Happy Valentine's Day!

Just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! Hope y'all have a loved one to share it with and cherish.

I have a surprise outing lined up for the ladies in my life tomorrow. I'll let you know what that was after the surprise. I did get them all flowers today too though, cause they're all special, beautiful, and the loves of my life.

Happy Valentine's Day!

No Wonder I Came in About Last Place...

...I was going the wrong way! Just kidding. This was my warm up before the Dave's 10 Mile Shoe Run I ran about a month ago. I just looked at it recently and saw the runners going the other way and thought, no wonder I came in at the back of the pack!

Well, I missed my 9 mile run a couple of days ago on Tuesday due to a little snowstorm we had. I ran that last night after Lindsey and I got back from her game at Dexter where she and her Lady Bronco teamates posted another "W" to go 4 - 0 on the season. While my pace, just slightly over 9 min/mile was ok and total time, 1:21:27 was ok, the run was horrible. I felt horrible, I felt like my legs and body were "heavy", I had to go up and down the same road (Lewis Avenue) because the side streets were still too snow covered, my legs hurt, my right knee was killing me even with my brace on, right lower leg felt like it would snap at any moment, and I wanted to quit about 4 - 5 miles into it. Oh, and then in the last 2.5 miles mother nature was knocking at the door, if you know what I mean. Sorry, I know, too much information (tmi) as usual, but hey, this is the life of a runner training for a marathon and these things have to be reckoned with. Anyway, I made it home "safely", but (no pun intended), barely.

Anyway, needless to say I had some serious doubts in my head about enduring the rest of the training and completing this marathon after that run last night. The questions and self-doubt festered in my head as I lay in bed awaiting slumber last night. I knew I would have to go out earlier this morning, which was a scheduled rest day, for my 4 mile run that I was to have been done yesterday. I was nervous about getting back out on the pavement today. I showered, took some vitamin I (ibuprophen) and went to bed last night with a pillow under my knee.

I woke up this morning and the pain in my knee and side of it was pretty well gone. I still wasn't confident about running. I got out about 7:45 and got the 4 miles in. I felt much better this morning, not good, but much better than last night and didn't have any residual pain after the run. Whew. I completed the run in 35:21 at an average pace of 8:51 min/mile in the 10 degree temps of the morn. So, a redemptive (is that a word?) run in which I gained some confidence back. I've found running is like that though, one day you feel as though you could run across the state of Michigan and the next, like you couldn't run across the street to get the mail. It's as much a mind game as it is physical at times.

Lindsey has a home game this afternoon against Lincoln. She scored one basket last night and they ended up eeking out the win against Dexter 21 - 15 after leading them 17 - 3 in the last period! Kinda fell apart a bit at the end. Hopefully they will play good consistently throughout this afternoon's game. I'll post the results later.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My Dad is my role model and hero. Always has been, even when I was a young and dumb, unruly punk. I know some of you are questioning whether any of that has actually changed. I hope the answer is yes. He is the gentle, quiet-strength-type. Never says a bad word about anybody. That is THE one quality that I have always admired about him the most. I have NEVER, and I honestly mean NEVER, heard him utter a negative word about anyone. I certainly can't come even CLOSE to boasting that. He has always been calm under pressure, smartly and wisely thinks things through before coming to any conclusions or decisions, and has the wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, and the heart of David.

He and my Mom have wintered down in southern Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, Alamo to be exact, since his retirement in 2000. They're having the time of their life with new friends they've made over the years down there, which I think I am probably more tickled for them than they are themselves.

I have a multitude of great memories of camping, fishing, and hunting trips from their sacrifices when my sister and I were younger. I have images of the Titan Mountains reflecting off the placid mirror-like waters of Jackson Lake at sunrise just after the morning mist has burned off seared in my mind, black bear in the Great Smokey Mountains, the repetitive view of the Lincoln Memorial from the highway we were trying to get off of to get to it to see it up close, my girls seeing Mickey Mouse for the first time at Disney World, my first taste of salt water from the Atlantic Ocean, the taste of freshly caught smelt, salmon, walleye, and perch after another great fish outing with the best fishing buddy ANYONE could ever have, and many have, and SO many more memories.

So, here's to you, Dad, on your birthday and every day! Thanks for all the great experiences and memories, and those yet to come. I admire, respect, and love you more than you'll ever know! Cheers!

