I saw this quote the other day and really loved it. I have always hoped that I have encouraged others to reach their goals by being a good example, and Being the Message.
Goals are dreams with deadlines. Stop dreaming! I took control of my life and with the help of many wonderful people I was able to lose 135 pounds in 11 months. Set a goal, tell everyone who will listen, and stick to your plan. You can do it!!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Be the Message
I saw this quote the other day and really loved it. I have always hoped that I have encouraged others to reach their goals by being a good example, and Being the Message.
Monday, February 27, 2012
When you feel like quitting......
My wife shared this one with me the other day and it really hit home.
I also saw this magic weight loss pill if anyone is interested. I can tell you from experience that the 80% is very powerful.
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| fitnessrxmag.com |
Friday, February 24, 2012
I met my goal 2 years ago today!
Today it has been two years since I met my weight loss goal and two years of maintenance. Losing the weight was the easy part...keeping it off for the next 45 years will be the hard part. Thanks for keeping motivated!
I saw this saying on Facebook today and it sums things up pretty concisely.
"The only thing standing between you and your goal is the BS story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it."
Here's my take on the subject.......
I saw this saying on Facebook today and it sums things up pretty concisely.
"The only thing standing between you and your goal is the BS story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it."
Here's my take on the subject.......
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| January 2009 - 3 months before I started |
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| October 2009 - 7 months after I started |
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Why do I run? Part I
...and another
May 31, 2011 Pocatello 50
December 27, 2010 Homestead Trail Boise Foothills
August 20, 2011 Bear 100 night run Bogus Basin
May 22,2011 Polecat Loop Boise Foothills
June 19, 2011 Boise Foothills
December 24, 2010 Lucky Peak Trail Boise Foothills
August 9, 2011 Skunk Creek Wild Idaho 50
Lessons on Weight Loss from Runner's World
I have fallen into the 'I deserve it' category many times. As much as I run I should weigh about 120! But I eat to refuel....and then some. I need to plan out my after run meal before hand so I don't end up eating junk that I don't need!
Timing is another thing I have had problems with. I am a morning runner / exerciser and I eat breakfast at 4:20 in the morning many days. After my workout I have a post recovery snack at about 7:30 (usually a protien shake with berries or a banana mixed in). I am ready to devour my arm long before lunch. During my weight loss period I always worked out at home so I would have something like a piece of bread to settle my stomach before my workout and then have breakfast at 7:30 which eliminated the calories of the post workout snack since it was my breakfast. Plus, I was feeling full longer from a bigger meal and made it to lunchtime more easily. Now I often drive to where I am going to run and then head straight to work which means I have to pack everything but the kitchen sink in the morning!
I'll have to play with my eating and exercise schedule to find something that works better for me. I enjoy meeting other people to run, so I may need to stock the fridge at work and have breakfast here!!
Wasatch 100 Flyover Video
"Remember this is fun, it will be over before you know it so soak up every minute and remember you are one of a lucky few." --Jim Milar (advice given to Stephen Jones at Wasatch 100 last year) I'll be smart to remember this nugget of wisdom.
Saw this link today. Looks like I better start eating my wheaties!
Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Race flyover in Google Earth
The interactive google map with the aid station info from the Wasatch website.
Saw this link today. Looks like I better start eating my wheaties!
Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Race flyover in Google Earth
The interactive google map with the aid station info from the Wasatch website.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Polecat Morning Run
I don't normally add much here for my daily activity but this run was just wonderful.
Christie and I were supposed to go tear up the greenbelt with our lightning fast speed this morning but it snowed overnight so we decided to go to Polecat Loop instead.
The snow was probably 2 inches all the way around and the sagebrush and grass had a half inch coating as well. The trail was quiet beneath our feet with the snow muffling the sound. The clouds were hanging low and the moon was amazing through it all. We decided to make a little extra loop via Quick Draw trail which was gorgeous since the sun was now coming up.
