A short month and a short post...

February is a short month and since we're going to see the Yankees play tonight I'll try to keep this brief because I'm going to try and get Merinda moving...   Wish me luck :)

I have to say this was another strong month.  The distance challenge I entered ends on Sunday so I'm pushing hard to hit 2,700 miles for the challenge.   I'm 63 miles away with the weekend to go, so barring an injury I should hit that especially since I'll be watching Tyler play tomorrow so I can pedal away during that.   Other high points this month was running a mile and realizing that the Tri is going to happen.  I feel like I'm on a roll with my fitness and while I'll miss the challenge, and my teammates, I'm looking forward to changing up my routine a little bit and maybe do more "fitness" focused workouts and a few less "kick the shit out of john" bike workouts.   We'll see.

So, let's talk about my goals for February and the results:

• Maintain Weight
• Ride 500 miles
• 14 walk or run activities
• 8-10 rowing activities
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Apple February exercise goal
• Gold in my February challenges

Weight results:

• Starting Weight: 221.1
• Ending Weight: 216.8
• Net Loss: (4.3)
• Total Loss: (11.3)

Exercise info:

• Number of rides: 72
• Time on exercise: 01:06:39:44
• Distance on rides: 534.28
• Number of walks: 8
• Time walking: 3h 7m
• Distance walking: 9.4
• Number of rows: 7
• Time rowing: 2h 21m

Results:

The good - I hit almost all my goals.   I came up a little short on the walking, but since I've started running I'm ok with it, and I think I might have been a workout or two short on rowing, but I feel pretty good about that too.   It's become part of my Monday routine, and I like it, so we're going in a good direction.   I wasn't sure I'd make gold in my challenge, because I had no team for most of the month, but got that thanks to some late additions :)  I also wasn't sure I'd get to 500 miles this month since I couldn't record the miles I worked on the cruise and I've stuck to taking Monday as a rest day, so I only had 22 days this month, but I passed that too.

Lets set my goals for March:

• Maintain Weight
• Ride 500 miles
• 14 walk or run activities 
• Run 2 miles consecutively by EOM
• 8 rowing activities
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Apple March exercise goal
• Gold in my March challenges
• Start swimming
• Register for the Tri

Again, these are familiar.  I might bump up the cycling mileage next month, and thats what I originally set, but we'll see how that goes.   Otherwise lets work on being fit and prepping for the Tri.

Final thoughts:

Great month.   Back to where I want to be weight wise, and I've seen a tremendous uptick in my overall endurance.  Running a mile was a real shock, and feeling fine the next day was an even bigger surprise.  Otherwise, not much else to say other than lets go yankees!  talk soon.

Linux

 Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it...  At least I got it to boot again, but an upgrade shouldn't be that difficult.  Hopefully, I'll remember these steps next time.

Indecision 2024 - Electile Dysfunction

 

I don't think I've ever been as disillusioned with the prospects of an election in my lifetime.   Maybe four years ago, but the country was so mad about Trump that I thought he would lose.   Now?   I don't think it's possible that he loses and that concerns me.  I'm equally concerned if Biden wins.  Not that I think he's going to slide us further away from what we're supposed to be, but just the malaise that comes from a weak, ineffective president.  I voted for Biden because I know Trump was an awful President and he will be an awful president if he wins again, but good god, we can't have a senile President.

Republicans get your shit together....  Democrats get your shit together....

And a difficult decision

I'll be the first to admit I was late in discovering the magic of the Grateful Dead.   Yes, I tried to get tickets one summer for a show at Foxboro, but it sold out and I didn't appreciate being offered tickets for the next show in Buffalo.   If only I knew then what I know now.... but that's water under the bridge.

Regardless, I just can't rationalize spending the money to go see a show in Vegas.   I want to, I really do, and I'm crushed I missed them last summer, but I can't justify spending well north of a grand to go see a few shows in Vegas.   I'm pretty sure we're close to the last times these guys go on stage, but it's just not a good choice for us.

Instead we're going to go to Red Rocks this summer and see Stick Figure.   This is something Merinda and I discussed before the Sphere shows were mentioned.  We both want to do this and it's going to be an amazing time, not that the Sphere wouldn't be, but amazing in a different way.  Red Rocks is a bucket list place for both of us and, if I'm being completely honest, is somethign I personally prefer to do over Vegas.  Of course I say that having never been to Vegas so it might end up being a decision I regret, but when Jerry said he wanted to bring his wife that sealed it for me.  It's not that I don't want to bring Merinda, of course I do, but she's not that into the music and we don't have the money for gambling, and I can't say "lets go to Vegas and not gamble".   That's not fair to her.

