bigDH's accountability training a.k.a Beer Drinker's Appreciation Society (Page 44)

The weekends are a good time to imbibe...  It's when you tend to get together with others so why deprive yourself when others are enjoying a delicious icy cold beverage.   Another option is to only buy 2 or 3 beers at a time.  My liquor store sells single bottles of beer and I've started to only buy 1 or 2 a week as a way of helping to pay for that bike I just bought...

I'm in the same boat but for a different reason.  I can stick to the 2 beers - but then my ability to say no to food goes out the window.  Yesterday, I had two beers and then proceeded to eat 1/2 a pound of jelly beans.  Not good!  So I've decided that it's one and done unless I'm hanging out with other people.

Kevin - I want to chime in one more time about the drinking thing... You are not alone.  I too struggle with how much I tend to drink.  While there are days when I don't drink at all - there are far more days when I will sit back with friends and go through a six pack... (which is better than it was when I was in college.  Back in those days - it was more like a case.)  These days I drink because I love to drink not because because I want to get drunk.  I love the taste and trying new beers is so enjoyable to me that I'm willing to suffer through 40 mile bike rides to enjoy a few.  In fact, before I headed out for my ride on Tuesday when I climbed a mountain, I actually debated about whether or not to throw a can in my bike bag to enjoy at the top.  Let's just say - I love it and it motivates me.

My love for beer is only a problem when I hit the scales and weigh in at 265 and when it makes me so hungry that the idea of ingesting a couple 1000 calories or M and Ms isn't a problem.  

And so, I guess the only piece of advice I have is to figure out a way where it's a motivator to either lose weight or to go out for a run.  If you can keep the nights when you drink a six pack to a minimum, there should be no problem with you drinking 2 or 3 a night.  

Face it - we are compulsive people.  That's what drives up to do insane things like doing an iron man.  We just need to find a way to make that drive be our friend rather than our enemy.

OK - So here is my issue... For the last couple of weeks I have been toying with the idea of doing a half iron man sometime this year.  The mileage is not that much more than what I am doing now.  I want to do it to prove to myself how far I have come.

The thing holding me back is 1) the $$$, 2) finding one nearby, 3) finding one on a day that doesn't conflict with my duties as a dad or father, and 4) Finding on that doesn't conflict with my primary primary primary primary of riding a century that ends at a brewery (see what I'm talking about in terms of motivation). Nothing really seemed to line up so I decided against it.

Then on Wednesday when I was swimming endless laps in the pool - I had the idea that I would do an HIM solo.  No race - just go out there and get it done.  I could swim the 1.2 miles in the lake where my families cottage is, I could do the biking along some pretty deserted roads, and best of all, the run would be a lap around the lake.  Great idea.  One problem - it's in 13 weeks and that would really be pushing it.  It would be an increase of more than 20 percent.  The think what worries me is that I'd end up hurting myself.

So, the only other idea I can think of isto do it solo here in MA in September.  While this fits into the training schedule - there is nothing special other than just getting it done.  No medal, no crowds, no beer at the end of the race.  Just the accomplishment.  I wonder if that is enough.

Thoughts?

PS - While I'm gonna ask this of the new group - it's nice to be posting here again.  Seems like home.

x2 on the college days.  Mine were in middle and high school. Then later in the Army.  Lucky to be alive. (really).  x2 on the drinking for the love and taste, and not to get drunk.  From someone who used to put away 1/2 gallons of juice away, 5 or even 6 beers now gives me a slight tingle. 

x2 on the impulsivity.  Dang David.  I think you hit the nail on the head here. 

I am down from 203 to 186-182, depending on day, and binge eating at night.  I think to get to the next level, I really have to look at my calorie intake, because I just do not have a ton more to go, but I would love to lose another 10-20.  It may be wishful thinking if I can't curb the impulsivity.

Geesh David, that was so last week.

I admire your determination.  I would want all the praises and accolades of training for an event, personally.  However, training up for this HIM this August has already been so rewarding.  I'm doing things in the pool and soon on the bike that I've never done.  I am working out 5-6 times a week in all disciplines, and not just running.  I used to run 1/2 the year, and take the other half off and lay around, so I love that aspect of it.  It motivates and drives me.

I think if you have the desire, go for it.

Proud to report that I only had 1 beer and 2 scoops of ice cream tonight (as well as 5 chocolate eggs)... so good.

Another thought... You strike me as a fairly competitive guy. God knows I am (the fact that I remain loyal to Cleveland sports teams really messes with my DNA...).  One thing that has really helped me is to count my calories in a competitive way.  I use an app called Loseit (it's on my iphone but you can get it over the internet or on Android) to keep track of all my calories.  I was able to enjoy the beer and the ice cream and even the chocolate because I knew exactly how many calories I had to spare (I finished with 15 calories to spare).  So, each day, I count my calories and try to win the day by finishing under my limit.  Plus, you can friend people who are also using lose it and I unofficially compete against them as well.  Check it out

You guys kill me! I can save myself explaining my drinking and eating my just copying and pasting what everyone wrote. While I try to limit myself to 2-3/night on the weekend, I can easily down a dozen. I love to try new beers. Where ever I travel i research local breweries/brewpubs etc.

