Update

     Wow I havent posted here in quite a long time, over a month. I have been absolutely horrible about going to the gym for oh most of July and August. Most nights I come home from work, make dinner and eat and drink a few beers by myself and just lounge around. My cooking has gotten better but that's about it.
     I can try to come up with a dozen excuses why I have stopped caring, but none of them are good. I can argue that I'm tired and such but its not that. Somewhere along the way I lost what ever was inspiring me to go. Not sure how I can find it again. I even have lost interest in the 10K I signed up for that takes place in October. I felt like a million bucks after my the 4 mile run on the fourth. But something changed, and I cant put my finger on it. I know I'm letting people down but I just don't care in a way.
    Part of the reason I don't go is I feel so out of place, as I try to figure out how to do the weights and such. I'm lost. I looked into personal trainers and they are a little pricey. So I cant do that right now. Hoping its just a funk. I was feeling pretty damn good about myself there for a little bit. And going to the gym was a huge part of that. It helped my self esteem. I could really use that right now.I wanted to things like run a half marathon then a marathon or even do all kinds of outdoors stuff. But now I kind of just dont give a care. Any advice would be much appreciated.

The Running Man

     I finished my first practice run for a 5k training program. And I have to say it wasn't to bad. It was only 26 minutes or so but you gotta start somewhere. I also alternated running a block, then walking a block. I am surprised at how much I enjoy the running. I admit I was looking for almost any excuse not to go. "Oh I have laundry to do, I need to get dinner started." But I made the decision to just go. Popped the meatballs and sauce in the crock pot decided that the laundry could wait till I got back and took off. I'm glad I did. I find that I like the felling while running but its the feeling after that I love. I have this feeling of such accomplishment. I did a little Rocky reaching the top of the steps dance when I finished. Thankfully no one was around for that. Me dancing is something people just don't need to see. Like I said its a start, every one started somewhere right?
    My buddy Benn hooked me up with some advice on shoes, books to read and such for running so I have a bit of research ahead of me. I already started reading one of his suggestions and I actually enjoy it so far. Thankfully running is a relatively cheap hobby. Aside from investing in good shoes that's all you need. Planning on another run tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm planning on Monday being a gym day. I'm want to take a look at my workout schedule and see when its best for what. I will be updating soon. Also coming up is a monthly weigh in on Monday. Little nervous about this. But I gotta keep myself honest, so I'm going to post it on here. I've already lost 70 pounds so I have a lot to be proud of. I know I also have a long road ahead filled with hard work. I'm looking forward to it.

The Cake Runner

     I ran my second race yesterday and I couldn't be prouder. Let me tell you a few things I have learned. First just because your Italian does NOT make you immune to sunburn. In my case I forgot just how much Irish I got in me.Nice burn on my upper arms, thankfully aloe is an amazing healing agent. Secondly chaffed nipples suck. Apparently when running a guys nipples can become chaffed from the constant rubbing against his shirt. Thankfully I didn't get bloody nipples which can occur also. This can also happen to women but they usually wear a sports bra that counteracts the chaffing. And lastly to steal something my friend Rob said about me " I'm a beast". When I finally let go of all the BS in my head and stop telling myself I cant, I'm pretty damn amazing, a machine of relentless forward motion if you will. 
     This run was a bit different than the last one I was in. For one it was a mile longer. Now that's not a whole lot, but for a newbie like me it is. Secondly I had to run in front of THE WHOLE FRIGGING CITY. This was intimidating. I felt like I was climbing the rope in gym class again. My Coworkers who also ran the race were a huge help in making me feel a bit better about the race. Here is a picture of our staff running team. 

     These guys and gal helped me get psyched for a tough run. I admit there were a couple of times I thought of punking out. But I turned that negative voice off, stayed the course and crossed that finish line. It felt amazing. It felt even better when I saw the faces of people whom I knew and were shocked to see me running. Their words of encouragement helped egg me on. And it was a great feeling to see my friend Robs, mom there at the finish line to see me run. She sang the Batman song to me as I went by. And then to have my sister and nieces and nephews there to cheer me on was amazing. My official time was 1 hour 19 seconds, I was happy with this. Then I was talking to my buddy Brad who was also in the race, and he pointed out that they started the count before we crossed the start line. It took us about five minutes to get to start. That means my time was much closer to 55 minutes. When Brad told me this I felt like Peter Pan sprinkled me with some Fairy dust and I found my happy thought. Whats great about that? Well the 5k I ran in May I ran in 51 minutes. A 5K is 3.1 miles. I ran the four mile in 55 minutes. I beat my time for the 5K. That was without any special training or extra workouts. Well there was that one really disheartening practice run but that doesn't count. Im getting somewhere, where I dont know but Im gonna run with it.
    I have gotta give mad props (some day I gotta find out just what props are.) to a lot people. These are the people I call Team Steve. These people help me on a regularly basis, even if they don't know it.I wanna give a shout out to some of Team Steve's top members. My buddy Rob who asked me two all important questions "Hey wanna go to the gym with me" and "Who says you cant run a 5K?" With those two questions he helped set me on the path to getting physically fit. He helps me on a near daily basis trying to get in the best shape I can. I look forward to running that 10K with you and for you. Your an amazing friend and I thank you for it.  My friends Amy and Simone. My running partners for both races. Amy sacrificed her time in the 5K to stay with me through the whole course. Simone did the same for the Firecracker 4. Ladies you inspire me. Thank you for your help and offers to train with me. My baby sister Linette and my brother Marc, thanks guys you stay with me. Scott and Maryanna, you guys have been so amazing to me and help encourage me. You are gracious enough to make me feel like family.It meant the world that you were at the finish line to see me. My friends Bradley and Benn whom are both much, much better runners than I. I can go to these dudes for advice and they are both always willing to offer their time and advice. Thanks guys. I can try to go on and on but there are just so many people I am blessed to have in my life that help me and that have my back. Thank you all, you know who you are.
     Where do I go from here? Well I've been thinking about it. I have a 5K and a 4 mile run under my utility belt, I have a 10K fast approaching. I kinda want to attempt a half marathon and eventually a marathon. This is gonna require a lot of work. What makes me think can do it? The fact that I don't know that I cant. I think I plan to keep going till I cant, then go a little more, then a little more after that. But with this band of amazing and oft times kooky friends and family by my side I will do it.
     I havent won any trophys or prizes with these two runs. Except for a new found pride and feeling of self worth. Here are my runners tags from both runs, they are my badges of honor and pride.    

