Chunky Still

You know the episodes of the Biggest Loser when they visit past contestants, and some of them have gained the weight back? And people look at them like, “how could you do this, again?”
Those people already feel bad at themselves, then have others look at what they accomplished and what they at failed again in disgust. Makes for some good late night binging, curled up in the fetal position in the shower crying moments. Sure its good for TV and entertainment, but not for real life.
I haven’t exercised in 2 months! Haven’t ran, walked or sweated since the Halloween half. Why not? Dunno?
Because of the seasonal light and lack there of I told myself I would run on Saturdays when I had time. Just too keep the muscle memory going and legs in somewhat shape. So when it comes time to start running again it wouldn’t hurt and stink so bad like it has the last 2 years in the spring.
Well I haven’t went a single time. Too busy? Don’t care anymore? Too cold? No idea really. No motivation mostly. The Halloween half took its toll physically and spiritually too I guess.
Spiritually it was great, a good high from an accomplishment I never thought I’d reach. But physically it took a week to walk normally. Maybe I was just tired. It was a long summer. Ran a lot of miles. Then just got used to doing nothing again. My biggest mistake I think was rewarding myself with a “soda”. Instead of 1 I got a 12 pack, instead of just having that I stared off having 1-2 a day thing again, then having 2 liters in the house. Why not throw in ice cream everynight again right?. Why your at it, “hey remember how good fries and onion rings were?” Yep back in the mix.
So far 10lbs back on. I’ve packed back on half of what I lost. It took a year to lose 20lbs, 2 months to gain back half back. At this rate with more holiday cheer coming up I could be back to fat Bruce weight by February, easily.
The sad thing is I kinda don’t care. I don’t know why that is? This last summer I think because I always had something coming up, a race or event that it kept me going. Nothing is going on in the winter, and with new baby and projects I’m not seeing anything on the horizon.
Not sure how many will make it to 3rd annual memorial race ( lots of graduations around that time). Same with Dirty Dash 5k in June. Pony express days might be around that time also. It would be nice to be in good enuff shape to try at a personal best at the PE again, but not sure about it. The kids would love to do the Dirty Dash 5k. But man its gonna be expensive. I got a lot of kids!
Will the Pork Chop Express do the dirty dash in September again, dunno?
I’ve thought a lot about not blogging about getting big again cuz don’t want people to look down on me or something. Or if people didn’t see me when I lost the weight then see me now and say, “Liar, you’re still chunky.”
Then also thought I would blog so people could see how hard it is. Some might think, “Sure its easy for you to change your habits and go for a run.” No its NOT. It never was. Running did get a little easier towards the end when I was able to go 6-7 miles. 3 miles was easy. That was AWESOME!!! But now I’m sure I couldn’t make it 1.
So if anyone is thinking, this year I’m gonna start! I’ll try and do it with ya I guess. I’ll be starting over too,again. I think that’s what I’m not looking forward to the most. It will hurt, I will get frustrated, I will crave those sugar bubbles, those salty starches and that cold creamy goodness.
But hey, lets wait until the new year, cuz I know I’m gonna stuff it every chance I get and there will be plenty of chances! So instead of getting down about it, lets just take it and do what we can to lose it come February sometime!
I am getting a little sick of having to tell myself the same things over and over. I will probably always be one of those people too, dang it.
“Rise and rise again”.
Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do.
Right now I can’t run 3 miles. But maybe I can run at least 1
People say, “Don’t worry about what you eat between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Worry about what you eat between Christmas and Thanksgiving.” I like that!
I just don’t know what to do to get started again? What’s my motivation this year?
1st summer was “Hey,don’t be fat” 2nd summer was “I am going to beat you!”
Whats this year? “Have fun?” Running isn’t fun tho. Doing the actual races is, but the preparing is not. I don’t know, anyone have any ideas?

