A Perfect Storm

I have been so unmotivated the last few months which has led me to blog less. Between work, work, and family situations I have been less than inclined to workout and blog. I know, I know working out reduces stress, makes you feel better, and even gives you a clean shiny coat. However, I was just in a funk. I thought about working out--I laid my workout clothes out at night, I set my alarm clock, and then I looked for excuses.

I did get a few runs and few swims; and I felt so much better on those days. However, it did not last. I set myself back in vicious circle. I ate poorly, I gained weight and planned on working out tomorrow. "What's one more day?" I would ask myself.

This weekend I had the perfect storm to motivate me. First of all, I did not do the 10 mile race on Sunday. I wimped out. Not running the race was not the wimpy thing. The wimpy thing was not preparing for the race. I ran from the challenge. I did not stay strong and do what I needed in order to keep myself healthy and prepare for the race.

The second thing that occurred was watching the news on Monday and watching the panic in the streets of NYC because of the Airforce One flyover. My first thought was "what a bunch of wimps and losers." How can anyone panic to that extent over this? Are Americans really that weak? Then it hit me!!!! I have been weak. I haven't overcome my hesitation (fear?) of working out. I have allowed emotions to over come good sense. I don't deal well in emotion; I prefer facts and logic because emotion tends to get me in trouble. I make bad decisions. This situation just reinforces that fact.

And as a disclaimer, I do think it was dumb to do a fly-by in downtown NYC without informing the population.

Smart Idea or Just a Wimp?

Bottom Line Up Front -- Did not run the GW Parkway 10 miler on Sunday.

My overall training this year has been less than ideal and my body was not really ready for a hot 10 mile run. However, I knew I could suffer through it--IF I did everything right the day prior to the run. So Saturday I was up early, eating properly, hydrating and doing the right things to suffer.

Saturday was also a birthday party for the bride. We surprised her by her sister flying in from Chicago and I presented her with a Dell Mini Computer. Both of which were big hits.

Saturday night we had dinner for her at a friend's house and that devolved into more alchohol and more food than I had intented. I also stayed up much later than orginally planned. Dinner was not served until after 9pm (which is late for me--so go ahead and laugh).

I woke up at 5 am to get ready for the race and I felt the red wine hitting me (one glass). I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast and then stick my head outside. It was humid and 70 (Friday mornings run was high 30s). At this point I made the decision to go back to bed and put off the race. With my physical state, the state of my training, and not having run in any hot/humid conditions I decided that I would hurt myself more by attempting this race. About 930 I did get out and ran for 35 minutes. This short run HURT, but I did sweat out the toxins.

So my question is -- Did I wimp out or was this a smart move?

Woefully Un-Prepared

Have you ever felt unprepared for a race? I don’t mean the normal “I tapered too long or did I train enough” that we all subject ourselves too. I mean, I haven’t run more than 5 miles at any one time in months and I am signed up for a 10 miler on Sunday. I am just hoping to finish the race and be able to walk on Monday.

Things the last month have just been so busy, but productive at work. We completed release 1.0 of our system for the Army on time and on budget. We are currently working on some minor enhancements for release 1.1 and working hard on release 2.0. It is great to be working on a project that is well run, fun, and meaningful.
In my other job, the unit is preparing to head to the rifle range next weekend for our yearly marksmanship training. For those of us deploying overseas this will be the crawl phase of the typical crawl, walk, run method the Army uses in training. I am looking forward to it—I like to shoot.

For the rest of the summer I just need better time management and motivation. I have not had the motivation to get my lazy butt out of bed and workout. Those first 3 minutes after the alarm goes off is just torture. However, at the completion of my workout I feel so good and energized. As I was changing channels last night I did catch two Ironman races on Universal Sports. That was very motivational. Maybe I just need to DVR everyone that comes on for my motivation.

Finally, we are having the Bride’s birthday party this weekend at a friend’s house. I have a couple of good surprises for her, that I will not share here just in case she reads this. The big present for her big four-oh bday is going to Hawaii in a couple of weeks. I wonder what I am going to get when I turn 40?

To everyone racing this weekend. Good luck!!!! I hope you are better prepared than I am.