Day 26: Frankenstein

 The Email: 

  Set you timer to 5 minutes:

Complete the following exercises as fast as possible (AFAP).

The faster you finish the more rest you get.... 10 rounds total.

12 pushups

12 bench jumps

12 hanging leg raises

12 Burpees

12 walking lunges (each leg)

12 frog jumps

Sprint to the end of walkway #2 garden and back to the bench at park

The Equipment: 

 

Before we start: Not sure if anyone noticed, but apparently these workouts are so tedious that I forget how to add. I was off by 2 whole workouts!

Now back to your regularly scheduled readings...

GEOFF HAS CREATED A MONSTER!!!

OMG, what is happening to me! I woke up 15 minutes before my alarm today (which was a good thing because I left it in the living room last night) and headed out to the playground before even thinking of texting anyone to see if they were chickening out and what have you. I then ripped through my workout, which was a pain in the butt because of how tired my muscles were from yesterday's beatdown. On round 7, my Burpees became "Stumblees" almost face planting several times becausemy legs would not get themselves under my body to push up. They went back into union mode, claiming unsafe working conditions...we worked it out though through their union rep and everyone happy with each other.

When I finish these routines, I still feel like this:

Yeah, Like a single compression sock goon, dead to the world around him. BUT...

Today I had time after my workout while the rest of the team trudged through their reps, and what did I do??? I tried to find new variations in my exercises to make them harder! ARGHHH!!! I just drank the Kool aide and it feels AWESOME!

Here is what I got so far.
1.Swing pushups. I'm getting the burn in my chest, back and arms, and want it to tear up the core more, so I moved my feet onto separate swings and spread them as I go down into the pushup:

It worked. My core was BURNING after just 3 pushups! I then got giggly and walked around the area looking for more. Oh, hey stairs!

I'm thinking of eventually doing a pushup on each stair as I go down, then moving into a push up and off the stair forward onto the next and so on. Maybe a push up onto the first railing and back don to the next stair??? We'll figure something out.

Then box jumps (note: these still kill me as is, but this variation will be for after the 60th email)

This one, I'm thinking box jump up into a frog squat then big jump onto the other side at first, but eventually over everything.

So what does this mean? Its the epiphany stage of the program. Like a light switch being turned on, I just realized that I'll be fine once 60 days have passed and can create and engineer new routines to keep it fresh. I became the kid in the candy store Sully displayed when this challenge came to be. I just became hooked and am loving working out an exercise with the team and having them say" What the Hell? That's insane!" Yeah, that's a great feeling and yeah we're going to do it.

Continuum (theory): anything that goes through a gradual transition from one condition, to a different condition, without any abrupt changes. I'm not sure about the abruptness part, but I have changed, albeit gradual, into a different mentality and into a different person.

Tomorrow is an off day, and I may return in the morning to see how I can adapt these exercises even further...

BOOM

P.S. Be sure to take special note of Sully's expressions and demeanor today if you are to see him. Having been his friend for as long as I have, I know him reading this and seeing the development of the exercises is like porn to him. He may have an lightened step about him today...

Day 25: Isometric Hell

The email:

Heres the set up. Move fast as possible and it ends sooner.

Equipment 1 brick

One guy just starts with a brick at the fence One guy holds a wall sit against your fence One guy a plank on swings One guy hangs from monkey bars One guy does walking lunges between benches

Guy starts with a brick at fence sprinting it to swings. Before he can hand the brick off he does 10 burpees. Swing man brings brick to monkey bars, 10 burpees then hand off. Bars sprints to walking lunges, 10 burpees then pass it off. Lunge man sprints to fence, 10 burpees hand it off. Finally fence man to swings, 10 burpees pass it off and then the cycle continues but this time you do 9 burpees before handing off.

Don't you dare think of stopping until you get all the way through 1 rep for each guy.

Tell everyone they're just going to keep getting worse once we introduce concrete... 

