Friday, March 22, 2013
Following up on "Being Pissed Off"
I decided to do something different and record this posting while out on a nice walk through the neighborhood on a cold but sunny day. Probably back to "hunting and pecking" in my next posts.
Click HERE to listen or download the file.
Enjoy and share your thoughts if you like.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Grrrr….. Now I’m pissed!! (At least I hope I am)
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
YUM YUM! THESE WORDS TASTE WONDERFUL!
Anyway, one of the very cool things about podcasting is that it’s MY podcast and I can choose to say whatever I want! Imagine that! A man being able to say anything he wants!! ;-)
But it gets better! Not only can I say whatever I want, I can actually THINK about what I saying before I say it, kinda sorta. If I say something really stupid, like for example “My name is Kevin and what I say goes”, I can listen to it over and over BEFORE I publish it. I have veto power over what I say. Cool huh? How often have you let something slip out of your mouth and at the exact same second it escapes, you think to yourself YOU BUTTHEAD!!
Let me give you a real life example…..
Episode 103 of my podcast was supposed to have a little rant in it about my facebook page. Maybe your facebook page too. You see, every 4 years at this time of year I get overwhelmed by “friends” posting their political views.
Now don’t get me wrong, they have every right to express these views. In fact, I would rather them have views of some sort than be ambivalent and not care at all with what goes on in Washington. I do not, however, “friend” people on facebook to read about how stupid this group is or that group is because of these views.
By the same token, I love going to the movies, but I absolutely hate it when actors jump on their soapboxes and for some reason I should think the same what they do because they perform their jobs in a way that I admire.
It doesn’t stop with Hollywood. Singers do it as well. Whether or not I agree or disagree with Madonna’s political views, if I had dropped $200.00 to go to her concert to HEAR HER SING, I would have been pulling my hair out at her latest ridiculous antics. I would have screamed “PLEASE SHUT UP AND SING”!!
Did you listen to episode 103? If you did, did you like the part where I ranted about that? AH HA! Didn’t hear it did ya? It’s still in a little folder on my PC, that’s why. After a few days of reflection, I decided why say it? Why risk making someone angry. Why risk having someone tell me they don’t listen to the podcast to hear this stuff from me? Why risk someone running along with me and the podcast and scream “JUST SHUT UP AND TALK ABOUT RUNNING”!
So, I pulled those words back. I shoved them down my own throat. I’ll just skim right over their facebook posts and get to someone talking about their latest run, or race, of sweet picture of their kids and wish BADLY I could do that in real life when I say something I shouldn’t.
Gotta go now. Snooki is asking me if her new pair of jeans makes her butt look fat……
Friday, August 31, 2012
She is not one of us
Today is Friday and I would give my eating and exercising a “B” for this week. I am still getting my tires butt up and out of the door 5 very early mornings a week. Not setting any land speed records but as I understand it, slow if just fine for burning calories.
My eating is still far better from 7am to 5pm than it is from 5pm to 7pm. Makes no sense that I am eating so good for the first 10 hours of the day than I am the last 2. But that’s how it’s falling out. That’s where my room for improvement is. Nice to have something to work on huh? ;-)
Let’s move on to something way more related to my running than my recent kick in the butt stuff.
For the past few weeks, since I’ve been doing this early morning running stuff, I’ve come to see and recognize a few other crazy people either out running or walking (some alone and some with their dogs).
One person in particular is a woman who, in the rather bright glow of my neighborhood street lights, looks like an attractive 30’ish blond. Although I run on the sidewalks, she likes staying in the street, hugging the side of the road.
From the first day I saw her I raised a hand and gave her a smile and a cheerful “Good Morning”. In 100% of those friendly instances, in return I have been given a completely blank stare. Not a smile, nod of the head, wave, grunt, not even the finger! Lest you rush to her defense, let me also add she is not wearing ear plugs and does make eye contact.
