Welp, I finally broke down and bought some new running shoes.
I had no idea...
I was struggling through ever run. My calves would start cramping at just under one mile every run...then hurt for the rest of the day. I had several of my running buddies...as well as my wife (many times), tell me that I was running in the wrong shoes.
I visited the New Balance store and made a fast friend named Bart. He's 64 years old and knows more about your feet than you do. He watched me walk, put me on a foot sensory thingy (technical term) and read where the majority of my pressure falls, and hooked me up with the 980's.
I'm sure it's mostly mental, but I feel like my stride instantly improved.
I ventured out to walk a couple of miles just to break the shoes in a little. Ended up walking the first mile then ran the next 2.25. Legs, feet, ankles, and calves felt great!
Excited about the week ahead and trying to get my 10-15 miles in before next Monday.
Have you ever started any reflective process with these infamous words?
So my big brother, and co-author of this blog, Kris Shustella, a few weeks back, shot me a quick celebratory text that he had just submitted his final assignment for his Masters in Educational Administration. I know how hard he worked to complete this advanced degree and could not be more proud of him. I asked him, "so what now?"
I full expected something like this...
But much to my dismay, he wanted to do something more involved...much more involved. He suggested we run a 5K together, maybe even perhaps a 10K. Personally, I liked the idea of learning to "frolf".
I, almost jokingly, suggested this...
Unfortunately, he liked the idea...so here we are.
We registered to run as a team and we've started training. This is where we are going to document this journey...and just in case I don't make it through, I'm hoping someone will tell my story. #kiddingnotkidding
Apparently there are at least 3 types of Spartan races, the sprint, the super, and the beast. Of course, we are going to go ahead and start with THE BEAST. This is probably not recommended. Why is it called THE BEAST you ask? It's a 10 mile run with 20 something obstacles to overcome along the way.
Here's the first and post pressing problem. I have never ran anywhere close to 10 miles at one time...ever. In fact, last year I ran a total of 29 miles all year long.
Second problem. I was probably in the worst physical condition of my life the day I registered for this "race" (as they call it).
The good news. We have until the first week of November to be ready for this beat down.
So, here is where I was about 3 weeks ago when we registered. I weighed in at a robust, or stocky, or powerful 218 lbs. Listen, I'm 5'9" and I do not wear 218 lbs very well. That is only 10 lbs lighter than I was when I was at my heaviest, which was the last time I had a job where I sat at a desk a lot. I definitely added my "freshmen 15" as I transitioned into school administration.
Since we made the decision to do this I have cycled a total of 22.48 miles. I have ran a total of 28.28 miles (again, I ran a total of 29 miles total in 2013). I have done approximately 50ish burpees (which I just added to the workout routine this week...and I loathe, btw). I do about 40 pushups a day (20 in the morning and 20 in the evening). This feels like a start at least but I know it's far from being where we need to be to survive the Spartan Beast. I did run farther this weekend than I have ever ran in my whole life. It's well documented that #ihaterunning (just check my RunKeeper profile). But, this might actually be something I'm starting to enjoying. Don't tell my friend Simon Miller, though.
Check this out
I have not done anything extreme with my eating habits apart from trying to limit carbs (but not cut out completely) and trying to eat more things that are green. We also stopped eating processed foods a while back.
Wait...I take that back...I have done something relatively extreme. I have not had Blue Bell ice cream in a long (LONG) time.
So, results, right? I mean that's what we are all looking for. Okay, I will be willing throughout this process to post "results" once each week. But, to check in today, I am down to 205 lbs. So, I'm down about 13 lbs so far.
The other thing we need to talk about...because I believe in accountability, is the bottom line. Where am I hoping to be? So, my first goal would be to not die during this process. Either in training or during the actual race. My second goal would be to get back to the weight I was when I was playing baseball in college, which was 185 lbs.
So, I don't really know exactly why we are doing this [blog]. I guess we are hoping to learn some stuff about ourselves and about life in general. We are hoping to be healthier (we come from a long line of really bad tickers). Also hoping that something here will inspire you to be a little bit healthier.
Join us in the journey. I'm not saying go register for the Spartan Race today...unless you feel like that's something you want to do. Subscribe to the blog. Leave comments...everyone can use a little encouragement.
Oh, btw, you have to hear my brother's story but I want to let him tell that. He's a pretty incredible dude.
Alright, got to knock out some pushups before bed. This use to be time to eat a bowl of Frosted Flakes...see what I'm saying?!?!
