Pneumonia...I Think!

Well if I don't have pneumonia then it sure feels like it because my chest is killing me and every time I cough I almost throw up.  So you could say that I'm living the life right now!!  Today was test day and maybe I stressed myself out so much this week that I made myself sick.  True story!  But with that being said I got a 77.1% on my test and I only needed a 68%.  So hopefully this last week will be smooth sailing and I can wrap up NCOA on a positive not; then focus on out processing!!  5 of my classmates weren't so fortunate and they will have to retest on Monday.  I think if I was in that group I would probably die from the stress!!  I haven't ran for a couple days but today was our 5K and I couldn't get out of it.  So I did what I could do and I knocked it out in 27:58.  My chest was on fire but I got it in.  I have another 5K tomorrow for the March of Dime's.  So we will see how that goes.  JUST LIVE!!!

STATS:
Weekly: 9.51 miles
Monthly: 107.96 miles
Yearly: 295.62 miles

*ONLY 24 DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Week 5...Dreaded Test Week...

Well the dreaded Week 5 is here and I am not, repeat, not looking forward to Friday.  I hate taking tests and this one is no different.  Here's hoping for the best and hoping that I get that passing grade on Friday.  Well yesterday was a good time.  We went out to SeaSeed which is a coral farm and I love that place.  As much as I don't like playing in the ocean, I sure do enjoy marine life and everything that comes with it.  It is pretty amazing.  It was low tide while we were there so after we were finished with the coral farm we went exploring around the beaches and the reef.  It is amazing what you see in those tide pools.  Mostly sea cucumbers and sea urchins but every once in awhile you will see some pretty cool stuff.   Yesterday we seen some star fish, some interesting looking fish, AND a sea snake!  I've never actually seen one because you normally don't see them unless you are out snorkeling or scuba diving.  So that was pretty cool.

Well I'm off on another week of exercise.  I am hoping to duplicate my numbers from last week and keep it going strong until my PT test arrives on the 24th of April.  We ate some heavy food yesterday and the scale was not my friend this morning.  Oh well, I look forward to getting close to 255 lbs this week (I hope) and see where this week can take me.  I got in 5.81 miles to start the week.  JUST RUN.

STATS:
Weekly: 5.81 miles
Monthly: 104.27 miles
Yearly: 291.93 miles
Weight: 262.4 lbs

*ONLY 28 DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Finishing Up the Week...

Well my Saturday run is in the books and that should do it for this week.  Once again it has turned cold here in Okinawa and the wind was pretty chilly during my run.  Enough so that I really didn't sweat through my shirt which is amazing because I ALWAYS sweat through my shirt.  It was a pretty nice run and I am glad the laziness in me didn't talk me out of running today.  I'm looking forward to another good week of working out next week and I am REALLY looking forward to my "no run" day tomorrow, even though I will probably go for a walk.  My workout at the NCOA yesterday was another killer work out.  It went like this:

21-15-9 (reps each set; so first set, 21 repetition, of each exercise, etc.)
400M
Burp (in the Push Up position; do a push up and then bring up feet up into the sqaut position with your hands still on the ground. then back to the Push Up position.)
Butterfly Sit Up
Squat Thrust (from the standing position, squat down, then go into the Push Up position, then back to the Squat position, then back to the standing position.)
= 1 SET

I like the HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) because it doesn't require any weights and can be done pretty much anywhere you have a little room.  I will keep these workouts with me to do on occasion.  Fun, fun, fun...

STATS:
Weekly: 35.5 miles
Monthly: 98.45 miles
Yearly: 286.11 miles
Weight: 259.8 lbs.

*ONLY 29 DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Hello Friday...

Well I'm glad that Friday is here.  I am ready for this week to be over with and I'm ready for the NCOA to be finished so I can get on with out processing.  This crap is dragging!!!  Anyways, I will stay positive because NCOA has been a much needed break from POL and I have enjoyed the class and the instructor TSgt AguilarMunoz.  He's a really good guy.  We had the Chief's vs. NCOA volleyball games yesterday and the 'Eagles' (my flight) lost which sucked.  But I got to play in the last game which was the MVP game or people who know how to play volleyball game and we spanked the Chief's pretty good.  We have PT this afternoon which is always interesting.  I hope to get in one more run tomorrow but I never know how Saturday will go, so we'll see what happens.  I got in 5.95 miles this morning and even if I don't run tomorrow it's been a good PT week.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 29.82 miles
Monthly: 92.77 miles
Yearly: 280.43 miles
Weight: 261.8 lbs

*ONLY 30 DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*  CRUNCH TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Siyonara Tim Tebow...

Well Tim Tebow got traded to the New York Jets.  I don't know how that will work out for Tim Tebow but New York can be a vicious city so I wish him all the best of luck in his future.  I hope the Broncos made the right decision.  Only time will tell.

