Getting Started Early

"It appears we must redefine the nature of our association" - Val Kilmer in "Tombstone"

I think I gave up on the whole blogging thing because I was getting bummed out trying to come up with interesting, thought provoking messages that would mean something to everyone. Turns out, I'm not all that clever. So for 2010 (yes, I know I'm a little early), I will try my best to maintain this blog as a record of the events and changes that I and my family will undergo. Will I update it? Yes. Will it be everyday? No. Will it be interesting and clever? Probably not. But there are a multitude of changes that we'll be going through in the upcoming year, and this seems like as good a place as any to make a record of it.

Catching Up:
Hopefully, if all goes according to plan, I will be gainfully employed by the end of this year. You see, due to a rather fortunate turn of events, I decided to quit my job of 10 years at Chrysler. If I get around to it, I'll explain the way the pieces all came together for for that event in a future blog (see, I'm already procrastinating). So for almost a year now I have been working to obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Clemson. It's had some high points and low points, but overall it has been a great experience for me. I have one semester left, which is student teaching, and I should be graduating in May. I hope to have a teaching job locked down by graduation time (cross fingers). My wonderful wife has been the sole bread winner for our family for the last year. There's a lot more to being the only income producer than just a paycheck. There's added stress about knowing that you are the only thing that stands between your current family situation and abject poverty. I think Kristal has handled this extremely well this year.

Looking Ahead:
Yeah, so the big reason to resume this blog is to mark some of the milestones. Other than the aforementioned job situation, our family will be going through many changes as well. It's hard to believe that Rachel (20 mo. old) will be speaking in complete sentences a year from now. She's also showing some interest in potty training. A year from now we could possibly be a diaper free family, what a dream come true! Luke (5 on Dec 26th) continues to amaze me at how special he is. This time next year he'll be on the verge of turning 6, I simply can't believe it.

Running will continue to be a big part of this blog, as it is a big part of my life. My current fitness level is at the lowest that it has been in years. On the bright side, I have recently reaquired my fondness of cold weather running. I've gotten 21 miles in this week, which is the highest weekly total in a while. My ultimate goal is to help or even coach a cross country team, so my belly looking the way it currently does would not help my achieving that position. But I run not for the way look, or to get a job, I do it because I love it. So with that in mind I hope, but don't guarantee, to get back into some high mileage running in 2010. The kids are old enough now that sleeping is somewhat predictable, and there's a treadmill in the basement for those really cold, windy, rainy days, so I am running out of excuses.

So, I'll be around in 2010. Maybe with a few pictures, surely with some interesting stories. I look forward to sharing my experiences with you.

Resolved

Let's see, it's only Jan 22, so now would probably be a good time to actually put in print a couple of my new year's resolutions. The most life altering is that I am experimenting with vegetarianism (I'm not even sure if I spelled that right). Those of you who know me understand that no one likes a Moe's burrito or Wild Wing chicken wings more than me. I mean, I've basically lived off of meat alone for 32 years, so "Why the change?" Well, I read a book titled The China Study. It discusses the reasons why people in rural China all live to be like 100 years old. They have extremely low incidents of cancer and virtually no heart disease.

The book promotes a strictly vegan lifestyle, which I just couldn't see myself doing for any amount of time. So instead, I just wanted to see if I can do without meat for a month. If it works out, I'll see about going longer. So far, it really hasn't been that bad. I do find myself eating more cheese than I have in the past. But I haven't had too many cravings for a steak or chicken wings. I haven't eaten meat since Jan 2nd, so I'm coming up on a month. I've also found that it is cheaper when you go to a place like McDonald's. I can get 2 side salads and a water and be out of there in less than $3. My running doesn't seem to be suffering either. I've lost 5 pounds and I think I saw some semblance of an abdominal muscle in the mirror the other day.

My other new year's resolution is to run 800 miles in 2009. That's just slightly over 15 miles a week. That doesn't seem that bad, but you always have those "sick" weeks where no running is done. So far, I've done OK, averaging over 15 miles for the first 3 weeks of the year. If I can figure out how to set up one of those pace bunnies that I've seen on other sites, I'll add one here.