(If you haven't cringed at this workout, please re-read until that happens)

 The equipment:

Let's step back in time: 
Let's begin today responding to this weekend's posts. It seems to get busier on Friday and Saturday introducing kids and their obligations and I don't feel I properly responded to the comments left. Thank you all for the continued messaging on Facebook and here. I love reading the comments and your thoughts on both the workouts and my readings. Thank you all as well for allowing me to be inspirational and for helping me spread the word about fitness and feeling great. I asked my wife this morning if she noticed any changes yet (thinking I'd get a "yeah you look sexy as hell right now!") She told me I looked happier and more excited than I've been in a while, which actually means more to me than looking sexy (for now). It is because of all of you that I am that way, knowing that you are all talking about it, sharing it with others, helping us move people into a healthier way of life. Please continue to do just that by talking about it, sharing the posts, commenting on the readings. I'll continue to keep the content as entertaining as possible so there is something to read.

Now a story: There have been an infinite amount of things that have shaped my life. Some for good, some for bad, all for a reason. None have been more prolific than the passing of my mother after a 7 year battle with breast cancer. I bring this story up, not because of her courage, having battled stage 4 cancer for 7 years, knowing it would eventually take her life, but for just after, at her wake. I grew up in Franklin, MA and both parents grew up in Holliston, MA. 2 small towns (at the time) where it seemed everyone knew each other. I never saw it as a kid, and didn't realize it as a teenager, but by being THERE, active in everything we as kids did, my parents touched a world of people and influenced their lives in a positive way. It may have been for a moment, maybe longer, and they may not have even know it, but we were reminded of it on that evening. Normal wakes have showing hours from 3-5 and again from 7-9, something like that. OUR wake started at 3:30 and lasted straight through the evening, a line around the street corner forcing the funeral director to keep the doors open an extra 90 minutes. He later told us he had never in his professional career seen anything like it for someone not famous. It was the single most inspirational moment of my life...and today was the second time I have felt that kind of awesomeness.

After our workout (Which I will describe in a hysterical fashion, because it was just that) I dressed and got ready for work as I normally do. As I was getting into my car, A voice shouted my name. I looked up to see a family friend, Alex, with water bottle in hand walking towards me. We engaged in normal banter for a minute, "how the family, what's new, how is the job" things people do. He then told me he saw my blog and exercise posts and had to start working out too, hoping to get enough weight loss in soon to join us  for our sessions. Alex is a big kid, nice as hell and always talking about getting back into soccer and such. And I had always listened and encouraged as I should, but never really thought about it much beyond that. Today took my breath away and almost made me tear up while we talked. I did that, I pushed him into committing. I changed a life. We finished our talk with an open invite to ANY session, explaining that its not keeping up with us or anyone else, but pushing himself to do better each day. It's how I started...



I hope he comes.




The workout:

So I made that face again when I first read today's email:



ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!!! I have to do what?!?!?!?!?

I sent out texts to the team, stressing the importance of getting to the house early and, well just getting there.
Aaron was the only show this morning, forcing us to alter the workout.

We did each exercise (omitting the lunges) rotating Burpees then sprinting to the next station. From time to time there are people that walk by and I often think, what do they see? Does it look like this?

 Probably. But the exercises are working. Aaron today told me he felt Jacked. And Chris was worried about bulking up, fearing he'd lose weight. Don't worry Chris, we'll get you ripped:





This round of exercises was Killer. It motivated me to move faster because my Burpees were keeping someone else in an exercise none f us wanted to be in. More importantly, it pushed each of us to our limits, again. I can only imagine what Geoff is doing while he contrives these ridiculous notions:














With some no cal no shows and Francis still sick, we started late, so I planned to get to 5, then call it because of my time constraint. At 5 the sets were getting easier which moved us through each station quicker and we were on to our last set in no time. On the last set, we "Bossed" (Please refer to day 26 for definition) it up by doing 2 air squats instead of a wall sit, 2 swing pushups instead of planks, and 2 hanging leg raises instead of a hang. I've officially died. The coroner pronounced me DOA. Arms, legs, eyelids. Even the hairs in my nose hurt from all the heavy breathing. Nothing is safe from this challenge.

But I am more happy and excited than the day before...


BOOM!

Day 24: Triple Threat

The Email:

CM,

I want you to run 1 mile 3 times. Start at the house and run a mile, on the slower side, but run.

wait 2 minutes before repeat your next effort.

I want you to run mile #2 45 seconds faster than #1.

Rest 2 minutes

run mile 3 in a sprun - you need to be AT LEAST 45 seconds faster than mile #2.

done

The Equipment: 

This week has been a big week for Playground and all that have been involved with what we do. After yesterday, I promised to go back to the funny with today's post. I sent out the assignment to the team and awaited their reply, hoping everyone could show so I could post something about our running dysfunction...like this:

When the morning came, we were only 3 strong so the above didn't work . (this is where I got to before the day got away from me, so let's pause for 16 hours...)



