Irish Running

So, I’ve half committed to a 5k run in March. I’m going to fully commit on Monday, I believe. It’s the Shamrock Shuffle, a 2 mile walk/ 5k run/ 10k run here in Madison. I have no way to train for it right now (-2 is not fun to run in, nor is it fun to run on snow), so I think I’ll be taking advantage of their training course for $59. Seems like a good deal, and I imagine it involves treadmills. I hope it does.

Weight Changes & Possible Triathlons

Okay.  Have you checked out my SkinnyR graph lately?  I’ve lost over 40 pounds since starting it!  I feel great, and I love not fitting into my clothes – because they’re too big!  It’s amazing.  I never thought I’d like not fitting into my clothes – but that was because I’ve never been too small for them!  I’m currently at 278.8 and losing.  In January of ’06 I weighed the most I ever have – 327.  So, I’ve lost a total of 48.2 pounds.  Most of it is due to Weight Watchers.  Thank you, eflexgroup, for providing this benefit!  It’s awesome working for a company that does things like this for its employees. 

After speaking with my uncle, I think I have decided on a triathlon.  It’s in Pewaukee, WI on July 15th.  It consists of a 1/4 mile swim (I can do that!), 15 mile bike ride (I might be able to do that!), and a 5k / 3.1 mile run (can’t do that yet!).  All pretty short distances, and I’m excited for it.  The event’s web site is here.

I also received a Polar heart rate monitor for Christmas (awesome), and my plan is to start looking and put a used bike on layaway in the next couple months.  That should be fun and exciting. 

Well, I’ve got some direction now.  Now all I need to do is ramp up the training again.  Swimming & running have been neglected this last month.  We’ll see how I can get back to those.  Swimming should be pretty easy.  Running … in the cold … brrrrr!  I’m not so sure about.  Perhaps I can do it. :)

01/02 & 01/09/07 Workouts – Bike

I rode on a trainer again, only now I have a heart rate monitor to measure how I’m doing!  on 1/2, I rode for about 50 minutes, with an average heart rate of 163.  That’s right about 80% of my recommended maximum.  Perfect.  Today I rode for 60 minutes, with an average heart rate of 160 and a max heart rate of 190.  Pretty cool.  My legs are tired, but I feel good. 

12/19/06 Workout – Bike!

Back at it!  Well, at least for now.  My good friend Jason has agreed to bike with me (on trainers – it’s too cold outside!) every week at his place.  Thanks, Jason!  I feel like I’m back on track a bit now.

I rode for 40 minutes on the trainer.  I was tired at the end, but not completely exhausted.  I could have pushed it more, I think, but it was good.  I did not check my pulse afterwards.  Whoops.  Forgot about that. Oh well.  it was good, and I look forward to the rest of the rides we’ll be having.

10/31/06 Workout – run

I ran today.  Not as far as previously, but at least I got out.  I jogged for 14 minutes, and walked for 14 minutes.  Not exactly like that – intermittently.  I jogged a mile in 11 minutes, which I think is faster than before, but I couldn’t go much further than that.  I jogged / walked a total of two miles.  Not bad.  Nice to get out again.

Stuff to say.

So, I got made fun of for not updating this blog often enough.  Well, here’s a post.  I haven’t been working out because … I’m lazy, I guess.  Excuses breed more excuses.  However, I worked out this morning, and I plan to get back on track now. 

The Weight Watchers program is working!  I’m now at 300 pounds.  In January I was 327.  Pretty cool.  I was disappointed today when I wasn’t under 300, but I lost 2 pounds this week.  That’s par.

Also, I’m trying to figure out a way to get a meebo me widget to actually display on one of these pages.  I don’t have access to the source code for the blog (it look prettier that way), so I can only play with the administration tools that it gives me.  In the meantime, there’s an ugly link in the new “Contact” page that will bring up a meebo console, in case you want to chat with me.  I’m usually on during the day.

Well, there’s your update.  I’m lighter, and getting back to workouts.  And you can chat with me. 

Happy Halloween!

10/30/06 Workout – Swim

I swam today, again, finally.  I went 1 mile, no stopping (except for the time it takes to turn around).  I did it in 43:33.  My heartrate afterwards was at 164.  I felt awesome.  It was great.  Now, my mission: keep on going.  It’s lighter in the mornings now, so perhaps I’ll try some more running / biking.  Yee haw! 

10/10/06 Workout – Swim

So, I finally did it. I got up early and worked out. Yay. This morning’s swim was good. I did 1 mile total, in less time than I did in last time: 41:16.

Back on track. Next Workout: Swim, again. It’s too dark in the mornings right now to do anything else. Next Swim time: tomorrow. :)