Runnin' Bikin' Workin'

Weigh-In: 209.5 lbs

My weigh-ins have been anywhere between 208 and 212 for about two weeks now. I guess that's good since I'm not really trying to lose weight. I'm still adjusting though to not losing weight. It's weird.

Anyway, I ran a 5k this morning for the first time in a week. I really pushed myself a got a new best time (I think): 23:36. Woohoo!

I still haven't signed up for the Philly triathlon yet, for a few reasons.

One, it's $120 and I'm kinda broke right now because of remodeling my kitchen and a few other things (It sure wouldn't hurt to have that $40 bucks from the DECEMBER weight loss challenge! Like that's going to happen. Anyway, I shall digress...)

The other reason I haven't signed up is because I'm not sure if I really would like to swim in the Skukyll river, right next to downtown Philly. Apparently every year before the triathlon they test the water for contamination. A few years they didnt have the race because it failed the test...that sounds...kinda scary. Maybe there is another triathlon I can sign up for where I don't have to risk infection.

Everything else is going well. Still weight training 3 days week and doing cardio 2-3 days. Still eating well. I started commuting to work on the bicycle, but now the weather has turned bad and it's just too cold. In fact, here's a pic from Monday:




Hmm, kinda looks like I have a gut, but it's actually just because that shirt is tucked in. Ignore that please!

Well, that's all I really have to say today. Hopefully everyone is doing well!

Day 200 something

Weigh-In: 209.00 lbs

First Bicycle Commute of the year.

Weigh-In: 210.5 lbs

Nothing new weight loss or fitness related, so I'm going to cross post this story of my morning that I posted on a bicycle forum I frequent.


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First Commute of the Season

All weekend I had been thinking about riding a bicycle to work on Monday. The winter saw a lot of changes for me. For one, I've lost almost 90 pounds since July 24th of last year, much of that since the last time I'd been on a bicycle. I've been really itching to see what I'd be able to do on the bike with the lighter weight.

I've also recently been setting up an old vintage Raleigh Grand Prix as a commuter. In the past I'd commuted on a LWB USS Vision recumbent, but I don't really like to ride it to work because it's a pain in the ass in traffic and in a few tight spots I have to get through.

So this morning came and I looked out the window to see foggyness and light rain. Crap, I guess I wouldn't be riding today.

When I went outside to let the dog out I couldn't help but notice that even though it looked crappy out, it felt like it was about 60 degrees! I'd been in the 30's here in Philly for a while. I had to ride.

So I loaded up my laptop and a change of clothes in my messenger bag and jumped on my Raleigh, ready to make the 8 mile commute.

Two blocks from my house, after going down a steep hill which is actually an elevated bridge I hear a loud bang! Holy crap! Hey wait, the front end is very squirely. The front tire had blown its bead, making a sound equal to gunfire and scaring the crap out of me and several pedestrians.

OK, I guess I'm not riding today. I pushed the bike back up the hill, two blocks, back home.

Then I remembered that someone just gave me an early 80's Nikishi Sport ten speed that I'd just cleaned up last night getting ready to sell. May as well test er out...

The seat on the 'ishi is less comfortable and riding on a brick, so I started to move the seat over from the Raleigh. Crap, different seat post sizes, have to unbolt the seat from the post.

5-10 minutes later.

Ok the seat is all sorted out.

Time to change the spd pedals over so I can click into the 'ishi. No big deal.

One pedal off the nikishi, one pedal on the 'ishi.

The next pedal, which had probably been threaded onto the crank arm on the 'ishi since 1981 did not want to move. Wouldnt budge! After a few minutes of beating the crap out of it and bending a wrench on it I yelled "F@#$ You!!".

Apparently my neighbor heard me in his yard, wondering why I was alone in my garage yelling at something, and offered his help. A little embarassed I said "no, I'm just pissed at this bike".

Then I got an idea....both bikes have 27" wheels, just put the 'ishi wheel on the Raleigh and be on your way! Duh!

OK, switch front wheels. Put seat back on Raleigh. Put pedals back on Raleigh...adjust seat.

I don't know what time it is anymore, but it's probably pretty late. Whatever, it's so nice out and now I'm commited, I HAVE TO RIDE TODAY.

Finally everything is all sorted out, I jump on the Raleigh and head through my town, towards the bike path that is my commute.

Forgot my pump, oops.

Hope I don't need that.

