LET ME OUT!

Easy Ride

2008-07-18T09:08:00.005-05:00

Road Bike: 23.03 miles. 1:29:09 (15.42 mph)

A lot like yesterdays run, I simply slowed the pace down and enjoyed the ride. Stunning sunrise this morning.

My back was well behaved. The easy pace allowed Steve and I to talk the entire ride. In fact, we had enough juice left to ride the last 3/4-mile at 24.3 mph.

I also wore my heart rate monitor. My average heart rate was 118.

Easy 2 miles

2008-07-17T22:27:00.002-05:00

East End Park. Effort level was a mere 3. Weather inside the trails was pleasant and the crushed granite surface was a nice change of pace from all the concrete.
Run ended on a sad note when we found an injured kitten and had to rush him to the emergency clinic.

Run: 2.0 miles, 25:54 (Average pace 12:57)

No Wind

2008-07-15T18:58:00.003-05:00

Road Bike: 20.15 miles, 1:14:14 (16.4 mph)

Bike ride at sunrise on the East side of Lake Houston. First time I've rode that route without the wind whooping my ass. My back is bothering me from this mornings ride.

My legs are sore from yesterdays run, but in a good way.

First run, GREAT run

2008-07-14T23:17:00.002-05:00

Run: 2.05 miles, 24:39 (Pace: 12:00/mile)

First run in a long time. Nice easy pace resulted in a greta run.

Feeling better

2008-07-11T23:14:00.002-05:00

Road Bike: 15.21 miles, 1:00:19 (15.2 mph)

After my last post, I started getting sick again. Finally feeling better. Gotta get my body in motion.

Back was tight during the ride, but otherwise, a good ride

Bike Ride

2008-06-30T18:36:00.003-05:00

Weight: 233.0

Weight wasn't as bad as I expected. Mindful eating today, but didn't "count calories". My food scale is at work, so it's hard to gauge everything without weighing it first.

Still feel good, but the cough is getting worse. Stupid cough.

Mountain bike: 11.30 miles, 55:42 (11.95 mph)

Pushed the effort level on the bike ride. Legs felt good. Back was a little tight on the right lower side.

Nothing else to blog, so it would seem....

Mile One

2008-06-29T18:50:00.005-05:00

Ran one-mile with lulu. Easing back into something that resembles exercise. As I said in the prior post, no fever, but every time I simply move... I pour with sweat. It happens on the smallest of things... like brushing my teeth.

On a positive note, I feel better. Just left with a stupid cough.

Run: 1.01 miles, 11:12 (11:06 pace)
Walk: 0.46 miles, 7:39 (16:38 pace)

Tomorrow I'll see what kind of damage was done on the scale. URG, I am not looking forward to posting those numbers. Thankfully I don't have many readers!

Finally saw my kids today... I haven't seen them in a long time. I was so happy to be with them!!

Almost better

2008-06-28T11:23:00.004-05:00

First day in 6-days that I have NOT had a fever. After my last entry I went to the doctor. Diagnosis: Upper respiratory infection. I'm taking a hand full of medications to control my temperature, headache, cough, and the underlining infection. I was almost ready to go back to the doctor yesterday because I was still getting worse, but I FINALLY made some small improvements.

The nagging cough still persist, but its manageable. Being stuck indoors has resulted in serious cabin fever. Leisure bike ride today, which was GREAT. Nothing too demanding, just a nice enjoyable ride.

Mountain Bike: 7.27 miles, 46:47 (9.30mph)

Now back to life and trying to determine where I will live....

Still here

2008-06-24T22:44:00.003-05:00

I'm still alive...

The weekend of Fathers day, I started feeling exhausted.... tired of dieting & exercising. Against my better judgement, I took a few unexpected days off.

As I was getting ready to get back to work I got sick. I've been very sick for the last few days. Matters are compounded by the god-awful amount of stress in my life. Not ready to talk about it yet, but it's more than the average person could imagine.

Seems everything is circling the drain, but I'm holding on for dear life.