(Ok, Scene: Its now Sunday morning, Household is awake but quiet. Kids are watching cartoons, wife is taking pictures of them in 1billion different angles, coffee in hand and I have finally been able to sleep for more hours than I have thumbs)
Saturday was a daunting task for me. 6:30 Workout, 8:00 haircuts for me and the dude (That's one of Aiden's nicknames) 9:00 plumber arrival to fish out the toys in the toilet and fix a leak in the tub, Breakfasts and lunches for everyone, naps and playtimes, then work until 11:00. And I achieved all of this with rubber bands for legs. 


The run was good. Our splits were 11:03, 10:06, and 9:01, with the last 50 yards a full sprint to the end. I was out of breath and unwilling to sit down for fear of not being able to get back up. There was too much to do.

I also had a quick conversation with Sully about the workouts and he brought up a term that I think needs more definition. Its a term I heard at work one time and it left me head tilted like a dog being scolded. I was told I was "BOSSING IT". Let's break this down: What does it mean to Boss it? (its a good topic to discuss as I don't have much material about the run...we ran, we finished, blah, blah, blah)

Who is the boss, Tony Danza:



This couldn't be right because we all know Angela was the true boss in that scenario:



Maybe they mean Donald Trump:

This too couldn't be it as the I think the term was to be cool, not old, with a weave and willing to trade your family away for money. So, I'm stuck a bit on this; Is its Hella cool? Is it wicked Awesome? Is it Justin Bieber?



No, its not a Canadian term either...The it hit me! Who is "The Boss"? Hell it's Bruce Springsteen! Of course! American made, kills it when he plays, an icon. It was everything I thought the person meant when they told me I "bossed" it. So, now when you are told by a juvenile That your are "Boss", smile and thank them because this is what they are implying you are:



Oh yeah, I looked up the proper response in that instance and apparently you are supposed to name song lyrics in appreciation. Something like, "Thanks man, I'm blinded by the light. Cut loose like a duce, another runner in the night."

Or "Pink Cadillac. Crushed velvet seats. Ridin' in the back. Cruisin' down the street"

Class dismissed. See you Monday...

BOOM

Day 23: Can there be a Playground boot camp??

The email:

Equipment - your phone and a brick

The assignment:

Do each exercise as 20 on 10 off & 8 cycles of each. (Have each guy start with a different one in the rotation). There is ZERO REST between stations. Rush to the next one And try to get started as close to 10 seconds as possible.

To start

Run one mile then return to playground

#1 - Iron cross

#2 - Swing pushups

#3 - Burpees

#4 - Crab walk up slide (fast)

#5 - Hanging leg raise

#6 - 1/2 Turkish get up (use brick)

Break for 2:00 minutes

#7 - sprints (follow same 20 on/10 off)

Rest 1:00 minute

Run one mile then return to playground 

Done

The Equipment:

 

 Today was a great day to see how committed my team was to this challenge. I sent out the texts late evening, making sure everyone knew to be prompt the next morning. Half had other early commitments leaving just three of us to run through the boot camp gauntlet this morning.

In the interim, I also chatted with Sul about "building" things for upcoming sessions and as a team we are all on board...until we exercised today.

The day started a bit late. I was dead to the world yesterday after an already monster work week, not ending until Saturday evening. I may have missed my alarm by a few (20) minutes. I then looked haplessly for anyone at the playground and, not seeing anyone waiting, took an extra few minutes (15) for a sit down breakfast before realizing they were just outside my door waiting, polite enough to not ring a bell and wake the family. Now for those of you who have been to CPC and know how maniacal the team is there, you know these workouts are no joke. It's 60 minutes of all out misery, kicking the crap out of your body and reeking the benefits after. I've described to family and friends the numerous exercises and sessions I have had, most taking my descriptions as an exaggeration (not that I do that stuff at all **snicker**) of the truth and write off some of my progress. Well, now that I have a team, I have the ability to show all of you exactly what we are doing (and have sully critique to be sure we are actually doing it right). Here is the swing pushup:

Holy core workout, right! look how much he shakes trying to balance himself.

Here is the Iron cross, simple in understanding, but holy hell!

