The Warrior is back!

Last we spoke I was debating what the next chapter would be in my quest for adventure and personal development. I have 2 things that I am working on right now and I can't give them away just yet. 1 will be an adventure that will test many of my skills and my endurance in a way that I have never tried before. The other will take me to a place that I have dreamed of. I know that I will walk away from both a changed and better man and hope to positively effect others in the process. More details to follow in the next few days! So much planning and training to do!!

All good things must come to an end.

Epic. That is the only way to describe the Warrior Dash. It was much harder than I thought it would be but in a way I was so glad it was. I trained for my own health first but the Dash was always on my mind. I have to say that Stefan and Jeff were huge helps to keep me running when I thought that I had had enough. Thank you both for that. It was everything that I expected and more. The camaraderie was the best part but knowing we all finished and conquered something that we weren't sure we could handle made the day worth while. I also got to reconnect with a friend from long ago. Adam, it was a pleasure and an honor to have run with you at the Warrior Dash! Take care brother and don't let time and distance separate us for this long again!

I could bore you with the specifics of the event and how I destroyed the field but that would be a lie and it also would not make for good reading. The truth was I had one of the best days of my life surrounded by my best friends (minus Tank and Chris) and followed through with a promise I made to myself 8 months ago. I can officially close this chapter of my life and get ready for the next adventure.

I guess that is the question. Should I take a couple of days and think about my next great adventure or just shoot from the hip and announce it now? Lets see what tomorrow brings and I might let you all know what I have in store. I know that all my friends are curious because they are all bound to get drug into it but you all will have to wait till tomorrow when I have had time to think things out.





Just a little hint... It involves several states.........

Twas the Night Before Warrior Dash

I was going to get really creative and rewrite the poem "Twas the night before Christmas" but to tell you the truth it wasn't all that good when I started to write it and well it doesn't really tie up any of the loose ends from my 8 month journey.

I started this blog and my training for the Warrior Dash on January 19th 2011. That day I weighed 261 lbs. My goal was simple. Lose 40 lbs and complete the Warrior Dash on August 27th. I can report that I didn't quite reach my goal. I wanted to lose 40 lbs but I only got to 35. I'm still pretty happy even though I came up a little short. I wish that I had achieved my goal but with my job and my life in general I knew that it was going to be a pretty tall order. I would like to think that I gained a little bit of muscle too so hopefully between the gaining muscle and losing fat I am in a much better place than I had been when I started this in January.

It is a very strange feeling to know that something that I have thought about everyday since January 19th is about to happen. The part that is the most strange is I don't remember what I thought about before I started my crusade to get healthy and run in the Warrior Dash. The Warrior Dash has become kind of who I am right now. I have a big old beard that drives Becky crazy and everyone knows me for having it. In some cases people don't even recognize me anymore because I look so different. After tomorrows race the beard will be gone and I will be done with this chapter of my life. Without my goal of finishing the Dash I really don't know what I would be doing right now. It has renewed my interest in so many things that I had just let go of because of being out of shape. I couldn't be more thankful for having this opportunity to reboot and start living life to the fullest again.

I have to give a lot of the credit for my success to my wife and kids. They have let me workout and run even when it was not exactly convenient for them. Without their support I would still be 261 lbs and sitting on my couch every morning and night.

So, its 10pm and I need to be thinking about going to bed. Hurricane Irene has made life a little more interesting but I think that it just adds to the overall experience. It was a tough road to get to where I am and a little old category 1 hurricane isn't going to get in my way now!

1 more blog post to go and it will be over...

Unless I set a new goal! I'm thinking the Tough Mudder. Or maybe this time a 1/2 marathon or a triathlon. I guess the sky is the limit. First things first. Warrior Dash, I'm ready for you and ready for the next great adventure!

The Omen...

Well Monday started like most all other Mondays... really crappy! Had a long day at work only to cap of the day having horrible cramps while running at the pace of a snail. To top all that off I had to jump out of the way of a car that came onto the shoulder of the road and twisted the mess out of my ankle. So, needless to say I didn't get any running in today. Hoping for a better day tomorrow. I need to get some better runs in before the Dash. I still think I am ready but I would feel a lot better if I was closer to 100%. I also have an unexplained elbow injury that is causing a pretty sharp pain in my left elbow all the way down to my hand. Is this some sort of an omen to not run the Warrior Dash? I can't say that I have ever really paid attention to omens before so why start now?

