Friday, November 30, 2007

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.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

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.

Monday, November 19, 2007

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.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

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??