I haven't lived in Grantsville since 2000 and even though I visit regularly, I don't get out about town much on those visits. This past weekend, we stayed over in Grantsville Friday night to attend my nephew's baptism the next morning. Since my training called for me to run 11 miles that day, I mapped a route of that distance around Grantsville and did my run early Saturday morning (started about 6:30). The following is what transpired, told in the present tense. My thoughts are in quotation marks (I wasn't talking to myself).
After fiddling with my water pack for a bit and finally getting it to stop leaking, I am off, heading north on Deseret Circle. I take a right onto Main and head east.
"Dave's car is already at the store. I thought I might have got up before him this morning. Guess not. Wonder how long he's been there. Is the store open? I know they're changing their hours but I can't remember when and to what."
I take another right onto Quirk, heading south.
"Which of these houses was Annie Eloriaga's? I know it was one of these. Didn't her mom once win a bunch of money in Wendover? She had a purple Mitsubishi Eclipse. And there's Grandma Twyla's. I wonder how she is."
I come up on Cowboy Drive (which used to be Cherry Street).
"When did they name this part of Cherry Cowboy Drive? Was it my junior year? I wonder how hard it was to do that? Did any postal carriers ever get confused? Can a city just decide to change a street name or does it have to be approved elsewhere? Does the city council just vote on it?"
I reach Durfee and take yet another right (apparently I like to run clockwise) so I'm heading west now. I recall what my dad said the night before.
"You're going to run on Durfee? Well be careful. There's no sidewalk or anything and not much of a shoulder. Make sure you run against traffic so you can see the cars coming at you."
I'm running with traffic.
Another runner approaches from the opposite direction. She is running against traffic.
"I thought you were supposed to run with traffic. That's what I always remember. Or was that just if you were riding your bike? Should I try to say something funny? Like 'you're going the wrong way'? Probably not. Is she running faster than me? Maybe I better try to run a little faster."
"Good morning," I say as we pass.
I reach Hale Street and am now passing Grantsville Middle School. I remember Mr. Despain and Mr. Callister and Mr. Camp and Miss Harrison and Miss Lindberg. I remember Kyle Matthews and his buddies snowing me when I was in 5th grade and they were in 6th.
I pass Orgills.
"They have a nice yard."
I cross Park ("Ryan Keisel") and Center ("Aaron Allred") and then turn right onto Cooley, heading north. I never spent much time on Cooley.
"Do I even know people that live on this street? Well there's Bishop Tayon's house. I know him. And I was in Esteem Team with Michelle. She always said she was going to come back and blow Grantsville up. I wonder if that is still her intention."
I pass Vine ("Justin Hislop") and Peach ("Shelly Larson").
"I never realized Peach was this close to Main Street."
I watch for cars as I come up on Main Street but it's clear when I reach it so I'm able to run straight across without breaking stride. As I pass Clark Street, I hear a yell and turn around to see my dad. I wave.
"He doesn't want me to stop and go talk to him, does he? I mean, you can't really stop in the middle of a run? Is he wanting to run with me? I don't think he can keep up. I mean, he's over sixty years old. It's impressive that he's made it this far, but he can't run with me. I'm running 11 miles!"
I continue running.
"Palomino Ranch? I'm pretty sure that wasn't here when I lived here. I wonder how long that's been here. There are some pretty nice houses. Is that where all the Wal-Mart DC employees live?"
I pass a sign that says "Road Damage."
"Only in Grantsville would there be a permanent sign indicating road damage. 'We're not going to fix the road, but we'll put up a permanent sign so that you know it's damaged.' Of course, in Elwood, we'd just have the permanent damage and no sign."
I'm off the pavement now and wondering how far north Cooley goes. I'm supposed to turn right on Vegas Street, but I'm not sure how far that is. I come to a street with no sign, but it really doesn't look like there will be any more cross-streets further north. I take a right, hoping this is Vegas Street.
"I wonder why they named this street 'Vegas'. There are like two houses on this whole street. If you're the only people that live on a street, do you just get to pick the name? Why would they pick Vegas? I guess I'm not even sure that this is Vegas."
I reach the intersection with Burmester. This time, there's a sign. It was Vegas Street. I turn right again and head south, back toward Grantsville proper.
"I wonder if a lot of people get on the freeway this way. I always went and got on at Lakepoint, but I wonder if you live in West Grantsville, this is faster."
A couple of cars pass. I'm looking for Race Street. According to Google Maps Race Street has an east-west part and a north-south part. The east-west part is supposed to intersect with Burmester. I'm getting pretty close to North Street though and still haven't seen it. I pass Koester Street, which I didn't even know existed. "This must be it." I turn left onto Koester.
"Man that house has a lot of cars. I wonder why they have all those cars."
I've reached the end of Koester and I'm in a field. I have to turn around and go back to Burmester.
"I hope no one saw me run both ways. I'd feel like an idiot."
