Don't call it a Resolution, call it a Goal!

Since last week, I have not drunk any beer and staying away from the alcohol.  I worked out yesterday at the gym with Steve who gave a last going out of year workout.  Jumped rope and intensified muscle toning on shoulders, but aching very bad today and feel it in my arms and legs. I massaged my legs and thighs from some techniques Greg gave me on to how to work out the fatigue after a workout and strenuous activities.  Stomach is racked with pain also, from doing the roller.  I'm going to do this tomorrow also and possibly see if there's a Gimble ride going on.

Lotta Cardio, whew!!

Met with the big boy this morning, Steve.  Back was hurting, but after 30 minutes of doing warm up exercises, I was back to normal and concluded with with some serious cardio.  Steve would be a great task master.  Did my one hour, and still striving towards 2010.

Who would Dare on Christmas Day!!!

I would, and six others.  This morning I did the Gimbles Ride (26º starting - 41ºfinishing).  I thought no one came out and decided to do the course myself but on the way up Central Avenue, I ran into two riders repairing a flat and they said some guys were up ahead so I put in my time trialing skills and caught them after 20 minutes.  I was happy to see Otto, founding member of the ride, Big Tom, Dennis, a rider in his 60ies who have underwent a drastic change in weight.  Last time I saw him he must have weighed up to 200 lbs, but now he seems to be close to 150-160 lbs, if that much.  Then there was Sox and three other riders.  Usually there are over 50-60 riders on the holiday rides, but today it seemed that only the six of us would make up the ride.  we cruised to White Plains (16 mph avg) and Dennis veered off, Otto when another 3 miles and veered off also.  We cruised and upped the tempo to the split then when a little harder to Rt. 120 (Airport road)  This kid from the Cafeteros team  went to the front and pulled even harder.  I was there today for the roll out and didn't go with them on the sprint.  They left me at the double whammie and I went solo all the way home at: Avg. 14.4 Trip. 53.3 Time: 3:41:59.  Felt okay, strong at some points, had a little problem on the hills, but got some good advise from one of the riders: Kill the beer drinking and put in some more millage.  If this helps in my reaching my goal for June, 2010, I'm in.

Toughing it out!

It snowed Sunday all day and couldn't do anything except stretch.  I did run Monday though.  I did one & a half lap at Van Cortlandt Park 2miles.  Back seems to get warmed up after about 7 to 10 minutes of running.  Will start to put some "heat" on my back.  Pam ran with me because she has been sick also for the past week and not done anything.  Will run later on today.  Starting next week, want to start doing some speed workouts and build some stamina and get back to the gym with Steve. Pam pic below

Erica's Dance Night Out!

Hi Fam,


This Friday I was treated to a wonderful rendition of some Christmas themes at Fordham High School for the Arts. Erica and her school class put on dances and plays with very talented young people.
I however am very ashamed and angry to say that even though I video taped it and had it all set up to show, something happened and I lost the taped edition. Hopefully they will have another show and I will be able to send it out to the family. This is picture of Erica, Dayona, & Peace.

It's Only Snow!

Ran today, 3.7mls.  Today is the first day of a major snow storm, 6 to 12".  Felt good, cold, but able to do the first loop and bottom.  Have to get Greg to give me a massage on my legs.  Two points: Left - inner by knee, Right - outer by knee.  Snowing now and getting deep.  Will see if I can get some time in tomorrow or just hit the trainer.

Don't Fre@#==% PREACH if you can't follow you own advice!!

Did not run yesterday because I was playing  ball the night.  However, at 25º with a wind chill factor of 14º, the other team canceled.  Since the team was there, we played 3 3on3 games.  My back went into over drive the first game, stretetched it out, and was somewhat okay for game 2, then game 3 it loosened enough that I played okay.  Good Cardio and sweated a  lot.  Today, the back was feeling good.  I also felt like something was missing; THE running.
My psych wanted my body to run, but I had an all day meeting at the agency I consult for.  Tomorrow will not be different, I will either get up and run (chance of snow 6 to 12') or ride with the guys if possible.  Regarding the title, I am not meeting my goal of drinking eight glasses per day.  I see the difference when I drink it, I know it's good for me, but I'm lazy and falling back into bad habits.  Get your head out your Ass Eric,  LET's GO!!!!

