Welcome to Fit Yogi Dave

FitYogiDave first post

Hi. I'm Dave. Welcome to my blog!

I'm a vegetarian who does yoga and participates in stairclimb races. A few years ago, just the level of fitness i have now was an absurd dream, but as i've improved, i've learned how much more i can improve, and 2010 will be a banner year! So i've created this blog to show people what can be done with yoga, exercise, and a healthy vegetarian diet.

My next race is the aon center stair climb jan 31st. This will be my fourth stair race, and this race last year was my first race ever. I did all 80 floors in 17:20. My goal for this year is to do it in 15:20. I think this is realistic, as i have lost weight, strengthened my legs, and increased my cardio fitness over the past year.

I also have purchased a raw vegan food package--32 3-day food boxes of raw vegan food. I don't see myself being a raw vegan for the long term, but i think it will be interesting to try, and if nothing else, should help me change a few of my bad food habits. Bad food habits are, i think, my biggest challenge. Getting packaged yet super-healthy food will definitely help, and cousins food is scrumptous!

My big goal for the year is to cut four minutes off my sears tower stair climb time. I ran the sears tower in 21:39 about a month and a half ago. I had been dreaming of a time in the mid 17's and i am committed to doing that this time. In fact, my goal is to finish in the 16's. Here's how i think i will make up the time:

45 seconds : Running a smarter race tactically. Start right after the elites so i don't have to work to pass so many people. Pace myself better--i went too fast at the start in the race. Go in with more light energy food inside of me.
90 seconds lose weight. I weight 188 pounds right now. Cut to 168 pounds. That will mean less weight to carry up the stairs, so less energy burned, and also less insulation, which is key, as i always overheat in these races.
45 seconds : strengthen legs. This is especially crucial as i plan to do the whole building 2 steps at a time. I did the first 40 this way at the sears tower, then had to stop. Squats, lunges, and deep yoga poses will do this.
45 seconds : Increased cardio. Vary my workout more with LSD cardio sessions as well as flat-out sprints.

So if hit all three areas, this will knock 4:45 off my time, putting me just under 17:00.

And i will do all this while not sacrificing my overall strength ( i have benched 315 in the past ) and also expanding my yoga practice.

Here's looking forward to a great 2010!