New Shoes

What's the most exciting part of my week so far? It just might be the acquisition of my brand-new running shoes. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the Beast:
Why are they called the Beast, you may ask? Is it because they are clunky and painful like a beast? Maybe. Actually, these nifty pair of Brooks running shoes are pretty comfortable, but they will take some getting used to. They have additional padding for the heel-striking inward-rolling strider such as myself. Sounds great, but it makes them a little weightier than I'm used to. Also, since I'm not used to running in the correct position that these shoes force me into, they leave random running muscles a little soar.

I was warned that would happen by the incredibly helpful saleswoman at the Fleet Feet running store where I picked these up. I'll be honest, I was very hesitant to set foot into the Fleet Feet. It was a little intimidating, and I was afraid they would kind of laugh at me or dismiss me when I walked in. It turned out to be quite an experience. I haven't had anyone put a shoe on me and lace me up since I was a kid. I'd sit down and take off a pair, and there she was slipping a new pair on my feet. I still had to do a little work, though. She had me run up and down the front of the store with each shoe so she could watch my stride and I could get a good feel. About five pair of shoes and several laps in front of the strip mall later, I had the ones. I had the Beast.

Back On Track

We are going to forget all about last week.

From the sickness to the missed workouts to the annual debauchery that is Thanksgiving. I came out with my game face on, but was quickly defeated. My sister put chorizo in the stuffing and made about a zillion different deserts. I'm only human, man. I couldn't resist.

But that was last week. One thing I've learned is that as soon as you let one or two bad meals or a missed workout get you down, it becomes very easy to throw your hands up and say 'forget it.' I could just have easily decided last week was shot, so why not have some pizza at the office the next day and just restart my plan Monday? Well, it's not a plan or a diet or a temporary state of healthy I'm going for.

If I'm going to run this marathon, it has to be a lifestyle change. It has to be about making the right choices everyday, and not getting discouraged when I slip up now and then. Keep you eye on the prize Zamora. The Capitol 10K is only 125 days away.

Damn it, I'm Sick

This definitely puts a snag in my plans. Now what do I do? I know, rest and fluids and such, but can I go to the gym? Should I? There isn't anything on my Men's Health personal trainer that tells me what to do. Ugh.

I slept til about noon today, and after a quick breakfast went back to bed for another three hours or so. When I stood up out of bed I felt dizzy and feverish. Maybe I shouldn't be on a treadmill right now.

Michael 1, Thanksgiving 0

Some friends from work invited me to a pre-Thanksgiving meal tonight, and I thought it was a good early challenge to my new healthy eating routine.

I did pretty well. I skipped over some of the high-fat, cheesy concoctions and stuck to the salad, mashed potatoes (sans gravy) and a nice portion of turkey. I small slice of pie and some coffee completed the meal. And it was fine. I didn't feel like I was really missing out. Hopefully I can continue when I get to the Thanksgiving table at my parents house.

One problem with the evening. When I left, I started feeling sick. Not from the food, but sick as in I may be catching a cold. Damn it. That's what I get for leaving the house and socializing I suppose. Well, that won't happen again.

Watch Out Austin

I've found my first race. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the Capitol 10K.



And I got the most commitment I could ask for at this point from Bryan, when he sent me a one-sentence email saying "I will have to check my track schedule, but if I can it looks good."

Hooray! This is so going to be us in Capitol 10K next year:

My apologies to Tony Barron, Carl Stones and Statesman photog Laura Skelding for this aberration of a photo.

Baby Steps

So I've learned that I should probably not have a full marathon be my first race, so says the copy of "Marathon Training For Dummies" I started reading at the CVS pharmacy down the street from my house.

The book was actually pretty helpful. I might even buy it, or at least check it out at my local library. I also learned that I'm a heal striker, and that I should buy running shoes with a high arch to support the outward role of my feet when I run. Or something.

I also think I need to drag someone into this with me. That's where Bryan Dibley comes in. Bryan is a friend of mine from college who now teaches English and coaches high school basketball. I informed him of my decision tonight, and I think he may have doubts. Our phone conversation went something like this:

ME: So I need to tell you something, mostly because I want you to hold me accountable when this time comes around next year. And I might need your help.
BRYAN: (with a mix of concern and boredom) What?
ME: I have decided I'm going to run in the New York City Marathon!
BRYAN: (with a mix of disbelief and disgust) WHAT!
ME: And I have decided that you should run it with me.
BRYAN: That's not gonna happen. You're not running anything.

I guess I understand his skepticism. There was that time when I told him I was going to drop journalism and start training to be a speed skater in order to qualify for the 2006 winter Olympics. I've told him I'm emigrating to Australia. I've told him I was going to get us on "The Amazing Race." And he's still waiting for me to go after that masters degree I keep talking about (the plan involves living on the second floor of his house while attending school and stringing for the Star-Telegram, so he may or may not be looking forward to that one actually happening).

So what's different this time? Honestly I don't know. The good news is he kind of agreed that maybe he will run a 10K with me if I find one in late March or April of next year. And if that works out, maybe, possibly he would be willing to think about considering something more later. Its hard to get Bryan to do anything he doesn't want to do (you should see our horrible "Amazing Race" audition tape), so the fact that he's willing to consider this first step is good news.

Not So Fast, Fatty

So a couple of early snags.

First of all, who knew you had to apply for the New York City Marathon? Obviously not me. Apparently they get more than 90,000 applicants and only have about 38,000 people accepted. Luckily its not like applying for a job or college or anything. They don't really evaluate your abilities. They have certain groups of people that automatically qualify (big-time winners, long-time participants, people rejected three years in a row, Lance Armstrong), but for the most part people are selected in a random lottery. That's slightly encouraging I suppose.

And second, lets address the elephant in the room right now. If you've ever met me, you know I'm not in the best shape. So before I do any serious running, I need to drop a few (by few I mean about 50) pounds or so. This may sound hard to believe, but I know how to lose weight. Commitment has always been my issue. Using a plan approved by the trainers at Men's Health, I once managed to lose about 40 pounds. I got really heavy in college, ballooning to nearly 240 pounds. At 5'5ish, that is so unhealthy. I moved to Wyoming for a job, and by the end of my run there I managed to drop to just over 200. When I moved for my next job in Arkansas, I had trouble maintaining the routine. I got down to below 190 at one point, but my chaotic schedule and lack of discipline finally caught up with me. I stopped going to the gym regularly and looked for any excuse to eat out.

When I dropped below the 200lb mark, I told myself I would never go that high again. Yet here I am, just over the 200lb mark today. I need to make this commitment. Even if this whole thing fails and I never run a marathon, I need to make a commitment to myself to live better.

Just Do It

I've made a decision. I want to run a marathon.

I know it sounds crazy, especially since I still get winded climbing the stairs up to my third floor office. In fact, the furthest I've run at one time was a little over 3 miles. Inside. On a treadmill. About two years ago. I didn't say this was going to be easy.

I don't know where the compulsion came from. Maybe I just need some sort of hobby or goal in my life. Maybe it's because I turn 30 next year and want to enter the next decade of my life in better shape than the current one. Maybe it was seeing that glib Katie Holmes crossing the New York Marathon finish line without breaking a sweat. Maybe I just need that feeling of accomplishment in my life.

Whatever the reason, there it is. I've said it. It's out there. I plan to run in next year's New York City Marathon, and with this blog as my witness, you'll see me in the Big Apple next year. For now though, I need some running shoes.