More Golf!!

I played 18 hoes of golf yesterday after work.  I really enjoy playing golf mostly because it gets me out into some awesome natural beauty while challenging me as a person and athlete.  It is by far the hardest sport that I have ever undertaken.  Lately, this peculiar game has also challenged me as a person to be honest with myself so that I can grow and improve.  I have learned of late that if you lie to yourself and fudge your way through things, you just can’t really grow or improve at your potential.  You have to know the base line before you can improve it.  This goes the same for weight loss and health.  Maybe you are afraid to go to the doctors because you would rather lie to yourself that you are healthier than you are.  Maybe you don’t weigh or look in the mirror because you prefer to just believe some inaccurate construct that you have in your mind.  This is how I work sometimes at least and because of the crazy game of golf I am trying to change these things in me.  I am trying to get REAL HONEST so that I can know the truth and then work from there.  So although I did not play well yesterday, I kept score precisely according to the rules and shot a 103.  This is a far cry from my “FUDGED” high 80’s scores that I have been getting lately.  Now it was an off day, but it was a real day.  It also took so much pressure off of me to perform beyond what is realistic because I was just letting it be real.  Here are some pics that I took of the beauty.  And oh yeah, I burned around 700 calories because I walked the course this time.  Riding the course burns only around 400 calories per round.  Walking is much better for me.

Run4change review of V-moda headphones

From the time I can remember, I have always been a lover of music.  My first CD was Europe “The Final Countdown”.  I listened to that song over and over.  Then one day I got a portable CD player.  The only problem was that if you used it during any type of exercise it would skip like crazy.  Then on another day the Ipod came out.  Wow, what a revolutionary idea that was.  Now people could run and exercise while listening to music without this big heavy thing that skips.  The only problem is that the Ipod comes with these white yucky ear buds that just hurt the heck out of my ears and they don’t stay in very good while running.  Finally, one of my ear buds went bad so it was time to do some replacement shopping.  So off I went to find me some new headphones.

I ended up getting some pretty good “in the ear” headphones by V-Moda.  I got red “bass freq” ones.  These headphones are small just like the normal ear buds but they are far superior.  They have nice silicone covers in three different sizes to fit into your ear comfortably.  No pain, not much outside noise coming in, and the sound quality is great.  These tiny little things really do put out some bass along with some cleanly smooth mid’s and high’s.  I love them.  They were developed as an active lifestyle headphone so they made them specifically for those of use who listen to music on the run or bike or hike or weight lifting or even the evil stairmaster.  They are mid-level on the pricing.  Lots of others out there are cheaper and lots of them are more expensive.

I highly recommend these headphones.  Here is a short break down of the good things I have noticed while using them with some links to the competition so you can make your own choice.

• Comfortable- No more ear rubbing when you take them out
• Noise isolating technology
• Good bass for a small phone
• Secure in the ear
• Attractive color choices so you don’t have to be like everyone else
• Modawrap cable manager lets you keep the cables nice and tighty without the hassle of tangles.

Competition

JVC air cushion ear buds

Danon AH-c35

JVC HANCX77 In-ear canal buds (more expensive)

Future Sonics Atrio Series (VERY EXPENSIVE)

Otto V35

Step-by-step temptation pictorial

I thought of this idea the other day when I was going to the break room to get a “POP”. I think you guys will find some fun and joy in this post. Most likely you will identify with it really well too. I will have a picture and then a little blurb narrating my thoughts at that point.

“Boy am I thirsty for a good ‘ol Diet Coke.  Ya, I’m gonna go get a Diet Coke”

“OH MY!!  What are those things on top of that person’s lunchbox.  I know they are not mine, but maybe I should take a closer look.  It looks like maybe they are cookies.”

“Ewh yeah!!  They are cookies.  Is anybody watching I wonder.  Should I just have one.  They will probably think it was just someone else who stold their cookie.  I wonder what kind they are????”