Maybe we'll win the lottery and do both...

A welcome development

 As a pleasant surprise I decided to try and run, well really jog, last night.   I was out walking and felt good so I thought "why not?".   Despite feeling like I have no spring in my step, I was able to run for maybe 1/2 a mile and not feel like Tonya Harding had it out for me.   Even better was I woke up this morning and my knees, and hip, feel fine.    This made me feel like my goal of competing in that sprint triathalon is a real possibility, so I think I'll continue to build on that and see where it goes.

More to come...

A little late this month...

Sorry that I'm a little late with an update this month, we were on vacation and didn't get back until Sunday and I forgot to post...   We had a great time on the cruise, yes the new boats are definitely nicer, and I was very pleasantly surprised to find they had an actual spin studio on the boat and classes with a live instructor.   Needless to say I took a spin class every day they offered one, and my only complaint was they were all at 9am so I had to get up early.   

The other awesome part of the cruise was I finally got to try scuba.  Unfortunately, I didn't bring a gopro, nor did I feel like dropping 400+ for a new one, but it's safe to say that, going forward, I am for scuba :)

Regarding my fitness journey, January was very positive month as well.   I think my biggest NSV was that I had a checkup with my Doctor and he said I was healthy enough that he no longer needs to see me more than once a year.   He also thinks I might be able to cut my blood pressure meds again, which is a real plus.   Of course it relies on me maintaining my activity, but I don't forsee that changing.  

With that said, let's talk about my actual goals I set for January

• Maintain Weight
• Ride 500 miles
• Walk 20 miles
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Apple January exercise goal
• Gold in my January challenges
• New Years Apple challenge
• Start using the rower

Weight results:

• Starting Weight: 228.1
• Ending Weight: 221.1
• Net Loss: (7.00)
• Total Loss: (7.00)

Exercise info:

• Number of rides: 90
• Time on exercise: 01:10:22:48
• Distance on rides: 612.42
• Number of walks: 12
• Time walking: 4h 45m
• Distance walking: 13.3 

Results:

Again, this was a very positive month.   I crushed every goal except one and to be honest, with the amount of steps I took on the boat, I would argue that I hit them all.   I'm having a difficult time having my walking distance recorded as a whole for the month because it doesn't get logged as a "workout" unless I start an activity and won't show in Strava.   I can manually tally it, it would be nice to see it as an aggregate and the watch gets confused and thinks spin includes steps etc...   I think I'll probably change to a so many run/walk activities per month.   I also managed to get some swimming time in this month when I went scuba diving so that might resurface at some point.

Since I was late starting this, lets talk about February goals:

• Maintain Weight
• Ride 500 miles
• 14 walk or run activities
• 8-10 rowing activities
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Apple February exercise goal
• Gold in my February challenges

Now that I'm in maintenance mode these should look pretty familiar.  I'd like to see myself running instead of walking, but so far my attempts to run have been miserable, however based on issues recording walking "distance" I think just picking a number of activities is fair and doing that every other day should be achievable.   I'm behind, but I can catch up pretty easily.   Whether or not I can run might kill being competitive in the Triathalon but so be it.   I can't control how my knees feel and the last thing I want to do is end up hurting myself because I'm too proud to accept a physical limitation.   Otherwise I think I can hit all these if I work hard.

Final Thoughts:

Again, I think this was a great month.  We went on vacation and I ate what I wanted and even pigged out a bit.   I was thinner before we left, but I promised myself I wouldn't worry about it, and I'll drop the vacation weight before long.  I did exercise every day on vacation so it was good to stay on track and I actually enjoyed it.  Even today, which was my first day back to a "live" exercise, I had a headache all night, took advil at 6am or so and still woke up with the headache.   After my class I felt markedly better and the headache was gone.    TLDR - exercise is good for you....   Have a great month and talk soon!

Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise Duit!

