My Best Week This Year

This was my best running week of the year - I was able to log 30.5 miles. My times are also starting to pick up and I am starting to feel a bit more limber when I run. I could stand to stretch a bit more after my runs and started to do some of that this week. The challenge will be next week....
I also weighed in on Saturday and as suspected I gained 3 pounds over the Easter break - not a GOOD thing. Back to the grind - I really feel as though I can get to 230 pretty quickly if I stay focused and keep my mileage up.

Will report soon again.

Highs and Lows

It has been a couple of pretty interesting weeks, one of lows and one of highs. Last week I was in New Jersey and had some pretty intense business meetings, overall they went pretty well. One was especially good and we are hopeful that it will lead to some good things in the short term. However, the road trip killed my running for the week - I ran 9 miles - that is really low. In some ways, I think I needed a little rest from the schedule so it was not really that bad, however, Easter weekend was full of lots of opportunities to eat and eat we did. On Sunday we went to Sunrise service and then had breakfast at church, we then went to an Easter egg hunt, ate deserts there. Then we went to the Varbles for lunch and the traditional egg hunt. Lots of really good foods at that. Finally, we went to the Rileys for but another meal - and of course a little more desert....We ate and ate and ate.

This week was break week and was a bit better - I have already logged in 22.5 miles and have a couple of more days, we got back on weight watchers (hoepfully the weigh in tomorrow won't be too bad). I took the week off and Linda and I did some things around the house, we also went to Syracuse University on Monday with Jen and finalized that decision.

I am so thankful for my family, my friends and really am starting to feel a closeness to God that is changing the way I look at things in general. I am in the process of reading a book by Desmond Tutu - God Has A Dream - it has helped to ground me on what is important. I would suggest it to young teens, adults, etc.

Next week I go back to work and am facing a number of challenges, not the least is we about to run out of money. We have a couple of deals that can pull it out that are lined up. Need to evaluate what we need to do to make them happen. Cannot afford to miss anything at this point. I am also going to really stay more with my eating and am going to supercharge my training. Will report in mid week....

An Early April Update

It has been a while since I have posted on the Blog - it has however been good on the running and weight loss front. I have been averaging 26 miles per week for the past month, my times are starting to come down. I am really starting to feel good and require less time to recover. I have started to press a little harder on the speedwork and tempo days. My long runs are between 9 and 11 miles. I am planning on adding hills this weekend.
My weight is down to 243 which I think is really helping my runs. Most of my clothes no longer fit so I am replacing a small number of them. It is starting to feel really good. Much of this has also been helped by the fact I am not drinking at all - I am also spending more time in prayer. This at a time when work is really difficult - it is truely important to stay fit at all times, especially as preasure builds. Overall, I have absolutely no room to complain and do not intend to. God has been extremely good to me and the family. We have our health, we have sufficient means, abundant by most standards.
The girls have chosen thier schools, Kathryn is going to University of Rochester and Jennifer to Syracuse. Who would have thought that they would have chosen schools so close to home. I am really glad that they are not going to far away - I really enjoy thier company....
This weekend is Linda's birthday - we have to do something special.... Oh well, will try to get more later.

A Most Excellent Week

This was one of the better weeks for my running. It started on Saturday with a 5 mile St. Patty's day run downtown. My time was 52 minutes which is better than I think I have done in the past. The weather was perfect - 50 and no wind. The course was flat....

During the week I started to add in speed work (had to run on the treadmill due to weather) then I added Tempo runs into the mix. Finally on Saturday, I topped off the week with a 10.5 mile long run - that is the longest ever for me. It took 2 hours and 5 minutes, but I ran the entire time. I was planning on 9 but felt good and decided to jump off the canal at a later point. I am also down to 247 so the runs and weight loss are starting to feed off each other. This is a critical point, it is really east for me to start to slack off about now. In fact, the past would show that, not this time. Whatever comes along, other then family health issues, is not going to deter me from getting to 230 and to running the half in San Diego and probably Rochester.

Jennifer and Kathryn had thier wisdom teeth taken out yesterday so they have been kicking around the house for a couple of days. It went well and they are starting to feel better. Linda has dropped about 10 pounds and is staying a little flat right now. She has however started to really increase her workouts so she is feeling pretty good.

Next week is the official start of my half-marathon training program. I am going to really be focused on improving my time. I would like to run 11 minute miles in San Diego, right now it looks like I am running about 11.55's so there is some work to do...

Talk to you later.

Luck of the Irish

Today was the annual running of the green in Rochester. It is a pretty flat 5 mile fun run. My time was really good - 51.42 (I was hoping to do under 55) Last week I ran 21 miles, this week I was able to get in an 8 miler while I was in Phoenix and then another 4 miler prior to the race. My mileage is moving up nicely and my times seem to be following. The weight is down to 249 - 2.5 more and I will be at my first goal. I will make that goal this week.

