Since I quit smoking in February, I have been making incremental changes to my dietary intake. Adding exponentially more fruits and veggies because I ate almost none, nearly eliminating all alcohol, processed grains and even minimizing the amount of whole grains I was taking in. I noticed that the foods that I have been eating daily had begun to lean much more to both an eastern style diet or a paleolithic one. I'm not about to try an explain a paleolithic diet for anyone who does not know what it is at this time, mainly because I don't have the time or all the detailed knowledge about it yet.
Anyway, I bought this book the other day and have begun reading into it fervently. It is called "The Paleo Diet For Athletes" and I have to say that many of the things they wrote about regarding what humans are actually designed to eat and not eat is really making a lot of sense. Think about it this way: 15,000 years ago (paleolithic times) what were homo sapiens not able to eat, ever?
The answer: processed and refined foods.
Have you ever tried to actually eat a whole grain right from the plant? It's like munching on a rock! You wouldn't eat something like that! And then there is dairy. Cows have only been domesticated and producing milk in which we have to pasteurize and homogenize just to be able to drink it, for much less time than humans have been around, so the logic is that our bodies cannot metabolize cow milk and it is much more detrimental then helpful to our bodies.
So, what do I think about this diet? I don't know, I'm still learning. I do know that I will be very soon eliminating dairy from my intake as that had been a part of my plans anyway. Considering giving up all whole grains except on rare occasions and for pre and post workouts and races is still very strange to me.
All things in moderation I guess. We shall see what we shall see as I continue along on my life change journey.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Steady Progress Pays Off!!!
This is what it's all about. Making steady progress. Setting small short term goals that, when they are all met, become melded together into a larger picture. My goal weight of 185lbs seemed so far away when I first started changing my intake and exercising. Starting at 245lbs seemed so daunting at times. But my first group of small, incremental goals have finally come together to meet my first of several "bigger picture" goals.
I have lost 30lbs and I weighed in for the last two days at 215lbs!!! I am officially half way to my goal weight, which is right where I wanted to be as I begin adding more miles cycling and running. I have put myself into position and built a solid foundation for progressing to the next levels of fitness for the rest of my life!!!
I did it!
Now, on to the next step. CFDS Race #3 in July and possibly the Key Largo Bridge Run Half Marathon in early November. Here we go!
I have lost 30lbs and I weighed in for the last two days at 215lbs!!! I am officially half way to my goal weight, which is right where I wanted to be as I begin adding more miles cycling and running. I have put myself into position and built a solid foundation for progressing to the next levels of fitness for the rest of my life!!!
I did it!
Now, on to the next step. CFDS Race #3 in July and possibly the Key Largo Bridge Run Half Marathon in early November. Here we go!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Successful Failure
Okay, so a few days ago, I ran my first ever Duathlon. You've all heard me talking about it. The Central Florida Duathlon Series Race #1. I was a little anxious before the start, I'll admit, considering I was going about the whole thing alone. But doing it alone only seemed fitting for me since virtually all of my training has been alone in the early morning hours. Everything went as expect and the race for the most part was fine.
Except for the flat tires... Yes, plural, my rear tire went flat twice during the ride portion. In only ten miles too...which is why I've aptly named this post "Successful Failure." I finished without any problems, but I failed to even come close to meeting any of my time goals because of the mechanical problems.
In retrospect, I had a great time! Everyone I met there was very friendly and seemed to love hearing that this was my first ever race. They were all quick to divert all of their preparation attention from their own selves to me for a moment to offer advice on equipment, clothing, pacing, nutrition, etc. I couldn't believe it! I really thought that I would be met with many cold shoulders but this totally wasn't the case. I was also surprised at how many other people I met that were also participating for their first time.
I also couldn't believe how many people participated in both the Duathlon and Triathlon that morning. The turnout was incredible, at least from my point of view, and ages ranged from 14 to 91 years old. There was even a course record set as a 91 year old man became the oldest finisher in USAT history, having completed the Duathlon (which, as it turns out was his first "du" but had over the last 40+ years competed in 116 Triathlons and 6 Hawai'i Ironman Competitions). I suppose he took first place in his age bracket...
I was aiming for 80 minutes overall but ended up at 119' 11" as my unofficial finish time because of the flats.
Unfortunately, even though I finished and was excited to compete in my first multi-sport race and I had a great time racing and meeting a lot of like-minded people, I left there a little disappointed. Not because I had not won, but because of the mechanical failures that cost me a goal. Regardless, it's now time to pick up and move on and get ready for the next event.
