Days 15-17, or making a run for it

Running outside is such a sensory experience.

The sounds of birds chatting with each other, diesel engines rumbling on down the road, children playing in their yards, the sound of your feet rhythmically hitting the concrete like a drum. Running smells, too. Fertilizer on green grass, wet grass, tar on the street, the ditch under the bridge, flowers, fast food establishments, and of course the exhuast fumes of cars and trucks blazing on by.

As I’ve noted in past entries, I am still distrustful of the treadmill and her mechanical, unfeeling ways. We have a very day-to-day, on again, off again relationship. She entertains many other lovers, and I am convinced she is always plotting my demise. This is why I’ve been yearning for running for sometime now. Maybe you’ve seen the shoe commercials that talk about running like a long lost lover, how it has been a week since you and running have broken up, and how much you miss running. I completely resonate with those commercials, but it has been much, much longer since running and I have been intimate, three years at least. I think this is why I have been so afraid to start with running again, she knows my tendency to be all-in and hot and heavy right away, but then with time I look for other companions to take her place. I guess I have been worried that she would be judgmental and not take me back, but today, I decided to make the first move and take a try with her again. Here’s a small clip [and the 90dcb's first vlog] from the run. NOTE: I have a video recorder on my Blackberry, and for now, it’s what I’ve got, so it’s what I’ll use… [hence, the "ghetto" reference in the video ]

All said and totalled, I think the run went about 3.5 miles, maybe a little longer. I ran to B&N, read a book for about an hour, and came back. I know it wasn’t continuous, but it was a great start.

Yesterday was my upper body session with J, and it was quick and intense. Here it is, quick and to the point.

Day 16: HEAVY upper body workout

I have always been a 90-lb weakling, that is to say that when it comes to upper body strength, I have always felt like I leave something [a LOT of something] to be desired. With this in mind, whenever I’ve done upper body workouts in the past, I have gotten discouraged and abandoned ship because I get a little bummed knowing there are high school kids who bench more than me. With my new found perspective, however, I am looking at the progress rather than perfection. Here’s the breakdown:

• Bench press, 3 sets, 1st at 135 [x5], 2nd at 155[x5] and 3rd at 175[x4]
• Pullups 3 sets [x5 each] I have NEVER been able to do pullups, and one of my major goals by the end of the 90 days is to be able to do 10 on my own, no help.
• Curls with three bars set down, similar to my past curl regimen— 3 curl bars, one weighing 30 lbs, one weighing 40 lbs, and one jumping up to 60 lbs, all lined up. 1st set— 30lbs [x5] 40 lbs [x5] 60lbs [x5] back to 40lbs[x5] and finishing on 30lbs[x5]. At this point, Jaysun jumped in and did the same set. Next set was similar except on the first curl, I went all the way up, and then 5 half way down so that my arms ended up at a 90 degree angle, 5 sets [x5]. After Jaysun went through, I did one last set, and instead going all the way up, we only went halfway up. It may not sound like much, but by the time you get to your last set of 5 reps on the 30lb bar, your arms will be shaking.
• After this, we went upstairs and did 6 different ab workout sets. This was problematic because at the end, I was on my back, and sitting up obviously hurt, but I didn’t really have the strength to roll over and push myself up with my arms, either.  Ultimately, I kind of just wriggled myself off the ground, and stumbled to the locker room.

Thursday, Day 15, was pretty uneventful— which means I used work as my workout. I learning to listen to my body better than I have before in the past, and somedays, I just need to rest, which is exactly what I did.

I’ve come a long way— I am down almost 10lbs and counting, and I am noticing marked changes in my physical appearance as well as my mental resolve. One person reminded me that it takes three weeks to build a habit, and according to my basic math skills, today’s run puts me about 80% there. Also, I have removed the “Workouts” page and replaced it with a pictures page to show my progress. Right now, there is only one picture, and it rough to say the least It is from week one, and I finally got the courage to dig it up off of my phone and post it, so I have some sort of baseline for my progress. Also, FOOD has been updated, and Angela and I are working on a diet now that I understand calories a little bit better.

I know, long post, but that’s what happens after three days, right? If you are contemplating getting back into shape, or eating healthier, or just wondering even if you can do it, I’m telling you, YOU CAN. Believe me, after three years of a sedentary lifestyle and daily eating foods full of preservatives that I can’t even pronounce, the last thing I thought I could do was get off of my butt and get back into shape, but really, that’s all I had to do. Nothing complicated. Take small steps, count your victories, and forgive your shortcomings. Take 90 days, record your progress, and I promise you, it will be worth it. After nearly three weeks, I know it is for me.

Quote of the Day: “It’s not a question of is the glass half full or half empty. What we say is drink the bastard anyway!” —Pete Goss

Have a lovely weekend!
—patrick

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~ by Patrick Olp on May 16, 2009.