My New Goals: Weigh in Update

It’s been a while since I posted… I apologize, but I have alot to share!  The last two weeks have been amazing. I made some changesto my weigh in schedule and now weigh in every other Tuesday. The change wasnecessary as the scale became too much of a focus.  Right now the numberthat I see still reins supreme on the chart of measurable achievements, but Iam now seeing results in other areas that mean more to me from a long runperspective.  Two weeks ago I committed to a 100% re- focus on my dailyfood consumption. I knew that getting through Thanksgiving was going to betough so I wanted to prep myself well ahead of time. I developed a routine,planned meals and stuck to my guns. Thanksgiving morning started much differentthan years of the past.  I woke up early and headed down town to join 20,000others in the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot. I completed the 10K run and feltwonderful about the accomplishment. I could not help but think of where I was 6months prior when I first started. I remember going for a run/walk around theblock, .25 miles and feeling like I was on my death bed.  I completed myfirst 10K in 1:12 mins and never stopped running through the entire thing. Irealize that I am not breaking land speed records, but my battle isn’t with theclock it’s with the mind and body. My goal is to simply improve my well-beingthrough hard work and dedication to my new passion. 

Each day I wake up and work to improve my health, I ambreaking personal records. I am now in the best shape I have ever been in…. EVER! I nowhave to take a different approach, one that I have learned in my time spentworking with the FNS (http://www.fns360.com/)community. Each day I seek to improve, even if thatimprovement is 1% in the right direction. I challenge myself daily and amfinding that I am becoming stronger and faster than ever before.  Myattitude towards the traditional gym approach has changed. In the beginning I wasspending much of my time (sometimes 3 hours) going through the motions of myworkouts.  I am very grateful to have found that “thing” that I have beenmissing.I do not enjoy the traditional gym approach near as much any more. I find that a healthy dose of FNS and outside activities is giving me the results I seek. Thanksgiving weekend I went on a 8.25 mile run….  Everyone has the ability to achieve their dreams. I have said itbefore and I think this is slowly becoming my motto to live by. When yourdreams change to goals you are on the right track. Dreams seem unattainable;goals however are created to be obtained.  I truly believe that this canbe applied to all facets of life. I am not superman, I do not have any specialpowers, I am simply a normal guy that needed to make a change. Through myjourney I seek to inspire others to make changes in their lives. No one shouldever have to live in self-made prison, we all have the ability to change withinourselves.  Living life as a 450+ man made me experience things that mostwould not even think twice about. I know that these things seem small to most,but just simply fitting in a “normal” seat has changed my life. Well enoughwith my preaching….. I just want so bad to help those that want to be helped.As always I am open to questions – email me at mario@sheddingounces.net

Wildflower Triathlon – http://www.tricalifornia.com/index.cfm/WildFlower2013-main.htm

May 3-5, 2013 Olympic Course – 1.5k Swim, 40k Bike, 10k Run.My first ever Triathlon, but if I find a smaller course prior to this date Iplan on entering for training purposes.

Alcatraz Challenge – http://www.tricalifornia.com/index.cfm/ALSwim2013-main.htm

May 27, 2013 Swim from the famous Alcatraz Island in the SFbay to the shore. 1.5 Mile swim through rough open seas! I CANT WAIT!!!

Tough Mudder – Lake Tahoehttp://toughmudder.com/events/california-tahoe-july-13-july-14-2013/

July 13, 2012 – This will be a blast!

Warrior Dash – Colorado – http://www.warriordash.com/register2013_colorado.php

August  17, 2012 5K Obstacle course through one of myfavorite ski resorts of all time, Copper Mtn.  I have several of myCollege Fraternity Brothers that have agreed to join me! AEKDB!!!

Warrior Dash – NorCal- DATE is TBD

Date TBD –  Where it all started! I plan to dominatethe course and show drastic improvement on my time from 2012! #Warrior inTraining

Muddy Buddy – San Jose  – http://muddybuddy.competitor.com/events/san-jose-mud-run/

September 28, 2013 – 2 Person Team event – Get Ready Jake,we are going to show some major improvement on last years’ time, we might evenadd the biking into it this year!

Turkey Trot – San Jose – http://svturkeytrot.com/

November 28, 2013 – 10K Thanks giving Morning.

These are my for sure races of 2013! I plan on adding insome others. I am looking into doing a half marathon in the early part of theyear. I also will be looking to add another triathlon (Olympic  Length)along with a few sprint lengths as well. If you have any suggestions pleasefeel free to let me know!

2014 Goal

Full Iron Man –Arizona http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/ironman/arizona.aspx#axzz2DY4jHyIt

I am not sure how exactly I am going to get into this… 2013sold out in 40 seconds! I will find a way, but 2014 will be the year I completemy first Iron Man!