FIVE DAYS LEFT UNTIL RACE DAY!!!! -Only three days of work left this week.
I went running last night and I found that 6.5 miles now feels like a somewhat easy night. That is just plain weird. I am glad the "long run" training is over for a few weeks. I don't plan on doing anything over 14 miles for the next few weeks. I think my legs need a little break after the race coming up this weekend. Speaking of the race, I really want to get started. Actually, I really can't wait to see everyone in Indy again! I think the race is going to be a blast as well. I have heard great things about the Indianapolis Mini, that it is a whole lot of fun, that there are live bands and cheering fans all over the place. I still haven't decided if I am going to drink the free beer along the race course, or if I am going to wait until I am done running to have a beer, or perhaps I should say that when it is over, I may have some beersh...
I am hoping my somewhat embarassing, recurring "intestinal issues" do not occur during the race. For some reason, my intestines think it is time to "get to work" on some morning jogs. I don't really want to spend part of my race in a port-a-potty. One morning, while running with my friend Jason, we were forced to turn a planned 15 mile run into an 18 miler in order to get to a rest stop. The fastest way to get to a bathroom that day was to keep going a bit farther from home, and I knew I was not going to make it all the way back home without, shall I say, "major" problems.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
THE TROLLEY RUN!
Karen ran the trolley run 4-miler today! It was a lot of fun for all of us. This is the first time that Karen has run an organized race, and she did it in grand fashion. She ran much faster than she thought she was capable of and she finished with a smile on her face. James and I are impressed and very proud of Mommy! This is a photo of Karen just after (10 seconds, maybe) crossing the finish line.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Bicycles and sore muscles...
James rode his bicycle tonight for the first time! I didn't even need to push him. He just sat down and started pedaling. It was such a cool moment. I was so proud and excited, he and I were both grinning from ear to ear. What a great day. The second picture is to show James' "cheeeese" pose. When we ask him to say "cheese", this is the pose he does every time. He loves to perform for the camera.
I went rock climbing last night, for the first time in three weeks, and I am really sore. My arms, shoulders, and back are a mass of angry muscles right now. I think I am going to down a few Advil and hit the hay. I don't have any really good pictures of me on the rock wall, and I am not nearly as good-looking as James, so I will refrain from posting a picture of me.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Funny James story
Karen had to work tonight, so I was hanging out with James alone tonight. We were kind of trapped inside since the weather was rainy and yucky again. I turned on "Caillou" which is one of James' favorite shows and sat him in my lap so we could watch a little TV together. I promptly fell asleep, and he let me sleep until the show was over, when he turned around and picked up my face to look at him and said, "Wake up daddy, ya lazy bum, Caillou is over. Turn it on again, please." That alone made me smirk, since I am the one who taught him the "lazy bum" bit. What he did immediately afterward made me really laugh. He pretended to pick up a piece of popcorn from an imaginary bowl in his lap and feed it to me. He told me what he was doing, "I feed daddy popcorn, mommy made it." -he even made the "crunch, crunch" sound for me as I pretended to chew the imaginary popcorn. We sat and watched a different episode of Caillou, and pretended to eat popcorn for the next thirty minutes. James even pretended to drop the pretend popcorn bowl on the floor, making a "big mess", which made him say "Oh, doughnuts!" and then laugh hysterically.
Since you can't say bad words in front of little kids, somehow I made up "Oh, doughnuts!", and James really thinks it is hysterical.
Since you can't say bad words in front of little kids, somehow I made up "Oh, doughnuts!", and James really thinks it is hysterical.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
I'm baaaaaack!
I can run again! Yippeee! Woo-hoo!! YAAYYY!!!
I ran today without leg pain! Not only did I run today, but I ran fairly hard! I am really hoping this keeps up so I can finish the half marathon in Indy without turning my race into a very long walk.
This is really a good thing, I was fairly depressed the past two weeks becuase I thought I had really done some damage that was going to take weeks to heal. I am elated to find out that I should be able to run the race in Indy!
