Wish everyone could enjoy this feeling #Running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

It's not a weekly thing, but every once in a while I will get the comment. You know the one, something like: "why would you get up that early to run?" or "I just don't get running".

There are some pat understandable reasons for running. My health, nothing helps keep the weight off like regular exercise. I refuse to die of a heart attack before my kids grow up. Energy, nothing wakes me up like that 5:00 AM run in just above freezing temperatures. 

But the biggest thing I get from running is the hardest to explain. Anyone who exercise regularly will understand. It's that feeling you get when you are done, or close to done. Whether you are playing tennis, soccer, basketball, swimming, biking whatever, there is a feeling you get when you are done with a session. A sense of profound well being that comes with having really exerted yourself. You heart is pumping, your breathing is heavy, your muscles feel heavy and light at the same time. That feeling is probably the biggest reason why I run, and push myself to run that little bit faster, or that extra mile, or up that one hill without stopping. 

And I wish that everyone could find something in their lives that gave them that feeling. Sadly I know far too many people who don't have something in their lives that gives them that feeling. And there is no way to get them to know that feeling and seek it out. 

For now I will just keep doing what I do, and offer those who are interested the chance to join in and get that surge. And encourage those who find it in other pursuits. Because it doesn't matter how you get it, the important thing is to add that to your life.

Letting the miles pile up #Running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

I don't have a goal at this point. Just trying to run, preferably 5 days a week, with 1 day longer than the others. That's really it. Otherwise I'm just gonna let the miles pile up.

Not to crow about it or get cocky, but it appears that I might escape the plagues that hit the house last week. Although I just know that typing this means I will probably get his with both. But for now I am healthy, getting fitter, and just enjoying all that I do.

I am pondering next years races. I have pretty much decided to not even go for the marathon. Maybe the next year, when I can train differently, and then make a plan to run one at sea level or close to it.

But I might attempt multiple Half marathons. Not sure yet, don't really have to decide on that for a while.

Again, for now I really only have 1 goal: to run, as much as my body and schedule will allow me to.

I might be slowing, but I am still out there running! #Running

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

Last week I finally got back to my 5 run a week pace, after almost 2 months of irregular schedules. It felt good to get out there and go for that long run Sunday morning. Sure it was slow, sure I just passed 4 miles of actual running, but dammit I did it!

I don't know if it is conditioning, caution or darkness but I have definitely noticed a slow down in my pace recently. I am falling into an 11 minute mile pace on my morning runs. But you know what? Who really cares? It's just me out there, no race. And I could be sitting at home, sleeping in, or pigging out on a big breakfast of sugar cereals. Instead I am dragging my ass out of bed, and telling the Blerrch to go to hell.

And I am slowly beginning to see a difference from my changed eating schedule and gradual resumption of regular exercise. I know it won't happen overnight. And I know that the focus isn't there to get some major dramatic weight loss. The goal now is just getting back into better habits, and I think that is working.

And when the weather and timing change back to where I am running in daylight more I imagine that I will begin to speed up. Because I am sure that part of the slow down is a subconscious fear of another tripping incident. So I will run slow, but I will run. And when the weight does come off some, and it gets lighter I will start to focus on speed then.