Bike and Run Workout

Yesterday was the day of the bike for me.  I woke up in the morning and did close to four miles on my mountain bike around the neighborhoods where I live in the burbs of Philly.  I could totally feel the resistance of the wider tires and could tell that they were slowing me down on some of the downhill sections of the road.  I am not complaining about this as it requires me to put in some extra work with the wider tires giving a better work-out.  I know if I went from a 2.0 inch tire to something like a 32c tire that it would be a totally different ride.  Look like I might start saving for a road/cyclocross/hybrid bike that would work better for the road.

Starting my morning off right!

The ride was decent.  I could really tell a difference in this bike vs my old hybrid.  My average speed is slightly slower now, but I really feel like my legs got a decent work out for what it was.  Here are the stats of the ride.  Again, this isn't a super long ride.  It was just enough to get me going and wake me up.  I feel that if I really want to start losing some weight that I am going to need to up the time spent on the bike.

Morning Ride

After the ride I went about my day.  I decided to hit the trail with a friend later that evening.  This is apart of the trail that I have done before, and I actually did more than what is listed.  I stopped Cyclemeter while we were back at the cars on a water break and never turned it back on when we hit the other section of the trail.  I did a little better this time.  I walked way less than I have before.  I think it helped that I had someone there pushing me to go faster.  It also built some confidence because I didn't want to seem like a loser who walks more than I ride.  It was good though.  I can only get stronger.....because I am all the at the bottom.

Today I resumed my Couch to 5K program.  This week I upped the run time to 1:30min run and 1:30min walk.  I could tell that I upped the run time because towards the end of it I could tell that my legs were more tired this go around than last week.  I am proud that I never walked when I was supposed to run.  I was also trying out a new pair of New Balance Minimus Zero Road Shoes.  Totall different than the Bakilas I wore last time.  Way less ground feel.  I feel that the Bakilas are a best of both worlds shoes for me.  I did really like these though and plan on wearing them more.  I will probably trade off shoes until I really figure out which ones I like the best.  So far though, no problems with either.

Dig the way these look!

Here are the stats of todays run.  I plan on posting them all that I have done half way through this program and at the end.  I went a little further than usual, but also a minute longer too.  I can't wait to see more progress.  On top of this....I need to hit the gym and start lifting.  I do not want to bulk up, but I am wanting to tone up my fat body.  Tomorrow I am playing basketball so that will probably by my workout for the day.  

I have given up soda and am going to cut way back on other beverages that are not water except on my cheat day which I am probably going to make Sunday.  I am starting to watch my portions and am hoping that this is going to help.  Taking little steps.  This is the area that I am going to struggle with the most when it comes to this whole losing weight thing.  Wish me luck and lets hope that I can do this!

Couch To 5K: Day Three

Blurred Lines!  Getting ready for my evening run!

I was pumped when I left you guys with my last post.  I had been improving my time and strength even though it was only two runs.  It left me excited and wanting to run more.  I also was really pumped about mountain biking because I had slowly been improving there as well with every ride.  I plan hitting the trail tomorrow.  If you are here for the cycling then check back in the evening.  I should have a post update about my trip to the trail.  

This weekend was not a very good weekend for me health wise.  I went on a trip with a youth group as a room leader.  I tried to eat healthy, but it is hard when you are stopping at fast food joints and staying in a room with junior high boys who only eat straight sugar and fat.  I tried, but I must admit that I did give in to some of their food.  Late nights and horrible food left me feeling like junk when we got back.  I know that working out is not just going to be the only thing that I need to do on this journey to lose weight...I also need to watch what I eat.  I failed this weekend in that department.

Some of the snacks in my room!

When I got back from the trip I had a few packages waiting for me at my door.  I had a few spare tubes for my mountain bike so I am not stranded in the woods with a flat, and also a new pair of Vibram Five Finger Bakilas.  I also have another pair of shoes on their way for my running pleasure (more minimal shoes!).  Some have mentioned that these are not the shoes that people are using to win races.  Truth is I could care less what people are wearing to win races.  I am not racing.  I am wanting what I think is comfortable for my feet.  I usually run in a pair of KSOs, but I find there to be to much ground feel and not enough cushion.  I love the Bakilas because they still offer great ground feel, but a little more padding than the KSOs.  Really like them so far!  I could tell that I had eating food I shouldn't have.  I felt sluggish for sure.  Not nearly as strong as I did on Thursday.  This just goes to show that it really does matter what food you are putting into your body.  

Here are my stats from tonights run!  Tomorrow is a rest day from the program and then back at it Tuesday with a longer run time.  I plan on hitting the bike and possibly gym tomorrow.

Run, Fat Boy, Run

One of the other things I am doing besides just cycling is running when I can.  I figured that I would try and do the Couch to 5K program and see how if it would work.  I am running this currently in a pair of Vibram Five Finger KSOs that I purchased years ago when they first came out. 

So far it has been good.  I really have enjoyed the first two run/walk sessions.  It is just enough that I am not dead afterwards, but I still feel like I did something.  My pace has already quickened ever so slightly and I could tell from the first session to the next that I was already getting a tad stronger.  The first run I could tell I was getting a little tired around mile one.  My legs were very tired and sore the next day.  A lot of that has to do with the Five Fingers and the proper running technique for them.  My calf muscles were not loving it, but I was loving what it was doing to them! 

Today, however, I was fine and didn't really start to get too fatigued until I hit the hill that leads back up to where I live.  Baby steps....but these are good baby steps and hopefully leading to a healthier life.  Here are the stats from the first two run/walk sessions for the Couch to 5K program.

Day One

Day Two

Core Creek Park: Ride One

 I must confess that this is not my first time riding at Core Creek......just my second.  I wanted to make sure I would want to do it again before I started filming, taking time to edit, and taking the time to upload/post about it.

This is my fitness blog where I hope to chronicle my weight loss journey.  One of the ways I plan on doing this is through mountain biking.  I currently ride a Cannondale Trail SL 4 29er and really enjoy it so far.

I need to build up my confidence though....I guess that will just come with more time spend out on the trails.  I walk around or over the obstacles that are in the way like log piles and jumps.  This loop that the videos shows is around 1.74 miles.  According to the app Cyclemeter I burned around 300 calories.  I just know that by the end of the ride I was happy that it was the end.  I was beat.  That just shows me that I have a lot of work that I need to do on improving my fitness.

Post Ride Selfie