Fear, from nowhere.

I started this running adventure waking up every morning with some times excruciating pain in my left heel. I learned that though it hurt I could run with relatively little to no pain, so I continued. My runs were a struggle at first. The day after would cause more discomfort and frustration. My mind brought me back to a time when running was freeing and pleasurable. An easy five mile cruise through the streets, past the mansions, along the beach transitioning off the pavement and onto the sand.

Sunny day and fresh air. The pounds melted away. It made dealing with the mental agony of my separation almost tolerable, and for that I am forever grateful. Time didn't matter, much like Forest Gump I just felt like running, so I did. A little longer every week, no goal, no mission, I just ran. Then the bomb dropped from an unlikely source and  from someone just wanting to provide support and encouragement for what I have been doing. "you should enter the road race."

I though about doing just that, I could compare how I had been doing against other runners I would pass long my various routes. Young, virile and heck I haven't been in a competitive situation for sometime. Imagine racing against the best the region has to offer, the Cinderella story of the kid from nowhere winning his first race.

My mind shifted from pleasure to work, I had better get working to see how fast I do or could or need to be to challenger. The fun of it all plummeted. It now became a matter of work and no longer just running.

Was it the fear of facing a challenge in a sport I didn't


2.25 to 8.04

Continuing to make progress

I am still at it, though I find myself less interested in noting how I an progressing.  Today for instance I ran 9.7 miles. This maybe the longest continuousos run I have ever completed.

My plans keep changing from weight loss to distance/endurance running for the time being, I am primarily a runner. With the weather changing I know I want to spend more time outdoors. Golf season is also just around the corner. Conflicted internally, but optomistic and ready to face the challenges that lie ahead.

That half marathon actually appears to be doable. If only the last of this annoying heel pain would subside. I run to run, not necessarly to race, but to run.

That's not a lost emu, it's me.

Today is one of those days that I truly haven't had in a long time, I didn't feel comfortatble at any point in today's run.  So what I tell myself as I completed my run anyway. Trudging along on ice and snow covered sidewalks. Proudly staying off teh roadway, out of traffic and thereby diminishing the possibility of becoming a hood ornament.

Then you see it, a large puddle of liquid water completely crossing you path.

You brain clicks into high gear as you begin trying to determine the depth of the puddle, temperature of the water and condition of the bottom. If it is smooth ice on the bottom and I've got three meters to cross at a depth of six centimeters while travelling at seven mile and hour my mass will slide for two meters before the upper body splashes down. Options: continue and hope for the best, or stop and walk around. The choices are ovbious to either a fifteen year old or a fifty year old.

I ain't no spring chicken so I give up the time over safety and compfort.  Continu on in a slow and deliberate manner throughout the remainder of the run.

Success is getting out the door and making it back, knowing I've done my best today.

I succeded today. I'm just glad I wasn't on Candid Camera.

I am a runner.

I am back to long runs on the weekend (for now) weather permitting, of five or more miles. Yeah! It feel great to be moving again and making progress. I have been focusing on staying on pace. I'm not sure what the pace truly is, but I do feel like I am steady all the way through the run. Yesterday I completed 7.22 miles in an hour and eighteen minutes. Four minutes and 7 tenths of mile longer than last week's run.  I just wish I didn't live on a hill, because I coming home invloves an uphill trudge at the end of the run. Good for training, bad on the brain.

One of the greatest joys I have experienced in my running is spending time away on my terms. If it weren't for dodging the taffic where I live it would be nirvana.  As it is right now I spend half of the time on sidewalks and half of it on the road.  I am looking forward to the snow melting so I can occassionally run the rail trail.

The most exciting thing this week was waking up and not feeling extreme pain in my foot. I don't yet believe that my plantar faciitis is subsiding, I need at least a week to start falling for that one.

Keeping the dream alive

I am tired. It's late, near my bedtime and I needed to make this entry before dozing off.

Treadmill this afternoon for four miles. Forty minutes and change.

Shuffling to bed.

Long and Slippery Road

Spent most of my last run on the side of the road. It was a little slick in spots and I was a tad uneasy on various parts. As a habit I will run on the sidewalk as often and for as long as possible, yesterday, not so much. Most, nay, all of the sidewalks were iced over and very slippery.

Being a guy who needed a three mile run, on a beautiful Sunday morning I went out for six and a half.

It was a struggle because I had not put in many mile during the week up to that point. It was exhilarating because I did it! Today is a rest day, as in recovering. My foot is sore and I am really fed up with this heel pain. My left knee thought it might join in on the fun. I will continue.

Shuffle on down the road.

a half marathoner in training

I can do it. I need to do it for me, I need the challenge and this is it.

Checking out the charts training charts I believe I can get this done in six to ten weeks. I need to commit to that distance knowing this will push me a little more than I am probably ready. I want to do this distance an I aim to complete this task. 5K success, 10K success,now to move on to a 13.1 mile run.

Yesterday was a HIIT training day on th3 treadmill. Tomorrow looks like I can get in that long run I like so much.!

Shuffling on!

One run, two storms, three days.

It's Groundhog Day, and long story short I am a Groundhog.

Several years ago I started playing basketball with a group of guys that claimed it would be a 35 and over age group playing recreationally once a week. Most of this proved to be true. the 35 was frequently overlooked for a player here and there, which makes a little difference when you hit 50.  As gentlemen would have it no other way with a recreation basketball gang of middle aged chaps, after playing we need to replenish the lost liquid and restore the nutrients sweated out during these extremely vigorous sessions.

We headed down to the local tavern and regaled in stories of our near dunks, near blocks, near steals and the actual baskets made. What was noted was that all of the people who were there whenever we visited the establishment were always the same people. Same clothes, haircuts and stories. OK the stories were ours, but you get my point. Out can the movie Groundhog Day with that actor from Meatballs. We realized we were living our own groundhog day experience,hence the nickname of our cohort group.

Are you still awake? So here it is day two of our snowfall.  I id get outside and run for 4.3 miles on Monday. It felt great to get out on the streets and making my way through snow covered sidewalks form the previous snow events. It helps keep the pace in check and me moving a at a steady clip.

Yesterday involved clearing out eh car and moving it to a secure location in preparation for this monstrosity, 12 inches in 2 days, looking the next snowfall in three days, and a potential storm next week, again.  I don;t care I am running again and loving it! Doing some lifting occasionally and looking to improve flexibility.

I have been holding off on the basketball, a game that got me out of the real life possibility that I would not be doing much with my life, and into college. Another story for another time. For today life is good.

Shuffling along.