Army BCT Graduation

Army BCT was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and the experience was amazingly awesome! It was really tough being away from my wife and kids, but I know it will be worth it once I finish the other three parts I have left to go for my training. I am in AIT right now receiving my training in Human Resources and then I'm off to Airborne, and then finally RASP for Rangers. I get more and more excited about the rest of my training the closer and closer I get to completing my initial training and move into my on-the-job training, and the experience that defines the Army.

My brother, Mike, did a great job describing the graduation events and he's got some really cool pics. You can go check it out here:

http://26.2ismycooldown.com/motivation/army-basic-training-graduation-at-ft-jackson-and-my-ruminations/

Crazy Ride

So my first ride here in Texas was nice. I found a few 'hills' or overpasses, and I enjoyed my ride... mostly cause I didn't get run over, and only one dude yelled at me to get off the road (he was just mad that I turned in front of him when he had a stop sign and I did not).

My second ride was probably the most interesting ride I have ever had, possibly even more eventful than the time Mike tried to kill himself to save a 6 year old girl. The ride started out great, I checked my bike to make sure all was well, lubed it up, and then took off. I was keeping a good pace (14 miles in 45 min.), and then I noticed my back tire went flat. No big deal, I just got off the road, took off the tire, knelt down and began the repair. The only problem, I knelt down in a fire ant pile. I didn't notice until I felt my knee light on fire! I didn't notice the pile because I wasn't looking for it, one of the many benefits of living in Utah was there were no bugs to worry about. After killing the ants on my knee and then moving out of the pile I finished the repair with no more incident. I continued my ride until I had gone about 45 min. out, and then I turned around. This is where the true test began.

What I didn't know was that the entire time I was riding the wind was at my back. I turned around and was hit by a strong breeze for the rest of my ride. The wind varied from about 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. I've been up hills, and ridden through some wind, but nothing could prepare me for the next 1 1/2 hours of riding through strong winds. The 'breeze' from the gulf is a lot stronger than the breeze through the mountains. The wind did not let up until I was about 1/2 mile from my house, and by then I was totally spent from fighting the wind for 14 miles. While to some of you this may not seem like a big deal, but 20 mph winds for 14 miles is tough.

I'm sure if I had gone on a bunch of hour long uphill rides in Utah I would've been more prepared, however, the most powerful force I have come to terms with on a bike is in fact the wind, not the terrain.

Here is a quick review of my ride:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/tx/lake%20jackson/684128827406563865

Workout Time

It's been a while since I wrote any updates on my exercise program. Today was a great day! I first started off with my regularly scheduled workout, followed by a 2-mile run. While the workout itself was great, the run was even better.

As I set out for my run I decided that I needed to stop dilly dallying around and get in a great run. So I set a goal of 2 miles in 16:00, and to take no longer than 17:00. And just so you know, the last 2 miles I ran, I ran in 17:51. There is good news and bad news with the run. The good news was I ran the 2 miles in 16:32. The other amazing news is that the 1st mile I ran in 7:46. This means (bad news) that I ran the 2nd mile in 8:46. What does this mean? I think it means a couple things. #1 I can run an entire mile in less than 8:00, and if I can run one, I can run another. #2 In reality I could have beat my 16:00 goal, if I had wanted it bad enough. #3 Running is a mind game, whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're right.

So here's to running 5 miles in less than 40:00! (That's 5 8:00 miles, in case you needed help w/the math...)

To The Wall

So today's workout was pretty awesome. My workout itself consisted of a lot of core body work, to help my core stand the test of time for the runs. It seems as though every workout I do is focused on trying to make my running better. Good news is that Mike and I ran 2 miles today at about 16 min. Mile 1 took about 8:07, and then Mile 2 took about the same time. We walked part of it and then ran hard (well, mostly) for the other part. I need to keep working on getting my legs to run faster for longer, and not just longer. All-in-all a good day for running.

1st 5 Mile Run

Before I get to the 5 miler, Saturday I ran 1 1/2 miles in 13 min., that's an 8:40 Mile! That's an improvement, however, it was kind of a weak (short) run.

Today, I went out with my brother, and we said we'd run 4 miles. And of course we reach mile 2 (the turn around point) and he says, "C'mon man, let's run one more." And he proceeds to run past the point. I, of course, follow him going, "Yeah, I can do another..." As we turn the corner there stood the biggest hill we had yet to climb, ouch. However, we got up it and then back down the hill. Funny thing about downhills, is you always have to go back up. Thankfully, the slope back over the hill was not as steep. The 1st couple miles we did sub 9, then it slowed down significantly. All in all, it was a good run. We ran 5 miles in 49 min.

Mile

1. 8:50

2. 8:51

3. 10:21

4. 10:25

5. 10:29

"Speed, I am Speed" (Well, not quite yet...)

When the Feet Hit the Pavement

Today's workout here at my brother's was pretty good. He injured himself on our ride last Wednesday, and he is out for at least a couple weeks. So I had to workout without him today. The workout was a great start, bringing up my heart rate and really pushing my strength further. It feels good to have what used to be just flabby fat turn into muscle. Don't get me wrong, I'm not ripped by any means, however I am now a lot stronger than I was a few short weeks ago.

After my workout, I went running for the 3rd time since a really long time ago with my Brother. It was a little better, but I need a lot of work. I ended up running 3 miles in 30:12. I need to be able to run a lot faster than that, but as my Brother watched my stride he gave me some great suggestions as to how to improve my running form and improve my speed/endurance. I say it went well because I ran the 1st 2 miles in 19:00, which is an improvement on my previous run on Saturday (19:30). I still have 2:30 to shave off before Basic, and 5:30 to cut off by RIP.

While I recognize that I have a long way to go, I also see that I am making improvements. I need to hack off at least 1 min. a month, for the next 6 months. Sound crazy? Yes, yes I am.

New Workout Program

So I've started a new workout program, despite not having finished the last one. To explain what happened is simple. At work I went from about 40 hours a week to 100+ hrs a week for about 3 weeks. While I at first I tried to get in my workouts, I just stopped because I was already getting very little sleep, and I was actually working at work. That craziness is over, so it's back to working out.

However, do not despair, I have a new workout program designed by my brother, the IronMan (yes he is an IronMan. He ran this year's IronMan in St. George, and did awesome in it). Today we went and got me a real road bike. While I have been working out about 45 min. or so a day (well, at least before my crazy work changed) on my stationary bike, but today was different. After spending about 45 min. or so working out doing plyometrics and weights, we hit the road on our bikes. Holy smokes, that kicked my butt. We road about 9 miles in just over 30 min. Our goal, okay MY goal, is to go 10 miles in under 30 min. Once I can do that we'll increase the amount of time on the bike, and then add running to our regime.

I've got my work cut out for me before I hit BCT, and then BAT, and then RIP. I'm working hard again and I hope to be able to blow people away when I get there.

Never, Never Give Up! -Rangers