I think I may enter the CFDS Race #2 on June 11th...
Unfortunately, my pictures from the race are being held hostage and they're demanding extremely high ransom, even for a cheap 72dpi digital download only. Click here to see small image tabs of me during the race.
Except for the flat tires... Yes, plural, my rear tire went flat twice during the ride portion. In only ten miles too...which is why I've aptly named this post "Successful Failure." I finished without any problems, but I failed to even come close to meeting any of my time goals because of the mechanical problems.
In retrospect, I had a great time! Everyone I met there was very friendly and seemed to love hearing that this was my first ever race. They were all quick to divert all of their preparation attention from their own selves to me for a moment to offer advice on equipment, clothing, pacing, nutrition, etc. I couldn't believe it! I really thought that I would be met with many cold shoulders but this totally wasn't the case. I was also surprised at how many other people I met that were also participating for their first time.
I also couldn't believe how many people participated in both the Duathlon and Triathlon that morning. The turnout was incredible, at least from my point of view, and ages ranged from 14 to 91 years old. There was even a course record set as a 91 year old man became the oldest finisher in USAT history, having completed the Duathlon (which, as it turns out was his first "du" but had over the last 40+ years competed in 116 Triathlons and 6 Hawai'i Ironman Competitions). I suppose he took first place in his age bracket...
I was aiming for 80 minutes overall but ended up at 119' 11" as my unofficial finish time because of the flats.
Unfortunately, even though I finished and was excited to compete in my first multi-sport race and I had a great time racing and meeting a lot of like-minded people, I left there a little disappointed. Not because I had not won, but because of the mechanical failures that cost me a goal. Regardless, it's now time to pick up and move on and get ready for the next event.
I think I may enter the CFDS Race #2 on June 11th...
Unfortunately, my pictures from the race are being held hostage and they're demanding extremely high ransom, even for a cheap 72dpi digital download only. Click here to see small image tabs of me during the race.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Distance, distance, distance...
Needed to add some distance to my rides.
I have been using my commute to work to get in 24 or so miles per ride, but the route splits that distance in two. Because of this, even though I am riding twice a day two days per week, I am only going 11-12 miles each time.
I changed that though today. I plotted out a route that Google Maps said was just under 40 kilometers and set my sights on a single intermediate length ride through some ranch country.
It was a fantastic ride! I struggled a little in the first few miles but once I turned west onto County Road 232 and began the longest leg of my ride, I hit my stride that stuck with me for the rest of the trip with the rolling hills that lasted the entire length of CR232.
Once my ride was complete and I held an average speed of 17.9 mph (about .9mph faster than I expected to hold) I got off the Nishiki and did not feel fatigued or burned out. I definitely could have rode another 10-12 kilometers but decided that quality over quantity of distance was most important. Knowing that I could have gone further at the faster pace confirmed that I am continuously improving my endurance and strength.
Starting next week, I will be combining run/ride and ride/run days to improve on my transitions. I am still confident in my finish time goal of 80 minutes for my first Duathlon race of 1 mile run/10 mile bike/ 3 mile run. The website that I registered for the race on expects me to complete in 60 minutes.
We will see what we will see... All I know is I am getting more and more excited every day for my first multi sport race!
I have been using my commute to work to get in 24 or so miles per ride, but the route splits that distance in two. Because of this, even though I am riding twice a day two days per week, I am only going 11-12 miles each time.
I changed that though today. I plotted out a route that Google Maps said was just under 40 kilometers and set my sights on a single intermediate length ride through some ranch country.
It was a fantastic ride! I struggled a little in the first few miles but once I turned west onto County Road 232 and began the longest leg of my ride, I hit my stride that stuck with me for the rest of the trip with the rolling hills that lasted the entire length of CR232.
Once my ride was complete and I held an average speed of 17.9 mph (about .9mph faster than I expected to hold) I got off the Nishiki and did not feel fatigued or burned out. I definitely could have rode another 10-12 kilometers but decided that quality over quantity of distance was most important. Knowing that I could have gone further at the faster pace confirmed that I am continuously improving my endurance and strength.
Starting next week, I will be combining run/ride and ride/run days to improve on my transitions. I am still confident in my finish time goal of 80 minutes for my first Duathlon race of 1 mile run/10 mile bike/ 3 mile run. The website that I registered for the race on expects me to complete in 60 minutes.
