6.2.2012 Progress Report

I just thought it'd be a good idea to go back and look at where I was when I began in January and see how it compares to now. In January, I had become tired of slowly gaining weight. I hadn't done much since I tore my meniscus in 2008 and we had our son Liam in 2009. I'd jog every once in a while and was always dreaming of getting back into shape. I just never took the action to make it there though.

There were a few things that pushed me to finally quit putting it off, get off my lazy butt, and start working! In no apparent order they are...

I was starting to feel really sluggish and lazy. Liam was growing up, getting bigger, and I was getting weaker. I would lift him up sometimes and hurt my back or feel really fatigued. I just didn't have a lot of energy. I felt like such a slug when I'd have to forego playing with him because I had just tweaked my back... I'm only 31! I shouldn't be having those concerns!

I was getting close to 200 lbs. I have vowed to never go over 200 lbs, for me it just seems like way too much considering where I've been and I just never want to get there. For other people with different goals, I understand 200 is fine. I'm not saying the number itself is bad... for me it is bad. I hit 193, which is about 15-20 lbs more than I was in the best shape of my life. Being only 7 lbs from hitting 200 I had to do something, if I didn't I know for sure I would make it there.

I wanted to be a good example for my son(s), #2 was on the way at the time. I've always pictured myself running, riding, and just being active with them and the way things were going for me, I would easily be left in the dust and not much of an inspiration. I want to be the kind of Dad that inspires his kids through actions and accomplishments, rather than just saying, here's a bike go ride... or here's a bat and glove go play. Then telling them stories of how good of shape I was in earlier in life. It's possible to be in good health throughout your life, so many people have proved it. Age is no excuse, especially not for me.

Finally, there was a movie... Warrior. I've never been into MMA, I respect it and the athletes, but I've never followed it or had the desire to do it. It's just a really great movie and story. The story in itself is really inspiring, a struggling guy with his family uses his natural talents to support his family and fulfill his desire to do what he's good at... at least that's what I got out of it! I see myself a lot in that guy and it inspired me to do better, much better. I know that I can be good great if I apply myself. I just have to commit and I think I'll surprise even me.

So for the progress up to this point.

I weighed around 193 lbs in January, right now I'm hovering between 184-186, I'll call it 186.

My resting HR was 63, it's now 52.

My fastest mile time has improved from 7:11 to 5:54.

My distance and the speed at which I cover it is constantly getting better too.

On April 21st I ran the Garmin 5K in 21:11. I know it's not great and it's not as good as I used to be, but it's heading in the right direction and I know I'll get better. My training 5K times are already better than that. We'll see what I do on July 4th in my next race. My goal is to finish between 18-19 minutes.

So, this is all from January to now. I don't have any bike or swim data yet. I'm going to start working those in soon. I've been doing work on the spin bike, but nothing to note any progress.

In short, I'm getting lighter, faster, and stronger!

Here's a graph from Endomondo of my running workouts from January to now. You'll have to click on it to see it bigger. But as you can see in green, I'm putting in progressively more miles (green), my average speed is getting faster (dark blue), my average mile times are in turn getting lower (light blue).