"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them" - Albert Einstein
This reminds be of the saying "If we continue to do what we have always done, we will continue to get the same results". If what we have done has gotten us into trouble or into a situation, if we continue with those same actions, the trouble will continue. But if we change our ways, those same problems will not reoccur. We must learn from our mistakes and change our behavior to reach a successful outcome.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Knowing What We Don't Know
"The learning and knowledge that we have, is, at the most, but little compared with that of which we are ignorant." - Plato
Do you consider yourself a subject matter expert? For myself, I know more about some things then most, but at the same time know that there is someone that knows more about it then I do. Don't get caught in believing that your way is the only way or that what you know is the only way that it can be. Open your ears and your mind and listen to what others have to say. Who knows, we may learn something.
To put it another way; We don't know what we don't know.
Do you consider yourself a subject matter expert? For myself, I know more about some things then most, but at the same time know that there is someone that knows more about it then I do. Don't get caught in believing that your way is the only way or that what you know is the only way that it can be. Open your ears and your mind and listen to what others have to say. Who knows, we may learn something.
To put it another way; We don't know what we don't know.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Conversation Vs. Publication
Blogging is a relatively new way to communicate; at least it is for me. For the majority of us "bloggers" it is a forum that allows us to document ideas, thoughts and log our progress towards a goal. Others use it as a means of discussing a topic. Why did I start one? Well, I just wanted a place to throw out some of my hair brained ideas. Then it evolved into a log of what I was doing to make my life/health better. Now I am going tack to a log of my random thoughts and/or what an inspirational quote means to me. Like it or not, these are going to be my thought and ramblings, which I am sure will differ from what others think.
So for today:
"Whatever words we utter should be chosen with car for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill." – Budda
To me this quote can be looked at in a couple of ways. First, we are an example to others, good or bad, someone is watching/listening to us and who know what their mind will grasp onto and what they will be influenced by. It may be our kids, the little boy down the street or even one of our coworkers. Most of the time we never know who is watching us. It can even happen that at a when we are very young; someone thinks that we are the best there is. We just never know. I think that one of the greatest compliments that can be paid to a person is that someone wants to be just like them. This, I know is something others don't like. Oh well, this is only my opinion. Either way, we should live our lives as an example to others.
The second way is that what we say can be taken in a glass half full or a glass half empty type of way depending on the outlook of the listener. Words are words and can have multiple meanings. Word of inspiration to some will only enrage others. Choose your words carefully and it is always okay to agree to disagree.
So for today:
"Whatever words we utter should be chosen with car for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill." – Budda
To me this quote can be looked at in a couple of ways. First, we are an example to others, good or bad, someone is watching/listening to us and who know what their mind will grasp onto and what they will be influenced by. It may be our kids, the little boy down the street or even one of our coworkers. Most of the time we never know who is watching us. It can even happen that at a when we are very young; someone thinks that we are the best there is. We just never know. I think that one of the greatest compliments that can be paid to a person is that someone wants to be just like them. This, I know is something others don't like. Oh well, this is only my opinion. Either way, we should live our lives as an example to others.
The second way is that what we say can be taken in a glass half full or a glass half empty type of way depending on the outlook of the listener. Words are words and can have multiple meanings. Word of inspiration to some will only enrage others. Choose your words carefully and it is always okay to agree to disagree.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Year End Already !!!
Well, for me it is the end of a year. Yes, the end of the year already. Some of my goals have been met, while others have not. All in all, the year was a success. I feel better, have fewer aches and pains then I did last year.
Now is the time to start planning for next year. What, Where, Who and Why are questions running through my mind. How do I incorporate more family life into what I want to do without being too selfish?
Now is the time to start planning for next year. What, Where, Who and Why are questions running through my mind. How do I incorporate more family life into what I want to do without being too selfish?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Don't Worry, Be Happy.
It has been a while. Mainly because I kept finding myself becoming negative about most things and being disgruntle about others. Over the last couple weeks I've been wondering why. Could it be due to not being able to relieve stress? Was it because I didn't care for my job?
Well, I am still asking that question and probably always will. Without any answers, all that was needed was a new attitude. I spent the weekend looking at a coffee mug that I've had for years. On it is the script, "Attitude is Everything". At one time in my life I really believed and lived by that. In the past few years, I've gotten away from it.
When you spend your time looking at things as opportunities rather then interruptions and inconviences, your outlook becomes more positive. As an example, when I finished the Triceratops triathlon last Wednesday, I was down on myself because of my run results. But after I realized that there aren't that many people my age that can say they participate in events like this and I plan to participate in other events, my times didn't seem to matter as much. With more training time before the next event, all that is needed is the commitment to go out and sweat. Even when a morning hour long run is scheduled and just as it is time to head out the door and the youngest one wakes with a need for you, it is not that the run is lost; it is the time to spend alone with one of the kids that is gained. Yes, that may not bode well for the next triathlon, but the quality time spent with the kids is better then shaving a couple seconds off a split.
There are people that layout a schedule and must live to it or their world will come crumbling down around them. These people are perfectionist. No one, not even themselves can live up the standards they have set forth. The people around them become unhappy, resentful and stressed themselves. Things don't have to be perfect. If there is an empty soda can on the counter when your in-laws stop by, are you going to get a lecture about house keeping? No, but to the other extreme, if they have to climb over all the clutter that is throughout the house, you just might. But they are much less judgmental if they see a family that is happy to be with each other. If those that around you are perfectionist and you are not, then don't envy them or try to live up to their standards. They aren't happy trying to live up them either. Live up to your own standards and remember that time can't stand still and no matter what we do, life goes on.
