...means training starts for the next.
After this marathon of a year that has tested my limits and emotions many times, I can proudly say I crossed the finish line with my head held high. I am sure that I learned a ton this last year, about myself and about my family and hopefully I will actually take the time to reflect on it and take the lessons to heart.
But when one race ends another immediately takes it's place.
Being a husband and father again comes with it's own challenges, such as my schedule and free time are no longer my own, I have to take into consideration the feelings of the three amazing girls in my house, Wrestling some of the control back from my wife, (including the remote). I forgot how stressful being a father is, and while it is a good stress, it is stressful none the less.
Above all though, I am grateful to God for answering all our prayers in this last year. He gave us the opportunity to be financially stable for the first time in our married lives, and he brought me home to a loving wife and daughters with nary a scratch. He remained faithful to me through some very tough times and I have not lost sight or focus of the fact that God's grace is the reason I continue to be able to come home from my deployments to my family.
I am looking forward to what is in store for my amazing family in the immediate and long term future and cant wait to experience all that God has to offer me and my family.
Oh...and I am also looking forward to lacing up some new trail shoes and putting in some serious miles...
Excuse me I have a tea date with a pretty blonde, that I am late for.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Night Running in Afghanistan
It was too hot to run yesterday afternoon, I only got 3 miles before I had to call it quits. I was pretty bummed and dejected last night, so I decided to give it a try....yep, I threw on my headlamp, grabbed a water bottle and took to my trail at night.
WOW, what fun...though it is eerily creepy running in Taliban country in the middle of the night, with only a headlamp on..and every noise made my heart jump. In the distance I could hear wild dogs howling, and getting a bit closer all the time. Maybe they saw my light, or could smell my sweat, but whatever..I wasnt too concerned as I had a chain link fence between me and the wilderness.
After 5.5 miles I decided to call it a night, it was slow going, running with a headlamp. The tunnel vision makes it difficult to run quickly and I was barely staying under a 12 minute pace...it was a good lesson for me though, and I can't wait to do another one, though I think next time will be stateside.
Oh, and here is a pic of the Change of Command ceremony from today. I am the one on the right.
WOW, what fun...though it is eerily creepy running in Taliban country in the middle of the night, with only a headlamp on..and every noise made my heart jump. In the distance I could hear wild dogs howling, and getting a bit closer all the time. Maybe they saw my light, or could smell my sweat, but whatever..I wasnt too concerned as I had a chain link fence between me and the wilderness.
After 5.5 miles I decided to call it a night, it was slow going, running with a headlamp. The tunnel vision makes it difficult to run quickly and I was barely staying under a 12 minute pace...it was a good lesson for me though, and I can't wait to do another one, though I think next time will be stateside.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The Month of April, On to the Future
The month of April is in the books, and even though I had a rough week of training last week, I still managed to put up 135 miles for the month. That is the most I have ever ran in a single month....and I am proud to say that I did it all on a .2 mile section of trail. That is a lot of back and forth...lol.
May is starting out on fire!! I have had a solid week of running so far and the last month or so of strength training is starting to pay off as well, as my upper body is beginning to feel fit and firm again. I have always been one of those "Fat but Fit" types, and I am trying to get to a "no butts about it, Fit" level.
My racing calandar is pretty much finalized, and I cant wait to get started! I kick off the season on June 10th at Garden of the God's with a 10 mile run. I will be going hard, as this is my first taste of racing and I want to know where I am truly at, fitness wise. Goal: 1:12:00 or better.
July 8th is the Summer Round-up 12k, and I will be meeting up with some friends from around Colorado that day to run 12k of trails and just enjoy all that life has to offer. After that, there are a couple more trail races available, but my focus (training wise) will be completely on September and October.
My amazing daughters are coming to visit during the month of August and we may do a Mud Run together, because that just looks like fun!
September is where it is all going to happen, the 15th I have my first Triathlon: Xterra Pueblo- 1.5k swim, 14 mile mountain bike, 4 mile run. I cant begin to explain how stoked I am to finally be racing a triathlon, and the outcome of this race will help me forecast if it is something I want to focus more on in the future.
September 22nd is my biggest and furthest race of the year, the Run Rabbit Run 50 miler in Steamboat Springs. This is also the only race that I will be traveling to, as everything else is within 45 miles of home. I have no expectations for this race, other than to finish it. Sub 10hrs would be amazing, but if it takes me 14 hours, then I am good with that as well.
I then take two weeks off and return to Colorado Springs for the Xterra Marathon of Trail Races on Cheyenne Mountain. This is my goal race for the entire year, heck for the last 2 years. I am running the full marathon, with the goal of my first sub 4 hour marathon ever, and at least an age group win. Call it delusions of granduer, but everything leading up to this day is for a purpose and that is to compete and actually race this one!
To top off everything I will be running for a great charity called Global Action, who's work spreads the love of Jesus Christ to impoverished men, women and children around the world; not just by telling people they need Jesus, but by actually putting roofs over their heads, giving them an education and helping them become self sufficient members of society....our hearts are shown in our actions, as words have very little lasting meaning. I hope that all of my readers (all 4 of you) will join me in this effort to spread some love around the world. Go to www.globalaction.com for more info. (there will be a donation page and a page from me up soon)
"I will run with endurance the race set before me..." Hebrews 12:1a
May is starting out on fire!! I have had a solid week of running so far and the last month or so of strength training is starting to pay off as well, as my upper body is beginning to feel fit and firm again. I have always been one of those "Fat but Fit" types, and I am trying to get to a "no butts about it, Fit" level.
