Running Through Life

Apparently several runners frm the Illinois marathon complained of muscles cramps yesterday, including yours truly. And as most point out that this can occur because of dehydration. Though I doubted this and sugested HYPONATREMIA. Huh?

Is in the books. 

IS THIS WEEKEND.

The Illinois marathon is under 2 weeks away and I can't wait. It has been a long time coming.

yea, track practice again.

Here in central Illinois it was a beautiful day to run. 

 was just messing around at work and read this amazing story that was in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of "Marathon and Beyond". If you have never read this magaizine/book, you should try it. It comes out 6 times a year and has really great stories and advice.

I have been reading everyone blogs that I normally read and many, many others. Plus a bunch of running related sites. Plus working at work - I  know, what's up with that?

Yes, awesome, greatness, sweet victory, gold medal podium. 

... or trying not to become a kite.

Track practice was last night again and i had a team member show up. yea!! She (JC) was pretty quick and tireless. Practice was 

Thanks to Marlene for the link to the stretching site teachpe.com. Nice clear concise site that has a great stretching area (section at bottom of their site).

I am in the tempo run phase of my training now. I was supopsed to do 4 miles @ 8:50 pace. 

Monday I thought I would try a tempo run since that is what is scheduled for Wednesday night. 4 miles at 8:50 pace. It was dark, but since I am the only house on the country road, it should have been all good. I could only see my watch at two places on the road - at my driveway and at the other end by the airport radar tower.

Awesome day Saturday. I had half my team show up for their first training session. They were great. They were excited and they were up to the challenge of starting on their journey to marathon bliss. Week 1 down and 20 some more to go.

So as promised today I will be sharing my GIVEAWAY in honor of my 100 posts!! It's going to be going on from February 3rd to the 10th, and I will announce a winner on the 11th! I've talked about this great book before, and now there is a new one in the series. Of course, I'm talking about the Eat this, Not That! books.



I started reading the one that is about fast food and it really opened my eyes to a lot of things that I thought I knew but didn't really understand when it came to eating fast food. I always though eating chicken would be better for you, but as this book has told me sometimes it's not worth it at all. There are so many options and nutrition is important to all of us. The latest book is the Supermarket Survival Guide and it's the one I'll also be giving away to one lucky person!

Well my schedule said to run another 16 x 400 meters. My last set of intervals before I start tempo miles next week. I really wasn't up to it so I did some internet research, because we all now internet people know it all. I came up with a plan that was still intervally but mixed things up a little.

Saturday was a nice day. The whole weekend was great. Temperatures were up and the sun was out. Saturday I met up with the spring team for a sort of long run. They had 6 to go and I ran an extra loop and got 8.83 miles in 1:28:59. Good for a 10:04 pace. Not bad for not running long in three weeks.

Do I really need to say anything more?

In two weeks I am supposed to be in my "STAMINA" phase of training. I have been doing the "Endurance" phase all this time. I didn't realize that speedwork fell into an endurance area. But 16 400 meter repeats isn't easy. In my stamina phase I will be doing tempo runs from 4 - 10 miles in length. These are runs that I try to maintain the same pace for the entire run.

Back to the Armory for 400 meter repeats. Tried some new PowerBar gel drops. They are gummi bear texture with a small liquid center. These were a cola flavored liquid. They aren't bad. They were tough but I think that is due to them being frozen last week. They were left in the car. Not good with the near zero temperatures.

Schedule said (16) 400 meter repeats in 2:00 - 2:10 pace. I have been aiming for 1:45 pace.
Last week I was awesome and ran around 1:36 average for 11 repeats. I was supposed to do 14 but was gassed out.
I managed all 16 repeats tonite. And I average 1:36, with a fast repeat of 1:29 on #5 and a slow 1:45 on #15. Locked #16 in at 1:36.

Actual sets can be seen here.

yes, Virginia there is a marathon in Illinois and it does not revolve around Chicago. 

Yes….with a course this flat and fast, you know it is going to be a Boston Qualifier!!  Our certification process is now completed. The 2009 marathon will be a qualifier for the 2010 Boston Marathon.

(USATF Certification: Marathon IL-08111-JW; 1/2 Marathon IL-08112-JW)

Man was it cold on Saturday. Hats off to my runners, members and alumni alike. -14 degrees with the wind chill. But carry on they did. And run they did. man it was cold. A special kudo to all winter time coaches in wintry locales, it is especially good of you to brave the weather when you are not building up your body temperature.