Regarding running, nearly all of my 2009 runs this year have occured on the treadmill at Total Fitness in Easley. Since I am not working at the moment (future post), I've gotten in the habit of going straight to the gym after dropping off the kids in the morning. For those wondering, I don't just drop the kids at day care and then lounge around all day. I am enrolled full time in a master's program at Clemson. I am looking so forward to getting back out when its nice again. I know I'm a wimp, but I just can't take the cold when I'm running.

I am starting to get the marathon itch again. I've gone as far as looking at some prospective races on marathonguide.com. Nothing set yet, I would like to do one in late summer, but its so hot down here that I would probably have to travel pretty far for that. I'll try to start posting again on a more frequent basis. Until then...

Spinx Run Fest Race Report

Holy unpreparedness Batman. If you've been reading this blog, you are well aware that I have been suffering in the motivation department lately. Well since I had already paid the $60 entry fee for the half-marathon back when I was getting out and running on a regular basis, I forced myself to toe the line on Saturday.

I must say that it was PERFECT racing weather. Cool, overcast, with no wind, but a slight mist that couldn't even be considered a drizzle. Running is a funny thing, because it can make you feel like you are invincible and can run as long as you want, but it can also make you feel like you cannot take another step. The first 3 miles of the race were the invincible part, the last 10.1, not so much. Maybe there is something to this whole "preparing" for a race.

The first 4 miles seemed like they were all downhill, which had me worried about when we were going to have to pay the piper. It came at miles 8 and 9. Almost completely uphill with no breaks. But by then I had found someone to stick to as a pacer. Mile 11 was the hardest for me because I wanted so much to walk for a little while, but I knew if I didn't stop I would have a shot at breaking 2 hours. Once I got to the 12 mile market, I knew I had a shot, but the course was set up so that you couldn't see the stadium and , thus, the finish line until you were right up on it. I kept wondering if the 12 mile market had been placed to early.

So finally the Greenville Drive baseball stadium comes into view and by this point I was ignoring some of the pain and got swept up in the moment. Mile 13 was run at 7:30 pace and I ended with a chip time of 1:59:11 and a clock time of 1:59: 53. Overall it was a great run.

Not preparing for a race and then running better than expected is a double-edge sword. Part of me says, "Whoa, I could have really crushed my pr if I had trained for this race." But then another part says, "Why train when you can break out a sub-2 hr half with no preparation?" A year ago, I was in the midst of training for the St. Jude marathon and ran this same race (on a different course) at 8:40 pace. So when all is said and done, that's still 30 seconds per mile faster. All I can say is next year, the kids should be healthy, Rachel should be sleeping through the night, and I should have ample time to really put some good speedwork in to rip off a sub 1:50. Write it down...

Against Doctor's Orders

Well, against the advice of my doctor, I finally got back out yesterday for a good 5 miles. No I'm not sick anymore, but I did have a mole taken off my back that required a few stitches. The doc said to lay off from running for about a week. But I've taken so much time off lately and my fitness level is probably the lowest its been in 3 or 4 years. And the half marathon is coming up on Oct 25th. So I had to get out. I had to run with just swinging one arm so as not to tear the stitches, but it was a good run. About 45 degrees, perfect running weather.

For the better part of yesterday I was so pumped about getting back into running and couldn't wait to go again today, but Rachel's teacher called Kristal in the afternoon and she had a 103 temperature. So Kristal took her to the doctor and found it is a virus of some sort. So she's at home today and tomorrow, which means we are tag teaming between working and taking care of her...bottom line, no running today. Maybe she'll get over it today and be back at school tomorrow.

As for yesterday, 5 miles even at 9:27 pace.

Playlist: Phedippidations episode 146 - Running in the Ancient Olympics

In case you were wondering, my first church service on guitar went very well. No obvious mistakes came from me. Also, Luke was so excited for his daddy to be playing the guitar in church. He came into the sactuary before the service started shouting at the top of his lungs, "DADDY, DADDY, DADDY" in kind of a chanting manner. It was a little embarrassing when it happened, but now when I look back on it, I think that is the most proud I've ever been to be a "daddy." I'm thankful for this blog because I get to write down these snapshots that happen as I go through life. When I'm on my deathbed, I'm sure that will be one of the memories that I recall as a great moment in life.