Kinda tired

...and I'm spent!
The running season is officially over for the year. I ran alot of miles this year.
4-5k races, 2-10k races, half marathon and a 24 hour relay race.
Redeemed myself at the 2nd annual Keith Young 5k. Set a personal best at the Pony express 5k and achieved a goal on the halloween half.
Here is a little bit I'll look back and be happy about it. Right now I'm banged up! Running for 2 hours/13 miles then started working on our basement has crippled me. I can barely walk. I got beat up alot this year. And maybe thats what I'm not happy about.
The rib injury at the begining of the season, re-injury at Ragnar, the wieght gain after Dirty Dash,the wounded duck after Halloween.
I guess I did fight back after each one. But man it was tough. I'm looking back at the first year I started this, it was tuff, but at the end it was kinda fun. It was something to look forward to. I had motivation to better myself for this year. I did that. Now looking onto next year I'm thinking, "Really, do I want to do this again?"
What about setting a goal for a FULL marathon? Don't think I'll take that challenge just yet. Not sure if I will actually. That would be 4 hours of non-stop running. I have thought about it tho. Seen a couple in Southern California that would be alot easier than here in Utah. My body is just not built for it. I don't have the correct form, too old to learn it. My vertabrae are too short, my veins too thick, my heart too slow and my lungs soo small.
I think I'll do the races I did this year again if it comes up. Will I strive to beat this years time next year, who knows?
One thing that will keep me doing this, and I think what has, is that I'm running with family. This year I did 4 races with Shiree, Jamie was there on 4, Nathan 3, Chad 2, Matt 2 and most of us at the Memorial run.
Thanks to family and a supportive wife. I'm sure Liz and the boys are ready for me to be done also.
Oliver-"Ah, why do you always have to go running?"
Me- "So I don't die."
Oliver- "Ah,Why do you always have to die?"
Me - "Cuz I'm fat and slow."
Oliver - "Ah,why are you fat and slow?"
Me- "Cuz I eat too much donuts & drink too much soda."
Oliver - Ah, why....ect
Maybe next year I'll put more emphasis on having fun instead of competition? Its just staying in shape part, the actual running preparing for races isn't fun. Trail runs are cool, need to do more of them.
Not sure what else to blog about. Might do some when the basement gets a makeover, or when the little one arrives.

Dirty, Rotten, Filthy, Stinkin'.....

Well the summer is gone, hopefully. First weekend of October and its in the 90's still, crazy. On the other hand there is no light left in the evenings. Usually I would welcome this. Me and the sun don't get along very well. But the evenings is the only time I can run. But with kids in school,PK tired of babysitting and all that jazz it gets too late and too dark. Which usually wouldn't matter since last year's running season ended at the begining of September. This year it ends on Halloween. I have nothing until then either, which is bad cuz I'm not motivated. Doing Provo's Halloween Half Marathon. I guess so is over a thousand or more other people. I haven't really ran since The Dirty Dash (Sept 25th).
The Dirty Dash took place at Soldier Hollow in Midway (by Heber). The funnest race by far. Which it really wasn't a race. We didn't go for time. We went for fun. There was a Dash in Boise ID a week prior and had alot of complaints and looked like alot of lines. The UT dash had more people sign up by far. But turned out spectacular! Alot of mud, water, and good running trails. I was worried about the rolling hills. I'm not good at inclines. They are my kryponite. but I did well on them, no problem. Our whole team did great. It was 6.2 miles with some obsticles every mile or so. Very nice. Here is a little video with pictures and vids taken.

Also a link from the Deseret News:
Masquerade Ball Mud Wrestling
After the "Running with the horses" 10k in Wyo I was looking forward to the half marathon. I actually believed I could do it. After the dash I felt great too. For some reason now though I don't. I think its just cuz is still 25 days out. Or preparing for it is gonna stink. I thought preparing for a 5k was tuff, thats easy now. 5k is nothing. 13.1 miles, thats a beast for me. Couple weeks ago I did run 10 miles (my farthest) but it was tuff. While I stopped to stretch and get a drink with about 3 miles left I looked around (for coyotes) and thought, "Wow, cool night air under the moonlight. Too bad I'm running."
The Halloween half should be fairly easy (as runners go). There is 5 miles of good downhill then the other 8 mostly flat. "The other 8", whats up with that, who talks like that? So hopefully on each of the next 3 saturdays I can run 10-12 miles then on the 4th run the full 13 for the race. But in between, like on mondays & wednesdays I've got to run like 7-8 miles. Running 3 miles on monday, wed & saturday were tuff enough. Only at the end of the summer did they feel easyish.
I like the actuall race days and running with family, nothing beats that. Its the training part that stinks. I stink at that stuff. Maybe its cuz I'm sluggish right now. I'm kinda back on my old diet (soda, cake, cookies, chips,burgers, fries, onion rings, shakes, ect...) its a killer! Funny thing is I'll probably be laying in bed tonight eating ice cream, crying and watching the biggest loser.
I just have this feeling I'm gonna put back 20lbs this winter. And have to start all over next spring. I hate starting over. Maybe next year will be more laid back. Last year was seeing if I could do it, this year seeing if I could do better, next year maybe just the fun ones or something. I am gonna miss one thing - race day mohawk!