Dad's Day 5k

2008-06-14T10:04:00.006-05:00

Weight: 228.75 (231.0)
Percentage of Fat: 28.8%
Fat Mass Weight: 65.5 lbs

Dads Day 5k, 28:48 (9:14 pace)

A couple buddies from work talked me into this last minute race. Pushed as hard as I could to finish in less than 30 minutes. Miles one and three were dead even splits. Dropped the pace by 30 seconds on mile two. It's entirely to hot to be racing in this heat. Probably my last race until we see cooler temps.

Gained one-pound on the scale, but body fat percentage dropped 0.6% and fat mass weight was reduced by 1.5 pounds. I still consider this week a success.

Breakfast: 468
Post Race snack: 160
Lunch: FREE MEAL
Dinner: 1,440

Free meal went okay, but over-did-it by ordering desert. I had grilled shrimp, chicken, rice, salad, broccoli, cheddar biscuits, and un-sweet tea. Dinner, as you can see was a big meal in terms of calories.

I also have plans to go out tonight and don't plan to be "on a diet". I'll update in the morning.

Total calories: 2,068 (not including free meal)

No News

2008-06-13T21:47:00.002-05:00

Weight: 230.0

Breakfast: 0
Lunch: 914
Dinner: 810
Snack: 380

Total calories: 2,104

At work. Off day, no exercising.

I got lots to say, but really don't feel like blogging.

Late Night Hunger

2008-06-12T21:19:00.001-05:00

Weight: 228.0 (232.2)

These 4-milers are helping the weight loss in a big way.

Breakfast: 340
Lunch: 689
Dinner: 1000
Late Snack: 573

Mountain Bike: 11.64 miles, 59:24 (11.76 mph)
Mid-body workout
Lower-body workout

No foot pain from yesterdays run, but my back bothered me on today's bike ride.

For the third night in a row, I've struggled with late night hunger. Tonight was the worst of the three, to the point I didn't feel well. Earlier I slow cooked two large turkey loins on the BBQ pit. Not sure is it was the right decision or not, but I made myself one and a half turkey loin sandwiches on wheat bread with lite mayo. I feel better now, but I went over my calories.

Total Calories: 2,602

A Day Early

2008-06-11T15:26:00.007-05:00

Weight: 231.0 (233.3)

Breakfast: 621
Lunch: 580
Dinner: 870

Run: 3.98 miles, 38:58 (9:47 pace)

Total calories: 2,071

I am SUPER hungry right now and it is a challenge to stay out of the kitchen.

Funny thing happened today. Coach is having a get together to celebrate a personal running milestone. I THOUGHT the social function was tonight. I was WRONG. I was a day early. Luckily for me, Coach was home. He treated me to a private, pre-party jog around his neighborhood.

Tonight was the third time I've run 4 miles this year and it was my best overall pace for any distance since I started back. The pace was uncomfortable past the first mile, resulting in three stops along the way. One stop to catch my breath, one to get water, and another because I was about to blow-up. I guess I can loosely call this a tempo workout.

It's amazing how my three best runs all have a social component. Makes me wish even more for a Kingwood area running club.

Skipping my workout due to my hunger. I need to go to bed and "hide" from disaster that lurks ten feet from me right now.

Two pictures I took today of my BEAUTIFUL kids.

4-miler

2008-06-10T07:18:00.001-05:00

Weight: 232.75 (234.3)

At work today.

Breakfast: 277
Lunch: 795
Dinner: 845

Run: 4.0 miles, 41:56 (10:29 pace)
Walk: 0.31, 5:02 (15:59 pace)
Upper-body workout

Glad Steve joined me for the run... I was able to push the distance without stopping and the pace was better than my norm. Unfortunately, the foot pain is back. It hasn't hurt since Friday, which is the last time I ran.

Back to Work

2008-06-09T23:10:00.003-05:00

Weight: 235.1 (avg)

Recovering from a long weekend. Had a great time.... picture to follow, when I have time. The 'scale' weight gain was so ridiculous I couldn't bare to write it, so all I'm posting is the 7-day average.

