Run. Rest. Basketball. Evaluate. Run. Pleasure. Pumpkin Spice.

Yesterday was day two of my training and it was a 3 mile easy run. I decided to do the run at the track in the evening - 7:30pm when it's cooler [80 degrees]. I haven't run on a track very much at all. While I found the running not to be that bad, it was completely monotonous. I found it hard to keep track of lap count. Anyhow, I completed my run and could see a storm coming in the distance, it was pretty cool to see the lightening just in the clouds.

I came home and ate a wonderful Berry Banana Smoothie - so good. Bananas are good for muscles and cramps right?!

I woke myself, and my wife, up in pain due to a killer calf cramp. It was a painful one. Luckily, today is a Rest/XT day in the half-marathon training program. It has felt better as the day continues.

With a sore leg and a busy mind due to an evaluation tonight from my employers - I needed something to get my mind focused and my leg stretched out.

Our local community center has a gym and it is cost-free so I went down and played some basketball for about an 1 1/2 hours or more to give my leg some stretching. Tomorrow is another 3 miler and I think my leg will be fine. I will do plenty of stretching before and after the run. I find it so much easier to do what needs to get done, in terms of working out and such, when there is a goal that you're shooting for.

I like runs that have the sole purpose of pleasure, but having something that you are aiming for really kicks you in gear.

After my evaluation - I'm gonna come home and my wife is going to make me a Pumpkin Spice latte - I'm so ready for it now!

Take care!

Sept 24. 2011. Half Marathon is Happenin

So, I've committed to doing a Half Marathon which is on September 24th, 2011 in Fort Scott, Kansas.

This will be my first half-marathon and it's kind of crazy to think about because I haven't really been training. I have increased my activity by a great amount, except for vacation last week :/

I've gone on a few runs and have been playing ball at the local community center. It's good to be back in it - the physical activity of everything anyways.

That Half-marathon is just 5 weeks away. That means in 5 weeks I will be running 13.1 miles. To be honest, I don't know if I'll run all 13.1 miles of it, probably not, but I will be able to check that off of my list of things that I wanted to accomplish this year.

It is the 1st half marathon that this place will be putting on so I am unsure of what to expect. It is a gradual downhill run except for the hill at the finish. So, we'll run downhill for quite some time, probably won't even realize we are, and then climb back up it at the finish. I have modified a Runner's World half training program to make it work during this short training period. I have been running for some time now that I think this will work for me. I'm not running for time, especially since I have not been training for a long time for it, but to finish. I have 3 hours to finish the 13.1 miles - so my goal is to finish.

If you think about it - how many people can really say that they have ocmpleted a Half-Marathon?

I can't yet, but hope to be able to soon.

Here's my plan:

Running Playlist

Two days in a row of blogging?!! 28 more and it's a habit right!

I went out and tackled the Missouri 95 degree weather (heat index 103), of course with my Imitation camelback. It was hot and I walked probably half of it, but it was nice not worrying about distance! I just went to get healthier. Besides that, I wanted to include my running playlist today below.

The Almost - 'Monster Monster'
Lyricist - 'Money' (this guy has sold out on his new stuff)
For Today - 'Never Lose Sight'
The Almost - 'Stop It'
LeCrae - ''Walking on Water'
Group 1crew - 'Lean on Me'
LeCrae - 'Transfomers'
TFK - 'Rawkfist'
Group1Crew - 'love is a beautiful thing'
Switchfoot - 'Mess of Me'
Flame - 'Move'
Trip Lee - 'The Invasion'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7piEIaJvIo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Check these out if you have time!

It isn't as easy as the first time.

It isn't as easy as the first time for me.

It seems that I hadn't been able to get back into the groove of things whenever I tried to get.. Well - back into the groove of things. I put about ten lbs on and just felt sloppy. Clothes didn't feel right, stomach felt bloated, and I haven't been able to run very much. That part especially stinks because I so want to run.

I've found that it isn't as easy as the first time that I tried to lose all of the weight - and the reason I think is because I am at such a lower weight than before that I have to do things a lot differently than then. I will be doing a lot of the same things with portions that I eat and such, but I definately have to be more aware of my health decisions. Another big thing is that I have to make time to work out. Eating right is most of it, but I have probably lost my edge if I were to go run a 5k race.

