Last minute

 Almost missed posting this month. 

Workouts have been mostly walking. 

Lot of stress getting house ready for sale.
Not sleeping well.

Workout Changes and Brain Weasels

KNEE FOLLOW UP

The pain I was dealing with was probably more related to arthritis than the torn meniscus. 

Doctor opinion:

If I can handle with pain management, I am better off doing that since doing surgery will accelerate the arthritis since it will remove the cushion in the knee. 

Currently I have more of an ache versus sharp pain and the ache isn't constant.

It is also on the outside of the knee, while the tear is on the inside portion of the joint. 

There are no real mechanical symptoms; clicking, popping, grinding, or looseness.

At this point, I am going to hold on the surgery, do some physical therapy to potentially strengthen the joint, and deal with the pain that comes up if possible.

If I need to get a shot, I will do that but won't do it often.

The doctor also said I could incorporate some minor jogging/running back into my workouts to see how it goes. 

This may make the pain come back or it might not since I will be doing shorter distances anyway per my previous plans for over the winter. 

I will be keeping recovery in mind so if I do decide on surgery, I will be planning on doing the surgery by Feb so I can be ready to do my events next summer.

CURRENT WORKOUT

I have been walking about 3 miles M/W/F and then stopping at the gym to lift.

I have been trying to do a little bit of jogging at the park as I go thru it and haven't had any negative effects from it. 

Still trying to determine best workout plan.

I have been doing a 5x5 lifting circuit but it takes a bit of time.

This means I need to either leave earlier than I have been or cut time off.

I tried a 3x5 with more weight on Wednesday and it was about 10 minutes faster.

I might just decide on the workout based on when I get to the gym.

I can set up both styles on my Coros and then choose the right workout at the gym itself. 

RACE DEBATE

I really want to do this event again this year. 

It is a local 5k and the first race I did after my surgery.

Unless I run it tho, don't know that I will do it.

Do I take the chance to run it?

This will be the last time this year I can try to beat my PB for the 5k. 

I know where the pain will be in my knee if I am causing damage.

If that happens, I can just walk from there.

Debating brain weasels.

John Debnam

(from FB 20180908)

Holy FRAK

I did a local 5k this morning.

While I have been doing some walking, it has usually been while doing Pokemon so not walking straight thru.

I came in last, I was the slowest person at the event, but I did it.

When I finished, I wasn't dead. 

Not sure how much faster I could have walked yet, but I wasn't wiped out. 

I even had to walk 1 mile back to the start line to get to my vehicle to get home. 

This, among other things, shows me just how much I have changed in the last 10 weeks. 10 weeks ago, I struggled to even walk 8 blocks.

Another 5K

I will be doing the Warrior 196 5k on Sept 18 with Elsolel and Bobbin.

I will probably be wearing my RWB shirt and carrying a flag since it will be a walk for sure. 

Warrior 196 Leadership

Our mission is to honor and remember the five men from Independent School District 196 who paid the ultimate sacrifice while actively serving our country by providing scholarships to young leaders and support to the community.

The money for this event goes to provide scholarships.

https://www.warrior196.org/scholarships.html

Warrior 196 Leadership Foundation is proud to award $1000 scholarships to two graduating seniors from each high school in

​School District 196 in honor of former students killed while in active military duty:

​CPT Nathanael Doring, USMC - AVHS 1993

1LT Christopher Shultz Goeke, US Army Airborne - AVHS 2004

CPL Benjamin S. Kopp, US Army Ranger - RHS 2006

LCPL Daniel Olsen, USMC- Eagan 2005

CPL Andrew Wilfahrt, US Army MP - RHS 1997

Eight $1000 scholarships (2 to each District 196 High School)

Four $1000 AVID scholarships (1 to each District 196 High School)

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

#DoEpicShit

Difference Between Optimism, Pessimism, Realism, and Giving Up

This year, 2021, I made some goals.

Status of those goals as of now:

100k Ultra - COMPLETE

Do a strict pull up - Still training

Body Weight Bench Press - Still training

1 blog post per month - In Progress

Sub 30 min 5k - Probably Won't Happen

1000 mile total - Probably Won't Happen

1.5x Body Weight Squat - Probably Won't Happen

With my injury, some of these probably won't happen.

I go in to see the doctor at the end of the month (unless there is a cancellation and I can get in early).

This will be a sort of pre-op check and I will still have to get surgery scheduled.

After surgery, it will be at least a couple weeks before I can start doing any real walking and probably a couple of months before I will be cleared to run.

That being the case, I won't be running again until probably Thanksgiving unless the doctor clears me early.

So, I have finished my 100k.

I have plans for next year to do the race again.

I want to kick the races ass and have it kick mine not just survive it.

I am back in the gym doing lifting.

My routine until I see the doctor will be M/W/F workout/walking.

I walk about 3 miles and then go into the gym.

Alternating 1 day with chest and 1 day with pulldown. 

Each week will have 2 of 1 and 1 day of the other, alternating weeks.

I am hoping to get in enough lifting to be able to accomplish my pull up and bench press goal.

I got a 34:27 5k but that was without training for speed.

I was hoping to do that after my 100k finished and I could concentrate more on speed rather than long distance pacing.

I don't expect to be able to improve on that time after my surgery so that is as good as it will get this year.

I will continue to train after surgery but realistically don't expect to accomplish this goal.

I got behind on my 1000 mile goal early in the year and was slowly catching up.