 Yes, I'm feeling a wee bit Irish after ten days over in Ireland.   It was a great time, and while I definitely felt quilty about missing some of the distance challenge, it was supposed to go on break while I was away.  I stayed active while I was over there.  I went for a 30+ minute walk every day, except for the 31st since we were traveling that day, and I even went for a hike up Slieve Gullion which was amazing even if I fell and fucked my knee up.   I did seem to pack on a few pounds while I was over there, my Mother in law blames it on my crisps, I think it was the food, but either way it was a great time.  I also want to say I was a little hasty on my December goal and I smoked that even with taking ten days off the bike.   I think I might have hit 700 if we'd stayed home.

So...  All things considered I had a great December and a fantastic 2023.   So let's talk about what my goals were:

• Maintain Weight
• Ride 450 miles
• Walk 20 miles
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Apple December exercise goal
• Gold in my December challenge

Weight results:

• Starting Weight: 217.60
• Ending Weight: 228.1
• Net Loss: +10.50
• Total Loss: (99.90)

Exercise info:

• Number of rides: 85
• Time on exercise: 01:05:09:17
• Distance on rides: 542.43
• Number of walks: 13
• Time walking: 6h 56m
• Distance walking: 24.07

Results:

Well, for the first time in a while I finished my weight up for a month, but I expected that.   I ate what I wanted, drank a little bit, and not to overshare, am having a little bit of toilet issues from traveling.   Other than that I did all I wanted this year and more.   I use Strava for some of the metrics so I know it's off on the walking distance because I forgot to hit "record" a few times, but everything else I exceeded and the high point was actually going for a hike up the Slieve Gullion mountain with some of Merinda's family.   I'll post some pictures, but I've wanted to hike some of the mountains over there for a while and it was very rewarding to finally get to do that, especially given that a year ago it would have been impossble.

I'd also like to take a moment to talk about 2023 as a whole.

• Total time:  322h
• Total distance: 4,482 miles
• Riding distance: 4863.55 miles
• Number of rides: 791

The metrics are a little off because I started Strava after the first, but to use Strava's words, 2023 was a triumph.

So, enough of 2023, let's talk about what I want to accomplish for January and 2024 as a whole.

For January:

• Maintain Weight
• Ride 500 miles
• Walk 20 miles
• Perfect Month in Apple
• Apple January exercise goal
• Gold in my January challenges
• New Years Apple challenge
• Start using the rower

I think these are all very achievable.   Nothing special to talk about with the exception of the rower.   Yes, we bought a rowing machine.   There was a sale and I snagged an echelon rower for 150 bucks, it was just too good a deal to pass up.   Yes, it needs a tablet, but I have an Ipad mini and that will do for now.  Rowing is great exercise and I need some cross training.   Now all we need to do is clear up the back room and make it the exercise room.   

For 2024:

• Maintain Weight
• Ride 7000 miles
• Perfect Year of Apple move rings
• Every Apple Monthly exercise goal
• Ideally, I'd like a perfect year of closing my rings
• Gold in *all* my challenges
• Complete a sprint triathalon
• 250 walking/running miles - yes I said running
• An annual rowing goal, but I have to use it first.   I'll add this later

As I've been sitting here setting goals I think this is a good mix of goals.  Some. like the Apple ones or maintaining my weight should be easier, while some are going to be a little more challenging.   I think 7000 miles is attainable, but it's easy to say so in January.  I fell while hiking the mountain in Ireland and hurt my knee.  Yeah, it was minor, but it could have been worse.  A lot worse, and that could have had lasting repercussions on my fitness.   I do plan to do more hikes and activities like that.   Also, if you're actually reading this, you might have seen I want to do a triathalon.   That's something I've wanted to do for close to thirty years.   Back when I was running a lot I thought about it, but never got motivated before I stopped and got fat.   It's time to fix that.   There's a sprint triathalon here in Dunedin on May 19, which would have been my mom's birthday.    It seems like a good sign that this is the one for me, so I'm going to register for it.    It's a 1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike and a 5k.   I'm pretty sure I can do all those already even if I walk the 5k, and I'm not going for a time, just to finish.   We'll see how that goes.  Other than that I want to set some walking/rowing goals, but those will take a little time.

Final Thoughts:

I'll say it again, 2023 was a triumph for me.  I managed to get my health back on track so I can hopefully enjoy my life.   I want to maintain that in 2024 and keep moving forward.  I'm hoping to start scuba at some point this year and like the plaque on my desk says "Live your best life".   Happy New Years everyone and we'll talk soon!