Fit for Freedom

Added to the leg work with concumer angst, green conscious, economic pressures, energy concious behavior.  Feeling the burn early in the morning and the gasping going to work at 0600 is a new experience.  I figure it is a matter of time before I start to consciously race myself to work and see what the best time can be.  After I get my strength and speed up then I can go the full 4.5 miles to work up the massive hills.  At it is I go from the county to the city and park there and ride the rest of the way in.  Going slowly might get me killed in the morning on the county roads.  Although it will save me 30 miles a week of driving the car.  If I survive it will be worth it.  If not lesson learned.  Must build the first armored bicycle or one with a forcefield.  This indeed should help me cut more worthless calories as well as adding some endurance and a "wake-up" call in the morning.

My butt was thoroughly kicked yesterday and calories were burned.  I have not had leg burning, chest burning like that since 2 a days for football.  Fortunately there was not much heat.  But hiking with boots and backpack up rugged (arduous is the trail description) was a challenge.  Think you’re fit?  Try mountain climbing.  I was humbled after 1 mile and 1.5 hours to get there.  If your travel the full 9 miles the sign says you burn 3600 calories.  I think I hit that at the first 1/2 hour.  But today it is chest.  I am suprised so far though no soreness in the legs or back from my trek in the Blue Ridge Mountains. However, I do have a blister the size of an Eisenhower silver dollar on my right heel.  I knew better than to go out with new boots.  Putting water proof tape did not help either.  It simply ripped the skin off when I took it off at home.  OUCHEE WOWOWOW!  It was great to get out and really sweat and gasp.  I truly felt alive despite being close to death!

Some days or weeks it is like treading through cold molasses.  Progress is still constant but I don’t look like a bodybuilder yet.  I think I look like a fit older guy.  I want to look more than that.  As I approach 50 I know I have to really gear up for the body’s "anti push" of fattening and flattening!  OK, so I worked out 4 times in the past 2 weeks!  That is not how to stay in shape or grow for that matter.  Today is the back and Lat attack.  After being so laime lately I know in the next 2 days it will feel like I have been filleted-like a Rainbow Trout.  But, progress can be sore-painful.  I just need to realize there are ups and downs.  I need to make sure I do not let ruts turn into graves. Thank the Maker I quit smoking.  What bitch that is.  It still sucks but I am getting used to it.  Maybe that is why I dropped my aggressive training so much.  Fortunately the diet did not suffer too much although my chocolate intake did increase dramatically.  I rationalized the need for more endorphins which funny enough did seem to help.  I did run while eating that stuff though.  So I just have to pick up the pace again with increased protein and creatine.  Other than that no problems.  Lifting is not hard.  It is work and my eyeballs pop when I do it but just the same getting motivation back is harder than actually lifting the weights.  I have to make sure too that it does not effect the workout or I lift so-so.  I really do not want to waste time at the gym if I am not giving it 150%!.  So, back to the gym today for a full assault.