Okay, I promised to come back to talk about my “Anberlin” experience

So, now…

… The rest of the story…

This past weekend, my sister-in-law went out of town for business, so we kept the two girls; One 16 months old and one 14 year old. The night they were to arrive I mentioned to my wife how I was surprised that Taylor wasn’t staying with some of her girlfriends for the weekend. She then mentioned that her girlfriends where going to some concert on Saturday night and Taylor wasn’t invited [the band that was playing happened to be Taylor’s favorite rock group!] I was like, “What?!?” She then went on to tell me how the tickets for this concert were only $10!!! So, I decided at that moment that I would take her.

When Taylor arrived I asked her if she had any plans for Saturday night, which prompted a puzzled look on her face and a question, “Why?” To which I responded, “Well, I’m going to the Anberlin concert and wanted to know if you would like to go.” She jumped three feet into the air and gave me the biggest hug! She even cried. She was so happy!

We drove down to Lancaster about an hour early, so as to get a good spot in line. Turns out there was some confusion on the part of the establishment as to when they were going to be opening the doors, so about twenty minutes before we thought they were going to open the doors, we found out that there was going to be another hour wait! Oh well. We were about ten people from the door and knew that we were going to be able to get a good spot near the stage. And we did. We were three people deep off of center stage!

There were five bands that played, all together. The first bands had short gigs lasting about 30 minutes. Each band played a little longer than the last. I liked some bands more than others, but all were enjoyable. Of the ‘opener’ bands that played, a group called “The Classic Crime,” out of Seattle, showed the best and most well-rounded talent, and ultimately appealed to my musical palate.

Anberlin was, of course, the highlight of the night. While the opening bands displayed a high energy with their spot on stage, I wasn’t prepared for the energy that Anberlin brought with them! Not only was Anberlin on fire, but the crowd’s energy tripled compared to when the other bands where out there. It was like the crowd was feeding off of Anberlin’s energy, and equally so, the band was feeding off of the crowds energy. It was so AMAZING!

The entire night, I felt like a kid! I was so pumped up. So energized! …Dancing and banging my head, and screaming like I was eighteen again [although, my body kept bringing me back to reality. After standing for 6 hours, my feet and back where killing me!]. As exhausting as it was, I found it to be and extremely rejuvenating experience for my spirit. I’m still jazzed about it all. Being at a live show is like nothing else.

Before this night, I had only heard of Anberlin. I’d not actually given them a good listen. I didn’t think I would like their style of music. Boy was I wrong! Sadly, I think I had based this opinion of them based on one song I’d heard earlier this summer.

Did you ever notice how the music is so much better at a live show, than on a recording? Now, I’m talking about a live show where the band is actually talented, and actually plays live. Not your “Milli Vanilli” type shows. Now that I've experienced Anberlin live, I feel like I have this connection with them, which makes me a fan by default, and I definitely love their music. Listening to them on my iPod now takes me back to the night of the concert, which gets my adrenaline going again.

One last thing: I was thinking about how I love my music loud. Loud music gets my energy up. I was also thinking how this must be a guy thing, because most girls I know don’t care for loud music. I now have to question this philosophy, because most of the people at the concert the other night where girls… probably a 3 to 1 ratio. If this concert was anything, it was loud! My ears where still ringing the next morning!

I lied… one more, one-last-thing:
Every time I go to a live show, recently anyway, I think of how I wish I’d done more with my musical abilities. I don’t want to sound like I regret… but… I do hope that I’ll do more, starting now. A few of weeks ago I bought a guitar. I played a little, once upon a time. I plan on doing more with it this time.

If it weren’t for the pain, the shortness of breath and all the body heat, I’d probably be able to run for quite some time… and distance, for that matter.

I got in Three miles this morning, at work, on the “dreadmill.” It was a beautiful day to run outside, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I have this need-to-know-how-far-I-ran, thing. And that goes for swimming and biking as well. I haven’t marked out any routes around this area, so I wouldn’t have been able to “know” my distance for the day. Oh well.

I was happy to have made 3 miles today. I want to attribute much of my success to my new found rock band, “Anberlin.” I [almost by accident] went to their show in Lancaster PA this weekend and fell in love! There’s a long story behind how I ended up going, as well as a long story about how I feel since I went. I don’t have time to talk about all of that right now, but I can say, in short, “It was Amazing!!!”

