Weigh-In

Last week’s weigh-in didn’t go so hot.  I was up almost 3 lbs. but then I got back on track and weighed in this week at 240.6 lbs.  Total weight lost so far is 14.9 lbs. or 5.8%.  I’m on track but know I could do better.

Back in Action!

It has been quite a while since I last checked in here.  I won’t bore you with too many excuses, as I think that the main reason is that blogging just hasn’t been as big a priority for me as of late.  Since my last entry I’ve ran the Champoeg Half Marathon in September, had some slight knee issues that caused me to miss nearly a month of training but still managed to finish the Portland Marathon in October, and despite walking the Turkeython 5K with my family, I have taken a much needed break from running.  I was asked if the break was to heal up or if I’d become a little burned out and my answer was YES!

2011 was an up-and-down year.  I accomplished some of my goals which I am very proud of.  I ran a total of 3 marathons, 2 of which were within 2 weeks of each other qualifying me for the Marathon Maniacs.  However, I let my weight get the best of me and I’m currently back up where I was a couple of years ago pre-running – something that has contributed to my continually wonky knees.

Weighing my Options

The good news is that the break has done me well.  I feel reinvigorated regarding my health and running.  I’m going to be focusing on dropping my weight significantly (again!) and will rebuild my running to be faster and stronger than ever.  On 1/23/2012 I joined a weight loss competition at my work and I’m embarrassed to say that I weighed in at 255.5 lbs.  Granted, I manipulated my water weight a little and ate everything I could leading into the competition, all to make that starting number a little higher - yes I gamed the system a bit.  As of Monday, the 6th, I weighed in at 243.1 lbs. which is a drop of 12.4 lbs. or 4.9% total.  Now the hard work starts.  I’ll be posting my progress here as part of my accountability.

It’s sad to think that I had said goodbye to being a fat guy, and yet it snuck right back in.  I deserve better than that, and it’s time I do something about it.

Upcoming

As of right now, the only race I have on the books this year is the Portland Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in May.  My official training plan for that starts next week, and while I wish I had a better base built up, I’ll settle for ramping up for it now.  It shouldn’t be too bad.

I’m liking the idea of running more half marathons this year, and might try to qualify for the Half Fanatics, a sister club to the Marathon Maniacs.  That said, I haven’t decided if I’ll even run a full marathon this year.  I’m considering skipping the Portland Marathon and maybe opting for a different race in the fall, maybe one I have to travel for.  I haven’t decided.

Either way, I will be filling up my schedule soon so stay tuned.  It will be a good year, I can tell.

Cheers,
CJ

A Dawn of New Beginnings

Up before the dawn, I hopped in the car.  Just a short drive before I was to run one of my customary routes along the Springwater Corridor, looking to go 8 or 9 miles.  It had been nearly a month since I had ran anything longer than a mile or two and while I knew that this was easily longer than I should be running, I wanted to put the knee to the test.  I had been dealing with another case of (self diagnosed) tendinitis that was quickly putting my running of the Portland Marathon in danger.  This run and how I responded would be my decision.  Would I, could I get back on track enough to complete the marathon?

Running along the corridor in the early morning light I felt comfortable and easy.  I wasn’t able to push the pace like I wanted, I wasn’t in as good of shape as I wanted, but I was pain free and as the sun rose and shone through the trees, I knew that I would be ok.  The metaphor of the dawn was not lost on me that morning.

Tour de Lab

The very next day, and for the second year in a row, I rode in the Tour de Lab, a bicycle tour around Portland that goes from Lucky Labrador Brew Pub to Brew Pub.  It is a benefit for the DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital and offers a challenging “Big Dog” 35-mile route as well as a 20-mile “Puppy” route.  I signed up at the last minute as I wasn’t sure how my knees would be feeling.  Having passed my 9-mile running test the day prior, and despite being sore, I was confident that I could handle the ride.  I haven’t done nearly the riding this year compared to last and I knew that the hills of the Big Dog route would eat me alive so it was the Puppy route for me this year.

A gorgeous late summer day, coupled with my new found confidence made for a great ride.  The beer garden at the end only solidified the time I was having.  I finally felt that I was back.  I was able to hammer thru the ride when I wanted and felt like I was taking the hills like a pro.  It was a real confidence booster.

Back On

I’m back on track, sort of.  I’m the first to admit that I’m not where I want to be physically, up a few pounds, slower than desired, and a little beat up, but I realized that I can rely on my base to pull me thru.  If my goal, my expectation is to finish the marathon, then I’ll be ok.  I won’t be setting any land speed records but I’m ok with that.  Goal 1 will be to get to the starting line, goal 2 will be to get to the finish line.  The rest is just filler.

CJ