Captains log 05272013

It has been 8 days since I have posted, and 8 days since I have run.  I felt terrible about it.  I knew I should with my first 10k coming up but just could not find the motivation after running the Colfax leg.  I have also started a large back yard project and have spent the better part of the past week working on it during my time off in the mornings before work.

Today was THE Bolder Boulder 10k.  It is a well known race and I was bib MG579.  I went into the race with a goal of a sub 70 minute result, and ended up with this:

mile 1:

11:19.32 

mile 2:

11:09.30 

mile 3:

12:03.69 

mile 4:

11:51.53 

mile 5:

11:10.19 

mile 6:

11:17.44 

net time:

1:11:15.80 

pace:

11:29  

I feel really good about it even though I missed my mark by a stinking 1:16!!!  I really wanted to qualify for a 60-70 wave for next year, but I will have to find a qualifier for later this year to attain that goal I guess.

We will see!!  

Check out the Bolder Boulder

Captains log 05192013

It has been a few days of not much.  Getting used to my new shift at work and the schedule change is taking its toll.

Today I ran the 4th, and easiest, leg of the Colfax Marathon relay.  It is the full 26 mile course split up in 5 legs.  Mine happened to be 4 miles all down hill.

I did not sleep well at all last night.  I was excited and nervous and woke up at 0400 this morning after going to bed at midnight.  I was dragging a bit.  My goal was to run the whole 4 miles as it was all downhill but I did not have it.  I ran the first 9 minutes and then walked ran at a 4:1 ratio to conserve some energy.  I finished in 42:15 so ~ 10:34 mile I think.  By far the slowest of the team but thanks to their legs we came in as a team 298/699.  Our time beat the average by 7 minutes, so thanks to them, we were above average:P  great job PNDA BR'S.  I will be better next year!

Here is the Google map of my run today!




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Captains log 05152013

Wednesday is done and over.  It was my Monday as I sit in for 8 straight days of work.  We changed to "Summer Schedule" where I now work from 1500 hrs to 2300 hrs daily.  It is a shift I like but it is tougher on the family during the school year as I I get to see the kids before school and am working until after they hit the sheets.  It is a 3% raise to work the shift though and that is nice.

I played video games all day today and felt lazy but good.  I was a little sore from the strength training and really felt the need to not do much.  With the 4 miler on Sunday I am going to get a run in Friday, just a short one..  then I have race on Sunday, a week of short training, and a race on the following Monday.  Then nothing but resuming training as I have nothing planned after that!!

Captains Log 05142013

Happy Tuesday yall..I awoke with a pep in my step at 0530 and got out the door around 0700 for a short run through the neighborhood.  It was 20 minutes long with no breaks other than the occasional street crossing where I had to wait my turn for a few seconds.  I felt really good about it and decided to just be proud of running for 20 minutes without walking.  I was excited as I plotted my course and was stunned to find I had made it 2 miles in those 20 minutes.  HOLY Sh17!!!  I ran a consistent 6 mph for 20 minutes up hills down hills around houses and cars...  This is fantastic.

I am going to the gym later with the wife too, gonna get a bit of strength training in.

I think I am ready for four miles on Sunday!

I just wanted to share.

Update: Went to the gym and rode recumbent bike for 10 mins (2.5 miles level 12) walked up 15 incline at 2.5 mph for 10 mins, and swam laps for 15 mins along with some strength training.

weigh in : 241lbs

here is my route for today:



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Captains Log 05132013

Happy birthday to S7 now.. I cannot believe how old I am now!!  If he is 7 I am.....

I got a run in this morning.  I tested a new pre workout drink and I liked it, it did ramp me up for the run, but I did not eat anything with it and I felt it by the middle of the run.  I know now that I must drink either a protein shake or a smoothie for some immediate sugars.  I am not sure I could have kept running.

I did push hard in the first half.  I got 1.6 miles done in 15 minutes, with 2 walk breaks in there.  I completed 3.3 miles in 35 minutes, and that with a hill again at the end.  I am thinking tomorrow I am going to find a nice flat spot and see how I do, these hills are killer.

Went to the Denver Zoo today and had a good walk around.. Really slow paced but movement none the less!

Here is the route I ran today:



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Captains Log 05122013

Sunday, work day.  After working 16 hours yesterday I did not feel well enough to wake up and run my long run this morning.  I felt bad about it knowing that I had a busy afternoon scheduled with my sons birthday celebration at the Chuckiest of Cheeses.  Even eating a bit much cake I kept under my calorie goal, sugars were a bit high:P

Captains log 05112013

Saturday.. I worked 16 hours today and ate very limited... I started a cleanse yesterday with hopes that I can flush my system and cure this groggy feeling I have been having.  I am going to take it easy this week with race day coming up.  I will get a few miles in tomorrow but nothing too strenuous. 

I did not work out today, but did see the colorado rambler and Panda as they came over to visit while my grandma is here this week.  All in all a fun day.

Captains Log 05102013

Friday folks, and I treated myself to a eat what you want day.  I went way over on my intake but it felt great to do.  The bulk of it was eating the most of a bag of Doritos Munchies...  now that it is out of my system, I can move on.

I did nothing of note today, no walking or running or working out... a full on free day.

Captains log 05092013

Woke up this morning and had 0 energy for some reason.  Maybe it is the weather outside, maybe I did not rest well, maybe I did not eat well yesterday.  I just dont know.  I forced myself out for a run and my legs were heavy out the gate.  I just felt awful sluggish and never hit a good pace I felt.  I ended up doing a 4:1 routine and that was a struggle.  I did a new route too hoping that would give me some excitement but no.

When all was said and done I ran/walked for 34 minutes and 3 miles.  Not too bad, in my opinion, especially the way I was feeling.

Here is my route this morning, I'm gonna go relax a bit..



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Captains log 05082013

Wednesday, my Friday this week.  I had a very busy day at work and only got 2 laps of a walk in at Horseshoe Park.  Then it rained all evening, so it was a perfect excuse to sit and watch a movie with the wife.  Until tomorrow then.

Captains log 05072013

Great Tuesday..  I woke up at 0430..  out of bed by 0445 and on the jog by 0530.  I woke up and immediately downed 16 oz of water and 8 oz of the odwalla blueberry smoothie.  Let my body digest the sugars and hit the pavement.

Being at work I cant post the route, I'll do it when I get home, but it is the one I have decided to base some progress on.  I have run it at least twice and this time I hit it hard.  I ran the first 1.7 miles without stopping.  I then walked about 1 to 2 minutes, ran for about 5 minutes, walked for about a minute, then finished off the 2.9 mile trek.  I forgot to start the timer but by calculating the songs from the iPod that I had listened to I got her done in ~28:04.  That folks is sub 10 or around 10 min mile.  That is almost a 5k in 30 minutes.  Unofficial I know but still an accomplishment I am proud of.  The best part is I had all my breath back within 1 minute of the cool down so I think my cardio is definitely getting much better.

