Mudder Training update #41

I know its been a couple of weeks, I'm just running out of things to write about and I don't want to bore anyone.

As far as the training is concerned that is still ongoing and making progress. Last week was absolutely piss poor from my standpoint. I came down with a head cold that managed to zap my energy just enough to make me just functional at work. Thankfully it was a slow week. I want to push myself and I do but I also have to know when to listen to my body and let it heal itself. 

By Sunday of this week I was just about up to snuff but I rested another day and went back to the gym on Monday and hit it hard. I also incorporated something else to my routine that I was resistant to at first but now I am totally on board with. My team leader, Rich Lockman lent me his copy of P90X. I have heard encouraging stories and decided to check out the AB Ripper portion. 20 min in my bedroom with nothing more than a mat and a towel and DAMN...IT HURTS!! My gut has always been a huge nemesis to me and I don't see a lot of people running endurance competitions with beer guts or love handles. This little routine showed me how utterly weak my mid section is. I swear I was cursing out the models in this video for making it look so easy. But the great thing about this is that I only do it every other day and it cuts that 20 min out of my gym time. To be honest, I don't think what I was doing in the gym for abdominals was really helping me much anyway. Now I have time to concentrate on other things.

The running is still something that is a constant struggle and I have noticed my feet have been getting torn up something fierce! I've been having pain specifically in my left foot to the point that if I've been sitting for a while, when I get up to walk I am walking with a limp for a few minutes. Cash is tight for everyone these days an I am certainly no exception. I figured before I plunked down another $20/copay for a visit to the podiatrist to tell me to stop running for a while I figured I go get a better pair of shoes. I know I've needed them for a while, just didn't know how to pick the right one. Well anyone who runs told me there is only one place to go. Runner's Edge in Farmingale is a little shop on Main St. in that village. If I was there a total of 20 min it was a lot. I was greeted by one of the staff. Told her what I was training for, what my issues have been and asked her what she would suggest. (Basically, what sneaker do you recommend for FAT GUYS!). Well she came out with one pair, tried them on and she asked me to run in them. They felt awesome. Even the pain in my foot that I walked in with went away when I put these babys on! As soon as I got home I went for a run and they made all the difference in the world. Its not every day I drop $95 on a pair of sneakers but they were worth every penny.

In a week, my Family & I make our annual pilgrimage down to Florida to visit my in-laws. In between the vacationing I plan on taking full advantage of the nice weather and the flat, clean and pothole free roads to go on some epic runs. I'll let you all know how it goes.

205 Days to go!  

Mudder training update # 40

So I said in my last update that I wasn't gonna be so lax with the updates...that was 8 days ago. So from now on, when the inspiration hits me, I'll write another update.

So I've been doing my usual thing. 3 days on, 1 day off, 2days on, 1 day off and alternating days with body groups. One day will be chest & biceps and the next will be back and triceps. I alternate days between running and working my legs with weights like squats, leg extensions, leg curls, calf raises and such. On the days I don't run I do low impact cardio like elliptical or stationary bike. And I work my abs and my shoulders every day I'm in the gym. 

I am trying to eat as regularly as I can, once every 3-4 hrs. That's the hardest part. Especially in my line of work. I am trying to have a good portion of protein with every meal and try to stay as low carb as I can within reason. I need those carbs before a workout otherwise I am sluggish.

Now for those of you reading this you must think all I do is work out, totally not true. I usually spend 90 min a day working out. On run days it may be a bit longer because I generally run outside and not on the treadmill. I look at this way. If I wasn't doing this I'd be in front of the computer, or the TV, eating stuff I shouldn't and NOT MOVING.

Now I'm not gonna lie, I indulge plenty. I still have the occasional Beer, glass of wine, scotch, piece of pizza, piece of chocolate and ice cream but not all the time. It keeps me from going completely crazy. I working my way up to going completely strict training diet as it gets closer to the race.

For now I am enjoying the satisfaction that my clothes are really loose. I have to punch new holes in my belt so that I can tighten it enough so that my pants don't fall down and my shirt doesn't keep coming out of my pants. Had to tighten my duty belt at work too for the same reason. I am enjoying all the praise I'm getting for how good I look and how much I look like I lost. Its very gratifying but I am being realistic that I have a long way to go.

But for the first time in my life, things I though I couldn't do I now can. I always thought certain doors were closed to me because of my lack of athletic ability but that is no longer the case. The acknowledgment I get from other people trying to better themselves means so much. For example...the other day I was running in one of my favorite places, Jones beach. Its a popular spot. And as I was running on the boardwalk, every runner I passed gave me the thumbs up. That is huge to me. It says I am part of a community and that my efforts are recognized. 

A door opened that was previously closed.

218 Days to go!

Mudder Training Update 36 - 39

I know I've been a bit lax on my Blog updates. Gonna try not to let it become a trend.


Last few workouts have been disappointing. Some have been rushed due to lack of time. Some have been frustrating just due to too many damn people in the gym. The Planet has become over populated. Not sure why just recently its getting so crowded but it seems like its nothing but young kids going there to hang out, text and talk on their iPhones or socialize. Now I'm all for having a healthy place to go and not get into trouble, but if your in a gym, WORKOUT ALREADY! 


I'm still having a problem breaking the wall with running. I'm not making the gains that I want. I'll be good for about 1/4 mile then I have to stop. At first I get too winded then after I finally break through that and I get my 2nd wind then my legs are done!


I also did something today that I know I shouldn't have done...


While I was at work, just for shits and giggles I got on the scale...


To my disappointment I'm not really down that much, maybe 5 lbs at best! Grrr!


I know my body has changed. Everyone sees it. I see it. I've dropped almost 3 pant sizes. But I gotta get my weight down! Its the only thing that's gonna help me run longer and get through these obstacles. 


Well I'm not gonna let this deter me.


The good thing is I still have 226 days to go!

Training update 33, 34 & 35...ish

Ever since I started training for this event and really focusing on what I need to do to improve my chances of survival I keep on thinking back to what my shortcomings were in gym class. 

Well, I've never really been particularly athletic and my size has always played a part in it. I was always amazed how easily other kids were able to do certain tasks with little or no effort, but it was a struggle for me.

Well, now they're as old and as fat as me so the playing field has been leveled.

My two biggest weaknesses that I know I'm gonna need are #1 Stamina. Lets face it, I'm not

exactly built for speed so I've been trying to push myself to run and strengthen my legs. I try to go places that are fun to be rather than just running like a hamster on a treadmill. The runs at the beach have been inspiring. I also don't let the weather deter me. Its not gonna be ideal conditions on the course, so I can't train in ideal conditions either.

Example...Today after my initial run I felt that I needed to do more. Good training is where you find it so I hopped the fence at the sump across the street from me and went for a run in the brush. Charged up and down the steep inclines and jumped over the small hills on the trails through it. Great thing about going down there in the winter, you don't have to worry about ticks. I kept to the trails and the upper outside ring. After about 20 min of that on top of the first run on pavement my legs were on FIRE....mission accomplished.

Another task I am fearful of is pulling myself up and over things. Climbing a rope, crawling through nets and monkey bars....where in the hell was I gonna find those? If I go to a playground I'm gonna look like a pervert. Oh wait...my kids swing set has monkey bars. Jump up, grab the first bar, attempt to grab the 2nd aaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnd drop to the ground. Looks like I know what I need to work on.

Gonna let my body heal for a couple of days.