"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt
So, for the last six days I have been following the Engine 2 Diet. It is basically an all plant based diet. And the truth is that I feel fantastic. I was a bit concerned at first because I figured that I wouldn't be able to follow through with it but, to my surprise, I have actually been adapting quite well. The first 3 days were a bit rough and the fact that I was battling a sever cold didn't help much either. I am really glad that I decided to do this because I was starting to feel like shit, probably because I was eating like shit! Everyone who knows me knows that even though I tend to do lots of physical activity I don't really watch what I eat. It has always been an issue for me....a serious one. I have always felt as if I have taken one step forward (with my fitness) and three steps back with my nutrition. So the decision to make some drastic changes with regards to my eating habits couldn't have come at a better time. Something had to change...
Several people have inquired about this diet and what it consist of. It's really quite simple: No meat, dairy products, and processed foods. check out the link if u want to get a better idea of what its all about. I had actually seen the book at work a while back and kind of thumbed through it but totally disregarded it for another useless fad diet. Then a couple of weeks ago I was reading a blog and its author was about to take on the same challenge and I clicked the link to the website and was inspired to do the same. So for the next four weeks I will be eating a plant powered diet!! I will start posting all the things I eat and all the workouts that I'll be doing if your interested in following...I'm gonna need all the support I can get!
Two down 29 to go. Today was a solo run in the H st trail system...it was kinda warm. I'll get into the details of the challenge in the next post. I can't believe i haven't posted since my birthday back in March. So n=much has gone down since then. I am really going to make an honest effort to start writing down these congruences since that was the original intention of this blog. Time for bed.
So this week was a pretty good week.(Thanks to Crystal and My Family) Going into it though, I really wasn't feeling it. But then again, who if any, looks forward to another birthday? I have to say, I am really glad how this year is turning out. I am also very blessed to have completed another year of life, and that alone is good enough for me. My health is good, my spirits are high, and the future is bright. On Tuesday I went out for a run and the day couldn't have been better...the weather was absolutely gorgeous!! These may make you Dizzy! It's not so easy to run while recording!
here's the last one...These videos don't do the climbing any justice! But I did get better at recording while running!! Although, I did almost eat shit a couple times... Can u see the bird in the image? Damn thing was fucking trying to eat me! This was a lot of fun. Running here and climbing the mountain that is off in the distance are two of the things that I love doing in Chula Vista. If anyone who happens to read this ever whats to head out there with me, just drop me a line! (crystal didn't like this picture of her)
Later that evening Crystal and I went out for Sushi. U know, when I first met her she said she didn't like it, now shes addicted to it!! This was an awesome way to cap off an excellent Birthday. I had agreed to have a family dinner celebration on Sunday evening, since a weekday gathering was tough to make for some of my family members. We then finished the evening with a small cheesecake with my folks!! I love this stuff, so I did indulge in a big slice. Yesterday, we got together for the family dinner and it was really great to spend time with the entire family. All 23 of them!! You know, as I get older these types of gatherings take on a greater
meaning. I value them so much more, because they are the important moments that one should cherish. You never know if this will be your last. And finally, Thanks to everyone who sent me well wishes on Tuesday....it really made my day!!!
Well, I have made some good gains thus far in terms of training. My volume has increased substantially and my body has absorbed and assimilated well. I am sticking to the training plan that I am have created for myself and I'm finding that training load is really working. Today I did the first test of my fitness...and the results are encouraging! The test consist of a 4.8 mile loop with some climbing, ~800+ft elevation gain in the first two miles. The first time I did this run it took me 1hr 15min, today I completed the same loop in 58min. At the end of the run I wasn't tired or winded...I felt good. Strong. I felt as if I could have gone for a second loop. So...on the training front things are good. Now I am really going to single in on my nutrition. Since I started training, I started on Jan.1, I weighed in at a whopping 179 lbs. I have since lost 9 lbs without really changing my eating/drinking (I LOVE BEER) habits. The high volume of training has help out, but I haven't really put that much of a dent on the extra poundage that I'm hauling around. I hope to shed an extra 12-15 pounds before my first race. OK...that's it for now.
As I am finding out, determining my optimal race weight is an eye opening experience. I recently picked up Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance by Matt Fitzgerald and I'm slowly sadly realizing what I've always felt, I AM WAY TOO HEAVY!!! But, this book seems to have some really good tips so far... I gotta finish reading it, though. I'll get back to what I'm exactly going to do about 25+ excess pounds that I'm carrying in a later post. I'll also talk about how my training is going thus far. I have some pretty lofty goals set for myself....OK I gotta go to sleep now!
Wow! I haven't posted in a long time...damn u Facebook! But, I will be soon because the new year is upon us and plans are being made. Of which I will soon write about as I try to plan a solid race season.
