Restarting things!

So, this week is bringing a few "re-starts" to me.  First off, last night I (Again) started the first week of Insanity, with the Plyometric Cardio Circuit.  I have to say, I was pleased with how much better I did in just one week.  I made it through the entire warm up with no breaks (Hey, if you have ever done it - you understand the Warm up is one heck of a workout on its own!)  I still was not able to really complete the entire DVD, but I got further along.  Definitely happy with my progress!  This DVD is a steady core workout from the beginning to the end!

The Next thing I am "re-starting" is an old hobby.  Tonight I am going to check out the local SCA group - the Barony of Lochmere.  They have a joint fight-practice and A&S meeting every other Tuesday.   Back in the day, I used to heavy fight, with my first authorization ("its like a Test" to show that I know how to fight "safely" - see the picture below) in 2001.

Insanity, Day 4 and 5!

So  Day 4 (Cardio Recovery - aka Yoga stuff)  and 5 (Pure Cardio - aka kick your butt) are done!  "Snow" day today, despite the lack of snow, so I was able to get my workout in before noon.  I have to admit I like being able to do that.

It has a large focus on core, which is really letting me know how weak my hip-flexors (amongst other things) are.  I think this program is going to be JUST what I need to help with that!  There are some exercises that I have to modify.  Some because I am a weak pansy, and others because I can feel the work out in the spot where I had my Hernia Repair.  I figure this can really help me build up the muscles, and maybe even get rid of some of the residual tightness/pain that crops up occasionaly.. But to do so, I want to be VERY careful that I am not re-injuring myself.  I may decide to re-do it, or re do a week (or month) as I go forward, but I am going to see how I develop before making those decisions.

I do have to admit.. I'm kinda looking forward to my rest day.. My legs are sore and tired!

The Insanity of it all.

My 3rd Anniversary here on wordpress seems like a great time to start faithfully blogging again! As I mentioned in my previous blog posting, it seems the perfect time for a change of attitude and direction in my fitness goals.  As everyone reading this blog knows, I am a runner.  This is my form of exercise.  I run.  I added in Yoga to help with my flexibility, but even that was simply a cool down from my run.  No Run = No Yoga.

Well, I'm bored.  I am still limited to a treadmill many times (just due to child care and timing), and its boring.  I enjoy watching the Walking Dead, but its STILL boring.  Tie this in with the fact that my wife has started doing Krav Maga, running isn't going to be enough.  Now, I think the running is still important (after all, I may need to run away from her and her new-founds skills!), and it is still my preferred form of exercise - but I want something more.  I have debated picking up a total gym/bow flex - and neither of these are off the table for the future (ju$t for the pre$ent if you catch my drift), or joining a gym.  As I weighed (See what I did there?) these two options, it occured to me to pick those Insanity DVDs up, and give them another shot.  They say the third time is the charm right?

[caption id="attachment_2434" align="alignright" width="180"] I totally needed this yesterday.[/caption]

So, I have completed the first three days of Insanity, and I have to admit - I am able to walk much better today!  Yesterday, If you could have seen me walk up stairs - it would have reminded you of your grandfather!  But today, I am back to super tired muscles, instead of agonizingly-painful-to-move-in-any-way-at-all muscles.  This gives me 2 months to decide on the Gym or not.  With a 2 mile warm up before starting it (that I will be increasing as time goes by), it is really going to help me build up my stamina and core!

My thought is to consult with a physical trainer at the end of the Insanity to help me decide the best path from there!

I heard a fantastic phrase recently.   "Dieting helps you look better in clothing.  Exercise helps you look better naked."   Since I want to improve both - it seems that diet and exercise will continue to be a factor!

3 Year Anniversary on Wordpress..

This morning as I logged in here, I was notified by wordpress that I started my blog 3 years ago...  Wow, that seems like a long time, and to be honest - feels it!  So much has happened in the last three years!   I live in a different state, work at a different job, drive a different car, wear different unde.... ok, we won't go to that last one...  But when I started writing the blog, I had no idea WHAT I was going to write about.  At the time it was simply called "Odd Futures."   While I wasn't sure what it was going to be filled with, I knew what sort of future was in store for me, and boy was I right!   Then a high school friend of mine, Chris, asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with him (With no training on my part.)  IT was only a few months later that I found a use for this blog, and Once and Future Runner was born!   I have to admit, while life didn't head the direction I was trying for (And a government pension sounded so lovely...), It has gone in a great direction!