#%º@ Brick Yesterday!!

Ran in Van Courtlandt yesterday at a blistering 28º, however there are no substitutes for getting something done that you want. Did my 3.7mls with my back feeling relatively okay.  I might have jacked it back up again today JO, but I will see.  Have a game tonight so might just do some walking .  There is this lady out there who speed walks from what I see at least 10 miles a day.  Stretching is helping also as my back seems to be becoming accustomed to the workouts.
Ate some tuna for lunch and rice, eggs, and seafood for dinner.  Feeling hungry, but not starving, had half a canalope for breakfast.
Forgot to mention that I weigh 236lbs. The goal to Harlem day race: 210 - 215lbs.

From the beginning - Looking back and forward

Back in March 12, 2009, my measurements were:
Arm: 19"   Legs: 16"
Abs: 25 30 15 = 70
Body Fat: 20%  ---  Abs: 23% (from boxing coach)
Feel sluggish and feel that I can't lose this weight, but I have to continue to strive.   Ran yesterday on Palasades Road(see pic).  Unfortunately, I walked and ran up a small incline where I felt like I was going to die,
Going running now, will get back with results.
 Just got back, felt great.  Did the Van Corthlandt lower and first loop through the hills.  Calfs were burning like hell and my back was not straining like it normally did, but I made the effort to make it back to the flats and finish strong.  Ran 3.7 miles.  Will be back tomorrow to do another.

Great Yesterday, Sucked Today

Yesterday I felt great.  I went out for 1:01.51 min, rode 12.7 miles and averaged 12.3mph on the Nashbar.  I went up to Yonkers in a blistering 28º.  I felt great and thought that tomorrow (Saturday) I would hang with the guys; (Big Tom, Jeff, Rob, and Lil Rob).
We started out at 7:45am, went across the GW Rt. 9N on the Nashbar @ 28º again, I still felt good.. I had one egg and some coconut bread to keep my energies up for breakfast:  Halfway through I stated to realize that either they were ratcheting it up, or, I bonked, both happened!  There was another rider who joined us on the Jersey side and took us out.  Big T, was feeling good, because he pulled the line for a long time. Everybody managed to hang with their group, and before I realized that they kept exploding up small inclines, (my weakness) by the time I recovered, they were already up the road.  I rode for 2:24.11sec, avged 13.9mph and rode 33.7miles. I feel my stamina is there, however today showed me I have a long way to go feeling comfortable, I have to stay with the group and ready to attack those hills.  My back was hurting bad, thank God I took 2 asprins in the morning (little good it did me).  Let's see what the new week brings.

Getting it together

This week was tough, Steve gave me a workout that consisted of;
Jumping Rope
Shadow boxing
Pushups
& Lunges
I ate just fruits today with some coconut bread.  My arms are sore as well as back.
Have not ridden in 11 days.  Last ride: 28th & 29th

• Time; 3:26:22
• Max: 37.9
• Avg: 12.5
• Trip: 43.3
  

Played basketball last night.  Sweated, but only played about 15 minutes.

Nephew Prince's Birthday and Graduation

Hi Fam,

Wanted to bring some updates for the month of November. This month was the birthday of Erica and Prince. Big man Prince have now turned 10 and growing up to be a wonderful young man, who is respectful and courteous (If not, his mother would go up beside his head), lol, only joking.
Prince is soon looking to graduate from his Charter School he attends on 123rd street, Manhattan, and hopefully moving to another. Prince enjoys skate boarding, wants to play football, basketball, and do stunts on bikes. With all that energy, we can only hope he applies some towards his lessons. Happy B'day and graduation. Good luck and be safe.