I'm stoked..  I think this means that come Colfax marathon relay, which my part is alllllll downhill, I hope to run the whole 4 miles and get a respectable time in for my team.

Side note: I paid for a groupon for rugged maniac and never signed the wife and I up for actual race... doh!  So out $72 and no race as they now want $90 and not guaranteed to run with friends.  F that!  

You live you learn.

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Captains log 05062013

Not too busy for a Monday.  A little site after my long run yesterday I found time to get a 4 mile walk in at Cook park here in Denver.  My new balance pedometer showed I got 8800 paces in before work called me to an outage.  2.5 feet per pace. 

Later I got to the gym for the first time in a couple weeks.  Walked for 30 mins on a sharp incline and then rode the recumbent bike for 4.5 miles.  Great day of a slow burn.

At the gym I did weigh myself.  Granted it was a late day weigh in instead of my normal first thing in the morning.  I weighed in at a light 242 lbs.  While the number has not changed since my last weigh in by much I had to remind myself that I was drinking several ounces of water while working out in the evening and throughout the day.  I would say that I feel like I'm back in the 230's.  My clothes fit like that too.  So I would put that as ~20lbs lost in ~ 60 days. 

That is half what I lost last time in the same period.  I feel that this is due to several factors, the biggest being that my muscle soreness this time reminds me that I am building lean muscle.  The scale is not going to change too much if I am doing this right and can say I am happy with the results.

Captains log 05052013

Feliz Cinco De Mayo, es Domingo, y es una dia buena!  I woke up after a few hours of sleep since I worked until 2300 last night.  I went for a 6.7 mile run in 78 minutes today.  I got 5 miles in the first hour then the last 1.7 I ran for all but 2 minutes of the 18 minutes.  Final pace of 11:39 avg.  I am really happy with that.  It shows some improvement and that is all I ask for.

I have run 86 miles so far this year since I started keeping track in March.  Holy cow..

Clothes I bought last year fit again, a little snug but getting there.  Wife mentioned she thinks im losing more fat this time in the upper body, and that my friends is the goal.  I am still eating what seems like a ton of food, but mostly protein based and lower on the carbs end.  What carbs I do eat tend to be fruit sugars from my daily banana and other fruits.  So my sugars tend to be high but then i laugh when I think back to when I drank 5 or 6 sodas a day.  I almost bought a root beer yesterday until I looked and saw each soda had 45+ grams of sugar... in 12 ounces of soda!!!  8 oz of Odwalla blueberry super smoothie has 25 grams of fruit sugars and tastes every bit as good as a soda, and not empty by any means!

here is the new route I ran today:



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Captains log 05042013

Saturday, day of rest, and a 16 hr work day as I picked up an extra shift again.  Kept the calorie goal in check and ready for my long run tomorrow.

Captains log 05032013

Friday, my Wednesday this week.  I woke up late and that trend shall continue to my trip to work.  I got out and ran 1.6 miles this morning in a short 15 min quick run.  I pushed myself as it was a lot of downhill and it showed, sub 10 min mile.  I had one short walk in there too, for about a minute, at about 0.9 miles for the uphill run back home.  Not too bad, Ill take it:P

Now to get ready for work!!!

Captains log 05022013

Well it is Thursday and again I did nothing.. I hate this winter in the spring BS.  But I should be rested to get out tomorrow. 

Captains log 05012013

It freaking snowed today, what a crock of $417.   I did nothing today and kind of feel awful for it.. maybe tomorrow Ill get my run in.

Captains log 04302013

I finished my project for the weekend today.  I really did not want to wake up and run so I didnt.  I woke up to get the oldest off to school, made bacon eggs and hashbrowns and put off my run until 1430 hrs, after I got my hole filled back in and other misc. labor.

I went out before another round of SNOW moves in, and ran another new route.  It ended up being only 3 miles but there is a good size hill that I hit right in the middle of the run, not too bad though.  3 miles in 34:00 or 11:20 mile run/walk at 4:1 ratio.  I think next week I will bump my ratio to 5:1, 4:1 is feeling natural now.  I cannot wait until I can run the whole 3 miles continuously and get a time under 30 mins :)

Here is the route I ran:



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Captains log 04292013

Today I had planned on heading to devils head to get a little hike in.  It turned out that I would work on a house project all day instead.  No walk, no run, but I am still tired.  Until tomorrow my friends...

Chris

Captains log 04282013

Good Sunday morning to you all.  I awoke fresh and ready to go after a day of mostly rest.  Started a yard project yesterday which included digging down to my water line at a depth of about 5 feet and big enough for me to move around in.  Burned a few extra calories.

This morning I went for my weekly long run and pushed it to 6.2 miles.  By far my longest and I paced myself a little slower for it.  Ended up finishing in 76:40 or about a 12:20 mile.  A little slower for sure and I did it at the run 2 min walk 1 minute ratio.  I did not push my walks at all, just caught breath, and ran for 12 minutes straight during a nice long downhill section, which I am sure helped my avg pace as it knocked out about 1.2 miles in that stretch in the middle of the run.

The oddest part of the whole run happened near the end though, I felt GREAT, other than my knee hurting a bit, but felt as though I could have run for another hour.  Had the wife not needed to leave by 0715 for her 5k color run this morning downtown, I think I would have pushed myself to run maybe a couple laps in the neighborhood just to get some more time in.  I feel good about the time, especially when it comes to the 4 miles I am running in a few weeks at the Colfax Marathon and a week later the 10k Bolder Boulder.  I think my Bolder time should be around 1:10 or less due to the "competition" I feel when I run with others.  I place it fully on myself, but I noticed the other night as I paced myself with the wife until she sent me on ahead, I was pissed when people passed me...  I am VERY competitive and I cannot wait to see how I feel when I have others around to "beat"!  Dont get me wrong, there are some that I dont stand a chance against, but I have always said that unless you challenge the best you will never be the best and I cannot wait to run in a crowd of like minded people!  Plus they have actual water stations at miles 2 3 4 & 5.  What is this new found thing.  I can get a lil gatorade for the next mile?  I run solo with no help for 6 miles and now I will be spoiled:P

Due to running off road the map is not an exact measurement of my run. Between points B &C you will see the powerline trail I ran down, then again between points D & E I cut north through an open space park.



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Captains log 4272013

Woke up this morning after a nice 8 hour slumber.  Got home and into bed at 2330 last night and slept in til 0730 this morning.  Rest day, going to go out to the farm and see about some fresh produce.  Have a good Saturday.