Not afraid to lose my breath while climbing chocolate

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
Thats the 1st verse from one of my favorite songs of this year. Too bad its sung by an annoying messed up teenager. It might have been more mainstream and heard if done by a different artist. Anways, prejudice aside the lyrics are a great analogy on life. I could put the whole thing on hear but, whatever too lazy, take too much space. I embeded the song at the begining. Give it a listen, you get the jist.
It rings home especially for this summer. Alot of ups and downs. Actually made some goals and accomplished them. Made some goals and not sure if I'll finish them or not. Tried something epic and fell short. Thought alot about plans for the future and now those plans will have to change or be re-arranged. "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going get." Life hands you suprises and you do your best.
Along the same lines of "The Climb" is a new song by George Strait-The Breath You Take...
"Life’s not the breaths you take
The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain’t what it’s all about
Ya just might miss the point
Try’n to win the race
Life’s not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away
Thats so true, and can be used many different ways. For example its not the "day to day " things you have to overcom, its the big punch in the stomach stuff.
Its not about sweating all day in the sun so you can provide a roof for your child. Its about watching your son make sounds effects with his toys as he plays.
Like the 45 minute hike straight up to Delicate Arch in Moab. But sitting there at the top gazing at God's handy work.
Its not about tearing your body down, making it scream and whine while you run. Its that glimps of hope that says, "I can do this". And seeing it come true. Its about being taught a lesson. Being knocked off your high horse.
With this new suprise I got very scared. Still am. But we are gonna take it. It wasn't in our plans, but it is now. And we'll be happy. Been married 15 years as of today. Average a child every 3 years. Crazy! Looking forward to the next 15!!!
"I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel that you've been down the same road"
Referenced 2 country artists had to reference a rapper!
Lifes not about the destination or where your headed. Its the journey and and how you get there!
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

