There is only ONE….

I’ve been thinking of “there is only one” type things.  We all know there is more than one way to skin a cat… but what is there only one of?

• There is only one phone on the market that if they released a new version tomorrow, there would be people standing in line ALL NIGHT waiting to buy it … even if it was just a little faster than the one in their pocket.
• There is only ONE website that people love or hate so much that when they leave it, they feel compelled to discuss leaving it…
• There is only ONE Slim Shady

What else?

I feel like I have turned the corner.

I really don’t do well when I am sick. I worry a lot and stress about all kinds of stupid stuff. I am happy to report I am doing better. A good laugh makes me sound like some type of emphazema patient, but I can deal with that.

Thanks to all who threw me so encouragement in my rough day. Maybe tomorrow I can post a little 5k report?

If you are in the ATL, you should come to the dick lane velodrome on Saturday night! It is going to be awesome!

Confessions of a Fatlete – maybe you have felt this way?

So far this year has been “ok”.  I’ve tried – things have gone well, not always, but generally pretty good.  I set a goal.  I met the goal (completing the half marathon).  I’ve run faster than I have before.  I’ve hopped on a bicycle and found that I still now how to ride.  I’m very on-track to complete my mile-a-day goal… no problems there.  But the “wall” has been hit.

For many athletes (and I speak from my experience being around elite athletes, Olympians, world champions etc…)  when they get sick, it is really traumatic.  Not so much the physical effects of the sickness, but the mental.  It’s tough because they know their competition is training while they are resting and trying to get un-sick.  Often times they come back too soon and get sicker – which sucks even more.  I feel great compassion for them as I know they have dedicated so much time and effort to their success.  It happens to all of them.

The funny thing is that when a ‘fatlete’ (fat athlete) get sicks, the fear and anxiety is pretty substantial.  I’m sitting here in bed, with bronchitis, feeling like crap – but I’m more worried about how fast I will be able to run 5 miles on Sunday and/or if I will still be able to keep up with Nate on July 4th.  Am I losing all of my endurance?  Will I be able to ride with Tim in 2 weeks?  UGH – this sucks.

Skinny people who haven’t struggled with weight issues may be saying “dude, get real”, but for some of us – this is a life long battle that isn’t easy … EVER!  Even if I came out of April slower than I went into it – I developed a SOLID habit.  Habit is everything in the workout arena.  If you are in the habit of doing 1-2 hours of exercise a day, you have time.  If you fall off the wagon, suddenly you fill that gap with work, internet surfing, eating, planning to eat or making excuse for why you didn’t work out.  THIS is what I fear the most.  I fear this so much so that I am pondering taking my dog for a 5 miles walk so I don’t ‘lose my fitness’.  (Keep in mind, I cough walking up stairs right now).  Ugh… it’s just not SANE!

I’m really just trying to get this out of my head so I can calm myself down.  Realistically – this may be my body saying “dude, you must rest a bit” and resetting my clock.  I just hope the BODY gets the rest and the mind doesn’t suffer or crack  and I start eating bon-bons and biscuits.  I do know that there is something that feels really good about a great workout a week or so after you are sick… when the pipes clear out and you start firing on all cylinders.  I’m going to pin my hopes on that.

In the mean time, i’m trying to eat light…. avoid running to the refrigerator to medicate my frustration – THAT won’t help anything.  I’m not really sure anything here made any sense – I am sure it’s probably a little to the left side of odd…. Thanks for listening!

Back in action

So, for a while I retired from blogging, but I’m back.  This isn’t some sort of triumphant return – far from it.  There is no victory – just I missed it and it’s free and it helps me clear my mind.

In April, I decided to get my fat tail feather in action and try to get back to some healthy habits and get the workout routine jump started.  I decided to do this by attempting to workout every day.  I do not think any human being should set this goal.  As you know, I have done it a few times and I think it is stupid – but at the same time it is effective in forming a habit of working out.  It proves to you that in the end, you have the time and you can do it.  Great…. i’m tired.  Will I do it again, surely.  Somebody should smack me – but that would just make me grumpy, so please don’t.

The year in review....

This little graphic shows exactly what I have done – without my ‘rest days’ which were, in no particular order:

• 5 hours of yard work
• 3 hours of yard work
• Walks of up to 3.5 miles
• Housework – not just feather dusting – insane-o cleaning/moving
• Kickball

As you can see, I truly hit it hard in April.  Even if you double any other month or combine any two, you can’t touch April.  I’m proud of this but I think my body is in some sort of funk-a-dump.  It’s not losing weight, its holding onto everything.  I’ve been logging all of my activity and www.loseit.com which I really like.  They didn’t used to have a droid app (bastards) but now they do (friends).  They have a nice social interface and through the powers of modern technology everytime I step on my bedroom scale, my facebook gets updated with my weight.  I’ve COMMITTED to stepping on it daily … so those of you who want to have ammunition to use against me, I’ve given you a canon!

Anyway – I ran 95 miles in April, rode a bunch too, had much fun.  Now it’s time to get smart and focus more on eating and working out towards a goal.  There is even a glimmer of p90x insanity in my eye.  Still haven’t completely decided on that.

Until next time… Hasta la compastidor.