Well I had my gout attack on October 27th and have had it a record 19 days. In that time I have not been able to run and I have only gone swimming once.
That one swimming session was lame as I couldn’t flex my foot. Try it some time, try swimming but keeping your right foot in one position. I am officially Out of Momentum.
I feel very out of rhythm. Now I know I have to mentally get back in the game. I was working towards that 5K on the 8th and missing the race was depressing and torpedoed my motivation. The weather and my natural inclination towards lazy is keeping me down.
19 days and no exercise is a bummer. I feel like all that endurance I had been building is going to be gone the next time I run. Now it is dark outside so I will need to begin running at lunch time or on the Giant Gerbal Wheel (treadmill) in the garage.
So here I am in a new position, Now I have to get my groove back. Sort of strange to think I had a groove but I was doing somthing at least every other day. Now I just need to get going again and to build upon what I learned to do so far.
As we get into the holiday season and how that gets busy and crazy I think it will be challenging just to get a regular schedule of exercise going.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Day 89 GRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
I feel Grrrrrrrr crappy. I still have this frekin pain in my toe and I want it to go away. 7 days I think is the longest I have ever had this. Lame Lame Lame.
I went swimming today despite the wounded toe. Needless to say after missing a week it felt awkward and I struggled to get 25 meters. I felt like my goggles weren't on right and my body didn't know what it was suppossed to do in the water. I treied using one of those leg floatie things to work just on my upper body and breathing and not use my toe to much. Fah ! I really felt weird and I am sure I looked weirder as I swam down the lane.
I hate losing the momentum or exercising almost every day. I am afraid if I lose the momentum I may never find it again. So I felt like I had to swim today because it is all I can do with a gimp toe. This crap had better go away by Sunday. GRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
"Its a love affair between Jesus and my Hot rod" - Ministry
I went swimming today despite the wounded toe. Needless to say after missing a week it felt awkward and I struggled to get 25 meters. I felt like my goggles weren't on right and my body didn't know what it was suppossed to do in the water. I treied using one of those leg floatie things to work just on my upper body and breathing and not use my toe to much. Fah ! I really felt weird and I am sure I looked weirder as I swam down the lane.
I hate losing the momentum or exercising almost every day. I am afraid if I lose the momentum I may never find it again. So I felt like I had to swim today because it is all I can do with a gimp toe. This crap had better go away by Sunday. GRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
"Its a love affair between Jesus and my Hot rod" - Ministry
Monday, November 2, 2009
Day 88 Gout Sucks
What is it?
Gout most often results when needle-like crystals of uric acid form in the body’s connective tissue or lodge themselves in the space between two bones (i.e., in the joints).These uric acid crystals inflame the surrounding area and lead to inflammatory arthritis. This inflammatory arthritis is responsible for heat, pain, redness, stiffness, and swelling commonly associated with attacks of gout.
What it feels like: Remember Sam Kinison when he would yell Oh Oh OOOOOOOOOOHHHHH. That is sort of what it feels like. Or try this buy a couple packs of needles from the sewing store, say 25 to 30 of them. Lay them on a fire until they get sort of red and glowy. Now drive them all through your big toe joint or into your ankle or Knee. What is important is that you get them good and deep in there so the hurts really comes from the inside. The outside skin pain is not really getting to how it feels, you need the pain to come from the bone level outwards so no matter what you do to the outside (i.e. Ice it , Elevate it, Heat it) there is no relief. Now after you have those in there take a hammer and whack the joint 10 or 12 times so it swells up sort of good. Every 5 to 15 minutes poor boiling water over the top for about 3 days occasionally slip it into a vice and press it tight and then press it two more time around. Then drink copious (FREAKIN Huge) amounts of Black Cherry juice in order to naturally fight this pain; only to end up giving yourself a case of the “Good and Plenty’s” so bad when you do manage to hop to the bathroom every 14 minutes the 7th planet from the sun is spewing pepper spray like a fire hose.
Oh yeah don’t expect any sympathy from the S.W.I.M’s because they stick together in their denial of empathy. If they even smell a whiff of a Man seeking empathy they crush that instantly. (They don’t want it to spread and raise expectations) I know because I tried and I was shot down, laughed at and then picked up shaken around like a rag doll and then tossed down again. My lovely wife whom I love very much looks at me with the “Oh brother” look when I am still in bed Tuesday morning. Sort of as if to say “are you really going to be in the way whining and needing things all day? Well don’t expect me to help because I already have two kids and I am not taking on a third!” On the 2nd day of my suffering Amanda (as she plans her escape) is laughing her head off when she is talking to Sarah on the phone and then later mentions how they were laughing at me. Sarah and Kathy didn’t want to come over to our house for a play date because they didn’t want to hear me complaining. No sympathy there was what I have come to expect. Chance presented me another opportunity when Lisa called and I answered the phone, I even tried telling her about it. SAME response. Like they practice it. She reply’s with “All you men are weak and needy” where is your wife? You would have to have both legs cut off AND be bleeding out in front of them to get any sympathy. Of course you would only get that sympathy after they made damn sure you cleaned up all the messy blood on the floor. Then after the 3 minute limit you would see that sympathy dry up. “DING DONG” she would say as she smiled and walked away.
After having it the last several days I can tell you it is LAME. LAME LAME LAME. Lame rhymes with Pain! No it Doesn’t! Yes it does ! No it doesn’t ! Yes it does AHHHHHH! It Hurts and it makes it hard to train. Train rhymes with PAIN !
I have my first race on Sunday and I have not been able to run or swim for the last week. But at this point I only hope to be gout free on race day that would feel like heaven now that I have this perspective.
I am really hoping the excitement of the day will help boost my energy and I also hope the entire race is downhill. He he he Any chance of that ? If I designed the course it would be like that. Of course my idea of a long distance race is the 50 yard dash.
If my foot plays nice and I feel able to I plan on my last practice run this Thursday night.
I really need to get some instruction with the swimming because I am afraid I Am just developing bad skills and bad muscle memory that I will just have to undo later. I enjoy the swim workouts so far but that is also without any real instruction or any real goals other than stop trying to breath underwater.
I am going to begin riding the stationary bike once a week after the 5K. I think I will have a couple months of just riding it once a week to start to inform those muscles that I will be using them this year. I think I will plug in my Ipod and spin, spin, spin for 45 minutes a week. I could do that on Mondays.
Getting older sucks and so do some things passed along by genetics. All the research reading I have done on Gout mentions 1. Don’t drink and 2. exercise often and stay away from purine foods like shell fish and meat blah blah blah. I want to scream at them. I AM doing those things why the hell did I get it. I am taking care of myself more then I ever have before God Bless IT Then I read on another site that it is a common symptom of people with hypothyroidism which lucky me has. Makes sense.
As my wonderful 3 year old would say :
“Here me AM”
“Me lucky”
Gout most often results when needle-like crystals of uric acid form in the body’s connective tissue or lodge themselves in the space between two bones (i.e., in the joints).These uric acid crystals inflame the surrounding area and lead to inflammatory arthritis. This inflammatory arthritis is responsible for heat, pain, redness, stiffness, and swelling commonly associated with attacks of gout.
What it feels like: Remember Sam Kinison when he would yell Oh Oh OOOOOOOOOOHHHHH. That is sort of what it feels like. Or try this buy a couple packs of needles from the sewing store, say 25 to 30 of them. Lay them on a fire until they get sort of red and glowy. Now drive them all through your big toe joint or into your ankle or Knee. What is important is that you get them good and deep in there so the hurts really comes from the inside. The outside skin pain is not really getting to how it feels, you need the pain to come from the bone level outwards so no matter what you do to the outside (i.e. Ice it , Elevate it, Heat it) there is no relief. Now after you have those in there take a hammer and whack the joint 10 or 12 times so it swells up sort of good. Every 5 to 15 minutes poor boiling water over the top for about 3 days occasionally slip it into a vice and press it tight and then press it two more time around. Then drink copious (FREAKIN Huge) amounts of Black Cherry juice in order to naturally fight this pain; only to end up giving yourself a case of the “Good and Plenty’s” so bad when you do manage to hop to the bathroom every 14 minutes the 7th planet from the sun is spewing pepper spray like a fire hose.
Oh yeah don’t expect any sympathy from the S.W.I.M’s because they stick together in their denial of empathy. If they even smell a whiff of a Man seeking empathy they crush that instantly. (They don’t want it to spread and raise expectations) I know because I tried and I was shot down, laughed at and then picked up shaken around like a rag doll and then tossed down again. My lovely wife whom I love very much looks at me with the “Oh brother” look when I am still in bed Tuesday morning. Sort of as if to say “are you really going to be in the way whining and needing things all day? Well don’t expect me to help because I already have two kids and I am not taking on a third!” On the 2nd day of my suffering Amanda (as she plans her escape) is laughing her head off when she is talking to Sarah on the phone and then later mentions how they were laughing at me. Sarah and Kathy didn’t want to come over to our house for a play date because they didn’t want to hear me complaining. No sympathy there was what I have come to expect. Chance presented me another opportunity when Lisa called and I answered the phone, I even tried telling her about it. SAME response. Like they practice it. She reply’s with “All you men are weak and needy” where is your wife? You would have to have both legs cut off AND be bleeding out in front of them to get any sympathy. Of course you would only get that sympathy after they made damn sure you cleaned up all the messy blood on the floor. Then after the 3 minute limit you would see that sympathy dry up. “DING DONG” she would say as she smiled and walked away.
After having it the last several days I can tell you it is LAME. LAME LAME LAME. Lame rhymes with Pain! No it Doesn’t! Yes it does ! No it doesn’t ! Yes it does AHHHHHH! It Hurts and it makes it hard to train. Train rhymes with PAIN !
I have my first race on Sunday and I have not been able to run or swim for the last week. But at this point I only hope to be gout free on race day that would feel like heaven now that I have this perspective.
I am really hoping the excitement of the day will help boost my energy and I also hope the entire race is downhill. He he he Any chance of that ? If I designed the course it would be like that. Of course my idea of a long distance race is the 50 yard dash.
If my foot plays nice and I feel able to I plan on my last practice run this Thursday night.
I really need to get some instruction with the swimming because I am afraid I Am just developing bad skills and bad muscle memory that I will just have to undo later. I enjoy the swim workouts so far but that is also without any real instruction or any real goals other than stop trying to breath underwater.
I am going to begin riding the stationary bike once a week after the 5K. I think I will have a couple months of just riding it once a week to start to inform those muscles that I will be using them this year. I think I will plug in my Ipod and spin, spin, spin for 45 minutes a week. I could do that on Mondays.
Getting older sucks and so do some things passed along by genetics. All the research reading I have done on Gout mentions 1. Don’t drink and 2. exercise often and stay away from purine foods like shell fish and meat blah blah blah. I want to scream at them. I AM doing those things why the hell did I get it. I am taking care of myself more then I ever have before God Bless IT Then I read on another site that it is a common symptom of people with hypothyroidism which lucky me has. Makes sense.
As my wonderful 3 year old would say :
“Here me AM”
“Me lucky”
Friday, October 23, 2009
DAY 78
Okay today is my 78th day of training (287 days to go)
Update :
Oct 14 Stairs
Oct 15th swim 13 laps and run 1.5 miles
Oct 16th Stairs
Oct 17th - Nothing
Oct 18th - 1.5 mile run
Oct 19th - more nothing
Oct 20th Swim 15 laps
Oct 21st Stairs
On my 76 th day of Training I achieved a personel best by running 2 miles without stopping and then after a couple short walks of less than 50 yards I continued and completed the 3 mile for my total run. I did this the same day I swam 18 laps which is a half mile (plenty of rest in the pool). I think and feel like I am getting somewhere. Still not sure I want to go there. For the first time when I started the run my knee no longer hurts and I just felt strong. I can describe it best by saying I am not sure why but the first hundred yards I was not as winded as I usually am. Without my knee ache and my lungs on fire I looked around for the first time and noticed the scenery. Usually I am in my own personnel HELL by the 100 yard mark. This time the decent into hell took longer and I now believe I might mange to complete that 5K without walking any of it. I really felt like my lungs are beggining to understand we are not dying here just exercising. The 5K is in 3 weeks on Nov 8th and I only have two more weekends and two more week nights to prepare, that is 4 more runs before I put this new found me too the test of an official race.
Speaking of the new found me I am still swimming and this was my 3rd week of it. I already broke my goggles once and had to tie them together. I think my oversized melon was to much for the strap. My experience in the pool is that while I might resemble a horrible swimmer I don't really see it so I am less bothered by it. Maybe I am too focused on trying not to breath water. I am not AquaMan ! Or rather I am half Aqua Man, I don't have his underwater swim skills but I do have the telepathy. Only my telepathy is without anyone listening. I have mental telepathy and I often send out mental telepathic commands to my wife and children but they are not tuned in. It is as if the telepathic radar waves bounce off them. If they were fish they might listen better? I will save my mental thoughts for the boys goldfish. We have two seriosuly tough goldfish so maybe I don't want to speak with them. They're like street thugs of the fish kingdom. They can go days without food and still live. And in a starring contest they win every time. In fact I imagine they are in their little bowl thinking too themselves.
"Hey Goldie, Come here. You see this guy ?"
"What Whitey, you mean the tall pale one in the red sweatshirt. Yeah see him"
"He still hasn't fed us nothin!"
"I know Goldie ! I am hungry and he is so cheap he hasn't even bought us a glass bowl. Instead we have to use this crappy blue plastic ! "
"Whitey, he isn;t cheap he is stupid. I see our food sitting in that little container right their next to us. He just doesn't remember to feed us. How can he miss us we are on the darn dresser for crying out loud. He comes in here every night! I swear if he puts his fingers in this tank I am going to bite it off ! "
"Yeah buddy! Me too! We will show him whose Boss of the bowl. Now if only we had some teeth"
.....I always let Amanda clean their tank. I think its fair. I clean up the dog poop and they are lot busier spreading that around.?
Learning the swimming is not as horrible as the running was. It is still a struggle and most the times I am not breathing enough or correctly or whatever because I am breathing heavy when I take my break at 25 meters. I have noticed that whenever I watched Amanda swim the lake and she comes back she is not breathing heavy or struggling, she just glides in all smooth and relaxed. I really try to be relaxed and let the water do the work of floating my body. I find myself working harder to hold myself up without even thinking about it. When I recognize how tense I am I relax and I can feel the difference. Swimming relaxed is not nearly as difficult as swimming all tense and panicy. As I think of these types of things I get moments of A Ha usually followed by swallowing a mouth full of water because I actually say "Ah" under water. I am still waiting for the swim instructor to call me so I can schedule my first lesson instruction. I have no idea what I am doing but I think my self teaching is going great. I read a book and now I practice what I am suppossed to do based upon the book. The book forgot to mention "don't breath under water it makes you choke". If I were writing a swimming book I think I would not have failed to leave that one out. In fact I am sure I would have highlighted, bolded and underlined that one.
How to Swim page 1
step 1 Don't breath under water it will not work for you. You are a mammal not a fish.
If I were to write a book on running I would start with
How to Run page 1
step 1 This is going to suck. If that is okay with you continue reading.
I am considering starting this challenge a co worker suggested. It is called the Burpee challenge and what it is = 1 + 1 burpee a day for 100 days so on day 2 you do 2 and on day 3 you do 3. What is a Burpee I asked and it was explained too me that a Burpee is when you begin in a raised push up position. Then hop your feet up to your chest and now you are in a squat like position from there lift up jump and clap your hands. Return to the lower push up position.
So do One Plus one for 100 days until you are doing 100.
I read somewhere this is how the Ninja trained to jump so high. They jumped over a stalk of corn every day and then when the corn grew they too tall they started again. Eventually they could jump onto roofs and such. They must have some pretty tall corn where Ninja come from.