Well yesterday's work out at the NCOA was killer once again.  We did 10 minutes of DREADED Burpees.  The goal was 100 in 10 minutes.  I did 56.  Those things kill me!!  The are 6 count Burpees that go something like this:

BURPEE
1- Squat down
2- From the Squat position you go down into the Push Up position
3- From the Push Up position you go to the down position of a Push Up
4- From the Down position of the Push Up, you go back to the Up position of a Push Up
5- From the up position of the Push Up, you thrust yourself up into the Squat position
6- From the Squat position, you explode out of the Squat position to a vertical jump and land on your feet. 
*That is 1 Burpee*

This morning I got in 5.96 miles.  Once again I was running with semi dead legs but I blame the Burpees from yesterday for that nonsense.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 23.87 miles
Monthly: 86.82 miles
Yearly: 274.48 miles
Weight: 261.8 lbs.

*ONLY 31 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Dead Legs...

Well I had a case of the dead legs this morning.  I think Monday's NCOA workout finally caught up with me.  So I took it easy during my run this morning and powered through it.  I had a nice mist to help take my mind off the "running through mud" feeling.  We have another NCOA workout today and I am sure that it's killer.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 17.79 miles
Monthly: 80.85 miles
Yearly: 268.51 miles
Weight: 263.4 lbs.
*ONLY 32 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Peyton Manning a Denver Bronco...

Ok, so I was a pessimist when it came to the Denver Broncos landing Peyton Manning.  But it's official now, Peyton will be wearing Orange and Blue for the foreseeable future and I'm pretty stoked about it.  I feel a little bad for Tim Tebow because obviously he's out in Denver after one heck of a season last year BUT come on, it's Peyton 'Frickin' Manning we're talking about here.  I'm excited for the upcoming season now that we have one of the NFL's future Hall of Famer's.

Well enough of that, my run today was very taxing.  That is because of the "Lumberjack" work out that we did at the NCOA yesterday.  The Lumberjack workout is:

Run 400M
20 Squats
Run 400M
20 Squat Thrusts
Run 400M
20 Burps
Run 400M
20 Butterfly Sit Ups
Run 400M
20 Burpees
(All completed within 25 minutes)

I had dead legs this morning and the hills of Okinawa weren't about to let me forget it.  Anyways I got through it and it's another day in the books.  I got in 6.09 miles.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 11.78 miles
Monthly: 74.73 miles
Yearly: 262.39 miles
Weight: 262.4 lbs

*ONLY 33 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Moving On...

Well last week wasn't the greatest as far as exercising goes.  That flu bug didn't want to let me go and it is still rearing its ugly head this morning.  I am hoping to have a better week this week and get back to the numbers that I am used to.  I would like to break into the 250's this week (fingers crossed).  That would be nice going into my last month before my PT test.  That way I can focus on getting under 250 on the day of my PT test.  A lot to do before that day.  Starting Week 4 of the NCOA.  Just two and a half weeks to go and that will be behind me.  I'm looking forward to having this Kadena experience behind me and moving on to other things.  We went to Okinawa World yesterday and had a pretty good time.  The weather was excellent and it truly felt like a pleasant summer day.  The underground cave they have there and runs the length of the park was pretty spectacular.  The traditional Okinawa village was great, along with all the Eisa dancers, and all the other attractions they had there.  There are a couple more places that I would like to see before we leave in May.  I guess we'd better get busy!  I got in 5.69 miles this morning.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 5.69 miles
Monthly: 68.64 miles
Yearly: 256.3 miles
Weight: 264.8 lbs

*ONLY 34 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Felling Better...

Well I had the pleasure of having a nice little 24 hour flu bug that really kicked my butt.  My fever broke around 3 AM yesterday morning so I have been in recovery mode ever since.  I didn't run yesterday and pretty much slept from the time I got home from the Academy until I had to go back to the Academy the next day.  Even though I didn't run, I did get in my Academy workout which was killer called Tabata Ichi.  Tabata being high intensity interval training (HIIT) and Ichi is Japanese for the number 8.  How it went was this:

8 sets of push ups  (20 seconds of push ups; 10 seconds of rest)
8 sets of mountain climbers (20 seconds of push ups; 10 seconds of rest)
8 sets of butterfly sit ups (20 seconds of push ups; 10 seconds of rest)
8 sets of squat thrusts (20 seconds of push ups; 10 seconds of rest)

We did this straight through, meaning no rest when we switched exercises.  You had 10 seconds to switch from push ups to mountain climbers and so forth.  I was DONE after doing this workout!!  I just thought I would give you all a little taste of what we are doing for PT in the Academy.  This morning I got in 6 miles.  After tomorrow's PT I am headed over to the gym to re-calibrate my Nike+.  I think it's off a little bit.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 17.79 miles
Monthly: 62.94 miles
Yearly: 250.4 miles
Weight: 261 lbs

*ONLY 39 DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Another Chilly Morning...

