Goal Weight Achieved

I don't even know what to say really.  When you first start Weight Watchers, you pick small battles like 1st 5 lbs, or 10%, or your 1st 25 lbs.  I remember my first goal was under 300.  It had been so long since I had been under 300 pounds that I was just excited to get there before New Years Eve 2014.  Then I hit 50 pounds (I was pretty excited).  Then I lost 75 pounds.  Then the biggest number I hit was 230 pounds which was a 100 pound weight loss.  That is a lot of weight to lose.  It wasn't easy.  My doctor even wrote me a note so I could get Goal Weight at 230 but when i literally weighed in I was 4 pounds too low.  So I had to reboot.

I picked 200 pounds.  I haven't been under that weight since middle school.  Those 30 pounds were the toughest.  I had more weight gains (I haven't had many) then I did the rest of my journey.  I haven't been going to meetings as frequent because they are the same time I run in the morning on Saturdays and their schedules are not really conducive with a working husband (most their meetings are during the weekday and not even early morning or late evening).  I would probably weigh in every 3 weeks.  I would start to stress during the second week when I didn't know where I was.  But.....

Today, I weighed in before work.  I finally hit it.  I weighed in at 198.  I hit my Goal Weight and begin to start the maintaining process.  I am pretty much scared because I have to add points to my daily system so I don't lose too much.  But I am also super excited.  Seeing that "1" on the scale was awesome.  I will hopefully be able to embrace my victory tomorrow morning with my old group.  I haven't made a meeting in a long time but it's only because I am much more active in my life.  I miss going to meetings but I have to pick my battles.

I never thought I would weigh less than 200 pounds.  It wasn't easy.  I had family deaths, family drama, holidays, partial separation, and everything else thrown at me.  But the reality is this:  I am and never was on a "diet"  I changed my lifestyle.  I changed my life.  Lori and I even bought bikes and a baby trailer for Avery.  We biked six miles to get ice cream last week.  Every Sunday we go to the Oceanfront to run and get coffee together.  We love it.

As Ice Cube would say, "Today was a good day".  

I couldn't of done this without great friends and a wonderful wife.  She has had her own weight loss journey and knows what it takes.  

I don't really know what my next plan of action is.  I do know I am going to keep running and keep doing what I am doing.

Here is my weight loss graph.  I have been consistent but I have had some bumps in the road.

CHKD 8k Run for the Kids 2015 Recap

So this is only the second race I have done two years in a row.   Last year, it was my second race and it was truly the race that really motivated me to run more.  In 2014, I ran the Shamrock 8k and I wasn't really addicted to running yet.  But the CHKD did it for me last year.  I didn't even know anyone at the race but I loved it.  Last year, I ran it in 56 minutes.  Which I was so excited because it was a big chunk off my last 8k at Shamrock.

The event is for a great cause.  It is for Children's Hospital for the Kings Daughter.  This year I was excited because this was the first race Lori was running with me (she says she's not a runner).  I helped Lori train pretty good.  She got a four mile run the week before which was more I got before an 8k last year.  She was nervous.  I was too for her.  It was dreadfully hot and humid.  By the time she finished it was 90 degrees out. At the start, I kissed her and wished her luck.  I was going for a PR and she was going to run her own pace.
I will say this, it was the second hottest race I have ever ran.  The #rftd2015 half marathon was as hot but I had to run a half. So that sucked.  Lol.

Anyways.

So, my longest run I have run at full tilt has been a 5k.  I knew I could push myself for this race but it was really hot and I didn't know if I could do it.  I ran the 5k at a 7:30 pace and I knew it was in me.  I kept pouring one cup of water on my head and sipped one at each water stop.  I was pretty stoked with my finish.  I finished in 37:56.  Which is a 7:29 pace.  I destroyed my last PR in the 8k at about 8 or 9 minutes.  Couldn't be anymore happy.

I found Tim and Avery, drank a bottle and took Avery to catch up with Lori.  I ran about a mile back and found Lori around mile 4.  She was overheated but was doing really good.  At that point, she had run farther than she ever has it.  I dumped a bottle of water on her head and she felt better.  Avery and I kept her on pace and she finished.  She was super excited.  She was exhausted but happy.  She really did good.  At one moment, she hugged me and cried and told me she never imagined she could accomplish running an 8k.