We are not going to keep everything in its place all the time. When we enter an event, we are not always going to set a PR. There are many more people out there that cannot even get out of bed, walk, even feed themselves that we are truly bless to be of mind body and spirit that we can get up, get moving and breath the fresh air.
Why do we still get down on ourselves? Who knows, but it we take a "Who cares" attitude and enjoy what is here and now, we will be much happier and much less stressed.
Let's go take on the day and remember "Attitude IS Everything"
Well, I am still asking that question and probably always will. Without any answers, all that was needed was a new attitude. I spent the weekend looking at a coffee mug that I've had for years. On it is the script, "Attitude is Everything". At one time in my life I really believed and lived by that. In the past few years, I've gotten away from it.
When you spend your time looking at things as opportunities rather then interruptions and inconviences, your outlook becomes more positive. As an example, when I finished the Triceratops triathlon last Wednesday, I was down on myself because of my run results. But after I realized that there aren't that many people my age that can say they participate in events like this and I plan to participate in other events, my times didn't seem to matter as much. With more training time before the next event, all that is needed is the commitment to go out and sweat. Even when a morning hour long run is scheduled and just as it is time to head out the door and the youngest one wakes with a need for you, it is not that the run is lost; it is the time to spend alone with one of the kids that is gained. Yes, that may not bode well for the next triathlon, but the quality time spent with the kids is better then shaving a couple seconds off a split.
There are people that layout a schedule and must live to it or their world will come crumbling down around them. These people are perfectionist. No one, not even themselves can live up the standards they have set forth. The people around them become unhappy, resentful and stressed themselves. Things don't have to be perfect. If there is an empty soda can on the counter when your in-laws stop by, are you going to get a lecture about house keeping? No, but to the other extreme, if they have to climb over all the clutter that is throughout the house, you just might. But they are much less judgmental if they see a family that is happy to be with each other. If those that around you are perfectionist and you are not, then don't envy them or try to live up to their standards. They aren't happy trying to live up them either. Live up to your own standards and remember that time can't stand still and no matter what we do, life goes on.
We are not going to keep everything in its place all the time. When we enter an event, we are not always going to set a PR. There are many more people out there that cannot even get out of bed, walk, even feed themselves that we are truly bless to be of mind body and spirit that we can get up, get moving and breath the fresh air.
Why do we still get down on ourselves? Who knows, but it we take a "Who cares" attitude and enjoy what is here and now, we will be much happier and much less stressed.
Let's go take on the day and remember "Attitude IS Everything"
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Man In The Mirror
They say that everyone needs a break. Why does it seem like I am on a perpetual break? The year started out great, but the last few weeks I've fallen off the wagon. It first starts with family obligation gets in the way, then work. Now that work is out of the way, issues with the family have risen to the top. Will this cycle ever end and I can get back to training?
Even though I have been working out consistently at lunchtime for the last 8-10 weeks, I find that the mental excuses creep into my mind when there is the time to get a workout in. These excuses have made it much easier just to skip the workouts. Why do we give in? One reason is that for the most part, we are only accountable to ourselves. We rarely meet anyone at the gym or for other workouts. When no one else cares, why should we? Besides, if we don't workout, who will know? Yes, the axiom comes into play, where we are only cheating ourselves. If we are working out for ourselves, then we are the only ones that are going to care and if we are the one with the excuses then why not skip it?
My biggest question is how do I get past this? If I am accountable to someone else, then the likely hood that a workout is going to be skipped is minimized. But, who? Another method is to publish your workout schedule where you can see it. Put your weekly plan on a piece of paper and tape it to your bathroom mirror where you will see it in every morning. I am going to try this starting next week. With these last two weeks of having work and family obligations that have caused me to miss half my workouts. Next week will be the start of a 4 week session of speed work, strength building and technique work. So it is time to bring the split personality back and hold myself accountable to the person in the mirror.
Even though I have been working out consistently at lunchtime for the last 8-10 weeks, I find that the mental excuses creep into my mind when there is the time to get a workout in. These excuses have made it much easier just to skip the workouts. Why do we give in? One reason is that for the most part, we are only accountable to ourselves. We rarely meet anyone at the gym or for other workouts. When no one else cares, why should we? Besides, if we don't workout, who will know? Yes, the axiom comes into play, where we are only cheating ourselves. If we are working out for ourselves, then we are the only ones that are going to care and if we are the one with the excuses then why not skip it?
My biggest question is how do I get past this? If I am accountable to someone else, then the likely hood that a workout is going to be skipped is minimized. But, who? Another method is to publish your workout schedule where you can see it. Put your weekly plan on a piece of paper and tape it to your bathroom mirror where you will see it in every morning. I am going to try this starting next week. With these last two weeks of having work and family obligations that have caused me to miss half my workouts. Next week will be the start of a 4 week session of speed work, strength building and technique work. So it is time to bring the split personality back and hold myself accountable to the person in the mirror.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
What is going on here?
As the season progresses, we keep looking at the measurable accomplishments, like heart rate during our runs and rides, or our weight. Well after my first month or so of base building, I look back at where I was in comparison to where I am now. Below are the goals I had set out for myself for the last 4 weeks.