Humble Pie

So after coming back and beating everyone I wanted to beat at the Memorial run, then couple weeks later posting my best time ever on a 5k I was feeling pretty good about myself. Was invited to do the Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay Race and thought sure I can do it.
And there lies the deciet. I was so focused on the "What if I can" factor that I wasn't prepared for the "What if I can't".
"Who ordered the humble pie? Your orders up".
I was runner 6 in our 12 member 2 van team. Everyone had done great so far, we were ahead of schedule. My turn comes, get the batton and start running. Felt pretty good for about half mile. Running on the dirty,bumpy road, but going up hill, ever so climbing and increasing the incline. Turns out you have to train for inclines. You can't just be "Oh I've ran 5k's I'll be alright" and just jump in and do it. I got pooped pretty quick going about 1 1/2 miles so far all uphill.
Then the downhill started...
This was no flat paved road were talking about. This was some of the most rocky,bumpy, rut filled back mountain road you can come across. And the decent was pretty steep in most areas. Gravity mostly pulled me down then myself pushing.
But first 5 minutes were pretty good. Picked up some speed, got some breeze going, making up some time. But with every step, every knee jarring impact my body fell apart, little by little.
1st the feet, burning, struggling for footing. 2nd the knees,feet were coming up, body was coming down, they were in the middle. 3rd the ribs, again with these stupid ribs! I thought we were done? Guess not. All the impact,bouncing, deep breathing loosened something up cuz they started hurting with a vengence. My stomach then was working overtime trying to keep by body has still as it could while hopping down this mountain. Hmmm only 4 miles of this.
When I hit the bottom I still had 2 miles on flat paved city streets to go. Legs were like jello, out of breath and couldn't catch my breath because my ribs hurt everytime my lungs expanded.
Humiliated I walked. Rested, caught breath, got some water from teamates in the van. Tried rubbing knees with cold water soaked hat I was using. Ran for a bit, stopped and walked. Repeated for 2 miles.
We handed the batton off to the 2nd van, our van got to rest finally. I sat there under a tree at the park with my shoes off dumping cold ice water on my knees, legs and feet. We ate then pretty much had to drive to our next exchange point cuz van 2 had short routes and fast runners.
Becuase I was a pansie it was decided that Jamie and I would switch legs in the relay since my next run was 8 miles of uphill and didn't think I would be able to do it. Jamie just did several miles of uphill dirty, rocky mountain road. I didn't want her to do more up hill. But she is full of awesome and took it. Glad she did cuz that run was a beast. I think I'd still be there today curled up in the fetal position sucking my thumb rocking back and forth and humming my favorite tune.
My 2nd run was at about 12:30am or so. It was 4.5 miles. I thought it was flat but there were a couple inclines, nothing to die over, but I did. I felt good starting off the first mile or two. First little incline tho and my ribs gave out again. Struggle to breathe in order to catch my breath. Then the legs got tired real fast. Had to do the 'ol walk rest repeat thing several times again.
Finally made it to exchange point and handed off to Jamie to do "my run". Watching her was amazing! She took that hill like it was nothing. It was alot steeper in real life than it was on paper thats for sure. After Jamie's heroic run we travel a couple hours to our next stop to catch a couple z's and wait for van 2.
I think everyone maybe got around 2 hours of sleep before having to get ready for our next round. Again everyone did great thru the night and great thru this next day.
This guy Brent that was in our van had a beast of a hill to climb and he did amazing also. Just added salt to my mental wound. But proud of him and my team mates.
My last run was only 3 miles. When I started I felt good again. Found a rythm and just let it flow. Then made a turn into residential area and had to climb some streets. That totally did me in again. Luckily the last half mile was flat and I was able to push a little and pass a couple people (some that passed me earlier) and give a good show at the end.
After Jamie killed the last 3 miles we were done! 6 of us exausted and happy. Hurt, sore, walking funny but happy. We grabbed a shake from Dairy Keen and took off up the mountain to catch the real runners do THE mountain.
Schyler and Evan (from Van 2) were an awe inspiring thing to watch. Those boys just flew up this thing like nothing. Like they hadn't ran all day and night earlier and on a couple hours of sleep.
Our team "The Grove Trotters" came in 13th in the mixed (men/women) division and 42nd overall out of 1050 teams. We were hoping to come in top 200. Not too shabby. Even with my faults, van 1 was able to make up time. Van 2 with the runners in it totally killed it! Our finish time was 26:17. We scheduled our finish on an 8 minute mile average. We averaged 7:24 a mile. CRAZY!!!
This was an amazing expirence. One I'm glad I did. I can say, "Hey I did that".
I do have mixed feelings. I wanted to put on a good show. And although people are nice and say,"You did a good job". I wanted to do better. I didn't want to have to switch legs with another team member. I didn't want to stop and rest. I don't like the fact that that mountain got the best of me!
I've been asked if I'd do it next year? Yes I would. Even though right now I'm ashamed, it was still cool to be apart of, even if it was a little part. I still did something. There were soo many people, so many cool vans and costumes, so many crazy people and to be part of something that epic was awesome.



So I'd do it again. Will I train harder? For certain!!! Will I want the same routes? Yesterday I would've so, "NO way". Today I'm thinking, "Do I wanna train and get better. Get a second chance on beating Avon Pass? We'll see. In reality I'd like to switch. Just in case. But would feel bad giving that route to someone else. And what if they did great on it, I'd look like an even bigger schmuck.
Well, we'll jump that bridge when we get to it.
So it looks like I need to train harder. None of this 3 mile crap. Need to start going farther and farther. Maybe doing that half marathon I promised myself sometime in August. Soon as my muscles will stretch out and let me I better get crackin'.
I just told myself "Rise and Rise again until the lambs become lions". Then told myself to shut it!!!

Where's the pie?

