Locked IN

My house is plotting against me.

Really.

Just when I think I am free and clear of any projects, something comes up. Installing a sliding screen to the back door? Oh, well the threshold is rotten and so is some of the surrounding trim and not sure if there is any water intrusion... Gotta paint the trim? No problem, except that some if it is rotten too and needs replaced.

Yesterday morning was a little different though. I actually got up early to go for a run. I got dressed, I quietly made my way through the house, making sure I didn't wake anyone up. Got to the door, unlocked it and I still couldn't open the door. I tried locking and unlocking it again, but the knob would not turn! I thought about just leaving it and dealing with it later, but I feared the worst - a fire could break out and everyone could get trapped because the door wouldn't open -- granted there were 2 other doors, but it could happen. So I grabbed a screwdriver and pulled the knob off the inside and pushed it out on the other. I tried pulling the latch mechanism open, but it would not budge. So I went out the front door, got into the garage, got a bigger screwdriver and then came in and pried the latch open. Now I had a door with no knob that would not latch. What to do?

I thought quickly.

It was 6:30 am.

What is open at that time of morning? Lowe's wouldn't be open for another half hour and I had to still get ready for work. Walmart is the closest store and it was open. Wasn't sure if they'd have anything, but had to try. I hopped in my car and went in and, low and behold, I found want I needed! I got back home and found Steph and Lilli awake. They had no idea what had happened - they thought I had gone to work already.  I pulled the lock-set out of the box and then had to mortise int he new latch mechanism. 20 minutes later, the new knob was installed, and surprisingly it was much better than the low grade knob the builder installed in this house! Now I might replace all the exterior knobs... another project to add to the list. But before I start on that, I hope to get a run in!

oh so tired...

I got home a little early yesterday from being on a job site all day, so I was able to finish priming the toy chest and even got a first coat of accent paint on the drawers and lid. I did notice some remedial patching and sanding that needs to be done, but nothing too labor intensive, just delays starting the final coat of paint. It felt great to get another step ahead on that project.

This morning, I was supposed to do a 35 minute tempo run, but due to lack of sleep last night (a certain someone got up crying at 1:30 am and didn't go back to sleep until 4:30 - poor little tired girl) I did not run this morning and I don't think I'll even try this evening. I guess I'll get to it tomorrow morning...

A friend of mine just got back into the office today. He just turned 40 on Saturday. To celebrate he ran the Pikes Peak Ascent. I am quite envious and it sounded like it was an amazing time. Even though I still have a few year yet, I looked into when my 40th birthday fell to see if there is a race that I might participate in to celebrate. Unfortunately it falls on a Monday, so I could either run the Sunday or Saturday before as my "last hurrah" before turning 40, or figure something else out. I'll be on the lookout for races and seeing what I can find. Until then, I am enjoying my 30's while I can.

I may have to grow old, but I don't have to grow up...

fun with recycling

Yesterday was so beautiful out and it was impossible to stay indoors, so Lillian and I decided to play outside. The swing has become a little passe, so we got creative and dug out a box from the recycling pile and created a little playhouse. I think the look on her face says it all... we had a lot of fun. We even added color using some of her sidewalk chalk. She's quite the interior decorator!

This morning's run went well. Looking forward to my tempo run tomorrow...

Thoughts On Being A Dad

I sit here thinking about the last 10+ months of my Life. Wow, how crazy it has all been. It has been the hardest, but most rewarding time - I can't imagine anything topping this.

Sometimes I struggle with not having my own time anymore. When I do it is in the wee hours of the morning as I run through the darkness, or it is at work (yeah right). I actually enjoy my runs a lot in the morning. I am alone with only my thoughts and it is comforting to be alone - sounds strange and a little selfish I suppose, but it works for me.

The wonderful thing about being a dad (for now at least) is that Lilli thinks I am a rockstar. She smiles every time she sees me and holds her arms out for me to hold her. "wow" it makes me feel important. I can have a stressful or bad day at work, but when I walk through the door at home or pick her up at day care I see this:

and I just melt and whatever happened at work doesn't matter anymore.