We (I ran with two other people today) ran the official "Hospital Hill Half Marathon" race course today as a training run. By saying that we ran hard today, I am understating quite a bit. We finished the hilly 13.1 mile course in 1:58:53. We really ran way too hard for a long training run. This was pretty close to (or right at) my race pace for most of the race. I am happy to report that I found out today that I am capable of a two-hour half marathon. I really didn't think I could do it, but I proved myself wrong.
I ran today without leg pain! Not only did I run today, but I ran fairly hard! I am really hoping this keeps up so I can finish the half marathon in Indy without turning my race into a very long walk.
This is really a good thing, I was fairly depressed the past two weeks becuase I thought I had really done some damage that was going to take weeks to heal. I am elated to find out that I should be able to run the race in Indy!
We (I ran with two other people today) ran the official "Hospital Hill Half Marathon" race course today as a training run. By saying that we ran hard today, I am understating quite a bit. We finished the hilly 13.1 mile course in 1:58:53. We really ran way too hard for a long training run. This was pretty close to (or right at) my race pace for most of the race. I am happy to report that I found out today that I am capable of a two-hour half marathon. I really didn't think I could do it, but I proved myself wrong.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Wednesday night, pretzels and frosting...
James is in bed, Karen is at work, and I am still sadly unable to run. So, here I sit eating pretzels dipped in strawberry frosting. It's actually pretty good, really. I only ate a few, as I am afraid to eat lot this week since I can't exercise much.
James and I walked over to the neighbors house yesterday after I got home from work and I rode their pint-sized 60cc motorcycle around their yard. It was a blast, even though I am sure that I was way over the weight limit. It probably looked something like "fat man in a little coat". I'm still a kid apparently. James said that he wants to ride with me on the motorcycle next time. I am not ready for that, the thought of him riding with me scares the bejeezers out of me.
James is the coolest kid ever. He loves to helps us out, no matter what we are doing, and he is even starting to listen to us when we ask him not to do something. He helped me change the oil in the car tonight, by tapping on the oil cans as I poured them onto the valve cover, making a "big mess", which made James laugh hysterically. I then changed the oil in the lawn mower, and James helped me by holding the handle of the mower, testing my pouring skills again by making the mower a moving target. Same result, "big mess", followed by more hysterical giggling. I don't mind cleaning up the messes, at least he is interested.
As James gets older, I find that it is a little harder to make him get the giggles each night at bedtime. I usually have to find novel ways each day to make him laugh until he gets the giggles, occasionally followed by the hiccups. It's really a challege some days. For instance, the other night, James was brushing his teeth and accidentally gagged himself with the toothbrush. I told him to be careful so that he doesn't make himself go, "blaaaaahhhh!". He thought that was the funniest thing ever and could not stop laughing, even after he got the hiccups, which made me laugh even harder. It didn't work half as well the next night, so I had to switch to singing loud nursery rhymes, way off key (as though I had a choice) and making funny faces to get the desired effect. I thought that the "blaaahhhhhh!" should have gotten much more mileage, especially since it made me laugh too.
James and I walked over to the neighbors house yesterday after I got home from work and I rode their pint-sized 60cc motorcycle around their yard. It was a blast, even though I am sure that I was way over the weight limit. It probably looked something like "fat man in a little coat". I'm still a kid apparently. James said that he wants to ride with me on the motorcycle next time. I am not ready for that, the thought of him riding with me scares the bejeezers out of me.
James is the coolest kid ever. He loves to helps us out, no matter what we are doing, and he is even starting to listen to us when we ask him not to do something. He helped me change the oil in the car tonight, by tapping on the oil cans as I poured them onto the valve cover, making a "big mess", which made James laugh hysterically. I then changed the oil in the lawn mower, and James helped me by holding the handle of the mower, testing my pouring skills again by making the mower a moving target. Same result, "big mess", followed by more hysterical giggling. I don't mind cleaning up the messes, at least he is interested.