I'm back on Burmester heading south again. I reach North Street ("Cassity Bleazard") and turn left again. I pass Justin Wingfield's house ("I wonder what Justin's up to these days?") and continue on until I reach Maple Street (another that I didn't know existed). I turn right on Maple, then left on Clark.
"How far am I from Race Street? Oh, there's another runner. He's running against traffic as well. Is that where you're supposed to run? Is he running faster than me? Well maybe he hasn't been running as long as I have this morning. If you ever pass someone out running, you should always remember they might be on mile 15 when you're only on mile 1." We wave as we pass.
I pass the rodeo grounds and finally reach Race Street, where I feel like anything but racing. I turn right back toward Main.
"There's where Tammy Kimber lived. And Julie Millward." I remember Jason Millward speaking at his missionary farewell.
I'm back on Main Street, where I turn left and cross to the south side. According to RunKeeper, I'm over half way done. I'm next supposed to turn right at Worthington, but my brother Kevin had mentioned that he might run with me for a bit. I continue past Worthington to Eastmoor and run into my parents' house.
"Hello?" My dad is back home.
"Is Kevin up?" I ask.
"I don't think so."
"Ok. Did you run all the way up to Cooley from here?" I ask.
"Yep. Well, ran and walked. Six miles."
I'm impressed (I mean he's over sixty years old), but of course I don't tell him that. I head back out the door. I run south down Eastmoor and then turn west back toward Worthington. I remember my dad telling me that I couldn't really get back to Durfee via Worthington the night before.
"Well, I couldn't drive my car up there."
"Dad, I'm not going to be driving"
The road is pretty rough and I wouldn't want to drive it, but for running it works fine. I'm back on Durfee and headed west again. I'm on the home stretch now.
I run past Johnson's and past the Grantsville Stake Center. I'm coming up on Willow Street now.
"Didn't Mrs. Croom live in one of these houses? Didn't she used to give you the actual multiple-choice test as a study guide and then she wouldn't even reorder the questions so all you had to do was memorize the letters. Lots of people did well on those tests without knowing much science. I wonder if Matthews' farm is going to smell."
It didn't. I pass Kelli Matthews' old house. I pass Kelli Matthews' new house. I notice the fence that juts in around the telephone pole. "I wonder what that looks like on the other side."
I'm back to Quirk Street now, retreading the same few blocks I ran earlier. As I come up on Hale, I see the same runner that I passed back on Clark Street.
"If we're passing right here, who does that mean is going faster? I guess I don't know because I don't know where he turned up to Durfee. It looks like he's going faster than me right now. Maybe he hasn't run as far as I have." We casually wave again as we pass.
I turn right on Center this time and head back toward main. I say "good morning" to an elderly woman walking on the other side of the street. Either she doesn't hear me or she chooses not to acknowledge me.
"Oh yeah, the Senior Citizen housing. I had forgotten all about that," as I pass the red-brick buildings.
I pass Allred's house where I spent a good portion of my high school years. Delirium is setting in by now so maybe this didn't even happen, but I remember Aaron and I pulling the "telling our parents we were sleeping over at each others' houses" scam and nearly (but not quite) getting caught in our web of lies. I remember experiencing my first kiss that night (with the girl I would later marry). I'm sure that didn't happen. We were both such good kids.
I pass Peach Street.
"Didn't there used to be a stop sign here? I remember always running it (on accident). The new elementary school looks good. I didn't realize they had moved the school so far back from Main Street. I would've run by here during the 5k on the 4th, wonder why I didn't notice it then. Probably because I was going so fast."
I turn right back on to Main Street, heading east.
"There's the old City Hall. I remember going there with Aaron and lifting weights. His dad (Jackson) had a key. Actually, that probably happened like twice."
I pass Jay's and McMichael Street ("Scott Snively"). Just as I'm about to reach Deseret Circle, I see a mailbox with the name "Keele" on it. "Is that where Jacob Keele lived? I didn't know that. I wonder what he's up to."
As I turn onto Deseret Circle, my RunKeeper app informs me that I have now gone eleven miles. I stop and walk the rest of the way to Jefferies house to cool down. I sit on the porch for a minute and drink what's left of my water. I pull out my phone and see a text from Kevin: "I'm not going to make it" sent at 6:40 that morning.
I'm just glad I'm done.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Walking To Church with Lila
As an aside, I was sitting on the couch with Jeanell, with my arm around her before coming to the computer to write this. "I think I'm going to go write a blog post," I told her. "Is that alright?"
"Yes, that's fine. Why would you need to ask my permission?" she replied.
"Because you're on my arm."
Anyway, our house in Elwood is just around the corner from the church we attend. This is convenient in that we can easily walk when the weather is good and are home soon after our meetings are over. We do have the disadvantage that if we miss a Sunday (not that we ever do), the Bishop, or anyone else interested, can easily look across the parking lot to see if it looks like we're home.
But today it was an advantage. The weather was nice. Jeanell had dressed Lila and done her hair so Lila and I were going to walk to church. The following is an account, as best I recall, of what happened and our conversation.