Tomorrow I am filling in to coach the local TNT (Team in Training) chapter. They have a 6/12 mile  run depending on whether they are training for the half or full marathons. Of course for my first time it should be about 10 degrees at 8am with a minus wind chill. 

Thank you to all who have wrote to help me get back on track and bring my mojo back to central Illinois. It worked. I was supposed to do 14 x 400 meters in 2:00 - 2:10. I have been doing my 400s in 1:45 or better. I hope to continue that as well.

It was a work holiday for me though I still spent half the day at the office. oh well.

OK, nothing about my running, bu I am siting here in my Steelers socks and it was enough for them to beat Baltimore for the third time this football season. We (yes, the imperial we) are headed to Tampa Bay to attempt to beat an all-of-a-sudden very good Arizona Cardinal team. Look out Warner here we come.

So, in two weeks I will be grilling and drinking in the man-cave with my un-Steeler fan friends (my apologies to Bears and Cowboys fans). You are all welcome if you are in central Illinois on Sunday. 

Almost sounds like a horror story. But this was a step back week so I only had 6 to run. Again in 1:45 or less (my goal) training say 2:00 - 2:05.

Set 1 - 1:42
Set 2 - 1:36
Set 3 - 1:40
Set 4 - 1:40
Set 5 - 1:45
Set 6 - 1:38

plus a mile warm up and a 400 meter cool down.

Good effort. Legs are hurting. It is a new thing for me. This aching. Wondering if it might be related to no stretching. Something to think about.

Here is the newest member of my extended family. Early consensus has her named Lightning - for how fast she was born. Mama has been good to her. She is about 4 hours old in pictures. We put a little doggie sweater on her. I figure she is about 2 pounds in picture.

With the rain on Friday nite causing ice on Saturday morning I opted to run on Sunday. So around 11:30 I made it to Lake of the Woods for a run. An out and back one mile run in 20 minutes to make it back to the parking lot by noon. I was supposed to meet up with some of the TNT members but none showed. Alums, Randy and Jaymie did.

So the three of us were off running the 5 mile trail out there. It is a nice and somewhat hilly course (about 950 feet of ascent). We ran slowly and I found out what my conversational pace is - about 12min/mile. We walked a little as well.

7 miles in 1:22:35. Not bad, but not good. But it was supposed to be an easy run and for the most part I think it was.

The really nice thing in looking at the calendar is that I have mileage for the last 4 weeks. Something I couldn't say before. I am starting to run more often. Something I have wanted to do but always found a way not to do. It make me happy. It make me tired but as I get in shape I believe the tiredness will lessen.

On a separate note, one of my goats gave to birth to a healthy female kid late Friday afternoon. See is really cute. I'll post a picture or two tomorrow. Mom and baby (Lightning seems to be the unofficial name) are doing fine.

Yea, right. A little rain last night combined with just below freezing temperatures turned my long run into an ice skating rink. So since this is part of a Team in Training run (I mentor this group), the coach and I called off the run. Everyone is going to train on treads, run in town or come out with me tomorrow at noon.

I was hoping too sneak in 13 miles this morning, but now it will be tomorrow. After that, a nice hot shower and then some nachos and beer while I (hopefully) watch the Steelers put the Chargers in their place again.

Have I ever said 9I suppose wrote) how much I love to hate track practice. Speed work sucks.

Its hard. But damn I know it works. Last summer I dropped my mile time from around 9:30 to an all-time best of 6:59. So I do it. After all it is in the training manual.

No one from TNT showed up, but then I didn't really expect anyone. Probably next week. Holidays are starting to settle down and students will be back on the 20th.

Tonite - (12) 400s - run inside at the Armory on the 200 meter track.

1 - 1:42
2 - 1:41
3 - 1:36
4 - 1:40
5 - 1:38
6 - 1:39
7 - 1:41
8 - 1:45
9 - 1:45
10 - 1:41
11 - 1:43
12 - 1:39

Average 1:41

Good job, actually great job.

Tired, legs aching and lungs burning. But I did it.

Alone. No one there.

Read this and though of my dearest friend...

Have you ever noticed that when the friends and neighbors of someone accused of committing a horrible crime are interviewed, they always say the same thing: "I can't believe he did it. He seemed so normal."