Never eat more than you can lift

Or there is the popular saying "Don't bite off more than you can chew." After thinking about this, I believe you can apply it to so many things.
So you can call the men in white coats cuz I'm running again. I got suckered into the Ragnar Race Series -Wasatch back relay. You can check it out here: Ragnar Wasatch Back Relay
So anyways...after The Memorial run I started eating pretty good (shoveling it in). Then had the Pony Express days 5k 2 weeks later, so I cut back down, ran a little bit. Thought, "Hey I have a race here in a week, better start taking it serious."
Well now after the Pony express is over I'm packing it in again. Maybe its the after race munchies or something? Maybe the fact that alot of home made ice cream was available this weekend? But I can't seem to get enough food, and its all crap!
I have a big relay race in less than 2 weeks, farther distance than the 3 miles I'm used to. And I have to race 3 times within a 24hr period. Depending on my leg of the relay I could end up running 15 or more miles total. I've been eating, haven't been running like I need to. I need rest before the actual race so I have only a couple days to train my body for the distance without getting the "burn out" affect.
I feel bad for eating like a pig and not running it off. So I get in a funk. Now I'm trying to find something to get me out of the funk, again. Seems like a vicious circle. So I came across this quote: "Never eat more than you can lift."
So true! If you eat too much you can't get off the couch. Eat stuff that makes you sad, you can't get off the couch. If you drink something that makes you sad you can't lift yourself off the couch.
Coke has a new slogen out: "Open happiness". I tell you if that ain't the truth when I open up and take the first swig of an ice cold Vanilla Coke, "AHHHHH". I'm happy! But then the carbination robs my blood of oxygen, sugar stores itself as fat along my stomach and it makes me sad, I don't wanna get off the couch. I just wanna drink another. Then maybe get a whole plate of cookies and wash it down with another! Vicious circle.
I see some people take on too many "projects", too much work, too many burdens,and they say, "I have too much to do,I can't handle it all."
I say, "Don't." You got too much going on, too much stress holding you down you can't lift yourself up off the couch to do any of it. Never eat more than you can lift. Do what you can and hope for the best. Except your fate or be destroyed by it!
Seeing other go through rough times makes me think about my rough times and it has the same affect, don't wanna get up. Need to build up some sort of immunity to it. Still feel compassionate toward them, but not get so sucked into that I'm down there with them. "Who's gonna save you if you both drown" kinda thing.
I love the ice cream, I love the cookies, I love the soda. But I need to stop taking in more than I can carry. If I don't wanna get up and run its because something is weighing me down. Wether it be food, tired, kids, gotta just do it. Get up and get moving.
I'm afraid after the Ragnar there is nothing left to keep me motivated. Kinda don't wanna run in July or August cuz its too hot, but might have to suck it up. Maybe find a half marathon to train for. Still is a goal this year sometime, better do it soon before their all gone and I don't get a chance. Anybody know of one?
Anyways, there is my lecture to myself. Don't eat more than you can lift.
My song on my "race" playlist. Makes me want to move:
-All alone he turns to stone whiles holding his breath half to death
Terrified by whats inside. To save his life he crawls like a worm from a bird...

The juice was worth the squeeze.

I did it!!!
Trained, did well, got hurt, got depressed, got back up and trained again.
These last few weeks trying to run with bruised ribs was a piece of work. I've never bruised my ribs before, people who have or who have broken their ribs say it stinks and they take forever to heal.
I didn't have forever, I had 5 weeks. I'd run, not get far because of pain. Next day couldn't do anything. Run again, same result. Did this for 3 weeks. 2 weeks left, finally made it without stopping, without hurting too bad. Last week (week of the race) I felt ok, got a little burned out and tired.
Saturday morning, blowing snow!!! They said around 500 people signed up, they had 432 brave the elements and finish the race.
I started out behind the pack (Chad,Nathan,Jamie,Devon) trying to dodge little kids. I think I caught up somewhere around the half mile mark. Ran with them for a minute or so. Decideded to give a little more to my pace. One to see if I could do it, two for stragedy. Maybe make them give a little more to keep up or use everything they had to catch up. Hopefully it wouldn't back fire and I wouldn't have anything left in case they did catch up.
I kept glancing over my shoulder and saw Chad not too far behind. About quarter mile left Chad kicks it in, catches me and passes slightly. I thought, great I've got nothing left. Crud, it back fired and I used my energy on the faster pace. About 30 yards I was able to kick it in.
Passed Chad and a little kid. Zipped thru the finish. Beat Chad by 6 seconds, Beat Jamie by 9 seconds,Devon by 1 min 20 sec,Nathan by 1 min 30 sec. Mark put up a good time for his first race. Still beat him by 2 min 25 secs. PK ran it this year with 28:44 and Matt with 29:48. Shiree with an amazing 27:46, Marcie & Chad's Friend Lonee just over 31 mins. Liz even knocked 20 mins off her best time, fantastic.
Benjamin had the proud honor of clean up. Making sure no one else was on the course. He stayed with Liz for a while but got distracted by too many things along the way, kinda funny.
The race was cut short because of the weather and part of the courses muddy surface. The course was 2.7 miles instead of the full 3.2 My time was 19:40 add half my mile time and I come in around 23 minutes. Sweet!!! Personal best.
Little dissapointed in the distance being cut, but pretty sure I still could've taken them. My chest kinda paid the price for the weekend, but worth it to say I did it. I came back from a slow out of shape state last year to beating everybody this year.
We had 14 I think from our family participate, thats awesome! It was a good weekend all around. The weather could have cooperated a little more nicely, but what can you do?
So it was worth it. It seems sad cuz its over now. I was glad I did it last year and got the bug to do it again and do it better. Spent alot of time and effort into a 20 minute race. But I still have more to do. So its not all for that one race.
Eagle Mountain's Pony Express days are in 2 weeks. That 5k is almost all downhill so maybe another personal best? 2 weeks after that is going to be another 5k, either Pleasant Grove Strawbarry Days or Thanksgiving point runnings with the angels.
After that who knows? Maybe get something going for the Harmon Reunion in mid July, do a high altitude 5k up at the cabin.
I have a goal of a half marathon this year, not sure when/where thats gonna be.
After watching biggest loser contestants do a full marathon last week, I'm thinking why I couldn't do one of those?
Still not a fan of the running. I like the actual racing with people, just not the prep that goes into it.
Don't have any photos yet cuz everone ran, no one to hold a camera. But here is a link to the offical race day photos.
2nd annual Keith Young Memorial 5k photos