"Let's go Lila. Come hold my hand."
Lila reaches up and takes hold of the index and middle fingers of my right hand and we walk down the driveway. We get up to the road and check the mailbox (forgot to get the mail yesterday). As we begin walking down the side of the road, a Toyota Highlander drives past.
"Oooh, big car!" Lila exclaims.
"Stay close to me, Lila," I say.
We walk a little further and another car zooms past, in the opposite direction.
"Big car!" Lila shouts again. She then feels the need to run and begins to chant "run, run, run" while pretending to run next to me.
"Don't run," I tell her. "You'll get all tired and sweaty!" She looks up at me quizzically, probably because she has no concept of what it means to be sweaty. I, on the other hand, know the feeling all too well.
We walk a little further and she points to some tall, ugly weeds with a couple of yellow flowers. "Oooh, flowers! Cute!" she says excitedly.
"Those are weeds," I tell her. "Weeds?" she asks. "Yes, weeds."
We walk a little further and she sees a bunch of morning glory. "Oooh, flowers! Pretty!" she exclaims again. I don't bother to correct her this time.
We start to turn the corner and she catches sight of the church, which is maybe 100 yards away at this point. "The church! I found it!" she shouts.
We walk a little further and she lets go of my hand so she can go and climb on these three concrete cylinders in the church lawn (I'm not sure what purpose they serve), which has become a tradition each time we walk to church. She carefully climbs on the first, walks across it, steps to the second, then to the third, and finally jumps triumphantly back to the grass.
"You're a big girl!" I tell her.
We walk across the parking lot and she catches sight of the steeple. "Look!" she tells me, pointing excitedly.
I look.
We walk into the church, cut across the chapel, and go to the library because I need some copies made. I drop off the paper I need copied and tell them I'll return momentarily after I drop Lila off at nursery. "Thank you," I say. "Thank you," Lila repeats.
We arrive at the nursery and I open the door. Lila runs in and immediately gives Sister Sills a big hug. I quietly close the door.
How I love my sweet daughter and her wonder at the world.
"Yes, that's fine. Why would you need to ask my permission?" she replied.
"Because you're on my arm."
Anyway, our house in Elwood is just around the corner from the church we attend. This is convenient in that we can easily walk when the weather is good and are home soon after our meetings are over. We do have the disadvantage that if we miss a Sunday (not that we ever do), the Bishop, or anyone else interested, can easily look across the parking lot to see if it looks like we're home.
But today it was an advantage. The weather was nice. Jeanell had dressed Lila and done her hair so Lila and I were going to walk to church. The following is an account, as best I recall, of what happened and our conversation.
"Let's go Lila. Come hold my hand."
Lila reaches up and takes hold of the index and middle fingers of my right hand and we walk down the driveway. We get up to the road and check the mailbox (forgot to get the mail yesterday). As we begin walking down the side of the road, a Toyota Highlander drives past.
"Oooh, big car!" Lila exclaims.
"Stay close to me, Lila," I say.
We walk a little further and another car zooms past, in the opposite direction.
"Big car!" Lila shouts again. She then feels the need to run and begins to chant "run, run, run" while pretending to run next to me.
"Don't run," I tell her. "You'll get all tired and sweaty!" She looks up at me quizzically, probably because she has no concept of what it means to be sweaty. I, on the other hand, know the feeling all too well.
We walk a little further and she points to some tall, ugly weeds with a couple of yellow flowers. "Oooh, flowers! Cute!" she says excitedly.
"Those are weeds," I tell her. "Weeds?" she asks. "Yes, weeds."
We walk a little further and she sees a bunch of morning glory. "Oooh, flowers! Pretty!" she exclaims again. I don't bother to correct her this time.
We start to turn the corner and she catches sight of the church, which is maybe 100 yards away at this point. "The church! I found it!" she shouts.
We walk a little further and she lets go of my hand so she can go and climb on these three concrete cylinders in the church lawn (I'm not sure what purpose they serve), which has become a tradition each time we walk to church. She carefully climbs on the first, walks across it, steps to the second, then to the third, and finally jumps triumphantly back to the grass.
"You're a big girl!" I tell her.
We walk across the parking lot and she catches sight of the steeple. "Look!" she tells me, pointing excitedly.
I look.
We walk into the church, cut across the chapel, and go to the library because I need some copies made. I drop off the paper I need copied and tell them I'll return momentarily after I drop Lila off at nursery. "Thank you," I say. "Thank you," Lila repeats.
We arrive at the nursery and I open the door. Lila runs in and immediately gives Sister Sills a big hug. I quietly close the door.
How I love my sweet daughter and her wonder at the world.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Chad Ford Article
According to Chad, his editors didn't think my declaring for the NBA draft was a big enough story to post on ESPN.com. Consequently, he sent me his write-up and said I could post it on my blog. This is what he wrote:
Is it possible that a 34 year-old has-been who was never very good to begin with could turn the draft on its head? Probably not.