"Donnie D's on the Backup
So put the Crack up
No need for speed
Im anti d-r-u-g-g-i-e my
Body is healthy
My rhymes make me wealthy
and the funky bunch helps me
to bring you a show with no intoxication
Come on feel the vibration"
Update :
Oct 14 Stairs
Oct 15th swim 13 laps and run 1.5 miles
Oct 16th Stairs
Oct 17th - Nothing
Oct 18th - 1.5 mile run
Oct 19th - more nothing
Oct 20th Swim 15 laps
Oct 21st Stairs
On my 76 th day of Training I achieved a personel best by running 2 miles without stopping and then after a couple short walks of less than 50 yards I continued and completed the 3 mile for my total run. I did this the same day I swam 18 laps which is a half mile (plenty of rest in the pool). I think and feel like I am getting somewhere. Still not sure I want to go there. For the first time when I started the run my knee no longer hurts and I just felt strong. I can describe it best by saying I am not sure why but the first hundred yards I was not as winded as I usually am. Without my knee ache and my lungs on fire I looked around for the first time and noticed the scenery. Usually I am in my own personnel HELL by the 100 yard mark. This time the decent into hell took longer and I now believe I might mange to complete that 5K without walking any of it. I really felt like my lungs are beggining to understand we are not dying here just exercising. The 5K is in 3 weeks on Nov 8th and I only have two more weekends and two more week nights to prepare, that is 4 more runs before I put this new found me too the test of an official race.
Speaking of the new found me I am still swimming and this was my 3rd week of it. I already broke my goggles once and had to tie them together. I think my oversized melon was to much for the strap. My experience in the pool is that while I might resemble a horrible swimmer I don't really see it so I am less bothered by it. Maybe I am too focused on trying not to breath water. I am not AquaMan ! Or rather I am half Aqua Man, I don't have his underwater swim skills but I do have the telepathy. Only my telepathy is without anyone listening. I have mental telepathy and I often send out mental telepathic commands to my wife and children but they are not tuned in. It is as if the telepathic radar waves bounce off them. If they were fish they might listen better? I will save my mental thoughts for the boys goldfish. We have two seriosuly tough goldfish so maybe I don't want to speak with them. They're like street thugs of the fish kingdom. They can go days without food and still live. And in a starring contest they win every time. In fact I imagine they are in their little bowl thinking too themselves.
"Hey Goldie, Come here. You see this guy ?"
"What Whitey, you mean the tall pale one in the red sweatshirt. Yeah see him"
"He still hasn't fed us nothin!"
"I know Goldie ! I am hungry and he is so cheap he hasn't even bought us a glass bowl. Instead we have to use this crappy blue plastic ! "
"Whitey, he isn;t cheap he is stupid. I see our food sitting in that little container right their next to us. He just doesn't remember to feed us. How can he miss us we are on the darn dresser for crying out loud. He comes in here every night! I swear if he puts his fingers in this tank I am going to bite it off ! "
"Yeah buddy! Me too! We will show him whose Boss of the bowl. Now if only we had some teeth"
.....I always let Amanda clean their tank. I think its fair. I clean up the dog poop and they are lot busier spreading that around.?
Learning the swimming is not as horrible as the running was. It is still a struggle and most the times I am not breathing enough or correctly or whatever because I am breathing heavy when I take my break at 25 meters. I have noticed that whenever I watched Amanda swim the lake and she comes back she is not breathing heavy or struggling, she just glides in all smooth and relaxed. I really try to be relaxed and let the water do the work of floating my body. I find myself working harder to hold myself up without even thinking about it. When I recognize how tense I am I relax and I can feel the difference. Swimming relaxed is not nearly as difficult as swimming all tense and panicy. As I think of these types of things I get moments of A Ha usually followed by swallowing a mouth full of water because I actually say "Ah" under water. I am still waiting for the swim instructor to call me so I can schedule my first lesson instruction. I have no idea what I am doing but I think my self teaching is going great. I read a book and now I practice what I am suppossed to do based upon the book. The book forgot to mention "don't breath under water it makes you choke". If I were writing a swimming book I think I would not have failed to leave that one out. In fact I am sure I would have highlighted, bolded and underlined that one.
How to Swim page 1
step 1 Don't breath under water it will not work for you. You are a mammal not a fish.
If I were to write a book on running I would start with
How to Run page 1
step 1 This is going to suck. If that is okay with you continue reading.
I am considering starting this challenge a co worker suggested. It is called the Burpee challenge and what it is = 1 + 1 burpee a day for 100 days so on day 2 you do 2 and on day 3 you do 3. What is a Burpee I asked and it was explained too me that a Burpee is when you begin in a raised push up position. Then hop your feet up to your chest and now you are in a squat like position from there lift up jump and clap your hands. Return to the lower push up position.
So do One Plus one for 100 days until you are doing 100.
I read somewhere this is how the Ninja trained to jump so high. They jumped over a stalk of corn every day and then when the corn grew they too tall they started again. Eventually they could jump onto roofs and such. They must have some pretty tall corn where Ninja come from.
"Donnie D's on the Backup
So put the Crack up
No need for speed
Im anti d-r-u-g-g-i-e my
Body is healthy
My rhymes make me wealthy
and the funky bunch helps me
to bring you a show with no intoxication
Come on feel the vibration"
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Stay in your Lane
Tuesday
I ran on Saturday but only a mile and half because I have been healing from a minor cold and I didn’t want to get sick again. I did manage to run continuously farther than I ever had before by about 50 yards. Being able to run the entire 3 miles by the 5K in November is going to take more work. I just wish that didn’t mean so much more running.
Still haven’t done much Yoga lately. I really need to get back on track with my daily Yoga program. Hello 4 am wake up my ugly ugly friend how I so don’t want to see you again. Maybe I will try Yoga at night time before bed.
I swam today and it was a little victory just to get there and show up. This is the 2nd week and it is nowhere close to normal for me to go swimming so I really need to focus and get myself there. I went later today which made it hard to stay motivated. I struggle staying motivated as the day goes on. I find it easier to exercise earlier in the day. I think that is my natural Couch Potato shinning through.
I have to say I have been feeling like CP is losing his grip and the new and sparkly me is coming out more and more. The new me has a fresh chloriny scent.
So as I try to find times when there is not too many people swimming I learned that 3pm is not one of them. I had to share a lane and being that I am new I didn’t want to accidentally club someone next to me. Well it only happened once. I kicked the lady in the lane next to me. I felt bad but she said no problem as she ran out of the room holding her eyeball. He he he Anyway it is very distracting to swim next to other sucky swimmers, unless they are more sucky then me. Then it is not so distracting.
As I swim and try to get more relaxed in the water I am learning to like the taste of chlorine water. I am happy I did it for the 4th planned day in a row. Wahoo little victories matter to ME. Getting to the pool today was my victory even if I only swam about 500 yards.
“The thoughts in my head go Bing Bang Bong
Bing Bang Bong, Bing Bang Bong, All day long.”
I ran on Saturday but only a mile and half because I have been healing from a minor cold and I didn’t want to get sick again. I did manage to run continuously farther than I ever had before by about 50 yards. Being able to run the entire 3 miles by the 5K in November is going to take more work. I just wish that didn’t mean so much more running.
Still haven’t done much Yoga lately. I really need to get back on track with my daily Yoga program. Hello 4 am wake up my ugly ugly friend how I so don’t want to see you again. Maybe I will try Yoga at night time before bed.
I swam today and it was a little victory just to get there and show up. This is the 2nd week and it is nowhere close to normal for me to go swimming so I really need to focus and get myself there. I went later today which made it hard to stay motivated. I struggle staying motivated as the day goes on. I find it easier to exercise earlier in the day. I think that is my natural Couch Potato shinning through.
I have to say I have been feeling like CP is losing his grip and the new and sparkly me is coming out more and more. The new me has a fresh chloriny scent.
So as I try to find times when there is not too many people swimming I learned that 3pm is not one of them. I had to share a lane and being that I am new I didn’t want to accidentally club someone next to me. Well it only happened once. I kicked the lady in the lane next to me. I felt bad but she said no problem as she ran out of the room holding her eyeball. He he he Anyway it is very distracting to swim next to other sucky swimmers, unless they are more sucky then me. Then it is not so distracting.
As I swim and try to get more relaxed in the water I am learning to like the taste of chlorine water. I am happy I did it for the 4th planned day in a row. Wahoo little victories matter to ME. Getting to the pool today was my victory even if I only swam about 500 yards.
“The thoughts in my head go Bing Bang Bong
Bing Bang Bong, Bing Bang Bong, All day long.”
Friday, October 9, 2009
My mini - Brick
Wednesday I walked the stairs.
Thursday I did swim for 30 minutes which was 15 laps = 750 yards and then I ran mile and a little more at night when I got home.
In Triathalon training when you do two of the 3 sports together on a day it is called a "Brick" Well really I think your suppossed to do them right together but that is not what I did. My mini Brick is smaller ammounts and sort of like a kiddy pool.
My Swimming focus is all about learning to breath and 8500 other things but then once I swallow some water it easily reverts to the one thing. Learning to breath, and I have discovered that I am not Aqua Man. Of all the super friends he was the most one dimensional. I am not knocking him because he might find me one day and play the panic game with me which is not a fun game. What is the "panic game" you ask?
That is a game my wife made up because when we are in the shallows at the beach I playfully threw her in the water when she may not have wanted me to. So she developed the panic game as a nice revenge because she is a strong swimmer and I am not. So whenever we get in water over my head she meanders over and pulls me down (under water) until I panic (because I am afraid of drowning). She finds this very amusing but me ... not so much. And if you were wondering fake panicing doesn't work.
Needless to say our relationship becomes very different at that point.
Where was I oh yeah I need to learn to swim a lot farther and without stopping. Amanda tells me I need to learn to swim twice the distance in the pool to prepare for open water. So 36 laps = a mile and I am currently doing 15 laps in 30 minutes. I also am stopping to rest every 25 yards. There is a lot of work to be done in this area. Yikes
Little victories keep me moving, like the run I currently do has a small hill just after the 1 mile mark and until last night I have only made it up 30 of the 40 yards and then had to walk. So last night I made it to the top and then another 50 yards before walking. That is the best run I have done so far. I felt really strong, I felt my eye of the tiger coming out. I imagine what it will be like to finish that hill after a 2nd lap.
I also noticed as I started to walk that it is not my legs stopping me, at this point it is my lung power. That seems to be growing but the lame part is to make it keep growing I have to keep running. I think this week makes 1 year of not smoking, I think it was October 4th that I had my last one.
I am now visualizing running the loop twice which is what the 5K will be in terms of distance. I hope to be there by November when we do that run in Seattle, I would like to complete the 5K without stopping.
I have learned to love my running shoes, I would marry them if I could but I am already married. My regular daily shoes are sucky, and I think bad thoughts of them every time I have to put them on. Bad shoes, uncomfortable shoes, broken shoes !
Thursday I did swim for 30 minutes which was 15 laps = 750 yards and then I ran mile and a little more at night when I got home.
In Triathalon training when you do two of the 3 sports together on a day it is called a "Brick" Well really I think your suppossed to do them right together but that is not what I did. My mini Brick is smaller ammounts and sort of like a kiddy pool.
My Swimming focus is all about learning to breath and 8500 other things but then once I swallow some water it easily reverts to the one thing. Learning to breath, and I have discovered that I am not Aqua Man. Of all the super friends he was the most one dimensional. I am not knocking him because he might find me one day and play the panic game with me which is not a fun game. What is the "panic game" you ask?
That is a game my wife made up because when we are in the shallows at the beach I playfully threw her in the water when she may not have wanted me to. So she developed the panic game as a nice revenge because she is a strong swimmer and I am not. So whenever we get in water over my head she meanders over and pulls me down (under water) until I panic (because I am afraid of drowning). She finds this very amusing but me ... not so much. And if you were wondering fake panicing doesn't work.
Needless to say our relationship becomes very different at that point.
Where was I oh yeah I need to learn to swim a lot farther and without stopping. Amanda tells me I need to learn to swim twice the distance in the pool to prepare for open water. So 36 laps = a mile and I am currently doing 15 laps in 30 minutes. I also am stopping to rest every 25 yards. There is a lot of work to be done in this area. Yikes
Little victories keep me moving, like the run I currently do has a small hill just after the 1 mile mark and until last night I have only made it up 30 of the 40 yards and then had to walk. So last night I made it to the top and then another 50 yards before walking. That is the best run I have done so far. I felt really strong, I felt my eye of the tiger coming out. I imagine what it will be like to finish that hill after a 2nd lap.
I also noticed as I started to walk that it is not my legs stopping me, at this point it is my lung power. That seems to be growing but the lame part is to make it keep growing I have to keep running. I think this week makes 1 year of not smoking, I think it was October 4th that I had my last one.
I am now visualizing running the loop twice which is what the 5K will be in terms of distance. I hope to be there by November when we do that run in Seattle, I would like to complete the 5K without stopping.
I have learned to love my running shoes, I would marry them if I could but I am already married. My regular daily shoes are sucky, and I think bad thoughts of them every time I have to put them on. Bad shoes, uncomfortable shoes, broken shoes !
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sometimes I dream
I sometimes imagine I can be an athelete, I mean I want to be an athlete real real bad. What I struggle with is getting my body to move in the way those real atheletes move. That's the RUB! Well that and all the exercising involved.
I recognize now and admit that somewhere inside me is a Triathlete that wants to be born.
I mean I look at people swimming in the pool all graceful and fluid and what looks to be almost effortless form and I want to do that.
I see people jogging or running that don't look like they are about ot fall over and I want to do that.
I see bikers zoom by or talk to some who ride from Mukilteo into downtown Seattle on their way to work in the morning. I want to do that.
RUB when I try those things I don't look or feel like that. FARFIG NUGEN! I don't want to have this be so hard.
I swam today and after 30 minutes I realize the best thing about swimming is it is not running. Gosh running sucks. Oh yeah and as a result of all this running I now have this strange bump on the top of my foot that was not their before. It looks like a bone poking under the skin and I don't have one on the other foot so I know that it doesn't belong there. Now that sentence will not make sense to everyone only some people. My logic of if something looks out of place on one side check the other side is not an exact scientific formula. I did fail Chemistry in high school. Nobody told me about strange growths. That was not a part of what I signed up for. What is hard to know now that I am over 40 is what caused the strange growth? What causes hair to grow in old man ears? Why do eyebrows not grow for years and then suddenly sprout like weeds?
Back to todays swimming. It is difficult because I feel like a phony when I am in the pool and I imagine everyone thinks who is the dork swimming like an ardvark in the far lane. Then I remind myself everyone started sometime so no worries. Still this ardvark needs a lesson or two. I am trying to learn the Total Immersion style or method and I am looking like the Total Inversion where everything you are suppossed to do is going backwards. I swallow water instead of breathing air. I sink instead of float and when my top half is working like a dog my back half forgets to do anything. I tuck my head into my arm pit but then end up diving down. Ardvarks are not natural swimmers.
I am starting to ice my knee every night and I think now it will probably be achy forever. I am getting used to aching in some spot or another pretty much all the time. So this is FUN people? Okay I will play along. This is Fun! Everyone should go out and run around. Hell do it with one shoe on and see if you can get you toe nails worn down to little bloody nubs. Ha ha Fun thats what my toe nails feel like lately. After that ride a bike until you baunch is good and chaffed then jump in some salt water and swim until the fish nibble on your bloody toes.......Fun.
While swimming today I think I managed a 20 / 40. Sounds technical what it means is swim about 20 laps (25 meters) while drinking 40 gallons of pool water. The water level was half an inch lower and I had to pee real bad afterwards. Swimming is funner than running because I get to push off the wall every so often and feel like I am ZOOMing through the water like a shark. A shark with a lazer beam attached to his head.