(Nice face in the thumbnail, Julio!)

Needless to say, we don't do the traditional exercises with long rests and set reps. We WORK for the time given and its awesome! Today put everyone to the test. All were excited at the beginning and tried to jump quickly into it. After the second round of the first exercise, I heard giggles from everyone. They were giggles that screamed, what the HELL have I gotten myself into here! After the 5th round of the first exercise the "Yo Chris! Tell your boy well done and we hate his guts!"  From there things degraded. People were hanging from rings crying trying to get their legs to move more than 2 inches towards their chest. Others were gasping for air, eating dirt on the first motion of their Burpee. Sweat pouring from everyone's forehead, back chest, legs. No one was spared the agony of feeling healthy. 

We ended the routine with a crab conga line. All of us lined up in formation and followed each other around an undetermined path throughout the playground. After yesterday's leg workout, and today the upper body, not one single muscle that doesn't hate life in a good way. And the team is asking how long before the next email comes and is excited to be a part of all of this. 

Most important thing I took away from today: We are growing. This is becoming much more than a simple challenge.

We have started educating others. We are succeeding in defining what we set out to do and I'm blown away with how well this has been received in this short of time. What started as a challenge between good friends has since become so much more. It's become a mission to inform and assist and it's a journey I share with anyone that will listen; Friends, family, people I wait on that lend me their ear (and some that don't!), co-workers, and strangers alike. This challenge has defined who I am and who I strive to be. Its a story and a journey I love to share with my kids, teaching them how to be healthy and how to play, trying to teach them achievement, dedication, sacrifice and compassion.

Speaking on compassion, quick proud dad moment: yesterday, my son (he's 3 this month) befriended a little girl about 2 and they played at the playground, each trying to climb the slide (because who slides down a slide anymore). Aiden could do it, she couldn't, so what does he do?

 

 See, we have a future Spartan here, helping someone over the wall! (Don't worry Sully. He'll be crab walking up it by the end of Fall)

 Tomorrow is a running day. 5 guys running 3 miles should make for a good blog entry.

Until then...BOOM!

Day 22: Water Rats

The Email:

Set the timer for 5 minutes.

The faster you complete the round(s) the more rest you get.

10 rounds total

12 pushups

12 bench jumps

12 Burpees

12 hanging leg raises

12 walking lunges

Run to the neighbors (#2 garden) walkway and back

The Equipment:

The New kid is Chris H (I call him MMMM,Bop because his last name is Hanson) Chris is an ex wrestler and currently heavy into skateboarding...and graduated a year BEHIND my little sister (7 years younger).

Today was supposed to be an off day, but given that I live in Mumbai, India right now and its monsoon season, We had to cut Wednesday short for fear of either falling off the rings, slipping off the bench or getting flooded out. At one point the rain came down so hard (while we were doing our burpees) you quickly became blinded from the raindrops splashing on the puddles. It made each rep feel like you were wearing a weighted vest. Here is the crew after just one round of exercises on Wednesday:

(Francis is on the far right. I had to crop most of him out because he is displaying a profanity...Way to go Francis!)

So with Wednesday as our off day, we went our separate ways, with the understanding of meeting up early this morning. Well that did"t really happen...

I'm not sure if its the workouts or not but for the first time in a very long time, I messed up my schedule at the restaurant and went to work on my day off. It worked out because another server called out injured, apparently falling off their treadmill??? Anyway, I worked and had a table come in at the absolute last minute to eat, leaving me feeling like the guys from the movie "Waiting"

Now, we don't mess with the food, but the emotion is all real. The last table kept me out until 11:45 and because I was in such a rush to go from one job to the next in the afternoon, I forgot my cell phone at the office nad needed to get it before going home for the night. I got home around 12:30 and spent 10 min winding down, just long enough for the baby to wake needing a feeding. I finally went to bed around 2:30 this morning and hated hearing my 6:25 am alarm, knowing that MMM Bop was going to be full of piss and vinegar and at my house promptly in 15 minutes. I dragged my butt out of bed, got dressed with my eyes closed, slugged back some water and headed out barefoot holding my shoes, because I was still too unstable to bend over to put them on. AND guess what?? He was outside texting and waiting for me!!!