In a shocking turn of events Wednesday evening, Rich Mouritsen, who for the past ten years has played between six and eight competitive basketball games a year (and I use the term competitive loosely), declared himself eligible for the draft.
When asked what prompted this surprising decision, Mouritsen said the following:
"You know, I just figure I throw my name out there and see what happens. If I get drafted, great. If not, life is still pretty good."
One Eastern Conference GM, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted to bringing Mouritsen in for a workout. "We figured, 'How bad could he be?' As it turns out, pretty bad. He has not a single high-level basketball skill. He played in high school? Really?"
I asked another scout about Mouritsen's unorthodox shooting form. "Yeah, he has kind of a strange shooting motion, but at least it goes in...sometimes. Well now that I think about it, it doesn't really go in all that often."
Finally, I asked Kevin O'Connor, GM of Mouritsen's home state Utah Jazz what he thought of the 34 year-old's draft potential. "Who?", he responded.
So while some would say that stranger things have happened than a 34 year-old, who is under six feet, can't shoot, can't jump, has no lateral quickness, no open-court speed, and tires easily being drafted by an NBA team, I would say, "Name one."
Mr. Mouritsen, I know that hope springs eternal, but I really wouldn't recommend waiting by the phone on draft night.
Mouritsen shows his defensive prowess during a family game in 2009.
Is it possible that a 34 year-old has-been who was never very good to begin with could turn the draft on its head? Probably not.
In a shocking turn of events Wednesday evening, Rich Mouritsen, who for the past ten years has played between six and eight competitive basketball games a year (and I use the term competitive loosely), declared himself eligible for the draft.
When asked what prompted this surprising decision, Mouritsen said the following:
"You know, I just figure I throw my name out there and see what happens. If I get drafted, great. If not, life is still pretty good."
One Eastern Conference GM, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted to bringing Mouritsen in for a workout. "We figured, 'How bad could he be?' As it turns out, pretty bad. He has not a single high-level basketball skill. He played in high school? Really?"
I asked another scout about Mouritsen's unorthodox shooting form. "Yeah, he has kind of a strange shooting motion, but at least it goes in...sometimes. Well now that I think about it, it doesn't really go in all that often."
Finally, I asked Kevin O'Connor, GM of Mouritsen's home state Utah Jazz what he thought of the 34 year-old's draft potential. "Who?", he responded.
So while some would say that stranger things have happened than a 34 year-old, who is under six feet, can't shoot, can't jump, has no lateral quickness, no open-court speed, and tires easily being drafted by an NBA team, I would say, "Name one."
Mr. Mouritsen, I know that hope springs eternal, but I really wouldn't recommend waiting by the phone on draft night.
Mouritsen shows his defensive prowess during a family game in 2009.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Missing Monologue
For those of you that don't know, I recently performed a song-and-dance (mostly just song) number in Grantsville's Old Folks Sociable. Because I live a ways away, I didn't practice with the group until the night before. Consequently, I didn't know exactly what the format would be so I prepared a little monologue of sorts in case I had the opportunity to talk for a minute to introduce my number. (I probably spent more time thinking about my monologue than I did practicing the number itself, which probably showed). At any rate, those that attended know that the format didn't really lend itself to a monologue so I didn't do it. But I thought I'd share it here. If you don't like it or think it's very funny, that's fine. Keep in mind that some of my best "jokes" (my sister McKell likes to put the word "jokes" in quotation marks when talking about my attempts at humor) were censored by my editor.
Without further ado...
"So when Mrs. Baird (she was my first-grade teacher, she will always be 'Mrs. Baird') called and asked me to perform in the sociable, she said that 'someone' on her committee (she had conveniently forgotten who exactly) thought I'd be perfect for it. I immediately thought that either (a) my mom was on the committee or (b) someone was playing a cruel joke. It wasn't until I talked to my mom last night that I learned it was actually (c), all of the above. (laughter)
"So they asked me to do 'Singin' in the Rain', which was made famous by Gene Kelly, who was one of the great singers and dancers of all time. Interesting that they picked someone who can neither sing nor dance. (mild laughter)
"You'll also notice that I have a beard. It's a little-known fact that Mr. Kelly was originally going to do 'Singin' in the Rain" with a beard...but just before filming began he was put in the Elders' Quorum Presidency and the Stake President asked him to shave. (mild laughter)
"So yeah, I'm really not much of a singer. Vocally, I'm more of a Tom Tripp than a Tom Stam. (uproarious laughter)
"And choreographically, I'm really no Annie Millward or Alexis Watson. I apologize for using their maiden names but I don't know their married names. To be honest, that's how I prefer to think of them anyway...single. (booing and hissing)
"Thanks, you've been great.
"I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain..."
Without further ado...
