Moving Slowly

Two weeks into the new year and I haven't taken the time to sit down and decide on this year's races. Which half marathons? what full marathon(s)? what about trail runs? and, the obvious, what about training?!?!?

The good thing is that training for a half is not too bad, and I have "reasonable" base mileage, but without that specific goal, it will be hard to keep a focus. I'll most likely keep it local, but with travel for work and the thoughts of a vacation this summer, the choices can open up even more.

I did get out on Saturday for a decent 4.25 mile run. The path was snow covered, but my screw shoes gave me great traction. I am hoping for 6 miles this coming weekend. The goal right now is to get to 15k distance by March for the first race in the DINO trail run series of the year.

We are still working out detail on the Race 4 Everett. I actually spent a little time this weekend and early this morning working a logo - which is really more font selection right now, but it I've been fussing with the composition which is harder than it sounds. I've come up with something that is quite simple, but has a lot of meaning in it. I'm sure I'll be tweaking here and there before the race, but I am ready to create a prototype t-shirt that I'll wear at the gym that will have the race details on the back -- some free advertising.

Still lots to do and I'm not moving as quickly as I'd like, but slow and steady wins the race...

Hitting the Reset Button

It's 3 days into the new year and the possibilities are endless. It is time to start fresh and refocus. I still have not decided on which races I am doing this year (except for one), but the general goal is to run a half marathon in the spring (April or May) and then a Full in October or November (and possibly one in December). I think it will help to have the specific races decided on to get me motivated and focused. I would really like to have a PR or two thrown in there for good measure... it's been 3 years since I've PR'd anything, so it's time.

I didn't get out for a run on New Year's Day like I had hoped -- the weather was just so awesome -- I instead worked on making a new mailbox post to replace the one some moron plowed over a few weeks ago. With the snow all melted and nice warm temps it actually gave me the perfect opportunity to get it done, though it was a perfect opportunity for a run too! It took all weekend, but got the post cut to match the neighborhood standard and got it primed, painted and back in the ground by 5:30 last night. And it looks great if I do say so myself.

It wasn't all work and no play over the long weekend though. I did get out for a run on Friday (the last one of 2010) and I had to run trails, which probably wasn't the wisest choice, as it was a quite muddy from all the melted snow and rain we received. Because of that, my run was slow and plodding with slipping and sliding everywhere - but it was still great. Later that evening when I was in the garage working on the mailbox post, I had a twinge of pain in my left leg, somewhat reminiscent of a stress fracture. I shrugged it off at first as just standing on the concrete floor for so long.

I didn't run Saturday or Sunday (though I had hoped to run Sunday at the Y when we went to re-join after about 6 years). I didn't notice any more pain in the leg though. So this morning I went to the Y for a run on the treadmill to test out the leg. I was doing just fine for the first 2-1/2 miles then that same twinge happened again. It wasn't so painful that I had to stop, but I did end up cutting my run short to just 4 miles. I actually think it is just a tweaked ligament, or at least that is what I am telling my self right now... looks like I need to ice it and do low-impact for awhile... at least now I have options at the Y. A good time to work on biking and swimming maybe. I'd like to give a triathlon a try sometime -- and how cool would an Ironman be?! Who knows, 2011 is still young -- anything is possible.

A Father's Grief: Moving Forward

2010 has been my worst year ever, but in some ways my best. I am looking forward to starting anew, but its not like the movie Groundhog Day where I can start all over and change what happened. 2010 happened and it has changed me. But I am moving forward -- and that's not the same as moving on. The holidays have been so bittersweet. I can't help but think of what we would be doing with Everett right now, and thinking about what we would be doing as we go from winter into spring. It saddens me (and there is still some anger over it too). In that mix is our beautiful daughter Lilli - whose eyes twinkle looking at Christmas lights, new fallen snow and colorfully wrapped presents. That look in her eyes -- youthful innocence -- warms my heart and allows me to enjoy a bit of Christmas this year. We are so lucky to have her.

I'll go into the new year inspired to run and to help plan out a race in Everett's name. I am hoping to run a couple of half marathons and at least one full marathon in 2011 as well. Of course, I have projects to do - some are holdovers from this year, but 2011 will be a year of positive changes in all aspects. I am coming out of 2010 with the philosophy of "take nothing for granted" and it's great to say those words, but to truly live by them is another.

The days are getting longer...

With the holiday season in full force, time is a precious commodity. So running has been difficult to say the least. I've managed a couple of runs last week and two so far this week. The goal is to get a couple of more -- maybe even a Christmas day run.

And with Christmas almost hear, that means our deadline to determine 3 things for the Race 4 Everett: When, Where and What. So, I think we've determined that it will be on Saturday, August, 20, 2011 at Fort Harrison State Park. What the race will be is still a little up in the air... For sure it will be a 5k and 1 mile family walk, but we are toying with idea of a 10k and 15k (basically a 5k loop course). The details are still not ironed out - and I never thought it would be so difficult to make decisions on something, but we do want it to be successful. So we will update the Race 4 Everett site once we lock it all in, so stay tuned...

Thankfully we've passed the shortest day of daylight for the year and it is all longer days from here on out. Now hopefully that translates into getting more done (wishful thinking).

Baby It's Freakin' Cold Outside

Just over a week ago, I was running in 80 degree weather while in Florida. Granted, it was not a great run, but it was nice to not be burdened by a bunch of gear. This morning is a polar opposite - figurative and literally.

I began my run with the mercury dipping down to 9 degrees. I didn't confirm anything else - cold it cold, right?

Wrong.

In the short time I was out, it dropped another 2 degrees and I found out the windchill was minus 9 degrees. No wonder my fingers went numb in the 3 seconds that I exposed them to fumble with my ipod.

The good news is I made it through. Now let's try for some consistency in running - I've just proven weather is not a factor.