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The month of August was eventful to say the least. My little boy arrived on the 7th and that has changed my life all for the better. In terms of personal goals, I ran my first 5k and had a great time. I also finally moved beyond my plateau weight, and am down to 346 lbs. I still don’t really feel it or see it, but my wife say she does…so I’ll trust her on that one. I ran less and burned fewer calories in August than in July, yet I lost a little more weight. Guess I have no complaints there…6 pounds for the month is great to me.
So, for the month of August…
MILES RUN: 24.6
TIME SPENT RUNNING: 6:05:07
DAYS I RAN: 9 (what?!)
SHORTEST DIST.: 2.0mi (3.2k)
LONGEST DIST.: 3.11mi (5.0k)
CALORIES BURNED*: 15,244
WEIGHT LOST: 6.1lbs.
See you in September!
*=includes cross training workouts
Well, I did it, and I had a great time! My wife and son came out to cheer me on and it was an overall great morning. I finished in 45:29…definitely not my best, but considering the number of hills, I think it was really good for my progress. The standard 5k route I normally run has no hills really, and my best time on that route so far has been 44:33. In my own opinion, I think those hills could have slowed me down a lot more than that minute, but either way it was my first and I was in it to finish, not to win it. My real goal was to not finish last…and that, I can proudly report, did not happen.
We weren’t going to stick around for the awards initially, but it was a relatively small field and a friendly group of folks, so we decided to stay and cheer for those who won something. Surely, you would imagine there would be plenty of people in my age group, but it was relatively thin…so, I took 3rd in my age group! Crazy. I definitely don’t expect that to happen from here on out.
Here I am with my handcrafted, butterfly award. Pretty cool, eh? 
Next race is at the beginning of October…and I might add another at the end of October too. We’ll see how crazy life is with school and our little guy at that point!
Must keep moving forward!
Help.
So, I knew that having a child and starting a killer semester would more than likely negatively impact my training and exercise, but throwing me into a slight paranoia wasn’t quite expected.
Friday was a busy and chaotic day. Our little guy was beyond fussy and it was apparent that my wife needed my help, so I gave up the run to help her out. Saturday, I woke up with incredible pain in my ankles. I wanted to run, but I knew the pain was probably a bad sign. Sunday is always my day off, so no running anyway. Yesterday chaos resumed…the boy was needing his parents, I had my econometrics class, a meeting with my advisor and a slew of work to be finished. I at least managed to get about 40 minutes on the stationary bike in. Then today wasn’t much different…no run.
I NEED TO RUN! What is my deal? My first 5k is coming up on Saturday morning, and I’ve yet to run this week. I suppose it doesn’t hurt to give my body a bit of a rest if I’m going to go full force on Saturday, but I feel like I’m slipping a bit. Am I afraid? What’s with me?
Else, where would I be in this fight to drop pounds and get healthy?
The one thing I have absolutely treasured in the past five weeks is that not one person has told me, “No, you can’t.” I had a soccer coach in middle and high school who would make us run laps if we ever used the word ‘can’t.’ I learned early on that it was not taken lightly, and after a decent amount of laps due to that violation, I learned to keep my mouth shut and just do it.
For the most part, I have eradicated the word ‘can’t’ from my vocabulary.
Now, I do know my limits, but rather than say that I can’t do something, I just postpone it…or rather, make it a long-term goal. Truth of the matter is, I can do most of what I’ve set out to do. Even with this week’s setback of struggling with the five minute interval, I’ve realized I just need a little more time. I know I can do it.
I have been doing my best to eat well while we’ve been traveling. There are some really good cooks in our family, especially my sister-in-law who makes quite delicious white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. They have been hard to resist, and I’ve only had one so far, and I fear that will be my limit. However, a plus to being in Nevada these past few days is all of the runners and walkers we have in the family. We’ve hit the track the past fews days – my mother-in-law, two of my sisters-in-law, and myself – in an effort to “keep on a goin’” as we like to say. They’re all really great motivators, and are pretty disciplined. I get lapped by each and everyone one of them, but that’s okay…someday I’ll be able to keep pace with them.
So, odds are, I will repeat Week 4 of the Couch to 5k into Week 6 of my training. Geez…just thinking that I’ve kept up with this for six weeks still floors me, but I know the repetition will be well worth it.
When we get back to Georgia, I’m a little worried about the next month. I’ll be starting classes again, my boy will be born shortly, and I have several projects that need some dire attention. I have a conference in Florida to go to in September, not to mention a work trip back to Arizona. Things are going to get crazy busy, and I feel that I have a huge challenge ahead of me in trying to maintain my training while I start to get busy with life again.
Can I do it??
I think I can.
Taking a cue from MizFit, I decided that I would make a video entry for Wednesday’s run. I uploaded the video, and 439 tries later, I couldn’t get the clips to work. So, I hope you’ll settle for the lovely picture of Arizona I found online.