Well it was another chilly morning here in Okinawa.  I know it's only a matter of time before the heat and humidity are here to stay so I will endure these cold mornings until that happens.  I was a little sore and sluggish this morning during my run because of the workout we did yesterday afternoon at NCOA.  We did a timed event once again which broke down like this:  20 squats, 15 butterfly sit ups, 10 chest to ground push ups, 5 squat thrusts which equals one set.  We did 5 sets and you had to finish in 20 minutes.  I finished in 13:06 which wasn't too bad considering I really tried to focus on my form and doing the exercises correctly.  With that being said I paid the price this morning during my run.  I got in 5.97 miles this morning.

I think Bella really enjoyed her birthday yesterday.  I felt bad for her because she has testing all week so not a lot of fun time for her.  When she got home from school we took her out to Sam's by the Sea for dinner.  That little girl loves steak and she really enjoys going there.  We had to take out a small loan to afford it but it was worth it for her birthday.  It was a great day.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 11.79
Monthly: 56.94 miles
Yearly: 244.6 miles
Weight: 264.4 lbs.

*ONLY 41 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Happy Birthday Bella!!!

Well my oldest is turning 9 years old today.  It is crazy how time flies.  She has been so excited for today and I hope she has a wonderful day.  She is such a sweetheart and I love her very much.  Well I think that winter has returned to Okinawa.  I almost froze to death during my run this morning and the head wind was killer!!  Well regardless of how rough it was I got through it and knocked out my first run for this week.  I didn't get that much sleep last night so I am already dragging this morning.  And to top that off I have to wear service dress all day today and blues for the entire week because we're in an exercise.  It is going to be a very long week.  I got in 5.82 miles this morning.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 5.82 miles
Monthly: 50.97 miles
Yearly: 238.63 miles
Weight: 265 lbs.

*ONLY 42 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Got'cha...

Well today I got in that 6th elusive run that I can never seem to put in because of pure laziness.  Well this week I knocked it out so that makes 6 days of running this week.  They are so far and few between I believe this is my Bigfoot.  You hear about them all the time, but you're not sure they exist.  It was a cool rainy morning which made for a very nice run today.  It was mainly misting all run but a few times it picked up into an actually rain.  Man, how I love running in the rain especially that Okinawan downpour.  We did our ALPHA workout yesterday at the Academy.  It's the ALPHA workout because it's the first real workout.  Because we were in the gym because of the rain we had to switch it up a little bit.  You start out by doing 100 Jumping Jacks, 40 Squats, 30 Butterfly Sit Ups, 20 Chest to the Ground Push Ups, 10 Squat Thrusts (Burpees without the push up), and finish with 100 Jumping Jacks; and it is timed.  I did mine in 7:20.  Our instructor wanted us to focus on good form so that's what I did.  I didn't treat it as a race and many in my class did so form went out the window.  We do it again at the end of the course to see if we've improved.  Good times.  I got in 5.53 miles this morning and I am satisfied with this week.  JUST RUN!!!

STATS:
Weekly: 33.42 miles
Monthly: 45.15 miles
Yearly: 232.81 miles
Weight: 262.2 lbs.

*ONLY 44 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

A Little Wet this Morning...

Well during my run this morning I didn't stay dry long and I don't mean because of sweat.  I had a nice little rain falling for the 2nd half of my run which is always amazing.  I'm glad it is Friday.  We have a PT session this afternoon at the Academy so I don't think I will be running this weekend, but who knows.  Today is a weigh in today for the biggest loser competition with the POL flight.  According to SSgt Lane's scale I weighed in at 271 lbs to start the competition.  So we will see where I am at according to his scale today at lunch.  I got in 5.47 miles this morning and I'm happy with my totals this week.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 27.89 miles
Monthly: 39.62 miles
Yearly: 227.28 miles
Weight: 263.2 lbs.

*ONLY 45 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

A Little Sore this Morning...

Well yesterday was our first PT day at the NCOA.  We broke down each exercise and worked on form so we know how to do each exercise correctly.  Needless to say it was a lot of holding positions so I'm a little bit sore today.  Well, we did that until the wall of rain washed out our PT session. That crazy Okinawan rain is back!!!  I sure felt it during my run this morning.  It's funny how something so small can throw off your stride and make it feel like you've never ran before.  Oh well, my body will adjust and I will continue onward and upward.  I got in 5.73 miles this morning.  It was a pretty slow run today.  JUST RUN!

