BLAH!!!!



Well that about sums it up, BLAH! I was so looking forward to blowing off some steam on Saturday during my long run and at mile 4 I knew it wasn't going to happen. I have been battling the sore leg syndrome and it finally caught up to me this weekend. I ended up doing 6 miles and by the time I got home my head was pounding and my legs were like lead. I closed my eyes at 10:20 and woke up 1:00 PM not feeling any better. When I finally decide my headache wasn't going away I figured maybe alcohol was the answer. So off to the store I went with my returnables, all $35.00 worth, and bought a 12 pack. After 4 beers I wasn't making any headway, pardon the pun. So I figured enough was enough and called it a night. Sunday was a lazy day. I stayed inside most of the day while my wife decided to brave the heat and get some sun. Other than a brief dip in the pool I was pretty much couch bound.

Getting back to my run... Have you ever noticed the feeling you get when you see the finish line? All of a sudden you feel like you could run forever. I struggled just to keep my legs moving for the last 2 miles Saturday, that is until I saw the end. I actually caught myself speeding up and for the first time yelled at myself, internally, to slow down. What was I thinking, here I was quitting half way through my run and I was going to finish with a kick!! How dare I!!! My point is, how can we maintain that feeling throughout our runs? Granted, finishing mile 3 of 12 isn't anything to scream about, or is it? Of course it is, but how do I translate that to my body for that adrenaline rush. The opposite sure does happen, let my knee give me the slightest little twinge and I can come up with about 100 reasons why I should stop, before I take the next stride! At times running can be so frustrating.

Before I get really down on myself I am going to take most of this week off, just a short run Weds or Thurs. and my long run Saturday. Hopefully my legs will come back. If so I am really going to put some effort into finding that "thing" that makes all of the little accomplishments feel just like the finish line.

R.P.D.

Why are we emotional creatures? Don't you think at times it would be easier to be cyborgesque? At the very least it would be nice to be able to shut emotions off when necessary. I find myself at a crossroads in my life and it is having a ripple effect on everything and anything. From my work day to my running, it is all been lousy lately. When I'm happy and things are just rolling along I tend to take it for granted and then something happens and WHAM! It's just like hitting a brickwall. All of a sudden...who, what, where??? My stomach is in knots, no appetite, no motivation to run, or to do anything for that matter, but at the same time there is this rage inside. Like a fire that ebbs and flows throughout the day. When I do get out and run I use that fire, I use that anger, and more importantly I use the time to "veg" out. I put myself in a imaginary bubble and shut the brain off!! I only wish I could consume all of it, but that doesn't happen and after a time it's back fueling on my insecurities and weakness. Eventually it will burn out and things will grow back, to the way they were, no, but close enough that most wouldn't see the scars underneath.
I guess without these valleys there wouldn't be any peaks and life would be... well it wouldn't be life.

In the midst of all this crap there is my kids, totally oblivious to what their dad is dealing with and they are better than any drug or drink. I can watch them, even for just a second, and my troubles vanish. The look in their eyes when I walk through that door, WOW. You parents out there know what I mean. Everyone else will have to take my word for it.
Have you ever just stopped and watched a 3 year old jump on the couch. It is pure happiness, at that very moment all is right in the world and nothing can go wrong. Next time, before your instincts take over and you tell them to stop, just watch for a minute. I think maybe we should try and do that. Jump on the couch, run for no reason, play tag, skip. When is the last time you have skipped? Forget about work, the bills, the lawn, global warming, whatever and just jump on the couch for a minute or two.

Well here is to life and all of its up and downs!! How we make it through sometimes I don't know and I guess I'm not supposed to know. I just have to trust it.

Have a great day,
R.P.D.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.
Confucius

BUSY?...IT'S ALL RELATIVE!



As August approaches I find myself full of dread. Now being a father of 4 you would think that the thought of being a little busy is, pardon the pun, child's play. Normally I would agree whole heartedly, but whoa what a month this going to be! Here's the run down...

August 5th... golf outing with my wife
August 6th... 1 mile fun run and 5K in Eastpoint, picnic that my wife does every year afterwards.
August 12th.. The Run thru Hell 10 miler in Pinckney
August 17-20. Annual golf trip with my buddies. It's called the Binge, nough said!
August 26th. The Crim 10 miler
August 27th. Out TNT golf outing.

I am sweating just from typing it! Good thing I am getting myself into shape, I need to fit to make it!! In all seriousness I am thankful that I can do these things and understand that I am blessed beyond words.
Have a great day everyone and remember...

Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose--a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye. Mary Shelley

R.P.D.