PS:It has got to be at least 2 weeks since he changed the name, you two have to lay off the whiskey!

BigDH, I thought of you as I was at the 25K trail run today.  Those are some tough miles you put in.  Trail running is not equivalent to road running.  It's 10x harder. 

If your ever in for a challenge stateside, The Spokane River Run is a beast.  They have a 25K/50K option.  The 50K course is a 25K loop x2, and it is brutal with so many ups and downs and rough terrain.  I did that last year and was humbled by mile 9 of the 25K "fun run".  This year, I ran the stand alone 25K which was only 1/2 as hard as the loop for the 50K.  It was still very difficult for this road runner!

Might be a possible early season run for ya next year.

How's the games go?  I hope you played better than the Penguins did.  Go Flyers!

As for the brew - if you are doing the work, you deserve a little reward.  I had a great beer weekend and was able to sample 6 new beers.  Over my spring break - I was able to try 11 new beers but my favorite was the Smuttynose IPA that I had with homemade chinese food last night.  There is something about hops and spicy foods that I love...

This Thursday, a group of friends and I are gonna get together for what I hope will be the first of many International Beer Nights.  We're gonna start by sampling different styles of beers from England.  A good time should be had by all.

Sounds like you had a great run! Good job! It is nice to see the results of all your hardwork and training!

You should come up to Canada and do the "heart of the rockies triathlon in Invermere BC!!

How did the hockey games go?(and of course the tailgate?)

Will you take a rest week for you running?

Have a good week!

Not a Bruins fan? My 2 teams are still in it! Go Flyers/Hawks. Although Pittsburgh out killed my hockey pool though!

Hmmm, hops and spicy food, you can't go wrong!

Gotta love a group of guys who are into trying new beer. 

I organized a group guys at work(3) and we bought 3 different 6pks every couple of weeks, split the cost and the beers and rate them.

Good to see your run is starting to come around after such a rough "preseason"

What/where is your first race?

Have a good week!

Sounds fun and dangerous all at the same time!

Pike IPA tonight out of Seattle.  Better than Starbucks.

I've never travelled for a race outside local community.  That'd be fun to plan for next years with the family.  I am hearing Canada does not want me however.  When I was a youngster, I used to have legal issues involving alcohol and auto's.  Canada has adopted a policy at the border of zero tollerance no matter how long ago.  in my case, almost 20 years.  So I've heard.

Hockey was good.  I'm a natural physical defensman, so when they put me at forward, I made the most of it.  Sometimes I feel like I have two left feet up on the wing. 

Tailgait makes this tourney.  We bar'bque potluck in the parking lot after afternoon game.  Weather was perfect.  Company was perfect.  They were selling Pike IPA on tap for 2$ a cup.  Great deal.  I also had Pendleton, and Fireball for the first time.  A real break in kind of weekend.

I am in a very drastic taper.  But I do have the 3 runs planned, however nothing over 13 miles this week.  The following 3 weeks taper even more dramatically for May 19 showdown at Windermere Marathon.

We played a team from Vancouver our second game.  Fun to play against players that you could tell just grew up playing the game.  Just had a great feel for the game. we kept it close, but fell 4-3. 

Prost!

I am sure you are right about the past difficulties issue. I know the rugby team I played for years ago ran into that problem a few times heading down to Missoula! Seem ridiculous to me.  Can't beat spring hockey, beer and BBQ!

5 days to complete to get 5 workouts to complete my 30 workouts in 30 days.

May goal--32 workouts in 31 days, basically 8/week, with 3 spare days. What do you think?

Wow. Tough schedule, but doable.  I say go after it!

Not so bad as I have no crazy run/bike/swim workouts  to deal with in my Oly/sprint training like you guys....

X2! You can get it done - but with so few rest days - I would avoid large increases in milage and time... Also - be sure to ice as much as you can to avoid the injury bug...

Would just like to state for the record that I think our current group sucks!  The Beer Drinkers Appreciate Society was so supportive and so many people we participating.  Our current group is almost not even there... Frankly I blame it on all the Canadians in the group

All right - got to go to bed.  While I am stoked about my workout today - I've got another one tomorrow.  

Hey Kevin - how did the race go this weekend?  

x2

Beer drinkers all the way!  I raced last weekend and got 6th out of ag, and 27/188 overall.  I race this sunday, and hope to go under 53 min. for a 12K (7.4miles).  That'll be a personal record for me on this course, but I was a little faster last year, so IDK.  Marathon is the big one May 19th!  3:30:00 or bust!