We chatted for a few minutes to allow the small amount of sunlight peeking through the mist like rain to wake me up. Having not much time before needing to get ready for work, we jumped right into it, not waiting for the other three. I struggled through most of the reps, feeling weak from the lack of sleep, but each round was like an energy recharge and by the end of the session, I felt ready for the day. Francis showed up on round seven and was promptly given a 20 Burpee penalty, and the no shows have 30.

School is almost here, which I think may present itself as a problem. Today was dirty stare day from the handful of teachers that showed up, mid session I might add, to prep their rooms and attend their meetings. Moreover, I cannot get up any earlier than I am now, minimizing my sleep enough already. It is definitely going to be interesting on the first day having all the parents walking their kids to school seeing us workout on the playground. I'm thinking we may need to alter that week's routine to stay away from there to allow that first week, full of overly anxious kids and parents.

Like every workout, I'm glad its behind me and excited for tomorrow. Today is going to be extra special because I can't feel my legs right now and have 13 more hours left to go before bed. I'm already trying to contrive a method for bathroom trips that do not require me to sit down when otherwise expected. Nothing is really looking too promising on the drawing board (so if you don't see a blog tomorrow morning, call the janitor at my office and tell him I'm stuck)

Until then, BOOM!

Day 21: Turkish coffee

The Email:

CM,

Once again I'm proud of you man. You have accomplished a lot in a short period of time and you have a small army of crazy people gunning for you to succeed. 11 pounds down and we haven't even started putting the screws to the nutrition... That is just testimony to the fact that when you move your body and seek activity you will gravitate towards healthier foods, Amazing huh.... Wait for it, wait for it. Almost like a health Continuum.... Had too.

Today's task is a little bit of a shift back towards some straight sets. We are going to introduce a lot of new exercises today in which I want preformed with structured rest between them.

Equipment: you need 5 bricks from the backyard

1/2 Turkish get up x 8 (one side) using a brick SLOW

1/2 kneeling get up x 8 (one side) using a brick SLOW Rest 40 seconds and then repeat on opposite side. 4 x total.

Inchworm pushup 5 x in one direction then turn around and do 5 back to you starting position.

Single hand thruster with explosive toss. Stand next to your pile of bricks. Hold one in your right hand and squat as low as you can, once you began to stand out of your squat accelerate as fast as you can pressing the brick out and up and the top. THROW IT as far as you can in an arc onto the mulch (think shot put). Repeat will all bricks right side. Walk over and collect them then throw them back with your left hand.

Do NOT rest here go right into your next set of inchworms repeat 4 x total

RING monkey bars. I want you to try to sting at least 5 in a row. Stay on those rings as long as you can without dropping. If you can't "swing" to another than try hanging by one hand for 10 sec at a time.

Crab walk backwards up the slide - repeat 5x slow & controlled using the triceps.

Rest 40 seconds then repeats sequence x 4

10 sprints from park bench to end of your walkway. As soon as you reach the walkway jog back to bench. No rest just repeat as soon as you get there.

Done. 

The Equipment: 

Francis Showed up late, so he had to do 20 Burpees before starting the workout today.

I blogged yesterday about the beginning and today felt like just that, the beginning. 6:30 this morning, I felt like it was my first day all over again. I just did not want to get up. Its the time when, in past, I have said to myself "self, its just one day, take a rest, go back to bed. You can do this tomorrow." Its the day I start to fade. Today was also the day that I moved past that phase with the help of my two friends and you all. While my body begged me to stay asleep, my mind asked what I would write about if I didn't do the workout. It asked if I was hurt or just trying to be lazy (which still sounds good to me right now) and not care about what I have already achieved. My phone chimed in and reminded me that I have a cholesterol test on September 4th, one that I had told the doctor would be better than my first because I cared about my health and did not believe in medication when it was not needed. I registered 210 on my last go out there, my blood traveling through my body on a Crisco surfboard. My phone was kind enough to remind me. My phone also reminded me that the buys were coming today too and would never let me live it down if I wasn't ready before they got there, bringing that harassment to the workplace tonight. You see, my mind, my phone and my friends told me "no excuses". Its how I want to live.

I am glad I dragged my sorry butt out today because the workout was awesome! I love when an exercise hurts (the good kind) when you do it at a regular pace and then you slow it down. Yes, I looked like a baby giraffe trying to walk for the first time when I was doing the inchworm pushups and like Sloth from the Goonies when I was on the rings making faces hoping that would give me the boost to stay on.














