Journey

I guess in all good exciting movies when a journey is involved there is a time of trial and trouble and wandering in the wilderness. I have described my weight loss and commitment to physical fitness as a journey from the beginning and it continues to be one. But as Moses and the people of Israel wandered in the wilderness, as Dorthy and the crew had a few dark moments on the way to Oz, and my personal favorite, Luke,Leia, and Han, whet through some pretty bad days,(Empire Strikes Back) on their way to providing freedom for the whole Galaxy from the Dark Side. I need to get back on the yellow brick road to health. As I have taken an account of all the stuff I have eaten over the last week which I am too lazy to type all of here I will give you a quick synopsis.

I eat well for breakfast cereal, oatmeal, health bar something like that.

I do pretty well for lunch Tropical Smoothie wrap of 500 calories or something in that calorie range.

I go home I eat all the chocolate I can find till I am sick and then have a party or think I am having a party and eat anything I want for dinner and then have some more candy or cake or whatever we have around the house to help us celebrate Robyn's Birthday or one of the 10 Christmas parties we are having or going to.

Then I go to bed feeling bloated sick and miserable and tell myself I will not do that again. Then I wake-up and do the same basic thing.

This lifestyle has led me to gain back about 30 pounds of what I lost and now my pants are tight and I the shirts that fit fine last week are a little snug this week.

Christmas and New Year and Bowl Games are coming, all really really good reasons to eat, and my thought process has been that I was not able to really "enjoy" this time last year because I was not eating so this year I am going to make up for it, and so the death cycle continues.

I was laying in bed last night and thought of my good friends Debbie and Jason, who are eating the way I was last year at this time. I have gone to a couple of parties with both of them and they seem to be having as much fun as me and they are not eating like it is their last meal. Perhaps I have a misconception that food and fun are related, that even though I have lost over 150 pounds, I still never got it through my thick stupid skull. So what to do what to do,how do I get back on the right track.

I have a couple of friends in my life that are currently recovering from addictions. They realize they are not at a point that they can do some of the things that "normal" people do without falling back into a lifestyle that will kill them, and they have decided it is worth the price. One even told me yesterday of a person who he was in rehab with that when the guy was allowed to leave he did not want to because he new he could not handle the outside world yet alone. I don't think I am ready for the freedom of anything I want to eat and trusting myself not to go way overboard.

So here is what I have decided to do. I am letting Debbie know, probably right now by typing this as she is one of my thousands of readers, er uh one of at least 5 or 6 maybe, and I will tell Jason also. I am going back into the program that allowed me to lose this weight. It makes keeping up with what I eat pretty simple, it is either a shake or a prepackaged meal or it is a fruit or vegetable. We call it staying in the box.

My biggest problem is that I believed what everyone who was trying to be nice was telling me... you look so good.. you have accomplished so much, you deserve to enjoy yourself...you can work on it after the first of the year... In reality I have accomplished nothing, I have walked down a road toward a life of health and physical fitness, and I have gotten pretty far, father than some, and not as far as others, but I might as well never started walking down that road, if I am content to wander in the wilderness instead of walking with purpose and a clear understanding of exactly why I am on a journey.

Accountability

I have decided to not just use my blog as a way to update you on my workouts and weight loss and races, but I have now decided that I need some accountability in what I eat especially with the holidays coming up. So I have decided to start posting my food journal on the blog also. That way if I know everyone will know I ate it, it might make me think before I decide it is worth it. I may not post everyday, but I will keep it everyday and post it all when I post.

Marathon...check

I can now say I have finished a marathon. It was not easy, it was not pretty, and it was not fast, but it is finished. It was really a wonderful experience, not just because I have lost over 100 pounds in the last year and I finished the marathon at the same place I ran my first 5k, but because of the the overwhelming support from my friends and family. We went out to eat in Memphis Friday night with 22 people! My friends Greg and Carolyn, Chris and Polly, Damon and Stephanie, Russ and Jenny, Von and Melissa, and Kevin and Debbie, and those are just the ones that did the 5k or the half-marathon and then many stuck around just to watch me finish my race. Not to mention the great support from my cousin David via my blog and my parents for watching our kids for the weekend and all their support. It was just a weekend that helped me realize just how blessed with relationships we are. Thanks again.

Now for the Race Report: I had big hopes of 5 hours or less and was making great time with the 5 hour pace group through about 15 miles. I have never in my life, in 4 years of football and all the training for running and biking and swimming had a problem with a cramp. At mile 16 I started having a cramp in my right quad, when I stopped to try and stretch I got a horrible cramp in my left hamstring, then in my right hamstring. I was frozen unable to move, people were asking me if I needed assistance, I thought I was going to have to just stop and have someone come get me. But some really nice guy came up from behind me and had a plastic bag of crystals that he said was salt, it could have been crack for all I cared, I took some and he told me to keep walking and not let the cramps tighten up. I took his advice and walked and ran the last 10 miles to finish in 5 hours 37 minutes. I was a little disappointed in the finish time, but quickly got over it and am just happy to have finished. I will have another chance to better my time someday, maybe sooner than later.

For now I am going to work on losing some more weight and lifting weights and tyring to improve my swim and and keep a base or running that can finish a half-marathon pretty easily. I hope to run another half soon.

Here we go AGAIN

Tomorrow I will run the St.Jude Marathon in Memphis. As you all know what was supposed to my first marathon in October in Chicago turned out to be disaster for race officials and Kim and I only made it to mile 17 before they shut down the race. So I went home and signed up for the marahon in Memphis wanting to make sure I FINISHED a marathon this year. A lot has happened since then and my training has not been what I would have wanted it to be. I have gained some weight and we have lost Kim's dad in his battle with cancer. But tomorrow I will be there and this time many of my friend's are comiing to run the 5K and say they will stick around for me to finish the marathon (they will have time to go eat and do some shopping, get their nails done and read a book by the time I finish) I have to tell you that I am thrilled that they will be there, but at the same time very nervous about this race. Anyone who knows me, knows that when it comes to some things I am not my normal happy go luck let the chips fall where they may self. Traveling, and athletic events. I like to be prepard, I am even a little on the freaky side when it comes to this kind of stuff, I used to get to the locker room over an hour before football practice and over 3 hours before games just to make sure I had it all together. I have to admit I don't feel prepared for the race tomorrow. But a couple of things have happened in the last couple of days to remind me that I can do this.
Tuesday night we did a little 2 mile run with our kids called the "Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis" and wathching little Kiley run beside Kim and I with all she had for the better part of a mile and just loving it brought tears to my eyes, running with her was something I could not do and would not have encouraged her to do 2 years ago, but this week we were all running together (Robyn was in the stroller) and it was one of the neatest feelings I have had. I went to Starbucks at Barns and Noble today to get some coffee and a couple that were in my weight loss class came in and then two more people who had done the same program came in and then another guy that I have run with came in, and we all there taking about running and weight and they all talked about how good I looked and that they could not tell I have gained a pound, much less the 20 or so I gained over the last month in Chattanooga. They were very encouraging and reminded me again that I run for health not just the numbers and that I can lose this weight I have gained and it should not affect my feeling toward this athletic goal that I am about to accomplish, so it won't. And finally my dad emailed me th picture of me crossing the finish line of my first triathlon today and reminded me of my miles I dedicated before Chicago. For those of you who don't remember, here they are

Mile One and mile 26 is dedicated to my life partner, supporter, running partner and mother of my childern.. Kim, I love you and appreciate your encouragment on this journey.

Miles 5 and 15 are dedicated to my sister Shelena, she likes the number 5 a lot and she is the best sister I have so it was only natural

Miles 13 and 20 are dedicated to my parents for putting up with me, I love and apprecaite their support so much, and they continue to be great examples for Kim and I, our marriage and our parenting.

Miles 24 and 25 are dedicated to Kiley and Robyn because I might want to quit then, but can't imagine coming home and not showing them my medal.

Mile 7 and 12 are dedicated to my father-in-law who is struggling with cancer, Larry and Susan were going to be in Chicago to see Kim and I, but they are in a hospital in Chattanooga.

Mile 15 is dedicated to our house church, thanks so much to Debbie, Chris, Polly, Dan, Scarlett, Greg, Carolyn, Jason, Julie, and past members Philip and Brooks who have moved to Hot Springs.

Finally Mile 16 is dedicated to all you people who read and comment on my blog and have been supportive and cotinue to motivate me on in my weight loss and physical endevors. This includes you Kevin, thanks for using ass or damn in every comment you have ever posted.

As I look over this I realize how precious life is, Larry is not with us anymore and that really makes me sad, and I realize how quickly life can slip away from us. If you have read this far, you have too much time on you hands, but you have probalby been a big support to me in my journey and I appreciate it. I know tomorrow will be a great marker on this journey, one that I know will continue to bless my health and overall outlook on life.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

I have so much to be thankful for, but the ability to go out and run this morning 100 pounds lighter than last year at this time is just part of it. I get a little extreme with my weight loss and running sometimes and it can monopolize my time. Last night I realized how I wanted to run as far as I could this morning so I could know I was back on track for the marathon, but my priorities changed when I remembered how much Kiley likes for us to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade together. So I left the house a little after 8:00 with my goal for today to run 3 miles with my only time goal to be home in time for the parade...I have to go, it's about to start.

So much to be thankful for.