As James gets older, I find that it is a little harder to make him get the giggles each night at bedtime. I usually have to find novel ways each day to make him laugh until he gets the giggles, occasionally followed by the hiccups. It's really a challege some days. For instance, the other night, James was brushing his teeth and accidentally gagged himself with the toothbrush. I told him to be careful so that he doesn't make himself go, "blaaaaahhhh!". He thought that was the funniest thing ever and could not stop laughing, even after he got the hiccups, which made me laugh even harder. It didn't work half as well the next night, so I had to switch to singing loud nursery rhymes, way off key (as though I had a choice) and making funny faces to get the desired effect. I thought that the "blaaahhhhhh!" should have gotten much more mileage, especially since it made me laugh too.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Vanity is horrible, apparently...
I really did it. I actually hurt myself while ogling myself. Here's how the whole sad story:
While I was rock climbing last week, I was told by a stranger that I had runner's legs, so I decided that I would try to see what that looked like. When I went downstairs with my running shorts on, getting ready to run my nightly training run on the treadmill, I stood on my tiptoes, on the edge of my treadmill. I was trying to see what it looked like when my calves were flexed, as though I was on the rock wall. Well, I saw what they looked like for just a second or two before the pain set in. I was trying really hard to flex my calves and ended up pulling/straining a calf muscle. That's right, I hurt myself checking me out. What a dork. I have been unable to run without major pain for about a week now. I have been taking time off to let it heal up before I do more damage, stewing the whole time in my own idiocy. I love to run, and I have benched myself by checking myself out. To say that I am sad is a real understatement. Giggles are appropriate, please feel free to call me a goon. :)
Here is the main reason that I am sad about my sore leg: I am going to run the Indianapolis half marathon on Cinco de Mayo. I have trained for this race by running hundreds of miles (500+) just to get ready for this race. If I miss the race because I was ogling myself I will be very upset. Not only did this interrupt my training, it potentially jeopardized my ability to finish. I know that I can run the distance if I am healthy, I have gone much farther as recently as two weeks ago. It is because this is the big race of the spring that have been planning for. This race I am going to run with friends and family. It's not just the normal go out and run weekend, this one means something to me. If I push it and try to get back to running too fast, or if I manage to somehow re-injure the leg, I may be walking a very long race in May. Fingers crossed!!
While I was rock climbing last week, I was told by a stranger that I had runner's legs, so I decided that I would try to see what that looked like. When I went downstairs with my running shorts on, getting ready to run my nightly training run on the treadmill, I stood on my tiptoes, on the edge of my treadmill. I was trying to see what it looked like when my calves were flexed, as though I was on the rock wall. Well, I saw what they looked like for just a second or two before the pain set in. I was trying really hard to flex my calves and ended up pulling/straining a calf muscle. That's right, I hurt myself checking me out. What a dork. I have been unable to run without major pain for about a week now. I have been taking time off to let it heal up before I do more damage, stewing the whole time in my own idiocy. I love to run, and I have benched myself by checking myself out. To say that I am sad is a real understatement. Giggles are appropriate, please feel free to call me a goon. :)
Here is the main reason that I am sad about my sore leg: I am going to run the Indianapolis half marathon on Cinco de Mayo. I have trained for this race by running hundreds of miles (500+) just to get ready for this race. If I miss the race because I was ogling myself I will be very upset. Not only did this interrupt my training, it potentially jeopardized my ability to finish. I know that I can run the distance if I am healthy, I have gone much farther as recently as two weeks ago. It is because this is the big race of the spring that have been planning for. This race I am going to run with friends and family. It's not just the normal go out and run weekend, this one means something to me. If I push it and try to get back to running too fast, or if I manage to somehow re-injure the leg, I may be walking a very long race in May. Fingers crossed!!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Saturday night, right before Easter
I just found out that I am going to meet my half-brother, Andy, Memorial day weekend. I have been wondering about him ever since I found out about his existence. Actually, when I found out about him, I spent a lot of time wondering what he would be like. When I was out in public, I found myself wondering if I had already met him, or if I knew him. It's pretty cool that I have talked to him a number of times and found out that he is a lot like me. He is nice, technically minded, looks a little like me, (the lucky devil) his life has actually paralleled mine a bit, we share a lot of the same interests, and I really can't wait to meet him. It's only a month away, but I wish it was going to be tomorrow. He is going to be at my Grandmother's 80th birthday celebration, and what a party this is going to be!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Long run day...
