Something To End The Year On.

I really went into this month trying to think what I have to be thankful for in my life. With all that goes on with the month I'm really proud that I have stuck to my guns on this thought. So in this part of my life here are a few things I am thankful for.

I am so thankful I can run. There is nothing physically stopping me from doing what I love to do without any thought. (Now if I can get over this sinus and ear infection I'm good to go.) I know being able to do this seems like a no brainer but it's really a big deal. There are a lot of people who can't hop out of bed and do ten miles or even one. To be able to run, ride, or swim is something I am really thankful for.

Where I live is a big thank you. I have tons of places to run. I have roads with lanes to run on. I have hundreds of miles of trails. I can do long tempo runs, hills, track.... you name it and I can run it. Most of the time the weather is not a problem. There is always sometime during the day when I can run and usually you will see somebody running at all times of the day around here. Which leads me that I'm thankful for living in an area where there is so many runners and running is ingrained into the community. I can a race every weekend if I want to without going any father than twenty miles. I have three running stores and two cycling stores within ten miles of me. Wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And to me the most important thing to be thankful for is the support of great friends. To have so many wonderful people in your corner who love doing the things you do gives me the perfect lift I need to try all the things I love.  To say lets run a marathon and to have people jump in the "lets go" is beyond great. And to have a group that really cheers for each other is the best bonus a person could ask for.

Just take a moment and think of all the things you can be thankful for in your life.

More to come.....

A Few of My Favorite Things.

I had to include something from my Jingle Jog last weekend. Another one of my favorite things.

1. "Don't focus on the fall-focus on getting up!"
It was another day at work when this VP called. I could hear him yelling over the phone three cubes away. Next thing I know I see people freaking out all upset trying to figure out what went wrong. Then there was Lynda. She was a processor of thirty years and she was shaking her head and waving me over. With a slight grin she said to me " Let's fix this.". In less than an hour the problem was solved. Everybody else were still upset blaming this and that, bla, bla, bla. Later I found an email instructing them not to work that file until he approved it. The guy was so nice he didn't even apologize.
Don't waist you time on the problem. I believe in doing so only increases its size. Focus on solving and feel a whole lot better.

2. "If you can't grow corn, grow beans! If you can't grow beans, grow potatoes......."
I admire the guy down the street. I see him the other day putting flyers in the mailboxes and he stops by to say hi. He tells me it's too cold to paint so he was working as a trainer. Also he is running a website. And has another few logs in the fire. The guy doesn't stop! He just keeps on going. You have to love it.
If you run into a wall go around, go under,go through! Just keep going.

3. "The most important things for survival."
Food, fuel, shelter, and the biggie-positive attitude! You can have the first three but you will never get up without the forth. I can rely on this every time to get me out any problem. A positive attitude is the map that shows you all the options (see 1 and 2). Don't get wrong I've crawled into the hole on numerous occasions. But just starting to put myself in a better place opens up those doors and windows keeping me in.

So here has been my situation. Sick kids. A nice little bug that took up camp in school.
Should I just be bummed I can't run and blame the kids? I love my kids and the first thing I want to do is care for them and I always will because they are the greatest kids on earth. (No bias here right). So I'm not going to bummed over the situation if I can't run.
After a second of thought I could figure out when I could run. I have a 1.1 mile route around the block I could  do after the kids go to sleep and my wife could watch them. I have a dozen or so workouts a friend gave me. Those can be 20 minutes that gets the heart and muscles going good. I have a trainer for my bike. And so on...If I want to workout I can.

Another one of my favorite things is my friends. I have great friends. More often than not they show you how to get up, help you figure out what to grow, and give you a shot of positive attitude. All you have to do is be open to it.

More to come....

The First Step is the Hardest. Pt II

I think it's true in what ever we do in our life. My first step today was getting out in 20deg (feels like 14) weather. And like my grandmother would say " just eat it!". So after sitting in my car for five minutes I jumped out and started my run. Why was I dreading this? I love running in the cold! Feels great and I can't wait to get back out there.I can't wait for a long run-most likely Friday.