That's just the truth.

Well, as of this morning I have weighed in at 205.8 lbs. Much better than 255+ lbs, but not where I need to be. It'll probably be a little bit before I get back into blogging moreoften, but I might surprise you and just rock it out again!

I am finished with the multiple week long traveling for work this Summer. Don't get me wrong, I had a blast while going to the different camps and then especially to Colorado, but I am glad to be home.

Another thing- our baby BOY is due in just 14 weeks!

Weigh In Picture

I'm in a new weight loss challenge. I decided not to continue hosting the challenges for a while, but there have been many to branch off and keep helping others. I have joined one as I have gained back about 10 lbs this last 7 months (since moving for a new job).

I've been running - just not as often, but am back at it. I'm finding time to put things back in order and it's going well. I missed running!

here's the weigh-in picture for the start of the 6 week challenge!

Morning time: I'm loving it!

I bet you thought the post was about McD's. It's not.

I'm trying to form a new habit and McD's is not it.

On Saturday, my wife woke up at 4 am not feeling well (probably didn't help that she ate a 6" sub at 10:00pm) and woke me up too. I already struggled to get to sleep (probably b/c I ate a 6" sub at 10:00pm), but I was up for the day! Saturday was a big day and I had a lot to do - (I'm a youth minister and had put together a HUGE Easter egg hunt (3000 eggs huge) and my mind wouldn't let me go back to sleep thinking about it. I did not fill all of hose eggs though -- everyone chipped in and it was mostly the youth group.

Anyways, I was up that morning at 4 and out of bed at 5. I have to admit it - I liked it! I liked having had a bunch of stuff done by 8am.

I've decided that I'm gonna try to get up between 5 & 6am daily. I'm on day 3! The is BIG b/c I am typically not a morning person. I'm gonna finish up this blog post and get on the treadmill a little bit, shower, eat breakfast, and have time tIme to rest before going into the church! This.is.crazy.

I do have to admit - I feel like an old person being up-and-attem this early.

Enjoy your day!

Let's do a Giveaway! Race Results

Let's get to it!

I'm going to do a giveaway! I've got a $20 Subway gift card to give away this Friday @ 8:00pm to someone.

How do you get entered into the giveaway?!

Three ways to enter. Follow Fit With a Purpose and comment me telling me that you now do. Comment below saying that you want in on the giveaway! Also, tell other people to come and sign into the giveaway! If they say that they were sent my way by you - they get entered and you get another entry!

There's been a lot going in my world!

1. We've got a baby coming of course in November.

2. I am scheduled to run my first half-marathon in June on the 11th.

I was planning on running one with my friend from Germany while he is back in the states, but we were unable to get that worked out and will be running a 10k together in Illinois.

3. I'm going to be starting a new weight loss challenge this upcoming week! It is going to be $5 to enter this time and the winner will receive a 1 yr subscription to a fitness magazine and rest of entry fee. Details to be worked out still.

RACE RESULTS:

A couple weeks ago I ran in my first official 5k this year and placed 2nd in my age division. It was the hilliest course ever.

I don't have a picture right now of it, but maybe I can find one on the camera.

Again, giveaway entrees start today!!!! Enter and tell your friends!

So, as you know - my life will be completely different come November. It seems as if it is already so much different with all the planning and such. Carol and I started out this year attempting to simplify our lifestyle and to put ourselves In the best financial position we could to save money and make our dollar go the longest way it can. We've nearly cut our monthly expenses by 300 dollars/month by doing that. It's been a trial and error but we are still on track to cut it more. We know the baby will cost quite a bit but that was one of the reasons in cutting so much extra - things work out in time.

While my focus has been on that - it has not been so much on losing weight. I have gained about 5 lbs. I have a goal of hitting my ideal weight by november. That is 20-25 lbs to lose. Plenty of time to do it, I just have to do it. I'm gonna start posting my weight again for the accountability - I rely on you to help and encourage... Please keep it coming.

That is all! Thanks bloggers!