Hey Mammoths.
I would apologize for the lengthy delay but I had to get my mind right about some things. The worse type of liar in the world is the one that lies to himself. I have been lying to myself about a few things. The first being that I can do the distance at this point in my life. My body has been breaking down hardcore and to be honest with you that sucks. It sucks mostly because I have ZERO control over it. As any of my friends and family will tell you I am a control freak and to be sidelined makes me angry. I have not been a very nice person to be around lately and the Mommoth has shown great restraint, patience, and love for me.
All that said I will not be doing the Athens Half Marathon this year, nor will I be doing the Savannah Rock and Roll Half Marathon, nor the Albany Marathon. This is a mature decision, what my man Michael Williams of WOW BOOTCAMP! told me over coffee on Friday. He has not doubt that my Mammoth mindset would see me through but at a price to my body that we can just ill afford at this time. So I have decided to re-purpose and refocus. Starting in October I will be doing two 5ks a month, training for sprint tri-athalons, and really getting serious about the weight loss.
I also plan on retoooling the Mammoth site a bit. I will still continue to talk about my training but also about my struggles with eating and this damnable food addiction I have. I plan on being a lot more open than I have been on this site so now you are warned. :)
Well Mammoths I just wanted to let you know that I am back with a vengeance. I hope to see you out there on the ramble, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Back In the Saddle Again
Hey folks. Just wanted to let you know that I am back. Sorry for the hiatus but I was busy feeling sorry for myself and just didn't feel like writing. I am now back to 100% and ready to share. Later today I will tell you about my Month of Woe as I am calling out and how a trip to Fort Jackson, South Carolina snapped me out of my funk.
See you later today.
See you later today.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Day 242: Peachtree Road Race. 6.2 Miles, 17 Water Stops, One Over Heated Mammoth
Hey Mammoths. I hope you got to see the 11 Alive News program. I did not, at least not yet. I have gotten some email from folks who have and they said its really good. So hopefully a link will sprout up and I will be able to share that with you tomorrow or later this week.
The race my Mammoths was so awesome! There is nothing like running in a race with over 60,000 people! Just the huge amount of bodies moving in one direction was pretty stunning to behold! I encourage you all to try to do this race at least once in your life. If you are a bigger runner that is okay. This is a tough course but nothing you can't train for here in the Athens area. If you are able to do Boulevard then you have the Peachtree in the bag. The largest obstacle for me was the other people around. Even staying to the right I had difficulty because of the slowness of some and the speed of others. This is a race where you need to have a good deal of patience and know that you are not going to set a PR (unless you are in the seeded group but then you are racing for something totally different.)
My and the Mommoth's day started at 6:30 am. It was nice to get a little extra sleep because our start time was 9:05 am. So we got up and got our kit on.
We then headed out to our race position which was corral Y. Y is the last group to go and to be honest I liked that because it took a ton of pressure off of us and we could enjoy the race. I must say it is a race I did enjoy. I had two goals mini goals on this race. The first was to run down the middle of Peachtree Street and also drink a beer on the course. The beer thing is something I would never do in a real race but for the Peachtree what the heck.
The coolest part about the race was running into Mara and Jeff Snowden who were also in Y. Jeff and I made a little video. I do apologize to you mammoths but trying to video and do my Training Peaks app just wasn't in the cards. But here is the opening video.
The cool thing about talking to Jeff is that he is an experienced tri-athlete and he was still nervous about doing the 10k. I find it rather cool that people who do awesome and are in awesome shape still get nervous just like I do. Jeff and Mara were ready to go and so were we, well at least I thought I was until I looked at my leg.
So I bought some compression socks in the hopes that they would help my legs out. So I wore them but also brought along another pair of Balgas just in case something went wrong and boy did it ever! I looked down at my leg and around my ankle I had a pool of fluid that was overflowing my show. The Mommoth saw that and immediately made me take off my shoes and replace the socks. Boy am I glad she was there with me on that. As I put on my last sock the field begins to move and get into position to run.
The Mommoth snapped some photos of us moving down the road to the start. It took us twenty minutes to get to the start line but when we did we were off like a shot!
So we start and the first two miles go by like a breeze. For the first time in a long time its just me, Jackie, and the road. The Baby Mammoth was with the Grand-Mommoth so we were able to enjoy each other and the race. I really feel like this was one of those marriage bonding moments you hear about from others. I really feel so much closer to the Mommoth and I know that without her there was no way this Mammoth was going to make it. I told the Mommoth about my mini-goals and so she said she would help me out. So the first thing we did was run down the middle of Peachtree street and that was a big thrill. Then came the beer portion of the task list.
As we were running down the street she and I both heard, "Free keg stand for any runner!" I am a runner and that takes care of my beer goal. The Mommoth snapped this picture of Mammoth history!
Keg stand at Mile 3! Pretty awesome way to celebrate the Fourth. There was also a whole lot of photo opportunities. Here are two that the Mommoth got of me being a goofball.
So now we are cruising along and I am getting more and more dehydrated. Now normally I wear a CamelBak hydration system but I was assured there was plenty of water along the route. There was but there wasn't enough of a watering hole for this Mammoth. As we neared the finish line I started feeling woozy, nauseous, and light headed (classic signs of heat exhaustion.) I could see the finish line in front of me and Jackie told me to go on so she could get my picture. Below are some of the best pictures of me out there. Crossing the finish was one of the best things I have ever done.
Now it was on this field that I knew I was in trouble. I went and got my hot bottle of water, it was so gross but when you are dehydrated it doesn't matter. I slugged that down pretty quickly but it was not enough. The Mommoth gave me her water but it still didn't do the trick. I sat down on the grassy knoll and kept track of my heart rate, it would not go under 130. At that point I asked the Mommoth to get me some help and I was taken to the medical tent. There I was treated for heat exhaustion. The gave me a ton of water to drink, powerade, and placed wet, ice soaked towels around me. Here is a picture of an unhappy Mammoth who is just really, really hot!
In the end though I was treated and released. The Mommoth, Grand-Mommoth, Baby Mammoth, and I went back to the hotel and began our trip home. It was a great day mammoths! I feel like I really accomplished something and I have the t-shirt to prove it. Michael Williams always says that you learn something from each race and I learned an important lesson. No matter what I must, must, must keep that CamelBak on at all times when I am doing anything over three miles. It was a hard lesson to learn but one I needed to learn to be better for the next race.
Well my mammoths I am off to bed. Looking forward to a long run of 8 miles on Saturday. I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole because its hot, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
The race my Mammoths was so awesome! There is nothing like running in a race with over 60,000 people! Just the huge amount of bodies moving in one direction was pretty stunning to behold! I encourage you all to try to do this race at least once in your life. If you are a bigger runner that is okay. This is a tough course but nothing you can't train for here in the Athens area. If you are able to do Boulevard then you have the Peachtree in the bag. The largest obstacle for me was the other people around. Even staying to the right I had difficulty because of the slowness of some and the speed of others. This is a race where you need to have a good deal of patience and know that you are not going to set a PR (unless you are in the seeded group but then you are racing for something totally different.)
My and the Mommoth's day started at 6:30 am. It was nice to get a little extra sleep because our start time was 9:05 am. So we got up and got our kit on.
The coolest part about the race was running into Mara and Jeff Snowden who were also in Y. Jeff and I made a little video. I do apologize to you mammoths but trying to video and do my Training Peaks app just wasn't in the cards. But here is the opening video.
So I bought some compression socks in the hopes that they would help my legs out. So I wore them but also brought along another pair of Balgas just in case something went wrong and boy did it ever! I looked down at my leg and around my ankle I had a pool of fluid that was overflowing my show. The Mommoth saw that and immediately made me take off my shoes and replace the socks. Boy am I glad she was there with me on that. As I put on my last sock the field begins to move and get into position to run.
The Mommoth snapped some photos of us moving down the road to the start. It took us twenty minutes to get to the start line but when we did we were off like a shot!
As we were running down the street she and I both heard, "Free keg stand for any runner!" I am a runner and that takes care of my beer goal. The Mommoth snapped this picture of Mammoth history!
So now we are cruising along and I am getting more and more dehydrated. Now normally I wear a CamelBak hydration system but I was assured there was plenty of water along the route. There was but there wasn't enough of a watering hole for this Mammoth. As we neared the finish line I started feeling woozy, nauseous, and light headed (classic signs of heat exhaustion.) I could see the finish line in front of me and Jackie told me to go on so she could get my picture. Below are some of the best pictures of me out there. Crossing the finish was one of the best things I have ever done.
Well my mammoths I am off to bed. Looking forward to a long run of 8 miles on Saturday. I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole because its hot, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Day 243: Peachtree Road Race Expo
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Day 244: Rest Up 6.2 In Two Days
Howdy Mammoths.
Just wanted to do a quick check in about tomorrow and Monday. Tomorrow I will be reporting live from the Peachtree Road Race Expo in Down Town Atlanta. I will do some VLogging and hopefully get some interviews with some really cool people. Then on Monday its the race and I will give you a mile by mile break down of my performance. Should be an awesome time!
Okay Mammoths well I am going to grab some sleep as I have some busy days coming up. Have fun on the range, stick to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Just wanted to do a quick check in about tomorrow and Monday. Tomorrow I will be reporting live from the Peachtree Road Race Expo in Down Town Atlanta. I will do some VLogging and hopefully get some interviews with some really cool people. Then on Monday its the race and I will give you a mile by mile break down of my performance. Should be an awesome time!
Okay Mammoths well I am going to grab some sleep as I have some busy days coming up. Have fun on the range, stick to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Day 246: Tempo Was Something I Learned In Music Class: Wasn't Good At It Then, Not Good At It Now!
Salutations Mammoths.
So this is a special twofer edition of the WMR blog! I wanted to spend a moment on today's work out. Now as most of you know I am a disciple of Michael Williams and WoW Boot Camp and I have been following his directions as I prepare for the ultimate Mammoth challenge, the FULL MARATHON. Well on top of that I have teamed up with Team In Training to raise money to fight cancer and run a 1/2 marathon in Savannah the first weekend in November. So far I have followed Michael's work out schedule to the letter, mostly because I trust him with my life so I know that he has my best interest at heart and he knows me and my capabilities. Now that doesn't mean my TNT trainer isn't any good, in fact the Mommoth loves her training schedule which for the most part is exactly like Michaels--which brings us to todays work out.
So Michael had me doing a Level 2 heart rate run for 45 minutes and the TNT workout today was a tempo run for 35 minutes. So being the genius that I am I decided to say, "Hey I can do both workouts and make everybody happy." It was a good plan but the execution was terrible!
Now first I must confess that I am a gym snob. I love the YMCA but their equipment is a little substandard to what I am used too. It still works great but for a Mammoth there can be issues. The biggest issue I have is that the hand rails were made for my old roommate on Heavy, Tim, who is a little person. I mean I would get a full stride going and then BAM I would hit the stop button! Totally annoying! Next the cardio room was like working out in the La Pa kitchen on Friday night in August. It was hot! (How hot was it!!!) It was so hot that if I had not been wearing any underwear I would have been doing some crotch pot cooking (drum rim shot please, I am here all week, tip your waitress.) Lastly, I had the Cubs (hate baseball on TV, nothing more boring) and Glenn Beck on the only two TVs in my line of sight. So I am unhappy in my surroundings. Now add in a tempo run where when we hit mile two I had to sprint for two minutes (Heart rate zone 3 for those playing along at home) and then back it down for two minutes and you can see my problems. Next time I am just sticking with Michael's plan. It was a great work out but the starts and stops were really, really annoying.
Alright Mammoths I am 5 days away from my first Peachtree and I am so excited. My man Jeff Ford from H3 will be running as will some of my fellow cast mates from Heavy! It is going to be great to be reunited with my good friends and I look forward to collecting my tshirt. If you are wondering about when the interview will air it will be on Monday night at 8 pm on Channel 11. I wore my white WoW Boot Camp shirt and I look amazing! Sorry but a Mammoth has to raise his trunk sometimes!
Well its off to bed. Rest day tomorrow and then its the big weekend before the race. I hope that you have success rambling on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
So this is a special twofer edition of the WMR blog! I wanted to spend a moment on today's work out. Now as most of you know I am a disciple of Michael Williams and WoW Boot Camp and I have been following his directions as I prepare for the ultimate Mammoth challenge, the FULL MARATHON. Well on top of that I have teamed up with Team In Training to raise money to fight cancer and run a 1/2 marathon in Savannah the first weekend in November. So far I have followed Michael's work out schedule to the letter, mostly because I trust him with my life so I know that he has my best interest at heart and he knows me and my capabilities. Now that doesn't mean my TNT trainer isn't any good, in fact the Mommoth loves her training schedule which for the most part is exactly like Michaels--which brings us to todays work out.
So Michael had me doing a Level 2 heart rate run for 45 minutes and the TNT workout today was a tempo run for 35 minutes. So being the genius that I am I decided to say, "Hey I can do both workouts and make everybody happy." It was a good plan but the execution was terrible!