We will see what we will see... All I know is I am getting more and more excited every day for my first multi sport race!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Different route...
Sometimes, to keep things interesting, ya just gotta mix it up a bit.
Hit the gym this morning hard instead of my usual cycling and running. 45 minutes of upper body circuits plus lower back, hips and hamstrings. Also knocked out some serious core work with upper and lower abdominal isolation exercises. I'm starting to feel a little unbalanced since I am always banging out speed and mileage. Needed to get back to strength training a little more, so I did.
Following this with a 45 minute steady jog at about 12-13 minute pace really pulled the whole session together. Looking forward now to my day of rest tomorrow.
All in all it was awesome! Totally blown out and ready for the rest of my day and weekend.
21 days and counting until the Central Florida Duathlon Series Race #1 and I can't wait for it!
Hit the gym this morning hard instead of my usual cycling and running. 45 minutes of upper body circuits plus lower back, hips and hamstrings. Also knocked out some serious core work with upper and lower abdominal isolation exercises. I'm starting to feel a little unbalanced since I am always banging out speed and mileage. Needed to get back to strength training a little more, so I did.
Following this with a 45 minute steady jog at about 12-13 minute pace really pulled the whole session together. Looking forward now to my day of rest tomorrow.
All in all it was awesome! Totally blown out and ready for the rest of my day and weekend.
21 days and counting until the Central Florida Duathlon Series Race #1 and I can't wait for it!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Drag you down...
First off, I want to thank everyone who followed my quit smoking progress online, supported my efforts and believed that I could do it. I want to also say thank you to everyone who continues to follow and positively support my progress as I continue on my endeavors to push my limits spiritually and physically throughout my training sessions (which I annoyingly and continuously post online for everyone to read).
THANK YOU!!!
On to other issues...
Why is it that when you do something good for yourself (i.e. quit smoking, start exercising, set endurance goals) there is always someone who makes you feel like your whole effort is a waste of time?
"You can't do that."
"We are regular blue-collar people. We aren't meant to do anything other than work. It's what we do best."
"You're competing against world class athletes, why would you want to even try?"
"There are more important things to do at 5am than train for a duathlon, like going into work early and leaving late and getting in at least 60 hours so you might actually accomplish something."
"Not eating (big nasty greasy pizza) pizza at the pizza party is so disrespectful. It's a birthday pizza party. Eat some pizza and don't worry about your diet."
"What you need to do is work, not worry about anything else. Come in 4am and get some shit done when nobody else is here to bother you with their drama."
"Tell your wife you'll see her in 20 years, you need to bust your ass working as your first priority."
"No, that doesn't make any sense. You should do it my way instead."
"You don't have God in your life. You need to have more God in your life. You will be much better off with God constantly in your life. God always needs to come first"
Yes, these are real quotes. Some I have listened to for years. Some are relatively new.
I don't want to become this.
Is it too much to ask for support? To be treated with a little dignity and respect?
The most important thing I will ever do is love my wife and kids. Taking care of my mind, body and spirit is second. Work...eh. I've learned that, like friends and acquaintances, it comes and goes.
I have learned that lesson, by the way. I do not want a headstone to read: "Gee, I worked really hard my whole life but I sure wish I would have worked more!"
Everything I do or am involved in now makes me a better person. And that better person has become a better daddy and a better husband. That better person no longer smokes, rarely touches alcohol, takes care of himself and wakes up happy every day. The previous person worked those 60+ hour weeks, didn't care, didn't really try, didn't wake up happy and didn't try to really be a good daddy and husband.
Soooo... I'm not really sure why I have put all of this in digital print for the world to see. But ya know what? Fuck it, it's my damn blog and if ya don't like it, read someone else's blog. I need to vent!
THANK YOU!!!
On to other issues...
Why is it that when you do something good for yourself (i.e. quit smoking, start exercising, set endurance goals) there is always someone who makes you feel like your whole effort is a waste of time?
"You can't do that."
"We are regular blue-collar people. We aren't meant to do anything other than work. It's what we do best."
"You're competing against world class athletes, why would you want to even try?"
"There are more important things to do at 5am than train for a duathlon, like going into work early and leaving late and getting in at least 60 hours so you might actually accomplish something."
