Sorry for the delay.....BIG NEWS

Happy New Years! This year is already proving to be one for the record books!

2010 was obviously a pretty great year for Pam and I.

Our wedding was in October, it was a great time and an awesome day where I got to marry my best friend.

I had my surgery in June, and have lost 132 lbs in 6 months.

Pam and I ran our first 5k together in December, and we finished!!

I finished in 37 minutes (which is my favorite number), and finished it running/sprinting! It is the first step in our ultimate goal of competing in our 1st anniversary Sprint Triathlon in September. The satisfaction of completing a 5k after only 5 weeks of actual running with the Couch to 5k app was AWESOME!!

So now for 2011...

I am Mr.December in the Hershey Hospital Calendar, have to go pick up a copy of the calendar so I can see what pics they used. Getting ready to run in some endurance obstacle course races in the next few months. Setting my weight goal at 210 by my surgery anniversary date in June. 

Thank you for your support over the past few months, I am really grateful for all of my friends and family.  

Update..Update..Update

Week 4 of Couch to 5k is coming to a close tonight! Week 4 has me averaging 2.4 miles in 31 minutes, about a 12.40 pace per mile. I will need to drop that to about a 11 minute pace by the Jingle Bell Trot in 2 weeks. My goal is to finish the 5k in under 35 minutes...who am I kidding my goal is to finish the damn thing...period.

Decided to get rid of my Xbox and purchase Ski Equipment. I haven't gone skiing since I was 16, and yes I grew up in Upstate NY, I know that is a little strange. So my goal is to be able to ski in Jackson Hole, Wyoming by March. I figure this will keep me motivated during the sluggish winter months when going to the Gym sucks the most. Thanks to Tommy and John for offering me some help in accomplishing this newest feat.

Jingle Bell 5k..sponsor me...link will be on the right shortly and on Facebook...

Triathlon Training...I have been focusing on core strength building for the past few weeks, so that means bench press, squats and dead lifts. I have watched my max weight increase weekly, the gains in physical strength has been remarkable. For always being a BIG guy, I was very weak. By increasing my strength in my legs,back and chest it has made my cardio workout that much easier. We are 9 months out from the YMCA SPrint Tri...just like having a baby  :)

Til next week....

J

No death...no shin splints

well, week two has one more day left.  I have to admit, I am actually a bit giddy about finishing week two and can't wait for week three!  Pretty sure that will change on Monday when week three starts.  I am spending less time running but have increased my distance and have realized that the running is not going to kill me or give me shin splints (my worst nightmare!).  I have been telling people about our triathlon commitment...partly to brag and partly to make sure I stay the course.  The cool outcome with it today is that I actually got someone to agree to join me in running the Race against racism 5k in April (which will be six months before the triathlon).  See you on the other side of Day 1 of week three!

4.5 mph and still running....

So, by Jason starting a week ahead of me, several things have happened.  He told me that I posted a mean post, it allowed us to grow together as I expressed all of my crazy needs in regards to support and encouragement, and most importantly, it got my behind on the treadmill....which was the whole point anyhow.  I guess all good marriages need excitement like this and I'll keep him!  So, onto the running part.  I am still in the run/walk portion.  I am secretly hoping I can run as fast and as far as Jason; but after all, he is a week ahead of me.  I have actually been doing much better than I expected think I might need to add some challenge by increasing the speed a bit...yeah, I'll let you know how this goes.

10-10-10 and the annual celebration of three's begins!

So, yes, this whole idea was mine...I thought we could really play on the whole 10-10-10 anniversary by celebrating each year of marriage by doing something associated with three's.  For all of you who just went to the gutter, that will not be one of the ways we celebrate.  A triathlon however, is a great way for us to stay focused and motivated for each other during our first official year of marriage.  We participate in something jointly that still allows and requires us to focus on our individuality; the perfect metaphor for how we view our marriage.  Yes, we've moved from "Jason and Pam" to "newlyweds" (which really doesn't feel any different) but now we are moving toward a new common goal.  So, yes, I have some expectations for how all of this is going to work....and I have some legitimate concerns.  Of course, the first is, am I really going to be able to do this?....the triathlon silly, not the marriage!   I can tell we don't really have a lot of followers of the blog yet, because no one commented on the fact that only one honeymooner had begun training.  Is this really how we are going to start...you've left the gate without me???   So begins the journey.

Stay tuned...

One Month Away!!

The Jingle Bell 5k is December 12th, officially 1 month away. I cant believe how close that really is...its all happening :)

Pam started her training on Monday, now were running together 3 days a week. I never thought I would be running with my wife (she has completed 2 5k's) this is a pretty cool thing.

The running is surprisingly easy, its staying focused for 30 minutes that I am having difficulty with. I hit the 6.2 mph mark Wednesday night, I just stared at a hole in the wall in front of me for 90 seconds. It actually helped to have something to focus on. The feeling in my legs after I get done is hysterical, I feel like I am walking on jello. I have changed up my workout routine, I am going to focus on core strength building for the next several months. The theory is to use rep count to achieve different goals (strength,stamina,mass). So for now dead lift,bench press, front/backsquat are my main exercises. I will do legs and arms one day a week, coupled with my swim and bike days.

I am going to be Mr.December in the Hershey Bariatric Calendar for 2011...Here is the before I think they will use...

And the after...

I will post the ordering instructions soon. :)

Til next week...

Longest Run in 10 years

2.06 miles in 31 minutes...half run, half walk... this couch to 5k program is amazing. It really gives you a sense of accomplishment when your done, especially when you haven't attempted anything like this before. Instead of just jumping out and trying to run a mile and failing this program develops your confidence and stamina so you can reach your goal. I am actually looking forward to starting week 2 on Monday.

Training Log- Tuesday
2 mile Bike
Shoulder and Back workout

Training Log- Wednesday
2.06 mile run
250 Yard swim

A little sore today, the swim is going to be the hardest part of the training, luckily my better half is a competitive swimmer with years of experience. She will be able to teach me quite a bit, and thankfully I have 11 months to get my swim confidence at the right level.

Next on my agenda...find a good road bike and learn how to ride properly...