Not much speed today but it was tons of fun. Christie and I got to chat on the way back to work. We drove separately but the roads were terribly icy so she hopped in with me and met her husband at my work.
I was glad she was able to capture these photos but they don't really do justice for how gorgeous the morning was. Stars, clouds, moon, snow.....ahhh!!
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| View from Quick Draw Trail |
The snow was probably 2 inches all the way around and the sagebrush and grass had a half inch coating as well. The trail was quiet beneath our feet with the snow muffling the sound. The clouds were hanging low and the moon was amazing through it all. We decided to make a little extra loop via Quick Draw trail which was gorgeous since the sun was now coming up.
Not much speed today but it was tons of fun. Christie and I got to chat on the way back to work. We drove separately but the roads were terribly icy so she hopped in with me and met her husband at my work.
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| Top of Quick Draw |
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Frank's 12-Hour Night Run
My friend Frank is running his first 100 miler in March at the Antelope Island Buffalo run in Utah. While preparing for his goal he got a promotion at work that came with a move from Idaho to Texas. He accepted the job but told his employer that he had been training for this race and wanted to still do it. So, this run was a farewell as he makes his move.
Anyway, the purpose of a night run is to learn to navigate the trails in the dark as well as function while tired. We started out in Municipal Park in Boise just after 8pm. There were something like 15 of us at the start that planned on going various distances. I had committed to 12 hours or 50 miles (whichever came first)! It was a fun night of carefree running. We were conscious of our pace but stopped many times to take in the beauty of the surrounding city lights and one of the best moon rises I have ever seen.
By the time we finished the first 'loop' we were down to 7 people who were going to continue on. The first loop was about 27 miles which took around 6 hours. Several of the people who called it a night at that point had to get up and study for college classes in the morning! I never did anything when I was in college except work, school, sleep - repeat!
We left out of Municipal again and headed over to Table Rock. I have never been on this particular stretch of Table Rock so it was nice to see some new territory. About this time it was starting to spit snow and rain a bit but nothing too serious. For a February night in Idaho, we couldn't have dialed up better weather. I was wearing shorts, 1 short sleeve shirt, arm warmers, a sleeveless running jacket, gloves, and some fun socks with flames on them.
We got up to the top of Table Rock and touched the cross that is lit up with flourescent lights and visible all around town. It was pointed out that none of our miles would count unless we touched the cross. It was fun and we took a minute to soak in the cityscape from high above at 3 or 4 in the morning. We headed down the pavement from Table Rock to Rocky Canyon and up to where 3 Bears trail comes in near 5 Mile Gulch.
This is where the snow and rain started coming in harder. It was nice being low in the relative protection of the canyon while chatting away. We walked most of the uphill road section. Several friends who have lots more experience at these things were telling stories about what worked and what didn't in previous situations. I am still a newbie and always looking for a nugget of wisdom. Often, it comes in the form of a reminder to continue doing the things I already know but forget to do in long run. Like on this section, I was getting stiff from the miles as well as the cold and my friend Paul reminded me to do some high knees and butt kickers to stay loose. (Those may be fun exercises during a warm-up but at mile 35? they are a real chore). Walking lunges are another big treat when you get to this point!!
Once we got onto the ridge back on 3 Bears the rain was really coming down hard. I found that the water resistant characteristics of my clothing were inadequate to say the least. We had fun cruising the downhill section while staying in a pretty close group. Once we got down to town and started pounding the pavement again I knew I was done. When we arrived back at Municipal we had been out for 10 hours and 45 minutes. My right leg had been stiff most of the night from a spill at about mile 10 and I was ready to go home.
Part of the reason for the run was to cross a mental hurdle. Set a goal and don't give up until you reach it. Five people continued on for the full 50+. I didn't feel like I wanted or needed to cross that mental hurdle on this day. My race is a month after Antelope Island, so I still have time!
All in all it was a fun night! One drawback is I looked like a crack addict at my sons Cub Scout Pinewood Derby with my bloodshot eyes and bobbing head!