"You will do what I say when I say
BACK to the Front!"
I recognize now and admit that somewhere inside me is a Triathlete that wants to be born.
I mean I look at people swimming in the pool all graceful and fluid and what looks to be almost effortless form and I want to do that.
I see people jogging or running that don't look like they are about ot fall over and I want to do that.
I see bikers zoom by or talk to some who ride from Mukilteo into downtown Seattle on their way to work in the morning. I want to do that.
RUB when I try those things I don't look or feel like that. FARFIG NUGEN! I don't want to have this be so hard.
I swam today and after 30 minutes I realize the best thing about swimming is it is not running. Gosh running sucks. Oh yeah and as a result of all this running I now have this strange bump on the top of my foot that was not their before. It looks like a bone poking under the skin and I don't have one on the other foot so I know that it doesn't belong there. Now that sentence will not make sense to everyone only some people. My logic of if something looks out of place on one side check the other side is not an exact scientific formula. I did fail Chemistry in high school. Nobody told me about strange growths. That was not a part of what I signed up for. What is hard to know now that I am over 40 is what caused the strange growth? What causes hair to grow in old man ears? Why do eyebrows not grow for years and then suddenly sprout like weeds?
Back to todays swimming. It is difficult because I feel like a phony when I am in the pool and I imagine everyone thinks who is the dork swimming like an ardvark in the far lane. Then I remind myself everyone started sometime so no worries. Still this ardvark needs a lesson or two. I am trying to learn the Total Immersion style or method and I am looking like the Total Inversion where everything you are suppossed to do is going backwards. I swallow water instead of breathing air. I sink instead of float and when my top half is working like a dog my back half forgets to do anything. I tuck my head into my arm pit but then end up diving down. Ardvarks are not natural swimmers.
I am starting to ice my knee every night and I think now it will probably be achy forever. I am getting used to aching in some spot or another pretty much all the time. So this is FUN people? Okay I will play along. This is Fun! Everyone should go out and run around. Hell do it with one shoe on and see if you can get you toe nails worn down to little bloody nubs. Ha ha Fun thats what my toe nails feel like lately. After that ride a bike until you baunch is good and chaffed then jump in some salt water and swim until the fish nibble on your bloody toes.......Fun.
While swimming today I think I managed a 20 / 40. Sounds technical what it means is swim about 20 laps (25 meters) while drinking 40 gallons of pool water. The water level was half an inch lower and I had to pee real bad afterwards. Swimming is funner than running because I get to push off the wall every so often and feel like I am ZOOMing through the water like a shark. A shark with a lazer beam attached to his head.
"You will do what I say when I say
BACK to the Front!"
Every agonizing step
I am running and running and running and I am thinking I am thinking and I am thinking and I realize as that the only way to get better at this. Or rather the only way to used to this and build up the lung capicity is to keep doing this and that is not my favorite thought. In fact that thought is not motivational at all.
So on to my recap of the last week.
Sunday Oct 4th ran a mile
Saturday Oct 3rd ran three miles
Friday Oct 2nd walked the stairs at Quest field
Thursday Oct 1st (20 minutes swim) and a mile and half run that evening
Wed joined the Gym (committed for a year when really I should be the one committed after this year.)
As I was saying the only way to get better or to make running easier is to do more running so your body develops and gets used to it. Sort of like those old Kings and Queens who used to sip little bits of poison so they would be used to it whne someone tried to poison them.
My cousin made me some music to help motivate me during my runs and so I have been trying that. I am not real sure it does more than increase my chances of getting run over because I can't hear anything now.
Thanks for the CD's they are really old school.
So now that we are in October I have a only a MONTH or so before I run my first 5K (which is 3 miles). I have set my goal of running the entire time and as long as the entire course is down hill I might be able to do it.
Funny how the littlest incline can seem like a horrible mountain.
I have to be happy with the little victories and the hard part is I know after the little victory (of say one little hill) are just bigger and bigger hills.
I am in total awe of the course my wife runs regularly. Total awe of her and Candice and Jason and Molly and Kathy and all you other fools who somehow managed to add me to your list. What am I doing here ?
So on to my recap of the last week.
Sunday Oct 4th ran a mile
Saturday Oct 3rd ran three miles
Friday Oct 2nd walked the stairs at Quest field
Thursday Oct 1st (20 minutes swim) and a mile and half run that evening
Wed joined the Gym (committed for a year when really I should be the one committed after this year.)
As I was saying the only way to get better or to make running easier is to do more running so your body develops and gets used to it. Sort of like those old Kings and Queens who used to sip little bits of poison so they would be used to it whne someone tried to poison them.
My cousin made me some music to help motivate me during my runs and so I have been trying that. I am not real sure it does more than increase my chances of getting run over because I can't hear anything now.
Thanks for the CD's they are really old school.
So now that we are in October I have a only a MONTH or so before I run my first 5K (which is 3 miles). I have set my goal of running the entire time and as long as the entire course is down hill I might be able to do it.
Funny how the littlest incline can seem like a horrible mountain.
I have to be happy with the little victories and the hard part is I know after the little victory (of say one little hill) are just bigger and bigger hills.
I am in total awe of the course my wife runs regularly. Total awe of her and Candice and Jason and Molly and Kathy and all you other fools who somehow managed to add me to your list. What am I doing here ?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
312 days left : Club Footed Penguin
Okay so while the last two weeks have been occupied with two great vacations it is time once again to buckle down and get into my training rhythm.
Monday I did run 3 miles and I am sort of happy to announce I ran (without stopping) an entire mile for the first time ever. Yes I think I can safely say that is progress and I might be improving a little bit. This was a big accomplishment because now I know I can do it. But the sad part is now that I know I can do it I need to continue doing it.
I don’t know about you real runners but when I get out and begin to run I seem to always have this constant discussion (psycho babble) within my head. It starts like this.
“Okay I am going to run now”
“Why?”
“Ssshhh I am going to run my 3 miles because I haven’t run in 5 days”
“Why”
“Because I want to!”
“Why”
“Shut up were doing this.”
“Who you talking too? You’re crazy! You shouldn’t be in charge.”
Here we go (I begin running at this point to end the internal dialogue more than anything else)
Several steps later this conversation changes,
“O the left knee feels really crunchy today” “Maybe we should stop?”
“No”
“Ow so does the right knee” crunch crunch crunch
“No stopping”
“Owe”
“Ohh”
“Well my back seems to be holding up okay, and after a 100 yards or so my knees should warm up and I can stop running like a club footed Penguin.
Here is what I imagine I could look like whenever I think of running:
Picture the image of a runner with long graceful strides rapidly flowing down this wide open country road. The golden sun shines and the cool breeze rushes over the grasses as the runner smoothly and quietly rolls across the asphalt as if he/she was a part of nature itself.
Then what I look like:
Picture a club footed Penguin escaping the cage of a circus wagon hobbling across the burning asphalt in the middle of Death Valley. The Penguin is favoring his right leg wheezing so loud it sounds as if you were switching a Dyson vacuum on and off as fast as you can about 30 times a minute. His path is jolted and unsteady while he appears to either really drunk or very unbalanced. Occasionally his jiggly head which lolls side to side lifts to reveal a glazed over thousand yard stare and spittle drooling out the right side of his mouth. The red face and cheeks reveal how much he is not really meant to be out here on this god forsaken road. Somebody please shoot the animal and end its’ misery. Oh that’s right it is not an animal it is Nick training. No need to perform the mercy killing, he looks like it won’t be long now before he collapses.
I tried using the IPOD today and it does distract me a little so that I forget how much I hate running for short periods at a time. They are very short periods. They need to be longer.
I am surprised I was able to complete the mile and I feel really proud of it, then I remember I have to do it again in a couple days. Yuck! This makes me think I am still more CP than Triathlete.
Today (Tuesday) I joined a health club and am planning on beginning swimming two times a week starting Thursday October 1st.
I need to begin the daily Yoga practice again which is difficult because it means a 4 am wake up. Ohhh that is never easy.
I imagine one day I will be able to RUN the entire 1.5 mile loop 3 times and this will be my goal. I am signing up for my first 5K in November and I really want to run the entire thing. I want to run and look like I imagine a runner should look like. Which might seem like a silly thing to want but I don’t care I still want it.
“I want to be a lion
Everybody wants to pass as cats
We all want to be big big stars, but we got different reasons for that
Believe in me because I don't believe in anything
and I want to be someone to believe” – Counting Crows
Monday I did run 3 miles and I am sort of happy to announce I ran (without stopping) an entire mile for the first time ever. Yes I think I can safely say that is progress and I might be improving a little bit. This was a big accomplishment because now I know I can do it. But the sad part is now that I know I can do it I need to continue doing it.
I don’t know about you real runners but when I get out and begin to run I seem to always have this constant discussion (psycho babble) within my head. It starts like this.
“Okay I am going to run now”
“Why?”
“Ssshhh I am going to run my 3 miles because I haven’t run in 5 days”
“Why”
“Because I want to!”
“Why”
“Shut up were doing this.”
“Who you talking too? You’re crazy! You shouldn’t be in charge.”
Here we go (I begin running at this point to end the internal dialogue more than anything else)
Several steps later this conversation changes,
“O the left knee feels really crunchy today” “Maybe we should stop?”
“No”
“Ow so does the right knee” crunch crunch crunch
“No stopping”
“Owe”
“Ohh”
“Well my back seems to be holding up okay, and after a 100 yards or so my knees should warm up and I can stop running like a club footed Penguin.
Here is what I imagine I could look like whenever I think of running:
Picture the image of a runner with long graceful strides rapidly flowing down this wide open country road. The golden sun shines and the cool breeze rushes over the grasses as the runner smoothly and quietly rolls across the asphalt as if he/she was a part of nature itself.
Then what I look like:
Picture a club footed Penguin escaping the cage of a circus wagon hobbling across the burning asphalt in the middle of Death Valley. The Penguin is favoring his right leg wheezing so loud it sounds as if you were switching a Dyson vacuum on and off as fast as you can about 30 times a minute. His path is jolted and unsteady while he appears to either really drunk or very unbalanced. Occasionally his jiggly head which lolls side to side lifts to reveal a glazed over thousand yard stare and spittle drooling out the right side of his mouth. The red face and cheeks reveal how much he is not really meant to be out here on this god forsaken road. Somebody please shoot the animal and end its’ misery. Oh that’s right it is not an animal it is Nick training. No need to perform the mercy killing, he looks like it won’t be long now before he collapses.
I tried using the IPOD today and it does distract me a little so that I forget how much I hate running for short periods at a time. They are very short periods. They need to be longer.
I am surprised I was able to complete the mile and I feel really proud of it, then I remember I have to do it again in a couple days. Yuck! This makes me think I am still more CP than Triathlete.
Today (Tuesday) I joined a health club and am planning on beginning swimming two times a week starting Thursday October 1st.
I need to begin the daily Yoga practice again which is difficult because it means a 4 am wake up. Ohhh that is never easy.
I imagine one day I will be able to RUN the entire 1.5 mile loop 3 times and this will be my goal. I am signing up for my first 5K in November and I really want to run the entire thing. I want to run and look like I imagine a runner should look like. Which might seem like a silly thing to want but I don’t care I still want it.
“I want to be a lion
Everybody wants to pass as cats
We all want to be big big stars, but we got different reasons for that
Believe in me because I don't believe in anything
and I want to be someone to believe” – Counting Crows
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
319 days left.
I have 3 hundred an 19 days left which means I have completed 45 days of training. 45 goes into 365 eight point one one one one one (you get it) times. Ack! I really need to make more progress! As of right now I do not feel 1 eighth of the way to being a triathlete. I am in big trouble because I don’t think I have even begun the hard part. In October I will begin swimming on a regular basis. I have seen the lake and tried to imagine myself swimming across and back, hmmm not so successful with that imaginary trip. Can’t get pictures of Shark Week out of my mind. I know there are no sharks in Goss Lake but there could be an overly aggressive malevolent lake trout who might decide to taste human. If I was swimming and one of those innocently (or malevolently) touching me I will freak me out and scream like a school girl. Will they let you swim with a club? Maybe a harpoon would be easier. How about a laser beam attached to my head?
I did read my swimming book “Total Immersion” and I began training in the hotel pool last week. This consisted of really simple drills to get my “water balance” which means get the hips/legs to naturally rise up by pressing down on the sternum. I know it may not seem like a lot but it is hard. In addition to that I have to learn to breathe as I roll on my side. So far this usually involves learning to breathe with a mouth half full of water. Remind me not to practice in the kiddy pool. Despite my inexperience and struggling form I did manage to swim about 20 yards 12 times. I had to rest between each time but it is a start. Learning to swim is a serious blow to the pride and ego. What am I saying this entire experience is a serious blow to the pride and ego. It is not as if I am looking real good when I run either. Maybe I need to get to know some baseball players and get a hold of those steroids they take. I know your all saying they have bad side effects of “huge mood swings and uncontrollable anger over absolutely nothing” but hell I quit smoking cold turkey so that is nothing new to me or my wife.
Seriously after I win the Triathlon 5 minutes ahead of everyone, all hopped up and HULK like then I will deny using the steroids several dozen times until I fail a drug test or two at which time I will beg publicly for forgiveness. Then in the next several photo opps I will work at looking real sad and humble. All the while denying I am a role model but collecting huge amounts of cash to appear for 5 minutes at a sports card show primarily attended by kids. Of course I will do a couple commercials for the united way and say no to drugs. But as my baseball example points out, the usual drugs would be bad because they are drugs but sniffing glue is not “technically classified” a drug so it is okay. Baseball the great American pastime. A juiced up ballgame played by juiced up little boys who claim to be exploited by greedy owners but then exploit the advertisers with huge endorsement deals who in turn exploit the kids by charging $75.00 dollars for a jersey of their favorite player. Yeah A Rod just be honest and call yourself A Hole. That way when my kids see you as an example they can properly categorize it. Today’s baseball stars have taught today’s kids to lie and deny until your caught red handed. That’s the integrity of Baseball and that’s why Professional baseball is LAME.
Whew that was rant! Serious example of my hate ray gone wild.
Seriously that needed to get out. Who wants to carry that sort of crap around in their head. Not me, it weighs a lot and it drags me down. I gotta work on staying positive and upbeat so the thoughts in my head will be “light as a feather”. This way I will be faster in the pool, on the bike and on the road.
No need to focus on the things I can not change. Better to let all that go. Stop wailing about being “right” and just be at peace. “There is nothing to fix here.”
“Free your mind and the rest will follow”
I think I will end each of these with a musical quote that moves me at the moment or just helps me have a movement:)
I did read my swimming book “Total Immersion” and I began training in the hotel pool last week. This consisted of really simple drills to get my “water balance” which means get the hips/legs to naturally rise up by pressing down on the sternum. I know it may not seem like a lot but it is hard. In addition to that I have to learn to breathe as I roll on my side. So far this usually involves learning to breathe with a mouth half full of water. Remind me not to practice in the kiddy pool. Despite my inexperience and struggling form I did manage to swim about 20 yards 12 times. I had to rest between each time but it is a start. Learning to swim is a serious blow to the pride and ego. What am I saying this entire experience is a serious blow to the pride and ego. It is not as if I am looking real good when I run either. Maybe I need to get to know some baseball players and get a hold of those steroids they take. I know your all saying they have bad side effects of “huge mood swings and uncontrollable anger over absolutely nothing” but hell I quit smoking cold turkey so that is nothing new to me or my wife.
