The Story of the Snow Cat

This blog is really about my weight journey... I mean, that's what it's called - so I've not deviated from that, until today.  This story was important enough that I tell it in long form rather than a mere Facebook post.

I don't remember much of my childhood, for whatever reason; however, this memory is one of only two that I have kept.  I do have some small memories, but not of much.  This story pertains to a GI Joe vehicle called the "Snow Cat."  http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/85/snowcat/

What I remember is that I was about 8 or 9 and we (my family) had just moved to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and my dad had just gotten a bonus or something with the move and the new job.  The details after that are next to nothing.  In order to celebrate, my dad took us to Toys 'R Us to pick out a new toy.  I remember that he said we could pick out anything.  I only wanted the Snow Cat.  I don't know what my sisters picked out.  When we got to the counter the lady at the checkout told my dad that they wouldn't take "counter checks."  Counter checks are the checks you get when you first open a bank account.  They don't have an address or name on them, just a blank upper left corner.  I think my dad argued with her that he had just gotten the job or something.  About the only part I do remember was being disappointed that he wanted to do this one thing but was unable to.  I think my sisters cried.  I probably cried too.

So, I was telling my daughter (Allie) this story some time ago.  She asked me all about it, like she does everything, and I sent her a link to the yojoe site (also referenced above.)  Last week she asked if she could buy something on ebay with my paypal account and then she and my wife worked together to get it.

It is the best birthday present I've ever gotten.  Thank you, Allie!

Day 35 - Fourth Time

I have not missed many run/walk/jogging opportunities lately (we'll simplify this to call them runs).  If I have not run it's been because I've been sick or it's rained...and it's rained a lot over the last two weeks.  However, I am glad that I didn't run for one of the weeks as it gave me time off to recover; and my times have gotten better.  The last two runs I've done I shortened my overall distance by half.  That seems counter intuitive, in a way, however my goal is to run this 80 foot (high not distance) drop then 80 foot rise and the sections in between - once that happens then add a second one.  After that, then go back and do the one long course adding another half and so on.

Before today's run I watched a couple of videos that I think have been very good at describing how to run - I've included those at the bottom of this post.  You would think that having been in the Army for 17 years and being a horrific runner that I would've been able to find people who would teach me how to run...but that's not the case.  I would get horrific shin splints (caused by pulling my toe up just like you do when you march), calf pain (caused by landing on my heels), and I was always exhausted at the end and felt like I was going to die.  About two weeks ago I wanted to improve my form so I would actually enjoy running (which I did from June to October of 2002 when I was able to hit 5 minute miles.)  So I read about how I was heel striking (and I bought new shoes) - so I fixed that and started to lean forward - at the waist which would give my quads and but a great workout; so much so that I couldn't go up and down the steps in my house.  I figured that wasn't right, but I continued.  Then I watched the two videos below and a few on Chi Running...they look awkward, yet smooth and effortless - so I started practicing some of these techniques and today I cut another 2 minutes off of my time - which is pretty exciting.  My lungs were yelling at me wondering what the hell I was doing, but within a few minutes after finishing they felt better than before...and I felt like I had done something (and didn't want to die afterwards.)

I've officially been running since the 14th of June, but I've been much more consistent since the 16th of July (so about 1 month.)  I do try to get out at least twice a day.  My goal is to do something like P90X2  in the morning and run 2x a day - or do 2 runs (one to start the day and one at noon then P90X2 later.)  I eat very healthy; by very healthy I mean mostly vegetarian and almost no cheese at all.  My Achille's heel happens to be Coke - which I'd like to cut out completely.

So, what changes have I noticed the last 1-2 months of running?

1) Well, the biggest change I've noticed is that I look forward to getting out of the house and I don't feel so bad putting myself before work.  As a matter of fact, I put myself before everyone two times a day - this is quite a first for me.  It doesn't matter what goes on at noon I put skype to 'away' then change and go run - I then do the same thing about five pm.

2) I've also noticed my stress level gets down.  I look forward to the run and when it's a more than normal stressor of a day I look forward to the run even more and I'll even count down the minutes until it's here.

3) Because the route I run is semi-secluded the medic in me steps up.  I hydrate better than I normally would and I make sure that I eat something small like carrots before the run.  After the run, I try to eat so I don't get sick.  I spent 12 years not eating breakfasts and lunches then eating dinners.  For dinner, I try to eat in more moderation.  I used to eat a ton of dinner because I didn't eat the rest of the day.  I still eat more dinner than I probably should, but not as much as I used to.  I also attempt to have more salads before dinner and sometimes that means I don't eat what everyone else has - and I don't feel bad (e.g. not well) nor do I miss it.

4) I have more energy and even though I go to bed later and don't want to get out of bed as early in the morning, I don't have the afternoon "nap" feeling.