My racing calandar is pretty much finalized, and I cant wait to get started! I kick off the season on June 10th at Garden of the God's with a 10 mile run. I will be going hard, as this is my first taste of racing and I want to know where I am truly at, fitness wise. Goal: 1:12:00 or better.
July 8th is the Summer Round-up 12k, and I will be meeting up with some friends from around Colorado that day to run 12k of trails and just enjoy all that life has to offer. After that, there are a couple more trail races available, but my focus (training wise) will be completely on September and October.
My amazing daughters are coming to visit during the month of August and we may do a Mud Run together, because that just looks like fun!
September is where it is all going to happen, the 15th I have my first Triathlon: Xterra Pueblo- 1.5k swim, 14 mile mountain bike, 4 mile run. I cant begin to explain how stoked I am to finally be racing a triathlon, and the outcome of this race will help me forecast if it is something I want to focus more on in the future.
September 22nd is my biggest and furthest race of the year, the Run Rabbit Run 50 miler in Steamboat Springs. This is also the only race that I will be traveling to, as everything else is within 45 miles of home. I have no expectations for this race, other than to finish it. Sub 10hrs would be amazing, but if it takes me 14 hours, then I am good with that as well.
I then take two weeks off and return to Colorado Springs for the Xterra Marathon of Trail Races on Cheyenne Mountain. This is my goal race for the entire year, heck for the last 2 years. I am running the full marathon, with the goal of my first sub 4 hour marathon ever, and at least an age group win. Call it delusions of granduer, but everything leading up to this day is for a purpose and that is to compete and actually race this one!
To top off everything I will be running for a great charity called Global Action, who's work spreads the love of Jesus Christ to impoverished men, women and children around the world; not just by telling people they need Jesus, but by actually putting roofs over their heads, giving them an education and helping them become self sufficient members of society....our hearts are shown in our actions, as words have very little lasting meaning. I hope that all of my readers (all 4 of you) will join me in this effort to spread some love around the world. Go to www.globalaction.com for more info. (there will be a donation page and a page from me up soon)
"I will run with endurance the race set before me..." Hebrews 12:1a
Sunday, April 15, 2012
LOST: Motivation
So running the same 2 tenth of a mile strip of trail back and forth, over and over again has now drained all my motivation to put in any serious miles. All our treadmills are again broken, and I just cant bring myself to use an eliptical.
Lets couple this with I have officially ran a hole through the sole of my NB905's ...yes, I can stick my whole finger through this hole....and legs that dont seem to want to run fast anymore...I just dont know how to get kick started.
What makes the whole thing worse is that this funk couldnt come at a worse time! My training plan for Run Rabbit Run starts this week....total of 48-52 miles... that is 250 trips back and forth on my .2 mile piece of trail. I know this type of tediousness should be building mental toughness, and maybe in part it has, as I have ran 360 miles on this trail so far this year. But I just dont know how much more of it I can take.
The good news is I only have 3 weeks left in this country and I start heading home. back to Colorado; back to Sarah, Miss K and Miss C; back to cold beer and hot tubs; back to the land of chiropractors and massage therapists.
I will dutifully continue to put in the miles and train as hard as I can...but somedays the three year old inside wants to throw an "I DONWANNA" temper tantrum, throw myself on the floor and kick, scream and cry until I fall asleep sucking my thumb.
But One does not simply show up to a 50 mile trail race un prepared...so run I will, because run I must only because soon, when I am home, I want to run amok. Thanks for listening to me rant faithful readers...other than quiet woods and silky singletrack, ya'll are the best listeners.
Lets couple this with I have officially ran a hole through the sole of my NB905's ...yes, I can stick my whole finger through this hole....and legs that dont seem to want to run fast anymore...I just dont know how to get kick started.
What makes the whole thing worse is that this funk couldnt come at a worse time! My training plan for Run Rabbit Run starts this week....total of 48-52 miles... that is 250 trips back and forth on my .2 mile piece of trail. I know this type of tediousness should be building mental toughness, and maybe in part it has, as I have ran 360 miles on this trail so far this year. But I just dont know how much more of it I can take.
The good news is I only have 3 weeks left in this country and I start heading home. back to Colorado; back to Sarah, Miss K and Miss C; back to cold beer and hot tubs; back to the land of chiropractors and massage therapists.
I will dutifully continue to put in the miles and train as hard as I can...but somedays the three year old inside wants to throw an "I DONWANNA" temper tantrum, throw myself on the floor and kick, scream and cry until I fall asleep sucking my thumb.
But One does not simply show up to a 50 mile trail race un prepared...so run I will, because run I must only because soon, when I am home, I want to run amok. Thanks for listening to me rant faithful readers...other than quiet woods and silky singletrack, ya'll are the best listeners.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
A Heavy Heart
The news today about the loss of Caballo struck a weird nerve with me. Never had the loss of a celebrity of any sort affected me, or gave me pause to reflect. But Micah on the other hand, I think touched a sensitive spot in every runner that knew his name. He was the one who ispired us to not be afraid of our dreams; to get out and do what you love every day. That we can do anything we believe in, if we dont listen to those who tell us we can't. That all that matters in life are a few close friends and family, some good food, some dancing and a great run.