I'm back!

So its been a really long time since I have updated this blog. A lot has happened in the last few months. I don't think I can or should try and fit it all in so just a couple of high points. One of the biggest accomplishments was I ran 8 miles straight for the first time in 7 years. I have also rediscovered my love hiking and getting back to nature. Getting in better shape has allowed me to do so many things that I had just stopped doing. Every aspect of life seems better and frankly easier to do without all the extra weight. My family has also jumped in on the new active life style. Becky and boys have really enjoyed riding bikes together and some kid friendly hiking. Even my Dad has jumped on board! He has a few back problems so running is out of the question but bike riding has become a activity that we enjoy doing together.
I feel like I am as ready for the Warrior Dash as I'm going to get. I will be sure to finish strong on the blog and the Warrior Dash!

What a month!

So I was kindly reminded by my better half that I have been a little on the slack side about posting on my blog. The first thing that came to mind is "I really doubt that anyone really reads it anyway!" But she's right, I should honor my commitment that I made to do this till the Warrior Dash. Anyway, I've been running a ton and trying to keep up with it on dailymile.com and using the Runkeeper app on my iPhone. Both have been very helpful in tracking my progress and making me push a little harder at times. I know that I have not entered every time I went running but what I can say for sure is I have run over 100 miles since February 1, 2011. I can also say for sure that I need to start eating better again. I have slipped in the last few weeks and started to eat out a lot. Time to start really buckling down and dropping some more weight so I'll look great in a bikini. Now that you are all completely disgusted with that thought running through your head I'll give you something else to think about that is much more serious and heartfelt. My oldest son Connor's Preschool teacher was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. She is a wonderful teacher, wife and mother of 4. She walked in the Angels Among Us 5k every year for the past 7 years for her sister in law who lost her battle with brain cancer. She is a very inspiring woman that has forever changed my sons life. I will be running in the 5k Saturday morning in her honor. I encourage anyone who has the time or ability to signup and run with me in Durham this Saturday. If you need further details get in touch with me or my wife and we'll point you in the right direction.

Zakk Wylde, Black Label Society - Suicide Messiah

New kicks new energy!

I got some new "shoes" today. I'm rocking the Vibram FiveFingers KomodoSport Multisport Shoes! I am going to try the barefoot running style to see if it works for me. I have been having problems with ankle and hamstring pain but I think they are a product of weighing too much but I also think they are caused by my shoes. I can't wait to run tomorrow and see how things go. I am also going to try and find a p90x system on craigslist (thanks Julie) to start that as well. I have been running off the beaten trail every time I have run in the last few weeks. I still hit the treadmill once or twice week but I know that this will not prepare me for the warrior dash! I know that it is only 3.5 miles but I know it will be more of a challenge than running 3.5 miles. I also have the possibility of running the Tuff Mudder in October which is 7+ miles plus all the trouble a British Special Forces member can muster! Follow my progress on http://www.warriorhutch.blogspot.com/ I have some friends or fiends joining me too! Mike Murphy, Mike McKenzie, Chis Gavin, Jeff McLamb, Adam Plummer, Ryan Davenport, Chip Stout and others that I have on the maybe list! Mike Ku, Jermy Feldbush, Stefan you coming?
?

Total weight loss since 1/18/2011....

22 pounds as of this morning after running! I also managed 4 miles at 9 minutes 15 seconds per mile! I know that isn't going to win any races but it's pretty good for a guy roughly 45 pounds overweight!

Get a free rental from Redbox!

Red Fang - "Prehistoric Dog" Relapse Records

Less than 24 hours away!!

