Oops!

    Sorry that it has been so long since I've posted!  Been running around like a chicken with my head cut off lately, and kept forgetting to update.

    My training has been going pretty well as of late, though I haven't been running as much as I would like to be/need to be. I was in Texas over Christmas and went running there a time or two, and boy was it nice to be able to breathe normally again!  I love it here in Colorado, but the elevation is no joke!  The good thing is that being able to run here will make it a lot easier at the lower elevation I'll be facing in Ohio for the marathon.

    Registration for the race actually opens up for a cheaper price here in a few hours and I plan on signing up as soon as it opens up.  Going to sign up for it anyway, so might as well do it from the get-go!  If nothing else it will be continued motivation for me to keep working out.  I hope that everyone has a happy NYE, and a wonderful 2013!

"Stop wishing for it.  Start working for it."-Unknown

Always,

-Steve, Stever, Steve-0, Steven, Stove, and all the other names I'm called behind my back :)

Yeah, or not!!

      Most of you know that I'm in Colorado now, and most of you can guess that it gets a bit chilly here.  Well last night I went to try and buy some workout clothes that will keep me a bit warmer than shorts and a t-shirt for when I need to go run outside this winter.  All I want to know is when in the world did athletic clothes become so damn expensive?!!!  One of the "high tech" shirts/jackets I was looking at was $90!!  Another of the stay-dri shirts was $50!  Excuse me, but that is absolutely ridiculous for any type of clothing, let alone things I am going to sweat in.  May have to hit up the thrift store to find some better priced clothes, especially since I hope to not be fitting in them before long anyway!
      I have been asked what regimen I'm on to train for this.  Right now, I'm not doing any specific plan to get ready for this run.  That's not to say that I won't here soon, but right now I am merely trying to build endurance, and lose fat.  If you saw my previous post then you know that I have a lot of work to do in that area alone.  The good part again is that we are starting a biggest loser competition at work that will provide extra motivation for me to keep doing what I've been doing.  Our team name, as decided by my co-worker and I, is the Hungry Hungry Hippos!  It's nice to be around people who like me know we could spare a few pounds in our waistlines, and are willing to joke ourselves about it.  After all it's definitely my fault that I've gotten this big, so why not be able to laugh at myself some?
      Thank you again for those that have, and continue, to support me.  It definitely helps me get through those workouts when all I want to do is quit.  I keep the finish line in my mind, as well as the supporters I have.  I really do appreciate y'all!

"You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.--Michael Phelps

Always,
-Steve, Stever, Steve-0, Steven, Stove, and all the other names I'm called behind my back :)

Long Road Ahead

      I finally realized today just what I have gotten myself into.  That's not to say that I'm not still ready to accomplish my goal, but it definitely made me stop and think.  Judging by the responses I have gotten from friends and family I will have a lot of support along the way, and I am incredibly thankful for that.  I still need to talk to a few "experts" on some of the steps that I need to take to help me better accomplish my goal, but I am mentally prepared to start my workouts the right way.
       Couldn't work out at lunch today at work like I have been, but I did get a workout in when I got home.  Didn't really feel like doing it, but I can't start skipping days with only 9 months and a lot of work to be done between now and the marathon.  It looks like some of my co-workers are going to start a "Biggest Loser" competition at work.  This will be a good additional motivation for me, and will also force me to diversify my workouts so that I can reshape my entire body.  I'm tired of looking in the mirror and seeing a pillsbury doughboy looking back at me.
      Below are some pictures that some people that are reading this blog may not like.  This will be my one and only "warning" about the pictures that I will be posting on this blog from time to time.  You may not like the pictures, but I HATE them.  However, it's nothing more than what I look like in a bathing suit.  This blog is for ME though, and I need to keep myself motivated throughout the process.  I'm hoping that by posting these pictures, hating them, and doing weekly weigh-ins of myself that I will start to see some results.  That's what the following pictures are for.  They aren't pretty, but I am a work in progress, and nothing will ever be perfect.  I'm going to strive each and everyday to change the person in the mirror looking back at me.

"What a shame it is for a man to grow old without ever knowing the beauty of which his body is capable."--Socrates

Always,
-Steve, Stever, Steve-0, Steven, Stove, and all the other names I'm called behind my back :)

Crazy Idea

    Today I decided that I wanted to run a marathon.  I can't honestly remember the last time that I ran a full mile, let alone 26.2!  However, it is time to challenge myself in a way that I never have before.  I want, no scratch that, I NEED to be in better shape.  Right now I am overweight and that is especially bad for me because I have a history of diabetes on my dads side, and a history of heart disease on my moms side.  I know myself and know that if I didn't create a challenge big enough I would just coast through things and give up, or not work as hard as I should.  This challenge will allow me to get in shape, and maybe help me accomplish something that I never thought possible.
    Right now I am currently 5"11' and weigh about 220 pounds.  This is obviously far from anything resembling fit enough to run a 5k, let alone a marathon.  However, this is the start of my journey and I look forward to the challenges ahead.  It will not be easy, but then again nothing that is worth anything ever is.  I have chosen the Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio that will be held on the 21st of September 2013.  I honestly didn't chose this run by chance, but because of several important factors.  My mom, who died when I was 9, is from just outside of Dayton in a little town called Xenia.  She means the world to me even today and this will be something I do for her.  Another reason is when I was younger my then step-mom ran in the AF Marathon and while we were there my brother and I were able to hang out with my moms two sisters for a few days.  As they dropped my brother and I off at the finish line for the race, and walked away, I never dreamed it would be the last time that I would see one of them.  Unfortunately she passed a few years after that, and my last memory of her is walking away from us with her sister.  When I cross that finish line, it will also be a tribute to her.
    This blog will be far from perfect.  I'm sure my friend Nikki will sigh and roll her eyes at my poor grammar, especially my comma usage or lack thereof.  However, this is meant to be a running diary of sorts for me to keep me motivated, as well as a blog for anyone who knows me to follow me on my journey if they so choose.  I am forever in the debt of everyone who has already started to support me, and will continue to do so over the next 9 months.  Here's to the start of one of the craziest journeys of my life.

   "Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.  Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance."-- Samuel Johnson.  (Thanks to Ms. Brenda for the quote!)

Always,
-Steve, Stever, Steve-0, Steven, Stove, and all the other names I'm called behind my back :)