Monday, May 25th, 2009
Training:
10 min jog
30 min walk
30 min stairs
Today, I woke up with the achy feeling that comes along with being sick. Mid day, after going to the bank, I realized I might as well try for A workout. Again, I started with a small goal and just got into it and really started to focus. While jogging, I was reminded of a picture my dad keeps as his laptop desktop screen. It’s a picture of a rock that he saw while mountain biking and spray painted on the rock it says NEVER (underlined) give up. From what he said about it I think it’s either at the bottom or about half way up a really crazy mountain. Thinking about that rock, and what was on it, got me to keep going.
I managed to do 30 minutes of stairs today. My body was a bit achy though so I didn’t push myself as hard as I have been the past few days. I also ended with a bit stitch (probably from all of the water i was drinking) and decided instead of running home i’d walk.
Today was a great reflective day as I took a slower pace. Although it’s no Runyon Canyon in California, I think my stairs are my urban jungle equivalent. I’m currently jogging right down Bathurst, over a bridge and down to the historical Fort York site.
It’s pretty neat. As you descend the stairs, there is a timeline of the Fort York site. If you look to your right as you descend, you can see the perfectly manicured lawn and original buildings of the Fort York Site. Carefully stepping over the broken beer bottles that are scattered over the stairs, as you make your way up to the top, the full Toronto Skyline gradually appears. The past week it’s been perfect clear blue skies and its truly beautiful.
I’m inspired by the history and the future. As I climb down the stairs, I picture what went on right where i’m standing over the past several thousand years. (the timeline starts at 9000 BCE. As I near the top, i’m inspired by progress as I see massive cranes assembling new homes right up into the clouds. The traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular is constantly changing. Occasionally I’ll be doing my program while soccer fans file out of the nearby stadium. I’m constantly seeing tourists taking the boat/bus tours. It’s nice seeing people walking home from work, walking with a loved one, or out exercising like me. I’ve always been inspired by the Toronto skyline and for a long time it’s felt like home. Being in the middle of the history and the future really feels great while i’m exercising.
I have an extremely hecktic schedule at the end of the week so I decided to skip my ab and weight routine for the day. I can rest knowing that I still did SOMETHING. We’ll see how I’m feeling tomorrow.
Sunday, May 24th, 2009
Today I didn’t get any exercise in. This is the worst I’ve felt with this cold. I got some walking in but unfortunately, not stairs, no jogging, and no weights. I have been pushing myself pretty hard and figure a day to rest is alright. As long as it doesn’t continue for more than 48 hours I’ll be fine. Hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow.
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009
Training:
30 min stairs
8 min abs
20 min jog
upper body weight program
Today, after still having a sore throat, I wanted to give up after 20 mins. I figured I would be getting A workout in at least. When 20 mins came up I was halfway done a great song. I figured I would finish that song off and then stop. After that song was done, one of my all time Frank Sinatra tracks came on. That got me jogging until 25 minutes. Once I made it to what I did the day before, I figured why not keep improving and go for a full 30 minute program. I finished after putting on some more Sinatra at about 32 minutes. I felt great having done about 12 minutes more that what I thought I was going to do.
When I got home I figured that was it for my workout. I used the same mindset with the stairs though and started doing my 8 min ab workout. Once that was done, I decided to just go right into my weight routine. It worked beautifully and I finished off the day having done my proper routine. I’m sweating out this sickness.
The great thing about doing this too is that I don’t feel sick. I just have a sore throat and cough. I’m already feeling better and I know that soon I will start looking better.
