Time to Swim!!

This morning I had my second official swim class.  It went about as well as expected for someone who has no idea how to swim competitively.  I would assume I looked like a two year who has hit the water for the first time. I thought to myself, "How could I be so bad at this, I just swam two miles this past weekend?"

Anyway, I know now that how I used to swim was "completely wrong."  But there is still hope, because I have five more classes left.  Woohooo!!  I hope the sarcasm can be detected.

Either way, if I plan to do any length of a triahlon next year, I need to understand how to effeciently swim without using just all of my upper body. I still plan on doing an Olympic distance triathlon next year with the distant hopes of a Half-Ironman and Full Ironman in 2013. At least those are my long-term goals.

All I am concerned about right now is getting ready for the Louisville Derby Marathon and increasing my endurance in the swim, bike, run during the winter.  If anyone has any advice on how to increase endurance during the off-season, please let me know because I am always open to suggestions and/or advice.

Hope everyone is enjoying the work week, and dress warmly, cause in the Kentucky Area, it may be snowing in the morning!! Anyone know how to run in snowboots????

144 pounds lost and counting...

Thanksgiving and the Thoroughbred Classic 5K!!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving break!  It is now time to start back to our daily patterns (work, daycare, doctor's appts., etc.)

As I said before, I had registered to race in the Thoroughbred Classic at Keeneland on Thanksgiving morning.  To me, it was kind of a way to justify eating so much turkey later in the day.  haha

Anyway, I finished with a new PR (personal record) from the last 5K that I did back in August.  I reduced my finish time by about 8 minutes!  I finished in the top 50 in my age group with a 26:26 official time.  Like I said, I am not a speed demon by any means, but I will not quit. 

Cold start to day!!

Thanksgiving Week has Arrived!!

One of the most dreaded weeks for losing weight is upon us, Thanksgiving Week. The time to drive for hours to the family's house and eat as much as you can (multiple times), and then plop on the couch and watch football for hours. Yes, the Holiday Season is now upon us (woohooo!! - hint of sarcasm). Of course, I used to enjoy the Holidays, but mostly for eating rather than hanging out with family and friends.  This year though, I will try to do the opposite.  I will try to enjoy the family side of things this holiday rather than to see how much stuffing, mashed potatoes, ham and turkey, and deviled eggs I can fit onto one paper plate.  This year, I will try to keep my wits about me and stick to the eating habits that have gotten me to where I am now.  Too much emphasis is put onto food, rather then the ultimate goal, family and friends.

This year, it seems that I may have more to be thankful for, my health. I also am thankful for the support that my family and friends have given me through this past year.  Without the support system from my family, the many people at work and the staff at YMCA, I know I could never be where I currently am. The constant acknowledgement and encouraging from everyone have played a large part in fueling my motivation to get where I am today.

One thing that is very important during weight loss, is support, and fortunately, I have had amazing support. If you are planning on losing weight in the next few months, take a look around at the people you deal with from day-to-day, because those people will be motivators to you on the days that you don't feel like pushing yourself.

Therefore this holiday season, I want to thank everyone that has supported me.  In some way, shape or form, you have helped push me to do better, and to expect a better person for myself, and for that, I am humbled and grateful.

Thank you to everyone, and have a great Thanksgiving!!

Last Day of the Weekend... Let's Make the Most out of it!!

It is now Sunday morning and I am getting ready to head to the YMCA for my workout.  I have decided that Sunday is typically my day to do my most challenging workouts.  It gives me a chance to clear my head and get ready for the workweek.  However, this week is a shortened week, so I am excited about the time off. 

Today, I will start my morning with a swim workout of around 800-1000 yards, and then transition into an hour and a half spinning class.  Once I get finished with that, it's time to eat a powerbar and move on to some running or strength training (I haven't quite decided yet).  Either way, I have a few hours of fun ahead of me.  I am also looking forward to the Thoroughbred Classic, a 5K run around Keeneland on Thanksgiving morning.  I am going to try to get a new PR on this one. 