Back On Track

Well I am a few hours back into weight loss mode today and all is going well. It seems like it takes one good day to get my system back on track. I did a really poor job of eating in Chattanooga. I ate poorly on the road, I ate poorly at the house and I ate poorly at the restaurants. I have had more pizza, burgers, steaks, and chocolate in the last 3 weeks than I had all this year. My weight went up, but the most disappointing things are that my clothes are much tighter, my gout arthritis is hurting my foot, and I will not be able to eat and feel like I deserve to enjoy the food at Thanksgiving this year. Also I have no idea if I could go out and run 10 miles much less a marathon by Dec 1.

OK now I have vented about it, so what am I doing about it? I have done very well today back on weight loss mentality. I am not sure my foot feels good enough to run today, but I will lift tomorrow and try to run a little. Not eating a lot for Thanksgiving should not be that big a deal considering it was a year ago this week that I started this weight loss journey and had nothing but my protein shake for Thanksgiving last year.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support during these last few days with Larry's illness and death. We are very blessed.

Life is HECTIC!!

I have gained about 16 pounds over the last two based on my scales this morning. I have been in Chattanooga with my wife and her family waiting for the death of her Dad. He died last night, so we will be going back for the funeral this weekend. We have put our lives on hold for the last few weeks and I have not run or even tried to eat well. As a matter of fact I have used the situation as an excuse to eat very poorly. I am not saying that the situtation is not much more important than my weight loss, but I have an obligation to protect my weight loss and to continue on my health journey. In our house church last night we talked about getting back up from mistakes quickly and not dwelling on our failures and that is what I intend to do. I have packed my scale for this trip and I plan on sticking to at least eathing healthy throught the rest of the week and weekend. I know based on my past that after a binge like I have been on and a big gain that if I just try a little I can lose 8-10 pounds in a week or so. SO here I go BACK ON TRACK,

By the way I still plan on beating Debbie to 30 pounds as soon as I get this extra 16 off. I am going to kick it in and lose 46 faster then it takes Debbie to lose 30!!! Yeah I know bold statement, but what do I have to lose??

Long Time No Post

It has been busy. First let me update you on the situation with Kim's Dad. He is in the last stages of cancer, but his body continues to work somewhat. The hospice people are convinced he will not be with us much longer, but they said 5 days last Tuesday, so what do they know. We will continue to tralvel to Chattanooga on the weekends until he passes.

That brings me to how poorly I eat on the road. I am holding my weight, probably becasue of the 18 miles I ran Saturday and the weight lifting program I am know on, and the other running during the week, but it is not because I am eating well. I am really trying to lose weight not stay the same, especially with Debbie www.debbiecook.blogspot.com beating me in the race to lose 30 pounds. But I feel a loss coming on this week and I am thinking I will close the gap a little bit.

The marathon is coming up on DEC 1 and I am getting more and more excited about that.

Happy Halloween!

Prayers Needed

Kim is on a plane to Chattanooga to be with her dad, and I am about to get in the car and head that way. The doctors have told the family that there is nothing more they can do for him. They said it could me a matter of hours or days. Please pray for our family for Larry that God will give him peace and comfort him. Pray for Kim and her family that they will be comforted and find some peace in all of this.

Running Always Helps

This weekend, I think I have finally put Chicago behind me. I ran the local 1/2 marathon, the Fergus Snoddy, www.fergussnoddy.com. It was a great experience. I had a PR with 2:16:53 on a really hilly course. My friend's Greg and Chris ran the 5k and it was just a really good day. I am getting more excited about the Memphis Marathon on Dec 1.

Tomorrow starts my first training session with my trainer and our friend Karen, who has completed a couple of Ironmans and is a pretty darn good triathlete. She is going to help me lift weights for better endurance. As an ex-football player who has only known how to lift weights to get bigger and stronger I need some help in learning how to lift for endurance and sculpting and strengthening my core. We will lift together on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

As some of you may know Debbie is a good friend of mine www.debbiecook.blogspot.com She has lost over 80 pounds and has now challenged me to see who can get the next 30 off the quickest. We have big money on the line, and as much as I like Deb, I hate losing, so I have no choice other than to BEAT HER INTO THE GROUND, AND TALK TRASH WHILE I AM DOING IT. With the love of Christ, of course.

VERY DISSAPOINTED

I kind of thought I would be over the anger and frustration by today, but as you will be able to tell I am not. Let's cut to the chase, me and about 24,000 other race participants did not get to finish the Chicago Marathon this weekend. I think what makes me most angry is the reports on the news with the race director saying they had plenty of fluids on the course, that is bull crap.

Here is how is went down for us. Kim and I started between the 5:15 and the 5:30 pace group thinking that since it was a little hotter than we anticipated that we might not want to push it as hard at first, but if things were going well we would kick it in toward the later miles. That means we lined up with people who were supposed to be able to run between 10 and 11 minute miles, this is what we have run on training runs in Arkansas through one of the hottest summers on record. It took us over 20 minutes to get to the start line, which was no big deal considering the mass of humanity. Our first mile time was just over 10 minutes, right were we needed to be despite having to weave in and out of lines of people who lined up with us that had no intention of running! They started in the 5:15 pace group and knew they were going to walk?? I did not understand that, but hey we were moving right along and got to the first water stop around the 1.83 miles mark. Everything I have read says to take on water early and often in a marathon, especially a hot one, so even though were not in desperate need of water we knew we needed to drink. THERE WAS NO WATER OR GATORADE! We were in the middle of pack and they had already run out and folded the tables and put them on the side of the road! We were a little mad, but knew there would be another stop in just over a mile around mile 3. Again NO WATER and NO GATOR AIDE! At this point I think we were both a little freaked out but tried not to show it, Kim was more mad that we were running in the 30th running of the Chicago Marathon and something as simple as aide stations were not being run properly. Between mile 3 and the next water stop a church that was a cheering station had heard that they were running out of water and started giving out water in little dixie cups like you wash your mouth out with with mouthwash in your bathroom. We thought this was like getting manna from heaven we were so worried about water at this point. Just a couple miles up there was a band playing and one of the runners went over during the song and yelled in the mic, WE WANT WATER ON THE COURSE!! and everyone cheered. There were 3 water stops that I remember between there and mile 16 that had water, only one with Gatorade,and none that just had people handing you water like a normal race, every time someone saw some it was like throwing one bag of dog food out to 10,000 starving dogs, everyone pushing and shoving to get in line for a little cup of water. Around mile 15 a little girl must have seen the look on our faces and offered us her bottle of water and we shared it. We had been turned from runners to scavengers, I told Kim I signed up for a marathon not an adventure race. But we got mad at the course and said we are not going to let this beat us, we trained too hard and too long and if we have to walk, which we did some of, but were really beginning to get in a good groove after the halfway point, we would do what ever it took to finish. That is when people started yelling to STOP RUNNING, you are being diverted to Grant Park, the race is over!?? What?? No WAY! was our response, then a helicopter started flying over and giving the same instructions on the loud speaker. Our dream of finishing the marathon together was over, not because of anything we could have prevented, trust me we have gone back and forth, but us and everyone else were diverted to Grant Park. We had a couple of friends that started in pace groups ahead of us, and they said that even though they got past mile 17 before they closed in they were still told to stop running. We later heard that all the ambulances in Chicago and surrounding areas were being used and that the race could not support us any longer and that someone had died.

As Kim and I walked down that street towards Grant Park, I have to tell you I teared up a little, I realized how much closer Kim and I have grown together through this experience and was happy for all our long runs together and the weight I am losing and all the good things that have come from this experience, but at the same time I was so disappointed not to get to cross the finish line together holding hands and really getting to celebrate. I just don't understand how they could have called the whole thing off because of heat? They run marathons in Arizona and Arkansas and Tennessee, and I have never heard of an Ironman being called off because its hot outside. The bot tome line is this was poor preparation for the conditions from the race organizers and they need to step up and take responsibility.

If you have read this long I am sorry that you have had to read all my frustrations, but hope you realize that we are getting to be a peace with the fact we did everything we could, and there is no reason to second guess ourselves.

My plan is to run the local half marathon on Saturday here in Jonesboro, and then there is 5K and 10K I plan to run over the next month and keep my training up and then run the Memphis Marathon on Dec 1 in Memphis TN. Even though we got the medal and the t-shirt and all that crap in Chicago, I have not finished a marathon and I will on Dec 1.

Mile Dedication

I have decided to dedicate some miles in the marathon to my friends and family. Especially the hard miles, some would say this cheeesy, but it is a big deal to me.

Mile One and mile 26 is dedicated to my life partner, supporter, running partner and mother of my childern.. Kim, I love you and appreciate your encouragment on this journey.

Miles 5 and 15 are dedicated to my sister Shelena, she likes the number 5 a lot and she is the best sister I have so it was only natural

Miles 13 and 20 are dedicated to my parents for putting up with me, I love and apprecaite their support so much, and they continue to be great examples for Kim and I, our marriage and our parenting.

Miles 24 and 25 are dedicated to Kiley and Robyn because I might want to quit then, but can't imagine coming home and not showing them my medal.

Mile 7 and 12 are dedicated to my father-in-law who is struggling with cancer, Larry and Susan were going to be in Chicago to see Kim and I, but they are in a hospital in Chattanooga.

Mile 15 is dedicated to our house church, thanks so much to Debbie, Chris, Polly, Dan, Scarlett, Greg, Carolyn, Jason, Julie, and past members Philip and Brooks who have moved to Hot Springs.