I had always felt in my heart that I would meet Caballo, at some race in the middle of nowhere and that running with him would make me understand myself. I know, it is laughable, and it can obviously never happen now...but thanks to BTR, I can carry some of his wisdom with me. Some people run Ultra distances to see what they are made of, some out of fear or conquering it, others for enlightenment; I think Caballo represented the best of all those traits.
So today on my run, which I had planned for 10 miles, I felt a little extra strength and decided to go until I was too tired to run anymore. As I was finishing my 10th mile another runner appeared on the trail a few hundred yards ahead of me...the racer in me knew I had to catch this other runner, pass him, and drop him. I dont know why, it was just a long run day...but for this last mile there was a fire in my belly that brought my 10:30's down to low 8 that I held over the last mile and a half. It only took me a few minutes to catch and drop this new comer, but I didnt let up...not until it felt like my lungs were going to burst on the last climb did I decide to call it a day. I am glad that I remembered how to race and to run....it didnt even feel like work until the end. Easy, Light, Smooth and Fast...just like the man said.
I had always felt in my heart that I would meet Caballo, at some race in the middle of nowhere and that running with him would make me understand myself. I know, it is laughable, and it can obviously never happen now...but thanks to BTR, I can carry some of his wisdom with me. Some people run Ultra distances to see what they are made of, some out of fear or conquering it, others for enlightenment; I think Caballo represented the best of all those traits.
So today on my run, which I had planned for 10 miles, I felt a little extra strength and decided to go until I was too tired to run anymore. As I was finishing my 10th mile another runner appeared on the trail a few hundred yards ahead of me...the racer in me knew I had to catch this other runner, pass him, and drop him. I dont know why, it was just a long run day...but for this last mile there was a fire in my belly that brought my 10:30's down to low 8 that I held over the last mile and a half. It only took me a few minutes to catch and drop this new comer, but I didnt let up...not until it felt like my lungs were going to burst on the last climb did I decide to call it a day. I am glad that I remembered how to race and to run....it didnt even feel like work until the end. Easy, Light, Smooth and Fast...just like the man said.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Nothing to Say
I am really just writing right now, to see what comes out. There really isnt anything specific or important on my mind, other than the need to just put words on the screen. Maybe this is narcisistic, maybe a touch egocentric, but I really dont care. If you are reading this, you can probably stop now, as I doubt there will be anything profound in this blog.
Currently listening to A TON of blues, everything from B.B. King to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes to Elmore James and Hubert Sumlin. I gotta say, I love listening to the "old school dudes" much more than I like the new guitarists. Don't get me wrong Joe Bonomassa is amazing, but there is something soul stirring that is in the old stuff. Nothing can compare to B.B. King singing The Thrill is Gone or Albert King's Born Under a Bad Sign. There is so much soul, and pain and heartache and hope in those original versions that you cant help but feel the music.
There is just something special about a true bluesman, maybe it's their honesty, no worried about being flashy, not trying to go over the top, just playing what is in their hearts. It doesnt matter if they are the greatest singer in the world, as long as what they are singing is from the heart.
I guess that is what really matters in life, it doesnt matter if you are the best so long as whatever you do is always from the heart.
Maybe this blog had something to say after all.
Currently listening to A TON of blues, everything from B.B. King to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes to Elmore James and Hubert Sumlin. I gotta say, I love listening to the "old school dudes" much more than I like the new guitarists. Don't get me wrong Joe Bonomassa is amazing, but there is something soul stirring that is in the old stuff. Nothing can compare to B.B. King singing The Thrill is Gone or Albert King's Born Under a Bad Sign. There is so much soul, and pain and heartache and hope in those original versions that you cant help but feel the music.
There is just something special about a true bluesman, maybe it's their honesty, no worried about being flashy, not trying to go over the top, just playing what is in their hearts. It doesnt matter if they are the greatest singer in the world, as long as what they are singing is from the heart.
I guess that is what really matters in life, it doesnt matter if you are the best so long as whatever you do is always from the heart.
Maybe this blog had something to say after all.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Sandblasted
Easy run today....I wish.
I HATE Wind, Sand, Hills..but I love the trail and I live to run, so ran I did. 6 miles in 30mph winds, dust storm and my hilly trail. 59:50.
Also did PT with the Afghan Army this morning....that was, Interesting to say the least. Oh well, we will call it cross training.
48 days and I am on my way home.
Streak is alive at 9 days.
shoes have 474 miles on them
that is all, you may go back to your mundane monday.
muah (see what I did there ^^)
I HATE Wind, Sand, Hills..but I love the trail and I live to run, so ran I did. 6 miles in 30mph winds, dust storm and my hilly trail. 59:50.
Also did PT with the Afghan Army this morning....that was, Interesting to say the least. Oh well, we will call it cross training.
48 days and I am on my way home.
