Run Edgar Run!

Today, I received my latest blood test results. Cholesterol level came down to 220, way better compared to the last couple of years. I'm trying to get back to being under 200 and staying below that. I recently had a slight scare from my primary doctor notifying me that my A1c number went up mildly, meaning borderline prediabetic. That gave me more pause to get more back into shape.  Below are my before 11/23 and after 1/2024 photos between months. I think I still need more work.  So as of late, I've started to go to the gym every weekday morning to run on the treadmill for about 30 minutes or about 2 miles. On Mondays and Fridays, I'll do a 24 Hour Fitness BodyPump workout for about an hour with free weights in a gym class. Then on Saturdays when I'm free, I'll do a long run, 3-6 miles.  Nutrition has been much more promising, lots of fruits and more vegetables in my diet. Every chance I get in each meal, greens or a vegetable has to be on my plate. So far, this has...

Follow Up: Cancelled Kaiser 10k Run-it was the first time this race has ever cancelled that I can remember. On my bike home it was torrential! A good hot shower helped! Note to self, if the weather forecast says heavy rain, it's ok to flake out of run and do it another day. Kaiser cancels San Francisco marathons, runners still participate

This Sunday, February 4, 2024 will mark my 13th Kaiser running event since 2005. My first run in this event was a 5k, or 3.1 mile run. Off and on, I've ran the 1/2 marathon, 10k, as well as 5k. I'm reflecting on how much time and energy I've put in to running in this annual event.  I started running in my early 30s, back then I couldn't afford a gym membership, however, I lived near a lake, so with an adequate running shoes, I started doing brisk runs along the lake. Lake Merced 's running parameter was about 5 miles, so over time, I managed to run the entire parameter with some ease. As I became more engaged in running, I would at times train to run 2-3 times around the lake non stop. It was quite liberating, and darn healthy. However, as I got older, my running results were lagging due to less focused training and just going at a slower pace.  When I did my first 5k, I was able to finish in less than 30 minutes, it was amazing, about less than 9 minutes a mile!  ...

The last time I ran a half marathon race was in 2016. At that time, I managed to finish the half marathon in 2 hours and 8 minutes. Along with my friend, Tedd, we finished respectively for our age group and among overall participants.  However, in 2022, I dealt with the tail end of the Covid-19 pandemic. I may have in fact still been suffering from the effects of the infection, as I did not run as well as I had hoped. This race was tough on my body and on my breathing. I had to stop a few times and it was miserable and frustrating at the same time. I was training up to this event but apparently not as well as I hoped.  I hope well into 2023, I can rally and do better than this past year's time of 2 hours and 36 minutes. Off by more than 25 minutes!  Tedd: Ahead of me, in the neon yellow jacket Edgar: Burgundy shorts in the back Finishers! 

How horrible I look! Self criticism, I can do better, but I let myself go. Here's a before pre pandemic 2020, and as November, 2023! I've got work to do. Here's  my strategy,  I'll continue  to post my changes for good health overall.