Final Five

Andrea and I logged the final five miles of 2010 on the greenbelts of Kingwood. The temperatures were warm all day, but lucky for us the temperatures dropped to a cool 65 for our evening walk.

Walk:
5.29 miles
1:32:55
17:34 pace

While looking at my training log book I noticed I was 70 push-ups away from going over 3,000 for the year. I planned on crossing the 3k threshold, but after six (and it was already 10pm) I decided I'd rather go to bed.

Push-ups: 6

New Years Resolutions & year end numbers

This year I'm keeping my New Years resolutions simple:

1. GAIN NO WEIGHT. This will be measured on a weekly average. In other words, I will record my weight at the end of each week and do everything possible to keep it out of the positive column. This also means if I lose weight, the bar to maintain under will be "raised".

2. STOP SETTING UNREALISTIC GOALS. For as long as I can remember, I always dreamed big dreams and I rarely meet my high expectations. Need an example? Right now I'm registered for a 50 mile race in less than four weeks. I'm not able to run a single continuous mile and I'm 4-lbs short of an all time high body weight. What was I thinking!?!? LOL

3. VEGETARIAN DIET. I feel a zillion times better on a meat-free diet. I'd like to try a vegan diet, but I still enjoy eggs and diary products (ice cream, butter). As I stated on #2 above, I need to keep my goals REALISTIC.

Numbers:

I've been running and logging my exercise activities since 2005 (five years). Heres the data I have...

2010 was the SECOND HIGHEST number of miles ran (773 miles)
2010 was the SLOWEST PACE year so far (12:01 pace)
2010 was the SECOND LOWEST average body weight (221 lbs)
2010 came in FIFTH on total mileage cycled (544 miles)
2010 LOWEST cycling speed (11.5 mph)
Only recorded walking and push-ups during last 2-years
--2010 Walked 228 miles
--2010 Push-ups; 2,939
Total working out time in 2010; 201-hours, 48-minutes, and 5-seconds.

UPDATE:
These are a couple other things I want to do this year;
-Complete a triathlon
-Start coaching again, preferably KWFIT over PIM

Growing Motivation

At work

Assignment on ladder one enabled me plenty of time for an extended workout. My workout was a two-hour walk with 0.45 mile run every 30 minutes. Perfect weather, slightly faster pace, yet my legs were fatigued on the last run interval.

I've subscribed to a new podcast called; Active Vegetarian. Lots of useful information and I feel motivation creeping back into my soul. I ate meat twice today and both times I was nauseated. When will I learn?!?!

Run:
1.82 mile
20:32
11:17 pace

Walk:
5.73 miles
1:39:32
17:22

Awards ceremony, x-mas party, and a small run

Its been a great day with the exception of one little "hiccup".

Woke up early and attended Alison's school awards ceremony. She received awards for perfect attendance and STRAIGHT "A" honor roll. Good job Ali!!! After the awards ceremony Preston and I enjoyed a fun lunch at Subway. Once we finished eating we visited Alison during her lunch break. Next, I attended Alison's classroom x-mas party, which was a lot of fun. Lastly, the kids and I played at the city park before I returned back to Kingwood.

I almost skipped todays run, but I forced my ass out the door. Nice run with beautiful temperatures in the low 40's. Shins didn't bother me much, although my walking segments are still slow.

General rambling:
Weight management is a lot easier than I make it. I've been studying the last couple months of my training log and one thing stood out. No matter how bad my intake is, if I exercise just 30-minutes a day I do NOT see any weight gain. Of course there is no weight lost either...

I'm eager to start eating better. I'm battling personal demons, which is evidence by my eating behaviors.

I've been posting regularly for a few weeks, yet I haven't been publishing. This means no one can see what I'm writing, except me. My struggle to run even small distances is embarrassing, considering I was a running respectable mileage earlier this year. Either way, I'm getting closer to releasing all these post.

Run:
1.52 mile
18:00
11:51 pace

Walk:
0.78 mile
14:43
18:52 pace

Stressed

Ten minute continuous run. Time went by faster than expected. Warm temperatures for the late afternoon run.

My stress levels are at maximum allowable limits! It's personal matters and better left of a public blog.