I'm quite sure that if anyone had interviewed my friends and neighbors when I first started running, they would have offered much the same response. I'm sure that they couldn't understand why this middle-aged, overweight man was out there running and walking nearly every day. It just wouldn't have seemed normal.

The truth is, it didn't seem normal to me either. Normal was coming home from work, drinking a beer or 12, having a bag of chips and a half pack of cigarettes, and then eating dinner. Normal was being as stationary as possible for as long as possible.

I'm often asked what happened. People want to know how and why a seemingly normal man starts running at middle age. They want there to be some grand design, some elegantly articulated plan to change my life. They want there to be a reason. There wasn't. There isn't. Like an out-of-left-field felon, I think I just came face-to-face with the stranger deep in my psyche. The difference was that my stranger didn't want me to do something bad; it wanted me to do something good. - John Bingham

I want you to do something good.

I also ran 1 mile on Monday.

Well, it is over. 7.1 miles of 35 degree, overcast, humid, hard to sometimes slippery and shoe sucking mud. We trail runners got it all. Wasn't sure how I would do, but hoping for 90 - 105 minute struggle. So I finished in 82.5 minutes. I ran hard and it was hard.

Happy with my time for the amount of uphill and downhill running on this trail. According to Garmin 180 feet of ascent and 1835 feet of descent. That is a lot of climbing and sliding down.

On a side note, my running partner locked the door key in his car. After unsuccessfully trying to open it, we hitched a ride with the Reid brothers of Carlinville. Three guys that really know how to have a good time and really give each other some shit. But the shit they gave my nameless running partner was tremendous. So much shit, but shit he deserved.

Well back to the weekly grind of training.

Of course I couldn't make it an easy run but had to make it a race. Not really a race, but a trail run. It starts at 11 and runs a hilly, single lane course around Lake Mingo. Mingo is a small lake and the course is only 7.1 miles with about 9 water crossings. Two of them have logs to step on to cross the water.

Right now (8:30am) it is 31 degrees and a 15mph easterly breeze. Should make it a little chilly with the wind off the water. And since we haven't had a hard freeze after the days of spring summer last week (67 degrees) it should be a muddy mess after the first 250 speed demons go by.

I'll let you know how it went later tonite. Hopefully, I stay mostly dry.

A time of reflection
A time of remembrance
A time of hopes
A time of thoughts
A time of regrets
A time to ponder
A time to start anew

This is the time of the year that we look back with our friends and by ourselves and say, "Hey, what's going on". We think we should have done this or that. We think we should not have done this or that. We wish, we repress, we cherish.

This is the year that I will look back on as a good year. A year of incredible change. A year of some growing up. A year of some regressing. A year og happiness and a year of sorrows.

I will not make a resolution for the next year. I have read that resolutions are easy to break. Instead I will make promises to myself. As quoted "You may think that a promise to yourself broken is a victimless crime, but honestly if you cannot keep a promise to yourself, then you need to think of yourself as a more important of a person than you may right now." And I think there is sound reasoning in those words. Therefore, promises I will make.

I will be a better person.
I will be a better athlete.

That's it. That's enough, isn't it. Those two things will be hard to achieve and will take time. but I have a year to make good on my promises.

Now for the running part.

Yea, it's about time.
only have a few things lines up for now, but these I want to do.

Running 2009
1/3/2009 - Siberian Express 7.1 mile trail
2/14/2009 - Fat Ass Runs - 21.3 mile trail
3/??/2009 - Soaring Eagle Run - ??
3/28/2009 - Clinton Lake 30 mile trail (maybe - 2 weeks before marathon)
4/11/2009 - Illinois Marathon
5/3/2009 - Indy Half Marathon

I am sure to add more but that is a good start. And I have TNT to keep me busy with mentoring and coaching.

Yes, I am a TNT coach for the Summer session of 2009 which starts it's official training in February. Probably be coaching for the Indy mini, RNR marathon in Phoenix and who knows. I just know I can't wait.