“Should I or shouldn’t I.  They look like maybe they are vanilla or maybe possibly lemon.  I like those kind good enough.  Nobody’s around either.”

“The fatty goodness is just glaring out at me.  I think I can smell the sugar.  I wonder what kind they are.  Only taste will tell.  I think I will go for it!!  But they aren’t mine.” 

Laughing nervously. 

“Maybe I should just move on to the “POP” machine.”

I watch the cookies carefully as I pass by them saying, “I guess I should leave them alone.  They aren’t mine anyway.  Maybe I’ll grab one on the way out of the breakroom.”

Almost at the “POP” machine I finally say, “OK, I am not going to do it.  I’m gonna leave them alone.  That is that!”

I made it to the “POP” machine and get my Diet Coke.  I proceeded to my office without stealing some persons lonely cookies.  HAHAHAHA  I thought you guys might find this funny.

Do you ever have those moments where you pass by the yummies in slow motion and talk to yourself?   HAHAHAHA

Why I felt great here contest!! 12 submissions, extended, and international people

 This contest is open to ALL people.  Even the ones that don’t live in the USA.  The contest has also been extended to go through 2/27/2009.  There are now 12 wonderful contestants who have submitted their pictures.

See the original post for instructions on participating here

The popular post that inspired it all here. 

Subscribe here to receive your own personal contest updates.

All entries can be seen here

Win a run4change T-shirt. Why I felt amazing here, contest!!!

 

 

 

So many of you mentioned that you loved one of the most popular posts here at run4change.  Some of you thought that the post theme would make a great T-shirt.  Then, one of you mentioned that the cool T-shirt should be the prize for the winner of a contest held here at the blog.  So I did a contest to see who could come up with a great contest idea and you all voted on the one that you thought I should use for this contest.  Here is the idea that you voted for me to use for this T-shirt contest:

How about submitting a pic with a short description: “Why I felt amazing here.” It could be a way to focus on times when we FELT great regardless of size/appearance.

You loved the idea and so did I.  So now it is time for the contest.  Read on to find out how you can participate and win a run4change T-shirt (I will be getting the shirt made after the contest is over so I know what sizes to get).

And the winner is! Contest #1 Results

The votes are in and the first contest is over.  Ideas came from everywhere and they were fun and enjoyable to read.  I am so appreciative of all your participation in the contest.  I will be announcing the winner in this post.  This contest idea will be used for contest #2.  I will talk about contest #2 in another post.  The winner of this contest is an awesome, fun, and smart woman.  She makes me laugh and I really enjoy reading her blog.  Her name is Vani and she’s a beautiful person who wants to get fit for free. HAHAH  

Here are the top 4 ideas:

I am running a marathon right now: Rain and around 40 degrees

As you read this, I am most likely stomping down the country roads of one of my most favorite marathons.  This time it is called the Valentines Marathon.  They have one of these marathons for every holiday of the year as a way for the Marathon Maniacs to accumulate marathon finishes.  It is a very low key atmosphere and there will probably only be around 40 or so people since it is not prime weather, but the marathon maniacs are a hardcore bunch of runners.  The assortment of food consists of the following:

• Chips
• Lots of regular bread
• Sandwich meat
• Donuts galore
• Sugar and diet pop
• Water
• Bagels
• Mayo, Mustard, etc.
• No veggies
• And an assortment of other marathoner/race food.

It is all laid out on the table and it is make it and help yourself.  I will try and get a picture of it for you guys.  Have a good day and I will report back tomorrow regarding how the race went.  Here is a little blurb from the marathon site

• 8th annual holiday events with lots of postrace food and quality awards. There will be lots of hot chili or soup, along with ham, turkey, roast beef and cheese sandwiches. There will also be chips, nachos, cookies, pretzels, etc. Bottled water and other sport drinks will also be available is drink after the race, along with coffee and apple cider. HOT SHOWERS: Are available in the campgrounds, bring some quarters and a towel. RESULTS: Will be posted at www.ontherunevents.com, www.racecenter.com and www.nwrunner.com.