5) I have a clear head to finish out the workday.  One of the hurdles I had to overcome was the belief that if I didn't stare at the problem for hours on end then I wasn't getting it done.  I have since realized that if I run into an issue and step away (like I used to when I smoked) it clears my head and I usually find the answer while I'm away from my desk.

That's it for today.  I think I've spent enough time on this blog entry :)


 

Day 17 - Fourth Time

    Over the last year, or so, I've been "working out" off and on.  A little over 14 months ago I was working out very regularly, and eating very healthy.  Then I became stressed out about a project at the office and then I changed jobs...then I all but stopped working out.  I had just been hired as a new developer (to this company) working from home and felt like I needed to prove that I deserved to work for this company (because I do deserve it and I like the company quite a bit.)  So I slacked off workouts.  Occasionally, I would take 30 minutes here or there and watch a cartoon while on an elliptical, but my workout had become an "occasionally do something more than just sit at my desk" thing.  If any time passes between the end of one of my workouts and when I get inspired to workout again i start a new round...so this is the fourth round...and I'm determined to make it the final round.

    Late on the 15th of July I was inspired to start doing Insanity again... but I did not.  I had planned to start on Monday and I joined a fb group for the sole purpose of doing insanity...instead I did something different - I was stressed out from work.

    Stress from work can push you to your limits a couple of times a year.  It's not always that work is the stressor, but that there is a whole life that adds stress and the one time I especially need not be stressed out is work.  For me, there are a few times a year that I am pushed to the brink.  I have a very chaotic life that I'm unsure how I manage it.  I can tell (that I'm stressed out) because I have an increase in migraine-like headaches, an increase in depression (just wanting to sit on the couch or take naps at night), and a hatred for all things (meaning I get short-tempered about everything - which I do my best not to take it out on people - and I feel horrible if I do.)

    For 13+ years I've worked the same way.  I rarely take a lunch, opting instead to work through lunch so I can get done a little early, which I end up working a little later.  It is only in the last year that I have been forced to set an 730-330 (no lunch) or 730-430 (with lunch) timeframe as I have not had a whole lot of time that I could bill overtime.  I must say that it's been nice.  I've managed to get my days into a 7:30-430 or 8-5 schedule, and take a lunch, and walk/run twice a day (just in the last two weeks.)  I'm very happy with how that's going.  Back to the stress - I felt like I was so stressed out that if I didn't step away from the computer I was going to have a stroke or a heart attack...so what did I do instead?  I got workout clothes on, grabbed my phone, headphones, sunglasses, and car keys then drove to the nearby trail around a local campus and started walking.  Disclaimer: If you feel like you're going to have a stroke or heart attack don't just go walk like I did, call 911 or go to urgent care.

    I was in a zone - I already felt better stepping away from the computer.  From doing yoga at lunch a few months earlier I knew that once I got started my brain would basically stop focusing on whatever I was doing and "clear out" so-to-speak.  And towards the end of the walk that's exactly what happened.  I had run/walked this trail with the kids before (they rode bikes) and so I knew about how far it was and what to expect.  As I neared the end of the session my mind had cleared and I felt a bit calmer.  I was still stressed out (I would almost say burnt out,) but I felt better - I didn't feel constrained...so I did it again later in the day.

    Since starting walking on the 16th of July I have walked an average of about one time a day.  There have been a few days that it's been rainy or over 90 degrees and I didn't feel like it was safe; the path I walk winds down by a creek and has steep slopes so rain can flood part of it...and while a lot of the path is shaded by trees 90+ degrees is still quite hot and I didn't want to have some sort of heat episode and not be in a position to get help (even with my phone right there.)  So, I went out and bought a baby Camelbak - it's actually a Mini-M.U.L.E. which is a kids Camelbak (though it holds 70oz of water) and I purchased these very nice bicep sleeves that hold my phone (I only need one for my workout obviously) that wick water away from the phone.  These sleeves are fantastic!  I highly recommend them - I don't even notice that I'm wearing them and they don't get hot.  They're a spandex material that is very comfortable.

http://www.nxeproducts.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=EX-SLV-BW

    I actually look forward to workouts now.  I'd still like to do Insanity and/or P90X2 (I just found out today there's going to be a P90X3) but for the time being, I'm liking the walk/runs.  I'll save P90X(2)/Insanity for when the weather gets crappy.  I don't want to add too much to workouts that I lose this drive.  I'd like to continue wanting to workout for a while.  I like the calm that I get after the sessions are over and they're bringing a new level of calm to my work.  When I get stressed out I know that I have x amount of time to go until I'm going to stop and take a break to clear my head.  I've even gotten to the point that I will stop what I'm doing AND eat luch.