Father(Dog)Hood

Well I did it, I finally got a dog. I picked up Titus exactly one week ago. I don't think either one of us could be happier. It's been a great week to say the least.

Titus, formerly Little Boom, has been through a lot in his four years. He was first displaced during Hurricane Katrina as a puppy. Then he was picked up by a lady who was hoarding dogs in Texas where he acquired fleas. From my understandings, the hoarding lady tried to help Little Boom out and treated him for the fleas but somehow goofed and doubled the dosage which caused chemical burns, singing off a lot of his fur (which thankfully grew back). He then somehow made his way up to MN where he contracted heart worm. This is a fatal condition if left untreated in K9's. Treatment however is quite exhaustive and extensive. During this time they are not supposed to exercise which increases their heart rate as this could kill the dog. Well another person took him in during this time and apparently wanted him to become a working dog, sort of like a bomb sniffing dog. They thought he was overweight so cut his caloric intake in half and was running him ragged...DURING his heart worm treatment. Idiots! Dang near killed him from what I heard. He then eventually would up at the Midwest Animal Rescue Shelter (MARS) which is where he was when our fates crossed paths.

The rest is history. He couldn't be more perfect for me. He's the most laid back, chilled and relaxed dog I've ever known. He knows his basic commands and is completely past the puppy stage. He's totally content just vegging out all day long. He's house trained and very good on a leash. He loves to play fetch and tug of war with his rope. He's great with all people including toddlers as well as other dogs. I seriously feel like I've won the lottery.

How can you be in a bad mood when you get to come home to this everyday?

Doggy Day

Well I recently purchased my very first home (see townhouse). And it dawned on me that this is the first time in my 28 years of existence that I've lived on my own, absolultely alone. I've always had at least one roommate along the way since college. Granted I've been home alone for days, maybe a week at a time but having your very own place by yourself is a completely different bear. Like what if I lock myself out? What if I choke on a piece of food? Or slip in the shower and crack my head open?

Needless to say, the first week was a bit different and took some getting used to. I've been in my new place now about 5 weeks or so and things have returned to normal as far as my living goes.

I've always wanted to get my own dog. My family's had at least one pretty much for my entire life growing up. So I of course immediately wanted to get a dog when I got my new place. Well I've held out long enough now and my feelings of wanting one haven't wavered one bit. So, I'm pulling the trigger and getting a dog today!

I'll be heading to Burnsville after work to pick him up from his foster mom. Just quickly, he's a black lab originally named Little Boom but is now Titus.

Pics and more to come.

Cleaning House

Well hello to all those that don't read this, just me here. More a less a journal. I haven't posted anything in almost 8 months. Since giving up triathlon (temporarily/forever?) I basically stopped posting as this was, in it's beginning stages, more or less a triathlon specific blog. Moving forward, this will be an outlet for me to spew about pretty much anything going on in my life...good, bad or ugly. So sit back, relax and enjoy!

A Week In The Books

The first week back in action has been a giant success. I was able to get 5 workouts in and ate pretty well the entire time. Not without of course, enjoying myself and life all while being normal. I induldged in some beers and some fries at Green Mill. No problems. Normal Todd is here and hopefully to stay for good.

On the triathlon front, there still might be hope. Racine is pretty much the only thing I'm concerned about and thinking about doing...all be it a long shot. As of right now, I've got just over 5 months and counting. Depending upon how well I bounce back, get in shape, lose some weight, feel good and am able to make an intelligent decision about it, it's going to be in the back of my head.

I just finished a nice little spin session on the trainer with my roommate Mike. He asked if I wanted to spin with him. Initially in my head I thought, "are you nuts?" But then I thought, why not, let's give it a shot. Being I'm a clydesdale right now weighing in at a robust 225 pounds, I was a little leary hopping on my bike. Will it be able to handle my fat ass pumping away at this weight? I wasn't sure but what the hell, let's do it.

My bike held up just fine (or so I think) and I was able to muster 45 whole minutes on that bitch with my roommate going nuts just a few feet away while we watched an Against Me DVD. For those taking notes, great workout music right there. So yah, back to the spin. I made it the entire 45 planned minutes and overall, felt pretty good. My legs felt great even though my heart rate (Ave - 174/Max - 190) was high and my nether region was sore as all hell. NO PAIN!

With the first week down and in the books, I'm feeling pretty good and excited for the upcoming week to keep the momentum going. It's going to be interesting though as I'm kind of busy this week. Time for some self control. With the Superbowl in about 4 hours, bowling league Monday, a work happy hour Wednesday, a birthday party Friday and hockey day in MN Saturday, I'm going to be trying my hardest to limit myself while still enjoying the finer things in life and being normal.