"So when Mrs. Baird (she was my first-grade teacher, she will always be 'Mrs. Baird') called and asked me to perform in the sociable, she said that 'someone' on her committee (she had conveniently forgotten who exactly) thought I'd be perfect for it. I immediately thought that either (a) my mom was on the committee or (b) someone was playing a cruel joke. It wasn't until I talked to my mom last night that I learned it was actually (c), all of the above. (laughter)
"So they asked me to do 'Singin' in the Rain', which was made famous by Gene Kelly, who was one of the great singers and dancers of all time. Interesting that they picked someone who can neither sing nor dance. (mild laughter)
"You'll also notice that I have a beard. It's a little-known fact that Mr. Kelly was originally going to do 'Singin' in the Rain" with a beard...but just before filming began he was put in the Elders' Quorum Presidency and the Stake President asked him to shave. (mild laughter)
"So yeah, I'm really not much of a singer. Vocally, I'm more of a Tom Tripp than a Tom Stam. (uproarious laughter)
"And choreographically, I'm really no Annie Millward or Alexis Watson. I apologize for using their maiden names but I don't know their married names. To be honest, that's how I prefer to think of them anyway...single. (booing and hissing)
"Thanks, you've been great.
"I'm singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain..."
Monday, April 4, 2011
Running without Going Anywhere
Since I've begun running, people are always surprised that I do all of my running on a treadmill. I typically don't watch TV (unless someone else at the gym has it on). I don't listen to music or podcasts because I could never get headphones that would stay in my ears once I started sweating profusely (note: this happens quite early in any run). So what do I do? I think. I figure fractions in my head of how far I've gone. I count down the remaining time. I stare blankly at the wall.
Anyway, a bullet-point list of why running on the treadmill works best for me:
Now I'm not not trying to convince anyone that runs outside to run on a treadmill. To each his own. And I know that when I run races outside, I'm going to be sore in a whole new way. But for now, it's what works for me.
Anyway, a bullet-point list of why running on the treadmill works best for me:
- The treadmill is easier on my joints. I figure if I'm going to be a runner for a while, I need to do what I can to take care of my hips, knees, and ankles. I've found the treadmill deck to be much more forgiving than pavement, road base, cement. I know some people live near nice, cushiony running trails. Good for you. I don't.
- I don't have to deal with the elements. It's not freezing cold. It's not scorching hot. The wind isn't blowing against me. I hate running in the wind and it seems like it's always windy.
- I can control my pace. I know there are advanced GPS gizmos out there that help with this, but I like being able to set exactly how fast I want to run.
- I don't have to carry water and carbs for long runs. I know when you run races, you have drinks and stuff at stations along the way, but when you're training?
- I don't have to figure out a route for how far I want to run that day that starts and ends at my house.
- No dogs barking and chasing me.
- Can it be boring? Sure. But I don't really see that it's significantly more boring than running outside.
- I can go to the gym, run, and shower during lunch so it's not cutting into my family time in the evening or forcing me to get up much earlier.
Now I'm not not trying to convince anyone that runs outside to run on a treadmill. To each his own. And I know that when I run races outside, I'm going to be sore in a whole new way. But for now, it's what works for me.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
LMMEFS
In the Richard C. Mouritsen family, we have an unofficial title, identified by the acronym (coined by my brother Carl, who has held the title for a few years now) LMMEFS. As you probably guessed, this stands for Lightest Mouritsen Male Except For Scott. (Since Scott is a few inches shorter and more importantly, has kept himself more active over the years, we didn't think it fair to actually try to be lighter than Scott).
Over the past 6-7 months, I have made some dramatic changes and if I haven't taken over LMMEFS already, I am definitely getting close. Below are some pictures to illustrate:
Over the past 6-7 months, I have made some dramatic changes and if I haven't taken over LMMEFS already, I am definitely getting close. Below are some pictures to illustrate:
The picture on the left was taken July 30, 2010 on a family outing to Lava Hot Springs. The picture on the right was taken February 18, 2011, about 6 1/2 months later. So what happened in between?
In August, September, and October of 2010, I trained for a half-marathon (I didn't actually end up running an official half-marathon, but the training seemed to do the trick). When I finished that, I had gone from ~230 lbs to ~212. After that, I decided that I wanted to train for a marathon, but I wanted to start at the beginning of the year, so for the rest of 2010, I just ran the pre-training schedule for a marathon training plan, which consisted of about 20 miles per week. I also started working out on my lunch hour rather than before or after work. For me, this worked out well because running took away a lot of my hunger and I began eating less, many times I didn't end up eating at lunch at all. (I am not a nutritionist and I know that this flies in the face of most dieting/weight-loss advice (although not all) so I'm not advocating it necessarily, just explaining what worked for me). By the end of the year, I was down to about 205.
With the start of the new year, I decided to add some weight training and formalize my workout plan a little bit. I built a running schedule that includes a marathon training plan and a half-marathon training plan, with parts of a 5k and 10k training plan filling out the year.
