Tuesday, November 19, 2013

30-60-90 Challenge

It's been a fun couple of months, sure, but it's time for me to refocus on my fitness and health goals. I've been active in big running events, but my training routine has suffered. Worse, my eating has become less about nutrition and moderation and more about speed and convenience.

Not surprisingly, my weight reflects my lack of fitness and my abundance of calories. And I am not okay with that. It isn't that I've gained pounds, because I'm not obsessed with weighing any particular number. It's that no longer feel fit. I have lost speed and stamina in my running and my core strength is noticeably weaker than it was even one year ago.

What do I do when I notice a problem? I jump full-on into a challenge that, hopefully, will help get me back on track. And this time is no exception.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my 30-60-90 Challenge.

For the next 30 days, I will complete the following:
  1. Run 3 miles, 3 times per week
  2. 30 crunches each day
  3. 30 pushups each day
  4. Eat within my calorie range 30% (2 days) of the week
For the next 30 days, I will complete the following:
  1. Run 6 miles, 3 times per week
  2. 60 crunches each day
  3. 60 pushups each day
  4. Eat within my calorie range 60% (4 days) of the week
For the next 30 days, I will complete the following:
  1. Run 9 miles, 3 times per week
  2. 90 crunches each day
  3. 90 pushups each day
  4. Eat within my calorie range 90% (6 days) of the week
I will likely find some other physical activities to do, especially during the first thirty days, and I will not overindulge on food on the non-tracking days just because I can. But I am easing myself back into a routine and think this progressive plan will be a challenge but also doable.

My challenge ends on February 15th, and I will celebrate that milestone with the California 10/20 Race, a ten mile coastal run here in North County San Diego. It will be fun to run in an organized event again feeling more physically fit and mentally ready.

So, here we go with my 30-60-90 Challenge!

Big Events Do Not Equal Great Training

It's been a crazy two months of running, including the Capital to Coast Relay, two separate Ragnar Relays, and the Marine Corps Marathon. It was a lot of big event types of things, and I loved (nearly) every minute of it.

But, here's the thing about events like that. They have a negative impact on my overall training.
Instead of a good week of training, I might only have a single training run during the week. Other days, I'm busy with travel, company, expos, sightseeing, etc.

Running the Marine Corps Marathon, for example, is way more than just one day's activity. It's a travel day there and a travel day back. It's an afternoon at check-in and the expo. It's dinners with friends and drinks after. It's a day to explore the city and play tourist. All and all, it was five days away from San Diego and my normal routine.

Now, multiply that type of weekend by the last eight weeks, and you get a better idea of how my training has fallen by the wayside. Sure, I ran from Austin to Corpus Christi one weekend. But I only ran 16 or so miles of it. And I was away from San Diego from Thursday through Sunday again. Another week, another several days of not working out at all.

I don't regret any of the events. I have had an amazing couple of months. From September 19th through November 9th, I have been coast to coast!

San Francisco to Napa, Ragnar Relay
MCRD San Diego, Boot Camp Challenge
Denver, Steampunk Wedding
San Diego, playing host 
Austin to Corpus Christi, Capital to Coast Relay
DC, Marine Corps Marathon
Hollywood, Hard Rock 5k
Las Vegas, Ragnar Relay

For now, though, my steady-travel days are on hold. And I have a plan to get myself back into my training routine. But that's for another blog.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Ragnar Vegas - Live Blogging?

Okay, this was a bad idea. I'm just gonna do updates on Facebook and I'll blog later.


Thursday, November 7, 2013

Ragnar Vegas - Hello, Sin City!

And we're here!


Ragnar Vegas - Fun with markers

Stop at Target for window markers.  Check!  Have fun with said markers.  Check!


Begin 80s dance party in the car.


CHECK!!!  It. Is. ON!!!

Ragnar Vegas - Lunch!

Of course, it's not a road trip without a stop for food.


Ragnar Vegas - Road Trip


We are officially on the road to Vegas. Ragnar, here we come!

Ragnar Vegas - Live Blogging

It's time for Ragner Vegas, and I decided that I'm going to live blog the entire event. Not sure how well it will work, but we'll find out.

First up, Kelsey and I have to go get the rental car.


Oh, and this is Kelsey!