Monday Update - 24 DEC 2007

304.0

December Total: 4.0 lb
Total: 36.5 lb

Well, as my dad might say, "how bout that sports fans"?! Not bad considering I didn't meet either goal from last week. I only got in two runs, and three core workouts. But, it does go to show what you can do if you at least eat right.

My goals from last week, at least five runs and five core workouts, still stand. However, I'm not sure if I will get the five runs in this week.

One thing I will do is not beat myself up if I don't achieve one or both of the goals. As I said in my last post the most important thing to do is to keep moving forward. But, it would be foolish to not look at the last week and figure out why I didn't achieve either of the two goals. What "kept" me from running at least five days? What "kept" me from doing at least five core workouts.

Well, the year is almost over. It's almost mind numbing to look back at the last year and think about what I attempted to do, and what I have been able to achieve. While I'm short of where I wanted to be at this time, I can't let that stop me. I still have a lot of work to do, a lot of money to raise and kids to send to Walt Disney World. As I thought about the coming end of the year and what lies ahead for 2008, the one thing that stuck in my mind was finishing strong this last week and finally reaching the 200s. With that goal in mind, I want 2008 to be a year where I never see the 300s. In fact, may next Tuesday be the beginning of the rest of my life where I never see the 300s again.

I guess you could say the number this morning was an early Christmas present. But I need to give myself the rest of the present by finishing the year off with another good week.

With that said, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and happy holidays!

Till Next Time... Keep Moving Forward!!!

30 Seconds

30 Seconds? I know...what is so special about 30 seconds? Well, 30 seconds is how much time I shaved off my fastest mile last night. Yep, I did a mile in 14:09! But more importantly, I covered a 5k in 47:22 which is a 15:15 avg pace!!! Now I'm pumped!!!

The muscle tightness from Saturday was nowhere to be found last night. Of course, I paid extra attention to tying my shoes. My total run last night consisted of a .25mi warm up walk, 5k "run" followed by a .33 cool down walk. Even with the warm up and cool down my overall avg pace of 15:52 was 10 seconds better than the Tower of Terror race in October.

Now, I know I still have some work to do for the 5k in January, but, at least now I know exactly where I stand...much closer to my goal than I thought!!!

In my Monday post I said I want to do at least 5 days of both running and core strengthening exercise. While I still have enough days left to achieve both goals, I may not reach the running goal. I did not run Monday or Tuesday, so I would have to run everyday Wednesday through Sunday. Now, I'm not saying that I've already decided that I won't run one day, but I have to leave open the idea that my body is not yet ready for 3.5-4 miles day after day. But, who knows, I won't know till I try. As for the core work, I'm not worried about getting the days in. Plus, I can do the core work in under 30 minutes.

The thought of not reaching a goal brings me to one final thought for the day...Keep Moving Forward. Some of you may recognize that from the Meet The Robinsons movie. The grown up "future" Lewis used this saying in is company. Lewis was an inventor and failed many times before he got a invention right...he kept moving forward. Did you know Thomas Edison failed many thousand times to invent the light bulb before he got it right. So, if I (or you) don't reach a goal, learn from it, but most importantly put it behind you by KEEP MOVING FORWARD!!

Till Next Time...Keep Moving Forward!!!

Monday Update - 17 DEC 2007

310.0

December Total: +2.0 lb
Total: 30.5 lb

My stupidity strikes again. Although, I am a little surprised that the number is as low as it is. Some how, some way, I've got to find the drive and determination that I had back in early summer.

I had a wonderful time at MouseFest this year. It was great to spend time with old friends and meet many new friends as well. Even at the risk of leaving someone out, I want to say a special hello to a few people... Mike Scopa, Lou Mongello, Mark Goldhaber, Dave Marx, Dave Card, Deb Wills, Matt Hochberg, Mike Newell, Steve Barrett, Vickie Barrett, Jeff Pepper, Rae!, Jonathan Dichter, Bryan Ripper, Deana Mongello, Tim Devine, Caballerofan(Jeff), Tracy, Zack, Barrie Brewer, all my Tagrel friends and many, many others.

It was a special honor to finally get to meet my partner in weight-loss crime, Jonathan. Jonathan, keep it up!!