Finally Mile 16 is dedicated to all you people who read and comment on my blog and have been supportive and cotinue to motivate me on in my weight loss and physical endevors. This includes you Kevin, thanks for using ass or damn in every comment you have ever posted.

Last Training Run Down

I just got in from my last training run, we leave in the morning for Chicago!!!

Thanks to all of you for your support and good wishes.


I will give a full race report when I return on late Monday night or Tuesday morning.

GAME WEEK!!

This is the week, the CHICAGO MARATHON is just 6 days away!! After a week of physical therapy and really good drugs, my back is feeling close to 100% Kim and I ran 9 miles Saturday and it went great. I appreciate all the prayers and concern for me, it was a very depressing couple of days last week for me, but all seems to being going well now.

The plan is to leave Friday morning and get about 2 hours outside if the windy city and then head in Saturday morning. We will go get checked in and go to the expo and hope to eat with some friends on Saturday night. Then the big race on Sunday. After my back problems and not getting as many training miles in as I wanted I am not going in with any finish time expectations other than to to finish. I am excited and look forward to reporting on the race and the trip.

Houston We Have A Problem!!

This weekend we took the motor home to Knoxville to tailgate and watch the Vols play the Arkansas State Indians. It was a great trip, but on the way home I jumped out of the RV at a gas station and missed a step, I landed upright, but had a really bad pain in my lower back. When we got home three hours later, I could hardly move. I could not bend over at all and I looked like I was a 98 year getting in and out of my car. I had ruptured disc surgery in high school because of a football injury, and I have not had pain this severe since then and two weeks before the marathon. I am taking drugs and going to therapy and if it does not get better by Friday I am supposed to have an MRI. My doctor really thinks it is just ligament damage because there is no pain going down my legs like the last time, but he says if it does not get better, then that he could be wrong. Of course I asked him about the marathon and he said if I can run without pain,and we rule out the disc problem then I can go for it, but I am not supposed to do any running till Friday, I will miss a whole week and a half of training, but at this point I really feel like you would have to take my leg off not to try and do the marathon. I don't really have any pain standing or walking, so I am thinking I won't have pain running. I am going to give it a try tomorrow, I will let you know how it goes.

20 MILES

Saturday was the best and longest training run of my program. Now I will be running less and less till the race on Oct 7. It was a beautiful day and the temp was lower than any of the previous runs, my legs and lungs felt great and Kim and I were pumped 4 hours after we started to be finished with it. I can't explain how great it feels to be done with that run. I really did feel like I could make it another 6.2 when we finished Saturday. Now I am concerned with what I am going to do about all this nervous energy that I will have now that the runs will be shorter for the next 3 weeks. I guess I will have time to read and actually have energy to do other stuff.

I hope to curtail my eating as much as the running, so that I won't have a weight gain over the next 3 weeks. As matter of fact I hopw to lose a little more weight before the race. Now that I will not have to fuel for more than 3-8 miles on most days between now and then I think I will have more confindence that I can get those run in and eat a lot less.

I have been thinking a lot about what my athletic goals will be after the marathon and I am not sure that this is the time in my life to train for an Ironman. As much as I still want to accomplish that goal, the time commitment I have had to make to the marathon has caused me to miss out on family things and rush through other stuff. I think I might need to wait till Robyn gets a little older. I may not sign up for the Ironman for next year, but start lifting weights again after the marathon and stay in shape for 5 and 10ks and think about a half ironman sometime next year. With all the things going on in my life it will be very difficult to make the kind of training comittment that an Ironman would take right now. I think I may re-focus my goals to getting my weight to the 200 pounds mark and working towards running a few 5 and 10ks this fall and winter. I am currently planning on running the Grizzly House 5K again this year with my friend's Von and Melissa, it will be their first race ever and I am excited to be there and experiance it with them, and go back to where I ran my first race 3 years ago, but this time over 150 pounds lighter and with a couple of 1/2 marathons and a marathon under my belt.

Better Blogger

I need to be a better blogger, but if I don't have time to run, I really don't have time to blog. I only got in two of my runs for last week, but this is the big week. This is the week that gives you the mental edge to run the marathon. Everyone has told be if I make it through this week the marathon is a done deal as long as I don't get injured. So yesterday was 5 today is 10 and tomorrow is 5 rest on Friday and the big 20 mile training run is Saturday. I have done 18, so I am not sure that 20 will be that much harder, but on the heals of this week and the challenges to my schedule and all the other stuff that has been going on, I think just having the time to prepare for it and lay out the water and feel good about it will be the hardest challenge.

The weather is great and it will be a blessing to out and running in it. I am really excited about the marathon, it is less that a month away. After this week the runs get shorter and shorter till the OCT 7.

It has been BUSY!

I have been running in more ways than one lately. I forget just how hectic the start of school is. I have been busy getting our campus ministry at Arkansas State kicked back up for the fall semester. Last weekend we went white water rafting on the Ocoee River. This weekend I am going to watch ASU play Texas in Austin, and this morning I ran 18 miles. I played Pearl Jam's "Alive" on my way home because I was excited to have run 18 miles and still be alive to talk about it. I was really pumped up about some weight loss last week, but the weekend trip and now this weekend trip has me back to even for the month, and since it is the end of the month I don't have time to lose any, so September will have to be better as far as weight goes, or I will not be able to run Chicago at my all time adult lowest weight ever. I think I can get the 7 pounds off between now and then plus a few.

This week the long run goes back down a little, I think it's only 14 miles and then comes the big 20 miler, after that the program tapers down and lets you rest for the race. Many people have asked me how I feel about not running the whole 26.2 till the day of the race, and honestly I have not thought that much about it. Part of it may be that I used Hal Higdon's plan for the 1/2 marathon and did not go all the way up to race mileage and still made it just fine. At this stage of the game I am very happy to just run the 26.2 once.

I hope to post a couple of pics from the raft trip soon.

Running and Eating

This weekend brought my longest run yet. I ran 16 miles Saturday morning and it went really well. I like getting ready the night before to lay out my water stops and some GU or Power Beans to help with the energy over the long workout. Long runs are going to be a little tougher for the next couple of weeks becasue of our travel schedule, but I can tell the marathon is getting closer. The longest run is only 20 miles on the training program, I guess Hal Higdon figures that if I can run 20 I can run 26.2. The problem with all this training is that I am not really losing any weight. I feel like I need to eat a lot the day before I run for energy and then I am HUNGERY all day after the long run and I eat a lot. I don't think I am getting the benefit of weight loss from running like I should. I will continue to try and balance this out, but in the meantime I am getting really excited about Chicago and being able to say I finished a marathon.

I am a little tired

It was a pretty tough weekend. We traveled to Chattanooga to take care of a little family business, and while there our training called for a 15 mile run. Kim and I had also signed up for a triathlon in Chattanooga for Sunday. That was a crazy idea. We decided to run early Saturday morning, it was hot but not too bad and the run went really well. Later that day Kiley and I went swimming and we all walked around downtown for a while and picked up our race packets for the race the next day.
Sunday, Kim and I wake up at 3:30 in the morning our time and head to the transition areas (yes this race had two, and they did not organize either very well) to get out stuff set up. The race started at 7:00 and I did not feel a lot of fatigue from the previous days run, at least mot as much as I thought I would. What relly was bad about this race is that when it was over we were 8 miles away from our car, and I had to bike it and pick up the car and come back and get Kim and all our stuff. Then I got to sit in a car and drive home for 7 hours. I am feeling it this morning, my legs ache and I did not want to get out of bed. But the main thing is we made it and I have now done 4 triathlons and Kim has her first one under her belt and we are still on our trianing track for the Chicago Marathon.

Tough Long Run

Well I ran 10 miles this morning. Hal Higdon gave me an "easy" week this week. 13 miles last week and 15 coming up next weekend. I never thought I would say 10 was an easy week. Whatever the case I ran early this morning and it was hot and humid and I was attacked by horse-flies the entire 10 miles. It went slow and my legs felt heavy but I covered the distance and that is what matters the most. I feel good about it, my eating has gone real well this week and I am glad to have the long run out of the way and hope to get in some swimming tomrrow and a sprint triathlon next weekend while we are in Chattanooga visiting Kim's parents. I have not biked or swam much since the last triathlon, but this one is shorter and I think it will be good change of pace, but I have to get in 12 miles before or after the tri on Sunday.

We are going out tonight to celebrate our 9th year of marriage, I think we are going to Ruth's Chris, I am hoping to eat healthy, but it will be the first time I have not gone there and gotten a steak and potato augratin and lots of bread and ... well anyway I am going to try and just get a piece of fish or chicken and a dry potato. I will let you know how it goes. I have got to get serious about this weight loss thing all week long, and stop taking the weekends off. I am able to maintain, but not lose with this pattern, so back to constent focus on the food, I can't run or swim or bike enough to eat the way I used to and not gain weight.

