40 Days In The Word and Running for my Goal

My wife and I have begun a bible study program through our church called 40 Days In The Word. The goal is to teach participants how to study The Bible more effectively and with more purpose. We are a few days in but already I am amazed how much more I am getting out of books that I have read several times before. It is true that The Bible is a living text and will mean different things to you at different times in your life. I am really looking forward to the next 35 days or so as I continue learning and applying the techniques taught in the program.

In exercise related news I have started to incorporate walking/running into my routine. There is a park about a quarter mile from my house that I walk to in the evening and then alternate running and walking around the park before finally walking back home. I was amazed how much better of a runner I am since I am in better shape. With all of the strength training I have done over the last 10 months my legs are much stronger than they were the last time I ran. The amazing thing is that I have much better awareness of my muscles now. When I run I can feel each individual muscle in my legs while they are working. It is pretty awesome. Although I have started slowly I plan on increasing my run distance over time to eventually run a 5k or longer. My current goal is to participate in Pat's Run next year. It is a 4.2 mile run in honor of Pat Tillman, a former ASU and Arizona Cardinals football player who joined the Army and was killed in combat. this years run was last weekend so I have a year to train for it.

I also found out this week that my trainer will be leaving at the end of May. I knew she would be leaving soon but I find myself a little sad since she has really fine tuned my workouts over the last few weeks and is starting to kick my butt hardcore. Hopefully my next trainer will be able to tune on and work me to the max. All in all I actually work myself very hard when I go in on my own so I shouldn't be phased by the change.

I haven't had much of an opportunity to take pictures over the last few weeks, things have been very busy. I am planning on going out this weekend to get some captures and if I get anything good I will make sure to shore.

Filled With Emotion

This week we suffered our third miscarriage. This also happened to be the second in 9 months. It has been very hard on us. Our desire to start a family is very strong and we feel that we would make good parents. The whole situation has taught me to really appreciate the blessings on my life. Although things can be tough at times I am still blessed to have what I have. The beautiful thing about tragedy is that it can cause the best to come out of you. I fully intend to channel this frustration, anger and sadness into my fitness goals. If I can't push the emotions down I might as well put them to work on something constructive.

Today I hit some golf balls with my dad. What a difference packing on some muscle and losing some weight can do. I am going to be a beast on the golf course as I get in better shape.

Since I am posting this from my iPhone I will leave with a picture I took while driving home one day.

Change Is In The Air

After months of great strength training I have decided it is time for some serious cardio.  In order to spend more time outside (at least while the weather is nice) I will start a routine of walking, running and biking.  I have been weary of starting a running program as it is commonly known that running can cause knee problems.  However, there are plenty of people out there that run all the time and don't have problems.  The key is not to push yourself too far just like with anything in life.  I will also be purchasing a new bike seat to make my rides more comfortable.  I have not been riding as much as I should because my butt gets sore due to the crappy seat on my bike.  Walking it pretty standard as it is one of the best cardiovascular and safest exercised you can do.  The cardio will help me to slim down even more and work on my next goal.  After some consideration I have decided to really tone my muscles and make them show.  My first trainer told me that I am built perfectly for body building.  After actually building some muscle mass and losing some fat I can see what she saw.  My frame is ideal of really packing on some muscle.  Now, my goal is not to go overboard and become a giant mass of muscles and veins.  I am looking for a built but cut look.  I want excellent muscle definition that everyone can see and enjoy.  Of course I will have to get a tan as well but that will come in time.

With spring finally here another one of my favorite hobbies is taking up some of my time, yard work!  I know this may seem crazy but I absolutely love having a great looking yard.  When I was growing up my dad kept the most pristine lawn on our street.  He always told me that he was winning the competition for best lawn even though none of the other neighbors knew there was a competition.  Well, the year I am going to win the competition.  I started watering once it warmed up and it is greening up nicely.  I am taking this summer to make sure the lawn is well established and I will be planting vines along the side of the house in the fall.  I also have a flower bed that has roses written all over it.

Someday I will be all buff like Brandon Magee (#8)

This guy just happened to bloom on a rainy day