Until next year to my two readers -

Laimingų Naujųjų metų

Did my normal Wednesday track practice tonite. It was supposed to have been done on Xmas eve but the Armory is closed until next year. I did the math and set the treadmill speed the desired mph's. it kind of sucked because I could not pour on any extra speed during the last 30 or so meters. I also ran quarter mile splits instead of 400 meters that the Armory track is. But it is done. 8 quarter mile splits all done in the same speed with 2 minutes of rest in between. Did them in approximately the same time as I did last week at the Armory. This Wednesday (2 days from now) is track practice for the week. It is now 10x400 meters but since the Armory will still be closed I will be running on the treadmill again. I suppose i could mark out something on the road by I am not sure. Then I have to deal more with wind and weather and possibly ice. So most likely treadmill again in the same speed again staring out that little garage window at an empty pasture. Ho hum!!! Kind of like this blog if you got through it.

Saturday - December 27, 2008

average temperature for the day - 37 degrees
actual temperature for the day - 63 degrees

7am when I started running it was 57 degrees
of course it rained a few times on us, but overall, a great day to run

just a few of us there
kevin, sarah, karen and of course randy and jayme

halfers ran 4 and full ran 6
i ran 7.38
supposed to run 9
underachieved again 2 weeks in a row

but ran it faster than stated pace
was tired and sleepy when i got home
good thing kids were still asleep

next week is 11 miles
out at lake of the woods
siberian express race is next week as well
signed up for siberian and i will run it
will probably just go out and hang with group
save myself for the siberian

i am recovering quicker after my runs
i don't seem to be having any muscle aches afterwards
that denotes good progression
maybe my goal is achievable

tonite i need to do last wednesday's track practice
8x400 meters in approximately vieną penkiolika
or something close
so that i can run this wednesday practice on wednesday
10x400 meters in apprximately vieną penkiolika

i will be building up to 16x400
that is a lot of laps at the armory

until then
gerai veikia

Mike

Did not happen. Not because of the holidays, but because the Armory was closed.
Had it been open I would have gone. Possibly with one or two or no kids in tow. But I would have been there.

It is now Friday and my scheduled 8 x 400 meters has not happened. If the treadmill is working I might try it on that. At least it will be a consistant pace. Roads are still too icy to try and run on them.

Time will tell.

On another front the kids are well and seem happy with the little Christmas that I was able to buy for them. Hopefully they really were. Jake got an iPod Touch and Tori got her RED digital camera. I think that everyone was happy. Now to finish up Xmas shopping for the wonderful, considerate girlfriend.

3 more slow hours (I hope work doesn't read this) and off to the kids. Think Tori is cooking chicken for her daddy and brother tonite. I will try the treadmill during that time. May have to go chase Hobbit(the horse) as well. Don't know if Rachel will be back tonite or not.

So for tonite's practice, delayed from Wednesday's practice, I have 8 sets of 400 meter runs in 1:10 - 1:20 or were they supposed to be in 2:05 - 2:15. I forget. Oh well, it is in the book.

9 miles for tomorrow.

stay tuned.

6 x 400 meters was the scheduled practice at a horrifyingly fast pace. But I persevered at a slower pace. Or did I? (pinky finger pointing to corner of mouth)

I am not sure what my maximum heart rate but I think it was 99.99% of max. It was thudding. My chest was heaving. My lungs were burning. And all I did was lace up my shoes. But seriously, the first 400 was way too fast. Recovery is one thing, but expecting the ambulance. Doesn't cut it, slow down.

So I did. My second 400 was 8 seconds slower. Big help. Let's try to slow down again. So I did. Another 3 seconds.

11 seconds. That's 44 seconds slower per mile. Sounds like a lot, but I can't run a 5:05 mile. I am pretty sure that if my legs moved that fast the friction would burn the donkey parts off me.

The next 400 was another 7 seconds slower. Much better. Still out of breath, legs still hurting on the last 100 meters, but doable. And this time doable for the last two 400's as well.

That is the time to run them in. After all, next week is 8 x 400 and then 10 building up to 16 of them.

The Armory is closed for the next two weeks. Not sure where I am going to run my 400 meter repeats at. Especially since my treadmill appears kaput.

So times were good. But what were they? You really want to know. But if I listed them here my competition will see it and train harder. Not sure I can have that. My competition keeps there training secret. Hidden. Undiscovered. In the dark.

1. vieną trisdešimt vienos
2. vieną trisdešimt devynių
3. vieną keturiasdešimt dvi
4. vieną keturiasdešimt devynerių
5. vieną keturiasdešimt aštuonia
6. vieną keturiasdešimt aštuonia

I feel good. I was tired this morning. That workout is hard and wears my body out. Last Thursday wasn't exactly my normal grouchy self.

