February 24, 2012
5 more pounds...
Quick update - The scale has shown 215 for 3 straight days (that's a record), but I can't get it to budge! Heading into the weekend, I will certainly face the temptations of eating out and skipping workouts! I'm watching my calories closely, and trying to push myself, but it's going to be tough to hit 210 by the end of the month unless I skip meals and weigh in after a long run before I rehydrate (not recommended) - Check back next week to find out!
February 21, 2012
2 Years Ago...
The following is a post I wrote for Steve Tomboni to publish in the Muncie Voice -
If we've not seen each other in 10 years, you may not know the following:
In 1999, I weighed 220 pounds - Today, I weigh 220 pounds - the problem is that in 2007 I weighed 310 pounds! While I blame the desk job for my weight increase, it was my own lack of diet and exercise that caused me to gain the weight. Over the last 2 years, I have made significant changes to my lifestyle, and I wanted to take moment to reflect on those with you today -
March 12, 2010 - On this day, I made the decision that for Daylight Savings Time, as I changed my clocks, I needed to change my life. I refused to be part of any diet program that would hold me hostage to counting calories or tracking points, but I know myself well enough to know that I'm motivated by very specific, long term goals, so I stated on this date that I would complete a marathon in under 6 hours. Really not understanding what this would take, I found a marathon in Indianapolis on November 7 - the same day we change our clocks again. The irony could not be ignored, and I committed to the event immediately. Did I mention I weighed 280 pounds? I could not walk on the treadmill for more than 20 minutes without being winded to a point of total exhaustion.
June 12, 2010 - A disciplined approach to walking on the treadmill at the new Yorktown YMCA, on the Cardinal Greenway and trying to make better choices about my eating helped me to my first 5k race in over 10 years with Muncie Multi-Sport at Prairie Creek Reservoir. It was only the third time that I was able to run at a ten minute pace for over 30 minutes!
September 4, 2010 - After being introduced the sport of triathlons in June, and watching my wife do a sprint triathlon in July, I wanted to try my hand at it. A healthy dose of swimming, biking, and running really helped keep me active most of the summer. So, I completed my first Sprint Triathlon with Muncie Multi-Sport at Prairie Creek Reservoir! And yes, I DID finish - however, I gave everyone quite a scare when hypothermia set in, and I was transported to the ER! Let's just say I learned a lot that day!
October 24, 2010 - I ran in the Chase Charlie 5k in just over 26 minutes - and also ran a 20 mile training run at an 11:30 pace the very next day.
November 6, 2010 - I am a marathoner! I completed 26.2 miles in 5 hours and 21 minutes - Mission Accomplished! My weight was down to 235! In 8 months I lost almost 50 pounds and went from barely walking for 26.2 minutes to running 26.2 miles!
Once the Holidays were over and we entered 2011, I realized I was addicted to this new lifestyle. I felt like I had so much more to do - for myself. My original goals were to complete another Sprint Triathlon (without the trip to the ER) and to complete another marathon -
So how did I do? Check this out - I completed 14 different running events including a stair climbing race, 5k, 10k, 5 mile trail run, 3 Sprint Triathlons, 3 Half Marathons (Geist, Indy, Muncie), and 2 Full Marathons including the Chicago Marathon! I ran over 1000 miles for the year! And the scale - holding steady under 220!
Additionally, I helped to create a new running event in Yorktown! The 4 for the 4th was a successful event with over 300 athletes, resulting in a new trail installed along Tiger Drive where no trail or sidewalk had ever existed.
Hard to top that, but again, I'm driven by big goals! 2011 was my year for running - 2012 is my year for triathlons. I plan to complete an Olympic Distance Triathlon, and the Muncie Man Distance Triathlon with Muncie Multi-Sport, and finally the Muncie 70.3 Half Ironman Distance Triathlon! My goal is to run and bike over 2012 miles this year...at a minimum!
In just 2 years time I've enjoyed the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. I'm stronger and slimmer. I have more energy for my work and family. And I did it all with the help of my friends and family here in Delaware County. I am so thankful to the Yorktown YMCA, the Cardinal Greenway, Muncie Multi-Sport and the Yorktown Running Club (YRC). Hope to see you at a race in 2012!
If we've not seen each other in 10 years, you may not know the following:
In 1999, I weighed 220 pounds - Today, I weigh 220 pounds - the problem is that in 2007 I weighed 310 pounds! While I blame the desk job for my weight increase, it was my own lack of diet and exercise that caused me to gain the weight. Over the last 2 years, I have made significant changes to my lifestyle, and I wanted to take moment to reflect on those with you today -
March 12, 2010 - On this day, I made the decision that for Daylight Savings Time, as I changed my clocks, I needed to change my life. I refused to be part of any diet program that would hold me hostage to counting calories or tracking points, but I know myself well enough to know that I'm motivated by very specific, long term goals, so I stated on this date that I would complete a marathon in under 6 hours. Really not understanding what this would take, I found a marathon in Indianapolis on November 7 - the same day we change our clocks again. The irony could not be ignored, and I committed to the event immediately. Did I mention I weighed 280 pounds? I could not walk on the treadmill for more than 20 minutes without being winded to a point of total exhaustion.
