Weigh In Day & Running totals for 10 Aug 09

Well the scale is back and calibrated and I am pleased to report weighing in was kind to me. I weighed in at 232 lbs. So that once again puts my weight loss at 50 lbs. Now this time around I need to work to keep that weight off. I am still not done though, I still want to get down to around 210. I know that kills Heather to hear me say that but I think that is a good weight to maintain and then once I hit my goal weight I can work on the body fat to muscle ratio. I would like to get my body fat under 15% but ideally under 12%. I would be very, very happy with that. I was reading in one of my magazines that said you should have a daily caloric count for your goal weight. In other words I should be consuming calories for my goal weight. I think that makes sense now I just have to do that. I will focus on calorie counting when I get home because it is too hard to do over here with the food that they serve. It is so hit or miss with the menu here. Today was my long run day which went very good. I got in 16 miles, burned 2,813 calories, and I ran for 149 minutes. The thing I was most stoked about was that I went sub 2 hours for my half marathon time. I ran it in 1 hour 58 minutes. I have never came close to two hours before. I think the quickest I ran it was 2 hours 11 minutes. I am trying to simulate the marathon cut off times for the Naha Marathon. I know that I am running on the treadmill and not outside but it will give me a good starting base for when I get home. Then I can work is some hills and still shoot for sub- 2 hours. I just want to make sure I hit the cut off times so I can finish my first marathon. I definitely do not want to get on the "retired" bus because I didn't make the cut off times. THAT WOULD SUCK!!! Well I hope everyone had a good week. Until next time...

Happy Birthday Mom!! (It's the 8th here already)

Happy Birthday Mom!! I know you stopped having Birthday's a long time ago but don't worry, no one reads this so your secret is safe with me. I hope you have a great day.

Well another week of running comes to a close and I am happy to say that it is over. With the new week quickly approaching as it always does I hope the new shoes bring a full six days of running next week and the following couple of weeks until I get to leave Afghanistan. I promise my legs that I will give them a break while I travel back to Oki (Unless we have a longer layover in Baltimore). But for the most part I will take it easy during my travel days. I am sure they could use more than one consecutive day off BUT we will see. Today's run actually felt pretty good. I hope it is because of my new shoes. I guess we will see what happens next week. I ran 7 miles today, burned 1,256 calories, and I ran for 70 minutes. My weekly totals are as follows: I ran 40.39 miles, burned 7,247 calories, and I ran for 6 hours and 55 minutes. I think when I break 40 it is a good week. But then again as long as I can run it is a good week, distance shouldn't matter. I am looking forward to getting back to Oki and being able to run outside again. And for the days that I don't want to run outside Heather got a treadmill for the house so I am set. Well I hope you all have a great weekend and I hope to talk to you all real soon. Until next time...

Running Totals for 07 Aug 09

Well today I started running in my new pair of shoes that felt pretty good for a first time run. I didn't even worry about blisters with these new shoes either. I have had the same pair in the past but this time I got them 1/2 size bigger and it makes all the difference. My right leg is still giving me fits but I think it will until I can give it some prolonged rest. That probably won't happen until my flight home. I just need to take it easy so I don't hurt myself which I am aware of. Today I ran 6.32 miles, burned 1,134 calories, and I ran for 65 minutes. I am glad that I felt good enough to run the entire time also. I don't like having to walk during my "runs". I hope everyone is doing good. Until next time...

Running Totals for 06 Aug 09

Bye, bye blue shoes!! I am retiring you from my running. Never ever should a bigger person get shoes made for a little skinny fella. I don't think I even ran 150 miles in those shoes and they are as flat as cardboard. Lesson learned. It's a good thing that I had Heather order me a third pair of shoes or else I would be shoeless. Running in those "crushed" shoes was horrible today. It really made the shin splint go crazy and it totally changed how I ran today. My whole leg hurt all the way into my hip. It was crazy. Well tomorrow is another day and another endeavor to break in a new pair of shoes...Gradually this time. No more blisters! Today I ran (hobbled) 5.4 miles, burned 969 calories, and I jogged/ walked for 65 minutes. Glad this one is in the books and we can move on. I hope everyone is doing good. Until next time...

Running Totals for 05 Aug 09

Well it was back on the treadmill today which went pretty well. Who would have thought that a day of rest could do so much, go figure. But anyways, it was back to work. I still have some mileage to cover before I leave this place. Nothing too exciting is going on at the moment which is always a good thing when it comes to Afghanistan. Today I ran 6.67 miles, burned 1,197 calories, and I ran for 65 minutes. I might continue to skip my Tuesday run to recuperate from my longer runs on Monday. I am sure it won't hurt. I guess I will just have to see how I feel after next Monday's run and go from there. Until next time...

Our 8th Anniversary

Happy Anniversary my beautiful Heather. Even though I am not there to celebrate our relationship this year, I carry you in my heart where ever I am in the world. Soon we will be together again and I really look forward to that day. I love you and I always will.

I decided to take the day off from running today. My legs needed the rest after the 15 miler yesterday. Plus work got super crazy right when I was supposed to leave for my run. But rest is good especially since I have run super hard since I arrived here in Afghanny. We will get back at it tomorrow. I have to get in the 220's before I leave here. That is the goal!! Until next time...

Running Totals for 03 Aug 09

Well today was supposed to be my weigh in day but the scale at the gym is broke so I guess it will be a surprise the next time I get to weigh in. That should be interesting. Well today I also start Marathon training for the Naha Marathon in December so that should be fun. I think I am a little ahead of schedule with my training but I will pick it up somewhere in the fifth or sixth week once I get settled back in Okinawa. I think I am putting in a lot more miles than Hal Higdon's program says to in Weeks' 1-6 anyways. I am excited to get started training for my first marathon. It should be fun and hard at the same time. The course for the Naha Marathon looks really challenging. Plus you have to complete it within 6 hours because that is when they shut down the course. I definitely want to finish under that time. Today was my long run and I put in 15 miles, burned 2, 691 calories, and it took me 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete. I think a 10 minute mile pace is good for my first marathon. Anyways, happy running and I hope everyone has a good week. Until next time...