9 Weeks to Go! - No time to slouch.

I finished Heavy, but not without cost. . . my feet. I've since had to adjust what boots I will wear for Selection. As for my prep work, I am running consistently under 40 min for 5 miles. I am rucking right at 15:00 per mile, and my push-ups and sit-ups are in check. From this point on, it's all about improving everything , and standardizing my approach.

Two days before Heavy - It's all I can do not to train harder.

Heavy is two days away and I want to train more. I'm in good shape. I have to trust the training Ive put in. I have foot care and everything else taken care of. Tuff Foot, new skin, and super glue are wonderful foot care items.I'll report in after.

Week 18 - Day 2 / 16 Weeks To Go : Plan the Work, Work the Plan.

Current weight: 209 lbs (-21 lbs since 1st post, -30 lbs since January)
4 Mile Run: 31 Minutes ( 7:55 per mile)
Push Ups - 60 in 75 seconds.
Sit Ups - 70 in 2 minutes.
10 Mile ruck pace - 14:30 per mile.

(I eventually have to do these all in the same day).

I continue to work the plan, and the results are coming, slowly, but coming. I have not seen 209 lbs in 7 years. It feels good. The key has been working the plan, both exercise and nutrition. I'm starting to focus more on the push-ups and sit-ups now that my running is coming along. The continual decrease in weight has helped my running exponentially.  Physically I feel great. My feet need more work, which only comes through rucking, and good foot gear. If I can keep my feet healthy I'll be good to go.

When I arrive at Heavy and Selection I'll feel like I have already won. Both of these events have given me the focus to train and get in better shape. Mentally, I am ready for Heavy. I thrive on the team aspect. I do best when I'm helping others finish. Having had a brief encounter with Selection helps, but it's not the same. My mind is my greatest challenge. I watch the GORUCK videos for doses of reality and inspiration.

Week 16 - Day 1 : Entertainment Is Overrated.

I haven't been posting because there hasn't been much going on except I continue to train. I have been consistent in my training. I continue to loose weight. This is the week I push my speed work up a 1/2 mile. My running is going well. I'm holding a 7:45-48 pace for three miles. The reality is once I conquer the 5 mile requirement, I still need to ruck 12 miles. I did 7 miles at a 14:30 pace this past Saturday. It was a good clip.

There was a Pitt challenge this past weekend. It felt strange not being there. I miss my friends, and the opportunity to make new ones. Heavy will surely provide that opportunity :)

I'm also realizing that entertainment is not necessary to my training, music and such. The only entertainment I really enjoy now is company and a new running route.

Week 14 - Day 4 : Status Report

Current Weight - 215 lbs.
Current 3 Mile - 23 minutes.
Push-Ups - 60
Sit-Ups - 70
12 Mile Ruck - 3:20

Could I pass Selection standards today . . .nope. I need to get to five miles in under 40 minutes. My goal is pass Selection Standards by July 11th, Pittsburgh Heavy, then take the following 12 weeks until Selection to better improve myself and lose another 15 lbs. I would like to be at 190 lbs by Selection. Stay Tuned.

Week 12 - Day 5 : Becoming the Bear

My mantra has been " Kill the Bear", but today I felt like I was becoming the bear. Today I ran my best three mile, 23:36. I chose the flattest route possible in Western PA, and set my pace. The first mile is always my worst, so I never evaluate my run on that. The Second mile was good, and my third was fine, but I admit it was a struggle. I finished 1.5 miles from home, so jogged home at a nice pace. I weighed in at 216.5 lbs before the run.  The lightest I've been in some time. I'm fine with bear image for now, but I need to become more deer like. Not many guys that I know of finish Selection weighing over 200 lbs. RFP.

Week 10 - Day 7 : The First Trimester Is Finished

I've just finished my first 11 week trimester in route to Selection. I finished this trimester by running the Pittsburgh 1/2 marathon. I didn't run for a time, but to finish. The goal was to run and finish without feeling trashed. Why? Because mentally I needed to finish well so that as I amp up my speed work I'm able to tell myself  " You can do this, you just finished a 1/2 marathon, and felt good." Don't discount the mental games you have to play to get your mind right. I often watch clips from the movie "The Edge", " What one man can do, another can do." And, " I'm going to kill the bear." "Killing the Bear" has become my mantra for completing Selection, or any challenge. Today was a type of bear. More like a Koala bear, but have you ever seen one of those things angry? The next trimester will end with GORUCK Heavy here in Pitt. I'm expecting a Grizzly experience.