What motivates me to run?

I just entered a contest, for a 50 word description of what motivates me to run. What do you think?

"My motivation is life. I was morbidly obese, but now run 12-K. I suffered from hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, and poor self-esteem and I now have healthy levels, and an improved self-image. I would have died an early death and am now living healthily and happily. How's that for motivation?"

Paul

Row Row Row your....

Rowing machine... :)

Went out today to do some cardio at my fitness center, and found out that the gate key wasn't working. I suspect they closed the gym there for some reason. Either way, I decided to head in and to some cardio anyway, and as I happen to own a rowing machine, I did 5000 meters in about 25 minutes. It has been a little while since I have done any rowing, so I suspect I will be a bit sore on Tuesday and Wednesday as a result.

Tomorrow will be another swimming day, but I am coming prepared with a new set of swim goggles.

Paul

My Eyes are Burning

Headed out to the pool again today, and swam for about 2000 meters in about 35 minutes. The chlorine in the pool is really hurting my eyes though. Looks like swim goggles are in my very near future. Now today I be forced to squint at every bright light. Joy.

Paul

Sore and Sleepy

I am feeling the DOMS from the strength training on Tuesday, as well as being sick yesterday, I didn't exactly spring out of bed this morning. I spent 5 minutes trying to convince myself that I would survive missing this workout. I then got dressed....slowly....and headed out the door to do some cardio. As I am still nursing a sprained ankle, I just did 30 minutes of the stationary bike on an interval setting for 10 miles, and then did a set of lower body strength training.

God I cannot wait until I can start running again.

Paul

Swimming

I had been planning on going swimming for a couple of days now, and finally got all the necessary parts (swim suit, shower shoes, etc) so today was the day. I woke up feeling sick, however, and nearly talked myself out of it. I drove down to the 24 hour fitness, and hit the swimming pool for about 30 minutes, doing breaststroke laps. My arms are feeling a bit sore from yesterday's strength training, so I kept this round short.

Paul

Ending the Pity Party

Ok, so I have used the excuse of my ankle injury to stop me from doing all my exercises. Well, today, I stop that trend and go back to work. I cannot run for 2 more weeks, but I damn well better do something else. I wanted to go swimming this morning, so last night I started packing up my gym bag to head out to my local 24 hour fitness, and do some laps in the pool, but I couldn't find my damn shower shoes. I even made a special trip to Fred Meyer to get a pair of swim trunks that fit, and didn't realize that my shower shoes were AWOL. So, that meant swimming is out, as I am not going to walk on that nasty gym floor barefoot.

I ended up heading over to my local fitness center and did a 30 minute stationary bike workout on the Weight Loss setting at level 6 making 10 miles. Then I decided rather than try and push myself too hard starting back, I would do some strength training. I have been wanting to get back into the routine, and try out a new machine. So today I did a light upper body strength training set, working my chest, lats, deltoids, shoulders, triceps and biceps. Nothing too difficult, but enough to matter.

The pity party is over, time to get back to business. I plan on finding my shower shoes after work today, or buying some more. No more excuses!

Paul

Out and About

Well, as I have been using the excuse of my ankle injury to pretty much slack off all week, I decided to head out and do some stuff with my kids. Nothing too strenuous, but we did end up doing a lot of walking around for a few hours, so I figured I would log it. So, today I did 2.5 hours of walking at a slow-moderate pace, limping occasionally.

I also am still at 197 pounds.

Paul

Stealing Quotes

A fellow blogger posted this on her running blog, and I liked it so much I decided to post it here too. I felt very connected to it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marianne Williamson

Injuries Suck

So, I have been pretty much off my feet for the last few days due to the ankle injury. I am about bouncing off the walls as a result. I need the healing to happen faster. I am so worried about being out of running for the 3 weeks the doc told me that I am really stressing out about it. I know that I will have to back up my capabilities some and take it really easy for at least a month, but I was getting pretty close to the half-marathon goal I have been trying for.

On a positive note, I weighed in at 197 today.

Paul

Half the Man I used to be.....

It looks as though I met my 1 year goal about a month early. I weighed in this morning at 200 pounds. That means I have lost 200 pounds so far.

Of course with the good also comes some bad. While I was out running today, I twisted my right ankle and sprained it. I am now on crutches and pain medicine. I now have to figure out how not to lose the fitness I have worked so hard to gain without hurting my ankle in the process.

Paul