Long road back

Recently I was challenged by my youngest to do the Warrior Dash. Considering she is doing it for all the right reasons, as Dad, I want to support my kids in all they do, within reason. The good thing is she approached me prior to the current year ending (2012) and we have now breezed past the holidays. I readily agreed knowing full well what I was getting into. I'd done this race (the  Warrior Dash)  before when my younger brother the athlete took up my challenge 2 years prior and we competed it. Toughest thing I've had to do physically and never thought I'd face this monster again. I was wrong.

Skip forward to today. I'm now in my second week of training. For me this is a multi-faceted approach to preparing for this race. I figure to loose a few pounds, loose the beer belly, maybe extend my lifespan, and hopefully be the catalyst for a life change in how I treat my body, my health (physically & mentally), and being the best dad a kid could hope for.
Since agreeing to this race, my youngest son now wants to compete. My god-son Shane (former Army specialist whom served 3 tours in Iraq & Afghanistan), my riding buddy and friend George, and now my niece Andrea have all agreed to join us in the race. I'm stoked, but damn, it sure is harder than I remember physically. Because of the weather, I setup a workout area in my office basement. I'm doing cardio on the treadmill we have, and I've restarted my Martial Arts training in Tae Kwon Do. Wow, talk about getting one's ass kicked. I'm feeling pain everywhere, but know "pain is weakness leaving the body" as they say.

On a discouraging note I confirmed my suspicions of how much my weight has creeped up over the last 5 years. My pants are up to a 36 inch waist and are tight. My shirts are up to a 2XL. I weighed myself today at home and came in at 222.4lbs. Sucks!!! Seeing that was like getting smacked in the gut and doubled over. Dad weighed me later when we were talking and his scales (also digital) showed 230lbs. Double Damn!!!

Tonight I just completed another cardio circuit on the treadmill. I'm beginning to feel some difference from last week but know I have a long road back to fighting condition when I was down to a 192lb Green belt. I'm also amazed how much my memory has slipped in what I used to know, but also am somewhat relieved on how quick it's beginning to come back to me. Never-the-less, it's going to be a long lonely road to get ready for the race and prove this soon to be 51 year old dad can still kick butt and finish the race!