Saturday December 18th 2010

Pretty much the whole week was a wash. I was lazy and did not do anything.I know this is going to hurt my progress, but I just decided not to do anything.

Enough about the week of lost work on to my Saturday. I was suppose to wake up and go running, but I could not wake up. So, I did some work on the side job. Later, that night Mike and his family came over for a little Christmas dinner. They brought a pumpkin pie, but forgot the whip cream. So, I figure Mike and I should go to the store and pick some up. I thought about taking the car, but Mike had other plans. He went to the restroom and came out dressed ready to run. I did not want to go for a run. I took a week off. this was not the way to jump back on the wagon, but I got dressed and we headed out. The run was fine until we hit Buckner Rd. There was not any room to run on the side of the street, so every time a car was headed towards us we had to get over into the grass. We we finally got to a point were we could run on the street and I was exhausted. Now I am regretting that week off. WE get closer to the light at 31 and I make a suggestion to get the Whip cream from the gas station on the corner, but Mike does not want to spend $2 more at the gas station versus Kroger, so we keep moving. We hit the light and sprint across the intersection so we catch the green light. We make it to Kroger and get what we need and head back to the house. At this time, I hated Mike, well I guess I hated myself, because this run would not have been so bad, if  I did not take that week off. As we hit the area where we run in the grass I am dead tired. My legs just want to give out on me, but we keep tracking forward through the grass. At this point my foot gets caught in a hole and I go down. I didn't hurt anything, but I just jarred my joints. Thank baby Jesus that we were close to my street. Once we hit the Sutherland, we decided to run form the entrance to my house. I pushed through it and made it to the house. It was a good(horrible) run, I haven't felt that bad in a while, but I am glad we did it. It put me back on track, but I still hated it.

Thanks, Mike!!!

Friday December 10, 2010

Nov 12 = 345
Nov 26 = 342.8 (-2.2)
November Total = 2.2

Dec 10 = 340.2 (-2.6)

Total loss so far  = 4.8

This morning, I tried my best to sleep in until I had to go to work, but I just could not do it. After, my conversation with my wife last night I could not make excuses for not doing what I need to do. I am a lazy sob, if I can find an excuse to get out of exercising I will, but this attitude has to change. Last, night my wife and I had a a talk about the 5K, the fact that we have about 22 days left until the big event and how I have been putting off running and trying to get out of eating right. Today, I need to turn over a new leaf and start motivating myself. So, I got up this morning at 7 and hit the road. It was pretty hard to get out there in the cold, but I did complete my run. Another couch to 5K run done. Day 2 down.

Distance: 1.98 miles
Time: 32:22
Pace 16'16'' per mile

Monday November 6, 2010

Today, I slept in so I was not able to run this morning. I did go during lunch. I am so glad I did not go run this morning. It was way to cold at 12 in the afternoon. If I had gone out this morning, I might have not made it the full 30 minutes. Boy, it was cold, but i finished my 1st day of the couch to 5K app.  I need to pick up the pace on the walking or running portions of this app. I am going to try and go for day 2 on Wednesday. Hopefully, I can get my pace down a little lower.

Distance 1.86 miles
Time 30:52
Pace 16'31''

Saturday December 04, 2010

Today, Mike called me at 9:00 am to see what was going on today. I think he sometimes forgets that people don't wake up early on Saturdays. Oh well, Since, I was up I decided to take a 30 minute walk just to wake myself up and get my day started. It was a simple walk, so nothing exciting to report.

Later on in the day. Mike called and we decided to hit the rec center again for some more swimming. We get to the rec and jump in the pool. We decide to swim for 40 minutes. I start doing laps with the breaststroke/backstroke routine. After 20 minutes it was all breaststroke, until my shoulders start to fatigue and I loss my rhythm. After another 20 minutes pass, Mike asks how many laps I have done. I believe I was at 9 or 10 at this time. So, Mike decided I was going to hit 16 laps(.5 miles). Man, I just wanted to punch him. I was tired, the 40 mins had come and gone. Now, I just wanted to leave, but I mustered up some more energy and finished out my 16 laps. Mike was stoked about the half mile I just completed. He was kinda disappointed when I was not as excited. I don't know why I am not excited, I should be. It is a pretty big accomplishment for me to swim that long and that far. I guess I am a little like Eeyore. I am not gloomy or anything, but I just don't get excited about a lot of stuff. I guess sometimes I am to hard on myself.  After, we finished our swim we hit the weights and burned through a few chest exercises. Now, my chest, arms and shoulders are shot. Good Day!

On January 1st, Mike, his wife, Me and My wife will participate in the Resolution Run 2011 5K. If anyone would like to join in the New Year fun, please come out and join us. 

Tuesday November 30, 2010

Yesterday, Mike called and asked if I wanted to hit the Rec Center for a swim today. I agreed with some hesitation, because I've never swam for the purpose of working out. So, Mike gets to the house at 5:30 am and surprisingly I am up and ready to go. We get to the rec center, get changed and get in the pool. We start on our first lap and I remember why I have never added swimming to my workout routine. I really can't swim and I look like a wounded dolphin. I go down to one end of the pool and back. As soon as I get back I see Mike talking to the life guard Kirsten and she suggested I/we try to use the kick boards to try and work on our kicking mechanics. Well, that did not work so well. It was very frustrating, because no matter how hard I kicked I did not go anywhere. I muddled through trying the kick board. I really hopped I was not going to have to do this much longer. I was correct! Kirsten, said the kick board might not be for me, so she suggested the "breast stroke". It worked much better then the kick board. After a few laps with the breaststroke, Kirsten then suggested that I also incorporate a backstroke, until I was able to get my breathing under control. I started doing the breaststroke down and then the backstroke up. After 1hr of swimming, I was done. My body was exhausted. So, We finished up, thanked Kirsten, and headed home.

The swim felt good, glad we can add something else to the workout routine to give my news a rest.

Thanks again to Kirsten and the other Lifeguard on duty at the Longview Rec Center this morning for the tips and pointers.      
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