Week 3: No Sweat - (52 POUNDS in 52 WEEKS)

La Jolla Canyon Falls

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 2011

Flashback 5 years ago, tomorrow.  I was just barely 2 months into my 1000 Day adventure and I took an innocent hike with my wife and kids.  The falls are often only as wet as a damp cloth, but with recent rains, they come alive.  To read more about this hike, click:  

Day 70: La Jolla Canyon

..Of course, my favorite hike in this area is climbing up and over to the valley, which is absolutely a sacred treasure.  I would say less than 1% of the surrounding counties population even know of this beauty.  If you look hard enough, you may find some old Chumash Indian artifacts.  Certain portions of the region are unmarked Indian Burial Grounds:

 

Day 216: La Jolla Valley

Click the link above for more details.  ...The valley then was an amazing green pasture.  Crazy natural consideration as you are surrounded by dry brush ocean mountains.  Unfortunately, we had the vast spring fire a few years back which scorched this entire region.  I wonder how this land has recovered?

Day 898: Spring Fire

Click the link above to see more.  Essentially, I was on my way to work and the picture above on the left represents the start of this fire.  It was not massive, just a think line of fire, but on very dry brush.  Probably sparked from a cigarette - not sure if they ever truly determined how it began, but I missed the initial spark by only a few minutes and passed the scene before the fire trucks arrived.  Then, after work it was time for my hike, so I picked a random area nearby and the picture on the right shows what was going on, many hours later, on the far other side of this mountain.  Eventually, the fire worked it's way over a marathon of miles to the ocean.  Just Nuts!!!

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52 Pounds - 52 Days 

New Year's 2016 Weight: 240.9

Week Three Weight: 237.3

Total Weight Loss: -3.6 Pounds

1-Mile Run (Kimball Park) - Ventura, CA

Saturday - January 16, 2016

2.08.41

2.34.12

2.16.33

2.09.40 == 9.14.42

And this is what I looked like when I was done:

...Blah, I've got a swollen near death face...  I guess I'm surprised that I finished the "run" in under 10 minutes.  However, I have never sat out for a mile run before and ran the final quarter split over 2 minutes.  All I had in me was a 2.09? - pathetic.  Guess I can only improve...

Oh, but if that was not enough, I took my son to track practice at the beach later that day, and I jogged the promenade a total of 3 miles in about 45 minutes.  Basically jogged up, turned around and jogged - walked - and go back to my car.  I think this weekly routine will work.  I will just keep increasing my distance out about a quarter mile or so, which will give me a half mile more in distance each week.  Hmm, at some point the math won't add up otherwise at the end I will be running a marathon plus, every week.  No Thank You!

The week started off good, with these runs, but then "No Sweat" for the remaining 6 days.  My knees are still sore from the runs, I wake up early to work before work and when I do get home... Excuses.  At some point I'll figure this out.  I did eat much better and as a result, dropped 1.1 pounds for the week:

237.3 Weigh In - January 22, 2016

I'm doing what I set out to do.  Let's Go!

Week 2: FIRST RUN OF 2016 - (52 POUNDS in 52 WEEKS)

DAY 426 - CHARLES MANSON'S CAVES

Flashback  - Day 426 Searching for Charles Manson

January 14th, 2012

It was 4 years ago and I was nearly halfway through my goal of hiking 1000 Trails in 1000 Days.  Check it out ... Click Here for Day 426

New Year's 2016 Weight: 240.9

Week Two Weight: 238.4 Pounds

Total Weight Loss: -2.5 Pounds

Week 2: 238.4 Pounds * January 15, 2016

I only lost 0.8 pounds this week, but still on target of losing one pound a week, on average, for 52 weeks.

My First Run

Sunday January 10, 2016

Ventura Promenade

Estimated 2.25 Miles

Time 35 Minutes

**Horrible!  I started at the beginning of the path, near the In & Out Burger in Ventura.  I dropped off Ayden for Track Practice on the Beach and ran solo to the Promenade.  After only a few steps in, I could tell this was going to be an issue.  I had nothing.  No lungs, no legs, no form.  Just one big NO NO!  It's as if I never ran before!!  