This Past Sunday my brother invited a group of us to watch the Mexican National team square off against Guatemala at Qualcom stadium. WOW...this game sucked!!! It was so sad to see these pro players not give a shit about representing the national team. One would think that they would at least be filled with pride for getting the opportunity to play for their country, but that apparently was not the case. The game ended in a lackluster 0-0 tie, which would a have been okay if the game was the least bit exciting. I will say one thing though, my bro did get us some bitch'n seats!! (left-right: Pops, Me, Big J.C., and my brother Jose. Oh, and Jesus took the picture. Not that Jesus...hahahaha) I think I was having more fun watching the drunkards getting into fisticuffs, then the actual game itself!(you gotta love drunk Mexicans) This is one of the biggest reasons why I'd rather watch sporting events in the comfort of my own home, they're way too many knuckleheads out their!! All in all I had a good time shooting the breeze with the guys, and the burgers we ate after the game were amazing! I really hope that Mexico gets their shit together, otherwise they sure as hell won't be going to the World Cup next year. Julio sums it up quite nicely in this short clip!! Hmmm...I wonder what Crystal was doing while I was at the game?
So this past Sunday was the San Diego Rock'n Roll Marathon and I was supposed to participate...but never got around to actually registering, which was a good thing. I wouldn't have been able run it even if I wanted to. Due to hurting the o'l back. I wonder if I had registered if I woulda been able to get a refund? Probably not...they always find ways to fuck you over with your registration fees. Anyways, I went and I had a complete blast. My primary role on Sunday was as "domestique" to my girlfriend Crystal. I actually ended up riding the entire course, and then some, in my efforts to be Crystal's one-man support crew. I carried everything that she needed: gels,fuel bars, Gatorade, h2o, her extra layers just in case, oh...and my amazing humor that seemed to work great the first few miles but slowly fizzled away as the miles began to pile on!
As the video shows, I was hustling the first few miles from several point to point "pre-determined" rendezvous spots, it wasn't until we hit the 163 that I was able to cruise along w/ crystal the rest of the race. (if your wondering why I'm not wearing a helmet and what I'm actually saying in the video: 1) I forgot it @ home. 2) something along the lines of "cool I'm in downtown on my bike w/ no traffic!!) This was so much fun. Hats off to everyone who completed the race...my respects to all those who finished. Running 26.2 miles is easier said than done!!! I am particularly proud of Crystal because she had to overcome quite a few barriers in preparation for this race. And even though she had injuries that forced her off her feet early on in her training and then having to put aside her training completely to help me out when I needed her. Yet, she was still able to get out there on one months training and grind out the miles for a good cause!! I'm so impressed and proud of her!(I'll post a link to her blog once she writes her race report) I was so motivated by this that I will definitely be back next year to compete...well I wont be competing for first but I'll be out there for sure!! Here is a little foto montage of how my day went down!! Enjoy.
Well, It's official...I can go back to work! Doc has cleared me for a complete unrestricted return. This is good news, cause it means I am getting better and my recovery is working as planned. I must admit that I'm a bit nervous about it, but so glad to resume my daily activities. There are a lot of mixed emotions though, but I now feel like I can "dare to dream" again...which wasn't the case before because of the uncertainty of my predicament. So this blog will once again, I hope, resume it's role as my journal that chronicles my outdoor adventures, as it was intended to.
I have had two consecutive chiropractic sessions this week so far and they were not exactly what I expected. They were cool...but, I don't think they are going to help me much in my recovery...wait, let me restate that...they will help me out, just not at this moment. Because of my limited range of motion many realignment techniques that I would've hoped the chiropractor would perform are just out of the question. So I will continue on with my own recovery plan that I have set up for myself. This plan is intended to "rebuild" my back. I need to develop better habits that promote proper posture while incorporating an exercise regimen that focus on strengthening my core. Thus, reducing the probability of injuring myself again.
It is Sunday and it has been a little over a week since I injured my back. Lots of progress has been made in recovering, but a full recovery is probably several weeks away...I have begun to rehabilitate and "rebuild" my back with several stretching and and strengthening exercises, mainly yoga and core strengthening exercises. I am so stoked to be able to get on the trainer and spin for ~45Min's at a time with little to no pain and swim as well!! These are going to be my main forms of cardio since running at this moment isn't in the recovery plan, because I need to focus on low impact exercises. I made the decision to stop taking all my prescribed medications as of last Friday, for several reasons...mainly because I just did not like how they were making me feel. They did an excellent job of numbing me up, but they were fucking with my concentration and making me forget shit. Plus, I'm going to make an attempt to return to work...I need to to go back! I already lost this semester which is a complete bummer cause I was really digging my classes. I'll be fine...I have always thought the answers to everything in ones life lie directly in your own hands. You never really need to look much further...
It has been a week since my medical ordeal and some major progress has been made. Progress that few thought possible...myself included. And fortunately every thing is pointing towards a full recovery. I know I need to do this as quickly and as safely as possible, patience has never been a virtue of mine, but I have had to learn to cope and learn quickly. I am now able to walk unassisted, which is fricken awesome!!! I'm not going very far but its much better than before when even the slightest steps were excruciating. Hey, we gotta crawl before we can run right? Not that I'll be doing any running soon...or will I? (note. That's not my X ray, just used it to illustrate the lumbar region where my injury was sustained) Um...this isn't my x ray either...or is it? lol
Last week something happened. Something that was unfortunate and so unexpected. It is a bit to early to write about it because my mind is still hazy and my thoughts are equally blurred. So I'll put some images of how I feel and will attempt to write about it in the days to come. I am fine and I know I will make a full recovery. I am blessed to have such an extraordinary family and a equally phenomenal woman who has helped me in ways I never thought possible. Gracias Crystal, Te AMO!!!
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