The weather was perfect for the race today, it was probably 50 at race time, sunny and no wind - conditions really helped the time. My first and last miles were the fastest and within a couple of seconds of each other. I was glad to see I left a little for the end. I am going to be in town all week this week so I am probably going to hit a yoga session, I really need to focus a bit on flexability and yoga is the best for that.

Jennifer got into Syracuse this week, that was the best news of all. Kathryn has been accepted into University of Rochester so they both have schools they would be happy with.

Jennifers training is ongoing for the marathon - she has a monster 12 miler next week.

Oh well, will talk later.

Is winter here for a while!

It looks like we will really have a pretty tame winter this year - it is finally starting to get cold, but there is very little snow. It is also starting to stay lighter later, which is of course a great sign of things to come.

My running has been going well, I started to get a 6 miler in during the week and have been focused on my speed on shorter runs. Overall feel pretty good at this point, next week I plan to get to the 7 mile mark and then add a mile per week to my long runs until I get to 13 mile long runs. I lost 6 pounds this week, did not really do anything different, just really watched what I ate and got my mileage in. I am at 251.5, my first goal is 246 which is 1 pound less than the lowest I have ever been on weight watchers. Looks like 5.5 pounds and counting. I have stopped drinking any alchohol and have really tried to keep a positive focus on things.

Jen is going for her 9 mile run today, we will see how she holds up. Linda's workouts are going well and she is also at her lowest weight in ten years.

Will talk to you later.

Winter is finally here!

Well, winter has finally made its way to Upstate New York, although it is not roaring, it is just slipping in. This is the first week we have had snow on the ground for more then a day or so. It has also been colder. However, I got out today for a run, and it was really nice. It was about 22 but there was no wind and the roads were clear. The running is going pretty good, this week I got my first 6 mile run in on Monday. It was great to get past the 5 mile wall. (more mental than anything) My weight is still going down which is really helping. (256 today)

Jennifer started her marathon training and had a 7 mile run today. Kathryn, Jen, Matthew and I signed up for the relay at the Vermont Marathon in May.

All is going pretty welll, work is not a lot of fun right now, but things have a way of working out. Linda is great, she is also loosing a little weight at this time and you can tell.

Will keep posting as time permits.

First Race of "06"

Well, a milestone of sorts yesterday, I ran my first race for "06". This is highly unusual for me, I typically stop running in December, lay low in the winter and then spend a few weeks getting back to a point where I can run. This year is going to be different. I am going to train in the winter so that I am ready when spring gets around.

Yesterday I ran a 5K in 33:30 - my average pace was around 10:45 which is OK considering I have not been really running. The weather was pretty good for this time of year, it was 34 and sleeting with a pretty good wind. I ran with Matthew who ran the same race last year - he said it was about 10 and snow last year so this year was a breeze.

Overall, training is going well. I am going to run one more week at what I have been doing and then I am going to start to step up the mileage..

Eating has been OK, not great. I have not been as firm as I need to be to get the weight down. I am however going to keep at it every day.

Off to NJ in the morning for a couple of days on biz....

Later

A Pretty Good Start

Well,
It's been four days and we have stayed the course really well. Running, strength training, and eating right. Have a long run tomorrow, will probably try to get in 5 miles. Will probably weigh in on Tuesday morning. Got to keep a positive attitude and make sure I track the progress. Hopefully, Ill be able to get out and run on the canal versus on the treadmill, it looks like the weather will permit. My GPS system has not been working well so it may be time to update it. If I get a new one, I am going to get it with the data collection software.

Jennifer and I have pretty much decided to run in San Diego in June...She is going to run the full marathon and I am going to run the half. It is really tough to make this commitment, her training will be really difficult and I want to encourage her by meeting my obligation to run the half. My history is not good however on following through. It would be great for both of us. I am really going to pray about this often.

Well, Ill make an update later.

Happy New Year - 2006

I love the new year, it always brings new hopes, goals and of course resolutions. I put on some weight in late 2005 which is really evident when I run. The strain on the knees and body are really incredible. So I have really set some goals for myself this year that have to do with weight and running. First, I want to get to 225 this year. That should allow me to run in a half marathon San Diego in June with Jennifer. We have registered for the lottery in the Vermont relay marathon (Jen, Kathryn and Matthew and myself) for May.
I would also like to get to 10 minute miles in a 10K this year. That would really be sweet. Finally, I am planning on continuing my strength training with Pam at one day a week as long as $$$ permit. I find it to be a nice addition to the running schedule.
There are two critical things that have to occur for this to work. I have to keep balance at work and church. I cannot drink for an extended period of time and I cannot get stressed over what is working and not working. (I find myself worrying over things that are out of my control)
It has been a good start to the year. I started running last week, 3 - 3mile days and then a 4 miler with a strength training day. I have run 2- 3milers thus far this week and am planning on another and then a 5 miler this weekend. My strength training is on Friday.
I also started weight watchers and have been on the path for two whole days. Does'nt sound like a lot but it is a start. My weight was 268 on Tuesday..... Will check in later this week with good news....

