One foot in front of the other

That which does not kill us, makes us stronger (Friedrich Nietzsche)  
But it may hurt like hell afterwards.   (me)

Despite all the rumors to the contrary and my worst intentions, I managed to pull off another half yesterday.  Number 7 is in the bag.  13.1 miles later, another medal, another shirt, a few more stiff joints, and some sense of accomplishment.  

The run was very good, it was just runner that was less prepared.  0700 Sunday morning, clear skies, temps hovering around 48 at the start, streets were dry, the pack of runners were anxiously awaiting the starting gun.  30,000 runners crammed along several blocks in the predawn light made for one hell of a party.  

Waiting for the start

Heading for the starting line (20 minutes after the gun)

Since this is my 7th time on this merry-go-round, I knew what to expect, how to prepare.  Got up obscenely early (couldn't sleep) and drove downtown at 0400 just to make sure I could park next to the convention center.  I know, that is a bit A/R, but I like having my truck nearby so I don't have to hike a mile away just to find my ride home.  That and I ain't about to pay some guy $30 to park in one of the lots next to the convention center (I may be crazy but I am definitely cheap).  Got there early enough to find a good spot and prepare for the run.  Took the opportunity to revise my running attire - the weather was cool enough but not too cold, so I changed my layers. dropped the base shirt and went with the sleeves.  It is always interesting to see how people dress for the start and then watch how many clothes/jackets/gloves/sleeves/hats are discarded within the first two miles.  My strategy worked out OK for me - wasn't overheated nor too cold.  I bought a new spibelt this year - one that was waterproof and had extra belt loops for my Gu and I can hook the race bib onto directly.         

With that many people to cram across the starting line, it took almost 20 minutes for my corral to cross the start after the gun had sounded.  I like the whole event, but that kind of mob takes some of the shine out of it.     

I ran OK, but, my lack of prep runs showed.  Typical jackrabbit start and then lose steam on the back half.  I held a decent pace the first 6 miles, but the second were slower.  Not as achy as last year, but a bit off my time from prior years.  Not a pace I am particularly proud of (2:41), but at least I conquered the course/objective.  I won't bore everyone with the entire montage of the run - it was a good run, I was slow and some things worked better than others.  Developed a hot spot on my left foot.  Not sure if it was the new shooz or due to my lack of conditioning.  I am happy with completing the race, just not happy with my progress.  I should prepare better but things just seem to keep getting in the way.  In my mind, the race is not against the clock or even against other runners (no way I am in that class of running).  To me, the race is against yourself.  My competition is internal.  I try to beat my prior times, push the envelope to improve myself and best my previous attempts.  I spend a good portion of the run going over things in my head, arguing with myself, running through a list of chores/to-doos.   

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other (something a sage old running mentor once told me).  

This year I decided to change up my run strategy and focus more upon what was around me (the here & now).  I was trying to enjoy the entire event and the surrounding hoopla (ergo my slower time?).  The sideline action was almost as much fun as the runners.  Some of the slogans along the round this year:

A few others were:

• Worst. Parade. Ever.
• It's my birthday.  I expected a better parade.
• I like your stamina.  Call me. xxxx
• Run like you are being chased by zombies.
• Romo wouldn't have made the first mile (not a Cowboys fan).   
• When they said Marathon, I thought they meant Netflix Marathon   

Of course, you always see the most interesting people/characters along the course:

Now is the dangerous time for me.  The post race euphoria.  Now that it is over & done and I am back home warm and dry, the thought creeps into my head about next year. They've changed the registration system again for next year and gone back to old system of first come, first served.  They opened up the registration last night for the first 10,000 enrollees.  Lord knows, I just may be stupid enough to try for 8.  Somebody please stop me...

Some days you run the road, some days the road runs you.

Yea, it’s that time of the year again. Time to see if I can still run with the big dogs or should just stay on the porch.  

Sunday morning is the annual Chevron Marathon/Half Marathon.  This will be my 7th trip down that road of insanity.  7 trips on this merry-go-round means I am either really committed or really stupid (hint:  go with the latter).  

Common sense says I should say home warm and dry and watch some more football and play with the dogs, but NOOOO, something inside of me says I have to do this.  Some silly, warped sense of pride/drive keeps me coming back to the same starting line.  Honestly, I feel no better prepared than previous years.  I haven't been running or training as much as I should have been.  I could list all sorts of excuses, but that is all it really is:  excuses.    At least I know the course and the system and how to best prepare for it.  I've laid out my gear, charged up the iPod, heading downtown this morning to pick up my race packet and bib number and buy some more race crap that I really don't need (need me some more energy shots).         