Now first I must confess that I am a gym snob. I love the YMCA but their equipment is a little substandard to what I am used too. It still works great but for a Mammoth there can be issues. The biggest issue I have is that the hand rails were made for my old roommate on Heavy, Tim, who is a little person. I mean I would get a full stride going and then BAM I would hit the stop button! Totally annoying! Next the cardio room was like working out in the La Pa kitchen on Friday night in August. It was hot! (How hot was it!!!) It was so hot that if I had not been wearing any underwear I would have been doing some crotch pot cooking (drum rim shot please, I am here all week, tip your waitress.) Lastly, I had the Cubs (hate baseball on TV, nothing more boring) and Glenn Beck on the only two TVs in my line of sight. So I am unhappy in my surroundings. Now add in a tempo run where when we hit mile two I had to sprint for two minutes (Heart rate zone 3 for those playing along at home) and then back it down for two minutes and you can see my problems. Next time I am just sticking with Michael's plan. It was a great work out but the starts and stops were really, really annoying.
Alright Mammoths I am 5 days away from my first Peachtree and I am so excited. My man Jeff Ford from H3 will be running as will some of my fellow cast mates from Heavy! It is going to be great to be reunited with my good friends and I look forward to collecting my tshirt. If you are wondering about when the interview will air it will be on Monday night at 8 pm on Channel 11. I wore my white WoW Boot Camp shirt and I look amazing! Sorry but a Mammoth has to raise his trunk sometimes!
Well its off to bed. Rest day tomorrow and then its the big weekend before the race. I hope that you have success rambling on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Day 246: Updated Sacrifice List
Yo Mammoths!
So the Mommoth read the blog this morning and decided that my sacrificial list was pretty weak. So I was told that I have to go back and come up with a better list. Evidently the first two are just not good enough for the Mommoth. In essence I know the name of my running goddess and her name is Jackie! (Love you sweetie)
Okay so here is my new sacrificial list which I believe my running goddess will approve of:
1) Hot Dogs and buns. Now I get turkey dogs but I have been known to occasionally grab one at the odd Golden Pantry but for the marathon I am willing to sacrifice this.
2) Frozen Yogurt. I adore this treat but for the run I am willing to give it up.
3) Baked or Regular chips. To go along with the hot dog I usually have some sort of baked chip to go with it but now I am giving them up to race faster and cleaner.
4) Diet Soda. Now out of all of these sacrifices this is going to be a tough one because I am a HUGE Coke Zero fan. We have them at work and they are an awesome alternative when coffee just won't do, like when its 85 in the office as it is right now. But for the race and the goddess I will give that up too.
So there you have it Mammoths 4 better sacrifices for the Mommoth. I will talk about training later as I have a 45 minute tempo run today that the Mommoth and I will be doing at the Y around 5 o'clock. If you are in the area come on by. I hope to see you out there on the range, stay close to a good watering hole (especially today), and as always mind what you are grazing on...because you never know when the running goddess will strike!!!
So the Mommoth read the blog this morning and decided that my sacrificial list was pretty weak. So I was told that I have to go back and come up with a better list. Evidently the first two are just not good enough for the Mommoth. In essence I know the name of my running goddess and her name is Jackie! (Love you sweetie)
Okay so here is my new sacrificial list which I believe my running goddess will approve of:
1) Hot Dogs and buns. Now I get turkey dogs but I have been known to occasionally grab one at the odd Golden Pantry but for the marathon I am willing to sacrifice this.
2) Frozen Yogurt. I adore this treat but for the run I am willing to give it up.
3) Baked or Regular chips. To go along with the hot dog I usually have some sort of baked chip to go with it but now I am giving them up to race faster and cleaner.
4) Diet Soda. Now out of all of these sacrifices this is going to be a tough one because I am a HUGE Coke Zero fan. We have them at work and they are an awesome alternative when coffee just won't do, like when its 85 in the office as it is right now. But for the race and the goddess I will give that up too.
So there you have it Mammoths 4 better sacrifices for the Mommoth. I will talk about training later as I have a 45 minute tempo run today that the Mommoth and I will be doing at the Y around 5 o'clock. If you are in the area come on by. I hope to see you out there on the range, stay close to a good watering hole (especially today), and as always mind what you are grazing on...because you never know when the running goddess will strike!!!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Day 247: What Are You Sacrificing?
Hey Mammoths! Long time no chat but your main Mammoth has been swamped with work and I had to make a choice, blog or work out. You see the choice I made! Its been an exciting twelve days though. My highly popular GameWerks program for kids concluded last Friday and it is probably the best three weeks of my life.
Then today I had 11 Alive News at the Mammoth home to interview myself and the Mommoth about our upcoming Peach Tree run. I am so excited about the run, this being my first and the Mommoth's 7th, that I was overjoyed when I got the call that they wanted to come out and film us. So Ken Hamilton came out and interviewed us and then for an hour I had to run up and down my street here in Athens so he could get footage of the Mammoth stomp! Ken was a really great guy and I am glad that he came out to film us. The Baby Mammoth of course stole the show and was cute as ever in her smocked outfit, all dolled up for the Fourth of July (my favorite holiday by the way.)
So Michael from WoW Boot Camp and I had a coffee about a week ago and he asked me a question that has hung with me and thought I would share. "What are you sacrificing to make this run happen?" To be honest I had never thought of this in this way. We all make sacrifices to do things, that is called Opportunity Cost, but what am I doing to further my running goals. What sacrifices to the run Gods to I need to continue to make so that way I achieve my goal of 26.2? So I have been toiling with this notion for the past few days. So this is what I have come up with. The first one is beer! Now for those of you who know me beer is an essential part of my diet. Heck it was the 5 food group through most of college. I was king of the Mammoth Funnel but now it gets in the way of my goal. So I offer this one up to the run Gods as my first sacrifice. The second sacrifice is my sleep in time on Saturday. Now I normally get up around 5 am every morning but Saturdays I liked to sleep in until 8 am, well no longer. I will sleep in on March 12, 2012 but until that time I am going to be pushing through. My last sacrifice will be my car. From now on if it is feasible to do I will either walk or bike to work. This will allow me to continue growing my aerobic engine and allow me to get faster. Those are my sacrifices Mammoths, what are willing to give up to accomplish your goals?
Well Mammoths I need to sign out. For the rest of the week I will be signing in and discussing the upcoming Peach Tree Road Race in Atlanta. Tomorrow I will talk about my game plan and how I plan to run the race. So be careful out there roaming the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on!
Then today I had 11 Alive News at the Mammoth home to interview myself and the Mommoth about our upcoming Peach Tree run. I am so excited about the run, this being my first and the Mommoth's 7th, that I was overjoyed when I got the call that they wanted to come out and film us. So Ken Hamilton came out and interviewed us and then for an hour I had to run up and down my street here in Athens so he could get footage of the Mammoth stomp! Ken was a really great guy and I am glad that he came out to film us. The Baby Mammoth of course stole the show and was cute as ever in her smocked outfit, all dolled up for the Fourth of July (my favorite holiday by the way.)
So Michael from WoW Boot Camp and I had a coffee about a week ago and he asked me a question that has hung with me and thought I would share. "What are you sacrificing to make this run happen?" To be honest I had never thought of this in this way. We all make sacrifices to do things, that is called Opportunity Cost, but what am I doing to further my running goals. What sacrifices to the run Gods to I need to continue to make so that way I achieve my goal of 26.2? So I have been toiling with this notion for the past few days. So this is what I have come up with. The first one is beer! Now for those of you who know me beer is an essential part of my diet. Heck it was the 5 food group through most of college. I was king of the Mammoth Funnel but now it gets in the way of my goal. So I offer this one up to the run Gods as my first sacrifice. The second sacrifice is my sleep in time on Saturday. Now I normally get up around 5 am every morning but Saturdays I liked to sleep in until 8 am, well no longer. I will sleep in on March 12, 2012 but until that time I am going to be pushing through. My last sacrifice will be my car. From now on if it is feasible to do I will either walk or bike to work. This will allow me to continue growing my aerobic engine and allow me to get faster. Those are my sacrifices Mammoths, what are willing to give up to accomplish your goals?
Well Mammoths I need to sign out. For the rest of the week I will be signing in and discussing the upcoming Peach Tree Road Race in Atlanta. Tomorrow I will talk about my game plan and how I plan to run the race. So be careful out there roaming the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Race For The Cure Fundraising: The T-Shirt Shop
Hey Mammoths.
As you are aware the Mommoth and I are raising money to help fight blood cancer. We need your help! So to help us fund raise I have created a t-shirt/novelty store that has our logo on it with the Team iN Training logo on it. Feel free to browse around and buy, buy, buy! One hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards our fundraising for TNT. To go to the store please follow this link http://www.cafepress.com/WoollyMammothRunner
To go to our TNT website and see what this all about and donate please follow this link http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/rnrsav11/woollymammothrunners
As you are aware the Mommoth and I are raising money to help fight blood cancer. We need your help! So to help us fund raise I have created a t-shirt/novelty store that has our logo on it with the Team iN Training logo on it. Feel free to browse around and buy, buy, buy! One hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards our fundraising for TNT. To go to the store please follow this link http://www.cafepress.com/WoollyMammothRunner
To go to our TNT website and see what this all about and donate please follow this link http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/rnrsav11/woollymammothrunners
Day 259: I Knee'd New Knees!
Salutations my Mammoths!
Been a tough 9 days for your favorite Mammoth. Well actually its been the past 4 days that have been the toughest with my knees deciding that they wanted to be the most painful thing on the planet, EVER!!! I have actually had to take some of the old Voltarian steroid gel to help ease the pain and it has but it sucks that for the past two days I have not been able to exercise. Fortunately though they feel better today and tomorrow I am going to go on a slow walk for three or so miles to get them back into fighting shape. I am two weeks out from my first Peach Tree so I want to be ready to go. I am so pumped about the race and what I am going to be doing there. My mom will be there to take care of the Baby Mammoth and the Mommoth is going to join me out there. This is all terribly exciting for the Mammoth and I can't wait to get my picture taken as I cross the finish line!!!
So once again I have learned of another defeat in my bid to make the world a better place for Mammoth Runners ( I hate the word Clysdale-who wants to be a workhorse when you could be a Bad Ass Mammoth out there stomping things!). There will be no Mammoth or Athena division at either the Athens nor the Savannah 1/2 this year. I am getting a little irritated at this especially when I look at how the demographic of the sport has changed. True, the sport is dominated by Gazelles and will always be but there is a growing minority of runners who are 200+ for men and 160+ for women. It is unfair and unrealistic for me to think that I can compete with runners like Michael Williams, Jeff Ford, or Karno for that matter! I am urging the organizers of these races to rethink their position on this issue for the 2012 runs. I am a realist and understand that this cannot happen this year but there is no reason why it can't happen for the 2012 race!
Other than the knee stuff the training is going well. I am able to do six miles with little difficulty and am looking forward to upping the mileage in the days to come. My bike is fixed and ready for me to ride it to work and boot camp. I am so excited about having my bike and being healthy enough to ride it to work.
Tomorrow is a Toshiro run. We are meeting at 7 am so if you are in Athens why not come out and join us. I will be doing a slow three so if you want to come out and ramble with me feel free. So I hope to see you Mammoths out on the range, with this heat make sure you stick to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on!
Been a tough 9 days for your favorite Mammoth. Well actually its been the past 4 days that have been the toughest with my knees deciding that they wanted to be the most painful thing on the planet, EVER!!! I have actually had to take some of the old Voltarian steroid gel to help ease the pain and it has but it sucks that for the past two days I have not been able to exercise. Fortunately though they feel better today and tomorrow I am going to go on a slow walk for three or so miles to get them back into fighting shape. I am two weeks out from my first Peach Tree so I want to be ready to go. I am so pumped about the race and what I am going to be doing there. My mom will be there to take care of the Baby Mammoth and the Mommoth is going to join me out there. This is all terribly exciting for the Mammoth and I can't wait to get my picture taken as I cross the finish line!!!
So once again I have learned of another defeat in my bid to make the world a better place for Mammoth Runners ( I hate the word Clysdale-who wants to be a workhorse when you could be a Bad Ass Mammoth out there stomping things!). There will be no Mammoth or Athena division at either the Athens nor the Savannah 1/2 this year. I am getting a little irritated at this especially when I look at how the demographic of the sport has changed. True, the sport is dominated by Gazelles and will always be but there is a growing minority of runners who are 200+ for men and 160+ for women. It is unfair and unrealistic for me to think that I can compete with runners like Michael Williams, Jeff Ford, or Karno for that matter! I am urging the organizers of these races to rethink their position on this issue for the 2012 runs. I am a realist and understand that this cannot happen this year but there is no reason why it can't happen for the 2012 race!
Other than the knee stuff the training is going well. I am able to do six miles with little difficulty and am looking forward to upping the mileage in the days to come. My bike is fixed and ready for me to ride it to work and boot camp. I am so excited about having my bike and being healthy enough to ride it to work.
Tomorrow is a Toshiro run. We are meeting at 7 am so if you are in Athens why not come out and join us. I will be doing a slow three so if you want to come out and ramble with me feel free. So I hope to see you Mammoths out on the range, with this heat make sure you stick to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Day 268: Mammoth on the Move Come Rain or Shine
What up Mammoths? I hope this finds you well. Myself? I am having an awesome week.
