The Light It Up Blue Moon Harbor Lights Course Preview Run

So Sunday was the preview run for the new half marathon in Hampton Roads sponsored by J & A.  I really wanted to do this race in a few weeks but it just doesn't fit in my schedule due to family obligations, the holidays and hunting.  But family is more important than running a race.  One of my fellow ambassadors is a pacer for the half and he asked me to run the preview run with him.  It was a lot of un.  The Running Etc. Ambassadors were asked to be pacers for the race.  I wanted to do that but I wasn't sure how I would feel about doing it after my first half.  So I met up with Randy yesterday and it was fun to see all the ambassadors with our new singlets on.  They look great.  Pretty cool to know we have a custom singlet that is based of off Nike's Oregon singlets.

For the preview run, I followed Randy Cook and we paced at about 10:16.  Good enough for me.  We talked the whole way and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to him.  He is a local running legend in these parts.  he was one of the best runners back in the day around Hampton Roads.  he is also a history buff who lives in Norfolk which made the run even more fun.  It was fun having conversation most the run.  It was also nice to run in new territory in and around downtown Norfolk.  Really cool city, nice area, and a lot of history.

I am glad he forced me to come out and run with him.  I had some physical issues after the race but I will make sure I take care of that next time.

Running Gear 2014

So I was thinking of doing this post for a while.  I remember starting this thing called "jogging (I think the J is silent)" in January.  At that time I had just dropped below the 300 pound mark and I knew I needed the next step in exercise to get me where I wanted to be.  (It worked.  Almost 100 pounds down now).  I always had running shoes because that's what I used when I worked out.  I had a pair of worn out Brooks Beasts from 2013.  Even though my dad was a runner my whole life and he repeatedly reminded me to never run in worn out shoes and to buy the right shoes, I started with a pair of worn out shoes.  The last time I had had my gait checked was at Hanson's Running Shop in Michigan, probably in 2005.  I had gain a ton of weight since then and my body had changed a ton due to age.  I just decided to run.  I started running one lap around my local spot.  It was 1.7 miles.  I wanted to do the Shamrock 8k in March (I was scared shitless to run that far and I kicked ass).  I learned right before that race my shoes were way too worn out and I needed different ones.  I ordered new Brooks Beasts because thats what I knew.  Came to find out after finally checking out the local running store that the Beasts were the wrong shoes for my feet.  LOL.  Anyways.  So I started running with just whatever I had.  I used my baseball dad pullovers and my old running socks from long ago.  Now, almost a year into running, I have a whole selection of running gear.  Things I made fun of people for.  Some I had no clue about.  I took a picture of the most important things I use on a regular basis.  This does not include my Compression Socks.  Which are AMAZING.  Best running invention ever.  So here it goes.

Shoes: Brooks Glycerin 12 12 EE  - I have always loved Brooks but this are like giant magic clouds.

Head Phones: Motorola S11 Headphones - Greatest invention ever.  Bluetooth Wireless Headphones.  Water resistance.  Not perfect sound quality.  But the usefulness and quality outweighs the little minute sound complaints from hardcore music lovers.  But who expects perfection in sports headphones.

Visor: Running Etc. Head Sweats Visor - Man.  From 2003 to 2014, the running equipment technology has drastically improved.  This visor was a godsend during the summer in the South.  I hate running hats and visors.  But with this, I am not only repping my local running store (I am an ambassador) but this brand makes awesome products.  I love the bright yellow with reflective materials.  I have learned running in a rural area that the brightest colors and most reflective materials are very helpful from oncoming vehicles.

Running Belt: Amphipod running belt.  This also saved my ass for those long summer runs in the South.  Also purchased at Running Etc.

Foam Roller: Trigger Point Foam Roller - Enough said.  this thing is amazing.  Best purchase ever.  Use it daily or at least try to.  Every runner should have this.  Don't need to explain where I got it.

Arm Phone Case:  I am not a big fan of buying a $300 watch for my running.  I would like one but it is not a top priority.  Since I have unlimited data with Verizon still, I will stick to my phone as my go to music player and running app. I found this arm band on Amazon and there is no need to tell you which one because there are about one trillion arm bands out there for phones.  They are inexpensive.  So buy one and try it out.