Also, yesterday, I ran the new half marathon route for the "Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon" that happens in March 2012, and loved it.  It was an extremly windy and hilly route, but I really enjoyed the chance to run it with other racers.  I usually run alone and it was a different experience to be able to run alongside others.  I think the race itself will be challenging, but I hope to use it as a measure of my physical abilities before the Louisville Marathon that is toward the end of April 2012.

Hope everyone can get out today and have fun! Watch some football, run, shop, or even workout, just have fun. Until next time...

-Jason

It's Friday!!

Time to go for a run!  Trial run of your choosing, either 7 or 13.1 miles on the new course for the Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon is tomorrow morning.  Anyone out there interested in running the route, please join us at Keeneland at 7:30am. The actual event is on March 31st.

Look forward to seeing everyone out there!! If not, have a great weekend and stay tuned.  I will be adding in my 2012 race schedule soon.  I am new to these races, so if anyone has any suggestions of any races that I could run in, please feel free to email enviro.engineer@gmail.com or comment.

As of today, 238 lbs and counting down...

When do you know?

When do you know when you need to change things in your life?  I am not quite sure, but for me, it was over the course of years of seeing myself in the mirror and trying to make myself believe that I wasn't fat. I knew all along that i was, but like most people with a problem, I was in denial.  I went through some of these photos last night and couldn't believe how big I really was.  I really was almost 400 lbs! I could eat a triple whopper with cheese, chicken fries, regular fries, and then wash it all down with a diet coke.  Genius Right??

Christmas 2008 - Wow, may need a wide angle lens next time!

Summer 2010 - Take a load off Buddy!!

Christmas 2010 - This is what broke the straw for me.  Two weeks later, I was starting anew way of life. We now use that shirt as a sheet for one of our beds.

Now for some 2011 Photos!
August 2011 - My first 5K!!

Another one in August.

And last one, Iron Horse Half Marathon!! October 2011

End of the Workday!! Time to have some real fun!!

Now that the workday is almost over, I get to lace up my running shoes and pound the pavement for a ten mile run!! I may not break any speed records, but it's not about that; it's about getting the chance to do something that less than a year ago, I couldn't have physically been able to attempt. It's time to pop in my headphones, and let the road take me where I need to go! Oh, by the way, I now run an average of about 35-40 miles a week, a long way from the 1 mile run/walk loop that I used to do!! Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can!!

A little background information...

Like I said before, I started this journey with the hopes of losing a little weight to get healthier, but it has now become a way of life, a start to a new world.  My life has been turned around.  Since the start of my weight loss, I have grown to love running.  I started by running/walking a mile lap until I was able to complete one whole lap! I was 340 lbs when I was able to complete my first lap without stopping.  My knees and feet hurt, and it seemed  like I had just run a marathon, and in fact, once I completed the entire mile, that is exactly what it was.  It was the start of my marathon.

Since that day that I completed that one full mile, I have fell in love with running.  I started by entering a July 4th 10K and then went on to a 5K race.  Just recently, this past October, I just completed a Half-Marathon!! Until this year, I have never entered in a race nor did I think that I could even do one.  I just registered for the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon in April and also have my fingers crossed to get a spot to run the Chicago marathon next year!

I just wanted to share some tidbits about me...

More Photos of the BIGGER Me

This is me standing with my mother when I graduated from college in 2006.  One of my heavier days. Almost 390 lbs. here.  I was worried that they wouldn't have a gown big enough for me. More photos of the bigger me to follow...

The BIGGER me...

This are photos during my "first ever" official vacation with my family.  I was weighing in at approx. 380 lbs! I was having a great time, but knew something needed to change in my life. I have been married to my wife almost ten years, and had gained almost 100lbs. since I met her.  She has loved me every step of the way, no matter what weight I have been at.  Wow, what an amazing woman!!

My First Official Blog Entry

Ok, here it is, my first official posting as a blogger.  I don't have anything genius to say or any words of wisdom. All I can say is that my life has changed in front of my own eyes.  I have lost a total of 140 lbs. since my journey started on January 10th. Like most people, I had a New Year's Resolution to lose weight and it started with that. Since that time, my life has changed dramatically. More to come...