Runnin' in L-town

houston marathon

2009-01-18T18:35:00.002-06:00

I wasn't sure I was going to run Houston when I found out my dad was going to be in the hospital this weekend getting chemo treatments for his lymphoma. He went in Wednesday and we weren't sure how'd he respond.
He's done great so far, but he really won't feel the full effects of the chemo for a week or so. He's been in a great mood while in the hospital, driving the nurses crazy. My dad and brother both told me there was no reason for me to run today, so I took their advice and did.
Left yesterday to go to the Hyatt and found out I was on the same floor as some of my best friends, the Webbs, from Diboll. Known them for more than 20 years and they live near my dad.
They had picked up my race packet for me so that worked out great that they were just right down the hall.
I didn't go to dinner with them, instead just staying at the hotel and resting and sitting in the lobby for a while people-watching. I ran three miles on the treadmill at the hotel fitness center and as I was leaving ran into Lufkin's Beth Filla and family. Beth ran the marathon and also was one of the people in charge of the St.Patrick's 10-mile race I ran a few months ago in Lufkin. Glad I finally figured out her name.
Didn't go to sleep until midnight and got up at 5 a.m. so I could be ready to walk about a mile to the George R. Brown convention center for the 5:45 a.m. church service led by my friend Rodney Bowman, pastor at Angleton's First Baptist Church. It was great to see him and Daryl Beatty, a member of BARRA running club in Lake Jackson who is in charge of the Surfside Marathon next month - a race I plan to run.
Walked around the GRB a little while and headed out for the start. Nice idea for them to put port-a-potties in the starting corrals, especially since the lines there were short.
Saw my friend Jason Culverhouse, from Lake Jackson, before the race started. I ran the 50K at Sunmart in 2007, the same day he ran the 50-miler. Great guy.
My race plan was to run somewhere between 1:50-1:55 for the first half of the race and see what happens.
Early in the race I was wondering why I was trying to do two of these things in 18 days (I ran Kingwood Marathon on New Year's Day), and also wondering what I was going to do when the temperature reached the upper 60s and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Was I gonna die out there?
My legs felt so-so, but not as fresh as they should be for a marathon.
I decided to hit every water stop and I did, getting Gatorade and water both at most of them. I had also taken salt tablets and potassium pills before the race and had a half pitcher of water at the hotel Saturday night.
It helped a lot. I had some Cliff blocks and two Accel Gel's and spaced those out during the race.
I ran much smarter today.
As the temps rose I backed off. I did want the same bad experience I had at Kingwood where I almost blacked out and had to walk a lot to happen this time. My goal was to try to hit 4 hours, but I knew I was gonna be a little bit off. But that's OK. I was having fun.
Around mile 8 or 9 a guy passed and I swear he smelled like he just got out of the shower. I was thinking, "How can this guy smell so clean?" Weird.
A little later I head someone yell at a runner near me, "Hey Delores, good job, keep it up." Reminded me of the Seinfeld episode in which Jerry couldn't remember the name of the woman he was dating and all he knew was it rhymed with a female body part. Made me LOL.
I saw Joe Carey at all three of his stops on the course, he even got a halfway decent pic of me. At mile 15 I started thinking about seeing Steve Bezner at the water stop at mile 21.5. I knew that would be encouraging.
My legs really felt dead and a couple times I thought I felt a cramp coming on, but nothing bad. I kept moving, kept running. I was enjoying it, even though it was getting warm and the sun was out.
I was having fun. Thought about my dad in the hospital and how he's fighting cancer. I remembered from the message this morning to be encouraging to other runners on the course so I was. It was a blast.
Somewhere between mile 21 and 22 (I think) there was a Michelob Ultra truck and they were handed out cups of beer (cold at that) to runners. I decided what the heck. I took a cup and took three drinks out of it before setting it on the curb. Didn't want to have too much.
Hit Allen Parkway and somewhere early there Jessica Alexander passed me. Again - just like she passed me late in one of the Houston races a couple months ago. Dang, she's running well.
I kept going. The underpasses in the last few miles suck, but I managed to keep running even while going uphill. I saw a lot of people walking and I felt good that I didn't feel the need to.
Once I got to mile 25, I knew there would be some shade downtown from the buildings and that was comforting. I kept going.
Reached the finish line in 4:12-something, off my PR by 40 minutes, but 40 minutes better than what I ran on New Year's, so I'm happy with that.
Tried to eat something immediately after the race, but no way it was gonna go down and stay down.
Got to see a lot of people, which always makes the trip worth it.
Talked to my dad on the way home. He goes home tomorrow. He doesn't say it and he gives me a hard time about being crazy enough to run 26.2 miles, but I think he's proud of my accomplishments running marathons. I hope he gets better. It'd be nice to have him around a lot longer.

