Big Sur International Marathon update

I had signed up to run the 21 miler in the Big Sur Marathon with my wife and some friends.  This race will take place on April 28, 2013.  We've been training hard for this for the last 2 months, and these are some notes with regards to this training:
1.  running long distance (10+ miles) really works your body over.  very effective in finally shedding some of the fat that were difficult to get rid off.
2.  you really get in shape pushing your body that hard to run long distances.  once you run 10+ miles a few times, running 6-7 miles is a piece of cake.
3.  it's pretty amazing what your body is capable of, if you're willing to push it.
4.  anything longer than a half-marathon (13 miles) is more than you need for health.

My wife and I decided that we probably need to sign up for a couple of half-marathon a year.  1 in spring and 1 in the fall, just so we always have something to train for.  It's so much easier to get out and do the work when you're working towards something tangible, rather than just good health.

Year of the Dragon difficulties

Last year, 2012 was the year of the dragon, my "birth" year, as I was also born in the year of the dragon (1964).  According to chinese zodiac lore, I would have a tough year.  I didn't realize it at the time, but looking back, I suppose my brush with ED would constitute my difficulty for the year.  If that is the worse it can get, I'm glad that's all it is.

2012 in Review

A look back at 2012 and how I did against the goals I've set for myself:
2012 was again not all that exciting.  Some highlight of the year were:
1.  Spring break with my wife hiking the Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon.
2.  my oldest son (Jordan) and his girlfriend was voted homecoming king and queen in October.
3. Cancun in October with my wife
4. Cancun in June with family and friends.

Goals set at the beginning of the year:

Health/Personal ---ended the year in about the same physical shape as the beginning of the year.  Have become a better swimmer, not better mechanics, just more endurance and comfort in the water.

1. 1000 miles on bicycles, 350 miles on foot (only 20 and 7 miles a week respectively) in 2012
• I probably did about 300 miles on foot in 2012
• I only biked about 630 miles in 2012 - obviously because of the effect on my body (ed) I did not cycle as much.
2. run 1 half-marathon in 2 hours or less
• Did this in January, and was very close in the July SF Half-Marathon, finishing in 2h01m
3. do 1 50 miles bike ride
• Did this a couple of times, but these long bike rides will have to stop because of the impact to my body
4. complete 2 of the 4 army ranger's physical requirements: 80 push-ups in 2 minutes, 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes, 12+ pull-ups, 2 miles in 13 minutes (currently can only do the 12+ pull-ups)
• Did the 12+ pull ups - can do this regularly now
• Did 80 push ups in 2 minutes once.  Can easily do 60 push ups in a row now, need to get to 80  regularly
5. body fat at 10% as measure by my scale (currently at 12%)
• Body fat is still about 12%

Wealth - to increase net worth by $100K. This can be accomplish by investment gains, increased savings or debts reductions. ---Increased net worth by $135K

Skills/Knowledge - learn two cooking techniques from this list: stir-frying, braising, soup, sauteing, sauce---got a lesson from co-worker on making sauce/gravy, a little more comfortable doing that now.

Reading - to read 10 books.---did read more than 10 books this past year, mostly books that my teenage daughter read, and some smut.  Started to read Les Miserables, but it was sooooo slow.  I may try it again, now that I was inspired somewhat by watching the movie.