If I can do it....you can too

[genxweb]

Good job. I had the same awaking back in april this year with several warnings from the DOC and a family full of heart issues (most caused by bad habits) I decided at the age of 25 that if I want to be around to see my daughter grow up it was time for a change. I did the same plan you did (at least what you described is the same plan) and since then I have went from 320 to 260 and I am still loosing. My goal is 200 by feb when I go to enlist.

 

[WIBB]

Genxweb,

If you enlisted then thank you for your service to your country. We appreciate it.

I have several friends in the service. For goal monitoring I was using the military standards to evaluate myself periodically. I haven't done so in a while but I know I am still making progress. My running pace has improved from 9 minute mile to 6 minutes (over 2 miles) upon last evaluation (meaning I ran 2 miles in 12 minutes). While my age would keep me from enlisting; my fitness would not at this point.

A friend and I rode in an indoor Ironman team cycling competition and took 3rd place. That was a cool experience. I can't wait to do it again. My focus will be on getting ready for a biathalon this july and hopefully the Chicago qualifier marathon this October. I should have enough time to build my pace and high mile tolerance before October. All I need is a 7 minute 40 second mile pace to qualify for the Boston Marathon. That is a long term goal of mine. My friend will be running his second time in the Boston marathon in a few weeks. That is motivation for me as I am excited for him being there.

When I run my limitation is my cardio system. I can't breathe enough at high intensity. When I cycle my limitation is my leg strength and lactate threshold. My lungs can keep up fine. I have some great training for both of those though.

So, I will continue my training plan as it is (vared) as long as I am making progress.

This stuff is addicting.

Good luck to all.....

Oh yeah, we dove Cozumel in December and are planning Guadalupe shark diving this fall. Can't wait....

 

[countryboy]

AWESOME!

Thanks for sharing your story.. another one to add in the "motivation" column..

 

[WIBB]

Competed in my first Duathlon on Saturday 7-15. 5k run/25 mile bike/5k run. Pretty cool experience. The people seemed interesting and great (rooting each other on). Kind of a different segment of the population; the level of fitness was impressive. I didn't meet my goal but satisfied with my first attempt nonetheless.

The heat was brutal. I cramped up in the final run and had to walk it off numerous times. I chalk that up to conditioning more than anything else though. I had plenty of hydration on the bike.

I started laughing at one point though because I was screwed. My quads started cramping and when I tried to stretch it out my hamstring would cramp.... My brain said run but my legs said....nope, not gonna do it.

I only lost 4 places overall with the final walk/run. Yet it made little difference; 28th overall and 6th out of 6 for my division. Without the cramping I still would have had a hard time taking 5th in my division.

I have my work cut out for me. I welcome the challenge of improving though. Races are a great motivator and assessment tool. I learned a lot in one experience.

Back to marathon training for October...

Good luck to all.

 

[CameronMartz]

WIBB,

Congratulations on the duathlon. I've only ever done one (Powerman Alabama), and I had a similar cramping issue on the second run. After stopping too many times to massage a quad cramp out, I ended up just running through it. The next day, it looked like I got whacked with a baseball bat in the leg.

They are loads of fun, though, and I wish there were more in the Raleigh area since I haven't made it to the pool in some time.

Cameron

 

[WIBB]

Thanks CM.

I'm not sure what is going on in that regard (cramping) other than my age and conditioning. I was fine after the event. I think I ate too little in that case. That and the heat.

On October 1st I completed my first marathon (26.2 miles). I was going to back out due to a foot injury but went for it anyway. With the taper and weeks rest leading in I was hoping it was enough. It was. Except, the downtime worked against me. I missed my second 20 mile run in training and the taper was extended. I tried running each run in the taper and cut each one short when my foot got tender.

So, while I did complete the marathon I didn't make my goal time. I developed knee pain at the 7 mile point (IT band syndrome - no surpirse) that affected my gait by mile 10. That resolved, or was ignored, by mile 13 when my legs started to cramp up. That was a huge mental barrier. I chugged out 13 more miles of cramping, walking it off, and more running till I cramped again. Miles 14-21 were the worst. After 21 it was like a burst of energy and confidence. Nothing was stopping me at that point. Well, except for the cramps..... Walk it off... walk it off....

During my run, I kept a few things in my head to motivate me. This video and story is one example...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryCTIigaloQ Incredible story.


I'm back in the gym for some more strengthening of weak spots. Then I plan to do a lot more hill work. The short runs will be fun. It's a lot easier to work on 5K speeds and the benefits carry over.

I'll sneak some 5K and 10K races in but my next big event is a 100 mile bike ride fundraiser next March. I'm going to train now for 100 miles at a completion effort. Then I will roll into a second training effort to improve on the competion time.

The combined training should condition me for better traithalon efforts in the future. Those are loads of fun.

Good luck all!

 

[scuba-punk]

WIBB, congratulations on your first Marathon and Du. I'm not sure that I'm ready to do a full marathon yet, but I have registered for a half in Jan 2007. I also haven't done a Du yet, but I've done my fair share of Triathlons and Adventure Races over the past few years. Have fun with your century too, I just did my first this past weekend and had a blast. What charity are you riding for? You'll have to put a link to your fundraising info in your signature so that we can help out. Keep up the great work!

-Frank