MINDSET CHANGE

I have no idea who Hazel Hira Ozbek is, but as I was looking for a photo for this blog post, it struck me. It struck because I seem to always be waiting for something to start running again, or waiting for Monday to come around. It's always something, at least here recently. I am waiting for my knee to get better (that's probably legitimate), I am waiting for it to cool down, I am waiting for me to lose some weight first...excuse after excuse. And I have plenty more excuses!  I don't have the time to run like I did, I need the extra hour of sleep in the morning, I will start when school starts and the kids are up...

I do not know how many Mondays this summer I was supposed to start "my training". The latest one was supposed to be August 1, which was the golden date because it was the first day of the month and a Monday! But, it did not happen. Next Monday the kids start school, so everyone will be up and that should be a "good time" to start right? Mindset change.

All in all, I agree with Hazel, it should not matter what day I start, I just have to start. The doctor has cleared me with my knee (although, he said I should look at doing something else because it is a 44 year old knee) and I know it is going to be hot no matter when I start, unless I wait till late October. I realize it is going to be like starting over and I have to understand that it will not be like it was when I was training. My mindset can't be to get it all back in one day. Mindset Change

As of this morning, I weighed in at 205.7lbs. This is the most I have ever weighed in my life. Now I do think some of it is added muscle since I have been going to lift weights for the past two months while my knee was messed up, but still, 205?? This is another reason I need to get back to the pool and the roads. I know once I get into my groove, I should lose some weight. My first weight goal is to get under 200 lbs. My main number one goal is to get back in the 180s. Man, 25lbs sounds like a lot to lose doesn't it? I really don't feel like I eat a lot, I just eat the wrong things. Another mindset I have to change.

I think the draw to triathlon for me in the very beginning was the journey it would take to reach Ironman, it seemed so unobtainable to me. Will I ever get back to IM? I don't know, I would like to one day do a second IM, so maybe I am starting a journey to a second IM...

I started this post like 8 different times because I could not get this post to flow like I wanted it to until I found this quote. Thanks Hazel!

P.S. I Googled hazel and she is some kind of famous poet!

Where Is My Strong??



It is almost impossible for me to get up and train when I am away from home. I don't know why either.

This weekend was Father's Day and I traveled to see my dad and then to see my father in law. Friday night we stayed at Dad's house because it is basically halfway between our house and the final destination. It works out really well for us.  My folks live in the city that I went to college in, where there is an awesome running trail that I have ran on probably 100 times when I lived there, maybe more like 500 times! (I ran a lot during college) This trail is less than a half mile from my parents house. So there is no excuse!



I always pack my running gear in my backpack. I always prepare to go running. And that is where it stops for me, in the planning stages.

It would be so easy for me to get up early and go hit that trail. I could easily get 4.5 miles in and then I could head out of the neighborhood and run a long hill for a great hill workout, which I always tell myself I am going to do. I have it mapped out in my head, but for some reason, all I want to do is lounge in  bed and then get up and eat breakfast with everyone. Now, I was tired after driving to their house and eating late, so I knew an evening run was out of the question, but there is nothing stopping me from getting my butt out of bed and hitting the run before everyone else got up. My dad likes to joke that he waited for me and waited for me and finally decided to go ahead and get his run done, "sorry I missed ya son!"

It is so easy for me to make a plan at my house and stick to it. I mean I will miss an occasional workout if I am not feeling good or still sore, I mean I listen to my body, but I hardly ever just blow something off. So it really bums me out that I chose not to get up. And no, I am not making excuses either. Sitting here thinking about why I didn't get up, I realized that I never pack my alarm clock when I go out of town to visit family, but yet I always pack it when I go to a race. (I do not trust hotel alarm clocks) I think I get into a mindset of "its like a mini vacation" where I can relax and let mom and dad take care of me. I know I am not as strict on my diet when I am away from home either. So maybe I need a new mindset when I am away from home. I need to become strong, mentally. I always tell people that running is as much mental as it physical.



One thing I can tell you though, I can;t wait to get back to training after being off for a few days. I am heading out for vacation soon, but I guarantee you I will be swimming and running on the beach for sure, that is one of my favorite times and I will blog about it soon. 

Tell me if you also find it hard to train when you are away from home, I am interested to know! Thanks for reading!!!

January 20, 2010 A day of Wussiness...

Sometime I wonder why I am such a Wuss. It usually happens on days when I plan to get up early and do my scheduled workout, but for numerous reasons I don’t. It happened this morning.

My wife and I had made a deal that she will take the kids to school on Wednesdays and then go to the pool. a fair trade off for what she puts up with me s/b/r all the time! I get to stay home with Jesse and have a nice breakfast. So I planned on getting up early and running way before anyone else got up and then coming home, kissing the kids as they are whisked off to school by their mother and then making a nice breakfast for me and my 1 year old.

I went as far as getting all my equipment laid out so I could find it easily and quietly in the morning! It takes a lot of stuff I determined once I saw it all laid out on the floor too! I remember when it was just shoes and shorts and off I went! Everything was ready, alarm was set, and I was in bed early. I had my workout planned!

I was going to work on some tempo running this morning, trying to get faster for my race in March ,and really wanted to see what I can do if I push it. So I was looking forward it.

4:30AM I am awakened by thunder. I go back to bed thinking it will pass, this is Memphis, and storms come and go.

5:45 AM I awake to my alarm beeping, and I slap that sucker off quick so I do not wake my bride. I hear it raining outside, so I look out the window and decide to go back to bed.

6:45 AM I wake up and think, “Why did you not go to the gym and get on the dreadmill?” Which would have been fine with me actually, but I will tell you why I did not go. I hate the dreadmill…with a passion. I only run on the dreadmill if it is below 20 degrees, and that is rare here in Memphis.

I do not mind running in the rain if I am already out and it starts raining, but I have never started a run while it was raining, especially in January! So I guess my confession is more for me to realize that I have to get out and run even when I do not want to. I wake up and it is raining? Then I go to the gym, if not, I hit the streets.

I have to make my doing match my wanting. Does that make sense to anyone?

It's a love/Hate Thing...

Reasons I Love to Run in the Morning:

• Great way to start thee day
• Very peaceful and quiet on the trail
• Keeps me focused and dedicated
• Easier to work around family obligations
• No one cares if I get up, as long as I am quiet as I leave
• I can think my day through
• Paths and Trails are empty
• I like seeing my breath as I exhale
• Fewer bugs to swallow in the morning
• No one yells smart-ass comments (Run Forest Run!)
• Neighbors always smile and wave as they head out
• I sleep better that night

Reasons I Hate to run in the Morning:

• My bed is comfy in the morning
• It's cold outside
• Joints are stiff when I Wake up
• Funny looks from some people
• Hate sweating AFTER I come out of the shower
• I eat horrible that day (justify it by saying I already ran)
• I get sleepy around 2:00 PM

Got something to add to either list? Let me know if ya do!