Faculty Vs. Students : Battle of the Year

Last night was the faculty vs. students basketball game. I...was...tired once I got home. Of course, I didn't let them know while we were playing that I was tired. All of those nights playing with the big boys at the gym (and might I say my picking the fastest guy) really paid off. Those kids did not think that Mr. Tyler could run for that long. That made me smile. I told them during the day that I was going to outrun them - I think I did a few of them. Their team had one eighth grade boy that could probably outrun the whole school. These were middle school ages (that just got done playing their regular season).

You know, it was really nice to hear our "coach", the girl's b-ball coach and Language teacher, say to a parent, "Well, it was nice having the energizer bunny on our team" while pointing at me. That also made me smile. I am not trying to brag but I am going to soak up the encouragement.

Anyone that is trying to reach a new level of health NEEDS encouragement.

Anyways...if you have not guessed it - we won. It was a really fun night. we actually ran the faster paced game then the kids did. It consisted of me taking off down the court and the others throwing me the ball - ha. Lots of fast breaks. I think I got about 10 points alone doing fast breaks. The score ended at 36-35 teachers. It took us all back to high school.

Our principal was running down the court as well. He's in his 60's but he is active on the treadmill every day. That was cool to see. This game was a benefit game for our music teacher and athletic director. She was in a car accident earlier in the year and just escaped with her life. She has recovered like crazy and has lost 60 pounds in the process! She just made it back to school last week and she was able to make it to the game. The crowd gave her 1000+ dollars to see the fun game. I'm really proud of the contributors and of the kids.

On a different note...I have been busy all morning and I still need to get a workout in before I leave town. I didn't officially take on the Weekend Warrior Challenge but am trying to make sure I stay busy each day of the weekend. I'm off to get a couple miles in.

Less than 50 miles and I have another giveaway. Also, Chelsey - your prize is on its way!

Calories:

Workout: Basketball - 3.3 miles --- that's what playing the whole game does for you :)

I also wanted to route you guys to Jeremy's blog Stellar Path --- he is currently having a GIVEAWAY!! CHECK HIM OUT HERE!!!

Outdoor Running & Temptations

Another beautiful day today. Winter can stay away for good, at least until December - we all like white Christmas'.

I took advantage of the weather and went to the local park and worked out again. My goal, via Twitter (MistrTyler) was to run for 20 minutes non-stop. It was a success! I opened up with some stretching and some walking to warm my body up and then was off. I wore my pedometer on my shoe as usual and from start of walk to end of run was roughly 23 min 45 sec. I took a picture of my watch which says 24:25 (I forgot to stop it because I wanted to take a picture of the water fountain that was not giving me much desired water!).

I also took a picture of my shoe that read 1.64 miles.

To be honest, I didn't map anything out and just started running. It is a lot different with all of the hills but I also attacked those hills -- I actually changed direction to run into a neighborhood that looked hilly. I need to learn how to run on the different surfaces that I don't get with my treadmill. Don't get me wrong...that treadmill has been a life-saver but I won't be running my 5k on the treadmill.

I played tennis again and came out with the win again. We played the best of 7 games. I won the set 4-3. It was a bit tougher playing after the run than yesterday when we played before the run.

I still have some a couple more miles tonight to do but will put some time in between the two different workouts. I'm feeling pretty good.

As for the temptations. Today was another teacher's birthday and they had a counter full of sweets and goodies. Can you guess which snack I had?








Calories: 1943 cal.

Workout: outdoors - 1.64 miles; indoors - 1.44 ; total = 3.08 miles

Outdoor Workout w/Photos

Today was day two of my Resistance Training Workouts. As stated in a post earlier this week, I am using only my treadmill and my body to workout the next two weeks. Today was a wonderful day (temperature) and I took advantage it. I called up a friend and played some tennis, which I won (sorry Breandan), and then decided to work out in the park. It started to get a little colder and I was a bit nervous about running outside in the cold. I was never a distance runner and the idea of running outside was a bit nerve-wracking to begin with and then it got cold. While playing tennis -- I was literally thinking about that run the whole time.

It wasn't that bad until the sun started going down. It was cold and the air being breathed in was cold but I continued to run even when I wanted to stop. The hills, pavement, softer ground, and other differences I came across were not as scary as I thought it would be. I knew I would eventually have to start running outside sometime because of my desire to run a 5k. It started today. I ran just shy of a mile
but I will take it for the first time outside.

