I am : TRACK
Today I worked out on the track...y'know, for real. The Mac men's Xcountry coach leads a group of young-old, fit-fat people every tuesdays for a personalized track workout. Everyone does the same thing, but at different paces, based on ability. Today we ran (after a long warmup) 16 400m dashes, with 1 min of rest in between. I started off kinda slow (84-86 sec), but for whatever reason, possibly a release of endorphins from my brain, I was able to improve that and my last two times were 72 and 73 seconds, respectively. I had never done such intensive HIIT training (High Intensity Interval Training) before, and it was a warm, welcome change from the lonely long miles that I have been running. My legs are dead right now, but I loved the challenge, and I can't wait for next Tuesday.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 236
I am : REDEDICATED
Not much to report over the weekend. I took it off from running because my 12 miler on thursday kinda did in the old calf. Gotta listen to the body. Its like a baby, and if you don't give it what it wants it'll pout and cry and scream.
I have recently wrote down my new set of goals for the next three months. I carry them close by at all times.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 224
I am : PROCESS
I have an excellent new mantra: "I believe in the Process".
This is perfect for me. It sums up what my lifestyle is all about. Sure, I have goals...short term, long term, ultimate, life...but what does it all amount to? It is all just a Process. There is no end, the end is the journey. Even to begin, and remain unwavering, is to be at the end...to succeed. Always remember that it is all about the Process, not the result. Results are incidental. By focusing on a single goal, e.g., "I will weigh 190!", what happens when 190 is reached? That should be limited to short term goals...it is the Process of reaching that short term goal which itself should be the ultimate goal.
Anyway, I have subscribed to an excellent new website:
www.in2fitness.comArguably the BEST nutritional management website ever. Its only 25 bucks
a year, and it does everything for you. Literally everything. Simply type in your current stats (weight, bodyfat, etc...) your current workout intensity, and your goals, and it will calculate your ideal macronutrient ratios, and then every week, will provide you with a schedule of meals. 6 meals a day. 7 days a week. And it will give you the recipes to these meals, and it will also generate a shopping list so that you can prepare all these meals. You can have it give you meals which take 5, 10, 15, or 20 minutes to make. It also tells you which foods at every fast food joint can fit in to your meal plan. And there is so much more! I love it!
Miles Since 4/23/05: 212.5
I am : HAPPY
I decided today that I AM happy about the way things are going with my training. For about a week there I was fairly tired all the time, and I didn't have the complete focus that is required to sustain this level of exhertion. What was missing was an element of HAPPINESS. I used to allow HAPPINESS to come to me passively, never sure when it would arrive, but always glad when it did. I see now that such a lifestyle is misleading. I must decided to be HAPPY. It must be a conscious effort, otherwise those moment of bliss will be sporadic and disconnected. My physical training is easily measurable (body fat%, mileage, weights lifted, etc...) but my mental fitness is not quite as objective. I have to remember:
1. All results are my own, and only I can take responsibility for them.
2. I do not train to maintain, I train to improve. To do that, then, today I must do something I've never done.
3. This lifestyle is one that I enjoy, that I love, and despite its hardships, its rewards far surpass my other ways of living.
I've had trouble, so far, imagining myself living like this for the rest of my life. Better to admit that. In order to combat any urges that might arise to quit (which I DON'T want), I will once in awhile post a blog like this. One wherein I reaffirm my decision to live a life that is somewhat at odds with those of my friends.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 207
I am : MUSCLE
Well, I'm at the end of my 2-week "active rest" portion of weight lifting. I was planning on only doing 1-week, but my left arm was still sore, and my schedule was in the air. So, I'm back to lifting on monday. And I'm gonna go HARD. I recently purchased "The Book of Muscle" by Ian King, and my initial read through was a very positive one. I like what he has to say about balancing issues, as well as mixing programs after 6 weeks. He has a 6 month intermediate training program which I will follow. Hmm...training for a marathon and lifting hard weights. I'm gonna have to start eating more.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 196
Calories Eaten Today (%Protein, %Carb, %Fat): 2258 (32%, 38%, 30%)
Body Weight: 184.5 lbs
Body Fat Percentage: 11.5%
I am : REVITALIZED