Anyway, the purpose of a night run is to learn to navigate the trails in the dark as well as function while tired. We started out in Municipal Park in Boise just after 8pm. There were something like 15 of us at the start that planned on going various distances. I had committed to 12 hours or 50 miles (whichever came first)! It was a fun night of carefree running. We were conscious of our pace but stopped many times to take in the beauty of the surrounding city lights and one of the best moon rises I have ever seen.
By the time we finished the first 'loop' we were down to 7 people who were going to continue on. The first loop was about 27 miles which took around 6 hours. Several of the people who called it a night at that point had to get up and study for college classes in the morning! I never did anything when I was in college except work, school, sleep - repeat!
This is where the snow and rain started coming in harder. It was nice being low in the relative protection of the canyon while chatting away. We walked most of the uphill road section. Several friends who have lots more experience at these things were telling stories about what worked and what didn't in previous situations. I am still a newbie and always looking for a nugget of wisdom. Often, it comes in the form of a reminder to continue doing the things I already know but forget to do in long run. Like on this section, I was getting stiff from the miles as well as the cold and my friend Paul reminded me to do some high knees and butt kickers to stay loose. (Those may be fun exercises during a warm-up but at mile 35? they are a real chore). Walking lunges are another big treat when you get to this point!!
Once we got onto the ridge back on 3 Bears the rain was really coming down hard. I found that the water resistant characteristics of my clothing were inadequate to say the least. We had fun cruising the downhill section while staying in a pretty close group. Once we got down to town and started pounding the pavement again I knew I was done. When we arrived back at Municipal we had been out for 10 hours and 45 minutes. My right leg had been stiff most of the night from a spill at about mile 10 and I was ready to go home.
Part of the reason for the run was to cross a mental hurdle. Set a goal and don't give up until you reach it. Five people continued on for the full 50+. I didn't feel like I wanted or needed to cross that mental hurdle on this day. My race is a month after Antelope Island, so I still have time!
All in all it was a fun night! One drawback is I looked like a crack addict at my sons Cub Scout Pinewood Derby with my bloodshot eyes and bobbing head!
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Ben Comen Story. This will move you to tears.
"If you can watch this and not shed a tear you don't have a heart." tsmello99 (Comment from the Youtube site)
I tend to agree.....
I tend to agree.....
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wise Advice from my friend Melissa
Today's another day. Better choices today, but I can't be on track all the time. It's just not in my nature. Here's to life, and choice, and bad days, and practicing progress not perfection. ~Melissa (Moss58)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The honest truth about Ultras
I found this today and thought I would share. Nathan Sanel was at the Bear 100 this past September and I really appreciate his honesty about how he is feeling and why he is there in the videos. I wrote some similar thoughts about why I was doing it and how I finally decided to sign up. This was, as it should be, a learning experience for him since he ran a 19:19 at Bartram 100 two and half months later. Congratulation Nathan.
I don't think it is a coincidence that this is the exact spot that I had my lowest point of the day for the same reasons he described. He is between Right Hand Fork (37 miles) and Temple Fork (45 miles).
I don't think it is a coincidence that this is the exact spot that I had my lowest point of the day for the same reasons he described. He is between Right Hand Fork (37 miles) and Temple Fork (45 miles).
Sunday, February 5, 2012
WASATCH BABY!!
I was drawn in the lottery for the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance race yesterday and I am stoked!! Check out the Wasatch website!
We celebrated with a nice long run today! Actually, it was already planned but it felt like a celebration. My friends Dennis (also on the screenshot above) and Lynette also got in! Can't wait.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Stop USED to BEING something....
When I graduated from high school back in 1992 I weighed 242 pounds. During my high school years and even before, my mother would encourage me to eat better and take care of myself. My mom has always exercised and been conscious of keeping in shape but it never seemed to rub off on me. After high school I was around home more during the day and she would help me plan out my lunch when I was attending college.
