Progress

So, here's the thing... I like to make fun of myself on this blog. My eating habits, at times, are still laughable. Literally. But I've also been making steady health-progress since May of this year. I've written about it already in this space... but the progress has continued and I think it's worth pausing, reflecting, and celebrating. (Before going right back to publicly shaming myself.)

The weight loss has continued, and I would say I'm "done" as far as weight being a focus of my fitness. At this point, I'd like to remain steady where I'm at, and shift my focus to strength (still minimal) and speed (improving).

As I continue to improve running speed, I assume I'll shed a few more spare pounds... but that's a byproduct, not a goal. And the weight loss will not be nearly as notable as the past half year: about 55 pounds in a little over 5 months. I haven't written about this extensively, but there's really nothing magical about this weight loss: I bike to work every day, run 6 days a week, and try not to eat everything I see. "Work out and don't be a pig." Simple.

185.8 this weekend

I've only tried to "run for speed" twice... and failed both times. (trying to break a sub 50 minute 10k and a 2 hour half marathon). So I was hesitant to get involved in making speed-related goals, but once I started... it's tough to stop. Running provides such a nice endorphin boost already -- adding "accomplishing goals" to that is nice icing on the cake (even if speed is relative), and I love icing. Plus it requires varying workouts to get faster -- so that keeps things from getting overly monotonous.

Anyway, I set pacing goals for 5k, 10k, and half marathon distances that I was hoping to accomplish first semester (with maybe the half marathon goal falling in early spring)... but then I completed all of them by my birthday - in early fall. Yippee. So I needed to set new goals.

Thus far I've accomplished two of my four active goals (sub-6 minute mile, and sub-21 minute 5k). The two remaining goals are 10k at sub-7 minute pace, and a half marathon at sub-8 minute pace. 

And I've added one more goal: finish a marathon. I'll be running Houston in January (more on that later).

For now, I'm celebrating hitting a PR in my 5k... next time goal is breaking the 20 minute mark. But that's still a ways off. Also, just in case I started to feel good about my "3rd place in my age group" finish today in the This Run's For Jack 5k... I got beat by a 12 year old girl, a 13 year old boy, and three guys in their 50s. Speed is relative.

This fall, I've hit a PR in some sort of distance about once every other week -- which is obviously encouraging. Consistent evidence of improvement is a great motivator, and these little goals along the way have made great signposts en route to killing the fat.

For the curious/nerdy, below are the numbers/dates for my best times. (and no, that is not a typo... prior to this fall there is no record of Dan Nicholas having ever run one mile in less than 7 minutes). It's fun for me to keep in mind that in May I ran a 5k (not really racing but not really holding back) at 31:51... a 10:08 pace. Wow.

PRs:

1 mile:
7:00 (Aug 26 - as first mile of 5k)
6:19 (Sept 24 - as part of a "mile repeat" workout)
5:48 (Oct 7)

5k:
23:56 - 7:51 pace (July 13, 2011)
22:04 - 7:07 pace (Aug 26)
20:49 - 6:38 pace (Oct 19)

10k:
50:43 - 8:11 pace (Aug 21, 2011)
50:27 - 8:07 pace (Sept 13 - as second half of half marathon)
46:55 - 7:34 pace (Sep 20)
45:44 - 7:22 pace (Oct 5)

Half Marathon:
2:09:04 - 9:47 pace (May 20, 2012)
1:49:14 - 8:20 pace (Sep 13)