2023 Q1 GP

I love the “GP” aspect. It is sort of a F1 race. But no, that is not what the GP stands for. It stands for Goals and Plans for this particular quarter, which will run from Jan 1 to March 31.

Overarching goal is NY Marathon 2024 . That will require loosing of weight and improving cardiac conditioning.

Let’s get this race started!

Goal

• Get to 265 (started at 290)
• Run 2 or 3 races

Plan

• Running to 10k
• Burn 1000 a day average
• Calorie average less than 1850
• ADJUSTMENT: Weight loss is slow, so add more scrutiny.

Try

• Minimize alcohol and coffee (the yin and the yan of the mental swing)
• Use tea or water
• Minimize podcast or TV to fill the time.

QUARTERLY STATS

• Total miles ran: 75 miles
• Total runs: 25
• Fastest K: 7:09
• Fastest Mile: 12:30
• Fastest 5k: 43:16
• Fastest 10: 1:29:11
• Fastest Half: 3:46:24

QUARTERLY UPDATE

• Generally, I am very happy with this quarter.
• I really tested the limits of my running. That is great.
• A quarter is a good amount of time to solidify some habits. I think I was able to pick up a few critical habits in this quarter:
  • Minimizing alcohol
  • Eating clean
  • Running with regularity
  • Being stress free, sleeping well
• Now, there will be triggers that try to ruin this stuff. The goal will be to not do that. To rely on this quarter as inspiration.
• Next quarter will get harder. The goals will get more difficult. But I am excited to take the next step
• I love that I just dove into the 10k, and then also pushed myself for the half (22k). These things pushed my limits early. I understood myself.
• Running is ‘easy’ in the sense it has a low activation energy. I dont have to dress up too much. And it is solitary in the park. I love it. I love running without anyone around me.
• Surprisingly, my pace was the best in the first 10k. Second hardest race that I ran, but interesting yea? Maybe it was an unknown unknown and I pushed myself a bit too much. The adrenaline of running for the first time. Still, surprising to me. Goal is to beat that time reliably in the next Q
• Food-wise, I think I understand what is needed to loose weight. An example of that is the golden week.
• The biggest surprise of this quarter was sobriety. Not total, but a 98% reduction in consumption. Initially, the cause of this was psychological and stress induced. But then I started to see the health benefits. For a long time, I lost total interest in booze. I even hated the taste. More recently, I have started to feel that mental exhaustion from work which is making me desire it. Maybe the body is desiring hydration or something to be honest. Also, as the weather is getting warmer I think the body is desiring some easy to drink stuff, and to chill with people. To be honest, I to enjoy non alcohol booze, surprisingly. Perhaps I can keep that going.
• I started to understand CEO confidence vs. Redneck confidence
• The body has an amazing ability to adapt. You can make it adapt to anything. You are capable of a lot more than you think.
• The consistency for the blog is also helping me. I am reviewing the older posts and here is what I am noticing:
  • Things were not as rosy as I am imagining right now. I had so many struggles. I remember the good things, which is great, but I should be inspired by the struggles.
  • I struggled with consistency: I found a solution – lower the activation energy.
  • I had to remind myself constantly: THERE IS NO CHOICE. I can’t take a break
• I need to remember that work is not the most important thing.
• Running reduces my stress and anxiety. That is important. When in doubt, just go for a run.
• Is this therapy was a window into my rational mind, and how I talked myself out of the depths of hell.
• Bro, FEBRUARY was on a ROLL
• I started to get a running cadence and a food recipe that worked.
• FOCUS ON ONE DAY AT A TIME
• Covid wrecked me, but no excuses.

MONTHLY UPDATES:

• January
  • Ate 2200 calories a day!!
  • 39 miles. 10 hours
  • WEIGHT LOSS: 0lbs
• February
  • Averaging less than 1800 calories a day. This is great. No wonder the weight started to move.
  • Overall, pleased with February. Need more months like this.
  • 25 miles, 6 hours. Less mileage but at least I lost weight.
  • WEIGHT LOSS: 9lbs
• March
  • Will have the 13 miler. Maybe a 6 miler in first week. And then a 3 miler.
  • I should aim to do a Marathon spread over a week.
  • WEIGHT LOSS:

WEEKLY UPDATES:

• Jan 8:
  • 2 races down!! Likely will have one more (in Feb).
  • I did a 10k!
  • Weight is stagnant
• Jan 14:
  • Ran a 5k and a 10k this week. I am really happy for you.
  • BUT YOUR WEIGHT IS STAGNANT.
  • Read this
• Feb 6
  • Signed up for many races. Doing my running plan.
  • BUT WEIGHT STAGNANT. Time for deep intervention.
• Feb 13
  • Wow, I saw a lot of weight movement. I reached a low of 280!! I put some back on today, but yea, it is moving. 8 pound movement
  • I am worried about the volatile month coming up. Remember: I need to meet 265!!!!
  • I also ran another race! It was great. By the end of this month, I will have more than 50% of qualification done!
  • I like running bro
• Feb 19
  • Weight is at 280/281. Not a lot of loss. I was quite sick this week and I had some guests over.
  • So, thats how simple this is. Keep the system going.
  • I have another race coming up soon
• Feb 25
  • I saw 279.4. But would have hoped for a bit lower. Keep going though.
  • The health trends are improving a lot. Legs are stronger. Heart feels stronger.
  • I did a 5k. I attempted a 4M but had a beaurocratic issue.
  • Fuck – next up is a HALF MARATHON. Let’s see how that goes.
• Mar 4
  • COVID. So couldn’t run.
  • But I saw 276.8. That was cool. Probably temporary. But lets get it back.
  • I have a half marathon in 1 week.
• Mar 11
  • Ran 6.5 miles. I think I can do it to completion.
  • i saw 279.
• Mar 19
  • BRO you did a fucking HALF MARATHON. WHAT THE FUCK
  • It was slow as fuck, pace of about 17, so you ran for almost 4 hours. But .. YOU RAN FOR 4 HOURS
  • Also, I saw 276, 278 and currently at 279. I hope I have broken through the 280 plateau.
  • I RAN A HALF MARATHON. Running wise, I am super proud of myself this Q
• March 26
  • Ran in a different city.
  • Running was a bit slower but I am trying to keep it consistent.