June 12, 2010 - A disciplined approach to walking on the treadmill at the new Yorktown YMCA, on the Cardinal Greenway and trying to make better choices about my eating helped me to my first 5k race in over 10 years with Muncie Multi-Sport at Prairie Creek Reservoir. It was only the third time that I was able to run at a ten minute pace for over 30 minutes!
September 4, 2010 - After being introduced the sport of triathlons in June, and watching my wife do a sprint triathlon in July, I wanted to try my hand at it. A healthy dose of swimming, biking, and running really helped keep me active most of the summer. So, I completed my first Sprint Triathlon with Muncie Multi-Sport at Prairie Creek Reservoir! And yes, I DID finish - however, I gave everyone quite a scare when hypothermia set in, and I was transported to the ER! Let's just say I learned a lot that day!
October 24, 2010 - I ran in the Chase Charlie 5k in just over 26 minutes - and also ran a 20 mile training run at an 11:30 pace the very next day.
November 6, 2010 - I am a marathoner! I completed 26.2 miles in 5 hours and 21 minutes - Mission Accomplished! My weight was down to 235! In 8 months I lost almost 50 pounds and went from barely walking for 26.2 minutes to running 26.2 miles!
Once the Holidays were over and we entered 2011, I realized I was addicted to this new lifestyle. I felt like I had so much more to do - for myself. My original goals were to complete another Sprint Triathlon (without the trip to the ER) and to complete another marathon -
So how did I do? Check this out - I completed 14 different running events including a stair climbing race, 5k, 10k, 5 mile trail run, 3 Sprint Triathlons, 3 Half Marathons (Geist, Indy, Muncie), and 2 Full Marathons including the Chicago Marathon! I ran over 1000 miles for the year! And the scale - holding steady under 220!
Additionally, I helped to create a new running event in Yorktown! The 4 for the 4th was a successful event with over 300 athletes, resulting in a new trail installed along Tiger Drive where no trail or sidewalk had ever existed.
Hard to top that, but again, I'm driven by big goals! 2011 was my year for running - 2012 is my year for triathlons. I plan to complete an Olympic Distance Triathlon, and the Muncie Man Distance Triathlon with Muncie Multi-Sport, and finally the Muncie 70.3 Half Ironman Distance Triathlon! My goal is to run and bike over 2012 miles this year...at a minimum!
In just 2 years time I've enjoyed the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. I'm stronger and slimmer. I have more energy for my work and family. And I did it all with the help of my friends and family here in Delaware County. I am so thankful to the Yorktown YMCA, the Cardinal Greenway, Muncie Multi-Sport and the Yorktown Running Club (YRC). Hope to see you at a race in 2012!
February 2, 2012
The Century Mark
For the third time in 6 months I am within 10 pounds of losing 100 pounds - the century mark! I MUST DO IT THIS TIME!
From 310 pounds in November 2007, I only ever got down to 285 by March 2010 - but by April 2011 I found myself at 235 - and then just before the Chicago Marathon I hit a low of 216 (Down 94 pounds). Before the Monumental Marathon I held on to 225, but by New Years was back to 232.
Today I am 219 again...Just 9 more pounds to go. Surely I can buckle down for the month of February so that I can finally say I did it...can't I? If you see me with food in my hand, you have my permission to slap it away!
Stay tuned for weekly updates!
From 310 pounds in November 2007, I only ever got down to 285 by March 2010 - but by April 2011 I found myself at 235 - and then just before the Chicago Marathon I hit a low of 216 (Down 94 pounds). Before the Monumental Marathon I held on to 225, but by New Years was back to 232.
Today I am 219 again...Just 9 more pounds to go. Surely I can buckle down for the month of February so that I can finally say I did it...can't I? If you see me with food in my hand, you have my permission to slap it away!
Stay tuned for weekly updates!
January 21, 2012
ELEVATORS ARE FOR WIMPS!
Last year, I participated in the Bop to the Top - A stair climbing race up the OneAmerica Building - 36 floors, 790 steps, 500 feet, STRAIGHT UP! My time last year was 8:43 - I was pretty pleased with that. My legs were fine, but breathing was difficult.
So, this year I thought, why not do it THREE TIMES! They call it the TRIPLE BOP! You have no more than 3 hours to complete the climb three times. LET'S GO!
First run - 7:33!!!! Couldn't believe it, a full minute faster than last year! Wonder if I can do it again?
Second run - 7:43!!! Wow, very pleased with myself, only dropped 10 seconds! Any chance I can do it again in under 8?