Happy birthday!

Sadly, today also marks the one year anniversary of the death of Tammy's last living grandma, Grandma Lane, aka to us Gene, Gene, the Dancing Machine. We think of you often Grandma and, are happy you are resting and rejoicing in Heaven with Grandpa for eternity now. Have a shot and a beer for us with him. We miss you.

Ran 4 this Afternoon

The run was cold, 14 degrees with a slight wind for a "real feel" (don'tcha just love meteorology-speak) of 9, but the running company was hot, both literally and figuratively, as I did my run with Tammy. She doesn't regulate body temp well, so she gets easily over-heated and rather likes this weather to run in. I am a normal warm blooded mammal and hence, my face and fingers were frozen at the end of our run. Our average pace was 10:30/mile and very consistent, within 7 seconds for the 4 miles. I like that. She's my favorite running buddy.

Tomorrow I have to try and squeeze in 9 at some point during the day. Maybe an early run, but we are supposed to get 2 - 4 inches of snow overnight. If that is the case, I may bag the run for the day as Lindsey has an away basketball game at 4:00. I've been very good about getting my miles in so, it doesn't bother me if I miss a day here and there.

Roller Coaster Weather Continues

This is a picture of the corner of our street and Lewis Avenue (the "Main Street" of our town), which I always begin my runs on one way or another from yesterday (Friday) morning as I was heading out to do my inspections for the day for work. The new blanketing of snow brings a refreshing look to the scenary, but the snow on the shoulders makes for a pain in the hoohaa of a run. But, again, I am not going to complain because winter/snowfall could be much worse than it has been so far this winter.

Fortunately, today the shoulders were relatively clear for my long run, which was a scheduled 12 miler that I stretched to 13. It was a fairly nice day to run, temp was 34, the winds were slightly high, but out of the south/southwest so, since I was primarily running most of my mileage east to west, it wasn't that much of a factor. Ole sol even tried peeking out a couple of times toward the end of my run. Tomorrow the roller coaster takes another plunge as we are to have very high winds and a high of 9 degrees. Glad tomorrow is a day of rest. :-)

The 13 mile run was more difficult than I was anticipating it being. I think this was probably due to having done a medium-long tempo run (a faster-paced run) just last evening of 9 miles. My legs were pretty well trashed at the end of today's run and I had some pretty serious aches and pains. I'm thinking this is just making me stronger though and I'm not currently feeling any residual effects from this morning's run so, I don't think I am doing any damage to my body, other than short term muscle damage which will heal and strengthen my body.

Here's the specs on this mornings run for those interested:

Miles: 13

Duration: 2:03:33

Avg. Pace: 9:31/mile

Calories burned: 1,662

Mile splits:

1: 10:41

2: 10:12

3: 9:35

4: 9:35

5: 9:29

6: 9:25

7: 9:25

8: 9:17

9: 9:21

10: 9:18

11: 9:15

12: 9:04

13: 8:56

I ran the first mile and a half with Tammy who did 3.1 miles this morning. I love having her company running, even if it was just for a short while, it makes the rest of the run seem to go better. Although, today's was an unexpected and unanticipated physical struggle. That which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger though, eh? (the eh is the Yooper in me comin' out eh)

Today's run marks the completion of the 9th week of my training plan, which is the halfway point of my 18 week program and also, the highest weekly running mileage (41) I have run to date. I have some serious weekly mileage on the horizon in my training plan, which you can look at here if you wish.

Happy Birthday, Mom! I Love You!

Just want to take a moment to wish my Mom a most Happy Birthday! I'm so thankful for you Mom and that you and Dad are enjoying your retirement years together doing what you want to do. She is 6 days older than my Dad, who used to revel in those 6 days, until they turned 50. Not a word since.



May the Lord bless you on your birthday and always, Mom, as He did me when He gave me to you to raise. Thanks for your love and patience, especially through the difficult years. I love you, Mom! Happy Birthday!

Random Pics from Lindsey's Birthday

Just some random pictures from Lindsey's birthday Saturday.

Her lit birthday cake as we sang Happy Birthday to her. (She didn't get all her candles out in one blow)

Older sister, Chelsea, being, well... Chelsea.

Mom looking threatening toward the picture-taker, which was fortunately not me as you can see. :-)

The embroidered duffle bag Linds got for basketball and whatever else from Mom and Dad. She wanted a bunny, but I would not relent.

