Been a while

Wow! It sure has been a  while since Ive updated this blog. I am back on track and thought I would just update on whats been going on.

The Team Firefighter 90 day challenge is in full swing now. We are just over 3 weeks in and at my third weigh in I was 9 pounds down. I am still maintaining a plant based diet although I do fall off the wagon at times. I find it hardest, as I always have at the firehouse. My crew is supper supportive but there is just to many temptations.

I recently ran the 9-11 heroes run 5k in Annapolis. Except for a very poor speech by one person, it was a great day. Farica and Braeden weent to the race and it was the first time for each of them at a race of mine. The on duty crew from my station was there as well. It was a very moving day and I was very honored to be a part of it. It was a little warm and the course will hilly but to my surprise I had my best time to date with a 10:26 average for a 5k time of 32:26. It was so special to cross the finish line with Braeden and Farica waiting.

I have been running for a couple years now and have always avoided hills and the especially the Naval Academy Bridge. I dont know why but for some reason the always seemed impossible to me. Yesterday after work I decided to take it on. I set up a 5 mile run and crossed the bridge twice! It was not hard at all and I just laughed at myself for avoiding it for so long. I am adding alot more hill work into my training and I will answer why at another time.

Training is in full swing as my fall race season is just a few weeks away. I added a another half and ready to get it on. I read so many race reports I just want to finally right my own.


Calander

2012
March 17th- DC Rock and Roll Half Marathon (2:45)
April 8th- Charlottesville 8K Road Race (55:36)
April 27th/28th- American Odyssey Relay- Gettysburg to DC (32:04)
Sept 9th - Heroes Run Annapolis, Md (32:26)
Oct 21st - Blue-Grey Half Marathon, Gettysburg Maryland
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.

2013
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3
Febuary 2nd - Fight for Air Stair climb. Boston, Ma
March 16th/17th Shamrock Marathon Whale Challange. 8k and 26.2
April 26th/27th - AOR #2 Gettysburg to DC
May 19th - Columbia (Md) Tri
Aug 23-24th - 24 Hours of Booty, Columbia Md
June 23rd - Rev3 70.3 Williamsburg, Va
Sept  Its a surpise!

Post #1 Team Firefighter 90 day challenge

http://teamfirefighter.blogspot.com/2012/09/team-firefighter-90-day-challenge-kick.html

Here we go again! I am back on another weight loss challenge. I am tired of this life long struggle and hoping in combination with my running, plant based diet, and the tremendous support of TF I will finally beat this.

If you dont know I am a member of Team Firefighter. The ling to our team block is attached. TF is a group of male and female firefighters across the country who strive to promote health and fitness in the fire service through Sports. ie running and tri's. We all know what the new fire service is and part of that is the leading cause of death is cardiovasicular. I will argue that some of this is due to cyanide but this is not the forum for that but the truth is we are out of shape. Of course "we" is a very general term but we have all seen the guys the make me look thin doing the job.

I learned how tough it is last night on a CO call that reguried me to gear and pack up for an extended amount of time. It was Hot, and it was humid and I was beat. No hard work, no fire nothing taxing. Just venting and monitoring. I have run 4 marathons, run 4-6 days a week and was beat. With my gear and pack on I weigh over 300 pounds. That my friends is no good.

So our challenge stated on Sept 1st. I tipped the scale at 255. I weighed 283 when I went plant based, lost 40 pounds with that and lost focus. So 4 days in I am 100% plant strong with a new vigor and comittment to a plant based diet. I feel great, already my mood has changed and I am sleeping better. I am hitting my race season and as you can see it is a long one.

I posted a shirtless picture on the team blog and it is the most embarrassing thing I have ever done and even worse it is now public. I am focused. I am determined and with the great brother and sisters of Team Firefighter I will stand on the mountian top and lead by example to improving our health and fitness so we can enjoy life after our career and much as we do live the dream everyday.

Calander

March 17th- DC Rock and Roll Half Marathon (2:45)
April 8th- Charlottesville 8K Road Race (55:36)
April 27th/28th- American Odyssey Relay- Gettysburg to DC (32:04)
Sept 9th - Heroes Run Annapolis, Md
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3
Febuary 2nd - Fight for Air Stair climb. Boston, Ma
March 16th/17th Shamrock Marathon Whale Challange. 8k and 26.2
April 26th/27th - AOR #2 Gettysburg to DC
May 19th - Columbia (Md) Tri
Aug (tbd) - 24 Hours of Booty Columbia Md
June 23rd - Rev3 70.3 Williamsburg, Va
Oct 2013 Beach to Battleship 70.3
Jan 2014 Bone Island Full Distance Tri 140.6

A new day

Today is a new day. For the last 3 weeks my diet has gone to shit. Eight days at the beach and laziness at the firehouse has taken its toll. I fell like a truck hit me. I have a constent headache. I dont sleep well, just in a sour mood. I can say without a doubt it is because I have strayed from my plant based diet. Thankfully Team Firefighter is having a 90 weightloss challenge and I am taking part. The disipline and plants start again today. With Happy Herbivore, Eng 2, and FOK in hand I will get back on track and feeling like a person again.

As part of the challenge I posted a shirtless picture and my measurements on our team page. This single act is possibly the most embarrassing thing I have every done. I will use it as my motivation and hopes that positive results will inspire others to take that first step to improve their health and change of lifestyle. Farica is right by my side and will be plant based with me for all our meals at home so I dont have to cook different meals for each of us and to make this easier for me. Together we will continue to improve our health and be an example to Braeden so he will never have these struggles.

As you can see I have have added ore events to my calander and have made Disney My A race. I am setting a time goal for this of 5:00- 5:15 for the race. My running has continued and am super psyched for fall running.

I am starting rehab this week for my neck and shoulder and that only means I can get back in the pool and bike and get back on track so I can finally enter the world of triatlons. My first was sposed to be this weekend and sad that I wont be able to do it. That is ok because I will continue to fight another day. I wish all my TNT family a great race at Nations. You have trained well and I have no doubt you will finish the race.





March 17th- DC Rock and Roll Half Marathon (2:45)
April 8th- Charlottesville 8K Road Race (55:36)
April 27th/28th- American Odyssey Relay- Gettysburg to DC (32:04)
Sept 9th - Heroes Run Annapolis, Md
November 18th - Philadelphia Marathon
December 8th- Seashore Marathon, Rehobeth Beach. De.
January 13th- Disney World Marathon #3
Febuary 2nd - Fight for Air Stair climb. Boston, Ma
March 16th/17th Shamrock Marathon Whale Challange. 8k and 26.2
April 26th/27th - AOR #2 Gettysburg to DC
May 19th - Columbia (Md) Tri
Aug (tbd) - 24 Hours of Booty Columbia Md
June 23rd - Rev3 70.3 Williamsburg, Va
Oct 2013 Beach to Battleship 70.3
Jan 2014 Bone Island Full Distance Tri 140.6
(and What ever else I can add on)