At age 41, taking nearly a year off from any physical exercise proved to be too much to overcome.  Regardless, I forced my legs in a slump running formation, all the way past the pier and then when passing Aloha Steak House, I noticed my reflection in the windows and, hmmm, My Goodness - I am Fat!  I literally looked like an old fat man trying to run.  

I turned around shortly thereafter and kept my snails pace for a moment, and then lost stride into a slow walk where my attention drew to the surfers riding the waves.  This was my first pure sweat of the year.  I walked for a bit and then saw the Ventura Tigres distance runners heading towards me.  I used to coach the Ventura Express, Cross Country team, and recognized many of those kids.

Eventually, they circled back around and passed me.  However, when one kid said hi, I opted to motion my walk into his jogging pace.  I carried that back to the end and -- Pain!

...Earlier that day I went to the gym with my wife, but only for a moment.  She was there to drop something off, but I did manage to sneak in one set in on my abs, chest, shoulders, biceps and triceps.  Hardly enough to call it a workout, but the ab part kept the gut sore for a few days to come.

Diet Struggles

Saturday - Monday was pretty decent; A mix of salads and healthier foods.  However, by the time the week was over, I had 3 Big Cheeseburgers, 3 Sloppy Joe Sandwiches, 2 Sliders and a pint of Beer - First Beer of the Year!  Thus, I gained back most of what I lost for the week, but it's okay; still heading the right direction - goal to drop very slowly so that my body could adjust rather than be shocked

**I have still been sick?  Buzzing in my head - headaches.  Flem and cough, but I am sleeping better. 

One Step at a Time... 

Week 1: BIG SUR - (52 POUNDS in 52 WEEKS)

Elephant Seals near Hearst Castle

New Year's 2016 Weight: 240.9

Week One Weight: 239.2

Total Weight Loss: -1.7 Pounds

 New Year's Day - Drove up the coast to Big Sur

Tan Bark Trailhead

Following a creek up the mountain through the forest of...

...Giant Trees!

MOO!!!

The New Year started off great.  We hiked a short portion of the Tan Bark and then crossed HWY 1 down to a tunnel which lead to a wild cove.  At night we found a cabin at the Big Sur Lodge and stayed the night.  We enjoyed the warm up wood burning fire place in place of the TV. A family of deer greeted us outside the cabin in the morning.

The next day we drove through Carmel, Monterrey and paid the 10 bucks to drive around Pebble Beach (17 Mile Scenic Drive).  We saw more seals, more awesome blue water coastline and of course did some shopping and ate out .. Wait; I supposed to be losing weight -- Why am I ordering a Pizza??

--It's okay, just 1 pound a week so I'm good by easing into it and my little hike should offset it.

El Nino: Driveway, Yard & Garage Flooded

Let the winter storms begin!  I took two days off work this week.  Some sort of cold, loud buzzing noise in my head and perhaps I got 4 hours of total sleep for the entire week.  Too exhausted to think about working out.  Lack of appetite, figured I would drop some weight from the soup diet.  Okay, well maybe I ate a bit more than that, but I did have soup too - and no beer!  I had a bottle of Champagne; left overs from New Years.

Week 1: 239.2

Week 1 - January 8, 2015
Week 1 round up.  I lost 1.7 pounds by not doing much (well I took off my pajama bottoms so maybe that attributed a half pound?)

I'm still not feeling great, but I have gotten some more sleep and I am seriously thinking about hitting the gym and eating better.  Until Next Week...

52 POUNDS in 52 WEEKS: Week 0 - Life or Death

240.9 Pounds

52 Pounds in 52 Weeks!

January 1st, 2016:
At age 41, it really becomes about quality of life.  I am not me these days.  I haven't been who I am in a long while, and I only have me to blame.  I no longer have that gusto - hiking 1000 Days in a row seems like eons ago...

The weight in the picture above is correct.  I did not "water up", because if I had, I could have easily reached 255.  I only shared a bottle of champagne with my wife on New Year's Eve, and we were in bed before 11:00pm.  So, I wasn't feeling all full and bloated, which means, I've become accustomed to this obesity and at 5'10", this weight is no longer acceptable!