Thanks to Mike for the session.

Peace and love.

Two Fer

Ah yah. I made it to Snap again today, two days in a row! Did some light lower body weights followed by 10 minutes on the elliptical and 5 minutes on the moving staircase. Still an eternity to go but making strides and feeling much better...one day at a time.

The upper body is a bit sore but luckily I held back a tad yesterday.

Planning on doing more cardio tomorrow.

On a side note, it's like 15 below...I love MN!

Wanting to Die

Well I actually made it to the gym today which in and of itself, is a huge victory for me. On the flip side, reality became blatantly obvious. Now I knew how deep of a hole I've dug for myself and how out of shape I was but today at Snap, it reared it's ugly head.

I did some light weights working upper body and core for a solid 20 or 30 minutes. I followed that up with 5 minutes on the elliptical and 5 minutes on the treadmill. Good news is I still have most of my strength or so I think. Bad news is I need a bra for surely and am severely out shape endurance wise. Christ, my quads were screaming 3 minutes into the elliptical on the easiest level. Then topped it off on the treadmill where I couldn't even go a full 5 minutes at 5.0 mph. I had to break it up into two two and a half minute intervals.

Needless to say, I was quite disappointed in myself afterwards but again, huge victory for me in just getting there. Looking forward to going back again tomorrow.

Also on the positive side, I've already stopped my nasty sweating habit. During the meltdown, I've been sweating like a damn pig when doing zero activity....PIT-OUT! It was all due to the food and crap I kept stuffing to the brim in my system. Two days of eating much more sensibly and one minor workout under my belt, problem solved, no more sweating. Funny how that works.

Here's to a good night of sleep and a new day!

Second Spark

So of course my alarm went off this morning bright and early at 4:00am sharp. Do you think I got out of bed? Hell no, I snoozed it for a good hour and half and skipped my workout....yet again.

So here I sit at work. On the plus side, I've been eating really well today and plan to throughout, sans a few beers at bowling tonight.

In the meantime, I canceled my Lifetime membership about a month ago. As much as I loved that place, I hated it. The "executive" one downtown was $130 a month after all was said and done. Are you kidding me? When I was doing two a days, I really didn't mind paying that. Also consider the location was literally across the street from my building where I work. Now consider I've just pissed away how ever much money the past 5 months NOT working out at all. That is not a good feeling. Nor is it financially smart. But I finally quit which my membership runs out in like 3 days.

Reflecting back on these past few months I've realized that part of the reason I was so reluctant to workout, especially lately, is because of how self conscious I've become being how out of shape I now am complete with pear shape physique. Good riddance to you Lifetime.

On the flip side, I did join a gym this morning called Snap Fitness. This is of those strip mall chains that you see popping up everywhere. Luckily one opened up downtown and is about a 4 minute walk from my office which is perfect. It's also, get this, after insurance kicks in, only $20 a month. You can't beat that if you ask me. Plus, it has everything I need to workout and if you go at the right times (not over the noon hour) it's completely dead. So yah, I signed up for that today and felt invigorated while walking back to work. I was a bit upset that I hadn't packed a bag today otherwise I would have stayed and worked out.

So, here's to tomorrow and my first day at Snap Fitness.

Back It Up

Had a super quiet weekend which I think is good. Tomorrow it's time to back up my talk of "I'll start Monday" lines for the 15th consecutive Monday. Time to go to work. I'm not expecting much but if I'm able to get to the gym, work up a sweat and eat good for the day.....huge victory. Not that tomorrow isn't important, but it is.

Week Wasted

Well, that was not a good start to the little Biggest Loser Challenge at work. Wow. I ate good for one measly day and never made it to the gym. Sheesh. In fact, I may have put on weight in this first week. It is what it is.

Back to the drawing board and trying to find something, anything to motivate me and get my ass back to the gym. The big half IM in Racine is now less than 6 months away. I'm starting to think that's entirely out of my reach. Time will tell. That is step 14,579. I'm just trying to get to step 1. Maybe that's looking too far ahead.

On the flip side, I may have the most expensive clothes hanger ever in my bike setup on the trainer. Good times right there.

Here's to tomorrow.

Straight Cash Homie

Well, I included myself in a small "Biggest Loser Challenge" with a few of my coworkers, bless their hearts. It's a $50 buy in with three months to lose the most amount of weight, percentage of body weight wise. Considering I've pissed away the last 5 months on an unused gym membership at $130/per, what's another $50 right? Based on my past behavior, I should win this little challenge in a land slide and pocket a cool $200.