The Running is not going so well!

I have managed to come up with every possible excuse for not getting back to a routine - work, the girls looking at schools, its getting darker earlier, its cold outside, its rainy - I think that I am starting to run out of them - of course the real reason is that I am just lazy. Perhaps next week will be the start of a routine running schedule. I had better do something or I am going to have to buy new clothes..
Later

It;s starting to look like fall around here

Since I started my running up again, it has not been too bad. Last Sunday I ran a 9 mile course. It took 2 hours. Way too long, but I have a benchmark. I ran the first 5 miles in an hour and then the last 4 in an hour. I am also working with my personal trainer once a week to insure some balance. Jennifer will be running her half marathon this weekend and I think she will do well. I will take some pics and post them when it is over. Things are going pretty well so we will just keep it up.

Just got through listening to the President speak on Katrina, this is a quite interesting time. This event was an example of the devastation that mother nature can deliver. It has opened up the political floodgates - too bad because it has made me angry. Politicians, media, and others only want to talk about who is to blame - like they can blame anyone. Politicians have used this event to expand thier agenda, I dare say none of them have any idea what pain people are really feeling. How many have opened there houses up to those effected. How many have given thier time and money, without it being a press event. It is times like this when I realize how bad it really can get at times like this. Enough of that. As far as what we are doing, our church is sending money, we are doing a number of special events, and we will have an adult mission trip within 6 months to provide help in re-building.

Got to keep running so that I can be in shape for the trip. Oh well, talk with you later.

It starts over again.. September 7th, 2005

As you may notice, it has been about 11 months since my last posting. During that time, it has been pretty hectic. I did not achieve my goal of running a half marathon, I did however run in the 10K with a great time and ran my first 5K within 10 min miles. Then as usual, i fell off the cliff. That seems to be how it works for me, I have issues with following through on these types of things. I have continues to run, just not at the miles I was logging. I really need to get serious - I want to run a half marathon, I need to run one to prove I can do it. I need to get my priorities straight and this I think will help do it. I am starting my log back up because it makes me more accountable to what I need to do.

A couple of side notes, we are trying to grow the company at a rapid pace and it looks like my role is going to be expanded to COO - that means it is more important that I feel good and running makes me feel good. My daughter, Jennifer has started to run and is going to run in her first half marathon in a couple of weeks. This is great news. I need to be more of a role model for her.

I have been running between 10 and 18 miles a week this summer. This week I started to walk 2 miles in the morning on the treadmill, mainly to get myself going in the morning, my plan is to continue that and then run at night and on weekends to get to 20-25 miles per week.

Let the running begin.....

End of Week 6 - 21 Miles

Not a bad week. I need to add another day to the week and keep up the interval and tempo run this week. I also need to add in a race pretty soon so that I can see how it looks. I am not losing weight at the pace I need to be, have to keep up the effort.

Sunday - October 31st (5.50 Miles)

I got out to the track and got in an interval run. It was really great to get this one in.
Mile 1 - 10.35
Mile 2 - 11.43
200m - 52.75
200m - 53.16
300m - 1.25
300m - 1.26
400m - 2.04
400m - 2.13
Mile 3 - 11.30
Mile 4 - 11.08
It was great to get out and run this - I have been putting it off but I know that it is so important.

Saturday - October 30th (6.25 Miles)

We had our new treadmill delivered so I decided to break it in. It was really hot downstairs and this run was sluggish.
Total time was around 83 minutes - that is way too long.
It was good to break it in.

Wednesday - October 27th (6.25 Miles)

Decided to go for a little run outside on the 6 mile course around the house. This is a great course and I can tell that not running outside as much is making a difference. The hills are really adding some time.

Mile 1 - 11.12
Mile 2 - 11.34
Mile 3 - 12.07
Mile 4 - 12.17
Mile 5 - 11.37
Mile 6 - 12.26

It seemed a little slow. but I liked getting out there and running it.

Monday - October 25 (3.12 Miles)

Thought I would try to get back on track and do my tempos the way that I used to do them. Went to the Y at lunch and got in a short run - total time of the 3.12 miles was 32.30, the time on the first 3 miles was 31.30. The tempo time was 18.03 - need to get that to 20 minutes next week. I did that at a 6 mile per hour pace or a 10 minute pace. Felt really good.

End of Week 6 (Total 10 Miles)

Not a very impressive week - I was out of town a bit too much and lost a little of my motivation. I have also felt a little tired lately. There are always excuses are'nt there. Well you cannot linger on the past too long. I did end the week strong and feel good about the upcoming week. I also missed my weight watchers meeting because I did not really want to weigh in. I not only did not run while I was on the road, but I ate far more then I should have. Overall, it was the rebellion week.

Oh well, heres to a better next week.

Sunday - October 24 (6 MIles)

I had been laying off this week so I was pretty excited about hitting the Y and getting in a good run. Ran a six miler in 1.08. Not a bad time a little over 11 minute miles. It felt really good and I could have probably gone a little longer.