Happy 13th Birthday again, Lindsey! I can't believe 13 years have gone by since you came into this world. You are a blessing my dear daughter.

Tickled to Near-Death

I just got back from my long run. Before I go into that, I should announce that Lindsey and Sami got a "1" rating, the highest rating, on their duet at Solo & Ensemble today and earned a blue medal! WAY TO GO GIRLS! YOU DID AWESOME! Sami also got a "1" rating on her solo she performed as well so, earned a second blue medal. Congratulations, Sami! We're very proud of both of you and all your hard work and brilliant perfomances! ;-)

I'm whipped and have to stretch yet and shower and head out to rehearsal at church and then meet the family at Texas Roadhouse for Lindsey's 13th birthday dinner so, I'm just posting my notes from my log on RunningAHEAD here on my long run of 17 miles today. Another new furthest milestone for me. I felt really strong on this run and am very thankful for that confidence boost. :-)

Summary details:

Miles ran: 17
Total time: 2:42:37
Avg. pace/mile: 9:34
Calories burned: 2,355

Here's the notes I put on my log:

Very good long run in crappy conditions given the snowfall we had yesterday and the road shoulders having about 6 - 8 inches of plowed snow on them so, I had no choice but to run on the roads, which made me nervous since vehicle traffic isn't very accommodating even when I'm on the shoulders. Everyone was pretty cool though with the exception of a couple of vehicles which did not give way at all.

Anyway, overall, I felt pretty darn good especially given the fact that I physically felt beat up even before going on the run. I shoveled a lot of snow yesterday and my low back was killing me and my neck and shoulders. NONE of this bothered me during my run however! I was amazed. I'm sure I'll be feeling it tomorrow, but I'm tickled at how good I felt during my run. My knees got to aching around mile 5 or 6, but held up quite well and probably due to running on all pavement. I did wear my brace on my right knee and before I put it on I put body glide on the side where it rubbed last week and I had no issues this week. Garmin says I burned 2,355 calories.

Took a gel at mile 7 and 12 with water after each, a total of one 16.9 oz. bottle. That was fine. I do have some blisters on the bottom of my feet from them getting wet and rubbing at the very end of my run, like the last 2 miles. Here's the mile split times:

1: 9:27
2: 9:40
3: 9:46
4: 9:54
5: 9:55
6: 9:54
7: 9:48
8: 9:51
9: 9:36
10: 9:50
11: 9:46
12: 9:39
13: 9:24
14: 9:14
15: 9:10
16: 9:02
17: 8:39

Pretty happy with that. In fact, I am tickled... to near death. :-)

Focker... out.

Happy 13th Birthday Lindsey!

Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day and... Lindsey's 13th Birthday! Happy Birthday Lindsey! You're growing into a remarkable young woman and Mom and I are so proud of you! Keep it up!

She had wanted Mom to make this cake for her (and was yelling at me for stealing the picture from her blog), but will be settling for Pillsbury Funfetti instead.

First thing tomorrow morning however, we will be traveling to Livonia, Michigan for her Solo & Ensemble competition. She and friend, Sami, will be performing a saxophone duet in front of judges in the competition. They just got done practicing a little while ago and from what I heard, should do quite well tomorrow.

I have to get a long run in, 17 or 18 miles, when we get back and then have rehearsal at the church myself at 4:30 for Sunday's services. Then, we'll be going to Texas Roadhouse for Lindsey's birthday dinner. YeeeHawwwww! Then home for cake (not the one above), ice cream, and 13 birthday spankins!

Happy Birthday Wooby! I love you so much!

Dad

p.s. - No run today due to the snowfall.

Hopeful News for the Zachrich Family

Bob Zachrich is my manager at Grange Insurance and I related the story of his wife, Bettyjo, and her trials since cervical spine surgery 10 months ago a couple of posts ago here. They recently traveled to The Cleveland Clinic to see if a surgeon there could help them with the wound in her esophagus. Bob just posted the results of Bettyjo's consultation and course of action for Bettyjo on the Zachrich Family Times blog. You can read of what transpired by clicking on that link.

