I think I'm Ten Pounds Ahead!

I haven't lost much since my last post. I have gone off my diet a couple of times (a convention trip, Thanksgiving) and have nearly plateaued. However, when I think of it another way, I can take some satisfaction.

During the months of November and December, I am usually good for 10 pounds of more of turkey, fudge and Chex party-mix pounds.

So, since I haven't gained those pounds, in reality, haven't I lost them?

It is probably that kind of logic that gets me into trouble.

Has Old Age Set In?

I have been dieting (I know, everyone says you shouldn't) and I have lost somewhere near 30 pounds, since the first of September. I topped out around 340 (that's fat, guys) and last I weighed I was down to 313. I think I've dropped a couple of pounds since then.

However, I am beginning to wonder if the effects of old age have finally started to hit me. I have not been able to run in months, because of foot and knee problems. I have been at, around or over 300 pounds for nearly a decade and I continued to run and involve myself in sports activities. Is it possible that the wear and tear has finally caught up with me? I don't know.

I am getting a elliptical machine to "run" without the pounding. We'll see what happens.

I Need to Lose My Wife!

No, its not as bad as it sounds. We just realized something the other day. The amount of weight I need to lose to be at my "ideal" weight according to the insurance tables is almost exactly what my wife weighs.

So, essentially, I am now a healthy thin Dave, carrying around my wife piggy back all the time. No wonder my feet hurt.

Frustrations

I continue, in spite of my "Death March" to gain weight. I never feel like exercising in the AM and my afternoons and evenings have been too busy to go for it. Something has to change! I guess its me.

I have been thinking of doing a few weeks of Dr. Atkins, or perhaps a diet I have used before, "The Dave Diet"

No sugar.
Lower fat.
Reduced starches.
No junk food.

I am getting to the point where I can't get out of chairs easily. I cannot do much of anything!

Finished!

I was able to complete the Bataan Memorial Death March on Sunday, March 30. It took me around 11 and a half hours. It was a brutally hot day, with 30+ mile per hour winds. The first half of the race is generally uphill, (1500 foot climb) and this year it was into the wind. I was ready to quit at the 14 mile mark, just after topping the mountain. I decided to keep going downhill, got a bit of a second wind (downhill, wind at back helped). By the time I got to the dreaded sandpit, I was too close to the end to quit. I hobbled in and crossed the finish line.

It is now Wednesday. I am back at work. My feet still hurt but I am recovering.

A New Goal

I have a new goal. I am going to El Paso this week to do the Death March, but I have made peace with the fact that I am not going to finish. I did a 10 mile walk/jog Thursday, and it was pretty clear that I didn't have 16 miles of energy left.

Why am I going?

1) I love El Paso and the White Sands area. I fell in love with it last year.

2) Hanging out with Tommy Duncan and his dad is never boring - crazy sometimes, but never boring.

3) The Death March last year was one of the most inspirational things I ever took part in.


My plan:

1) To go as far as I can.

2) NOT to kill myself. I am not a hero.

My new goal:

Last year, I finished the race and Tommy dropped out at around the 16 mile mark. I figure if I can get past his 16 mile mark before I drop out, I will still have the 2 year bragging rights.

Is that noble? NO.
Does it make any real sense? NO.

But it is more realistic than planning to finish.

With Lowered Expectations,

Dave

Hope

I got out and ran 6 miles yesterday (ran 5, walked 1). I still am not sure how I'm going to get up to 26 in 6 weeks, but I am going to try.

My knee gave me very little trouble during the run, but is very sore today. That seems to be the pattern. Run...sore knee...rest 3 days...run again.

right now, though, the trend is up. The knee seems to be getting better. I am guessing that losing 75 pounds wouldn't hurt it much.

I HAVE A QUESTION: If anyone reads this who is more modern on these things, please respond.

Years ago, when I was a slightly more competitive runner, Runner's World magazine had an article about running with injuries. Here was their rule of thumb: If the injury gets better or goes away when you run, after a mile or so, it is safe to run on it. If it gets worse when you run, you need to quit and rest it. If you limp at all when you run, rest. I have used this rule over the years, to pretty good effect.

But I am wondering if this rule is still advocated among trainers and others. Anyone know?