Also I believe in the saying "Do what you love-love what you do". What can I do to make a living running? I would love to be a running partner. Not a trainer or a coach but a running partner. I would love to help people who want to start or just started running what it's all about. Help with a plan, find some shoes, whatever they want to get out of running. They want to run a marathon- I will be more than happy to take every step with them to achieve their goal. One of the best things I've seen is when I saw a woman run out to her car and proudly put a 26.2 sticker on her back window. She was so proud I had to clap with her. I want to help people get that feeling. That " I did it !" feeling. Is that not the greatest feeling in the world. I will be your biggest cheerleader. I'm not going to yell at you in a negative way. If you don't feel like running that day-no big deal. We just adjust and move on. I would work cheap too. I think I could start at $5 a regular run and more for longer ones. Pay for my race number and I'm there right beside you the whole way. What a way to make a living.

Now I just need to figure out the first step.

Also a moment for John on the anniversary -Give peace a chance...

More to come.......

The First Step is the Hardest

It is cold! I mean freak'n cold! Thanksgiving I was running in shorts and a short sleeve shirt and sweating. Now it's below freezing. What the frak!

The Zen thing is that it would be cold wether I run or not. And it's not like I don't have the cold weather gear. I guess it's age. Every year now it's seems to take a few days to get out into the cold. Once I'm out I'm great. It's just that first step. Might as well break out the gear and go. Once more into the breach...

More to come....

Like a Moth To A Flame!

First I have to say I've crossed over to the other side. I got an IPhone. I resisted forever! Now I'm hooked. You know the first thing I had to get was a running app. Now I'm really hooked, especially now my watch is broke ( Dear Santa- The new Timex GPS with heart rate is really nice)

Ok now for something completely different. Why am I drawn to distance? I see a race across the state and I start to drowl. All I can do is think is that is the coolest thing since butter grits. I want to do that! I have to do it!


Last year it was an Ironman. I could see myself crossing the finish line. I could hear them calling my name and calling me Ironman. Then my life came tumbling down.It is what it is. But I have come to realize it will still be there and my name will be called.

Now on to the ultramarathons !!! So far I've got lined up a 50k and the 100 miler. And they will be mine come hell or high water. The miles are going up and I'm going out.

More to come.....

Bring out the funky!

First I would just like to comment on something. I'm all about the freebies. I never pass up on a chance for something  free ( just look at my collection of waterbottles ). But I'm also skeptical about it too. Nothing worst than when something is free and there is shipping and handling so your actually paying more than the worth of the freebie. So when I saw an ad for a free pair of Powersox  I was waiting for the catch. Guess what -no catch! And I got my socks and they a great socks. So next time you see the ad -go get them. Actually I'm thinking about buying some now.

Also I hope everybody had a great holiday weekend. One of my favorite things to do now on Thanksgiving is a Gobble Jog. What a way to kick off the holiday by burning off some calories. Another thing for me now is to find socks for my holiday runs. For a half  I did on Halloween I found some Halloween socks. For a daylight saving run ( I know its not a holiday but it was at 2 in the morning) I had glow in the dark socks. So for turkey day why not break out some turkey socks? Well that was easier said than done. I know I was behind the curve waiting the day before but I held onto hope anyway. Well I didn't find my turkey ones but I was able to set myself for Jingle Jogs. Nothing like cranking out a race in Santa cocks.

If your not into holiday themes why not just some crazy socks. My favorite pair are my rubber ducky ones. I don' t know about running a marathon in crazy dress socks but I do know you can do fun runs in them. Why not?

More to come.....

John

Today while I was running I once again saw this guy.He is in his 50s with Einstein hair and big full mustache. I see him all the time running with somebody and if I'm there long enough I see him again with somebody else.  This guy is great-this guy reminds me of John.

I met John 30 years ago. I was trying to run a lot during my that summer break so I was out almost every morning trying my best to improve. John was also out almost every morning but for different reasons. John was in his late thirties and loved to run.So seeing each other on the roads we were bound to end up running together. The great thing about John is that he would run whatever you wanted to run. He just wanted to run! Five miles at a 7min pace-he was there. Hill workout, right there with you. He was happy to meet you anywhere (most of the time he would run there). John was a pure runner. Never even wore a watch. Never did a race because it just wasn't his thing. It wasn't that he couldn't keep up. Hell I never saw him drop back!

