| Author | Message | ||
     Mikej |
Thought I'd start a section for those looking to drop a few pounds, shed some lead, improve their athletic skills, and whatnot. Plus, the folks reading the Racing section would probably rather read about bike prep, not rider prep. So, post your pounds if you dare, or comment on your goals or program or conditioning plan. I'll start: Runner's World magazine website has a link to a beginner's running program that seems pretty good. Starts off as a run/walk routine for 30 days, gets you into the exercise mode gradually and hopefully healthfully. Injury-free is the way to be. I pushed too hard too fast and am now suffering thru shin splints (not fun). I also like bicycles, and plan to cycle a bunch this year. Also swam on the swim team in high school, and may get back into that some. And running, cycling, swimming all add up to Triathlon, so I'm thinking of maybe doing a few of those as well. Well, assuming I can get some running endurance in. Assuming everything comes together, I'm considering Sprint distance and Olympic distance triathlons. I'm not even going to consider an Ironman Triathlon (well, not this year anyway). So, anyway, my health started to suck, my weight went up, and up, and up, and I decided it was time to drop some weight and get back into shape. Rule of thumb: it took 20 years to get this far out of shape, so it will take more that 20 days to get back into shape. I currently work about 22 miles by road from home, and I plan to start commuting to work by bicycle once the roads stop freezing in the morning. Plan is to bicycle to work Monday and Wednesday, motorcycle to work Tuesday and Thursday, and then Friday's (a half-day workday for me) will either be a long bicycle ride after work of 60-100 miles, or I'll start using the pool at the university and get my swimming going again. Then, one of the Illinois Buellers mentioned something about maybe doing some rock climbing this summer. So, since I've done a little of that 30 Lbs ago, and since there are two indoor climbing gyms around here, I may get active in that some as well. Let's see, I actually saw the scale hit 250Lbs this weekend, but I was full of food. That was enough for me to say that's my max!. My weekly average weight is running between 245-247 in the mornings. My goal is 200Lbs, but conditioning will drive my progress, not the calender. Okay, enough typing. Next? Arvel? Court? We can make this a competition if anyone wants to, either total pounds lost, or who can run the farthest the fastest, or we can just make it more of a supportive conditioning assistance network. I'm in this for the long haul, and I'm tired of not being able to run a lap on the high school track without walking. Time to dump the lead and get into some shape. And if anybody is up to it, there should be enough 5k runs around the country so that if any of us gather for some Buell event, we could probably find a local fun-run to enter. Most of those finish before 9am, which is usually way before most Buellers are active in the mornings. MikeJ (do I get paid by the word for this?????) | ||
| H_Man |
Mikej, I'm in for a Buell run that may occur during Homecoming. I'll keep my eyes open for one. If there isn't one, then I'll gladly be your running buddy in the a.m. I usually do an 8 minute/mile pace (depending on the terrain. If it's hilly, that pace won't be maintained for long). I've no problem slowing down if it means enjoying someone's company. Besides, the Recon shuffle suits me fine for distance work. While I would like to drop a couple of pounds (195 to 182), I run mostly to maintain my eating habits. I suppose I should look at the nutritional and quantity aspects of good health a little closer. Next time you're up in the Motor City area, maybe you'll have time to be my guest at the gym? Provided you'll be staying overnight and it isn't Tuesday BRAG night? Be seein' you. H-man | ||
| Mikej |
Uh, maybe I shouldn't say this, but I walked over to the HS track last night and ran a 440 yard lap. My shins were hurting, half the track was covered in ice and snow and slush (that should cover me for excuses), and my time was 3:50, which I think works out to something well over 8/min. miles. I hope to be at an 8/min pace by this summer for at least a 5k distance. The Badgerland Striders have a pretty good calender for races in the region. For the Homecoming timeframe they have a 3mile/6mile fun run listed for August 29th, and a bunch of stuff listed for Sept 1st. I'll keep you posted for the next time I'm over there near MotorCity. If you run too fast I'll just ride the bicycle.  | ||
| S2no1 |
The starting Point: 03/05/00 Weight: 245 lbs (ouch) Waist: 40 inches (double ouch) Arvel | ||
| Clydeglide |
I'm glad to see you guys want to get into shape. My last year of regular exercise and watching the diet had me 20 lbs. lighter and a lot more comfortable on long runs. Since then however I joined AA, yes, Athletes Anonymous. Now every time I want to exercise I call a sponsor and they come over with a case of beer and a carton of cigarettes. We sit and drink and smoke until the urge passes. Clyde | ||
| Ralph |
I would rather be shot than run a block. Seven years in the Infantry did nothing to help. Mike, the entire time I had shin splints. I've been doing nothing but changing my diet. No sugar, the rare carbohydrate and all the slab o' haunch I can eat. bighairybutslowlygettingsmallerralph | ||
| Blastin |
Mikej I'll take you up on some of that. I ride bicycle (mountain bike, my road bike is out on loan) a lot in the summer and as far as I can tell were just about in the same area. I'm on the west side of West Allis right near Greenfield Park (124th st). That's about 4 miles from Hal's new location. I plan on doing a lot of riding this summer, both powered and pedal powered, and I sure could use a riding buddy. I plan on riding the Glacial-Drumlin Trail from Waukesha to Cottage Grove and back sometime. A group of us always do the Oak Leaf Trail that goes around the Milwaukee County (~76miles) every year, your welcome to join us. I'm not all that ready for the running part. I've got a bum knee that doesn't like to cooperate some time. But I'm willing to work on that. Besides riding a Blast with no mods, the best mod I can make without actually doing anything to the bike is to improve the power to weight ratio. In other words, get rid of that case that is covering up my six pack. Ping me and we'll talk Jerry | ||
| Mikej |
Yep Ralph, sometimes that's all it takes. I worked with a guy a few years ago who lost about 30Lbs just by stopping eating doughnuts. ===== What can I say Clyde, some of my best friends in life have been members of that club. A few have even carried their Budweiser in their water bottle cages on their bicycles. Just stand back when they get thirsty and open up their beverages. | ||
| Mikej |
Jerry, I'm in Hartland near hwy16 & 83. Let me know when, the Oak Leaf loop sounds good. | ||
| Mikej |
Motivation for those with even a casual interest in rock climbing: from Climbing magazine Warning: taking a CAD training class with free doughnuts is a baaaaaaad thing. | ||
| S2no1 |
Update: Weight now 242. Arvel | ||
| Mikej |
245.5 | ||
| S2no1 |
Update: Weight now 240. Arvel What's with the .5? | ||
| Mikej |
I've got two scales, one is digital with a bodyfat percentage guestimater, and the other one which I prefer is an old doctor's office model with the sliding weight bar (even has the height stick in case I start to think I'm shrinking ). The .5 is from the digital one. I figure I've got to hit a weight several days in a row before it counts. Otherwise I might just be dehydrated like I may be tomorrow if I get up early enough to bicycle the 20 miles into work. Good thing I'm in my own little corner. Now go eat some ice cream with hot fudge topping and wash it down with a soda or a beer. Might give me a chance to catch up some. Actually it looks like you're doing good. I remember reading someplace that 5-10 Lbs a month is decent, and the closer to 10 you get the more you're pushing it. | ||
| S2no1 |
Mike, From here it gets really difficult. I also weigh the same for two to three days before I post. How about some snickerdoodles with milk? Arvel |