Its GameWerks week and it's a time I get to spend with kids who live video games almost as much as I do. Video gaming has always been and will always be a passion of mine, so getting to spend a week with kids who want learn more about Themis awesome. The eating has been challenge. We've had pizza (sponsored by Papa Johns), we've had La Parrilla Fajitas (best in Athens-thanks Alonzo mi amigo), and today we were sponsored McDonalds. It's been tough on a Mammoth but I have been able to keep myself above water, mostly by distracting myself with games. I have had a cookie here and there but nothing like the food fests I used to have back in the day. This Mammoth is working hard to mind what he is grazing on.
I was also thinking about just how much being thinner means. Two years ago I was exhausted after each day of camp. I would come home and pass out. This year I have so much energy that I feel the need to go, go GO! One kid asked me today if I had an off button. I told him Mammoths only know one speed- fast. He then pointed out to me that Mammoths are slow so I put in NBA 2011 and schooled him on how to deal with older members of the herd! TAKE THAT YOUNG'IN!!!!
Working out has been a challenge this week. Mostly in the realm of finding time to get it in. At H3 Adam Martin taught a class on Exercise Adherence in which he said you need to pick a time to do your exercise and stick with it. I mostly workout in the mornings and when I have WoW-BootCamp! it makes it easy to keep my routine but mornings like this one make it hard to comply. I was just really tired when my alarm went off at 5 am so I made the executive decision to rest until 7 & those two hours made a world of difference in how my day went today. I still had to get in my 5 miles today so I loaded up the Mommoth and Baby Mammoth and we hit the Greenway Space here in Athens. My little herdvgets about a mile into the walk when we get caught up in a microburst of showers. Rain is falling everywhere, wind is whipping around, and the Moommoth and I are trying to get the Baby Mammoth back to the car. We finally get back to the car when it dawns on me I have three more miles to go. I kiss the Mommoth an tell her to meet me in three miles and I take off for downtown which is mostly uphill. Now Mammoths three summers ago I tried to walk from the University of Georgia to my house at about this same time and I almost died. Today, no problems in fact as I looked at my stats I saw that the hilliest part of run was my fastest. Respectively I knocked off three minutes of my pace in the final two miles of my walk. By the time I reached the rendezvous spot I was ready to RICE and hydrate-and of course blog. I am pretty proud of myself at the moment.
Well Mammoths all pride is fleeting and I have an early Boot Camp tomorrow so I am going to bed. I hope to see you out on the range rambling about, stay close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Day 274: When Mammoths Run A 5 Mile an Hour Pace, People Pay Attention Especially When You Are Trying to Balance Right Next To Them
Salutations Mammoths.
So today at WoW Boot Camp! we had our monthly diagnostic test. Now there is nothing more that I fear than taking these tests. Even when I was in the Army I hated the AFPT because it was not an accurate glimpse of who I am. For instance if I am having a bad morning or I didn't sleep well the night before (mostly because I am worried about the test) then I am not going to do well and that can be problematic. Fortunately when I never failed a PT test but this morning I had that same old feeling. As I got up to the start line for the timed mile I was a lot more nervous than usual. Most times I get up to the line my friend Art cracks a joke and I am good to go--not today! Art cracked his joke, which was really funny and you need the context and that would take the rest of the blog so I will pass, just take my word on it it was funny, and I stood there rooted to the spot dreading to hear Michael say, "GO!", with the Rocky theme playing. It was then that I heard Michael's voice in my head saying rather Yoda like, "Trust your training." So I did. Now Mammoths this wasn't my best run ever but it was an important run for me because I did trust in my training. With Lee, Alonzo, Mark D, David D, Javier, and all the other guys cheering me on I reached deep inside and pulled out a 12:38. I thought that was a PR but it isn't, however that matters very little. What matters is that I trusted my training and even though I did not feel up to the challenge my strength and endurance go me through.
After our tests of push-ups (20) and sit-ups (51) we moved into doing some weight training. Now Mammoths I need you to envision this. We are all standing there with our hand weights in our hands and we are trying to balance on one leg while doing the exercises. It was the craziest thing I have done in a long, long time. Now the balance is important but I just looked goofy, which is okay because I was trying and that is the point. I did feel like Ralph Machio in the Karate Kid when they are doing the Crane Position on the poles but that is just my over active imagination.
The Mommoth and I are getting ourselves geared up for Team In Training. We have put out the call for ideas for fundraisers. One of the fundraisers will be later this month at Play N Trade. My main man Matt, honorary Mammoth because he is gazelle like, has said it is cool to have an event there. I will post more about it as time goes by. Also if you are interested in joining our team you need to contact me at woollymammothrunner@gmail.com soon because time is almost out and if you want to make some memories with the herd this is a good way to do it. Keep yourself posted to the blog folks because some coolness is about to go down.
Lastly, I am asking all of you who read my blog to tell at least one person you know about it. While I was eating lunch today I noticed just how overweight we have become. So I am asking you to tell one person if I am inspiring you to read my blog and ask questions. I am available to answer them through email, FaceBook, or any way I can to help someone.
Tomorrow I want to talk about the new food "pyramid" and my take on article that just came out about running and dieting that is in Prevention Magazine and republished by Active.com. 55 minute run in the morning so I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole (especially now that we are in summer), and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
So today at WoW Boot Camp! we had our monthly diagnostic test. Now there is nothing more that I fear than taking these tests. Even when I was in the Army I hated the AFPT because it was not an accurate glimpse of who I am. For instance if I am having a bad morning or I didn't sleep well the night before (mostly because I am worried about the test) then I am not going to do well and that can be problematic. Fortunately when I never failed a PT test but this morning I had that same old feeling. As I got up to the start line for the timed mile I was a lot more nervous than usual. Most times I get up to the line my friend Art cracks a joke and I am good to go--not today! Art cracked his joke, which was really funny and you need the context and that would take the rest of the blog so I will pass, just take my word on it it was funny, and I stood there rooted to the spot dreading to hear Michael say, "GO!", with the Rocky theme playing. It was then that I heard Michael's voice in my head saying rather Yoda like, "Trust your training." So I did. Now Mammoths this wasn't my best run ever but it was an important run for me because I did trust in my training. With Lee, Alonzo, Mark D, David D, Javier, and all the other guys cheering me on I reached deep inside and pulled out a 12:38. I thought that was a PR but it isn't, however that matters very little. What matters is that I trusted my training and even though I did not feel up to the challenge my strength and endurance go me through.
After our tests of push-ups (20) and sit-ups (51) we moved into doing some weight training. Now Mammoths I need you to envision this. We are all standing there with our hand weights in our hands and we are trying to balance on one leg while doing the exercises. It was the craziest thing I have done in a long, long time. Now the balance is important but I just looked goofy, which is okay because I was trying and that is the point. I did feel like Ralph Machio in the Karate Kid when they are doing the Crane Position on the poles but that is just my over active imagination.
The Mommoth and I are getting ourselves geared up for Team In Training. We have put out the call for ideas for fundraisers. One of the fundraisers will be later this month at Play N Trade. My main man Matt, honorary Mammoth because he is gazelle like, has said it is cool to have an event there. I will post more about it as time goes by. Also if you are interested in joining our team you need to contact me at woollymammothrunner@gmail.com soon because time is almost out and if you want to make some memories with the herd this is a good way to do it. Keep yourself posted to the blog folks because some coolness is about to go down.
Lastly, I am asking all of you who read my blog to tell at least one person you know about it. While I was eating lunch today I noticed just how overweight we have become. So I am asking you to tell one person if I am inspiring you to read my blog and ask questions. I am available to answer them through email, FaceBook, or any way I can to help someone.
Tomorrow I want to talk about the new food "pyramid" and my take on article that just came out about running and dieting that is in Prevention Magazine and republished by Active.com. 55 minute run in the morning so I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole (especially now that we are in summer), and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Day 275: National Running Day and Team in Training Day
Greetings Mammoths and Mommoths. I am hearing that some of the lady followers of the blog like the Mommoth moniker so if you want to use it feel free, we are an egalitarian herd here.
So it was National Running day and I like every other runner in the United States took a moment to consider our running. I am very pleased with my progress from a year ago. Even though I was at Hilton Head Health I was still really in no condition to do what I am doing now. The idea of six miles would have been to daunting of a task. Now I look forward to that time out there on the range and feel comfortable doing it. So that is what I did on National Running day, most people ran but seeing how Michael from WoW Boot Camp! had me resting today I thought that I would heed his advice.
Mammoths I want to start biking to work. With gas prices being WAY OUT OF WHACK for my wallet and the fact that it is another way to get in some exercise I thought this would be a good way to get it done. My biggest dilemma at the moment is that my front wheel has a huge hole in it, so I am taking it to the bike man tomorrow to get it fixed and then I will ride the four miles home in the evening. The only thing that I have a real problem with is that I have to wear a helmet. The Mommoth insists that I wear a helmet but it messes with my beautiful fur but I will acquiesce just to maintain peace in the herd.
The Mommoth and I had our first Team In Training (TNT) meeting tonight. All two members were present. We discussed fundraising opportunities and have come up with some pretty cool ideas. One idea we have will be the most AWESOME FUNDRAISER EVER!!! If you want to get in on the ground floor and donate now you can go to our Team Woolly Mammoth Runner Page to give us a donation. If you don't know what Team In Training is check out their TNT WEBSITE HERE for more information.
Well Mammoths its been a wonderful National Running Day but now its time to say good night. Have fun out there on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
So it was National Running day and I like every other runner in the United States took a moment to consider our running. I am very pleased with my progress from a year ago. Even though I was at Hilton Head Health I was still really in no condition to do what I am doing now. The idea of six miles would have been to daunting of a task. Now I look forward to that time out there on the range and feel comfortable doing it. So that is what I did on National Running day, most people ran but seeing how Michael from WoW Boot Camp! had me resting today I thought that I would heed his advice.
Mammoths I want to start biking to work. With gas prices being WAY OUT OF WHACK for my wallet and the fact that it is another way to get in some exercise I thought this would be a good way to get it done. My biggest dilemma at the moment is that my front wheel has a huge hole in it, so I am taking it to the bike man tomorrow to get it fixed and then I will ride the four miles home in the evening. The only thing that I have a real problem with is that I have to wear a helmet. The Mommoth insists that I wear a helmet but it messes with my beautiful fur but I will acquiesce just to maintain peace in the herd.
The Mommoth and I had our first Team In Training (TNT) meeting tonight. All two members were present. We discussed fundraising opportunities and have come up with some pretty cool ideas. One idea we have will be the most AWESOME FUNDRAISER EVER!!! If you want to get in on the ground floor and donate now you can go to our Team Woolly Mammoth Runner Page to give us a donation. If you don't know what Team In Training is check out their TNT WEBSITE HERE for more information.
Well Mammoths its been a wonderful National Running Day but now its time to say good night. Have fun out there on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Summer of Sub 3 and TNT Donations
Hey Mammoths really quickly I wanted to alert you to a couple of things. I have decided to dedicate this Summer as the Summer of Sub 3. Now Bob, Adam, Jeff, and Amber spent a lot of time telling us that the numbers will come and that sometimes setting a number goal can be detrimental. Well, I am going to ignore that advice for a bit and declare that on Labor Day of this year I will weigh in under 300 lbs. That is my goal. I don't have any silly bets or anything but I am determined to be there and with the help of my family and prayer I will do it.
Lastly, the Mommoth and I have set up our TNT website for giving towards our fundraising. You will see in the upper right hand corner a widget that will take you to the site. If you want to donate, AWESOME! If you want to participate then send me an email to woollymammothrunner@gmail.com so I can get you the info you need to train and run with us in Savannah.
Night Mammoths. More updates to follow!
Lastly, the Mommoth and I have set up our TNT website for giving towards our fundraising. You will see in the upper right hand corner a widget that will take you to the site. If you want to donate, AWESOME! If you want to participate then send me an email to woollymammothrunner@gmail.com so I can get you the info you need to train and run with us in Savannah.
Night Mammoths. More updates to follow!
Day 276: Backwards Running Mammoths May Fall
Yo Mammoths.
Had a great workout this morning with my herd-mates at WoW Boot Camp! Michael and Tom always have something cooked up for us and today was an especially difficult welcome back workout for your favorite Mammoth.
After we warmed up with some dynamic stretching we had to do a circuit of exercises. Each cone on the track represented a different exercise. We started off with doing 5 of each exercise, then 10, then 15! After the 15 we then had to do some agility drills on the field and that is where the wheels almost came off for me. So I am cruising through this exercise when I have to run backwards. Now Mammoths just don't do backwards but being a sport I will try anything. The first time through I am a ROCK STAR! The next time through I was almost the Hindenburg as I was about to crash and burn. Fortunately I regained my balance and composure but for a second my Mammoths it was close. When we finished the agility drills three times we then went and started the circuits over again starting at 15 and working our way down. By the end of the time I had strode 2+ miles with a ton of exercises in between. I know that I lost like 90 pounds of water weight because I came home and looked like Beef Jerky. I also drank Lake Lanier and was still thirsty all day.