In case anyone is wondering who I am...

Whistler's Mother

A Mother's day tribute ( in a sense ) by Mr. Bean
Hello, I'm Dr. Bean. Apparently. And my job is to sit and look at paintings. So, what have I learned that I can say about this painting? Well, firstly, it's quite big, which is excellent. If it were very small, microscopic, then hardly anyone would be able to see it. Which would be a shame. Secondly, and I'm getting quite near the end of this... analysis, secondly, why was it worth this man spending fifty million of your American dollars? And the answer to that is, that it's a picture of Whistler's mother. And as I've learned, staying with my best friend David Langley and his family, families are very important. Even though Mr. Whistler was obviously aware that his mother was a hideous old bat who looked like she'd had a cactus lodged up her backside, he stuck with her, and even took the time to paint this amazing picture of her. And that's marvelous. It's not just a painting. It's a picture of a mad old cow who he thought the world of. Well that's what I think.

What I think Mr.Bean was trying to say is this...
James Whistler was a talented artist who could have painted anything, a chapel, a monet, a stary night, ect... Instead he chose something that meant alot to him, something that inspired and caused great joy in his life...his mother.

Rise and Rise again

There is a Greek saying from a movie I like and have adopted it:
Άνοδος και αυξάνεται και πάλι μέχρι το αρνί γίνεται το λιοντάρι.
Which translates : Rise and Rise again until the lamb becomes the lion.
Every other saying of the same comes from this, "Get up one more time than you fall", "try and try again" ect... I like this, though at times its easier said than done.



I don't make it to church as much as I should, but when I do it seems the lessons are for me. This week was part of The Exodus. Everybody complaining too and about Moses. So they spent a little bit of time on "stop complaining". I won't go into length, but it was something I needed.
I think the biggest thing that help bring me out of my funk was seeing/ remembering others have it worse. I have nothing to complain about!!! Sure its a big deal to me I can't get up and run. But I will be able too. Sure it hurts, but in time it won't. So many others can't get up, others will always have pain. Its time to stop complaining and be greatful its not worse. So things might not turn out the way I want, but at least they'll turn out.
I have 4 weeks to that important race. I did activity this weekend and paid for it. So I know this next week will be hard and slow to try and run, along with the not so great weather. So maybe 3 weeks to train? One week spent on trying to make it the whole 3 miles needed without dying. 2nd week trying to increase speed and improve timing without dying. Maybe not too much in the 3rd week so I have energy at the end to actually race.
"A man must accept his fate, or be destroyed by it." I know I'm not going to do as good as I want or hoped for. But I'm not going to let it swallow me up into a pit of misery & dispair. Do what I can and hope for the best.

