Thursday, May 29, 2008

CONSISTENCY

Ok, I am new to running (Nov 2007) and most who know me know that once I get something in my focus then I become obsessive about it, but sometimes that isn't enough to get me through a run. Have you ever started out for 6 miles, gotten 1.75 miles into it and you just don't feel in the groove yet, the feet are heavy, rhythm is off and overall you just don't feel right? That to me is the toughest part of my training as someone new to this sport. I can run 5 great runs all week and then have one run that is just so off that it crushes you mentally. I take these runs personally, I get so mad at myself for quitting or cutting back my miles. I am now changing my goals from not as much a focus on miles but on CONSISTENCY.

Tim

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Why is the Derv running

So why am I am running, well I am running for two reasons, first because I needed to prove to myself that I am in shape and have moved from a sedentary lifestyle to active lifestyle and second, I would like to be around to see my son grow up, graduate HS, watch him total my car, go to college, get his nose pierced and to also to continue to "age" my wife so we can grow old together....

So back to the why I started to run....

This transformation began in September of 2007 when I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. I have had a history of High Blood pressure that I was doing a good job of ignoring and not dealing with for about three years so the combination of the two was the kick in the pants that I needed to take control of my health. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that my weight and sedentary lifestyle were the primary cause of these two problems and that if I didn’t deal with my health then I better get some good life insurance.

So the same day I got the call from my Doctor, I chose to do something about my health and the next day I began my current journey into an active lifestyle and my pursuit to get my Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure under control through weight loss and exercise. I don't believe in diets since they are only short term fixes. I decided to make changes in what I ate, when I ate and most importantly do some sort of exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.

Well since September I have lost 50lbs and my Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Levels are under control and my diabetes is in remission. As part of my journey I began running in November of 2007 and I have been addicted to it since. The reason I have taken to running is that prior to this lifestyle change my motto was always “I Run When Chased” and I was really good at keeping true to this motto.

I guess the reason was that at 260lbs running wasn’t a lot of fun and if I could run then I must be in shape? Once the running began, I decided to challenge myself by entering into some races, with my first one being last March on my birthday. The race was a 4 mile race to raise money for the http://www.bartoncenter.org/ and it was a great way to keep me motivated over the winter and build up my miles.

After my first race and the fact that I finished it and I didn’t come in dead last (finished in 33:53) I got hooked and decided hey wouldn’t it be great to run a marathon in 2009 when I turned 40?

If anybody knows my wife, at the moment I told her this great idea of mine, just picture in your head her facial expression and her response, I will leave it that…..

Who or what is a "Derv"....?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Whirling Dervishes perform in the Monastir Mevlevi, Istanbul.
The Mevlevi Order or the Mevleviye are a Sufi order founded by the followers of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi-Rumi, a 13th century Persian (Tādjīk) poet, Islamic jurist, and theologian, in Konya (in present-day Turkey). They are also known as the Whirling Dervishes due to their famous practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of Allah). Dervish is a common term for an initiate of the Sufi Path.

Ok with that said, I am not a member of the Mevlevi Order nor am a member of the Sufi order, it is simply a nickname I acquired in college that has stuck with me for twenty something years. So to most of my closest friends I have always been know as the "Whirling Dervish" or "Derv" for short.

In the real world of responsibility, jobs and family commitments I am simply known as Tim Doiron, I grew up in Southern Maine and now reside in Northbridge, MA located between Worcester, Providence and Boston off of Route 495. During the day when I am not fighting crime, saving the environment and fighting global hunger I am living the dream live of a Software Quality Assurance (making sure new software applications actually work) Project Manager for a large Financial Services Company, and for this I am always appreciative of my High School Guidance Councilor for pushing my down this path of self discovery and unlimited personal and monetary reward.

I have been married for 17 years to Deborah and that fact alone makes her a Saint. Living with me on a good day is not easy as I tend to be somewhat compulsive about things that are in my focus at that time whether it be the latest toy or gadget, my photography or now my running (if it isn't in my focus then good luck getting me to concentrate on it). My wife recently summed it up best with this great (soon to be on a Hallmark card near you) quote of "You Age Me", wow those words of love real choke you up...

I am also the proud parent of a son who looks just like me and has 98% of all of my mannerism's which my wife loves. As if I wasn't bad enough she now has a "mini-derv" running around the house. All in all, I have a great life and there are so many things I should be greatful for; a loving wife, a healthy and great son, a roof over my head, a job that makes me excited to jump out of bed each morning and rush into work and for this I am grateful.

Thanks
Tim D

a.k.a "The Derv"