Streak is alive at 9 days.
shoes have 474 miles on them
that is all, you may go back to your mundane monday.
muah (see what I did there ^^)
Saturday, March 17, 2012
The Worship Song Guitar Solo
During my second run today, I was listening to my iPod on shuffle again (I am kind of liking this whole getting surprised by my music thing). As I was listening to another very eclectic, very strange set-list, songs like Drown Me Slowly by Audioslave were mixing with songs like Spirit Fall by Chris Tomlin....not normally two songs that would go well together (they didnt, at all). But it got me thinking...
Why doesnt worship music translate to normal listening? Why is it okay for bands like U2 or Eric Clapton to talk about God and faith and praise on top 40 radio, but guys like Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp and Third Day dont get airplay on anything but Christian stations, or if you are like many Christians, Sunday morning only.
And then it hit me. Not only does U2 seriously rock...but it comes down to guitar solos. There are not nearly enough guitar solos in Christian music. As a guitarist, I find this very discomforting. Now, I know what everyone is going to say, that worship music is about everyone singing along and raising their hands and participating. But hear me out. How many times do we have singer "soloists" perform a piece for the congregation that people arent expected to sing along with, but marvel at that performers amazing voice and vocal acrobatics?
(Pillar playing Like a Deer)
What if that guitarist in the band, who is worshipping just as much as the singer were given the freedom to really let go and do a solo in a song? Why is that so bad? Wouldnt he be playing his instrument with skill in worship of God? Wouldn't it add a demension of dynamics and a moment for thoughtful interlude for the congregation? Just the random thoughts of a guitarist who happens to lead worship from time to time.
(Pillar playing Come thou Fount)
Think about it, wouldnt Sunday morning worship be that much more awesome if all the 40-50 year old guys in the congregation were playing air guitar to a kick-ass solo? You KNOW it would!
(Pillar playing the Doxology)
\m/ \m/
Next weeks subject...why is Christian music so sissified?
11 miles today,
had a type-o on the shoe mileage last week...they currently stand at 468 miles, not 568.
7 more planned for tomorrow to make 44 miles for the week. On track for a 120-130 mile month.
Why doesnt worship music translate to normal listening? Why is it okay for bands like U2 or Eric Clapton to talk about God and faith and praise on top 40 radio, but guys like Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp and Third Day dont get airplay on anything but Christian stations, or if you are like many Christians, Sunday morning only.
And then it hit me. Not only does U2 seriously rock...but it comes down to guitar solos. There are not nearly enough guitar solos in Christian music. As a guitarist, I find this very discomforting. Now, I know what everyone is going to say, that worship music is about everyone singing along and raising their hands and participating. But hear me out. How many times do we have singer "soloists" perform a piece for the congregation that people arent expected to sing along with, but marvel at that performers amazing voice and vocal acrobatics?
(Pillar playing Like a Deer)What if that guitarist in the band, who is worshipping just as much as the singer were given the freedom to really let go and do a solo in a song? Why is that so bad? Wouldnt he be playing his instrument with skill in worship of God? Wouldn't it add a demension of dynamics and a moment for thoughtful interlude for the congregation? Just the random thoughts of a guitarist who happens to lead worship from time to time.
(Pillar playing Come thou Fount)Think about it, wouldnt Sunday morning worship be that much more awesome if all the 40-50 year old guys in the congregation were playing air guitar to a kick-ass solo? You KNOW it would!
(Pillar playing the Doxology)Next weeks subject...why is Christian music so sissified?
11 miles today,
had a type-o on the shoe mileage last week...they currently stand at 468 miles, not 568.
7 more planned for tomorrow to make 44 miles for the week. On track for a 120-130 mile month.
The Streak Day 7
Kept the streak alive today, and I figured since it was the 7th day of the streak, I would put in at least 7 miles this morning. It was a nice, easy relaxed pace, heck...even enjoyable.
I started at 6:30 ish, with dawn just starting to break and the sun still on the backside of the mountains, and as the morning progressed, along with my steadily increasing pace, the sun rose. It was a beautiful thing to feel.
My legs felt strong and comfortable, my stride was smooth and relaxed, my cadence was even over the rough terrain and I held down 9:40's with little effort. In fact the most remarkable thing about my run today was the ecclectic playlist that I had this morning.
I just hit Play All: Shuffle, on my iPod and let it go...was I in for a treat.
these are the songs that played, in reverse order.
Souvenirs- Switchfoot
Be the One- Jeremy Camp
Enough- Disturbed
Spirit Fall- Chris Tomlin
The Show Must Go On- Pink Floyd
Zapata's Blood- Rage Against the Machine
Born Again- Newsboys
Mess of Me- Switchfoot
Beneath, Between and Behind- Rush
Satan's Bed- Pearl Jam
Virginia Moon- Foo Fighters
What Life Would Be Like- Big Daddy Weave
Empty Me- Jeremy Camp
Other Side of Things- 311
Layla- Eric Clapton
A Pocketfull of Stones-David Gilmore
Nutsymtom- 311
Yeah, not a playlist I would have picked on my own, but it kept the entire run interesting to say the least. I will try for another 7 this afternoon, and possibly 8 tomorrow morning.
I started at 6:30 ish, with dawn just starting to break and the sun still on the backside of the mountains, and as the morning progressed, along with my steadily increasing pace, the sun rose. It was a beautiful thing to feel.