Where do I want to be in the next 4 weeks?- Lose Weight- 5K pace improved by 5%- Belt tightened by one notch
How did I do, well here are the results
- Lose Weight – lost 5 pounds - 5K pace improved by 5% - cut 15.2%
- Belt tightened by one notch – one notch achieved.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Looking at the results it appears that my goal for my 5k pace was not high enough, or I was so far out of shape when I began that there was no were to go but up. With the weight loss, there is not as much as I would have like to have seen, but the rate is right where is should have been for long term health.
What should I look for over the next 4 weeks? The path that I am on is a good one and there is time before triathlon season begins in the area. Therefore, for the next 4 weeks, my goals are going to remain the same with the exception of improving my 5k pace by 10%. These will keep me on track for a summer of fun.
They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. Over the past month I have developed a few good habits. There are a few more that I want to incorporate into my life. With March being a very crazy month in our household, the few habits that were developed are actually remarkable. Now with those ingrained, more can be added on top of them. Today is a new day and I don't want to wonder a year from now why I didn't start some of these things today.
The other day I saw the first Robin of the season. It seems that it is later in the year then normal, but it is one of the first signs of spring. Spring means that we can finally get outside and get off the dread mill or hamster wheel. To up my volume, this weekend will be the start of the kids getting out with me. The goal with them in the beginning is to make it fun and keep them safe. So for the youngest, it may just be a mile or less in the jogging stroller and with the oldest about a mile of more on his bike while I run/jog with him. I may have to go out and get some miles in before swinging by the house and getting one or both them to finish off the workout.
One of things that I've been mulling over in my head is a 5k race in my hometown in July. My hesitation is from not knowing who the race involves. In the city, a 5k race draws all kinds of age groupers and athletes. But in the sticks, I am making the assumption that the racers will only be the young kids. So, for this year, I may try to check out the race and maybe volunteer for it. I do have to be in the area then and would like to get a workout in though and the race would be a great way to do it. I don't know?
Today's experiment is going to be an after dinner smoothie. There are always bananas and fruit in the house, but I want to get some vegetables into this one. We'll see what happens and I'll report out on it.
Small steps are better then no steps.
Where do I want to be in the next 4 weeks?- Lose Weight- 5K pace improved by 5%- Belt tightened by one notch
How did I do, well here are the results
- Lose Weight – lost 5 pounds - 5K pace improved by 5% - cut 15.2%
- Belt tightened by one notch – one notch achieved.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Looking at the results it appears that my goal for my 5k pace was not high enough, or I was so far out of shape when I began that there was no were to go but up. With the weight loss, there is not as much as I would have like to have seen, but the rate is right where is should have been for long term health.
What should I look for over the next 4 weeks? The path that I am on is a good one and there is time before triathlon season begins in the area. Therefore, for the next 4 weeks, my goals are going to remain the same with the exception of improving my 5k pace by 10%. These will keep me on track for a summer of fun.
They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. Over the past month I have developed a few good habits. There are a few more that I want to incorporate into my life. With March being a very crazy month in our household, the few habits that were developed are actually remarkable. Now with those ingrained, more can be added on top of them. Today is a new day and I don't want to wonder a year from now why I didn't start some of these things today.
The other day I saw the first Robin of the season. It seems that it is later in the year then normal, but it is one of the first signs of spring. Spring means that we can finally get outside and get off the dread mill or hamster wheel. To up my volume, this weekend will be the start of the kids getting out with me. The goal with them in the beginning is to make it fun and keep them safe. So for the youngest, it may just be a mile or less in the jogging stroller and with the oldest about a mile of more on his bike while I run/jog with him. I may have to go out and get some miles in before swinging by the house and getting one or both them to finish off the workout.
One of things that I've been mulling over in my head is a 5k race in my hometown in July. My hesitation is from not knowing who the race involves. In the city, a 5k race draws all kinds of age groupers and athletes. But in the sticks, I am making the assumption that the racers will only be the young kids. So, for this year, I may try to check out the race and maybe volunteer for it. I do have to be in the area then and would like to get a workout in though and the race would be a great way to do it. I don't know?
Today's experiment is going to be an after dinner smoothie. There are always bananas and fruit in the house, but I want to get some vegetables into this one. We'll see what happens and I'll report out on it.
Small steps are better then no steps.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
Well, I made it through building up the intensity for 3 weeks. Now I get to take it easy for a week. Well, not really take it easy; just back it down to where I was the week before last. All I have to say is that I didn't think I would make it, but my medium effort of a couple weeks ago, now is my easy effort. For the aging age grouper I am, being able to spend a half hour every day at lunch the progress feet great. In the past, I haven't taken the time to do it right.
This last weekend I started rolling my ITB. WOW that was painful the first couple of days. I have always suffered from knee problems and that was being attributed to all the basketball that was played over the years. After listing to a podcast that stated 90% of all runners with knee problems actually have a tight ITB, a foam roller became part of my home gym. The first morning my legs felt like I had received a message. The next workout was one of the best in a long time. Rolling is in the plan from here on.
A couple days before the roller arrived the workout was spent in the pool with one goal; LEARN TO FLIP TURN.. With the limited time and wanting to work it until my form deteriorated, I was able to get 15 -20 minutes of swimming in. So for the next 4 weeks, I am going to plan one swim session in a week for nothing but drills and flip turns.
