USMC Training

WARNING:  This post is not about bragging or being proud.  This post is for people just like me who struggle with exercise and don’t ever stick to it.  I’ve got a long way to go but I’ve come a long way to date!

Back in April, Terri and I went to the beach with the kids during their spring break.  It was the week before that when Mark Williams and I were talking about the need to get back into shape.  We made a small wager (1 bottle of water) to see who could lose the most weight before the ACS 2009 National Convention.  I don’t “diet” well so I decided to cut down on what I eat but to continue to eat what I want.

I knew I needed to exercise.  When the wager happened, I decided that I had put off “running” as an exercise way too long.  I had two knee surgeries back in the early 90s and I’ve been using that as an excuse since then.   So I started running…. jogging I guess you’d call it.  I made it about 200 yards and had to stop for AIR!  I’d walk a little…run a little.  I did this 4 out of 7 days as far as I could. Within a week, (remember we’re at the beach) I was jogging almost 3/4 of a mile without stopping.  I’ve kept this up since then.

Then I decided that I wanted to do something I’ve never done before. So I started looking around at 5K events, 10K events, Cooper River Bridge Run, etc.  I came across the United States Marine Corp Mud Run event.   I started talking it up at work and others became interested.  Sweet!  I now have some accountability partners to train with.  By the way, over 20 people at ACS are planning on participating.  Our motto: We’re not here to compete, we’re here to complete!

So the real training has begun.  Tonight, I went to the gym. 

Here’s two photos of the equipment that I trained on.  First, the treadmill.

 

That was a 50 minute walk/jog/run.  I made it almost 4 miles and burned 627 calories. 

Then I went off and did 25 Sit Ups, 30 Push Ups, some free weights and then jumped on the bike for a 10 minute ride that made it an additional 3 miles. 

Bottom Line:  I have lost 14 pounds to date without “dieting”.  I’m able to run 4 miles pretty easily and can do it with only a few one minute walks in that 50 minute period.  My knees don’t hurt (yet) and I’m well on my way to actually running in a 5K event as well as the Mud Run.   Come on America, Exercise and cut back your eating.  It’ll be good for all of us!

Dean