Thursday

Well its almost Friday!!! It has been a pretty uneventful week. Yesterday I helped my brother-in-laws rake their Grandmothers leaves. Today I went to the Y and did some strength training and then went for a 3 mile run around town. It was another nice day so I am going to take every opportunity to run outside and avoid the treadmill. After the run I jumped in the pool for 800 meters. It was a good swim that consisted of 4x50, 3x100, 1x200 and 2x50. I was pretty beat after the swim.

I am currently developing a workout plan for December. The plan will have a heavy focus on running and swimming. I am also going to find some good core workouts to incorporate into my everyday workouts. I feel that my body is lacking strength in my core. If anyone knows of any good books or core website please let me know. When I have the plan I will post it.

As for tomorrow, I will head to the Y and spend 30 mins on the stationary bike, 30 mins on the elliptical and 800 meters in the pool.

Have a great Friday everyone!

Thanksgiving and Other Stuff

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I did. We had about 18 people over for a great dinner on Thursday. The night before I cooked a 17lb turkey just for people to have left over turkey to bring home and Kim did some prep work on a few things just to make Thursday go a little easier. Thursday morning I cooked a 22lb turkey and cleaned house for most of the morning. Our guests started arriving around 2:00 and we didn’t eat until about 3:30. Lots of food, not enough space in my stomach to hold it all. So at my house we say grace before every meal. Normally Kim, the kids and I fill our plates and then we say grace. Well on Thanksgiving we said grace before we had food on our plates. So I started saying grace the way we always say it (we keep it simple and to the point for the kids, and sometimes Brady says it) “Thank you God for our food…” and I look at Brady who has the saddest expression on his face, he looks down and says “daddy, I don’t have any food”. I never felt so sad in my entire life. He just looked so serious and sad. I looked at Kim and she looked like she was about to cry. It was that sad. So both Kim and I got up and gave Brady a hug and gave him some food. After that I really couldn’t finish saying grace, but I did and the eating began. After dinner we all sat around and relaxed. Some of us went to the basement and played air hockey. Then it was dessert time. We had apple pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate cream pie, ice cream….enough to feed an army. I had a piece of the chocolate pie and sat down and read through the sales flyers for Black Friday. After dessert everyone started leaving and after everyone had gone, we put the kids to bed and Kim and I went over the sales flyers again to plan our Black Friday attack. I found a really good deal on a Zune 30gig MP3 player at Toys R Us so I knew I would be getting up early to go stand in line for this thing.

So I get up at 3:50 and I was out of the house at 4:00AM just to make it to Toys R Us by 4:20AM. As soon as I got off the exit I saw the huge line of people waiting to get in. The store opens at 5:00AM so I have 40 minutes to wait in the cold weather for this MP3 player. I make it into the store by 5:10, get my Zune by 5:30 and I was home by 6:00AM with my new MP3,video, Podcast, picture player. AWESOME!!! Kim and I get ready to head out for a day of shopping and the crowds. Kim’s mother came over early to take the kids to daycare. We had a pretty successful shopping day. The crowds were not as bad as I thought they would be.

As for the rest of the weekend. We got the kids picture taken with Santa, took care of some more leaves in the backyard and put up some Christmas lights. I went for a short workout yesterday.

Today everything was back to normal. I went to the Y after dropping the kids off at daycare. Quick run on the treadmill and the elliptical. Finished the day with a 800 meter swim. The water felt great today. I was totally relaxed the whole time in the pool, even though MR. Splashy was right next to me the whole time.

So for not working out for a few days and eating a lot on Thanksgiving, I gained only 1 pound. I was thinking that I would have gained more. I am so glad I didn’t. Well I will have to lose that pound this week. I dropped out of the top 10 in the Challenge, so I need to step up my game.

Time Off and Happy Thanksgiving

I will be taking a few days off from blogging. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please remember our Armed forces this holiday. If you know anyone in the military send a quick note or a care package or just remember them when your family sits down at the dinner table on Thanksgiving. As a former military person, the thoughts, prayers, letters and packages were very uplifting and welcomed during time away from family and loved ones.

I will be hitting the gym tomorrow and Saturday, but Thursday we have family coming over and Friday is the BIG shopping day.

Enjoy and again Happy Thanksgiving.