A week ago there was a debate about wither to do another 4 weeks of base training of start with the speed work. Well, there is time and I haven't done it in the past, so the next 4 weeks are going to be more base training. If a sufficient base can be built it will help more in the long run and the speed work can always be done later. Besides, there is a greater chance to get injured with speed work especially if there is an insufficient base. I am not in this to set speed records or to win, the goal is to be healthy and enjoy life.
Here in the Midwest the weather is finally starting to warm up. Well it did a week ago and then the temperature dropped 20 degrees F for this week. The temperature is supposed to climb throughout the week so hopefully we can get the kids out in the jogging stroller on the weekends. This can only add to the time that I get out and get active.
SMALL STEPS are better then NO STEPS
This last weekend I started rolling my ITB. WOW that was painful the first couple of days. I have always suffered from knee problems and that was being attributed to all the basketball that was played over the years. After listing to a podcast that stated 90% of all runners with knee problems actually have a tight ITB, a foam roller became part of my home gym. The first morning my legs felt like I had received a message. The next workout was one of the best in a long time. Rolling is in the plan from here on.
A couple days before the roller arrived the workout was spent in the pool with one goal; LEARN TO FLIP TURN.. With the limited time and wanting to work it until my form deteriorated, I was able to get 15 -20 minutes of swimming in. So for the next 4 weeks, I am going to plan one swim session in a week for nothing but drills and flip turns.
A week ago there was a debate about wither to do another 4 weeks of base training of start with the speed work. Well, there is time and I haven't done it in the past, so the next 4 weeks are going to be more base training. If a sufficient base can be built it will help more in the long run and the speed work can always be done later. Besides, there is a greater chance to get injured with speed work especially if there is an insufficient base. I am not in this to set speed records or to win, the goal is to be healthy and enjoy life.
Here in the Midwest the weather is finally starting to warm up. Well it did a week ago and then the temperature dropped 20 degrees F for this week. The temperature is supposed to climb throughout the week so hopefully we can get the kids out in the jogging stroller on the weekends. This can only add to the time that I get out and get active.
SMALL STEPS are better then NO STEPS
Friday, March 12, 2010
Work the Plan
Over the past couple of weeks, the time to workout has comprised mostly of lunchtime workout. This has been working great and not so great. By having a consistent uninterrupted time to workout, I no longer can put off workouts because of life getting in the way. So there goes that excuse. Next up is going to be, "I'm too tired" or "My knee hurts". These are all the excuses that I've used in the past and I am sure that I will use them in the future. I remember clearly during a sprint distance triathlon a couple of years ago, shortly after starting the swim, I said to myself "What am I doing here". Of coarse that year, I hadn't gotten a single swim in before the race and my workouts had been limited to once or twice a week. Basically, I had no plan and it showed in my attitude and ultimately the results. I finished dead last in my age group. That is not a fact that I tell people very often. The question now becomes how do I prevent that from happening again?
In the past, I almost always had a plan. But it was always a plan that even from the start was impossible for me to accomplish. Yes, there were A, B and C races, with stages along the way for peak performance coming just in time for the A race. But the hours that I planned we such that they could not be met without myself or my family having to sacrifice way too much. What is different this year? For starters, my races are marked on my calendar, my start point to peak just in time for my A race was marked. From there this years plan completely diverges from those of the past. This years plan only covers the next 4 weeks. No longer does it cover every day from now until the end, it is broken down into small manageable session. Why 4 weeks? As most of you know, periodization training is in 4 week blocks, 3 weeks of build and 1 week of rest.
The planned hours no long is a wish list of training time; it is an actual time that can be scheduled. Yes it is not the duration that most think that is needed, but it is the time that I as a husband and father have. How am I going to build endurance with limited time available? After doing some research, it looks like the endurance and fitness can be achieved through intervals. Once a base is built, intervals will be used to develop speed and add fitness. The question of the hour is, should my plan be to do base training for an additional month (which I have time for) or do I jump into the intervals and work on building my speed? I have another week or two to decide. To come to a decision, I will sit down and look at where my weaknesses are and where the focus needs to be.
Plan the work and work the plan
In the past, I almost always had a plan. But it was always a plan that even from the start was impossible for me to accomplish. Yes, there were A, B and C races, with stages along the way for peak performance coming just in time for the A race. But the hours that I planned we such that they could not be met without myself or my family having to sacrifice way too much. What is different this year? For starters, my races are marked on my calendar, my start point to peak just in time for my A race was marked. From there this years plan completely diverges from those of the past. This years plan only covers the next 4 weeks. No longer does it cover every day from now until the end, it is broken down into small manageable session. Why 4 weeks? As most of you know, periodization training is in 4 week blocks, 3 weeks of build and 1 week of rest.
The planned hours no long is a wish list of training time; it is an actual time that can be scheduled. Yes it is not the duration that most think that is needed, but it is the time that I as a husband and father have. How am I going to build endurance with limited time available? After doing some research, it looks like the endurance and fitness can be achieved through intervals. Once a base is built, intervals will be used to develop speed and add fitness. The question of the hour is, should my plan be to do base training for an additional month (which I have time for) or do I jump into the intervals and work on building my speed? I have another week or two to decide. To come to a decision, I will sit down and look at where my weaknesses are and where the focus needs to be.
Plan the work and work the plan
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Magic Bullet - Keep it Up
I think I found the magic bullet. Today I was able to get a workout in during lunch. My gym is pretty close to my work and I ran out during lunch for a trial run to the gym. It took a little longer to get there then planned so my workout was a little shorter then I would have liked. All told, I got a quick swim in to work on my breathing and stroke turnover. It apparently worked. The tell is that my shoulders are a little sore, which feels great.
