Weight Loss Update

Well it's been about a week since I started and I have not lost any pounds. Sadly, I think I may have gained some. Although I do feel a lot healthier. I've been running, but I don't think I have been running hard enough. The past few runs, i've been running at a slower pace to keep other people company. As a result, I don't think I got much of a workout. Hopefully that will change tomorrow at track. Back to the eating. I've been eating pretty well. I've cut down my portions and have avoided all the "bad" stuff. My skin is already thanking me for not eating fried stuff. I just need to flat out exercise more. Plus, losing weight is not an overnight sensation. I'll try to stay positive.

Post Turkey Day

Gobble Gobble....i'm back!

I definitely lived up to my word. Past Thanksgiving, I would finish eating and would have a tough time getting up. I'm proud to say, I ate so little that I was still starving. Considering I don't eat any salads, creamed vegetables, or desserts, there wasn't really anything for me to eat but turkey and prime rib. My grandpa makes it a rule we have prime rib at any family holiday get together....so it's always the headliner. Turkey plays second fiddle in Thanksgiving.

On Saturday, I headed out to Walnut Creek and joined the Winter Team for their run. I had a bad stomach ache, but managed to finish the 4 mile run. I don't know why, but i've had the hardest time jump starting these shorter runs. I've been meaning to get new shoes and I should stop blogging about it and just go buy a pair. I'm such a slacker.

Happy Thanksgiving - Back to Basics

What to be thankful of? Well besides having such a loving family and great friends, I'm thankful of my health and that I am able to run. So what better way to show my appreciation than to go on out to the trails. No running day off just because it's Thanksgiving!

I woke up this morning with the sun burning into my room. Without even thinking of just opening the door to gage the temperature, I just put on my dri-fit shirt and shorts figuring the sun is out therefore it must be hot. After I was done prepping, I opened the door and could feel the coldness. It must have been lower 50s. I figured I would eventually warm up so I went with what I had on. As I started my warm up run, everybody was bundled in their sweatshirts with their warm coffee in hand. Meanwhile I was regretting I didn't wear something long sleeved.

To my surprise, there were a lot of people on the trail today. Well I guess I shouldn't be surprised since most of the nation wasn't working today. The run went well. I ran just under 30 minutes. I was even surprised I got negative splits because the run coming back was an incline and there was this massive headwind.

Food-wise, tonight will be a challenge; however, I think i'll come through. Check back and if I slip up, feel free to scold me. Happy Thanksgiving!

Starting Off Okay

Day 2 of my weightloss experiment. I've just been drinking mostly water and an occasional glass of orange juice. My lunch consists of plain boring dry ham and lettuce sandwich on wheat bread. Absolutely no condiments! As a snack, i've been munching on almond nuts. I'm surprised how a few can make you so full. Dinner was chicken and broccoli over brown rice. Absolutely no sweets. Not that I ever had much of a sweet tooth before, but i'm a sucker for ice cream. Instead, i'm taking in fruits. In regards to exercise, I ran 31 minutes with a newbie runner at his pace, which was slightly slower than mine. I'm not gonna lie...the food cravings are still there. The fried foods are speaking to me, but I must resist. I can do this!

168

I finally found a new challenge! It's not so much a running event, but it will help should I decide do one in the near future. I'm dedicating myself to drop approximately 15 lbs. I weighed myself today and the scaled told me I was 183.5 lbs. When I first joined TNT, I was nearing 190 lbs. By the end of that first season with strict dieting and continuous exercise, I finished at 175 lbs. I haven't seen that figure since. I've been slacking and telling myself..."that soda won't hurt me." Well it's almost becoming an addiction again. Not good and i'm pretty sure all that has contributed to my poor running performance as of late.

As of today, i'm back to that strict diet and exercising like crazy. The goal is to drop down to 168 lbs. Kind of a loose number, but in Chinese "168" phonetically says "continuous prosperity"...so WTF right? So it's going to be tough particularly with Thanksgiving this week, but i'm determined to succeed.

My Backyard

I can't believe the Iron Horse Trail is my backyard. Ok, not literally. A nice little warm up run will get me there, but it's so close! Woke up this morning and knew I wanted to run because I wouldn't be able to squeeze one this weekend. Did my normal prep work and I headed out to the trail. My goal was to do a little more than 5 miles. I finished off only doing 4 miles. It's tough running solo. I don't think I was pacing myself properly. Perhaps running with some music would have helped. I felt sluggish, but I really want to blame my shoes. I think it's time to get new ones. I've had 2 running shoes for the past 3 seasons. There seems to be no more bounce left in them and the bottom of my feet felt like the were beaten by a baseball bat. I really wanted to quit after 2 miles. It wasn't pretty, but at least I got out there. Without an event, the motivation is seriously lacking.

Keeping it going!

On Saturday, I ran just shy of 5 miles. When I woke up to the sounds of rain at 5:00 am, I thought to myself....do I really want to run in the rain? I was ready to wimp out until I said "F-it!" I needed to get out there and run even if it was pouring. It rained as I drove to the Lafayette/Morage Trail. When I got out of the car, it stopped raining. In fact, it stayed clear until the run was over. It was still cold, but it turned out to be ideal running weather. I felt extremely slugglish going up the gradual incline, but felt like a speedy demon coming down.

Tonight our buddy run grew by 2. We got a couple of participants from the Winter Team. One of which had some serious calf problems. This is what happens when you are newbie to running and you've run everyday since Saturday with shoes purchased from Lady's Foot Locker. Not a good combination. Also, running on an empty stomach will not help. It's just a case of an excited participant wanting to do everything possible to be up to "par" with everyone else. I completely understand. I was the same way. Little did I know there is so much to learn about this thing called running. I'm excited for her as her knowledge will grow and one day laugh back at how funny tonight was. All in all, I ran for about 15 minutes and walked with her the rest of the way back.

Leukemia

A day after 60 Minutes anchor Ed Bradley passed away from Leukemia, former San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh disclosed he's had Leukemia since 2004.

Just another reminder that it can happen to anyone. Live each day to the fullest people!

No Opportunities Wasted!

Uneventful Track

The title pretty much sums it up. Did an easy 2 mile run and clocked in at 22:14. That's it. Good night.

Back to Buddy Runs!

I'm very surprised I was able to Buddy Run tonight. I definitely was not well hydrated this weekend and am no way in proper training condition. Anyways I finally got to do a buddy run at familiar Iron Horse Trail in San Ramon for the first time this season. It's very dark, but still comfortable in the 60's. Too bad only 3 people showed up (2 of which were mentors). Nevertheless, the participant benefited from our company, which is all good for me. We stayed as a unit and finished 3.7 miles in 47 minutes. It's good to be out there again. It's great to blog again as I finally have my internet setup.

Long Time No Blog

This must be the longest blogging draught i've ever had here. I didn't think you wanted to read about me stuffing my face like a mad man. I have been eating pretty bad and quite honestly feel like crap, which is why I finally decided to pick up my running shoes and chose today as the day to run, regardless if it was going to rain or not. Fortunately for me, the rains died and I had a dry run at track. Although the track itself was slushy. It was still in the mid 60s, but it was completely dark. I managed to escape by doing 2 miles. It felt great to just get out there and run. With no scheduled events in the horizon, i've lost the motivation to train. That is until I agreed to lead a new buddy run. That will keep me on my toes to continue running. Meanwhile i've been checking out some fun 5K/10K runs to do during the holidays.