All the moaning and trunk wagging aside it was great to be back with my herd-mates and be around really positive people whose goals are the same as mine. It was also good to be around Michael again because he brings out the best in you, even when you know you can't do it Michael is there to show you how.
I am also very excited about getting back to my Good Measure Meals and eating clean again. Like I said yesterday I ate for comfort and when talking to Bob Wright at H3 today he said that was a normal reaction. He said what was new for me was that I did not say, "Oh Well I have failed, lets go to the China Buffet." I looked at the situation, recognized it for what it was, and have readjusted. I will succeed at this, if you don't believe me, then you don't know me.
Alright Mammoths I need to spend some time with the Mommoth so I will check in with you tomorrow. I hope that you have fun on the range tomorrow, stick close to a good watering hole (especially now that we are in summer), and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Had a great workout this morning with my herd-mates at WoW Boot Camp! Michael and Tom always have something cooked up for us and today was an especially difficult welcome back workout for your favorite Mammoth.
After we warmed up with some dynamic stretching we had to do a circuit of exercises. Each cone on the track represented a different exercise. We started off with doing 5 of each exercise, then 10, then 15! After the 15 we then had to do some agility drills on the field and that is where the wheels almost came off for me. So I am cruising through this exercise when I have to run backwards. Now Mammoths just don't do backwards but being a sport I will try anything. The first time through I am a ROCK STAR! The next time through I was almost the Hindenburg as I was about to crash and burn. Fortunately I regained my balance and composure but for a second my Mammoths it was close. When we finished the agility drills three times we then went and started the circuits over again starting at 15 and working our way down. By the end of the time I had strode 2+ miles with a ton of exercises in between. I know that I lost like 90 pounds of water weight because I came home and looked like Beef Jerky. I also drank Lake Lanier and was still thirsty all day.
All the moaning and trunk wagging aside it was great to be back with my herd-mates and be around really positive people whose goals are the same as mine. It was also good to be around Michael again because he brings out the best in you, even when you know you can't do it Michael is there to show you how.
I am also very excited about getting back to my Good Measure Meals and eating clean again. Like I said yesterday I ate for comfort and when talking to Bob Wright at H3 today he said that was a normal reaction. He said what was new for me was that I did not say, "Oh Well I have failed, lets go to the China Buffet." I looked at the situation, recognized it for what it was, and have readjusted. I will succeed at this, if you don't believe me, then you don't know me.
Alright Mammoths I need to spend some time with the Mommoth so I will check in with you tomorrow. I hope that you have fun on the range tomorrow, stick close to a good watering hole (especially now that we are in summer), and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Day 277: Catching Up After Losing A Member of the Herd
Hey Mammoths. Some sad news here at Mammoth Central. I lost my Grandfather as he succumbed to old age. Now there is nothing better in life than to live and live to the maximum. Well that sums up my Granddad pretty well. CB Bragg was known as a dependable man, a man of character, and a man of class. I aspire to be like him in so many ways. He inspired me to join the military and when I was having a rough time he wrote me a letter I still have to this day. In the letter he said to me that the difference between a retreat and a route is that with a retreat you intend to reform, regroup, and fight again. With a route you are just whipped! I use those words a lot in my own life and struggle with weight. I would be lying to you if I said I did not eat for comfort while I was a the funeral but those words kept echoing in my ear. So after my retreat I came home, got on my running shoes, and did six miles. I know Granddad would be proud.
Well Mammoths I have successfully navigated my way out of any 5ks for this month. The Mommoth and I were planning on doing so many but it just seemed fate conspired against us to often and maybe that is for the best seeing how we did three in April. So we are looking to do one early in June and then we need to prepare for our PeachTree Adventure! We have a room already in Midtown (Bow-Chicka-Wow-Wow) and my Mom is going to be watching the Baby Mammoth so it should be an awesome fourth of July!
Team In Training (TNT-I'd call it TIT for obvious reasons and hey guys give a lot of money for that kind of thing but I am a little crude) starts up this month and we are going to be raising money. If you have any ideas for fundraisers me and the Mommoth are all about hearing about them!
Lastly the contest for the Logo is still happening. You have a little over three weeks to get in your entry. Just email it here woollymammothrunner@gmail.com enter as often as you like! Hey who knows where this can lead you.
Cheers Mammoths and thanks for the emails and letters of love and affection. Granddad lived an awesome life and was a true inspiration to me. So I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Well Mammoths I have successfully navigated my way out of any 5ks for this month. The Mommoth and I were planning on doing so many but it just seemed fate conspired against us to often and maybe that is for the best seeing how we did three in April. So we are looking to do one early in June and then we need to prepare for our PeachTree Adventure! We have a room already in Midtown (Bow-Chicka-Wow-Wow) and my Mom is going to be watching the Baby Mammoth so it should be an awesome fourth of July!
Team In Training (TNT-I'd call it TIT for obvious reasons and hey guys give a lot of money for that kind of thing but I am a little crude) starts up this month and we are going to be raising money. If you have any ideas for fundraisers me and the Mommoth are all about hearing about them!
Lastly the contest for the Logo is still happening. You have a little over three weeks to get in your entry. Just email it here woollymammothrunner@gmail.com enter as often as you like! Hey who knows where this can lead you.
Cheers Mammoths and thanks for the emails and letters of love and affection. Granddad lived an awesome life and was a true inspiration to me. So I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Day 286: Mammoths and Mexicans Storming the Alamo Before Dawn
Bienvenidos Mammoths!
So I had a business trip to San Antonio and man what a great time. There is nothing like running in a city you don't live in. It is a great way to see what is around you which in turn lets you know what is happening. My first run around San Antonio happened on Wednesday morning when I woke up really early and ran on the River Walk. Now if you are not familiar with San Antonio it is where the Alamo is and also has a famous River Walk which is lined with hotels, shopping, and restaurants. By getting out there early I was able to see what was where and I was able to do some bargain shopping for the Mommoth and the Baby Mammoth. I was also able to see where I could eat healthy and also authentic. I mean I am in the heart of Tex-Mex culture so getting some of those types of foods was on my list of things to try. Now being a food addict I have to be careful when I go out of town because I have a tendency to overeat because I am nervous. One thing I have learned is that if you ask a kitchen to do something they will 9 time out of 10 do it. So when we got Tex-Mex I asked if there was anyway I could get things baked not fried, salsa instead of dressing, and a salad instead of french fries.
It was a great trip and I loved running. Sorry this is short Mammoths but this is a busy weekend. Will blog after the Rucker 5k tomorrow. So I hope to see you on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
So I had a business trip to San Antonio and man what a great time. There is nothing like running in a city you don't live in. It is a great way to see what is around you which in turn lets you know what is happening. My first run around San Antonio happened on Wednesday morning when I woke up really early and ran on the River Walk. Now if you are not familiar with San Antonio it is where the Alamo is and also has a famous River Walk which is lined with hotels, shopping, and restaurants. By getting out there early I was able to see what was where and I was able to do some bargain shopping for the Mommoth and the Baby Mammoth. I was also able to see where I could eat healthy and also authentic. I mean I am in the heart of Tex-Mex culture so getting some of those types of foods was on my list of things to try. Now being a food addict I have to be careful when I go out of town because I have a tendency to overeat because I am nervous. One thing I have learned is that if you ask a kitchen to do something they will 9 time out of 10 do it. So when we got Tex-Mex I asked if there was anyway I could get things baked not fried, salsa instead of dressing, and a salad instead of french fries.
It was a great trip and I loved running. Sorry this is short Mammoths but this is a busy weekend. Will blog after the Rucker 5k tomorrow. So I hope to see you on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 290: A Mammoth Gets Twisted and the does his Dumbo Impression
Greetings from San Antonio Mammoths!
So I am here on business and man what a great city. I am so looking forward to getting out on to the River Walk and put in some mileage. What is so great Mammoths is that I can get out and enjoy this beautiful city. A year ago I would have been stuck in my hotel, heck I probably wouldn't even have come here.
So Michael and Tom from WoW Boot Camp! came up with an awesome new way to try and kill us today. It was called the WoW Twisted Challenge. Imagine Mammoths running one lap around the track (not to bad I grant you), then ten sit-ups, push-ups, Atomic squats (okay those suck), and finally ten mountain climbers. Not to bad of a work out and something manageable but this is Michael and there is always a twist (hence the twisted part). We then had to do Inch Worm, this entails you going down into the push-up position, stretch out, and then move your feet toward your hand. You repeat this over and over until you go 50 yards (feels like fifty miles) and then once you do that you get to run hills 5 times. AWESOME! Then do another lap around the track and begin the process again but this time do twenty of the exercises, inch worm, and hills. One more lap, followed by thirty of the exercises and 5 more hills. Finally, One more lap, 30 of the exercises, inch worm, 5 hills, and then just one more lap! Mammoths this is one of the toughest workouts I have ever done and it felt good to finish all of that in 42 minutes. Again flashing back a year there would have been no way I could have done any of this stuff, never mind finishing as quickly as I did.
Seriously though Mammoths one of the best feelings in the world for me is to be able to fly for MoWerks. I am in San Antonio on business and am so happy I can get on the plane and fly! It is so great to be able to sit in the seat and go to different cities. I love to fly and now I can.
Okay Mammoths I will blog some more later today. I have to go meet with some folks so as always I hope you enjoy your ramble on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on.
So I am here on business and man what a great city. I am so looking forward to getting out on to the River Walk and put in some mileage. What is so great Mammoths is that I can get out and enjoy this beautiful city. A year ago I would have been stuck in my hotel, heck I probably wouldn't even have come here.
So Michael and Tom from WoW Boot Camp! came up with an awesome new way to try and kill us today. It was called the WoW Twisted Challenge. Imagine Mammoths running one lap around the track (not to bad I grant you), then ten sit-ups, push-ups, Atomic squats (okay those suck), and finally ten mountain climbers. Not to bad of a work out and something manageable but this is Michael and there is always a twist (hence the twisted part). We then had to do Inch Worm, this entails you going down into the push-up position, stretch out, and then move your feet toward your hand. You repeat this over and over until you go 50 yards (feels like fifty miles) and then once you do that you get to run hills 5 times. AWESOME! Then do another lap around the track and begin the process again but this time do twenty of the exercises, inch worm, and hills. One more lap, followed by thirty of the exercises and 5 more hills. Finally, One more lap, 30 of the exercises, inch worm, 5 hills, and then just one more lap! Mammoths this is one of the toughest workouts I have ever done and it felt good to finish all of that in 42 minutes. Again flashing back a year there would have been no way I could have done any of this stuff, never mind finishing as quickly as I did.
Seriously though Mammoths one of the best feelings in the world for me is to be able to fly for MoWerks. I am in San Antonio on business and am so happy I can get on the plane and fly! It is so great to be able to sit in the seat and go to different cities. I love to fly and now I can.
Okay Mammoths I will blog some more later today. I have to go meet with some folks so as always I hope you enjoy your ramble on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Day 291: The Problem of Elctrolytes
Greetings Mammoths!
So last week I was really down in the mouth. For the first time ever I missed a Boot Camp! It was Tuesday morning and I just couldn't get out of bed. Now normally I am all fired up and ready to go but for some reason I just could not get out of the rack. We had a Mammoth down and fir the life of me I had no idea what was wrong with me. So being the nervous Nelson that I am I put in a call to Michael Williams and we scheduled a coffee. During the coffee he and I looked over my training schedule and we found the problem almost immediately.
Now here in Georgia it is getting hot. So the Saturday before last I got up and did the WoW Boot Camp/ New Balance Run where the WoW folks got to try on these really cool light weight shoes the 890s and boy were people saying how great they were. Now Mammoths I wanted to try on a pair but my gargantuan 14 inch foot was a little bit more man sized than Ty and his crew were prepared for so I had to look on with envy. On that Saturday I posted a three mile run in 42 minutes and was feeling great especially since I was in Zone 1. In felt great all day, went and watched my man Aiden score three goals, and had a great Saturday with friends. Sunday I did a hour loosen up walk and prepared for the four miler I was going to do on Monday...this is where the wheels fall off for your favorite Mammoth.
It being a Monday I was going to go and exercise early when I got an email that said I needed to get into the office ASAP to handle a mini crisis. So I put off my run until that evening. Now during the day it hit 90+ degrees outside and I knew that I would need to wear my KamelBack to keep myself hydrated. So I got my route ready, filled up my KamelBack, and proceeded to go run. Around mile 2 I started feeling horrible, I couldn't focus, and I wanted to throw up. Classic signs of heat exhaustion and I should have gone in but this old Mammoth is stubborn as heck so I continued on. By the time I was finished I was completely wiped out. I could barely get myself into the shower and when I ate my Good Measure Meal I could feel the nutrients going straight to my muscles. Little did I know just how much I had depleted my system. Because of my bullheadedness I had robbed myself of important electrolytes and being a Mammoth runner you have to have those electrolytes or your system is going to shut down. During my talk with Michael he explained to me the importance of electrolyte replacement and how I need to make sure I was doing that before, during, and after my run. I explained all of this to Mommoth and she went on the net and found a recipe for a drink that was small calorie and would replace my electrolytes. So we decided to try the concoction out this past Saturday as I had a four and a half mile zone 1&2 run. The drink worked and I posted my best time ever. 4 1/2 miles in 1 hour 9 minutes!!! So the moral of the story here is keep yourself hydrated but also check those electrolytes.