My legs felt strong and comfortable, my stride was smooth and relaxed, my cadence was even over the rough terrain and I held down 9:40's with little effort. In fact the most remarkable thing about my run today was the ecclectic playlist that I had this morning.
I just hit Play All: Shuffle, on my iPod and let it go...was I in for a treat.
these are the songs that played, in reverse order.
Souvenirs- Switchfoot
Be the One- Jeremy Camp
Enough- Disturbed
Spirit Fall- Chris Tomlin
The Show Must Go On- Pink Floyd
Zapata's Blood- Rage Against the Machine
Born Again- Newsboys
Mess of Me- Switchfoot
Beneath, Between and Behind- Rush
Satan's Bed- Pearl Jam
Virginia Moon- Foo Fighters
What Life Would Be Like- Big Daddy Weave
Empty Me- Jeremy Camp
Other Side of Things- 311
Layla- Eric Clapton
A Pocketfull of Stones-David Gilmore
Nutsymtom- 311
Yeah, not a playlist I would have picked on my own, but it kept the entire run interesting to say the least. I will try for another 7 this afternoon, and possibly 8 tomorrow morning.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Ode to Grapefruits
Me: I'm thirsty...
Grapefruit Juice: You should drink me
Me: But I dont like grapefruit juice...
GJ: But you love grapefruits.
Me: Touche'
opens Grapefruit juice container takes a sip....
Me: I still hate grapefruit juice (drinks whole box).
5 more miles this morning, streak is still alive...
Grapefruit Juice: You should drink me
Me: But I dont like grapefruit juice...
GJ: But you love grapefruits.
Me: Touche'
opens Grapefruit juice container takes a sip....
Me: I still hate grapefruit juice (drinks whole box).
5 more miles this morning, streak is still alive...
Thursday, March 15, 2012
5 miles and a sign of hope
I woke up early this morning for a talk with my folks, things are healing and that is good. Afterwards I lazed around and talked with the wife and before I knew it, my run window was gone. I panicked, thinking that my streak was going to end at 4, because I honestly didnt know if I would be able to get another opportunity to run today.
As the day progressed, however, I cut out time around 3pm, that would give me an hour to run, before my next to do list task. As I was heading out to change, I was interupted by a person that I had been trying to track down all day....now he was ready for what I needed done, but he only had an hour to do it. So, run pushed back, yet again.
After I finished that tasking, I headed down to meet with my boss, and get started on a project for later this week, only to find out that it wasnt happening anymore. What's this? All of a sudden my night is free? AWESOME!!
I quickly went and changed into PT's, and grabbed Gary, the Grumpy Garmin, my headphones and hit the trail. I was pumping Avenged Sevenfold in my ears, and that increased tempo and aggression must have been the catalyst for my legs, as I warmed up with a 9:30 mile and then churned out 4 miles between 8:20 and 8:45. That is fast for these conditions and this trail. 5.2 in 44:59.
I am starting to learn and understand that trail running times do not equate (AT ALL) to road running times, some trails a max effort might get you in the 7mm range, other trails (like mine here) max effort will get you in the 8:30-9:00mm range....its the little nuances that make trail running so much more interesting than road.
Anyway....Gary stayed alive, the Tunes never died and I had a great run! What a great day....I hope tomorrow will be just the same, or better....54~~
As the day progressed, however, I cut out time around 3pm, that would give me an hour to run, before my next to do list task. As I was heading out to change, I was interupted by a person that I had been trying to track down all day....now he was ready for what I needed done, but he only had an hour to do it. So, run pushed back, yet again.
After I finished that tasking, I headed down to meet with my boss, and get started on a project for later this week, only to find out that it wasnt happening anymore. What's this? All of a sudden my night is free? AWESOME!!
I quickly went and changed into PT's, and grabbed Gary, the Grumpy Garmin, my headphones and hit the trail. I was pumping Avenged Sevenfold in my ears, and that increased tempo and aggression must have been the catalyst for my legs, as I warmed up with a 9:30 mile and then churned out 4 miles between 8:20 and 8:45. That is fast for these conditions and this trail. 5.2 in 44:59.
I am starting to learn and understand that trail running times do not equate (AT ALL) to road running times, some trails a max effort might get you in the 7mm range, other trails (like mine here) max effort will get you in the 8:30-9:00mm range....its the little nuances that make trail running so much more interesting than road.
Anyway....Gary stayed alive, the Tunes never died and I had a great run! What a great day....I hope tomorrow will be just the same, or better....54~~
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
This is me, writing
I felt I should write something, though I dont know what
So I will ramble on until something profound comes out
taking up space on this little interweb
hitting
the
enter key
as much and as of
ten
as I want to.
My eyes sting from sweat getting in them, the sweat is there because I ran,
not far enough but far enough to count. Thats twice today, I am feeling fine
better than this morning and that's always nice
I hope I can put the same effort in tomorrow that would be twice as nice and five in a row...
1 for a dollar 2 for 3 and 3 for 5, dont ask me about how much 10 costs, could be a GU or two.
Dr. Suess has nothing on this ramble, not even a fox in sox preaching on a soapbox can keep up with my lyrical musings
speaking of musings, whats so confusing about a dehydrated man, with nothing on his mind but
random words mixed into sentances.
