Nearly There

Today is my final training run before the More Half Marathon in NYC’s Central Park this coming Sunday – three days from today. It has been a long journey to get to this place.

As long time readers know, I began this journey in December, 2010 as a test not only of myself, but also of the video game world. The initial question was: can someone lose weight and get fit simply by using video games? Over the course of a year, I proved to myself and others that it is not only possible, but probable. I lost approximately 60 pounds by changing nothing but adding exergaming to my life.

Sometime in the second half of last year, I incorporated running into my weekly regimen. While I’ve only lost about five more pounds since then, clothing sizes have continued to drop and my endurance and stamina have continued to rise.

I am constantly amazed at how others balance everything with such aplomb and take on more. Stepping to Star Wars and getting out for runs has helped me stay focused on precisely what needed to happen each particular morning, day, and week.

Over the last two months, training for this half marathon has supplanted my exergaming, which continues, but is more sporadic. Exergaming was definitely the bridge to my getting back into fitness, but I have generally reached the other side and am running to the next goal.

New challenges abound. On a business trip to DC two weeks ago, I became one of the people I used to think were either military or insane – the ones who run around the DC Mall. I did it, thrice, and ran up the steps to the capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial. Yes, I have happily become *that* person.

Along the way, I’ve also made many new friends and deepened existing relationships. It’s wonderful how positive people can be when they come together to conquer their individual goals.

It has been extremely gratifying to me to hear from so many of you, who have privately shared your tragedies and triumphs, and who my meager blog has nudged in the direction of picking up your Wii, turning on your Xbox, getting a Gamercize stepper, or hitting the pavement or trails near your homes.

We are all one instant away from becoming healthier versions of ourselves.

Go for it. You can do it.

Damn It's Cold

Image via WikipediaThe title says it all. While I have gotten out to run once this week, and hope to do so again this afternoon, the icy rain, sub-freezing temps and general holy c40p it's cold type stuff, I am extremely happy that EA Sports Active II allows me to do all of my cross-training at home, in sweats, with heaters blasting.

So, for half marathon training, what does EA Sports Active II offer the lay (or lame) non-athlete like me? Well, it has kick butt work outs. It offers multiple yoga, core, upper body and crunch options. Also, thanks to their "create your own workout" area, you can put together your own favorite routines that can change as often as you want. That includes the length of those workouts and what your avatar wears. Pretty cool.

In between the stretching, sweating and crunching going on in front of one's TV, road work still

requires some attention. This calls for good cold weather running clothing. While I am a novice with this sort of thing, I already know that I'm looking for stuff that wicks my sweat away and - need I say it - keeps me WARM. I'm starting to doubt whether those things are really possible given the amount of sweat I'm producing and the low temperatures outside. My go-to brands right now are LuLuLemon, Under Armour and SportHill. The switch from barefoot running shoes to Nike Vomeros (+6) keeps my feet much toastier during the hard winter months. While sometimes, the temps only require two layers on top, on some runs I'm layering pieces from all of those brands and more.

What do you wear outside during the coldest months? Email me and let me know!

Goals

Targets are generally important in any endeavor. They help us sketch out in our mind’s eye where we are and where we want to go.

Some people like making generalized visions of themselves at a next stage. Examples of this are statements like I’d like to lose five pounds and I’d like to learn the piano.

Others have date related goals they’re meeting. Examples of this are statements like I’d like to lose five pounds by Cindy’s wedding and I’d like to learn the piano before Christmas.

For me to accomplish things, I look at an action, like running a half marathon or doing all the laundry in the house. My generalized vision is being someone who runs a half marathon or has no dirty laundry. Please note that these two goals are probably self exclusive. The date related to such goals are the date of the half marathon or the date I’d like to have the laundry totally done.

I’m relatively compulsive once I’ve fixed on a project. I read the blogs, I peruse the free sites, I sometimes read magazines, I query friends and strangers who know more than me, and I always read far too many books on the topic. Dear Husband still jokes that my pregnancy prep resembled my prep for the bar exam. Honestly, some friends of mine (CBS & ML come to mind) who will probably read as many or EVEN MORE books than me on that topic. They’re compulsive lawyers too. J

So here I am in week one of half marathon training. On the cheap. Recognizing that I am a novice. And I’m loving it.

Today, day three, I worked out with EA Sports Active II. I didn’t use their 21 day or 9 week programs, both of which I love. Oh NO. I went hard core and clicked right to the Crunch & Core workout. Welcome back mountainclimbers! Hello again plank position!

Because here’s a lovely secret about well thought out exergames like EA Sports Active II – they take many different fitness plans into account and offer you options. So I’m able to do my half marathon cross training by using their OTHER fitness workouts, filed away in the “My Workouts” Box on the upper right hand corner of my home screen. Crazy right?!?!?

Well, I’m lovin’ it…and that’s all that matters as I look ahead to tomorrow when I go on a nice 4.1 mile run in the mountains in 40 degree temps….oh, and there might even be rain. Yippee. Bring it ON!