Anyway, more on that later... Their music is high energy, so it helped when I was on the treadmill. Listening took me back to the concert and the energy I was feeling there. I was able to run at a much higher pace than normal [and it took my mind off the pain I was feeling in my lower extremities]. Good times!!!

Stay tuned for….

…The rest of the Story!

Short and sweet workout today. 2.3 miles on the treadmill, in the gym.

I had planned on running first thing this morning, but my youngest was up last night with bad dreams... most of the night, as a matter of fact. When my alarm went off at 5 a.m., I chose to sleep in and harvest some pillow time. I knew I could get a workout later in the day, at work.

I weighed in at 199 today. It was later in the morning than usual, but only by about an hour. I've noticed that my weight has actually increased since I've started working out again [starting weight=196]. I'm not sure what's up with that. Am I holding water? I try to drink plenty of water throughout the day, so I don't think that's it. Am I gaining muscle faster than I'm burning fat? It's possible. Who's to say? I've only been at this for a couple of weeks. I shouldn't fret about a few pounds.

I do need to mention that I now have more motivation for my cause. We will be cruising the Western Caribbean for 7 days, in April! Woo Hoo!

I did workout last Friday, Sept. 15, but I forgot to blog it... and by now I've forgotten what I did. I believe it was a shoulder workout with some Ab work. If I remember correctly, it was short Ab workout, because they were a little sore from the previous days.

On Saturday, I slept in. I had considered, the night before, getting up early for a run, but it didn't happen. I think it was 8:30 before I was so rudely awakened. By mid day Saturday, I was feeling the soreness in the shoulders.... ouch!! Saturday turned out to be one of those super-lazy-days where you do absolutely nothing. Nothing was planned, nothing on the schedule, nothing that just had to get done. So nothing it was... all day long [for the most part. It's about impossible to do absolutely nothing all day].

Sunday didn't go much differently. We had a niece that got really sick and went to the hospital, so I ended up babysitting the younger niece, because my wife had to ref soccer that afternoon. It all worked out. I got to go hang with the boys later that evening, to watch football.

After such a lazy weekend, I was determined to get in a workout. This morning, I dragged my butt out of bed at 5:15 for a run. I was not happy with myself. I so wanted to sleep in another hour or so... but I didn't. I took the dog out and off we went. We took the 2.2 mile route. I was thinking about the 3.3 mile route, but it's so dark at that time of the morning and the longer route is out in the country where there are no lights at all in most places... and there are not safe, wide shoulders of the road to run on. I don't know if it was the long, lazy weekend or the beers I had last night, but my run kind of stunk. I ran about the first mile and started getting cramps in my feet and calves. I walked about a half mile, until the cramps went away, and then I ran it the rest of the way home. It turned out to be a 30-minute jaunt. Oh well, I'm happy that I got my sleepy arse out of bed and did 'something'!

I also got in a weight workout, late this morning in the company gym. Chest and Tricepts.

I need to work on my nutrition. I feel off today and the physical excertion is only making it worse.

Happy [whatever-it-is-your-doing] today!!!

Yeah... I feel this way sometimes. Thanks to my little brother for the 'toon.

I didn't get a chance to blog yesterday. I did, however, get in my workout... as I said I would. I was still feeling quite stuffy from my weekend head cold, but was definitely on my way to recovery.

It was rainy and cold yesterday morning, so I didn't attempt to get out for a run. The cold doesn't bother me as much as the 'wet'. I do struggle with being a 'fair weather' runner. I wish it weren't so, but for now it is. I hope to someday be able to gear up with the proper clothing that will help me to battle the elements. Particularly, reflective clothing. It's dark at 5:00 a.m.!

I hit the weights yesterday and did an upper body workout: Chest and Tri's [triceps]. As well as some ab work. I was happy to be able to do a workout that wouldn't tax my respiratory, allowing it to heal properly.

Today I'm feeling better. Unfortunately, my wife and youngest son are now sick. I must have given it to them. My apologies to them. Kisses!

It was raining and cold again this morning. I'll be working out indoors again today. Stay tuned for what today's menu brings....

My ride on Saturday did happen! The weather held and I was able to get my arse out of bed on a early, early Saturday morning!