Now I grant you that females need and SHOULD be very leery when out on the dark street alone. In fact, I have pretty much forbidden MY wife from running outside at that dark hour of the morning. I give you that. But this woman has already made a different decision. She is out there almost every time I am. So we have seen each other probably 4 days a week for 6 weeks now. If I was going to be of some danger to her, wouldn’t I have done something by now? I’m NOT saying she should relax or let down her guard. Unfortunately she probably should never do that. But what harm is there to return a smile? Nod your head at me, raise your hand, stick your tongue out, tell me to “F” off.. Something.
Anyway, there are far more important things to thing about while I run. My beloved Ohio State Buckeyes have their first football game tomorrow!!! And I DO think about lots of other, more important things while I run. But for 10 seconds, 4 times a week, for the past 6 weeks, I’ve had this one thought in my head as I past this woman…. “You are running, but you are not a runner. I’m a runner and I have hundreds of running friends. You are not one US”.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
What's YOUR "Kick-in-the-butt"?
My eating has improved, although not where I need it to be. Honestly, eating during the day has been very good. My selection/choice of foods is better with oatmeal, Greek yogurt and more fruits. But my dinner and evening snacking needs some work.
This morning I was smacked in the face.
If you have been following my life at all, you know I am 55 years old and raising my second gorgeous and perfect family, one 5 year old son and two beautiful 3 year old daughters.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
"THE Plan", such that it is
Wednesdays my wife works from home and gets to sleep in a bit so I take them off so I don’t wake her any earlier than necessary. So, no running for me today but that’s OK. I have been taking 2 days a week off running and this is the usual one.
My eating is going well but let’s face it, it’s rather easy, or easier the first week. My motivation is high and it takes a whole week or two before the eating part really starts to eat at me (hehehe, I’m here all week folks).
I’ve been asked about my eating plan so I thought I would throw that out there and ask for suggestions/criticism.
I just can’t get myself to keep a detailed log of what I eat. I’m very good at doing it during the day while I am work. I use My Fitness Pal to track and log that. I like it a lot. You should check it out at www.myfitnesspal.com. You may find it helpful.
First of all, I need to determine how many calories I should shoot for each day. According to the tools at My Fitness Pal, to lose 1.5 lbs. per week, at my current weight, I need an intake of 1360 calories/day. Sounds kinda low to me but what the heck do I know? Good place to start.
So, my plan is to log my eating and exercise during the day. That will give me a very good idea of what I need to do in the evening.
Further, I really like the idea of eating the same foods for breakfast, snacks and lunch. Pick healthy and tasty foods and eat them day after day. It makes it a no brainer. No wondering if it’s good for me or what the calorie count is. So with that in mind, here’s my eating plan for weekdays along with some eating rules I have implemented:
• Breakfast is oatmeal. Calories= 200
• Morning and afternoon snacks are Greek yogurt, Calories = 130
• Turkey sandwich on wheat bread and a banana for lunch. Calories = 300
• NO eating anything after dinner. Nothing.
• No sweets. None. Not a couple of jelly beans. Nothing.
• Lots of water.
• Run at least 5 days per week.
Any more EASY suggestions? Don’t be shy but unless they are easy, and to me the ones above are easy, I just won’t stick to it.
And here’s something cool about using running to lose weight. Check out these numbers….
From what I listed above, when I leave work I will have consumed 760 calories. That’s actually 56% of my daily allowed total. Not too bad since my day/eating should be half over. BUT, when I run for an hour at an 11.5 minute pace, I burn 776 calories! So, in other words, on the days I run, I have all of my daily calories to consume for dinner in the evenings! It’s like I haven’t eaten at all until I sit down at the dinner table. Pretty cool huh?
Just THINKING about this little item above helps me get my butt outta bed for an early morning run. And I’ll take any help I can get!
There ya have it. On paper this makes sense. I may fail miserably during the execution, but at least I am semi-scientific about it. Beats the heck out of “I’ll just watch what I eat and exercise more and the weight will drop off”. If that works for you, more power to you, and I hate you! ;-)
Whatcha think?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Remember Me?
