Wedding Anniversary, Weight Watchers Anniversary, Big Boy Speed Work, and All That Jazz

Yesterday was Lori and myself's 3 year anniversary.  We were just talking about how it felt so long ago when we got married.  But we were two totally different people.  We are older, wiser, healthier.  We also have a busy life with a teenager and 16 month old.  We told ourselves that we need to take time out for each other so we decided to go to Ocracoke.  We both love the island, specifically, Ocracoke Coffee.  Anyways, we only went for one night but we had a blast.  We had amazing food, drinks, explored the island, coffee, bike rides, and no baby monitor.  We still seemed to wake up at 6:30.  But we really enjoyed bringing our bikes.  The island is a really bikeable place.  It is funny to think three years ago I was two fat to want to bike around the island.  This time, I wanted to even after running 18 miles.  But ocracoke was great.  We enjoyed every second of it and it was much needed us time.

September 21 is my Weight Watchers anniversary.  I weighed in for the first time truly committed to losing weight two years ago.  I weighed in at 330 pounds.  I remember when I used to lie to myself and pretend I wasn't over 300.  I would tell people I was 290.  But I stuck to the system, integrated exercise and here I am.  I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers, I have been under 200 pounds for several months and I enjoy life much more.  It feels great to know I have accomplished it.  The hardest part is knowing I have to maintain and I don't have to lose anymore.  it is a much harder mental game.  But I am proud of where I am.

Let me tell you this, I just started doing speed work this summer for my full marathon training.  Since the beginning until now it all has been tough.  But it is a good tough.  Since long distance running is such a singular movement it is good to me moving differently with speed work.  Some people don't like but I do.  It reminds me of two-a-days in high school football.  I like the feeling of maxing out your cardio system and the feeling of extreme exhaustion.  But it has got a bit easier as each week has gone by even as we added more distance to it each week.  This week was the big boy.  For elite runners, they do crazy things like 3x5ks.  But for normal runners like myself, the big boy run is 3x 2 milers.  6 miles of fast pace speed work.  For some, their max speed isn't that much faster but for me, mine is pretty quick (sub 7 minute miles).  Man was it tough.  The winds were howling too with 20 mph winds on the back mile (you can see it in my pace).  No excuses though.  I did really well and I only missed the last one by a second so I was pretty happy.  I am also happy that it is done.

Monday I had off and it was nice.  I got to enjoy the day with Avery.  She is growing so fast.  I am very fortunate I get one day off every two weeks to enjoy with her.  I am really fortunate for everything I have actually.

So, on to the next one.  PS- I also went to yoga.

August and End of Summer Recap

I couldn't type up a post while on vacation.  Actually, I just didn't want to.  I enjoyed my vacation.  It was much needed since we haven't really had a true vacation since last July.  But August came and went fast and so did vacation.  Anyways, here it is.

Training:

Running has never been better.  Even though I have had a few bumps and bruises here and there from training, my body has held up nicely.  Better than expected.  Following a training plan and doing what is says has helped.  Since being part of two J&A training teams, I have learned a few things along the way.  The first thing I learned is follow the plan (Am I right Chuck?).  Don't over do it even though you know you can.  Follow the plan, follow the pace and follow the schedule.  The other thing is you don't need to make up a run.  It also helps running with great people too.  Having a great crew of friends to run your long run with is amazing.  The other thing I have learned is speed work helps.  So do it.  I proved this yesterday when after running 11 miles I was able to run two miles under 7:30 average but I will talk more about that later.  August I hit the most mileage I have ever hit, 177 miles.  I also did my first 20 miler with support from the wife on vacation.  I killed it with a 8:45 pace.

The Fall J&A Training Team also started 5 weeks ago and it has been awesome as usual.  I have a great group of people to train as their pacer.  It is very enjoyable to just relax and help other people pace.  When you are concentrating so much on your own training you sometimes forget to just enjoy the moments.  It's exciting to be able to watch other people have an amazing run.  My wife signed up this fall and she is enjoying the camaraderie and team atmosphere.  I have a huge group of probably over 25 people.

Vacation

What a wonderful week.  We stayed at our timeshare in Myrtle Beach at the Sheraton Broadway Plantation and had both our moms, my niece and a friend of Tim's with us.  We enjoyed every second of it.  We just stayed at the resort and enjoyed the lazy river, pools, and everything else it has to offer.  It is amazing to enjoy a vacation with the people you love.  I love watching Avery grow each and everyday.  It is also amazing watching her try new things.  Overall, another amazing vacation.

That's all for now.  40 days until the Detroit Free Press Marathon.