She'll eventually learn that I'm a dork and she'll probably not smile every time she sees me, but for now I am cherishing every minute of it. I wouldn't trade any of this for the world.

Scheduling Snafu(s)

The name of the game is flexibility. Stuff happens - it's all part of Life. So as I have been trying to pull together a training schedule and stick to it the last 4 or 5 weeks, I have shifted days around and, unfortunately, have missed a day or two.

Am I worried? No.

Do I wish I didn't have to keep shuffling my time around? Sure, but I'm thankful I at least have that as an option.

So, the plan this weekend was to run 10k. The schedule actually had me in a 10k race - and there even was one, but I opted out of doing that race and decided just running 10k would be a good thing. As I was checking my upcoming planned races, I realized that the D.IN.O fall trail race series is beginning next weekend. What a great idea it would be to run my 10k on trails!

Honestly, I was happy to run anything as long as I got my mileage in at a good pace. I had it all planned to run on Saturday, but Life threw another curve ball at us.

Steph woke up horribly dizzy - more so than she had a previous mornings (we thought it was just sinus drainage or something connected to fluid in the inner ear). It was going away, so an appointment was scheduled with an ENT for Monday, but here it was Saturday and it was bad. So it was off to the Medcheck where she was diagnosed with "positional vertigo". So, with some medication, it was relieved slightly, but with a wonderful drowsy affect. The rest of Saturday was a wash, but not a waste. Unfortunately, I am still not getting ANYTHING done around the house that is on my list! I am threatening to take vacation to have actual free time to get stuff done... time is running out...

Today I finally got out for my run around 11am. I headed right for Fort Harrision State Park and ran the trails. I hadn't run the trails there since April, so it was great to get back to them. I didn't set any records on this run, but felt good when I was finished.

Later on today I was mentioning to Steph that next weekend was a trail run race that I was planning on doing. Unfortunately for me, she has an appointment that morning that has been scheduled for a month and a half... oops, guess I lose on this one. Looks like I'll have to miss this race... oh well, there be plenty more. Life goes on and so do I. I'll be back at it tomorrow morning if all goes well.

Happy Running...

No running news to report

Okay, I haven't run in 2 weeks. Work is just crushing me under the weight of deadlines. Something had to give and unfortunately it has been my sleeping and my running. And the bad thing about that? I just got some new shoes from New Balance to wear test and they want 150 to 200 miles on them in 4 weeks... um crap! So there is the motivation, but now I need the time. I have two jobs finishing up this week, so that should help a lot plus we are taking a vacation next week. We aren't going anywhere, but we do need time off to try to relax, as well as get some much needed stuff done around the house.

We have had some fun the last couple of weekends (and I got a few things checked off my list). We have gone to the neighborhood pool a couple of more times and Lilli is just loving every minute of it. Here are some photos from the last couple of weeks...

Sitting up like a big girl.

Sporting a cute sun hat.

Pool Time!

Lilli in her boat.

Lilli in her new dress from Nana and Papa.

Hopefully running will become part of my life again - soon. I am anxiously awaiting the time when I can get Lilli out for a run - it still hasn't happened yet!

Lost and Found

So, it's been a bit crazy the last few weeks. The week after the half marathon I did no running whatsoever. This was not planned, nor was I sore or injured, I was just buried in work... ugh. Then came Memorial Day Weekend.

That Saturday had us going to the 500 Festival Parade - the precursor to the Indy 500 (Mine and Lilli's first one). It was cool - we had great seats - right near the beginning and right up front and Lilli did so good. From there we went home for a quick nap - for most of us (not me) and then off to a birthday party for Steph's friend Jennifer whose son Drew was 1 year old. Another first for Lilli - her first birthday party invite...

And finally from there, we went to our good friends Tom and Carol for a cookout. By the end of this we were all pretty exhausted, but Lilli did so good. I, unfortunately, came down with more head congestion and ended up not being able to hear in my right ear... the creeping crud apparently still around (I ended up finding out it was an ear infection).