HM walkers

2008-08-03T17:04:00.002-05:00

I'll offer a little different perspective of the walkers issue.
Last year I rode on a press truck at the front of the men's half marathon, which has been the U.S. Men's Half Marathon championships the last couple years.
Walkers who had made their way out on the course early were apparently not aware there would be lead vehicles and press trucks coming through. Nor did they seem to care on a couple of occasions. We came really close a couple times to clipping a couple runners. And we also got slowed down a couple times by walkers who would not move over to let us through, therefore causing the vehicles with the cameras to come close to hitting us. In turn that caused the lead runners to get too close to the vehicles. Those runners deserve not to have their races interrupted by people walking the course.
It is not a safe situation for walkers to be on the course early.
I have no probelm with people wanting to walk a marathon. But they should not get an early start time.

uh yeah...it's hot

2008-07-21T23:57:00.002-05:00

Running has been pretty good this month. Split between running through the neighborhood and running on the treadmill at the gym.
Right at 100 miles for the month. I'd like for it to be more, but I've felt pretty good lately.
Really ready to do a race sometime soon. Just can't make myself commit to driving somewhere. May need some prodding or motivation from outside sources.
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Ran a couple times last week with kids from Diboll's cross country team. Kept up with them pretty well. It was good for me. Got me to speed up a little bit.
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Treadmill hasn't been as bad as I thought. I normally dislike it, but my iPod helps as do the four TV screens in front of me. Though usually one of them is on something totally ridiculous.

treadmill is boring, but not so humid

2008-06-12T23:37:00.002-05:00

Ran 6 miles on the treadmill today. Did intervals with the rest setting and work setting close enough that I didn't kill myself.
Ran it pretty slow, but I'm just trying to get the miles in.
I didn't get in NYC like by friend June did. I'm a little jealous, but glad I have more time to get back in marathon shape. Still need to drop 10 lbs or so.
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Been riding my bike a little, but no swimming, so those that were trying to make me do a tri are probably disappointed.
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Jon texted me about a friend that was involved in a wreck and asked for prayer. I said a few after I got it.
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I'm ready to see some of my TIR and blogging friends again.

took the day off

2008-06-09T21:30:00.002-05:00

Rode 23 miles yesterday and ran 3 on the treadmill about an hour after that.
The bike ride was tough. I planned on 30, but hills and wind made me ready to quit a few miles early.
I wasn't too beat up from it and the treadmill run wasn't so bad. I picked up the pace the last mile or so running.
No swimming in a week, so I don't know how I'll ever do a tri. But I do like the bike riding. Even if it is tough.

more runnin' and bikin'

2008-06-02T23:36:00.002-05:00

Ran 6.5 miles this morning and was soaked by the end of the run. Actually I was soaked in sweat about halfway through. Run felt good.
---
Worked and did other stuff during the day and this evening got the bike out and rode 11.5 miles. Butt is a little sore. Well, a lot sore from 20 miles yesterday. Wonder how I'll feel in the a.m.?
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fyi - i start a new job tomorrow as an editor (not THE editor) at The Lufkin Daily News. Looking forward to being back in the office I was in from 1998-2000.

