Well, I thought it time for another update on my training progress. For those who don’t know, I am a former fatty turned endurance athlete who returned to his former glorious and globular fatdom after years of spousal-induced inactivity.
Just about 100 days ago (98 to be precise), I embarked on a exuberantly-daft plan to get back in shape so that I can once again participate in the sport that I love/hate, triathlon. I have signed up to race in the inaugural Ironman US Championship in New York/New Jersey scheduled for August of 2012. In preparation for that feat of self-flagellating foolishness, I have signed up to run the Philadelphia Marathon this November.
So how is it going you didn’t ask? Well…
100 days in and I just passed the 50 lb. weight loss mark. Fitty pounds in a hundred days, I am pretty happy with that. Much of this weight loss is attributable to running. While speed is still elusive, my running endurance is doing well. Over the past month, I have averaged between 45-50 miles per week running. As a result, my running fitness is returning, albeit too slowly for my unreasonable-desire.
I have a 10k scheduled for next weekend to take measure of where I am running wise. I am now heading into the more intense part of my preparation for the marathon. The next 7 weeks will have me running between 50-60 miles per week including at least three 20 mile runs.
In addition to running, I have been back in the pool for the last few weeks and things are looking good there. I can already swim just about as far as I wish with no issues. My top end speed is not too bad either, and my overall speed during longer swims is showing signs of improvement. By the time I finish the marathon, I should be in decent swimming shape, at which point I will embark on a rigorous 2 month swim program. After that, all my attention turns to the bike.
As much progress as I have made, I still have a long way to go fitness and weight-wise. I hope to lose another 20 lbs before the marathon and an additional 10 lbs by the end of the year. That should position me to get the most out of my full-on Ironman training for next year.
Sorry to bore you with all the details, but it is my blog and I can write about whatever I wish 😉
September 7, 2011 at 8:10 pm
Congratulations, sir. Keep up the good work – all of it – blogging, logging the miles, and losing the excess poundage. God bless you in your endeavours!
September 7, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Thank you so much for sharing. It is actually VERY encouraging to read something like this, speaking as a fatty myself… 🙂
Do you have any good reading or links on the whole business of getting started running? Should I just use the treadmill at the Y? Is it better/easier/whatever to run on the local high school track? Are shoes really such a big deal? What do I do when I'm gasping for breath 90 seconds into it? etc… I love the idea of running, but am totally intimidated at the prospect of starting.
September 7, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Good luck to you! You are inspiring. Unfortunately, reading about your efforts, however, puts me in the mood for some cheetos. And a nap.
September 7, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Pat – I have run a Marathon, triathlon, and several half-marathons. There is no better feeling of accomplishment than crossing the finish line of your first marathon. It is worth the hard work and the grueling training.
While your body might try to scream back at you, it is just as much (or more) a mental exercise.
September 7, 2011 at 8:27 pm
You're an inspiration to us all.
September 7, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Marcel,
I love marathons. This will be my sixth and they are just great for the first 20 miles. The next six, that is another thing.
September 7, 2011 at 8:32 pm
Wonderful – keep up the good (hard) work and results will keep coming. Be careful when you cross that 50 mile/wk threshold, injuries can occur quickly at that point and affect you mentally. Use lots of ice on knees/ankles and anything else that aches. 😉
September 7, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Margaret,
I am not big on advice, but I feel confident in saying that if you are gasping for breath after 90 seconds, you are running too fast. Slow Down. The biggest mistake that people make is running fast. Slow down, walk if you have to. But you should be able to do it comfortably for 30 mins.
September 7, 2011 at 9:51 pm
Do you ever read "The Oatmeal" blog/website? Google "The Oatmeal + running" and I think it's the second or third result.
September 7, 2011 at 11:00 pm
You go!
September 7, 2011 at 11:28 pm
We need a new head shot of you now that you've lost weight.
September 8, 2011 at 12:39 am
As my older brother would say to me (distorting a Mr T quote). Man of iron?! More like tin foil to me sucka!
September 8, 2011 at 4:20 am
I'm jealous of your weightloss! Are you dieting, too?
September 8, 2011 at 10:27 am
"…after years of spousal-induced inactivity…"
My husband likes to blame me, too, but after I caught on to his Dr. Pepper and Doritos daily habit (Monday – Friday), I announced that I would no longer feel guilty serving him pizza for dinner. Right now, I'm heading up to kick him out of bed to go for a run – we have a 5K this Saturday. But it's my fault he needs to lose 10 lbs…
September 8, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Great job! Let me just say I can relate to your struggles and you are encouraging me to get a grip and just do something about it! Keep it up!
September 8, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Jennifer
Yes, plenty of dieting too! Nothing special, just portion control.
September 9, 2011 at 4:01 am
Awesome. My husband and I were both very fit runners 24+ years ago when we married. He has started up running again, but I sadly have not and have the girth to show for it, as well as severe vasculitis that right now makes running an impossibiity. But I keep telling our 6 kids that I will run again. I hope! Keep us posted, Patrick
September 9, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Thanks for the story, Patrick.
I pretty much sacrificed my body to the US Army. I used to love to run and was hyper-fit, going through Ranger training and SF stuff as well. I was a mixed martial artist and just loved to fight and be in great shape.
Unfortunately, at the ripe old age of only 43, I can't run anymore, I can't do more than 2 pull ups, and many mornings it takes me 20 minutes to crawl from my bed just to get my cane.
Countless injuries and hundreds (thousands?) of miles under heavy rucksacks (50-120 lbs.) crushed and destroyed the nerves in my neck. Bad parachute landings broke my back and caused permanent damage. I am practically an invalid. I am in so much pain everyday that I have to grit my teeth sometimes just to have a conversation with someone. They have no idea and sometimes think I am rude, when I cut a conversation short.
To bend down and pick up my toddler causes pain so bad that, as I life him up, there are tears sometimes. I try not to display my agony, so my wife thinks I am a slacker when I don't help sometimes with some physical task.
I say all this not to whine, but to tell you that I envy you – but in a good way. Your story is uplifting to me and, as I imagine doing it myself, I am happy for you! It fills me with joy just to simply imagine that feeling of the pavement disappearing underneath me mile after mile.
May you well and truly see this as the great gift that it is to you!
How blessed you are! (Just as my suffering is a blessing, too, btw! I had my time in the sun, and I was blessed by it. In retrospect, I wish that I had not taken it all for granted, but I will never forget, and I would do it all in a heartbeat for my country.)
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!! Enjoy it and be healthy!
September 10, 2011 at 5:48 am
You go Pat! Your updates are very inspirational – Congrats losing all that weight & keeping up w/your workout routine. Looking forward to the next update.
September 10, 2011 at 8:04 pm
Margaret:
This book was my bible as a runner, it is wonderful.
http://www.amazon.com/York-Runners-Complete-Running-Fitness/dp/0679780106
Patrick is right, slow down, alternate walking and running (minute by minute if you have to at the start), and as your fitness grows, you'll be able to run more and walk less. Consistency is the key, just get out there and do it 5 days/week. Good luck!
Patrick? Way to go, I'm awed :-)!!!