I finally got around to fixing my bike and so starting next week I will be riding my bike to work which will increase my cardio vascular work and I am very excited about that. The Mommoth and I have started a Team in Training Team for the Savannah 1/2 and Full Marathon. If you are interested in working with us then drop me a line and I will get you hooked up. I will also be setting up a separate blog post about TNT and how you can help me and the Mommoth reach our fundraising goals.
Leaving for San Antonio tomorrow Mammoths so I will be running and blogging from the Alamo! So be safe out there and I hope to see you on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and watch what you are grazing on.
Friday, May 6, 2011
A New Design! Thank You Aiden!!!
Good Luck and send in those logo design ideas to woollymammothrunner@gmail.com
Day 301: When a Mammoth Falls By Himself Does Anyone Hear It? HECK, YES THEY DO!!!
Greetings Mammoths. Your herd leader has had a truly Charles Dickens past week: It was the best of times, It was the worst of times. (My English teacher Lynn Lightner will be very pleased with this opening)
Well as you all know I was off to stomp around Chicago. I had myself scheduled for a running tour of Chicago and participate in my very own Spirit of the Marathon. I was so excited about living up to my healthy lifestyle in Chicago with the only draw back being I did not have my Good Measure Meals with me. Michael from WoW Boot Camp had me a schedule and I was so psyched to be running 4 miles, a part of it being the Miracle Mile that I just read about in Devil in the White City. All of this I had planned and I was ready to execute. I got to my hotel room, I laid out my clothes, downloaded a GPS app so I won't get lost, and downloaded Chicago by Sinatra--I am ready. Then it happened. Uncontrollable vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever. I was a victim of the Rotovirus and man does it suck! I spent two days in my hotel room praying for death! I was sacrificing whatever I could to the Mammoth Gods above to make me feel better, nothing worked. I called home to find the Mommoth has the same thing going on with her and that the Grand Mommoth has come down from Baltimore to help out. This is a nightmare! Again though Mammoths I look at my weight loss as a blessing because once again I healed up rather quickly and was able to participate in the Twilight 5k on Saturday.
So we get to registration on Friday night. I am excited because this is one of those races that my friends at WoW Boot Camp do and I was so pumped about being a part of it. So I go to the table to get my number when this volunteer named Goober (not his real name) looks at me and says, "Can I help you?" "Yes, I am here to pick up my race packet." "Um, you are going to run?! Sure you can do this big fella?" Needless to say Mammoths at this point I am contemplating introducing my right stomping foot to his rear end but I remember my breathing techniques, give him my name, and swear that somehow this slight will be avenged! Next day the weather holds nicely, it is a beautiful morning to run. As I am warming up I see Goober talking with his buddies and he looks over in my direction, smirks, and says something witty to his buddies. It is at this time I begin to focus. I don't care what I do, I will find Goober and defeat him! The race starts and I am doing awesome. My splits are really fast and I am operating in low Zone 2 and keeping my determination high. Now Mammoths you know that you always game plan your course and I had done my homework. I knew that right after 1 mile we would turn on to Boulevard which is a very hilly section of our town. If I was ever going to get Goober it was going to be there. As I turn I see Goober and man oh man he is struggling up the hill. Near the crest of the hill on our way down I pull up along side Goober. He sees me and you can tell that he is not having a good time. He is wheezing, snot is hanging out his nose, and his gait is really off. I ask if he is okay, he waves his affirmative, and I continue talking to him as we start up hill number 2. I tell him that this is my favorite part of running, hills. That my friend Michael has really worked with me on being stronger and that operating in Zone 2 is a great place to be because you can talk and enjoy the run. I then tell Goober that the worst of the hills is still yet to come but after that we only have a general rise until we get to Hancock street which is another impressive hill to climb. His groan is loud and satisfying. As we go up the third hill I tell Goober that I need to get back up into low Zone 2 so I need to say goodbye and I will see him at the finish line. I then take off like a shot and yes I enter Zone 3 for a second or two but damn that felt good. I crossed the finish line at 42:03, a new personal best. Goober 45:12! I guess next time he won't doubt the power of the Mammoth.
Well Mammoths I have some other little running stories I will share over the weekend but right now the Baby Mammoth needs me to rock her to sleep so I am off to do it. Tomorrow I hope to see you all out on the range (its going to be a beautiful Saturday here in the Classic City), stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Well as you all know I was off to stomp around Chicago. I had myself scheduled for a running tour of Chicago and participate in my very own Spirit of the Marathon. I was so excited about living up to my healthy lifestyle in Chicago with the only draw back being I did not have my Good Measure Meals with me. Michael from WoW Boot Camp had me a schedule and I was so psyched to be running 4 miles, a part of it being the Miracle Mile that I just read about in Devil in the White City. All of this I had planned and I was ready to execute. I got to my hotel room, I laid out my clothes, downloaded a GPS app so I won't get lost, and downloaded Chicago by Sinatra--I am ready. Then it happened. Uncontrollable vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever. I was a victim of the Rotovirus and man does it suck! I spent two days in my hotel room praying for death! I was sacrificing whatever I could to the Mammoth Gods above to make me feel better, nothing worked. I called home to find the Mommoth has the same thing going on with her and that the Grand Mommoth has come down from Baltimore to help out. This is a nightmare! Again though Mammoths I look at my weight loss as a blessing because once again I healed up rather quickly and was able to participate in the Twilight 5k on Saturday.
So we get to registration on Friday night. I am excited because this is one of those races that my friends at WoW Boot Camp do and I was so pumped about being a part of it. So I go to the table to get my number when this volunteer named Goober (not his real name) looks at me and says, "Can I help you?" "Yes, I am here to pick up my race packet." "Um, you are going to run?! Sure you can do this big fella?" Needless to say Mammoths at this point I am contemplating introducing my right stomping foot to his rear end but I remember my breathing techniques, give him my name, and swear that somehow this slight will be avenged! Next day the weather holds nicely, it is a beautiful morning to run. As I am warming up I see Goober talking with his buddies and he looks over in my direction, smirks, and says something witty to his buddies. It is at this time I begin to focus. I don't care what I do, I will find Goober and defeat him! The race starts and I am doing awesome. My splits are really fast and I am operating in low Zone 2 and keeping my determination high. Now Mammoths you know that you always game plan your course and I had done my homework. I knew that right after 1 mile we would turn on to Boulevard which is a very hilly section of our town. If I was ever going to get Goober it was going to be there. As I turn I see Goober and man oh man he is struggling up the hill. Near the crest of the hill on our way down I pull up along side Goober. He sees me and you can tell that he is not having a good time. He is wheezing, snot is hanging out his nose, and his gait is really off. I ask if he is okay, he waves his affirmative, and I continue talking to him as we start up hill number 2. I tell him that this is my favorite part of running, hills. That my friend Michael has really worked with me on being stronger and that operating in Zone 2 is a great place to be because you can talk and enjoy the run. I then tell Goober that the worst of the hills is still yet to come but after that we only have a general rise until we get to Hancock street which is another impressive hill to climb. His groan is loud and satisfying. As we go up the third hill I tell Goober that I need to get back up into low Zone 2 so I need to say goodbye and I will see him at the finish line. I then take off like a shot and yes I enter Zone 3 for a second or two but damn that felt good. I crossed the finish line at 42:03, a new personal best. Goober 45:12! I guess next time he won't doubt the power of the Mammoth.
Well Mammoths I have some other little running stories I will share over the weekend but right now the Baby Mammoth needs me to rock her to sleep so I am off to do it. Tomorrow I hope to see you all out on the range (its going to be a beautiful Saturday here in the Classic City), stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day 313: Going to Chicago
Hey Mammoths! Well I am gearing up for my big trip to Chicago. Looking forward to running in the Windy City or the White City as I have been reading about. Geez it seems that during the World's Fair in 1893 there was a serial killer in Chicago just wiping out folks. The book is called Devil in the White City by Erik Larson and I can't put it down. I am mostly excited about doing the four miles Michael wants me to do along the banks of Lake Michigan, like in the movie Spirit of the Marathon, which you can watch on NetFlix On Demand.
Well Mammoths short one tonight. I will relay my travel story tomorrow. As always I hope to see you rambling on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and watch what you are grazing on!
Well Mammoths short one tonight. I will relay my travel story tomorrow. As always I hope to see you rambling on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and watch what you are grazing on!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Day 314: Happy Easter Mammoths!
Well I hope that you are having an awesome day today Mammoths wherever you are! I am attaching a picture of the Baby Mammoth and her first Easter Bunny picture. I know it is hard to get a ramble in today but even a small walk will help you burn off those Peep calories you got.
As always Mammoths have a good ramble on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on, especially the Peeps because they are so so so good.
As always Mammoths have a good ramble on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on, especially the Peeps because they are so so so good.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Day 315: What A Difference A Year Makes
So Mammoths today was a big race and a big milestone for me. A little background. Before I left for South Carolina and Hilton Head Health I had been working out with the WoW Boot Camp guys. One of those guys, and a good friend of mine, is named Art. Now Art is a lawyer, insert joke here, and has been holding a 5k for Habitat for Humanity for twenty years. Its a great event for a great cause. Anyway, as I was preparing to leave I decided that this was going to be my last big event before leaving for the show. So I donned my sweat pant, tshirt, shoes, headsets and set off on the 5k. It took me 1 hour and 27 minutes to complete. Now Mammoths the first mile of this race is all downhill, the second mile is pretty flat, and the last mile (you guessed it) is pretty much straight up! When I hit mile 2 I was an hour into the race and my friend Art and his son Ward came and got me. Then Lee, Alonzo, and Manuel came back for me and helped push me up the hill, LITERALLY. When we got to the 3 mile marker a wonderful man named Will Chamberlin who was coming back from suffering a stroke saw me and the crew and started dancing around with the 3 mile sign and encouraging me. This scene will forever be burned into my brain as my friends cheered me on, strangers encouraged me, and Will was there to get me through. Sadly, a few days later Will passed away and it saddens me even more now, a year later because I think he would have been very proud of the work I have done this past year.
So Mammoths there was a lot riding on today's race and I was ready for it. The Mommoth fixed me an awesome Good Measure Meal breakfast of french toast sticks and sausage, it was great having the warm food in my stomach an hour before the race. This gave me plenty of time to digest it and use it as fuel for the race. I think I am going to ask GMM to make this breakfast for me on every race day. I also broke out my WoW! Boot Camp white New Balance shirt. Now this is a special shirt for me because it was given to me by Michael Williams right around the time I was leaving for South Carolina and I couldn't fit into it, well I fit into it great now. All the while I am getting ready I can hear Will saying, "Have a good race, Have a safe race." Something he said before each race right after he explained the course. I knew that this was going to be a special day.
The Mommoth, Baby Mammoth, and I get to the Classic Center to get our race packets. On the way to the table the Mommoth asked me what was my goal for the race. I told her to do it under 45 minutes. A time bench mark that I have not been able to break. She gave me a big kiss and told me that it was going to happen and no matter what run a strong race. So we got up to the start line and away we went. I knew I was going to be doing well by the company I was keeping. A couple of Gazelles that last year blew me out of the water I began to keep pace with. Also I saw the Mommoth and the Baby Mammoth take off which kind of freed me up to run my race. If something happened to them I would come up on them and be able to help. If they were in back of me I wouldn't know if anything was wrong. So I could concentrate on my form, my breathing, and staying in my zones. At Mile 1 I was rocking it. Mile 2 I was on pace. Mile 3 the uphill portion of the race was all mine. At Mile 2.4 my friend Lee Patterson came back to get me and finished up the race with me. It was like last year all over again except I was in control of my body, my breath and I had some speed! As I got to the final 100 meters I saw the 3 mile sign and a little smile crept over my face because I could see the time. It was 43:10! I was going to bust my old record and cut my time in half! It was an amazing moment made even more amazing with my Mommoth and Baby Mammoth waiting for me to cross the finish line. Baby Mammoth was really excited to see her Daddy! I crossed the line at 43:36. A totally new Personal Record for me. I was so happy and so were my WoW Boot Camp friends and my coach and mentor Michael Williams, who through all of this has had my back. Even when others have scoffed at me about what I want to do Michael and April have said, this is going to be tough but you can do it--here are the baby steps to follow. A year later I am cutting my time in half, lost close to 200 more pounds and am training for a full marathon. All of this because I have found a core group of people who believe in me and what I can accomplish.
The best part of the race was the hanging out with my folks. Seeing Jennifer G., Julie T., and her husband Daniel who has been with me at Boot Camp since the beginning and just chatting was so awesome. After the race last year I had to come home and sleep for three hours to recuperate, this year I was ready to party or run some more! It was the best feeling ever today and I hope to do next years race sub-30. Lofty goal but totally doable, as long as I stick to the plan.