Seriously after I win the Triathlon 5 minutes ahead of everyone, all hopped up and HULK like then I will deny using the steroids several dozen times until I fail a drug test or two at which time I will beg publicly for forgiveness. Then in the next several photo opps I will work at looking real sad and humble. All the while denying I am a role model but collecting huge amounts of cash to appear for 5 minutes at a sports card show primarily attended by kids. Of course I will do a couple commercials for the united way and say no to drugs. But as my baseball example points out, the usual drugs would be bad because they are drugs but sniffing glue is not “technically classified” a drug so it is okay. Baseball the great American pastime. A juiced up ballgame played by juiced up little boys who claim to be exploited by greedy owners but then exploit the advertisers with huge endorsement deals who in turn exploit the kids by charging $75.00 dollars for a jersey of their favorite player. Yeah A Rod just be honest and call yourself A Hole. That way when my kids see you as an example they can properly categorize it. Today’s baseball stars have taught today’s kids to lie and deny until your caught red handed. That’s the integrity of Baseball and that’s why Professional baseball is LAME.
Whew that was rant! Serious example of my hate ray gone wild.
Seriously that needed to get out. Who wants to carry that sort of crap around in their head. Not me, it weighs a lot and it drags me down. I gotta work on staying positive and upbeat so the thoughts in my head will be “light as a feather”. This way I will be faster in the pool, on the bike and on the road.
No need to focus on the things I can not change. Better to let all that go. Stop wailing about being “right” and just be at peace. “There is nothing to fix here.”
“Free your mind and the rest will follow”
I think I will end each of these with a musical quote that moves me at the moment or just helps me have a movement:)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Three and One
I learned a new way to induce my own agony! Yippee more aches for me! A friend who I thought was out of shape talked me into running with him and I realized a couple of things. 1. Other peoples’ “Out of Shape” is several levels above what I am currently performing at. 2. Friends shouldn’t let friends Run; it has great risk of that friend associating all the discomfort of the run with said friend who had the idea in the first place. So here I was running on this Monday morning in the beautiful woods learning how to run for 3 minutes and walk for 1 minute. Damn 3 minutes never seemed so long before. This 3 and 1 method is new to me and so as we did the third set I thought “I hope a bear or a wolf jumps out from behind a tree and rips into my leg so I can stop for awhile. Alas! This is Whidbey Island and the best I can hope for is a Rabid Northwest Mountain Squirrel. Then we get to rest again and I start to breathe normally just in time to run again. Joy Joy on the 4th set I ask myself “why is he not as tired as I am? He said he hasn’t run in a year? LIAR! He must be lying because I feel much more tired than he looks. I now hope a bear or wolf jumps out of the trees and mauls HIM. Set 5 Damn I am really out of shape or he is some freak of nature than can just magically run all day like Peter Pan can fly. I think it is more likely that I am really out of shape. Ah bliss as we end that 3 minutes of hell and begin to walk another minute. DD tells me it should get easier as we go and I BELIEVE him. Why? Because this is the 6th set and I NEED to believe it gets easier. I am in my own miserable world of hell. As we begin I try try try real hard to believe that lie (that it gets easier) but it is not working! Damn Damn Damn I hate this man in front of me if I could catch him I would choke him to death. Then he tells me there is a little hill up ahead. I can’t say the 4 letter word I was thinking as I nod at him and grunt something unintelligible (I am not sure who is drooling more me or Buttercup the dog with us). As we begin the hill I know it is not much but for me every step is more burning and tiring and I just want to fall over into the brush and let the squirrels feast on my bloated out of shape couch potato carcass. I keep climbing the hill sure that I am now drooling more than Buttercup and each foot step is about 3 inches from the last. Sometimes life is full of little defeats and this hill at this time I admit my defeat, I have to stop and walk before the top. Severely wheezing I meet my torturer at the top of the hill and he says the rest is downhill from here. I like the first word part of that, the down part; because that is all I want to do, fall down. Sit down. Alas! No such luck we continue on and DD talks about pace and I think I know my pace it is “the first part of the zero to 60”
Oh Yeah running in the woods is SO MUCH EASIER. LIARS! Running in the woods is still running!
Oh Yeah running in the woods is SO MUCH EASIER. LIARS! Running in the woods is still running!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Knee Aches
Today I am resting, I did do the stairs on Wed and today my lower legs are really really sore. Today the thought that has been in my head the most is: “I hope when this is all done that it is worth it.” I mean I walk down to the ferry (about 4-5 blocks) and I walk up from the ferry and my legs and feet hurt almost all the time. It just better be worth it. Maybe if I buy a 2nd pair of running shoes (for everyday use) that are nice and springy and comfortable my feet would feel a little better.
I visited the fitness club I am going to join in October to start swimming, pool looks nice and they offer private swim lessons so maybe I will investigate those after I join. They have a spinning class twice a week too. The price is not bad and they are close to my work (only 10 blocks away). I have talked with another friend who is willing to go swimming regularly so I have committed to October to begin swimming.
I had the strange notion as I watched these other swimmers calmly swimming laps without making much waves that MAYBE ? it is will be easy. He he he I get the same thoughts when I motivate to run. I think out of the blue “hey how great would it be to go running?” then I think “How good would I feel to be zooming down the road like a regular ____________ ? (I don’t know any modern runners names.)
The problem is I never look or feel like that great runner zooming down the road. I look more like a wounded herd animal destined for the leopards next meal.
I bet my swimming will look similar. The same wounded herd animal destined for the Alligator’s next meal.
At the least I hope that swimming will be easier on my feet.
I visited the fitness club I am going to join in October to start swimming, pool looks nice and they offer private swim lessons so maybe I will investigate those after I join. They have a spinning class twice a week too. The price is not bad and they are close to my work (only 10 blocks away). I have talked with another friend who is willing to go swimming regularly so I have committed to October to begin swimming.
I had the strange notion as I watched these other swimmers calmly swimming laps without making much waves that MAYBE ? it is will be easy. He he he I get the same thoughts when I motivate to run. I think out of the blue “hey how great would it be to go running?” then I think “How good would I feel to be zooming down the road like a regular ____________ ? (I don’t know any modern runners names.)
The problem is I never look or feel like that great runner zooming down the road. I look more like a wounded herd animal destined for the leopards next meal.
I bet my swimming will look similar. The same wounded herd animal destined for the Alligator’s next meal.
At the least I hope that swimming will be easier on my feet.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Great Idea right on the Neck
Sunday
Rest day and I did a little Yoga (30 minutes). I watched the Namaste Yoga series on TV and Amanda yelled at me to stop turning my neck. I said “How am I supposed to see the pose without looking?” to which she responded “ If you have to turn your neck then Yoga video is not a good idea.” To which I responded “Hmph” because that’s what I say now when I can’t really win the debate. I used to say “Whatever” but now that my darling 4 year old son is looking at his parents and growling “Whatever!” I have to find a new term. Children are great little mirrors aren’t they?
Monday
Noticed my legs were not as sore today. Whats this? Could it be progress? Naa I am only imagining it. Thought I might ride the bike today but decided to run instead. I did an easy run/walk of a mile and a half because this was only two days after my “BIG” run/ walk of 3 miles . As we were driving home from Linds where they are giving out free Candy necklaces to children and I was suddenly inspired to run. A side note about Lind’s hmmm: the idea that they are giving these candy necklaces away as you leave raises some natural questions? If this idea was so great why don’t they give Candy necklaces to children as they come into the store? …. Yeah they know why! Thanks Lind’s counter lady, thanks a lot! Sugar the kid up as he gets back in my car. What happens about 30 minutes after your little act of kindness. WELL let me tell you NO better yet let me bring the kids back to your store in about 30 minutes and you can hear first hand what happens when the last Candy is gone. My wish to you for your act of kindness is : A long plane ride with screaming children sitting behind you kicking your seat the entire 6 hours.
While I was a little bent on the sabatoge by the counter lady; I am intrigued by the entire concept of Candy Necklace. I mean how AWESOME would it be to market these things for adults.
Imagine ladies for Valentines day your man brings home A Box of Sees Chocolates strung on a Necklace? Or for the guys: An entire seafood platter of DEEP FRIED goodies strung on a necklace. My personnel favorite would be…..you know what I am talking about……My personnel little jewel would be a Doughnut Necklace, imagine a necklace of Doughnuts and you could just sit there watching sports on T.V. or at the stadium with a dozen doughnuts strung around your neck. You could just lean your chin down and lick the maple bar during the commercials. Yes your clothes would suffer a little more wear and tear but think of the benefits.
I think this idea of Candy necklace has not been explored as far as it could be.
Anyway I realize now when I am driving around and the road looks inviting and I think "how nice would it be to run down this sunny country road on this nice afternoon?" I really should just ask Amanda to kick me.
Rest day and I did a little Yoga (30 minutes). I watched the Namaste Yoga series on TV and Amanda yelled at me to stop turning my neck. I said “How am I supposed to see the pose without looking?” to which she responded “ If you have to turn your neck then Yoga video is not a good idea.” To which I responded “Hmph” because that’s what I say now when I can’t really win the debate. I used to say “Whatever” but now that my darling 4 year old son is looking at his parents and growling “Whatever!” I have to find a new term. Children are great little mirrors aren’t they?
Monday
Noticed my legs were not as sore today. Whats this? Could it be progress? Naa I am only imagining it. Thought I might ride the bike today but decided to run instead. I did an easy run/walk of a mile and a half because this was only two days after my “BIG” run/ walk of 3 miles . As we were driving home from Linds where they are giving out free Candy necklaces to children and I was suddenly inspired to run. A side note about Lind’s hmmm: the idea that they are giving these candy necklaces away as you leave raises some natural questions? If this idea was so great why don’t they give Candy necklaces to children as they come into the store? …. Yeah they know why! Thanks Lind’s counter lady, thanks a lot! Sugar the kid up as he gets back in my car. What happens about 30 minutes after your little act of kindness. WELL let me tell you NO better yet let me bring the kids back to your store in about 30 minutes and you can hear first hand what happens when the last Candy is gone. My wish to you for your act of kindness is : A long plane ride with screaming children sitting behind you kicking your seat the entire 6 hours.
While I was a little bent on the sabatoge by the counter lady; I am intrigued by the entire concept of Candy Necklace. I mean how AWESOME would it be to market these things for adults.
Imagine ladies for Valentines day your man brings home A Box of Sees Chocolates strung on a Necklace? Or for the guys: An entire seafood platter of DEEP FRIED goodies strung on a necklace. My personnel favorite would be…..you know what I am talking about……My personnel little jewel would be a Doughnut Necklace, imagine a necklace of Doughnuts and you could just sit there watching sports on T.V. or at the stadium with a dozen doughnuts strung around your neck. You could just lean your chin down and lick the maple bar during the commercials. Yes your clothes would suffer a little more wear and tear but think of the benefits.
I think this idea of Candy necklace has not been explored as far as it could be.
Anyway I realize now when I am driving around and the road looks inviting and I think "how nice would it be to run down this sunny country road on this nice afternoon?" I really should just ask Amanda to kick me.
Rainy day Running.
I ran/walked 3 miles today in the same 40 minutes and it did not feel any better.
I have been getting lots of good advice and it all sounds great. However none of the good advice helps my thighs or eases the sore feet. I ran in the rain for the first time and I thought it might make me feel tough or like a real runner. At first as I walked out to the road I felt like a rock star but then when I actually had to start running I only thought “My legs don’t want to do this”.
My brain still likes the idea but my brain doesn’t have to do any of the work. My lungs and my legs are the poor bastards doing the heavy lifting.
Here is what goes on in my head.
Brain “Hey lets go running early in the morning on Saturday”
Legs “What a stupid idea! Hey Lungs did ever here of such a stupid idea
Lungs “Actually yes. It was the same Brain that thought smoking for 30 years was a good idea. This one is only marginally better.”
Legs” Well for me that was easier and I have a mind to tell the pink sponge upstairs to put a cork in it” Feet chime in “Yeah us too, we ache constantly now”.
Lungs”Well smoking was not so great for me.”
Brain “Quiet all of you. If I do finish this I will feel STRONG and Positive about being one step closer to becoming a tri-athlete. I want to keep training so that other idea (becoming a Triathlete) does not appear totally misguided.”
Legs “That idea was totally misguided”
Lungs “That is true, there was very little evidence that being a Triathlete was a realistic goal.”
Feet “Yeah totally misguided!”
Brain” So what! I am running this circus and I say were doing this. We are all in it now so no turning back.”
Feet “Why not just stop”
Legs “yeah why not”
Lungs “Careful...doesn’t talk like that or you will get that stupid pink sponge to call Pride. If Pride gets involved we can all forget about any chance of stopping or any concern for our comfort level?”
Legs “True, Pride doesn’t play nice at all; he is just a dense dum dum.”
Feet “ Oh yeah I remember when pride made us walk 5 miles in dress shoes just to get home from a really stupid job that Brain got us into to begin with.
Brain” Did someone say Pride? I wonder how he has been lately I think I will give him a call…..”
In the end I learned that running in the rain is wet and wet clothes get heavy and not so comfortable. Good thing I was wearing my wick away shirt. Only thing touching me was water from the rain. The shirt wicked and wicked and no sweat remained.
I have been getting lots of good advice and it all sounds great. However none of the good advice helps my thighs or eases the sore feet. I ran in the rain for the first time and I thought it might make me feel tough or like a real runner. At first as I walked out to the road I felt like a rock star but then when I actually had to start running I only thought “My legs don’t want to do this”.
My brain still likes the idea but my brain doesn’t have to do any of the work. My lungs and my legs are the poor bastards doing the heavy lifting.
Here is what goes on in my head.
Brain “Hey lets go running early in the morning on Saturday”
Legs “What a stupid idea! Hey Lungs did ever here of such a stupid idea
Lungs “Actually yes. It was the same Brain that thought smoking for 30 years was a good idea. This one is only marginally better.”
Legs” Well for me that was easier and I have a mind to tell the pink sponge upstairs to put a cork in it” Feet chime in “Yeah us too, we ache constantly now”.
Lungs”Well smoking was not so great for me.”
Brain “Quiet all of you. If I do finish this I will feel STRONG and Positive about being one step closer to becoming a tri-athlete. I want to keep training so that other idea (becoming a Triathlete) does not appear totally misguided.”
Legs “That idea was totally misguided”
Lungs “That is true, there was very little evidence that being a Triathlete was a realistic goal.”
Feet “Yeah totally misguided!”
Brain” So what! I am running this circus and I say were doing this. We are all in it now so no turning back.”
Feet “Why not just stop”
Legs “yeah why not”
Lungs “Careful...doesn’t talk like that or you will get that stupid pink sponge to call Pride. If Pride gets involved we can all forget about any chance of stopping or any concern for our comfort level?”
Legs “True, Pride doesn’t play nice at all; he is just a dense dum dum.”
Feet “ Oh yeah I remember when pride made us walk 5 miles in dress shoes just to get home from a really stupid job that Brain got us into to begin with.
Brain” Did someone say Pride? I wonder how he has been lately I think I will give him a call…..”
In the end I learned that running in the rain is wet and wet clothes get heavy and not so comfortable. Good thing I was wearing my wick away shirt. Only thing touching me was water from the rain. The shirt wicked and wicked and no sweat remained.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Slow Starts lately
I am really struggling with getting up to do Yoga the last couple days. I just managed a couple Sun salutes this morning and that’s it. No matter how many times I get up early it never becomes easy.
I walked the stairs (1200) today and I dragged a friend along with me so I wouldn’t be the only sweaty stinky guy in the office, thanks Dan. It is easier to do when there is more people. I have been getting some advice from people more experienced and I hope these people realize how I (the unknowing) will sometimes take a piece of well intended advice and cling to it with all my hope. For example someone I won’t mention her name (V_L) said that I should feel better with the running after 3 weeks if I run 3 times a week. OKAY I will am on week two of only one day a week running so I am guessing it may take a little longer but I EXPECT to FEEL Better soon. If I don’t then I will complain a lot. I know it may seem like how is that possible? It is possible trust me .
