My Swimming History

No lyrics just beat.

Position Music - The New York Nightfall

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Pardon the lack of lyrics.  I don't listen to music when I swim (Although I want to, but have not gotten around to buying a waterproof shuffle).  If I did have a song it'd something slow and strong like the above.

My zodiac sign is Pisces, a fish.  When I grew up I loved the water.  I didn't like to swim but I liked the water.  I've never had issues with swimming.  Due to my current body fat percentage I'm rather adept at floating.  It could both be an advantage and disadvantage.

I haven't had much chance to swim in open water.  I mostly hit the pool in my gym.  I try to go at off peak hours because swimming in calm waters is much better.  The pool is 25 meters long.  I first started out by doing 10 laps in breaststroke form.  Breaststroke to me is the easiest form.  I'm not fast but I enjoy what I do so it doesn't matter.

Swimming allows me time to slow my thoughts and really find myself.  Sometimes I pray to the beings in higher dimensions for guidance, support and strength.  I don't want to sound all religious, it's not about that.  It's a moment of reflection.  In the water on a good day its nice and peaceful and quiet.  I have less distractions and I can think.  My breath is controlled like in meditation.  Thoughts become fluid and more vivid.  

Sometimes I close my eyes for brief periods of time and think about myself and where I've come.  I imagine people pushing me along and I go a little bit further a little bit faster.  It's really quite relaxing to swim.  Now when I hit the big race i'm sure 10,000 people thrashing in the water won't be very calming.  For now it's what it is.

Swimming can be scary for some of you who can't swim.  Take it easy your first time out.  Find a nice shallow pool and just try floating.  You will get there I promise.

More stories to come....

Thanks for reading.

My Cycling History

We rode on lightning we shone like the sun

In a thunderous symphony

We fought them hard we fought them so brave,

Sending them back to their grave

The Hammer has fallen

The fire still burns in our hearts

From the Lake of Fire they have come

Fierce almighty legions, one by one

When the Flames of Glory touch the sky

Trailblazers do or die

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Biking really set me on a course for some serious weight loss.  I mean I had lost a significant amount of weight already in the small duration of time prior to it being warm enough to bike.  However, biking made it so much more enjoyable.  I knew that I would eventually tire of the gym.  No pun intended there. 

I knew that at my current pace if I didn't change things up my body would plateau and i'd stop losing weight. However, I asked my dad to send me my old Raleigh M50 that I bought second hand years ago while I was down in North Carolina.  Fixing her up was a real challenge.

I called a few bike shops around where I worked.  Performance Bike quoted me 150 to put her back together and 60 for a tune up.  They also said it would take a month.  Needless to say I hung up.  I looked around and around but my co-worker told me to check this shop in Willow Springs called 2bici.  (shameless plug)  

No honestly,  Joe, Ryan, Chase, Sweet Pea, if it wasn't for those guys I wouldn't have gotten so deep into cycling.  Joe charged me just for a tuneup because part of a tune up is taking apart the bike.  I didn't get any hassle from these guys and they were done in a day or two. I'll occasionally ride with these guys after they close shop for the day.

www.2bici.com

So my first time on my bike, I road like a mile or two.  I was still hefty melon at this point.  I got myself onto the Salt Creek Trail and let me just tell you.  I fell in love immediately of how majestic and regal nature could be.  It was nearly sundown and the kind of nature like creepy outdoor you are all alone feeling hit me.  The way the sun hit the trees.  It was still cold and chilly but I rode.  After it got dark I peddled as fast as I could back home. I knew I had to explore the entire trail.

The bike's name is Thunder Horse by the way.  She took me on many great rides.  I gave her to my pops so he could enjoy the benefits of being healthy as well.  In June of 2012 I bought my new CAAD 10 by Cannondale.  A road race bike.  

I put 100 miles on her before I named her.  I rode my first half century ride on the 4th of July in 100+ degree weather.  I named her Independence. Not because it was the 4th of July but because with her I had won my Independence back.