At this point, I won't be able to catch up.

I can't do the mileage.

I need to take time off between walks to rest my knee.

If I try to do 2 days in a row, it starts to hurt a LOT more. 

Anything more than 3 miles tends to hurt too.

I don't want to damage it more so no impact, which means no running.

The squat puts too much pressure on my knee.

Not doing ANY training for squats at this point.

Not even sure what I can or even could do.

I was doing body weight stuff before, like air squats and lunges.

I guess this is the line I walk between it looking like I am giving up and being realistic.

I am not giving up on accomplishing my goals but I still don't expect to finsh them.

There is always next year.

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

#DoEpicShit

Mixed Feelings

I accomplished one of my goals for the year.

I finished a 100K race.

Place: 46 (DFL) (5 DNF)

Time: 29:47:06

Somewhere about 10-15 miles in, I did something to my right knee which made it sore.

I wasn't really able to even jog after that.

It just hurt to do it.

I kept pushing, thinking that if I rested at the next major stop, I could figure it out and be ok.

I had also developed blisters on the outside of my heels.

I pushed thru to the stop and took a break, changing socks and shoes. 

I had to re-tape my feet and found out that the tape I had in my drop bag really wasn't good, it was cotton based, not synthetic (note to get different stuff for next time).

I also made a note that I need to have good scissors in each drop bag or on me. 

When I left the stop, my knee still hurt a lot and I wasn't really able to jog.

I was also super annoyed as my watch had auto saved my workout even tho I had it on the watch face and Resume Later.

I guess it is an issue with the Fenix 5, that it will auto save sometimes when you charge it during an activity.

I talked to another runner that had the exact same thing happen to her.

Anyway, I was basically just walking at this point, mostly 16-17 min miles which is a pretty good pace. 

My normal long distance sustained jog/walk pace is only 13-14 min miles.

At this point, I was still enjoying the event. 

I was chatting with people and the pain wasn't bad enough to really do more than basically keep me walking instead of doing intervals.

I got to the turn around point, 31 miles into the event and my knee was really bugging me.

I had finished the last 5 miles chatting with a nice 78 year old lady doing the 100K too.

Interesting stories exchanged.

**** NOTE: Carry more water, even if you don't think you need it. Ran out several times on longer legs.

I decided to take a longer break to let the topical pain cream I had put on my knee have a chance along with the pain meds I took.

I was also expecting Eric to get there soon so wanted to chat with him rather than passing him going the other way.

My brother was at the stop waiting for Eric (he was doing crew for Eric) so we chatted a bit.

After 3 hours at the stop, I decided to just go out and I told my brother I would let him know when I spotted Eric as we were both really worried at this point.

He must have eaten something funky because he was throwing up everything moving super slow.

I wished him well and then let my brother know where I had spotted him and what was going on so he could prepare for it. 

I had again re-taped my feet but with good stuff this time.

I also had put some Vaseline over the tape to help reduce the friction.

At this point, it was pretty much too late but it would help some.

As I headed back to the Monroe station, which would be 40 miles into the event, my knee kept hurting but I could still sustain an ok walk.

It hurt to bend and also the pain was very localized, sharp, and didn't move around.

I started thinking it felt like when I tore my meniscus in 2017.

It was dark, I was tired, and I started wondering if I should stop at Monroe and quit.

I still would have 20 miles to go, had blisters, and if I did have a torn meniscus going on wasn't going to help.

It wasn't a full wall that some hit but I definitely was feeling down on myself.

I basically side stepped any decision and just kept going to Monroe.

Once I got there, I took more of a break, rested a bit in a chair provided by the volunteers, and had a bit more to eat.

I grabbed another ibuprofen and put more topical pain stuff on my knee.

At that point, it was getting close to the time I normally get up and I think I got a bit of a second wind mentally.

I got my lights hooked up on my vest, loaded water, put on extra shirts (it had gotten a lot cooler than expected), and headed out.

Eventually made it to the Hollywood station, the last drop bag location before the finish.

50 miles into the race at that point.

I asked the volunteers to help deal with the blisters on the sides of my heels.

**** NOTE: Build out a MUCH better blister kit.

They drained them really well and taped them back up.

I had some food and took another ibuprofen (which is way more than I should take in a day, I know, but I was hoping it would help with my knee).

My pace was still ok at 18 min miles at this point.

The event was not fun anymore for me tho.

It had turned into a pain endurance event, not a challenge physically, it was purely mental.

This leg was the detour around the tunnel and had a 1 1/2 mile long hill section with very steep paved hills.

When I got into the last rest stop, I was in tears and knew I was going to finish as I knew there was enough time in the clock that I could do 1 mile an hour and finish.

I iced my knee for a while and refilled my water. 

After a bit, I took off for the last leg.

I caught up to another runner, one doing the 100 mile event, and he was struggling a LOT mentally.

I slowed down a bit and we chatted a lot on the last couple miles into Belleville.

He started feeling better so was happy for him.

When we got really close to the finish line, I told him to go ahead of me rather than finishing side by side.

That way he got his time in the spotlight and could get his picture taken with just him.

My brother was there to walk in with me.

He kept asking if I wanted to jog at all but I didn't have it in me to do it.

I was on straight up mental block to finish thru the pain.

I crossed the line, got my picture and medal, and then went and sat down to rest the knee.

A volunteer brought me some pizza which she said helped my color.