Being that I work at a couple different locations, and that my gym has multiple locations, I can get a workout in at lunch at both locations. So for now I have scheduled my lunch hours over the next month for workouts and hopefully no one squats on my time with another meeting. The plan will be to get a run or ride in on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and a Swim in on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If I am lucky, maybe I can get a second workout in at home while the kids sleep.
A half dozen years ago I read a book by Total Immersion on triathlon swimming. Along with it I had a DVD that demonstrated the drills to improve the efficiency of your stroke. While traveling for work, I would go out for a run then when back at the hotel, I would review a drill a day and then head to the hotel pool and practice one of those drills. This was great for my stroke and I improved dramatically. Unfortunately I have misplaced the DVD and now have to purchase a new one.
After all the started and then getting pulled off track, I am excited about being able to find a consistent time to get a workout in. Now to make workouts as effective as possible I need to do some planning. For my riding and running I use a heart rate monitor and have been researching how to best use heart rate to get the most out of workouts. The biggest thing is to find your maximum heart rate. For this there are a few different methods. The most accurate is a time trial run or ride. Not wanting to subject myself to this, there are a couple of formulas. The most widely used and the least accurate is to subtract your age from 220 and the resultant is your max HR. Seeing that the winter time is time for rebuilding a base, the goal is to workout in the 60~70% of max range. So for the next month, that’s were I will be.
I have a friend that says "Losers Complain while Winner Train". So it is time to plan the training and work the plan.
Being that I work at a couple different locations, and that my gym has multiple locations, I can get a workout in at lunch at both locations. So for now I have scheduled my lunch hours over the next month for workouts and hopefully no one squats on my time with another meeting. The plan will be to get a run or ride in on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and a Swim in on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If I am lucky, maybe I can get a second workout in at home while the kids sleep.
A half dozen years ago I read a book by Total Immersion on triathlon swimming. Along with it I had a DVD that demonstrated the drills to improve the efficiency of your stroke. While traveling for work, I would go out for a run then when back at the hotel, I would review a drill a day and then head to the hotel pool and practice one of those drills. This was great for my stroke and I improved dramatically. Unfortunately I have misplaced the DVD and now have to purchase a new one.
After all the started and then getting pulled off track, I am excited about being able to find a consistent time to get a workout in. Now to make workouts as effective as possible I need to do some planning. For my riding and running I use a heart rate monitor and have been researching how to best use heart rate to get the most out of workouts. The biggest thing is to find your maximum heart rate. For this there are a few different methods. The most accurate is a time trial run or ride. Not wanting to subject myself to this, there are a couple of formulas. The most widely used and the least accurate is to subtract your age from 220 and the resultant is your max HR. Seeing that the winter time is time for rebuilding a base, the goal is to workout in the 60~70% of max range. So for the next month, that’s were I will be.
I have a friend that says "Losers Complain while Winner Train". So it is time to plan the training and work the plan.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Let's get up and go.
" There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting." Budda
Well, I am going to keep this post short. It finally looks like I have made it through all the winter viral and bug season. With two you children in daycare, every know virus makes its way into our home during the colder months. Every once in a while, one comes along that will get me, but for the most part, I avoid them. So, after having stuffed sinuses and coming down with the another bug a couple weeks ago, it feels like I am ready to run again.
I started off with great plans for the winter. Wanting to get in a bunch of slow runs to build a base. That went well for the month of December and January, but during February it was tough to get anything done with all the bugs around. Today, I was able to have enough energy to get up early and get a half hour run in. Hopefully, that will continue for the rest of the week. If I take it one week at a time, things should work out.
Although, I was up and going well before the kids are supposed to rise, for some reason, our youngest decided that this was the day he was going to get up early. That was enough to get daddy an ear full from mommy for going for a run this morning. Hopefully tomorrow works out better.
Postmortem on the workout is good. There is no soreness or fatigue. Which is pretty good for not getting enough sleep last night. The lack of sleep is due to finally being able to catch up on some of my reading. One more night and I will have caught up with all my magazines. After that, I will probably start reading and I know this is not masculine, but the next reading material that will be up are my wife's magazines, unless I am able to find time to stop at the library and pick up a book. There is only a week before my subscriptions start showing up and there will be a whole new pile of reading material ready to go.
I was discussing not being able to find a time to run that was not getting preempted by the kids or household issues with my wife this weekend. She suggested that I start planning on going to the gym during my lunch. Well in order to do that, I would need to take some extra time during lunch and work a little later. This is entirely feasible and I am going to give it a shot. The only thing that may get in the way is having to get out of work early enough to get the kids. But, we will see how it goes.
Small steps are better then no steps and you have to start by putting one foot in front of the other.
Well, I am going to keep this post short. It finally looks like I have made it through all the winter viral and bug season. With two you children in daycare, every know virus makes its way into our home during the colder months. Every once in a while, one comes along that will get me, but for the most part, I avoid them. So, after having stuffed sinuses and coming down with the another bug a couple weeks ago, it feels like I am ready to run again.
I started off with great plans for the winter. Wanting to get in a bunch of slow runs to build a base. That went well for the month of December and January, but during February it was tough to get anything done with all the bugs around. Today, I was able to have enough energy to get up early and get a half hour run in. Hopefully, that will continue for the rest of the week. If I take it one week at a time, things should work out.