"Not eating (big nasty greasy pizza) pizza at the pizza party is so disrespectful. It's a birthday pizza party. Eat some pizza and don't worry about your diet."
"What you need to do is work, not worry about anything else. Come in 4am and get some shit done when nobody else is here to bother you with their drama."
"Tell your wife you'll see her in 20 years, you need to bust your ass working as your first priority."
"No, that doesn't make any sense. You should do it my way instead."
"You don't have God in your life. You need to have more God in your life. You will be much better off with God constantly in your life. God always needs to come first"
Yes, these are real quotes. Some I have listened to for years. Some are relatively new.
I don't want to become this.
Is it too much to ask for support? To be treated with a little dignity and respect?
The most important thing I will ever do is love my wife and kids. Taking care of my mind, body and spirit is second. Work...eh. I've learned that, like friends and acquaintances, it comes and goes.
I have learned that lesson, by the way. I do not want a headstone to read: "Gee, I worked really hard my whole life but I sure wish I would have worked more!"
Everything I do or am involved in now makes me a better person. And that better person has become a better daddy and a better husband. That better person no longer smokes, rarely touches alcohol, takes care of himself and wakes up happy every day. The previous person worked those 60+ hour weeks, didn't care, didn't really try, didn't wake up happy and didn't try to really be a good daddy and husband.
Soooo... I'm not really sure why I have put all of this in digital print for the world to see. But ya know what? Fuck it, it's my damn blog and if ya don't like it, read someone else's blog. I need to vent!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
My wish list
OK, so obviously in any sport there are different levels of equipment. From the Wal-mart cheap stuff to the professional grade high-end, fully customized stuff and everything in between, you can't help but continuously look and ogle and eventually build a wish list.
So after much ogling and comparing, I have built my wish list of cycling equipment:
1) The Orbea Ordu or Ora Triathlon Bike:
Ordu Link: http://www.orbea.com/us-us/bicis/familias/ordu/
Ora Link: http://www.orbea.com/us-us/bicis/modelos/ora_t105/
2) GIANT's TCR Advanced I or II Road Bike:
Link: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/tcr.advanced.1/7309/44336/
Link: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/tcr.advanced.2/7309/44385/
3) Off-road and Single Track GIANT's Talon 29er 1:
Link: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/talon.29er/7377/44105/
Each of these bikes serves a different purpose and are a great way to round out a collection of outdoor cycling equipment for everything from serious competition to commuting to a romp in the woods.
Someday, ooooh someday... I will probably start with the road bike and work my way up to the other bikes later on. In the meantime, I gotta be happy with what I have for now and that I can actually get out there every day and pound the pavement.
Also, I went on my first trail ride today on "The Rock" church trail. Supposedly good for beginner/intermediate, it had a few challenging parts but otherwise, I was not overly impressed with my first experience off-road. Maybe I should have gone to San Felasco's trail head. Unfortunately though, I probably won't be trail riding again anytime soon since I broke something on my Wal-mart cheap mountain bike and it'll probably cost more to repair than the bike is worth. Total bummer too because I did have plenty of fun on that trail!
So after much ogling and comparing, I have built my wish list of cycling equipment:
1) The Orbea Ordu or Ora Triathlon Bike:
Ordu Link: http://www.orbea.com/us-us/bicis/familias/ordu/
Ora Link: http://www.orbea.com/us-us/bicis/modelos/ora_t105/
2) GIANT's TCR Advanced I or II Road Bike:
Link: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/tcr.advanced.1/7309/44336/
Link: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/tcr.advanced.2/7309/44385/
3) Off-road and Single Track GIANT's Talon 29er 1:
Link: http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/model/talon.29er/7377/44105/
Each of these bikes serves a different purpose and are a great way to round out a collection of outdoor cycling equipment for everything from serious competition to commuting to a romp in the woods.
Someday, ooooh someday... I will probably start with the road bike and work my way up to the other bikes later on. In the meantime, I gotta be happy with what I have for now and that I can actually get out there every day and pound the pavement.
Also, I went on my first trail ride today on "The Rock" church trail. Supposedly good for beginner/intermediate, it had a few challenging parts but otherwise, I was not overly impressed with my first experience off-road. Maybe I should have gone to San Felasco's trail head. Unfortunately though, I probably won't be trail riding again anytime soon since I broke something on my Wal-mart cheap mountain bike and it'll probably cost more to repair than the bike is worth. Total bummer too because I did have plenty of fun on that trail!
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