I am not sure but it made her happy to help me.

I am home now and have a doctor appointment in 90 minutes.

I will do a follow up post once I know more.

I suspect, if it is a tear, that I won't know for sure until I can get an MRI which might take a bit to get depending on scheduling.

I also don't know what will happen with my other goals for this year.

****************

Over all feelings:

I hadn't realized how much I wanted to beat the course, not just survive the event.

I am happy that I finished.

I am satisfied that I accomplished the goal of doing a 100K.

I am saddened/frustrated/unhappy/unsatisfied that I had to do it like I did.

It feels like someone in a tough competition that wins the finals when their opponent resigns part way thru the final match.

It feels like I survived the event rather than run the race.

Looking at the some of the numbers from my heart rate monitor, I spent nearly 1/2 of the time not even in an zone.

That means that for 8+ hours, my heart rate never went above 85.

That isn't a workout.

That is a slow stroll and the only reason I still got a medal is that this even has such a generous time limit. 

I am already making plans for next year.

Talking to my brother on what we will do.

I am hoping that we can work out some of our plans and have crew there so he can run also.

If we can work those out, I will join a team for the Eagle UP and just plan on running 25 and running the 5 mile loops as fast as I can.

From my times now, I would love to finish all 5 of them under 1 hour each. 

Then to do the 100K in under 24 hours.

My Garmin has me only actually moving 19 hours.

If I had been able to take shorter breaks, not resting my knee as much, I could have finished under that this year. 

I want to cross that finish line totally wiped out and collapse due to exhaustion.

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

#DoEpicShit

#badger100k

#tenjunkmiles

Drop Bag List

Doing my drop bag list.

Still have to get some waterproof bags but having the list will also determine the size needed.

Badger 100K Drop Bags
3 locations
2 are used 2 times
1 is at turn around

Meds:

Pill Packs with AM/PM vitamins

Imodium

Rolaids

Tylenol

Ibuprofen

Clothes:

2 x Undies

2 x Shorts

2 x Shirts

2 x Socks

1 x Shoes

1 x Cap

1 x Water Bottle (spare)

General:

1 x Chest Light

1 x Head Light (camp only)

1 x Pkg Baby Wipes

1 x Blister Kit (See list for contents)

1 x Battery with charger cables (phone/headset/watch)

1 x Spare Headset/Ear Buds

1 x Body Glide

1 x Can SunScreen

1 x Can Bug Spray

1 x Loose Face Mask for bugs

Food:
2 x Jerky in ziploc for travel
4 x Quest Bar
4 x Mandarin Orange Cups
1 x Jar Sunbutter
1 x Pkg Tortilla
1 x Jar jelly or packets of jelly
2 x Monster
2 x Crystal Light Citrus
6 x Lemon Propel Packet
6 x G2 Packet

Blister Kit:
1 x Roll KT Tape
1 x Roll Hypafix
4 x Needles
4 x Lancets
10 x Alcohol Wipes
1 x Hand Sanitizer
1 x Small Container Oil
1 x Microfiber Towel

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

#DoEpicShit

#badger100k

#tenjunkmiles

New Shoes and Race Thoughts

I had been wearing my Ghost 12s and really liked them.

Obviously I wore them out with the miles I have been putting in.

I had bought a pair of Ghost 13, sticking with what had been working for me.

Unfortunately, they changed the design of the shoe enough that I can't wear them anymore.

They changed the heel cup and the part that rides up the achilles tendon.

I was developing a raw spot on the back of my tendon where it was rubbing the skin off.

So, I had to go out and find some other shoes. 

I did a lot of research online but it is hard to tell what will work without trying them on.

Talked with my brother, Squigman, and he suggested a couple of stores.

I decided to try out Run 'N Fun in Burnsville as they were fairly close and had a lot of choices. 

My other choice, River Valley Running , was a bit further and I had other errands to run that made Burnsville a better choice.

After explaining what I was looking for, some of the issues I have had in previous shoes, and verifying my size, the salesperson as the store started bringing out shoes.

I would try on a pair and if they didn't feel good right away, they went into the discard pile immediately. 

If they felt good initially, I would fully lace them and jog back and forth a couple times in the store.

I slowly worked thru over a dozen pair of shoes and had 2 pair that I liked.

I will admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how helpful the salesperson was in bringing that many shoes out for me.

He also suggested a couple other variations that were not quite "equivalent" to the Ghost.

These had more cushion or in the case of 1 pair, a nylon plate.

In the end I chose 2 pair since I was basically down to 1 newer pair that I wasn't super happy with and 2 pair that were older.

1 pair was the New Balance 880. 

I like how they feel and have been able to put miles on them without a real break in period.

Overall I am satisfied with them and don't have any complaints but there is nothing special about them.

They seem like a basic pair of shoes for me.

They will do the job of letting me run in them.

I would rate them a 6.5 of 10.

The other pair of shoes I got were the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. 

They have a lower drop, 8 vs 10 or 12 in most other shoes.

They also have a nylon plate that works as a rebound plate for your stride.

I was able to start running with them without a break in period.

Personally, I don't think shoes really need much of a break in period anymore, maybe 1 or 2 shorter runs but that is all.

Anyway, the lower drop isn't really noticeable to me.

I didn't have any stretching or calf issues so the drop hasn't negatively affected my running.

What I have noticed after doing multiple runs, is that every one of my runs has been faster and seems easier.