Bob, Bettyjo, Brenda, and Emily, rest assured that many folks are thinking about and praying for you and that this procedure will put an end to this trial you have endured for so long. God be with you all. ;-)

Both a Blessing and a Curse

So, here's a pic of Chels and the little purple BarneyMobile Neon that she drives. The kids were on a 2 hour delay this morning due to the bitterly cold freezing temps, the high winds, and patchy-icy road conditions. Chels drives to school everyday and takes Linds with her. So, they leave around 8:55 a.m. and head off to school, after I had gotten her frozen car doors opened, started and warmed up the car, kissed them both goodbye, and warned Chels to be extra-cautious as the roads had patchy spots of ice on them. She gives the customary acknowledgement and... off they go to school.

Well, as most of you know, I am a Firefighter/EMT in our township which is both a blessing and a curse in knowing what tragic things are going on in the community, and... about 5 minutes after Chels and Linds had pulled out of the driveway, my pager goes off for a two vehicle auto accident at the intersection of Temperance and Jackman Roads with at least two victims. My pulse quickens and my mind starts racing... "didn't Linds tell me one time that they ALWAYS go up Temperance Road to go to school", "they didn't give any vehicle descriptions of the vehicles involved in the accident when they dispatched us, did they?!?", "how many victims did they say there were... two?!?", "Oh my gosh! What if this is Chels and Linds". My heart instantly is racing faster than it ever does even after the hardest of runs and uncontrollably so as adrenaline is pulsed throughout my body and my breaths are ever-increasing.

I snatch up wallet and cell phone in case I should need to call their mother from the scene, put my hat and coat on, and head to the garage to head to the fire station. It's like everything is in slow motion, my actions, the garage door going up, getting to the end of our road, the vehicle in front of me that won't get out of the way. Finally, I get to the station and bolt to my gear rack as I'm shouting to my house officer that Chels and Linds just left for school 5 minutes before this call came in and he shouts back that his son, Justin, had just left as well, and goes the same way to school. I snatch my gear off the rack as others are filing in and donning theirs' and heading to appartus to respond to this call. I jump aboard our rescue unit and gear up enroute to the scene.

As we approach the scene I'm nervously straining to see out of the windshield from the back of the rig and can see that it is not exactly at the intersection we were dispatched to, but a side street intersection west of it! No purple Neon! WHEW!!! I collect myself, thank God for sparing my girls and Justin, we arrive on scene, and I begin to attend to one of the victims pinned in her vehicle in the bitter cold with another firefighter, shifting my relieved concern from my own kids, to someone else's now.

Thanks, Lord, for protecting my girls this morning.

Lindsey's Game Yesterday

This is the best picture I got of Lindsey in her first basketball game. The lighting wasn't very good in the gym. She's actually getting double-teamed in the pic here. She was a bit nervous, but did really well in the peripheral apsects of the game, like rebounding, defense, and assists. I think now that the first game jitters are out, she and her teamates will only improve. Their team won the game 13 - 5. Congratulations Lindsey and teamates on a solid first game!

Bettyjo Zachrich

My manager's wife, Bettyjo, was to have had a cervical spine vertebral fusion before Easter last year. There were complications in the surgery in which a metal disc that was placed in her neck ended up eroding a hole in her esophagus allowing ingested matter to leak out her neck. Several weeks after the surgery they finally found what had happened and she has essentially been on a feeding tube ever since. She has battled infection and had one or two subsequent surgeries on her neck and even underwent hyperbaric chamber treatments recently in order to try and get the still existing wound in her neck/espophagus to heal. Everything has failed to date.

Bob, my manager, and Bettyjo traveled to Cleveland yesterday and are to see an ENT surgical specialist at the Cleveland Clinic who specializes in rebuilding the esophagus of esophagial cancer patients for either evaluation or pre-op examination for possible reconstruction of her esophagus. The Zachrich family, Bob and Bettyjo, and daughters, Brenda and Emily (who are very close in age to my girls), have understatedly been through a mountain of trials over the past 10 months or so. I just wanted to let them know that I, and many of my friends and family in the Toledo-area and more, are thinking about them and their family today and praying that this surgeon will be able to help Bettyjo in her recovery. May God bless you Zachrich family and restore you, Bettyjo. You are in my prayers.

