A New PR and a New Goal

Yesterday, I ran in a virtual 5k and set a new PR for myself. I ran it in 25'59". That beats my previous PR by 10 seconds. I'm pretty happy with that time. I wasn't anywhere near 1st place, but it definitely sets a new standard for this year. I've tried pretty hard to get out of the 26 - 27 min range all last year (I'll take the 1 second under :])

So, My new goal in my running is to get to the 24 min range this year. A 24 minute 5k is just under an 8 min/mile. In order to get to the 24'59" -- I'm looking at about an 8.3 min/mile. I think by the end of the year that it's doable.

Short and Simple.

Virtual 5k. Upping the Mileage. 1000 lbs

Virtual 5k.

I'm hosting my first virtual 5k today and it's kind of exciting. People from all over the place racing against each other without ever seeing who is actually in front of them.

I've never been at the very front of the race running all alone with people behind me, but I think the virtual environment of the race gives that feeling to you. In a race, you can be pumped up by seeing the person in front of you and you have something to shoot for. In this race, it's You verse the perception you have of the other's ability. Will this make a person run faster? I guess I'll find out later.

Upping the Mileage.

If you look to the right of the page - I'm tracking my miles again publicly. It's been an eye-opener that while I've had every opportunity, I've neglected to run the miles that I need to if I am going to reach my goals this year. I'm shooting for 750 miles this year. It is less than I shot for last year, but a solid amount that I know I have time for. I didn't realize it until I kept myself accountable with my trusty spreadsheet again of how easy it is to fall back. So, that'll be there to keep me accountable.

1000 lbs.

That is the number of POUNDS LOST that my challenge and the ones that have branched from it are creeping up on. 1000 lbs lost. That is insane to me. 1000 lbs. I'm humbled to be a part of that b/c I know that people are making positive changes in their lives. 1000 lbs! It'll happen either this week or the following. If you want to see some of the before and afters of people that have taking part in the challenges, you can see them here at S.T.Weightloss!


1000 LBS

Running IN the Bible and Not the Running Bible

I'm sure you can find several books claiming to be the "Running Bible". Well, as much knowledge as those books may have - I thought to myself "what about running IN the Bible and how can it apply to my own running"

"Interesting thought", I thought to myself. Many would say that the Bible is no source for running, but humor me a little and keep reading :)

Genesis 39:12 -- Joseph runs away from Potiphar's wife escaping her passes on him.

1 Kings 18:46 -- Elijah outruns those that are trying to kill him. (long distance too)

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 -- the author talks about running with purpose [this may be metaphorically, but he mentions those that train and compete in organized games] -- talks about discipline.

Hebrews 12:1 -- speaks on running with perseverance the race marked out for us. Take it as you will, but who can argue with a focused determination?

Luke 15:20 -- the prodigal son's Father runs from a long distance off to embrace his returning son. He ran with heart.

So, can I learn anything from the Bible about running without stretching the message? I'll try.

1. Gen -- Run away and Stay clear of shady situations. Use your head and don't fall into temptations of doubt, negativity, and laziness.

2. 1 Kings -- If someone is trying to kill you - RUN as fast and far as you can. Fight or Flight baby.

3. 1 Cor -- Run with discipline. Guys in that time trained just as hard so that they could win the prize - they were clear headed, disciplined, and had one purpose in mind - succeed. It was the same with what the author was saying - Stay true to your committment and spread that which you believe in.

4. Heb -- run with perseverance. simply put.

5. Luke -- don't give up, dont' give in, and embrace that which you have been given.

There you have it. I think it was a success. Despite what you believe in - this is a good message :)

Let's do a trade! Motivational Mania

here's the deal.

Three of the four walls in my gym are pretty bare. I want stuff on them and I'm coming to you for help. I am looking for multiple people to decorate my gym walls with motivational quotes, phrases, and awesomeness. This would mean that you would take a posterboard or something like that and create a motivational masterpiece with your favorite quote (clean please), phrase, or some form of awesomeness so that I can continue to make my gym the best.