With my walk/jog/run method, I am normally in the lower to mid 13 min miles on my morning runs. 

While wearing these shoes, every one of my runs has been in the mid 12s per mile.

On a whim, I did a 5k and was within 10 seconds of my PB.

I might have been able to beat it, but I wasn't really paying attention and had started slower with my normal warm up pace for the first mile.

I think with minimal extra training, I could beat my PB, which is still on my list of goals for this year.

Right now I am still doing long distance training overall with occasional shorter faster runs. 

I would rate them a 9.0 of 10.

More color options would help with the rating. 

I have my Badger 100k run in 4 weeks.

Working thru what I want to have in my drop bags.

Just realized this morning I will need to have lights in the bags for the overnight portions.

Wish the battery packs were interchangeable and not hardwired to the light itself.

Might try to play with one to see if I can convert it to have a plug in connector on the power wire so I can switch out the battery pack. 

I also need to stage more headphones since the longest any of them will go is 7 hours or so. 

And battery for the phone.

Battery and charging cable for my watch.

I have changed the watch to default to UltraTrac.

Not worth purchasing the Coros watch yet (maybe).

I will admit I really like the idea of having it.

Only having to charge my watch once a month is a really nice feature.

But, is the battery worth the $600??

Guess I need to do some research on drop bags and what people recommend.

Then figure out what I will actually think I will use.

Do I switch shoes? or stick with 1 pair for the event?

Might be ordering some bags from 'Zon to put stuff in.

Thinking of the Marchway waterproof bag in 20L. 

Can't decide on color tho.

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

#DoEpicShit

#badger100k

#tenjunkmiles

 

A Missed Goal Isn't a Failure

Went down to Canal Fulton Ohio for the Eagle Up Ultra.

I had a goal of doing 100k with a fail plan of doing 50 miles. 

I had done several 20 mile training events.

Doing legs and taking breaks with the idea of being sustainable for longer intervals.

Were my legs still able to function after 20 like they were at the beginning?

I knew that barring some catastrophic event, I could do 50k.

Which still, in some ways, causes cognitive dissonance for me. 

I know I am more of an athlete now but I still remember being the fat guy that couldn't walk 3 blocks without needing to stop. 

Eagle Up is a significant race for me.

It is one that is closest to my surgery date and is a good gauge of the changes that I have gone thru. 

This was my 5th time doing it in 1 version or another.

• 2017 - Blown knee/Torn Meniscus so I just took pictures and had my race deferred to the following year. I weighed between 300 & 325 around that time. I was able to still function and did walking, which is how I blew my knee out. 
• 2018 - Rucking division because I was too big to run in any way. At this point I was doing the stuff to get to surgery but still hadn't gotten everything set. I was 375 pounds. I finished my 2nd lap sometime after 1am and cried on Eric's (race director) shoulder as I was a broken man at that point. I was so done, I even struggled the 100 yards back to my camp and someone ended up helping me with my ruck. 
• 2019 - I rucked again as I was just starting to get to the point where I could run but wasn't ready to try the event as a runner. I was still struggling with my self image and rucking was a good way to move but not run and feel less than the runners that I kind of felt jealous/envious of. I got 35 miles and stopped as I didn't have time to get to the next award level and was tired but could have kept moving but barely. 
• 2020 - The event was cancelled due to covid so I did a virtual version of the event at home. I had been training hard for it and felt good. I had a 5ish mile loop planned out and was doing it. I had to sit out over 2 hours due to weather and managed 50+ miles. I might have made my 100k that year but not with giving up that much time due to weather. I also realized I shouldn't have been doing the hill as that much elevation gain was taking a lot out of my legs. Felt ok at the end and was still moving but only at a walk or a jog for 10 seconds at most.

That brings me to 2021.

I had been doing 5 mile loops for training so I was used to doing that long on a single lap. 

I had switched to running at lunch so I could be used to more heat since I was still wearing cold gear into May for my morning runs. 

I was working on hydration and nutrition ideas for what would work better than what I had done in the past. 

I ended up struggling with shoes since the my newer Brooks Ghost 13s had changed the heel cup and had started causing blisters on the achilles tendon area compared to my Ghost 12s. Unfortunately, I only had 1 pair of the size 11s since I had finally dropped enough weight to need to move down from the 11.5s I had been wearing. I had a pair of 11.5s but they tended to cause blisters in the heels due to movement.

I had been training to do 1 jog lap followed immediately by a walk loop. That would get me 10 miles and allow me to maintain while getting some rest.

So, how did my event go?

Got a late start on the course because, of course, I had to make a last minute porta potty stop. 

Legs were a bit tight from travel but loosened up after a bit and I got into my intervals. 

Paid attention to the times so I wasn't pushing too hard.

I knew I needed to keep the pace to a long term sustainable one. 

Still had multiple miles in the 12s but was trying to keep them to 13-14ish.

Finished the first lap in 1:09 so on par with my training runs.

Felt good.

Grabbed some food stuff on the way by camp and headed out for my 2nd half of my planned loops.

Lap went well and got back right at 2:30ish for 10 miles. 

This was right about where I was hoping and I knew that if I could keep anywhere near this, I could get to my 100k.

Took a break, changed clothes and socks. 

Ate a little bit but was trying to not do much of that on the break before my run loop so just had a bit of brown rice.

Refilled my water bottle and changed out to my second pair of shoes to give my first ones a chance to dry out. 