The cool thing also was the talks. He would talk about anything. We would go out on these long runs (of unknown distance because he never measured them). And he would tell me about all the places he ran. He worked for an airline and he would take these trips to different cities and just run. What a great way to see a new place!

Come to find out John just wasn't just a great guy to run with but he was also a great guy all around. He was heavily involved in his church. He lived in a small house with a big flat backyard that was mostly a vegetable garden. What he didn't eat (he was really big into growing what he ate) he gave away to the older members and anybody who needed help in his church.

John I hope your still running and enjoying the wonders of the world.

More to come.....

Yes you are a runner!

I had a great run yesterday. Two if you count the fact that I broke it into two parts. The first was a 5k. I felt so good that I decided to just "take off" and go go go. Ran the best 5k than I have ran in a long long time-22:14. The second run was just a bit slower around 8:30 and was 2 miles. But these runs are not while I'm here.

While I was sitting there, taking a sip of water and putting on my music I was people watching. I watched some ladies run in and over to their cars. Just behind them was another woman. She was a bit heavier, wearing a t-shirt and old sweat pants and was running at a much slower pace. I watch as the other two give her the look. I know that look, she saw them looking at her, and I cleared my throat to let them know I saw them looking at her. What is that look? That " What are you doing here look?".

You don't need a sticker on the back of car.You don't have to have the shirt on from your last race. You don't need a fancy watch that gives your exact mileage, pace, bla, bla, bla. You don't need tempo runs, hill workouts, and a pair of shoes for each of those workouts.

Don't get me wrong I will stack up stuff against anybody  and I have all of it . The difference is that I'm happy to see anybody out running. When ever I pass someone in my car I see running I say " God bless you! Keep on running!"

I was that woman four years ago. I was carrying around 40 more pounds than I am now and could only run less than a mile at a time. I don't know how long she had been running but I thought doing good.

When she walked by me I said " See you tomorrow!"  And when I see her again I will be happy to cheer her on because- Yes she is a runner! Keep on running.

More to come....

Sometimes its not all about you.

I love fun runs. I hope I do since I did three last weekend (morning, night, next afternoon). Especially the small ones-the ones with only a hundred people or so.

The first one I did was one of those small ones. I stood in the back to let all the sprinters take there shot at the first mile. Then I found someone to keep me at a nice pace until mile 2 when I could start to kick. So at mile 2 I picked it up and as I went by I thanked him as was on my way. I can usually do this kick at a 7:30 pace and when I do I pass a few people along the way. I have one rule though- I don't pass kids. I can't do it and I don't want to. So with that in mind of course  just after I pass the gentleman I was hanging on to for the first two miles who do I run up on-a young boy. He was maybe 12 at the most and he was starting to fade. So I run up beside him, pull out my headphone and say hi. He said hi back and I asked him " you ready to take this home?". He smiled and we picked up the pace. Then with the finish line in sight " ok you ready to kick?". With that he pulled whatever he left in the tank and showed all of us what a great kick he had. It was great! When we finished I thanked for a great race and offered some water. Seeing a kid accomplish something is one of the greatest things in the world.

More to come....

Rain part 2

It rained again yesterday. But this time instead of sitting here wallowing in my head I took to the streets. What a feeling! Something about it makes me feel alive. Don't get me wrong I like good clear days too. But something about the rain, the cold...... It just makes it fun to me. I remember last winter I would be out there in freezing weather busting out ten and the only other person I would see is who I like to call the Viking Lady. I called her that because she is tough with a capital T. And the fact I would pound my chest with a Viking salute every time I saw her on the road.

No matter what the conditions-make it count.

More to come....

Every run is a great run

I'm always striving for a peaceful life. "Conflict is suffering" and who wants to suffer-inside or out. This is how I like to view running. Enjoy the ride! Time,weather, physical and mental conditioning are not things to fight. Take them in and adjust.

