You're probably wondering: what the heck is that? I've never heard of such a thing at the Disney marathon! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the majority of folks here are into the long distance running routine. I think there is a triathlon thread floating along here somewhere. I started a cycling thread last fall...and it slowly withered away.
Back in '04 I blogged for a year about joing ww and then making goal June '05 and then lifetime in July '05. My wife was right along with me and lost 50 lbs. herself, then she dropped off the map. She quit daily tracking, quit going to meetings. I kept my big fat mouth shut. Here it is 3 1/2 years later and she is still a proud non-participating member of ww.
This past year I tested the waters with triathlon and had a meltdown of sorts this past August with the olympic distance. Frustrated, dejected and belligerent is NOT a serene state of mind. I was all over the map with my emotions and unhappiness was constant. I shut down for a while and had to regroup, refocus and set some goals. The first was to make the decision that tri was NOT for me and I am ok with that. The second was is that my eating and snacking had gotten way out of control, and the scale didn't lie. Neither did my waistline. My pants had gotten REALLY tight and again, more unhappiness. I had to batten the hatches and I knew it wouldn't be fun. I had to find my motivation and have some realistic goals. That would lead me to defining what those goals were and outlining and charting my fitness routines. I've always been of the mindset: if I want results, increase duration and intensity. I won't make this all peaches and cream: I knew the levels of discomfort would be forthcoming!
So what does alll this ranting and diatribe mean to the local wish'er? Well, as some posters know I race at the state level in mountain biking. This past year USA cycling revised the categories and now they are similar to road biking. The holy grail among mountain bike racers is to achieve expert status. The only way to do that is to get 2 top 5 finishes in my age group. When I am lined up against 50 men, all chomping at the bit, it becomes...competitive. I've seen true bling and 8000 carbon bikes are the norm. I KID YOU NOT. My bike is fast enough: I had to concentrate on the engine. I made a goal: 20 for xmas. Most folks just maintain during the holidays: I wanted more. Simple enough, and so far so good. I've been paying at ww for my monthly weigh-in for the past 1 1/2 years and no more...January looks good. I started Nov 1 and it's 15 so far. My 1st race date has changed and I don't think the 20 is the focus now...though it is up there. I hit my all time lowest close to when I hit lifetime, but I think getting the 100 lb. is a good possibility. What I am discovering is that my body is changing. Sure, I have moments of discontent, but then again, who doesn't? I have learned to eat to fuel, as the levels of training are increasing and going into new territory.
I have done my reading and defining the phases and have started the intense period. I purchased a HRM and have dialed that in. I'm doing core stretches/exercises, and so far so good. I can't do much about cedar fever, and can you say post-nasal drip? I'm listening to my body and when it says rest: I rest. When I feel good: I go at it. 'nuff said.
Come march I'll do 2 warm-up races and then April and May peak for the 2 courses I do well at. I am moving up to the next age group and so I'll be a young guy and at this point I'll take what I can get.
I'm going to come here weekly to share about getting that 100, and getting that cat 1 designation. I have the courage to dream...and make it a reality. But the work is in front of me and so I must get back to it...
Back in '04 I blogged for a year about joing ww and then making goal June '05 and then lifetime in July '05. My wife was right along with me and lost 50 lbs. herself, then she dropped off the map. She quit daily tracking, quit going to meetings. I kept my big fat mouth shut. Here it is 3 1/2 years later and she is still a proud non-participating member of ww.
This past year I tested the waters with triathlon and had a meltdown of sorts this past August with the olympic distance. Frustrated, dejected and belligerent is NOT a serene state of mind. I was all over the map with my emotions and unhappiness was constant. I shut down for a while and had to regroup, refocus and set some goals. The first was to make the decision that tri was NOT for me and I am ok with that. The second was is that my eating and snacking had gotten way out of control, and the scale didn't lie. Neither did my waistline. My pants had gotten REALLY tight and again, more unhappiness. I had to batten the hatches and I knew it wouldn't be fun. I had to find my motivation and have some realistic goals. That would lead me to defining what those goals were and outlining and charting my fitness routines. I've always been of the mindset: if I want results, increase duration and intensity. I won't make this all peaches and cream: I knew the levels of discomfort would be forthcoming!
So what does alll this ranting and diatribe mean to the local wish'er? Well, as some posters know I race at the state level in mountain biking. This past year USA cycling revised the categories and now they are similar to road biking. The holy grail among mountain bike racers is to achieve expert status. The only way to do that is to get 2 top 5 finishes in my age group. When I am lined up against 50 men, all chomping at the bit, it becomes...competitive. I've seen true bling and 8000 carbon bikes are the norm. I KID YOU NOT. My bike is fast enough: I had to concentrate on the engine. I made a goal: 20 for xmas. Most folks just maintain during the holidays: I wanted more. Simple enough, and so far so good. I've been paying at ww for my monthly weigh-in for the past 1 1/2 years and no more...January looks good. I started Nov 1 and it's 15 so far. My 1st race date has changed and I don't think the 20 is the focus now...though it is up there. I hit my all time lowest close to when I hit lifetime, but I think getting the 100 lb. is a good possibility. What I am discovering is that my body is changing. Sure, I have moments of discontent, but then again, who doesn't? I have learned to eat to fuel, as the levels of training are increasing and going into new territory.
I have done my reading and defining the phases and have started the intense period. I purchased a HRM and have dialed that in. I'm doing core stretches/exercises, and so far so good. I can't do much about cedar fever, and can you say post-nasal drip? I'm listening to my body and when it says rest: I rest. When I feel good: I go at it. 'nuff said.
Come march I'll do 2 warm-up races and then April and May peak for the 2 courses I do well at. I am moving up to the next age group and so I'll be a young guy and at this point I'll take what I can get.
I'm going to come here weekly to share about getting that 100, and getting that cat 1 designation. I have the courage to dream...and make it a reality. But the work is in front of me and so I must get back to it...
(That's fat free popcorn, and only 2 cups!!) 
