just one day at at time....

So, I have been on this journey called getting my fat-ass in shape. It has been a tough one to start. Today was the worst day. I decided that I would begin running on a daily basis and today was day 1. I thought that I could get out there and get it done and walk away motivated. However, that did not happen. I figured out real quick that running will tell you just how out of shape you really are. It was tough. I could run for about 30-40 yards and then I would have to stop and walk. I thought I was dying at some point. Every step of the way I would ask myself "Jon, what the hell are you doing?" It was the most discouraging and demotivating moment yet. Before today, I was ready to go and register for the MS-150 and I was ready to go, but when I stopped today, I was ready to throw it all away. However, My wife and my dad were there to get me motivated again. I now understand that this was just part of the process. I have to take this one day at a time, and try to do a little more everyday. I'm not going to run a marathon this year, or next year, but maybe....just maybe I will be there someday. Sure today was painful and humiliating, but I like that. I think I want to remember this day as proof why I don't ever want to get like this again. I think part of the problem is the fact that I have never really been an athlete. I always just did enough exercise, and never really knew how to push myself past a certain point. I get all sorts of advice from people that have always been athletes and are in great shape. I am grateful for every bit of advice, but I don't think these folks have a clue what it is like to go from being a fatty to being an athlete. I need someone who has been in my shoes. I need someone that understands what I am going through. I just have to make small goals and build from there. So, here are my goals.......

Running:
I want to be able to run a 5k by the end of the Fall. After that, I'll work towards a 10k, then a half-marathon....etc.

Cycling:
I plan on riding the MS-150 in October. My goal is to ride at least 30-40 miles per day of that ride. If I can do more.....GREAT!!

Eventually, I want to complete a triathlon, but I have to become a better swimmer.


I know I can do this, it is just going to take some dedication and determination. I cannot quit. Sure, I will have days that I don't want to do it anymore. I just have to push past those days and look forward to the end result. I can do this because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like me......Sorry for the SNL line, I am goofy like that.


till next time......

Professionalism

On Saturday, I will be playing trumpet for my cousin's wedding. I am very much looking forward to being a part of this joyous occasion. Now, ideally I would be able to show up and perform and make great music. However, in my life, there is always a catch. My cousin and I were told that this organist could play almost anything. So, we were very shocked when the organist said she couldn't play the music that I sent her. The music is standard wedding literature. I even showed to a friend that played piano and she was shocked that this so called "professional" could not play this. This goes to the title of this post.....Professionalism. Do not market yourself as a musician that can play anything when in reality you can barely play common hymns. When you do that, you run the risk of ruining an event. It may just be a gig for you, but it is a day that someone will remember for the rest of their lives. Be courteous and market your abilities for what they are. Because of this, I spent the last two days calling organist after organist (something that I was glad to do for Deanna). It seemed that everybody that I called was on vacation. Fortunately, I found a great organist that will have no problems with the music. Now I feel confident that Saturday will be a wonderful event, well It was going to be wonderful anyway, but we will have some great music.

until next time.....

Multiple Random Thoughts Today.....

I have a couple tidbits today......

This past weekend was Kate and my 1st anniversary. It has been one heck of a year. I look forward to many more. To celebrate, we took a quick trip to New Orleans to spend a day or two in the french quarter. Unfortunately, we spent quite a bit of time stuck in our hotel room due to the rain. So, we didn't get to do everything that we wanted to do, but we got to do quite a bit....

One of the first things I noticed was the gay pride festival going on just below our hotel window. It was interesting. Within the first 5 minutes I saw a man wearing a sailors hat and a speedo.....that's it, and two guys making out. It was an interesting welcome to New Orleans. We mostly walked around looking at stuff and eating food. With the food, I found that there are not many great spots in the french quarter to find good food (without spending an arm and a leg). If you go for the food, just stop in Lafayette. They have better food. We also got to check out our favorite gallery on Royal Street , Martin Lawrence Galleries(Not that Martin Lawrence). They carry our favorite artist Robert Deyber. He does some great work. You should check him out (www.robertdeyber.com). Everything else was about the same for every other trip to New Orleans......You see the same sights as always and do the same thing. Next time, we are going to see more music, and do a ghost tour, that should be fun.


The next thing.....

I have been religiously going to the gym since we last talked (except for the trip), and things are going well. Some things that I am noticing already:

1) Clothes are already fitting better
2) I have more energy
3) I am sleeping better at night
4) That mental fight I have with myself in the morning on whether or not to go to the gym is getting shorter, and I am winning (wait, does that make sense? I win against myself?)
5) I am already feeling in better shape. At the end of my usual workout today, I felt like I could do even more, but I was out of time. I need to go earlier and push myself to that next level.

I am now getting to the point that I feel shorted when I don't go work out. I get excited to get in there and work. I just have to take it one day at a time. Monday, I am going to get back on the road bike. I am looking forward to that to kicking my ass again.

Until next time......