But trust me, it’s no loss. Wednesday’s ‘run’ was horrible. It was probably already well over 100 degrees by the time I left around 7:15 a.m. Not joking. I picked a route along the Tempe Canal, and after my five minute warmup walk and got through the first three minute interval. Great, I thought, I’m going to actually do this.
Or not at all.
The sun was a killer that day. My energy was sapped in no time, and I walked most of the way. I was hot and disappointed. There are a million reasons excuses I could give, but it’s just a day I need to put behind me. I might need to repeat this week of Couch to 5k, but since my first 5k isn’t until August 30, it’s not going to hurt.
We made it to Nevada fine. We agreed to take our niece and nephew with us to relieve our sister who just had her third. They were quite well behaved, but it was probably too many hours in the car, thus making me a little stir crazy. My wife talked me out of the run (it’s just as hot in Nevada as it is in Arizona), because it was so hot, but I needed to get outside and do something. So, I went outside with my father-in-law and learned to vacuum a pool. I burned a whole five calories, I’m sure, but I just had to be outside.
Tomorrow we’re headed to the track and I’m going to try my intervals again: 3 min. run/90 sec. walk/5 min. run/2.5 min. walk/3 min. run/90 sec. walk/5 min. run. My brother- and sisters-in-law are in much better shape and better runners than I am, so hopefully I won’t keep them waiting too long!
I’ll be sure to return and report…
Happy Monday, all. Hope everyone had a great weekend. I went for my longest run since April today: 3.1 miles at just over 48 minutes. Not stellar, but not horrible for me either. I was happy about it, though I wish I could have done just a bit better. The first mile was great, but my calves felt like bricks for most of the second mile. Then the third mile seemed to be the best. I was just happy to get out there and do it.
So, regarding my number one goal (see left), I should probably set the record straight a bit. When I started this blog a few weeks ago, my last recorded weight was 365. However, I’ve been keeping track of stats through traineo, and in all actuality, my initial weight was 370. Bummer. Now, I know it might seem trivial, especially in light of the fact that I’ve now lost 13 pounds, but I figured that since I promised myself I wouldn’t cheat, that I would clear the air, update my goal to adequately reflect how much I really needed to lose (120 lbs.) and be at peace. I decided to install the traineo buttons on the side for just a mit more accountability, and for you all to see my progress. I was hesitant to do this at first, but what’s more important? The fact that I need to drop over 100 more, or that by this time sometime next year (or shortly thereafter) I’ll be able to say witout any shame that I lost over 100? I think you all get the drift.
It’s going to be a great week – I can feel it!
…and there you have, the facts of life. I’ve realized that there are going to be good days and bad days on this journey. Today was a bit of both, but I will say that in terms of overall health, it as definitely good.
Today was not the most stellar of runs I’ve had thus far. It seemed like I had been improving my pace to less than 15:00 a mile, but in all actuality, today ended up over 16:00. Yikes. Would anyone think it a bad idea to repeat this week of the Couch-to-5k? This week is running intervals of 90 seconds and walking two minutes in between. It seems as if I have enough energy and stamina to do maybe four intervals with 90 second runs, but by the end, I feel like the most I can do is 60. Is this relatively normal — kind of a getting worse before I can get better thing? Regardless, I’m not giving in…I’ll just have to spend an extra week giving it a try before moving on.
ON THE CONVERSE, I weighed in today and am happy to say that I am now legitimately below 360. Since starting the blog and training regimen, my weight actually went up almost to 370. It was discouraging at first (ok, I wanted to punch a hole in the wall), but then I realized that that is how it’s happened almost every time I’ve started something like this. I gain first, and then see some results. I feel like my primary goal is now officially under way as I weighed in at 359 – just about 110 more to go!
And just for fun, here’s the theme song that I took this post’s title from…one of my favorite shows growing up:
MizFit, pinkcowgirl, Andrew, and Elle — you guys are amazing commentators. Thanks so much for all you said in my last post. Folks like you make this blogging-for-health gig worth it!
So, a few things to follow-up from yesterday…
I am slowly realizing that Jeff Galloway is not the only supreme being of the running world. I do like a lot of what he says, but I don’t think that some of it is meant for a lard-jogger akin to myself (yes, I really did just write ‘lard-jogger’). No doubt, he definitely seems to be more than adequate for highly competetive runners, but he might not be for me. Though, since I don’t live that far from Atlanta, maybe I can track him down one of these days and ask him some questions (unlikely, but a thought no less). I had heard of Hal Higdon before, but not of John Bingham (thanks for that, pinkcowgirl). I’ll definitely have to read more of what they say.
MizFit probably hit the nail on the head with me when she said it is probably best to do what works for me in terms of ‘fueling-up’ or carbo-loading before a race or intense workout. Thinking over all of your comments, I have probably reached the point to where I would definitely want to improve the things I eat before the workout or race at hand, and as you all seemed to infer, perhaps eat in relation to the length of the race…that is, not that much for a 5k. Truly, though, you all gave invaluable insight, and for that I’m most appreciative. Thanks!
