March 2012....On a roll.

      Well March has ended with a bang.  I ran two 5 K's one of them with my 7 year old daughter.  I am so proud of her.  I take her and my 3 year old running with me on Sundays.  I enjoy the time with them and we even get some exercise.   I call it jog/ walk/ stop/ look/ whine/ jog day.  It's worth it though.  I have been pretty consistent this month with my schedule until I hurt my neck pretty good.  But I picked it right back up.  How am I managing to run 4 days a week?  My oldest daughter ran a 1/2 mile fun run at the YMCA the day before Easter.   They also allowed her to do the 100 yard dash.  I did the 5K which she wanted to do so desperately, but I was concerned the distance would be tough if not too much for a 7 year old.  A week later I allowed her to do a 5K with me while I pushed my youngest daughter in a jogging stroller, which was a first time and holy moly is that hard.  I am so proud of her as she actually completed it and won a medal.  

     Week nights between 10-11 pm I'm climbing into bed hoping to make it to the sound of my iPhone jarring me awake to get moving at 4:40am. Then dealing with the occasional baby cry, or nightmare, or night terror (one of the worst ways to be woken up), to a baby cry again.  I blink and it's 4:40am and I am begrudingly dragging my tired butt from the warmth of my bed.  I'm dressed and outside stretching within 10 minutes.  The cool morning air wakes me up more than the ice cold water on my Garmin heart rate strap. I'm breathing easier and ready to go.  Then I'm off into he darkness running the lone streets in peace. Nothing to hear but my feet and breathing. The occasional chime on my watch notifying me of the time.  I run steadily the set distance or time I've designated on my schedule.  Then I'm home and rushing to get myself ready before the kids wake up.  Usually that happens not too long after I'm through the door.  

     I head to work with my cup of coffee or two then sit in my office being a little tired throughout the day.  I've been asked why am I tiring myself out by getting up so early?  Well, it's because I will be tired either way, this way I feel good about myself and I know I've accomplished something.  I am taking steps to further my health and increasing my time with my my family.     It's also my time.   

This month has ended with he following stats:

Miles: 41.12

Time: 7.4 hours
Calories burned: 7,314

Heart and Sole!

T-minus one hour and 40 minutes remaining. I have the pre-run jitters even though I'm not competing with anyone but myself. I just want to be able to run the whole 3.2 miles without stopping. That's a ton to ask for someone who has sporadically run within the last few weeks after months away from it. I'm running from my inner demons and past. I am running for my present and future. I'm running.

!

  I am very relieved I was capable of finishing with how much my routine is lacking. I am going to do this.  It was a tough run, but I enjoyed it.   Running is very therapeutic and it amazing.  Complete and total strangers cheer you on from the beginning until the end.  At the conclusion the field of runners, walkers, and spectators coagulate around and enjoy each others company.  This is a typical fun run.  I'm sure competitive races are slightly different.



UPDATE 02-12-12:
It's been 1 week since I ran the Heart and Sole 5K.  I am very proud and ecstatic to report I have run a total of 10.32 miles this week.   I believe I am on my way to a routine again, and looking for the next organized event.  

2012.....A New Beginning.

     Well... It's January 1st 2012. I am out of shape, tired, and depressed. I am trying to get back to running. I ran for the first time the other day since October.

     Ever since June 25th 2011, my life has been turned upside down and shredded apart. Losing my son Cullen was horrific. At the same time I was supposed to be rejoicing Grady. The conflicting emotions and trying to make everything look ok to a 6 year old and 2 year old just stacked on top of this mountainous pressure. The stress and sadness has caused me to lose myself. It has been improper eating and lack of sleep for months that has added back poundage to my waist line and subtracted from my life.

     I am turning over a new leaf. I am starting fresh. I have to get myself back. I will conquer this. I will prevail. I will win for my wife, kids, and self preservation. I love my wife and children with all my heart and hurting myself also hurts them. If you see me slacking or losing self control yank my leash hard.

     Thank you for your support and prayers over these last few months. We needed them.

Vernon Powell 5K

10/1/11: What a fun day. We started with soccer at the YMCA. Georgia spent 42 minutes of crying
and 5 minutes of actually paying soccer.

Big G at Pee Wee soccer.

After soccer we went to Holly Grove for Stella's school's fall festival where big G got our moneys worth of bounce house and obstacle course time. She also got to ride a horse and both girls got their hair painted.  It was a lot of fun.

The Horse G wanted to call Jacques. 

Purplish hair

After the fall festival we came home where there was a quick turn around and we were off again.  This time we went to Vernon Powell shoe store where I ran there annual 5K.  A fun run through sand, mud, and side streets finished with free beer and food at the finish line.  I ran well and actually finished better than at the Hidden Treasures 5K.  I really enjoyed having my family at the finish line.  It was a really great day!

Vernon Powell 5K course

After the run with my beautiful little athlete.

Trekking along!

I started off my morning with a nice cool run and it felt good. I am still a little sore but it felt exhilarating. I enjoyed my quite and peaceful renewal. My spiritual cleansing. Until a stupid skunk ran out in front of me. We both scared the daylights out of each other. I am truly happy I didn't scare something else out of him as he ran away and I was back pedaling.

I have just finished reading Ultra-marathon Man by Dean Karnazes. A truly inspirational and uplifting book. I have a renewed sense of life after reading this book. It really brought clarity to my running and the joy I take away from it.

I have another 5K this weekend at Vernon Powell. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I know it's not a race but I want to do well. Here's to a good run. It all goes down after a morning of Peewee soccer at the YMCA and then the fall festival at my oldest daughters school.

Hidden Treasure 5K 2011!

Well, I ran the Hidden Treasures 5K for the 2nd year now. I did ok. After being off for 3 weeks I was able to pull off a 31.28.4 minute 5K. The weather was overcast and humid which also made the course tougher this year. It was cool this year as I got to see people I knew and run with a friend. I finished 4th in my age group again. I am pleased. I am doing another 5K next weekend at Vernon Powells after we go to Stella's fall festival at school. I may also sign up for a Halloween run at PRMC. We'll see about that. I want to be better prepared this time. I had fun seeing my wife, children, and friends at the finish line. My parents also drove down from New Jersey to watch. Now that it's all said and done boy am I tired.

Awesome run!

Well I got to run yesterday morning and had an awesome pace. I'm probably going to miss todays run and i'll do a 2 miler tomorrow before heading to Annapolis. I have to run because I think this hurricane is going to screw up this weekends training. I may just be able to at least match last years run.

9/9/11
Well I'm going to be a glutton for punishment and do my 3 mile run tomorrow morning and 40 minute long run Sunday...weather pending.