The next day we relaxed a little in the morning then we were off to the in-laws for the "final" cookout at their house. Their house has sold and they have both quit their jobs (last day is today) and are preparing to move to Arizona. On Monday we just hung around the house. I was feeling a bit cruddy still and just needed to relax.

The following week I got in two mid-week runs. Not terrible runs either, but not a long distance run that I felt I needed. Other than that, that was it for the week - not much else to report.

Then last weekend was our neighborhood's garage sale, so we spent Friday night getting stuff together - Steph's parents brought over a bunch of stuff to get rid of as well (including a van). Then that night we had awful storms that knocked out our power around 10:30pm and it didn't come back on until 1:30 pm the next day. But all through the day we worked the garage sale, selling most of Steph's parents stuff - including their van. We made 20% off of their stuff, which was good, since we didn't sell much of our junk... anyone want a drafting table?

Sunday was a blur and then it was back to work on Monday. I very stressful week with tons of work piling on top of me and no end in site. I got in two more mid-week runs but that was all. The weather is supposed to be lousy tomorrow, but I am hoping to get in a good long run some time this weekend - we'll see.

My youngest sister, her husband and my three beautiful nieces are coming in this Sunday and will be here all week. Steph and I are taking Thursday and Friday off to spend time with them. Thursday we are going to the Children's Museum. I am looking forward to going (for selfish reasons - being a big kid at heart). So a nice short work week, but unfortunately it is a short work week - i.e. even more stressful.

A Fast 5k

I did not have a stellar week in running, but I did manage a couple of runs early in the week. This weekend I had intentions of running both Saturday and Sunday - one short and one long run, but time got away from me on Saturday (plus I was exhausted). Luckily when I read the schedule today, it said yesterday was a rest day and today was a 5k race. Without a race, I chose to run a 5k loop through the neighborhood. It was about as warm as it was going to get, so I headed out and apparently went out too fast (a 6:30/mile pace... at least that is what my GPS said). My average for the run was a 7:54/mile pace... not too shabby I suppose.

Looking ahead, I have a busy week at work again, just no out of state traveling this week. I am hoping for 4 days of running this week, not including my weekend run. Hopefully all will go well.

On the home front, it was another good weekend. Lilli continues to grow and take on a personality of her own. She is almost all smiles lately. Today she saw the Easter Bunny while we were out. Next weekend is her baptism. We seem to have gone to great lengths to find a dress for her to where for this monumental occasion. I am sure this will be repeated years down the road when she goes to her first dance, then her prom, and then *gulp* her wedding... but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We are enjoying every moment with her and are not wanting her to grow up too fast...

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all and to all a good run!

we interupt this training schedule to bring you...

LIFE

It has been awhile since I have blogged... life seems to be getting a little out of control - or at least not as orderly as I like things. Everything has its place you know. My running was going well last week. I got all my runs in, went to dinner on Friday night where I ordered a pasta dish that apparently did not agree with me at all and left me hurling all night. Needless to say, my 14 mile long run the next day did not happen, nor did it happen the next day. A big "bagel" for mileage this past weekend.

Then my work schedule kept me from getting any runs in early on in the week. I was up early to go to Michigan Monday morning, not getting back until 11pm, then up at 4:30am on Tuesday to go to an early meeting, working late to try to "catch up" which didn't do any good. Then it was up early again to go to Michigan on Wednesday, getting back around 7pm, but feeling so incredibly drained that running would not have been a good idea. I literally had no time to get a run in. It has left me stressed out and reconsidering running a marathon this fall. I do not like it when I fall short of my goals and I really do not like missing any of my runs.