New Pics

Luke and Papa Jim
The 1st pony ride
Which one is the Orangutan?
Luke and Rachel "wrestling" mom on the bed.

Its been a while since I've posted any pictures. Here are a few from our trip to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia this past weekend.

Sick and Tired

Everyone loves the fall. Cooler temps, leaves changing colors, clearer skies...not me. I long for the long days of summer. When you can get up at 6 am for a run and it is already starting to get lighter outside. When you can pick your kids up from day care and still have a good 3 hours of daylight to run around and play outside. And when you don't have to deal with allergies and sickness as a rule of everyday life.

My family has been passing around a cold for the last 3 weeks. Anyone that has children will know that a 3 yr old, a 7 mo old, and a severe cold do not go well together. Its been a while since Kristal and I had a full night's sleep. Sure we're irratable, but at least experience tells us now that it gets better as they get older. Luke is very rarely sick (I secretly think its because he has built up a killer immune system because I don't make him wash his hands before dinner). Rachel has yet another ear infection and a bad cold. We are going to the operating room this Friday for her to have tubes put in her ears. Hopefully this will be the "miracle cure" that everyone as told us it will be.

As far as running, I've been pretty unproductive. I ran a grand total of 4.25 miles last week and have yet to get out this week. Until I can shake this cold, I don't see much running in my near future. Only trouble is that I am supposed to be in the meat of my half marathon training schedule for the Spinx runfest on Oct 25th. I hope I can get well in time to do a couple of long runs before it gets here.

I'm going to have to rearrange my schedule so that I can get out in the afternoon or some other time than my usual 6 to 7 am. It's still pitch black dark out at that time and my running routes around here do no have the best lighting. A couple of times in the last 2 weeks, I've set the alarm for 5:50 and just don't even roll out of bed. Got to work on my motivation...

On a different note (no pun intended), I practiced with the church band for the 1st time last night and it went really well. I don't play with others all the much, but that feeling you get when you're right on time with everyone else and you can actually feel the music is untouchable. I would rank it right up there with a great run. So I must have held my own at this first session because they invited me to play at the Sunday morning service. I'm nervous and excited about it. I'll let you know how it goes.

Here's our playlist for Sunday:

Lord Reign on Me segue into He Leadeth Me
God is Good All the Time
Change My Heart, Oh God
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)segue into Everything is in Your Hands

10 miler

Saturday was a weird running day for me. I knew I had to get a 10 miler in per my half-marathon training plan. My first attempt at this started at 6 am. I managed 2.83 miles at 9:47 pace before being forced to return home for a bio-break. Once again, never eat the "homewrecker" from Moe's the night before a long run! So at that point I decided to push the long run back to Sunday morning. But once the family went down for naps Saturday afternoon and I found myself restless, I thought what the heck and got back out there. I ran a new route that was exactly 5 miles out, which was nice because if I had arrived home with another mile to go, then I'm pretty sure that last mile would not have happened. In my humble opinion, the 10 mile distance is what separates the men from the boys. It is also a distance that I underestimated on Saturday. I have a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I am in no way, shape, or form at a marathon capable fitness level. This time last year I was deep into my training plan for St. Jude's and I could run 10, 12, even 15 miles and not be sore the next day. NOT ANYMORE! Saturday's 10 miler was challenging to say the least. It didn't help that I did not prepare (leave water along the route) like I should have. My new 10 mile route was pretty hilly, but so is the new route for the Spinx half-marathon in October. No unchained dogs (sweet!), and it was very scenic.

So as I dragged myself up to the house and laid straight down on the floor, that familiar question came back to me..."Why do I do this?" As the initial shock of pushing past the comfort level that most people never venture from, thoughts of "this hurts" and "I won't be doing that again anytime soon" turned into thoughts of "it'll be easier next time" and "maybe I could have pushed a little bit harder toward the end." And then I thought, "That's why I do this, because I never want to stop searching to find just what I am capable of."

Playlist:

Phedippidations Episode 144: Moving to the Music
My G'N'R playlist featuring:
Rocket Queen
You Could Be Mine
Bad Obsession
My Michelle
Locomotive - my personal recommendation on this one for motivational running.
Breakdown
Nightrain