Captains log 4262013

Friday, which also coincides with my Friday as it does every 3 weeks.  3 weeks ago we were spending one last day at Universal studios.  Today I am heading in to work.  Seems quite unfair that I am not independently wealthy.

Today will be a day of rest and fueling in preparation for my first 5k tonight.  I am excited but not lose sleep excited.  I slept quite well and did not want to wake up this morning.  Ah, Friday.

Update:  Finished the first official 5k in ~ 40 minutes.  It was a trail run and hard to get any kind of pace going due to lack of lighting, and thus no knowledge of where you were putting your foot, and hordes of people walking 3 or 4 shoulder to shoulder at some points so passing wasn't an option.  All in all I liked the run and would like to do it sometime without all the people, not too much up and down.  Personally I do not think the run was 5k,  but I did not bring any kind of tracking device, so we are going with it.

Here is the trail system we ran on last night:


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Captains log 4252013

Thursday.. T minus 36 hours until the wife and I are ready to run my first 5k.  I am ready. This morning I was up @ 0420 and on the road by 0500.  I ran/jogged for the first 18 minutes before my first walk break.  Not necessarily in the training manual but I wanted to push myself for greater lungs and I think I did well.  Got the 2.9 mile loop done today in 31:18.  My first 18 mins got me 1.7 miles so I slowed down a bit after that.  I feel good though and ready for tomorrow night.

Here is a the route I ran today.  Point D is where I got to by 18:00.  5.6 mph by my calculations, but non stop.



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Captains log 4242013

Hump day folks.  Woke up after a nice night of sleep.  Went to work, got a 68 minute walk in at crestmoor park at a pace of 3.2 mph.  It was chilly out.  Not much else going on.  Gonna get a run in early tomorrow before work.

Captains log 4232013

Called in today to work.  There was a 1.5 hour drive and I did not want to get to work all pissed off.  So I went to the gym instead with the lovely.

Ended up running for about 40 minutes on the hamster wheel as it snowed again last night..  It is April, how in the world is it still snowing?  Ran at 5.0 mph constant for 20 minutes straight and never felt winded.. felt pretty awesome!  I then did a few exercises taught by Josh the trainer last Thursday, and now I am  a little sore. 

My plan this time is not to lose all the muscle mass I lost last time.  I plan on fat going bye bye and so I am going to incorporate some strength training into my regimen.

All in all a good day.

Chris

Captains log 4222013

Woke up late this morning.  On purpose...  slept in a bit...  so my walk was taken at work today.  Went to horseshoe park and got about 40 mins of walking and a little over 2 miles in before I received an order.  Not too bad.  I may make it to the gym tonight and get a light workout in.

I woke up feeling well after the run yesterday.  I'm still a bit sore from the pt session last Thursday and I have been drinking about a gallon if water a day trying to flush the acids...  getting old sucks I guess.

Tomorrow it's supposed to snow so I am going to try and get a 2 mile run in the morning but we will see.  5k this Friday night, Vampire run. 

Captains log 4212013

Sunday, long run day, and I worked a 16 hour shift yesterday and had to be back at work 8 hours later this morning.  That being said I ate minimally today knowing I would want to get my run in this afternoon.  I hate running on a belly that is full of food, I get wicked uncomfortable.

I got home from work and went for said run.  1 hr run, a brand new route and when all was said and done I got 5.3 miles in.  Pace was slow but man was there some hills.  At least half, if not more, was up hill and that slowed me down.  Started off with a long down hill and that was the nice part.

I guess that would be the only problem of living on this hill like we do.  There is always an up hill run on the return to the house.

Time for a steak and potato!

Here is the run I got in today:



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Captains log 4202103

Happy 420 day Colorado, enjoy your day.  I will be out for 16 hours making sure your lights stay on Denver. 

I am feeling 2nd day soreness from the pt session on Thursday compounded by a Hills workout on the hamster wheel so my quads are really burning.  Hopefully it subsides by tomorrow so I can get my long run in.  It may become a long walk...  we will have to see.

Chris

Captains log 4192013

Sorry about being a day late, I got called in to work last night just as I was headed to the gym.

I ended up walking hills for about 50 minutes and jogging for 10mins.  I was a bit sore from the PT session on Thursday, and after this work out I know I will be even more sore tomorrow.  Work until 11p tonight then back at her at 7a tomorrow.  Day of rest Saturday tomorrow....

cant wait...  oh wait a minute.. I am working 16 hours!!!  Doh.

Captains log 4182013

Thursday, oh how nice it is to have a day off from work.  You see I work a 21 day schedule where I work every Wednesday.  So I start on a Wednesday, work 8 days through the next Wednesday, get Thursday Friday off, then work 7 days through the next Friday and get 4 days off and head back to work on Wednesday.  So essentially I get a 2 day weekend (Thurs Fri) every 21 days and get a 4 day weekend (Sat Sun Mon Tues) every 21 days.

Today I used the first of 5 planned PT sessions.  I did not really learn anything new from the session but it is nice to have some coaching.  I have been doing everything on my own for so long that I found it nice to have someone tell me to do what I know I should be doing but dont usually:P  Needless to say, I am going to be sore, or I am sore now.. I am going to drink a lot of water and make sure I flush my body of all the lactic acid.  I did walk for about 3/5 of a mil up a hill on treadmill for a warm up before the session so I did get a good solid workout in!

8 days until Vampire run.  I am pretty psych'd.  That and wife and I signed up to be volunteers at the Tough Mudder this year with the anticipation that next year we are doing it.  Also today we discussed doing the Run Disney half in Orlando next January (in fact all the Run Disney events look fun here).  I think I should be able to train for that and it would be a great way to spend time with the wife. Goals people!  I can already get 5.5 to 6 miles done in an hour, running for two hours and some change seems like a good goal.  After this 10k training program we will see where I stand.

Weighed myself today: 243 (I saw 242, but I am rounding up the tenths).  Clothes are fitting better.

Update: Just did this for wife and I...  yep yep yep....  

Thank you for registering for the 2013 BolderBOULDER! 

Captains log 4172013

 Good morning all, I just got back from a 3.1 mile run in 35 minutes.  Run walking at a 4:1 ratio still.  Again I am sluggish on the first mile, but after that I gain my wind and seem to feel great.  I think if I ever go to do a PB I will warm up first and then go for it after warm.  Supposed to snow today, highs in the 30's.. happy april.. off to shower, I am almost late to work..

I plan on walking a bit later this morning.

Update: I got a few laps in around the north lake at Washington Park today.  Each lap is close to 1k and I got 3 in before I was sent on another order.

here is the route i took earlier:


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Captains log 4162013

It snowed last night and I finally broke down and played video games so it ended up being a day of rest.  Stayed below my calorie goals though, and after yesterdays heavy burn it felt ok to take today off.  Until tomorrow!