Started out a bit fast and had a 12 min mile on first 2 miles so forced myself to slow it down. 

Finished out the last 3 with 14s and really felt good.

Stopped to grab a small bagel with lunch meat, a protein drink, and refilled my water bottle.

Went out on my walking lap and that went well.

At this point, I was ahead of my required pace for 100k by over 1 hour and my legs felt great.

Took another break to change gear out.

Now I had a choice of going back to my first shoes (which I probably should have) or go to my 3rd pair which were the 11.5s with bigger inserts to try to help take up the slack of being slightly too big. 

The heat at that point had gotten over 80 and it was really starting to take a toll on people.

I knew that if I waited, I could have more energy later but I didn't want to lose my chance at the 100k so I pushed thru and went back out. 

I should have carried packets to help refill my water bottle with G Zero or Propel but I didn't think about it so I ended up just using water. I also didn't realize that the coolers at the water stops contained ice for the runners so I was using the luke warm water from the coolers which is NOT my thing at all. 

My pace for that loop was 14s and 15s so I felt good about that but the heat definitely wasn't helping. 

When I got back for my refill before my walking lap, I took a longer break.

I was also worried about my Garmin as the charge was down below 40% and I couldn't figure how to turn on Ultra Trac while a workout was going. I knew how to do it before one so it might just not be adjustable during. I asked around for a cable and had several looking for one to get my watch recharged. (more time taken).

Went out for the walk portion and it was HOT. 

17 & 18 min miles with the water stops.

But I was putting ice in my water bottle at this point so that was helping some. 

Also was walking with some others that were struggling so I was going a bit slower than I might have been able to do.

Finished with 30 at this point and it was hot and I was feeling it a bit. 

I managed to find my cable to charge my watch so I got that going and changed into new clothes. 

I swapped out the new laces in my Ghost 12s that fit since the new ones were too stretchy and were allowing my feet to shift a bit. 

I also put on some friction stuff on my feet.

THIS might have been a mistake since I hadn't been doing that before but I was hearing about how so many were dealing with blisters and I got worried. 

I hadn't been using it for any of my training runs or laps so far. 

I don't know if it affected me on this lap but I ended up with a blister on the ball of my foot. 

After the loop when I decided to stop.

Sunday morning after my shower.

As you can see, it isn't bad but by the positioning, there was not much I could to to prevent it from getting much worse.

I had never had one there before, so even if I had put preventative tape on, I wouldn't have done it there, it all would have been on the heels where I have blistered before.

At this point, I chose to stop the race as I had my 50k level and I didn't want to hurt myself more trying to push thru. 

Many were pushing thru on blisters but I couldn't justify it for myself. 

Not sure why, but I chose to play it smarter for me at this point. 

I still had enough time, if I had taken short breaks to get my 100k but that would have required me to be at the same pace I had been at and with a blister, I wasn't going to be able to do that. 

I could have tried for 50 miles, but that would be 3 laps on this blister.

Was it the right choice?

Did I wimp out?

Could I or should I have pushed thru the pain and gone for more?

Some might doubt my decision but I am fine with it. 

I don't need to prove my toughness to others.

I can still celebrate getting 35 miles, having my legs still be strong, and knowing that if a blister hadn't been the issue, I could have done more. 

If anyone wants to tell me I am less of a person for stopping, I will just remove them from my life. 

I don't need that toxicity around me.

Am I sad that I didn't go on?

Yes, I wanted to hit my goal but my goal wasn't worth long term health risks. 

Once you blister badly, you are more susceptible to blisters in the same spot.

And once I recover, which should be fairly quickly as it is healing nicely, I can get back to running again (after I figure out shoes).

This is this morning already.

Tuesday morning and no loose skin, just discolored.

Will I do the Eagle Up again? 

Definitely YES.

I looked and the sign up isn't live yet. 

I will be looking for it and will be back since it is such a personal race for me. 

Some fun pics during the race.

Seems many people got pics of these guys.

I didn't take many this year, something I need to keep in mind for next year.

Pics with people and things.

So for an odd issue during the race, my watch didn't seem to have a solid charge.

Not sure why as it was 100% on Friday morning. 

Elsolel also said the GPS tracking wasn't working, so I wonder if something was up with that and was causing it to drain faster.

I was going thru nearly 15% power per loop. 

Luckily I found my charger but it was annoying. 

Also glad the Fenix 5 allows charging during an event. 

But, I have decided that my next watch will probably the Coros Vertix, unless they have a new model before I need it. 

Not planning on upgrading unless someone wants to buy my old Fenix 5 from me before it dies. 

It has a MUCH longer battery life and seems to be the go to watch for endurance athletes. 

And after looking the cost of a new Fenix 6 with the stuff I want on it, the price is about the same. 

The Vertix has a 45 DAY life outside of doing GPS and 60 hours during a full GPS event. I can go with an extended setting of GPS and do 150 hours. 

It will also allow charging during an event so makes sense.

Even if I am not doing an event, only having to charge the watch once a month (2-3 hours), it is a great option. 

Now for what I learned during this event and the training leading up to it. 

FOOD/NUTRITION is critical during the event.

I only burned 4000 calories during the 35 miles but if I hadn't been putting any back, I know I would hit a wall a lot sooner than I would eating.

I am sure people have heard this or at least should have but I was able to experiment a bit and found options that really helped me. 

Mini bagel with lunch meat worked good as a filler and helped provide some calories. 

