90 Day Challenge Testimonial

Sometime in 2014, I found myself outside the 24 Hour Fitness location near Denny Way in Seattle. It was 3 a.m.. I felt like I needed to do something about my fitness.

There have been two times where I have lost significant weight. At the end of 1999, I was 330 pounds. When I moved to Seattle in 2001, I was down to 250. In August of 2009, I was at 350. By March of 2010, I was down to 295.

At the beginning of 2015, my weight was up to 360 pounds.

In December 2014, Gold’s Gym was sending out mailers. These mailers had offers for 7 day trials and 4 Personal Trainer Sessions for $30.

These offers were enticing. It seemed like everyday I was in the grocery store underneath the gym. It just kept calling me. During the holidays, I was talking to my brother about the mailers and maybe about joining a gym. He offered to help me out financially if I decided to join one. Mid January I got another mailer.

On my next day off, I stopped by the gym. I was given the tour. I liked what I saw and I was sold on the 90 day challenge. I did the personal training sessions and signed up for more. Whenever I work out now, I can hear the trainer's voice saying, "Straighten your feet."

This year I am turning 40. I want to be in better shape for my birthday this year. And for next year, I want to be in even better shape.

It is a slow process. There are many challenges to overcome. But I feel that every day, even if I only do a little workout, I make progress.

On January 31, 2 weeks into joining the gym, I went out to Spokane for my grand niece’s first birthday. I had a beer at the birthday party and since then I have been accidentally sober. February, March, April. Almost halfway through May, and still no beer or alcohol.

For close to 30 years, I have had trouble with my left knee. I know that exercise helps it but I wanted to do more than just adjust it. I want to retrain it so it stops bothering me as much. 

For the past two years, I have been having problems with my lower back. I felt that working out would help that issue too.

2012 Valentine’s Day Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em

Second time I have run this race. I was tempted not to run this race because I was not feeling very well. Once I got warmed up, I started to feel better. I did not run the whole race. I did run the first 2 miles though. This was not my best time since I started doing 5Ks but still pretty good since I have not been training.

Jason Lee Bowen

bib number: 1641

age: 36

gender: M

location: Seattle, WA

overall place: 2057 out of 2360

division place: 222 out of 236

gender place: 694 out of 754

time: 46:32

pace: 15:01

gun time: 49:28

Sunset from the Bridge

Caught a sunset from Aurora Avenue Bridge on the 4th of July. I did not have my camera so after work on Tuesday, I walked over to catch a sunset again. The walk was good. The shaken beer poured into a water bottle, not so much. But at least I had a beer on the bridge. The music on my MP3 player has been listened to and now it is time to put some new music on my player.

I guess I got there a little late for the whole sunset.

Short video of the sunset

One thing I have learned/remembered from the past two days of sunsets, sunsets are better when sharing with someone.

Midnight Run

Firecracker 5000 5K

July 3, 2011 in Seattle, WA

bib number: 72

age: 35

gender: M

location: Seattle, WA

overall place: 1196 out of 1352

division place: 139 out of 150

gender place: 516 out of 561

time: 41:23

pace: 13:21

gun time: 43:03

01/09/2011

I went for a walk today. Found a path through some woods that started at St. Marks. I know I took a picture of the sign at the top of the path but I can not find the picture.

The path had some nice switchbacks but the footing was fun. And by fun I mean muddy, leafy, and slippery. All the water from the hill was running into this stream.

One of the two bridges I encountered on this trail. One of the many logs across the path down the hill.

All the way at the top of the hill is St. Marks Cathedral.

This was a plant along the sidewalk near the University Village Shopping Center. I walked out there to get a Jamba Juice. And killed 45 minutes at Office Depot playing Angry Birds on a device similar to an iPad.

Then I went and caught a bus back to Capitol Hill. I went grocery shopping then went to the bar for dinner and a beer.

01/06/2011

Work with a Dentist visit in the afternoon. The views from the chair at the Dentist’s is very nice.

A walk home after work. I was going to go to the Seattle Art Museum after work  to see Picasso but the crowd was big. I did not feel like I would be able to handle the crowd. The exhibit closes on the 17th. Mark is visiting so I think I will take him to the show.
Walking to the Seattle Art Museum, I passed this sign for the West Edge Neighborhood. I know every little block in Seattle wants to have its own identity but sometimes the names and the neighborhoods just seem silly to me.

1/4/2011

Took a #2 bus up the hill. I was going to walk home after work but the bus was there and it had rained. I walked through the park. I stopped to watch some soccer action on the field. I do not know if the rain drops on the lens or all the light sources made focusing such a problem.

There was some bike polo on one of the old tennis courts. Stopped to take a phone call near the iced over reservoir. Then on the construction wall was a picture. I took several photos but could not decide on just one.

I wonder if the construction site will blow up the red walls. Now that would be A BOOM.

1/3/2011 A Day Off

Woke up early like normal. I even got ready early. But I did not start the day until late. Started the day late with breakfast at Glo’s. Went back to the apartment and watched Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol. A short walk up through the park where I found an iced over body of water.

A blurry picture of a dog out on the ice.

I kept trying to get a better picture of the ice but my first picture is still the best picture.

An ice chunk above the solid pond.

The ice rink was looking pretty solid. Watching the guy with the kid and the dog out on the ice was very tempting.

A guy, a dog, and a child out on the ice

A dog chasing ice