As far as weights, I do 10 basic exercises, all on machines (as opposed to free weights). I broke the year into 4 phases of 13 weeks each. The last week of 2010, I maxed out on each of the 10 exercises. Then I do two weeks of 3 sets of 15 at 40% of my one rep maximum, followed by two weeks of 4 sets of 10 at 60% of ORM, and finally two weeks of 5 sets of 5 at 80% of ORM. I then repeat that schedule again (for a total of 12 weeks). During the 13th week, I max out on each of the exercises again to prepare for the next phase. Here are the details of my Phase 1 weight-training. In addition, I do a few sets of push-ups, sit-ups, and curls each evening, M-F.
** UPDATE: Phase 2 weight-training **
** UPDATE: Phase 3 weight-training **
** UPDATE: Phase 4 weight-training **
Here is my entire workout schedule for 2011. So far, I've lost another 10 lbs or so, and set just a little under 195.
I'm not sure what my final target weight should be. I kind of had in mind getting to 175, which is what I weighed my senior year of high school. Jeanell thinks I shouldn't go below 185, which as about what I weighed when we got married. I guess we'll see.
Anyway, I know there are plenty of people that run a lot faster and farther, as well as people who are much more ripped that could give much better help and advice on getting in shape. This is just something I've struggled with for a while and I wanted to share some specifics of what has been working for me.
In August, September, and October of 2010, I trained for a half-marathon (I didn't actually end up running an official half-marathon, but the training seemed to do the trick). When I finished that, I had gone from ~230 lbs to ~212. After that, I decided that I wanted to train for a marathon, but I wanted to start at the beginning of the year, so for the rest of 2010, I just ran the pre-training schedule for a marathon training plan, which consisted of about 20 miles per week. I also started working out on my lunch hour rather than before or after work. For me, this worked out well because running took away a lot of my hunger and I began eating less, many times I didn't end up eating at lunch at all. (I am not a nutritionist and I know that this flies in the face of most dieting/weight-loss advice (although not all) so I'm not advocating it necessarily, just explaining what worked for me). By the end of the year, I was down to about 205.
With the start of the new year, I decided to add some weight training and formalize my workout plan a little bit. I built a running schedule that includes a marathon training plan and a half-marathon training plan, with parts of a 5k and 10k training plan filling out the year.
As far as weights, I do 10 basic exercises, all on machines (as opposed to free weights). I broke the year into 4 phases of 13 weeks each. The last week of 2010, I maxed out on each of the 10 exercises. Then I do two weeks of 3 sets of 15 at 40% of my one rep maximum, followed by two weeks of 4 sets of 10 at 60% of ORM, and finally two weeks of 5 sets of 5 at 80% of ORM. I then repeat that schedule again (for a total of 12 weeks). During the 13th week, I max out on each of the exercises again to prepare for the next phase. Here are the details of my Phase 1 weight-training. In addition, I do a few sets of push-ups, sit-ups, and curls each evening, M-F.
** UPDATE: Phase 2 weight-training **
** UPDATE: Phase 3 weight-training **
** UPDATE: Phase 4 weight-training **
Here is my entire workout schedule for 2011. So far, I've lost another 10 lbs or so, and set just a little under 195.
I'm not sure what my final target weight should be. I kind of had in mind getting to 175, which is what I weighed my senior year of high school. Jeanell thinks I shouldn't go below 185, which as about what I weighed when we got married. I guess we'll see.
Anyway, I know there are plenty of people that run a lot faster and farther, as well as people who are much more ripped that could give much better help and advice on getting in shape. This is just something I've struggled with for a while and I wanted to share some specifics of what has been working for me.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
My Facebook Credo
So I've been on Facebook for a while now and a little bit surprisingly, I really enjoy it. I like staying in contact with friends that I really wouldn't stay in touch with in any other way. In using Facebook I've developed a mental list of do's and don't's to keep Facebook enjoyable.
Now these are just my personal opinions so don't get mad or offended. While I do think everyone should live the way I think they should, I don't think they have to. Also, keep in mind that my tongue was surgically attached to my cheek years ago so take most of what I say with a grain of salt (for an example, see the previous sentence).
Without further ado:
1. Seek first to entertain. (Sounds like something straight out of Covey).
Isn't that the whole point of Facebook, entertainment? Share funny thoughts, anecdotes, cute pictures, etc. Don't take yourself too seriously. Share things that made you laugh or that amazed you.
2. Try not to offend but not at the expense of being a little bit edgy.
Don't intentionally offend people, but push the envelope a little bit. People can always unfriend you if they don't like your take or your sense of humor. I try not to post things that I think will offend everyone but I will post things that I think could potentially offend one or two. Sue me.
3. Don't use Facebook to tell people how depressed you are or how bad your life sucks or that you're bored.
Trust me, if you're bored, typing it into Facebook isn't going to alleviate your boredom. As a good friend of mine used to say, "There are no boring activities, just boring people."
4. Don't play the games.
Facebook is enough of a time-waster as it is. Don't exacerbate it by spending hours each day playing Farmville. Read a book, get some exercise, better yourself. There's a lot of life to be lived.
5. If you must play the games, please don't send me Game Requests.
6. Do use Facebook to bring awareness to a good cause.
I thought the Wal-Mart Fight Against Hunger thing was great. And other fund-raising efforts for good causes are great as well.
