Running Through Life

Day 3 and 4 were pretty much like days 1 and 2 as far as running were concerned. Inside. Treadmill. 3.1m about 30 minutes. Ho Hum

Run this morning? Are you kidding me? My legs were barely able to get me to the shower. They did not hurt, they were just dog tired. So off to work I went. For half a day.

Don't get excited, the other half wasn't a lot of fun. Just suffice it to say I am glad that it is over. I worked from home the second half of the afternoon and got a lot done. More than if I would have been in the office.

I think might be a lot of my running for awhile. I cannot find my cold weather, moisture-wicking gloves, hat to wear outside. Besides that it was 5 degrees this morning. But another 3.101 miles is done in just over 30 minutes again.

9.47 pace today and 9.44 yesterday. Not bad for no running in months for this out of shape old man.




First race of the year is coming up this weekend. Most likely it will be a survival run for myself and Mr. Elliott (old running buddy). The Siberian Express is run no matter the weather. If I can survive it, no more races until March (when the temperature should be back in the 30s.

Until then folks, keep on chugging along. And remember, as Calvin said we are all perfect just the way we are...

Well, 2012 is over. The fools that thought they could read Mayan calendars were wrong. The meek have not inherited the earth. 2012 was a year of ups and downs. Some really bad downs and some really good ups especially at the end of the year. Running - virtually non-existent.

2013 - I am thinking will be good. I have goals again. Personal, work, and in running. Mostly running. I started the year off right by running today. Not when I wanted too, but when I was able. Inside, on the treadmill, but 3.1 miles are in the book. It was rough, it has been a long time. But now, 4 hours later I feel good. Happy.

Personal Goals -

• Start working on the house again. At least finish one room completely. Now a lot of this depends on the almighty greenback and with the economy so very uncertain, who knows. I bought some stain today and that is a start.
• Lose weight. I think I am at an all time high of xxx lbs. Way too much.
• Get in shape. I specifically want to be able to do 20 pull-ups.
• Fix the care. It needs brakes, rotors, alignment, tune-up, passenger side mirror and rear taillight. It really wobbles when the brakes are used. Even the gf seems afraid to drive, well not drive, just stop.

Work Goals -

• A raise would be nice. But then I do not control that. 
• Finish projects on time.
• Create better documentation.
• Work far less hours. I need to remember that I am salary. I do not need to donate 10+ hours a week to the company. I receive nothing for it. 

Running Goals -

• New PRs
• 5k - sub 24 mins
• half marathon - sub 2 hour
• marathon - well some goals should be secret
• Mileage - lots and lots. I would still like to run 1000 miles in a year. Only 997 more to go.

Race Goals - (races I want to run this year)

• Siberian Express* - 7.45m trail run - 1.6.13
• Earth, Wind and Fire* - 5k - 3.9.13
• Penguin in the Park - 5k - 3.23.13
• Mountain Goat* - 15k hill run - 3.23.13 ( I know, a conflict)
• Lake Sara Dam* - 8m - 4.7.13
• Illinois Marathon or Half* - 4.27.13
• Lake Run - 5.20.13
• Buffalo Trail* - 5m trail run - 5.18.13
• Danville Memorial Day 5k* - 5k - 5.27.13
• Lake Mingo* - 7.1m trail run - 6.8.13
• Wild Wilderness - 7.45m trail run - 9.29.13
• Backpack Trail - 11m trail run - very hilly - 11.23.13

This morning I took a drive through the country to the Forest Glen Nature Preserve. The farmers were cultivating fields, the fog was just starting to burn off and the ducks were busy munching on grasshoppers. It was a beautiful Saturday morning. The deer were meandering across the grassy knolls.

I was at Forest Glen for a practice run of their 5 mile trail race. I met the race director and his friend (another Mike), a Brian (training for Chicago and from my alma mater), and a new runner, Sue. Brian and Mike will both be doing the 50k (yes, 31 miles on hills. Are these people freakin nuts?). The RD went slow for me. This is a tough course. A Very Hilly course. A crazy hilly course.the screen shots are from my Garmin uploaded to RunningAhead.

The faint line on right is the Illinois state line

Crazy elevation - 2411 feet of ascent

It is beautiful terrain even while gasping for each ragged breath. This race is in 3 weeks. I hope to be ready.

