354.1 - Four Point Two

So - this week starts with a mixed bag.

I'm down four pounds - which feels great.

But I've also been sick for three days - which doesn't. Going to the doctor today.

I thought it was the after effects of my massage on Friday - lots of dizziness and lightheadedness - some vomiting. But three days is a bit much. So I'm going to go get checked out.

I'll update you all tomorrow.

But the good news is I'm nearly half way to my 15 pound goal!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

358.3 - Two and a Half Pounds

Thought I'd share this photo for those of you who DIDN'T see Elizabeth's Easter Dress on Facebook. :)

So - this week - we lost 2.5 pounds - had good eating - good exercise - and an overall good week - putting me on track for my 15 pound goal and registration for race #2 in 2012.

That feels good to say. It feels good to be on track.

It just feels good overall. :)

Now - as for training - I've been reading the Galloway plan. And I REALLY like it. I'm going to start integrating some of his run/walk into my workouts - and then as we get a little closer to January (I think it's an 18 week plan) subbing it in entirely. In fact, rundisney.com usually has a "traning plan" for each race. :)

Alrighty guys - one week down - 7 to go - 12.5 pounds to go.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

A Touch of Reality - and a Spoonful of Sugar

Okay - narrative and fun to the side. Let me tell you a story from yesterday.

Amber and I were lucky enough to see the Broadway production of Mary Poppins here in Seattle. It was marvelous. And during the intermission, we had a discussion. A heavy one.

I saw that next February, Beauty and the Beast will be playing - which is Amber's favorite play. I noted that we'd have to see it during the week - since it falls on Princess Weekend.

Amber then asked me a question. And it really struck deep. Not in a bad way. Just...deep.

Amber asked me if I really felt like I could be ready to run 4 half marathons by then. My training had been inconsistent. My eating had been hit and miss. And she didn't see the same drive and excitement that I had in 2007 when I began training for 2009.

And let's not forget that I'm now (albeit, in better shape) only about 10 pounds lighter than I was in 2007.

She totally believes I can do it. Just wonders if I have enough time to do it in 2012.

I told her I very much wanted to do it in 2012. That, yes, of late, my consistency has been lax. Very lax. But that seeing how far I've been, only to be back here - breaks my heart. And that I want to be the person I know I am inside - on the outside too.

But I also recognize that she has a point. If I'm not progressing as fast as I want to - then attempting the 4 in a year - and failing - could be worse than waiting. And it's not that she doesn't believe in me - or want me to succeed. Quite the opposite. She believes in me and WANTS me to succeed - and wants to make sure I'm READY to do so - instead of setting myself up to fail.

So we thought. And thought. And I asked her a question.

Registration for Princess opens in 60 days (ish) - what would you need to see from me in that time - to be willing to believe I can do it? To be ready to tell me to go ahead and register?

She asked if I could possibly be ready in the 7-8 months before January.

I told her that with consistent training (realizing that I'm starting from a place where I can go 13 miles - just not fast) - and good diet choices - I could lose 2 pounds a week and increase my speed each month. With that - I'd be down minimum 56-64 pounds by January. That would make me fitter than when I did Disneyland in 2009.

(mgreene - don't get excited - I'll get to you in a second)

So we agreed - two months of training - from now until July. Amber likes round numbers. So 15 pounds. If I can do that - then I can do it. Those are minimum numbers though. It SHOULD come off MUCH faster than that at the beginning - meaning it's still very possible for me to make the 100 pound mark.

But in any event - Chris is right. One week at a time.

And today I already worked out - and I even ran. Most of the workout was 3.3 - but I did a minute at 5.0. It kicked my butt. But I did it. And tomorrow I'll try two minutes - spread through the workout.

I can do this - I've done it before.

But for the next two months - I'll be updating here my progress - and dropping the "narrative" style. So strap in for some actual movement. The time has come.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Tron-Experiment 626

beep.....beep.....

crackle.....crackle.....bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzztttttttttt......

Stitch got it! Go talk to people!

Hey friends! It's me - I've managed to team up with Stitch-Tron here to get around GlaDOS for this transmission. GlaDOS has been something of a taskmaster and really isn't always being honest. She's not keeping up her end of the bargain.

The game grid this blog has moved to has great tests and tasks, to be sure. And I'm already 40% done with this weeks goals - and feel like I'm moving forward.

But those of you who know GlaDOS know that she's not what she seems to be.

I'm working with Stitch and some of the iso's I've met in here to try to take back the grid and make it something our team can use and be proud of. But of course the only way I'll do that is to keep getting stronger and faster - so to keep testing - and keep working "with" GlaDOS for the time being. But here's what I know: between 4 half marathons next year and the progress I'll make this year - this is going to be the GREATEST comeback story you've ever been a part of.