Kerfluffle.
So I will ramble on until something profound comes out
taking up space on this little interweb
hitting
the
enter key
as much and as of
ten
as I want to.
My eyes sting from sweat getting in them, the sweat is there because I ran,
not far enough but far enough to count. Thats twice today, I am feeling fine
better than this morning and that's always nice
I hope I can put the same effort in tomorrow that would be twice as nice and five in a row...
1 for a dollar 2 for 3 and 3 for 5, dont ask me about how much 10 costs, could be a GU or two.
Dr. Suess has nothing on this ramble, not even a fox in sox preaching on a soapbox can keep up with my lyrical musings
speaking of musings, whats so confusing about a dehydrated man, with nothing on his mind but
random words mixed into sentances.
Kerfluffle.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Just Write
I used to not write anything unless I had something profoundly inspirational or world changing to say. But lately I have had an epiphany...no blog is going to set the world on fire, no blog will cure hunger or disease. These are just my own thoughts, rants and quips written for my own ego, or self loathing, or ego..or whatever I am feeling that day. So, from now on I will just write. And whatever I have written, just know that it was profound for me in that moment.
Its not like anyone else is reading this thing anyway.
oh, and I am coming out of the closet.....I like Crepe's.
Its not like anyone else is reading this thing anyway.
oh, and I am coming out of the closet.....I like Crepe's.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Eddie Vedder Could Be My Best Friend.....
...If only he would return my phone calls.
Seriously though, I find that when I listen to Pearl Jam, or Eddie's music, he hits a part of my soul and emotions that are exactly in tune with his words. From the joy of Given to Fly, the heartbreak of Betterman and Daughter, the loneliness of Elderly Woman, the angst of World Wide Suicide and the hope of Life Wasted. Every song strikes a deep rooted chord in me. Pearl Jam has become my soundtrack for not only this deployment, and many a great run, but I think my over-arching adult life.
I didnt always listen to Pearl Jam, and they arent always who I am listening to, but if one band, one musician could describe who I am, it would be Eddie and Pearl Jam.
Now, if only they would return my calls about a 4th guitarist...
Seriously though, I find that when I listen to Pearl Jam, or Eddie's music, he hits a part of my soul and emotions that are exactly in tune with his words. From the joy of Given to Fly, the heartbreak of Betterman and Daughter, the loneliness of Elderly Woman, the angst of World Wide Suicide and the hope of Life Wasted. Every song strikes a deep rooted chord in me. Pearl Jam has become my soundtrack for not only this deployment, and many a great run, but I think my over-arching adult life.
I didnt always listen to Pearl Jam, and they arent always who I am listening to, but if one band, one musician could describe who I am, it would be Eddie and Pearl Jam.
Outrunning Technology
I outran both my Garmin and iPod today...it still felt too good to stop. Checking my clock when I got back in, just under 50 minutes...so based off of effort, I will give myself 5.5 miles.
My 905's are coming to their last legs...the trails are killing them.
197 miles this year so far
505 miles on the NB's
My 905's are coming to their last legs...the trails are killing them.
197 miles this year so far
505 miles on the NB's
Tranference
Some days your heart hurts so bad that the only thing you can do is make the rest of your body hurt too. Funny, now my legs hurt but my heart feels a little better. 5 miles...48ish minutes....nothing to write home about, but then again, that may be why I was running to begin with.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
We Are What We Do
Our perceptions of self, what we know, and how we think are not endowed... they are earned. We are all the products of our experiences. Accept challenges; you may fail, but you will always grow. FORGE YOURSELF
I am now registered for the Run Rabbit Run 50 mile trail race in September. I have no idea what to expect, other than I know it is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done. I cant wait...
Now, I need a Frosty.
I am now registered for the Run Rabbit Run 50 mile trail race in September. I have no idea what to expect, other than I know it is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done. I cant wait...
Now, I need a Frosty.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Running For Global Action
About a month ago I posted something regarding possibly running for a charity called Global Action. Well, I receieved an e-mail today from my friend Nasko, who is one of the charity's directors telling me that they are all thrilled that I will be running to support them. So thrilled that they are building my own page within their website for people to go and donate, read training updates, race reports, updates on the status of the charity, the kids we are helping and the status of the project we are working on.
A little about Global Action: Global Action is a Christian Charity that focuses on children's and womens rights throughout the world. Through numerous types of projects they reach out to the most impoverished people of the world, young girls who would have no future other than prostitution and drugs, young boys who would turn to lives of crime and battered women. They do this through building shelters/churches which are free for all to come and stay, building schools to provide an education that these children would otherwise never receive, they find employment or create employment opportunities for women and men who would otherwise be left on the streets, etc.
The specific project that I am going to be running to raise money for is one of the poorest populations in India. Most children in this region end up on the streets, or working the field for less than a dollar a day. Very few children receive an education and those who do have to quit school by the 7th grade because there is no high school available to them. No one from this region of India has ever been to a university because of this. The results of not having an education are terrible for the whole region, as children and teenages end up prostituting themselves or working for slave wages. The project I am working on with Global Action will be building a larger school for these children, providing them an education that goes through high school, teaches them English, provides mentorship and the preparation for a possible future that does not include the sex trade, working the fields, or drugs and violence.