In the past I have entered fat loss contests; will lose 30 pounds in 6 weeks.  Perhaps I could still do that, but I really don't think so.  I feel like crap.  In fact, I stayed home from work the past two days and I bet if I was living healthier, this darn flu bug would not have hit me so hard.

Life is a marathon - I think I can do this without going absolutely bonkers.  I figure, at first I won't change much.  It will be in my head.  Losing a pound a week to start should be as simple as cutting my weekly bottle of IPA.  I don't drink much, but when I do drink, it's IPA :)

I took some top heavy shots as well, but I am too embarrassed to share them.  I suppose come January 1, 2017, I will show the before and after.  I'm not looking to be chiseled.  I have no interest in running another marathon or hiking the highest peak.  Instead, I just want to be able to do the normal things without being so darn blah!

Excuses; but I am addicted to work.  And beyond my JOB, I also work on other projects and then wind down with a few games of chess.  --I'll figure this out, I hope.  I think I have diabetes or possibly a thyroid condition, but with no health insurance and as stubborn as I am; forget about it!  I blame myself and if xxx Once I get myself back on track if I still feel wrong, then maybe I'll say, "What's Up Doc!"

Ha, that's all for now.  I have some work to do, but check back each week as I update my progress. Oh, and of course, when I do go on hikes or something cool like that, I will for sure share!

Happy New Year 2016!

-Jeremy Jacobus  

1000 HIKES 1000 DAYS

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE HIKES!!!

MYSTIC MOTH HOME PAGE (The Next 1000 Days...)

The Next 1000 Days never happened.  But what did was...

TOP 20 HIKES of ALL TIME

 


DAYS 976 - 978: MINERAL KING LOOP

 1. Days 976 - 978: Mineral King Loop     Sequoia National Park - California

     30.25 Miles  +/- 8375 Feet

 

Mineral King may have been the hardest excursion I attempted, and accomplished, in my 1000 Day adventure.  The physical requirements were challenging, but going this one all alone required intense mental stamina.  Along the way you will pass more than a half dozen lakes.  You will trek beyond the comfort of others.  If you are looking for an escape to isolation, to test your will and courage, this journey is a must!

 

 

 



Days 998 - 1001: Mount Whitney

2. Days 998 - 1001: Mount Whitney

    Lone Pine - California

    25 Miles  +/- 7000 Feet

 

Climbing the Highest Peak in the Contiguous United States.  Above 13,000 Feet I did get dizzy but with my team, we reached the summit!  It took me exactly 1000 days to prepare for this moment; it was well worth it! 

 

 

 

3.  Day 152: Green Sand Beach - Hawaii

4. Days 648 - 649: Santa Paula Punch Bowls

 



5. Days 386 - 394: New Zealand

 



 



6.  Day 83: Tangerine Falls

7.  Day 929: Mt. Baldy

 

8. Day 576: Taft Point







9.  Day 915: Matilija Falls



10.  Day 418: Piedra Blanca



11.  Day 216: La Jolla Valley



12.  Day 852: Big Caliente Hot Springs - The Oasis



13.  Day 250: Fryman Canyon - Los Angeles Rainforest



14.  Day 750: Myakka River State Park



15.  Days 504 - 509: Pacific Northwest

16.  Day 243: Mary Jane Falls - Mt. Charleston













 

 

For More Amazing Hikes: CLICK HERE

Day 1004

Mount Whitney Experience!

Flashback!

Click the links below to relive my Mount Whitney Experience.

• Day 998: Horseshoe Meadows
• Day 999: Mount Whitney Trail to Lone Pine Lake
• Day 1000: Mount Whitney Summit
• Day 1000 - 1001: Descending Mt. Whitney

Day 1003:

      

Day 1002:

This Page does not exist - Or does it???

Day 1001

THE NEXT 1000 DAYS...

Day 1000 - 1001: Descending Mount Whitney

 

Waterfall outside of Outpost Camp

 

Day #1000 * Hike #1297 * New Track #999
Descending from the Mount Whitney Summit - Mount Whitney Trail
Monday August 12, 2013
My Tripometer: 4.25 Hours * 8.5 Miles * -4800 Feet +250 Feet

Daring Hikers take the Mountaineers Trail

The bases of this being a "New Track" comes later when I hike down past trail camp in the day light to Lone Pine Lake.  It was like a whole new track, hence the Waterfalls seen in the pic at the top of this post.  We all heard the falls on our way up but the water system including Mirror Lake was invisible at the time.