Is it weird that I was nervous about running outside?

Anyhow, I read Andrew is getting fit's blog and he always takes pictures of his runs. I too decided to take a couple pics not only of my run but of the workout that I created while at the park.

Stairs, Bench Jumps, and Inclined Push-ups.

I ran up and down those stairs 5 times and one time my shoe got caught up on a stair and I went flying down towards the cement but I caught myself. I truly felt that I was doing a yoga pose when I caught myself-- I like to thank it was graceful if someone was watching. I did not gash anything thankfully. The park bench -- I simply jumped two footed to the seat and jumped back down. I did this ten times. The table I used for my push-ups. I did 2 sets of 15 with my hands on the bench.

This was actually going to be my "off" day but each time I say that, I get to that time when I normally work out and can't really think of a reason not to work out. Yeah - my body is a little tired but I have no true reason to sit. This is just me. I actually feel pretty good right now and will probably get on the treadmill later tonight to move that mile tracker number up some more.
The second week of my body resistance training I am asking for you input to make my workout schedule. I will use the exercises that you give me for my workouts except for my cardio. I will continue to do my cardio routine so that I can reach this goal.

Continue to give me some body resistance workouts that require no money. Thanks guys!

Calories:

Cardio Workout: 2 miles

Body Resistance Training is Tiring

Today was the first day that I incorporated some body resistance training into my workout routine. I began with my cardio doing 60 minutes on the treadmill. I said that I would push myself and that I did. I did 3.31 miles -- that's not much different than normal but I changed the speed constantly. I built up to a 4 mph walk (4.5 is the jog speed that I used in attempting a 5k) and from that point on I stayed in between the 3 mph - 4 mph speed. I don't think I had sweated so much with a walking workout. I can't run at night because we are on the second floor and it may bother the people down stairs.

After my cardio I did some exercises using only my body as the resistance.

-2 sets of 15 with forward lunges on each leg. (thoughts: not too bad, effective)

-A set of 2 normal planks holding for 30 seconds each. (thoughts: this sucks but I stuck with it -- it was hard because I have not held myself in that position for a period of time in a long time)

-2 sets of 20 Calf Raises. (thoughts: easy enough, next time i will up it a set)

-A set of side planks for each side holding for 30 seconds. (thoughts: this still sucks, my body was shaking pretty bad but you can tell that it will work. Maybe some movement will be added once I get stronger. A lot like Pilates I think.


As for the first day of adding the body weight resistance, it went well. That's all I have for right now.

What type of body weight resistance exercise do you do that works for you?

Calories: 2105 cal.

Workout: 3.31 miles

How Much is Mental?

My wife and I were talking tonight about weight loss and working out in general. I know that I sound like a broken record saying, "You can control two things - what you put into your body and how much activity you do", but I do believe it to be true.

I use to want both of us to live a healthier (and still do) lifestyle but failed to take on any kind of leadership or set any type of example. I would get upset when things did not get done in that area of life but now have come to realize that it has to be done for that person. The way that I do things is not for everyone to do the same way. Working out and eating right is for that person to do on their own, in their own time. I've gone away from talking about me and my wife and have moved into the general audience.

How much of this lifestyle change is mental?

I think that I have been blessed with the ability to focus but what about the person that struggles with it. Is it their body that prevents them, financial reasons, or simply a mental level that one has to get too before reaching that point of conviction to live a healthier lifestyle?

I have decided to take on those three aspects for the next two weeks to find an answer; this will not be the only answer. This is how I will do it.

1. I will push my workouts harder these weeks.

2. With the exception of my treadmill, I will not use any local gyms, membership, or outside equipment that requires money. I will use things around my apartment and will add full body resistance workouts.

3. I will post my thoughts about my cardio and resistance workouts.

This may not be scientific but it will be interesting to see what comes as a result if anything.


Calories: 2235 cal.

Workout: 3.14 miles

February ReCap & an Idea

February was a month that opened me up to see what I was capable of doing. To be honest, I was very happy with what I saw and did. I did not pick up any miles of what was not completed last month but this month will be the month to do it...I hope.

February Recap

Starting Mile Balance: 950.39
Ending Mile Balance: 873.04

Starting Month Goal (incl. Feb & off pace): 103.23
Ending Month Mile Achieved: 77.35

Miles off pace to reach year pace goal: 25.88 (down .07 miles from Feb 1st.)

