Jingle Bell Run 2008 Malvern, PA
December 16, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
To those awesome people that have not given up on me, my apologies for the long delay in posts. Yes I’m still kicking. This is my first run since the Race for Hope one and a half months ago. The bulk of my workouts been sporadic trips to the gym, mostly cardio work on the elliptical and treadmill.
May is coming up quickly and I’m trying to figure out how to instill a sense of urgency in my preparations for the 10 Mile monster. I weighed in this past Monday and my weight was a “svelte” 182 …. the exact weight I was at last April when I started this thing. The argument could be made that some of the fat turned to muscle. That may be true but I need to take this to a whole other level.
So anyway, race day. December 14th. It was a beautiful Sunday morning in Chester County. Perfect weather for a run through some scenic back roads. I felt good. I wasn’t expecting much but I always want to finish well. In fact usually I set my expectations so high that success is almost unattainable. This will change I assure you.
Fran ran this race also as did her friend Kathy. Kathy suffers from Arthritis which this race benefits. This event took place in several cities throughout the nation. All three of us were far from our top 5k condition but we fought through it and did great.
This event was really a spectacle. I wish that I could have gotten some video footage. Runners in gorilla costumes, dressed as elves, dogs dressed as Santa, you name it. The race packet included jingle bells to put on your shoes which made the run very festive and fun.
Long story short, I finished in 28:31. I felt that I did better than that but the runners weren’t digitally timed. After the finish there was gridlock as people were handing in the tags so I may have lost some time. The important thing is that I finished. I kept a 9:11/Mile pace and I had enough in the tank to break into a sprint at the end.
The last month has been up and down in every possible way for me. I adjusted my diet and have been taking whole food vitamins and Acai berry caplets. I had a pack of Cheez-its, peanut butter cups and Taco Bell just today. I’ve hit the elliptical hard for 60 straight minutes. I’ve sat on my ass for entire evenings playing MouseHunt in front of the TV.
I’ve said it before. This thing could go either way.
Thanks for reading.
– D.
Jingle Bell Run Philly official site:
http://www.jbrphilly.kintera.org/
The next step?
September 29, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
September 15th, 178 lbs … September 22nd, 178.5 lbs … September 29th, 181.5 lbs.
What the %@#& is going on?!?! I’ll tell ya … COMPLACENCY, that’s what. I’ve been doing this since June and I’m back where I started. It comes back on a LOT easier than it comes off.
I weighed in this morning and decided that this is it. I’m taking this to the next level. I’m tired of screwing around. I went out to the park at lunchtime and walked today, first time in weeks. Over three miles.
I have to take into account some indisputable truths about myself. There are some things that simply won’t change.
- It doesn’t matter how much I watch my diet. If I’m hungry, I will eat what is around.
- If running with others, I will hold myself more accountable than running alone.
- There needs to be a variety of exercises or I’ll DIE of boredom.
This is the biggest commitment to physical fitness I have made in my entire life. I want to keep it interesting so I continue to improve and stick with it. I’m on it as soon as I’m done with my stromboli here …
– D.
Gluttony - The deadliest sin
September 25, 2008 by Doug · Leave a Comment
OK, This is my first post in a few weeks. The reason is, I haven’t had anything very inspirational to write about. Since vacation I have not gotten out to run … or exercise at all for that matter. No excuses, just living my life. I got back from the shore and got wrapped up in football parties, fall food festivals, winery visits, well you name it. I’m human what can I say.
My weight after I got back went up to 178 last week, and 178.5 this past Monday.
I’m realizing that it’s going to take more than a few runs a week to make my goal. There was a time in the past when I couldn’t put on weight if I wanted to. That all changed when my metabolism came to a screeching halt when I was in college. I don’t think that my situation is unique or I have it tougher than others by ANY means. I have never really felt any urgency to lose weight or get in shape like I do now. Since I haven’t really felt the need to push myself, and am laid back by nature, this is REALLY HARD for me to do. Not to mention the fact that I absolutely love food and live by one of the greatest cities in the world for that. Old habits die hard.
My next scheduled race is October 26th, a 5 miler. I better get out there and practice, LOL. I’m looking at some different exercise and fitness regimens to try, some of them rather extreme. I also joined a gym which opens next month. So these are positive steps. This whole experience isn’t just about weight loss, running and fitness for me. I’m learning that it’s also an exercise in discipline and doing the right thing despite old habits and what others are doing.
It’s taking on a life of it’s own. Scary….
– D.