After our hour pit stop at the top, we began our journey off the rock.  To the right is an optional rugged trail, the Mountaineers Trail.  It was marked by Cairns but we weren't about to follow these guys.  Furthermore, according to the map it would not rejoin the Whitney Trail until after Lone Pine Lake (our destination for the night).

Backpacks at the John Muir Trail Junction

Lakes below, we were dropping elevation fast to clear our heads!





Heading down the switchbacks towards Trail Camp



Fresh Water!

This water was ice cold.  If you look around on the mountainside there was still some left over snow drifts from last winter.  If you are heading up, this water source will be your last chance to fill water en route to the summit.  Ahhh, so fresh...

Marmots

Meadows

We were here in the dark, trying to beat the sun back

Ah, Mirror Lake...

The Trail

Waterfalls just over Outpost Camp

Passing Outpost Camp

Following the stream towards Lone Pine Lake

Lone Pine Lake in the near distance

You can actually see this lake from the 97 switchbacks and it becomes more clear by Trail Camp but the trail swerves away before finally coming back to.

Day #1001 * Hike #1298 * Duplicate Track
Lone Pine Lake to Whitney Portal - Mount Whitney Trail
Tuesday August 13, 2013
My Tripometer: 1 Hour *  2.5 Miles * -1800 Feet +50 Feet

Rescue Units

We camped Monday night at Lone Pine Lake.  It was such a relief being back at 10000 Feet were the elevation was not sickening our heads.  However, the elevation was not so kind to others.

We met a group before our accent and one lady did not acclimate well.  Her group challenged themselves with the 22 mile day hike and one of their members separated from the pack.  She accused one of her companions of trying to kill her?!  She was completely delirious and ran off?  She spent the night somewhere off the trail but was found early that morning.  It was a could night and I could only imagine that she felt completely miserable.

Other than Adam forming some gnarly blisters on his feet from wearing bulky boots and heavy wool socks, our trip was a great success without injury or set back.

Well, this concludes my 1000 Hikes in 1000 Days.  Only problem is that I can only account for 999 New Tracks.  I did hike every single day for 1001 Days in a Row and by my count, I managed at least a mile per track on 1298 total adventures.  That said, only 999 New Locations!  Ugh, close enough...

***UPDATE:
It's been several weeks since Mt. Whitney.  Wednesday August 14th was my hardest day.  I lived it without setting foot on a trail!  Strangely, I was not sore at all from Whitney.  I walked normal this day and could have easily kept my streak alive.  But, I think I pushed my family enough and I respected my wife's wishes by not going off on a hike that day.

I had many ideas of things to do for my next 1000 Days but elected to put everything on hold for 100 Days.  Recently Ayden rejoined the VC Express Cross Country Team.  Just as last year, I am volunteering to be a coach on the team. This means that I am jogging "hiking" on the Arroyo Verde Trails 4 times a week.  So, I'm still getting out there; just not quite as much and not looking for new spots.  Ahh, what a relief to some degree but honestly, I do miss the adventure.

Today was a FunRaiser for the club.  I participated in the 2k run.  It doesn't sound like much but when you add hills to the mix, it's anything but easy.  I believe I finished about 10th in this easy competition.  The better runs ran in the 3k and 5k.  I clocked in at 11:47.  This is a very slow time but I don't think I could have gone much faster.  I'm still holding a weight of 220 pounds but hopefully by the end of the season I will cut some of that out.  Of course, it doesn't help that I ate wings and drank beer at B-Dubs today.  But it was the first full day of the NFL Season and as I write this, I'm watching the Cowboys game.  I have Demarco Murray on my fantasy team, so let's go!

Ayden ran in the 2k event as well.  He started off faster than me but I caught him on the big hill.  He only finished 20 seconds behind me so good job little buddy!

***So what's next?  Not sure.  I still need my 1000th New Track so stayed tuned.  I'll probably organize the blog a bit and figure something out.  Any suggestions???