Just starting

[fitoverforty]

Good job on the hilly trail run! That's 5 miles total counting the walk back - awesome!

Happy Birthday!

[feelin-great]

Happy Birthday

Great way to celebrate!!!

[Boss Man]

Yesterday I played hooky from the gym

We won't tell if you don't

Happy 56th, you've definitely earned it .

[Nokie173]

HAPPY B-DAY!!!

[EdgarHF]

Rest day. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz.

[EdgarHF]

I just have time to jot down a quick one. Its a day of rest. Yesterday, I did a 3 mile run with the Thursday group. Now, time for bed.

[EdgarHF]

Some days I really don't know what to write in my journal so I jot down a couple lines and call it a day. Today is not one of those days. If fact, today I have so much to get out this will probably be my longer post here ever. First off, I weighed in today at 232 lbs. That is a 5 lbs loss for the week. Last week I had stated that my weeks of big weight losses were over an I would have to settle for one and two pound losses if I was lucky. The responses to that post were unanimous is saying that one or two pounds losses were healthier than losing big. Even though I want to lose weight fast even when I posted about big loses being over I knew smaller losses were better. I am not going to change my diet based one week, but if this happens again, say next week. I am going to increase my calorie intake a bit. As my fitness is improving my time of there running is increasing making me burn more fuel.

I extended my long run to 3.5 miles today and as almost always I ran out the distance and walked the 3.5 back. I think eventually as I extend these long runs I am going to have to choose a turnaround point for running the remaining distance back.

My 5k race is Saturday and I only have 2 more runs scheduled before the race. I think whatever happens in the race is going to be what I can do now it is too late for improved conditioning for this race. I hope I can mentally push myself the distance. If I can do the best I am capable of I will be happy no matter what the result. I know I can run the distance as I have done it several times now. I am signed up already for another 5k in September and plan to sign for an additional one in that same month.

I'd like in this post to also reflect on a few things. My current goal weight is 190lbs and when I make that goal I will then decide how much more weight if any I still need to lose. That means I still need to lose at least 42 more pounds. Despite still needing to lose that much I am lately really starting to feel agile. Although I may not look light now I feel light. I can not imagine what I am going to feel like 42 pounds from now. I must confess that after my wife died 15 years ago I have felt like an old man both mentally and physically and I now feeling young for the first time in a long while. I am going to ask at work when I go back on Wednesday if I can keep the schedule they have let my work in order for me to be able to take the 5k course. I want to continue and take the 10k course that starts in the fall. One more thing. When I mentioned to one of the group leaders for the Thursday evening runs that I wanted to take the 10k course he replied to me that I was doing pretty good and that I should have no problem taking it. Then he said that maybe I should think doing a half marathon in the spring. Well, I had post a few weeks back about a goal I had I called the BIG ONE. I really did not at the time really want to say what the big one was. It was and still is somewhat in the dream stage. But, since I am actively doing things to get me to that goal I am going to start actively talking about it. I want to run the Chicago Marathon in 2011. I have read that one should have a year of running under their belt before training for a full marathon and training for the Chicago Marathon would not start until May. By then I will have had about a year of running under my belt. I know I will have to give up some things to do this. But, I know I can do it. I know I can put in the time.

Today run was pretty slow by design. I ran the whole distance but at a pace that felt like a stroll. I don't even think my heart knew I was running

Time: 00:51:25
Distance: 3.50 mi
Elevation Gain: 3 ft
Calories: 443 C

Timing
Time: 00:51:25
Moving Time: 00:50:15
Elapsed Time: 00:51:25
Avg Speed: 4.1 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 4.2 mph
Max Speed: 6.2 mph
Avg Pace: 14:41 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace: 14:21 min/mi
Best Pace: 09:37 min/mi
SpeedPaceElevation
Elevation Gain: 3 ft
Elevation Loss: 15 ft
Min Elevation: 579 ft
Max Elevation: 594 ft
Laps 4
View Splits SplitSplit Hour:Minute:SecondTime MilesDistance Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary 00:51:25 3.50 14:41
1 00:13:40 1.00 13:39
2 00:14:45 1.00 14:45
3 00:15:40 1.00 15:40
4 00:07:18 0.50 14:39

[Fygle]

Chicago marathon, hell yeah! I'm almost feeling your joy as I'm reading this post, pure gold!

[Boss Man]

If you believe you can make that BIG ONE happen, then you certainly have a much better chance than training for it, half-heartedly, or having an it might happen, but if it does don't expect miracles approach.

Yes you do need to monitor that weight loss figure and make sure it doesn't happen again, as it was a little high this week, but you're right not to panic and make hasty changes to training or diet to bring it down.

The worst thing anyone can do is have a week, where weight losses differ quite a bit it previous weeks, or weightlifting increases appear to be smaller or non-existant, because that can mess with someones head if they let it and then they revamp training and / or change diet and get more headjams, when what they tried doesn't correct things.

If your wife was alive today, she would be so proud of you, because after a long period of being "just some guy" physically, you took some initiative and committed to you. You are now living for YOU and realising more that YOU are really important and YOU do matter.

You ARE a good man Edgar and you are now being good to YOURSELF and it's good to see someone getting more out of life, by trying, instead of living in ignorance or living a deluded "you could get hit by a bus tomorrow mentality", to justify a terrible lifestyle.