As you may or may not know, tomorrow is a big day for me. I’ve been raising money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation which sponsors research grants for childhood cancer. Last year alone they were able to fund 14 million dollars’ worth of cancer research to help find cures and improve the quality of life for patients and survivors. The team I am on is trying to raise $3,000 and are only a couple hundred away. I know that many of you have children or your life has been touched by cancer in some way. My family has had its fair share from my Mother and Grandmother to my brother-in-law. It has also taken 3 of my friends in the last year all of which lost their battles to brain cancer. It is a horrible disease and can be particularly hard on the youngest among us. I will be shaving my head tomorrow at 4:30 at the RBC center, and standing with the children who have to fight the real battle every day. I know that most of you will not be able to attend but I would ask you to consider a donation to St. Baldrick’s. If you would like to donate please click on the link below. Thank you all for your support!

http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mikehutch76

St. Baldrick's - Help battle childhood cancer!

I know that I have been slack and haven't posted in about 2 weeks and for that I am very sorry. The good news is the weight is still coming off and I am still running but I hit a rough spot in the last week. My youngest son got strep throat and scarlet fever which he was kind enough to share with me. So a shot in the butt and some Advil and I am feeling better. I have been working very hard towards raising money for St. Baldrick's in the last few weeks. St. Baldrick's is a wonderful charity that helps raise awareness and money to battle childhood cancer. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to be part of this organization and have received a lot of support from many friends and family members and people I don't even know! Currently my team has raised over $2000 for the upcoming event on February 22nd. If you feel so inclined please consider donating to St. Baldrick's and help us work towards ridding the world of cancer! You can do so by simply clicking on my link: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/mikehutch76

Greatest rock and roll song of all time! From the Best Band in History, The Rolling Stones!

St. Baldrick's, Join Chris Gavin and I!!!!!!

You heard it right - I'm shaving my head in solidarity with children who have cancer and typically lose their hair during treatment, while raising critical funds for childhood cancer research!
In the US, more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease. Please make a donation on my behalf to support childhood cancer research so that all children diagnosed with cancer will have a better chance for a cure. I'm trying to raise $1000.00 for my team, please help me to reach this goal!
To make a donation, click on "Make A Donation" or donate by mail or phone from my link below.
Thank you for your support!

Hutch

My teams page: http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/teamid/69239

More Metal madness from my iPod! This is the first Slayer song I ever heard. It only took one song and I was hooked.

A little behind! 202 days to go.

I'll been busy for the last few nights and haven't gotten around to writing at all. To be honest I just wanted to goto bed early! Anyway, the training and weight loss are both going pretty darn well. I'm down to 240 or 241 pounds (from 253) depending on the scale that I'm on and I have officially run over 4 miles multiple times! I really am shocked that 16 days ago I was just starting to exercise and now I am running 4+ miles in around 9 minute miles. I guess it was the right time and I was in the right frame of mind to get started back on the road to a healthy body. I really need to give my wonderful wife credit. She is the one that has gotten me so focused. Her support for my leaving early in the morning and working late has been amazing! Actually she is amazing!
So I'm pretty sure that I can finish the Warrior Dash now I want to beat all my friends! Thats going to be a tall order because pretty much the fastest guy on my High School Football team is running it with me and the most in shape friend I have is also running. Well, I guess you have to have high goals! Run with me on August 27th in Huntersville, NC in the Warrior Dash: http://www.warriordash.com/register2011_carolinas.php

1/31/2011 - Tired

Stayed up too later last night watching "Eastbound and Down" with the wife so getting up was not fun! I was dragging pretty bad when I got in the gym this morning. I walked for 3 minutes and then ran for 22 minutes for a total of 2.45 miles. After the run I walked for another 5 minutes. The elliptical was not much better so I just worked out for 16 minutes for about 1 mile. I'm a little distracted right now. With the Super bowl coming up and my Pittsburgh Steelers playing it is about the only thing that I can think of. Well off to bed. 206 days till the big race! Join me in August at http://www.warriordash.com/register2011_carolinas.php

1/29/2011 The first real run. 208 days to go!

