A Week In The Hole

   My first week of fitness....it's been a long one. So far I have been running three times and have started my core workout routine. I am already feeling some results and can see my mid-section pulling in. But. that's not the best part. In my first week I have found an un-expected benefit to all of this.
   Today, I was awaken by the sound of two bursting with energy boys. After it was clear that neither Yas or myself were sleeping in, I got out of bed and reached for the pancake mix. We always cook something for Sunday breakfast, especially since during the week it's all instant oatmeal and cereal. After breakfast we realized that our boys needed some release.
   Now, we could have packed the boys into the car with the air conditioning, shielding us from mother nature. We could have drove over, and sat down while they played in the playground, but we didn't. Instead, we threw on our running shoes and shorts, grabbed the stroller and hit the road. We were off to the park for a family fitness day.
   After about a 15 minute walk that involved pushing the stroller with two kids up and down the uneven sidewalks and trying to stay clear of any always in a hurry drivers, we were there. Both boys were getting a little ansy at this point, but we wanted to keep going and get at least one lap around the park in. So, as a family, we walked a third of a mile under the august sun. Besides getting the exercise, the walk helped build the anticipation for the boys.
   Then it was fun time. As soon as we strolled into the playground, Ayden was jumping out. Ayden is going to be 4 soon, so you can imagine he's just like any other 4 year old boy, but the baby was on an alien planet. Liam has a strange fear of anything grassy, dirty, or in this case sandy. He  made sure, for about 10 minutes, that it was sturdy enough to walk on, as if it were going to somehow swallow him whole. But, he soon followed his big brothers lead and started to play. This was great because if he wasn't feeling up to the challenge it would have been a freak out to remember.
   After about 30 minutes, the baby was ready for some water and a nap. We sat him down in the stroller. I though it was a great opportunity to get some laps around the track in. So i put in a couple of quick laps and by the time I got back Ayden was about worn out too. We packed up the stroller and did one last walk around the track. With kids falling asleep, we started our trek home.
   Today I learned that family time and fitness time can be merged into a great experience. Heading to the park together provided a chance to soak in some sun and disperse a lot of pent up frustration. On the way back, Ya sand I discussed making it a part of our weekly routine. We even talked about doing it again sometime during the week, especially autumn tends to sneak up on you rather quickly in New England. I am already feeling some success, and I am now sure that this is something I'm going to carry on. If anyone has a comment or suggestion feel free to share, and please keep me accountable.

The First Attempt

   Today was my day off from work. Actually it is day off number two, it's just Sunday is what we generally use as family day. Family day with an almost 2 and almost 4 yr old usually is a bit exhausting, but I sure do enjoy them. I even used yesterdays trip to the zoo as a way to stretch my legs and condition myself for this hot and humid weather we're having her in Rhode Island. I have posted some pictures of our day for everyone to see, but now let's get back to business.
   After dropping off the kids at daycare, I came home and enjoyed a light breakfast with Yas, mi corazon. We watched a quick movie and then I threw on my sneakers and shorts. I packed my back pack with water, cell phone, and a towel, put on my shades, and hit the road. I was off on my first run.
   Step one was getting to the local park which is slightly over a half mile away. I did my best not to over exert myself, but everyone needs to warm up before a run. I made it to the park and found a nice shaded area by a stone gazebo. That's when I got down and started my stretching routine, making sure my legs were ready for some work. After about five minutes of preperation I felt ready. I got up and started lap one.
   Lap one and two went by rather easily. There were local kids in the skate park and people with dogs socializing. The hot august sun was tapping on my back and shoulders, almost  as a reminder that it is still summer. The city workers began unloading their equipment to keep the baseball field trim, most likely for a little league game later this afternoon, and life is great. Then came lap three, and the last three to four years sitting at a desk.
   I started to feel a pull in my back. Now, what I haven't shared yet is that I was in a bad car accident a few years back. Now the accident was bad enough that I shattered my wrist and injured my back. It this point my old injury must have wanted to remind me that I'm not superman. I wasn't going to stop though, a little pain I feel in neccesary for discovery, so I trudged on. I completed lap three and went on for another two, just a little slower, but never walking.
   After lap five I paused for some water and stretching. At this point the sun and humidity were taking it's toll on me. It even felt as if waves of light were pouring down just on me. After slowing down my breathing with some 6-3-6(inhale for 6 seconds, hold for 3 and exhale for 6 seconds) and some cold water, I got up and did my warm down on the way home.
   Arriving home I wanted to get my first video clip in. I wanted to show that not only do I exist, but also I am following through with my goal. A quick 30 seconds was really all I could manage. Next time I'll try to enlist some help. After hitting the showers I have this renewed vigor, so I figured this was a great time to post. Well here it is, my first step, and I hope you all enjoy.

