Getting back on the dreadmill IG

Getting Back on the Dreadmill (Day One of a New/Old Running Journey)

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link to these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Essential Gear for Me When I Run

Getting back on the dreadmill IG

I have mentioned several times already that I am a runner (sometimes).  Well, I didn’t run for almost 2 months, and I can feel it.

I gained weight.  I have aches and pains that I should not have.  I am winded easier than I was 2 months ago.  I messed up.

I also promised Isaiah (my son) that I would start running with him.  He loves to run and he is very fast.  He’s capable of outrunning and outpacing kids 3-4 years older than him.

I did not set a timetable for when I would start running with him.  Despite that, I failed.

I don’t really have a good reason for stopping but I stopped.  I guess I got busy.  It was Summer and I was hanging out with the kids.  I launched a new blog and made some transitions professionally.  I have been busy.  Bad excuse.

Today I got back on the dreadmill for the first time in approximately two months.  I knew I was not going to be able to do what I was doing before I stopped.

I was running 3 plus miles and walking another 2 plus miles every other day.  I got to 6 miles total a few times.  And then I stopped.

Alright, time to let it go.  This is my accountability.  This blog will hold me accountable for maintaining my cardio.

Today I walked at 3.7 miles for 20 minutes and ran at 5.5 mph for 10 minutes.  There were another 10 minutes of cool down walking, but I am not counting that.  I need to meet or beat this mark for the next week at least.

I wanted to talk about what is essential for me to do the cardio portion of my exercise.   I mostly do cardio with a little bit of lifting and body weight exercises.  Today was just cardio.

Here’s my essential cardio workout list.

My sneakers are ASICS Men’s Gel-Cumulus 19 Running-Shoes.  When I walk or run my feet roll inward.  They call this overpronation.

I love Under Armour but their sneakers did not hold up with my overpronation.  I did some research.  I came back with New Balance and Asics.  I am not a fan of New Balance so Asics it is.

I have had these sneakers since March (almost 6 months now), and they have been great.  No issues at all.

I wear a step tracker/heart rate monitor.  Right now I use a Samsung Gear S3 Frontier.  I am aware that the heart rate will not be accurate without a chest strap but it gives me a good indication of where I am at.

It is fairly accurate for rested heart rage and that’s really what I am interested in measuring anyway.

For counting steps, it does a good job.  It’s very close to the number of steps that I do take when walking or running.

I can also control my phone from my watch.  Skipping songs is much easier from my watch when I am running.

Compression socks.  Because of the overpronation and other hip and leg issues that pop up sometimes I often have pain in my calves and knees after cardio.  Compression socks help with this tremendously.

I have found several brands of compression socks that work very well. I prefer Copper Fit though.

C4 Pre Workout.  This gives me the extra push I need, especially when I am feeling sluggish. The one I use is the fat burning version.  I definitely feel this kick in.

Unlike most people, I do not take it 20-30 minutes before working out.  I take it and immediately start working out.

I typically start out with a fast walk to loosen up my muscles.  By the time I am done with my walk the C4 kicks in.

Beats Bluetooth Headphones.  Before Bluetooth headphones, I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally ripped my phone from the treadmill tray and sent it flying to the floor.  These headphones are a phone saver.

Check out all the Beats Bluetooth Headphones on Amazon>>>

Gatorade Post Workout Protein Shake.  This also helps with muscle soreness.  I really look forward to drinking one of these rights after I finish on the treadmill.  I get the protein I need for muscle growth and it helps prevent soreness, which I surely experience after getting back on the treadmill for the first time in 2 months.

This is apparently a hot item on Amazon because I cannot find it a lot of the time.  I wrote a blog post about it a while ago.  You can read it here.  

Hold Me Accountable

Here’s my performance today

Walk 20 minutes at 3.7 mph

Walk 5 minutes at 2.3 mph

Run 10 minutes at 5.5 mph

Walk 5 minutes at 3.3 mph

Walk to and back from Isaiah’s bus stop.  Approximately ½ mile round trip

I will set goals soon.  I want to weigh in this Monday.  Endurance and Heart Rate are important measurements for me.

Day One Done.

Getting back on the dreadmill

 

gatorade recover chocolate

Gatorade Recover Protein Shake (For Runners)

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link o these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

OK, let’s call it like it is.  I am a runner.  Sometimes.

I love the feeling I have after an exhausting run.  If you run you know that feeling.  The feeling of accomplishment.  The feeling of the endorphins being released into your body. Being covered in sweat never felt so good.

There’s only one problem that does not creep up until the next day usually.  Muscle soreness.  And that’s where Gatorade Recover Protein Drink comes in.

I always feel so much lighter and better after a run but…

gatorade recover chocolate

Am I capitalizing on the gains from that run or am I going to go destroy the accomplishment with a crappy meal?

Will I run again tomorrow or the next day?  Will the soreness derail me for a few days?

How do I know I operated at peak performance?  I do use a heart rate monitor and step counter but the heart rate is a wrist monitor and not working 100% accurately.

The problem is I am not the greatest eater in the world.  I do love snacks.  Now I know where my kids get it from.

For the most part, I eat clean and healthy.  I drink at least a gallon of water a day.  I am the guy at BJs or Restaurant Depot stocking up on the cases of Poland Springs one gallon jugs and I drink at least one of those a day.  I love leafy greens, especially spinach and broccoli.

My weaknesses are things like cannolis and pasta.  We have Friday night pizza as a family (I do limit myself these days).

I tell you these things because I believe I am like a lot of fathers out there.  I am pulled in a million directions when I am with the kids.  I work.  I play.  I coach.  And I try to run and/or work out (mostly cardio) when I can.  I try to be healthy but it’s not always possible.

The purpose of this blog is to create a community of dads who understand what the dad tax is, and if I can make a few bucks along the way that’s great.

After 3 miles or more on the treadmill, I am almost ready for some replenishment.  I know that eating solids, even protein, is not the best course of action after a run.

But it takes forever (it seems that way when you also want to get in the shower) to make a protein shake.  That’s why I started drinking Gatorade Recover Protein Shakes.

I prefer chocolate but have tried all of the flavors and they all taste great.  I can drink one in a few seconds and this replenishes me.  It also provides the protein you should get after a good cardio workout.  Here’s the nutrition info.

  • Waste nothing; Get the protein you need to help rebuild your muscles so you can recover and come back strong
  • 20 grams of protein per serving
  • Drink what the pros drink
  • 11.6 Ounce Bottles, 12 Pack
  • After workout shake available in chocolate, vanilla, cookies and cream, chocolate peanut butter, and strawberry.
  • Each shake is 280 calories.

It comes from a brand that we have all grown to trust over the years and it tastes great.

By the way, that hot shower after a run is AMAZING!