Click here for more information about building schools in India:
https://www.globalaction.com/our-ministries/children-and-youth/india-school-project/
I cant even begin to explain how excited I am to have this opportunity to run for something that is so much bigger and so much more important than myself! I am hoping to raise at least $5,000 dollars throughout this year, but I think it would be amazing if I could raise 10 times that amount.
Once they are done setting up my web page and donation page, I will provide a link so that all you super generous people can help us on our quest for a great cause.
https://www.globalaction.com/
Thanks guys, God Bless
Mike
A little about Global Action: Global Action is a Christian Charity that focuses on children's and womens rights throughout the world. Through numerous types of projects they reach out to the most impoverished people of the world, young girls who would have no future other than prostitution and drugs, young boys who would turn to lives of crime and battered women. They do this through building shelters/churches which are free for all to come and stay, building schools to provide an education that these children would otherwise never receive, they find employment or create employment opportunities for women and men who would otherwise be left on the streets, etc.
The specific project that I am going to be running to raise money for is one of the poorest populations in India. Most children in this region end up on the streets, or working the field for less than a dollar a day. Very few children receive an education and those who do have to quit school by the 7th grade because there is no high school available to them. No one from this region of India has ever been to a university because of this. The results of not having an education are terrible for the whole region, as children and teenages end up prostituting themselves or working for slave wages. The project I am working on with Global Action will be building a larger school for these children, providing them an education that goes through high school, teaches them English, provides mentorship and the preparation for a possible future that does not include the sex trade, working the fields, or drugs and violence.
Click here for more information about building schools in India:
https://www.globalaction.com/our-ministries/children-and-youth/india-school-project/
I cant even begin to explain how excited I am to have this opportunity to run for something that is so much bigger and so much more important than myself! I am hoping to raise at least $5,000 dollars throughout this year, but I think it would be amazing if I could raise 10 times that amount.
Once they are done setting up my web page and donation page, I will provide a link so that all you super generous people can help us on our quest for a great cause.
https://www.globalaction.com/
Thanks guys, God Bless
Mike
Monday, January 23, 2012
Why Push Further?
I often catch myself wondering why I continue to push for more distance in my races. Why is it the races that excite me now have "100" or more in their mileage. I have not ran a 50 mile race yet...in fact the furthest I have gone so far is 50k (31 miles), but there is something about the draw of pushing myself so far beyond my known limitations that is so very enticing and exciting. Don't get me wrong, I fully respect every distance and the athletes that excell at every distance are amazing. I would never consider looking down my nose at Ryan Hall, or Ritz because they have never run an ultra. I would never tell someone doing a C25k (Couch to 5k) that their efforts are meaningless, as that first 5k might as well be a marathon for many. But for me, even the marathon does not raise my heartrate like it used to.
Could it be a machismo thing? Am I trying to prove my manliness with every race of increasing distance? I wouldnt say that, because I wouldnt question Usain Bolt's manliness (100meter world record holder)...and he probably rarely runs further than 3 miles at a time. Not to mention that after 15 years in the Army 4 deployments to war-zones, countless fire fights and dealing with miserable conditions (not counting all the training that goes with it), I am not really worried if people don't think I am "manly". I could crochet blankets for a living and still ooze manliness..lol.
Is it adrenaline? I am not really an adrenaline junky. I dont huck my mountain bike off of huge jumps, I dont jump off of cliffs higher than 25 feet (into 20 feet of water). I have never skydived, never bungeed, and I dont ever plan to. I do ski, snowboard, kayak and white water raft. But I dont think they fall into "adrenaline" sports when I am out there mostly for the scenery and enjoyment of movement.
Maybe my love for further is a sort of Shakesperean "Romantic" ideal. Or some sort of biblical quest to push myself to my absolute limit, where I can only rely on God to carry me. As Jenn Shelton is quoted in Born to Run " I thought if you could run one hundred miles, you’d be in this Zen state. You’d be the f'n Buddha."-Jenn Shelton (BTR). Maybe that's true, maybe we run long distances, the same as we are drawn to climb mountains because we know in our hearts that 'out there' somewhere in the wilderness, in the suffering and fatigue and beauty is where God resides and he has imprinted on us the desire to find him in creation. That by pushing through our set, self imposed limits we might experience something that is far beyond the spiritual, more than an idea or a passing thought, but something that is real and clear and true, even if only for a moment and only to ourselves.
Why do I push further? Because I want to go somewhere I have never been before.
Could it be a machismo thing? Am I trying to prove my manliness with every race of increasing distance? I wouldnt say that, because I wouldnt question Usain Bolt's manliness (100meter world record holder)...and he probably rarely runs further than 3 miles at a time. Not to mention that after 15 years in the Army 4 deployments to war-zones, countless fire fights and dealing with miserable conditions (not counting all the training that goes with it), I am not really worried if people don't think I am "manly". I could crochet blankets for a living and still ooze manliness..lol.
Is it adrenaline? I am not really an adrenaline junky. I dont huck my mountain bike off of huge jumps, I dont jump off of cliffs higher than 25 feet (into 20 feet of water). I have never skydived, never bungeed, and I dont ever plan to. I do ski, snowboard, kayak and white water raft. But I dont think they fall into "adrenaline" sports when I am out there mostly for the scenery and enjoyment of movement.