7. Don't re-post anything that includes the phrase "re-post this if...". Like "re-post this if you know someone who is great at kayaking" or "re-post this if you like pizza."
8. Especially don't re-post anything that says "I know most people won't re-post this..."
9. Don't have a cartoon character for your profile pic. You're just helping the pedophiles.
10. Don't post a list of how you think Facebook should be used. Nobody cares what you think.
Touché.
After publishing my initial list of ten, a couple more came to mind:
11. Don't post gripes or complaints about your spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, partner. Don't post that you're fighting either. If your relationship is in enough trouble that you truly need some support or advice, reach out to a friend or family member privately.
12. Don't post topless videos of your daughter, even if she is only two.
Now these are just my personal opinions so don't get mad or offended. While I do think everyone should live the way I think they should, I don't think they have to. Also, keep in mind that my tongue was surgically attached to my cheek years ago so take most of what I say with a grain of salt (for an example, see the previous sentence).
Without further ado:
1. Seek first to entertain. (Sounds like something straight out of Covey).
Isn't that the whole point of Facebook, entertainment? Share funny thoughts, anecdotes, cute pictures, etc. Don't take yourself too seriously. Share things that made you laugh or that amazed you.
2. Try not to offend but not at the expense of being a little bit edgy.
Don't intentionally offend people, but push the envelope a little bit. People can always unfriend you if they don't like your take or your sense of humor. I try not to post things that I think will offend everyone but I will post things that I think could potentially offend one or two. Sue me.
3. Don't use Facebook to tell people how depressed you are or how bad your life sucks or that you're bored.
Trust me, if you're bored, typing it into Facebook isn't going to alleviate your boredom. As a good friend of mine used to say, "There are no boring activities, just boring people."
4. Don't play the games.
Facebook is enough of a time-waster as it is. Don't exacerbate it by spending hours each day playing Farmville. Read a book, get some exercise, better yourself. There's a lot of life to be lived.
5. If you must play the games, please don't send me Game Requests.
6. Do use Facebook to bring awareness to a good cause.
I thought the Wal-Mart Fight Against Hunger thing was great. And other fund-raising efforts for good causes are great as well.
7. Don't re-post anything that includes the phrase "re-post this if...". Like "re-post this if you know someone who is great at kayaking" or "re-post this if you like pizza."
8. Especially don't re-post anything that says "I know most people won't re-post this..."
9. Don't have a cartoon character for your profile pic. You're just helping the pedophiles.
10. Don't post a list of how you think Facebook should be used. Nobody cares what you think.
Touché.
After publishing my initial list of ten, a couple more came to mind:
11. Don't post gripes or complaints about your spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, partner. Don't post that you're fighting either. If your relationship is in enough trouble that you truly need some support or advice, reach out to a friend or family member privately.
12. Don't post topless videos of your daughter, even if she is only two.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Resolutions: Recap and Recommital
Well, 2010 has come and gone and as I look back, I didn't do all that badly (although admittedly I was a far cry from doing well).
Below I give a little recap of how it went for 2010 and what I'd like to do for 2011.
Unfortunately, I didn't lose 30 lbs. But I did lose 25 and I feel better physically than I have for quite a while. My secret: running my guts out. I've actually started working out on my lunch hour which for me reduces my appetite significantly. Sure, I'm a little smelly when I get back to the office but that just means fewer interruptions and shorter small talk conversations.
For 2011, I'd like to drop another 20-25 lbs...get down to my “playin' weight" and see how that feels. I'm also going to do some weights this year where last year was exclusive cardio.
Run the 4th of July 5K in Grantsville (and humiliate all of my younger brothers and children)
I participated in my first Ray Barrus Memorial 5K and had a great time. Two of my younger brothers beat me, but one of them is a cross-country coach (or was at the time) and the other is twelve years younger than me and lost control of his bodily functions in beating me...for reals. So that means I only beat one of my brothers (because two were too big o' wusses to participate) but I handily beat my three older boys, their dad (fist pump), my sixty year-old dad, and my sixty year-old mom (although she was pushing a stroller). I also beat my little sister, but she had to quit because she was going to be late for work.
I went on to do a half-marathon training plan later in the year, which I completed and by the end of the year I was down to about a 22 minute 5K (where I think in July I got 25:30 or something).
For 2011, plan to do a marathon training plan. I didn't get into the Ogden Marathon so I don't know if I'll even do a "real" marathon but I do plan to run 26.2 miles in a row at some point.
Oh, and I'll be back at the Ray Barrus Memorial 5K as well, with a vengeance!
I didn't read 12 books, but I did read quite a bit. I finished Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. I read The Blind Side by Michael C. Lewis, How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins, and worked my way through all of Malcolm Gladwell's New Yorker articles. I'm currently reading Andrew Jackson by Brands and am 1/5 through the unabridged version of Les Miserables.
For 2011, the book a month goal still seems reasonable. I'll shoot for it again.
