Heat Wave........

Is it possible that I am already done with Old Man Winter? For Chicagoland this has been a mild winter (knock on wood), but I still feel the need to be done with it. I need warmer temps and longer days. I mean, I gots some training to get done. AND I miss my bike! Bike I do love you!

O.K., I moved up the long run to today because of the heat wave. Yep, it was 20 degrees when I departed at 9am. Tomorrow the projected high temp is 15 degrees with massive winds and wind chill. It was a no brainer.

The plan called for 6 miles and I gave it that and just a bit more. I am still working on slowing things down when I run outside. Most of the experts state that a novice should be running his long efforts slower then his anticipated marathon pace. Well, I want to run a sub 4 hour marathon, which puts my "anticipated" pace around 9 minute miles. It seems sooooo slow though. I just need to remind myself that the goal is 26.2 miles at 9 minute pace and training runs of 7 miles at 8 minute pace will do more harm then good in the long run. I think? Who knows?

While I was gearing up, or walking around the house in my Under Armour TIGHT cold gear shirt, the wife blurted out; "You are a freakin machine!" Thank you honey.

Tonight is date night. We have some baby sitters (yes it takes two to handle my little angle) dinner and a movie in our plans. Yep, A Real Movie at the Theater. Yeah for us. Unfortunately, the movie we want to see, Blood Diamond, is not playing nearby, but we will find something. Later.

Scrubs, The Musical.....

With all the BEAR excitement I forgot to mention something about my favorite TV show, Scrubs; I FREAKIN LOVE IT!

Coffee Bucks killed me. I mean it was subtle and not so subtle all at the same time. Every scene had someone holding their Coffee Bucks cup. You know how people hold them so you can see that they are not just drinking gas station coffee, but some real gourmet Coffee Bucks coffee.

Scrubs, The Musical, which I watched last weekend (TiVo), was just pure brilliant comedy television with a touch of heart and feeling added in. It has to be the best 30 minutes of television I have ever seen. Yes, I said EVER! Good times.

The workouts have been solid this week. I am sticking to Hal Higdon's Novice Half Marathon training plan fairly well. I am making the required mileage and then some. I move the weekly rest day between Thursday and Friday depending on work & life. You can follow all of my exciting training by clicking on the sidebare link to my log over at Buckeyeoutdoors.com.

I am not a big fan of the cross training, but that is mainly due to the limited options this time of year present for me. Unless, I get to the gym I really do not have any at home cross training options. I am thinking about busting out one of the wife's yoga DVDs for this weekend planned cross training??

Now the core strengthening is something I have developed a nice little at home routine for. Some sit-ups, push-ups, chair dips, scissor kicks and what not. I actually am seeing some results already. It is crazy how fast things can tone up when you don't have 40 lbs of fat insulating it. :) Later.

SUPER BEARS!!!

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS
Make every play, clear the way to victory! Bear Down, Chicago Bears
Put up a fight with a might so fearlessly! We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation
With your T-formation. Bear Down, Chicago Bears
And let them know why you're wearing the crown! You're the pride and joy of Illinois,
Chicago Bears, Bear Down!!

10, Feels Like 2........

Yesterday was my long run day and I had no desire to log an hour on any treadmill. So, at 9am I geared up running style and went to it. Actually, I did 4 minutes of warm up on the treadmill. This way I could step outside into the depths of winter and immediately begin my run, which I did.

It was an hour later and 7.16 miles before I stepped back into the warmth of home. I spotted two other runners while I was out there. I battled the elements, my body, and my mind. It was a very satisfying run!

Now I am off to prepare for DA BEARS!!!

Later.

Present Tense

Time to stop dwelling on the past and focus on the future. 2007 is well under way, so let's get some work done.

I like goals. I like stating my goals. It makes them real. It makes me accountable.

2007 Goals

3/18/07 March Madness Half Marathon 13.1 Mile Hilly Course. Already Registered.