BAD SPACE.....

For reasons that I won't get into right now I started my weekend off in a bad mood. I got maybe 3 1/2 hours of sleep Friday. Went to Stoney and did my 12 miles with the group, which I enjoyed a lot. Running always seems to take my mind off things. Special mention and thanks need to be given at this point to Tim C. and coach Janet both of whom helped me make it through that last mile. I ran the whole distance with either Tim or Janet and we talk about pretty much anything along the way until the last mile. Then the talk turns to visualization, technique, and fighting off that urge to stop. I can guarantee that if I were alone that run would have been shorter. Thank you so much!
The rest of Saturday was pretty much a wash, except for a short trip to the batting cages with Beccah. She just started playing slowpitch softball this year and loves it. She is so full of energy and is doing great defensively. The one thing she needs a ittle work on, however, is batting. She never swings, and when I say never I mean never! She has walked the last 14 or 15 time up (at least she wasn't getting struck out). It is really hard to find girls at that age (8-10) that can pitch. I digress, sorry, so we go to the cage and about half way through the bucket she makes contact and her eys lit up. From then on she hit 85 to 90% of the pitches, I was so happy for her. Her next game is tonight, keep your fingers crossed!!!
Yesterday I golfed in the K.E.T. outing with my wife. KET stands for Karen Elizabeth Taylor, my wife's sister who died in a car accident at 19 years old. We have held this outing every year since the accident and this was the first year that my wife did not run it. Well as I said me and my bad space did not golf very well and I made it misserable for my wife. Shame on me. This day is very important for her and I acted badly. Sorry! Speaking of golf, please don't forget about our TNT outing at Copper Hills on August 27. Please contact me for more info I promise to be in a better mood. When I get in these moods which happens more than I would like, I just feel like going away. I could just go to a cabin in the mountains somewhere in Alaska for a month when I feel this way and hybernate like a big bear!


R.P.D.


When elephants fight it is the grass that gets hurt!

THERE IS NO SPOON....



There is nothing that bothers me more than the neigh sayers. You know the type, people who don't even know you and already have you written off. Why are you running in a marathon? Aren't you too old? What a waste of time. You'll never be able to finish. Yada Yada Yada!!! Now I can understand people who are close to me at the beginning of this adventure being a little skeptical, but now after almost 3 months!!! I have a new answer to anybody, "you can come along for the ride or get out of my way!" I don't know why I let this bother me as it does! Most of my family and friends have really been supportive, but it's the fringe people who really have pissed me off lately. People who I hardly know who look at me when I tell them I am training for a marathon with that up and down scan like, you're going to run a marathon!! As they pump chips into their mouths with deadly speed! Ok, enough ranting, sorry!
The title of this post, in case you didn't know is from The Matrix and is one that I repeat when I am struggling with a run. It really works!
I decided to give my injured toe a try last night and ran a 10K with Beccah. The injury was never really an issue, although I could feel it, there was no pain. The rest of body seemed to compensate for it and I am paying this morning!!! My legs are much more stiff than normal and overall I am beat. It is a good pain however and I am glad I didn't take the easy way out! I am going to set a new milestone tomorrow with the 12 miler out at Stoney, 2 loops...woohoo!!! Hope to see ya there and remember......

You are "The One"


Some inspiration...
IT IS NOT THE CRITIC WHO COUNTS...THE CREDIT BELONGS TO THE MAN IN THE ARENA, WHOSE FACE IS MARRED BY DUST AND SWEAT AND BLOOD, WHO STRIVES VALIANTLY...AND WHO, AT WORST, IF HE FAILS, AT LEAST FAILS WHILE DARING GREATLY, SO THAT HIS PLACE SHALL NEVER BE WITH THOSE COLD AND TIMID SOULS WHO NEITHER KNOW VICTORY OR DEFEAT.Theodore Roosevelt

R.P.D.

Thursday July 19, 2006.....

2 THINGS I LEARNED YESTERDAY....

After two days off I was ready to get back out running yesterday and I was really looking forward to the miles. I learned a couple of valuable lessons along the way. One I will talk about a little and the other not so much.
First things first, a full bowel is a great motivator, enough said. Second and more importantly, when in training for any running event it is important to be careful when walking around the house bare foot. We had just eaten dinner and the Tiger game came on so my oldest boy and I sat down to watch a bit before my run. On one of trips in and out of the family room I inadvertently kicked the leg of the sofa, breaking on of my toes!!! I guess it would be considered the "ring" toe. I knew right away it was bad so I did what any other sane person would do, put my running shoe on. My logic was that if it was going to swell I should get my shoe on ASAP so I could run. It worked, I didn't even feel it while running, but I had other issues I was dealing with in that arena, (see first point). Once I got home and took off my shoe is when the fun started. My toe was already purple and swollen. I immediately got some ice on it which helped the swelling somewhat, but then the throbbing started. You know that "every time your heartbeats it hurts" type of throbbing!! It's one thing to get an injury while running, but when something like this happens, GRRRRR!!!!!!!!! Stayed tuned more to come.....