My current plan is to run once a weekend (3 miles) then in October I am joining a athletic club so I can swim once a week. I heard another novice swim friend is up to 300 yards already and he has only been training a month or so.
Well I have decided to rest a couple days because my left knee hurts more than I think it should. Of course that describes a lot of my body parts right now.
I have noticed that coffee is really making me jittery a lot sooner than before. I think I am losing my tolerance for it. How strange is that.
Well Thursday is rest day and my feet and legs are still sore.
I walked the stairs (1200) today and I dragged a friend along with me so I wouldn’t be the only sweaty stinky guy in the office, thanks Dan. It is easier to do when there is more people. I have been getting some advice from people more experienced and I hope these people realize how I (the unknowing) will sometimes take a piece of well intended advice and cling to it with all my hope. For example someone I won’t mention her name (V_L) said that I should feel better with the running after 3 weeks if I run 3 times a week. OKAY I will am on week two of only one day a week running so I am guessing it may take a little longer but I EXPECT to FEEL Better soon. If I don’t then I will complain a lot. I know it may seem like how is that possible? It is possible trust me .
My current plan is to run once a weekend (3 miles) then in October I am joining a athletic club so I can swim once a week. I heard another novice swim friend is up to 300 yards already and he has only been training a month or so.
Well I have decided to rest a couple days because my left knee hurts more than I think it should. Of course that describes a lot of my body parts right now.
I have noticed that coffee is really making me jittery a lot sooner than before. I think I am losing my tolerance for it. How strange is that.
Well Thursday is rest day and my feet and legs are still sore.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Catch up
Where have I been ? In my delusional Narcacistic world I imagine there are thousands of followers out there waiting on baited breath for me to post. He he he I know you people might have thought this wild ride was over. Pah! Some of you might have suspected that I had already failed and called it quits. PAH I say! It is far from over. Just ask the fools who I used to go mountain bike riding with in San Diego. I don’t learn quickly and I am willing to subject myself to hours of un-enjoyment just to say I did! On one of the hell rides Ron led us on I was suffering from sun stroke and we had riden about 10 miles and were climbing this forest service road when I had to stop. I was pushing my bike up the sixth climbing switchback of Hell cursing away with the hate ray in full effect. When this 68 yr old lady out for a little stroll passed me going up the hill. No lie she was not moving at any kind of fast pace and I was still slower, in fact I think she past me twice on that trip, because the first time my pride made me get on the bike and push ahead of her. Then on the second pass I didn’t care because I was sure I was dying. It was rides like that which made me think riding was my strength. What was I thinking? Those rides were only fun after we stopped. Of course when we got tired out there in the San Diego Canyonlands the solution was simple, crash and then you could rest. I don’t think the road bike will be as easy to pull that maneuver on.
I just had a couple distractions recently that have taken my focus over the last couple days. Here is a quick summary recap of my progress since my last post.
Wednesday I managed a mile and half run despite only being allowed to drink clear liquids per the Dr’s orders. Let me just say it was not any easier this time. I decided to take my Chocolate Lab, “Mijo” with me thinking it would be good for him to run and maybe he could pull me up the hills. Well he pulled alright but not up the hills, always wide right. It took him half the run to figure out my pace for him was a trot not a full run. I only yelled “HEAL” at him 30 times which was to the end of the first block. After that I was too winded to care and he didn’t listen anyway because he was too busy searching for a ball. That is all he does when he is not licking me saying hello or sleeping on the couch.
Thursday had a date with a Dr and everything went good so I was rewarded with a nice Bacon Burger with Cheese and a Chocolate shake from Z’s drive in on Mukilteo Speedway. I recommend it 4 stars we have been there 4-5 times and it is consistently good.
Friday did Yoga and started Daddy weekend which is why I didn’t have the energy to write at all. I was too drained from chasing my boys around all day.
Saturday I took the boys to Grandma’s house for a visit (which for them is always a fan favorite) and I ran three miles on the school track. I really don’t like running on the flat traditional track because two times around the neighborhood seems a lot less than 12 times around the track. I did it in 40 minutes and that makes my time about 13.33 minutes a mile. Much better than the previously estimated 20 minutes a mile. That was a mistake because I thought I ran only two miles in 40 minutes but really it was 3 miles.
Sunday I did Yoga with Cobi (lots of Bangheadasana) and the boys and I went on Action Packed Sunday and I was pretty tired.
Monday I did steps (1200) and in memory of my co worker Andy who is moving on to bigger and better things I sprinted up the final two sets. This time I skipped every other step to work some other muscles. That it did. Owww I really felt it later in the evening and still feel it now.
Tuesday – Nothing at all (well I walked up from the Ferry dock and I decided that I would start walking up every day which is only a 10 minute walk but every little bit helps).
I am finding myself really cravying potato chips in the evenings but I have not given in to that temptation.
I weigh 204 pounds now and I find my 36 waist pants are requiring a belt to stay up. These are a couple good side effects. The bad effects are I am constantly sore and achey all over.
Oh yeah also it is almost the start of Football so I am spending large amounts of my time doing my research before my draft.
I just had a couple distractions recently that have taken my focus over the last couple days. Here is a quick summary recap of my progress since my last post.
Wednesday I managed a mile and half run despite only being allowed to drink clear liquids per the Dr’s orders. Let me just say it was not any easier this time. I decided to take my Chocolate Lab, “Mijo” with me thinking it would be good for him to run and maybe he could pull me up the hills. Well he pulled alright but not up the hills, always wide right. It took him half the run to figure out my pace for him was a trot not a full run. I only yelled “HEAL” at him 30 times which was to the end of the first block. After that I was too winded to care and he didn’t listen anyway because he was too busy searching for a ball. That is all he does when he is not licking me saying hello or sleeping on the couch.
Thursday had a date with a Dr and everything went good so I was rewarded with a nice Bacon Burger with Cheese and a Chocolate shake from Z’s drive in on Mukilteo Speedway. I recommend it 4 stars we have been there 4-5 times and it is consistently good.
Friday did Yoga and started Daddy weekend which is why I didn’t have the energy to write at all. I was too drained from chasing my boys around all day.
Saturday I took the boys to Grandma’s house for a visit (which for them is always a fan favorite) and I ran three miles on the school track. I really don’t like running on the flat traditional track because two times around the neighborhood seems a lot less than 12 times around the track. I did it in 40 minutes and that makes my time about 13.33 minutes a mile. Much better than the previously estimated 20 minutes a mile. That was a mistake because I thought I ran only two miles in 40 minutes but really it was 3 miles.
Sunday I did Yoga with Cobi (lots of Bangheadasana) and the boys and I went on Action Packed Sunday and I was pretty tired.
Monday I did steps (1200) and in memory of my co worker Andy who is moving on to bigger and better things I sprinted up the final two sets. This time I skipped every other step to work some other muscles. That it did. Owww I really felt it later in the evening and still feel it now.
Tuesday – Nothing at all (well I walked up from the Ferry dock and I decided that I would start walking up every day which is only a 10 minute walk but every little bit helps).
I am finding myself really cravying potato chips in the evenings but I have not given in to that temptation.
I weigh 204 pounds now and I find my 36 waist pants are requiring a belt to stay up. These are a couple good side effects. The bad effects are I am constantly sore and achey all over.
Oh yeah also it is almost the start of Football so I am spending large amounts of my time doing my research before my draft.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Today I am thanking all of you for your very generous support of my efforts. In all seriousness I have felt a huge wave of support and for that I thank you. Now which one of you likes to swim and looks sort of like me? he he he I am not sure if all of the support is the positive kind but I am a begger at the moment so I will not be a choser. I think I have two kinds of supporters: those that do these types of things and are giggling with glee that another poor soul has decended into the living hell they all frolick in. And those that know what sort of shape I am in and how high this mountain I am trying to climb really is and are just watching for the train wreck.
I don't care either way. I like attention no matter how it comes.
Some might say I am full of myself but I say "What else should I be full of ?"
If I am not for me who will be !
The internal dialoge I am fighting is my own unseen war against the negative self talk.
In my head are two mean monkeys. One the doughnut monkey who has appeared a little in my previous post. The second is the bigger badder monkey. Really it is better described as a gorilla named Smokey and he rattles around in my cage all the time. Smokey almost never shuts up, but when I am out stumbling down the road, or furiously pedalling to nowhere then I don't have anytime to listen to Smokey. Mostly because I am too concerned with not falling over and having some avian (Crow or Seagull) peck out my eyes and kidneys while I am still alive. That is a good thing.
I am also tired of wondering what I could be or might be capabale of. This is my chance to find out. If I get through this I am going to feel like IRON. "I AM IRON MAN" donnanonnanonna (heavy base guitar sound).
"Is he live or dead ? are there thoughts in his head" ...okay that was a little Ozzy Ozbourne for those that don't recognize it.
This is basically my way of saying I did not do much today. I did another day of Yoga and that makes 6 in a row.
It is funny how the adds change depending upon what I am talking about. He he he I just figured it out! I was wondering what prompted the Trojan add when I realized it must be all the talk about the Smith Tower looking like a specific part of the male anatomy. Damn Funny
So if I mentioned that Amanda told me Kathy told her your not a real runner until you have to poop in the woods I wonder what that will bring?
(Amanda wants it on record that she has yet to poop in the woods while running)
I don't care either way. I like attention no matter how it comes.
Some might say I am full of myself but I say "What else should I be full of ?"
If I am not for me who will be !
The internal dialoge I am fighting is my own unseen war against the negative self talk.
In my head are two mean monkeys. One the doughnut monkey who has appeared a little in my previous post. The second is the bigger badder monkey. Really it is better described as a gorilla named Smokey and he rattles around in my cage all the time. Smokey almost never shuts up, but when I am out stumbling down the road, or furiously pedalling to nowhere then I don't have anytime to listen to Smokey. Mostly because I am too concerned with not falling over and having some avian (Crow or Seagull) peck out my eyes and kidneys while I am still alive. That is a good thing.
I am also tired of wondering what I could be or might be capabale of. This is my chance to find out. If I get through this I am going to feel like IRON. "I AM IRON MAN" donnanonnanonna (heavy base guitar sound).
"Is he live or dead ? are there thoughts in his head" ...okay that was a little Ozzy Ozbourne for those that don't recognize it.
This is basically my way of saying I did not do much today. I did another day of Yoga and that makes 6 in a row.
It is funny how the adds change depending upon what I am talking about. He he he I just figured it out! I was wondering what prompted the Trojan add when I realized it must be all the talk about the Smith Tower looking like a specific part of the male anatomy. Damn Funny
So if I mentioned that Amanda told me Kathy told her your not a real runner until you have to poop in the woods I wonder what that will bring?
(Amanda wants it on record that she has yet to poop in the woods while running)
Monday, August 24, 2009
I am not Worthy
Today I walked the stairs (1200) and I continued my morning Yoga streak for the fifth day. Right now my legs are feeling like that time I tried to break a board over my thigh and it had a nail in it. Except this is time I feel it on the front of both legs and the side of my left leg. My shoulders and back are sore from that run and I am surprised it worked that area that much. I am trying to plan my routine and I am thinking about a spinning class once or twice a week, the stairs once or twice a week and a swim class once a week. I am a long way from there but it is easy to plan. Much harder when I actually have to do it. I did find an athletic club that has the spinning and swimming. I wonder if they would sponsor me? Hmmm I wonder who else might sponsor me. I am like that long long long shot at the horse races. I would only bet that I will finish not that I would be in the money. I will leave that to Jason (he he he like I have any choice) and Rik and the S.W.I.M. clan. Those athletes who at that level, that level being actual athletes and not wanna be’s. To those of you who can already do this. I idol all of you and I am not YET worthy. You are all far more masochistic then I can even imagine at this point. I have to build up my pain tolerance. The level of agony you can endure is inspirational to the point of delirium. A spectator in a wild insane moment of delirium at watching all of you cross the finish line might blurt out “Hey I want to do this.” At which point his loving wife might smile at him with a look like “Yeah right and your fences all have perfectly working gates.” At which point said spectator might become foolishly spiteful and say “I will do this next year” I will show her. Then extra foolishly said spectator in his wild delirium brought on by the electricity in the air might tell everyone he can that he is going to do it. Which proves the proverb “Fools Rush in” So I proved that much at least. But they don’t know that the last laugh will be mine because I am fooling myself more than anyone else. Ha! I am smart than I realize Ow.
Sunday No Run day
Ow is all I could think about today. I did manage to do some Yoga and I think I felt less ow after doing it. But man! Why do you people go do this repeatedly? I don’t know what is wrong with you something is very very WRONG with you! I am very sore and the idea that I would go out and do this again is insane. If I go run-walk for 2 miles next week would I get a different result? NO I wouldn’t. It will hurt just as much as this week. So explain to me again where the fun part is? The camaraderie I get but couldn’t we get that over a game of pool or a night of cards? I am thinking we could. Well I am seeing another level of my own foolishness because I am going to follow through with this. But when I am done at the finish line having my box of doughnuts I will be giving a lecture on other ways to have fun. You runner people need some new ideas and I think I can help. Sunday is rest day I did get 8 hours sleep last night which I heard is important to building muscle. I am planning on trying at least one night a weekend getting 8 hours since I do not get that during the week. I did buy a swim suit at REI that Amanda says will help (probably as good as the shoes helped). Now I only have that fun experience to look forward too. Well I believe if someone is crazy enough to tightrope walk between the World trade center towers at the top, then I am crazy enough to complete this Triathlon. I watched the documentary “Man on Wire” last night. Amanda had to leave because the guy annoyed her too much. This proves I am not the most foolish man ever. Just a really out of shape one.
Return of the Hate Ray.
Let me explain something before I begin. The Hate Ray is a term a friend of mine coined when we worked together on the “front lines” providing technical support. It refers to something that goes on in my face/ attitude when I get to do something I am really not enjoying and I can see no way out of it. What happens is I become like a Cylon warrior from the old Battle star Galatica television show. My eyes roll back into my skull and a red light roams from side to side across my forehead until it fixates on a target. Once it acquires a target what spews from my mouth is a combination of complaints and curses best described as a cross between Yosemite Sam and Sam Kinison with a touch of Terrets syndrome.
So Saturday I am going on my first run and I have my new sparkly shoes on “The Silver Streaks”. I check the time and it is 12:11 I wave to the wife and kids with a big smile and promise the dog I will take him next time. As I walk out to the starting point (which I decide should be at the end of my dead end road) mostly because I am not sure I can make it that far and how deflating would it be if Brian and Stephanie have to call Amanda because I have passed out from exhaustion less than 100 yards from my door. Or equally deflating would be to be out of breath right in front of their house and they would know how lame of a runner I am. So I walk out and I see them in their garden and I wave smiling because I made the right choice. I walk to the end of the road where I decided to start then I look at my shoes? Okay shoes let’s do it? Nothing happens. I think my shoes must be defective. These shoes are not going to do it for me? Lame I paid good money for these shoes! Fine I’ll do it myself then!
Off I go running down hill and I make it just a little ways (a block and a half) before I have to walk because I am so winded. The neighbor’s dog is barking at me and trotting towards me (at this point he probably sees me and thinks I look more like a wounded herd animal than a Triathlete in training). I reach the corner and begin to jog (a happy little Spring Bok frolicking thru the Savannah) oh this isn’t so bad I might be able to do this to that next telephone pole. After reaching the pole I am again heaving and winded and walking on starting to wonder why anyone in the world would keep doing this. I reach the corner and in front of me is a hill. What’s this? Just as I am getting tired this running thing is getting harder! This is pure punishment from the GODS above who have taken a personnel interest in me just like they did to the Greeks in the Odyssey.
