I'm a very competitive person. I hate to lose. Even if it's a friendly game of cards with people I love, I can still get bent out of shape if I'm not playing competitively.
Which is why I'm confused about my current happiness.
As you will see later in the Biggest Loser scores, I'm getting blown away right now. But, as I said, I'm happy about this. I think I'm going to try to explain. I think my happiness is less of an emotion now than it is a decision. You see, if I'm losing the race...that means that someone that I'm competing against is winning. And in this case, I'm competing against people I love. So, like playing against a sibling at tennis, you can't really be all that upset that you're losing, because it means that someone you care about is getting their due! In fact, I've seen several people connected to this blog (and not connected to this blog) do better than me in things...and it energizes me! Some examples:
- My dad: he picked up his running habits while I was still marathoning. But he then continued his running while I had quit for 3 years and gained my weight. He's the instigator of my current running habits.
- My buddy Brandon: You'll remember me talking about this guy at the Shamrock Shuffle, his first ever 5-K race. He beat me by 4 minutes. On his first try. On almost no training.
- My new buddy Nathan: He's a lifelong cross-country runner, who holds the current 10-K record at Friends University. He ran his first marathon recently...in 3:05. Qualified for the invitation-only Boston Marathon. On his first try. He's trying to break 3 hours.
- My friend Lindsay: Do I talk about her a lot? Yeah, I guess so. Here I think I've got an interesting and fascinating blog...and along comes Goodbye, Martha!
- My friend Shaun: You'll be introduced to this guy's feats later in the scoreboard. This guy is a missionary who doesn't need to be told to go: he just does. He works at Koch on the side. And he's on a quest to cut pounds that puts mine to shame! And he's really doing it! (You'll see.)
These people are all amazing, and I love being able to brag about how much better they are doing than me. To me, that's what this blog is all about: encouragement.
On to the scores...
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Sunday's workout: 5 mi. run (cold...snow...puddles...mud...and no chicks.)
Monday weigh-in: 186 lbs. (+0.5)
Biggest Loser Scoreboard:
Jason: 4
Lindsay: 7
Shaun: 23
(4 weeks completed)
What? 23 pounds? Where did this guy come from? That's Shaun, and let me bring you up to speed. He started the same time we did (March 2), and lost the following amounts in the subsequent weeks: 9, 6, 4, and 4 this week. This guy is awesome, and we have only seen the beginning.
Together, we have lost a total of 34 pounds. That's as much an average-sized turkey! Bon appetit!
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You may be thinking: I want in on this!
If so, you're invited. No weights are posted (except for mine), only pounds lost. Just let me know in the comments, or send me an email at jhamlin121@gmail.com.
Maybe we can lose enough combined weight to equal a cornish game hen! Or maybe a gorilla? What about a small automobile?
Mmm. Cornish game hen is so yummy! I spent a summer eating that every other week.
I am so proud of all of you!
How much to Turduckens weigh? I want to lose one of those.
I think your blog is interesting...and I think you could probably talk about me a little bit more. Just for good measure. :)
Keep up the good work Bro. As far as there being no chicks running or walking on our path Sunday, it takes some Serious Men or insanity to run the path less trodden after weather like that. I'll go with Serious Men.