Well Mammoths that is my story about today. I hope you enjoyed it. I have some pictures I am going to add here at the bottom of me and Mommoth finishing and our friends. As always I hope to see you rambling out there on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on.
So Mammoths there was a lot riding on today's race and I was ready for it. The Mommoth fixed me an awesome Good Measure Meal breakfast of french toast sticks and sausage, it was great having the warm food in my stomach an hour before the race. This gave me plenty of time to digest it and use it as fuel for the race. I think I am going to ask GMM to make this breakfast for me on every race day. I also broke out my WoW! Boot Camp white New Balance shirt. Now this is a special shirt for me because it was given to me by Michael Williams right around the time I was leaving for South Carolina and I couldn't fit into it, well I fit into it great now. All the while I am getting ready I can hear Will saying, "Have a good race, Have a safe race." Something he said before each race right after he explained the course. I knew that this was going to be a special day.
The Mommoth, Baby Mammoth, and I get to the Classic Center to get our race packets. On the way to the table the Mommoth asked me what was my goal for the race. I told her to do it under 45 minutes. A time bench mark that I have not been able to break. She gave me a big kiss and told me that it was going to happen and no matter what run a strong race. So we got up to the start line and away we went. I knew I was going to be doing well by the company I was keeping. A couple of Gazelles that last year blew me out of the water I began to keep pace with. Also I saw the Mommoth and the Baby Mammoth take off which kind of freed me up to run my race. If something happened to them I would come up on them and be able to help. If they were in back of me I wouldn't know if anything was wrong. So I could concentrate on my form, my breathing, and staying in my zones. At Mile 1 I was rocking it. Mile 2 I was on pace. Mile 3 the uphill portion of the race was all mine. At Mile 2.4 my friend Lee Patterson came back to get me and finished up the race with me. It was like last year all over again except I was in control of my body, my breath and I had some speed! As I got to the final 100 meters I saw the 3 mile sign and a little smile crept over my face because I could see the time. It was 43:10! I was going to bust my old record and cut my time in half! It was an amazing moment made even more amazing with my Mommoth and Baby Mammoth waiting for me to cross the finish line. Baby Mammoth was really excited to see her Daddy! I crossed the line at 43:36. A totally new Personal Record for me. I was so happy and so were my WoW Boot Camp friends and my coach and mentor Michael Williams, who through all of this has had my back. Even when others have scoffed at me about what I want to do Michael and April have said, this is going to be tough but you can do it--here are the baby steps to follow. A year later I am cutting my time in half, lost close to 200 more pounds and am training for a full marathon. All of this because I have found a core group of people who believe in me and what I can accomplish.
The best part of the race was the hanging out with my folks. Seeing Jennifer G., Julie T., and her husband Daniel who has been with me at Boot Camp since the beginning and just chatting was so awesome. After the race last year I had to come home and sleep for three hours to recuperate, this year I was ready to party or run some more! It was the best feeling ever today and I hope to do next years race sub-30. Lofty goal but totally doable, as long as I stick to the plan.
Well Mammoths that is my story about today. I hope you enjoyed it. I have some pictures I am going to add here at the bottom of me and Mommoth finishing and our friends. As always I hope to see you rambling out there on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 316: Great Daysof Rambling
Hey Mammoths.
It's been two great days of rambling. I am looking forward to tomorrow's race. If you are in the Athens area please come by the Classic Center and participate in the 5k. It is a great course!
Sorry this is so short but the Baby Mammoth needs some attention so as alwaysI will see you on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on!
It's been two great days of rambling. I am looking forward to tomorrow's race. If you are in the Athens area please come by the Classic Center and participate in the 5k. It is a great course!
Sorry this is so short but the Baby Mammoth needs some attention so as alwaysI will see you on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Day 318: And on the 7th Day the Mammoth Rested! I Need To Rest Cuz Mammoths Don't Sprint!
Hey Mammoths its been a crazy week for your herd leader. Lots of exercise on top of illness! Yikes, it has been a while since I have been sick like I was on Saturday but being at a lesser weight has really made a difference in my recovery. When I would go down with illness I would be out of commission for at least a week. Now, I was good to go in about 24 hours. So losing weight not only makes you feel better but it can get you feeling better quicker as well.
I also think part of my sickness came from some of the food I ate on Saturday. Now I use Good Measure Meals to keep me on track as far as eating goes. It makes sense for me to use this service because I have a busy life as a business owner, budding entrepreneur, and running enthusiast. It also takes the burden off the Mommoth who is busy raising our now eight month old daughter and really has little time to worry about the Daddy Mammoth. Well on Saturday I made a little detour from my normal eating pattern and went to the farmers market where I ate with the Mommoth some not so healthy things. In the realm of Unwise, Better, Best they were Better choices but my body has become conditioned to Best choices. I then went and met with Gazelle Matt at our favorite pub to watch soccer and split a burger and some blue cheese crisps with the Mommoth. Welcome to the Unwise Zone and it was like presto I feel terrible. I felt so bad I had to cancel plans I had to watch soccer with Gazelle Matt later that evening (so you know I was illin' if I dis my homie and skip a soccer game). Moral of this story is eat healthy and be healthy; eat like crap and feel like crap.
The exercise this week has been a little brutal on me for some reason. Now I have been a WoW Boot Camp! alumni for a while and so I am used to the workouts Michael, Tom, and Lee come up with but for some reason this past Tuesday I had the hardest time. Now I still got in three miles and if you consider the sprints, weights, and core work we did that is quite a feat but still I was beat like an old rented Mammoth. Now I have said this repeatedly MAMMOTHS DON"T SPRINT but lately speed work has really entered into my workouts and I sort of enjoy them (please don't tell Michael this). I can actually feel myself rambling faster everyday. I also see and feel myself becoming leaner and that Mammoths is an awesome feeling I am sure most of you are experiencing. The only draw back I am experiencing is in my energy level afterwards. I am just exhausted I want to find a tar pit and get some sleep?
Well Mammoths I have an exciting weekend on tap. The Mommoth and I will be participating in the Silver and Archibald Run/Walk for Home 5k this weekend. Last year I Mammoth Marched this event in 1 hour 15 minutes. I am shooting for a better time this year. Then I am packing up for Chicago to go to a Department of Defense conference and get in some wonderful running in Chicago! I am so pumped about this!
Okay Mammoths I need to go and do some important stuff so I will blog at you later. As always I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on!
I also think part of my sickness came from some of the food I ate on Saturday. Now I use Good Measure Meals to keep me on track as far as eating goes. It makes sense for me to use this service because I have a busy life as a business owner, budding entrepreneur, and running enthusiast. It also takes the burden off the Mommoth who is busy raising our now eight month old daughter and really has little time to worry about the Daddy Mammoth. Well on Saturday I made a little detour from my normal eating pattern and went to the farmers market where I ate with the Mommoth some not so healthy things. In the realm of Unwise, Better, Best they were Better choices but my body has become conditioned to Best choices. I then went and met with Gazelle Matt at our favorite pub to watch soccer and split a burger and some blue cheese crisps with the Mommoth. Welcome to the Unwise Zone and it was like presto I feel terrible. I felt so bad I had to cancel plans I had to watch soccer with Gazelle Matt later that evening (so you know I was illin' if I dis my homie and skip a soccer game). Moral of this story is eat healthy and be healthy; eat like crap and feel like crap.
The exercise this week has been a little brutal on me for some reason. Now I have been a WoW Boot Camp! alumni for a while and so I am used to the workouts Michael, Tom, and Lee come up with but for some reason this past Tuesday I had the hardest time. Now I still got in three miles and if you consider the sprints, weights, and core work we did that is quite a feat but still I was beat like an old rented Mammoth. Now I have said this repeatedly MAMMOTHS DON"T SPRINT but lately speed work has really entered into my workouts and I sort of enjoy them (please don't tell Michael this). I can actually feel myself rambling faster everyday. I also see and feel myself becoming leaner and that Mammoths is an awesome feeling I am sure most of you are experiencing. The only draw back I am experiencing is in my energy level afterwards. I am just exhausted I want to find a tar pit and get some sleep?
Well Mammoths I have an exciting weekend on tap. The Mommoth and I will be participating in the Silver and Archibald Run/Walk for Home 5k this weekend. Last year I Mammoth Marched this event in 1 hour 15 minutes. I am shooting for a better time this year. Then I am packing up for Chicago to go to a Department of Defense conference and get in some wonderful running in Chicago! I am so pumped about this!
Okay Mammoths I need to go and do some important stuff so I will blog at you later. As always I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Day 325: One Heck Of A Week of Working OUT!
Yo Mammoths!
Well it has been an exciting week of physical fitness here at Herd Central. Me and the Mommoth have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather we have been having here to get in some runs. The Mommoth is getting ready for a Triathlon this Summer so she is working really, really hard. Tilly, the Baby Mammoth, is working hard at crawling and soon will be up and waddling around in no time. The main Mammoth has been really busy with work, product testing, and running in 5ks that were built for Gazelles who are also into bondage and S&M roleplay stuff! I am of course speaking of the Terrapin and One More Mile 5k plus One Mile run that I did last Saturday.
Now Mammoths I had gone into the race with some serious high hopes of doing really, really well. I had eaten clean all week, put in great efforts at WoW Boot Camp, and done the general good things a runner does to prepare for a 5k. It was at this moment that I should have known that I was DOOMED!!! So since the race did not start until 3 pm I decided that I would use that time to have a yard sale. You got that right Mammoths. Large man, selling and lifting things, all day in the hot sun. I was hydrating but definitely not enough. But since I believe that my tusk is bigger than anyone elses I just decide to keep on. At 2:30 I finally get in the car to get to the race. The Baby Mammoth was just not cooperating with us and so we were running late. By the time I got to the registration table it was almost time for the race. As I start heading to the start line with the Mommoth I notice just how hilly it is. It was also at the moment that I should have known that I was DOOMED!!! We get to the start point and head to the back to get out of the Gazelles way and hunker myself down for a nice heart rate run. Michael has me working in the low zones still to build up my endurance and cardio vascular system. Now my top rate for Level 1 is 111, top for Level 2 is 129. Michael wants me to keep my HR at around the top of Level 1 and in the low part of Level 2. Before we even start running I am at 130 from the hill climb. It was again at this moment that I should have known that I was DOOMED!!! We get the race instructions and then we are off to do a 1 mile lap around the brewery. I find a nice pace and I find a nice person who is keeping my same pace. We get through the first mile in not to shabby shape. My heart rate is 137 at this time and I see Michael. I tell him what my heart rate is and he says its because it is late in the day, so just run your race, stay relaxed, and keep good form. All great advice so I do what I am told. I am feeling really good about myself, my pace is on target, I am thinking this could be a PR moment. That was until I hit the Mountain Range of Death. After the nice lap around the brewery we were all lulled into this false sense of flatness that quickly evaporated all hope when I started up the first hill. HR spikes to 148, it is now close to 90 degrees outside, and there is only one water station that I am about to pass. I am DOOMED!!! After I successfully navigate that hill I find myself staring at two more hills that are considerably more steep than the last one I just barely conquered and to top it all off I see that there are switch back trails we have to run up and then back down. AWESOME!!! I some how survive all of that and head out thinking that I am near the finish. I see the three mile sign and say, "F@$K YES!!!" when it dawns on me that I have the PLUS ONE MILE left. Do you remember in Ghost Busters when they trap that first ghost and he swirls down into the trap. That is exactly how I felt when I remembered that I had one mile left. By this time I had hooked up with a really solid group of Mammoths who were trucking along and we were all encouraging one another. My time for the event was 1 hour 8 minutes which is a huge improvement for me and I am very pleased with this. The Mommoth walked with our friend and newest Herd Member Meredith who triumphed through her first 5k. Massive props to Meredith!
Sunday was my day of rest so I chose to go easy with a light walk to keep the blood flowing in my legs. I also did another recovery walk on Monday which was a good thing because I could feel the soreness and tightness beginning in my legs. Tuesday's Boot Camp was brutal for me. I was still very fatigued from Saturday and we did sprints outside. MAMMOTHS DON'T SPRINT! We lumber around looking all Bad Ass, speed is something we are not designed for but if you want a great work out incorporate some speed work into your routines. You see quick benefits (no pun intended) right away in your stride, foot turn over, and over all pace. I have noticed that I am a little quicker already! (I am coming for you Lee!)
Wednesday was a HR run again keeping it in the low Zone 2 and high Zone 1. I was able to complete the three miles by keeping my HR in the zones. The best part of the run was how I felt afterward. I felt incredible. Like I could keep going and going and going. Michael says that this is an important part of the training, that we learn to listen to our bodies, and our bodies start getting used to the movement and time involved in the movement. Mammoths it is important for us to remember that our goals are different from Gazelles. Gazelles want to win the race. As Mammoths are goal is to finish the race and get a little better each time. It is important that we get our bodies conditioned to be out on the course for a good long time. My goal is to complete the full marathon in around 5 hours. 5 hours of constant movement is a lot for a body to handle so by doing these slow, methodical trainings I am getting my body prepared for the full. This training reminds me of the tortoise and the hare story. So I am showing Tortoise Intensity while doing this training.