Although, I was up and going well before the kids are supposed to rise, for some reason, our youngest decided that this was the day he was going to get up early. That was enough to get daddy an ear full from mommy for going for a run this morning. Hopefully tomorrow works out better.
Postmortem on the workout is good. There is no soreness or fatigue. Which is pretty good for not getting enough sleep last night. The lack of sleep is due to finally being able to catch up on some of my reading. One more night and I will have caught up with all my magazines. After that, I will probably start reading and I know this is not masculine, but the next reading material that will be up are my wife's magazines, unless I am able to find time to stop at the library and pick up a book. There is only a week before my subscriptions start showing up and there will be a whole new pile of reading material ready to go.
I was discussing not being able to find a time to run that was not getting preempted by the kids or household issues with my wife this weekend. She suggested that I start planning on going to the gym during my lunch. Well in order to do that, I would need to take some extra time during lunch and work a little later. This is entirely feasible and I am going to give it a shot. The only thing that may get in the way is having to get out of work early enough to get the kids. But, we will see how it goes.
Small steps are better then no steps and you have to start by putting one foot in front of the other.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Be The Example We Would Like To Have
I have taken up listening to Podcasts during my daily commute. While listening to one of them this week, a statement was made that our actions we take now will have an affect on generations to come. The way we live doesn't go un-noticed. Whether we like it or not, the way we live is how our kids are going to live. Our kids will also pass down our lifestyle and habits to their kids and so on through the generations.
Almost every area of our lives comes into play. When we read to our kids when they are young, they will grow up to be readers. Coming from and educated family, it was just a given that I would be educated. There was no discussion as to if I or my siblings wanted to go to college, that was just a given. We were encouraged to study anything that interested us. Many people grow up without that much direction. We all have the opportunity, but if our parents don't start us down a path, we just flounder. In the opposite direction, if our parents steer us through our entire life and down all our paths, we tend to resent them and break free and flee in a opposite direction when given the opportunity.
Back to the choices we make and how the affect generations to come, if we choose to live a healthy lifestyle, our kids will live a healthy lifestyle by example. They will eat the foods that we eat, exercise or do the activities we do. If we make our lives fun, they will be fun people and live life to the fullest. But also think of this, if we accept living in a house that is a mess, our kids will accept this as okay for them too.
I ask myself not if I am going to make an impression on a life, but what kind of impression am I going to leave on the lives around me? The lesson here is to be the example of what we would like to become. If we don't like they way we turned out, and we want to improve our lives and the lives of the generations to follow, ask "What could or should have my parents done differently?" When you answer that question, go out and learn what needs to done to make the changes that you want to see.
Our entire lives are not predetermined, but they have been influence dramatically by our Ancestors. If we don't like what we have become, we need to clean our slate, set new goals and start over. It is never too late. Some aspects will be easier then the next and some will seem impossible, yet if the goal is really desired, the outcome will be achieved. Some people say that they were not given the same opportunities as others and are not able to achieve what they want. The truth of the matter is that they were not shown that they have the opportunity to be anything they want to be.
Dance like no one is watching, live like everyone is watching.
Almost every area of our lives comes into play. When we read to our kids when they are young, they will grow up to be readers. Coming from and educated family, it was just a given that I would be educated. There was no discussion as to if I or my siblings wanted to go to college, that was just a given. We were encouraged to study anything that interested us. Many people grow up without that much direction. We all have the opportunity, but if our parents don't start us down a path, we just flounder. In the opposite direction, if our parents steer us through our entire life and down all our paths, we tend to resent them and break free and flee in a opposite direction when given the opportunity.
Back to the choices we make and how the affect generations to come, if we choose to live a healthy lifestyle, our kids will live a healthy lifestyle by example. They will eat the foods that we eat, exercise or do the activities we do. If we make our lives fun, they will be fun people and live life to the fullest. But also think of this, if we accept living in a house that is a mess, our kids will accept this as okay for them too.
I ask myself not if I am going to make an impression on a life, but what kind of impression am I going to leave on the lives around me? The lesson here is to be the example of what we would like to become. If we don't like they way we turned out, and we want to improve our lives and the lives of the generations to follow, ask "What could or should have my parents done differently?" When you answer that question, go out and learn what needs to done to make the changes that you want to see.
Our entire lives are not predetermined, but they have been influence dramatically by our Ancestors. If we don't like what we have become, we need to clean our slate, set new goals and start over. It is never too late. Some aspects will be easier then the next and some will seem impossible, yet if the goal is really desired, the outcome will be achieved. Some people say that they were not given the same opportunities as others and are not able to achieve what they want. The truth of the matter is that they were not shown that they have the opportunity to be anything they want to be.
Dance like no one is watching, live like everyone is watching.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Back In The Saddle Again.
The past few weeks have been an eye opener for me. All the work that I did before the Holidays is now been reversed. Gone are the good habits that were put into place every evening. Added are the couple of inches on my waist and the few pounds that I lost. Now it the time to get back in the saddle and start over, it was done once and can be done again.
There are a couple of sayings that will probably get repeated in the near future as mantras for what is or should be happening. The first is "Inches are sexier then pounds". The overall goal is to lose weight, but by focusing on the weight, overall health and wellbeing are missed. So to bring this mantra to the forefront, there is going to be a concentration on losing inches off the waist. I am sure that my eldest son will be more then willing to help with this. His idea of a sit up or a pushup is being able to ride on daddy's chest or back for a little extra weight. This puts an ever increasing load on me, but adds the fun factor with the kids. Anything that can be done with the kids is a bonus. It gives us some time together as well as teaches them healthy habits.
