You Can Do It!

I don't consider myself the most special man in the world. There is a lot I can do well, but there is a ton of stuff that I have to work at to accomplish. At one point, not too long ago (I can't remember when), I tipped the scales at 264 pounds. Today, I weigh 219 pounds. I still want to lose more weight, but when I look at pictures of me before, this was me with future ruler of the world Emmett Strode when I turned 31




and then you can look at me here when I was at a wedding with my friends Ben Smith and groom Steven Smith (no relation)


and just to cap it off here is a photo with my friend Ashton Smith, who was also at the wedding (I got a photo with 3 Smith's) :)


Even though I am not standing, I think the evidence of weight loss is there. Nothing makes me happier then to hear someone say "Wow, you really look good" or "How much have you weight lost?" and I tell them about 45 pounds. Most of it is due to running. I ran a race on a somewhat dare in October 2010 thanks to my friend Marissa Wilterink challenging me to run the Virginia 4 miler. I said I would if J.J. Johnson would. I expected J.J. to say no. J.J. said yes. I trained and I kept running, but stopped. Then I started back in mid 2011 and have done it ever since.

I often post my running adventures on Facebook. It's not at all to brag. Part of it is so I can keep a record of what I have been doing. The other part is, "Hey, if Bob can do it and lose all that weight, then I can do it". It's not just confined to weight either, whatever someone's challenge may be, take it on!

If a guy me can drop (I think I started way back in the day at 270 actually and now weigh about 217) 53 pounds, imagine what you can do with whatever your goal is.

If I could assist anyone in helping accomplish whatever they need to, I'll be happy to do it. Everyone needs motivation, everyone needs accountability.

Whatever your goal or dream is, YOU CAN DO IT!

The Challenge of the 10K

I don't feel like the most advanced runner in the world. I feel like I am better then I was when I started (which should be expected) but with the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k fast approaching (it's Saturday), I am more nervous then I have been before my first race, which was the 2010 Virginia 4 Miler. I am not trying to be cute, I am really nervous. The interesting thing, is I don't know why. I have run the distance of a 10 k before (6.2 miles) on the Blackwater Creek Trail and the course (from what I understand is pretty flat) but I have trained using some hills too running in my neighborhood. I would love to get finish at a time of 1 hour and 10 minutes. I think this goal is going to be really challenging. For the record, my running coach, Marissa Wilterink thinks I can accomplish this goal. In order for me to accomplish this goal, I need to run a pace of 11:16 per mile. In my life, since I started keeping times I have run 11:16 pace 9 times. In my lone 6 mile run, I ran a pace of about 11:49, when I ran my 7.5 mile run, my pace was 11:53. The one thing that I do have to hold onto, is I am determined. I'll outline my goals in a moment, but I normally run better in races then I do when I am just casually running on a trail or on the streets of Lynchburg. I have several friends running in this too, including my frequent running partners, Todd Colinger and Lauren Compton. I not only want to do well, but I want Todd and Lauren to do well. I view running as somewhat a team sport in this regard, I don't want to do well and have Todd or Lauren not do well. I signed up for the 9:28 wave, but I am thinking about backing up and starting in either the 9:34, 9:38 or 9:41 wave, just to relax and take a little pressure off myself. So if anybody wants to come and cheer me on at the finish line, try to be there around 10:45, because that would put me at about 1 hour 11 minutes, so maybe get there at 10:40.


GOALS FOR SATURDAY'S RACE

1. Finish
2. Don't Walk
3. Finish at 1 hour 10 minutes (or under)
4. See some of my friends whom are running in the race, or who are just there (and get pictures if possible)

Look for the recap blog this coming weekend.

Have a Positive Attitude!

In the past, I think we have all done things that we are not proud of. Whether they are words or actions, we have all hurt other people or ourselves by actions or by words. But, this morning, I was sitting and thought about something else that I think we all could do to improve our life.

Have a positive attitude!

I am going to make this a main priority. When I see someone getting down or saying that it is going to be a rough day or something like that. I am going to send them a message of encouragement. I want people to know that I care and I want everyone to be encouraged and uplifted. Plus, there are going to be times when I am down and out and depressed (which I am trying to cut down on too, with a positive attitude), and I'd want people to uplift me too.

So, short and sweet, just have a positive attitude. Things aren't going great, think of it this way, they are going to get better. You think you are going to have a bad day? You sure are, if you think that way. So, why not take a little time to have a brighter attitude on the day.

Predictions for 2012

Allow me to make some predictions for 2012. Later, I'll have some sports predictions on my sports blog. but for now we'll keep it to news, entertainment, things of that sort. Some of these are more hopes and they will be indicated by (hope) but others are legitimately things I think that may happen.

* Barack Obama will be re-elected as President of the United States. He will defeat Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, and no viable 3rd party will challenge, keeping the political system as stale as ever.

* Something will happen to unite democrats & republicans to end extreme partisanship (hope). I don't know what it will be, but some major players will break party lines on a vote on some bill.

* ABC will replace George Stephanopoulos with Josh Elliott as the co-host to Robin Roberts on Good Morning America. Stephanopoulos will resume duties of hosting "This Week". Dan Harris will move to Elliott's slot on GMA.

* Matt Lauer will leave the Today Show. His replacement will be

* Neil Patrick Harris will permanently be the co-host with Kelly Rippa, to call it "Live with Neil and Kelly"

* The world will not end in 2012.

* The United States will focus more on domestic issues and less on nation building in other countries (hope)

* Ryan Seacrest will leave American Idol. The show will be cancelled.

* 24.5 percent of people have dropped their landline phone service, that number will climb to 40 % by the end of 2012.

* "The Help" will win big at the Oscars.

Those are all I got. I am sure I could make a lot more. What are your predictions? Leave comments or e-mail me at TheSportsBuffet@gmail.com