Thursday's Boot Camp was another Up Tempo session. We ran 2.5 miles (some folks like Alonzo, David, and Elliot ran double that) with a mixture of weights and sprints intermingled in. It was one of the toughest workouts I have had at WoW and it felt great being able to keep up with the guys. I still think back to this time last year when I could not get on the ground to do any type of exercise, to now where I can do it all. I may be slow but I am doing the work!
Now Mammoths this is a lot of running that I did this week. However, this week Michael gave the Old Mammoth here a giant curve ball. After my WoW Boot Camp I had an hour of bicycle riding I had to do. So it was off to the Omni to get on the stationary bike and put in some miles. Mammoths I always thought that stationary bike was kind of wussy thing to do. I would see people get on there and not even break a sweat or worse yet they would get on there and gossip. So when Michael laid this on me I was not at all thrilled. But being the Mammoth I knew that this was something I was going to have to do. I got on the bike and I have loved it! My first Tuesday ride I put in 22 miles, and Thursdays ride was 21.5! I use the hill program at a level 10 so I am pushing it hard. Again this cross training Mammoths is building up my cardio vascular strength and will make me a better conditioned runner.
Well Mammoths I have given you a bunch of information about my runs. Tomorrow being a rest day I will answer Mammoth Mail, talk about the Fit Bit and Run Keeper alliance, and discuss a cool new website that I am alpha testing and that I think you will like. Especially if you have a fitness or weight goal in mind. So Mammoths I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Well it has been an exciting week of physical fitness here at Herd Central. Me and the Mommoth have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather we have been having here to get in some runs. The Mommoth is getting ready for a Triathlon this Summer so she is working really, really hard. Tilly, the Baby Mammoth, is working hard at crawling and soon will be up and waddling around in no time. The main Mammoth has been really busy with work, product testing, and running in 5ks that were built for Gazelles who are also into bondage and S&M roleplay stuff! I am of course speaking of the Terrapin and One More Mile 5k plus One Mile run that I did last Saturday.
Now Mammoths I had gone into the race with some serious high hopes of doing really, really well. I had eaten clean all week, put in great efforts at WoW Boot Camp, and done the general good things a runner does to prepare for a 5k. It was at this moment that I should have known that I was DOOMED!!! So since the race did not start until 3 pm I decided that I would use that time to have a yard sale. You got that right Mammoths. Large man, selling and lifting things, all day in the hot sun. I was hydrating but definitely not enough. But since I believe that my tusk is bigger than anyone elses I just decide to keep on. At 2:30 I finally get in the car to get to the race. The Baby Mammoth was just not cooperating with us and so we were running late. By the time I got to the registration table it was almost time for the race. As I start heading to the start line with the Mommoth I notice just how hilly it is. It was also at the moment that I should have known that I was DOOMED!!! We get to the start point and head to the back to get out of the Gazelles way and hunker myself down for a nice heart rate run. Michael has me working in the low zones still to build up my endurance and cardio vascular system. Now my top rate for Level 1 is 111, top for Level 2 is 129. Michael wants me to keep my HR at around the top of Level 1 and in the low part of Level 2. Before we even start running I am at 130 from the hill climb. It was again at this moment that I should have known that I was DOOMED!!! We get the race instructions and then we are off to do a 1 mile lap around the brewery. I find a nice pace and I find a nice person who is keeping my same pace. We get through the first mile in not to shabby shape. My heart rate is 137 at this time and I see Michael. I tell him what my heart rate is and he says its because it is late in the day, so just run your race, stay relaxed, and keep good form. All great advice so I do what I am told. I am feeling really good about myself, my pace is on target, I am thinking this could be a PR moment. That was until I hit the Mountain Range of Death. After the nice lap around the brewery we were all lulled into this false sense of flatness that quickly evaporated all hope when I started up the first hill. HR spikes to 148, it is now close to 90 degrees outside, and there is only one water station that I am about to pass. I am DOOMED!!! After I successfully navigate that hill I find myself staring at two more hills that are considerably more steep than the last one I just barely conquered and to top it all off I see that there are switch back trails we have to run up and then back down. AWESOME!!! I some how survive all of that and head out thinking that I am near the finish. I see the three mile sign and say, "F@$K YES!!!" when it dawns on me that I have the PLUS ONE MILE left. Do you remember in Ghost Busters when they trap that first ghost and he swirls down into the trap. That is exactly how I felt when I remembered that I had one mile left. By this time I had hooked up with a really solid group of Mammoths who were trucking along and we were all encouraging one another. My time for the event was 1 hour 8 minutes which is a huge improvement for me and I am very pleased with this. The Mommoth walked with our friend and newest Herd Member Meredith who triumphed through her first 5k. Massive props to Meredith!
Sunday was my day of rest so I chose to go easy with a light walk to keep the blood flowing in my legs. I also did another recovery walk on Monday which was a good thing because I could feel the soreness and tightness beginning in my legs. Tuesday's Boot Camp was brutal for me. I was still very fatigued from Saturday and we did sprints outside. MAMMOTHS DON'T SPRINT! We lumber around looking all Bad Ass, speed is something we are not designed for but if you want a great work out incorporate some speed work into your routines. You see quick benefits (no pun intended) right away in your stride, foot turn over, and over all pace. I have noticed that I am a little quicker already! (I am coming for you Lee!)
Wednesday was a HR run again keeping it in the low Zone 2 and high Zone 1. I was able to complete the three miles by keeping my HR in the zones. The best part of the run was how I felt afterward. I felt incredible. Like I could keep going and going and going. Michael says that this is an important part of the training, that we learn to listen to our bodies, and our bodies start getting used to the movement and time involved in the movement. Mammoths it is important for us to remember that our goals are different from Gazelles. Gazelles want to win the race. As Mammoths are goal is to finish the race and get a little better each time. It is important that we get our bodies conditioned to be out on the course for a good long time. My goal is to complete the full marathon in around 5 hours. 5 hours of constant movement is a lot for a body to handle so by doing these slow, methodical trainings I am getting my body prepared for the full. This training reminds me of the tortoise and the hare story. So I am showing Tortoise Intensity while doing this training.
Thursday's Boot Camp was another Up Tempo session. We ran 2.5 miles (some folks like Alonzo, David, and Elliot ran double that) with a mixture of weights and sprints intermingled in. It was one of the toughest workouts I have had at WoW and it felt great being able to keep up with the guys. I still think back to this time last year when I could not get on the ground to do any type of exercise, to now where I can do it all. I may be slow but I am doing the work!
Now Mammoths this is a lot of running that I did this week. However, this week Michael gave the Old Mammoth here a giant curve ball. After my WoW Boot Camp I had an hour of bicycle riding I had to do. So it was off to the Omni to get on the stationary bike and put in some miles. Mammoths I always thought that stationary bike was kind of wussy thing to do. I would see people get on there and not even break a sweat or worse yet they would get on there and gossip. So when Michael laid this on me I was not at all thrilled. But being the Mammoth I knew that this was something I was going to have to do. I got on the bike and I have loved it! My first Tuesday ride I put in 22 miles, and Thursdays ride was 21.5! I use the hill program at a level 10 so I am pushing it hard. Again this cross training Mammoths is building up my cardio vascular strength and will make me a better conditioned runner.
Well Mammoths I have given you a bunch of information about my runs. Tomorrow being a rest day I will answer Mammoth Mail, talk about the Fit Bit and Run Keeper alliance, and discuss a cool new website that I am alpha testing and that I think you will like. Especially if you have a fitness or weight goal in mind. So Mammoths I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Day 326: HUGE Update Tomorrow
Hey Mammoths. Apologies for the radio silence but I have been putting together some neat things for us to check out. I will explain it all tomorrow. As always I will see you on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and mind what you are grazing on.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Day 332: WoW Boot Camp Day of Infamy! Is That A Snack In Your Pants Or Are You Just Glad To See Me? Philly Cheesesteak Recipe
Howdy Mammoths. As my spiritual leader Ice Cube once said, "Today was a good day." Now it didn't start off so hot but as the day wore in it just got better and better which puts in mind for me the idea of perseverance.
Now Mammoths me and the Mommoth are DAWG tired. The reason behind this is that the Baby Mammoth is transitioning from the bassinet to the crib, which she is not happy about. When the Baby Mammoth isn't happy then no one in the herd is happy. For two nights in a row now I have had to relieve the Mommoth and hold the Baby Mammoth until she falls asleep. The problem comes when you lay her down, that is when the fun begins, so I have held her for hours on end. Yes, I know its detrimental but just how much longer do I have to hold her, so missing a little sleep is not that big of a deal. Missing sleep does hurt your weight loss though because when you are tired you are more apt to eat unhealthily or at least off of your meal plan. So I have to be careful to stick to my plan, which having Good Measure Meals has been a lot easier than it would have been with out them.
So I am up early before Boot Camp, I fall asleep on the couch and the Mommoth wakes me up with just enough time to get there. Now normally Mammoths this would be a time when I would say, "F*@k it! I am going to sleep." That was the old Mammoth. The new Mammoth shook the cobwebs out his brain, put on his running shoes, and headed to the Y. When I got there I saw that there were a ton of guys there and most of them are my friends, so going was a double blessing. I tucked in with three guys I am really close with and for the first time since I started Boot Camp with Michael Williams I kept up with them. It was a truly great feeling to be able to keep up with your friends, especially since I was the one everyone used to lap.
So with that under my belt I went to work and had a wonderful day until I realized something. I HAD NO SNACK! I had left my Good Measure Meals snack at the house. I was a little panicked by this because I have been doing so well and our office has a tendency to buy Faux Healthy Snacks. We have bought the low cal, no sugar, and no frosting snacks but we never looked at the calories. So as I am heading over to the snack counter I notice something new. FRUIT!!! A ton of fruit! I was so happy Mammoths because I really thought I was going to jump the tracks here, an unplanned splurge, but because my partner and employees are trying to be more healthy they had fruit. I was able to get my snack on and still stay on track.
Went and picked up my Good Measure Meals for the next few days and they look wonderful. Tonight I had to eat my Friday meal because the packaging was dented somehow but that was alright and I am glad I did because it was delicious. Feta Chicken over noodles with mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes. After dinner the Mommoth and I went for our daily stroll. Mommoth has a triathlon in a few months so she is following her WoW plan that April Williams gave her. I just walked with the Baby Mammoth and got in a quick 1.7 miles which helped me burn some more calories.
Well as Ice Cube said, "Today was a good day." I hope you had a good day too Mammoths. Rest day tomorrow but I will still get in a nice walk to keep the legs loose. So I hope to you roaming on the range, sticking close to a good watering hole, and being mindful of what you are grazing on.
Okay this is one of my favorite recipes. I made it for the Mommoth when we got snowed in and she loved it! Now coming from Baltimore I know good Cheese Steaks and this is a good Cheese Steak.
INGREDIENTS:
4 each Whole Wheat bread
2 each White onions, julienned
2 cups Button or crimini mushrooms, quartered
½ tsp. Black pepper
½ cup Fat-free cream cheese (2 Tbsp per piece of bread)
12 each Roast beef (3 slices per slice of bread)
4 slices Swiss cheese
PREPARATION:
• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Heat a large non-stick sauté pan over medium high heat. Spray with cooking spray and sauté
onions and mushrooms. Add pepper.
• Spread 2 Tbsp of cream cheese onto each slice of bread.
• Arrange three slices of roast beef over bread, then top with 1 ½ cups of onions and mushrooms.
• Then top off with slice of swiss cheese.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.
Number of Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 199
Fat: 2.2
To cut calories I use Rounds instead of regular bread. Thanks for the recipe H3! Mammoths keep up the mindful grazing by checking this recipe out and others by following this link to H3s Website
Now Mammoths me and the Mommoth are DAWG tired. The reason behind this is that the Baby Mammoth is transitioning from the bassinet to the crib, which she is not happy about. When the Baby Mammoth isn't happy then no one in the herd is happy. For two nights in a row now I have had to relieve the Mommoth and hold the Baby Mammoth until she falls asleep. The problem comes when you lay her down, that is when the fun begins, so I have held her for hours on end. Yes, I know its detrimental but just how much longer do I have to hold her, so missing a little sleep is not that big of a deal. Missing sleep does hurt your weight loss though because when you are tired you are more apt to eat unhealthily or at least off of your meal plan. So I have to be careful to stick to my plan, which having Good Measure Meals has been a lot easier than it would have been with out them.
So I am up early before Boot Camp, I fall asleep on the couch and the Mommoth wakes me up with just enough time to get there. Now normally Mammoths this would be a time when I would say, "F*@k it! I am going to sleep." That was the old Mammoth. The new Mammoth shook the cobwebs out his brain, put on his running shoes, and headed to the Y. When I got there I saw that there were a ton of guys there and most of them are my friends, so going was a double blessing. I tucked in with three guys I am really close with and for the first time since I started Boot Camp with Michael Williams I kept up with them. It was a truly great feeling to be able to keep up with your friends, especially since I was the one everyone used to lap.
