"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