People…ya gotta eat and eat properly!
OK; this is going to be a quick post without any photos or cutesy stuff.
Straight to the point. Eat Properly!
There, how simple is that request? Without proper nutrition you simply cannot do your normal daily routine; forget exercise and running etc.
I’m not going to give a nutrition lecture…that will take many posts and there’s tons of material around in books and on the internet…even some on this blog. However I have to express my disbelief at what and how people are eating yet can’t figure out why they can’t lose weight or workout properly.
Point in case; those of you that know me know I’m training for the Tough Mudder and I’m running hills with weights and distance running on top of everything else I do. I had a three younger kids (21, 24 and 27 years old…sorry – that’s kid category to this old fella) join me for some serious hill running. We finished our climbs but they completely gassed out on a 5 km run after. They oldest is half my age for goodness sake. I couldn’t figure it out. They seemed healthy and relatively fit, so what gives? They didn’t have any breakfast!! Nothing – no food – no fuel. One guy had a coffee…double double. What were they expecting to burn on the hill climbs, good intentions?
Sorry if I sound a little frustrated but these weren’t little kids. They really should have known better.
I was flabbergasted and we talked as they wolfed down bagels and cheese while I ate my turkey breast, and peanut butter and banana sandwich and special coconut water smoothie. Basically, their eating habits were pathetic. Yet they never really related nutrition with working out. Hello!? How long have you been going to a gym? Never heard anybody mention proper nutrition…ever?
We spent the next few hours trying to set them up with some decent eating routines, starting with breakfast! I was dumbfounded at their eating habits and lack of knowledge. I don’t expect everyone to be a health guru but puh-lease! Gimme a break here.
I’m still dazed. I realize eveyone has their own eating habits – some good – some bad. But never eating breakfast, especially before a hardcore workout? What were they thinking? They weren’t I guess and that’s the point. Let’s see how the next run goes.
OK – I’ve got that off my chest. On to your regularly scheduled program….deep sigh.
And please…fuel up properly before working out and at the right time, and stay hydrated. Don’t make me come all they way to where ever you are and wag my finger at you because I’m just crazy enough to do it! Also remember to eat a some good after- workout food and liquids also.
Whew! Amazing.
Anyway – thanks for listening. Everyone needs a sounding board sometimes.
keep smiling, even through the hard times.
doug
Giving Thanks
Most of my posts are about exercising and working out and running and proper nutrition. That’s the concept of this little blog. I hope along the way to give useful information and inspire others to get out there and reach their goal. If this fifty plus, battered old guy can have fun trying to keep in shape surely many others can also.
Thankful for so many things.
When I sit back and realize what I am doing and the simple fact that I can do it, I am soooo thankful, for so many reasons…
1-My wife. After globe-trotting for many years with no intention of ever settling down, along comes this little farm girl from out of nowhere and steals my heart away. Next thing you know I’m a happily married man of 11 years. Beautiful, funny, a great cook, very clever, a fighter and survivor and my spiritual teacher. To top that she fully supports me through all my crazy running and races and sports activities, though she really has to improve her photography skills! Thank you my little schweeethearrt!
2-Health. I know I work at staying healthy through diet and exercise but the Good Lord above has blessed me with a clear mind and a disease free body thus far. Many members of my family battled cancer – some won – some lost. My wife went through many years of fighting Lupus and finally sent it scurrying away with it’s tail between it’s legs. Yet here I am, a guy that abused his own body for so many years but came through, except for self induced injuries, with a healthy profile. I am indeed a lucky fellow.
3-Employment. Though I don’t have the most glamorous or high paying job in town I am thankful to be working and making enough money to get by comfortably. So many people are struggling in todays economy and I know so many people that are still looking for work.
4-Where I’ve been and where I’m going. I’ve been fortunate enough to have traveled extensively. I’ve backpacked at a very leisurely pace throughout S.E. Asia, Europe and all over North America. Even a little of South America. I trekked the Himalayas, the Rockies, the much smaller but still impressive Long Range Mountains. I’ve been in rice paddys, walked on glaciers, tundras, jungles, rain forests and deserts. My life has been incredibly enriched with the things I’ve seen and people I met along the way. In a few years, if all goes well, Thai and I will be back on our own organic farm in North Eastern Thailand.