Captains log 4152013

Monday!  Happy tax day!  Woke up this morning feeling pretty good.  I really thought I would be sore after the long run yesterday but nope.  Makes me feel good about the training program.  Today it is chilly again in Denver with a wind chill in the 20s.  Got a good 8 laps in walking at horseshoe park.  It was brisk to say the least but it was a bit of low impact exercise.  I might go with the wife to the gym tonight, we will see how I feel after work.

On my walk today I reflected on how it has been a month since was had to put Cassie down.  She was a great dog and maybe even better than I originally thought.  Since she has been gone I have noticed Alex's behaviors change.  Alex is 3 years old now and she has always been the aloof pup, testing limits and what not.  Now I see little changes that she had to have learned from Cassie.  For example, when the kids are outside playing in the front yard Cassie used to keep an eye on the through the storm door.  I came home the other day and Alex has secured that post.  Just laying there, not nearly as alert looking as Cassie was, but still keeping an eye on the kids.  I am intrigued and wonder how much more Alex learned from cassie.  I guess we'll find out.

update edit:  I went to the gym with the wifey and hit the hamster wheel again for another low impact burn.  36 mins of 2.5 mph at 15° incline and another 24mins at 3.5 to 4 mph at 5° to 9° incline, around 950 calorie burn.  2 hours of walking today

Captains log 4142013

Sunday, Long run day.  Today I set out on a run walk at a 4:1 ration of running to walking.  My body responded well to the change as I have been doing my short distances all week at that ratio.  I went out for 60 minutes and accomplished a 5.7 mile run according to google maps.  The hills beat my ass today near the end,  I felt as though I was barely trudging along as I slogged through 4 minutes of an up hill.  I assume it gets better over time.

I had about 12 oz of water and my protein shake about 30 mins prior to the run and a shot of Odwalla Blueberry B vitamin mix 5 minutes before the run as I knew I was not going to have anything for 60 mins.  I think that if I were to go any longer I would want a little something to keep the sugars up as I was shaking a bit when I got home, my body's way of saying low sugar.

My next week shakes down like this:

mon: xt (light lifting, Non impact workout) or walk
tues: run 35 minutes
wed: xt or walk
thurs: run 35 mins (I also have a personal training session this day)
fri: xt / walk
sat: off day
sun: long run, 60 mins

Here is the route for this morning, now I am going to be late for work.



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Captains log 4132013

Saturday, off day.  I woke up a little sore from my workout last night, just proof that walking hills is still my best bet for fat loss.  In the whole 45 minutes of walking I stayed in the zone for 30+ of them.  my fat loss zone is 123 to 140 BPM.  I am going to incorporate a few of these weekly.  They are the exercises I did daily last time and ultimately led to very quick weight loss while eating 1200 to 1500 calories a day.  Like I said at the beginning, I am not restricting myself that much this time.  While the overall goal is the same, I have more time this time and while the results are slow I am making progress.

2 Weeks until the vampire run.. oh and good news.. it looks like I will be off graves for the whole year..  worst shift ever!

Captains log 4122013

Today I found some free time at work to walk some laps around some metro parks.  I started with the ole faithful, Horseshoe Park in Aurora, and got 4 laps done before they called me to an order.. That was around 30 mins and 1.75 miles.  I then completed said order and found my way to a nice park called Crestmoor Park I believe.  I got 2 laps done there in about 40 minutes, about 2.3 miles total, for a grand total of 70 minutes of walking while at work.  It was nice to get outside and not be cooped up.

The wife and I are heading to the gym tonight and I will get in a bit more walking and a bike ride to cap off the night before my off day tomorrow.  I will refresh with an update later.
Update: ended up walking a slow walk 2.5 mph at 15° incline on hamster wheel for 40 mins and another 13 on the elliptical to round out the day.
Here is Crestmoor Park in Denver.



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Captains log 492013

Today I headed to the gym, it was a snow day for the kids so I got a late start but got 30 mins of running, 15 mins of walking, and 10 on a recumbant bike in.  Crummy Colorado weather.  Good weather should be back by the weekend.

Captains log 4112013

Thursday...  I didn't do anything yesterday.  And I almost gave up first thing this morning.  The alarm went off at 0400 and I did not want to get out of bed.  I hit snooze twice and finally made my way up and out to the gym.  I knocked out 2+ miles of running around the turf field in the half hour.  I had to use the gym because the lovely colorado weather got crummy out.  I ran walked at a 4 to 1 ratio for the first time.  I did not feel good doing it but got her done.  I gotta try to get a walk in tomorrow, then Saturday is off day..

Captains log 482013

Today was a great day, Monday.  Kids back to school, truck registered (that kind of sucked), and a lovely day with the wife and daughter.  The wife is on a 2 week cleanse and is on a strict diet for the next 14 days in order to cleanse all the toxins out of her body.  For $200 I sure hope it works.

As for me I am back on training schedule.  I got a late walk in today after dinner.  Ended up walking 6.5 miles according to google maps, in about 100 minutes.  It is supposed to snow again tonight, another 8-12 inches, so outside training will be put on hold once again and I will be forced in to the gym.  I need to get about a half hour run walk in tomorrow to keep on pace.

here is the route I walked today:



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Captains log 472013

Well, back at her again...  after a week + of inconsistent training, as well as a trip to sea level for 5 days, today's long run was difficult to say the least.  I was sluggish throughout and never hit a groove.  I walked to the high school track a little less than a half a mile away, run/walked 4 miles in 46:00, a total of 4.25 miles of run/walking, then walked home.  I felt as though I had not trained in a while.

I miss spoke earlier, our first 5k is April 26th so I have a few weeks to train.  This is the beginning of week 5, and I am currently on the 10k training schedule, so that means that Monday, Wednesday, Friday is XT or walking, and Tuesday, Thursday is run walking for 40 minutes.  Next Sunday's long run will be a 3 minute run to 1 min walk and will be the official change for the rest of my run/walks.

Today is the last day of spring break and I am taking D5 to Disney on Ice.  A nice little cap to the end of busy week.

Captains log 462013

First blog post in April.  I just got back last night from 5 days in Orlando, FL.  I vacationed well, and need to get back to training.  lets see...

monday 412013 was a marathon of packing fam in car, catching 7 am flight and settling in the condo we rented at The Seasons Resort.  Did not drink enough water and had a wicked headache that night as I went to bed.

Tuesday 422013 woke up with a small headache and went for a run.  I really wanted to do this as I wanted to see the difference of altitude.  I found that while I was able to breathe much better, and I did not run out of breath, the muscle felt exactly the same.  I ran/walked for about 2.5 miles in a short 30 min activity before getting on the road and heading to Universal studios for day 1. 