She had become a runner.  She loved it.  She felt so good about herself and she was excited to run the next day.  On Saturday, just like it was for Shamrock was the best moment you could have.  Helping and watching some finish a race and feeling the pride of accomplishment.  But this time it was my wife.  Which I couldn't of been prouder.

Running isn't just about yourself.  It's about the community, families, kids and accomplishments.  Running gives you a feeling most can't understand.

So, Lori, what's your next race?

Summer Hoppy Hour Runs @jandahoppyhours

I remember graduating from college and living in Royal Oak, Michigan and thinking how awesome it was to live in a bike-able and walk-able city.  I bought myself a nice Giant urban bike to use.  I rarely did use it unless I was delivering for Jimmy Johns, which I made a bunch of money not having to deal with parking and being quicker than the drivers.  But I rarely used my bike like I truly wanted to.  I think I used it once to go downtown to go for dinner.  I also talked a lot about walking and enjoying the community.  That I never did.

Scroll forward ten years.......

And here I am 130 pounds lighter, ten years older, and I am the healthiest I have ever been.  I run 5 times a week and I walk regularly on a daily basis.  Lori and I go every Sunday and run together than get coffee at our favorite joint, #badasscoffee.

Last night, J&A racing had their first #jandahoppyhour run at Hot Tuna.  There were over 100 runners who met up, went for a run together and had some hops and food.  Lori asked me if I was okay with her joining me.  I said, Hell yeah.  Why not?  When I started to lose weight, I wanted our family to be healthier.  I wanted us to do things we didn't want to do before.  I love that my wife wants to join me for a run and bring Avery.  Actually, the best purchase I ever made was the jogging stroller.  Avery loves it.  Lori, when she is home, it gives her time to clean or cook while I take her.  It is also bonding time and it is also a positive image to show our daughter what it is like to be healthy.  It reminds me of when I was a kid and my dad would take my brother and I on the Big Boy fun runs in Huntington Woods (If the Motor City Striders brought this race series back, I would travel to do it).

Back to last night.  It was a blast.  I never thought becoming an ambassador for #runningetc would take me to the places I have gone.  I never thought I would be so active.  It's great.  My wife loves it, I love it and Avery loves it.  You don't really understand how awesome a community is until you are part of it.  And the running community in Hampton Roads is top notch.  From our local running store, local race company and local running groups like the Tidewater Striders and Running Turtles, is just fantastic.  I mean there were 100 people out there.  That's awesome.  I mean 100 people being active at their pace.  There were kids, spouses, and people from all ages.

Last night, I also found a bike trailer for Avery so we can pull her on bike rides once we pick up our bikes.  I know, I know, where is this going.  Well, I started this post out talking about my old bike.  When I first moved into Lori's house (now our house), I sold my Giant.  I was like there is no way I would use it on these rural roads (this was before I lost weight).  Now, I run on these roads and Lori and I decided to buy each other bikes with our tax returns.  I am picking them up tomorrow finally.  But how great it is that when you are healthier, you love doing more things.  That trailer is going to be awesome.  I can't wait to take the family for a bike ride around Creeds or the oceanfront for ice cream or on vacation.  I never did that as a kid but I am excited that Lori and Tim want to.

So, this summer's theme is #hoppyhour.  Last night was the epitome of what I want my summer to be, family oriented, healthy, and active.  Summer is just starting but I am so excited to enjoy it with my family friends.

Run For The Dream Half Marathon Recap #rftd2015

Man, what a weekend.  Sometimes I don't know how I got so lucky.  Earlier in the week, I got sick (in turn got my whole family sick) and I got dehydrated.  Not only was worried about my race, I was more worried about my family.  Thank god everyone got better and we could still go camping for part of the weekend.  Lori and I had planned to go camping the whole weekend.  It would of been the first true camping trips for Avery, Tim and Lori.  But we decided to rest up and just go up to Williamsburg on Saturday and camp one night.  It was super hot this weekend but it was still fun.