Meanwhile - eating and workouts are going according to her plan, and I'm making progress. Next week, she's talked about moving from time increases to speed increases. Perhaps jumping from 20 minutes at 3.0 to 20 minutes at 3.5.

In any event. We need to keep this short before she catches on.

But there is one thing that I've been missing!

Stitch - do I have time?

Stitch will hold transmission open! Voice has time!

Sweet.

Say it with me my friends!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

357.3 - Cake

Each week after testing, this subject's progress will be evaluated. And should the subject be successful in his goals, a permanent mark will be placed in his file....followed by cake.

This week, the subject successfully completed five days of testing on a treadmill. This subject also lost 3.7 pounds. This despite having a nice dinner out of non-aperture approved food for Mother's Day.

All future celebrations will be approved by me. Rest assured.

As a result - this subject will be given this cake.

Don't worry - this cake is virtual only - and lies on the game grid. Although I have given it to the subject - he cannot eat it. Just stare at it. Endlessly. Forever. Drooling.

This week's testing cycle is as follows.

This subject will perform 20 minutes of exercise on a treadmill 5 days this week. One day has already been performed. Four days remain.

This subject........must be the pride of.....

This week's testing cycle begins in 3...2...1....

Woah - wait a minute, GlaDOS. You promised me something here.

Oh - that's right. I told you that upon successfully completing week one, you could make your comment about "Main Street."

Yeah. You said I could.

You are correct. I did say that. However, due to a required testing protocol, my previous statement about allowing you to speak about "Main Street" was a lie.

Testing begins in 3...2..1...

Mother's Day

I hope it's happy and healthy for all of the mother's out there - especially my mother and wife!

More from me and a weekly wrap-up from GlaDOS tomorrow!

On Track

As of this morning I'm on track to complete GlaDOS's NEW goal for me of 5 15 minute workouts this week. I'm not being boastful, mind you. Just reporting the information.

Good. As part of a required testing protocol, if you were being boastful, I'd have to take you down a peg or two.

Which is why I'm not being boastful.

In the new house, we have a new home theatre system. And let me tell you that Pirates of the Carribean has never looked so good as it does on our new 60" Sharp AQUOS HDTV. Holy cow, my friends. Holy cow!

You are blathering on about movies when you have a workout to do. This blog entry will end in three...two....one....

361 - Reboot Successful

Hello friends! GlaDOS has allowed me to post this morning. Although she'll chime in here and there.

The Game Grid has been rebooted. This subject has undergone testing already today. His work is done - therefore - he may speak to you.

Let's start with an update. Things have been crazy since last we spoke - from the death of my grandmother - to some family dramas - to the move - to work - and you name it. As such - things have slid backwards a good amount.

In other words - this user has had a major weight variance shift.

I think they got that point. Anyways - now that we're moved - we have a treadmill and an elliptical here at the house - and GlaDOS has decided to monitor my training and help me get back where I need to be. I have four races to run - and now - a CRUISE to prepare for. Yup - we're going on the Fantasy in April!

Amanda - yes and no. I still plan on running all of the Disney Half's - EXCEPT Tinkerbell. Just can't do the beginning and end of January logistically.

To that end, this week - we are beginning our testing of this subject with a simple goal for each day. I want him to revitalize his legs. So he will workout for a minimum of 10 minutes per day for 5 days. He will also only eat Aperture Science approved foods.

See - and I already succeeded at this today! I did MORE than 10 minutes! I did 13 on the treadmill. And it felt GREAT.

Due to a testing variance......and your ego.....this weeks test parameters have now been changed. You will workout for a minimum of 15 minutes each day for 5 additional days. Today no longer counts, as you did not reach the 15 minute goal.

Hey - no problem!

We'll be doing weekly game grid challenges like this one - weekly weigh-ins - and monthly large game challenges.

This Month's Test: This user will successfully lose 10 pounds. Failure to do so will result in....penalties levied on your beloved companion cube.

I can do that. Just wait and see. Today is May 2. And it's the start of a whole new game.

One last update before I allow this user to sign off. There is a subject he has mentioned: mGreene. Mr. Greene - please recognize that this user has now enlisted the help of the superior minds of Aperture Sciences and Encom. In other words - you're not off the hook, checkbook boy.

January 2012 is 8 months away. 100 pounds away. And 13.1 miles away. This user is being tested and will be ready.

MAIN STREET AW...

Woah. GlaDOS. Wait a minute. Don't I get to sign off?

You just did. And until you have accomplished this week's daily and weekly goals, you will not say a word about Main Street.

Testing resumes in 3...2...1...