Running at Midnight.

Ok, So I exaggerate a little.. I was actually done before midnight.

[caption id="attachment_1204" align="alignright" width="300"] Here is a picture of a puppy. For no reason at all.[/caption]

Having been up late (hey! 11 is really late for me! I'm old!) the night before, there was no chance of getting up in the morning to work out.  I had every intent of working out right after work, but I had forgotten it was my son's night for his school open house. With It being middle school, this meant we got to follow his schedule and go from 15 minute class to 15 minute class as the teachers gave us their syllabus and told us all about how great our kids were.  Over all I was impressed with all of his teachers but one.  We showed up to her class, and she started a conversation with one mother for 5 (remember there is only 15 available) minutes.. Then expected us to stay past the time to move to the next class, so she could finish her speech.  It bothers me when people expect respect, but don't respect you..  But that is a whole other story.

My wife had promised the kids frozen yogurt after, so a cold treat it was!  Needless to say it was after 9:30 when we got home.   Since I had skipped out on my run the night before, it was NOT an option last night.  I didn't relish the idea of running through the streets of my town at 10pm.  I don't know that it would be unsafe - but it seems silly to take that chance.  My kids deserve to grow up with a father after all! (Did you notice the subtle pull at your heartstrings there?)

Washington Nationals

So, I had a 6 mile run on the schedule for yesterday, and did NOT get up and do it in the morning.  After a full work day, my office headed off to a Washington Nationals game.  I was a wee bit excited, as while I am not a baseball fan (the limits to my fandom is I check and see how the Texas Rangers did on the website the next day), I had never been to a Major League Baseball game.  In fact, I hadn't been - and my 9 and 11-year-old have enjoyed rubbing in the fact they have! (Their summer program went to a Nats game.)   When work offered the opportunity to go - I could hardly say no!

[caption id="attachment_2984" align="alignright" width="255"] It looks like an alien has latched on to his arm..[/caption]

Walking in was impressive, having only been to a minor league stadium it was bigger!  Though they had this somewhat frightening multi-arm statue that was kind of scary, right as you came in the gate.

Before the game several of us ate at the little restaurant called the "Red Porch" that was overlooking the field.  It gave us a great view of the field-preparations, as well as the players playing catch.

Rest day and the dreadmill

So, after my 12 miler on Sunday, Monday was a "Rest" day.  So I did nothing. :)  Well, I may have done some whining about how sore/tired my legs were - but I'm not positive.  I will have to err on the side of caution and assume I did.  Mostly Monday was dedicated to being the first day back at school for the kids!

[caption id="attachment_2978" align="aligncenter" width="490"] This year they go different ways, to different schools![/caption]

This is the first year that they are going to different schools, as my son just entered middle school.  They are both excited about it, but as parents? We are more than a wee bit nervous!

What a weekend! Running on the Virginia Beach Boardwalk

[caption id="attachment_2944" align="alignright" width="150"] Ahhh. The beach![/caption]

This was one incredible weekend!   It was the final weekend of my kid's summer vacation, and we decided to do something AWESOME for them!  We got up in the wee early hours of Saturday  morning and headed down to Virginia Beach.   We didn't let them know WHERE we were going  until we were in the car, and they didn't know we were spending the night until we pulled into a hotel (while 4 hours is a long drive, we have been known to do those as day trips).  I don't think there is anything that has quite the energy (or grants as much energy) as being on and in the ocean!

It did not take the kids long at all to jump right in! You could say it took exactly as long as it took them to get their shirts and shoes off!

[caption id="attachment_2947" align="aligncenter" width="490"] And They are OFF![/caption]

I won't lie, they aren't the only ones that love the beach!

"The Bone Season" by Samantha Shannon... and a slow, tired run.

When I was a child, living at my parents house, I loved to read.  I loved to read more than I loved being told go to sleep.  i learned a blanket/clothes could block light from leaking out under the door, giving away that you were reading, not sleeping.  (I also learned that if you forgot to move them, that your parents knew EXACTLY what you had done - when they clothes made it hard to open the door when they were waking you up!)  I learned fairly that  a flashlight under the covers didn't cause any light to leak out under the door either (And I learned it was very, very hot!)

Needless to say, I liked my books. 

A day behind, but still running!

So, it seems I never found the opportunity for yesterday's blog posting.  Just an indicator that life is NOT slowing down, especially with the kids coming school year!   BUT,I am not letting that derail my plans!  Yesterday I even exercised BEFORE work.. But Since I am a day behind - that is getting ahead of myself.

Back to Tuesday.  After work I had a short run on the schedule.  You might recall that my current plans had the short runs at 4 miles these days.



Holy crap did I do it fast.  

And on the 1st day of the week, he rested.. kinda.

So, like any runner -the day after a long and grueling run is a rest day!    Consequently, I went for a nice run with my son.



He is still battling that side stitch, so we had a couple of walking intervals.

Long Slow Run.. without water.

Good Morning!

