Christoph Rehage planned to walk about 5,000 km from China to Germany, taking a photo of himself every day for one year—and not shaving once.

You will see in the video that he grew a “mighty long beard” throughout that time. The original goal was to reach Germany from China; however, he did not accomplish his goal on foot. Rehage did walk from Urumqi in the northwest of China to Beijing, which is still a feat, all on its own. Watch the video to his transformation.

I’m raising the bar on my running regime. I’ve set a pretty high goal and this goal is approaching relatively fast! I intend to run the Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon in San Jose CA. The run will be on October 4th so less than 4 months… More about this ambitious plan in my next post. For now just a talk about running in general.

As you might know I started the C25K (Couch to 5K) last year. Basically a program to get you running a 5K within 12 weeks. Since I’ve completed the program I’ve been running 5K on a regular basis. I’m extending these runs lately and for the past two weeks I’m running 8K (Kilometers) almost daily. You can find my full schedule at twiike, runner+ and the Nike+ running websites.

The challenges on the Runner+ website are a great motivator as you try to outrun your fellow runners. It’s quite competitive but I must say that the running community, although always on the run (pun intended), is a pretty relaxed. You know what I’m talking about once you become a runner.

My favorite time to run are the early mornings. No traffic, cool breeze and it is just stunning to see the sun come up. I’m privileged to run in California. Not only for the weather but the views are amazing. I run through walnut orchards towards a dormant volcano (Mt Konocti) and passing some vineyards. Yes, I’m blessed.

So yeah… 4 months to go. San Jose, here I come!

I know… this post is long overdue but I have my reasons. Summer is approaching so it’s time for a new theme! Hope you like it and please let me know if something is not working properly for you. I still have to adjust some settings but it’s pretty much all there. Also time to kick it up a notch when it comes to posting. I’ve been off ‘the grid’ for a while but I intend to post more frequently.

For now a quick post about Memorial Day Weekend. Since I’m a freelancer a ‘day off’ sounds kinda weird now. I’m having so much ‘free’ time a holiday has a new meaning to me. Not sure how to describe it but it doesn’t feel like a holiday…

Below some pictures of fresh herbs and vegetables from our garden. In the morning we went on a kick ass canoe trip at Anderson Marsh. Water was so still, simply amazing. Fish were jumping all around us. One made it almost in our canoe. Trippy shit… Anyways.. Enjoy the pics!

I wasn’t kidding when I told you the Nike+ training program was ambitious. Yesterday I had a 5 mile (8.05 Km) run planned and since 3 mile was the furthest distance I ever ran you can imagine I wasn’t looking forward for this. I wasn’t even sure if I was capable of running this distance. On top of it all it was pouring down yesterday morning… great.

But I came prepared. Recently I purchased the New Balance NBx Control Tights, some Nike Dry-Fit long sleeve shirt and of course my new Brooks running shoes. I had Aleisha drop me off 4 miles from home on the other end of the creek. Although the rain was puring down for the first 15 minutes of the run I felt pretty warm. There was hardly any wind and temperature wise it felt like low 60′s.

My run was close to perfect! I was afraid of mile 4 but I had enough energy left to finish the last mile. I felt a blister coming up but it wasn’t significant enough to stop running. Once again I had enough power at the end to perform a little sprint! I’m pretty happy with the result of my first 5 mile!

Some numbers:

Distance: 5.06 mi
Time: 54’05″
Pace: 10’41″/mi

Today marks my 5 year anniversary in the USA. I moved from the lowlands back in 2003 to the ‘New World’. Not a single regret… yet. I hope the Americans are smart enough coming Tuesday and don’t screw it up like they did the previous elections. We’ll see.

I guess to celebrate my 5th year I’ll be running my first 5 miler tomorrow. Kinda scary since I never ran this far. 3 miles is my current distance so 5 miles (a little over 8 Kilometers) is a hugh leap forward. I’m prepared tho! On top of it all it looks like this is going to be a wet run as well. Rain has been predicted all weekend long…

Yesterday I started my new running program based on a 10K run from Nike+. It will prepare me for a 10K run within 12 weeks. It’s a pretty ambitious program but I’m pretty confident I can do this. Just as the C25K program I need an extra motivator to keep me running. A program will just do that.