YES it will be hard and YES it will ask questions of you and make you wonder if you're doing the right thing, but you truly believe you have what it takes to run a full one, not just a half one, then I don't you would.

Besides, would it be too much of an ego kicker if you actually started a full and about 2/3 of the way round had to veer off and finish early?

Perhaps, but at least you'd know you were good for more than a half and with more time, could be someone that could run a full on in whole, not in part.

You do have to truly feel it in yourself though. You can talk about a full all day long, but if it doesn't feel 100% right for you, then you'll be wasting your time.

With more time and training, for the whole endeavour to sink in more mentally, you will know how you feel whther it's the same or different. Personally, given what you have already acheived, I'd back you to do it, and actually finish, I really think you are that guy.

This could also be something you do for your wife too. Imagining her being there to watch you cross the line, running it in her name. Not to sound maudlin, but if that wasn't a solid reason to do it and believe, what would be?

You're doing great right now, so just keep believing in yourself and keep taking it a day at a time. Whatever happens, in the past few months you have surely given yourself a better future, so be proud of YOU and don't stop believing in this guy, because he isn't that other guy, he's someone new, more committed, self believing and capable and he is becoming a man that can be a rolemodel to others, for his attitude and willingness to change and make good.

.

[Noosk]

Edgar - you're amazing. I am hoping to get back into the running in the next two weeks - your post has totally inspired me to not give up being able to run a full 5km without stopping (or wheezing lol).
Go you!

[fitoverforty]

Thank you Edgar for sharing your "big one" dream with us. It can be more than a dream - you can make it happen. What Bossman said rings so true that you are

be proud of YOU and don't stop believing in this guy, because he isn't that other guy, he's someone new, more committed, self believing and capable and he is becoming a man that can be a rolemodel to others

living for YOU now, taking care of yourself and getting back to who you were always meant to be.

I must confess that after my wife died 15 years ago I have felt like an old man both mentally and physically and I now feeling young for the first time in a long while.

I am so proud and happy for you that you are beginning to see yourself in a new light - that it's okay to feel young and vibrant and healthy again, to live for you and it's okay to live out your dreams, whatever they may be.
Keep at it Edgar, you are doing great. I can't wait for your race this Saturday! I know you will do your best, and give it 110%, just enjoy the run, remind yourself how you set a goal and attained it, soak it all in, go out there and RUN!!! Congrats on already having another 5K lined up - GO EDGAR!!!! you rock.

[EdgarHF]

First off, a big thank you to everyone for the encouragement.

Today was my last solo workout before my 5K Saturday. My goal is to best 38:00 min but I will be happy to go under 40:00. I need to do a 12:13 min per mile pace to beat 38:00. I have not pushed myself at that pace for more than a mile up to today. My plan today was to maintain the pace for 2 miles. I believe if I can maintian that pace for the distance if I can do it for two miles. I completed the first mile at 11:20 and the second mile at 12:06. I did an easy pace for another mile. After the first two mile I felt I had plenty of gas in the tank is finish, but I want to save it for Saturday. The muscles in my legs are sore now, but a good kind of sore

Timing
Time: 00:37:57
Moving Time: 00:37:39
Elapsed Time: 00:37:57
Avg Speed: 4.7 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 4.8 mph
Max Speed: 6.7 mph
Avg Pace: 12:38 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace: 12:32 min/mi
Best Pace: 08:54 min/mi
SpeedPaceElevation
Elevation Gain: 11 ft
Elevation Loss: 23 ft
Min Elevation: 579 ft
Max Elevation: 593 ft
Laps 3
View Splits SplitSplit Hour:Minute:SecondTime MilesDistance Minutes per MileAvg Pace
Summary 00:37:57 3.00 12:38
1 00:11:20 1.00 11:20
2 00:12:07 1.00 12:07
3 00:14:28 1.00 14:29

[EdgarHF]

Its a rest day today. Today my job approved letting me modify my work schedule so I can continue running with the Thursday evening group. My boss said she was happy to how well I was doing and was glad I wanted to continue the Thursday runs.

[EdgarHF]

I had a great run with the group tonight. I can not wait until Saturday comes. I really feel like I am ready, but I am nervous about the 5K. When I was waiting for a bus on the way home after the run someone came up behind me and tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around and it was a friend I had not seen since before I went on the health kick. The first thing he said was, "Oh my God, I kept looking and I thought it was you but I was not sure. What happened? You look half your size". He didn't say the phrase I am getting sick of hearing ("Your face looks so thin").

I will say I am feeling weird from time to time lately, like I am walking around in a body that does not belong to me.

[ldematto]

I will say I am feeling weird from time to time lately, like I am walking around in a body that does not belong to me.

Not only does it belong to you - you've worked hard and deserve it! So nice that all your hard work is paying off - great job Edgar!!! You know, maybe I really should consider getting involved in some of the 3 and 5K races....I know I'd be last to the finish, but it seems to work! My cousin runs 6 miles every day (she has an incredibly lean body at 46!) I wish she lived closer as it's always good to do these things with someone who is passionate about it. I should search THIS site - who knows someone might live right next door! LOL
Have a great day!