20 mile bike ride, 3 mile run

2008-06-01T23:38:00.003-05:00

My running and working out in general suffered last month. I was sick for more than a week and just couldn't breathe right when running. My nose would run and I'd break out in a sweat, which I knew I needed, but it didn't feel right.
I barely got more than 100 miles of running in May. Must do better this month.
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Today I got up and rode my bike. Didn't really have a plan for number of miles but after a few I figured I could go 20. So I did. Went through three different neighborhoods in town, not including my own. Got back close to home and was right at 17 miles so I went to the far end of our street which is 1.5 miles away. There and back put me at 20.
Didn't feel too bad.
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Didn't run this morning after the ride. Today is my 12th anniversary with my first wife so we went out to eat. We planned on driving to Tyler to eat at a very good Mexican food place. Those plans fell through when Ashton said she had a birthday party to go to. Geez....
So...Plan B apparently was Olive Garden. Nothing says 12 glorious years together like a good meal with your kids at Olive Garden.
We got there at 11, not dressed like we'd been to church. The waiter asked where we were from. What the heck? I guess when you live in the Bible Belt and you show up at a restaurant at 11 with shorts on....well, you must be just driving through. Then Donna topped it off with a margarita. At 11 a.m. On Sunday....geez... We're going to hell. Well maybe not me. I only had tea.
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We spent the afternoon at the pool and this evening I went out for a quick 3 miles. Planned on more, but I guess I had too much sun and I didn't feel right a couple times. Felt a little woozy.
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Anyhoo....that's it from here. May be some stuff happening for me in the next couple days that I guess I should share. We'll see.
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Update: Donna says it was more pomegranate than margarita. Whatever.

running i like, swimming sucks

2008-05-27T22:16:00.002-05:00

I went through more than a week with allergies/cold/feeling like crap and didn't run for seven days. Ugh....
But I'm back at it. Plus mixing in a little swimming and cycling.
Ran the last two days on treadmill, getting in four miles of intervals on Monday and 3.3 tonight. Did 20 more minutes on elliptical after that.
Got 10.5 miles on bike Sunday. Practiced dismounting the bike yesterday. Got a pic I need to put on here.
Swam Sunday and yesterday. That crap is hard. ugh...my lungs were hurting. Then today, my shoulders were pretty sore. ugh. ugh. ugh.
Swam around 120 meters plus Sunday and 200 yesterday. I was dying.

shtuffff

2008-05-25T11:10:00.001-05:00

Sorry for posting in two spots. Just wanted to share....