5-My family. I’m the last of 15 kids. We are a very diverse group that’s for sure and now scattered from coast to coast in Canada. From them I’ve learned so many life skills. Being the youngest has many advantages as I have observed mistakes and successes - what works and what doesn’t. To all my crazy and wonderful siblings I give thanks.
6-Freedom. Though the government is pushing more and more ridiculous laws at us, I am still thankful to live in a country with the freedom to live as I want to (within reason). During my travels I visited so many lovely countries and met amazing people but so many of them envied the freedoms I had and still have.
Free to be a kid again.
7-A peaceful easy feeling. As strange as it may sound I’m thankful that I can sit, relax and smile. Sure I’ve got tons of challenges and lifes general pressures just like everyone else but I’ve come to the point where I know my little weefy and I will weather lifes storms together and be happy where ever we may be.
So for all of that… I say THANKS!
I still have so much more to be thankful for but seven is a great number so I’ll end there.
What have you got to be thankful for today?
Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Smile – even through the pain.
Doug
Intensity and Balance. Push for the Spartan.
Hello again;
My posts are not as frequent lately because my workouts are becoming more frequent. I’m pushing hard as the Spartan is only a few weeks away. I’m trying to draw that fine line between intensive regular workouts and allowing my body to rest and recover; pump up the muscles and work on the cardio yet keep pace with flexibility; get in as much time on the trails, hills and in the gym as I can but also share some quality time with my lovely wife and big brother who is visiting for awhile.
I find attaining that balance is tougher than scaling a ski hill carrying 130 lbs! The weather has been just beautiful lately and I want to just go have fun in the park with Thai, chill out – have a little BBQ and feed the ducks. Or sit around and trade travel tales with my brother. We are both old backpackers and S.E.Asia is our stomping grounds so lots of fun B.S. to share and laugh about.
V-Day!
But then I look at that red circle on my calendar and I count the days. Next thing I know it’s decision time. Gym? Stretch? Hills and weights? Distance run?
I look at Thai and wait for the smile and nod of approval; “Go for it Douggy!” And I’m gone.
So here’s how things are panning out so far;
Tuesday and Friday I practice Muay Thai for 1 hour and that includes a serious cardio workout. Saturday I also do Muay Thai but for 1.5 hours, followed by a full hour of sparring – that my friends is brutal. We do 3, three minute rounds with a 30 second break in between and then a one minute break – switch partners. After the hour my heart rate is up around 150bpm and I look like I just came in from a rain storm.
Wednesday is running and boxing. Early in the morning I run a 10 km trail run. I try to push for speed. The afternoon promises a vigorous hour of mostly technical footwork and punching. I find it really helps keep me focused and light on my feet. Move, move – left, right – forwards, backwards – stop – combination – move, move – stop – jab – cross – uppercut. It’s intense.
Sunday is my crazy hill climbing with weighted vest and dumb-bell weights. That is torturous but most enjoyable when I actually see I’ve managed to get all the weights to the top of the hill. Later that evening I do an hour of Krav Maga. An awesome workout for reflexes and awareness.
The one thing I am missing now is my pull-up bar. It can’t fit in any doorway at my new apartment so I’ll have to improvise something.
In between all of that I still throw around the kettle-bell for a half hour or so.
So, now you see how difficult it is for me to balance that routine with spending quality time with my wife, friends family and work and trying to maintain a decent diet.
…but I”m trying.
However, after all that workout business…
Take care until next time – stay strong and keep smiling – even through the pain.
Doug
what a whirlwind week!
Wow! That was a fast and furious, outright crazy week. Two weeks actually. It’s really amazing how you can lose track of time when outside enjoying life!
Big brother is back from S.E. Asia. Another brother just back from Paris. So all kinds of stories to catch up on.
The sun is shining like it’s trying to be summer and who am I not to welcome that with some park activities?
Added a boxing class to my regular Muay Thai and Krav classes. Tuning up the bikes getting ready to hit the trails.
My wife is roaring through another intensive University course so I’m helping with that also. Two weeks down – four to go.
I’ve also managed to hit the hills with my vest and weights as I mentioned earlier. Long distance runs planned for next week.
There just isn’t enough hours in the day to get everything done! But I’m loving it and each day is another fun filled adventure. Now if I could just figure out how to do all of this stuff and not have to worry about making a weekly paycheck – That my friends would be awesome!