I’m finally injury free and last week felt great to be out running again. It actually was so good I decided to jump to the 10K program. another reason not to give up running now is the drop in weight loss. This morning I was pleased to see that my weight dropped to 193.2 lbs (87.6 Kg). When I started running my weight was 211 lbs (95.7 Kg) so a significant weight loss!

My new running shoes are a bast as well. So much better. It feels like I’m less tired especially the last few miles of a run. We’re pretty fortunate when it comes to the weather here in California but the winter season is coming up and we have some rain predicted for the next few weeks. I’m considering a treadmill for a while now and I might purchase one pretty soon. Not sure if I can handle running in the rain. I guess I’m just like my dog who can’t stand rain!

For those interested in the program: my 10K running program

It took me 23 days to finally clock some miles after finishing the C25K. I though my muscle strain wasn’t that severe but it kept me from running for a straight 3 weeks. This morning I had a good feeling. Walking wasn’t a problem anymore the last couple days and when I was walking the dog I tried a few sprints in between. No problem.

So this morning I hit the track again along the creek and ran for a 5K. My first K was way too fast since I just got of the injury. I slowed my pace down to a 10’45″ /mi. I was amazed I actually could run a 5K! Haven’t run for 23 days and being a couch potato just 3 Months ago I was pretty happy with the result.

I finished the 5K in 32’27″ which was faster I was aiming for. Anything close to 35 minutes was my goal. Maybe a short run tomorrow?

I think the above picture says it all. I FINISHED the C25K! My initial plan was to run yesterday but with temperatures in the mid 90′s (32C) I didn’t feel comfortable running in this condition.

Today was a different story. Temperature dropped to 78 (25C) with some cloud cover. Perfect to end my program! I ran my usual route along the creek and I told myself to start slow. Hitting the 1K spot I was running a 09’38″/mi race. Way too fast! My normal pace would be 10’00/mi and I tried to slow down. After the 1K I zoned out and didn’t bother checking my split times until I hit halfway point. I still was on a 09’38″/mi schedule!

I felt so confident and strong that I decided not to check the time anymore but instead trying to focus on the 5K. My last 500 meters were the most difficult ones and once my iPod told me I finished the 5K Lance Armstrong congratulated me (not in person, duh… but it’s build into the iPod nano) with a new PR for the 5K: 29’58″!

I shouldn’t be focused in speed so much since I’m still a novice runner. Gary of ‘hitting the wall’ has an excellent post about it: The No-Need for Speed. I will remember this next time but I guess my adrenaline got the upper hand…

So what’s next? First of all I’m proud of myself finishing something. I’m pretty impulsive when it comes to new fads but I know running will be a keeper. Tomorrow I will sign up for my first race (scary!) and I intend to run at least 3 X week, preferable 5K. I will continue this until the end of 2008 and as a pre-resolution for 2009 I will start the OHR program beginning of January.

I also want to thank the readers of this blog and giving me positive feedback. Especially Daisy, thanks for the many inspirational and motivating comments! I’ll be virtually running your graduation day (tomorrow?) with you! You can do it!

Enough talk! I’m sure I will dedicate lots and lots more posts to running and give you updates as a runner!

Keep on running!

So today was another attempt to run Week 9. And again with no success… My dog was once again a big distraction (I should know by now that running with a dog doesn’t work) and I stepped in a little pothole with the result of my calf muscle cramping up. It doesn’t feel like cramp anymore and I think I might have pulled it a bit.

So instead of finishing the program this week I should rest my leg. But how frustrating this is! I know I shouldn’t be so upset about it but I can’t help it. Knowing I have only two days left and not knowing when my next run will be drives me up the f…ing wall.

Deep breathes… That’s all I can do now. Arrggh.

Ouch… I didn’t go as planned. I was pretty optimistic and I felt great. The first kilometer went great, nice pace and I was happy to be out running. Then came mile 2 (3.22K). All of a sudden my right calf muscle cramped up. I couldn’t move…

The next few minutes I stretched it out and tried to loosen up the muscle with no effect. I continued the run but the cramp was too much. A probable cause could be the track which is slightly slanted at a certain part of the course. I think my feet are trying to adjust the slope which causes my muscles to correct in a forced way…

Could be dehydration, not enough stretching, warm-up etc. I thought I was good to go but apparently I wasn’t. I still managed to get something of a run at the last kilometer and covered a distance of 3.12 miles in 36’56″.

I guess I have to pay a little bit more attention to my body on my next run…