Here is the entry from my facebook page

"Today is July 4th 2012. On this day we celebrate each year the independence day of our country, the United States of America. What better way to celebrate than by claiming my independence from the old me. a fat whale of a person who sat in front of a computer all day watching tv and playing games. (no offense to my friends) but I mean ALL day.
Today I claim my independence from old self. Not only that but I have also found a name for my bike. My bike's name is Independence. Today I mark a turning stone in the war with obesity. I am no longer scared to push myself in the directions I need to go. I choose to do things not because they are easy but because they are hard.
Thank you to all who have given me encouragement these past few months. I couldn't have done it without you.
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/kEW-2-EzYao"

Since my half century I've attempted a century ride 4 times and failed.  However, this year I will do a century and more.....

Couldn't find a relatable picture so here you go.

Thanks for reading. 

My Running History

Makes me that much stronger

Makes me work a little bit harder

It makes me that much wiser

So thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster

Made my skin a little bit thicker

Makes me that much smarter

So thanks for making me a fighter

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How did I end up running? I ask myself this question at least once a week. Please understand that I don't ask myself in a negative light. It's more so why didn't I do this sooner. I'm in a much happier place now for having done this.

Sure i'm not fast. I can't run a marathon. Will I ever? I don't know. Right now its making the next step. Getting a tiny bit faster. Running a few more times a week. Getting my miles in per week. Did I run 8 and a half minute miles when I started? NO.

I attempted a few runs back in 2010. My fastest time back in those days were 22 minutes. A run in 22 minutes? No it was more of a walk. My shins killed me too. I did elliptical for quite a bit of time and only recently decided to try the treadmill out. Surprisingly I ran my first mile on the treadmill in just 14 minutes. 8 minute improvement! I kept on it, and sure I had to take a break or two here and there but as time progressed I got a little bit faster. I went from 14 to 12 to 11 to 10... I'm down to 8:43.

"I'm no Usain Bolt."~me in my last post.

Let's examine this quote. Who is Usain Bolt? "He is a Jamaican sprinter widely regarded as the fastest person ever. He is the first man to hold both the 100 metres and 200 metres world records since fully automatic time measurements became mandatory in 1977."~Wikipedia

Some questions come to mind when I say this.  Why do I have to be the world's best runner?  Why do I have to be the fastest?  Am I the most powerful force in the universe? No, could I ever be? No.  I don't admit gamma ray bursts.  Why should I worry about being an Usain Bolt?  Is he the fastest runner in the world? (in the animal kingdom hell no)  It's feeble to think you shouldn't run because you aren't the fastest or the best.  You run because it's fun, and you beat yourself.

Today I ran 5 miles in 56 minutes, on a treadmill with 0 incline.  (not exactly real life conditions) However, it was an 8k run.  I didn't stop or slow down I kept a constant 5.2mph on the treadmill.  I am very proud of myself.  I even ran the last 0.10 miles

I'll give regular updates as to my speed/incline/distance on Fridays.

Thanks For Reading

asdas

AS
COUNTDOWN CLOCK WIDGETS

The Beginning

The arena is empty except for one man,

Still driving and striving as fast as he can.

The sun has gone down and the moon has come up,

And long ago somebody left with the cup.

But he's driving and striving and hugging the turns

......

I've started something that I couldn't have imagined i'd ever start before.  I'm running, biking, swimming.  When you put those together you get a triathlete.  I'm just starting now and its becoming more than just a hobby.  It's almost a way of life for me now.   Someone called me an athlete once.  I was a bit in shock to hear it.  I was never really fit before.  

Athlete: a person who is trained or skilled in excerises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina ~ Merriam Webster Dictionary

At first I was scared of the new title.  I felt I needed to achieve unrealistic goals to portray what I thought being an athlete meant.  I'm no Usain Bolt, Lance Armstrong(even after the whole doping thing), or Michael Phelps.  After running my first 5k I realized that is not what being an athlete is all about.  It's about loving what you do and wanting to share your inspiration with others. 

My first 5k, the Warm Your Heart 5k in Chicago IL.  It was an amazing experience.  I will always remember it.  It was my first competitive race ever.  I didn't go to compete with others I went to finish.  I surpassed my goals and I earned it where it counts.  Passing that finish line meant so much more to me than finishing.  It meant I had started a new life.  People who know me know that is true on many levels.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

I really started this blog as a place to track my progress and give myself an incentive to keep going.  I'm going to update at least once or twice a week and keep up with my training.  After all I have the Shamrock Shuffle in little under 4 months.

Thanks For Reading.