A Great Start

Wow, what a way to start the day. Woke up at 5:30am. Took a minute to stretch and shake the cobwebs out of my head and then hit the workout. 45 minutes with 60 second breaks in between every 3 reps of 9 different exercises followed by 3 scrambled eggs and a banana for breakfast then to work by 8:15am. I swear, I can almost feel the protein from those eggs rushing to every muscle in my body. It is a great feeling.
My legs are a bit sore from Sundays workout as are my shoulders from all the extra paddling in the kayak, but I guess that means they are working overtime. I am sure it won't be long and all the soreness will be gone and things will just get easier. I am actually looking forward to when the time comes that I have to increase my workout incline on the Total Gym to reap the rewards that I am getting now with it almost flat. One of these days I am actually going to be able to look straight down while standing and see my toes. That will be a wonderful sight but until then I will just pace myself.
The last thing I want to do is over do it right from the start. I have 320 days to go, which really gives me plenty of time to get into shape. My biggest concern is the paddle from Grayling to Oscoda. I know the 100 mile bike ride is doable as I did the Black Bear last year after haveing only trained for about 5 months. Sure it took me 9 hours but I made it. I know I can make it from Grayling to Oscoda in the kayak, but to complete the entire trip in less then 2 days will mean my kayak portion will have to be done in less than 40 hours. I am confident that I can do it, as I have been an avid kayaker for 20 years and have no problem paddleing myself and others around for 7 or 8 hours at a time. I think it is just going to be a matter of the proper endurance training and eating, and the right body fuels prior to and during the event.
My goal is to complete the entire Pedal and Paddle to Fight Cancer in 36 hours or less and raise at least $1000 to donate while doing it.
Please stay tuned for more updates and pass the word.

Getting Going

I put in several hours yesterday in the kayak. I actually had a passenger in my front seat for a couple hours so the workout/training was a little tougher but more entertaining as I had someone to share it with. Always passes the time a little better when there is something to keep the mind entertained, and believe me, the friend that was with me is entertaining. He is one of my oldest friends, 30+ year friendship, and has always been one to make me laugh. Along with us was another friend of both of ours who we have known just as long. He was in his own kayak and just followed us along. It was a great surprise to see these two whitetailed deer swimming across a little opening in the middle of a huge cattail swamp where we were paddling. There is one just slipping into the cattails at the left of the photo and of course the other is right in the middle of the picture. The one that is to the left of the photo was actually a spikehorn buck but I was not quick enough with the camera to catch his head in the image. Oh well, still a nice surprise.

When I returned home from the kayaking I relaxed with my wonderful wife for a few hours then jumped on the Total Gym for a brisk 30 minute cardio workout. Man do I feel great today.
Looking forward to getting home from work today and jumping into the kayak again.
This Thursday is my final doctor visit for the broken ankle. I have my fingers crossed that I will get the full go ahead to jump on the bike also. I know there is still 321 days to go, but if you looked at the photo of me in the first post you can see that I have quite a bit of work to do to get myself into shape.
I have confidence.
I will succeed.
I will help someone.
Please pass the word and send as many people as possible to my facebook (Pedal and Paddle to Fight Cancer), my blog (micoast2coast4acure.blogspot.com) or my website www.michigancoast2coast4acure.webs.com

Work Outs Officially Started

Well I broke out total gym yesterday morning before work. Thought I would just jump in there and give it a quick 40 minute refresher to start reminding my body of what lies ahead. Felt great. Nothing to strenuous. Made for a great day at work yesterday. Now my shoulders and arm are somewhat sore. Not too bad so I guess I did not over do it.
This evening I will be jumping into the kayak as soon as I get home from work, paddle for a couple hours then on to the total gym again.
This sad photo is a pic of me right now. The terrible results of what a lazy, unmotivated winter and spring, and then a broke ankle can do to a guy. A short guy at 232 pounds will never make it. Neck is gone, just seem to go from my head to my shoulders with nothing in between. Waistline is hiding there somewher under that gut. Arms are soft and floppy. A walk up 2 flights of steps would probably kill me.

Look out fat, I am out to get you. Just 323 days to go.