Jerky worked well and I could carry some in a ziploc back in my running vest.

Protein shakes were good during the walking legs.

Still need to figure more carbs but the rice wasn't bad but needed more flavor as just plain brown rice is NOT a great flavor for me but I am sure was good for me.

G Zero and Propel packets won't provide calories but work well with water bottle. 

Popcorn is good for snack between legs.

Need to find out if I can tolerate Nutella or find a way to carry or provide Sun Butter for myself at events. Sun Butter on a tortilla would be really good, even with a small bit of jelly (maybe those packets).

A lot to figure out for future events.

Also depends on if it is a loop or an out and back.

Are there drop bags?

If so, what will work in them?

SHOES/SOCKS

Proper fitting shoes are a must. 

I probably should have stuck with the 1 pair that fit great or just used those and the others that were really close. 

I shouldn't have tried to make a pair that didn't fit right make do for me. 

Also need to see how much changing out the trail injiji socks with the thinner ones affect me. 

It might be that the thicker trail ones, on such a hot day, basically cooked my feet and helped cause the blister.

A thinner sock might have been cooler. 

Could the insert have been too soaked and caused the moisture so maybe swappable inserts between legs?

HYDRATION

I should make sure to carry packets of G Zero/Propel in my running vest for stops. 

This will allow me to keep getting electrolytes when I am sweating. 

Also ask for ice if I don't see it. 

I could have been getting ice every mile or so earlier on to help keep cool if I had asked before on the course. 

Having cool/cold water makes a big difference versus warm water on a day when the dew point is in the 70s. 

So there are a couple of future races that I might go to.

The Badger 100 has a 33 hour 100k option.

It costs $200, expensive to me, but probably not compared to other events.

I am just not used to that much.

But I have paid $125 for an event before.

That is July 31-Aug 1.

My brother is planning on it and so is Eric.

Since I want my 100k Badge, this seems to be the best way to do it since it has such a long race cut off. 

I am also being asked if I want to do the Tuscazoar 100 Race.

If I do it, I will only do the 25 mile option.

It is put on by Eric so I know it will be a solid fun event. 

It is more of a trail event which is NOT what I normally run at this point but it has a generous time cut off so I could walk it if I needed to. 

Not expensive and is over the Labor Day weekend. 

Final thoughts:

I look at the pic at the top of this post and depending on where I am mentally, I am proud of it and I am ashamed of it. 

Proud of where I have come from, the fact that I can actually run for it, and am fit.

Ashamed as I still see the loose skin, the flabby spots, the imperfections.

I know I shouldn't feel ashamed but at some level I still do.

I fight that body image where I am not good enough. 

I am getting better about recognizing that voice and stomping it down but I am sure it will always have a small tiny voice whispering in my ear.

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

#DoEpicShit

#EagleUpUltra

#EagleFire

#TeamRWB

Last Minute

Follow up from last month:
Took some time then got back into running.

It was slow getting going again but I also had to deal with a lot of bad weather.

The gym was getting even busier and even a couple times a couple of the treadmills were full.

It is extremely annoying being at the gym and the equipment you want to use is occupied.

Mostly due to the fact that 1/2 of the treadmills are blocked off due to Covid. 

Anyway, May has been been going well, but I feel like I am behind the curve for the Eagle Up Ultra in June. 

I shock myself when ever I tell someone that I am not worried about doing 50k but the 100k is going to be a push.

Just 3 years ago, I had issues walking 8 blocks. 

Now, I am running 5 miles most days of the week and more on weekends.

This next Saturday I am going to do either 3 or 4 legs of 5 miles. 

Since it also includes a hill, it works out to a great training run set.

Debating on trying to find a charity thing I can do for the Eagle Up.

See if people will sponsor me for miles run.

Just not sure if it is worth trying this close to the event. 

Any thoughts?

I just bought a new house.

Found out there is a great trail that is about 11 miles long and starts about 1/2 mile from the new place.

It ends up at a Casey's convenience store so I can use that as a turn around point. 

So I can get in some good runs.

There are major roads that cross the trail about every mile to mile and a half so Elsolel can meet me if I have issues.

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

Scared to Run

On Thursday, 20210401, April Fools Day, I got hit while running by a vehicle.

They drove away, so it is a Hit and Run now.

This is the 3rd time I have been hit.

I called the police and gave them the information I had on the vehicle.

I know it isn't enough for them to do anything really.

They would have to be very lucky and have the person that hit me admit to it.

I was running early in the morning, directly away from the sun, wearing a hi vis yellow shirt, a flashing red light on my back, and was in a cross walk.

You can't get much more "safe" as a runner on the street.

And this person still managed to hit me. 

I got lucky that I only hurt my wrist a bit bouncing off of the vehicle.

This morning was the first time I was able to get out to run.

I felt all sorts of anxiety, worry, anger, sadness, and frustration about the run.

I was worried that I was going to be hit again.

Anger that someone would hit a person and drive away.

Sadness that something I enjoy would be so tarnished by other emotions.

Frustration that I was dealing with all of these emotions for something that I enjoy.

Why should I have to work thru all of these emotions to just go out for a jog.

I have thousands of miles on the road and I do my best to be safe.

I wear a lot of light when I run before sun up.

I wear high visibility gear. 

I run on sidewalk when I can or on the correct side of the road when a sidewalk isn't available. 

