No Excuses

So today was the annual Thanksgiving Football Game.  For the past three years I was not able to attend it due to the fact that I was away at college, so this was my first game back. This football game is always tackle without football equipment, So there is a risk for injury.  This year we did have a few of them.  I think is more on the side of stupidity than just an accidental injury.  The first was Luis.  He came in to tackle my younger cousin Eric and their heads collided.  He should have kept his head up, and never would have gotten a cut on his head. This one was not too bad considering what happened next.  Adam came on a blitz a was not picked up.  He had a free shot at the quarterback, but went for the ball instead.  The result was his face smashing into the quarterbacks arm while he was throwing the ball.  It turned out that he lft the game with a broken nose.  Not to good.  Overall it was a good turnout and everyone had fun. Can’t wait to play in some real football.

I never would have guessed that I would have an opportunity to play football again, but I was wrong.  There is a semi-pro football league in Sacramento that I could possibly play in.  Don’t get it twisted, It’s not as cool as it sounds.  It’s a football league that I would compare to slow pitch softball or rec-league basketball.  It’s a league that you have play in and have to supply all your own equipment, but is an opportunity to pad up again and play for the love of the game.  There are a lot of guys out there that think they still have something to prove, or think that they still can make it to the NFL, but I am neither of those.  I do not have anything to prove because I had the opportunity to play at a four year university, and I do not have any aspirations of making it to the NFL.  I just want to go out there purely for the love of the game. This would be a big commitment that I would have to make, considering that I have a chance to make a career change and I would not want to take time away from that.  I’ll keep you posted on the decision I make.

Michelle and I went for a slow ride.  We went along the river and saw some picnic tables that we’ll have lunch at next time we ride.  The weather here is so nice.  I guess being in North Dakota the last 3 years I forgot what it was like here this time of year.

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 11/15/2008
• Time: 09:30:00
• Total Time: 00:40:00.00
• Distance: 6 miles
• Average Speed: 9 mph

Today I completed my physical agility test for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department. I can honestly say that it was a little more difficult then I anticipated.  The reason I thought it was difficult was that it was a timed event and you have to sprint the whole way.  I consider myself in decent shape, but yet it was still tough.  I was able to get through it and I thought I did really well.  The whole test is about a ¼ mile in total distance, but there are obstacles that have to be completed.  At the start of the course you have to step through two horizontal bars that are about 20in apart, and about 2 feet off the ground.  Kind of difficult if you’re a bigger fellow.  The next obstacle is a 6’ wall climb.  Then, there is a series of hurdles and another set of horizontal bars, before you get to another 6’ wall.  After you finish those set of obstacles, there is a short maze and then a wrist lock device.  After the wrist lock, you take a mandatory 30 second rest before you proceed to the dummy drag.  The dummy weighs 165lbs.  After that is all completed you have to sprint all the way back to the starting line which is about 200 yards away.  I passed with a 2 minute time, but you were given 3:30 to complete the course.  Not bad.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 10/30/2008
• Time: 14:00:00
• Total Time: 00:02:00.00
• Distance: 0.25 miles
• Average Pace: 8:00/mile

Consistency!  I’m feeling pretty good about myself.  This is the fourth day in a row that I’ve went out riding.  My legs and butt are no longer getting sore.

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 10/28/2008
• Time: 17:30:00
• Total Time: 00:28:44.64
• Distance: 5.69 miles
• Average Speed: 11.88 mph

Went for another bike ride tonight.  I decided to push the pace a little.  I’m getting ready for the Granite Bay Trail that I plan on doing next weekend.  I want to be prepared this time, because I don’t want to get owned like the last time.  I want to have my legs in good shape.

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 10/27/2008
• Time: 17:30:00
• Total Time: 00:23:01.09
• Distance: 4.57 miles
• Average Speed: 11.91 mph

Jovon, Michelle, and myself went for a ride together this morning.  It was a slow ride, but It just feels good to be out riding again.

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 10/26/2008
• Time: 11:00:00
• Total Time: 00:25:00.00
• Distance: 4 miles
• Average Speed: 9.6 mph

Today I went on two separate rides.  First, I went with my friend Jovon for about a 4 mile ride. We completed it fairly quick, but I did not have my watch on me so I don’t know the exact time.  The second ride was with Michelle. That ride was about a mile and a half.  We took it slow because it was her first ride.  She is pretty nervous about riding fast.  She takes it safe and sane, I do it dumb and dangerous.

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 10/25/2008
• Time: 11:30:00
• Total Time: 00:30:00.00
• Distance: 5.5 miles
• Average Speed: 11 mph

Been battling with a cold this past week or so.  I don’t feel 100% completely but I felt as though I should get out there and try.  It was a struggle to complete this run, but I seemed to improve on this route compared to the first time.  I guess it’s because I knew exactly how much I could push and still be able to finish.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 10/14/2008
• Time: 16:00:00
• Total Time: 00:15:02.85
• Distance: 1.58 miles
• Average Pace: 9:31.43/mile

My original plan was to go for a run later on in the evening, but I got restless and couldn’t sit still.  When I got out and started I took it slow.  After about 2 minutes I couldn’t hold back and kick it up a little.  Not my best run, but not my worst either.  I plan on running at least 2 more times this week. 

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 10/07/2008
• Time: 14:00:00
• Total Time: 00:15:34.54
• Distance: 1.58 miles
• Average Pace: 9:51.13/mile