(Why do people make this face when they are struggling physically?)

I enjoy having Francis and Aaron there in the mornings now. Mostly because I'm a decade older than they are and though winded, I'm able to keep up with them on the exercises. It's gives me an ego boost I think (I'm not at the superego stage yet, am I? I think that's for oldies.) and allows me to hold myself even more accountable each morning, something I always need. We sprinted in race format, allowing me to push the calf (which feels unbelievably well considering everything I have put it through this last week) farther than I have in days, and kept us true to the sprint. It was a sprint, not a 3/4 run.

I left the playground this morning knowing I had left behind a bad habit and an excuse, which I think felt better than the workout itself. I feel reinvigorated and ready to pursue greatness within. Corey and Cady are ready as well, sending me copies of emails from race directors from all over that are happy to see them run. I've see emails for half marathons, triathalons, 5k and family walks all willing to accommodate the race chair. And we have a steeple chase in November that I am dying to do with them (think mini tough mudder on the beach without any mud pits)

Our next step is incorporation of my diet, which has gotten considerably better, but can use some work. Time to kick that Crisco surfboard in the ass.

BOOM

Day 20: The Falmouth

To start it all off, nothing pisses me off more than driving 2 hours and waiting in traffic to run a race and seeing people 4,5, even 6 miles away from the start running to get to the line. If the 7.3 miles you  signed up for wasn't long enough for you, find another friggin race! Oh yeah, once the race is done, STOP RUNNING!!! You're not impressing me by sauntering away while I'm crawling on my hands and knees knowing I'll soon be walking like Andy Dufrane after he meets the sisters in Shawshank Redemption.

Phew, glad to get that off my chest.

I'm so glad to have been a part of this day. I witnessed an overwhelming number of experiences that have shaped me for the better. And I could not and would not have done it without "Playground" (apparently that's what all the cool people are calling this challenge, lol. I love it, like when they dropped the THE from Facebook, it really rings.) so thank you all again for your support throughout.

The race began 2 days prior with a call from Geoff explaining how important hydrating 48 hours before and what I needed to do for sleep and all other important aspects of preparation (I say it in that context because I have since forgotten; it was that important). I immediately put down my vodka lemonade (kidding, I was at work) and followed protocol, drinking water and eating small amounts of good foods, heading to bed immediately after my shift ended and asked my children to all sleep through the night because mommy and I needed rest. None of them listened. I did get a decent amount of sleep, but felt groggy all day, chalking it up to crappy weather. The following night, I continued to follow suit, stretching when I could and making sure to keep the water intake regulated.

The morning of the race started at 4:50 on the nose for me. Cami started crying in need of a feeding and my eyes shot open as if I overslept for the race. I was happy to feed her today and be awake in a quiet house for even a few moments. I started to dial it all in, visualizing the parts of the race I remembered and how I was going to push through the parts I knew I would struggle with. A final stretch at the house, geared up and headed out to meet with Corey and the rest of the group heading down. Left the house at 6:30, an hour after I wanted to leave. We met up, quickly discussed being late and made it from Providence to the Bourne Bridge in 42 minutes, something I hope to never have to do again in my lifetime. For anyone who has not run this race yet, the runners get dropped off at Falmouth High School and are then bussed over to Woods hole to the start.At the staging area, I was excitedly surprised at how over the top people were with Cady in our group. Corey went to the bathroom as we headed in line to the busses and people all over approached us to wish Cady a good race and send words of encouragement, like a family of runner should. It made me proud to be there with her. Corey has emphasized in the past how important this was to him and Cadence, mostly because it gave her a sport/hobby in which the family could cheer her on for as she has attended so many baseball games, dance recitals, plays and countless other events for her siblings, now it was her turn for the family to support her. The bus ride over was something of an even in itself. Cadence could not sit still, looking at all the others on the bus, knowing she was about to run with them had her bouncing all over the place. It was fun to see her so excited.