One thing I do need to work on, however, is fluids. Since moving from a dry, hot Southwestern state to a humid, hot Southeastern state, I have realized that I sweat much more than I ever have in my life. I used to think I was good at replenishing my fluids…but I may have thought wrong. After yesterday’s jog, I drank my usual water and felt pretty good. However, I went an played 18 holes of golf with a friend, and by the end of it, I was dying. Bad me. I need to learn my lesson.
On Andrew’s advice, I checked out the Garmin Forerunner 305 for my heart rate monitor. I love it. However, I’m going to have to save for it as my paltry graduate assistant salary would take a major hit. The great part about being a full-timer with my Ph.D. is that I can make time to exercise…the bad part is that it’s self-inflicted poverty.
Thanks again for your comments everyone. Kepp them coming when it’s convenient for you…they really do help!
Question: Can a big, fat guy like me really have “run” 2.1 miles in 28 minutes??
I was slightly befuddled when I came home from my jog yesterday. I did the requisite time and the right walk/run patterns, but frankly, was astounded when I calculated my distance. The two times I’ve participated in a race, they were on a 4.2 mile course and both of my times were over an hour. I was an inexperienced runner (and still am, obviously!), and I shot out of the gate with the rest of the people, and was severely winded by the first mile, which resulted in me walking most of the race, making me think that my slow time was due to me pouring all of my energy into the first leg. Had, I paced myself and used the run/walk, maybe my time could have been under an hour.
But, you know, I was really happy about my time and distance. It’s obviously not comparable to a seasoned runner who can finish a 5k in 15 or 16 minutes, and that’s just fine with me…it will be eons before I get there. But what people should realize here is that I am believing in this program, because before I had paced myself in any way, I was convinced that I would never be a runner.
Why do I love it all of a sudden? Is it because I’m using my own two legs to get somewhere? Because I secretly love the way my lungs stretch and expand once I’m warmed up? Because of my wife and baby boy coming in August? Well, it’s probably all of these things.
I’ve been tempted to just do more, but I know that would be a mistake. So far, the past few days have been good and productive. I don’t want to ruin this…I want to train correctly. I have signed up for the three 5ks on my “Races” page, so I am ‘locked-in.’
I feel good. I hope it stays this way for a while.
This is very much an opinion, but I believe that most people who are energized and motivated to lose weight have an immense propensity to push themselves too hard. The end result is pain, frustration, discouragement, anger, disbelief, etc., etc. I’ve been there many times, and it’s not fun. That part is obvious, because I’m still fat.
I had lunch with my wife today and we were talking about the reasons so many people have such a hard time staying on a certain path. Let’s face it…we all have good intentions, but sometimes we fall flat on our face.
“I think it’s just like an addiction,” she said. “People have a hard time quitting things. You just have to keep going until you get it.” Being the biased husband that I am, I do think she’s right. There are people out there who think ‘will power’ is a fad, but let’s face it…we really do need to put our minds over matter and learn our limitations.
This morning was my first day of the Couch to 5k program, which resulted in about a 29 minute walk/jog. I can’t believe how much I enjoyed it. It felt great. I wanted more. But, just like I had to convince myself to actually get out of bed this morning to do the walk/jog, I, too, had to convince myself to stop. Moderation cannot be a bad thing with exercise, especially with people of my stature. So, instead, I went home and leisurely rode the stationary bike for a few minutes for a cool-down exercise. That made me feel even better. Tomorrow I’ll rest, and then Friday I’ll hit it again.
I like running. I might not be able to do it for a very long time at this point, but I like it. And believe it or not, I have actually participated in two 4.2 mile (about 6.8k) races in Tempe, AZ called “Pat’s Run,” in honor of the late Pat Tillman. I’ve enjoyed these races not only because we can honor Pat’s memory and his tremendous sacrifice, but also because they’ve motivated me to try and keep running. I didn’t have the most stellar times to post, but I did finish the race each time. And this time, I’m not going to fall by the wayside. I’m going to keep running. I have found two local 5k races: one in August (which is right around the time I’ll finish the Couch to 5k program) and one in November, and I hope to have more to work toward.
Am I slightly nervous that the entries will be sparse and that I might just come in dead last? Yeah, but too damn bad. I’m paying for it, I’ll finish it. And I’ll improve, but I need to follow the program, train in a way that won’t harm me, and simply not overdo it.
Tonight, I went and played basketball for a good hour-and-a-half, and I played hard. It was fun, I had all this great energy, and perhaps was subconsciously celebrating the start to a healthy me. But on the ride home, I got dizzy and nauseated…low and behold…I think I overdid it for the day.
Bad me. Lesson learned.
Chalk up goal #3: Finish the Couch to 5k program by August 16th and run a 5k on August 30th.
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