1/30 - Over the Mountain!

Today was a major step for me, and honestly I still cannot believe that I did it.  For the first time, I made it to the top of Paris Mountain on my bike.  I maybe be in 118th place on the Strava Leaderboards, but I'm still ahead of the millions of folks that haven't gotten off the couch yet.

http://app.strava.com/rides/3751797#

Totally unbelievable.  I find it hard to believe that in August of last year I was looking at a new start, in Florida, out of shape and heart low.  Honestly, I am living an absolute dream, and thanking God every day for the opportunities that we have up here.  And I know the best is yet to come.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me."
Phillipeans 4:13

Even climb a mountain on a bike.  Praise God!

1/29 Bike Ride - 28.5 miles

Today I had a chance to spend some time on the bike.  This is the activity that I've come to really enjoy, as it seems to really clear my head and challenges me over and over.

The ride today was no slouch, though.  28.5 miles through the beautiful countryside outside of Simpsonville, SC.  There was a pretty stiff wind at times, too. I spent a lot of the time off the back of the group, but I was determined to do my best to keep up.  I was really proud of one segment where I climbed a hill with the whole group cheering me on to the top.  Really made my afternoon, and strengthened me through to the end.

http://app.strava.com/rides/3720250

Have to say, I'm ready to not push my own wind for 2 hours at a time.

Tomorrow is supposed to be another clear day.  May be round 2 vs Paris Mountain.

Saturday 1/28: Goal of a 1 mile run

Went to the Y today for my scheduled workout:  happened to be a 1 mile run.  Took Christy and the girls with me so we could get a workout together.  Loaded up my phone with the "50 #1 Christian Workout music" album, put on my Vibram FiveFingers for a change of pace, and was on my way.

My intention was to set a baseline with this run, to figure out what exactly I was capable of.  Since 12 laps equaled 1 mile, I worked intervals into the workout.  I had 1 lap of warm up at a slowish pace, and then worked in running 1 lap at a moderately hard pace then walking 2 laps of recovery.  I ended up completing the fast laps in between :31 and :36 with the walking laps coming in 1:28 and 1:40.  Taking the first lap off as a warm up lap, my total 1 mile came in at 16:07.  Have to see how that improves.

A thing of note is that I had on my Vibram FiveFingers KSO shoes, instead of my Nike's for this run.  These are some really nice "close to barefoot" shoes that I really enjoy wearing when I can.  The problem is that it's been close to 6 months since I really used them, and I've done a lot of cycling to build up my legs in that time. Thus at the end of the run my calves were a bit sore.  I'll probably use these throughout the workouts to determine which shoes I'll wear for the 5k.  Part of me thinks I'll train up to use the KSO's for the 5k just for the looks they'll probably get on the run.

http://app.strava.com/runs/3682608

The one thing I'm noticing is that the Garmin Edge 305 isn't going to help me indoors, as I lose GPS reception throughout the run.  I'm contemplating getting a foot pod for Christy's Garmin Forerunner 405cx to see if that can help out.  May have to end up getting her a FR60 so I can use that more for the gym.

Tomorrow's activity will be cycling.

New Year, New Blog post

It's a new year, 2012 even.  It seems that I've not taking all of the advantages I should have on the blogging I could have been doing here, especially over the past few months.  That said, 2011 was a real roller coaster ride for me with the new job, new house, the move, and the costs involved with all the changes.

I found out last week that I'm a part of "Rob's Big Losers".  This is a program sponosered by the Local YMCA branches in the Greenville area, as well as HIS Radio up here.  I have to blog for them, so I'm figuring I should blog here at least as often as I blog for the program.  This week has been extremely stressful for me as I learn about the program and what's expected of me.  Add on top of that I have to tear down survival walls that I put in place for years about my self image and my own expectations of what I can do and what I'm capable of.  I know I'm capable of SO much more that I do now fitness-wise, and I cannot wait to see how the program helps me out.  I just need to let go and enjoy the trip.

Rob Dempsey quoted this on Monday, and I've been using it as my signature on my personal email since I heard it.  It's a comfort and a reassurance:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me."
Phillipeans 4:13

My goal is to blog here after every workout, whether it's a part of the Y program or one of my routine bike rides. To go over how I feel and post up my expectations and successes. That way in 12 weeks I can look back and see how far I've come.