Race Belt: J & A, the local big race company sells an awesome race belt that you can put your race bib on without pins.  It's great.  it is cheap and it is perfect for what you need.  Very minimalist.  You can order it here.  Race belt

Safety Lights: So I went to the local running store last week because I needed some kind of lighting to help me while I run on the back roads.  Since the time change, It is very dark at night.  So I purchased these.  DuraVisionPro Safety lights are amazing.  They have 2500+ feet visibility.  I have used them twice now and love them.

Things I forgot to take pictures of:
Running shorts - Nike Running.
Running shirts - Running Etc Brooks long sleeve
Running outside layer - Target Brand Running gear
Running Socks - Compression Socks.  get with it.  It's the greatest technology.

Thoughts: As I was typing this, I thought about how important it is for your community to buy local.  Shop local.  My running store is Great.  If you go to the Running Etc. Virginia Beach store, ask for Drew.  The kid is awesome and helpful.  I learned from my dad that the local running store is the key and champion for runners and races in your area.  Buy local.  These stores not only can help you, but they support the community, your local schools and many other things.  Plus the employees eat, sleep and live in your area.

As I keep running and start training for a full marathon, I will re-do this next year.

Wicked 10k Recap and Running lull........

So I ran the Wicked 10k this past weekend.  it was a lot of fun.  I ran my fastest ever average pace even with a 3.5 minute bathroom stop just past the first mile.  I was pretty nervous for this race because I wanted to do really good and I wanted to break an hour time.  That I didn't do but I still did really good and I was super happy with my time.  I wish I could run more races and I know my body can handle it.  I really want to be able to run the new half in Norfolk in November but I don't think I can afford to do it.  My next big race scheduled is the Shamrock Dolphin challenge, which is the half and 8k.

Anyways.  So the race went well.  I didn't get to really hydrate real well the day before.  I was at Howl-O-Scream the whole day and night and couldn't keep up with water intake.  So I chugged a big bottle of water right before the race and it ended up biting me in the ass.  I had to pee right of the bat and I couldn't find a port-o-potty and when I did, I totally regretted it.  First off, there was a ginormous line.  A ton of people had to poop.  Then a bunch of disrespectful runners think it is okay to just cut in front of the line.  When I finally got in, the seat was covered with diarrhea.  I felt bad for all the women.  Anyways, it took me over 3 minutes.

So the rest of the race I hauled it so I could try to break my goal.  Which I didn't but I still kicked ass.  I can't wait to take my daughter to races like that because they are so much fun.  I look forward to it next year.I also met some cool people at the race.  Some really inspiring people who have been on the same journey as me and I hope I can meet more people to run with and meet up at races like this.

On the weight loss journey.  I am doing good.  have been hitting a wall personally but I am still losing weight.  I am down 93 pounds.  So that is good.  My wife started Weight Watchers this week and she is doing good.  My cousin, Dylan, is also doing it and my mother in law, Pickles.  i am glad I can inspire so many people.  They inspire me.

Running wise I am bored.  need a big race to motivate me.  I guess 6 miles isn't enough.

Male Bloggers

I didn't know what to write about today so i decided to write about how there are not enough male bloggers out there.  As I have lost all this weight, I keep trying to find more men out there talking about their journey.  I have only found a few.  I think it is funny because if I had boobs, I probably would have hundreds of followers.  Instead I have none.  Only a few people who read my posts when I put them on Facebook or Google Plus.  I think it is disappointing that there is this double standard that men can't talk about weight loss and exercise like women can.  I also works in the Weight Watchers world.  Every time a new guy shows up at our meetings, the few guys get excited, we introduce ourselves and welcome them to the club.  I can tell you this.  My Saturday morning meeting has two consistent guys.  The other is a lifetime member.  We do have one other guy in the earlier meeting.  Other than that, it is a bunch of women.  Part of it is I think men don't think they should do Weight Watchers and some don't want to talk about their journey.  Instead, the only time you read about men and weight loss is either on Biggest Loser or some famous dude getting some sort of stomach surgery.  Nobody ever wants to talk about the guy who loses a hundred pounds by eating right and working out.  Women don't want to hear it because some get jealous.  Men don't want to hear it because the world is so gendered that men can be fat and sexy but women can't.