Music during workout:
Gangstar
Frank Sinatra
Cancer Bats
Friday, May 22, 2009
Training:
Stretching
25 min. stairs
8 Min Abs
Music While Training:
Jimmy Eat World and Gaslight Anthem (jogging)
Kings of Leon (Stairs)
Consumption:
1 bowl rice crispies
mmmmm cranberry juice. Lots of cranberry juice
2 pitas and hummus
1 veggie dog
1 fruit smoothie with protein powder
bowl of strawberries
I started working on stretching today. I’m can’t believe how unflexible I am! I can’t even touch my ankles. I’m a few inches away!!! If I keep putting that off though, It’s never going to get better. I’ve been thinking about that a lot actually while doing my stair training. I think about how I need to be more impulsive if that’s the right word. Basically when I think about things too long, they take forever. It’s not that I’m talking myself out of doing something, it’s just that I keep thinking, “I’ve gotta mail those letters”. If I added up all the time I thought about mailing things, and invested that time into actually mailing them, it would be done by now! I’ve gotta stop thinking and start doing.
I guess I have been doing that though with my exercise program. It’s coming. Even though I can’t see results yet, I know they are coming and I’m feeling better. The other great thing is that I feel better knowing that I’m going for it.
I’m just about to hit the feathers and want to snack because I’m used to it. I know I don’t need it but I’m hungry (or at least I feel hungry) but having had a veggie dog not that long ago, I know my body has all the nutrients it needs. NEEDS not WANTS. I found when I started my first juice diet, at first I felt hungry and then I would just give it a bit of time, and then wouldn’t be that hungry after. I think I just have to get used to doing that again.
What i REALLY should be doing, and am going to do now that I’m thinking about it, is drink a big glass of water. My dad, who is in WAY better shape than I am and knows a lot about physical fitness as he is in GREAT physical (and mental shape for that matter. His dad jokes are second to NONE!) anyway, I digress, he trains with professional athletes and talks a lot about proper nutrition and diets. He has learned that before each meal, you should drink a large glass of water. This helps to fill your stomach. Also, when you feel hungry and am in a situation like I’m in now, hungry for the sake of being hungry, to just drink a full glass of water. Water is great for many reasons. It keeps you hydrated, is great for your skin, fuels the body and has actually been proven to make you smarter. (your brain runs on electrons and since water conducts electricity, people who consume a lot of water are smarter. Don’t ask me to name my source but I’m sure if you look for it, the study is out there). So bottoms up!
On a positive note, I heard from one of my skydiving coaches and we MAY have a lead on a new drop zone for the stunt. I’m not going to give anything away and am not trying to get my hopes up, but if this works out, we should be good for our July target! I’m sure I will go to bed tonight, dream of skydiving, as I seem to do every night.
Sweet dreams
Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Training:
20 min jog
10 min. stairs
full upper body weights
Consumption:
1 bag spinach with garlic
1 fruit smoothie with protein powder
1 pineapple, pear and apple juice
Thursday, May 21st, 2009
Training:
20 min. jog
20 min. stairs
8 min. abs
full upper body weights
4 hours walking
Music during workout:
Radiohead - In Rainbows (Stairs)
JayZ - Reasonable Doubt (Weights)
Gaslight Anthem - The 59′ Sound (Jog)
Consumption:
Apple, pear, pineapple juice
1 veggie dog
1 order of hunan tofu on rice
1 protein shake
Bad Day for consumption, I’ve gotta change that for tomorrow!
These beautiful, clear blue sky days are really making me want to go skydiving! It’s great motivation.
Wednesday, May 20th
Training:
20 min jog
15 min. stairs
Half upper body weights
Music During Training:
Hatebread - Satisfaction is the death of D (Jog)
Radiohead - In Rainbows (Stairs)
Justis -Just Is (weights)
Brutal Kink in the neck. Took it easy
Beautiful day… I’m getting back in it!
March 29th, 2009
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!
Whoa it’s been FOREVER since i’ve updated this. My apologies! I’ve been busy resting, touring, catching up with friends and working on my new presentation.
I had some much needed lazy time but I’m feeling SUPER inspired now to really get crackin’ on everything.
With regards to the stunt, I’m still looking for a willing Drop Zone to facilitate everything. I’m also hoping to find some sponsorship to facilitate the financial aspect of making this all happen as my account is empty from the first training that I did.
It’s been over a month since I’ve jumped out of a plane and it’s KILLING me! I miss the sport SO much.
I’m also currently working to get my lazy self back in shape. I’ve been