Over the course of those 7 years I started many stories with, "I used to..." I was usually talking about how I used to ride my bike all over the foothills and was in really great shape. Or when I used to be an awesome water skier.
When I decided to make the commitment to get in shape in 2009 I remember thinking I needed to make some new memories so I could stop recalling those days so long ago. I have done lots of fun and amazing things since I started getting back in shape to replace those I used to stories.
I was in my bathroom the other day and noticed something that made me smile. I have my St. George Marathon, Lake Lowell Marathon, and Pocatello 50 miler race medals hanging on the corner of my mirror and they are collecting dust and cobwebs.
On the counter, my Boston Marathon medal is proudly displayed in a ziploc sandwich bag that sits on top of my Bear 100 miler plaque that is stuffed in a Walmart bag and surrounded by junk.
I say it made me smile because it was a new reminder that I always need to be moving forward and have a new goal as soon as possible after finishing the last one. Race medals to me represent a lot of hard work, training and commitment but I don't run races for medals or belt buckles. I run races to test myself and stay as active as I can. I read a statistic recently that said 95% of people who lose weight gain it back in 3-5 years. Most people gain it back because they fail to change the behaviors that led to their weight problem in the first place. I am doing everything I can to stay in the 5% minority, medals or not.
Stop USED TO being something and be something RIGHT NOW!
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| 1992 |
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| At home after a Hulls Gulch ride 1993 |
In the spring on 1993 I got serious about eating right and I took my mountain bike with me to school everyday for exercise and to help me cross campus quickly. Many times after school I would take my bike to the foothills and ride the Hulls Gulch loop or the Table Rock loop. My mom was going to Jenny Craig at the time and they said I could use their scale for my official weigh in every week. They all got a kick out of me coming in there and were amazed at my results. Over the course of two short months I lost about 60 pounds and got down to 180. When I joined the Navy in May of 1994 I was 175. Over the course of the next 7 years I gained it all back plus another nearly 80 by 2001. All a result of not taking care of myself and not paying attention to my health.
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| Fall 1993 |
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| Summer 1993 |
I remember feeling ashamed saying I used to be good at anything given my situation at the time but never did anything to change. Between 2001 and 2009 I was about the same weight. I can't tell for sure because we didn't have a scale. The only time I remember my weight was when I stood on the rock scale at Victory Greens Nursery one day when we were buying landscaping materials in 2003 and I was 298 pounds.
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| Spring 2008 |
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| Boston and Bear |
I was in my bathroom the other day and noticed something that made me smile. I have my St. George Marathon, Lake Lowell Marathon, and Pocatello 50 miler race medals hanging on the corner of my mirror and they are collecting dust and cobwebs.
On the counter, my Boston Marathon medal is proudly displayed in a ziploc sandwich bag that sits on top of my Bear 100 miler plaque that is stuffed in a Walmart bag and surrounded by junk.
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| Medals with cobwebs... |
Stop USED TO being something and be something RIGHT NOW!
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| Wilson Creek Frozen 50K |
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Interest vs. Commitment
"There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results." - Unknown
I saw this quote yesterday and it really hit home for me. People have asked me why I push myself to insane limits, goals, and running distances. The simple answer, I enjoy doing it. Most people exercise to stay in shape or lose weight. That is exactly where I started myself, but over time I began to enjoy what I was doing and it was no longer something I HAD to do but something I WANTED to do.
Having this mindset makes my commitment to my goals easy. Who wants to join me for a 30 miler on Sunday morning, guaranteed to be a good time!
I saw this quote yesterday and it really hit home for me. People have asked me why I push myself to insane limits, goals, and running distances. The simple answer, I enjoy doing it. Most people exercise to stay in shape or lose weight. That is exactly where I started myself, but over time I began to enjoy what I was doing and it was no longer something I HAD to do but something I WANTED to do.
Having this mindset makes my commitment to my goals easy. Who wants to join me for a 30 miler on Sunday morning, guaranteed to be a good time!
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