P90X

As I said in my first blog, one of my first steps at completing a marathon is getting into relatively good shape. I'm not saying Mr. Universe shape but a lot healthier than I am now. I have been reading up on the DVD program P90X and it seems like it is something worth trying. It involves 13 weeks of training, in which you follow a carefully planned calendar. Some days are intense, others are not and since you are constantly changing the workouts, you confuse the muscles. Confusing the muscles is important because then you don't hit the plateau where you don't see improvement. This from what I've read is where other exercise programs fail.

So I am hoping on starting this Sunday, just need to get a couple of dumbells.

The Whittier Greenway Trail

The Greenway Trail is a 5-mile trail that was completed last year in the city of Whittier. It's span is perfect for those trying to get in shape or in my case, getting ready for a marathon. Since I live near the 2 mile mark I have made myself acquainted with miles 1 and 2, having ran those miles quite a bit. I've gone through Whittier High School, Parnell Park and over the Norwalk blvd. bridge. It's a nice way for people to get away and relax. I wish more people would take advantage of it. Below are some pictures I took a few months back while I was on my first training session ( 1 of only 4 :( but any way enjoy the pictures, and in the near future I will keep you all updated on my journey.

The Past, Present and Future

The Past

I should be 75 days away from running my first marathon. Finishing the LA Marathon has long been a goal that I have quietly kept to myself for many years and I thought this year would be my year. However if you've seen me lately I am anything but "race ready". Over the summer I had mentally prepared myself for the race. I had even gone as far as to put up huge monthly tables on a wall showing me how many miles I had to run in order to be ready for the March event. Plus the fact that the race would originate from Dodger Stadium and run itself to the Santa Monica Pier made me even more excited. Before my training began I started what I called my pre-training runs, that were actually more like 4 mile walks on the Whittier Greenway Trail. I did this maybe 5 times before quitting cold turkey. I always had an excuse why I couldn't go out and train and days became weeks and weeks became months and now it is too late to participate in this years event.

The Present

Today I find myself sadden that I've let a great opportunity pass me by. I find myself needing to get healthier which is part of the reason I also was up beat about the race. I figured that while training for this race, I would naturally lose weight and of course that would be a plus. In reality I have probably gained weight. I find myself sadden that instead of participating in the race I will be watching on TV, probably turning it off immediately in disgust with myself.

The Future

I believe I've given myself a very realistic opportunity by allowing myself more than a year to get into race shape. I will not need to follow the guidelines for most new people which says they must train for 6 months. I am allowing myself more than twice that amount. I am allowing myself more than a year, 14 months to be exact and that actually brings me hope. I can concentrate on doing it right. I can concentrate on losing weight and then conditioning my body to make the distance. A distance of 26.2 miles. I don't care about timing, I could care less what my finish time is, I only ask of myself to finish and pass that finish line.

So why is this blog going to change anything? If you couldn't do it before, why can you now? Are you really going to stick with it? You're just going to make yourself look bad and be the butt of a joke! You're all talk but can't walk the walk!

These are all thoughts that are running through my mind and probably yours. I am here to show you, you are wrong. I am here to prove to myself I can! Welcome to my journey.