written by ahmad baari

I have this big duathlon coming up.

I need to be in the best shape for the running and cycling categories. So I have begun to seriously train and eat right for this event coming next month.
Anyway today was just another one of those days where my will and desires for fitness were tested. The first test was parking on South Beach on a Saturday around noon. Yes it was hard, but the hardest part was circling pass all the restaurants with the smells of all of my favorite fattening foods floating in the air. “Stay the course..” I gently reminded myself.

Found parking and was off.

As I began the normal 2 minute rain shower was running all non-locals off the beach. It didn’t make me u-turn…I stayed my course.
So my goal was to go a little faster this run, without burning out too soon. Hell, I had one hour and 15 minutes of run in front of me, so I decided to take it nice and steady. Well as soon as I said this, Mr. Macho Beach Dude comes along side me, roughly 10-12 feet away and begins running with me. The male ego is something funny. It can make you forget your plan. So I began going back and forth with him. Sometimes he would lead by a few steps, but most of the time I would lead when I wasn’t pacing.
So it is hot, running into the wind, through loose sand, and I was really hoping he would quit this. I decided if this guy does not stop within the next 100 yards, I would. So I picked up the pace, and he slowly began to drag behind…then he stopped…what a feeling. Yes I am competitive, and that little victory made today’s run a good feel.

Fast forward about 50 minutes later on my return back:
My sweat glands were empty and I was really dreaming about walking into walgreens and grabbing the largest formula 50 vitamin water and chugging it in record time. They are doing construction along the wooded boardwalk now, so there is a point where you must detour a bit. At this detour is a huge orange sign. Now this is where the title of this article originates….

On the sign in the center the word

“B U R N S”

was written…LOL…

Yes Mr. Burns showed his face when I least expected. At that point I thought of all of the emails and comments made about how daily the sweat and burning is paying off. I held this thought, along with the nice cold formula 50 vitamin water image, as I finished the run.

So the moral of this long story, is to allow yourself room for change of plans, but still accomplish your mission, even when Mr. Burns surprises you.

You’re Almost There,
Ahmad

Tags: build muscle, flabby skin, love handles, makingthebest.com, memorial day workout, training to lose fat, weight loss