2009 Inline Event and Training Schedule

For those interested, here's my Inline Skating race and training plan for this summer:

Events
The first three are the standard events I have done the last four years. I've committed to a new one and I am very excited - the Northshore, the largest in the country. Also, notice that Hayward this is year 30 miles. Great way to kick things off!!

1. August 8th, 2009 - Hayward Races - 30 miles

2. August 15th - St. Paul Inline Marathon - 26.2 miles

3. August 22nd - St. Micheal Half Marathon - 13.1 miles

4. September 19th - Northshore Inline Marathon - 26.2 miles

Training
Official training on skates starts April 18th. I been doing dryland work since the beginning of the year (i.e. boosting heart rate on elliptical machine, weight lifting, and form/balance exercises.)

Here's a link to my detailed schedule.

Goals
These are preliminary.

1. I want to be down to 190 lbs by the first race in August. I am at 223 right today. Should be no problem with all the activity but I believe firmly that any fat loss on any program/diet comes 80% from nutrition. I definitely will burn enough calories but for me the challenge will be eating right (i.e. NO processed carbs). I want the loss the be fat while maintaining muscle.

2. I want to beat my 1 hour and 40 minute pace on 26.2 miles. Wow would I love to get under 1 hour and 35 minutes. If I can drop weight to 190, I think 1:35 is very realistic. I will crystallized my time goals a few weeks into skate training after my skate muscles return to form.



I am always looking for people who are interested in pushing me a long. For instance, if you like to bike you are welcome to ride along with me. I typically head out early morning between 5:30 and 6:00 am. Leave a comment and let me know.

Yearn

I'm feeling it today man.  All I can think about is how much my heart cries out to know Christ better - like the song by Shane & Shane:

holy design
this place in time
that i might seek and find my God
my God

Lord i want to yearn for You
i want to burn with passion
over You and only You
Lord i want to yearn

Your joy is mine
yet why am i fine
with all my singing and bringing grain
in light of Him

oh You give life and breath
through Him You give all things
in Him we live and move
that's why i sing

acts 17:25-28, hebrews 12:28-29

Depression in Christianity Today

Wow! What a great package in Christianity Today on Depression. I think it does a great job highlighting the complexities of Depression.

The church is bursting with suffering souls. People come to the church for help but even in our culture Depression is misunderstood. I want to do something to help. I see myself becoming more equipped for soul care within the church body.

1 Year Ago Today We Made Our First Debt Snowball Payment

Today marks the official one year mark since starting our debt snowball plan - we made our first payment last March 3, 2008. Our progress has been above average paying off $19,000.

Since it's spring break for my kids I am taking them to Camp Nickelodeon at the Mall of America to celebrate a little.

But our work is not over! We're working hard to kill a consolidation loan by June. I hate this loan since we've been paying $400 a month for the last two and a half years - I HATE IT! When that baby is paid off and that extra monthly cash flow is freed up it will be like getting close to a 30% raise. We're working our own stimulus plan!