Made it through Helaman while reading the Book of Mormon Institute Manual concurrently and most importantly got back in the habit of daily personal scripture study.
For 2011, plan to finish my current time through plus reread again.
Read all of the Old Testament selections from the Sunday School student manual
Not even close. We'll try again in 2011, but this year it will be New Testament.
100% Home Teaching
83%
Spend at least two hours a week on my Sunday School lesson (I feel like this should be more, but don't know where to find the extra time. You're right, I could give up Idol).
Ummm, maybe...sometimes. I did give up Idol but for unrelated reasons.
Does one count? Dropping the expectation to monthly for 2011.
Organize a get-together with old friends (these are friends I haven't seen for some time, not friends that are advanced in age)
No, in fact I don't know if I even saw any "old" friends.
Send out a Christmas letter (Thanks to Jeanell, we do pretty well at sending Christmas cards, but I'd like to use that opportunity to bring people up to speed on what we're up to).
No Christmas letter either.
A last thing I'd like to improve on is becoming more involved or at least aware of politics and the important issues facing our country. If anyone has good recommendations of websites, blogs, books, etc., please post as comments.
I've done a little bit better here. Just try to read from a variety of papers on a variety of topics. I've liked the Economist app on my iPhone. Every issue, there's a set of "Editors' Highlights", usually about 4-5 articles, that I can read for free. Usually, that's about all I have time for anyway.
Well, I guess that's about it for this blog post. Wish me luck for 2011 and best of luck to everyone else in their quest for continual improvement.
Below I give a little recap of how it went for 2010 and what I'd like to do for 2011.
- Physical
Unfortunately, I didn't lose 30 lbs. But I did lose 25 and I feel better physically than I have for quite a while. My secret: running my guts out. I've actually started working out on my lunch hour which for me reduces my appetite significantly. Sure, I'm a little smelly when I get back to the office but that just means fewer interruptions and shorter small talk conversations.
For 2011, I'd like to drop another 20-25 lbs...get down to my “playin' weight" and see how that feels. I'm also going to do some weights this year where last year was exclusive cardio.
Run the 4th of July 5K in Grantsville (and humiliate all of my younger brothers and children)
I participated in my first Ray Barrus Memorial 5K and had a great time. Two of my younger brothers beat me, but one of them is a cross-country coach (or was at the time) and the other is twelve years younger than me and lost control of his bodily functions in beating me...for reals. So that means I only beat one of my brothers (because two were too big o' wusses to participate) but I handily beat my three older boys, their dad (fist pump), my sixty year-old dad, and my sixty year-old mom (although she was pushing a stroller). I also beat my little sister, but she had to quit because she was going to be late for work.
I went on to do a half-marathon training plan later in the year, which I completed and by the end of the year I was down to about a 22 minute 5K (where I think in July I got 25:30 or something).
For 2011, plan to do a marathon training plan. I didn't get into the Ogden Marathon so I don't know if I'll even do a "real" marathon but I do plan to run 26.2 miles in a row at some point.
Oh, and I'll be back at the Ray Barrus Memorial 5K as well, with a vengeance!
- Mental
I didn't read 12 books, but I did read quite a bit. I finished Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. I read The Blind Side by Michael C. Lewis, How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins, and worked my way through all of Malcolm Gladwell's New Yorker articles. I'm currently reading Andrew Jackson by Brands and am 1/5 through the unabridged version of Les Miserables.
For 2011, the book a month goal still seems reasonable. I'll shoot for it again.
- Spiritual
Made it through Helaman while reading the Book of Mormon Institute Manual concurrently and most importantly got back in the habit of daily personal scripture study.
For 2011, plan to finish my current time through plus reread again.
Read all of the Old Testament selections from the Sunday School student manual
Not even close. We'll try again in 2011, but this year it will be New Testament.
100% Home Teaching
83%
Spend at least two hours a week on my Sunday School lesson (I feel like this should be more, but don't know where to find the extra time. You're right, I could give up Idol).
Ummm, maybe...sometimes. I did give up Idol but for unrelated reasons.
- Social
Does one count? Dropping the expectation to monthly for 2011.
Organize a get-together with old friends (these are friends I haven't seen for some time, not friends that are advanced in age)
No, in fact I don't know if I even saw any "old" friends.
Send out a Christmas letter (Thanks to Jeanell, we do pretty well at sending Christmas cards, but I'd like to use that opportunity to bring people up to speed on what we're up to).
No Christmas letter either.
A last thing I'd like to improve on is becoming more involved or at least aware of politics and the important issues facing our country. If anyone has good recommendations of websites, blogs, books, etc., please post as comments.
I've done a little bit better here. Just try to read from a variety of papers on a variety of topics. I've liked the Economist app on my iPhone. Every issue, there's a set of "Editors' Highlights", usually about 4-5 articles, that I can read for free. Usually, that's about all I have time for anyway.
Well, I guess that's about it for this blog post. Wish me luck for 2011 and best of luck to everyone else in their quest for continual improvement.
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