It's been a crazy, crazy week.
I was getting ready to do the Ride of Silence bike ride Wednesday night that Jeremy Webb put together. Two hours before the ride I got a call from my friend Andy Adams at the Lufkin Daily. He told me that Gary had passed away. Still stunned.
I did the ride and even wrote the story about it for the Lufkin Daily. I'm sure that's what Gary would have wanted me to do.
The next morning I get the paper and my story is right next to the story about Gary's death.
---
Also that morning I took my dad to the doctor for a colonoscopy. He was worried. His pastor (my father-in-law) showed up as did my dad's lady friend. I was way outnumbered. And they were loud and embarrassing. They talked about the heat, the humidity, the wind (it's apparently windier this year than in previous ones), mine and Donna's wedding (how her dad married us and he told me I could shake the brides hand - everyone in the doctor's office heard). I was dying a slow, painful death.
Dad was okay and then when we left we went out to the airport where his lady friend works as a cook.
We sat and talked with her for a while. We were talking about my brother's wedding and trying to figure out what year it was. I remembered that Donna was pregnant with Ashton at the time so I knew what year it was. I was talking about Donna being pregnant in the pictures and I think dad's friend thought I meant mine and Donna's wedding. I wasn 't sure, but she started talking about a couple she knew that got married and the bride was pregnant at the time of the wedding. She said they have a great marriage...geez.... I didn't know what to say so I said nothing.
I get home and tell Donna, and she's like, "Great, now she thinks I'm a slut." uh oh.
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Friday I take my friend Tom to Houston to the doctor for a procedure on his hand. First I have to drive to Nacogdoches to pick up Astros tickets I ordered. They are at the Fed Ex office cause I have to sign for them and they missed me at home. Twice. I can't find the dang place. I drive around the loop twice before finally getting directions. Geez...
We're running 20 minutes late. I jump in the shower before we go. I drop a shampoo bottle on my toe. Blood everywhere....geez.... I have to take a first aid kit with us. When will it end?
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Anyway, everything goes okay. I leave when he goes in at the doctor's office. Go to a Barnes and Noble. Finally, relaxed. Leave and stop at a Chick Fil A to eat a bite. Sitting there and the doctor's office calls and tells me he's done. Dang it, I coulda waited and we could ate somewhere good. Oh well.
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Anyhoo....it's Biggio mini-helmet giveaway night at the game to the first 10,000 fans. We get in a looooong line. We are about 10 people back from getting in when they ran out of helmets. On way home, Tom tells me it's all my fault we didn't get the helmet because I drove around the loop 20 times that morning looking for the Fed Ex office. geez...
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Saturday I'm talking with Jon on the phone. He asks me what time the celebration is. Meaning what time is Gary's funeral. I tell him the funeral is at 2. Celebration? What the heck? Never heard it like that before. It's a funeral.
So....the funeral begins with a guy playing a guitar and two girls singing with him. We all stand. They play three praise and worship songs. Just like Gary would like. Then the first of four people to talk about Gary starts talking about Gary's life. And telling stories.
Then it hits me. This is a celebration. Dang it Jon, you were right. Cool.
Lots of stories about Gary. All good. At one point I was wondering if this guy ever did anything wrong. Hmmmm....I really don't remember. Cool.
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Today, I get up early. Don't go to lake with Donna and girls and some of our friends. Ya know, I just ain't a fan of the lake. Kinda wanna be on my own today.
I ran an hour, rode 10.5 miles on bike, swam a little. Left to get a paper and then went to cemetery.
Talked to mom.
Told her about Gary. Uh, like she didn't know.
I sang. Horribly. Sang part of Amazing Grace to her. Told her I'm sorry that my singing sucks.
Told her I miss her. Told her dad is having fun. She should be happy.
Told her to tell Gary....right then I choked up...couldn't talk. Finally, told her to tell Gary we'd do lunch one day.