In my opinion, people blog for themselves. They blog to get things off this chests. To put in "ink" things that have only appeared in their thoughts. Reasons for needing to do this are as varied as there are bloggers.
So, anyway, for what it's worth, here I am again, for now.
This week I've been spending another great week with family, including my hot wife Snookie, in the family resort town of Ocean City, New Jersey. So much for kids to do in his family oriented DRY county and we have been taking advantage of many of them. Enough to make the local economy happy I think.
With temperatures beginning each morning in the low 70's and climbing to the high 80's, I have been looking forward to doing what every runner thinks about while on vacation, RUNNING!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
HAVE I LOST MY MIND??
The months of training I did left me on the couch most weekends trying to recover from my long runs. Although I was MUCH younger then, my body wasn't in the mood for 50+ miles with spead work thrown in for good measure, and I was ALWAYS on the verge of injury.
If I had a bad long run (slower than I wanted to run), I was in a bad mood until my next long run. If my speed work was not up to par, again I was agry until my next GOOD speed work session.
See a pattern here?
So for the past 15 years, running another marathon has never been far from my mind. The thoughts have usually been followed closely by "No way you can go through that again"!! And I still think that is the case, but....
What if there was a way I could train for a marathon and NOT spend the rest of the weekend or day on the couch? What if I could do it with a smile on my face? What if I could run 4 days a week and not have to put in 50+ miles?
Well, I've looked around, done a LOT of homework, and decided to swallow the Jeff Galloway Run/Walk/Run method!
If this stuff works, which I firmly believe it will, this next marathon, my 6th, will be the most fun I've ever had training for and running one!
So on February 1st, the first day of open registration, I entered the Chicago Marathon and have officially started this experiment.
And there is more... but I'm not just ready to announce the details yet. but soon... very soon.
So for a while, this blog will become my written documentation of how this deal is coming along.
Stay tuned....
Peace...
Monday, August 10, 2009
Remember Me?
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
2009 Plans Going Well
So one of my 2009 plans included getting into the weight room WAY more often than in 2008. This would mean lifting about 10 time all year since 2008 was a very BAD year for that.
So far, I've been a very good boy (for me), getting a lift in twice a week for the past few weeks.
It's funny, it's harder for me to get that done because I don't enjoy lifting like I do running, but AFTER I am done lifting, I feel very good. I just need to keep reminding myself how good I will feel after I'm finished. Piece of cake..
My running is going pretty good too. And by good I mean 3-4 times a week for about 20 miles a week. Won't be running any marathons of "Goofy Challenges" on that but it's a nice base.
Spent the whole weekend a couple of weeks ago watching my father in law paint the twins room. It was EXHAUSTING let me tell you!!! Got the beds and furniture all set up and decorated so we are all set. All we need now is a set of little gorgeous poop machines to fill it up. All goes perfectly on THAT front as well.Just hanging in and playing the waiting game so far.... Stay tuned...
Peace...
Friday, January 2, 2009
Lets get It Started!
This year, once again, is going to be a BIG one for me and my growing family!
Here are some of the highlights that I know of, coming up:
- My son Connor turns 2 in late March
- New TWINS will be born in early March
- My oldest daughter is due with my first grandchild in early June!!!
So, as you can imagine, my head will be spinning yet again this year! And this is only what I know about! We all know we have to expect the unexpected also!
So, you can imagine how important my health and exercise is going to be in the new year! It's no longer trying to get/stay in shape for a 2 year old. It's now more a question of SURVIVAL!!! The last time I was in this spot, (yes, I HAVE been in this spot before) I was 25 years old!!!! I'll turn 52 this April.
Enough of an incentive? One would sure think so, and I do too, but we shall see.
I've been wanting, and more importantly NEEDING, to put a WAY bigger emphasis on my weight lifting and muscle building, for the past couple of years. Truly, I am in very good shape aerobically. I won't win a marathon this year, nor RUN one, but I run 4-5 days a week and average 20 - 25 miles a week. Plenty to stay in shape.