Saturday morning started off great with family and I going to my nephews basketball game. After the game I stepped outside and felt something very strange... It was actually warm out! Somehow did not get the memo that it was going to be such a beautiful day and was wearing long sleeves and had a jacket. Now possessing the knowledge that is was pretty much the nicest that it has been in months I decided to try my luck at running outside on real earth instead of the treadmill at work. I picked Lake Lynn for my inaugural outdoor run because it used to be my favorite place to run about 6 years ago. I started off slow but became pretty comfortable running in the first 1/2 mile. A couple of the hills were challenging but soon enough I hit my stride and before I knew it I had made it the 2.2 miles around the lake. I decide to walk for a few minutes to cool down but I still felt great so I started to run again. To my amazement and delight I ran around the lake again for a total of 4.4 miles. I figure that I walked about .4 to .5 miles after my first time around. I don't know my official time because my iPhone app crapped out after the first .6 miles. So next time around I will bring a watch to something more reliable than my wonderful iPhone. I guess that things are going pretty well since I am able to run 4+ miles after just 2 weeks of working out. Oh, the beard is coming along nicely as well. I'll add some pictures this week for sure.

The Motor City Madman circa 1977! Rock on Uncle Ted!

The morning after a Jeffery...

I woke up Thursday morning and felt like Aldous Snow the night after a Jeffery.  So I hit the snooze bar about 3 times and then said screw it I need to sleep today! (A little “Get Him to the Greek” reference there.  Which you all should see if you are under 40 and remember 80’s rock and metal stars)  It turns out that it was a really good idea to take the day off.  When I got to the gym this morning I felt great and really wanted to be there.  I cranked up the iPod to none other than the Motor City Madman, Mr. Ted Nugent!  Nothing quite like the intro to “Stranglehold” and Ted’s blistering solo to get the blood flowing through your veins.   After a 3 minute warm up on the stationary bike I jumped on the treadmill for 27 minutes of running.  Today was the first day that I actually ran for 3 miles without stopping!  I finished up with 20 minutes on the elliptical adding another 1.25 miles to my workout.  Since I got a little confidence up from my run this morning I am going to go for a real jog on real Earth tomorrow around Lake Lynn.  Hopefully I can make it around the lake once without stopping.  So for today’s dietary treats I started off with 32 ozs of water, 14 ozs of coffee and a Carnation instant breakfast shake with 1 cup of 1% milk.  For my 10am snack I had a turkey sandwich with 1 tbsp. olive oil mayo and no cheese today.  At 11:30am I had an apple and a package of StarKist tuna.  An amazing fact I found on the livestrong.com website is 1 large tuna package is only 210 calories and has 75% of your daily requirement of protein.  Finally, I finished off my daytime eating with a bowl of Campbell’s Healthy Request chicken tortilla soup.  I think that I might be addicted to that soup.  I have destroyed 96 ozs of water not including the coffee and shake so I’m feeling very hydrated right now.  So what should I have for dinner, sushi, fish tacos, or more likely another bowl of Campbell’s soup?  \m/

1/26/2011 TERRIBLE

Todays workout sucked!  I was really tired and sore.  I managed 2.84 miles in 25 minutes but it was a struggle the entire time.  After that I tried to do the elliptical machine and only made it 10 minutes in and had to quit.  I need to get more sleep!  I don't guess that is going to start tonight since I got home from work about 9pm.  Oh well.  All I can do is try again tomorrow.

1/25/2011 Are you ready?

"ARE YOU READY????"  The first words that Jonathan Davis growled out of my iPod this morning.  Yes, the answer is yes, I 'm ready to take on another day and another workout!  So Korn's song Blind started me on my way today, which you can hear on the post below.  It got me pumped to try and duplicate yesterdays run.  I wish I could say I did it but I was a little short on energy this morning and was 1 tenth of mile short of reaching my goal.  2.75 miles in 24 minutes, not to bad but I really want to see an 8 minute mile within 2 weeks from now.   I know that I can do it I just need to keep focused and stick to my plan.  As for the rest of the workout it consisted of 20 minute on the elliptical machine right at 1.25 miles.  I followed my daily eating routine of 64 ozs. of water, 14 ozs. of coffee, 1 apple, 1 orange, 1 Carnation instant breakfast and then the train went off the track!  I had to leave the office and was really hungry so I stopped at a local restaurant and  had Steak Picado with salsa verde no beans and a little rice.  I have no idea if it is good for you but damn it tasted good!  For dinner I got things back on track with grilled chicken, black beans, and lettuce with hot sauce.   On to the next day, maybe tomorrow will be the day I hit 8 minute miles!