Breakfast: 420
Lunch: 740
Dinner: 1,000

Mountain Bike: 6.47 miles, 30:17 (12.3 mph)
Lower-body workout

Total Calories: 2,160

As you can see, my calories ran over. It was a math issue more than anything else. When I ate dinner, I assumed breakfast was smaller than it actually was.

Check Out These Numbers!

2008-06-06T06:17:00.003-05:00

Weight: 227.75 (233.5)
Percentage of Fat: 29.4%
Fat Mass Weight: 67 lbs

Lost 8 pounds this week. Biggest one-week weight loss so far. Loss streak is now 10 days. Total weight loss is 35.5 pounds!

Run: 3.01 miles, 36:01 (11:58 pace)
Walk: 0.62 miles, 10:15 (16:32 pace)

Breakfast: 200

Headed out of town in less than an hour.... no more blogging till Monday. See ya!

No Fuel

2008-06-05T18:33:00.005-05:00

Weight: 229.25 (234.8)

Mountain bike: 12.92 miles, 1:15:25, (10.28 mph)
Mid-body workout
Run: 4.04 miles, 43:44, (10:50 pace)
Walk: 0.83 miles, 14:20, (17:16 pace)

Biked 75-minutes this morning, nothing worth reporting about the ride. Late afternoon workout was easy, but the heat in my garage is getting tougher to handle.

I followed the workout with ... what was supposed to be a 4-mile run. My plan was to walk 7-minutes, run 4-miles, and walk 7-minutes. I made it to the half way point and stopped for a drink of water. In other words, I had walked 7-minutes and ran 2-miles. I had been exhausted a half mile before I stopped. I was hurting. Drank a full bottle (~30-oz) of water. I tried taking off for the final 2-miles, but I couldn't do it. After 50-yards I stopped again. I thought I was going to pass out. My legs and breathing was fine... I just didn't have any energy. This was, without a doubt a FUEL ISSUE. Sat on a park bench for 5-minutes and started feeling a little better. Decided to walk for seven minutes, stretch, and "man up" & finish this run. Ran 2 miles and only stopped once for less than a minute to get a drink of water. I was even able to pick up the pace, because I wanted to end the pain.

My garmin has been displaying a funny pace, so I never know exactly what my pace is while I am running. I'm very excited to see my overall pace was sub-11. This is also the longest distance I have run this year. Its exciting to know I had enough heart to finished this run. Nearly every cell in my body wanted me to stop and I refused to give up. This was the BEST bad run I have ever had!

Even my eating temptations have been handled well for the last two days. Tuesday and Wednesday I nearly fell off the wagon at night, but I refused to quit. I drank water and stuck to my plan. I've been rewarded nicely with a lengthy weight loss streak. Below is my loss and gain 'STREAKS' since I started:
Down x 7
Up x 2
Down x 6
Up
Down
Up
Down
Up
Same
Down
Up x 2
Down x 2
Same
Down 4
Up
Down
Up x 2
Down x 3
Same
Down
Up
Same x 2
Down x 4
Up
Down x 2
Up
Same
Up
Down
Up x 3
DOWN x 9

Saw the doctor today about my foot. I don't know anymore now than I did when I started. Although, he doesn't think it is a stress fracture. He suggested an MRI, but I don't have the money for the deductible. When I told him that, he said rest for 4-8 weeks and we'll "see where the issue is". URG!!! Twenty-dollar co-pay for shit I already knew.

Breakfast: 190
Lunch: 740
Dinner: 680
Snack: 481

Total calories: 2,091

I'm weighing in tomorrow, one day early due to my trip. I think I have it figured out so I don't miss any runs or workouts. On the other hand, the food will truly be a different issue.

Flat Tire

2008-06-04T05:16:00.005-05:00

Weight: 229.75 (335.5)

Wow, scale weight has dipped under 230! Who would have thought? I've lost 14.5 pounds since May 27th (8-days). I'll be even happier when the 7-day average goes sub-230.

At work today.

