Xavierism

A Little Somethin' Somethin' to Get Me Going...

 

Friday Happy Hour with Joy & Glory. Friday evening 11 mile run with Will & Yvonne. Saturday evening at home with Tamra enjoying Espresso martinis, good food, and a bit of TV. Sunday morning 5K race. Mid Sunday morning Mass. Sunday afternoon with Tamra & Brandon chatting over coffee & a movie at Tamra's. Weekend was all about friends & goals.

After a great weekend, I actually am happy to get this week started. My marathon training and healthy eating seems to be back on track. Tamra and I will be working on our training programs next weekend so that I know exactly what to expect once I begin my program in mid June.

I find myself to be in a good place. I feel as though I'm well connected and ready to conquer a journey with friends along the way. Open yourself to Life & I do believe Life will reward you with good things. Let's move forward!

*****CHEERS!*****

Bon dia, Tuesday!

After My Morning Shower!

After Saturday's evening race, The Night Run 8K, my body was ready to enjoy a few days off. That was one of the toughest races I've completed in a while. The course wasn't bad but it had been a while since I ran in the late evening. I made the mistake of running 3 miles early Saturday morning and by evening time, I was completely drained. I'm quite happy with my Time of 51:10.

I was so looking forward to my morning run today. My goal was to run an easy 6 miles. Body didn't want to cooperate and only ran 3.60 miles. I didn't want to push it so I cut it short and returned home to enjoy my coffee. I am back on track with my nutrition but could tell that I'm still not at peak performance. I can tell the difference now that I fell off the wagon. That's OK. I've learned a lesson.  This whole fitness and nutrition change is all about Lifestyle and not a diet fad of the week. So I'm looking forward to setting new goals and meeting new challenges. We can do this!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Armin van Buuren vs Sophie Ellis Bextor's Not Giving Up On Love

Current Mood: Focused

15 Minutes

                                                                              The Yeah You's 15 Minutes

 When I'm good, I'm damn good. When I'm bad, I'm F*ckin' Bad! I fell off the wagon with my healthy eating habits and am finally back on track. For most of the last two years, I've always had a big race in the horizon to keep me honest with my eating habits and training schedule. Now that I have a bit of a break, I allowed myself to take it easy. I believe I took it a bit too far with Easy and happier than ever to transition back to my reality. I've signed up for a few smaller 5K races so that should keep me on track for most of the Summer until I start Marathon training in August.

I'm not being hard on myself but it's so easy to let go. I've let go so many times and the last thing I want to do is to make another comeback. It's so easy to slide back into old habits. So I'm thankful to be back into the swing of things. I've been cooking like crazy all week. My freezer is stacked with various individual frozen healthy meals that will go well with a small salad and vegetables. I even plan to allow myself a few treats as rewards. Yep, I'm back!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: The Yeah You's 15 Minutes

Curret Mood: Relaxed

What's Next?

* 2013 New Year's Race Los Angeles
* 2013 City of Peoria Half Marathon
* 2013 New York 13.1 Half Marathon
* 2013 London Bridge Half Marathon
* 2013 Ragnar Relay Southern California

Here I am enjoying my morning coffee outside by our pool. It's a beautiful morning here in Central Phoenix. While writing out goals that I would like to set, accomplish, and complete throughout the remainder of this year, I finally determined that it's time to train for a Full Marathon. I'm thrilled to share that I've decided on The Long Beach Marathon on October 13th, 2013.

Other than here in my little corner of the web here on my blog, I usually share the information about the races I'm training for at any given time. Else where on the web, I don't share or put it out there. For this race, I put it out there yesterday that I was eager to train for a full marathon this fall.

I decided not to train for a big race this Summer so I'll be doing all I can to prep during the Summer months before the intense training begins. I'm quite excited about this. I've always said that I just wanted to run one full marathon and that's it. Well, there's a slight change to that as well. I have so many friends in Los Angeles and in California that have encouraged me to run the LA Marathon in March of 2014. After that, I just can't see myself running more full marathons than that. I love my half marathons but to run a huge race like the LA Marathon with dozens of friends seems ideal.

Outside of running, I have so many other goals in the areas of my career that has me excited. Since the weight loss, it seems that my company has nudged me to do more Public Speaking at various events and seminars. I've always enjoyed speaking in front of others so I look forward to more of this throughout the rest of the year.

Through Running, I've learned that I can reach and accomplish what I set out to do. It may not always be easy but it's up to me to try. I am actually surprised that I've stuck to running for as long as I have. I'm blessed that I'm injury free again and running better than ever. Live and learn. So soon enough I'll be babblin', bitchin' and whinin' about training for a full marathon. My Patron Saint of Xavierism has his work cut out for him!

*****CHEERS!*****

Am I A Size 4 Yet?

 

So happy it's Friday! I've been Spring/Summer cleaning around the house like crazy. The older I get the less crap I want. I've never been a pack rat but I am a sucker for memorable little things that would only matter to me. Examples: If I love a movie that I happen to see at the theater, I'll keep the stub and place in the movie's DVD if and when I purchase it. I do the same with concert tickets and stubs. Major news event happens, chances are I have a Headlines Newspaper to go along with it. Such things mean the world to me. Yes, fell free to call me The Man of Little Momentos.

While I continue to lose weight, I continue to lose clothes. So many of dress shirts and pants are now too big. I have taken a great deal of items to consignment shops/stores and have made a pretty penny. I'm officially a Size Medium in shirts and a Waist 31/32 in pants. Praise and Major thanks to the Patron Saint of All Things Size 6 and Under. I still have a way to go to reach my goal but I know it's realistic and obtainable. Here's to a the beginning of a new Month, a new day, and fresh new beginnings!