I plot my run so that I cross at cross walks where ever available or in very remote areas where there aren't crosswalks, I make sure to cross in very visible sections after checking carefully. 

I am not happy that I have been thinking about things I can carry in my hands that would damage vehicles if this situation arises again.

Can I wear/carry brass knuckles so I can punch a car?

Can I wear tactical gloves with hardened knuckles so I can punch a car.

Can I carry a kubotan spike to poke/scrape the vehicle or hit the glass to break out a window?

Do I need to buy a body camera to wear so I have photo evidence of people breaking the law and endangering me?

I don't want to have to go spend at least $150 for a basic camera or $500 for something like a GoPro just to have legal evidence to allow police to pursue criminals that are trying to kill me?

It might be different if I wanted to get a camera to document some special event like running an OCR or hike thru Yellowstone. 

Instead I am looking to buy something to help me against people that shouldn't be allowed behind a wheel as they pose a danger to the general public. 

I have been searching and found one I like but it isn't set for delivery yet.

The Akaso Bravo 7. 

The 7 LE is available but the new one is a serious upgrade. 

It is a 3rd of the price of the GoPro and the previous versions have great reviews on Amazon. 

Might just look for an older one too for now, just to get something.

More later as I work thru this.

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

Feb and March

I had set a goal to write a blog every month.
I had started one for Feb but was waiting on stuff and never actually published it.
So this will be a combined one for both months.

Feb was doing ok, slow but ok, and then we hit a cold spot.

And by cold I am talking wind chills to -40ºF.

It was so cold that I had issues even leaving the house.

I did get some exercise at home but basically decided to just take the time off and not worry about it. 

March started out well but then I started having issues with cramps and serious lack of motivation.

Still struggling with motivation.

I can't really run outside on a regular basis yet.

The gym has made a point of really pushing classes and it has gotten crowded.

Between having to wear a mask full time now, others that don't have good gym etiquette, and just having to run on the treadmill, I am struggling to go like I used to.

Turns out the cramps are related to the protein I was using.

I was using Equate from Walmart since it was a great price compared to name brands and tasted good.

They had to have changed the formula since now it turns into sticky warm yogurt consistency and is hard to drink.

I have to dump it into a shaker and use milk or something to cut it to make it drinkable. 

I was also starting to develop a lot of gas and cramping.

After switching over to Fairlife protein, I have been doing better.

Still working on the motivation but feeling better.

Even worse, is that I have 5 cases of protein I can't drink anymore.

That is $75 worth of protein that I have to get rid of. 

I did get a 5.5 mile run outside in 74 minutes, so just under a 13:30 pace. 

While that isn't spectacular for me, it wasn't bad, especially considering the fact that I haven't been doing that distance on the treadmill.

Weather is still iffy for running outside yet.

I don't like to run where there is a chance of ice.

I can run in below freezing temps but there can't be refreeze on the sidewalks or it just doesn't allow me to run easily.

I am hoping I can get some more in after the rain in the middle of this week.

Just depends on the roads/sidewalks. 

Have to schedule a follow up for my blood work.

See if the change to my meds, mostly copper, help at all. 

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

Evolt Body Scan Results

Went in this morning to get a body scan at the gym on their Evolt system. 

I knew that I had gained weight and felt I had more body fat from my last scan and pictures.

The results came out better than I was dreading. 

I went from 86.5kg to 92.3kg, so a 5.8kg gain (12.76lb). 

I was worried that it was fat but hoping that I had some muscle gain.

My lean mass went from 77.6kg to 80.1kg, so a 2.5kg gain (5.5) pounds of muscle.

The body fat gain is understandable and acceptable since the first scan was when I was running my marathon distances for training. 

I expect it would drop again this summer as I put more miles on again.

Just don't want to lose the muscle gains I have worked for. 

I almost completed a pull up this morning.

I got my chin even with the bar but couldn't get above it without kicking. 

I have to check out the Rogue website for their pull up bands since the gym has some.

I need to find out how much they help so I can judge my progress better. 

Might even get a few myself if they are reasonable price. 

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

Some Success

I have had some small successes so far this year.

I haven't managed to complete a goal yet, but don't expect to do that for a while.

Status on my goals tho so far:

Do a strict pull up

--    3 sets of 5 pulldowns at 160 (80% body weight)

Sub 30 min 5k

--    Managed a 35:39 5k on Saturday but still had gas in the tank. Was testing running intervals.

--    Tried running longer distances at 8.0 speed on treadmill and can't do those well enough yet, let alone enough of them to do a 5k (8 intervals)

--    Did manage to run a full mile at 6.0 on the treadmill 20210126 and still had some tank left. Might have to rethink the interval thing if I can run longer distance at slower pace, I might be able to still do it.

100k Ultra

--    This is going to happen at the Eagle Up Ultra or if that can't go due to Covid, I will do it mid July, either on the weekend of my 3 year WLS or on my birthday weekend.

1000 mile total

It always starts low since treadmill running sucks for longer runs.

My distance tends to look like a bell curve, lower at the start, ramps up over summer, then tapers.

I just need to make sure my lower months don't put me too far behind for my summer months to not be able to make it up.