The KOA in Williamsburg was really nice and clean.  We got a shaded spot and that was a bonus.  I forgot how wonderful it is to sleep two adults on a full air mattress (said no one).  But we loved it.  We made Avery's first s'mores.  We even set up the pack-n-play in the tent and Avery slept wonderful.  I think I was the only one who didn't.  But that was more nerves.  They also had a ton of things for kids to do.  A great pool at that too.

We had dinner with one of my fellow #trainjanda teammates, Joanna and her husband, Derek.  We went to Sal's by Victors in Williamsburg.  I highly recommend it.  Dinner and company was awesome.  We also stopped at DoG Street Pub.  Great beer selection.  

The race itself was fun.  Great course.  Difficulty level is pretty high for average runners.  Flatout Events is a great running company.  They do a good job of representing on the Pennisula.  I would run that course anyday.  I knew it was going to be hilly but it isn't a great combination with the race being after Memorial Day in Hampton Roads.  I only had two issues: change it to early April and have a shaded after party.  It was way to hot for the race and way to hot to enjoy the after party with the sun beating down.  But having a race in Colonial Williamsburg is pretty fun.  It was great running and seeing all the runners I knew.  Great job Flatout Events!

Oh yeah, I PR'ed by 16 minutes.  I ran the half in 1:54.  I pushed really hard the past two months.  Did back to back mileage of 115 and 133.  I deserved this race.  But the best part was coming to the finish and seeing my awesome wife, my son and my daughter smiling at me, cheering me on.  They are the reason I have made the changes in my life.  They are the reason I want to be a better me.  So thanks babe.

Time for a break from big races.

I also want to say thanks to #teamawesome, #trainjanda and #deezrunninghoez for keeping me motivated.  I also want to thank #runningetc for being the best damn local running store.

The People In Your Life

Everybody always tells me that I am so lucky to have had my four grandparents my whole life.  And I was.  I was really lucky.  All four of my grandparents got to meet Avery and got to be at my wedding.  Last week my Grandma finally passed away after fighting a quick fight with cancer.  Instead of having a painful drawn out fight, my grandma passed away beautifully with my grandfather by her side.  I think there is no better way to go than to be next to the man you have been married to for 63 years.

Here is a little bit about my Grams and I.  I spent at minimum at least one week a year with my Pap and Grandma.  Sometimes multiple weeks, ranging from winter break to spring break to summer.  My Grandma would always take us grand kids somewhere cool like the Children's Museum or the Good Ship Lollipop.  I spent my best moments of my childhood running around my grandparent's backyard or at their summer place on the Allegheny River.  Outside my cousins who lived nearby, I spent the most with my grandparents.

My Grandma was also the one who took care of me when my Mom had breast cancer and was going through Chemo.  I remember fondly not wanting to leave my mom and go to school and jumping on top of my parent's station wagon so my Grandma couldn't drive off.

My Grandma was a sweet lady.  She was loving.  When Lori and I found out we were having a girl, we decided to give Avery her middle name after my Grandma.  I joked with Lori that we would just call her Lil' Betty.  My daughter is pretty lucky to have had such awesome great grandmas.

Last week was the first funeral that I have been to in a very long time.  I don't know if you call it luck or whatever but I was just fortunate.

If you want inspiration for love, last week was the moment.  Watching my Pap talk about my Grandma and watching him grieve is my inspiration.  63 years of marriage, 4 kids, 12 grand kids, and 8 great grand kids, Korean War, broken back, good times and bad times, and healthy and unhealthy days is what is my inspiration.  My Pap told me, you can never tell your wife enough how much you love her.  So, to keep my Grandma in my memory, I say this.

I love you Lori.  Thank you for being there during the worst of times and the best of times.  We have 60 more years of memories together.

And I will always miss you Grandma.

A Month of Change

April has been a really busy month for myself and my family.  April usually means baseball season has begun and we are constantly out on a ball field cheering Tim on.  This year, we also added Avery to the mix, which makes everything busier.  I also have to square away running time for myself and be able to do the normal things at home.  With all this going on, we still had time to visit my Grandparents earlier in the month, plant the flower beds and our new garden beds.  Things have changed drastically from a year ago when we were just trying to get the baby's room ready.  We had all those pre-race jitters of an oncoming baby and we were freaking out.  But a year later, we now have a walking, talking beautiful daughter who keeps us busy every minute.