Running Down A Dream

I have to say that one of the songs that ring in my head each time I go out for a long run or bike, or even have to face a challenge when it comes to food is the Tom Pettey song "Running Down A Dream" I love the line, "Running down a dream that never would come to me." I take that personally, my weight loss never would just come to me as much as I wanted it to for so many years, my health would never just come to me, as much as I sat around and thought of myself as fit, the numbers at the Dr were alway different. Good health is really one of those thing you have to "run down" or bike down, or swim down, or walk down, or aerobics down, or boot camp down. Whatever it is for you, you know what you like. I get kind of mad when I hear that song now, not an angery mad, but a "I will show you!" Kind of mad, I will run down the dream of health, of triathlon, and now of the magic 200 pound mark. That song went through my head Saturday night as Kim and I ran our 13 miles in preperation for Chicago, it was the most humid night I can remeber running in, in a while, by the time I was finished the sweat had run down my legs into both shoes and socks so much it felt like I had been running through puddles. I was tired, somene stole our first water stop, and we had a lot of reasons to just say, "let's skip this week" "let's put it off for a while" but we were running down our dreams, and at the end of that workout Saturday night, I felt better than I had all week.

Picture

Here it is the one picture I have as proof that I did the BMW Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon. Trust me when I tell you if I had a more flattering picture I would have used it, but the pictures Kim took of me at the transition and on my bike got shipped off to Apple when her IPhone messed up and the they just sent her a new one with no pictures. I have never been to an event where they did not at lest get one picture of you crossing the finish line, I know I smiled for at least 3 cameras on the course, but nope, this is the only one they offered for me to buy.

On another note, Kim and I ran our long run of 12 miles on Saturday night this weekend and it went really well. I had a ton left at the finish and am looking forward to a good week of workouts and of eating well. I have really stuggled with eating well since the triathlon for some reason. I think some of it has been the travel, and some of it has been that I have not been feeling real well and food seems to settle my stomach, but I am sure I am eating too much of it and the wrong types. I got my latest issue of Inside Triathlon and it is the nutrition issue. I am pumped up to finally break the weight barrier I have been at and get as close if not to 200 pounds by the Marathon. I am a little competetive and now realize I will probably nver be able to compete with these little 160 pound guys that go up hill beside me on the bike like I am standing still. But I think I could be very competiitve, especially if I get my swim time down in the clydesdale division (200 pounds and up) So that is my new weight goal 200 pounds. Now being fit and getting in shape and all of that is still how I will judge my success, but there is nothing wrong with having a number to shoot for.

Official Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon Report and Commentary

I got up around 4:30 Saturday morning and had a Cliff bar and started drinking water. I got the transition area to set up around 5:15 and it was dark. Most the people must have realized it was going to be dark because they had these little lights strapped to their head so they could see what they were doing. I on the other had had my cell phone that I used to illuminate my area until the sun started coming up. I went over and got marked and got my timing strap and went back and set up my transition area. I just stood there and stared at it for a while going over and over again in my mind what I would do each time I came through and make sure I had everything there. At 6:00 they called for my bus to leave to head out to the swim start, I missed it. Not to worry I caught the next one.
The swim start was a mile up the river at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga rowing center. It was just beside the football teams practice field. I just laid around on the field with everyone else waiting for the start of the race that was delayed 30 minutes because all the traffic cones had not been set out yet, and the USTA won't allow a race to start until everything is set (just one of the many little USTA rules they were really strict about)

It was a time trial type start they led you down to a dock 25 at at time and then 10 at a time jump in the water and go down till you get to the end of the dock where they check you number and tell you to go. I was off. I got about 200 yards out in the ocean sized river and realized I was kind of scared. My breathing was off my heart rate was high and I was worried, but somehow I relaxed myself and just kept saying 1 ,2, 3 , breath, 1,2,3 breath and I did and I just started going. I got passed by a lot of people and I don't think I ever passed anyone. Everyone has said there was absolutely no current and that under the bridged the chop actually made it feel like you were swimming against the current. But I finally heard the roar of the crowd and I could see them pulling people out of the water at the dock. It was a weird way to get out of the water. You swim up to the dock and raise your hads and these guy yank you out of the water and then you take off up the stairs and across the street to the transition area. It took me 45:05 to finish the swim, much slower than I had wanted.

The transition went great and my brother-in-law and his wife where already thee yelling for me. The bike course had some serious long hills. It was much harder than I thought it would be and my stomach was hurting a little and I had to pee, so at the turn around I had to go to the bathroom and wasted some time there, but I was feeling much better after that. The hills were tough but I actually passed some people on the bike and at one point got up over 40 mph going down a hill, unfortunately the lady in front of me put her brakes on and I had another bike on my left and a motorcycle filming the race on his left and we all almost wiped out and had to slam on our brakes, it was a little hairy, but we made it. The bike took me 1:34.

The transition to run went well I started off and immediately was big hill, my heart rate got up and I could not settle into a good pace till almost mile 3, but after that I was clear sailing I was passing quite a few people on the run and was feeling really good about it. I got plenty of fluids and even picked up the pace at the end. The only problem at all was my left quad started cramping that last 200 yards or so, but it was nothing real serious.

The whole family was there at the finish and we all had lunch together at the North Shore Grill and they got there before I did and were all clapping for me, it made be feel really great. I am for sure addicted to triathlon and look forward to the next one, I think I am going to do the Chattanooga Sports Barn Sprint Tri in August with Kim, it will be her first.

This weekend our long run is 12 miles in preparation for the Chicago Marathon, my weight right now is about 240 and I hope to be really close to 200 by the Marathon. I have said that 220 would be where I stopped, but I realize if I do it correctly I can be very healthy around 200 and that will allow me to be much more competitive in triathlon. I may never place in my age group or win a race or anything like that, but I see this a lot like golf, I want to do everything I can to get better next time out. Time is a great way to measure that with these races and the only person I am really competing against is me. I have looked back at my blog over the last couple of years and have read about walking 4 minutes and jogging one and being really excited about 14 minute miles. I am beating that guy, but I am so glad I can still read about him.

I hope to have some pictures soon.

Race Report

I have now completed an olympic distance triathlon! I made it through the mile swim, the 25 mile bike, and the 6.2 mile run in good shape. It was really a whole lot of fun. Other than some panic in the water during the first part of the swim, and a near wreck going down a hill at 40 miles and hour, and the fact the bike course is what I think of when I hear about the mountain stages in the Tour de France, it was a blast! One of the most exciting things was having my family there to support me. Kim, Kiley, Robyn, Susan, Larry, Jacob, and Minda all cheering me on through the transitions. I am not sure of my times as they have not posted them yet to the website. But I do know I'm no speed demon. This triathlon was a qualifier for 2 different world championships, the calibur of athlete there was certainly higher than any races I have seen previously. But that's really a good thing because it inspires me to continue to work harder and lose a few pounds to get a little faster. As I was telling Kim the other day, I am very competitive. But oddly enough I'm not competitive against other people in triathlons but I am very competitive with myself and hope to beat me next time out. Thanks so much to everyone for your calls, thoughts, and prayers and comments on my blog. We are still traveling, I hope to write more soon.

Game Week

Well as my dad would say it is game week. The triathlon is Sunday. I am going into this week feeling GREAT! This past weekend I rode about 30 miles on my bike and ran 2 miles on Saturday in what is called a "brick" workout. On Sunday morning Kim and I got up and ran 10 miles for our marathon training. Both workouts went great and my eating has been going really well since the 4th also. This week's workouts are nothing big, just getting out and keeping the blood flowing, if by this point the physical conditioning is not already there it's too late, but I know it is. My lungs and heart and legs have felt great this past week, the only that is left is to mentally prepare and make sure I get all my equipment where it needs to be and in working condition. I think I will take my bike in for a little tune up today.

My father-in-law who lives in Chattanooga called yesterday and said that there was a big write up in the paper about the triathlon. They said it is over sold with between 1200 and 1500 racers registered, they are not allowing anyone else in. They had a big map with all the street closures and are needing more volunteers to help with the race. Kim has emailed to volunteer to help with the swim start. It is a little early to be getting nervous, but I must say I enjoy the hype. Now if I can just not drown!

Biggest Weakness

I feel really good about many of the things I have conquered on my weight loss journey. 1) I can go out and eat and not get the best thing on the menu and "experiance" great food everytime out. I can eat just a salad or veggies or shake. 2)I can eat at home with Kim and the family and eat one of my meals or shakes while they eat Pizza. 3) I can fit working out into almost any day and have done pretty well and not making excuses. 4) I don't feel the need to get a mocha frappacino and cheese cake or brownie everytime I go the bookstore or Starbucks.

I say all this to say I know no matter how far I have come I still have one really big weakness. I can't do the party thing and control myself right now. Yesterday I pumped myself up and ate energy bars and drank a lot of water and was going to do real well at the 4th cookout at my house, but when all the food was laid out and I started cooking on the grill I might as well had been the "old Brad" as my father puts it sometimes. I am not sure how I am going to combat this. I am looking at the bright side of things and realize that parties don't come everyday. Parties were not a big deal in the decesion free part of the program becasue everyone knew and expected me not to eat, but now they know I can have anything I want so there is no feeling that I shuld not eat anything. My friend Jason did a great job yesterday and brought his food because he can only eat certain foods.

With freedom comes great responsability, I have not learned to be very responsible with mine yet.

I had lost some weight till yesterday and my workouts are going very well, so I am not all down and depressed and realize that I am at a much better place than I was last year at this time, but I want to be able to feel free and enjoy the "party" and still eat well. Sadly my idea of a good party is how good the food and drink is, I am not sure how to overcome this paradigm.

I am just rambling today, thanks for listening.

