Category Archives: New Year’s Resolutions

0 to 5k in 38 minutes

For those who have read my New Year’s Resolution blog you’ll know that one of my goals was to run my first timed 5k. Well it’s been a month and I’ve done three so far, 2 of which were timed and 1 was for fun. The first one was the glow run and it was obviously a night run and time wasn’t really a factor. This was truly my first 5k and I had a blast.

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My first official timed event was supposed to be the Rock N Roll mini marathon, but I signed up for the Best Damn race a few days prior to the event. The day of it was freezing and I was thinking what the hell did I get myself into, but after the start I threw on the iPod and went into a zone. From there on out the only thing going thru my mind was concentrating on the task at hand, which was completing the run. Seeing how this was my first run I had planned on a 45:00 minute run. Pleasantly surprised I was when I crossed the finish line at 38:25.

BDR

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This past weekend we ran the Rock N Roll event in St Petersburg, Fl. The wife ran the half marathon but I chose to run the 5k. Not knowing what the parking situation would be like we found ourselves down there extra early to allow for parking and walking to the start line. With an hour or so to kill prior to the event we walked around and tried to keep as warm as possible while mentally preparing for the event. Some funny things worth mentioning were some of my songs and how they showed up while on shuffle. The first song worth mentioning was Tone Loc vs. Salt N Peppa Wild Thing vs. Push it. Random first song but maybe my iPod was onto something as Mile 1 seemed to be a fast one for me. Everything else was a blur up until the end when my song playing when I crossed the finish line was Midnight Star Freekazoid. While I found the funniest one of them all was when I was listening to my iPod still as Nanci crossed the finish line several hours later. Her song for finishing her half marathon according to my iPod was MC Hammer here comes the hammer. I just laughed as anyone who knows my wife would find that totally hilarious. When crossing the finish line for this event I turned in a 36:59 for the run. Not what I was shooting for but a respectable number from what everyone tells me (especially for my second timed event).

mike rnr official time

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While I’ll admit I don’t get the same rush others do from running the race and crossing that finish Line. I do understand where they are coming from as it’s the same rush I get from playing paintball and winning the game.

What sport or activity do you get a rush from doing? Have you been following thru on your New Year’s Resolutions?

Setting visual goals

As part of my New Year’s Resolution I decided that I was going to lose weight. While I did have a number of pounds to lose I also chose an article of clothing for my goal. Not surprising but I chose a pair of paintball pants as my article of clothing. They were given to me as a gift by a friend who I consider family and that’s why they’re special. I could have very easily had them swapped for a size that fit, but they are my motivation pants so I kept them. The motivating part is in the fact that they are a medium/large (which is a 32 to 36 waist). See when I started playing paintball I started in XXL pants and over the past year I’ve been able to move down to an XL. While playing this past Sunday I noticed that my pants were getting loose so I decided to try on the medium/large pants that up until now I couldn’t get into. Much to my surprise I was not only able to get into them, but button them up and move around enough to possibly play in. While I may hold off on playing in them, it surely was encouraging to see that my goal is attainable. Finding motivation in any way shape or form is important to keep on the right track. In my case the scale has been moving slowly, but I can see it in my clothes and now my motivation pants.

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What goals did you set for yourself in 2013? How do you plan to measure your success as you go towards your goals?

My first 5k

Those who have read my blog on my New Year’s resolutions will be familiar with this one already. One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2013 was to run my first timed 5k event. I’ve done the Warrior Dash and Turkey Trot in the past, and we are doing the Glow Run 5K this Saturday, but those were for fun and now I’m keeping time. So with that in mind the only question I have is which one do I choose. While talking to the wife, who is a running junkie, she immediately provided me a list of potential races. I’m happy to say that I’ve officially registered for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Mini Marathon. Being the inaugural year we figured it was fitting that this be my first run as she’ll be doing the half Marathon that same day. I do have to say I’m excited and nervous all at the same time. Excited because it’s yet another resolution on my 2013 list that I will have knocked off the list. Nervous because I’m afraid, afraid of failing and not meeting the hour time limit I have to complete the 5k. As I sat here and typed this blog post apparently my wife in the background was registering me. This way she knew this would be my first. Be on the lookout for my blog post on the actual 5k and my first timed run experience.

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What New Year’s resolutions have you made happen this year? Are there any you are afraid of or afraid of failing at?

Day 1 of the New Year

As day one of 2013 came to a close I’m off to a good start on my resolutions, but then again who isn’t on day one. What is usually a hectic morning was filled with lounging and laziness. This was a great bonus as it falls into the “me” category. The wife and I then decided to go grocery shopping which included a lot of healthy food and no junk. I now know remember how expensive it is to eat healthy. The wife and I are also off to a good start for the year health wise as she’s decided that she wanted to go back to Weight Watchers but I’ve decided to try it on my own thru diet and exercise. Weather today was awesome so the wife and I decided to take the boys for a walk and it felt great to be out of the house. We’ve also signed up for the Glow Run 5k which is January 12th in St Petersburg, Fl. All in all today was a great start to the New Year and what will hopefully be a great year.

How did you spend the first day of 2013? Have you gotten started on implementing any of your New Year’s resolutions?

New Year’s resolutions

With 2012 coming to an end I’ve started thinking about New Year’s resolutions and decided 2013 is going to the “Year of Mike”. Something I’ve tried in the past but failed miserably at due to letting others manipulate my schedule. The year seemed as if it flew by and now with 2013 approaching it’s time to set some resolutions.

Fitness:

In 2013 I plan on creating a workout routine and sticking to it, holding myself accountable with goals and rewards. With that being said I’ve decided my goal weight is going to be 200lbs. This will leave me with about 35lbs to lose over the year and I know I can do it if I stick to my guns and workout as I have in the past. This will also be the year of my first 5k race. I’m not sure when or where, but I will commit to and run one.

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Vacation:

In 2012 once again I’ve failed to take all my vacation time, time which my company gives to me and if I don’t use it I’ll lose it. I’ve determined vacation is going to be a key ingredient in making my resolutions a success. Vacation will also allow me more time to be spent doing the hobbies which I love to do. Hobbies that help maintain my sanity as well as reducing stress.

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photo 2Charity:

Charity is another area where I was lacking, but I feel 2013 will be a great year for us and doing as much charity work as our schedules will allow us to. This is going to be the year we spend growing “Jingle Bikes for Kids”.

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Family:

Family time seemed to be at a minimum for 2012. I’m hoping to spend more time doing family “functions” or “activities”. Family activities this year seemed to be at a minimum due to work schedules. Vacation time and working normal hours should allow for this to happen.

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Blogging:

I know I haven’t been blogging long, but I plan to be more active with my blog in 2013. This past year if I’ve only learned one thing about blogging is to post often. I’ve been thinking about this one for a bit and I’ll be attempting to expand my blog over the next year and create a more structured approach. I’ll be incorporating several items and features which over time should take me to where I’d like it to be.

What goals have you set your sites on for 2013? How do you plan on reaching and maintaining them?

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