This Saturday is a long run. 4 miles for the full marathoners and 3 miles for the halfers. My training calls for 7 miles. Not sure if I will or not but I might try. That a little bit under 4 laps of Meadowbrook Park.

OK, now so long. Just 40 minutes. But they will get longer. Up to 23 miles for a training run. But I am a marathoner and I am awesome.

Somehow I think some of you will contradict that. So be it.

Anyway, I took it easy. Walked with the walkers and talked with the joggers. Did my mentor duties.

Next week - halfers - 3miles and fulls - 4 miles. I will run 7 because I am on a different training schedule.

A new system. One that is guaranteed success. I can not tell you much about it because it is special training. I may not even be able to blog about afterward. I am still trying to get permission to do so.

If you keep it quiet I might be able to slip in some times in Harrappan or Sanskrit. I'll just have to see. If this information fell into the wrong hands it could be deadly for the world.

See ya laters, runners and readers.

Today was the start of training.
I went.
To the armory.

Only the coaches - Randy and Jayme.
But I ran.
We ran.

Multiple 600's.
I wanted to do 800's, but after three laps (yes, small indoor track). Whew!!
So yes, repeat 600's with 3 minute recovery.

Set 1 - 2:50
Set 2 - 2:44
Set 3 - 2:50
Set 4 - 2:39 (thought we were done, but coach Randy said one more)
Set 5 - 2:53

Not bad. Felt tired but good. Lungs still not back to normal an hour later.
Ease into it stud. You got 4 months.

I ran 600's thinking i needed to run 800's. Getting home and reading my training schedule I see that I was mistaken. Again. I only needed to run 400's. 6 of them, but 400's. So I am ahead of schedule. I can take it easy.

Hah
ha
ha
ha

I will read the schedule better in the future.

Tomorrow is a 30 minute easy jog and cross training on Friday.
Saturday is a group run with my fellow TNTers.

It is a start.

On another note - my pushup routine is on hold. I did my first set of 10, rested tried the second set and dropped like a rock. My elbow is bad. If it doesn't heal in a week I may have to see a doctor. Unfortunately I still have a lot of hammering to do to finish the coop.

To try and save some money I bought a large bag of animal crackers from Walmart.

this was a mistake.

The ones in the vending machine have a pleasant and slightly sweet taste.
The ones from Walm@rt are bland. And they have very little detail in the animal shape.

I am sorry disappointed.

Confusing? Not really - just think like me.

Week 2 of pushups - elbow still in great pain.
Set 1 - 9
Rest - 60 sec
Set 2 - 11
Set 3 - 8
Set 4 - 8
Set 5 - max (at least 11) 7 - failed again.
Total - 43/144

Week 1 of Core Training - this is the training that was developed for Tyler Hansbrough and myself. I think he reads this blog and it pushes him to do better. Well, probably not, but it makes this old man feel better. Anyway, a set of 10 exercises with a medicine ball.

Medicine balls are expensive. I bought a kettle ball. 10 pounds. Smallest I could find. Steel ball with a handle on it. Should be close enough. Though I think the medicine ball would strengthen the fingers more during gripping. Note - don't use handle of kettle ball.

10 exercises -
1. Big circles - hold ball above head and big make circles (up, left, down, right, up). Do 10 in each direction.
2. Woodchopper - Start with ball overhead. Bend over, swinging the ball through your legs (do not let go or the TV will suffer) and then swing the ball back up over your head. That's 1 rep. Do 10
3. Standing Russian Twist - Hold ball straight out in front of you. Pivot on your right foot, rotating the ball and your torso to the left. Then reverse, pivot left foot and rotate right. 1 rep. Do 10
4. Squat to Press - Hold ball at your chest, squat down and then explode up pushing the ball overhead with full extension of the arms. Back to start position. That's 1 rep. Do 10
5. Medicine Ball Situp - with ball on your chest and preform a situp. Do 10

And there were 5 more. I successfully did the first 4. Then I tried a situp. No go. So I dropped the kettle ball and tried a situp. Nada. I cannot do a situp. I tried. My diaphragm is telling me that I tried. I CANNOT do a situp. How many times do you want me to say it here. It is impossible. I even know the secret of the Dragon Warrior and still cannot do a situp.