--    Event Progress

--    1000 Mile Challenge (2021)

--    Today: 2.11 Miles

--    Total: 45.30 Miles

--    Percent of Event Complete: 7.12% (Day 26/365)

--    300 Mile Goal Goal: 15.10% (Avg 0.75 / Day to Complete)

--    700 Mile Goal Goal: 6.47% (Avg 1.93 / Day to Complete, 4.56 to Catch Up)

--    1,000 Mile Goal Goal: 4.53% (Avg 2.82 / Day to Complete, 25.93 to Catch Up)

Body Weight Bench Press

--    I was able to do 5 sets of 5 Bench at 135. Last set was extremely hard and I almost had to bail to the sissy bars on the bench frame to save me. 

--    This will take a while to build up but I am showing improvement in just the couple of weeks I have been working on it.

1.5x Body Weight Squat

--    I haven't started this. I have been concentrating on getting back into my running.

--    I think I will do 2 workouts a week, 1 with a regular straight bar to work on form and 1 with the leg press and smith machine to concentrate on strength. 

--    I will probably start lower weight and higher reps as I get used to doing more leg exercises with my running.

1 blog post per month

--    Jan is obviously good so far.

PENDING:

EVolt measurements on 20210129.

I expect to have gone up in body fat but hope muscle has also gone up some too.

NSV:

As I mentioned above, I managed to run a 35:39 5k and had plenty in the tank.

This is just a bit over a minute slower than my PB at 34:21.

While not quite my 30 minute mark, I should be able to beat my PB soon.

Since I don't count my treadmill runs towards PBs, it will have to wait until I get outside to accept it officially, but I can still do it on the treadmill and get the knowledge that I can do it. 

The other NSV was running a full mile non-stop on the treadmill at 6.0. 

That is a 10 min mile. 

I had gas left in the tank when it was done and I was not overstressed.

I will try to do it again next week at 6.5 speed and see how that goes. 

I think I will need to do it on Monday tho, since it took a bit for my legs to loosen up after doing sprints yesterday. 

Still have to think of what I want to do with my Running Rewards from last year.

I put $0.25 per mile into a jar.

I would round up as needed and also if I did a strength workout I added another $0.25.

I have $250 to use on something.

I don't want to use it on something I would do anyway, like getting a new pair of shoes. 

All of the races I planned on doing this year, unless I do a obstacle run, are already paid for and most events don't really "inspire" me to do them right now. 

I am debating on whether to spend it on something running/athletic related or on something completely outside of that like buying 20 MP3 albums or audio books or finding a cool class and taking that. 

Will keep thinking about it.

I started my jar again for this year and already have $15 in there. 

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

SAD 2021

I noticed that I have been more negative about myself. 

I was making more cutting comments about myself and how I wasn't good enough. 

I had a very negative self image for a LONG time.

For a long time, I didn't even date because I felt anyone I was attracted to would only date me out of pity or I was the last guy on earth type of scenario. 

Those feelings affected me in just about every aspect of my life and outlook to life. 

I never fully doubted myself as a person, just how good I was for other people. 

I always had that core belief in myself that the Marines built on.

Normally I notice it and am able to make the mental boot strap techniques to bring myself out of it.

For some reason, I wasn't really able to do that this time. 

I kind of noticed I was being negative but I didn't stop myself from doing it.

I talked to Elsolel about it and I think it might have been a combination of a couple of different things.

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or at least some version of it might have something to do with it.
• Covid & all the event cancellations last year which caused a lot of my goals to go unfinished in 2020.
• In the last 2 weeks I have been waiting on my testosterone prescription and have been using 1/3 of what I should be using in order to make it stretch out. 
• Closing of the gyms and bad weather preventing me from working out like I had been has caused me to lose levels in my fitness.

I am hoping that by blogging about it, I can put some of my frustration out there and turn myself around. 

Usually, me acknowledging the issue will allow me to start working on fixing myself.

I know that one thing that will help is me getting my workouts on a regular basis.

I have my goals for this year that aren't tied to events, except for the 100k which I plan on doing at the Eagle Up Ultra. 

I am making progress towards those goals and I am sure that will help too.

For a non fitness thought, I saw these t-shirts advertised and ordered a couple of them. 

I also sent them a note asking if they would do up some of their designs in tech shirts so I could use them for events and running. 

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho

2021 Start and Goals

2021 has started.

I made some of my goals last year and missed on some others. 
I wasn't really good about them later in the year.

I think I just lost motivation and wasn't good about getting to the gym.

Covid and cancelled events just got to me and then the gym being closed made it harder to do workouts.

This year, 2021, I have made a more concrete and defined fitness goals.

• Do a strict pull up
• Sub 30 min 5k
• 100k Ultra
• 1000 mile total
• Body Weight Bench Press
• 1.5x Body Weight Squat
• 1 blog post per month

I have gained a bit of weight.

Not sure exactly if it is muscle or fat so plan on going in next week to do another EVolt scan at the gym.

I am sure I have gained a bit of body fat overall but am hoping it hasn't gone too bad.

I will be doing the scan next Friday.

I will get pictures and measurements again.

This should give me a solid baseline for 2021 to see how things change thru the year as I get back outside and do more running and lifting.

I need to make sure I keep aware of my body and not let myself slip and gain too much back.

I know over the winter that it will be harder, especially due to the gym closing but I don't want to let it get out of hand.

On a side note, a co-worker is going in for WLS in a week.

He is going thru the liquid diet preparation now.

I am hoping it all goes well for him and he is able to use the tool to improve his health.

#YIAAGAITIA

#IAmWorthIt

#DFQ

#OneFatGuysJourneyToHealth

#SelfWorth

#WLSSuccess

#IfNotMeThenWho