One of my favorite parts of the race is the drop off, specifically the group of individuals handing out free "ketchakenyan" Coffee. The walk to the start and corrals, smoking hot women in spandex all over the place (had to go there) has a way of building a certain type of anxiety in you. I was nervous, as I am prior to EVERY event I participate in, though this was different, it was a good anxiety. It was an anxiety of beginning, the first of hopefully many races running along side Corey and Cady, races with my family, races with meaning. I thought often about how our kids would like to run with us soon (Corey has 4 kids too) and how cool it would be to have a multi family "thing" that we could do frequently that taught them more than fitness but about compassion, understanding, tolerance, and fun. Yes, this was a perfect beginning (reflect on that a bit, we'll come back to it)

The start took forever, and with a light breeze and a rain a bit heaver than a mist, it got cold. My bones chilled a little waiting for our start. good conversations with a number of people helped to pass the time. A few minutes before we were to go off, we met up with the Hoytes. Rick and Dick were treated like GODS at the starting line, masses pushing to shake dicks hand. Corey ran right up to Rick and thanked him for his courage and introduced him to Cady explaining that we were there because of them. I've never seen someone so dialed into the start of a race before. Looking into his eyes, it was obvious he was mentally checked in and ready to run, not giving Corey much thought. It was AWESOME and made me tune out everything around me for a brief second (except for the girl in yellow. It was like she was made from a mold or something. I mean, C'mon! Who looks like that!) A quick snapshot before we left and we were off:

(Don't worry Sul, I know you said no hats. I took it off when we started. And yes, I have just 1 compression sock on. I didn't realize the pack had 2 in it until I found the other one in the bottom of my bag after the race. I did think it odd at the time...)

Before going any further, please take note of who I am running with. Corey has completed a half marathon without stopping to walk, and Steve is in the military. I look like I ate the other guide. Please also keep this in mind as we will revisit.

The first mile was very frustrating, running out from the start battling all those idiots we saw in traffic 6 miles ago. There were a few people I came milliseconds away from body checking into oncoming traffic because they thought they had the right of way, oblivious to the giant GUIDE sign on my 240 lb frame. Lady, its friggin ORANGE and is Italian for "get the hell out of my way stupid"! We made great time on the first mile, posting a 9:32 pace. I felt good until the the hills. Miles 2 and 3 are like a roller coaster ride. Up the hill, down the hill, up the hill down the hill. I'm getting motion sickness just thinking about it again. This is where I met my demise. My shins screamed for surrender about this time. more importantly, my calf was taking a beating (the one in the sock). I knew I was in trouble and needed to run then walk for a longer period than I wanted to. Corey and Steve were great though, telling each crowd I was behind them and that I needed a few cheers to keep me going. Over each rise, I'd catch a quick glimpse of them before disappearing around a bend or over the next hill, and then I'd hear a "come on Chris, Cady isn't even winded yet!" coming from each little group of spectators I'd pass. It got me through the 3rd and onto the 4 mile and I was grateful. At that time the sun had also begun to pound through the clouds and turned a cool humid day into an outdoor sauna and I quickly lost energy with each step. 

My family has friends with a home on the route, 4.3 miles into the race. I made it that far before succumbing to fatigue and exhaustion. This picture was no joke, this was me at their house:

I couldn't breathe or move. I was spent. I took 5 minutes, felt defeated and realized what I set out to do. I wasn't here for me, it wasn't my race. It was Cady's. I was simply there to be a part of it, start to finish

(See the maniacal smile on Steve's face! The military does that to you!!!)

Knowing I wasn't going to make it on foot, but determined to see Cady at the finish line, I kinda stole the homeowner's bicycle. I jumped back into the race on the bike, maybe a bit illegally, right behind a group of "elite runners" (PC for Kenyans). I pedaled my ass off, barely keeping up with them for 3 miles before veering off a side street, cutting out the last two hills and direct lining it to the finish. The whole time I was with that group, I was in amazement at how fast they ran, never looking fatigued, never breaking stride.

I just missed them crossing, but saw an elated and exhausted little girl just moments after and felt accomplished to be a part of that moment.




Back to the beginning: I didn't finish this race, not because I didn't try, not because I didn't train. I didn't finish because it wasn't my time yet. I will finish, this was simply the beginning. In 21 workouts, most averaging less than an hour in length, (so 21 hours of time I never knew I had) I prepared myself and ran 4.3 miles. In the 21 hours of time I found, I lost 11 pounds and have re-invigorated a passion for sport I merely mimicked in past years. This is the beginning and I am proud. There will be no head hanging here. Its already on to the next workout and next race, a steeple chase in October/November in which we will have to find a way to carry Cady over obstacles AND run with her on the beach. I can't wait.

BOOM
This is the beginning, not the end.