On I run up the hill another couple telephone poles. Now this is getting bad, the woods are no longer pretty, and I am foaming at the mouth. I think here is when my eyes begin to roll back inside my skull and my HATE ray begins scanning for targets. Of course I am out in the pastoral countryside with nothing but nature to look at so I have no targets. I begin to feed on my own thoughts then fixate on how I got here and whom I should blame. I am running through my “Blame Storm” as I turn the corner again and jog another two telephone poles, reduced to walking again because of another tiny hill and I am so winded I can’t even spit right! I think of all of you who have ever said they enjoy this. All of you who ever told me it was fun. All of YOU who encouraged me to participate in this insane hellish activity. LIES! It was all LIES! Now I am marooned out here with no one to blame but my gullible self. AAAHHHHHHHH the horror of it all. I reach the top of the next hill and now the road goes down. Maybe I can? I am filled with renewed hope. I prance like a the young Spring Bok heading down the hill with a surge of energy. I can’t imagine going around twice or ever being able to run for a whole mile but for this brief down hill slope I am FREEEEEEEEE. I make it three telephone poles but I am sucking wind so bad they can probably here me at the ferry dock. I walk to the next corner and now I am on the street I started about two blocks from my dead end street. I try to run 50 yards and then I have to walk again. I reach the street home and what! What is am doing? I pass by and begin this entire mile circuit again. I am such a fool, what is my problem? Am I becoming a demon like these other people I know. As much as I hate it I really do want to cross the finish line before dark. I have this part of me that will not let me stop. I am wondering what my body will do before it internally combust.
2nd mile was a constant battle with my own self doubt and disbelief. It went something like this.
“You’ll never make it” but I kept going “You can’t run another step” but I hobble on looking like a wounded monkey from the “Watering hole special”.
“Your leg is going to come unhinged and fall off” I mange to make it the the next turn and around another corner.
“You chest will explode” walk a little more .“Your chest will implode” jog 30 yards with my legs screaming at me.
Make it in the front door at 12:51.
For today I have to be happy knowing this is the most running I have done is 28 years.
20 minute miles are probably not going to work. 60 minutes for the swim + 120 minutes for the Bike + 80 minutes for the run = 260 minutes which is 4 hours 20 minutes.
There is no light at the end of my tunnel.
So Saturday I am going on my first run and I have my new sparkly shoes on “The Silver Streaks”. I check the time and it is 12:11 I wave to the wife and kids with a big smile and promise the dog I will take him next time. As I walk out to the starting point (which I decide should be at the end of my dead end road) mostly because I am not sure I can make it that far and how deflating would it be if Brian and Stephanie have to call Amanda because I have passed out from exhaustion less than 100 yards from my door. Or equally deflating would be to be out of breath right in front of their house and they would know how lame of a runner I am. So I walk out and I see them in their garden and I wave smiling because I made the right choice. I walk to the end of the road where I decided to start then I look at my shoes? Okay shoes let’s do it? Nothing happens. I think my shoes must be defective. These shoes are not going to do it for me? Lame I paid good money for these shoes! Fine I’ll do it myself then!
Off I go running down hill and I make it just a little ways (a block and a half) before I have to walk because I am so winded. The neighbor’s dog is barking at me and trotting towards me (at this point he probably sees me and thinks I look more like a wounded herd animal than a Triathlete in training). I reach the corner and begin to jog (a happy little Spring Bok frolicking thru the Savannah) oh this isn’t so bad I might be able to do this to that next telephone pole. After reaching the pole I am again heaving and winded and walking on starting to wonder why anyone in the world would keep doing this. I reach the corner and in front of me is a hill. What’s this? Just as I am getting tired this running thing is getting harder! This is pure punishment from the GODS above who have taken a personnel interest in me just like they did to the Greeks in the Odyssey.
On I run up the hill another couple telephone poles. Now this is getting bad, the woods are no longer pretty, and I am foaming at the mouth. I think here is when my eyes begin to roll back inside my skull and my HATE ray begins scanning for targets. Of course I am out in the pastoral countryside with nothing but nature to look at so I have no targets. I begin to feed on my own thoughts then fixate on how I got here and whom I should blame. I am running through my “Blame Storm” as I turn the corner again and jog another two telephone poles, reduced to walking again because of another tiny hill and I am so winded I can’t even spit right! I think of all of you who have ever said they enjoy this. All of you who ever told me it was fun. All of YOU who encouraged me to participate in this insane hellish activity. LIES! It was all LIES! Now I am marooned out here with no one to blame but my gullible self. AAAHHHHHHHH the horror of it all. I reach the top of the next hill and now the road goes down. Maybe I can? I am filled with renewed hope. I prance like a the young Spring Bok heading down the hill with a surge of energy. I can’t imagine going around twice or ever being able to run for a whole mile but for this brief down hill slope I am FREEEEEEEEE. I make it three telephone poles but I am sucking wind so bad they can probably here me at the ferry dock. I walk to the next corner and now I am on the street I started about two blocks from my dead end street. I try to run 50 yards and then I have to walk again. I reach the street home and what! What is am doing? I pass by and begin this entire mile circuit again. I am such a fool, what is my problem? Am I becoming a demon like these other people I know. As much as I hate it I really do want to cross the finish line before dark. I have this part of me that will not let me stop. I am wondering what my body will do before it internally combust.
2nd mile was a constant battle with my own self doubt and disbelief. It went something like this.
“You’ll never make it” but I kept going “You can’t run another step” but I hobble on looking like a wounded monkey from the “Watering hole special”.
“Your leg is going to come unhinged and fall off” I mange to make it the the next turn and around another corner.
“You chest will explode” walk a little more .“Your chest will implode” jog 30 yards with my legs screaming at me.
Make it in the front door at 12:51.
For today I have to be happy knowing this is the most running I have done is 28 years.
20 minute miles are probably not going to work. 60 minutes for the swim + 120 minutes for the Bike + 80 minutes for the run = 260 minutes which is 4 hours 20 minutes.
There is no light at the end of my tunnel.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Am I Golem?
Why can’t doughnuts be a part of Triathlete training? I want my precious doughnuts, my one Ring. OOOOOooooooooooo my precious! We wants it, we takes it
One Doughnut to Rule them all (based upon the Tolkien poem)
Three Doughnuts for the Coffee-kings we all drive by.
Seven for the Tech-lords speaking a language all their own.
Nine for Average Men just walking by.
One for the Doughnut Lord on his dark throne.
In the Land of SeaTac where the deep fryers lie.
One doughnut to rule them all, One doughnut to find them.
One doughnut to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In the Land of SeaTac where the deep fryers lie.
Okay so maybe I am a little obsessed with these tasty treats? But gosh darn it Ma they sure are good.
I will walk extra steps today just to burn off the two I might have had today. I am not saying I did eat them and I am not saying I didn’t eat them. I am just saying that if you ate one right now it would probably taste sweet and yummy. For me if you ever saw the movie Night at the Museum. There is this one part that is identical to what goes on in my head as I walk from the train to my office. It sounds like this “DUMB DUMB WANTS YUM YUM! And it is so primal that I really can’t resist that internal command. Do you know how it feels? It is like my will power crumbles at that thought. Let me just tell you that if I was writing the Blog of how to go from Triathlete to CP then these little culinary jewels would be a very large part of it. Don’t you want a doughnut just reading this? Think of your favorite doughnut. Apple Fritter, White Cake, Maple Bar, Bear Claw, Raspberry filled, Old Fashioned, Cinnamon Twist MMMMmmmmmm good thought. I like that kind too.
ENOUGH! Seriously man get a hold of yourself!
I did my Yoga this morning and I did Stairs today but I would like to offer a comparison that I cannot help but make because I live with her. As a marker for what I will need to do to become a real Triathlete here is what my wonderful wife did this week:
Sunday – Ran Hills (est. 60 min)
Monday – Yoga 1.5 hours
Tuesday – Yoga 1 hour / Run 4 miles / Bike 14 miles
Wed – Swim 2 miles (60 min)
Thursday – Yoga 2 hours / Run 4 miles Friday - resting
Hmmm………….. here is what I have done in the same time frame.
Sunday – Bike 6.5 miles
Monday – Yoga (30 min) drove the car 60 miles (that made my arse sore)
Tuesday – where did that day go? Oh yeah the boys left it out back so I missed it.
Wed –Walk Stairs (30 min) / Picked Blackberry’s (don’t laugh lots of reaching involved)
Thursday - Yoga (30 min)
Friday -Yoga (30 min) / Stairs (30 min)
Okay SOOooooo I think we all can tell that I have some room to grow but that’s okay. I am okay with myself today. I am smart enough! I am good enough and gosh darn it people lick me…like me! (Well my dog licks me to show how much he likes me).
Anyway this weekend I will try to RUN for the first time which does not sound very fun. I guess I have put it off long enough. You do have to actually run in order to train for running. Yeah so I will let you know how that goes
One Doughnut to Rule them all (based upon the Tolkien poem)
Three Doughnuts for the Coffee-kings we all drive by.
Seven for the Tech-lords speaking a language all their own.
Nine for Average Men just walking by.
One for the Doughnut Lord on his dark throne.
In the Land of SeaTac where the deep fryers lie.
One doughnut to rule them all, One doughnut to find them.
One doughnut to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In the Land of SeaTac where the deep fryers lie.
Okay so maybe I am a little obsessed with these tasty treats? But gosh darn it Ma they sure are good.
I will walk extra steps today just to burn off the two I might have had today. I am not saying I did eat them and I am not saying I didn’t eat them. I am just saying that if you ate one right now it would probably taste sweet and yummy. For me if you ever saw the movie Night at the Museum. There is this one part that is identical to what goes on in my head as I walk from the train to my office. It sounds like this “DUMB DUMB WANTS YUM YUM! And it is so primal that I really can’t resist that internal command. Do you know how it feels? It is like my will power crumbles at that thought. Let me just tell you that if I was writing the Blog of how to go from Triathlete to CP then these little culinary jewels would be a very large part of it. Don’t you want a doughnut just reading this? Think of your favorite doughnut. Apple Fritter, White Cake, Maple Bar, Bear Claw, Raspberry filled, Old Fashioned, Cinnamon Twist MMMMmmmmmm good thought. I like that kind too.
ENOUGH! Seriously man get a hold of yourself!
I did my Yoga this morning and I did Stairs today but I would like to offer a comparison that I cannot help but make because I live with her. As a marker for what I will need to do to become a real Triathlete here is what my wonderful wife did this week:
Sunday – Ran Hills (est. 60 min)
Monday – Yoga 1.5 hours
Tuesday – Yoga 1 hour / Run 4 miles / Bike 14 miles
Wed – Swim 2 miles (60 min)
Thursday – Yoga 2 hours / Run 4 miles Friday - resting
Hmmm………….. here is what I have done in the same time frame.
Sunday – Bike 6.5 miles
Monday – Yoga (30 min) drove the car 60 miles (that made my arse sore)
Tuesday – where did that day go? Oh yeah the boys left it out back so I missed it.
Wed –Walk Stairs (30 min) / Picked Blackberry’s (don’t laugh lots of reaching involved)
Thursday - Yoga (30 min)
Friday -Yoga (30 min) / Stairs (30 min)
Okay SOOooooo I think we all can tell that I have some room to grow but that’s okay. I am okay with myself today. I am smart enough! I am good enough and gosh darn it people lick me…like me! (Well my dog licks me to show how much he likes me).
Anyway this weekend I will try to RUN for the first time which does not sound very fun. I guess I have put it off long enough. You do have to actually run in order to train for running. Yeah so I will let you know how that goes
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Little Victories
Wahoo I did it. I got up when the Hell spawn alarm went off and I did my personalized Yoga routine (thank you honey) for 30 minutes and then began my day. When I do exercise in the morning (all 4 times I have ever done it) I think work seems more like a part of the day instead of the entire day. I also find it easier to get the exercise done in the morning so I can proceed with my day. Which of course means I still dread exercise which also means I am still more CP than Big T.
Today I am sore in my feet and legs and I have a little Gout attack going on which pisses me off because I am taking daily meds for that. I hate taking daily meds. This blog may not seem that centered on exercise but give it time. I am working my way up to it. It is only day 19 and I have 346 days left. I am getting great response from friends and it totally motivates me to write more. Which in turn forces me to exercise in order to have something to write about. Which means ITS WORKING, I am completely fooling myself, man I am gullible and slow in the head. I am grateful that I am so foolable and I hope I remain so.
Today I am sore in my feet and legs and I have a little Gout attack going on which pisses me off because I am taking daily meds for that. I hate taking daily meds. This blog may not seem that centered on exercise but give it time. I am working my way up to it. It is only day 19 and I have 346 days left. I am getting great response from friends and it totally motivates me to write more. Which in turn forces me to exercise in order to have something to write about. Which means ITS WORKING, I am completely fooling myself, man I am gullible and slow in the head. I am grateful that I am so foolable and I hope I remain so.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Late Night gotta write
Wed
Okay this needs to be quick I am getting up early to do yoga in less than 6 hours.
Here is the Daily Yoga Routine
1. Sun Salutes (5 per side)
2. Warrior Series (optional if I have time)
3. Forward Bend
4. Triangle (I really really hate this pose)
5. From the back:
5.a. passive side to side then stay & twist
5.b. Active side to side (core which means I will hate it)
5.c.Bike (more core still hate it)
5.d.Boat (Core again and I still hate core)
6. Cobra
7. Cat & moving Cat
8 Pigeon or Thread the needle (optional)
9. Savasana with legs on the wall to help loosen hamstrings. (my hammy's are very tight)
I walked the steps today (Quest Field 40 steps times 28 times) and I really noticed when you are at the steps turn and look North into downtown and you will see the Smith Tower. I is obvious which on I am talking about because when you see it you will have to agree it resembles a mans penis. I mean really this building is so falic it unbelievable and yet there it is every time people leave the stadium they have to notice it. Don't worry it is a historic building so it will be there the next time you are at Quest Field. If I offended anyone I promise to not rant on about this in future post. But it is right there it is impossible not to see it.
Okay 10:28 which is way to late.
Okay this needs to be quick I am getting up early to do yoga in less than 6 hours.
Here is the Daily Yoga Routine
1. Sun Salutes (5 per side)
2. Warrior Series (optional if I have time)
3. Forward Bend
4. Triangle (I really really hate this pose)
5. From the back:
5.a. passive side to side then stay & twist
5.b. Active side to side (core which means I will hate it)
5.c.Bike (more core still hate it)
5.d.Boat (Core again and I still hate core)
6. Cobra
7. Cat & moving Cat
8 Pigeon or Thread the needle (optional)
9. Savasana with legs on the wall to help loosen hamstrings. (my hammy's are very tight)
I walked the steps today (Quest Field 40 steps times 28 times) and I really noticed when you are at the steps turn and look North into downtown and you will see the Smith Tower. I is obvious which on I am talking about because when you see it you will have to agree it resembles a mans penis. I mean really this building is so falic it unbelievable and yet there it is every time people leave the stadium they have to notice it. Don't worry it is a historic building so it will be there the next time you are at Quest Field. If I offended anyone I promise to not rant on about this in future post. But it is right there it is impossible not to see it.
Okay 10:28 which is way to late.