Come early Sunday morning, I'm quite sure I will be seriously questioning my resolve and sanity, but it's too late to back out now and we'll have to see what the weekend brings.  At least the weather looks to be decent - sunny with no rain and mid 40s at the start.  I've run in a number of different conditions, but rain and cold really seem to take a lot of the fun out of it.  Regardless, I will be hitting the dark, chilly streets of Houston at o-dark-thirty with 30,000 other nut cases.  

Besides, it's all about the shirt...

1 Corinthians 9:26 - Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.    


Perhaps a more appropriate prayer (for me) would be:  Lord watch over me and my fellow runners.  Keep everyone safe and whole.  May the streets be dry and smooth, the weather fair and the course run true.  And Lord, if it is my time, please at least wait until I cross the finish line.  

No good deed goes unpunished

I'm still wrapping things up from the holiday.  This past week was a bit a stretch for some - after the long holidays and week off, it was hard to get back into a rhythm.  Reports and projects that were postponed prior to the holidays have returned with a vengeance.  We are already working at deadlines and projects due by the end of the month.      

At least at home I am making some progress in returning things to a quasi normal state.  I took the Xmas lights down after returning from the New Year's rally.  In the old days, we would typically leave them up until the Super Bowl, but that was when it was in January.  I started dismantling the tree and packing it up in the attic.  This year I broke with tradition and change the lighting scheme.  Our company was encouraging everyone to decorate in purple (designated color for Epilepsy Awareness) so I bought several purple led strings.  Made for an interesting display - purple is a bit darker than the typical white bulbs and most of my pictures did not come out well.  I am spending the day packing the ornaments and decorations away while watching the playoffs.

Yesterday, I went to turn in recycling.  The city had a hazardous recycling day where you can recycle things like electronics, batteries, chemicals, paint, etc..  Things that are not normally in the recycling chain and you don't want to throw in the trash.  I've done two of these before and they were well run.  Yesterday was not.  I drove by the drop off initially and the line of cars was down the block and not moving.  Ran off to do some errands and came back and the line was longer.  I didn't have much (got rid of a lot our electronics last summer) - just a couple of cans of paint and some batteries so I decided to try it anyway.  I sat in line for a good 20 minutes before I decided (like a few others) to park and just carry it over to the drop off only to be rudely told "no walk ups" and we had to drive through in our cars.  There were several other who has the same idea only to be turned away.  More than a few simply said screw it and left.  I decided to do my bit for queen & country and stick it out.  I understand that the people were working hard and it was a miserable day (rain, cold) and they were overwhelmed by the number of vehicles, but 1.5 hours to turn in some cans of paint and batteries?  I did the right thing for the environment but many people were unhappy with the total chaos and lack of communication.   

At least I did do one good deed over the holidays.  While out at the New Year's rally, I had to run into town to get some supplies to make wassail.  Went to the small town grocery store in Bellville - Brookshire Brothers.  Got my supplies and had checked out and decided to buy a lottery ticket on a lark.  While waiting at the counter, a young woman and her daughter came up aside of me.  A typical harried young mother with highly energetic and bubbly daughter.  Since the woman looked like she had her hands full, I waved her on in front of me.  For a brief moment, I started to regret my chivalry when I saw she was cashing her paycheck and had to go through all sorts of confirmation and authentication, but I figured I had time and she didn't.  Took a some time for the cashier to verify her id and count out the bills - had to be a decent check since I saw several 50s and a few 100s cross the counter.  She wrapped everything up and collected her daughter to pick up a few things in the store and turned away.  As I stepped up to the counter I noticed a nice crisp, clean brand new $100 bill still on the counter.  Took me a nanosecond to recognize it and where it came from.  I picked it up and turned to go find the mother.  Fortunately, they hadn't gotten far and I was able to hand it back to her.  I can tell she was a bit embarrassed and thanked me profusely.  When I stepped back to the window, the elderly gentlemen behind me gave me a thumbs up and nodded in approval.  I said that it was the right thing to do.  It may be the boy scout in me but I couldn't live with myself if I hadn't done that.     

Playing catch up

Slowly working our way back from the holidays break.  We had a good Christmas and fairly sedate New Year's.  Spent time with family, friends.  Ate too much, spend a bit more than we had planned, watched several movies and tv marathons, generally slacked off.  