6/16/07 Horribly Hilly Hundreds 124.2 Miles with 10,700 feet of elevation gain.

7/14/07 Ride Across Indiana 160 Miles, One Way, One Day.

10/7/07 The Chicago Marathon 26.2 Miles. Already Registered.


Mileage goals for the year will likely just happen as part of my training, but they are 2007 cycling miles and 703 running miles.

I plan to ride several other centuries (The Sudden, The Udder, The 4th Metric, The Psycho's Double, & The BFNIC), but these are open for consideration due to family and this new commitment to running.

As you can see I have become or WANT to become a runner. Why? Well, I am enjoying running as the temps have turned colder. AND, I have two lifelong friends that will partake in this Marathon Journey with me! It should be very interesting.

This year will be different then last year. I will start this year physically fit. In fact I start this year being in the best shape of my life. My current half marathon training has me up to 20 miles a week. I very much look forward to Spring Time and hopping on the bike to see where I am at as a cyclist.

What are you 2007 goals? Will I see you at any of these events? Now get back to training. Later.

Almost Done With 2006, but.......

January 2006


April 2006


August 2006


November 2006

Transition......

My life took a turn for the better in 2006. At the start of the year I realized I was a 32 year old, 6'3'', 236 lbs., inactive, unhealthy, and unhappy person. I ate to much, drank too much, and argued with my wife too much.

As we roll into 2007 I am still 6'3'', but little else is the same. I am 33, physically fit, healthy, and 170 lbs. Personally I am happy and more in love with my wife of almost 10 years then I have ever been. I am a cyclist and a runner. I even have thoughts of becoming a Marathoner and a TriAthlete.

In 2006 I cycled 2508 miles. This included five organized centuries (one day 100 mile rides), the one day one way 160 mile Ride Across Indiana, a just for fun solo self supported 85 miler, and one organized metric (one day 62 mile ride). I developed a love for padded lycra and spent way too much on a carbon fiber beauty.

When the temps turned colder I morphed into a runner. I ran a 5K in Sept (24 mins) and was hooked. Then it was a 10K (50 mins) and another 5K (23 mins) in late November. I ended the year with several 20 mile weeks and 264 total miles for the year.

As I went from couch to bike to 10K the weight kept coming off. For me it was all about Calories, Calories, Calories, and Calories. I counted every single one. Fitday.com was my thing. A great site for anyone looking to shed some pounds.

At years end I had a daily calorie average of 2800 and dropped 66 lbs. I didn't starve myself, but I did go to bed hungry in the beginning and it was the jump start shock I needed.

It is a science; you need a 500 calorie deficiency per day, every day, to lose one pound a week.

My wife played a key role in all of this. She managed the home base while I was off riding the summer away. She supported me and encouraged me to do the crazy things like ride 160 miles in one day on a bike. She was genuinely happy for me every time I succeeded at one of those crazy adventures. Not to mention she has lost 50 lbs. doing Weight Watchers. She didn't do any meetings or order any food. She just borrowed the books from a friend and followed the plan on her own. Congrats honey you look fabulous!!

Alright, that was 2006. I have blogged too much. Later.

Review and Goals

After a fabulous year it seems only right that I review and reflect on my successes and failures. Plus, I am a big fan of goals and I have some lofty ones for 2007. This aint a tease, because to do that it would mean I am silly enough to think anyone else cares. The review and goals are coming just not right now. This post is really only a test for me using the email to blog post feature. Two years of blogging and I did not know you could email in your blog post! Who knew? Cool. Later.

 

 

Hello 2007.......

Happy New Year Blog World!

06 was a fantastic year for me and my family. I hope the same was true for you. If not, be done with 2006 and focus on the future, 2007. I plan to reflect on my 2006, blog a write up and some pictures and what not, when I get a chance. However, I first must head off to Taco Bell to pick up lunch. It is our Tradition for this day! Last year at this time the Bell was one of triggers to jump start me on my road to fitness. Good times. Later.