updating the past week

I've obviously missed a few blog posts, so there is a little catching up to do...

First off, I'm down 2 more pounds. And this is without really watching what I eat, at least not strictly. I ran 4 miles last Sunday, but then did not get any runs in the rest of the week. I just couldn't make the early mornings work this week. I'm not going to worry about it though, just keep getting out there. I actually have a little more incentive now. On Tuesday I got some shoes from New Balance as part of a weartest program I signed up to do years ago. I sporadically get shoes to try out. All I do is run in them as much as possible, do a survey and send them back to New Balance. No cost to me, and I get to try out different shoes... so I did get out this morning and ran 5 miles on the streets. They were not too bad - mostly clean, some snow here and there. I really wanted to run trails, but will need to wait until I am done with my weartest.

Saturday I went to the state park sledding hill and did some "hill repeats" of sorts with Lilli. We only went down 3 times. It was 20 degrees and the first 2 times we were sprayed in our faces with snow flying up. We took a break then went for another run down the hill. This time as we got towards the bottom, we ended up sideways and then tipped. I landed on my right shoulder (the good one), but felt a jolt of pain in my left shoulder (the one I've been working on in Physical Therapy).  I am not sure if I was using my left arm at all, I think I may have held on to Lilli to keep her from landing underneath me. One thing for sure, the old saying, " the bigger they are, the harder they fall" is true. Thankfully, my shoulder felt just fine later, so I don't think it was anything that will set me back. Though, my right shoulder is a little stiff today... hmm.

Next week won't be too bad. A couple of more PT sessions, and hopefully time to get in some runs. Stay tuned for more...

2 down...

I missed the Wednesday post, so here it goes...

2 pounds down for the first week. Not bad considering my eating habits were still not the best and I am just getting back to running. I have run 3 times so far. Sunday, Tuesday and this morning. Consistency is key and so far so good.

Lilli's bathroom is near complete. I have a few paint touch-ups yet to go, and a mirror to hang, oh, and a new exhaust fan and light to install, but for most purposes it is back in working order.

I have another PT appointment this evening. My shoulder is feeling better and better. I am hopeful that I'll be back to normal in a few weeks.

Last bit of information to note - and a big one at that - is we've set the date for the Second Annual Run 4 Everett. It'll be August 25th this year and be held once again at Fort Harrison State Park. We're pretty excited to be doing this again, though it will be a lot of work.

That's all for now. Keep on running....

out of shape

My first run in over a month was not pretty, but it was fun. The temperature was right at 32 degrees, but the sky was blue and the sun was shining - just beautiful. Almost Spring-like. Though I do long for some snow to run in.

I ran just 3 miles. It was about all I could handle. I took it slow and easy and it felt slower and hard. Ugh. I see I have a lot of work to do, but there is plenty of time.

That's all for now. Now back to work on the bathroom...

a good tired

I've been tired for a long time now. Tonight I feel a good tired. I spent a good part of the day working on a bathroom renovation. (it started out as just a repaint job). I actually wanted to do the project and was enjoying myself. I can't say how long it's been since I've wanted to do a project around the house. Now I feel spent and it is time to relax.

I am hoping to get out for a short run tomorrow. I feel I missed a beautiful day today -- around 50 degrees this afternoon and plenty of sunshine. Tomorrow won't be as warm, but it should be nice. I have lot's yet to do on that bathroom, and not expecting to get it done this weekend, so no reason why I can't take a half hour or so for a run.

I'll let you know how it goes...

First Wednesday

It's finally here.

Wednesday.

Or more precise, "Weigh-in Wednesday".

I am hesitant to post, but here it goes...

234.

There. A number. Certainly bigger than I had hoped, but at least it's not a place I haven't been. I'm not sure if that's good or not, but it's all the silver lining I could find in that cloud. Knowing that I've lost that 30 pounds before means it's not impossible. So away we go...

I had two appointments today:

The first was my physical therapy session for my shoulder. The good news is that my range of motion isn't so bad that they don't believe there is any tear in my rotator cuff. I'll be doing some PT for at least a few weeks and then seeing if I'm having any progress. A couple of sessions a week, so we'll see...




A follow up with my doctor proved to be good. My BP was down to almost normal, but not normal enough, so a slight change in my medication should get me where I need to be. I am trying to be even more careful about sodium intake. I am surprised by the amount of sodium in so many foods. I am also cleared to go back to running. The next step is getting back to running. Sounds easy doesn't it?

I need to start out slow, easy and reasonable. No need for speed at this point, or major mileage. Just getting out there and being consistent is what I need. A plan wouldn't hurt either... and a goal or two would be good.

So the plan is to run consistently, two days during the week and one day on the weekend to begin. I'll add days and/or mileage moving forward. I will put together a mileage plan so I have daily goals to meet. That should help. The first goal is to get back to a 15k distance by March for my long runs. The second goal is to lose weight - or really, shouldn't that be my first goal? Regardless, I have a lot of work to do.