So with that under my belt I went to work and had a wonderful day until I realized something. I HAD NO SNACK! I had left my Good Measure Meals snack at the house. I was a little panicked by this because I have been doing so well and our office has a tendency to buy Faux Healthy Snacks. We have bought the low cal, no sugar, and no frosting snacks but we never looked at the calories. So as I am heading over to the snack counter I notice something new. FRUIT!!! A ton of fruit! I was so happy Mammoths because I really thought I was going to jump the tracks here, an unplanned splurge, but because my partner and employees are trying to be more healthy they had fruit. I was able to get my snack on and still stay on track.
Went and picked up my Good Measure Meals for the next few days and they look wonderful. Tonight I had to eat my Friday meal because the packaging was dented somehow but that was alright and I am glad I did because it was delicious. Feta Chicken over noodles with mushrooms and sun dried tomatoes. After dinner the Mommoth and I went for our daily stroll. Mommoth has a triathlon in a few months so she is following her WoW plan that April Williams gave her. I just walked with the Baby Mammoth and got in a quick 1.7 miles which helped me burn some more calories.
Well as Ice Cube said, "Today was a good day." I hope you had a good day too Mammoths. Rest day tomorrow but I will still get in a nice walk to keep the legs loose. So I hope to you roaming on the range, sticking close to a good watering hole, and being mindful of what you are grazing on.
Okay this is one of my favorite recipes. I made it for the Mommoth when we got snowed in and she loved it! Now coming from Baltimore I know good Cheese Steaks and this is a good Cheese Steak.
INGREDIENTS:
4 each Whole Wheat bread
2 each White onions, julienned
2 cups Button or crimini mushrooms, quartered
½ tsp. Black pepper
½ cup Fat-free cream cheese (2 Tbsp per piece of bread)
12 each Roast beef (3 slices per slice of bread)
4 slices Swiss cheese
PREPARATION:
• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Heat a large non-stick sauté pan over medium high heat. Spray with cooking spray and sauté
onions and mushrooms. Add pepper.
• Spread 2 Tbsp of cream cheese onto each slice of bread.
• Arrange three slices of roast beef over bread, then top with 1 ½ cups of onions and mushrooms.
• Then top off with slice of swiss cheese.
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.
Number of Servings: 4
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 199
Fat: 2.2
To cut calories I use Rounds instead of regular bread. Thanks for the recipe H3! Mammoths keep up the mindful grazing by checking this recipe out and others by following this link to H3s Website
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day 334: WoW Boot Camp Kicks Me Like a Rag Doll
Short one today Mammoths. So tired from a really hard work out with WoW Boot Camp this morning. We did so many sprints and weights that I was exhausted before I really even started my day. I kept my heart rate in the upper level 2 and near the end began treading in level 3 but was able to maintain a good pace and good form.
Sorry this is so short but I am heading to bed. So tomorrow Mammoths I will see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Sorry this is so short but I am heading to bed. So tomorrow Mammoths I will see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Day 335: Weekend Update, Monday's Ramble, and a Race for Beer!
Yo Mammoths!
First I need to give a big shout out to my friend Susan. She sent me a really cool shirt as a way to keep me motivated. Trust me kiddo I will never tap out! Thank you so much and it is great to know that you have great people in your herd pulling for you!
What a weekend! We had awesome weather here in Athens. My Saturday started out with a nice three mile ramble with the Mommoth and the Baby Mammoth keeping pace with me. Michael has me working out in my first zone, taking it up to my second zone, but then bringing it back down. The purpose this type of training is to build up my endurance. What I mean by zone One is that is the zone where my heart is pumping a little faster, right around 111 beats per minute, but I am not wheezing our out of breath. Zone Two is a little more challenging. I can carry on a conversation but my breathing is a little more labored. This type of training is used to help me develop my BASE. Now Mammoths you know the Head Leader here likes to go all out, every time. I like the tshirt says, "Want to leave it all on the field." In the future I will have workouts like that but for right now I have to take it slow and build. Yeah Mammoths its hard for me to be patient. The Mommoth can tell you that I am not patient at all but when you are going for such a long distance you have to learn that patience. So I have a new prayer that I pray now. "Lord grant me patience and I NEED IT RIGHT NOW!"
The other part of my Saturday was going to Over Eaters Anonymous (OA). OA is a big part of my home plan. A lot of the reason I got to be as big as I was is due to the fact that I used food to control my mood. Instead of feeling anger or frustration I would use food to give a feeling a comfort. This is my battle, and no not every obese person out there has this but I do and it is important for me to be around others who understand my struggle. I have an awesome sponsor and a great group I meet with. On this particular Saturday we had a guest meeting and a wonderful person from out of town came to our meeting and shared their story. It made me tear up because I have experienced a lot of the struggles this person has dealt with and Mammoths it is so awesome to see someone who has made it to the other side.
The best about Saturday was that I got to take the world's best nap! Mammoths, the Mommoth and Baby Mammoth took off to go shopping and I laid down for some sweet sleep. It was so great to have a nice quiet house again.
The menu for Saturday was great as well. Since I have only five days of Good Measure Meals I have to cook for myself on the weekends which is great for me. It allows me to keep current in the kitchen and allow me to share great recipes for you. I have a Philly Cheese Steak recipe that I am going to share with you all on Wednesday that is so decadent that you will swear there is no way it under 300 calories, but it is. Breakfast was a MarkMuffin (Kroger Wheat Round, Piece of Cheese, 1/4 cup of Egg Whites, and a piece of Turkey Sausage) and some fruit. Lunch was a turkey rap with baked Doritos. Snacks consisted of a 90 calorie energy bar and a ton of fruit. Dinner was my favorite which is the Pita Pizza. I would tell you the secret of the Pita Pizza but then you would stop reading my blog because you would be constantly making Pita Pizzas. So I will hold on to that information for a while.
Sunday was another beautiful day in Athens. The little Herd went to Athens Church at the Classic Center where we met our friends who came to visit. The service was great, the sermon was awesome, and my friends really liked it. Its a different kind of church than I have ever belonged to. Its about being a community of believers which is so much different than what I am used to. Anyway, if you are in Athens and you want to go let me know and I will save you a seat and get you a cup of coffee. After that we all went for a walk to one of our favorite restaurants, Harry' Pig Shop. It was great walking there with Mary and her Mom as well as the little Herd and we had a great time of laughing and I had my splurge meal of BBQ Nachos. I had planned this splurge so I enjoyed my food and afterwards we walked home, which helped burn off some calories. IT WAS SO GOOD! Dinner the Mommoth made this crock pot Swiss Steak. I will put the recipe below. 190 calories per serving and it was delicious. We did a great deal of family walking on Sunday and took advantage of the great weather we are having.
Monday was a rest day but with all of the walking I did today with the Mommoth in the neighborhood it sure felt like a work out day. The best part of my day was meeting up with a good guy who wants to get healthier. So my newest member of the Herd will be joining me at the Omni Club here in Athens to ride stationary bikes and then walk on Friday. So proud of this Mammoth coming out and asking for help. Got him started on My Fitness Pal and watching calories and increasing movements. He is still really young so he is going to do awesome.
I also found out that my favorite brewery in town, the Terrapin Brewery is having a 5k + 1 this Saturday. So you get a cool t-shirt, the money goes to a great cause, and you get to taste some awesome beer. This Mammoth will be leading a stampede for all of that!
Well Mammoths it has been a great day and I have WoW! Boot Camp in the morning so I need to get some sleep. As always I will see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Crock Pot Swiss Steak (WW Recipe)
3 Table Spoons Gold Medal All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1.5 pounds beef boneless round, tip, or chuck steak-cut into six pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 large bell pepper, sliced
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
Mix flour, mustard and salt. Coat beef with mixture. Heat oil in pan over medium heat, Cook beef in oil for 15 minutes, turning once, until brown. Place beef in a 6 quart crock pot, top with onion and bell pepper. Mix tomatoes and garlic, pour over beef and vegetables. Cover and cook on low heat for 7 to 9 hours or until meat is tender.
1 Cup= 190 calories. We served it over brown rice 1/2 cup is 50 calories. Great meal to have cooking while you are at work or play! Enjoy.
First I need to give a big shout out to my friend Susan. She sent me a really cool shirt as a way to keep me motivated. Trust me kiddo I will never tap out! Thank you so much and it is great to know that you have great people in your herd pulling for you!
What a weekend! We had awesome weather here in Athens. My Saturday started out with a nice three mile ramble with the Mommoth and the Baby Mammoth keeping pace with me. Michael has me working out in my first zone, taking it up to my second zone, but then bringing it back down. The purpose this type of training is to build up my endurance. What I mean by zone One is that is the zone where my heart is pumping a little faster, right around 111 beats per minute, but I am not wheezing our out of breath. Zone Two is a little more challenging. I can carry on a conversation but my breathing is a little more labored. This type of training is used to help me develop my BASE. Now Mammoths you know the Head Leader here likes to go all out, every time. I like the tshirt says, "Want to leave it all on the field." In the future I will have workouts like that but for right now I have to take it slow and build. Yeah Mammoths its hard for me to be patient. The Mommoth can tell you that I am not patient at all but when you are going for such a long distance you have to learn that patience. So I have a new prayer that I pray now. "Lord grant me patience and I NEED IT RIGHT NOW!"
The other part of my Saturday was going to Over Eaters Anonymous (OA). OA is a big part of my home plan. A lot of the reason I got to be as big as I was is due to the fact that I used food to control my mood. Instead of feeling anger or frustration I would use food to give a feeling a comfort. This is my battle, and no not every obese person out there has this but I do and it is important for me to be around others who understand my struggle. I have an awesome sponsor and a great group I meet with. On this particular Saturday we had a guest meeting and a wonderful person from out of town came to our meeting and shared their story. It made me tear up because I have experienced a lot of the struggles this person has dealt with and Mammoths it is so awesome to see someone who has made it to the other side.
The best about Saturday was that I got to take the world's best nap! Mammoths, the Mommoth and Baby Mammoth took off to go shopping and I laid down for some sweet sleep. It was so great to have a nice quiet house again.
The menu for Saturday was great as well. Since I have only five days of Good Measure Meals I have to cook for myself on the weekends which is great for me. It allows me to keep current in the kitchen and allow me to share great recipes for you. I have a Philly Cheese Steak recipe that I am going to share with you all on Wednesday that is so decadent that you will swear there is no way it under 300 calories, but it is. Breakfast was a MarkMuffin (Kroger Wheat Round, Piece of Cheese, 1/4 cup of Egg Whites, and a piece of Turkey Sausage) and some fruit. Lunch was a turkey rap with baked Doritos. Snacks consisted of a 90 calorie energy bar and a ton of fruit. Dinner was my favorite which is the Pita Pizza. I would tell you the secret of the Pita Pizza but then you would stop reading my blog because you would be constantly making Pita Pizzas. So I will hold on to that information for a while.
Sunday was another beautiful day in Athens. The little Herd went to Athens Church at the Classic Center where we met our friends who came to visit. The service was great, the sermon was awesome, and my friends really liked it. Its a different kind of church than I have ever belonged to. Its about being a community of believers which is so much different than what I am used to. Anyway, if you are in Athens and you want to go let me know and I will save you a seat and get you a cup of coffee. After that we all went for a walk to one of our favorite restaurants, Harry' Pig Shop. It was great walking there with Mary and her Mom as well as the little Herd and we had a great time of laughing and I had my splurge meal of BBQ Nachos. I had planned this splurge so I enjoyed my food and afterwards we walked home, which helped burn off some calories. IT WAS SO GOOD! Dinner the Mommoth made this crock pot Swiss Steak. I will put the recipe below. 190 calories per serving and it was delicious. We did a great deal of family walking on Sunday and took advantage of the great weather we are having.
Monday was a rest day but with all of the walking I did today with the Mommoth in the neighborhood it sure felt like a work out day. The best part of my day was meeting up with a good guy who wants to get healthier. So my newest member of the Herd will be joining me at the Omni Club here in Athens to ride stationary bikes and then walk on Friday. So proud of this Mammoth coming out and asking for help. Got him started on My Fitness Pal and watching calories and increasing movements. He is still really young so he is going to do awesome.
I also found out that my favorite brewery in town, the Terrapin Brewery is having a 5k + 1 this Saturday. So you get a cool t-shirt, the money goes to a great cause, and you get to taste some awesome beer. This Mammoth will be leading a stampede for all of that!
Well Mammoths it has been a great day and I have WoW! Boot Camp in the morning so I need to get some sleep. As always I will see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and be mindful of what you are grazing on.
Crock Pot Swiss Steak (WW Recipe)
3 Table Spoons Gold Medal All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1.5 pounds beef boneless round, tip, or chuck steak-cut into six pieces
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 large bell pepper, sliced
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
Mix flour, mustard and salt. Coat beef with mixture. Heat oil in pan over medium heat, Cook beef in oil for 15 minutes, turning once, until brown. Place beef in a 6 quart crock pot, top with onion and bell pepper. Mix tomatoes and garlic, pour over beef and vegetables. Cover and cook on low heat for 7 to 9 hours or until meat is tender.
1 Cup= 190 calories. We served it over brown rice 1/2 cup is 50 calories. Great meal to have cooking while you are at work or play! Enjoy.
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