That's were the boasting ends. We only got in 9.5 miles. We were unorganized and unfamiliar with the area we chose to ride in... plus the fog was really heavy, which seems to distort one's sense of direction.

Also, my buddy wasn't the aggressive/seasoned rider that I assumed him to be. Our ride seemed to be more of a social visit and a leisurely ride, than an attempt at a workout... which was fine. I need to invest time into making more freinds.

It was probably to my benefit that we didn't ride hard... because it happend again. Every time I begin a workout regime, after being stagnant for a long peroid of time, I get sick. It's nothing horrible, this time. A head cold... mostly sinus stuff. I thought in the beginning that it was just allergies, but Saturday and Sunday I felt quite crappy. I called off work on Monday and I'm wishing I'd called off today. I'm not that sick, it just sucks to be sick at work.

So, it's day three that I've not had a workout. Tomorrow I'll be working out... regardless. There's a heavy scent of Fall in the air. An indication that there are few days left, for being able to swim/bike/run outside.

Day Four of my Return.

I chose not to run this morning. The combination of running and lifting weights is punishing my body more than I care to admit. I worked my back and shoulders yesterday and my trapezius muscles are quite bitter with me today.

I did, however, decide to get in a little bit of a workout just before lunch. I did a little ab work, some bicep work, and a short, light ride on the stationary bike. My abs and bicep's were about the only muscles that weren't sore.

My bike ride tomorrow is set. It is somewhat experimental, because we are heading out so early, we don't really know where we will be going, or how far we can get in the time frame that we have. I'm just happy I've found someone to ride with. It's given me some motivation. It must have... I've agreed to wake myself at the butt crack of dawn, ON A SATURDAY MORNING!!!

Perception of one's self:

What is it that we don't see ourselves as others see us?

People have noticed that I'm working out again. When they ask me about it, I proceed to tell them the reasons why I'm working out [right now it's 'cuz I feel fat] and the tell me how good I look. Sometimes I feel skinny [as in, not enough muscle size] and people comment on how muscular I am.

It's just kind of strange...

Dusty room....

... and rusty joints.

Well, it happened again. I ran. Again.

I've finally found some motivation to get my arse up at 5 a.m. and run. My motivation? I recently had a birthday and I now sense "mid-life" approaching. I've reached my threashold with the aching and the...eh-hem... jiggling. Yes, jiggling. I'm getting soft in the middle and it jiggles. Okay, I can't talk any more about that... I feel my eyes watering.

I've been working out for a total of three days now and I've already noticed one big difference; I have been waking up with this back pain in the mornings and [no, it's not my bed... my bed is quite new] I knew it was from a lack of core strength [weak abs]. I was working out today and I remembered that I didn't have the back pain when I woke up this morning. Wow. A little work can go a long way. Waking up with back pain sucks!

I also noticed that I seem to have more energy; during the day and in the evening. Moreso in the evenings, because lately I've been drained. Last night I was full of energy and was in a fantastic mood!... but when it came time for bed, I crashed as soon as my head hit the pillow. Zzzzzzzzzz.....

I'm feeling the soreness now. I was feeling it yesterday, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from running this morning. The worse thing is that I'm feeling like the tendons in my feet hurt [the arch of my foot], which is strange, but I've been stretching it out all day. It's feeling much better now than it did earlier.

I also have a bike ride planned with an aquaintance. I recently over heard him talking about mountain biking, so I approached him and we are planning an outing for early this Saturday morning... REALLY EARLY! I need to be back to the house by 8:30 a.m. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. I'm wondering if I should take the day off tomorrow from working out at all...???'

Oh... I almost forgot. I need to document this. Yesterday and today I weighed in at 196.4 lbs.

Wow... it's dusty around this blog. Guess I need to clean it up a bit and spend some more time around here...

Got out to run the last two mornings. 2.2 miles each time. That's the most consistent I've been all summer. I've allowed myself to make tons of excuses about why I haven't been able to workout. Well, I'm changing my ways.

There are a couple of reasons why I've finally come to this point. One has to do with the other. Firstly, I recently turned 36 (ick!)... and second, I'm starting to feel my age. I'm feeling soft and experiencing more joint pains than ever... and I know it's all because I've stopped working out.

With health comes youth [well, youthfullness, anyway]. So, let's get to it....