2008

It was definitely a different year for me. My running tended to take the back burner and being a dad was what it was about. Finding balance was the key, and at times I fell short. My mileage for the year is probably at the lowest since I took up running a mere 8 years ago, but I still feel pretty good about what I accomplished - and I had fun along the way. My running began a little differently this year - I had to start a bit from scratch as I was focusing on being a dad (I was very new to this still). I couldn't get a running routine started in the mornings as I was on bottle duty, so it was lunch time runs on a treadmill. This seemed to work out pretty good, though it left me very tired by the end of the week, and it was easy to sacrifice a workout because of work. In February I ended up with a back injury that kept me out for a couple of weeks, but then it was back to a routine. I ran the first two DINO trail races of the year, the first being very cold and snowy, the second just brutal with the stairs and hills that I just was not prepared for. April was the final month of training for Dances With Dirt. I got some good trial runs in, but nothing that truly prepared me for what I was to face. In May, it was game on. Dances with Dirt was crazy - it was quite the experience and challenge. Needless to say, I finished with a respectable effort and did not get injured. The following weekend I ran the inaugural Geist Half Marathon. A great race and definitely one I'll be doing again. June didn't have much running going on, but then in July training started for a half marathon in the fall - there was no way I could find time to train for a full marathon this year... In July Lilli and I went for our first run together. Just a quick 3 mile run through the neighborhood, but she enjoyed it a lot. We found time for a few more runs together throughout the summer - when her scheduled allowed. Makes me look forward to this coming summer now... September found me another year older, but having some good runs - especially as I was nearing my fall half marathon. I was hoping to set a PR this year in it, but the course and my training didn't allow it. I kept running a few days a week as I could get them in since the half marathon. I even ran a couple of trail runs, but still no PR's for me. I guess you could say this was a rebuilding year. I am now taking stock in my running and deciding what races I will run and what goals I want to have. Will there be a marathon this year? I hope so, but who knows. I do know that I would really like to focus on running all the trail runs this year in the DINO series. How about Dances with Dirt again? Hmmm... maybe. I even thought about a possibility in doing the Pikes Peak Ascent. But it's all just random thoughts. That's all I have for now. See you next year...

The Fast and the Furious

This holiday season has come at me way too fast this year. Normally I am done or very close to being done with my shopping, but this year? Lot's to do... here's just a very brief update...

As it is, we just got the Christmas Tree up this week - actually got it up on Sunday, but did not get it decorated until Tuesday... I still don't have lights up outside!

My aunt, uncle and grandmother came into town on Wednesday to see Lillian and us. It was a short visit, but very nice. We hadn't seen them in a couple of years and they had never seen Lilli in person, so it was a special visit. We had hoped to get out to Ohio to see them this summer, but timing never worked out.

Today we are planning on running errands, then I plan on just running. Later we are going to Christmas at the zoo! I can't wait!

As for running, it is still sporadic, but work and the holidays keep me guessing on my schedule. Our anniversary is just around the corner - Thursday the 18th (#9). Next weekend is Steph's family Christmas party, and then it is Christmas. We are still not sure of our exact plans - as always we have to schedule our time around Stephanie's sister. Our house is now the host house as it was for Thanksgiving since Steph's parents have moved to Arizona. It should be nice to not have to travel as much as we had in the past.

That's all for now. Next up... a year in review? Until then Happy Running and Happy Holidays!

10 Things That Make Me Happy

I've been tagged!!

My good friend Brooke tagged me, so I'll play along... this will be easy.

10 things that make me happy (in random order) :

1. Having Lilli smile at me - a big toothy one.

2. Getting a kiss from Lilli - usually a slobbery one.

3. Playing with Lilli

4. Relaxing in pajamas with Steph and Lilli on a Sunday morning

5. A clean car - inside and out

6. Listening to music

7. Running with Lilli in her jog stroller

8. Running - anywhere, any time

9. A clean house

10. Vacations

Time, Turkey and Some Running

So the holidays are in full swing now and time is becoming more precious. It has been over a month since my last post and you might wonder if I've done anything at all. I have kept up my running "fairly" consistently - at least until this past weekend.

Since Lilli's 1st birthday, I've run a trail run at Fort Harrison State Park and kept up my weekly runs. My in-laws came in from Arizona this past week (Tuesday) and spent almost a week with us for Thanksgiving. Amazingly, it was not enough time for them to see everyone, but they did spend some quality time with Lilli - something they really hadn't done much of previously. In fact, she would scream when they would come over because she didn't know who they were! This time was quite different. She really latched on to her Papa and Nana, and I think they latched on to her. They got to see just how wonderful she really is. So I suggested that a web cam would be a good idea (and a good Christmas present for them).

Thanksgiving was good. I made my best turkey to date - juicy and golden brown. I was quite proud of myself (I am typing this while finishing up the last of the turkey in fact... so sad). I didn't get out to run the Drumstick Dash this year - just too tired and too busy, but I did get out the day before and the day after for a good run.

Friday pretty much had me at home all day - no early shopping for me this year. I just didn't feel the need to get out and shop, which leaves me with even less time now to complete this daunting task... ugh... I have ideas though, just need to follow through.

Saturday we went up to Muncie to see Steph's other family members - her grandmother and aunt and uncle. It was a long day and I was very tired by the end.

Sunday the in-laws went out shopping and I relaxed a little at home, though I never got around to reading the Sunday paper, let alone get a run in. We ended up going out for dinner on Sunday so we didn't have to eat any more leftovers or cook anything and a way for Steph's parents to see the grand kids one last time. It was fun for all and then it was time to head home as they had to get up at 3am to head to the airport for an early morning flight. They got back to Arizona well before noon here.

I did get out for a run this morning - just 5 miles. There was a light dusting of snow on the roads, so I wore my trail shoes. About a mile into my run I realized that the sole inserts weren't in my shoes. I had them out when I was drying them out from my last trail run and I didn't notice it. By then end of my run, my knees noticed it though. Surprising how much cushion they provide. So I ended that run at an 8:51 average pace, which isn't bad, but still seems too slow. I am desperate to work on my speed, but may need to wait until spring. I am looking forward to getting back to the trails, so hopefully I'll have some more running to post.

Until then, Happy Running and Happy Holidays!