Mountain bike: 5.25 miles, 32:00 (10.2 mph)
Stationary bike: Level 5, 8.14 miles, 30:00 (16.2 mph)
Upper-body workout

Woke up MEGA early to squeeze in a 50-minute bike ride before work. Erin was late picking up the kids, so my workout time was cut in half. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate her picking the kids up and taking them to day care. It was a perfect chance for me to be flexible and adjust my plans. Ah yes, flexibility... my key term for 2008. Cycled 32-minutes around home on my mountain bike. Felt like I was struggling more than usual. Half a mile into the route I realized my rear tire was very low in air. I assume that was the problem. Since I was already behind in time, I went ahead and finished WITH the "near-flat" tire.

Upper body workout felt good. Rode 30 more minutes on the recumbent bike at work. I increased the level today. It seemed easy. I'll increase it again next time. I'm trying to avoid the stationary bike, because I dislike riding a long time and going nowhere.

Breakfast: 380
Lunch: 670
Dinner: 680
Snack: 343

Total calories: 2,073

Graduation Day

2008-06-03T06:10:00.006-05:00

Weight 231.50 (236.5)

Breakfast: 190
Lunch: 1,000
Dinner (early): 620
Snack: 240

My appetite is back. I've been hungry all freaking day. I'm leaving out of town for a river trip this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I want to be on my best behavior BEFORE heading into a trip full of temptations.

Today was Alison's last day of kindergarten and official "graduation". The school program was cute. I took lots of pictures. I'm bummed that most of the shots were blurry.

Lower-body workout
Run: 3.0 miles. 35:31 (11:49 pace)
Walk: 0.63 miles. 10:09 (16:27 pace)

I pushed Preston in the stroller, while Alison lead the way on her bike. This is sooooo much easier than pushing both of them. Fair amount of nausea due to the heat. Small adjustment to the pace and logged my miles. This heat is tough running, but there is something about a "Big Sweat" that makes you feel like you did something worth doing.

Total calories: 2,050

You can click on the pictures to make them larger...

Easy Does It...

2008-06-02T19:35:00.002-05:00

Weight: 233.0 (236.9)

I feel much better this morning. Not sure where to start my exercise regimen. I want to make-up some of the missed workouts, but I know I'm still a little ill and my foot & back issues have not gone away.

Breakfast: 0
Lunch: 740
Desert-snack: 717
Dinner: 600

Bike: 5.18 miles. 41:37 (7.5 mph)
Mid-body workout

Alison and I took our first long bike ride together. The ride and route was her decision. If you saw us on the greenbelts, you would think she's been riding for years. She is such a fast learner. Another proud moment to be a father!

Felt normal while exercising, except when I start getting too hot. The same nausea I experienced yesterday returns with over-exertion. Haven't drunk much water. For some reason I'm not thirsty and don't want anything to drink.

Several people asked me why I was walking around with a limp. I decided it was time to make an appointment with the orthopedic doctor concerning my foot. Hopefully I will have some answers Thursday.

Total calories: 2,057

Sick

2008-06-01T07:01:00.003-05:00

Weight: 234.0 (237.7)

At work today. I've been rather sick all day. Transient episodes of abdominal cramping with nausea, which has recently turned into vomiting. Alison and 86 of her classmates had the same signs & symptoms last week. It just took me a litter longer to get it than those elementary kids. The good news is, it only lasted 10-hrs with Alison.

Is there any country-western music song writers out there? If so, I have the material for your next big song: My foot hurts, my back is tight, I'm sick, and my ex-wife is unfair to me. Throw something in about beer & my dog and you'll be at the top of the charts in no time!

Found the race results from the Astros 5k. My official time was 31:15. Average pace of 10:43. I'm happy with the time considering the heat, the crowds at the start line, and the fact I was pushing a 45-pound kid in a twenty-pound stroller. By the end of summer I should be able to get back under 30-minutes.

Breakfast: 468
Lunch: 560
Dinner:360

Total calories for the day: 1,388

No running or working out today.