Being a sloth for the first thirty years of my life definitely shaped the way that I am today. For instance, I have been running for several years in an attempt not to return to the sloth that I was, and I have enjoyed moderate success. It would probably be a foregone conclusion that someone who runs a lot would at least be mildly athletic, but I never thought of myself that way. Not at all, in fact. I still think of myself as the fat kid. I just can't seem to let it go. I guess it is fairly understandable that during the only time in my life when people were constantly brutally honest, as little kids are, I was constantly ridiculed for being on or over the edge of morbid obesity. After three years, my self-image finally changed just a little for me this past weekend. I decided that I was going to run a race with some friends, the 43.5 mile Brew to Brew relay from Kansas City, MO to Lawrence, KS. Not only did I decide to run in the relay race, I decided to run the first half of it with one of my friends. Yep, you read that correctly, we ran a little over 22 miles last Sunday, April 1st, 2007. We didn't run fast, but we finished upright, and were able to leave under our own power. Oddly, I really didn't even get sore afterward. It was a personal victory for me that let me feel like I was at least a little bit athletic for the first time in my life.
Why is this important? It wasn't a life-altering moment, but it was definitely a good feeling for me. I don't think I am competitive, but I am constantly trying to figure out exactly where I "fit in" in realtion to other runners, and I think I figured it out. I am not fast and I know that I never will be, but I can endure. I really like that. I was glad that I had the courage to try to run the race, and I am ecstatic that I was able to complete it. Yes, I walked a few times, and I was tired at the end, and I am fine with that. I may not be an Olympian, but I can run. I like that.
While I am being a bit introspective and thoughtful, I shall share a bit of my other random thoughts of people who have a profound effect on my life. This is not the full list by any stretch, merely the two that pop to mind right now.
Thank you, Grampy, for making paper airplanes with me. You taught me that it only takes a piece of paper to learn how to fly, without ever saying a word. I hope I can teach that to my son.
Thank you, Karen, for helping me pursue my hobbies. You really support me, and I really appreciate it. I can't begin to tell you how great it makes me feel to see you and James at the finish line.
p.s.- sorry I wasn't very witty tonight. I actually had a lot of funny thoughts, but I left them out on purpose.
Why is this important? It wasn't a life-altering moment, but it was definitely a good feeling for me. I don't think I am competitive, but I am constantly trying to figure out exactly where I "fit in" in realtion to other runners, and I think I figured it out. I am not fast and I know that I never will be, but I can endure. I really like that. I was glad that I had the courage to try to run the race, and I am ecstatic that I was able to complete it. Yes, I walked a few times, and I was tired at the end, and I am fine with that. I may not be an Olympian, but I can run. I like that.
While I am being a bit introspective and thoughtful, I shall share a bit of my other random thoughts of people who have a profound effect on my life. This is not the full list by any stretch, merely the two that pop to mind right now.
Thank you, Grampy, for making paper airplanes with me. You taught me that it only takes a piece of paper to learn how to fly, without ever saying a word. I hope I can teach that to my son.
Thank you, Karen, for helping me pursue my hobbies. You really support me, and I really appreciate it. I can't begin to tell you how great it makes me feel to see you and James at the finish line.
p.s.- sorry I wasn't very witty tonight. I actually had a lot of funny thoughts, but I left them out on purpose.
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