Reel Running Begins

I've decided to change my blog from kayak fishing to fishing and running adventures. This fits perfect for the way 2014 turned out and how I see 2015 shaping up to be. Mind you, I had no goals set up for fishing in 2014. However, this year will be different.

Here were my running goals for 2014:
1. Double my mileage (300 miles in 2013)
2. Lose weight. (Down 20lbs)
3. Get one race under my belt (Army 10 miler)

So here is what I will attempt to accomplish in 2015:
1. Run 1500 miles.
2. Run an official half marathon.
3. Run an official marathon.
4. Run an official ultra marathon.
5. Add more scenery to my runs by running more local trails.
6. Add strength training to increase strength and reduce injury.
7. Catch a 22" Largemouth Bass
8. Catch a 20" Smallmouth Bass
9. Catch a 15" Crappie

From September 2014 until the end of the year did not end so well with a new challenge I took at work. I spent majority of my time behind a desk the last several months of the year which limited my time outdoors. Anyhow here some highlights from the final months of the year.

Began fishing Fountainhead. I would like to fish the waters of the Occoquan Reservoir more often.

19" largemouth bass at Foutainhead Regional Park

Added a retractable anchor system to the yak.

Jeff Little's Special

Added a sweet combo to the arsenal.

Lews Speed Spool coupled with 13Fishing Omen Black

Pounded the bank from Bull Run Marina

A little Fluke action

Finally purchased a yearly pass at Fountainhead Regional Park and key to Bull Run Marina.

Largemouth bass at Bull Run Marina

Chasing some Crappie at Bull Run Marina

On to running. Added mileage and shed some weight. 

Army 10 Miler

Pounded the pavement.

Hitting the hood

Added new kicks. I started off with LunarGlide 4, great shoe, no problems running in them, so I decided to stick with the Nike LunarGlide as my road shoes.

Nike LunarGlide 6

Added a much need trail shoe.

Salomon SpeedCross 3

Hitting the trail scene.

Trails at Bull Run Marina

Trails at Hemlock Overlook 

Final total miles for 2014.

1260 miles on Nike GPS Watch

There were lots of ups and down throughout 2014.  I ended the year with an injury. Grrr! I have rehabbing my ankle since the end of December. However, I did get out and test the ankle on January 1st. No confidence on my ankle. So I begin my 2015 journey with 3 miles. Stay tuned. 

Pounding the Bank and Pavement Winter 2014

It's been three months since my last post. I guess it was a bit of laziness on my part. Since majority of my photos were posted on Instagram, I didn't take the time to take care of this blog. So I decided to catch up before I take the yak out for the first time this year. 

So what have I've been up to this winter? Well, I made a promise to myself that I would take care of my body and add more cardio exercise this year. You see when I left the US Navy, I de-compressed and stopped working out. Well, that wasn't very smart of me. So, on Thanksgiving 2012, I took my first steps back to getting into shape by taking a mile walk. A week later, I was running a mile. In 2013, I ran a total of 300 miles. Now those that run or love to run, I should say, that is nothing. But it was a start. My goal for 2014 is 900 miles.

Snow running.

Spring running.

In December, I stumbled upon a post by @oldguyrunning on Instagram. He was reminding runners about registering for the January challenge in Challengeville. Basically, you select a challenge, you run, post your mileage and tag it in Instagram. There are several challenges to choose from. I'll get into that later. Anyhow, I started on the lower shelve with the #oldguyrunningtimefighter, which was 48 miles for the month of January. I decided to move up the shelve to the next challenge, which is #oldguyrunningtinman. This challenge which was 93.3 miles for the month of February. I then decided to stay with this challenge another month since the weather wasn't cooperating. I ran another 93.3 miles in March. 

The shopping cart as it's called.

A guide to some of the challenges. 

I was asked last month to join the Challengeville City Council. I happily accepted.

My April challenge is #oldguyrunningbigfoot, which is 150 miles for the month. I currently have 17.3 miles is in. More to come.

Now, onto fishing. Well, I have not taken the yak out since December, but I was busy casting true left, right, and center when the water wasn't frozen over. I did some research in late fall on how to land more fish when fish become lethargic. I downsized. I used 1/32 jig head with BassProSop Mini Magnum tubes filled with PowerBait Crappie Nibbles. As you can see, my research and persistence paid off.

Crappie

More Crappie

Bluegill 

Bass

The first three months of 2014 have been fantastic! Heck I feel fantastic! My running will continue and kayak fishing adventures will start up again tomorrow. Tight lines, my friends.