     For someone who only ran to the fridge these are better than any stupid medal or trophy, for now. If I go on about this, please just bear with me. I have every reason to be proud about this and brag.

Rude awakening.

     So here is something I learned today. I really bit off more than I can chew at the moment. I tried to do a practice run with my buddy Brad at the gym. And I pretty much sucked wind the whole time and we / I didn't run that far. I have to admit this was more than a little disheartening. I'm not worried about the run on the Fourth. Its just a little bit more than a 5K, and I already did one of those. But I'm dreading the 10K I'm doing in October. I have got to kick a training program into gear here. While I have been doing fairly well with dieting I just gotta do better. Taking a suggestion from a friend and I'm going to start planning my menus for the week in advance. Keeping them healthy but still have some fun with them. Also I think I gotta cut the beer for a bit. This will be hard, I appreciate a good beer. But I really got to get going on this, October is not all that far away. I have a promise to keep here and I cant let people down. I think I went into this thinking that it was so much easier than it will be. I guess this is a good wake up call. Just feeling very daunted by what I have to do.

Motivation

OK so here is a question for you guys. What motivates you to go to the gym? I'm having a hard time finding the " workout high". I mean OK I feel pretty damn good after a workout, but no where near what others describe it as. I have had people describe working out as a lot of fun. I do not feel this way. Working out to me is very hard work. I'm literally working my ass off. The way I look at is its very hard work with an incredible payoff. Like when you finish a big job you can stand back and look at your efforts with pride. I have already lost close to 70 pounds in the last 2-3 years, and it was anything but fun. Wondering if maybe I'm not pushing myself hard enough now. If any on can share what inspires them, let me know.

Bucket List Lesson

     I was chatting with a friend yesterday and while talking I had an amazing revelation. We were talking about bucket lists, and what kind of things we put on them. One of the items on mine for instance is to hike a volcano and have a beer with a friend at the top. Doesn't need to be an active volcano at all, just a volcano.My friend looks at me for a second and smirks a little. " You know I don't get the point of a bucket list." He said. "Well its a list of the things you wanna do before you die." I explained. " I know what it is, I mean I don't see why you need one. Instead of just sitting there making a list why not just go do it?" He responded. " OK look you wanna hike a volcano right? " I answered with an affirmative. "Well there are Volcano's no more then like 3 hours away. Lets go to one." You need to stop thinking about this list of things to do and just do them, otherwise you waste your time."  After that we went to a beer festival and had a great time. But I thought about our conversation for a long time. I plan and make lists about so many different things that I'm missing out on them. This can be applied to school, dating so many things I just plan on. And I think that goes along with the getting fit thing as well. I'm wasting time worrying about it I just need to go and do it. So I'm hoping to cross the volcano hike off my list by the beginning of September. Make a 3 day trip out of it and just go with the flow. So thanks for the kick bud I needed it. Time to ditch the list.

I wonder if theres a Batman Unitard in my size?

     So my quest to be more fit has been challenged and pushed. There are now set regulations set up with my bet with my buddy. He still just has to not smoke, so far so good. He is doing well. Me? I have the harder part of the bargain. In addition to doing the 10K in October, I now have a set schedule and workout at the gym. I must go from Monday through Thursday, no exceptions.I am to do Cardio and Strength Training each day. I have Friday and Sunday off, while I just have to do cardio on Saturday. So far so good, I'm sore but in a good way. I keep this up and I can do it.  Any deviation of this is regarded as a violation of our agreement. And I will never hear the end of it. I have been warned that there have been spies and informants put in place to inform Rob if I don't go. Creeper!
      Its not so bad, I gotta admit it gave the kick in the ass I needed. Which is awesome. And its cool that I have friends who care enough about my health and well being that they risk being such huge pains in my ass. But its awesome. I have had so many people offer to help me out. I even had these two guys who come into work that we call the gym guidos offer help. I was in the coffee shop today and they spotted me and demanded to know if I went to the gym yet. Man he does have spies everywhere. My goal for now is to not expire at the 10K. I'm getting better with the eating aspect of my diet. I really need to bump up my water intake though. I also need to be more knowledgeable of how to work out. What exercises work which muscles and how to do them safely. Also got to get better at stretching, thinking some yoga can help that. I'm told soon we move onto supplements and how they help.Well that's all now folks Thanks for reading about my pitfalls with the fitness goals. I think I got the short end of the stick on this one but I'm gonna run with it.