In the middle of the wooded bike trail after shiftng, my chain suddenly stops. Won't move at all.

Seems it got stuck between the smallest rear chain and the bolt from the fenders I just installed last week.

Damn.

After few minutes and very dirty hands I'm on my way again.

A few minutes later I shift the front derailler and it throws the chain into the crank arm.

Great, thanks.

Fix that, on my way.

Well, I'm already late, lets stop and take a pic. After all, I'm going to enjoy this nice warm morning! I'd like to snap a pic and post it on BF.

Memory full.

What? Oops, forgot the memory card for the camera...

And you know what? Carrying my laptop in this messenger bag really sucks. I really need to install that rear rack and start using a pannier bag.

@#$^!!!

I ended up getting to work 45 minutes late.

Hmm. Well, it sure was nice out this morning. I wonder if my bike will break in half on the way home, throwing me down an embankment into a river. Time will only tell.

The Bench

Weigh-In: 211.3 lbs

I just thought I would share with you guys the numbers for the first 6 weeks of lifting. These are just for the bench press. I think the numbers show that I'm improving every week. They also show what I already knew, that my upper body strength kinda sucks. Dan(my lifting partner) has already met his goal of benching his body weight. I think he weights around 220-225.

All of these numbers were basically "maxing out".

Anyway, here they are:

Day 200

Weigh-in: 209.6 lbs

The 200th day of the new lifestyle has arrived. With it ironically comes a new low weigh-in that puts me below my current goal of 210. This is good news!

Here's a new side compare pic. I didn't realize it had been 51 days since I'd posted one last...



I can't even believe day 1 when I look at it anymore. Seems like a different person.

Day 199

weigh-in: 210.6 lbs

Hey there! I've got a meeting in 5 minutes, and a busy day ahead of me so I have to make this quick. I wanted to post anyway though because as you can see, I've posted a new low of 210.6! I'm very close to me Feb 15th Goal of 210, which is good since Feb 15th is close too. Other than that, I actually took off from cardio this morning because I'm not feeling well, sore throat, no energy. Hopefully I can fight this off before long, but I think I need the rest right now. Hope everyone else is going well!

P.S. If you read this...Happy Birthday Mom!

Day 197

Weigh-In: 212.6 lbs

I don't really have a whole lot to report today. Things are going really well! I'm eating right, I'm creeping up on my goal of 210 by Feb 15th, I'm starting to feel better and better after weight training sessions.

Liz joined the Y last night and it's got me thinking about taking one of the "basic training" classes, or possibly a triathlon training class. I never thought I'd be saying that! How things change eh? It's also getting closer to bike riding season which I'm really looking forward to. I know, still February, but it will be here before we know it. Can't wait!

Well, lots of work to get done today so...

A Weekend of Exercise

Weigh-In: 212.6 lbs

Well the weight finally went back down close to where it was a few days ago. As I'd mentioned before I'm sure I was retaining water from the weight training, but I am glad to be back where I was.

I feel like I got a lot of exercise in this weekend, especially yesterday. Sunday Liz and I took Bella for a 4-5 miles walk first thing in the morning. Then Sunday afternoon I took my new (old) bike that I just recently got all together out for a 17 mile ride in the local hills. I felt pretty strong, especially for not having ridden much on a regular upright bike for several years. Actually my friend who rides all the time but not much over the winter mentioned he was jealous because I was faster than him up the steep hills. He said all that running I've been doing must have paid off. That was nice to hear.

That's all I've got today.

Day 193

Weigh-In 214.2 lbs

Apparently this guy climbed Seven Summits in 193 days.

Soren Gudmann claims Seven Summits in 193 days!



I didn't do that, but I have done a few things.

For example (not in any special order):

- I ran a lot.
- Rescued a dog.
- Bought a house.
- went on vacation.
- lost 80 or so pounds.
- ate a lot of salad, hummus, water, and carrots.
- ran in a 5k race.
- tore my kitchen apart to remodel it.
- spent a lot of time at work, doing stuff...
- rode my bike to work.
- moved.
- organized my garage.
- went hiking/camping. A few times.
- rode a train.
- drove a motorcycle.
- lifted some weights.
- painted some pictures.


A lot of things can happen in 193 days. In less time people have reinvented themselves, ruined themselves, gotten married/divorced, run for office, changed the world...

What are you going to do in the next 193 days?