1200 Meter Swim Today

The training has gone well this week, and my eating is really back on track. For the first time ever I have now swam over 1000 meters at one time, 1200 today. The swim in Chattanooga will be 1500 meters, so I am actually feeling pretty good about it. I did not get to weigh in officially last night because Kim had a meeting and I had to watch the kidos, but I think I stayed pretty much the same last week. I have two weeks before the Triathlon and will eat very well between now and then.

I can really tell when I hang out with people who try to eat well, it is easier for me to eat well and vice versa. I have a brick workout tomorrow with an hour and a half bike and a 30 minute run and then a thirty minute bike and an hour and half run on Sunday. I am looking forward to a good weekend.

Thanks to all for your continued support and comments, it really means a lot to me. I am now finding a lot of encouragment from people like Dabbie and Toby who are working very hard on their weight loss journey, and the others who have posted comments that I have never even met. This struggle is like none other, and just becaue I have come so far, I realize how easy it would be to slip back into all the really bad habits.

Not Expecting Much This Week

It was a great weekend. We went to Chattanooga and played on the lake and I got to swim with Kiley and Robyn and Kim and we climbed cliffs and jumped in and had a blast. Stuff I would not have done 100 pounds ago. But on the negative side, I did not eat real well and did not get in my long runs or rides this weekend. I have a lot of catching up to do, but it was worth it.

On a more positive not I saw a couple of friends today who are amazed at my new physical apperance. They hit me and poked and prodded on proded on me, and in a very manly loving way let me know they were happy for my new found committment to fittness. And said, "I guess you are actually in pretty good shape" I know I have a long way to go, but on a day like today when I was down on myself for the way the weekend went, it was a good pick-me-up.

Real Good Week

This past week I lost 5 more pounds and hope to be at my all time (adult) low soon. Although I am excited about the weight loss I am more pumped about my workouts. I have swam over 900 yards in the past week, I biked over 50 miles at 20-23 miles an hour. That was almost too much for me, if it had not been for the 15 guys I was riding with and my pride I don't think I would have made it. Then the next morning I ran 7 miles. Yestarday was my rest day and today I swim 800 yards.

I am really enjoying the workouts and look forward to the triathlon in Chattanooga on July 15th. Getting the fruits and vegetable in are a big key. I am realizing just how much food I like to eat, I beleive they call that being a volume eater. I am learning to to eat more healthy foods. I still love the pizza and cookies and brownies, and all that stuff that is really bad for me, but I find we I look at food for fuel for my workouts and try to stay full on more healthy foods it makes it much easier.

Better So Far

Thaks to all of you who commented with words of encouragment. This week has gone much better and I hope to have lost a little weight my the time I weigh in Thursday. I think that vacation was like a drug addict going on a binge, and it is not so easy to just say, ok that's over, back to normal today. It has taken some will power and since I am in the maintance phase of the weight loss program I am having to make some decesions that I am did not have to make in the weight loss phase.
My work outs are going great and I hope to do be ready to swim a whole mile by July 15 in Chattanooga then bike 25 and run 6.2, the only problem with all the training for that is it makes me hungery, and I can justify eating more becasue I have worked out more, the problem is I usually eat as many or more calories than I burned.
The bottom line is I feel that I am back in the swing of things and looking forward to getting under 1) Getting under 220. 2) Completing my first Olympic distance triahlon. 3)Running the Chicago Marathon with Kim in October

What Happened?

My weight went up about 10 pounds or so on vacation and some of that came off really quickly, but I am still a few pounds above the 235 I left with. I have continued my workouts and my commitment to 220, but I am having a crisis of will power!! It's like my body decided to stay on vacation.

Let me give you an example. Yesterday I had a great day, I swam in the morning, I had an organic breakfast cookie, I drank a lot of water and I had a couple of shakes during the day and another bar, some nuts and raisins and some salad. But last night we cooked out with our house church and I lost all control! My sweet tooth is what is killing me. There were brownies and cheesecake (my two favorite things in the world,do not get me started on brownie cheesecake) anyway I never really sit down and had a lot but I got a little here and there all night and I know I had more then I should of. What is concerning is that I really want to lose another 30 pounds or so, but I can not get back into weight loss mode. I have held what I have for a couple of weeks, but not going down again yet.

I am telling you this so you can help me stay the course. I have a bad habit of doing really really good, or maybe too good and starving myself and then eating a roll of cookie dough. This is not good, it makes me a little lethargic on my workouts and tired in the mornings. I am committing to eating more vegetables and less sweets. I am not sure how I am going to conquer the sweet thing. I am an extremist as most of you know, so I may just have to draw a line in the sand and say, NO DESERTS FOR 4 MONTHS, there I just said it. I can't believe I said it. But that is what I am going to do, I will not eat a cookie, a brownie or a piece of cheesecake till after the Marathon in October. I have lost 120 pounds and did not eat anything but shakes for 12 weeks, why does this seem so hard?

UPDATE

This week is going well, I have actually lost weight each day and should be back at my pre-vacation weight by my meeting next Thursday.

I am getting excited about the triathlon in Chattanooga on July 15. I think it will be the biggest challenge I have faced up to this point with a mile swim 25 mile bike and 6.2 mile run. My training is going great. I love the plan from www.trainingpeaks.com, it emails me every morning with my workout for the day. It is a great website, and easy to use.

My long runs will start preparing me for the Chicago Marathon starting next weekend and I am really looking forward to going to back to Chicago and doint that race with Kim. It should be a blast.

Last but not least I got on the Florida Ironman website this week and signed up to help out with the race this November in Panama City. My plan is to go down and volunteer and experiance the Ironman atmosphere and sign up for the 2008 race while I am down there.

Back From Vacation

We rolled in last night around midnight from over a week on the road. We spent 7 days in Florida and a few in Chattanooga with Kim's parents on the way.

Let me get to the numbers first. I had a great week of working out. I made all my workouts which included a couple of 2 hour bike rides and a couple of long runs of over an hour. I am very much on course for the triathlon in Chattanooga on July 15. On the eating side of things, I blew it. I ate like I hadnever eaten before and have some work to do to get back on track. But that is the beauty of the maintaince phase of this weight loss program. I know how I gained weight, and I know how to lose it.

The greatest part of vacation was that I was not worried at all about what I looked like with my shirt off. I was glad to hang out in the pool and the ocean and even got a little bit of a tan. I usually stay under the shade with my shirt on and am not much fun. The weight loss over the past year made this the best vacation ever. I will try to talk more about this when I have more time, but this was another experiance that made me ask myself what else I have been missing because of my weight?

DOWN 120 POUNDS!

I have not been arond to wiegh in officially at the hospital in a few weeks (4 to be exact) so I went last night. I have not been too concerned with weigh loss over this time perid because I have been much more involved in training. However I lost 1.8 pounds over the last 4 weeks to bring the total to 120 pounds and some change. I started the program two weeks before Thanksgiving at 355 point something and weighed in at 235 on the dot last night. I have to say this seems like a lot of weight. I hope to lose some more by next Thursday becasue I leave for vacation on next Friday. I am going to allow myslef to enjoy some foods on vacation that I have not had in a while and I hope to not gain a ton, but know I might gain a little. The important thing will be not starting vacation early as far as eating goes (I do that sometimes) and getting back on program the minute I get home or before and not allowing myslef to fall back on old habits. Since we are going to Florida I hope to eat a lot of good seafood (not fried) and we are taking our bikes so I hope to continue my training.

Speaking of training I ran 5 miles yesterday and swam this morning and have a great training plan from Joe Friel's website, www.trainingpeaks.com for the Chattanooga triathlon coming up on July 15. I will try to post a link to it and to the Chicago Marathon.

I am a TRIATHLETE

About two years ago I was in Barns and Noble in Atlanta. I was standing in line to order a quick after dinner snack, a mocha frappacino and piece of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake. I also had two magazines in my hand and was going to pay for it all there in the cafe and just read and eat there. I put my magazines down and ordered my snack and the little girl behind the counter looked at me like I was buying porn. Now I had check out people look at me funny before, but they never just came right out and said anything like this girl. She looked at my magazines and she looked at me and she asked. "do you actually do this stuff?" It was almost like she had never waited on a 380 pound guy buying triathlon magazines and cheesecake. I was taken a back and a little embarassed to tell you the truth. I had to tell her, "well no, not really, but I have swam, and I own a bike and I walk and run some, and someday I am going to do this." She said, "cool" and I took my cheesecake and mocha frappacino, along with my newest issue of Triathlete and Inside Triathlon and now too embarassed to eat and read there, I went to my car and ate there. I even shed a couple of tears in my car that night.

Yesterday I swam 500 meters, biked 13 miles, and ran 3 miles in completing my first triathon. What a difference a couple years make. The journey is far from over and I have more goals to accomplish, but TODAY I AM A TRIATHLETE.

It was AWESOME

I got an email from a director with Fox Sports South last week that told me they had read some of my story of weight loss and stuff I had given the Country Music 1/2 marathon. He asked if I could come by there room at the expo center and do some on camera interviews about it to be used in a telecast of the run on Comcast Sports and Fox Sports South in about two weeks. It was really cool, it took about 5 minutes and I just answered some questions, they asked some pretty good questions. The best one was, "how could someone else be motivated or learn from your experiance?" I had to think on that one for a while.