I came to this thought a few years ago. In all places- the middle of a marathon. I had been running for a year and this was my first marathon.( I ran years ago but don't count it since I took so long off) I had a lot of things going on and was not training like I should for a marathon. Actually my long run was a 10 miler the week before. I figured I would  jog through it with no problem. Boy was I wrong. Sure it was nice for the first few miles until my body decided to throw some fun into the day-runner's trots. Fun, fun, fun till our daddy takes the t-bird away! So that is when I joined the small elite category only known to a few- a race within the race- the porta john group. Racing one mile at a time to our next pit stop. I was having a great duel with a woman from Memphis (who I think was a pro). Through all this I learn to be in the moment. It was like the whole world opened up to me and become one of the best days of my life! When someone would ask me how I did I respond " less than a day!". Marriage, kids born, marathon all rank up there as best days ever. Now to me every run is a great run. Fast, slow, long, short, heat, rain.....just enjoy the ride.

More to come....

Now What!

So what do I do now? Why me? What did I do? Questions that raced through my head on a loop. After time I think the comments would wear anybody down. I'm the first to admit I'm not perfect but I am who I am and I'm a good person. My love has always been unconditional. How does the saying go? " The world is not what it is but how we see it." I believe it's true. I believe how we think of people is how we treat them. Ever been around someone who always thinks your wrong? Don't know what your talking about or can't understand?

Well enough of that. We are working on our problems. I've started back running. Now let's just see what it takes to get my life and sanity back.

More to come....

Rain

The other day it was raining. I enjoy a nice steady rain. Usually a rain that like that is a challenge to me, a challenge to go run. But not that day. That day all I could do is look at it from the inside of my house. It did get me thinking about how I ended up sitting there watching the rain instead of going out for a run.

It was mid July. I was training for an Ironman and it was going pretty good. I was really starting to hit my stride. I was proud of myself and how far I had come in the last six months. Because the kids were not in school I usually ran at night after they went to bed. No biggie since we have plenty of places to run with sidewalks. That night I was heading out on my twenty mile long run. I had already decided I was going to enjoy the out and back before my first step. For me it is nothing unusual to fight the first few miles until I settle in but that night it seemed I was fighting it longer than I normally do. Then at the turnaround it hit me. I can't run anymore! My legs were fine, my heart rate was fine, and I had been drinking. What was wrong with me? I tried to get going but no go so I sat down thinking maybe I just needed to rest for a few minutes and take in some gel. After a rest I thought I would try again,and again, and again. Physically I was fine. I wasn't bonking. But my head just was not in the game so I walked the ten miles home in the middle of the night wondering what had just happened.

The next morning I tried to put it behind me and go for a swim. Next to running I have to say swimming  is one of my favorite things in the world and a nice 2500 yards was on the menu. The kids like the gym so we loaded up and went as soon as we could. After a couple of hundred yards I guess the night before was not behind me. Now I can't swim! All I could do is dry off and sit on a bench for an hour. What was wrong?

I know what your thinking-over training, burnout. Well that was my first thought. But after an evening reading everything I can about it it just didn't fit it. For me this was worst than any injury.

So for the next few day I mull around sinking deeper and deeper. I had decided to just give up. My friend had called to see how I was doing and to talk about the vacation he had just gotten back from the day before. First just let me say I have great friends. Not only do we share a passion for the same things but they a good people too. I tell him everything. I apologize for letting him down. I felt so bad for letting my friends down. By then I had stared figuring out what was wrong. My life was in the crapper and all the junk in my head was weighting me down and he knew it.

I've always been sensitive about making sure my passions didn't overtake time from my family. I ran at night. The kids liked the gym so that was good and if I need to I could ride my bike on the trainer. I made sure all my work at home was kept up. Most of my training was done during the week so the weekends were free. My friends were behind 100% and were the best cheerleaders in the world.

With all that I had going for me the decision to quit had come down to a couple of lousy sentences from the one person in the world you always hoped would be in your corner. We had gone to by shoes and when we checked out my name has a membership next to it that gives me a discount. The sentences " Why is that on there? Your not an ultrarunner or a trail runner." That was the whisper that  caused  the avalanche that told my mind to give, it just wasn't worth it anymore.

More to come.....

Hope this works!

I don't know why I'm doing this-well I do know. I'm hoping this is a place for me to talk about one of the things I love most-running. And through running I can get my sanity back. More to come.