I am Spartacus

An attempt on my life

There are many types of people in this world. Achievers, those that succeed, wealthy, happy, spriritual, honorable, go getters, do gooders, optimists, ect...
There are also slackers, lazies, poor, un-motivated, unhappy, pessimists, ect...
We've all heard the saying, "You can do anything if you put your mind to it". Well I believe I fall in the middle somewhere. I "attempt" things. I don't do them. I don't try at them. I don't work at them. I sometimes make an attempt.
Yeah thats not good, I know, but its what I know, its what I do. Sure I've had many failures because of it. But also some little success. A few examples:
I didn't work or try very hard in school, I made an attempt. In sports if I worked harder maybe I'd be better, nah I made an attempt. At work if I applied myself, tried & worked harder I could get some certifications and what not. I attempted too.
So anyways...
This time last year (March) I weighed 185lbs. Sure to some people thats not bad, no big deal right. I'm 5'7". Thats portly. Senior year in High School I was still 5'7" and soaking wet at 135lbs. Being married, working and eating alot of sandwhiches I hit hit maybe 140-145. So thats extra 40lbs I'm not used too.
10 years ago I moved to Utah valley after working at a cheese factory I wieghed about 180. Got a gym membership, actually "worked" at it. Ate better, worked out twice a week, in 7 months or so I was back at 155lbs. Endurance was great, I could play basketball for hours on end (wasn't very good because of previous "attempts") but still put in an effort and had fun. Schedule got crazy, stop going to the gym, pow- 185lbs again.
Last summer I wanted to run in 5k's with family members, so I had to build up endurance, stamina and drop some weight. not a problem for most people. I have this little thing called a sweet tooth. Maybe even at a time a little addiction to the donut and the bane of my existance- SODA. I had a little success. Holidays came, did not make an attempt to not eat the good stuff. With making an attempt at new years resolutions (be in shape to run better this summer)I have finally dropped below 160 pounds. Maybe if I worked at it, tried harder to eat better I could've hit 160 easily in a couple months last summer. but I only made an attempt. I still eat the burger & onion rings, I still drink the soda. But I make an attempt to eat/drink less. One 20oz soda a week is better than 2-3 a day!
I still have a soda gut. I may make an attempt to get rid of it.
I know jogging a couple miles a week is no big deal to most people, but to me 3 miles in an eternity.
Sure thats pretty sad. People could say, "You could do so much more if you just put in the effort". I know, but at least I made an attempt! Thats better than nothing, right? For me it feels good to say, "I did better than nothing".
I'm in no position to challenge or encourage people, but I am in a position to say, "Hey at least make an attempt".
May 22nd is the 2nd annual Kieth Young Memorial 5k. Last year I posted a time of 28:40. This year I will "attempt" to do better. I'm not a goal setting person of course, but if I were to set one, 26:20 is a time I would shoot for.
So for those of the family that didn't run it last year, make an attempt too.
Picture on the left is March '09, right side is September '09. Maybe the 2nd chin is just hiding under the gotee ;)

2 for $20 at Applebee's

I'm never good at Valentine's day. Or this whole romance thing as a whole either. But I do know my sweatheart is still my sweatheart and we still like eachother, we still find time to do stuff together. Last October we saw a movie "Couple Retreat". In that movie there was this speech given by Vince Vaughn's character to John Favreau's. It basically boyles down to this:
"When you’re married, love is having someone to go to Applebee’s with. Nothing is worse than being alone at Applebee's on a Friday night."
May you all have someone to go with to Applebee's as I do :)

This year Valentines playlist



Couples Reatreat was halairious, should've been rated R, but halairious. And made us sad cuz the tropical island they went to was insanelly beautiful.

Crazy Train

Last Year's playlist:


