SlimCache

I guess I'm over my little downer from earlier this week. Some poor decisions over the past weekend and early this week just got me depressed a little, but I'm feeling optimistic. It's amazing the emotional roller coaster an undertaking like this can put you on. Thankfully I've felt more up than down and this week I'm feeling strong for weigh in and getting 'back on the horse' so to speak.

A really great run yesterday afternoon lifted my spirits. I took off down the beach and ran until I hit a wall. I headed north up Old Orchard Beach and ran until I hit a literal barricade. A pile of stones marks the end of the beach, actually in Scarborough, and the outlet of the Nonesuch River. I then turned around and ran straight back up the beach into a headwind and the crazy glare of the sunset. All in all I ended up doing about 6.4 miles. Running is a fantastic way to clear out the cobwebs inside one's brain. If you're considering taking up running for fitness benefits please also consider not only the physical effect, but the amazing peace of mind it can bring as well. Your mental fitness is important too.



Having already taken three days off this week I figured it was pretty important to get a workout in today as well. Into the gym again, and while I do regularly find the place excruciatingly dull, today wasn't bad. I took it a little easy. I figure I'll hit up another run tomorrow and set my mind on a race on Sunday. I'm not sure I've mentioned the Jimmy the Greek's Frozen Four Miler. The race is to benefit the Old Orchard Beach Summer Camp Scholarship program and runs right past my home. Figured I would be a fool for not running a race that ran right past my house, so I'm game.

Details from today's workout are available below thanks to Buckeye Outdoor's embedder. I spent some time on the elliptical today as well as the recumbent bike. I've heard reference to being in 'bike shape'. I figured being a runner would put me in the optimal shape to take on anything but damned if biking still doesn't take it out of me. Great lower intensity cardio workout today though.

Am writing this one a little late. Also didn't include a picture. I'm such a slacker. Actually that slacker feel has permeated my whole mentality as of late. I've hit a bit of a roadblock. I've come to a few of these so far in the journey. There have been days that I've just wanted to give up. Thankfully I've learned that those obstacles can be overcome. It's just a little hard to put down that feeling in the moment.

I think a lot of it has to do with the current lack of variety in my routine. I've been limited by the weather slightly in that it's more difficult to run in the snow, especially since the snow has been so frequent lately, and the treadmill and elliptical provide so little inspiration. Getting into the gym is a chore. I really wish I could hit the trails again. It's indeed possible to continue hiking in the winter with the right gear, but that's gear I don't got. I want desperately to try snowshoeing and x-country skiing, but again, funds run a little dry to be spending on sporting goods right now.

So is this an impasse? Do I ditch the whole effort? Of course the answer is no. It's also inappropriate for me to berate myself for stalling this week when I've come so far. I call on you the community to help me light a fire under my ass. You've been so supportive thus far and your cheers have often kept me going. Creative ideas on how to keep active during the winter also welcome. Thanks all.


Starting weight : 315 lbs. Last week : 235 lbs. This week : 235 lbs. Since previous weigh in : 0 lbs. Total weight loss : 80 lbs.

Brrrrrrrrrr! Absolutely brutal today. As of yet unconfirmed reports say that Maine hit an all time record low of -50 degrees F today. Not here in my neighborhood though. We only saw about -15. I wasn't really sure I would be able to get a run in today but thankfully by the time I got home this evening it had warmed up to about 12 degrees F. I've run when the temp was sitting in the teens before so with a bit of time spent on preparation I wasn't really scared. I was looking forward to getting a few good miles in to share with my new friends.

While interacting with The Runners Round Table I met cewtwo, a member of What's a Few Miles Among Friends?. He told me a little about their group and then graciously asked me if I would like to participate. A few tweets later and I'm on board. The concept is to post the longest of your weekend runs to the group board. It's a bit of a virtual running club.

I love the idea. The group seems extremely supportive. The page has been in place since Summer of '07 and is going strong. Many of it's members participated in the recent Walt Disney World Marathon. I think this could really be a place for me to learn and be encouraged by the successes shared by others. I'm on the brink of networking overload but dammit, it's just so much fun to meet new people, especially runners. I'm really starting to feel like I'm part of something special.