Monday Update - 03 DEC 2007

308.0

November Total: +4.0 lb
Total: 32.5 lb

Yep, It had to happen eventually, didn't it? I finished November with a gain. To bad I didn't "get it" a few weeks sooner than I did. To answer the obvious question, the basis for sponsors will aways be the overall NET weight loss. So, if I only lose 4 lb in December, that only gets me back to my lowest point and sponsors will pick up with only the weight I lose in excess of 4 lb.

Now...what to do next? Good question. First, I'm going to Walt Disney World this week. (Yes, again) More on WDW in a minute. Second, I'm opening the door for your suggestions...challenges...etc. Jonathan just completed the "Rae's for the Pace" for November (15+ hours.... albeit, 3 days late ;-) ).

As I was thinking about what to write today, I (unfortunately) re-read my November start post. You know, the one where I said November was going to be a special month....biggest loss...finally getting to the 200's. Yep, I sound like an idiot don't I? Well, I've learned my lesson and won't be making any "promises" like that anymore. However, I do hope (and plan) that all the things I said would happen in November, happen in December....

1. Cross the line into the 200's - This would mean a min. loss of 8.5 lb. Doable? Most Definitely!! I've done it before. To me, 10 lb is easy. IF...I do what I'm supposed to do.
2. Best weight loss month - Unfortunately, this one has the good and the bad. 10 lb is my best so far. Doable? Again..Most Definitely! But, to me, to really lose 10 pounds means I really have to lose 14 in December (..gained 4 in November).
3. Run 5K under 46:36 - I know, last month I said 3 mi in 45. But, a 5k race is 3.1 mi and that's what I'm working on.

Last month I said that I didn't have any excuses waiting in front of me. And that was the case. I just didn't do the things i needed to do and did the things I didn't need to do. It is that simple. For December, I can say the same thing...there are no excuses. But, there are some challenges. To start off, I leave for WDW on Wednesday for MouseFest. Thankfully, MouseFest is a very different type of trip than any other one throughout the year. For instance, last year, I lost almost 10 pounds during MouseFest...and I wasn't even trying to lose weight. So, to some degree, I have some things on my side. Finally, Christmas for me is much like Thanksgiving...way too much food around. 'Nuff said.

As for my "running" lately....I have definitely been better. Not great, but better. I have been trying to get back to where I was before September. My idea was to get used to the pounding again and then start to build up time and distance. Up till yesterday, I have stayed will 2 miles. Yesterday, I set out to do at least 3 miles. But, I had to fight just to do my "regular" 2 miles. I went up to one of the local schools that has a "track" (read paved walkway around a football field) that is exactly a 1/4 mile loop. It makes it easy to pace yourself since you see and know the distance in front of you. After a warm up lap I did the next lap in 2:30. Yep, that's a 10:00 pace. While I was able to fairly easily complete that lap, I could tell that I needed to slow down my running pace. I think I need to do the 1/4 laps in the 3:15-3:45 range. Any faster and I need more time to recover walk, any slower, I'm falling behind the pace I need. Anyway, after the first 2:30 lap I walked the next 2 laps and then did the 4th lap around 3:00. Starting the 5th lap I felt fine...until....my calfs and shins started to tighten up way beyond anything I've ever experienced. Even to the point of feeling sick. I will get cramps from time to time, so I know what they feel like and how painful they are. This was not a cramp, but hurt almost worse. It was at this point that I just wanted to head back to the car and head home to try another day. But then, the visions of what I saw Saturday came back to me. Yeah, I hurt, but nothing is broken...deal with it!! At this point I finish 3 more laps to complete the 2 miles.

Today, i feel fine, with no sign of lingering effects from yesterday. So, here's my plan for the coming week or so... Tonight - 3mi/50min (or more)...Tomorrow - same as Monday...Wed - leave for WDW...Thursday - 3+mi in morning...Fri-Sun - MouseFest...Mon - 3+mi in morning...Tue - same as Monday - fly home...Wed+Thurs...~4mi...Fri - rest...Sat - Rudolph Run 5k.

Oh...one other thing I want to address. Last week I said "Is it just me, or is this getting really old?!" First, I admit I did not do a good job explaining what I meant. I was simply expressing my frustration and annoyance with my inability to do what I need to do. Trust me, I'm not bored...far from it.

Remember....challenges?

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!