Last Race of the Season, New PR!!!!

Going into yesterday's race I had my doubts about setting a PR. The course had a very large hills and the temp was around 38-40 degrees. Since I just began running in May I did not have any cold weather running gear so I had to make due with what I had. The race was a huge event. Talking to someone before the race, they said the first time the Mews Tavern held the race there was only 60 people running. Yesterday there were over 800 people running!!! As for the run, I knew it was my last race of the season so I wanted to break my last PR of 28mins 11 secs. The run starts with a nice hill that is probably about 1/4 long, definately a will breaker. After the hill I settled in to a nice pace and just cruised until the last hill. I told myself I would not walk any portion of the race including this last hill. I just put my head down and charged up the hill, passing walkers and other runners. I knew once I got to the top it was all down hill to the finish line. I made it to the top of the hill and started my decent to the finish. I looked at my watch and saw I had a chance to break my PR so I kicked up my pace. I saw this kid infront of me and made it my goal to pass him before the finish. I caught up to him at the turn onto Main Street. As soon as I caught up to him he started to sprint. SO I started to sprint with him but just couldn't pass the little bugger. We crossed the finish line almost at the same time. I told him I tried to pass him but he was too fast for me. Race time - 27 mins 43secs....NEw PR!!!
Just Awesome. I was really excited about me time and very happy with my effort. After the race there was a big BBQ and free beer for all who ran. Plus there was a huge raffle with over 40 differant items to win. I actually won a gift certificate to a local resturant, which my wife and I used last night. In all, it was a great racea and will definately run the race again.

The Weekend

Well its Friday! We have a few things planned for the weekend. Brady has soccer tomorrow morning and in the afternoon we plan on going to the Mews to pick up our bib #, shirt and free bear! Thats about it for Saturday. The race on Sunday is at 1:00 so I have plenty of time before the race. I am definately looking forward to the BBQ after the race. It should be alot of fun. Last year there was close to 600 people running and they will probably have the same amount this year. As for a goal, I hope to run the 5k in under 28 mins. That would set a new PR for a 5k race. This will be the last race of 2007. I will write a 2007 year in review sometime in December.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Pre Race Run

Today I decided to run the 5K course that I will be running on Sunday for the The Mews Tavern "Gear and Beer" 5k. I wanted to run it becuase the course is full of hills and I wanted to see what I was getting myself into. So I began my run at the starting line where the first 1/4 is uphill, and not a slight uphill either. It was tough but I pushed through it and settled into a good pace for the rest of the run. There were a couple more hills in the run but nothing like the last hill toward the end. I tried to push it all the way up, but I started walking toward the top. The cool thing is that once you get to the top of the hill, the rest of the race, probably a good 1/4 mile, is all down hill. So I cranked it up and basically sprinted to the bottom of the street and then made the turn onto Main Street and sprinted down to where the finish line will be on Sunday. As I crossed the line, or where it said "Finish" on the road, I looked at my watch and it read 27mins 56secs. What? I just PR'd the hardest 5K I have ever ran? That felt good and now I can't wait for Sunday's race. The only thing that I am concerned about is the Temp for Sunday. The weather guys are calling for temps in the 40's. Pretty cold considering that today's temp was around 60!!! I guess we will see what happens.

After the run I took Reese to the Doctors for her 18 month check up. She got 3 shots and didn't like them one bit. But once we got to the car I said she was a good girl and gave her some M&Ms, which she loves. I dropped her off at daycare and went home to get my swim stuff and then off to the Y for a few laps in the pool. The pool was crowded but I shared a lane with a nice slow swimmer, like me! 600meters complete! Nice swim. I am completing 1 lap (50 meters) every time now. I think next week I will go for 75 meters before taking a rest.

After the swim I cleaned up some more leafs in the backyard, which seems like it will never end.

Weekend

Last weekend was pretty much uneventful. We had nothing planned which was a nice change. We actually found ourselves trying to find something to do. On Saturday Brady had his soccer class at the Y. He was so cute running around with his shin guards. Really didn't do to much for the rest of the day. Sunday was just as boring since the Patriots didn't play. We put together my new Lawn Sweeper so I don't have to rake leaves. I tried it out, why didn't I get one of these things years ago! As for Monday, I went to the Y and completed a 2 mile run on the treadmill and 600 meters in the pool. Then I went home and continued to cleanup the leafs in the yard. I made a huge pile for Brady to jump into. He loved it!!!!