We stayed at the Universal Studios side for about 6 hours and rode Shrek 4d, Men in Black, The Mummy Returns, Twister, and I sat with D5 while the rest of the family rode ET.  Lunch was an abhorrent 1.75 hr ordeal, but we did walk the whole park and see the sights.  A little research shows that the act of walking and standing in line burns about 175 calories extra per hour, and I believe it, I was a little sore for being on my feet that long on just day 1.  We learned a lot this day and had a meltdown by D5 at the 1630 mark and decided to call it a day a bit early to go back and get some swimming in at the hotel.

Wednesday 432013 Hit the theme park at 1100 hours this time and went to Island of Adventure..  Splurged on the express pass, and promptly went and waited 2 hours in line to ride the Harry Potter ride.  Knocked it out with the Dragon Challenge, had some butter beer, had fun at the Hogsmeade experience, and by that time the rest of the family showed up.  Rode the amazing spiderman, Jurassic Park river ride, Dudley Do Right's river ride, took D5 back to Dr Suess land to ride the Carousel and prevent a meltdown, then left Island of Adventure and went back to the Studios park and used our express pass to gain an expedited entry into the minion mayhem ride.  We ate dinner at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville which was delicioso.  We attempted to stay for fireworks and a presentation of 100 years of studio works but got rained out.  All in all I think we were at the parks for 10 hours and 8 of which was walking or standing.  Easily we walked 4 miles that day.

Thursday 442013 Headed out by 1000 to Kennedy Space Center and took a tour of the center and the Apollo launch viewing area where they have a rocket inside and all the components of the Apollo missions.  It was really cool.  Not nearly the same amount of walking today but definitely not just sitting around.  After that we had to get the kids feet wet in the ole Atlantic and then ate at a great little spot in Cocoa Beach.  Got home around 2200 hours.

Friday 452013 Check out of condo by 1000 hrs, headed back to Universal and got 1 ride in, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rock it.  2+ hour wait in line again and at least another 1.5 miles of walking.  My feet were very sore by this time, I was ready to head to the airport and make our way home.  We made it out of Orlando on time and home by 2230 MST or 0030 EST Saturday.  Looking back it was a bit of a whirlwind.

My diet this past week was not good.  I did not drink nearly enough water, ate entirely too many Dunkin Donuts (we dont have them in Colorado and I missed them) and all in all thoroughly enjoyed myself.  The kids had a blast, S6 met Spiderman and got his autograph, a picture with Optimus Prime, and D5 danced with Dora and met Spongebob, Patrick, Gru, Agnes, Scooby and numerous others.  S11 rode every ride I did and while he was a bit old, and too cool, to get excited about the characters he had fun.

Today is a day of rest!!!  Back to training tomorrow morning.

Here is a map of the run I did on Tuesday... 
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Captains log 3312013

Sunday, Easter Sunday to be exact.  As it is the final day of March I celebrated with a one month of working out day by going to the gym this morning at 0430 and run/walking for 60 minutes.  My intervals were jog 4 minutes and walk 1 minute.  It slowed me down a bit but I feel that I got a good 5 miles in this morning.  I also weighed myself to end the month.  Official weigh in: 247lb.  Down 11lbs this month. 

I have to admit I am a little discouraged with the last 1.5 weeks.  I weighed myself 2 Tuesdays ago and was at 246.  I know I did not get my walks in this week as per usual but still I have kept my intake below the max I have set for myself.  Ok, I'm over it.

Tomorrow we fly out early to Orlando.  There will be a lot of walking in the next week.  The kids still don't know what's going on exactly but they suspect something, excitement is in the air.  Probably feeding off of me!  Since we are eating away from home, keeping my caloric intake below threshold will prove challenging.  Wish me luck.

13 days until the vampire run.  I'm pretty excited.  While it isn't exactly a timed run it will be my first official race.  Yay.

measurments - ugh!

70" tall
Weight - 247 lb
Chest - 47"
Belly button - 45"
hips (pant waist) - 40"
Thigh - 28"
calf - 17"

I will weigh in tomorrow when I use the gym in the morning for a long run.

Captains log 3302013

This morning I woke up and what should have been a day of rest turned into me realizing yesterday I did nothing, so I went for a 20 minute walk.run for about 1.8 miles, 2 miles with warm up walk.  an average of 5.4 mph felt good and could have kept going but I have to go to work and am pushing the envelope as I type.  Here is the route I took today.



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Captains log 3292013

Today I took a day of rest, and it was awesome.  We have a sickness going through the house and I am hoping that I do not get it.  Kept caloric intake below threshhold.  Good day.

Captains log 3282013

Today I awoke at 6am and had a great nights sleep after a great day of lounging around.  I worked my way through 4 of the Harry Potter series on dvd.  I am making it a point ot get ready for our Orlando trip next week and our three days at Universal studios.

I did get Alex the dog out for a walk this morning.  I strapped on her backpack and we took about a 3 mile stroll.  It felt great and was a nice crisp walk.  Here is the route we took:



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Captains log 3272013

Today I did very little and consumed a slight bit more than my caloric goal.  But it was awesome.  back to work to morrow.

Captains log 3262013

This morning I awoke at the crack of 0415 and made it to the gym by 0500.  It is still cold out in the morning so I did my run indoors.  Plus I still have a sinus issue that I'm dealing with.  Ran/ walked 36 laps around the turf field today in around 33 minutes.  36 laps is 3.05 miles so a 10:49 second per mile pace, but remember that is with walk breaks.  10 minutes of the 33 total was walking and 23 was running.  I average a 3.5 mph walk speed so 0.58 miles were walking and 2.47 were running, in 23 minutes is a 8:55 pace.  Good numbers when broken down I think.

I'm hoping the snow clears and this weekend I can do some timed personals on the track.  I'm interested in where I am at.

Captains log 3252013

Today was a Monday and it felt like it.  I ended up sleeping in bed until I had to go to work and never got a workout in.  The wife convinced me to stay in after work.  It is walk/cross train day so nothing lost really.  Until tomorrow.

Captains log 3242013

Sunday, my hump day, long run day.  It was -1° at 0430 this morning so I went to the gym and ran laps around the turf field and both basketball courts.   I jogged for 22 minutes without stopping today.  It was a slow pace and I never lost my breath.  I think it was around 5 mph or a 12 min mile.  After the 22 mins I did interval 2 min 1 min for another 15 at a faster pace.  Doing some rough calculations it takes almost 7 laps to hit a mile.  I did not focus on how many I got done, just on keeping running.   So while it may not have been the most mileage it was the longest constant run which I think I needed.  I could have kept going but wanted to get and interval session in and had to get to work.  Soon the weather will stop being a bitch and stay spring like.