...I don't want you to be without though and so I would also send something back to you for helping me out. As to what that is -- still not sure, but I imagine that it'll be something beneficial to your workouts.

I had this idea last night and wanted to post about it yesterday, but figured I could wait until today.

So, do you want to do a trade?

Home Gyms. Pics. what would you do?

Guest room makes perfect gym.

I have been building up my home gym, but I haven't accomplished very much. This guest bedroom has taken on many roles among housing our workout equipment. I am looking for some more equipment locally and on craigslist but haven't found any good deals. I want to make it where I don't have to go to the Y for an actual gym. I'm getting closer and I have the space for it, so why not? Here are some pics of my growing gym space --- any ideas for more things to put in there?






What is a MUST HAVE if you were turn a room into a home gym at your house?

i ran. i jogged. i vlogged. i conquered.

This is my first attempt at vlogging. I recorded different parts of my run today. It was pretty interesting to do this. I had never done this before and I thought it was kind of cool. I've got an iphone now and I'm pretty impressed with the video quality. Be kind on my first vlog video taking.



here we go.

Believe it - you are more than your limitations!

I'm a youth minister. I have a pretty good gig. I get to do fun things, don't have to dress up, and get to be myself. One thing that comes with this job is that I have meetings every now and then with other leadership and reasons. A couple of nights ago I had a meeting and we were trying to come up with a name for a campaign we are about to embark on.

You surely understand the 'come up with a good name' complex. Didn't we all have one before we got into blogging? Obviously, it was to do with our church and someone had offered a name and the reason behind his suggestion was...."more than just a meeting place".

I liked it. I think I liked that phrase moreso than the name b/c it is more than just a meeting place. It got me thinking about other things.

Especially this time of year, people realize that they aren't as fit as they once were, thought, or dreamed of. It's a rough time of the year for many people b/c they realize that all of the past decisions when it comes to health have taken effect on their body w/o them realizing it.

Probably one of the most commonly used phrases is..."I don't remember it being this hard"...or..."I use to be able to do this no problem"...or..."ouch".

People find their instant limitations and they become afraid of the hard work, dedication, and time that is needed to be put into themselves to get where they want to go. I feel blessed that I didn't give in to that way of thinking. I know for sure that I said those very same phrases and it was scary when I realized that I couldn't run a mile if I needed too. But we are more than those limitations.

I know a woman that is 32 and had a mini-stroke a few days ago. They found an artery fully blocked, but this happened a long time ago. Instead of it having an effect on her body, another artery just picked up the slack and grew to the size that it needed to in order to do the job of both vessels. Our bodies are capable of doing so much more than what we think they are.

Watch this guy and see the limitations that he overcame. We are more than our limitations and when we believe that - we will see that in our daily lives.

2011 Goals List.

I am very resolute with accomplishing my goals list this year! Last year I set a goal to reach 1010 miles in 2010 -- I didn't make that goal, but I lost a butt load of weight trying to reach it. This year, I have a new set of goals.

Before I do post my new goals, I want to direct you to my achievements in 2010. Go here to see the list.

It was a great year in many ways! I set a goal to run 3 5ks. Well, I ran many more than that and placed in a few of them. There is nothing like getting medals after running in a race! I also completed my first 10k race in which I finished in 55 minutes something. I enjoyed it!

Here are my 2011 Fitness Goals:

• Travel by foot 750 miles and bike at least 250 miles. This can be walking/jogging/running -- as long as I get it done.
• Reach Goal weight of 170 lbs. It didn't happen last year, but it's not that far away!
• Run in at least 10 different races with 2 races being over 13 miles.
• Have my weight loss challenges go over 1000 total lbs lost!

Here are my 2011 non-fitness goals:

• Complete my reading through the Bible
• Continue to save money - (have started a blog for this adventure as well)
• Become a dad. (I know this is all in God's time, but I'll do my part [awkward? oh well])

I'm sure there are plenty other things that I want to accomplish in 2011, but they'll will come as time goes.

I want to thank you all for encouraging me this past year -- you were a huge reason why I was successful!

What are your Goals for 2011?!