Late in the day I started feeling better for a couple hours. We made three EMS calls back-to-back-to-back. The EMS supervisor pulled me off the truck. I've used all my vacation and holiday with my kids' illnesses, so I'm out of 0ff-time. So, essentially this will cost me a few hundred bucks.

It's hard to smile sometimes...

Astros Race for the Pennant 5k

2008-05-31T05:44:00.004-05:00

Weight: 235.75 (238.6)
Percentage of Fat: 29.9%
Fat Mass Weight: 70.5 lbs

I said I wanted to be in the low to mid-230's before the Astros race. Barely squeaked in, but I made it. Next week I have a river trip planned and I also said I wanted to dip into the 220's before then, but it's unlikely to happen before next Friday. This week I lost 1.5 pounds. It is interesting and worth noting.... for the first time my body fat percentage went up 0.3%.

Meet Mark and Brian for their first 5k race. I was unable to find someone to watch Alison while I ran; therefore I ended up pushing her in the jogging stroller. Minutes before the start we lost Brain in the crowd. Mark and I placed ourselves at the back.... very back, even behind the walkers since I was "breaking the rules" with the stroller. As usual, the start crowd was difficult to navigate and we lost an unknown amount of time weaving through the walkers.

Mark and I talked the entire first mile, which says our pace was less than race-effort. Mark dropped back at the one-mile marker, but I quickly found Brian less than a 1/4 mile ahead of me. It was also at this time I realized something was wrong with my garmin. Some how, somewhere, my watch turned off.

Brain and I ran together for half a mile. It was nice to know he was safe and having fun. At 1.5 miles the course headed away from the shade of the downtown buildings and the heat was beaming down on the runners with vengeance. Even with my slow pace, I was picking people off by the dozens the entire time. Probably a result of me starting so far back... either way, it was good for my ego. I had a decent rhythm, but the two climbs out of the underpasses zapped most of my energy. Even slight elevation gains are a struggle with the stroller.

My heart wanted to pick the pace up for the last half-mile, but I was running at full capacity. I gave it all I had when we turned into the park. I don't know what my official time was, but the clock read 33:xx when I crossed. A man beside me said his watch read 31:08, but I don't know where he started either.

The race was a huge success, until I reached the finish line. Everyone wanted to wait near the end of the course for their friends & family, which resulted in the runners being stuck shoulder to shoulder like cattle, not moving, and without any water immediately available. My effort and body-heat had me extremely nauseated. The tight quarters made matters worse. It was not fun waiting 5-minutes to get through the shoot. The next challenge, which has no bearing on the race director, was hauling the stroller up the stairs. I did it, but it was not easy.

Took longer than expected to get my heart rate and temperature back to normal. After three bottles of water, Alison and I made a dash for the car to put the stroller away so we could line up for the "Junction Jack kids run". As soon as we could see the start line, they blew the horn for her race!

We started her race with a 150-yard sprint to the start line. From that point forward I did the best I could to keep up with her. My garmin was showing us running a high 8 min/mile pace, which I struggled to maintain. I'm so proud of Alison. She would run ahead of me solo until she couldn't see me any more, then she contra flowed back to me, then start the cycle again. Not once did she walk. What is even better... her pace seemed very consistent. Being her dad I'm able to gauge her effort level. This was truly a fun run for her, because "ole dad" couldn't keep up! She was patient enough to run with me when the camera guys were in sight. When I asked Alison to run beside me so they could take our picture together she told me, "Let me have your hand and I'll help you run faster". She is so funny and incredible! I'm not sure what her race distance was, but my guess would be a solid mile with the run to the start line and her back-and-fourth maneuvers.

Alison is excited right now as she's sporting her medal and race t-shirt. I was smiling ear to ear too, until I dropped her off at Erins. There were a few cars at Erin's house. Alison told me that today was Preston's birthday party. Obviously, I wasn't invited to my son's first birthday party and that cuts deep. I don't expect anyone else to understand, but it is moments like this I hurt the most. Erin told me a couple weeks ago she wanted separate parties, but I had hoped she would change her mine. I could go on and on about this issue, but it won't change anything. My great morning turned south fast and as I sit here 12-hours later, I still can't get it off my mind.