my friend

2008-05-22T21:41:00.001-05:00

I lost one of my best friends yesterday.
I've known Gary Willmon for more than 20 years. He was a co-worker for a while at the Diboll Free Press weekly newspaper back when it was at its best. Gary was an editor there while I worked there as sports editor.
We worked there together for a while in cubicles right next to each other.
I'd been there a little more than a year and at that time it was really just the two of us that were responsible for the weekly content.
It was a month before Diboll Day, the bi-annual city-wide celebration, that Gary went into the hospital. I don't remember if this was when he found out he had Chrohn's disease or not. But I know he was there out for about a month.
I had to handle all the fall sports coverage and all the Diboll Day coverage, plus do all the layout for those pages. I was in over my head, but I made it.
Gary was a little fella. Never weighed more than 120 pounds or so. And never looked like unless he was on some kind of steroids for a while and his cheeks got puffy.
He was always upbeat, never said anything bad about anybody. Never wrote anything bad about anyone.
Donna reminded me today at lunch, when we were with a group of his co-workers from the Lufkin Daily, of the time he came back to the office in Diboll after having been chased by some big truck driver.
If I remember correctly, he had inadvertently cut off a truck driver and made the guy mad. I'm not sure if they actually exchanged words. But I do know that when he got back that he told us that he'd driven around town for a while to make sure he hadn't been followed. He was worried that since our office was right off Hwy 59 that the driver might have spotted him or his car as he was getting to the office.
I had left the Free Press to teach at Diboll High School and had been there for a year and a half when I took over as sports editor of the Lufkin Daily News. Gary had been the sports editor there before he came to the Free Press. Weird how it works sometimes.
I remember he wrote me one of the nicest letters I've ever received. How he knew I'd do a good job at it. Knowing he had confidence in me felt great. He couldn't have been any nicer.
Gary was a great newsman, a great friend.
I'll miss hearing these two things:
* Hearing him finish his 5-second prayers over lunch with "Amen, dig in."
* Hearing him say, "Dude, call me, we'll do lunch."
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I went to visit Gary at the hospital last Friday. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone look as bad as I thought he did. His face was jaundiced and he was hooked up to many things.
I knew he was bad.
I got the call from my friend Andy yesterday around 5 p.m. Two hours later I was to participate and write a story about the Ride of Silence, organized by my friend Jeremy Webb.
Andy told, "Gary died a little while ago."
Couldn't say anything. I felt like I was punched in the stomach. No breath.
Just walked around numb.
Called to tell my dad.
He told me I should just go home.
Then I remembered I couldn't go home. I had to write a story for the Lufkin Daily about the ride. I know those guys there so I get to do some freelance work. I knew I had to go.
Their photographer showed up for the ride.
At some point I thought that that's what Gary would want me to do. To do my job. To write the story. To write a story about something great a friend of mine had put together. To give some praise where it's due.
That's what he would do. I know it is.
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At the bottom right of today's front page of the Lufkin Daily there's a story about Gary's death and a number of quotes from former co-workers. There's one from me.
To the left of that story is a my story about the Ride of Silence.
It's an honor that I get to share that part of today's paper with him.
---
Gary Willmon
Ride of Silence

uh...yeah, check me out

2008-05-15T00:22:00.001-05:00

Great pic of me

random crap about me

2008-05-13T22:09:00.003-05:00

Cause I got tagged and I fell to peer pressure yet again:

1. I highlight my hair, but I still have a pair.
2. I will run shirtless in a race if it's hot. I ain't scared. I've seen worse. Lots worse.
3. I'm jealous of Joe Carey.
4. I don't like to be bothered on Sunday afternoons during football season. At all. Seriously. Especially when Cowboys are on. I will not answer the phone.
5. I like to order books that apparently I'll never get around to reading.
6. My dad is a 73-year-old playa. And I'm impressed by that. Well, sorta. Sometimes it makes me tired.
7. I'd rather watch my Seinfeld DVDs than most anything on TV.
8. I'm really not sure how I lived without Tivo.

The Rules:
Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’ve been tagged, and to read your blog.
I tag, well, anyone that wants to participate. I looked to see who hasn't been tagged and I feel as if my online social network is no better than Adrienne's. geez...i'm a loser.
Maybe Barbara and June. Or Jon. If there's anything left about Jon that we don't know.....

5-plus

2008-05-12T22:16:00.002-05:00

Got in 5-plus miles this evening.
Hate to say it cause I know I'm gonna get scolded, but I'm still having trouble with my knee. Played racquetball for about 1 1/2 hours this morning and my knee was a little swollen. Ran tonight anyway.
I know, flaxseed something-or-other, pollenate oil, or some shizz like that....some Theragesic (3 layers like Grandpa Joe), etc, etc, etc.....
Anyhoo, run felt good. But knee does not look so good. ugh....
It even pops ever now and then.
Is it possible I'm getting old? I hope not.

runnin' in Galveston

2008-05-11T21:01:00.002-05:00

Took a spur of the moment trip to Galveston Friday evening. I was exhausted and really didn't want to go anywhere, but two little girls were very persuasive.
Go to the San Luis Friday night about 10. First time to stay there. I like it. A lot. Will go again. Anytime.
Ran about 10 miles Saturday morning on the seawall. May have been too much as my legs were pretty sore all day. The pool helped. As did some refreshments.
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Got in a few miles this morning, but not sure how far. Ran out for 20 minutes, and got back to the San Luis a minute quicker. Not sure how as I was running into a pretty good breeze.
I love running near the ocean.

ughh...