Have a great day!!!!!

Bob

B.A.D.


I always tease Beth and tell her those initials are fitting, but truth be told nothing is further from the truth. Not only does my wife stay home and raise our kids, all 4 of them, she manages to put up with me. A feat in and of itself. Our house may not be the neatest, our bank accounts the fullest, but when it comes to love, compassion, and just plain old fashioned goodness, we have it made. I am blessed to have her in my life and I don't tell her enough how much she is appreciated. So this is my little thank you to B.A.D. Those may be the initials, but they stand for the GOOD in my life.

R.P.D.

HEADACHES AND OLD FRIENDS......


First things first, thank you to everyone who came out last night and supported the TEAM at Amici's. The pizza was great and so was the company. I hope everyone made it home safely and dry (a few people rode their bikes).
And now on to the headache part of the story! There are a few things worse than the hangover headache, but not many. That pounding in the forehead saying, wake up you idiot! wake up! The sun, which normally is so nice to see, turns into God's flashlight shining accusingly in your eyes. Ah! what a feeling!
Enough of that! On to old friends...
It's such a cliche, but it is a small world. Who would have guessed that friends of mine would have invited friends who knew coach Ken and those friends were people who I knew and haven't seen in about 8 years. Not only was it great to catch up on things gone by (Don is still a madman and Linda is as bubbly as ever), but I am even more excited that Linda and her "Berkley Babes" will be running in the Crimm with me next month!!! Woohoo!! The last time I saw Don and Linda was at our friend Kurt and Shelley's wedding in Vermont. Man that lobster was good, that was my first real live lobster bake, Mmmm good!
So not only is running good for my my body it is refreshing old friendships and renewing my spirit, how cool is that!!
Well it time to go get some coffee and a couple of aspirin and start the day. Bring on that flashlight, I need it to light my way!!!

Bob

I bet you didn't know....
Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.

Monday, Monday...

As I may have told a lot of you already, I was in the middle of posting on Friday about how God has funny little ways of showing us things, when a truck knocked over a telephone poll and all of the power went out!!! I think that's enough said on that subject. Now onto new things...

I went out to Stoney Creek for our Team in Training group run on Saturday and even though it was early in the day, man it was hot! Was it 10 or 12 miles that the Freep runners were supposed to do?!?!? I ran 10 miles (new longest run ever) and took the rest of the weekend off. For the first time I was really dehydrated and my arms and legs got that "tingly" feeling to them. On the way home I stopped at Hanson's and bought a water belt, some GU and a watch! It's a strange feeling running 10 miles for the first time. All of the people I spoke to this weekend about my run all said the same thing..." I can't imagine running that far." You know what? I would have said the same thing as little as a month ago! And without the support of people like Tim and Margarita, and coaches Janet & Ken I wouldn't have been able to do it.

Life comes at you pretty fast and sometimes you need to slow down to see that. For reasons that I probably will never know, I slowed down enough to see that I needed to change the way I was living. Of all the times my daughter asked me to quit smoking why this time? Why did TNT pop into my head one day at the computer? Why decide on the Nike instead of the Freep? All I know is there is more at work here than just me and I am very thankful. I am looking forward to all of the experiences, good and bad, that lie ahead of me until October when I break the tape!!!

Have a great day!!!

Bob

Interesting fact of the day...

The deepest hole ever made in the world is in Texas. It is as deep as 20 empire state buildings but only 3 inches wide.

Mentally challenged???......

More and more I am beginning to realize that running is more mental than physical. Now obviously if you have an injury that's a different story, but all things being equal the mind is stronger than the body. Now understand that I am talking as a complete novice since I haven't, as of yet, run anything over 10 miles. There have been very few times that I have not been able to run because of my physical state. As a matter of fact I almost always feel better once I run, but give me a bad attitude and it's crippling! I am too tired today, it's too hot, it's too early, I need the rest, blah blah blah!!!! Rationalization, I am the king of it! The first mile of my runs, I swear, is a constant battle with myself. Luckily, or I should say usually the runner in me wins!! If not, I am misserable!