Breakfast: 468
Snack after race: 100 (2-bites of a lettuce wrap)
Lunch: FREE MEAL (red lobster)
Dinner: 630

The free-meal wasn't too awful, with one exception. Okay Coach, start waggin' your finger, because I had soda(s) at lunch. Wanted something sweet and I broke a big rule doing it (thou shall not drink calories!!!).
The meal consisted of:
Lobster/artichoke dip with chips
Small side salad with ranch dressing
Wild rice, ~4-oz grilled chicken, 6-grilled shrimps, and 2-cheddar biscuits
*I only ate 1/2 of my rice and chicken*

I've looked EVERYWHERE for the official race results, but I cannot find anything. Does anyone know where they are posted?

Meatless Fridays?

2008-05-30T08:00:00.005-05:00

Weight: 236.25 (238.7)

Today is an off-day; no exercise. I've decided off-days will also be meatless. As I look over my dietary logs it is obvious that I am eating excessive amounts of protein. It would be a huge challenge for me to cut-out meat all together, but I'm sure I could live without it for a day... or maybe two. I decided this late today, so I guess it will start next week!?!?!

Breakfast: 190
Lunch: 740
Dinner: 828
Snack: 290

I always have something nagging in my body. ANOTHER small ache I have not mentioned before started out as a discomfort on the lateral dorsal aspect of my left foot. I don't see any bruising, nor does it hurt to touch, but it bothers me when it's in flextion-extension. In other words, it hurts on the top, outside of my left foot when I take a step. This "little issue" has quickly turned into a sharp pain over the last couple days.

Total calories: 2,048

Back in the Saddle

2008-05-29T21:00:00.000-05:00

Weight: 239.25 (239.7)

At work today.

Glad to be back under 240. A friend of mine is a nurse and I've been a paramedic for 14-years. All the medical knowledge locked in my head doesn't always help me with my own personal health issues. In a text-message I received yesterday, I got the answers to my "issues", which I discussed earlier this week. The text read:
Muscle Relaxer = Muscle Relaxer (all muscles...) which includes the stomach and intestines.... unfortunately.
Since I'm back at work I had to discontinue the flexeril. It will be interesting to see if everything returns to normal.

Breakfast: 430
Lunch: 1,065
Dinner: 600

Run: 2.57 miles. 30.01 (11:41 pace)
Walk: 0.46 miles. 7:35 (16:19 pace)
Recumbent bike: 18.1 miles. 1:10:00 (15.5 mph)
Upper-body workout

Pre-work (morning) run went pretty good. Lots of stretching before and after. Took a new route along the roads, due to lack of light. The upper-body workout seemed tougher than usual. The stationary bike was okay, but 70-minutes is a long time to pedal and go NO WHERE.

Getting hungry. Time for bed!

Total calories: 2,095

7-Day Average

2008-05-28T18:56:00.001-05:00

Weight: 241.75 (239.7)

From this point forward I'm going to list my 7-day average weight, instead of the daily scale weight. It's easy to get frustrated when I see big shifts in my weight, so maybe this will help the "mental game".

Breakfast: 370
Lunch: 815
Snack: 315
Dinner: 580

Mountain Bike: 8.20 miles. 50:17 (9.8 mph)
Lower-body workout

Even though I feel like I am in tune with my body, I'm not sure how to read it right now. My back felt tight during yesterdays run and today's bike ride. No pain, just a tightness in my lower back. Slowed the pace on both days, which enabled me to finish. I wonder if it's too soon or is this normal recovery? Later in the evening I mowed the grass and had ZERO pain/discomfort.

I've been hungry nearly all day. Shifted my meals earlier than their "normal time" due to hunger, which has left me hungry right now. Unfortunately, there is a lot of day still left. I'm still mad about the weight gain, so there will not be any slips tonight's... you have my word!

Total calories: 2,080