Keep on truckin'

Today I weighed in and am back at my low of 270.5 lbs. It's really odd how weight will drop quickly for a few days and then settle into a range. I've been in the low 270's for a couple of weeks now. I'm looking forward to the 260's!

Several of my friends are running races in the states this weekend. I'm thinking of doing another "Chiang Rai Triathlon" here to celebrate with them.

I particularly want to acknowledge my friend Paul, who's encouraged me since we met in October. I was in the states visiting and working out in the local gym. I remember I was down to 338 lbs then but really having a rough day. He came over and spoke just because he felt that he was supposed to give me some encouragement. We've been friends ever since.

This weekend he runs a 1/2 marathon at the Myrtle Beach Race. Paul's Blog can be found at: paultedder.blogspot.com

My new found Traineo and blogging friend Tim Wilson is running a 1/2 marathon this weekend as well. Tim's blog can be found at: blog.262quest.com

Bless you guys and you've got a friend in Thailand cheering you on!

Good distance but feelin' tired

This morning I ran 9 km and then biked to school, work, and home (25 km). I was zipping along on the bike but after a tough day I'm feelin' tired. I'm thinking that I'm maybe not up for back to back running days yet (or at least 9 km ones).

I keep getting close to the 260's, but haven't broken that barrier yet. That's part of the push but I've gotta learn to not push all the time... It's ok for it to take another week...

I'm also realizing with an increasingly busy schedule that I've got to plan out my training a bit more. Up to now, I've been deciding the night before what I plan to do. I'm thinking it's going to make sense to plan out a schedule, making sure to give myself light days and more challenging days, as well as days off.

Today's workout

This morning I ran about 9k and then rode my bike to work and back (21 km). I averaged 25.7 km per hour on the bike ride, which was pretty fast for me. Felt good!

Chiang Mai Trip

This weekend we went on a "pai teow", which loosely translates as "go places for fun". We went to the big city of Chiang Mai, a 3 hr bus ride away. We know it's a big city because it has a mall! Anyway, I put on my swimsuit to take the kids to the pool and there was no way to tighten it enough to make it stay on! Needless to say, I went out and got a new swimsuit.

Here's a picture of me and the boys playing in the pool.

Many of my clothes have gotten so ridiculously large that I've had to retire them. They've gotten sent to a nearby hilltribe village where they'll get turned into all sorts of items.

I had fun clothes shopping for the first time in years. My prior waist size was a 54, and the clothes I bought this weekend were a 42 waist. My shirts used to be a 3xlt, 4xlt, or 5xl. I bought several shirts in xlt (xl but with longer shirttails for tall guys). I'm amazed at fitting into sizes that I haven't worn in 10 years! I was having things custom made here but now I could buy things at the mall!

My new 42 waist shorts were actually loose enough that I had to get a belt...

We had a great active weekend, with several good walks and time in the swimming pool together. I read Stu Middleman's book, Slow Burn which is an incredible read about endurance running. I'm going to try to adapt his training schedule for my triathlon prep.

What a great weekend!

First Sprint Triathlon in 23 years!

When I was in my early 20's, I did a few sprint triathlons. Today, I did my first in 23 years! It wasn't an official event, just a one person Chiang Rai, Thailand race. I did 20 km cycling, 750 meters swimming, and a 5k run. Last weekend I did a 40 km bike and 10 km run, but I think today was a bigger effort for some reason.

My times were: Swimming 750 meters - 30 minutes, cycling 20 km - 1 hr, running 5 km - 35 minutes. I've ordered a book from Amazon about how to increase your speed and am looking forward to decreased times. For today, I'm reveling in the accomplishment of my first "Sprint" in years.

I also found it interesting that I was up for it today after my 1/2 hr of exercise yesterday. I think part of it was getting rid of the excess energy I couldn't exercise out yesterday.

(Sorry guys, it was only 5 km and I typo'd)

30 minutes of training hurts!

Today I had to take my own advice and chill! I woke up this morning late and was only able to get in 15 minutes on the elliptical and 15 minutes of weights. Then I was off to a day of meetings, errands, and more meetings.

It's so funny how the mind can change so quickly. 5 months ago, I didn't want to move for 30 minutes of exercise. Today it's just not enough!

Pushing the Envelope

Today was a milestone! Cindy and I went for a 42 km bike ride and then I went immediately on a 12 km run. Not quite a triathlon, but a biathlon! When I got back and showered and weighed, I had reached a new weight loss milestone as well, down 88 lbs. While that may be a weird number to be a milestone, it is exactly the weight of two water cooler bottles in Thailand, which weigh 20 kg (44 lbs) each! It's a tangible weight that I can see. I took a picture of myself with the two water bottles on my shoulders. Believe me, I'm glad to be rid of that weight!