Caution - Rick, Err, I Mean Turtle Crossing

I actually took this pic today when I was out on inspections. I was heading to Shelby Township from Clinton Township in Macomb County (north of Detroit) driving kind of along/parallel to the Lake St. Clair lakeshore, when I drove by the Metro Beach Metropark entrance drive and saw this sign! I couldn't believe it! I actually turned around to drive into the park to get a picture of it for Marion, who is fast like a hare, and me... the prodding turtle. So Mar, I finally found a place where I can run and be protected from the traffic and fast little hares. Metro Beach Park... here me and my turtle runnin' shoes come! WOOT!

It was an awesome day. My 8 mile run this morning was done in 45 degree temps and went very well. I probably could have ran in shorts had I thought to do so. It was beautiful running this morning, the shoulders were clear of snow and mostly clear of ice, and SOFT, and the wind, while substantial, was not a factor for me given the directions I was traveling. My hips felt much better today than yesterday after Saturdays long run which did them in a bit, and I had no other "physical" issues.

I got pretty much everything I wanted to accomplish inspection-wise done, got a return phone call from my college roomate - I've only left him two voice mails in the last two months! - so it was great hearing from him and catching up on what he was up to and how his family was doing, and got home in time to see Lindsey play her first league basketball game. She didn't score I don't think, had several shot opportunities that didn't go, but she did very well otherwise on defense, rebounding, and had a couple of assists. Went from her game to church for a vocal rehearsal and then home for pizza and greek salad. Yum! Then, finished off the evening watching the goofy folks on American Idol with the family and helped Linds with some homework.

So, there you have it... the summary of an awesome day. I hear the wind howling outside right now though and the temps are a-dropping. Supposed to storm overnight, winds gusts to 40 mph, and dropping temps to 12 degrees with windchills down to -20 they're (the brilliant meteorologists) saying. The one day winter reprieve was nice while it lasted. Tomorrow is a 4 mile day. If the winds are what they say they are to be, I may not get out. We'll see.

Lindsey's First Game!

Lindsey's basketball team has their first game this afternoon at 4:00 p.m. against Saline at home. She and her teamates had to dress up today for school for their game. She was pretty calm and collected about this first game and I just pray she continues to be. She should be, she works VERY hard at everything she does, and is always well-prepared for the challenges she faces. Nonetheless, I will be praying for her throughout the day to do her best and, most importantly, have fun playing. If you think of it, keep her in your thoughts and prayers as well today too... especially come 4:00 p.m.!

Linds, you're awesome and you're gonna do just great! Remember to follow your shot, box out, keep the person you're defending in front of you, and stay between the player you're guarding and the ball. Most importantly, always remember that I love you NO MATTER WHAT!! <3

Love~
Dad

"I Love You"

This was the final message in Pastor Mark's series, "The World's Most Powerful Phrases" today in church. Did you know that everyone has a primary love language? This is the thing that speaks most into their life. According to Dr. Gary Chapman there are 5 categories of primary love languages:

1. Words of Affirmation (my number 1 or 2 love language)
2. Quality Time (Tammy's number 1 or 2 love language)
3. Receiving Gifts (on neither of our lists)
4. Acts of Service (high in Tammy's list as well)
5. Physical Touch (both my and Tammy's other number 1 or 2 love language)

Now, let me explain each just a bit. Words of affirmation is pretty self-explanatory, but essentially means that you are noticing things about someone else and affirming them. It's saying to them, "I believe in you."

Quality time, while appearing simple on the surface, requires that one give undivided attention to the person whom this speaks most highly to. This is something that I struggle with... I listen, but I don't hear. There is no multi-tasking when it comes to quality time, it is simply leaning into the other person and really hearing what they or their heart is saying to you.

Receiving gifts is just that simple. Some people feel valued by receiving gifts. The neat thing is, it doesn't have to be elaborate or expensive, just meaningful. It shows to the person that this is the evidence of your love for them.

Acts of service is pretty simplistic as well in that it is just that, doing something for someone. Even if it is against your nature (like cleaning the bathroom, doing the dishes, or doing the laundry), you do it for the other person non-begrudgingly (is that a word... any English majors out there?) as a display of love for someone.

Ahh, and last, but certainly not least, physical touch. I would have to think that this would be relatively high on most of the guys' lists of love languages, but here's the deal guys... it isn't just about sex. It's being emotionally connected through touch. It's physical displays of affection like a loving kiss on your wife's forehead, rubbing her shoulders as she's standing at the kitchen sink, holding her hand on a walk, kissing the nap of her neck, caressing her back, or stroking her hair. I would think if you are physically tender with your wife, and this speaks to her love language, that the more intimate l'amour may be around the corner as well. Nudge, nudge.

