"Rain, rain on my face...

it hasn't stopped raining for days"

Today is one of those days when the high temperature happens at midnight and it keeps getting colder as the day goes on. It has been raining since about 10pm yesterday. I went out for a 30 minute run. I don't mind running in the rain, I actually kind of like it. The problem here lies with the wind. The wind was blowing rain back at me like bb's and the temp dipped to 40 degrees. I covered about 4+ miles in 33 minutes. It was a great run but I was glad to be home afterwards to dry off and then share an apple with my daughter. Tomorrow we may or may not get 2-4" of snow. I am kind of looking forward to running in the snow if it happens. We could always end up getting just a dusting on the grass.

MORE ABOUT SNOW

Anneliese is old enough now to really start understanding things. When we get snow it will be the first time that she will really be able to go out and play in it. We bought Anneliese a sled last year when Target was clearing them out and we are ready to put it to good use. How fun will that be? I have actually thought about bundling her up and pulling her on her sled while I run. Bad idea I know but she would love to see all of the "Christmas trees" on the route. So anyway, we will take her to the hill in our back yard. I am sure that it will be a prime photo op event.

MORE ABOUT RUNNING

I have been thinking about my running roots and where I am today. I started running to raise funds and awareness for Neurofibromatosis research. My first event was to be a marathon. For runners it is common knowledge that a marathon is 26.2 miles or 42K. Nonrunners may think that a marathon is any race distance. I may have even thought that too at one point back in time. So I started the 4 month training endeavor. I read everything that I could get my hands on at the library and from the internet. I decided on Hal Higdon's novice marathon training plan. Hal Higdon is a legendary runner and a virtual coach to countless runners like me. As part of the Chicago Marathon experience, my first marathon, I registered for Hal's daily training emails. Those messages kept me going. Sometimes as early as 4:30 a.m. I would be out for a long run to beat the heat. I fought through two injuries durning my training and made it to the finish line on race day. More importanlty my wife and I were able to raise money for a worthy cause through the effort.

From all that I have turned into a runner. I run when it is 40 degrees, rainy, and windy. I run at 4:30 a.m. to beat the heat. I squeeze 20 minute runs in when I don't have time for them. Running is now part of who I am. Don't get me started talking about running or I will likely try to recruit you to run a race with me :)

So that is the background which may help give you some perspective on my running obsession.

AND NOW

Best of 2006

Best Training Run: Pinnacle Point State Park in Scottsdale, AZ
Best Walk Through The Park: Central Park, NYC with my wife on our anniversary trip

Simple but so much more

Tonight we watched the movie Polar Express with our daughter Anneliese. This is the first time that she has sat through a movie. It had all of the elements to keep her attention: trains, bells, Santa Claus, kids, and her favorite Christmas trees. There are so many fast paced moments in life that when a low key opportunity to spend time with the family comes along it is welcome. Shortly after the movie ended it was time for her to go night-night. I am sure that she will have wonderful dreams tonight.

THE RUN

Tonight I ran a two miler. It was about 55 degrees and windy. The route I took was lined with decorated homes. Nice change of sccenery. The run when pretty well. I am hoping to get two mile time down to 12 minutes...tonight was 14:04. I still have a ways to go to reach that goal.

On another running note, seems like the 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is sold out. I registered a few weeks ago so I am all set. Sorry to anyone who didn't get in...better luck next year. For anyone else who will be running the event, enjoy the training time, it is half the fun in my book.

THE LIST CONTINUES...

Best of 2006

Pizza: Bazbeaux Chilope
Most Inspiring Runner: Chuck Engle

It is in the air.

Yesterday I went out for a 6 mile run that soon became an 11 mile run. I felt great and wanted to keep going (besides the Bengals were not the regional game on tv being shown in Indianapolis). Highlights of the run were seeing about ten horses watch me as I watched them at a nearby farm, seeing neighbors hanging their Christmas decorations, enjoying a 63 degree November day, and running on soft beds of crushed leaves. I could have done without all of the road kill, must have been a rough week to be a raccoon :( I feel like I am poised to have a strong winter of training...especially if we have weeks with highs in the 40's and 50's. I'd like to shed about 5-7 more pounds before I start training for the 500 Festival Mini-marathon. The race is in early May so I have until about mid-January to lose the weight and get down to about 170. With Thanksgiving out of the way there are only two more eating holidays standing in my way : )

BEST OF THE YEAR
As the year nears an end I will start to post the "best of" for various categories for the year 2006. Here are a few to get things started, barring any last minute entries between now and December 31:

WINE: Black Opal Shiraz, flavorful and inexpensive at about $7 a bottle
MOVIE, COMEDY: Napoleon Dynamite, yeah, I didn't see it right away so it fits the category for me

More to come...

PARTING SHOT

from an NFL commercial: Amateurs practice until they get it right, professionals practice until they can't get it wrong. There is truth to that statement no matter what we do in life. Take it to the next level!

So I came acrossed a LIVE STRONG bracelet...

This is my first blog entry so a bit of background: I am a 30 year old man with a beautiful wife and an amazing toddler. Most of my entries will probably be running related as I have become obsessed with that sport. However, I am sure I will have plenty of occasions to talk about my family, school (grad-student), job, and just about anything else. So without further delay....

LIVE STRONG
About two years ago one of my wife's friends got married. The bride and groom placed those yellow Lance Armstrong LIVE STRONG bracelets on the tables for guests. We brought one of the bracelets home with us and it has been floating around ever since. I just came acrossed it a few minutes ago and for the first time I am wearing it alongside my CTF.org bracelet. Recently, I have had a relative and a friend diagnosed with different types of cancer. I got the news about both of them within days of each other. Truly helpless is about all I can say about how I felt. Needless to say my prayers are with them both for a speedy and complete recovery. I wear the bracelet now for them. God bless you both and know that we are here for you! LIVE STRONG.

MY MILES
Today I ran about 4 miles while pushing my daughter in her jogging stroller. Can't pass up on getting outside on a 60 degree day in November in the Midwest. Besides, what a great bonding experience. The only thing that could have been better is if the tires were fully inflated. With flat tires it feels kind of like pushing a blocking sled...or so I am guessing since I have never really pushed a blocking sled. So for tomorrow's run I will be sure to pump the tires before we take off. If I am feeling ambitious we will do 3 miles out to the park and then 3 miles back after a little time on the swings.

That's it for my debut, until next time...