Maybe my love for further is a sort of Shakesperean "Romantic" ideal. Or some sort of biblical quest to push myself to my absolute limit, where I can only rely on God to carry me. As Jenn Shelton is quoted in Born to Run " I thought if you could run one hundred miles, you’d be in this Zen state. You’d be the f'n Buddha."-Jenn Shelton (BTR). Maybe that's true, maybe we run long distances, the same as we are drawn to climb mountains because we know in our hearts that 'out there' somewhere in the wilderness, in the suffering and fatigue and beauty is where God resides and he has imprinted on us the desire to find him in creation. That by pushing through our set, self imposed limits we might experience something that is far beyond the spiritual, more than an idea or a passing thought, but something that is real and clear and true, even if only for a moment and only to ourselves.
Why do I push further? Because I want to go somewhere I have never been before.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
2012 Training Plan
I spent the night compiling three training plans into one yearly plan. It took me all night because I did it mostly to learn some of the intricacies of excel. (total sums/ auto date, etc). So even though I have some pretty ambitious goals, my training calandar is completely doable! (with the exceptions of two weeks at the end of May where I will be struggling to find places or time to run...but thats okay)
So, without further ado....
So, without further ado....
| WEEK | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | MILES |
| 1/1/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 7 | 4 | rest/xc | 10 | 28 | |
| 1/8/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0 | rest/xc | 12 | 28 |
| 1/15/2012 | rest/xc | 6 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 7 | rest | 26 |
| 1/22/2012 | rest/xc | rest | 6 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 34 |
| 1/29/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 6 | 8 | 6 | rest/xc | 16 | 43 |
| 2/5/2012 | rest/xc | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | rest/xc | 10 | 43 |
| 2/12/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | rest/xc | 16 | 47 |
| 2/19/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | rest/xc | 8 | 40 |
| 2/26/2012 | rest/xc | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | rest/xc | 18 | 55 |
| 3/4/2012 | rest/xc | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | rest/xc | 20 | 56 |
| 3/11/2012 | rest/xc | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | rest/xc | 16 | 58 |
| 3/18/2012 | rest/xc | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | rest/xc | 10 | 46 |
| 3/25/2012 | rest/xc | 9 | 3 | 9 | rest/xc | 7 | 14 | 42 |
| 4/1/2012 | rest/xc | 9 | 3 | 9 | rest/xc | 7 | 15 | 43 |
| 4/8/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 7 | 16 | 40 |
| 4/15/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 7 | 18 | 42 |
| 4/22/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 5 | 6 | rest/xc | 7 | 20 | 46 |
| 4/29/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | 8 |
| 5/6/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 18 | 24 | 60 |
| 5/13/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 18 | 24 | 60 |
| 5/20/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 13 | 7 | 38 |
| 5/27/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 18 | 24 | 60 |
| 6/3/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 18 | 24 | 60 |
| 6/10/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 27 | 24 | 69 |
| 6/17/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 27 | 24 | 69 |
| 6/24/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 4 | 6 | rest/xc | 6.2 | 10 | 34.2 |
| 7/1/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 3 | 6 | rest/xc | 12 | 12 | 41 |
| 7/8/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 3 | 6 | rest/xc | 7 | 12 | 36 |
| 7/15/2012 | rest/xc | 3 | 6 | 3 | rest/xc | rest/xc | 26.2 | 38.2 |
| 7/22/2012 | rest/xc | 3 | rest | rest | rest | 50 | rest | 53 |
| 7/29/2012 | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | 0 |
| 8/5/2012 | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | rest/xc | 0 |
| 8/12/2012 | rest/xc | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 3.5 | 8 | 43.5 |
| 8/19/2012 | rest/xc | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 16 | 62 |
| 8/26/2012 | rest/xc | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 13.1 | 17 | 66.1 |
| 9/2/2012 | rest/xc | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 68 |
| 9/9/2012 | rest/xc | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 56 |
| 9/16/2012 | rest/xc | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 67 |
| 9/23/2012 | rest/xc | 5 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 39 |
| 9/30/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 35 |
| 10/7/2012 | rest/xc | 4 | 4 | 26.2 | 34.2 | |||
| 10/14/2012 | HAWAII BABY | 0 | ||||||
| 10/21/2012 | ||||||||
| 10/28/2012 | rest/xc | 5 | 4 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 12 | 25 |
| 11/4/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 6 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 7 | 24 |
| 11/11/2012 | rest/xc | 5 | 4 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 12 | 25 |
| 11/18/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 6 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 7 | 24 |
| 11/25/2012 | rest/xc | 5 | 4 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 12 | 25 |
| 12/2/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 6 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 7 | 24 |
| 12/9/2012 | rest/xc | 5 | 4 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 12 | 25 |
| 12/16/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 6 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 7 | 24 |
| 12/23/2012 | rest/xc | 5 | 4 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 12 | 25 |
| 12/30/2012 | rest/xc | 7 | 6 | rest/xc | 4 | rest/xc | 7 | 24 |
| 2059.2 | ||||||||
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