Tuesday & the Torture device
Tuesday is rest day because it is Boys night and well, that is good enough reason for me. I was going to get up and do Yoga at 4:00 am however that did not happen. I did set the alarm and successfully hit snooze 3 times and get up at 4:27. Nine minutes is my snooze button. Seems like a tortuous number that allows you to fall back asleep just enough to be twice as tired the next time you wake up. This creates the vicious snooze revenge cycle where each time one wakes up the evil hell spawned alarm needs to be whacked harder. Then you sleep for 9 more minutes and wake up and WHACK! As you drift to sleep you smile thinking how strong you are and that You are the master and the alarm is the machine. Until finally the alarm plays dirty and this time when it goes off. BEEP BEEP BEEP in the most annoying pitch ever you Whack IT but just as fast the wife Whacks you in the head. Now you are the odd man out and in a moment the chocolate lab sneak attacks with the happy stinky dog breath lick to the face catching you in mid yawn and you give in and give up and roll out of bed. On the way to the dog food you are considering which part of your body is more creaky when you meet little one in the hall "Can't find my baby". You send him to mommy's bed while you promise to find Blue baby. Okay so you slip into the room grab his baby which was right next to him before he came into the hall. You are trying not to wake his brother and of course your two hungry dogs follow you whacking the walls with their god blessed 100 pound tails. You make it out of the room, return to feeding the happy hairy beast who are so excited just because you got up they have to snort and wiggle into every piece of furniture on the way to the door. Finally you herd them outside (hold onto Lulu so she doesn't chase the rabbits) coral them into their yard, feed them and make it back to the room. Delivering Blue Baby to the young one in your bed when you notice the wife cuddles up to him no problem. She doesn't tell him to get up and go to work. They will sleep for another 3 to 3 and half hours. Good thing I'm not bitter I just blame it all on the alarm.
This was going to be a quick post he he he
This was going to be a quick post he he he
Monday Revalations
Leasson learned from Sunday’s bike ride: Eating is good before working out. However, a Corn Dog, Fries and a Funnel Cake is not so good before a 6 mile bike ride in the hot sun. The point I decided this was just after the Rolling Hill Rd. hill when my whole body began sweating. It was like when you have the flu (where your elbows and eyebrows sweat) and then the gliding down with the wind chilling that sweat adding to the light headedness and disorientation along comes the thought of hurling. With that thought the memory of all that good greasy food and I almost lost it.
Today I eliminated one of my “get out of Jail Free” cards by going and buying a pair of running shoes. We went to the shoe store (Super Jock and Jill) in Green lake where they made me run up and down the block like 5 times. That is supposed to help me feel the shoes for the right fit. My right fitting shoe would run the race for me. No matter how hard I looked they did not have a pair that would do the run for me. So I bought the next best thing “Silver Streak Sneakers!” They make them special for CP’s so they have lots of cushion and my feet don’t roll off the sides. The sales lady was helpful (except she was too happy about running) and I bought 3 pairs or new running socks that the sales lady called “tweeners” which is some special running lingo that I have yet to learn. All this running tired me out and I already asked Amanda to help my design a Yoga series for my daily practice. I could not back out of that and face the wrath of Yoga Teacher.
So we prepared a daily routine which will be
Sun Salutations
forward bends
Warrior Series (optional)
Triangle
Running wheels (this is not a real yoga move just Amanda's form of torturing me)
Twist
and some other s I can not remember off the top of my head.
The important thing to point ouit here is that I am Amazed at how my wife makes these moves look easy. Watching her do these things I think "Oh yeah I can do that no problem" Then I try to get into the position and halfway there I am stuck. My legs and arms are no longer willing to perform what my brain is trying to tell them to.
I also get easily distracted because Cobi has decided to help intruct me. The kid can do more of these than I can. My favorite move he made up is "BonkHeadasana"
Today I eliminated one of my “get out of Jail Free” cards by going and buying a pair of running shoes. We went to the shoe store (Super Jock and Jill) in Green lake where they made me run up and down the block like 5 times. That is supposed to help me feel the shoes for the right fit. My right fitting shoe would run the race for me. No matter how hard I looked they did not have a pair that would do the run for me. So I bought the next best thing “Silver Streak Sneakers!” They make them special for CP’s so they have lots of cushion and my feet don’t roll off the sides. The sales lady was helpful (except she was too happy about running) and I bought 3 pairs or new running socks that the sales lady called “tweeners” which is some special running lingo that I have yet to learn. All this running tired me out and I already asked Amanda to help my design a Yoga series for my daily practice. I could not back out of that and face the wrath of Yoga Teacher.
So we prepared a daily routine which will be
Sun Salutations
forward bends
Warrior Series (optional)
Triangle
Running wheels (this is not a real yoga move just Amanda's form of torturing me)
Twist
and some other s I can not remember off the top of my head.
The important thing to point ouit here is that I am Amazed at how my wife makes these moves look easy. Watching her do these things I think "Oh yeah I can do that no problem" Then I try to get into the position and halfway there I am stuck. My legs and arms are no longer willing to perform what my brain is trying to tell them to.
I also get easily distracted because Cobi has decided to help intruct me. The kid can do more of these than I can. My favorite move he made up is "BonkHeadasana"
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Where the rubber meets the road.
Today I trained on the bike which I have been saying is my “Strength”. Now I recognize that something can be your strength and you can still suck at it. It took me 38 minutes to ride 6 and half miles with only a couple small hills. My little goals were to pedal the entire time and not have to get off the bike. I did not think I could stay on the bike for the last hill which about 40 yards long and what I would call steep I did manage to stay on the hill and then after the top I began to not feel so good. A little light headed and sick to my stomach. The next small incline became a hold back the acid you sort of get in the back of you throat. Then I turned the corner and only had 100 yards to go. I wobbled the last flat road expecting to hurl at any moment just trying to get to the driveway and complete the ride. I made it half way up the drive way sure I flopped onto the grass AHHHHHH. The world stopped swaying and I felt a little better. Five minutes later I was able to stand.
I can not tell if I am just horribly out of shape or pushing myself to hard. Either way I did have this thought about halfway through “Exercise is hard” and then came the next great revelation “Exercise is tiring”. I think the biggest realization was “I like blogging about exercise a lot more than doing the exercise”.
As I talk about doing this Triathlon my excuses keep drying up and getting wiped away. I was talking with Julie (a friend I work with) on the train home Friday night and she told me of a pool that was downtown. She says the membership fee isn’t expensive. That killed my swimming is too expensive excuse (because Island Athletic charges too much). Then on Saturday I met up with a group of old friends and one of the first conversations I had is with Angela. We started talking about how much we both hate running and both have become non-smokers. She mentioned that even though she hates it she is working running into her daily life.
This sort of spontaneous meeting of people who are also transforming themselves by adding exercise is wiping away any excuse that “Nobody understands” or that “I am all alone” in my efforts to add exercise into a sedentary life.
I can not tell if I am just horribly out of shape or pushing myself to hard. Either way I did have this thought about halfway through “Exercise is hard” and then came the next great revelation “Exercise is tiring”. I think the biggest realization was “I like blogging about exercise a lot more than doing the exercise”.
As I talk about doing this Triathlon my excuses keep drying up and getting wiped away. I was talking with Julie (a friend I work with) on the train home Friday night and she told me of a pool that was downtown. She says the membership fee isn’t expensive. That killed my swimming is too expensive excuse (because Island Athletic charges too much). Then on Saturday I met up with a group of old friends and one of the first conversations I had is with Angela. We started talking about how much we both hate running and both have become non-smokers. She mentioned that even though she hates it she is working running into her daily life.
This sort of spontaneous meeting of people who are also transforming themselves by adding exercise is wiping away any excuse that “Nobody understands” or that “I am all alone” in my efforts to add exercise into a sedentary life.
Friday, August 14, 2009
A whole different level.
I was talking to my cousin who runs marathons. She is preparing for one in Portland and she is going to run 21 miles this weekend as practice. Shhh Now that is a whole other level! Wow is all I can say. Wow and good luck on your marathon you Iron Momma. I am dedicating this post to AWE of that whole other level.
AIM (April the Iron Momma) speaks to me about how when you add the extra 5 miles your legs become more tired. I look at her with wide eyes and nod my head (as if!) As if I have any idea what that is like? Someday. Someday I might have a little peek into that experience. When I run and train for this I only intend on running 4 miles. Not 4 miles and a little more. NO, 4 miles then sit down. That is my plan. At least for today while I am on the uphill side of the transition between Couch Potato and Triathlete. Maybe when I am a little more on the other side I will change that plan. But Not-a-now Anyway.
That makes me think if I were writing this blog for the transition the other way it would be a lot less work for me. Hmmmmm.... to transform from Triathlete to Couch Potato? I wouldn’t even need new shoes to make that transition. Ah but see there is the rub, I have to become a Triathlete BEFORE I can transform.
Amanda mentioned she read somewhere that you wear out your running shoes about every 6 months. Hmm I thought about that and realized I haven’t had new day to day shoes in about 2 years. Might be why my feet are sore after the stairs? Anyway I never think to myself “hey lets go shopping for shoes”. What I think of those types of things I think of “Hey lets go buy some wood.”” The result is I don’t buy new shoes unless my wife notices how worn out they are and smacks me upside the head saying “Buy some new Shoes.” Since the boys came along my wife does not really notice how I dress anymore. This is a fact that is sometimes good and sometimes bad. So if you see my haircut (I do them myself I posted the pictures on Face book to prove it) and some in the back is longer than the rest that would be because Amanda said “Looks great” while half dragging half carrying the two little gropers to the car sp we could only be slightly late.
I did walk the Quest field Stairmaster (30 times = 2000 stairs) today. I am hoping to work in some Yoga this weekend. I can hear the Elephant ears at the Island County fair calling me. They’re not doughnuts just deep fried dough with powdered sugar. Crap I guess they are close cousins to the doughnut: (
AIM (April the Iron Momma) speaks to me about how when you add the extra 5 miles your legs become more tired. I look at her with wide eyes and nod my head (as if!) As if I have any idea what that is like? Someday. Someday I might have a little peek into that experience. When I run and train for this I only intend on running 4 miles. Not 4 miles and a little more. NO, 4 miles then sit down. That is my plan. At least for today while I am on the uphill side of the transition between Couch Potato and Triathlete. Maybe when I am a little more on the other side I will change that plan. But Not-a-now Anyway.
That makes me think if I were writing this blog for the transition the other way it would be a lot less work for me. Hmmmmm.... to transform from Triathlete to Couch Potato? I wouldn’t even need new shoes to make that transition. Ah but see there is the rub, I have to become a Triathlete BEFORE I can transform.
Amanda mentioned she read somewhere that you wear out your running shoes about every 6 months. Hmm I thought about that and realized I haven’t had new day to day shoes in about 2 years. Might be why my feet are sore after the stairs? Anyway I never think to myself “hey lets go shopping for shoes”. What I think of those types of things I think of “Hey lets go buy some wood.”” The result is I don’t buy new shoes unless my wife notices how worn out they are and smacks me upside the head saying “Buy some new Shoes.” Since the boys came along my wife does not really notice how I dress anymore. This is a fact that is sometimes good and sometimes bad. So if you see my haircut (I do them myself I posted the pictures on Face book to prove it) and some in the back is longer than the rest that would be because Amanda said “Looks great” while half dragging half carrying the two little gropers to the car sp we could only be slightly late.
I did walk the Quest field Stairmaster (30 times = 2000 stairs) today. I am hoping to work in some Yoga this weekend. I can hear the Elephant ears at the Island County fair calling me. They’re not doughnuts just deep fried dough with powdered sugar. Crap I guess they are close cousins to the doughnut: (
Big City
As some of you may know I work in the Big Emerald City, and things are not always pretty in the big city. I mean my bother-in-law David who lives in the Big Apple might understand. I know my soon to be sister-in-law Kim who is from Chicago would definitely understand.
I am talking about the big city doughnut pushers who are always on the streets and you try to avoid them but sometimes you can’t help it. You just heading to work and you come face to face with one. What can you do? When someone like “Joey Bag o Doughnuts” is in your face and says buy this glazed doughnut and eat it or else! It is a scary experience. I am just trying to make it too work two blocks away and I am confronted with this every day.
I might be coming off the train and someone is like “Here is a maple bar. Just take it”.
Or on the sidewalk people yell at you “Hey! What’s the matter you don’t like this cinnamon doughnut? YOU TO GOOD TO eat this doughnut? “
“You think you’re better than this icy twist?” “Just have one little cake doughnut. One is not going to hurt you.”
This is what I bravely face ALONE every day. It’s a cold place, the heart of the Emerald City and if you don’t watch your back the Doughnut pushers will get to you. I know it has happened to me!
I know you might find this hard to believe but I have succumbed to the pressure (once or twice or three times). And where are the Police? They see it! They have to know it happens as they ride around on their bikes without ever stopping. They don’t want anyone to be able to ride bikes as well as they can! Think about it people ….they don’t care because they have a stake in it….They started the craze and now where all they? You don’t see the cops in the doughnut shops anymore these days. See! They created the problem by supporting these dens of temptation for years. Now that these places are firmly established and they are leaving the rest of us out on our own. Where are the police now, they’re at Starbucks and you watch soon there will be a Starbucks on every cor……HA! Now you see I am right.
So when I tell you that I just had to have that doughnut this morning well now you will understand. It’s so hard but someone has to walk these streets of temptation.
Oh yeah I think I will probable need to walk 4000 steps to burn off that one doughnut.
But it taste so good. Yummm I am leaving a little piece of frosting stuck in my goatee near the corner of my mouth. This is so I can have it later on and all I will have to do is whip out my tongue to the left and then yum yum.
Still about 97% CP and maybe 1% Triathlete with 2% undecided.
I am talking about the big city doughnut pushers who are always on the streets and you try to avoid them but sometimes you can’t help it. You just heading to work and you come face to face with one. What can you do? When someone like “Joey Bag o Doughnuts” is in your face and says buy this glazed doughnut and eat it or else! It is a scary experience. I am just trying to make it too work two blocks away and I am confronted with this every day.
I might be coming off the train and someone is like “Here is a maple bar. Just take it”.
Or on the sidewalk people yell at you “Hey! What’s the matter you don’t like this cinnamon doughnut? YOU TO GOOD TO eat this doughnut? “
“You think you’re better than this icy twist?” “Just have one little cake doughnut. One is not going to hurt you.”
This is what I bravely face ALONE every day. It’s a cold place, the heart of the Emerald City and if you don’t watch your back the Doughnut pushers will get to you. I know it has happened to me!
I know you might find this hard to believe but I have succumbed to the pressure (once or twice or three times). And where are the Police? They see it! They have to know it happens as they ride around on their bikes without ever stopping. They don’t want anyone to be able to ride bikes as well as they can! Think about it people ….they don’t care because they have a stake in it….They started the craze and now where all they? You don’t see the cops in the doughnut shops anymore these days. See! They created the problem by supporting these dens of temptation for years. Now that these places are firmly established and they are leaving the rest of us out on our own. Where are the police now, they’re at Starbucks and you watch soon there will be a Starbucks on every cor……HA! Now you see I am right.
So when I tell you that I just had to have that doughnut this morning well now you will understand. It’s so hard but someone has to walk these streets of temptation.
Oh yeah I think I will probable need to walk 4000 steps to burn off that one doughnut.
But it taste so good. Yummm I am leaving a little piece of frosting stuck in my goatee near the corner of my mouth. This is so I can have it later on and all I will have to do is whip out my tongue to the left and then yum yum.
Still about 97% CP and maybe 1% Triathlete with 2% undecided.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
This is absurd
I am referring to this definition of absurd = ludicrous: ridiculous because of being irrational, incongruous, or illogical.
The mind is a funny computer that spits out answers no matter how absurd the question is. So if I ask it “What will my times be when I succeed? Or, how will I feel when I cross the finish line? My mind will find an answer. The answer is not the important part. The question is the important part. The mind doesn’t care if the answer makes any logical sense. The mind is task oriented and once it has an answer it moves on to the next question. So I am practicing feeding my mind the right questions. Also my legs are sore and tired and my feet hurt (must be the shoes).