Pastor Mark pointed out that "the language of the listener is the only language that matters" in our relationships with people. You have to set aside the thoughts of your own primary love languages and "speak" the language that is most meaningful to the other person, even when it is not in your nature to do so.

He also said that people need to hear the words, "I love you." Your husband, wife, kids, family, and friends need to hear this from you. I have to honestly say, and I think my family would agree, that I am very good about this. Where I may stumble however, is in the second aspect of saying I love you in affirming it with my actions.

I don't always, ok I fail miserably and often, hear what Tammy or the girls are saying to me because I have my mind on a thousand other things at the time, or I don't spend the time that they would want to spend with me because I am too busy serving other interests or people. Shame on me. I have gotten better over the years, but I still have to work on loving through my actions and not just through my words. Which brings up a great verse from the Bible in 1 John 3:18 which says, "Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions." Or, my favorite version of this verse from another Bible translation, which states the verse this way, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth."

Finally Pastor Mark concluded the message by reiterating that everyone close to us, spouse, children, family, dear friends, has a primary love language. It's our duty in loving them properly to find it and speak it to them. I've been blessed to discover what my wife and kids' primary love languages are, I just need to do a better job of speaking it to them.

Thanks for the great messages on "The World's Most Powerful Phrases" series these past several weeks, Pastor Mark. They certainly have spoken into my life.

An awesome resource for today's message, and one that Tammy and I both read together, is the book "The Five Love Languages", by Gary Chapman, PhD. It will work wonders in your relationships.

Team Cassy Completes 16 Miler!

WOOOHOOOOO! I just ran the furthest I have EVER run! We did it Cass! WOOT! I got up around 6:50 a.m., got the coffee going, went to my office to get a little work done while I "woke up" and got the kinks out. Got a bowl of oatmeal made and drizzled it with honey. Snagged my cup of coffee, read my Daily Bread for the day as I ate my oatmeal and drank my coffee.

It had snowed overnight, not a lot, just enough to cover the roads, about an inch or so, which I wasn't too keen on as it would make the footing bad for my run. I had somewhat of a route mapped out in my head last night. It was 21 degrees with light snow and light winds when I headed out. Tammy was going to meet me at the fire station at about mile 8.5 - 9 to give me some water. When I left, I had forgot my gels, which are nutritional supplements for energy in a little foil packet kind of the consistency of yogurt. They have carbs and electrolytes in them to help fuel your muscles. So, I altered my route a hair and went to the fire station right away, which is about a half mile from our house and called Tammy and asked her to bring the two gel packs I had forgotten with her as well, which she agreed to do.

The first 5 miles were pretty uneventful, just trying to loosen up and keep a steady pace and not get hit by any sliding vehicles driving entirely too fast on the slippery roads. Fortunately there was not a lot of traffic for the first half of my run. I did have to dodge a couple of snow plows on the street side of the road. Had I not and gone left of them toward the shoulders, I would have been sprayed with snow and salt.

The next several miles my legs were getting a little tired from running in the snow I think. I was looking forward to meeting Tammy at the firehall and was ready for a gel and some water. About mile 6.5 I was thinking about Cassy and thought that when I run the marathon, I will have on my shirt, "Team Cassy", to kind of "take her along with me." Of course, everytime I start thinking about her on my runs, I start balling like a child that got his favorite toy taken away and can't breath right until I calm myself down and get back focused again. Oh, and WXKR played "Every Breath You Take" again today by The Police. What the heck?!? How do they think that is classic ROCK?!? All I can think about is making out with Tammy in highschool or dancing with her, not kickin' some butt while running, when I hear that. I'm gonna have to call or e-mail that radio station.

So, miles 9 through 12 of the run were pretty brutal in that I was out in the countryside, Crabb Road from Temperance to Sterns for those of you who know the area, which is largely open, fields and rural lot homes, and I could definitely feel the difference in the temp and winds. This was the "hunker down and get through it" part of the run. When I got to 12 and could "see the light at the end of the tunnel" and was still feeling pretty good, other than my legs getting tired, I was pretty optimistic. Miles 12 to 14 were pretty steady and I was just kind of "in a zone" or "zoning out" as it may have been and just kinda felt like I was on auto-pilot, as I couldn't really even feel my legs moving at times. The last two miles, I still had gas in the tank, so I tried to kick it up a notch to finish strong and burn off some of the lactic acid which builds up in your muscles after prolonged or strained activity. WXKR did have some redemption in that the song I finished my run to was "Living on the Edge" by Aerosmith. Just slightly ironic.