No work out today. I had the kids and they don't like the YMCA daycare for some reason. I'll have to make up for it tomorrow.

Until then........

6 Mile Run

Well I completed my first 6 mile run today. I was going to run through town but decided to run the bike path instead. The bike path has mile markers so it was easier for me to keep track on where I was since I do not have a GPS unit. Starting off was a little cold and stiff even after stretching. I would say it took a good mile to warm up and get into a nice pace. Running on the bike path was awesome. It was such a nice day and the scenery was just beautiful. I was surprised to find only a few people on the path. I completed the first 3 miles in 31min 5 secs. I was running at a slow pace since I knew I was going for 6 miles today. Around the 4th mile my right Achilles heel started to tighten up so I made a couple of stops to stretch it out. At the 5th mile I decided to run the last mile without stopping. I was using the 5:1 ratio for the run today but at the 5th mile I felt pretty good and thought I had a chance to run the 6 miles in under 60 mins if I didn’t take my last walk break. Unfortunately I didn’t make it under 60 mins but I was so happy just to complete my first 6 mile run. I completed the last 3 miles in 30 mins 17 secs for a total time of 1 hour 1 min and 22 secs. I was a little sore but nothing major. I am going to make this a weekly run, except for next week when I have my last 5K race of the season.

My power week is complete. I didn’t hit all my goals but I did make progress on my running and swimming. The one goal I did hit was swimming for over 1700 meters. For the next several weeks I am going to concentrate on bringing that number up. My running goal of 20miles for the week was doomed from the beginning since I forgot that in order to get 4 runs in a week I need to start running on Sunday, not Monday since I run every other day. So this coming week I am going to start my running on Sunday with hopes on making the goal of 20 miles. As for the weight, I did lose another 2.5 lbs. Still didn’t crack the top 10 of the Challenge but that just goes to show that the others in the Challenge are just as motivated as I am which is awesome!!

As for the Challenge itself, I love it. I love entering my daily workout totals and reading others comment on my workout days and I enjoy commenting on others daily totals. It gives me such a boost to have someone comment on my day so I make sure I leave comments for others. I WILL CRACK THE TOP 10!!!!!!

As for the weekend the family and I really don’t have too many things planned. We are going out tomorrow to have pictures taken of the kids and then soccer class with Brady at the Y. I might try to sneak in a couple of laps at the Y tomorrow. Oh yeah and rake leaves, ugggh.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!!

And its Thursday

Yesterday I was doing my blog rounds and came across a blog I think everyone needs to read. Stopping off at IM ABLE's blog, she directed me to Bolder in Boulder's blog. After reading his post I was full of emotion in which I can not put into words. So for anyone who reads my blog, please visit Bold's blog and help in anyway possible.

On Wednesday I went for a 5 mile run using the 5:1 ratio and it worked great. I ran the 5 miles in just over 50 mins. It's slower then my time for the Biathlon, but it was still a great run. After the run I was going to get a few laps in the pool but decided to go home and get some rest before work. That was about it for Wednesday.

As for today, I went to the Y and did some strength training and some laps in the pool. When I got to the Y there were tons of kids in the pool. I figured it was some type of swim class. During these classes there is one lap lane available, and there was already 2 people sharing the lane so I went and did my strength training first. After 40 mins I decided to check out the pool again. There was no one in the lap lane but all the kids were still there. So I decided to take advantage of the lap lane and threw my suit on and jumped in the pool. After one lap all the kids got out of the pool and headed for the showers....AWESOME!!!!! I had the entire pool to myself. It was me and the lifeguard. So for a good part of 30 minutes there was no one in the pool and I took my time and busted out 600 meters. Great swim!!!

Today is my stepfather's 51st birthday today. My brother and sister pitched in and got him a Homedepot gift card. Happy Birthday David!!!!

Tomorrow I am going to complete my long run for the week, 6 miles. I am going to use the 5:1 ratio for the 6 miles. I am totally looking forward to it. I hav never run 6 miles before so I am really excited. Wish me luck!!

