Physical Preparation

As I am getting ready for the Amazing Race (TAR), I am thinking of all the challenges involved. A lot of them involve different skills like strengthen, endurance, intelligence, attention to detail, working in extreme temperatures, etc. My team partner Lauren is currently training for a marathon. She is also 10 years younger than me, so she is clearly doing the endurance tasks.

Being a former athlete though I refuse to take the backseat when it comes to physical events. I want to be able to scale up a mountain, run an obstacle course, etc. So, the only solution to this is to get in good physical condition. When I played basketball in high school and in college, the reason I ran and lifted weights was to be a better basketball player. Over the years I have lost the motivation to keep in shape. TAR will be my motivation from now until April or May. (TAR filming is May - July.)

Acadia NP The second hardest day hike I have done.

Yesterday I went with my 11 y/o step-daughter to one of our local gyms to get an application for membership. Of course, I missed their special deal of only $10 off by three days! So this morning my wife and I are going to the gym. I am busy constructing a workout plan. Otherwise I go there, listen to a few songs on my mp3 while I meander on the elliptical, and leave.

RUNNING
I don't go as far as to be that person who says, "I only run if someone with a knife is chasing me or if a keg is at the finish line." I used to love running when I was in shape. When you have 50 extra pounds you are running with, that is a different story. I am not talking about the pack on my back. I am talking about the extra weight I have been storing. When in college I would run 2-3 towns away, and turn around and run back home.
I am going to start with running in the gym.

The plan for the next 10 weeks will be any Easy Start Running Plan.

• Week 1: Run 2 minutes, walk 4 minutes. Repeat 5 times
• Week 2: Run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat 5 times
• Week 3: Run 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes. Repeat 4 times
• Week 4: Run 7 minutes, walk 3 minutes. Repeat 3 times
• Week 5: Run 8 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 3 times
• Week 6: Run 9 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 2 times then run 8 minutes 1 time
• Week 7: Run 9 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Repeat 3 times
• Week 8: Run 13 minutes, walk 2 minutes. Repeat 2 times
• Week 9: Run 14 minutes, walk 1 minutes. Repeat 2 times
• Week 10: Run 30 minutes. Repeat once and celebrate!
  
  Read more: http://www.beginrunning.com/plans/easy-running-plan-to-start-on/#ixzz2hbNOCbEg

Weights
I don't have a weight lifting training program. I guess I just do my own thing. I think I do well in this department, because lifting weights is not as difficult for me. I will research some programs though.

YOGA
I used to be in a yoga class. I will continue this daily at home and during breaks at work.

Wii Fit Plus
You laugh but there are some good exercises. I used to do the strength training programs, but there are some fun events on there. It also is my way of tracking weight.

MY GOAL IS IN 10 WEEKS TO BE ABLE TO RUN 30 MINUTES, AND TO LOSE 15-20 LBS.

(SEE LATER POSTS ON MY EATING PLAN).

Do you have any ideas on getting in shape?
Any weight lifting plans?
Things that motivate you?