It is really is amazing to look at how everything has changed.  I think its important periodically to stop and look at where I was 3 years ago, 5 years ago and 10 years ago, just to really look at the growth and change that I have lived through.  Quite often, we don't notice the "little" things at the time they happen, yet they can be glaringly apparent when we look back.

I also want to thank those of you that have run this journey with me thus far.  When I started writing this, I didn't think anyone else would be interested in what I was writing, but with 20,000 views - I am blown away!   Thank you!

I'm pretty happy with where life has brought me in the last three years, and I am looking forward to the future!  Please, stay with me!  As this anniversary hits, it seems the perfect time for a change of attitude and direction in my fitness goals!  Stay tuned for more on that!

 

Inspiration

[caption id="attachment_2388" align="alignright" width="206"] Jeremy's 10 mile treadmill run.. Picture by Jeremy Buck[/caption]

Every runner, runs for a reason. It may be health and fitness, it may be that it's a wonderful stress release, or countless other reasons that are as individual as a snowflake. Yet, regardless of WHY, we will find different sources of inspiration. Obviously this isn't true only of runners, but of everyone for various aspects of life.

I have many sources of inspiration for running, and they inspire me at different times and to do different things. My kids continue to inspire me to keep running over-all. I want to be a good example to them, and show them that having good fitness is important. But sometimes it is one person that I know that gives me the inspiration just when I need it. Today is a great example.

A friend (and former co-worker) of mine in NY started running a year or two ago, and now runs 30-40 mile weeks. In fact, he even runs twice a day quite frequently. Many of these long runs are done on a treadmill.  Today I was hitting my treadmill, but had to do it without head-phones.  (In the process of a road trip, I lost mine.)  Now 4 miles on a treadmill isn't the world's worst run - but by 2.5 miles, I am ready to scream.  I thought of Jeremy's run  (See the picture above) and thought that if he could do 10 miles (even with music) then I could definitely finish out 4 miles.  And I'm pleased to say I did.  Thank you Jeremy! 

New Running Buddy?

Monday Nights my son has his choir practice for the Maryland State Boychoir up in Baltimore.  Its not too bad of a hike from Crofton

[caption id="attachment_1971" align="alignright" width="278"] Bryce in his Choir Robes[/caption]

(where I live),just about a 40 minute drive (in the 5:30 traffic.)  I spend the two hours that he is practicing, hanging  out in a comfy room with couches and I get to read for 2 hours.  I have tossed around the idea of going running during this weekly block of time, but I don't know Baltimore.  This becomes VERY important due to an interesting quality that the city has.  You can be in a fantastic neighborhood, nice houses, nice cars, etc, yet when you walk two blocks you can find yourself in a neighborhood where you fear to stop for a red light, let alone travel through on foot in the dark!

I would like to keep "not being mugged" on my bucket list, so this has kept my Monday runs to being a nice morning run, rather than using my evening time

Just another Magic Monday

Every day, you can choose if you are going to have a good day, or a bad day.  Granted, sometimes life throws a curve ball and tries to convince you to change your mind, but even then - you can maintain your choice with some effort (And perhaps some denial of reality.)

As an example, I had a rather interesting week on the first week I stopped posting.  You may (or may not) be aware that I work in the Information Technology field.  I m the Director of Information Systems for a non-profit that covers 2 states, plus Washington D.C..   As you can imagine, we use quite a bit of technology.  We ran into a problem, that we were not getting enough power into our main office.   Seriously.  Everything would be fine through the night and first thing in the morning, but as people arrived (and turned things on), lights would start to flicker, computers would reboot and battery backups would start to squeal in outrage.   Throughout this week, people were a wee bit amazed I was still able to smile and joke around.. My response to it?  Hey, at least we are getting it all out-of-the-way at once!  This could be random issues popping up for the next three months!  Look how lucky we are!

You see, computers require power.  I know this might be a shocking realization, but when they aren't getting that power, they fail.  This is also true for computer-related equipment (such as IP Phones.)  In fact, steady power hits can lead to a loss of programming for phones.. Hypothetically, lets say you could lose 3/4 of your phones this way..