Head up, eyes on the horizon.
Stolen from an article I read in Men's Health magazine about Aaron Rodgers. A great article about possibly the best quarterback in the NFL. Read it here. (and I am not a Packer fan)

But let us think about those six words...about that small statement.
            Head up - simple enough. Keep your head up to see where you are going. Keep your head up to keep your body in better alignment. Keep your head up to stay positive about yourself and life.
                               Eyes on the horizon
Eyes forward, on the horizon to give you a sense of direction, to keep you moving forward, helping stay positive in seeing your goal and reaching it. 


Reading that article - it was about fitness, about complete body fitness. Not about lifting heavy weights. But more about keeping your head, your eyes, your mind on the goal. Being able to multi-task to complete your objective. To complete your goals. 


It made me think a little about myself, of who I am, of how I got here and where I want to go. While I will not make a diary entry here, I am here because of all the decisions I have made in the past. Decisions that were not always with my head up or eyes on the horizon. Some of those were made with very cloudy eyes or a very fogged up brain with my head hanging low. Decisions that I had to live with, decisions that shaped me into who I am. 

I have always tried to be good to people. I think VGFatBoy and JoannaRuns will attest that I try to be good. And I believe I am good. I have my eyes on the horizon. Sometimes it takes the people around me to lift my chin and point my eyes back in the correct direction, but that is why they are my friends. 

To all of you reading this, head up, eyes on the horizon. I hope mine will always be there with help from you.

And keep reading in the near future to catch a glimpse of my horizon. It is breathtaking.

My last goat. Gone. I have no more. I am not sad. It is a relief, a weight off my shoulders, a blessing in disguise. Not that they were evil varmints out to ruin my life, eat anything with color on it, trample the garden, destroy fences and cause property damage. No they were none of that. Ha!

Now I have 6 acres of free and uncluttered pasture. What should I fill it with now? What should the next, great farming adventure be? I wait with breath abated your wisdom on my future. What say you!!!!

On that note, the acupuncture last night was pretty damn awesome. Thank you Second Wind Running Club for your speaker series. I have plantar fasciitis in both feet but for the demo he worked on one. It did relax. It is still there. The knot is still there, but the tension is lessened. One foot did not hurt this morning when I got out of bed. I am considering going back and having more done. He is located in Urbana. See here.

Running schedule - I forgot that I had signed up for the Forest Glen 5 mile trail run (10.20) which makes 3 possible marathons out of the question (though I could have only chosen one). Sorry Joanna. So that probably leaves only the St. Jude marathon as a possibility this year. Smaller runs - lots of them - I am looking at:
Wild Wilderness 7.45m - 9.30
Wooly Worm 5k - 10.6 (against an 11 yo and clocked a low 30 already)
Forest Glen 5m - 10.20
Allerton 5.5m - 10.28
Run for the Library 5k - 11.17

Wow, maybe I should have entitled this post 'Lots o' Links'.

That's it. Peace out.

I saw.
I came.
I conquered.

Oh, you want more detail? Well, it all began way back when...

This weekend was a great time in Chicago. Drove up, got parked (20 minutes to drive .2 miles) and then proceeded to head out. I really wanted to get into the Redhead Piano Bar, but the lines were about a 30 minute wait and I was thirsty.

So the Excalibur was next - wrong!!! Way under dressed. The women were dressed in skimpy outfits and high heels spikes. I could have gotten hurt.

Stout's - which kind of looked like a local bar had a line around the corner. So that left the Hard Rock Cafe. It was large. It had bands playing. The music was good and the beer was cold.

I listened to a Band Called Catch, listen to there music here and to Tree ( I can't find anything about them). Both were good.

Saturday was the Cards/Cubs game. Cardinals let one slip away. But Wrigley is a nice place to watch a game. Just don't expect any pulled pork sandwiches.
The pre-game festivities were awesome as well as John Barleycorn's. Where there was an abundance of free food and beer. Lots of beer. Lots of orange Illini t-shirts.

That evening was Dark Knight Rises at the Navy Pier IMAX. What a great way to watch a movie. 12,000 watts of sound and Cat-woman bigger than any cat I ever seen.

Sunday was a drive to LaSalle to meet Leia (a Siberian Huskey) who now lives with Luke - yes, Luke and Leia - 2 dogs. Awesome.

Then home to Senator's for some pizza, beer and hot peppers. Damn that Ali.