Well, I survived the weekend at James' cabin (not that I was any serious danger...but my health was! Beer, ice cream, sweets...it was Temptation Island!). I managed to eat only clean foods (except for possibly Anna's steak...and some non-whole wheat bread, but I did eat alot of veggies and fruit), though I think I overate a little. As time moves on and I negotiate what works for my body and what doesn't I will have to learn that when I "treat" myself, I must still maintain portion control. This has always been a problem for me. I would just eat and eat and eat, even well after the point of "fullness", due to boredom, anxiety, whatever...Oddly the food that I ate only nourished my temporary hungers, while leaving me with a nighttime full of guilt and sluggishness. I doubt if I will ever truly conquer these problems, but self-awareness and control is something I can enforce, even in small measure. Otherwise, the weekend was unbelievable. I took Saturday off from Marathon Running, which may have been just as important to my training as running would have been. Today, I ran 10 miles between tennis lessons, and felt great about it. Although, to be fair, there were other factors: weather, new location, novelty. I will have to develop a multitude of various running routes so that I don't become tired and bored with my current ones. Simply running down Summit is just not doing it for me anymore. I also think the weather is crucial. I'd rather run 10 miles in the sun than 1 mile in the fog. Anyway, welcome, Beth, to my blog. You are the second person to discover my little secret, after Aaron.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 177
I am : PRIMED
Well, the run today went better than yesterday. I didn't have headphones. I think the ones you wear on your waistband mess me up because of all the cords. Today it was just me and the watch and the pavement. I was focused, and I went fast. Took me about 26 minutes to run 4 miles. Which, is pretty good in my book. I think I am more mentally ready for fast short runs than slow long ones. I will have to work on this, but I'm not really sure how to. Possibly I need to start giving my body fuel for runs longer than an hour. Gel or Goo or whatever. Have to figure this out by Oct. 2! Anyway, I'm primed for a break, which this weekend should give me. I'll be joining a gym for the summer, so I should be able to work out at times other than 10am-7pm (stupid macalester). I'll be setting new goals, starting a new lifting program. I am PRIMED.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 167
I am : UNWAVERING
My CNS is approaching overtraining. I can feel it coming. I don't know how to deal with this. Normally, I would just stop running for a week or so, and do other forms of cardio. But, I'm training for the TCM, which I want more than anything...so I'm stuck. I think I'll just take this weekend to recuperate. Bag the long run, bag everything on Friday. By next monday, hopefully my muscle book will be here. I will start work. My life insurance will be liquid.
BEWARE OF OVERTRAINING!!!!!
I still want this. I do. I love the results I've achieved, and I want more. I CAN do it. I CAN I CAN I CAN I CAN.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 163
I am : ATTUNE
Yesterday was interesting. Jake and I made plans to frolf. I decided to run to Kaposia. About 5 miles. It was a hot day, and absolutely beautiful. On the way there, I was making decent time, my stomach cramped up big time. The only thing really different that I had eaten that day was some V8 that had been in my cabinet for probably too long. It was probably a combination of that, and the heat, and not drinking quite enough water (gasp!). But, more than anything, I need to listen to my body. It is shouldering the brunt of the load, so I must always listen to its needs. Which is why I'm taking a week off of lifting. "They" say you should do this about every 8 weeks or so, to prevent CNS overtraining. I haven't taken a week off since...I don't know how long. I will still run though, but I need to give my muscles some time to recharge, and get prepared for a new batch. I will formally set my new goals, then, this weekend, and get started next monday. If anyone is feeling nice and wants to buy me something, I'm in the market for "Men's Health Book of Muscle" by Ian King. It comes highly recommended. Thanks!
Miles Since 4/23/05: 158
I am : FOCUS
Which is what I am going to need to be. As my miles increase, my mental strength will be more crucial than ever. Yesterday I ran 14 miles in 2 hours. Easy to calculate that I was running 7 miles an hour! That's an 8.5 minute mile. If I can keep that up for 26.2 miles, that will be a solid marathon time. I returned my Asics, but unfortunately, every single pair had that same dimple in the left big toe. The lady at the store couldn't figure out what was wrong. Eventually, I just had to get a different model alltogether. I settled on the BEAST by Brooks. How could I not buy that shoe? Its called frickin' BEAST. Anyway, the long mileages are of course hard, but I seem to be recovering from them fairly well. As for my 3 month goals I set way back in march?
1. 14% Body fat (check)
2. Chest and Arms are huge (umm...check, kinda. More toned really.)
3. Legs are lean and powerful (check)
4. My Abs are showing through (check)
I will continue. I want more. I am in control.
So, I've reached some goals that I set for myself. Very satisfying feeling. Tomorrow I will determine some new goals to reach be Sept. 6. Out.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 147
I am : WISE
My wisdom comes in the form of knowing when to push, knowing when to pull. Yesterday my foot hurt from all the running, so I took the day off. Apparently the super expensive cross trainers I bought about a month ago are not all that great for long distance running. Sucky. So, I had to go to "Run 'n Fun" and pick up some Asics. They feel great, but there is a weird little dimple in the left foot which causes an imbalancing asymmetry. Gotta return them and exchange them. Already ran today, ran to Mr. C's and around downtown St. Paul. To improve my running I need:
a) a running partner
b) some sort of musical listening device
c) more short shorts
d) exchanged Asics
e) more body glide
f) 10 less pounds
Alright then, take 'er easy. Got 14 miles on Saturday.
Miles Since 4/23/05: 133