Captains log 3232013

Today was a day of rest.  I successfully rested though I did shovel the driveway twice.  Doesn't count.  Intake was great.  Short and sweet.

Captains log 3222013

Happy Friday Yall!!!  It has been a nice day before we get another 4-8 forecasted inches of snow.  Usually that means we will get a dusting.  I did not wake up this morning for a run, I had a bit of a sinus issue, so I went out after work today.  This little jaunt reminded me why I love to run before breakfast right after waking up.  Man did I drag ass and suck wind on the first 2 minute run.  I was beat.  caught my breath in the first walk and after that I felt ok, but not nearly as good as I feel in the morning.  Plus it is way windier in the afternoons here in Denver Metro, which is not fun to run in at all!

I walk/ran for 32 minutes today and totaled 3.1 miles, a half a block short of a 5K.  That was an average of a 10:19/mile.  Back on 3-4-2013 I did this very same loop making it a 11:51/mile.  I find myself very surprised in the results in just 18 days.  Very cool.  I hope then to make it a full 5K in 30 minutes before the wife and I run on April 13th. 

My intervals were 2 mins running / 1 min walking for 11 cycles of running and 10 cycles of walking.. I walked cool down after the last run cycle.  So 22 minutes of the 32 were running.  So close..  Here is the loop as I ran today with the filler warm up and cool down.



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Captains log 3212013

Thursday, and I did not wake up to go for a run.  I was still pretty spent from yesterday so decided to sleep instead for more recovery.  I did make it to horseshoe park for a 3 mile walk though and it felt great.  I'm going to get a run in, scheduled for a 1.5 miler or 15 - 20 mins, definitely tomorrow but maybe after work if the rain stays away.  Looking forward to off day saturday, followed by a long run Sunday.  It is supposed to be highs of 30°s this weekend...  perfect for a hike, running, meh.

Captains log 3202013

What a great day.  At the last minute I decided to use a lift ticket I had bought a few weeks ago at Loveland Basin (www.skiloveland.com).  The highs hit the 30's on the hill and there were minimal crowds.  I did make it a solo trip, which I had not done since 1998 a year after I first moved out to Colorado.  I had purchased some boots a few weeks ago and this was the first day in them, so breaking them in was a bit of a chore but it felt great to be outside, and MAN do my legs feel it today after working out as hard as I did yesterday.
I made a total of 12 trips up and down the hill in about 3 hours before my legs protested movement, and being one to always remember that the bad stuff happens "on the last run of the day" I was proactive and bailed early.  Clouds were moving in and the wind really picked up.  This was my second time on skis this year and makes 2 times in 15+ years.  I knew I had always loved the sport but damn it can get pricey.  Loveland may change that.  They have a really good deal on season passes and for newbie skiers like the wife and kids, and a whole hill away from experienced people to practice.  It is a relatively short drive from Denver and really has some great potential.  The snow seems to be lacking a bit this year and I bet with all the terrain open this hill is awesome.  Loveland's prices are the best around and a season pass is pretty cheap.  Sure they dont have the fancy resort stuff but really it is a great hill with some challenging terrain.  Some of the greens I would have classified as easy blues and the trend continues throughout the grading, it is a pretty steep hill in some spots.
So no running today, instead I am sore in a cross training sort of way, tomorrow I get to run again.  Wish me luck, these quads are a burnin.
Here is a picture I took from the top of the #9 lift about as high as 1 can get without hiking.

 

Here is a picture of the mountain:

On a side note:  in 1996 my father and I made a trip out here from the east coast and went up to loveland pass.  We climbed a small hill to make it official that we were 12000 feet up, loveland Pass is 11,990', and both of us were huffing and puffing after only a short 15' hike up the hill.  I had not been there since that day and today made a short jaunt up hwy 6 to see how acclimated I have become, I made it up the hill without barely a huff, my legs however told me they were still exhausted from skiing.  I know for a fact I need to get more high mountain training in before I attempt a 14er.  Baby steps people.

Captains log 3192013

What a Tuesday this has started out being.  I woke up after a solid 7+ hour sleep, via alarm clock, to get out and get my Tuesday run in.  I upped my time today from a 10 -15 minute run/walk to a 15- 20 minute run/walk.  Actually it turned into a 26 min run/walk.  Running for 2 minutes/ walking for 1 minute for 13 cycles this morning took me 2.4 miles.  Warm up and cool down added an extra .3 miles and a few extra minutes.  I felt great this morning.  The first mile felt really slow but once I hit mile 2 I felt awesome.  My stride lengthened and I know I was moving faster than the first mile.  Maybe it was because I knew it was the home stretch, I'm not sure, but it felt great.  Hopefully this keeps up through the week.

I have a eye dr appointment and a meeting at S11's school today and plan on walking to both of them.  That will add a few more minutes of movement today.

here is the route I ran today:



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0900hrs: accompanied Kori to the gym to get a nice hot tub soak and steam in.  Ended up run/walking another 30 minutes on the turf field and riding the recumbent bike for another 10. So add another 2.5 to 3 miles to the run/walk schedule, again my breathing was great throughout the whole session and I paced myself differently throughout the run.  I then did get a soak in and hit up the steam room.. they felt great.

Captains log 3182013

Today was nice...  I did not get the workout I wanted in but instead took a nice relaxing walk with the wife and daughter and Alex the St Bernard at the local dog park.  About 60 min walk with 2 to 2.5 miles traveled.

I think I'll go skiing Wednesday.  I have a ticket to loveland ski area and need to use it...  it will be the end of ski season before we know it.

Chris

Captains log 3172013

16 hours at work again on my "rest day".  Atleast all day was double time so it actually works out to getting paid for 4 normals week days.  Not too bad a gig I have here. 

I did not get a workout in today of any sort really.  I got some walking and ladder/pole climbing but nothing strenuous.  I'm going to be below my food intake for the day too so all in all it will be a good day of rest.   Really windy out today.  Saw some people on their bikes chugging along with a sustained 40+MPH wind in their face... that had to suck.

Did some looking and found a loop hike/backpack adventure in the mountains that looks like great fun.  34 mile loop so I would plan on a good 3-4 days.  The elevation gain is not tremendous so it seems to be a great newbie trail.  I am also intrigued at the possibility of hiking the Colorado trail a few days at a time, if I can find someone to pick me up at the destinations.   Also saw a nice class 1 trail up a couple 14ers that I want to attempt before I decided whether or not I'm ready to join my cousin on his longs peak adventure.