Third run - 7:46!!!!! Woo Hoo! I WAS PUMPED! Great consistency. I really am just that much stronger this year!
Total time 23:04 was good for 51st place out of the 109 crazies that did the triple. Over 1000 competed in the individual competition where I would've been 4th in the 225+ pound division, except for the fact that I weigh less than 225 now! YES. I. DO!
That'll be enough stairs for now thanks.
So, this year I thought, why not do it THREE TIMES! They call it the TRIPLE BOP! You have no more than 3 hours to complete the climb three times. LET'S GO!
First run - 7:33!!!! Couldn't believe it, a full minute faster than last year! Wonder if I can do it again?
Second run - 7:43!!! Wow, very pleased with myself, only dropped 10 seconds! Any chance I can do it again in under 8?
Third run - 7:46!!!!! Woo Hoo! I WAS PUMPED! Great consistency. I really am just that much stronger this year!
Total time 23:04 was good for 51st place out of the 109 crazies that did the triple. Over 1000 competed in the individual competition where I would've been 4th in the 225+ pound division, except for the fact that I weigh less than 225 now! YES. I. DO!
That'll be enough stairs for now thanks.
January 3, 2012
Playing the Lottery!
Well, it only costs $11, so why not - I've thrown my name into the NYC Marathon lottery!
Confirmation: You have successfully applied for entry for the ING New York City Marathon 2012, Your entry number is 882085. Please write down your entry number or print and save this confirmation page in your records as you will need this number in the future.
Confirmation: You have successfully applied for entry for the ING New York City Marathon 2012, Your entry number is 882085. Please write down your entry number or print and save this confirmation page in your records as you will need this number in the future.
January 1, 2012
Happy New Year
Don't know that it is a resolution, but I am going for 2012 miles in 2012. However, this year it will be both run and bike; and treadmill and spin bike miles count! Should be an easy goal to reach if I can stay healthy - That being said, I am going to commit to making better food choices! I must watch my calories in and will use My Fitness Pal to help me do it. All of this running and cycling needs to pay show on the scale and my eating habits are killing those efforts. So here's to a new year of better eating
Goal = 200 pounds by Ironman 70.3! Stay tuned!
Goal = 200 pounds by Ironman 70.3! Stay tuned!
December 26, 2011
Quest for 1000 miles
A year ago, I sat at a New Years gathering amongst friends where we went around the table and wrote down what we hoped to accomplish in 2011; for me, it was simple. Log 1000 miles!
Seemed simple. Easy to write. Easier to say. But how easy was it to do? The math seemed simple. 83.33 miles per month. Or 19.2 miles per week. Or 2.74 miles per day. Again, seems simple. But when I found myself at the halfway mark of 500 at the end of July , I was a full month behind.
Time for new math on the remaining 500 in just 5 months. 100 miles per month. or 22.7 miles per week Or 3.3 miles per day. Hmmm. Still possible. Sure, why not. Afterall, I'm entering marathon season!
With 2 months left though, I was even further behind and found myself needing OVER 100 miles for each of the last two months! Even with running a marathon the first weekend in November, I needed to rest and recover before I could crank the miles back up, and by the time we hit December, I still had nearly 104 to go!
No way I was letting this slip me by. The only thing that could stop me was illness or injury, and even then, good luck stopping me!
This morning with many of my best running buddies, I hit 1000+ and I did it with a new 4 mile PR!
So, How far is 1000 miles?
Seemed simple. Easy to write. Easier to say. But how easy was it to do? The math seemed simple. 83.33 miles per month. Or 19.2 miles per week. Or 2.74 miles per day. Again, seems simple. But when I found myself at the halfway mark of 500 at the end of July , I was a full month behind.
Time for new math on the remaining 500 in just 5 months. 100 miles per month. or 22.7 miles per week Or 3.3 miles per day. Hmmm. Still possible. Sure, why not. Afterall, I'm entering marathon season!
With 2 months left though, I was even further behind and found myself needing OVER 100 miles for each of the last two months! Even with running a marathon the first weekend in November, I needed to rest and recover before I could crank the miles back up, and by the time we hit December, I still had nearly 104 to go!
No way I was letting this slip me by. The only thing that could stop me was illness or injury, and even then, good luck stopping me!
This morning with many of my best running buddies, I hit 1000+ and I did it with a new 4 mile PR!
So, How far is 1000 miles?
- New York City to Tampa, Florida
- Warsaw, Poland to Athens, Greece
- From the northern tip of the Philippines to the southern most point
- The full length of Madagascar
- Across New Zealand
- Most of the way across India
Finally, I figured out that from my home, I could run 1000 miles and reach:
- Orlando, FL
- Dallas, TX
- Quebec, QC Canada
Anyways, it feels pretty cool to be able to say that I've run 1000 miles this year. I never thought I'd ever be counting in the first place. So, now what do I do?
November 12, 2011
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