The second saying is "At the end of the year I'm going to wonder why I didn’t start today". This means that there is no time like the present to start. The idea will be to at least start every workout that is planned. No matter how tired I am at the time, at least start it. Some work is better then none. A couple of weeks ago, I started a workout regime that may have been a little too aggressive for my current state of fitness. Fortunately, I didn't get injured, but I burned out after a few workouts. It is time to back off, work up to where I want to be slowly. There is plenty of time before the events that I want to participate in.
So here is the workout plan for the next month. It's very simple, LSD.. Yep, long slow distances to build a base. That is the one thing that I haven't done in years, or haven't allowed myself to do is build a good base. It has always been right into the intervals, speed work etc, and relying on the base that I thought that I had, which has been non existent. Therefore, I press on and THIS TIME THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT.
How many people make it their New Year's Resolution to get into shape every year? Why is that so? Are there that many of us that are unhappy with the way we look? I for one want to be around for a long time. Before the kids were here, it may have been a different reason, but now that they are around, I want to be around for them as long as possible. I've written in the past that our mortality is our motivation and what we live for is our inspiration. Once again this rings true in my life. So it is time to get into the game and make small steps to a better healthier life.
Small Steps Are Better Then No Steps. So once again, it is back in the saddle. Let's try to make this the very last time.
There are a couple of sayings that will probably get repeated in the near future as mantras for what is or should be happening. The first is "Inches are sexier then pounds". The overall goal is to lose weight, but by focusing on the weight, overall health and wellbeing are missed. So to bring this mantra to the forefront, there is going to be a concentration on losing inches off the waist. I am sure that my eldest son will be more then willing to help with this. His idea of a sit up or a pushup is being able to ride on daddy's chest or back for a little extra weight. This puts an ever increasing load on me, but adds the fun factor with the kids. Anything that can be done with the kids is a bonus. It gives us some time together as well as teaches them healthy habits.
The second saying is "At the end of the year I'm going to wonder why I didn’t start today". This means that there is no time like the present to start. The idea will be to at least start every workout that is planned. No matter how tired I am at the time, at least start it. Some work is better then none. A couple of weeks ago, I started a workout regime that may have been a little too aggressive for my current state of fitness. Fortunately, I didn't get injured, but I burned out after a few workouts. It is time to back off, work up to where I want to be slowly. There is plenty of time before the events that I want to participate in.
So here is the workout plan for the next month. It's very simple, LSD.. Yep, long slow distances to build a base. That is the one thing that I haven't done in years, or haven't allowed myself to do is build a good base. It has always been right into the intervals, speed work etc, and relying on the base that I thought that I had, which has been non existent. Therefore, I press on and THIS TIME THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT.
How many people make it their New Year's Resolution to get into shape every year? Why is that so? Are there that many of us that are unhappy with the way we look? I for one want to be around for a long time. Before the kids were here, it may have been a different reason, but now that they are around, I want to be around for them as long as possible. I've written in the past that our mortality is our motivation and what we live for is our inspiration. Once again this rings true in my life. So it is time to get into the game and make small steps to a better healthier life.
Small Steps Are Better Then No Steps. So once again, it is back in the saddle. Let's try to make this the very last time.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Where Does The Time Go?
Just yesterday, I swear that I was only a kid running through the cornfields near my home. Now I am an adult with two kids of my own. These two kids keep me moving when ever we get to spend time together. As most people know, being an adult brings with it all kinds of responsibilities, like a home, cars, and all kinds of bills that go with them.
Fortunately, my two kids are young enough that we are not running them all over the place to soccer, swimming, hockey and the likes. Well that was the case until recently. Now we have Soccer on Saturdays, and swimming on Wednesdays. My wife and I have decided that we will not prevent our kids from trying any activity and we vow not to push them into any either. But, there are certain ones that we would like to expose them to. As an example, learning to swim is a younger age is much easier then learning as a teenager or adult, so we are getting them involved in swim lessons. But, if after they learn to swim, they don't want to swim on a team that is fine with us. Actually that would be one less event that we would have to chauffeur the kids to.
It is my hope that by have the kids be active, I will end up being active also. There are many articles that state just the opposite, i.e. when adults are active, kids are active. Let's hope that we can feed off each other and all of us will be active.
Last weekend, we had a family fun outing. Where all four of us went sledding. Fortunately, we have a hill in our yard that serve well for just that purpose. Not having to load up a car, drive to a hill and compete with others for the ride of a lifetime was a godsend. That was until the kids got so excited that they were running all around the house. This was the second time that our oldest had been out there and after literally having to drag him in the first time, I knew that he was going to have fun. Our youngest though, is almost too young to start sledding. Mommy even got out there and gave it a go. When we were done, three of the four of us had a great time. The little one didn't enjoy having to ride on daddy's lap and going so fast, so he would have to be the only one that didn't enjoy it. Both my wife and I discovered muscles that we normally don't use and once again, the big guy didn't want to quit. I am sure that there will be more days like this ahead and as a family we will enjoy them together.
Back to my original statement, where did the time go? I have to believe that life gets in the way of living. Where are the times that we would just run out and do something like head up north for a couple days, go skiing, go to the beach, etc? Now to do any one of those things, it takes an act of congress and 3 weeks to formulate a plan of attack. why can't we just through a bag together and head off for an overnight excursion. Or just head out for an evening of wandering the trails?