This last Saturday I did the Rudolph Run 5k here in Huntsville. Going in, I wanted to finish under 50 minutes. However, my legs just didn't want to play along. After the first half mile, both legs tightened up. My shins and calf were near the worst I've experienced in quite some time. Even to the point of my left foot almost going numb. Finally, I realised that my shoes were too tight, even though I had made a point to not tie them too tight. What I didn't realize was that I was hanging on to some serious water, and that made everything tight. By the time I retied my shoes for the third time it was too late to beat my goal. It also at about this time that Mike (mgreene) came looking for me. He found me around the 2.5 mi mark. He helped to push me through to the finish, including running the final tenth or so to finish at 54:30.

I am quite disappointed in my effort in the race. Well, not so much disappointed in my effort as I am annoyed that my legs "gave out" on me. If nothing else, this was a lesson learned.

I still have my sights set on the 5k at WDW in January. I know that I still have some work to do, but I believe that I can get to the point where I can do the race and not get swept.

Starting this week, I am going to drastically increase my total exercise time. First, I'm going to shoot for 5 or 6 days per week running. With those days being at least a 5k distance or 55 minutes, which ever is greater. I might work in some weights and strength training but the one thing that I've already started is working on my core. My goal is to also put in 5 or 6 days of core work. Finally, I've got to eat better. If the guys on Biggest Loser can lose 10 lb in a week, surely I can lose 5.

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

Spaceship Earth and MouseFest

Wow, an I tired!!

I am writing this on my BlackBerry as I sit by the Torri Gate in Japan at Epcot. I'm waiting for Lou's family reunion meet to start.

I can tell that this year's MouseFest is much more busier and tiring. It has been a wonderful fews days and I'm looking forward to one more day of MouseFest at the Magic Kingdom.

After many, MANY months of rehab, Spaceship Earth is finally coming back to life. We were able to catch a brief soft opening earlier today. All I can say is WOW!! There are a few new scenes, all brand new audio-annimatronics, a new narrator, new script and interactive touch screen monitors for your enyoyment for your ride "back to Earth.". The decent has much more work to be done, but the rest appears to be done.

Well, gotta run.

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

MouseFest...did someone say MouseFest!!!

Yep, it's hard to believe that I leave for MouseFest tomorrow. I was able to get just about all my stuff together last night, so all I should have to do tonight is actually pack it. I'm so much looking forward to MouseFest and getting to meet so many new friends..but I'm so not looking forward to the 2:30 alarm.

Yesterday, I laid out my exercise plans for the coming week. Well, there's the good and the bad. The good...I did 3.1 miles last night in 54:00. The bad...when I posted that yesterday I completely forgot about all I would have to do today on top of getting to bed by 10:00pm for the 2:30 alarm. So, with that said, I think today will be an off day. To some degree, I think it needed to be an off day anyway. Yesterday was the first time in 6+ months that I've done back-to-back days and yesterday was a 50% increase in what I've done lately. So, with that said, I think it might be good to take today off. However, I've not completely decided. But, if I don't, Thursday becomes that much more important.

Well, I got a couple things dumped on me last minute at work so I'm scrambling to get everything done so I can get home at a decent hour. Whew!!!!

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!

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!!!

Finally...I GET IT!!!

Wow...I'm not sure where this post is headed, but I think I finally "get it".

We all have things come along that we can relate to. For some of us, it is watching shows like Biggest Loser. I can see myself in so many of the people on that show. But, there's just something about the word "loser" I don't like.

Today, I was broadsided and surprised by a show that came on NBC. The show? The IronMan Triathlon. I can't count the number of times a tear came to my eye as I watched the people try...and many succeed at finishing the "IronMan". For the IronMan, to finish is to win. From the guy with double prostethic legs, to the grandfather that is legally blind, to the 65 year old former IronMan volunteer...they all won. Because they finished what is quite possibly the hardest race known to man.

To say it is a "if they can do it, I can do it" moment, does not do it justice. It goes so far beyond that. To watch the pain on their faces turn to almost unlimited joy as they finish..."IT" is what I long for.

It is so easy to complain about getting up early or being tired or getting sore while running. It is so easy to find an excuse to not exercise. It is easy to justify why I haven't...fill in the blank.

What I'm doing is not easy, never will. But that is what makes crossing the finish line that much sweeter. I've already had a small taste..the last mile of the Tower or Terror race was not easy for me. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Not so much physically, but mentally. I did my fastest mile over the last mile of that race and beat my time goal by 11 seconds.

I think I finally have an appreciation of what it is that I long for...the satisfaction in completing the challenges that lie in front of me.

Till Next Time...Take Care!!!