an option, but even more, not following through.

Today was a light jog, and a longer distance than I might ordinarily want to do. You see, I was not a runner. I always wanted to be, but I never was. I am now. But more over, I am an athlete. Not just someone who talks about the things they have done in the past, but I will keep talking about the things I do currently. I thought about this while moving my feet one foot in front of the other. And yes, it was on my run that I decided to start this website. (http://www.race2presence.com) It is my goal to create a clearing for my mind to work or sometimes to not work, and instead rest.

The idea behind the site name is 1. about be present in what I do and what I say I am going to do but also 2. a place where I can use my athletic goals to raise money and awareness to causes I believe in. And other times just do an event or ride or run because I feel like it and for not greater purpose than that.

I invite you all (anyone who reads or follows) to also hold me accountable for following through on my word. We all need a friendly reminder sometimes when we lose our way, and support when we are begin to fall. I invite your support. Thanks so much!


MapMyFitness.com - Easy Run / Jog: jog on 08/17/2009