*Bleep* Just Got Real – Weekly Accountability Report 2/25 – 3/5

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Being honest with yourself is always a good thing;  but, let’s be real, being honest with yourself can really suck. I don’t know anyone who is honest with them-self 100% of the time. I know that haven’t reached that level of self-actualization. Thankfully, I have a strong network of family and friends that willing to be brutally honest with me. I had two experiences this week (one with my brother and one with a long time running friend) where the their honesty let me know that deep down inside,  it is time to really start making a real effort toward weight loss and my running.

The first experience took place exactly a week ago. I was at my brother’s house letting our kids play together. While planning what to do for dinner and, of course, pizza was suggested. Somehow the suggestion of pizza let to someone mentioning how I went a year without pizza in 2014. My brother chuckled when my year without pizza came up and said, “Nick, you may have gone a year without pizza, but all you did was substitute it with other foods that are smothered in pounds of cheese.” I chuckled ad admitted that I hadn’t been truly trying with my diet, but fired back that I was still dang proud of my year without pizza.

The second experience took place on Tuesday. One of my long time running friends asked if I could do lunch with him. I gladly accepted his invitation. Due to my lack of seriousness with my running, I had not seen this friend in 3-4 years. Moments after being seated for our lunch, my buddy looked across the table at me and said, “you know what the problem is with your motivation toward your training? You aren’t scared anymore. If you wanted to, you could run a marathon this weekend. It wouldn’t be fast, but you would have zero doubt that you would finish.” I smiled at him, admitted that his statement was correct, and thanked him for being so blunt.

So, I have decided to use these two conversations as motivation to start making more of an effort toward losing weight and running. I am realist. I will “fall off the wagon” many times as I buckle down, but at least I have made the decision to be more serious in my efforts. My workouts from this week are posted below. You will notice that I lifted weights twice this week. That is a HUGE deal for me! Holy cow, I forgot how sore lifting makes my WEAK upper body! Here’s to staying motivated!

Workouts 2/25 – 3/5

Monday – No workout 

Tuesday – No workout

Wednesday – No Workout

Thursday – I decided to start my new, more dedicated effort

  • Weights (Chest, Triceps, Hip Adductors and Abductors, Core)
  • Running – 3.5 miles

How I felt after…

Friday

  • Weights (Back, Biceps, Hip Adductors and Abductors, Core)
  • Running – 3.5 miles

How I Felt After…

Saturday

  • Running – 6 miles

How I felt after…

Sunday – No Workout

Workout plans for the week of 3/6 – 3/12:

  • Monday to Thursday – Limit my runs to 3.5 miles and lift for 30 minutes,
  • Friday – Rest,
  • Saturday – Long run of 6-8 miles.

AND FEEL LIKE THIS AT THE END OF THE WEEK!

A Missed Opportunity – A Runners Review of Patriots Day

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A few months ago, after seeing the first trailer for Patriots Day, I wrote a short post asking if it was too soon to be making a movie about the bombing that took place at the Boston Marathon in April 2013. My own feelings were torn after watching the first trailer for the film. I felt that if the film was made by the right people with the intent of honoring the victims, first responders, and the runners who took part in the race, the film could be a cathartic experience. However, as a movie buff, I also know Hollywood’s track record for churning out films that are designed to manipulate the feelings of the American public about a tragic event to turn a quick profit. Of course, I couldn’t completely decide how I felt about the film until after I had seen the finished product, but the casting of Boston native Mark Wahlberg and the marketing campaign for the movie left me hopeful.

As part of the marketing push for the film, Mark Wahlberg and director Peter Berg took the time to produce a three minute video explaining why they were making the film. In the video, Berg says…

“We came to Boston to tell the story which honors those who were affected, and we were humbled and very thankful for the way they opened up to us and became partners in ensuring the story was told in a very authentic way.” 

You can view this promotional video below…

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The Boston Marathon Movie – Is It Too Soon?

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I just came across the trailer for the movie Patriots Day. For those of you runners out there that are not movie buffs, Patriots Day is based on the story of the bombing at the Boston Marathon in April 2013 and the manhunt that followed. I’ve watched the trailer twice now and I have mixed feelings on it.

I can’t deny that the movie looks like it is well made and will keep audiences entertained. However, I find the cynic in me viewing the studio making this movie guilty of playing on our emotional connection to this event. Knowing that our connection to our sport and this tragedy will draw large audiences and garauntee a huge return at the box office. At least they cast Mark Walberg,  a Boston native, to play the lead roll. Mark Walberg isn’t the greatest actor, but, I’ll be damned if he isn’t one of the most entertaining actors working today.

What are your thoughts on Hollywood churning out a film about the Boston Marathon bombing just 3.5 years after the tragic event occurred? Do you think the film was made to honor the victims and to celebrate the human spirit that was displayed by the runners, first responders, and spectators, or is Hollywood looking to make a quick buck off of this tragedy?

Patriots Day Movie One Sheet