FU P90X!

I did P90X's "Chest and Back" on Monday and I am still in pain.  I am barely able to bend my right arm at the elbow because my right tricep is so tight.  My chest and left tricep are sore, but not as bad as my right.  I was really trying to push myself and I think I may have pushed a little too hard.  Holy crap!!!

That is it for now, I will attempt to try and work out again tonight.

Slowly Getting Back to It

This week was a good one for training, rather it was an OK one.  I finally managed to get my bike back on the trainer in my basement since I haven't been able to get out and ride on the weekends (I am lazy).  I managed to put in to sessions this weekend of an hour each.  Also during the week I ran one day and rode another.  Wow, four whole days of exercise in a week, that's crazy!!! 

I have been asking myself recently what the heck happened to me?  I was so determined to maintain my Ironman fitness and build on it.  What happened, why wasn't I able to continue.  There are a few factors that have played into this, some of which I don't feel comfortable getting into, others which are injury related and the remaining are just bad excuses.  I think part of my whole problem is that I am making excuses for not working out rather than trying to find reasons to work out.  Here are my reasons for not training:

• Lack of time - e.g. I leave the house at 6:15AM for work and don't get home until 5:30PM (if I am not traveling for work).  I need to get up super early or stay up and run/ride after the kids go to sleep.  This does not apply to weekends....flat out lazy on my end!
• Health issues - I don't know if it is allergies or I have some illness, but my breathing has been horrible for the past nine months.  Also, every time I run my heart rate goes through the roof.  I should go to the doctor, but I just haven't.
• Motivation - I don't have any races (triathlons, running, biking, etc.) or any other activity to train for.
• Pregnant Wife - Probably not the best excuse, but I have had to step in and try to help out a lot more since my wife got pregnant, which has meant less free time for me (I am not complaining about this).
• No pool/gym membership - I miss swimming...actually I hate swimming, but it helps keep me in shape.
• New-ish job - I have been at my current job for nine months now, but I still haven't gotten into a groove yet.  I need to figure out a schedule and then schedule my days accordingly

Injury/Health Stuff

• Left Quadriceps - feels almost back to normal, but still not 100%.  When I first hurt it in December 2010 I read that it can take six months to a year to heal completely, but I thought it would be much quicker.  I was wrong.
• Lower Back - I am in pain just about ever morning.  I can barely touch my toes anymore without a hot shower and/or a run to loosen it.  I am told that a cortisone shot will help it, but the thought of a needle going near my spine scares the crap out of me.
• Breathing/Heart Rate - it just hasn't been right.  I don't even know where to start, who to talk with.
• Various dings - two big-toe toenails about ready to fall off, elbow pain, wrist hurting, sore shoulder, achy left knee, etc.  These aren't always there, they come and go, but still just bother the heck out of me when they happen.

I think that the past two days of riding in my basement have helped a lot.  I road hard and felt good.  I am going to take a second run at P90X starting tonight and couple that with running and biking over the next few weeks.  This is now my off-season training....I know it is a little early, but I need something.  In the upcoming weeks I am going to try and put together a 2012 race schedule so that I can get a training plan put together as well.

Lastly, I am going to mention that I am officially the heaviest that I have weighed since around 2006/7.  I have maintained my normal diet despite not training at all.  Obviously this is not a good mix.  Also, the last time my wife was pregnant I was up around 220 - 225 lbs.  I guess when my wife gets pregnant, I start putting on pounds along with her.  Ugh, not good!!!

So there it is, wish me luck everyone....it started this past week and I need to keep it going.  Ciao!

I Suck at Blogging

Ugh, I am a horrible blogger.  Actually, I'm not a bad blogger when I am blogging.  It's the getting to the blog and writing in the blog that I am not so good at lately.  The problems are stemming from the fact that I have very little time to blog about and have few blog-worthy activities to mention here.

I will sum up the past couple weeks here as succinctly as possible:

Hurricane Irene - I was luck in that my home escaped Irene with no damage what so ever.  Also, my parents managed only a few problems, flooding in their garage destroyed a refrigerator and cabinets and wind knocked out their hot water heater.  Yes, it cost money to fix/replace, but otherwise the house is OK.

Soccer - Both of my daughters are playing soccer and for the first time in three years I am not coaching either of their teams.  It is driving me crazy not being involved.  I am turning into "that Dad" who complains, etc.  I have decided that I am going to abstain from saying anything about the coaching and be a cheerleader for my girls and photographer.  Below is a picture of the the girls new cleats, very stylish, eh?

Surfing - Ugh, so many good waves between Labor Day and September 7th....and I suck at surfing.  I tried and even though I failed I was still out there.  I crashed more than I rode, but I was brave and tried to take of on a lot of waves.  I really want to get better at surfing next year.  Here are some pictures of sunrises from Labor Day weekend.

Pregnancy - Whew, my wife is big, and I mean that in a good way.  She is in her 31st week I think and the due date has been set for the third week in October.  I need to start banking sleep now because those first few months are going to be rough.  I suspect I will be getting back to doing my morning work-outs thanks to 4AM wake up calls.  A little tidbit of information about me:  When my wife was pregnant with our second daughter I weighed the most I have ever in my life....220 LBS!!!  I am not that heavy now, but I feel close to it.  Below is a picture of the first day of school for my girls.

Work - I have been all over Maryland and DC the past couple weeks and I am going to be down in Richmond and Virginia Beach soon as well.  I hope this travel turns into dollars for me!!!

Training - Nonexistent at this point.  I actually went ten days between runs recently.  TEN DAYS!!!  That is unacceptable.  I need to get out and run on the weekends, maybe even get out and ride my bike.  I think a gym/pool membership is much needed.  I need to set up my bike trainer in the basement and get back to my evening training sessions.  If I am going to be sitting around watching TV, I might as well be burning calories, right?

I hope to spruce things up here soon, maybe liven things up a bit.  Cheers!