The first song I heard this morning! Great way to start a workout! Korn - Blind

Korn - Blind (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Korn

214 days to go!

Great workout this morning!  Started off on the treadmill and actually ran for 24 minutes straight!  started at 5.5 miles per hour and inched it up to 7.0 miles per hour.  I was pretty happy with myself.  I figured that I would have a little trouble this morning because I couldn't sleep worth crap last night.  I think that I was a little too pumped up from the Steelers win to sleep well.  Any way I think that sometime this week I will add my first music review.  I might as well let you all know what I am listening to so you can run right out and get some new tunes.  Oh, finished the workout with 20 minutes on the elliptical machine.  I'm really starting to like using it!  Off to bed.  Maybe some sleep tonight.

Weekend Update 1/23/2011

Well the weekend was a complete bust for working out!  I had planned on hiking or at least walking on Saturday but that never happened.  Although I did chase my kids around Monkey Joe's so I did get a little exercise.  I wish adults could rent that place out and have a band and a keg.  I guess they probably don't do that because of the vomit factor with beer and bouncing.  Anyway, my Steelers are headed to the Superbowl and I am headed to bed so I can get back to it on Monday morning.  Big update I forgot to share on Friday.  I weighed in at 246 lbs!  7 lbs down 33 more to go!  Again if you want to join me in the Warrior Dash goto:  http://www.warriordash.com/

3 days down 217 days to go!

I have come to the conclusion that the "Hills" setting on the treadmill and I don't get along.  I think that Friday's workout might be the last time that I use it.  Maybe I just can't work the machine but it changes speed to a way to low speed at random times.  Anyway, I still managed to get 2.75 miles in just under 30 minutes.  After that I hit the elliptical machine for 20 minutes.  I was right on course for calories till the wife wanted sushi for dinner!  I can't blame her for my glutinous behavior but who can resist all you can eat sushi!  I stuck to the sashimi but I still know that I exceeded my 1500 to 2000 calories per day.  Well, I guess that I will need to put in a little extra work on Saturday to make up for my evil ways.  By the way, if you want to join me on August 27, 2011 for the Warrior Dash checkout their website http://www.warriordash.com

218 days to go.

The run did not go as well today but I expected a little let down.  30 minutes and only 2.45 miles.  Since the run didn't go great I decided to try the elliptical.  I used it for 15 minutes and knocked out 1.5 miles.  I started to keep a journal of what I'm eating and counting the calories much more closely.  Today I had a grand total of 1555 calories.  That should really help with the old weight loss!  OK, off to bed so I can start this all over again tomorrow!

January 19, First official day! 219 days till race day!

I started off early today with 3 miles running right at 30 minutes.  Got to be honest I thought I would do better but you got to start somewhere.  After my run I used the stationary bike for an additional 15 minutes which turned out to be around 4 miles.  A pretty successful first day of training.  As I get better at this blogging thing I'll add what my diet is and some of the nutritional facts for those of you who are interested in how and what I'm eating to hopefully be losing weight.   I'm up for any suggestions for training and dieting as well!

And so it begins!

All I wanted to do was run in the Warrior Dash in Huntersville, NC on August 27 for fun.  Only one problem with this plan is I am terribly out of shape.  After talking with some friends about running with me and a horrible nights sleep I decided that not only was I going to run the race but I going to get myself in shape with the goal of dropping 40 lbs. by the race day!  Here is what I have to work with.  I have frequent day trips for work, 2 kids needing my attention and  219 days to achieve my goal.  So I jumped on the scale and... Wow, 261 lbs!  Now that you all know my weight I will share with everyone that cares to read my daily workouts, diet and hopefully some fun times too.  Oh and the best part!  In the Warrior Dash there is a prize for Best Warrior Beard!  Since I won't be winning for best time might as well go for some I can do, grow a big old beard!  Pictures to follow weekly of the beards progress!  Thanks for reading!