Still Losing a Little

I promise to keep blogging. Since my last blog I have competed in one running race that was the Warrior Dash. It was a ton of fun and I will try to get a team together for next years race. I also competed in a bicycle race the Tour de Donut. I finished 2h 19m for a 32 mile race and placed 554 out of 1300 people. I could not compete in the Clash at the Camp a mountain bike race in Sullivan Il. I was having problems with my lap band, it was creating sever pain in my shoulder. I do plan on competing in the Fat Tire Festival at Kickapoo State park on August 28 and 29. I will soon start training for next years Warrior Dash and Tough Mudder. The Tough Mudder is a 7 to 12 mile obstacle course that is Chicago next spring. I am only down 7lbs since May but that's OK I'm still losing. I have been going to physical therapy for my lower back, but nothing seems to work to relieve the pain. I just deal. I have lost a total of 107lbs. Everyone be careful in the heat and drink lots of water.

100 POUNDS DOWN

Yes it is true I have lost 100lbs since September 4, 2009. I can hardly contain myself. The down side is that I have a disease in my back. So I have to deal with pain and discomfort forever. On the up side I am having a margarita party Friday to celebrate with family and friends. My next weight goal is 80 more pounds. I will start training for the Warrior Dash on June 20. That is my fathers day gift. I don't really know how to train for a race that has you running, crawling through mud, climbing over old cars, climbing up a cargo net, and jumping over a 2 foot wide open fire pit. It will be fun. I will keep everyone posted.

My First Tri

I finished my first triathlon April 25 2010 in Sullivan IL. My swim time for 400 meters was 10m 47s. Time for the 13.2 mile bike was 1h 02m and for the 5K 55m. The west wind kill me coming back into sullivan. 22mph out and 6mph back. I was nervous so the first 3 lenghts of the pool I could not breath. After I relaxed I could breath every third stroke. The 5k time was 5 minutes faster the I expected. The back is still giving me tons of problems and I do not know what my next step is. I am also looking for another triathlon, maybe July 3 at Eastern Illinois University. My weight is down 94lbs.

Sorry for the long absent. I started a new part-time job at the new Days Inn in Mattoon. I do a lot of jobs here, night audit, Front desk and sales. The Training has been put on hold due to a back injury that will not go away. I have had 2 rounds of steroid shots and the doc wants to work on my hip next. My weight is maintaining at 85lbs lost. The bikes call my name daily. Judy congrats on the purchase of a new bike, hope you like it. I'm very excited about next week Pat and I are going on a cruise and staying in a condo in Gulf Shores Alabama when we get back from the cruise. The kids will me us in Gulf Shores. They have not seen the ocean, hope they like it. I will Blog after I get back from vacation and training up-dates. 70 degrees and sunny somewhere.

Slow Day Training

Do to an injury my training has been suspended for the last two days. Hopefully tomorrow I can begin again. The muscle that runs up the inner thigh on my right leg is really sore and tight. To much rollerblading Saturday. My wife went to a funeral in Chicago,with her family. My oldest two children were home from school and went to the doctor today. My son has a sinus infection, and my daughter has some sort of swimmers ear. Tomorrow is going to be a great day high 66 and the rain will hold off, so enjoy.

Friday Saturday and Sunday

Friday I gave up to weather. It was nice out and I was not motivated. Saturday started early with 3 hours of trail maintenance at Camp Camfield with CIMBA Central Illinois Mountain Bike Association and the Corp of Engineers. The work is brutal but very rewarding. I helped cut new novice trails south and south east of the parking lot. The place should be in great shape for the Clash at the Camp late this summer. At 1pm was my daughters birthday party at Skateland. Its been 7 or 8 years since I have skated and it felt really good. Dusted off the rollerblades and went to town. After the party we all sat on the back deck and cooked wieners over the fire pit. It was a great day. Today I meet my friend Dave at Camp Camfield and rode the west side of the park. I think 5 mile of ups and downs and thick mud.It was a blast and I will also enjoy the cleaning of the Mamba. Went out to dinner at Pizza Hut for my daughters real B-day. Then we all went swimming for an hour. Last weeks totals 6 miles walking 2 miles swam 18 miles biked 3 hours of trail maintenance and 1 hour of rollerblading. The start of this week is 5 miles mountain biking and 1 mile swam. Have a great week.

The day off.

My day flew by and as promised it was a day off. I went to Decatur to see my granny she looks wonderful. Anita you can tell her I said so. I have a few tips on buying a new bike or parts or service 1. GO TO BIKE N HIKE 2. GO TO BIKE N HIKE and 3. GO TO BIKE N HIKE. My experience with other bike shops in central Illinois is horrible. Service is lacking and the majority of the sales and service people are unfriendly. What do I need to do to get a friendly salesperson? Oh yeah go to BIKE N HIKE . Also from my personal experience people with pony-tails that work in bike shops are the worst (Spin City, Champaign Cycle). I also tried to take photos of the new repair stand I need different lighting, so that post will have to wait maybe another day. Tomorrow is a wait and see day, maybe a ride or a walk or perhaps both. I will have to wait and see. Saturday is a work day at Camp Camfield 8am start. I will be there tell 11am then off to my daughters 9th b-day at Skateland and I will be skating. No totals tonight and I am getting off my soapbox. Thanks. Enjoy the weather

Bucking the head wind

Something was brought to my attention today in one of my post. My wife thinks I forgot to thank her properly for her help installing the windows Monday. I tried to explain to her that she is owner or half owner of the house. So I guess I should thank her for her great help. She really does works harder than most people I know. I am so tired I could drop. I rode 18 miles today and 9 into a 15 mph headwind. The total average was dismal. The return trip was fun. Last night at the YMCA I worked up a blister on my right foot so tomorrow will be a rest day and trip to Decatur to see my granny. Totals for the week 6 miles walked 2 miles swam and now 18 biked. Weight this morning down 84lbs I am excited. Pics of the stand have been postponed for an additional day. Invite people to join, I'm have a blast writing about my days, and it helps me sleep. Have a wonderful evening!