Draft 2008 Schedule

For the past few weeks I have been thinking about what I want to accomplish in 2008. Right off the bat I knew I wanted to complete my first Triathlon. So I started looking for my "A" race. During that time I decided, basically today I decided, to make my "A" race an Olympic distance Triathlon toward the end of the summer next year. I think the amount of time between now and the end of the 2008 summer is enough for me to train for that distance. So I searched for an Oly Tri in the area and found Park City Mossman Triathlon that will be held on August 10, 2008. The Tri is a 1500 meters swim, 24.9 miles bike and a 6.2 miles run. I think the swim and bike distance is a little short of an true Oly distance, but this is close enough. So the next step is to register for this event. Hopefully it isn't sold out. That would suck!!!.

So on top of my "A" race, I am going to do a Sprint Tri toward the beggining of the summer. I ws thinking somewhere around the first of June. The Sprint Tri will be a warm up for the Oly Tri. Also in 2008 I will be running a few 5ks and 1 10 miler (The Blessing of the Fleet Road Race).
So I just need to find the Sprint tri for June and I will be ready to go for 2008.

As for today, I went to the Y and busted out 4.75 miles on the Elliptical in 30 minutes and swam 500 meters in the pool. Great workouts!!!!

Until tomorrow.....!!!!!!!!

Power Week

Ok thats the only name I can come up with. I am not good with my daily blog titles. I have been lagging behind on my weight loss for the THROUGH TH3 WALL Off-Season Shape-Up Challenge. I have lost 6lbs but I know I can do much better then 6lbs in 1 month. So this week I am going to increase my workouts. By the end of the week I want to run a total of 20 miles, swim 1700 meters and 20 miles on the elliptical machine. That might not seem like alot for some people, but it is to me. Along with that I want to shed another 4lbs. So let the POWER WEEK begin!!!

So for today I went on a new 4.5 mile running route through town. Basically took me all through town and a few minutes on the bike path. Great run! Then after the run I jumped in the pool for 500 meters. Straight freestyle swimming. Today was another break through day in the pool. I swam 100 meters before stopping. I didn't think I was going to pull it off, but everytime I would struggle getting a breath, I just relaxed and took it one stroke at a time. IT was great and I was very happy.

Tomorrow I will put in 4 miles on the elliptical, and circuit workout and some more time in the pool.

Halloween Report

Last night was great. After I worked 1st shift last yesterday so I could be home to take the kids trick or treating. It has been tradition for my family that we have Chinese food on Halloween. I was really looking forward on eating general tso chicken and Singapore mei fun. As we did last Halloween, we invited our friends over Chris and Andrea and their 2 kids Mark and Quinn to partake in the Chinese and to trick or Treat in our neighborhood. My neighborhood is any trick or treater’s dream. It is a wonderful place to live and there are tons of kids here. Plus in several of the houses I think the parents enjoy Halloween more then the kids do and go all out on decorations and dress up themselves. The trick or treaters started showing up around 6:15 last night, just as we were finishing up dinner. We got the kids ready and headed out into the neighborhood. Reese was a butterfly and Brady was Diego from Dora the Explorer. Both were very cute as you can see from the pictures. Reese wanted to walk the whole time. She did a great job saying trick or treat and grabbing 1 piece of candy, sometimes sneaking up and taking another. Brady was an old pro remembering from last year. He loved it and had such a good time. Everyone was wiped out by the time we got home. Talking with the neighbor, they said they went through 15 bags of candy. That’s a lot of kids. Both Reese and Brady made out pretty well. All in all it was a great night and lots of fun for everyone.

Today was the day to get back on track. After I dropped the kids off at daycare I went to the Y and started my work out for the day. I started off with stretching, then moved onto the stationary bike for a quick 5 mile warmup. After the bike I went for a 3.5 mile run. The past few times I have ran it seems like it is getting a little easier each time. I feel so comfortable running and I am not tired. Of course I get winded and have to slow my pace down or take a 30 sec walk break but it just seems easy. Maybe I should push my speed up a little more. I have a 5 mile run planned on Saturday so we will see how that goes I guess. After the run I jumped in the pool for 400 meters. Today was the first time I actually swam full laps. Normally I swim ½ laps and stop, rest and then continue. Not today, I was swimming 1 lap (50meters) and then stopping. A great accomplishment and I was really excited. I am just taking things slow and easy and I know I will be swimming multiple laps soon.