So today was the big weigh in. Good times right there. Of course all the ladies wouldn't show me their numbers but I had to show everyone. Not that I care. But I even surprised myself. 230.6 pounds officially. Jesus. Heaviest I've been since my gut growing freshman year of college. So yah, that made one feel good. That brings the official weight gain to an astounding 70 pounds in 5 months. Who does that? Well....me.

And of course, after the big weigh in, what did I have for lunch? 4 tacos and some potato oles from Taco Johns of course. Yah, that helped matters. One last hurrah I guess. F it.

After work I proceeded to go grocery shopping considering I didn't have much in the house. Dropped a cool $100 on mostly healthy stuff. I came home and washed some veggies, cleaned out the cupboards of any remaining shit I had lying around and packed my sustenance for tomorrow's journey, day one baby. I have to admit, it felt pretty good. I was mildly excited to get back to the gym.

So God willing, tomorrow morning, I'm hittin it. Granted it will prolly be an embarrassing 15 minutes or so on the elliptical, it's something and it's a start dammit.

Game Motha-Effin On!

A Start?

Well, perhaps some good news involving a kick in my ass. Yesterday at work, some coworkers and I decided to do a "Biggest Loser Challenge" sort of thing. We are going to get healthy and workout to see who can lose the highest percentage of body weight. Weigh in is this Monday the 21st with the contest ending on May 2nd. So if my math serves me correct, it will give me just over 3 months to get my butt back into some sort of workout routine/lifestyle as well as eating much better and dropping the alcohol consumption immensely.

What's the motivation you ask besides losing weight, getting in shape and hopefully sparking my flame for triathlon again? Straight up cash of course. There is a $50 buy in to this thing and the winner takes all. I'm pretty excited given my superhuman ability to gain and lose weight quickly and easily. Well not easily per se but I know what needs to get done. It's just a matter of pickin it up and settin it down! So the way I figure it, this will be my last weekend spent scraping the bottom. For those of you betting, I'm a lock to win this thing.

Game time is Monday, hoo rah!

Something Is Better Than Nothing

So I just skimmed some of my fellow triathletes blogs and came across one that sparked some interest. Erin is one of my favorite reads and has been for a while now. She completed IMWI 07' with flying colors this past winter and I just happened to watch a little picture montage she put together of her experience. The pictures combined with music gave me a feeling which said, "I have to do this."

I can't imagine the overwhelming sense of accomplishment and joy one must have after completing an Ironman. If nothing else today, I have the WANT to do it again. Is the WILL there too? That remains to be seen.

The Long And Winding Road - A Look Back

Out of All Orphices

I'm sick...bah...I hate it. Although I did finally get a good night of sleep last night. Continuing on with the fluids and Vitamin C. Hoping to jump in the fire come Monday.

Numero Uno

Bare with me as this is going to be a basic blog. More or less my journal to get my thoughts down in some sort of discernible manner.

So, this is technically my third season of triathlon with a few long breaks intertwined. I tend to be an extremist in my behavior and have burnt out more than once in these past few years. I'm currently about to come back from a said burn out totalling about a 5 month layoff. Why not start a blog eh? Good times all around.

During this break, I've been seriously questioning my goals and desires in triathlon and life. Why do I do it? Is it worth it? Etc etc.

So here I am. Registered for two of the races long ago. The first, Tri U Mah, which is more or less a formal, indoor workout coming up in a month. I highly doubt I'll be doing this one considering I don't think I can trot a mile let alone swim 100 meters. So, money wasted more than likely. You can be sure I'll be there in though in all my glory cheering on some friends who are also doing it.

The second race which I'm already registered for is the Spirit of Racine Half IM. The pipe dream back in the day when this all started was to go one year at a time and up the distance year in and year out, finally completing an Ironman at some point. I was on track and doing well until it all came to a crashing halt at the end of last summer. I did 7 total events last summer including a half marathon. By the time I was done, I didn't want to think about doing anything training/workout/exercise/activity related. And thus began the downward spiral.

Which brings me to present day out of shape, overweight, uncomfortable in my clothes and skin and lethargic.

So starts a new year and a new beginning. It's time to mold a new attitude and spark that fire once again.

I've decided to keep this as minimal and anonymous as possible being this is my journal. I'm guessing things will tend to get a bit negative and bitchy. No worries as I'm sure I'll be the only reading this anyway.

So, here's to me, my reasons for whatever they may be and the journey...enjoy!