GOALS MET AND I AM HAPPY

Today was an excellent day. I when to Champaign to pick-up the new saddle for the GF Mamba. I also helped dad install counter tops in the flip house in Pesotum. I had a great job interview for a job that pays squat. I wasted one of my best, a little disappointing. My temper has been in check for 2 days now. My goals for today were meet 3 miles walked and 1 mile swam. My time improved by 2 minutes per mile on my walk at around 18 minutes per mile, my swim time was around 10:30 for a 440. My legs and arms feel a bit like jello. Goal for tomorrow ride to Cooks Mill and walk 3 miles. Total for the week 6 miles walked 2 miles swam,and 0 biked. If I don't put the miles in biking, I will join the guys at Bike N Hike for spinning and a movie. I would rather ride outside though. Also tomorrow I will post pics and instructions on the excellent repair stand my dad made. Have a great hump day.

Short workout today

I would like to thank my dad Mike and father-in-law Don for their much needed help today installing replacement windows. If it was not for them it may have taken two or three weeks. And another thanks to my dad for designing and building a bike repair stand. As for me I only walked 1 mile today. The windows were on the second floor and my knees and thighs hurt from the climbing. I also had a little pain in the lower back today. The goal tomorrow is 3 miles walking and 1 swimming. Wednesday dad is coming down for a ride. Total weight loss 82lbs. Totals for the week are 3 miles walk, 1 mile swam, and 3 miles rode. I hope Monday did not suck, and if it did tomorrow is a new day. Enjoy

Sunday

My workout today was weird. First I walked 2 miles or 40 mins. Second I swam 1 mile or 60 mins. Thirdly I rode for 3 short miles, I could not take anymore. The track seemed crowed, the pool was crowed and loud, and traffic was bad. All this was not true but that's the way it felt. My temper is getting the better of me today. I have been snapping quickly for about the last 3 days or so. I was thinking being more active would mellow me out but just the opposite has happened. I should read about relaxation techniques, maybe that would help. Weight is dropping a few oz. per day I keep everyone posted. OK First day of the weeks totals 2 miles walked 1 mile swam and 3 miles biked. Everyone have a safe and wonderful week.

Two rides in the stables

I would like to first thank the wonderful people at Bike n Hike for helping me in my choice of a new Gary Fisher Mamba 29er. Their knowledge of bikes and brands was helpful. The two bike I own are a Trek 1.5 road bike and of course acquired yesterday the GF Mamba mountain bike. Both bikes are wonderful, except for the saddle, which will be changed very soon. Trek would be nothing without the support of the local bike shop. I took yesterday off to rest, but I hope to put at least 15 miles of riding in today. Weather permitting. The last two meals have been a challenge. We had friends over last night for supper and when I talk and eat bad things happen. I have to concentrate on eating slow and chewing or food gets stuck in the band. Everyone have a wonderful day.

80lbs Down

The big news of the day I have lost 80 wonderful pounds. I hope to lose 20 more before the tri. This morning I was at the YMCA before 6am, swam 3/4 miles or 45 mins. Helped my dad hang cabinets in one of his flip houses. The back to the Y for 2 1/4 miles walking. Total for the week 11 1/4 miles walking and 3/4 miles swimming, 0 bike. I hope to get in at least30 miles this weekend.

Energy Level

Well I was going to stay home. My energy level was very high this evening so I went to the YMCA and walked 3 miles. That brings my week total to 9 miles walked 0 swam and 0 bike. The weather suck. Right now I can only average 3mph I would like to be a little faster by April 25. I feel very good nothing to sore. Have a great night.

Down in the back

The good news today is my back feels really good but no exercise today. I had 2 steroid injections in my L3, L4 nerves yesterday. I was awake during the whole procedure but can not remember the afternoon at all. Picked up the headset to fix my mountain bike which I want to ride no matter the weather. Weight down 1lbs to 326 or a total of 79lbs. I have a new hero, my 10 year old broke his pinkie finger playing basketball in P.E. Monday and has not complained the least bit. Either a high pain thresh or his tough. Everyone have a wonderful day

Training for my first tri.

Here in my blog I will cover my road to better health and training. I will also cover my weight loss journey. My journey started 2 years ago with my first visit with a weight loss doctor and my decision to have a lap band installed on my stomach. Mid summer 2009 my top weight was 405lbs. My weight as of today is 327lbs I have lost a total of 78lbs.I had surgery Sept 4 2009. My first triathlon is on April 25th in Sullivan Il. I hope to loss 20 more pounds before then. My first goal is to just have fun. Second goal is to finish. I do not dare start running until a lot more weight is lost. I walk and swim a lot at the local YMCA here in Mattoon, it is only 7 blocks from my house. As a reward for myself I bought a Trek 1.5 road bicycle. I will also post my weight and the amount of time I train everyday. Pictures will be added later, maybe before and on going pics. Have a wonderful evening.