But, although I know how important it is, I can't get myself to enjoy weightlifting like I do running, and so it doesn't last. THAT HAS TO CHANGE!!
So, that's the plan! Wish me luck and stick around to see how things turn out!!!
Peace....
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Kevin's Running Revelations
Friday, November 14, 2008
Welcome Back Kevin
After a LONG time without blogging, I'm back. Hopefully on a more regular basis.
We spent some time last week in the beautiful state of Florida in a condo on the beach. It always amazes me to see how much money there is along the beach front!!
As with every vacation I take, I ate WAY too much and once back, feel like a real slug.
Got a couple of nice runs in while I was there. But today is my last day of vacation and it's time to get serious again!
So can you believe it??? TWINS?? After my WILD 2007, I'm now in for another WILD ride in 2009. Let me recap...
2007:
- turned 50
- 1 kid graduated from college
- 1 kid graduated from Law School
- had a new baby (might need to re-read this one)
- 1 kid got married
Yea, all that in one year! So now, after a very boring 2008 ;-) I need to ramp up for 2009 when I have this going on...
- new TWINS in March!!
- new GRANDCHILD IN JUNE!!
Yes, that's right. My oldest daughter who got married in 2007 is now pregnant and is due June 6. So, I'll have a 2 year old and twins babies in March AND will be a grandfather in June!! (Head spinning)
So over the next week or so I will be reevaluating my work outs and eating habits AGAIN. I'm going to need all the energy I can get and I'm not built for that right now!
Wish me luck!!
Peace....
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Yep.. TWINS
I know many of you already know about this, from episode 156 of Phedippidations, and it's true...
My wife and I are expecting TWINS this March!!
Lots more to come, after I pick myself up off the floor.
Peace......
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Ever have some news you can't wait to share but can't yet because you are told you have to ZIP IT???
But I've said too much already. You better just keep checking back. ;-)
Peace.....
Monday, August 4, 2008
Long Time No Blog
But we really have been rather busy enjoying the summer together, doing lots of cool family stuff.
We made a long weekend trip to Chicago recently where we took Connor to The Lincoln Park Zoo.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is an awesome zoo right on the lake in Chicago that just happens to be FREE! I am serious! It's FREE! Not cheap, FREE!
And I don't mean FREE ZOO as in some "Carnies. You know, circus folk. Very small hands. Smell like cabbage." kind of way! It's an awesome zoo! If Chicago is in your future, check it out!
On the running front, it's been WAY worse than my family fun this summer. I'd have to say that on the "roller coaster of running", I'm definitely on the down hill side.
It started a few weeks ago when I ran twice in one day (total 10 miles) and started feeling some pain behind my left knee. Over the next few days, the pain moved down my leg and resulted in a swollen leg.
I finally went to the doctor and was sent for an ultrasound to run out any danger of a blood clot.
$500.00 later, no blood clot but a possible muscle tear in some muscle I can't remember nor pronounce anyway. I also twisted the same knee carrying luggage to the car for our Chicago trip and was unable to run for a few days!
You try going to Chicago and NOT running! That town (at least down by the lake) is running HEAVEN! But being there and NOT being able to run is running HELL!
The knee is improving SLOWLY, I think, but still not where I want it to be.
And of course, as is always the case, when the roller coaster is on the down hill side, my weight is always on the uphill side! Coincidence? I think not.
So it would seem I have my work cut out for me on that front.
Peace......
Monday, June 30, 2008
Back from vacation and ready for another one!
But it doesn't take an 8 hour bus trip to make a 15 month old happy! Thank goodness all THAT takes is a trip to the local school play ground. Remember when it was THAT easy to make yourself happy? Well I don't but it's that easy for me again!
On the running front, not a lot going on. Still getting out the door 4-5 times a week, but mostly leaving my enthusiasm at home. Not sure what's up with that, but I guess that will return soon enough.
I've been going to the track once a week for the past month for some interval work. It feels SO good AFTER I finish!!!
Just need to hang in another month for my trip to Chicago and more another long weekend of making myself happy!
Peace.....