Heard a great quote today, and it really hit home.   Stop saying you can't do something and start saying you can but don't want to.  It was used in respect to where people fail at changing their diets, they say I can't eat that cake instead of giving themselves some credit and saying I know I can eat that cake but I don't want to and thus choose not to.  I equate it to where I am at working out.  I know I can play video games all day on the couch but I don't want to, I choose not to and to workout instead therefore changing my lifestyle. 

-Chris

Captains Log 3162013

Today is is back to seasonal temperatures.  This morning S11 and I walked to the local middle school with Alex the Saint Bernard.  We then used the schools 400m track to do a bit of running.  I ran a lap, walked 100 meters, for a total of 5 laps run and 2 (total) walked.  the round trip walk was about 1.7 miles, and I knocked out another 1.75 miles on the track.. so another 3.5 mile endeavor.  I also added in one 100m sprint at the very end for good measure.  I am going to go buy a stop watch later today so I can have baseline numbers for next time.

Kori mentioned a workout to me that is intriguing, one her PT told her about when she mentioned one I had heard called "The Burpee Mile".  It involves running a mile, doing 100 push ups, running 1 mile, doing 100 sit ups, running 1 mile, doing 100 pull ups, and finishing by running 1 mile.  I think I am going to do an adaptation of this sometime soon but incorporate shorter intervals and greater length.  Besides I cant do 100 pull ups!  I would be lucky to do 10.

My ipod shut down due to lack of battery power around the first 100m mark and from there I got to hear myself breathe.  That made it difficult to keep running.  I do think though that had I my normal pace keeping device I could have run more.

Today was supposed to be my off day.  Since I am only working 8 hours this afternoon I turned it into a workout day and tomorrow I will use as my off day since I am working 16 hours.  I did get a chance to take my lovely wife out to see the movie "Oz the Great and Powerful".  It was wonderful to spend some alone time with her. 

Here is the route today.. the middle school track is the 6 lane track SW of the HS track.



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Captains log 3152013

A beautiful day outside in Colorado.  74°F for a high today under mostly cloudy conditions.  A slight breeze accompanied me on my walk today at the ole horseshoe park.  I got a good hour long walk in whilst getting paid and days like today make me realize how lucky I am to have what I have.

I am one of the 98% of America.  I live by the rules, for the most part, pay my taxes, and officially live the American dream of a house, a great wife, 3 kids, a dog, 3 cars and a boat.  Late last year I was reminded of how special life on earth is, my daughter left this world for 5 minutes after a long surgery.  She was in excellent hands and was brought back by a team of medical staff.  I remember going home the next day and just crying really hard.  How close I was to losing my baby girl at the age of almost 5.  I walked in the house to find both dogs waiting as usual, ready to go outside and I remember sitting with Cassie and just petting her.  You see my baby while back on earth was still in the icu.  She was riding a fine line as sick kids tend to do.  9 days later my little girl came home.  The first being to welcome her was Cassie.  She had to make sure her youngest was alright like a good mama would do.  She wouldn't leave the little girls side for a good long while.

Fast forward 4 months.   The wife and I were reminiscing about Cassie last night.  The wife mentions how Cassie's ailments started soon after we got home, and really surfaced in early January.  She wondered aloud if somehow Cassie had arranged a trade, a life for a life, in order for us to keep our little girl here with us, how she had thought about it all day.  I looked at her kind of in shock.  Without ever speaking of it with anyone, I had earlier, after Cassie's passing, wondered the very same thing!  We had called the little girls recovery a miracle, maybe there was more to it!  Stranger things have happened.

The picture is the little girl just getting home and Cassie checking on her.

-Chris

Captains log 3142013

Today has been a long day.  We had to put down our oldest dog Cassie today at the age of almost 8 years.  We got her before we knew our middle son was in utero as a 4 month old puppy.  She was the wife's baby before she had babies and held a special place in our hearts.  She grew up with our then 4 year old and he will miss her terribly. 

Cassie was a great dog.  She was a cattle dog mix and we were her pack.  She was there for the kids in ways they'll never understand.  She knew when the wife was pregnant and used to always watch over her through the days.  Then when they were born she considered them hers, sometimes even challenging the wifes patience.  She and our oldest had the classic bond a boy and dog develop from younger ages.  One time our St Bernard thought the daughter was going for her food and snapped in her general direction and Cassie LAID into her. 

Cassie was my camping buddy.  Every trip she went with me and I always felt comfortable about her sleeping with the kids and keeping them safe.  She never barked at random things so you knew that if she did bark it was for a reason.  She was a great member of this family and we did everything short of spending thousands of dollars to keep the cancer from taking over.  She had a fast growing tumor in her nasal passages and we attacked it with meds but to no avail.  She stopped eating days ago and could not sleep well since she could not breathe through her nose.  She was in pain but never let on.  We had to do right by her so we made the tough decision to put her down. 

She seemed to know we made this decision.  She got out of bed to tell the kids goodbye for the first time in weeks.  She wagged her tail when the wife took the daughter to her cousins then came inside with me and immediately laid down exhausted.  She went into the drs office wagging and went with the dr to get a catheter placed in her leg.  She knew!  Just like she always had.  She had a mothers intuition and it was always right!

It is hard to teach responsibility to kids.  About how we have to do things that are very hard to do as adults because it is the right thing to do.  Even when we don't want to.  The wife held her as she went.  I looked in her eyes as they injected the fatal cocktail.  She deserved no less from us.  She will be missed tremendously.

I got a run in tonight.  I was dragging at first but by the end felt great.  It was another 15 min walk run where I ran for 2 minutes and walked for 1.  Total distance was 1.4 miles.  As I said I felt great and think I could have easily done another round of 15, but I am taking it slow.  Plus I am technically on the clock.  Yay for me..  here's the route I ran.  It is almost the exact route Cassie and I walked with the daughter last week.  It felt right!



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Captains log 3132013

Hump day!  It is a beautiful day in Colorado, and what we were supposed to have yesterday according to weather know it alls.  It is also my first 8 hour work day since last Wednesday. 

I found my way back to horseshoe park.  I got 7 laps done in an hour and it should equate to ~3.5 miles walking.  I'm going to call it hiking.  I am doing it in jeans, long sleeve fr shirt, and my hiking boots.  Nothing more to report.. 

Chris

This just in...

I am officially signed up for the Colfax Marathon.. well the relay!!!  I am part of team PNDA BR and a proud runner of the 4th and most important leg of the relay.  It is only most important because it is the one where I am running!!  I am now signed up as follows:

April 26th (night) Vampire run 5k
May 11th - Rugged Maniac 5k obstacle course
May 19th- 4 mile leg of Colfax Marathon Relay.

Boots to asses!!!  I gotta get to work!!

L8..

Create Maps or search from 80 million at MapMyRun

Captains Log 3122013

Day four of 16 hour days...  they end tonight for a 24 hour spell, then I knock two more out Thursday and Friday, and 8 hours on Saturday and Sunday..  it will be a nice paycheck.  It will however come with sacrfices.

