Quest ...

I think I have a calcium deficiency, my nails are brittle. Probably from my limited dairy intake. Helps if I have some nonfat yogurt and maybe a glass of skim milk. My vitamin D levels are probably also low. I'm all out of niacin and calcium. Niacin I have to take a break from, but if you take it for six weeks it's great. I think is has something to do with soluble fat metabolism, I know there are vascular effects, but it definitely does something good, thins the blood. All I take these days is vitmin d and fish oil. Sometimes calcium if I have it. I was out in the sun for a good portion of the day on Saturday but I don't think it did much with just my face exposed, hard not to be vitamin D deficient this time of year. 

I'm struggling with maintaining twice a week judo while running 3 times a week, and the mod1punchman (100 push ups 100 sit ups 100 squats 1 mile run same day at least twice a week). It's hard to get everything in. It helps if I set time aside that I normally take for granted, like when I first get to my office in the morning I can do my push ups. I usually have time for my sit ups before I shower. Sometimes I do my squats on my lunch break. My body is struggling to stay around 168 lbs, i have a hard time getting under that no matter what I do. I wonder if that means I'm at my optimal body weight? I feel like I can still lose 8 or 10 lbs. I will fluctuate on any given day from 167 to 172 depending on water weight. Nevertheless, I continue to make gains in other areas. I feel pretty strong. Finally feel like I've recovered from what I think was some sort of flu that lingered with aches and muscle stiffness for what felt like a couple of weeks.

My big leap forward was in running. I ran a 7:45 mile about a week ago. Doesn't sound like much but it's the best I've done since I was probably 30 something. I've been alternately trying to run outdoors when it isn't too cold and it's helped tremendously with balance and stability. Also I remember what a blast it is to run with chesty and feel like one of the pack. 

Judo has been going well. I think I'm ready to try for my green belt. I executed a pretty decent uchi mata (inner thigh throw) the other day. The Greeks seem to like like uchi mata ... funny because I'm Greek. Maybe there's a genetic predisposition ... It's a smooth and sneaky throw, always seems like an afterthought but guaranteed to work if you can hook the leg. I've been working on it for quite a while and to finally pull one off in rondori was pretty sweet. The minimal effort of it was magical, force like. I think uchi mata is my throw. 

The weather makes it tough this time of year. It's been on the brutal side more often than not. Wreaks havoc on the skin. I had a bout with the 30 below doldrums over the break but pulled out of it nicely. Still feeling some anxiety but that's nothing new. I think I've finally admitted to myself that I have a touch of social anxiety, always have. The Marines sort of cured it in a pragmatic sense but it's still there. 

Other than that the quest goes on.

I just hope I have the honor of watching one or more of my sons become a black-belt and, when and if that happens ... to still be able to beat them ... now that would be a hell of a 10 year fitness goal.