So let hear it for positive thoughts. YEA!!!! The one that keeps me going is the feeling of that last step in my upcoming marathon, crossing the finish line, and that I did it smile on my face. Another thought that keeps me going is, my pain is temporary. There are many, many people whose pain isn't. A friend of mine lost his battle with non-Hodkins lymphoma years ago and during his first round of radiation he had blisters form in his mouth. They were so bad that his wife could not cook in the house because he would salivate and the pain was unbearable. That fact has helped me get through many training runs.

Keep up the good work and put those miles in.... especially when you don't feel like it!!

interesting fact:

The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than one hundred miles at sea off the mouth of the river, one can dip fresh water out of the ocean.

Bob

Rainy Days......

There is just something about running in the rain that makes me feel good. I don't know if it's a cleansing thing or what, but you just feel more alive when your done. I did 6 miles last night, 3 of which was with Nate and Beccah (riding bikes). I thought it was pretty funny how they kept looking back to make sure I was ok. I am fighting a pain in my upper right arm that is beginning to be a problem, not when I run however. I believe it is some sort of pinched never because the pain is constant (going on 3 weeks) and is getting worse. I guess it's time to go see the Dr.


After I returned from my run I fed my fish and spent about 30 minutes removing nudibranches from my coral. I have a 24 gallon saltwater reef and nudis are pests that eat coral, GRRRRR!!! The only way to get rid of them is to "dip" the infected coral in a freshwater bath, which is going to be an incredible pain! The picture is of my mushroom patch which has grown out substantially since. I can spend hours, if had that kind of time, looking at my tank. It is soooo relaxing.
Well that's all for today kiddies....

FORE!!!!!!!!

Please come out a golf with us on Sunday, August 27th at Copper Hills Golf and Country club in Oxford, MI. Even if you don't golf come out and enjoy the beautiful scenery. A portion of the proceeds will go the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It will be a great time!!!!!

Speaking of great times, it was nice seeing my team last night at our meeting. It always lifts my spirits seeing you guys and gals. GO TEAM!!

Interesting fact of the day:
The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one-mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips in times of war or other emergencies.

HAPPY MONDAY!!!


For the life of me I don't know why, but I just can't seem to get out there and run on the weekend!! I went to Caseville, which for those of you who don't know is in Michigan. Hold up your right hand with the palm facing you. Caseville is on the tip of your thumb.
Anyhow, as I was saying I am at the stage in my training that I need every single mile and I have the hardest time fitting in my long run. GRRRRRRR!!!

Is it me or has Texas Hold'em Poker becoming way too vogue? Everyone, and I mean everyone, is playing and you can't turn on TV without seeing it. Sorry, I just needed to get that off my chest!
Have a GREAT day!!

Here is another one of my inspirations. My youngest son Jack.

That's an Easter Egg he is holding. Went out last night for my 5 miler with Sharon, a friend of my wife. She just got back into running after some time off. Way to Go Sharon!!! A few things I have noticed...

Starting off slowly is a benefit later in the run. This is very important, especially for long runs. Also, when you think you can't run any farther you can! Don't give in to that little voice inside of your head!!!

That's all for today! I am heading off to Caseville for a golf tournament this weekend, wish me luck!!

Bob

I figure this is as good a time as any to start my running blog. So here goes...



The first thing I need to do it flash back to why I started running again. Which will take us back to January 9th, 1997. The day Rebeccah was born. Which by the way is 1.9.97 I always thought that was cool! Rebeccah is my oldest daughter and she is quite a handful (that's her and her older brother Nate). When she was old enough to understand that smoking was bad for you she began to tell me that I should quit smoking. As most of us "smokers" would say, "I know and I will". Well after many years and 2 more kids of this she finally came up with a plan. We would spend one whole day together, that way I would not smoke, at least for that day. Well, I was so touched by this that I quit that day (April 2nd).
Since I was smoke free I figured why not get in shape too. So on May 1st I started running. If you can call it that. I couldn't even run 1 mile! So the next day I did what any sane person would do, I signed up to run in a marathon! I went to a Team in Training information meeting and was so impressed that I signed up then and there. On the ride home I began to wonder what I got myself into as my legs were aching from the night before. What I got was an experience that has changed my life.
Not only am I getting myself into shape, I am raising money to help find a cure for Leukemia and Lymphoma, how cool is that!
Fast forward to today and I am actually doing it. With the help of Rebeccah, who by the way is my running partner, she rides her bike and I run, the miles are rolling by. Just this past Saturday I ran 8 miles, a new distance record. In the upcoming weeks I will update my progress and also introduce you to the rest of my family as well as the extended "training" family that continues to grow.

Bob