I can crunch. I got my shoulders off the floor. Maybe 3 inches, maybe 6 inches. I don't know. I did 5 of the best situps that I could. And because of that realization I quit. No, I stopped. And I was tired. The last 5 exercises all had something to do with some type of crunch work. It is possible that I shouldn't do these right after my pushup routine.

Maybe, pushups in the morning. Hansbrough's workout at lunch and Alwyn Cosgrove's workout at night. Think that is too much. Maybe. But how else am I going to beat Tom?

Week 1 Running workout - This starts the first
week of running with Team in Training. 40 minutes of running today. Basically a weekly running work is -
Mon - 40 minutes running
Tue - 45 minutes cross training
Wed - 30 minutes running - specialized, strides, pace laps, etc
Thu - Rest day
Fri - 40 minutes easy running
Sat - various long runs - 4 miles up to 20
Sun - rest

This is always the part I failed to do. I would always run with the team on Wed and Sat but never run on my own during the week. I was still proud of my last marathon time as it was what I wanted to run.

With the new Illinois marathon in April of 2009, I have a time as well. I think a sub 4 is doable. I just need to train. So maybe I will. And my competition will be looking at this to see what I am doing, but it is a blog and I can write anything I want. Is it real or is it Memorex?

That is what I have done today except for the running part. And Cosgrove's part. After all, it is only 8:33am.

taip ilgai, nes dabar (so long for now - in Lithuanian)

Woo hoo!!! i made it through the first week. My left elbow feels like I cracked it. My right pec feels like I sliced it. But I made it.

101 push-ups in 1 week. This mornings sets -
Set 1 - 8
rest 120 secs
Set 2 - 10
Set 3 - 7
Set 4 - 7
Set 5 - max (at least 10) - made 10 - barely.
Total - 42

@ days off from push ups. Hooray!!!
But with the construction going on I will still be using those muscles. What a drag. If only there was someone that could do what I do? Alas, I will do.

Ciao

Yes, from one day of pushups I am ripped. But not in the good way.
The girlfriend noticed bruising on my pecs. Apparently I have ripped muscle tissue. Know I understand the pain I was feeling yesterday and this morning.

So this morning was my catchup day to get on schedule for the first week of my 6 week pushup workout. Did I do it? Of course! It is what a man does. No time to be sick or tired or forgetful or just don't want to. Be a Man!

Day 2 - 5 sets with 90 seconds rest in between
Set 1 - 6
Set 2 - 8
Set 3 - 6
Set 4 - 6
Set 5 - max (min 7) I only made 6 and fell down.
Total - 32

2 day total - 59
probably 50 more pushups than I have ever done in my life.

But by not making the 7, I flunked. Zero, below average, failure, loser, no good, color-blind, diabetic, Lithuanian. Craptacular.

Tomorrow is my last day for week 1 than I will be on a MWF schedule for my 6 week pushup workout.

I hope to add a medicine ball routine on TThSa as well. If Tyler can do it so can I.

And maybe, a snow boarding routine that Hooker pointed out. Should be able to fit it in somewhere as well. Running starts Dec. 13 with TNT, so I can't wait for the days to start getting longer.

yes, today was the day. I started training. And now I want to quit. My left elbow and my right inside shoulder area are killing me.

I'll I did was 27 push ups. And not at once.
Set 1 - 6
rest 60 seconds
Set 2 - 6
rest
Set 3 - 4
rest
Set 4 - 4
rest
Set 5 - max (but at least 5). I did 7.

Dead. Tired. Exhilarated. Still tired.
and now aching.

And the girlfriend wondering what the noise was. My normally than louder breathing to help control the abdomen. like I said - karate guys make noise, so can push up guys.

Hey, it is a start. A start to something glorious.

We will see.

That I get my lazy ass out and moving, with feet on the ground, running, jogging and walking. Or will it be the weekend I come up with excuse after excuse and do no exercising.

HMM?

Soon I will have to start regardless. I did volunteer to mentor for TNT for the winter group. I hope it is better than the group going now. They just don't seem to practice much. Oh well, maybe they don't need to.

Sadness
Despair
Blackness
Scary
Dark
Gone
Tears
Broken
Silence
Relief
Remembered
Free

There were many a good times that I will remember because only in memory can the order and goodness that you were prevail.

Rest well, Hook!!!

Running - very little since the Alaskan Marathon. Yea, I have run with TNT for some track workouts and a few Saturday long runs but nothing to really talk about.