2008-05-05T21:42:00.003-05:00

My left knee was sore and a little swollen last week so I took it slow for a few days.
Ran only three miles Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Two of those days were on treadmill.
Knee felt good enough with no swelling at all so on Sunday I ran 12-plus miles. Felt pretty good. It was nice outside and I coulda gone longer, but decided to stop.
Played some racquetball this morning and went out for a 45 minute run this evening. About 30 minutes in, I felt a pull on the back side of my knee. Caused me to stop. I walked for a few minutes, but felt okay enough to keep running.
Ran about 15 more minutes to get in the 45.
But...now my knee is significantly swollen and I'm icing it.
ugh.......
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Oh yeah, I'm in the lottery for NYC, which was my first-ever marathon in 2004. Also, I registered for the Houston Marathon. Gives me stuff to shoot for.

this month

2008-04-30T22:50:00.002-05:00

Got in 163 plus miles for the month of April. Not as many miles as Adrienne, but oh well.
Feels good to get the mileage back up again. Makes the running easier.
Got in about 6 today after 3-plus yesterday on treadmill.
My knee has been bothering me for a few days, probably from racquetball last week, but I still got in runs every day since.
Knee feels better today, but a little swollen. I'm too dumb to take a break, so don't even try to give me that advice. I have to do it on my own.

running at the soccer fields

2008-04-27T22:08:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, before the kids' soccer games I got in almost 6 miles in the neighborhood.
Today after church I took the girls back out to the soccer fields. They rode their bikes and I ran. They played on the playground (cause that's what you do on a playground) and I ran some more.
We also played soccer for a while until Jenna started whining.
Got in a little over 4 miles today.
No long run this weekend, but that's okay. Maybe I'll make up for it tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after.

legs hurt

2008-04-22T23:03:00.002-05:00

Got in 4.5 miles last night and 5.7 tonight. Legs not fully recovered from Sunday or maybe it was Monday morning's racquetball games. Whatever the case, it's been tough running the last two days.
Work has been nuts and I really didn't want to run tonight, but I did. I figured that work stuff would still be there when I got done and if I let the day pass without running that I'd be mad.
So I ran.
There was a light rain for most of my run and it felt good. Loved it.
Peace out, playas.

ugh...

2008-04-21T17:31:00.002-05:00

Felt like crap last night.
Ran 3.13 on treadmill yesterday afternoon then planned on getting 12 in later. Could only get 11.
Maybe could've gone more but made the mistake of passing by my street. Couldn't stop myself from turning.
After the run I had chills, fever and generally felt like a pile of pooh.
Woke up at 3 a.m.-ish and was starving. Milk and Nilla Wafers hit the spot.
Fine today, especially after breaking a good sweat playing racquetball this morning.

my miles for the month

2008-04-20T21:34:00.001-05:00

April 1	6.00
April 2	3.00
April 6	13.00
April 7	7.00
April 8	4.50
April 9	9.00
April 10	6.00
April 12	1.20
	13.10
April 13	2.50
April 14	3.00
	6.00
April 15	6.30
April 16	7.80
April 17	9.00
April 19	6.20
April 20	3.13
	11.00