Run:
0.82 mile
10:02
12:14 pace

Walk:
1.27 mile
22:05
17:23 pace

Above Par

Best run in two weeks. The pre-run/walk stretches kept my shin discomfort to a manageable level. Temperatures are warming again. URG!

Seems everyone around me is changing. Some for the better, many for the worse. Maybe they're not changing at all, perhaps I'm the one changing. Life's journey is seldom a straight path without changes. I've seen many personal changes (voluntary and involuntary) during the Christmas season. I assume that is a deep rooted reason I'm not joyous as most during the holidays.

I was impressed with this year's Biggest Loser finale show. Adam, Patrick, and Mark looked incredible!!! With the exception of Ada and Lisa, the women's overall transformations were not even close to the men. I'm excited about the new season starting January 4th.

Run:
1.5 mile
18:00
11:55 pace

Walk:
0.82 mile
15:00
18:18 pace

Shins

Ran Lake Village Drive with Andrea. Nice and cold outside, just the way I like it! I need to do something about the shin pain (other than complain about it). Cycling always seems to help. I'll also try to stretch before the workout. My walk time was horrific due to the discomfort.

Run:
1.3 mile
16:00
12:19 pace

Walk:
0.79 mile
15:59
20:14 pace

Looooong walk

Walked 2.5 hours through Kingwood with Andrea. Ran 0.30 mile every 30 minutes. Both shins were aching for the first hour, but later calmed. Cold front was blowing through the area during the workout. Great temperatures. The walked seemed like it took FOREVER. Both Andrea and I left the house hungry. Needless to say we were famished by the end of the workout.

Run:
1.53 mile
18:11
11:53 pace

Walk:
7.16 miles
2:10:50
18:16 pace

Houston weather

I truly hate the climate in Houston. The constant yo-yo temperatures leaves me feeling ill. It's mid December I had sweat dripping off my brow during an easy run. That is CRAZY!

My shins are still bothering me, making me noticeably slower.

Run:
1.27 mile
16:00
12:36 pace

Walk:
1.03 mile
19:48
19:13 pace

Easy Day

Late night workout. Five minute continuous run felt smooth. Nice cool temps tonight. Walk pace was slower than expected.

Run:
0.47 mile
5:01
10:40 pace

Walk:
1.63 mile
28:37
17:33 pace

Drizzling rain with mild temperatures. Happened upon a family of four white-tail deer. Cardiovascular was there, but my shins are screaming.

Run:
1.37 mile
16:00
11:40 pace

Walk:
0.94 mile
17:27
18:34 pace

Nice Lake Village Drive run. As odd as it may sound, walking seemed more difficult than running. Weird!

Run:
0.75 mile
8:00
10:40 pace

Walk:
1.33 mile
23:48
17:53 pace

Amazing kids!

Another proud moment to be a father. I needed to do a couple hours of cardio (walk/run). I pushed Preston in the stroller while Alison rode her bicycle. She didn't complain one single time during two-hours of riding her bike. How many nine-year olds could bike for two hours WITHOUT complaining? Preston was confined to the jogging stroller during the same time. He's rambunctious, yet managed to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Anyways, it was a great walk. I owe a majority of my success to those near perfect kids of mine.

This was a long walk with TINY (0.10 mile) runs thrown in every 30 minutes.

Run:
0.65 mile
7:47
11:58 pace

Walk:
6.72 miles
1:53:09
16:50 pace

At work.

Almost skipped the run, but my weight continues to spiral out of control. Forced myself to do a 8 x 1R/2W workout.

Colder than I expected and I could have used some gloves. Otherwise the workout was easy. I'm glad I got off the couch, even if it was for only 30 minutes.

Run:
0.71 mile
8:00
11:16 pace

Walk:
1.42 mile
23:37
16:38 pace

Walkabout

I got a LOT of stuff on my mine, so I decided to walk my five mile loop. Mid-way into the session I ran for a couple minutes, just to do something different. I remember running this loop on easy days, now it was a big deal to walk it.
Sigh....

Lots of different species of ducks on Kingwood Lake. The session went well, although I had hoped for a faster walk pace.

Run:
0.18 mile
2.01
11:12 pace

Walk:
5.21 mile
1:27:27
16:47 pace