Medal (Noun)

1 : a small usually metal object bearing a religious emblem or picture 2 : a piece of metal often resembling a coin and having a stamped design that is issued to commemorate a person or event or awarded for excellence or achievement.

As we get through summer, I can’t help but feel a very heavy sense of pride for my many friends who are training for various 5k’s, 10k’s, half-marathons and even marathons. No race is “a walk in the park”.

Some of us are in better shape than others. Others have the mental fortitude that people like myself don’t. The one constant for all race runners, particularly half and full marathoners, is the medal. For some, this “piece of metal” signified an accomplishment.

In the fall of 2006, I began training for my very first marathon through the AIDS Marathon Training Program. I spent seven months preparing my body for a 26.2 mile run. Throughout the whole process, all I could think about…was getting a medal.

I was that “husky” kid in school. I never won medals, trophies or belts. I was awarded certificates for academic achievement…but I never got any recognition for my athletic efforts.

Merry Christmas everyone. Now that the holiday formalities are out of the way, I am at the gym warming up for a spinning session.

I’ve been to a few spin classes, but today I am venturing out on my own since it’s a holiday and no instructor is willing to work today (which I understand).

So for today, I came up with a 60 minute playlist. Should be fun!

1. Boom Boom Pow vs. I’m in Miami Bitch Mashup
2. I Can Transform Ya by Chris Brown
3. Going back to Dani (Red Hot Chili Peppers vs Notorious BIG mashup)
4. Stress by Justice
5. Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus (shut up!)
6. Get Crazy by LMFAO
7. I shake I move by LMFAO
8. Shake your body by Michael Jackson
9. Sexy Chick by David Guetta
10. Shots by LMFAO
11. Around the World/ Harder Better Faster Stronger by Daft Punk Live at Coachella
12. One More Time by Daft Punk
13. Ease on down the road by Michael Jackson
14. Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

Hope this doesn’t kill me. I need something to burn off the tamales I made yesterday!

UPDATE: This playlist and workout was GREAT!!

For those that remember, back in 2007, I ran the LA Marathon and it damn near killed me. I trained well for six months, but it was still one hell of a battle.

As I’ve been making plans to train for the Seattle RNR Marathon, I can’t help but see ads for the LA Marathon.

Stadium to Sea. This seems like a MUCH better course than the one I ran a couple years back. I’d really love to run through the more run down and industrial parts of town, but….well….ya know. (Insert thick sarcasm)

The course goes from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. Passing through wonderful landmarks. I’d be a fool not to do it.

I’d hesitated in the past because I wanted to take some time to “pre-train”, but in reality, I was only delaying it.

It’s time to get started. My first step, is to find/create a plan for myself.

A training schedule. An eating schedule. A social schedule. I MUST make this work for me. Destiny calls.

I’m a marathoner. It’s in my blood and in my lungs. #3 awaits.

It’s been quite a while since my last post. I’ve sadly let this blog sit in the backyard for quite a while. Well, it’s time to clean up the yard a bit, and get this thing back on track.

This year has been a major disappointment to me as far as my workouts and running has gone. I had every intention to begin training for the Chicago Marathon (October), but in April, I had an appendectomy and I’ve sadly used this as an excuse.

I’ll give myself a little bit of credit, because the surgery was quite major since I had a traditional procedure in addition to the newer laprascopic (sp?) surgery.

I had to cancel all my fitness plans for a couple months. In theory, I should’ve been ok to start heavy, hardcore workouts by July. Here we are in September.

No more excuses! Between now and the end of the year, I will workout as hard as possible, eat a healthy diet, and get some rest. Once January hits, I will begin training (and I will be much healthier and in shape) for the Seattle Rock N’ Roll Marathon.

Time to get back on track! I promise to blog more. Sorry for abandoning you.

A couple weeks back, I signed up for The Human Race 10k presented by Nike. This is a really cool race because it will be held in 25 cities around the world on August 31st, and the last race of the day will be in Los Angeles.

Usually Nike holds some sort of race in the early fall that ends with a concert. In past years, featured artists included: Vanilla Ice, Naughty by Nature and MC Hammer. This year, it is KANYE WEST! Not too shabby.

The race is 50 days away, so I have just enough time to get myself in running shape for this. I’ve spent the last few months focusing on my strength and weight loss at the gym. Although I’ve kind of fallen off the wagon over the past couple weeks, due to my ridiculous social schedule, I am ready to start training again.

On Monday the 7th, I started my training program that will end on August 31st with a 10k. During the weeks ahead, I will mix up maintainence runs with cross training. Also at the end of each week, I will have one “long run” that will get longer as the weeks pass.

Below is the training program that I have created for myself. I used a similar program for my past marathons:

I came across this great blog post from Burundi Olympic marathon hopeful Gilbert Tuhabonye.

I’ve signed up for two upcoming races:

1. Heart of Holladay 5k Classic–This is a 5k in Salt Lake City. I plan on running this with some friends. It should be fun! June 14, 2008

2. Nike Human Race 10k–This race takes place in several cities around the world. In Los Angeles, the course is near USC. Details to follow. August 31, 2008

I’d like to get in a few more 5k’s through the summer. Any suggestions?

Goal Weight: 225 lbs.

February 2, 2006 314 lbs.
March, 3, 2007 278 lbs.
May 18, 2008 247 lbs.

Total Weight Loss to Date: 67 lbs!
Total Reduction of Inches from Waist: 6!

Next week, I will run in the Brentwood 5k in you guessed it…Brentwood. I will report back my timing. I suppose I should set a goal. My last 5k was 42 minutes, which was a PR.

I’m slow…I know it…but let’s see if working out has helped. If I can’t beat this time, then I will have to tweak my program a bit.