Ever since I was a young lad I had this idea in my head that “people who ran are crazy”.
People who run aren’t all there, upstairs.
I was an active child, I played sports, sports that required running (football, basketball).
We always played at the part after school, we hiked the hills, ect…
Now running around and just plain running are different. Running up and down the court or field is different. Even ay times when I’ve been in the best shape of my life I could play basketball for hours on end. But in the scenario if the court was taken I’d run on the treadmill. I could maybe make it a mile, maybe mile and a half. My legs, knees, ankles and feet just couldn’t take it. My lungs struggled.
I couldn’t understand, why I could play basketball 2 days earlier for 3 hours, but I can’t run for 10 minutes?
I’d see these people running early in the morning or late at night. Sometimes close to traffic when no trails or sidewalks are available. I’d see these people, some of which I knew and thought were normal and ask, “Why do they do that? That’s so dumb, whats the point? Your not scoring any points, your not winning anything, your just running.
May 2009 it was brought to my attention a Memorial 5k run for a family friend who passed away a year earlier while running, practicing for a marathon. A couple family members were going to participate and encouraged me to do so.
I thought yeah that’s an awesome cause, what a cool thing to do to honor that man, but I can’t run, especially a 5k (3.2 miles). I was out of shape, hadn’t really exercised in years, a little over weight too.
But I was nudged. What could it hurt? I had 5 weeks to prepare. I kept making reasons why I couldn’t do this, no excuse, just reasons. Not enuff time, too slow, too fat, no time to practice running, can’t go very far, my legs hurt too bad, I don’t know how to run, ect…So much goes into it that I had no idea about. Breathing, pace, and some other stuff.
About 5 days before the race I was finally able to make it the 3 miles without stopping. It was slow, awkward and tuff, but I made it. About 35 minutes it took me.
Race day watching everyone there running was something. I made it in 29 minutes. It was cool to make it without stopping, cool to get that time, of course that time stinks, but at the time I didn’t know it. Afterwards I thought maybe I can keep this up, help me get in shape, use this as a kick off/starting point.
A month later a was encouraged to do another 5k, Pleasant Grove strawberry days. I said ok, training was a little easier, a little. Running was still hard for me. But I did it, felt good, pushed a little hard cuz I wanted to catch others. Made it in 24:55. I never thought I could post that good of improvement. Paid the price though. Hurt my calf, not sure is I tore or strained a muscle, surprised I had any in there. Couple weeks later back went out. Couldn’t run anymore. August came and passed thru a town with celebrations going on with a 5k included. So I decided to do it, see if I could. Practiced a few times, it was tough. Raced, posted 28 minutes. Felt pretty bad. Couple weeks later our church ward did a 5k, did it, posted 27 minutes. Improvement.
Another race in PG was coming up, decided to do it. Did a little better on the eating, training, lost a couple pounds, posted a 24.35.
That was the end of the running for the year. Tried running a couple times to stay in shape, but it just wasn’t there.
Cold weather, darkness started, so I decided to call it quits for the season. Packed back on the pounds I lost and the slow pace.
Anyways, call the men in white coats cuz I’m gonna do it all over again, plus some.
Last year I did 4 registered 5k’s and 1 “just for fun”.
This year my goal is to do those same 4, plus 4 more and 1 half marathon. Its with hard to go jogging with the cold and the darkness. Only went a couple times so far this year. Started playing basketball on Tuesday's Saturday's when I can, that will help with the aerobic side a little bit.. I’m hoping to do a 5k in March “leprechaun run” in SLC, one in April in West Jordan in order to prepare myself better for The 2nd annual Memorial 5k. I’m hoping I can post a 25 minute or better on that one. In September the Beethoven I’m hoping for a 22 minute.
I’m hoping for weight loss, endurance and beating people.
Its still crazy, it doesn’t get much easier, but when you get results it helps. Theres also something else to it, just like all sports its an escape. Theres an advertisement from a movie that goes a little like this:
"You don't stand in front of a mirror before a run and wonder what the road will think of your outfit. You don't have to listen to its jokes and pretend they're funny in order to run on it. It would not be easier to run if you dressed sexier. The road does not care how old you are. You do not feel uncomfortable because you make more money than the road. And you can call on the road, whenever you feel like it, whether it has been a day, or even a couple of hours since your last date. The only thing the road cares about is that you pay it a visit once in a while. No games, just sports."
It's still crazy,runners are a few sandwhichs short of a picnic. But I can see where they are comming from now. For the 30 minutes or so while I'm out there on the road I'm not worried about the kids, or the job, or the hustle & bustle of life. I'm only worried about not stepping in poo, regulating my breathing, adjusting my pace, adjusting my playlist, stuff like that. Its the only thing close to alone time I can get really. Even tho its not fun, its an escape of a sorts I guess.
I've got a pretty sweet playlist for this year so far. Come March we'll see how it compares, its a little more kick @$$ then the last one, Thanks Sick Puppies!

Throwback

So its Retro week or something. Facebook has taken over from blogging. So I'll use the blog for status updates that are too long or something.
Or just share good news for people who like bad news!

Anyways,
Thinking of retro week, theres alot of throwback things going on. This year in the NFL teams had a couple weeks wearing a throwback jersey. Throwback being from 70's or something.
Coke, Pepsi and a handful of other sodas went back to old packaging and using old school flavors.
Classic rock/pop and all that jazz is always around. Which brings me to this post.


When I was a young lad in the 80's, maybe around 8 or so. Laying in the bed at night with the 'ol walkman on listening to the radio, this songs comes on I freaked me out.
Freaked me out for awhile. Not knowing anything at that age, if you listen to the lyrics, it can play some serious tricks on your mind. I probably thought of Medusa from the classic "Clash of The Titans" movie.
I listened to this the other day, first time in a long time. Listened to it a couple times since. Still makes me think about sitting there in the dark listening to it on the walkman. Probably ran out and watched TV till I fell asleep.