Contest #1: Best idea wins. Idea submission now closed: Don’t forget to vote on the contest vote post on 2/7-2/9

Ok, it is contest time.  This will be the first contest of hopefully many fun and lively times here at run4change.  The competition will be about WHO CAN COME UP WITH THE BEST CONTEST IDEA.  How are we going to decide who the winner is you ask?  You are going to decided.  Here is how we are going to do it.  I think this will be good because you will constantly be able to see who is ahead and what ideas are comming in.  The winner will get a free writing journal to keep a log of food, exercise, blogging ideas, etc.  (That is a link to the journal info.) We are going to save the T-shirt for the next contest.  So here is the way we will do it step by step:

1. The contest is on who can come up with the best contest idea!  You can submit more than one idea if you want to.
2. Leave a comment on this post with you idea in your comment!
3. After one week of people leaving their ideas in the comment section of the post, I will do a new post with all the ideas in it.  For the next 2-3 days you will leave your vote in your comment on that post.
4. At the end of the contest I will tally up the votes and anounce the winner who will get the prize.  The winner will email me their address and I will mail off the prize to them.

To stay updated with the contest ideas coming in, subscribe HERE.

Recap- Who has the best contest idea according to you guys.  Leave your idea in your comment.  Vote for your favorite idea in your comment on the contest vote post.  Winner takes all.  The contest will last for 8 days.  Today-Friday are idea submission days.  Next Saturday-Monday are vote days.  I will announce the winner on Tuesday early morning.

You walk the dog, they walk the ………?

I know that it is hard to see, but these ladies are at my favorite running trail walking their pony.  That’s right, the lady on the left is walking a miniature horse instead of a dog.  I had to take a picture. 

By the way, this is the trail where one of the most popular posts came from: “I can see it in your eyes-do you see it in mine”

Definitely going to do a contest.

Hello everyone.  I am definitely going to do a contest now.  It was obvious by the responses that a contest is something you would like to do and that you think that it would be fun.  So I have at least 2 contests planned.  The first one (the contest post will be up tomorrow night) will be about coming up with a contest idea.  The prize will be a writing journal.  The second contest will use the most highly voted contest idea and the prize will be a priceless run4change T-shirt that says something based off of the world famous post: I can see it in your eyes-do you see it in mine?  It should be a lot of fun and I hope that you all participate.  See you later and keep your eye out for the contest post on Friday night.

Note:  Do you think that random selection of the winner of the first contest would be better than the winner being the person who’s idea was voted by the readers as the best contest idea?

Thinking about doing a contest, what do you think?

I was inspired by Teresa over at mammawantsasixpack yesterday.  She commented on my post about seeing the embarrasment in peoples eyes as I run by them.  She said this about the title to the post,

“You should put that on a t-shirt! Then you can wear it on your run and heck I’d buy it and wear it to the gym.”

So I got this idea to do a contest where someone can win a shirt that says that on it.  I have never done this and I have a few concerns about it.  I would love to hear your input regarding the few concerns that I have.  Here are my concerns, please leave a comment with your opinions/observations/recommendations.

• What do you guys think of the general idea of a contest?
• When someone wins the shirt, I will have to mail it to them.  That means I will have to get there address.  Does this weird you guys out?  My wife says that anyone who doesn’t want me to know their address just won’t take part.  What do you think?
• What kind of contest would you like to have?  Throw out your ideas on this.

That is it for this little curiosity post.  Have a good day.

What kind of weight loss post would you like to see in my blog.

I thought it would be fun and participatory for the wonderful visitors of this blog to share what they would like me to post about.  So, what would you like me to post about?  Do have a particular weight loss question for me?  Is there a weight loss topic you’re interested in?  Do you want to hear more about my journey, running, weight loss, struggles, etc?  LET ME KNOW BY LEAVING A COMMENT WITH YOUR SUGGESTION.  I will check out the comments and after I write the post, I will email you so that you can look for it in the new posts.