Going great and and October challenge is decided.

In last few weeks things have really come together. I've been exercising with intensity and duration (at least an hour for the past 18 days. Eating is becoming pretty focused and I'm making good choices not feeling deprived. No back pain except when swimming so I've backed off that for the time being and increased the focus on tennis, running, biking, core work and the hundred push up program. Onto week 4 of the 100 push up program this week, just finished my first "long run" about 10k, I know not a long run for those who "run" but we are building up slowly, and had a couple of longer rides this weekend. Still filling out some of the 12 monthly challenges I'll set for the 45th year but October is now decided. 146 days from this post I'll be in the midst of my first marathon. http://www.hly royalvictoriamarathon.com/ On 10/10/10 the world will not end but I will hopefully be able to tick a box on my really want to do life list. I went to early register for the half Marathon but this is a year of pushing, a year of the highest level of fitness possible so 42.195 km or 26.2 miles it is. I'm pretty excited and have no time goals it is to finish and be able to enjoy celebrating after the event. We shall see.

Challenge 2: MAY - 30 workouts 30 days

Month one is almost done, I'll report back tomorrow with the numbers and thoughts on the first month of the preseason. Great start but the fittest of my life is a long way off so May will need to be as tough as 2 a days in a NFL training camp, but unlike some vets who like to conveniently have contract talks during camp and "sit out" the hard work, I'm ready. On the exercise front  - one goal for May:

"Workout for at least an 1 hour a day for  30 straight days"

Then a rest day Monday May 31st, until then at least one hour of activity (and no dog walking will no longer count). hikes are fine, core and strength training, cycling, tennis, swimming, run/walks are all in the mix. Seems pretty simple but I know life creeps in including an anniversary, a visit from my Mom and a lot less structure at work but I know it is doable. The rough plan:
Saturday long ride or run
Sunday Tennis training
Monday run plus push ups
Tues ride and tennis plus core
Wed run and swim plus push ups
Thurs ride or run plus core
Fri ride plus push ups

Challenge 1: April ride the Tour de France

I'm going to ride the Tour de France, no I'm not suffering some sort of delusion, no Armstrong like comeback (can you comeback if you've never been there?). No this is a little mind game to get some km in on the bike. My goal is to ride the distance of tour before the summer ends. So between April 3 and December 31, 2010  I'm going to ride at least 3600 kms (2250 miles) the distance of this year's tour. On my monthly check in I'll report my kms. First ride in today, damn cold but super fun! If you happen to stumble onto this blog I'm looking for a dozen or more challenges (one for each month of the 45th year). Suggestions welcome and needed!!