I ran the final Wild Wilderness Trail run at Kickapoo park on the 28th of September. I ran under my goal of 90 minutes finishing in 84 minutes 58.8 seconds. Since our illustrious governor has decided to close Kickapoo Park (along with 10 others) running the last race out there was bittersweet. I really enjoy running out there.

I ran with TNT for their 20 miler. Actually I only ran about 12 miles. I ran with a few of them here and there. Cheered them on, poured drinks and just gave moral support. Next month I have the first meeting for the winter group that I will be mentoring. It will demand a lot of time but I am looking forward to it. I will be running with them as well in preparation for the inaugural Illinois marathon in Champaign-Urbana.

Time soon to get off my ass and start training and getting in shape. This time I intend to go full force in the training. That means 5 days of training - running and weight lifting. I am looking dorward to it and hope that this time I can do it.

I went to practice. I ran. My lungs frakin burned.

Burned
Burned
Burned

Legs seemed pretty good. until the next day.
they were sore. So much for being in shape.

Friday I need to run.

Saturday I will run. The TNT group is running 20 miles.
I will run with them. Not 20.

I will run with someone. Rest. Run with someone else. Cheering. Giving kudos.

New mantra.

Run
Run
Frackin run.

I ran with the group on Saturday. Took it extremely easy. Cannot believe how easy I took it. Awesome.

Ran the first 2.4 miles (west out and back) at a 10:30 pace. Sat around and poured drinks for runners. Then ran the east out and back (3.7 miles) with a run/walk runner preparing for Disney 2009. Took it easy with her chatting about what it is like to run a marathin. Pitfalls of starting to fast, controlling excitement and taking gels.

It felt good to be out there running. I really think it is a soothing experience for me.

Also had the guys out on saturday night to watch a hard fought, sometime painstaking loss to Missouri. It was a great time.

Sunday saw a cookout with some of the TNT members from the summer season. That was a good time as well.

spent monday with Allyson's family at Polywogs (Oakwood) for some boating, food and plain old relaxation (for me that meant reading - for them playing dominoes).

One of my favorite places to run is in Kickapoo State Park, but our esteemed Governor has deemed it not necessary to suport that park any longer will close it in November 2008 to the public.

Frack!!! now what am I going to do. I feel really bummed out by this.

Here is a list of the other state parks on the cutting board. You will notce there is not one in the Chicago area or suburbs. Why not, you villianous creature?
The following Illinois State Parks will close effective November 1:

Castle Rock State Park, Oregon

Lowden State Park, Oregon

Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield

Illini State Park, Marseilles

Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon

Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris

Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg

Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood

Moraine View State Park, Leroy

Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton

Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor

I will buy the park from the state for $1000. Seems like a fiar price for something that is not worthy of a citizen of the greater Chicago area.

Damn you, Rod!!!

Frack it!!!

Yes, I went and chatted with the fall and new winter groups. Except for one or two of the winter group people I knew everyone there. We talked and I introduced myself to the newbies.

Yes, I ran with them. I did a 1/2 mile warmup and then a mile of plyometrics (butt kicks, high kicks, scissor kick runs). They do kill a little bit but nowhere near like it was the first time I did them. Then a 1/2 mile cool down.

Basically a 2 mile run in 35 minutes.

I felt good. My legs felt a little tired.

Maybe i will run with them on Saturday.

I know these are 2 months late, but here they are.

From Alaska 2008

From Alaska 2008

From Alaska 2008

From Alaska 2008

From Alaska 2008

From Alaska 2008

And click on the links and you can see all the photos.

Title makes you think I have been busy these last two months. Running all the time, stretching and working out.

Well, I have been not exactly that busy. Though I have been busy.
I haven't run a stitch in two months.

The kitchen is 87% done. 2 lights left and the base trim needs done. Still trying to decide on how to do the wall tile yet.

I have been thinking about running again. Not that thinking about it makes me any faster or stronger. On the other hand the Las Vegas marathon is December 7, which would give me 14 weeks to get ready. If that is a goal then track practice would be a good start tomorrow. Man, what to do?

On a brighter note, TNT alumni will be congregating at the farm on Sunday to rehash theirs races. Telling about their experiences, sharing pictures and generally having a good time.

As soon as I find the cable to my camera I will be able to upload pictures of Alaska. Wait those are on the laptop. Let me put some up.