*****CHEERS!*****

Mama & Her Ducklings

                            

Mama & Her Little Ducklings

I love running along the Canal this time of the year.

A Thought Here & There...

An Early Morning Run along The Neighborhood Canal

I've said this over and over. I am not a natural talented runner. I don't run because it comes easy to me, I ran to maintain my Size 4 figure. Once my body and mind are in a groove with running, I love and embrace it at that moment. When my body is not in sync with running, it's often a chore for me to get out of bed and run. For the past month, I've been in a rut with running. Since the London Bridge Half Marathon, my body is ready for a break. Because of Ragnar, I trained a bit for that and thankful for the great results.

I have comtemplated doing a big race for the Summer but not shure my body cares to train for such a race during the hot months. In the meantime, I am happy that I've ran early mornings these past two days. Running with no music...just Nature and I. I've missed my early morning Conversations with God. My body has felt great during these past two runs. I love when everything just feels good..at my age it's not all that often I can say that!

Outside of running, work is going well. I seem to be giving more Presentations than ever. Ever since I've lost the weight and my confidence is above the clouds, the bosses have continued to push me to the forefront and allow me to do more public speaking. I'm so thankful to be given this opportunity because I love speaking in front of people. I must also mention that I love being in my suits and ties and feelin' pretty. This is another reason why I must run and continue to eat well. Gain weight and I'll have to wear stretch pants and Mama dresses.

Overall, I know I must count my Blessings while I do my best to improve in other areas. I've learn a great deal about patience and that there are many times there is nothing I can do in certain situations. So many times it's not about the moments but how I react to those moments. I continue to tell myself, "I'm doing OK!"...

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Gary Go's Wonderful

Current Mood: Hungry & Feelin' Pretty!

Post Ragnar

The Shenanigans In The Vansagain Celebrating -- with Tristen, Anders, Anita, Burt, Michael, Ryan, Laura, John, Elise, Jeff, & Tim!

***Random Play

*Bernhoft: Solidarity Breaks

*Clairy Browne & The Bangin' Rackettes: Baby Caught The Bus

*The Script: #3

*ZZ Ward: Til The Casket Drops

*Beth Hart: Bang Bang Boom Boom

*The Yeah You's: Looking Through You

It's Noon on Sunday and I'm so thankful to be spending it here at home with my feathered Angels.  I had various invites out for Brunch with friends but I rather just stay in. The past two weekends I've been on various travels and now I just want to enjoy my quiet space. Correction: It's never quiet in this house as long as the Umbrella Cockatoos are awake.

Ragnar. 12 friends, 2 vans, 2 days, 1 night, 200 miles = Unforgettable Stories!   2013 Ragnar Southern California was an amazing experience. This experience was all because of an amazing friend and fellow runner I immediately connected with while waiting for the start of a Half Marathon race. The moment we exchanged Salutations, I knew we would become good friends. Tristen sent messages asking if I would be interested in being a part of her Ragnar team since a member dropped out. It's never been a race that cared to be a part of or one for my Bucket List. I did volunteer for a team at the 2013 Ragnar Del Sol. Watching from behind the scenes, it didn't do a thing for me. So when Tristen asked, I wasn't quite sure how to respond. Long story short, I am so happy that I did! I loved everything about my Ragnar experience except for the running.

Actually the running wasn't too bad. I did set a PR for fastest Mile and 5K on my first Leg. After that, my Nike+ Sport Watch GPS died. It completely died and I had to run on feel for my second and third legs. I never accepted an invite with my friends here in Phoenix because they're all so fast and feared that I would be the slow one of the bunch and the added pressure was something I didn't want to deal with and hear about for years to come. So I accepted Tristen's invite and only shared with a handful of local friends.

From the moment that Tristen picked me up at the airport, I knew I made the right decision. For me this wasn't about the running it was about being happy with myself and running ability and contribute to a team. Prior to the race, I didn't contribute much to postings and emails because I just didn't get into the team spirit. Once teammates from Van #1 were on our way to the Start, I felt good about things. At the first major exchange when the whole team came together, I felt a part of something special. The Shenanigans In The Vansagain were all incredible members.

Would I consider doing Ragnar again? It all depends on exactly who is on the team. Would I want to do another Ragnar as a member of  The Shenanigans In The Vansagain? Most definitely! I still think about all the fun times we shared last weekend. Thank you so much, Milady Tristen for keeping me in mind and allowing for such memories to be a part of me always!

Life is all about adventures. At 48, I'm ready to take on and enjoy as many adventures as possible!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Beth Hart's Bang Bang Boom Boom

Current Mood: Simply Blessed & Thankful

2013 Ragnar Relay So Cal

                                          A Proud Teammate of The Shenanigans in the Vansagain

2013 London Bridge Half Marathon

I enjoyed a quick getaway this past weekend to run the London Bridge Half Marathon in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. I wasn't sure if I had enough energy to run this race after feeling sick for a week and a half. Happy to report that I did complete this race. It wasn't pretty and I wasn't even close to a PR but I crossed the Finish Line. I had to walk a few times for long periods and still managed a time of 2:26:29.

I was really annoyed that my Nike+ Sportwatch GPS freaked and threw me off for this whole race. Pace was way off and I could never get the watch back on track with the true and actual pace. According to final results from watch, I ran 19 miles. You better believe I'll be calling Nike Customer Service in a bit. It happens.

This would have been a PR anytime last year so I am thankful that I've raised my Core fitness along with Endurance enough to do better than OK even when I'm not at my best. Bigger than that? I LOVED the outfit I wore for this race -- I really did! I may have been slow but I felt good. I may have to consider this race for the 2014 season.

*****CHEERS!*****