Gotta Start Somewhere

The first step I've chosen to take, which I hope to be, is the easiest one. I'm going to get back into shape. I say it's the easiest because the variables involved are generally more controllable. Along with being more controllable physical fitness doesn't usually cause much of a debate, but of course suggestions are more than welcome.

My first goal is to get in the habit of running again. I ran Cross Country in high school so I am hoping that the last three years of sitting at a desk haven't rendered me a complete sloth. Now, if anyone has ever taken part in Track and Field sports, you know there's a lot more involved then getting up and running. Yes a major part of running is well running, but that's not all if you actually want to train properly.

I was taught that great athletes start with a good strong core. Core workouts are things such as sit-ups, crunches, and squat thrusts. Any exercises that works the mid-section can be considered a core workout. With a strong mid-section comes great stamina. Whenever you exert yourself physically you can count on your core to carry you through. During long runs, should your breathing become erratic, it's your abdominal muscles that will cramp up if you are not properly conditioned. That's why I always like to spend a little extra on that aspect of training, and of course there's the six pack everyone desires.

Legs. For the most part, your legs will take care of themselves while you're running. Always make sure to stretch before a run to make sure you're not limping to the doctors office for some muscle relaxers. After a couple of good hard runs, they should start to self condition to absorb the heightened level of impact they are receiving. Also, after the workout make sure you stretch out good enough so you don't sit down and lock up. Flexibility was always something I struggled with my first couple years of running, but it definitely pays to invest the time to work on it.

So this is where I start. I am going to throw on my New Balances and hit the track. If I can get my adoring, loving, hope she reads this post girlfriend/domestic partner/not yet legal spouse, to come and laugh at me as i run and photograph, I'll post pics of it all. Until next time, hold me accountable.

Hello World

Hello world.... That statement might be a little, I just learned how to program in basic, corny, but I think that it sufficiently does the job. Oh Yea, by the way, I'm Fitzy. My real name is Joshua Fitzgerald, but lets try to forget that. I always feel as though I'm in trouble whenever I hear my full name. I guess that's years of conditioning and trauma, thanks mom lol. Now that we have introductions out the way, and before I run off on another tangent, World here I come.

Allot of people are out there blogging right now. You can search and sift through blogs on every topic you can imagine. I didn't want to be, just another blogger, who commented on the quality of the food at the catering truck out front. That's kind of why even now as I'm pounding the keyboard I feel a little apprehensive, anxious even. If I do something I don't want to fail, nor do i plan to. So like i said, here I come.

Two days ago, while prepping myself for the day ahead, i thought " What's stopping me from being better?" Now, by better I don't mean better than anyone else. I just mean how can I take myself from point A to point Z. That's right it isn't a typo, I think Z has much more promise than the other 25 letters, so why stop along the way. That's when it hit me, I need a little accountability.

Accountability is a rarity. Instead of one holding themselves accountable, we are taught at the earliest of ages that we should pass the buck, distance ourselves, and play the blame game. If a child acts up in school we ask them to tell us "what made you do that." Why ask for explanations when the result is already clear, why give a scape goat. If the child then doesn't take the scape goat we move to step 2, either defend or discover a recent development in human evolution which requires a controlled substance. Tell me if I'm crazy, but doesn't Darwin embrace the new, so even if these chemical imbalances do exist why stop them. So, before I run off again rambling, hold me accountable.

This is the game plan. I am on a mission of development, discovery, and perfection and I need to enlist the help of fellow man and women. All you have to do is hold me accountable for every goal i set and every comment I make. Mind, body, and soul, what ever that means to you, are suppose to be the keys to long a fruitful life. And, to be very honest, being 22 yrs old I like to think I haven't the slightest clue, but that's kind of what this blog is for.