Then at the race expo I talked with John "the penguin" Bingham, a writer for Runner's World and author of a book that I had read a couple of years ago called "The Courage to Start" We had talked last year before the race and he said he remebered me, but I am sure he says that to everyone. Anyway we talked a little about my weight loss and running and he encouraged me to share my story with as many people as possible, because that is the obligation of someone who's life has been changed that much. I thought about what he said, and I guess I am kinda doing that with the blog.

On Yeah, I ran in Nashville too! I took 51 minutes off my time from last year going from 3:09 to 2:18!! I averaged 10:36 a mile. A whole 12 minutes better than my goal of 2:30 or under. I was very very pleased with the outcome. Greg ran the first 9 miles with me and Kim ran the last bit with me. I am so blessed to have such supportive friends and family.

This week I will be preparing for the triathlon on Saturday at Craighead Forest. I just hope I don't drown.

Feeling Great

I had my final run yesterday in preperation for the race Saturday. I ran 3 miles in 28 minutes and felt pretty good. I weighed in this morning with my lowest morning weight ever recorded during this process (I usually weigh a little less in the afternoons for weigh ins) So I will go into the race at my lightest, right around 235 or so. I have really taken the emphasis off of losing weight the last couple of weeks so that I could have enough energy for my long runs and the race. I am really happy to see that I have not gained any during this time, and have even lost a little. Next week is the triathlon and after that I am going to push hard to see the 220s by vacation on the 21st of May.

You can check out my race times at the 5K 10K and finish line on www.countrymusicmarathon.com

Thanks again for all the support and the well wishes. I look forward to shaing the experiance with you on the blog when I return.

This is the week

This week is the big 1/2 marathon in Nashville. I had a big workout weekend. I swam on Friday Morning, I biked around 40 miles on Saturday, and I had my final long run of 10 miles on Sunday afternoon. The eating has gone pretty well over the weekend other than the big big meal in Memphis Friday night, but I think I should for sure not gain weight this week.

They say you should always be planning at lest 2 goals ahead to stay motivated and this weekend will be the end of a goal I have been working out for the last 12 weeks or so, and then immediatley after that the next weekend will be the triathlon here in Jonesboro. So today I am posting the next goal. On Monday of last week I signed up Kim and me both for the 30th running of the Chicago Marathon on October 7th. This will be her second marathon and of course my first. I have hear there is a big difference in training for 26.2 and 13.1, I guess I will find out first hand. I will post a link to that training plan after in the next couple of weeks.

Big Week

This week it looks like I lost about a pound and 1/2 and in the 235 range, but I am really trying to concentrate on my long run this weekend of 10 miles and then eating well and getting all my short runs in leading up the 1/2 marathon next Saturday. I swam this morning, will bike tomorrow morning and run my 10 miles Sunday. Wish I had more time, but this week has been BUSY and I have some papers to write and get turned in by Monday.

11 Miles

Sorry I have not posted in a while. I was out of town on the weigh in day last week, although unoffically it looks like my scales are telling me I am still going down, I will have a new offical number on Thursday.

My trainging plan called for 9 miles Sunday and when I finished Kim showed up and wanted to run 2 with me, so since we don't get to run much together I decided to give in and it went well. 11 miles in all, and still one more long run (10 miles) next Sunday and the 1/2 marathon will be the next Saturday April 28. I am really looking forward to it. I ran 9 miles on sunday in 1:32, so I am just over 10 minute miles. I have told myslef if I can average 11 minute miles in the race I will be real happy.

Exactley the Same as last week

This marks my first week without a loss since before Thanksgiving. I weighed the exact same down to the tenth of a pound as I did last week. I was a little disappointed, but then I thought about how much more disappointed I would have been if I had gained and I was really happy all of a sudden. The weight loss instructor said that there is never anything wrong with maintaining especially since I am in the "maintenance" phase of the program. She also said that with the 1/2 marathon just a couple of weeks away (April 28) that I might should concentrate on eating well and getting as many calories as I can to keep my weight and energy pretty level till after the race, I would not want to go in on anything less than a full tank of energy. I can see her point, and I will not try real hard these next few weeks to lose, but I hope that just eating healthy and working out might result in a few more pounds,(the 220's) before the big race.

A BIG BIG WEEKEND

I did this weekend BIG both in a positive and a negative way. I ate a lot and I worked out a lot. I hope the working out will offset all the celebrating I did with Kiley over her 3rd birthday. Again on Saturday I went biking with my group that meets downtown at the coffee shot across from the bike store. This biking group is turning out to be kind of like a drug dealer. We started out the first week with an easy 20 and then 20 again, then last week they decided to go 40 miles. I made it and I was proud of myself. This week we start the first 20 mile loop and all of sudden we are going 4 to 5 miles an hour faster than last week and my heart is pounding. We went 40 miles again this week, but they pumped up the intensity big time. I made it and felt great all day. Then today I had 8 miles in my 1/2 marathon program and thought my legs would be dead, but to my surprise it was just the opposit. Today was the best long run of the training so far. I did the big paved loop around the lake twice (6 miles) and then the inside loop once (2.4 or something like that) so I made it over 8 miles today and felt really good. I usually really kick the diet in on Sunday through Thursday, but Kim is out of town today through Tuesday night and I never seem to eat really well when left to my own, so I will have to really rely on my working out to lose weight this week.

220 here I come!

5 POUNDS THIS WEEK HELLO 230s

It was a great weigh in tonight. So far I am continuing to lose weight in this new phase of the weight loss process. I am eating a little more but still trying to have some meal replacements and lots of fruits veggies and water. I ran and biked a lot this week and have a lot of activity planned for this weekend also. I am really hoping to be at my goal weight of 220 by the triathlon on May 5th.

One of the real cool things about this process has been the time I get to spend with God while running. This week I have been really blessed with some great insights that I hope to post more on later, but this is all for tonight. Just wanted to update the weigh in.

Big Weekend

What I am about to tell you would have sounded impossible to me just 6 months ago.

On Saturday morning I got up and met some friends downtown at a coffee shop with the owner of the local bike shop and some people that I just met Saturday in all there were about 20 of us that went out for a bike ride. I thought we were going for about 20 miles and ended up going about 40 MILES! What a way to start the day, it was pretty awsome and something that I would have been imtimitated to even think about trying to do just a few months ago. One of the people we rode with was a friend I had not seen in a long time from high school, I shook his and hand and he said "What happened Shump? Now it looks like shrunk Shump" I really hope that does not catch on, but the thought was nice. On Sunday afternoon I had my long run in preperation for the 1/2 marathon coming up in April. I ran 7 MILES on Sunday afternoon. It was a little hot and windy, but I made it through and actually felt pretty good. I slept very very well last night.

I felt more alive and satisfied all weekend and I have to believe that it is partly because of the activity and the hanging out with some like minded people. Airestotle said that true happieness is not contentment, but flourishing. No one is more content than a baby, but who wants to be a baby their whole life. He said that true happieness happens when the spiritual, physical, and mental aspects of our lives are flourishing. I have to belive that the physical part is really big for me, I just enjoyed the weekend more, little things like flying a kite with Kim and the girls seemed more exciting, what some would consider mundane did not seem mundane and I have the mindset that is achieved through a healthy lifestlye helps bleed over into other aspects of life. Or maybe it was that funny smelling greenish smoke we rode through coming out of a house on North Main, whatever the case it was a good weekend.

Couple new pics

I am not sure who that chick is I am with LOL, we have both changed a lot. Here are a couple of new ones. One is from the cruise we took back in 2003 I think and the other is me today at around 240 pounds.




BEFORE

Today

Amazing Week

I am not sure how it happened. I ate too much last weekend. I had Wendey's on Thursday night (burger) I had Strawberry's on Friday night (pork steak) and I had Fajitas on Saturday night. In between I had some brownie batter and a piece of red velvet cake. Yesterday I weighed and lost 4.6 pounds for the week!! I have a theory, it's called GUILT. I worked my rear off Sunday through Thursday and biked around 40 miles this week swam about 1000 yards and ran 20 miles or so and took in about 600 calories a day for Sunday through yesterday. I can say that after my run yesterday this weeks style of dieting is not good for working out. I was zonked. I am going to have to quit having a "free weekend" and then try and make up for it during the week because I am not fueling my workouts well enough. So this week I did have a little of Kim's poppyseed chicken last night, but back on the straight and narrow today and the rest of the weekend,so that my guilt does not get in the way of me eating properly for my workout schedule.

By the way the weight is now 241.4 and I plan on being in the 230's at this time next week!!

Quick Post

It is rare that I post this close to the weigh in for the week, which will come in a few short hours, but I was excited and had to share with someone, so I picked you. After a week that has seen me do some serious overeating on occastion, mostly last weekend, I have been afraid that I would gain or not lose at all this week. But I have righted the ship and if my scales are correct I should lose a little. But whatever the case my be, I am posting this so I can look back and not be dissapointed with a subpar weigh in today.
Over lunch I went to the mall and bought a new pair of shorts from American Eagle, a little trendy for my tast but hey I liked the cool plaid shorts what can I say. Anyway I tried on the 38s and they WERE TOO BIG! I have just purchased my first pair of 36s. I don't know if they run big, I don't care it says 36 and I am excited about that, wait it gets better. You can't buy a new pair of shorts and not have a shirt to go with it,but I did not want to look like I came out of an American Eagle catalog so I went down to Dillards to buy a t-shirt to go with the shorts. My wife has not signed off on my color combo, so you may never see me in this outfit, but the story remains the same. This morning I was looking through my closet for a shirt and I found a 4XL that is XXXXL, I think I am going to keep it as a reminder, but just a few minutes ago I bought not a XXXL, not an XXL, NOT EVEN AN XL! I just bought a LARGE shirt to go with my 36 pants.
Sorry for dragging this little shopping experiance out, but it's a big deal to me, these are goals that are being realized and that is pretty cool. I hope to be in the 230's by my birthday and close to that big 220 by the triathlon on May 5. I will report the numbers tonight or in the morning for this week.