We had an interesting assignment that is due this Friday.  It is a reflective essay in regards to my leadership style, what kind of leader I am, What kind of NCO I am, my strengths, and what is my essence (my natural abilities that deal with leadership).  It's funny because when I look at other people I can judge their character and tell you what type of leader they are, good or bad.  But when it comes to myself I have a hard time putting that on paper.  Not that I lack confidence in my ability to lead or to influence people.  I just have a hard time explaining how I accomplish what I do and do it effortlessly.  Just my thoughts for this assignment.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 22.41 miles
Monthly: 34.14 miles
Yearly: 221.8 miles
Weight: 263.4 lbs.

*ONLY 46 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Hump Day...

I've made it to mid week which is always a nice thing.  Not too much happened yesterday so this will be pretty short.  Today will be our first day of PT training at the NCOA.  I guess we spend 4 hours going over how to exercise...  So that should be fun!  We have 18 PT training days while we are in the NCOA so that will be 18 two-a-day work outs for me.  They focus more on the body weight training and not too much on running which is good for me since I do my cardio first thing in the morning.  I got in 5.49 miles this morning.  Once again it rained before I woke up so it was a nice cool run.  It would be nice if it could do that every morning before I got up so I wouldn't have to deal with the humidity.  Until next time... 

STATS:
Weekly: 16.68 miles
Monthly: 28.4 miles
Yearly: 216.07 miles
Weight: 265 lbs.

*ONLY 47 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Sprinlke, Sprinkle...

Well at least when I walked out the door this morning I didn't instantly start sweating.  Thank goodness for the cooling rain that came down before I ran.  It sprinkled a little bit during my run but I look at that as a natural water station when I am running.  I survived another day in blues yesterday.  It wasn't that bad, if I dare say that out loud and come off as if I love the Air Force and wearing its service uniform.  I think my mind was focused on ALL the writing assignments TSgt Aguilar-Munoz dropped on us.  It is a lot of work but if I have good time management I should be fine.  I never had a problem writing papers or public speaking so as long as I stay on top of things I should be fine.  I worry about the tests.  That is my weak point.  And for that study, study, study and cross my fingers.  I got in 5.64 miles this morning.  It wasn't too bad of a run.  My left calf was a little tight so I took it easy.  The last thing I want to do is strain it again.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 11.18 miles
Monthly: 22.91 miles
Yearly: 210.57 miles
Weight: 265 lbs.

*ONLY 48 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Two Months Until We Leave Kadena...

Well today it's officially two months until we leave Okinawa.  Well at least Heather and the girls will be leaving Kadena.  I'm still waiting for my orders to drop so they book my flight off of this rock.  I hope that I can fly with them on the 5th BUT you never know what the military is thinking or doing.  Well it's blues Monday and up on deck for today is long sleeve blues shirt with tie and tab.  I am not a fan of wearing service uniforms.  If they fit like a normal suit I wouldn't have such a problem with it but they don't so it's an uncomfortable day.

Well it seems like the humidity is here to stay once again.  I noticed it last week but I wasn't sure if it was a fluke day or something like that.  This morning it was pretty damp outside and I felt it during my run this morning.  We start doing PT at the NCOA this week.  Now that should be fun.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 5.54 miles
Monthly: 17.26 miles
Yearly: 204.92 miles
Weight: 266.6 lbs.

*ONLY 49 DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Happy Friday...

Well today marks the end of my first week in the Academy.  They say this is easy week so we will see what the future holds.  I think as long as I have good time management skills there shouldn't be a problem.  We worked on Reveille and Retreat ceremonies yesterday.  It's been a while since I've worked in a formation plus I've forgotten the Air Force song.  Oh well, I should have it memorized again by the end of the Academy.  Things are going pretty good.  My days are pretty much booked solid with wake up, run, class work, come home, eat, and study.  That's my day.  I got in 5.91 miles this morning.  I'm hoping to get in a run before study group tomorrow at 11 AM.  We will see how that goes.  Until next time...

STATS:
Weekly: 29.52 miles
Monthly: 11.72 miles
Yearly: 199.38 miles
Weight: 267 lbs.

*ONLY 52 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*

Time to Punch March in the Face!!!

Well let's bring on the new month and make some noise!!  That's right, I'm going to punch March in the face by working my a$$ off, literally.  I've got nothing but time right now being in the Academy.  So this month will be running and studying.  T-H-A-T I-S A-L-L!!!  I want to make a huge stride this month with my mileage and my weight loss.  I will do it intelligently but with resolve to accomplish what I need to get done.  I got in 5.81 miles this morning.  LET'S GO!!

STATS:
Weekly: 23.61 miles
Monthly: 5.81 miles
Yearly: 193.47 miles
Weight: 266 lbs.

*ONLY 53 MORE DAYS UNTIL MY PT TEST*