After my day at work yesterday, I left just a few minutes early to get home a go for a run. I needed it, I needed an outlet for my stress and frustration and running was my only hope. I headed out to the park and settled on 7 miles. I was ready to get started and went to get my watch ready when I realized I had forgotten it at home... just one more small thing to piss me off. I shrugged it off and decided to just run - to hell with time. I knew the distances, so that wasn't a big deal. I headed out and just ran. It was me and my music, running as hard as I could, charging hills and trying to pick up the pace whenever I could, leaving my stresses behind me - kind of like that Propel commercial with the song "Pressure" playing in the background (which is a great song to run to BTW) . So, I am struggling to get back on track, but am finding myself falling further and further behind in my mileage. I am going to rework my schedule once again to attempt to get "caught up" before the weekly mileage really climbs. I have some baby news updates, but will save it for another post. I'd rather keep my dismal running performance separate from that stuff. Until then - just keep on running - I'll catch up with you...

interesting developments

My running is still not firing on all cylinders, but I did manage to get two runs in this week. I am gearing up for a 9 mile long run this weekend, so we'll see how it goes. The good thing is the weather should be nice and I have stuff to think about during my run...

Things have finally slowed down at work so I can catch my breath (though this is only temporary). I am actually taking next week off and will be heading to Detroit for a wedding next weekend.

To start my week(Tuesday), I am flying to upstate NY for the day for a golf outing - this is business, but I am hoping it will be fun as well. This is related to a client we have out there and I expressed interest in working with them since I am from New York. Interestingly enough, I was approached on Tuesday and asked if I golfed and would like to go. I usually try to get out of things like this as my golfing is so sporadic (every two years), but I was somewhat interested in getting "in" on the project. Then I received a meeting request about the project, so I accepted and will be meeting this morning to discuss... I did get a little information ahead of time. The gist of the meeting was getting me on board to manage a bunch of projects out there... but there was a twist to some of this - not a catch, just a twist. They have asked me to move out to New York to manage them... this isn't a definite thing. I could still manage it from here, with some trips out there as needed, but they thought since I was from New York I might want to move back out there...

Admittedly, if this were about three years ago, I might have jumped at the chance, but things have changed for me significantly in the last few months that this really isn't an option. So, the plot thickens. I will follow up with more details later... and this isn't even my big announcement...

a glimmer of hope

So, I ran today. Not earth shattering news anymore, but it was different. I was sore in my knee, but started out with a brisk walk to loosen up. It felt okay, but not great. I decided to give running a try anyway, and oddly enough, the pain went away. I felt strong and like my old self again. I finished up, did four sets of abdominal crunches, showered and got ready for work. My knee feels great, and so does my soul. We'll see what tomorrow brings, but for now I have yet another little victory under my belt (oh, and new shoes under my feet - I was able to get the last pair exactly like my last four pair).

Life keeps going and so will I.

life or something like it

Running aside, it has already been another "stellar" start to a new year and it is only the 22nd of January... lots of personal and family issues to deal with and with the lack of running I have not had much of an outlet for what I can only describe as "feelings". You see, I am not an emotional person - I could probably be thought of as cold (if you didn't know me that is), but how I usually deal with stresses and emotions is through my running - I use running as some people use prayer. I won't go into any details, but things are looking better, but there are still probably going to be more ups and downs to deal with. I will cope, It is like the quote above my profile...

"A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you've done it you feel that you can do anything."

Sorry to get all philosophical about stuff... now on to our regularly scheduled blog...

I got in a great run this morning - stronger and faster than my last few attempts. I wasn't even tired from staying up watching the Colts / Patriots game last night - and oh, what a game!

I am going to have to do something with my treadmill though. It is acting up more and more, almost to the point where I can't run fast enough on it now before it shuts off... looks like a call to the repair guy is in order... sounds expensive too...

My shoes came in and I picked them up on Friday night. I tried them out for a quick 3 mile run on the treadmill Saturday morning - unfortunately there's a little problem... They changed my beloved shoe and they do not offer it in a 4E width (yes, that is right, I have freakishly wide feet - I'll do very well in a triathlon when I try one some day - built in flippers and all), so I tried the 2E, as they measured so close to the old pair, but the toe box is much too narrow. So now I must find a new pair of shoes all over again... this sucks...