In addition to this mental reprogramming inside my head there is a war between two little men 1. Mr. Enthusiasm (call Mr. E) who says “Yeah go for it try something you have never tried!” “You can do it” and his rival 2. Mr. Sarcasm (call Mr. S) “If you fail at this you will look really stupid” “You are going to write this in public and let others see you efforts.” “Pah you’re only capable of what you have done before.”
Mr. E says “This is your life! The time is NOW! The only time we are alive is in the Present moment. Seize it Damn it!”
Mr. S says “smoking is easier, and you have always been good at that“
Mr. E says, “Let’s take Mr. S out to the woods and leave him there”
Mr. E and I are going to cross that finish line. I can write this book anyway I want to, it’s my book, and it’s my life. I can do this because I say I can.
Amanda did it.
Jason and Kathy did it.
Molly did it.
Val’s brother did it.
Aaron did it.
Candice and Sarah did it
Heather did it.
I can do it.
For me to do this is absurd. But it is also very possible and with the support of the poeple around me and lots of work I can do this.
The mind is a funny computer that spits out answers no matter how absurd the question is. So if I ask it “What will my times be when I succeed? Or, how will I feel when I cross the finish line? My mind will find an answer. The answer is not the important part. The question is the important part. The mind doesn’t care if the answer makes any logical sense. The mind is task oriented and once it has an answer it moves on to the next question. So I am practicing feeding my mind the right questions. Also my legs are sore and tired and my feet hurt (must be the shoes).
In addition to this mental reprogramming inside my head there is a war between two little men 1. Mr. Enthusiasm (call Mr. E) who says “Yeah go for it try something you have never tried!” “You can do it” and his rival 2. Mr. Sarcasm (call Mr. S) “If you fail at this you will look really stupid” “You are going to write this in public and let others see you efforts.” “Pah you’re only capable of what you have done before.”
Mr. E says “This is your life! The time is NOW! The only time we are alive is in the Present moment. Seize it Damn it!”
Mr. S says “smoking is easier, and you have always been good at that“
Mr. E says, “Let’s take Mr. S out to the woods and leave him there”
Mr. E and I are going to cross that finish line. I can write this book anyway I want to, it’s my book, and it’s my life. I can do this because I say I can.
Amanda did it.
Jason and Kathy did it.
Molly did it.
Val’s brother did it.
Aaron did it.
Candice and Sarah did it
Heather did it.
I can do it.
For me to do this is absurd. But it is also very possible and with the support of the poeple around me and lots of work I can do this.
Monday, August 10, 2009
ONE THOUSAND STEPS
I did 1120 steps today at lunch (old school stair master) in about 35 minutes. It felt great and I looked out North at the city from the top of the steps and I thought I wonder if this is helping? Some people tried to talk me into going to a master swim class which is pure insanity. I think Jackson and Jacobi swim better than me now. I wonder if I put a sign on my back during the swim portion that reads “SPEED BUMP” maybe people will not swim over me. I hear rumors that people do that and it is freaking me out. Has anyone noticed yet I am not so comfortable in the water, in fact one might say I have a fear of drowning. My wife thinks that’s all in my head and I respond Yes. Yes it is all in my head because that is where most fear lives. Why did I agree to do this again? Ooooooo I am having a minor panic attack at the thought of all these people swimming over me during the swim. All I can think of is if it happens I will find them after I get out and run over them on my Bike (even if they have already finished). Maybe a sign that says “student Swimmer” will work? I am going to try to fit more Yoga in tonight because I obviously need to find my “happy place”. (I touched every step). Amanda did the damn swim in 14 minutes and judging my level to hers means I will most likely do it in 140 minutes. I know I need to “visualize Success” and attract the me I want to be, and I do believe in the positive affirmations blah blah but that doesn’t mean I don’t freak out once in a while. Right now I am freaking out. Well once I get home the boys will SNAP me back to the present. They do that well.
Rested today
DAY 8:
Sunday I rested (as much as the boys would let me) and we went to the Mariners game where I alternated between carrying my two sons on my shoulders (40 pounders). Jackson was gripping my fore head so hard I was sweating and then he would try to “steer me” which after 10 minutes results in a skin burn something like that game you used to play called “Wanna see a Strawberry Patch?” If you don’t remember ask a friend they will most likely show you on your fore arm. (Trick is they rub your arm so hard it burns and looks red like a Strawberry). After we got home Jack wasn’t done with me we played wrestler on the front lawn. IT is fun and I taught him before each round to slap his head like John Candy did in the movie “Stripes” (the mud wrestling scene) only he does it on the back instead of the front. Being a dad is the best.
Sunday I rested (as much as the boys would let me) and we went to the Mariners game where I alternated between carrying my two sons on my shoulders (40 pounders). Jackson was gripping my fore head so hard I was sweating and then he would try to “steer me” which after 10 minutes results in a skin burn something like that game you used to play called “Wanna see a Strawberry Patch?” If you don’t remember ask a friend they will most likely show you on your fore arm. (Trick is they rub your arm so hard it burns and looks red like a Strawberry). After we got home Jack wasn’t done with me we played wrestler on the front lawn. IT is fun and I taught him before each round to slap his head like John Candy did in the movie “Stripes” (the mud wrestling scene) only he does it on the back instead of the front. Being a dad is the best.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
How Flexy am I now !
Quick answer: Not so Flexy. Today I did manage to 20 minutes of Yoga and felt a little better afterwards and for most of the day. Now my legs and butt are a little sore and I think I could use a massage.
Too bad I am not good friends with a maasuge therapist ....imagine if you were married to one....you might think you would get a massage out of it......Well PAH. That's all fantasy land.
Where was I before that digression, oh yeah I started Yoga and even though 20 minutes is not much it is better than nothing. I also stopped taking the Bus in the mornings, instead I walk and I am thinking about walking up hill next month. he he he "Baby steps into the kitchen" ("What about Bob" movie).
My goal is to wake up at 4:00 am and do 30 minutes of Yoga everyday, problem is that when I do any lying down poses at that time in the morning I end up going to sleep again. Unitl Mijo my chocolate lab starts licking my face because he wants me to get off the floor and feed him his breakfast. I know that is a horrible time of the day to try to fit Yoga in. I love my kids and with a 3 and a 4 year old having time in a normal day for is a rarity. Boys are BUSY!
Too bad I am not good friends with a maasuge therapist ....imagine if you were married to one....you might think you would get a massage out of it......Well PAH. That's all fantasy land.
Where was I before that digression, oh yeah I started Yoga and even though 20 minutes is not much it is better than nothing. I also stopped taking the Bus in the mornings, instead I walk and I am thinking about walking up hill next month. he he he "Baby steps into the kitchen" ("What about Bob" movie).
My goal is to wake up at 4:00 am and do 30 minutes of Yoga everyday, problem is that when I do any lying down poses at that time in the morning I end up going to sleep again. Unitl Mijo my chocolate lab starts licking my face because he wants me to get off the floor and feed him his breakfast. I know that is a horrible time of the day to try to fit Yoga in. I love my kids and with a 3 and a 4 year old having time in a normal day for is a rarity. Boys are BUSY!
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Eye of the Tiger
Day 6: Finally the days of my training are caught up to the days of my Blog, I am sure everyone was bothered by that. Today I actually exercised. I played Rocky on the steps of Seahawk Stadium today at lunch time. Well maybe mini-rocky because I walked instead of ran. I walked the 40 steps in front of Seahawk stadium 13 times = 520 stairs. Next time (maybe Monday) I will give myself more time and go for 1000 steps. My only rule is that I do not skip any steps. Why make this rule? No real idea it just came to me. Some ideas are good and some are not so good. Oooh my legs feel sore now that it has been a couple hours. Had a minor set back in the doughnut department this morning when I had one (Blueberry cake with glaze icing). I plan to start Yoga this weekend with some instruction from the best Yoga teacher in the World!
Still sitting on the couch
Day 5: I am a little more serious today. Today was dedicated to realizing I am really going to try this, not just talk about it or wish I could do it, but really do it with all my heart. This is scary to say “Hey I can not even come close to doing that today, but I want to learn how to do that. I am going to learn how to do that”.
How can I fail I have S.W.I.M. Inc. behind me; (pushing actually) not just me but all the men to join them. SWIM Inc. stands for the South Whidbey Iron Momma’s Incorporated. They are incorporated so they don’t have to be personally liable. These are the real puppet masters pulling the strings. I know the truth about their little conspiracy parties called “play dates”. At least I know I will not be doing this alone, I won’t name complete names (E_die and Don_ie) but other brave souls are willing to sacrifice themselves with me. Some again I won’t name complete names (J_son) have not committed and that is only because they fail to realize that resistence to S.W.I.M. INC is futile. All this blah blah and no exercise went to the Park for free concert instead and the band was good. Tillers Folly I think?
How can I fail I have S.W.I.M. Inc. behind me; (pushing actually) not just me but all the men to join them. SWIM Inc. stands for the South Whidbey Iron Momma’s Incorporated. They are incorporated so they don’t have to be personally liable. These are the real puppet masters pulling the strings. I know the truth about their little conspiracy parties called “play dates”. At least I know I will not be doing this alone, I won’t name complete names (E_die and Don_ie) but other brave souls are willing to sacrifice themselves with me. Some again I won’t name complete names (J_son) have not committed and that is only because they fail to realize that resistence to S.W.I.M. INC is futile. All this blah blah and no exercise went to the Park for free concert instead and the band was good. Tillers Folly I think?
Conspiracy ?
Day 4: Have you ever climbed the high dive ladder and when you reached the top said inside your head “What the hell am I doing here?” Or maybe stood up to give a speech and thought “AAAHHhhhhhhhh” I am paralyzed ! My only comfort is this insane event which is going to be hell is 361 days away. Now all of these evil little devils will begin to surround me telling me it is “fun” and “easy” and “no problem” Which if you ever go to hell you would expect from all the other tortured souls stuck there. They want to pull you into their fiery pits to join in their misery. Seriously people don’t forget I was there and I saw your faces 4 days ago when you all ran across that line. Not to mention you were ALL running and natural instinct tells me when all these people run away from something it is not a “fun” thing that I should go check out!
The Reality Smackdown
DAY TWO: I agreed to go on a run with Amanda and Lady luck intervened. Lady luck gave Amanda a hair appointment so we couldn't go running. Amanda also mentioned I don't have the correct shoes which means I can procrastinate the running for a little longer (the running part I am thinking is going to be something like hell).
DAY THREE: I went for a bike ride just to try Amanda's bike. It was a short bike ride (under 3 miles) and I almost did not make it back. It started well and then when I pushed it up this hill I began to learn the reality of how out of shape I am. At the last corner I began getting quesy in my stomach. 100 yards from the driveway my vision started to darken on the corners and dizzyness hit me. When I rolled up the driveway I felt so bad I almost fell off the bike and had to lay on the garage floor with my head on the cool concrete for about ten minutes. I realized something in hindsight, I did not really eat anything all day. I had to fast until 10:30 then had a coffee and bagel, then later had a handful of grapes and one of the last brownies left over, (they are healthy brownies because they have spinich in them). So lesson learned = If your going to exercise you might want to eat. I may be a little slow learning this but I will get there. I will cross that finish line (hopefully before dark).
DAY THREE: I went for a bike ride just to try Amanda's bike. It was a short bike ride (under 3 miles) and I almost did not make it back. It started well and then when I pushed it up this hill I began to learn the reality of how out of shape I am. At the last corner I began getting quesy in my stomach. 100 yards from the driveway my vision started to darken on the corners and dizzyness hit me. When I rolled up the driveway I felt so bad I almost fell off the bike and had to lay on the garage floor with my head on the cool concrete for about ten minutes. I realized something in hindsight, I did not really eat anything all day. I had to fast until 10:30 then had a coffee and bagel, then later had a handful of grapes and one of the last brownies left over, (they are healthy brownies because they have spinich in them). So lesson learned = If your going to exercise you might want to eat. I may be a little slow learning this but I will get there. I will cross that finish line (hopefully before dark).
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Fools Rush in
This post is after the day but I have to catch up so don't look at the date on the post just know it is day one.
Day one: Sunday what did I do for my training?
I thought about it a lot. I hate running (in fact I have traditionally up until 10 months ago prefered smoking over running). I tried to run on the treadmill for 5 minutes and struggled a lot. I cant swim well or far ( 2.5 miles at this point may as well be the english channel). I wonder if they will allow water wings? with all those yellow swim caps they may not notice. My biking is my strong suit, that one I think I can do some what. I used to do some Mountain Biking in San Diego 5 - 6 years ago.
I am 41 and have not been doing anything resembling exercise for about 9 months. My waist is around 36 but my belly measures 41 inches at the belly button. I get winded walking one flight of stairs. I currently weigh 214 pounds.
I talked with Amanda about how it was for her doing the swimming biking and running. Her descriptions tired me out so I decided todays training would involve giving up something. I should probably give up Potatoe Chips and Doughnuts. Okay I will give these two up for one year YES. Yes I have procrastinated the exercise one more day.
Day one: Sunday what did I do for my training?
I thought about it a lot. I hate running (in fact I have traditionally up until 10 months ago prefered smoking over running). I tried to run on the treadmill for 5 minutes and struggled a lot. I cant swim well or far ( 2.5 miles at this point may as well be the english channel). I wonder if they will allow water wings? with all those yellow swim caps they may not notice. My biking is my strong suit, that one I think I can do some what. I used to do some Mountain Biking in San Diego 5 - 6 years ago.
I am 41 and have not been doing anything resembling exercise for about 9 months. My waist is around 36 but my belly measures 41 inches at the belly button. I get winded walking one flight of stairs. I currently weigh 214 pounds.
I talked with Amanda about how it was for her doing the swimming biking and running. Her descriptions tired me out so I decided todays training would involve giving up something. I should probably give up Potatoe Chips and Doughnuts. Okay I will give these two up for one year YES. Yes I have procrastinated the exercise one more day.
Dangerous Wonderings
This is my journey from Couch Potato to Triathlete.
Over the next 365 days I am going to get myself ready and train to participate in the Whidbey Island Triathlon in 2010.
I watched all these people on Saturday participating in the Whidbey Island Triathlon and I wanted to be a part of it.
They made it look fun. So I told my wonderful wife (who had just impressed me by completing the Triathlon in 2 hours 15 minutes) that I would do it next year.
Once I realized the finality of that comment (no way Amanda lets me take that one back). I started racing my brain to come up with creative ways I could get myself to actually follow through. That led me to this! Yes this Blog is my brains answer to how to get me to actually go through with this dream of becoming a Triathlete at 42. I figure if I record it and make it into a story I might pretend it is someone else who has to exercise. See how I out smart my own brain by using my natural denial tendancy's against myself. I am smarter than myself. I will trick the lazy part of me into thinking it is only the blog part of me doing the exercise. So here we go! Wahoo !
Over the next 365 days I am going to get myself ready and train to participate in the Whidbey Island Triathlon in 2010.
I watched all these people on Saturday participating in the Whidbey Island Triathlon and I wanted to be a part of it.
They made it look fun. So I told my wonderful wife (who had just impressed me by completing the Triathlon in 2 hours 15 minutes) that I would do it next year.
Once I realized the finality of that comment (no way Amanda lets me take that one back). I started racing my brain to come up with creative ways I could get myself to actually follow through. That led me to this! Yes this Blog is my brains answer to how to get me to actually go through with this dream of becoming a Triathlete at 42. I figure if I record it and make it into a story I might pretend it is someone else who has to exercise. See how I out smart my own brain by using my natural denial tendancy's against myself. I am smarter than myself. I will trick the lazy part of me into thinking it is only the blog part of me doing the exercise. So here we go! Wahoo !
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