Down another 2+

I weighed in last night at 245.6. I am pumped up about losing over 2 pounds again this week and looking forward to seeing the 230s soon. It is exciting to see the numbers continue to come down and the training for the 1/2 marathon going well. This brings the total in the last few months to over 110 pounds lost!! If you have time to check out my friends' who are losing weight and encourage them you can see their blogs at www.debbiecook.blogspot.com and tobysweightloss@blogspot.com

Today has been super busy and a lot going on, but I have had a lot of thoughts about this journey and some great runs this week. I hope I have time to post more later.

Great Weekend

On Saturday morning I biked 20 miles with some friends and then sat around and drank coffee at a coffee shop downtown. It was a great way to start off the day. I had a wonderful ride and it was really the first time out since I have lost so much weight, the hills seemed much easier. Then on Sunday I ran 6 miles. I ran the big loop around Craighead lake twice in 1 hour and 1 minute and a few seconds. I felt really really good about that time, I felt pretty tired afterwards, but I kinda pushed myslef and I like that.
Eating has been going great and I hope to edge down another couple of pounds this week. I will let you know Friday morning.

Don't forget to get an update at debbiecook.blogspot.com on Debbie's second week of the program.

UNDER 250!!

Mark it down, I no longer have to move the big weight over to the 250 on the medical scales. I weighed in at 248.4 this week. I am really really excited about that. For those of you who have been following along at home for the last year plus you may remeber I had some goals and prizes for myself when I reached certain goals. Let's take a trip down memory land
1) When I got under 350 I bought myslef a brand new pair of running shoes (Brooks Beast) still the brand I use,if they would like to contact my agent about an endoresement deal. I will run the Nashville 1/2 in Brooks Beast
2) When I made it under 300 I bought myslef a handy dandy new Specialized road bike. The very one I hope to take a little ride on early tomorrow morning.
3) I said when I got under 250 I was going to get me one of those cool Ironman scales that calculate body fat and BMI and all that good stuff. I am currently looking into that. But I have heard they are kind of a gimmick when it come to telling you anything but weight, and my current scale does a good job of that, so if I were to reward this new milestone with something else what should it be? I could use a new sports whatch/heart rate monitor, but I am not sure.
4) When I get to goal I said I was going to get a motorcycle, I am looking at the possability of making that a 4 door Jeep, but it may have to wait a while if I get to 220 anytime real soon.

It is cool to look back at some goals that were achieved. That has really been part of the key to success for this whole deal. I have taken some small wins and they have just snow balled and picked up momentum until all of a sudden I am looking at just 23 pound to goal!

My running has gone well this week and I have 6 miles on Sunday.

Thanks for all the support.

PICTURES AT LAST

At long last I am publishing pictures. I have not really wanted to until it was all over becasue most of the time you think of pics as before and after. After would mean it was over and I am still on the journey, so let's look at this pics as a progress report. I know in the pictures where I am larger, the one in the plaid shirt and the one as Shrek at Halloween were around 2 years ago or so at around 370 - 380 pounds, the one with the sat dish is after I had started losing weight and the one with Kiley and me is from yesterday at around 250 pounds.

I am not going to comment a lot here, but let the pics speak for themselves, but I do want to make one observation. I was larger and now I am a little smaller, no that is not really my comment. What has occured to me most is that I never really thought I was that large until I have gotten this small, does that make sense? In other words I did not picture myslef near as large as I was, even when I saw pictures of myslef, until I had something else to compare to, like the picture from yesterday. I don't think you ever realize you are addicted to something while you are in the middle of that wilderness, sometimes you have to take it from friends, family, or doctors even if you don't see it, and realize you will see it and wonder why it took so long.

Great Long Run Today

I feel like I have done a good job of staying on program this weekend and I had a great 5 mile run today. It was a little on the chilly side, but still a great day to be outside. I ran the outside loop at Craighead Lake(3 miles) and the inside loop around the lake (2.4 miles) in 55 minutes and a few seconds. This is a really big deal to me and I was really pumped about it. My pace is really picking up and I am getting more and more excited about Nashville. It at all possible I would like to be under 235 by the race (April 28) I should enter the 240s this week.
I hope to post some pictures soon, but I have realized that I have just not been in many pictures over the last couple of years and with two small children around, when I have a few minutes the first thing I do is not look for pictures, but I will try to get some before and along the way pics up soon.
Please continue to keep my friend Debbie in your thoughts and prayers as she is just starting this weight loss journey and I know how difficult it is in the first few weeks of this program. I know she will do GREAT!

Down 2

The weight is still coming off, not quite as fast, but hey I am not complaining. My running and swimming is going great and I am 1.7 pounds from the 240s. I will see them this week. My next major goal after that is 235, becasue that is when the BMI chart will tell my I am no longer obese. I know you are thinking that chart is wacked, but the doctor said that will be big sucuess and he said I could even stop there if I wanted to, but 220 sounds so much better. I will post more later. Thanks for caring.

Fruits, Vegetables, Lean Meats..oh my

I am really enjoying adding real food back into the diet. It is more challenging to control portion sizes, but this is going to be my real world so I better get used to it. I want to continue to lose weight, so I am still trying to limit my calories under what I would need to maintaine weight. The workouts are going well and I am really looking forward to the 1/2 marathon in April and the triathlon in May. The next weigh in is Thursday. I hope to report a loss of a couple of pounds, really what I am hoping for is about 3 pounds and be in the 240s!!

IT IS OFFICIAL I HAVE LOST OVER 100 POUNDS

101.7 to be exact. They actually hugged me at the weight loss center last night. I am pumped up about this milestone to say the least. If you count when I started this blog I have lost 128 pounds since August of 2005. Kim has told me recently that she never realized how big I was, but now that she goes back and looks at pictures compared to now, she is amazed. I am hoping to get some pics up of this whole journey very soon. I just stink at getting all that technology to work together, ok, I don't really, I just stink at getting the time to make it happen. I have bought another pair of 38 jeans because my 42 just got too big, so now I have two pair of jeans that fit. I think when it is all said and done I might be in 36s, who knows.

The workouts are going well and the long run this weekend is 5 miles, and I will do that on Sunday. I am close enough to the the 240s that I really want to have a good week and see those new numbers next week. There is something about not having to put the big sliding bar on 250 when you weigh on medical scales. I think I am just a week away from letting it stay on the 200!!

Thanks again for all the support, and encouragement, Kim and Carolyn, Greg and my Dad, and Dave and some chic from New York that made comments for awhile I have never met, and my mom who has done this along side me and been very successful herself. I am so blessed to have such a support group, and these are just the ones that come to mind from looking over the comments, there have been many more that have encouraged and I am very appreciative. It cannot be overlooked how big a part that plays and that is why I am asking you to help a couple of my Friend's

My friend Debbie is starting this same journey very soon on the same program and will have a blog and I will let you know the address as soon as I do. I know she can do it, but it is never easy, so be sure and look for way to encourage her. Also my friend Damon is about to go to Germany for back surgery and is going to blog at damonwright.blogspot.com he could use your support too. Be sure and check it out. It has been a long painful journey for him and hopefully he will fin relief very soon.

Thanks

I am in lust

Having lost a lot of weight and about 35 pounds from my goal I am pumped and I have always said that I wanted a motorcycle when I reached my goal. I think more level heads and that fact that I am the father of young children have prevailed and I will probably not go through with it.

But I do have a need to have what is left of my hair in the wind and some of the good things about a motorcycle, but in the safety of a four door jeep for the whole family. I think part of it is that I have always had big cars and trucks because I have always been big, but now that I am not as big for my next car I want to get something a little less big and a little more fun, so here is what i am in lust with!

It may be a while, but I love me some Jeep.

Thanks Debbie!

I was kindly reminded last night at house church by my good friend Debbie that I have not updated the blog in over a week. This would not be a big deal if I had not told all you faithful readers that I would keep you updated on the 1/2 marathon training. So here is your update.....I have been running a whole lot.

Really I have made all my workouts including 5 miles on Monday and a great swim workout yesterday with by buddy Von, a student at ASU. It was really tough to make up the workouts from this weekend while in Gatlinburg at the only Hampton Inn in the country without a workout facility and 4 inches on snow on the ground, but I have been able to make up those missed workouts.

I weighed this morning and it looks like I will have only lost a couple if any pounds over the last two weeks when I weigh in tomorrow. But with big celebrations at Upper Crust and Texas de Brazil, and a weekend in Gatlinburg all in that time period I have to say I feel like not gaining any weight is a victory. I don't want you to think that means I am happy where I am, I still will lose the last 35 pounds or so, but after 12 hard hard weeks I have enjoyed adding fruits and vegetables and the occasional indulgence.