April has also been about change.  As most people know, Lori and I were in a bad spot in our lives and we have decided to work on everything to make ourselves and our family better.  I am not going to divulge to much on here because this isn't the place but we are happy.  Nobody can judge either of us because they are not in our relationship and I hope people keep it that way.  But at the end of the day, we are much happier than ever and look forward to all the challenges and achievements that are part of marriage and family.

On a running note, my training has never been better.  I have hit my biggest week and month mileage since I started.  I ran 115 miles by the end of the month which killed my best month ever.  it helps that i am at my lightest weight and have been running 5 times a week instead of 4.  I am also pleased with my speed.  One of the great benefits of the J&A Training Team has been meet-ups for runs on the weekends.  Last week I did 12.5 with a pace of 8:42.  My goal is to break 2 hours in my half in May.  I should be able to do this.  I have also ran a few races in the past few weeks.  I am also excited that Lori decided to go on her own journey with signing up for the Dirty Girl 5k.  We have been able to spend some quality time together running and getting coffee together.

Weight Watchers has been going great.  I am only 2.8 pounds from lifetime.  I have been going over my daily points a lot lately but that is mostly because I am running more.  I don't feel too bad when I earn over 100 activity points a week.  I do miss my Saturday Morning meetings but I have purely enjoyed getting outside every Saturday morning also.

Its crazy to think about how much my life has changed but it has only changed for the better.  Avery will be one year old next week, Lori and I are the healthiest we have ever been and Tim is enjoying being on his travel team and the Princess Anne Middle School baseball team.  We also got to enjoy the ODU vs. UVA baseball game this week.  Avery really enjoyed all the sites and sounds.

Dreams from the past

Our trip to Pittsburgh brought back so many good memories.  As a kid, I spent a week every summer with them and at least spring break or winter break with them.  I loved every minute of it.  As a kid, it was the perfect landscape.  They had a huge yard, wasn't flat, and different kinds of trees and fauna.  It was just great to play in.  And when i got old enough, I got to ride the lawnmower, the 3 wheelers, or whatever else we had there.  My pap would take me on walks in the woods, take me to check his trap line, take me to work with him.  I loved every minute of it.  My grandma would take me on her school bus routes.  We would go to Eat and Park for lunch and I would always get a cookie with a smiley face on it.

Not all my cousins got these experiences like I did.  Probably only two of us did.  My cousin, Dylan and I.  And even for him it was different because by the time he was 12, his parents separated and he missed out on some good years that were ruined by his parents drama.  But Dylan and I were always the closest to Pap and Grandma.

As a kid, I would fight my parents when they left me.  I would drag on to the car as they pulled out.  I didn't figure it out until it was much older but it was mainly because of my mom's breast cancer and how she lost all the weight from chemotherapy.

But I can say this.  I loved every minute I got with my grandparents.  I wasn't lucky enough to live close by so when I got to spend time with them I did.  I loved every minute fishing, hunting, walking, road trips and everything else I did with them.  My childhood memories and imagination wouldn't be as grand if it wasn't for the wondrous place that was their house.  They had the scary basement that was damp and creepy, the narrow stairs, the water that smelled like eggs.  Every thing grandparents had, they did.

Now that my grandparents are much older, I realize how much of an influence they were on me.  I hope that I can distill that into my kids.  I hope that I can watch Avery imagine the world like I did.  I hope I can help explore the world through her eyes and remember what it is like.  I hope that Avery can remember her great grandparents and how sweet they all are.

I can never thank my Pap and Grandma for all that they did but I can show my kids how they influenced me.

I sometimes wish I could rewind to when I was a kid so I can spend one more week with them during the summer.  But that is not realistic.  The reality is my grandparents are in their 80s and I live far away.  Every second I get with them now is a precious moment in time.  I can't grasp on to those seconds long enough but they are there in my thoughts every second.  I know having Avery and Tim there for four days probably motivated them to keep fighting.  That is all I want.  I hope my kids get to see my grandparents one more time.

Not every kid had grand parents as amazing as mine and not many kids have great grand parents as amazing as Tim and Avery have.  I am just lucky to have them.