It saddens me that i am out here as a lonely voice.  More men should be going to Weight Watchers.  More men should me talking about the struggles with weight loss.  Instead, I am basically writing this as a journal for myself.  I am fine with that.  Because I am happy where I am at and where I want to be.  I read another bloggers response to a mean email from a follower.  It saddens me that people think it's wrong for a beautiful woman who has worked her ass off to get to the point she is at that she finally tells everyone her weight and how she is competing in a body bikini contest.  The woman works her ass off.  She has gone from an over weight mother of two to a rock hard woman.  It's awesome.  Just like myself, I went from being so fat i couldn't run a mile to being able to run a half marathon.  But because I don't have boobs, nobody follows me.

Again, I am fine with that.  I know that at least a few people read my blog and if they do, i hope it helps them or motivates them.  Because these other people motivate me.

Self Assessment: The Before and The During

This week has gone on so long. Haven't run.  I took this week of to reflect and rest.  the only thing that is sore on me is my left arch.  But it isn't anything to complain about.  But the time I have had to occupy my mind is killing me.  But it has also been a good thing.  I have been able to reflect on my life, my journey, my family and how I want my future to be.

I was thinking this morning how six years ago, when I got in my accident, I never even imagined that I would be where I am at.  I never thought I would be healthy enough to even exercise let alone run a half marathon.  Never thought I would be Virginia Beach with two kids and an awesome wife, an awesome house and awesome family.  I never thought I would be 90 pounds lighter then my biggest.  At one point, I thought I was going to die from obesity.

Five years ago, I would of never thought I would be where I am at personally.  I have so much to be thankful for.  My mom is moving down here because she got a job.  My life and family isn't what it used to be but it is better.  I have more people who care about me now and I have the important people in my life.  It is also great because my mom will be able to be close to one of her kids and enjoy being a grandparent.

What do you do after you finish your goal race?  A huge race?  How do you respond?  I took this week off from running to let my body heal.  It needed it.  it hasn't been pushed like that since high school.  But my mind enjoyed it.  My mind needs a competition.  It needs something to starve it, push it to its limits.

So as I scale back my thoughts, I just need to remind myself that I am stick working towards my broader goals.  My lifetime weight loss, a marathon, push my body and mind further.  That's my next steps.

Tomorrow is chapter 2 of my running journey.  Have one year to hit my goal race.

1st Half Marathon: Crawlin Crab 2014

Well that went fast. I remember when I decided to train for a half like it was yesterday.  But I guess when you have a 5 month old, time does fly.  Anyways, what an experience.

Race Weekend:

My Uncle Dan (My dad's brother), Aunt Nancy, cousins Eric and Mike decided to run with me for my first half marathon.  They were going to run a half in Greensboro when my aunt invited me to join her.  I told her that there was no way I could do that race because it was so much hillier than I can even train here.  So they decided to come to Hampton Roads and run the race with me.  It was good to see them and spend some time with them.  Saturday night they invited us to their rental cottage in Ocean View for dinner.  It was great getting us all together for a great dinner before the big day.  Sunday we had them over for tacos and brews.  A weekend is never enough but it was a lot of fun catching up with my cousins.  When we were kids, we spent a few vacations together. 

Race Recap:

I was a bit jittery the night before the race but I expected that.  Since I have lost so much weight, I have been much healthier and I didn't get pre-race jitters.  We met up at the convention center and got a few pictures together.  We all separated to our different corrals.  I was in the back (All my cousins are pretty good runners). +Lori Lambert and family got their right before the start.  It's always good to have the reasons you are doing these crazy things for being there.  The race started well. The family was cheering me on at mile 4.  Which it really pumped me up.  I also called my grandfather, my brother +Scott Lambert  and my best friend +Chuck Tickhill .  They got a kick out of me calling them during the race. LOL.  I decided to do this a long time ago because I really wanted to call the people who are always there for me.  I decided to follow the 2:30 pacer to keep a pace and go from there.  I knew if I felt good half way I could leave them and if I didn't I would just stay behind.  My last few paces were much faster than this but I needed to stay paced for the first half.  I left the pacers around mile 7.  From there on, I was passing people left and right.  It felt good picking up the pace and feeling so good.  At mile 9, I ran into one of my #googleplus friends +Christine Bodden .  She was suppose to run too but hurt her foot a few weeks ago.  So she waited for me, rooted me on with her #dmb hoodie (Clearly she is awesome because she runs and loves #dmb).  We got a selfie in there too.  Had to.