I am feeling surprisingly great this morning!  Why so surprisingly?  Well, yesterday was my Long Slow Distance run.  What? You would like to hear more about it? GLADLY!

I have to admit, it didn't start off to grand.  I started searching for my ifitness belt, but had no luck.  After half an hour I finally gave up - and headed out without it.  (A 10 mile run with no water.. This should be fun..)  Now, It wasn't as bad as it could be - as it was raining, so that should help a little with the heat, right?  Right.. about that..  It stopped half a mile into the run.

But, ever the eternal optimist, I kept running. My goal was to head down to Crofton parkway, do two laps and head home.  I figured I could add a little  bit extra to move myself from 9.5 miles up to 10 or 11.  Due to the dreary nature of the day - there was not the usual numbers of people out and about - it was quite peaceful.  In fact, in the first round I only saw 3 other runners and 2 pairs of walkers!  On any given Sunday - with nice weather -I could expect 3 or 4 times that many!

Some times plans fail.. and thats a good thing!

Last night was a night of TWO runs!  My son told me he wanted to start running with me again, so he and I headed out together! (I love running with him!  Great father/son time.)



He is still battling having a side-stitch while he runs, but he ran through it - with only two walks being necessary. He kept a really nice pace throughout, and we enjoyed ourselves chatting the whole way.  (I am looking for input on ideas to give him to help with these, if anyone out there has brilliant solutions!)

Pace seems to be subjective

Its interesting, I read a blog and see someone talking about their "slow" seven minute mile, and I think - "Crap! That isn't even my FAST mile!"   Then I post how I took it easy, and ran a 9:15 mile.  The response I get are often the same.

One of the great things about running, is that "Fast" and "Slow" are both subjective.  Last night I headed out to do 4 miles. (It seems that this is my new "short" run - considering I am training for 26.2. )  My goal was to average an 8:30 pace.

I have no idea what happened.

Drinking the water, to run the run...

Water is such an important part of life. We have all heard the percentage, that our body is mostly water. We have heard that we should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, plus more if we exercise.

Running for cake

BIRTHDAYS!!!!!!  Always a fun, fun time... Joy, Presents, Cake and... Calories!

So, with that in mind, I planned ahead (how uncharacteristic of me!)  and got a run in before dinner.  Not far, as there was a time constraint - but a quick 3 miles.  My KT Tape was in to its 4th day, and I do think it has lost some of its effectiveness,  Perhaps it stretched out?  But my plantar fascia is tight today, but not painful, so it seems to still be working.. Or the intense stretching is..

Healthy Eating.. The easy way.

Its interesting, I am really an "all-or-nothing" type of person.   When I run/exercise regularly - I want to eat well, focus on my over-all well-being, get enough rest, etc.   When I get injured (which seems to be  the only thing that really makes me stop exercising), I start eating chocolate cake.. Fast food.. Ice Cream.. etc.

So, I want to change my focus to healthy living over all.  This will help me when I can not run, to continue to focus on great things.

[caption id="attachment_2876" align="alignright" width="225"] You don't have to deny yourself treats![/caption]

One of the BIGGEST aspects of Healthy Living is the food we eat.  I do very well at eating right - IF I pay attention.  So I am returning to my using MyFitnessPal to track my eating habits.  I have found that if I put in my food BEFORE I eat it, that I make much better decisions.  In fact, If I know I am going to be having some sort of "treat" that day - I put that in first thing.

Comfey Bed

The alarm goes off.. bright chirping noises.. I think to myself - Can I run tonight instead? No... The parents are coming..  But its 5, and I don't leave for work until 7:30.. I can just get up when my wife's alarm goes off...

Another chirping... damn, hit snooze, not dismiss....

Sweet sinking into the soft fluffy pillow, while my warm dreams, like my blankets - comfort me...

A couple of runs, and a boy returns!

Another beautiful week begins!!!   I can't speak for everyone out on the interwebs, but for me - it was a great weekend.

4 Miles on Saturday, 3 miles on sunday and my son got back from Bermuda!

Saturday:

I went with a simple out and back course, so I didn't have to worry about dodging cars on roads with no side walks.  (My four mile loop has a mile with no sidewalks and very little shoulder!)



I saw plenty of runners..

More Donation Swag!

A new development in my "Help the Homeless"  Marine Corps Marathon fundraiser!   For every $10 and above donation - You will get a water bottle as a think you gift!



$5.00 (and every $5.00 there after) gets you an entry into the raffle-of-prizes, and $10.00 gets you a water bottle!

What can I come up with Next?  Spread the word!

With these great thank you gifts (and remember, if you donate now - you will STILL be eligible for any additional thank you levels I add!) – please consider donating to my Help the Homeless fundraiser for Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s homeless services.

The fundraiser is through the Fannie Mae – “Help the Homeless” walk program, which means they match every dollar you donate, with a dollar. So even a $5.00 donation immediately doubles in size!

If you want to read more about the good works of Volunteers of America Chesapeake, you can check out their blog!



Please show that you too are "Called to Care", by donating!