Time

19:24

Aloha

Yet more running

Didn't go running last Friday. We had a retreat for the IS leadership offsite. That kicked me out of my routine.

Did run last night. Matched my previous time of 18:40. Somewhat discouraged.

My wife has begun to have doubts about my joining the National Guard. She is concerned about the time away from family primarily.

Also discouraging.

Weekly weigh in on Saturday was still at 244. No progress there. Also discouraging.

We have a big family get together this weekend for my father-in-law's birthday. I have been working my tail off to get the deck finished by this weekend. I just finished steps last weeek. Cherith still needs to work on the landing off of the steps. As usual, with these big family things that seem to spring up on me, I am out of the loop and know I'll have to work whatever of my tail is left from the deck project off to have everyone entertained and have it not be a disaster. Also discouraging.

I'm going to stop before I depress myself further.

Aloha.

More running

Ran again last night. Didn't make the goal of 18:30, but did run a respectable 18:40. Not much improvement, but some.

Aloha.

Exercise Monday

I ran, as usual, on Monday. Got my time down to 18:45. A slight improvement. Not monumental, but improvement none the less.

I am going to go for 18:30 at least today. We'll see how I do.

Very busy couple of days, so...

Aloha.

Friday's Results

Went running Friday. Did my 2 miles is 18:59. Absolutely not a huge improvement. Only :02. But, I wasn't having a good day Friday, and I know that most of this running stuff is mental. I really had to push to make it in the time I did.

Anyway, did weigh in on Saturday, and I am progressing nicely toward my goal of 211. I was at 244 Saturday morning (when I do my weekly official weigh in). So far I have lost over 60 pounds. Only 33 more to go.

As an aside, my original goal was 235 for weight. That was what I weighed when I got married in 1993. I am only 9 pounds away from that. I am excited.

Hopefully today I will do better running. I would like to hit 18:40 or lower, but we'll see.

Aloha.

Still Running

Went running last night. Was joined in the exercise room by my boss, Mike, and a colleague, Jen. It was a good workout for all of us, I believe.

I got in my two miles in 19:01. Just one week ago I was at 20:58. Obviously, I am very happy. Especially since I have to cut just 2 more minutes off of my time to hit 17:00.

Each time I run I worry that I won't be able to match my previous time. I still worry about that, and the impact that might have on my mental perspective. But, so far, I haven't ever gone backwards. I did have 1 day where I didn't improve, only matched my previous time. That was a bummer.

Anyway, don't have a lot of time. So...

Aloha.

Another Update

I went running again last night. I completed 2 miles in the time of 19:59. Under 20:00. I am pretty happy about that. Not much else going on. Staying busy with work and family.

Aloha.

Quick Update

Not much time for an update, as today is a very crazy day. Not a good way to start off the week.

Anyway, ran on Friday. My boss ran with me. Because of this change, and the fact that we hit some other machines afterward, I don't remember my exact time. I do remember that I was under 20:42. So, I will use that as my time and see how I do today.

I have an appointment set up to see a NG recruiter tomorrow night. We'll see how that goes, if I go. I have been given advice to talk with a different recruiter who has done a bunch of o9s enlistments and is very helpful. Not sure what I'm going to do yet, but we'll find out.

Anyway, gotta run.

Aloha.

More on exercise and weight loss

Well, this week I am trying to exercise MWF and rest TTh. Last night I ran and got my time down to 20:58. Still more improvement. But, the improvement is harder now. Not improving as fast or as much, but improving is good.

Also reread the regulations regarding the APFT. The time I have to hit isn't 16:00, but 17:00. So, in a way, I have gained another minute.

I still have almost 4 minutes I need to take off of my time. But that is a lot better than the than the 9 minutes that I needed to take off when I started only 2 1/2 weeks ago. (or the 10 minutes I thought I needed to take off).

I have dropped a little weight. I have another 37 lbs. to go. I am trying for about a pound a week. That seems to be my comfortable pace.

Anyway, got to run. Catch you all later.

Aloha.

Weight Loss and Excercise

Well, since August I have lost over 55 lbs. I have also started exercising regularly. I am hoping to lose another 40 lbs. or so. I want to get into shape to be able to meet the height/weight requirements of the Army. I also want to get into shape so that I can pass the standard APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test). I have quite a ways to go before I get there.

I want to join the National Guard and become an officer. I want to serve my country by serving in a leadership role in our armed forces. Unfortunately, because of where I am at in life, going active duty would be impossible. However, the National Guard allows the geographic and time flexibility I need, while at the same time allowing me (a 31 year old) to take a year or 2 to get into shape and still be able to become an officer. The more research I've done, the more excited I am about the possibility.

I had a suggestion from a friend that I ought to document my efforts to lose weight and get into shape and keep people informed of my progress on my National Guard goal.

So, here is the update. As stated previously, since August I have lost over 55 lbs. I just started working on the specific exercises that are tested by the APFT. Tuesday last week, I started running the 2 mile portion of the test. I need to be under 16 mintues. I started out on Tuesday at 26:10. Somewhat depressing. By yesterday, I had knocked that down to 21:45. I have shaved 4:25 off of my high time. So, at least I am seeing improvement.

I will try to update more frequently.

Aloha.