The last few miles were great.  I felt good.  There were a few too many bridges for me.  My calves were sore but nothing too bad.  My last training run in Pittsburgh helped (maybe it was the reason I was sore still.  Who knows).  Drew from Running Etc. ran with me for a mile and a half.  I appreciated his support.  Got to love the Ambassador team support.  

Coming down the stretch was exciting.  I remember running a marathon relay almost ten years ago feeling so enthusiastic about it.  I never thought I would get healthy enough to even attempt this.  But I did and I did it so much faster than expected.  As I came to the finish line, I saw my cousins, aunt and uncle.  As I crossed the finish line, I saw my wife and daughter.  It felt so good to finish.  I was so stiff after though.  It was the perfect race for my first half. I finished at 2:21:57.  I finished 8 minutes faster than my goal. My slowest mile was when I stopped to pee.  The race was so much more fun with family there and family running with you.  

Overall, I was super happy.  Couldn't of had a better first half marathon experience.  

Next Goal:

Shamrock 8k and Half in the same weekend

Detroit Free Press Marathon 2015

Bring it.

Clothes Shopping During the Change

It has been over a year since I started this weight loss journey.  I didn't really think i would do this good.  I am so happy I have.  With the change, there are a lot of obstacles people losing weight have.  People don't often talk about as an obstacle and a lot of guys really don't talk about.  But the biggest obstacle I have seen for myself is shopping.  During the summer at home, I don't really wear anything fancy.  I wear my everyday t-shirts, sports shorts and flip flops mostly.  I have been so heavy for so long that I forgot to listen to my instructor at weight watchers and actually buy some clothes during the process.  Instead, outside of work, I wore baggy shirts and shorts.  Most my t-shirts are XXXL and are way too big.  Even XXL have been to big.  At work, I have been accumulating a few new polos during the summer thanks to my wife +Lori Lambert .  I have such a huge selection of work clothes that I didn't want to admit that all my clothes was too big.  My dress pants were all 46 waist and were cinched at the front and were super super baggy.  I just dealt with it and pretended it didn't look too bad.  Even though it did.  My sports coats got so big that they fell off my shoulders at least two inches and the chest was crisscrossing.  Working in a business environment didn't make it better.  I have to always be prepared to be pulled into a meeting and have a sports coat.  All mine were way too big.  On top of that, my favorite suit and my wedding suit were both too big to even get tailored.

I went to the tailor shop this week and she basically told me it isn't worth it and its better to spend my money on new stuff.  So, fifteen pairs of really nice dress pants, three sports coats and two suits (one Ralph Lauren) are all unusable (this doesn't include about a half a dozen dress shirts and probably many more I am going to have to throw out too).  All of these were from Men's Warehouse and Dillards.  I am both happy and sad.  Sad that I got this fat that I can't even wear them now and happy that they are way too big.  I have had mixed feelings about this.  I know, Boo Hoo.  Well, to me, they all mean things to me.  My Ralph Lauren suit was the last gift from my parents for my graduation from my Master's degree.  It's funny because that suit was only purchased because my previous suit didn't fit me because I became to fat then.The other suit was my wedding suit.  it wasn't anything fancy or high price but it was the suit I wore on my wedding day.  I always wanted to use it for special occasions.  Hopefully, I can buy a new one at Kohl's with my new sizes.  As you lose weight, you have to grasp on to the fact that things are changing.  You are changing.  And it is all for the positive.  I was so embarrassed that my work clothes got so big on me.  I was embarrassed at work.  I was also stressed about money.

Last night, I went to the mall with my wife.  I purchased two sports coats, two dress pants and three dress shirts.  I have a bunch of dress shirts that fit from before.  Just have to go through them all and confirm.  I also bought a 38 waist belt.  I know, in the 30s.  lol.  My pant sizes went from 46 to 38 and my sports coat size went from 56 to 48.  I could fit in a 46 but it was too tight around my shoulders.  I was really nervous wearing my new dress pants to work today.  It has been a long time I haven't worn form fitting dress pants.  But I did it.  Even though I am not at my final weight, I know I need to buy new clothes.  I really can't remember when I last wore size 38 waist pants.

I think I am more stressed about this is because I am worried that i am going to fall back into my old weight and won't be able to fit in any of these clothes I just bought.  I don't like wasting money and don't want to fail.  I want to stay healthy the rest of my life.

It's like I am back out of college.  Starting my wardrobe with two dress pants, two sports coats, and ten days of different dress shirts.