	117.73

it was fun while it lasted

2008-04-18T00:42:00.004-05:00

Shoulda kept running all night, but I stopped at 9 miles. Felt great. Weather was good. Legs felt good. Attractive ladies on golf cart waved at me (deal with that Joe).
It was nice.
Running feels good again. I'm enjoying it. A lot. Feel ready to train for a marathon again.
Got home and enjoyed sitting on the back deck for a while. Well, a little while. Anyhoo....
That gives me 876 miles for the month.
---
Saw this link on my gmail....what the heck?
Story

work playlist

2008-04-17T08:25:00.003-05:00

Working early today. Gonna run 9 tonight or until I feel like stopping, which would be more than that.
Placing orders while listening to:
Hinder - Lips of an Angel, Get Stoned
John Mayer - Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, I'm gonna find another you, Your body is a wonderland
James Blunt - Beautiful
The Last goodnight - Pictures of you

okay, maybe i lied

2008-04-16T21:55:00.002-05:00

I guess it's not really 417 miles or whatever I wrote. Sorry.
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Got in 7.5 miles tonight. Felt good and the weather was about perfect.
Running feels good and it's fun again. That's nice to say.
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Anyhoo, I've neglected Karen's 6-word memoir thing long enough.

Only get to do this once
Words I stole from Jon a while back. I think about them often. Used it a couple times to make some somewhat tough decisions. Used to it decide whether or not I wanted to take a high-ranking position at a newspaper I once worked for. Made me think whether I'd regret it or not if I didn't take the job. Ultimately I didn't do it, but those words helped me.
Ya know, there are some things I want to do that are fun and things I want to try. We only get one shot at this life, might as well have some fun along the way.
Plus maybe some challenges along the way. I guess that's the competitive side of me talking.
I only got one shot at seeing my daughter's first soccer game. I only got one shot at seeing both of the girls ride a bike for the first time.
Hmmmm...my mom only got one shot at this life and she did a pretty darn good job with her one chance.
I hope I can look back one day and say I did a good job at my one shot.

heck to the yeah, i'm still runnin'

2008-04-15T21:13:00.003-05:00

Ran twice Monday. Got some interval work on the treadmills at the local club. Finally some treadmills made recently. Nice being able to set up intervals on them. Sweeeet. Did three there and then got beat at a couple games of racquetball.
Monday night I took my running gear to Ashton's soccer practice and ran around the fields, school and stadium and got in 6 more.
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Legs were a little sore this morning, but got in a little over 6 before working.
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If my calculations are correct that gives me 417 miles for the month. How's that Adrienne?
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Oh yeah, my playlist for paying bills tonight:
Prince- I wanna be your lover
Fall out boy - Beat it
Rod Stewart- If you think i'm sexy
Madonna/JT - 4 minutes
Pat Green - Everclear
Rihanna-Please don't stop the music
Taylor Swift - Our song
soggy bottom boys - man of constant sorrow
plus more, but that's embarrassing enough....

half marathon

2008-04-12T18:33:00.002-05:00

Davy Crockett Bear Chase 1/2 marathon, Groveton, TX
1:44:45 - 7:59 pace

Saw lots of people from all areas of my life. From Lake Jackson, Pearland, Huntsville, Diboll Lufkin, Spring, etc...... There were times when I couldn't figure out who to talk to first. Geez...
The race was pretty good for me. Put in a lot of miles the last month or so and it paid off okay. I doubt I coulda run 8 minute miles for 13.1 miles a couple months ago even though it was a nice, cool morning.
But today, I ran decent.
At every mile marker I was anywhere from 5 - 15 seconds faster than 8 minute pace. Very consisent throughout.
Ran near a fast marathoner for the first three or four miles then backed off a little and settled into a nice pace.
The terrain was varied. Started on the track at the Groveton football stadium (the Indians were a state power in Class 2A for a long time and beat my hometown high school (Diboll) a lot even though we were a 3A school), went through the parking lot and then around a cemetery onto a quasi-dirt/gravel-like road.
We went from there to a highway, hit some trails/roads again (where there were some soft spots, but mostly packed), and then turned back.
Was a little hilly in spots, but more of a gradual incline.
I was satisfied with my results, but am still looking to get better. My time today is almost 6 minutes off my half PR.
After the race hung out with friends for a long time. Didn't leave until around 1:30 or so. Much fun.