I apologize to those (if any) that read my posts. This one has done more for me venting then you would believe. My advise to others on this is, don't make a big deal about where you go, what you do or where you stay. The point is to "Just Do It". By doing anything, your doing something. Take and leave the stress behind, enjoy the time with friends and family, and be active.
Fortunately, my two kids are young enough that we are not running them all over the place to soccer, swimming, hockey and the likes. Well that was the case until recently. Now we have Soccer on Saturdays, and swimming on Wednesdays. My wife and I have decided that we will not prevent our kids from trying any activity and we vow not to push them into any either. But, there are certain ones that we would like to expose them to. As an example, learning to swim is a younger age is much easier then learning as a teenager or adult, so we are getting them involved in swim lessons. But, if after they learn to swim, they don't want to swim on a team that is fine with us. Actually that would be one less event that we would have to chauffeur the kids to.
It is my hope that by have the kids be active, I will end up being active also. There are many articles that state just the opposite, i.e. when adults are active, kids are active. Let's hope that we can feed off each other and all of us will be active.
Last weekend, we had a family fun outing. Where all four of us went sledding. Fortunately, we have a hill in our yard that serve well for just that purpose. Not having to load up a car, drive to a hill and compete with others for the ride of a lifetime was a godsend. That was until the kids got so excited that they were running all around the house. This was the second time that our oldest had been out there and after literally having to drag him in the first time, I knew that he was going to have fun. Our youngest though, is almost too young to start sledding. Mommy even got out there and gave it a go. When we were done, three of the four of us had a great time. The little one didn't enjoy having to ride on daddy's lap and going so fast, so he would have to be the only one that didn't enjoy it. Both my wife and I discovered muscles that we normally don't use and once again, the big guy didn't want to quit. I am sure that there will be more days like this ahead and as a family we will enjoy them together.
Back to my original statement, where did the time go? I have to believe that life gets in the way of living. Where are the times that we would just run out and do something like head up north for a couple days, go skiing, go to the beach, etc? Now to do any one of those things, it takes an act of congress and 3 weeks to formulate a plan of attack. why can't we just through a bag together and head off for an overnight excursion. Or just head out for an evening of wandering the trails?
I apologize to those (if any) that read my posts. This one has done more for me venting then you would believe. My advise to others on this is, don't make a big deal about where you go, what you do or where you stay. The point is to "Just Do It". By doing anything, your doing something. Take and leave the stress behind, enjoy the time with friends and family, and be active.
Monday, January 11, 2010
New Year with a New Beginning
I apologize for not posting more frequently, that is if anyone actually reads my posts. I'll try to do better, as this is a way for me to log my workouts. I will also try to post my goals for the next 4 weeks very soon.
With the beginning of the year comes the beginning of the serious training. I have started a 13 week training plan for a 10k. The beginning of it calls for easy runs and a little cross training. So far this has not been an issue to get in. I am able to get on the treadmill for the runs and my bike is on a trainer for the cross training after the kids are asleep. This setup works very well. There are no weather concerns, I'm not running in the dark or dodging traffic, the hockey game is usually on the big screen so time really flies.
My only concern during the runs is my heart rate. My runs start with walking for 5 minutes to warm up. Then the run starts with my heart rate rather low. As the time ticks by, my heart rate gradually increases to above 90% by the end of the run. This may or may not be good. That is the question I am trying to get answered. My perceived exertion in not bad at all, I feel like I can still hold a conversation throughout the entire run. The plan is to give it another week to see if my heart rate settles down.
Someone has questioned if my heart rate monitor is working correctly. That may be the case, so if anyone has recommendation on a heart rate monitor that works well for triathlon training, please post a comment. I've never had one with a ton of bells and whistles, I'm not sure I would know what to do with a high end one if I had one.
A new approach to this year is calling for a new attitude. The first one that I am going to work on is a positive outlook. I catch myself complaining about the way things are or aren't all the time, even through small comments or jokes here or there. When this happens, I stop myself or remind myself to be positive.
Life is good when you make small steps instead of no steps.
With the beginning of the year comes the beginning of the serious training. I have started a 13 week training plan for a 10k. The beginning of it calls for easy runs and a little cross training. So far this has not been an issue to get in. I am able to get on the treadmill for the runs and my bike is on a trainer for the cross training after the kids are asleep. This setup works very well. There are no weather concerns, I'm not running in the dark or dodging traffic, the hockey game is usually on the big screen so time really flies.
My only concern during the runs is my heart rate. My runs start with walking for 5 minutes to warm up. Then the run starts with my heart rate rather low. As the time ticks by, my heart rate gradually increases to above 90% by the end of the run. This may or may not be good. That is the question I am trying to get answered. My perceived exertion in not bad at all, I feel like I can still hold a conversation throughout the entire run. The plan is to give it another week to see if my heart rate settles down.
Someone has questioned if my heart rate monitor is working correctly. That may be the case, so if anyone has recommendation on a heart rate monitor that works well for triathlon training, please post a comment. I've never had one with a ton of bells and whistles, I'm not sure I would know what to do with a high end one if I had one.
A new approach to this year is calling for a new attitude. The first one that I am going to work on is a positive outlook. I catch myself complaining about the way things are or aren't all the time, even through small comments or jokes here or there. When this happens, I stop myself or remind myself to be positive.
Life is good when you make small steps instead of no steps.
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