Here are my pace per mile split times, which I am VERY happy about with respect to the consistency given I was running in snow:

1: 9:50
2: 9:58
3: 10:12
4: 10:08
5: 10:05
6: 10:09
7: 10:12
8: 10:13
9: 10:07
10: 9:59
11: 10:06
12: 9:57
13: 10:00
14: 9:49
15: 9:43
16: 8:58

Total running time: 2:39:23
Average pace per mile: 9:59

Tammy had done a 5 mile run (so Team Cassy actually did 21 miles today, since she is VERY much a part of the team) and was shoveling the driveway for me when I got back. She rocks! I finished off with a light jog down our road of about a half mile and then walked for a bit, stretched, Gatorade, and now here doing this. So, there you have it folks... 16 miles. Only 9 more long runs to go before the race.

Have a great day and weekend everyone! :-)

Spirit of the Marathon

Just got back a little while ago from this film. It was very well done and I think captured a lot of the essence of what the marathon means to an average person attempting it like myself in the stories of at least 3 of the individuals followed. It was inspirational, but at the same time, my stomach was just rolling over with anxiety as well. That's what this thing does to you. I got all nervous just watching the lead up to the start for the people in the film. I can't imagine what I will be feeling like the day and night before, the morning off, at the starting line. My head just swirls contemplating it.

I really enjoyed being out with Tammy and glad she accompanied me to the movie. Well, gonna haunt a couple other blogs and get to bed. No run tomorrow, it will be a rest day. I may go down to the training room at the fire department and start some light weight training. I could use some strengthening, especially after seeing that movie and how hard the people trained and still struggled. We'll see.

Oh, my favorite part of the film that made my eyes swell with teardrops was in the middle of the marathon some spectators on the side of the street had a sign that read, "You're our hero, Dad! We love you!" I wanna be my kids' hero... not just for running this race, but for them knowing that I am a caring man of integrity that loves them with all my heart.

Good night.

8 Miles, Dinner, and a Movie

Got my 8 miles in today that I was supposed to do tomorrow, but I wanted to have a day of rest before Saturday's long run, which is a 16 miler. I did this afternoon's run as a tempo run, which is a fast paced run, or at least fast for me. I think my average pace per mile was 8:57. My last mile was 8:15, which is good, cause I had some gas left in the tank after sustaining a fairly good pace over 7 miles.

Chels had a friend over when I got back and they had just gotten Subway. The kids LOVE Subway. I don't see what the fascination is with a sandwhich, but oh well. Tammy and Linds got home from her b-ball practice shortly after I did and had stopped at BP and picked up frozen cokes. I didn't want it. I couldn't believe it (because normally I LOVE them), but it didn't sound good at all. Perhaps it was because my upper lip was still frozen from the 19 degree run with the wind chill at 10? I warmed some leftover beef barley vegetable soup up, just finished that, now I have to go and hit the shower and Tammy and I are off to see the The Spirit of the Marathon movie.

Her mom's outpatient surgery for placement for her dialysis port went ok. She's home and Tammy is checking on her right now before we head out. Thanks to those of you who were keeping her in your thoughts and prayers today.

"Hold On"

Tammy's Mom has been through a lot in the last 6 months including the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), major circulatory problems which required drastic by-pass surgery for her descending aorta and both femoral arteries back in September that kept her in the hospital for an unexpected 8 weeks, and now, has left her only kidney not functioning so, she has had to undergo dialysis 3 days a week since. She's also had a stroke in her right eye which has left her without vision in that eye and undergone carotid artery surgery/cleaning. This morning she goes in to have a permanent dialysis port put in place in her arm. I know this has been a most difficult and trying time for her and I just wanted to offer her this song by the band 33 Miles for encouragement this morning. I know it's one of her favorites. The video's cheesey, but the song is awesome.

I'll be praying for you Mom and will continue to do so that your kidney will be restored.

One of the main reasons why I run being an ex-smoker myself and looking to get on a road to better health and perhaps prevent some of these issues in me in the future.