Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Marathon #7

Well here's an adventure for you...


To start I will go back a week or so to when I began a program designed by well known athletic trainer Alwin Cosgrove called "Warp Speed Fat Loss". The program has a pretty strict workout program and nutrition program as well that I decided to test out over a 28 day period to see what would happen. Things were going fine and I was going strong until just one week in I realized, I have a marathon!


This one was the North Face Around The Lake Run. It was organized as a 24 hour run, where people run around the 3.16 mile lake for 24 hours straight; but they lopped a marathon onto it as well to bring in more runners. For me, it was a perfect race. It was located about 5 miles from my Aunts house and it was just under two months from my last one. So I signed up for it. But I forgot this as I started my new workout program.


This had nothing but messy written all over it. But it tested my physical and mental limits in a grand new way, so it was perfect.

I awoke at 5:30am to get to my 6am client and after I trained him I had my own workout: Deadlifts, two 10-minute circuits and about 12 minutes of interval training. After that I showered up and jumped in the car to head up to Wakefield MA. I was on the road by 9am and my crazy long drive began. I stopped 4 times to use the facilities and grab some snacks and some major caffeine to make it through the drive. I also realized I hadn't carb loaded at all, so I stopped at a rest stop and got some horribly tasting Sbarro's pasta. Not gonna lie, at that point I was seriously concerned as to whether or not I would actually be able to run this thing, or even make it there on time.

I hit southern Connecticut around 2ish and that's when the traffic really started. I had planned on getting there with a couple hours to spare (even with a little traffic) so I could nap a little and get a little more solid food in my stomach; but I could see that was not about to happen. Boston traffic was miserable and I rolled into the hotel parking lot, where the start and finish was, at 6:45pm. I ran to the registration tent, got my number, ran to my car and through my running shorts on, down 16oz of water and ran back to the start. The race started at 7pm.

On the first lap my brain was already telling me to stop and I could already tell it would be a tough one to finish. My body felt pretty good, and with the help of my Aunt and Cousins, I was able to down a few packages of Cheese Its which really helped my body out a lot (a phenomenon I discovered during my 50 miler). Now folks, I'll have you know that my worst marathon time was my last one, the Vermont Marathon, where I finished in 4:14. This one I finished in 5 hours!

At midnight I crossed the finish line, downed 8 Oreo's and some Fig Newtons and headed to my Aunts house to pass out. By far one of the most difficult mental challenges where my mind and body both were just destroyed. But I pushed and I eventually finished, giving me that great feeling again and putting me only 3 marathons away from running 10 in one year!

Never Stop, GET FIT
Josh Courage

Friday, July 18, 2008

Back Into It

Well folks,

It's been a long while since I last posted, and I'm sure most of you know why.

A little over a month ago, my mother's miraculously long loved tussle with cancer came to an end. I was there as she passed and my family and I shared an absolutely incredible few days of mourning. She was always, and is now more than ever, my greatest inspiration for living the life I want. She did so well and in doing so, she touched countless people with her generosity and kindness. I am honored to have had a mother like her and to have had someone like that a part of my life. I hope, and make it a portion of my life's work, to help people in the way she did. I thank everyone who sent their prayers and support.

As for training, it has been a little unorganized, but it has been intense. Since my last post I have gained a huge amount of ground in my summer goals. 12 were written down in my private notes, and I am confidant this time around that all 12 will be reached. Here they are:

10% Body fat (started at a little over 14 when written, and around 12 now)
Sub 6 minute mile
225 Clean and Jerk (got 200 easy for 3)
400 Deadlift (got 405 trap bar for 3)
375 Squat (knees are aching, got 320 fine though)
Legit Muscle Up (wanted it with a swing, got it from just the hanging position)
1/2 Body Weight Pull Up (got 100, 5 lbs off!)
1 Handstand Push Up
5 1-arm Push Ups with Both Hands
1 1-arm pull up
8 second handstand (got about 5 seconds)
10 marathons (been a goal, have 6, am registered for final 4 already)

Because of the marathon goal (10 in a year, Marine Corps to Marine Corps, Oct 07 to Oct 08) I am allowing myself through October to get all of these goals. I think that will be more than enough time to get them.

Besides that, I have tones to talk about and get out to the world, so, keep you eyes peeled for regular posts!

Never Stop, GET FIT

Josh Courage