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…and how was your workout this week?
Rock on runners and exercise peoples,poets and dreamers. We are all on this crazy ride together so let’s enjoy it as best we can.
Smile
Doug
I’m Back! Serious Training Starts Today.
Well, actually I never really went anywhere but I’m happy to report my “to do” list is now just a list and not a scroll that unrolled down the stairs and out the door!
So the big news…Spartan in 45 days therefore my hill training begins today.
First of course is a one or two km jog to warm up. After that, I’ll be donning my 20kg vest and making a two or three runs ( walks?) up a local ski hill. Then I will try for two sprints starting about half way up the hill…without the vest! I’m a little crazy, not insane.
If I have anything left in the tank after that I’ll do another 15 minute jog. I’ll probably finish out with some push ups and dips just to give the upper body a little work. Muay Thai took care of most of that yesterday however!
I’m going to try and insert a news clip from last years run. I’m the second guy to get interviewed. They cut out a lot because it wasn’t exactly what they were looking for. I kind of ‘insulted’ the course and that’s not a good thing.
For those of you that may not understand my tired Newfie accent, when asked what I thought of the race I said, ” Not bad. But I’m from Newfie. I goes through more than that just to go fishin’!” They thought it was quite funny but they cut the rest of the comments. Fair enough. They have to make it as dramatic and tough looking as possible for TV I guess.
Here’s the news clip. I hope it plays properly for you.
And now off I go. It’s getting quite warm so I expect a good sweat today. Here’s a few shots from last years training on the hill. So this year should be easier, right? I said “right”? Throw me a frikken bone here I need some inspiration!
Me and 2 x 45 lb weights at the bottom of the hill.
Trudging up the hill…getting there.
A little extra punishment along the way.
One last push and I’m at the top…
Today I’ll be trying the same thing wearing my vest…say a little prayer for me please!
I hope everything is well with all of you. Keep running, stretching, walking, pushing, jumping and of course…smiling.
Doug
Time out.
I have been extremely busy with work, training and a few other things. Life catches up with you sometimes. I just have to run a little faster to stay ahead. Or slow down and enjoy it!
I’ll be reading everyones posts but I won’t be posting anything crazy for another few days.
Keep training, working and writing and taking those wonderful photographs. I love reading all the daily antics and personal discoveries.
See you again in a few days.
Go for it!
Doug
Spartan, Warrior, Tough Mudder…Preparation.
That’s pretty much all I hear from those around me lately. Whether it be from those I train with, those watching me train trying to figure out what the heck I’m doing, or family and friends that know what I’m up to. The Races are big conversation pieces.
Psyching up for the run.
As you can see, last year I was quite nervous about the Spartan and trained really hard. However, I got through it without too much difficulty and helped quite a few others along the way.
The Warriors Dash was just too much fun! Much tougher, as it was held at a ski resort. Hills, big hills. Lot’s of big hills! Still, more that 15,000 runners in all kinds of crazy costumes, a pint of beer and a giant turkey leg at the finish makes for a great run.
Ghost Busters
Dynamic Duo?
Warrior (?) Doug
See what I mean?
Anyway, my real training is about to begin. I’m not thrilled about training outside in winter. Even though I get out there and run, climb and whatever, it’s not my favorite thing in the world! But Spring has sprung, the grass has ris’, no need to wonder where Douggy is. I’ll be out there on my favorite little ski hill, weighted vest, skipping rope in hand, water, snacks and a serious look of determination in my eye. Ooooh that’s scary.
Time is ticking. The Spartan is next June, the Warrior in July and then my biggest venture yet, the Tough Mudder is in August. I have to start more distance running. I want to be comfortable doing 20 km before the Mudder. The obstacles I think I can handle.
So, without further ado…off I go. I’ll keep you posted with gains and losses, victories and defeats. Maybe a few aches and pains but hopefully no sprains.
“Given enough time, any man may master the physical. With enough knowledge, any man may become wise. It is the true warrior who can master both….and surpass the result.”
– Tien T’ai
I’m struggling on both ends of that scale so I’m not sure where it leaves me. Not quite a true Warrior yet by that particular account, that’s for sure!
Never mind. Look out ski hill , here I come! Ya hoooooooooo.
Smile and enjoy the day.
Doug