Days in February: 28
Days worked out: 20
Days no workout: 8

Avg workout per day by 28 days: 2.76 miles
Avg workout per day by Workout: 3.87 miles (rounded up .01)

Starting Month Weight: 220.20
Ending Month Weight: 211.00
Month Weight Loss: 9 lbs.

Total weight Loss in 2010: 24.81 pounds
Total Miles traveled in 2010: 136.96

Miles Until Year Goal Achieved: 873.04

So there you go. That is the Month of February all wrapped up. It was a good month. I had hoped to get some of those off pace miles caught up but I am okay with that. Thanks for the support during February and PLEASE keep it coming! I will put March Goals as a post tomorrow.


If you like the results that I have received and want to join me in the quest (we can set your miles accordingly to what is left in the year) than contact me. The more that are doing this with me - the easier it makes it not only for me, but for you as well. Maybe I could get some shirts drawn up or something. This is just an idea! Maybe an idea that can come to fruition.

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Psyching the Psychee

- Part One -

I took a rest yesterday. I had not planned on that because I am still a few miles off from hitting the pace goal of 77.something miles for Feb. I will not reach the Feb goal and leftover from January but I'm okay with that. Sometimes things happen like that. I still had to work yesterday but teaching is a pretty good gig though so I don't mind that one bit.

I have done one workout so far today with good results. I did a total of 2.6 miles for workout 1. The .6 miles were warm-up and cool-down periods. The 2 Miles in between, hear this...I ran the entire two miles at 4.5 m/p/h pace. I do believe I could have gone longer but I do not think I could have hit that 5k mark...not yet anyways. I really want to run that 5k in one run rather than breaking it up by walking. I do think that walking is okay --- do not get me wrong. I just want to make sure I push myself to my fullest and not give myself an out. Running outside is kind of intimidating to me. In order to run the 2 miles at one time...I had to cover up the distance and time on the treadmill so that I would not focus on it but rather my breathing and the run. It worked. I psyched out the psyche. :)

I am off to an auction right now that my school is putting on for a fundraiser. Tonight I will do my second workout (hopefully 3.5 miles).

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- Part Two -

Today has been a very busy day for me. I'm pretty exhausted and have to wake up earlier than normal tomorrow. I just completed my 2nd workout and I am really close to bedtime. I just thought that I would finish this so that I am current and up-to-date. My workout was 3.44 miles. That makes it a total of 6.04 miles for the day. Not too shabby. I do not know my calorie intake for today. The auction was an all day event and it was a special dinner. I had their serving of lasagne, roll, and green beans - I also had a piece of cheese cake. They were good and I feel good as of right now, but I know that I also worked out twice today.

Calories: Unsure

Workout: 6.04 miles

Me Vs. T : Battle of the treadmill

I am going to walk you through my workout on the treadmill tonight. Some people name their cars...well, I name other inanimate objects such as tv's, fans, and my treadmill.

It was a battle of discipline, speed, continuous motion, running, sweating, deep breaths, moans, groans, aches, pains, and exhaustion. The battle only raged on for 11 min and 22 sec but it was a battle that was in the making for ten years.

Me - Verse - T.

It was an epic adventure.

Okay, it might have not been quite like that but tonight I wanted to push my limits...again. This week is about finding where I am at athletically and I believe I am getting a more clear idea of what level that is. This week has not been easy and I still have three workouts left this month which I am shooting for four miles each day. March 1st can't come to soon.

I opened up the workout with a 1 mile walk. During that mile I found a podcast on my iPod that had some 'fitness' beats to run to. I found one that wasn't too terrible and had it ready for the next mile to start. This mile I was going to see how fast I could get it done and still be able to do the remaining two miles of my workout.

I went at a speed that I thought I could continue for the duration of the Mile and increased it a couple times throughout. I want to have a 10 min mile. That would be a good mile for me -- in my book...it's good for anybody. I ended my mile at 00:11:22 (11 min. 22 sec.) I do have to say that I am not dissapointed by that number because I really didn't know what to expect.


I know that there is no real point in timing your mile unless it is a pace setter for you race but it is a personal thing for me. At this point -- this is my best and worst time for the mile.

Calories: 1960 cal.

This calorie count is not as accurate as I would like. We ate at a Mexican restaurant for a birthday and I had to do my best with adding the calories with what I had. I had a cheese quesadilla with mushrooms, tomatoes, little lettuce, and guacamole. Water as usual.

Workout: 4.07 miles