Despite living for the past five years just ten minutes away from a state park, I've never spent a substantive amount of time there, unlike that time I lived an hour away from the Grand Canyon. Sure, campers and RV'ers come from all over region for its solace, but I just didn't go...until now. As I investigate places that I can train, I recognize that it's more change being brought from my upcoming 2021 Running season.

After investing my daily, 10,000-step goal there, I found that while its root-laden trails will encourage walking, there are some elements that will lead to bursts of calf work. And there's plenty of asphalt for roadwork!

And while I don't have the stamina to put in substantive amount of running into my program, I am working and planning toward that outcome. You gotta do the research to rock the world!

Before I begin, I'm sharing an unedited clip of the video project I've referenced in a prior post. For the past several weeks, I've recorded a small sample of the hour-long striking routine that I do, to show the eventual evolution of me, that will be edited down to 3 or 4 minutes tops—maybe a second or two per day? Y

Thus, here I am for today around 4:45 AM.

Just another run-of-the-mill workout for me this morning, one in which I intentionally dialed back the intensity as I formulate a weekly workout plan that's evolving to include a running regimen while being sensitive to this ailing ankle. I mean, this ankle is fine for most applications, but my two-hour workouts leave it in a weakened state each morning.

Thus, I want to find some way to provide the intensity while opening up the opportunity for more, In that vein, I may do less...in a way...as one level drops, another rises...

As much as I enjoy watching old UFC fights, I may set it aside to use the freed up resources for another app. More importantly, I'll likely move away from my long elliptical/walking sessions as I continue to develop. And as I drop weight, add intensity, and decrease low-intensity erosion, I suspect these nagging tweaks will evaporate.

Of course, as we're entering the winter months, I'm unsure if my transition to a park mindset is as applicable as I'd like...yet, that's the direction I'm ultimately headed with dates circled across the calendar's pages...

Yay! I had a great workout this morning. My ankle gave me just enough of an opening to lay in some good work before closing the opportunity again.

MOST importantly, I had my first running session!

What does it look like this morning?

Toward the end of the 3AM hour, I went out with a University of Memphis hoodie against the chill, a Mio Energy Thunder infused water and a tumbler replete with a couple of cups of coffee brew.

I did...

• a 10-minute walking warmup
• 6 sets of 3:00 - 1:00 running - walking intervals
• a cooldown / walking
• 15 sets of 3:00 - 1:00 striking - heartrate - crosstraining including ab work on an exercise ball and a 3-minute session on a vertical climber

While I have yet to establish 3 weekly runs with 1 long run on the weekends, it was AWESOME to take the first step in that direction. It wasn't a spectacular run of course—how could it be? In this section of my training, it is critical just to step out and start the habit, the mindset of training toward an event. It really drives home the importance of weightloss as something more than merely aesthetics, but to compete.

I'm continuing to explore methods and apps that might aid me—I really could use something to hold my phone! I find that that the Zombies, Run! app to be amusing. In time, I'll find the ideal equipment, shoes, tech that will help me become a better athlete.

Wow...athlete. I haven't called myself by that in years. Things are changing, folks. Stay tuned!