SocialJeff

I caught the running bug in 2010 during my life style change and it has truly been something that I have come to love. Running (unlike anything else in my life) yields a great amount of satisfaction after a defeating a grueling challenge. I accomplish a short term goal during each run (usually just trying to make it home) while at the same time checking off a workout that is getting me closer and closer to my overall goal. 

The next goal for me is the Country Music Half Marathon. Today will start my training program to not only finish the half marathon but do so in less then 2 hours 30 minutes. 

I would be telling a lie if I did not say that I have my doubts. Psychologically I cannot get myself to think my body can endure a 13.1 mile run. Then again, I could never visualize myself losing over 100 pounds when I began my journey to change my life in 2010. 

I will be sacrificing a few things along the way, the biggest being training time (AKA time away from the family). I will be running much longer during my workouts and away from the family during this start of a new chapter in our family life. Also, I will be monitoring much closer what I am putting into my body for maximum output. This means zero alcohol intake. I am social drinker, so it will be difficult when I am out with friends and co-workers. Small scarifie though for an awesome payoff.

As always, I ask for your support. Encouragement throughout the way from my friends and family wil be the only way I can make it through this new challenge. 

• Tags
• half marathon
• training
• running
• life

This weekend I accomplished a major goal in my life by participating and finishing my first ever 5K.

I participated in the Susan G. Kormen Race for the Cure this past weekend in Birmingham and enjoyed it more then I thought it would - but in the same breath I must say it was harder then I thought it would be. I also learned a few things I wanted to share:

• Never ever switch to new ear buds the day of your first (or any for that matter) 5K Race. I switched to my new custom ear mold Etymotic ear buds and they were useless (another blog post coming on them). They failed to stay in my ears causing me to run for the first time in my life without any music and having to listen to myself running which was not pleasant.
• Running in a group of people is tough. At the conclusion of my first mile I noticed my pace was extremely quick (for me). This caused me to tire more quickly and slow my overall pace. I ended up walking 4 times total and finished in or around 32 minutes. But…
• I have no idea if I finished at 32 minutes. Due to the ear buds issue I mentioned above my time got screwed up on my iPhone App and when I finished there was no method for me to check in at the finish line. My mom informed me that I finished at that time as she saw a small clock that read that at the finish line. I have been told there are better electronic ways to track a start/finish to a race and hopefully the next race I participate in will have a better tracking system.

Overall the race was awesome and has inspired me to do it again, this time running the entire thing.

• Tags
• 5k
• Healthy
• Lifestyle Change
• Running
• Race For the Cure