Stay tuned. And thanks for reading. Who's up for a run?

oops

Today is Tuesday, NOT Wednesday...oops.

We'll have to wait one more day for the weigh-in. It is back to work this week. Not necessarily looking forward to it, but if I can ease back into it this week, might be okay...

Lilli did love the movie by the way. I think it was as much the experience of her first movie theater as anything. The movie wasn't as bad as I had thought either, but again it may have been the movie theater experience...

a day off

Today I am lucky enough to have the day off from work.

It's a good thing, since I slept horribly last night. My shoulder was in definite pain... glad I see doctor on this on Wednesday to see what the course of action will be.

Lilli is also off today since school is closed. So we are planning to go to the movies (it will be her first one). She really wants to go see "Chipwrecked". I can't say I am excited about the movie, but she'll really like it I'm sure.

There is a nice, gentle snow going on right now. I am wishing I could be out running on trails in the snow -- one of my favorite things to do (besides going to see Chipmunks in a movie that is). I am really hoping I can get back into running or some form of exercise soon. When I ran, my shoulder didn't hurt, so I hope that it won't be an issue. Right now, the only things that tend to aggravate it are sleeping on it and putting on a shirt or coat. I'm learning how to do those without causing too much pain.

With some of my "off" time, I have found some extra time to read. I decided that one of the books that are stacked next to my nightstand would be a good choice. I am currently reading Clean, Green & Lean: Get Rid of the Toxins That Make You Fat. It isn't my normal reading material by a long shot, but I was given it as a gift, so I thought it was a proper time to read it. The gist of the book (from the first 3 chapters I've read), are that there are toxins everywhere in our daily lives. From food, cleaners, pollutants - you name it. And they get into our bodies and don't get processed and expelled from the body, so they keep building up, making you sick, sluggish and fat. It seems a bit over-the-top and scares the hell out of you as well as depresses you -- it paints a picture that you cannot escape from these toxins. At best you can lessen them. Of course, I have a lot more to read, but if there are some pearls of wisdom I find, I'll post them. The biggest one so far is to eat organic whenever you can -- I think that goes without saying. There are certain foods, though, that will help your body process those toxins and certain foods you should avoid altogether (probably everything I like). I suppose as long as coffee is not on the can't have list, then I'm okay with it.

Tomorrow is the BIG weigh-in (pun intended). I am anxious about putting the results down, but as I have said, it'll help keep me motivated. Until then, keep running if you can and thanks for reading.


--Dave

starting over

Happy 2012!

No resolutions for me. It is just time to start over for me - literally.

I last ran around Thanksgiving. The entire month of December is a blur. In all of that time, I hit a wall, far different than the wall during a marathon. I was spread too thin and the stress of the holidays was the tipping point. I had been having shoulder pain and feeling tired all the time (mainly from not sleeping due to said shoulder pain). Under "persuasion" from my wife, I scheduled an appointment with a new doctor to see what was going on.

I already new I had gained weight. The simple fact was that I was taking in more calories than burning, plus my clothes had gotten tighter and tighter over the last year. I found out I was back to where I was at the beginning of 2005 - actually maybe even heavier. I am about 30 pounds heavier than I'd like to be, and probably overweight by more than that on some charts. Since I can't grow any taller, I have to lose this weight. On top of that, I found out my blood pressure is high. Not just slightly elevated - high. I was started on a medication to help lower it. I know my weight is a factor. I know that not running regularly/at all is a factor. But, with a family history of high blood pressure, the cards were stacked against me a little. My shoulder is suspected to be rotor cuff tendinitis. I am going in for a physical therapy evaluation this week. Hopefully it is as simple as some stretches and exercises, even though they will most likely be painful. My range of motion in my left arm is severely decreased and even small stretches send shooting pain to my shoulder joint and attached muscles. Thankfully, that hadn't affected my running at all.

I am still trying to get the blood pressure back to normal. Until then, I am not allowed to pick up my running or exercise. I am trying to make better choices with meals, but it is hard. Especially around the holidays when there are so many cookies and candy around everywhere - and they are all so good!

So the plan is to get back to an exercise routine as quickly as possible. A minimum of 3-4 days a week - I'll start out slow, but will want to get to 5 days a week in a couple of months. I will focus on my meals - more balanced and definitely more healthy. It is not going to be easy, and there will be obstacles along the way. I would like to get in a good routine by the end of February because come March, we are expecting our 3rd child. I remember how it was with our first: not much sleep, quick meals (not necessarily healthy choices mind you) and no exercise for 3 months. I am hoping to avoid some of that this time around.

I am not planning any spring races at this time, but I do hope to do a half marathon in the fall, and maybe a full marathon in December, but since it has been a couple of years since I've done any races, I'll keep it simple and focus on a half first,and maybe some 15k trail runs.

And finally, to keep me honest and motivated, I'll be weighing-in on Wednesdays and posting the results. It'll be embarrassing at first, but I hope that everyone will see progress.