Today the weather was supposed to be in the 50's like yesterday, instead I awoke to snow and a 1.5 hour commute to work, 16 miles.  It has been overcast all day and really got my mood off on the wrong foot.  You gotta love Colorado.  I had packed my gym bag and took it to work today with the hopes of getting a little run in.  I found time to do a 15 minute interval session, 2 minutes jogging, 1 minute walking.  It felt great but was cut short when I was dispatched to an order.  It seems like a small amount but according to the Jeff Galloway theory it is exactly what I should have done on Tuesday of the second week.  We shall see.. it seemed like a weak workout.  This goes back to when I said that I need to take it slow.. I don't wanna!

As I mentioned, there are sacrifices that are made.  I am completely off my schedule when I work these hours.  I don't see my wife and kids often, and literally drive home to sleep to wake up 6 hours later to drive back to work.  It makes for very long days and I miss my family tremendously when I work like this.  You see, we are still a sit down and eat every night at 6pm family.  Granted there are a few exceptions but the wife and I try and make it a point to instill in the kids a bit of old fashioned family time.  We do not over schedule our kids.  We let them be a little loose and carefree but we are also very structured.  So when I work like this this kids feel it too.. things are not normal.  I try and make it a point to swing by the house just to let them know I am alive.  I leave before they're awake and home after their 8pm bed time, so when I get a chance i do stop in just to say hello.  I am pretty sure my 5 year old little girl thinks I am always at work!

I am a creature of habit, but at the same time I like to be free...  I like to make plans on a whim.  I like comfort, but enjoy traveling outside of my comfort zone every so often.  I love video games, but know in my heart I love the outdoors more.  I have chosen in the past to sit around and play all day, while eating everything in the house with no regard as to what I am doing to myself.  I am now choosing a different path.  Since I have started this training I have not sat down to play one video game.  That is now been 10 documented days since blog 1.  I like myself better already!

Next Sunday I am walking over to the high school and running on their track.  I would like to get a full 1 mile run in and time it.  I'd also like to time a 100m and 400m.  It is good to have a solid baseline.

Chris

Captains log 3112013

Third day of double shifts at work and after yesterdays long walk my body did not want to get moving this morning, and I did not sleep well.  For the first time ever I was cold in my bed, well my lower extremities were.  Very discomforting.

I made my way in to work and found some time in the late am to walk some laps around a nice park.  Each lap was ~8 minutes so I am guessing that it was about 0.5 miles per lap.  6 laps done and 3 miles logged in my hiking boots and it felt great.  It is in the low 40s and windy but I did not mind as I walked with my sleeves rolled up.

I love being outdoors.  The walk today just reconfirmed what I already knew...  it was around a couple softball fields and a playground and wound through a part of tollgate creek where in 1982 a couple kids playing found some native american remains.  The natives of several different tribes camped and walked along this stream so many glorious years ago and I found myself immersed in visions of what that was like amongst the willows 150 years ago.  I loved every minute of it.

You see, I am not a city native.  I grew up in the "backwoods" of the Maine coast in a small fishing town.  I had 9 acres of woods to call my playground along with 2 acres of yard.  I feel completely at home in the wilderness, and yet I have so much to learn.  While I am trying to become a long distance runner, I know I am already a long distance hiker.  Like Forrest gump running, I can just keep walking.  It can get hard at times but it is literally one foot in front of the other and just keep trudging along.  Running is similar but is harder to breathe...

My wife is a city girl.  She can make do anywhere but is most comfortable in the city.  We are a classic case of city mouse married citified country mouse.  Where the idea of homesteading in a remote area entices me, she would miss the hustle and bustle of the city.  I am not saying she couldn't do it, I'm saying she'd hate it.

As well as learning how to run this year it is also my goal to spend more time outside..  I deprive myself of it too often.

Chris

Captains log 3102013

Good morning and happy Spring forward day.  First off I would like to apologize to my wife for my alarm going off so early and me taking a lot if time to shut it off!  Second, it is a slow morning so far at work.  I had one order out the gate but nothing since I cleared it.  To pass the time I started walking laps around the complex here at work.  I did 10 laps, each lap being 3660 feet (I measured with a wheel) in 2 hours, all while being no more than a few hundred feet from my truck in the event dispatch was to drop me an order.  Not too shabby, and here I was worried that I wouldn't find time to move around a bit due to working 16 hours.  The walk was accomplished wearing my work clothes and my hiking boots, a bit more than I would normally wear while working out.  I did not get a long run in but a long walk instead... almost 7 miles, 36600 ft, its the longest I have walked in a long time, and I got paid to do it!

Again I did not get the sleep my body likes last night.  Got home from work at 2320 and woke up and hour early at 0600, so right at 6 hours of sleep...  I respond best to a solid 8.  Its the same old cycle.  I get to the top of the overtime list and accept all the ot I can get in the two week period that the list is in effect and burn myself out, swearing I'll never do it again, but then I go and do it again.  I'll never learn!

The snow that showed up yesterday is melting already so indoor exercise may not have to rear its ugly head.

I am typing these posts from my cell phone so I'm not worrying about grammar at this point.  Just putting pen to paper.

Chris

Captains log 392013

Rest day!  Albeit work 16 hours with a good metro snow event day but still rest nonetheless.   I got home from work last night around 0030 and was awake at 0600 in order to go back to work.  So I did not sleep the amount I desired especially after working out as hard as I did yesterday.  My body protested and I wanted to smash my alarm badly.

You see, in 3 weeks, the wife and I and our 3 kids are flying to Orlando for a weeks worth of Universal studios.  So in order to have some extra cash I have accepted ot through Tuesday so far and highly expect it to go through my next scheduled 4 day weekend.  All in all it could equal somewhere in the neighborhood of an extra 250+ hours of pay, just in time for vacation.  Unfortunately this means I have to find a time to workout somewhere, and that with generally mean lack of sleep.  I am also granted a 1 hour period to have a break during the day and may have to fit a workout in that time slot.

So with all this going on I find myself searching as to what I should do on the morrow.  It is supposed to be my long run day...  I have to fit it in.  The last time I focused on myself and lost weight I did not work any overtime for 2 months.  This time I have other goals on hand that must accompany my personal goals.

So today is rest day and I still focused on eating right and coming in under my calorie max.  I did so but did indulge in a 3 egg, ham, potato and gyro meat burrito (sans tortilla) smothered in green chile with pork.  Delicious and less calories than 2 pieces of Costco pizza.  Then I really splurged and had a russell's milk chocolate caramel egg for a useless 130 calories, but really yummy.  All in all a good day.

Chris