One of the coolest things about this weight loss journey has been and continues to be how it has impacted the relationships I have with my friends and family. I am by no means saying that I am the inspiration to anyone who has decide to get healthier in the last 12 weeks, but I have found that when someone else is doing something it gets kind of contagious. That is how it started with me, I was looking at pictures of my cousin in a road race and thought, "man I have got to get back at it" Just yesterday my friend Russ Adcox read my blog and in his blog he went out and ran 3 miles www.russadcox.blogspot.com, and recommitted himself to some goals he had already set. I have gotten calls from men that go to church just to talk about weight loss, my dad has lost some weight(thanks to the succses of my mom), and my friend Debbie is starting the same program next week!! (GO DEBBIE!!) My friend Greg Brooks and I are still running, something we started together over a year ago and will go to Nashville together again. My wife and I are going to do a triathlon together, I get to workout with some of the college stud ens like Von. The fact that our friends Ryan and Angie are going to meet us for a triathon this summer, and firends Kevin and Jenny are going to go to Chattanooga to do a tri with us. I love getting in shape and losing weight, but as most of things that motivate me, the best part of this journey continues to be the relationships that have come from it and have been strenthened by it.

Quick Update

Like I have said I will not have an official weigh in till next Thursday, but things are going well and I think I have lost a couple of pounds this week on my scales. But the big news is that I bought a new pair of jeans today...they are size 38!!!( I started this at size 56) This pumps me up big time for some reason, there is something about being back in the 30's.

This weekend I am going to be out of town, but hope to continue on the 1/2 marathon plan on the hotel treadmill, I got 3 miles in yesterday and hope to swim this afternoon.

I will update again soon.

Reporting In

The last week has gone well. I have gotten in all my workouts and am staying on program. At this rate it looks like I will lose my 100th pound this week, but will not get an official weigh in till next Thursday because I will be out of town. Remember now that I am in maintanice my weigh-in day is Thursday.

My long run of 4 miles went great Sunday and I plan to run 3 today.

Workout

Yesterday was a beautiful day, it got up to 60 degrees. Kim and I ran a couple of miles and then I worked on some swim drills for a little while. Today the 1/2 marathon training plan call for a 3 mile run. Unfortunatly today is cold again, so on my way home from work I will stop off at the gym and knock it out.
The transition to maintance seems to be going well, no serious digestive problems with the veggies (or pizza on Monday) but I am trying to do the shakes only till Friday, we are going to eat at Texas de Brazil in Memphis! My next weigh in is supposed to be a week from tomorrow, but I just realized I will be out of town so it will be two weeks from tomrrow. I will keep you all up to date.

I Have Lost 97.6 Pounds in 12WEEKS!!

The first phase of the journey is over and it has been a great success. Kim invited our friend's to eat Pizza to celebrate and I want to thank them for coming and supporting me through the last 12 weeks. Thanks to Greg and Carolyn, Chris and Polly, Dan and Scarlett, and all their kids that came tonight. I still have 35 or so pounds to go, but it was great to have some real food again.

I also want to thank my cousins David and Cathy for their support on my blog and words of encouragement. They have meant a lot.

The most thanks go to Kim and Kiley and Robyn for putting up with me for the last 12 weeks. I know I have been a little on edge.

I cheated tonight with the Pizza, but I am back on shakes with some of the prepared foods from HMR and VEGETABLES starting tomorrow!! Then next week I get to add fruit. My weigh ins have been moved to Thursdays, so hopefully I will be able to report over 100 pounds lost. I will continue to update the 1/2 marathon and triathlon training daily or at least e couple times a week. I was supposed to run 3 today, but ran 5, so the training is off to a good start.

Today is the end of phase 1

Tonight I will weigh in and get my 12 week weight loss total. I am hoping I will be in the 250's, I can tell you it is going to be close. I will not be dissapointed if I come up a little short becasue I know that I am going to lose this last 40 pounds and if I come up one pound short today, it will come off next week. I am going to cheat tongight and have pizza. But I will not have an entire pizza like I would have 12 weeks ago, I may just have a couple of pieces, because I for sure want to stay on track and keep the numbers going down in the right direction.

Today starts the training program for the Nashville 1/2 marathon. So starting today I will update the blog with the workout for the day and how it went and all that good stuff. Today calls for running 3 miles, so that is what I will do this afternoon before I go weigh in tonight. I will try and get on tonight to post the final 12 week total.

Closer to 220 everyday!!

ONE WEEK TO GO ON SHAKES ONLY

I lost 6.7 this week, that brings the total up to 88.9 and my weight down to 266.2!!! I would love to have a really big weight loss this week and end up with 100 pounds in 12 weeks, but hey if I am in the 250s at this time next week that will be awsome for me. I am pumped to start the next step of phasing in fruits and vegetables as I continue the weight loss journey to 220!!!

82.3 Pounds Down in 10 Weeks!

I lost about 4 this week and have now lost over 80 pounds on this diet. I am pumped, and depressed at the same time. I am pumped that I have lost so much, but I am a little bummed that it looks like I won't be able to lose 100 pounds in the twelve weeks. Kim says that is makes her sick that I have lost all this weight and still find something to be bummed about, but hey you have to keep putting goals out there that are tough to reach. It looks like I will be able to get in the 260's safely and that is only 40 or so away from my goal of 220. They have kind of suggested that I go on maintance for the last 40 pounds, but I have not decided for sure what to do. I just don't want to lose half a pound a week for the rest of the year, I want to get there pretty soon, so I may start some real food, but will stay pretty much on the diet till I get to goal.

TWO MORE WEEKS OF SHAKES ONLY. Thanks to all of you for all your comments and support on this journey. Is is far from over, tonight I kind of freaked out when I thought about how I am going to keep all this weight off, but I know with friends like you guys and my aw some family I have the support system in place to make sure I keep it off.
Thanks
Brad

Reporting from Arlington Texas

The last couple of weekends have found me on the road. Last weekend at Gulf Coat Getaway in Panama City Beach Floida and this weekend at Winterfest in Arlington Texas. I have to admit that I love seafood and I love eating in the Dallas area. But with all the college students with me last weekend and my good freind John Woodruff with me this weekend I have had little problems with staying on the plan. It is really hard to cheat with so many knowing what you are doing and knowing that the end of this intensive 12 week core of the program will be over in just 2 and half more weeks. I am hopefull of a big loss this week to get back on target to loss 100 pounds in the 12 weeks, but I have not been able to run as much. I currently weigh 275, I started the journey at 355, so that means 20 pounds in three weigh ins. This will not be easy and I will not be greatly dissapointed if I come up a little short, but it would be nice.

I did run three miles yesterday on the treadmill here at the hotel and I ran a mile at 6 miles and hour, which is an all-time high speed for me. I was excited to get through 3 miles in just over 30 minutes. My goal is to average 10 minute miles someday.

I have a chance to re-state my goals, both short term and long term, so here it goes. 1) Finish the 12 week core strong and loss as close to 100 pounds. 2) Get down to 220 with maintance 3) The Nashville 1/2 marathon April 28 4) The Local triathlon May 5. 5) Another tri to be determined during the sumer 6) and finally the Chicago Marathon in October. The long term goal would be an Ironman race in 2008, but that is a little down the road. I will really have to improve my swimming to do that.

Thanks for keeping up with me, I will give a weight-in update on Monday, I hope to get in the 260's!!

Quick Update

I am now in the 270's I lost 5 pounds this week and with three weigh ins to go getting closer and closer to the 250's. I have been running 5 miles two days a week and 3 miles 2 days a week. Things are going well and I will start the training program for the 1/2 marathon soon. I will try to post again soon, sorry for being so short, but it's crazy!!

Short Week

I had only had from Wednesday to Monday of this past week to count towards my loss and I weighed in at 281.8 a loss of 5.8 that gives me a grand total of 73.8 in the last 8 weeks. I am really excited about that, I am also excited about the 4.5 miles I ran yesterday, but I am most excited about my trip to the department store.

I went in Dillard's to buy a new belt, because I am having some trouble keeping the ole pants up, and I don't want to buy a lot of new clothes right now. So I get the belt and on my way out I go past the regular size Polo section (not the big and tall Polo) I am very familiar with big and tall Polo because they have the biggest cut in the thigh and butt area and that is what I usually need. Anyway I decide to see if I can fit into a pair of jeans. The biggest size their "normal size" jeans go to is 42. I got a pair and went to the dressing room. THEY FIT!!! They were the type of jeans that come with a couple of holes already in them (not just the holes for your legs) and looked a little worn. I am cool with that, I am hip. But I was a little concerned about the integrity of the fabric around the hole. Anyway I went back over to the jean rack and was looking around and this kid sales guy comes up and says, "are you looking for the ones without the holes?" with this smug kind of , you are too old to get it man, kind of attitude. So I said "No, I am just concerned about the integrity of the fabric around this particular hole placement" Then he looked at me like, yeah you are too old, and he said we have jeans without holes. I said " I will take these with the hole, thank you very much!"

Another quick story. I am wearing a pair of pants today that are size 42 that I have had in my closet for almost 7 years with all the tags still on them. About 7 years ago I was at my parents house and we were going to go to a deal at their church to celebrate my grandfather's years of service and I needed a nice pair of pants. My wife and mom were out shopping and Kim just bought me a pair of what she thought I wore. She brought them home and they were way too small. She said she would take them back, but I said no no NO!! I will lose a little weight and get into them soon. I have kept them in my closet this whole time and today my readers, I TOOK THE TAGS OFF and put em' on. It was a good feeling.