A lot of different shows on this year.  I recall from a few years ago that one channel ran a James Bond Marathon on for New Year's week.  This year the BBC channel ran a Doctor Who Marathon.  Dang it.  And I had things I meant to do... 

I did manage to get back out to the annual New Year's rally with our Airstream club.  This is at a rural campground about an hour west of town.   We drove out in the pouring rain, my brother got his rig stuck (had to pull him out with my truck), the weather was wet and dreary for most of the week.  Not sure if it was because the holiday fell in the middle of the week or because of the weather but the number of attendees this year was pretty light.  My folks did not go because they are still recuperating from their wreck and have no tow vehicle.  We are not sure of their long term plans.  I spent part of the holidays with my dad and I got the general feeling that his wreck may be the writing on the wall for them.  I kinda got the general impression that they are questioning the possibility of hanging it up.  Maybe a few more local runs/rallies but they are definitely not doing any more long term road trips.  Some of their friends in the club have already retired and many of them were younger than my folks.  We'll have to see what the year brings.  

A few shots from the rally.  At least the dogs enjoyed getting out to the house for a while. It was fun and the heater worked well this year (yea!).  It wasn't as challenging or exciting as camping out in the back yard in a tent in the snow/freezing weather.    

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

Feliz Navidad!

Joyeux Noel!

Buone Feste Natalizie!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Merry Christmas to everyone.  I hope that everyone is safely at home with friends and family enjoying the holidays!  

It's been a hectic week but I finally got all of my shopping done.  Nothing like hitting the mall on the Christmas Eve to really make one appreciate the true meaning of Christmas.  Actually, I ventured out to get our meal and pick up a few last minute gifts for grand-nieces.  Picked up a few more unnecessary gifts, but was finally able to wrap it up.  Was interesting to mingle with the crowd of desperate, last minute shoppers looking for that "just right" gift.  

We're done.  I am working on dinner for tomorrow.  SIL had chemo today so tomorrow means additional fluids and a late start for opening presents.  Planning to get up early and wrap a few more gifts, vacuum one more time, stuff the turkey, knock back a short run, walk the mutts, and get things set up for an afternoon tree. Hopefully, everything will work out - just as it does with any family gathering...    

      

Pater familias

My parents are a pair of tough old birds.  Both are doing well, despite all the aches and pains (although they have a newfound respect for airbags).  My brother's comment from Sunday night was:  The are doing better this afternoon.  I count bitchiness as a sort of good quality.  Both are back at home trying to get some rest and recuperate, but the pain meds are making one a bit loopy.  The accident hasn't really sidelined them too much, but they are moving a bit more tenderly of late.  Hopefully, they will be back up to their normal activities by Christmas.  Not sure if they will make the next rally (New Year's).

I am off the rest of the week.  No real plans aside of trying to catch up on Christmas shopping and raking leaves.  Basically I am burning off a few days before the end of the year (or lose them).  Will be dealing with a few left over projects (bathroom repair, foundation work, driveway, etc.).  I do plan to hit the new Hobbit movie while I have the time.  I hope to get a few longer runs in while I am out.  Would be a good idea given that the marathon is about 30 days out.  

While pondering my parents recent adventure, I ran across this clip today.  It reminded me that we should all keep our eyes open for surprises along the road.  This one made me think of some of my serious biker friends (you know who you are).    

Time for a new van

"Jesus Christ."  - My exact words when I got this picture from my brother as I was driving home this evening.

This is my parent's new (less than 1 year old) van.  The first and foremost thing is that they are ok.   Banged up, bruised, sore, but ok.  The only real hurt that my folks suffered was from the seat belts and airbags deploying.  They were out at a rally up north of town for the weekend and ran into some trouble (dad's words, not mine).  Driving on the freeway north of town that was high congested, a truck stopped right in front of him and he plowed right into it.  I talked with my dad and they were at the hospital getting checked out/x-rays for any other issues.  He sounded ok but a bit rattled.  They were heading back out to their trailer after they get released tonight and planning to pack it in early and head home tomorrow.  A bit hard to grasp the situation right now but the important thing is that they are ok.    

As an Engineer and amateur mechanic, I can surmise from the picture that the van is toast.  The engine is history and I won't even guess how the rest of the drive train is looking.  I take some solace in the sardonic comment my dad and brother said with the picture of the van:  "Time for a new van.  Different color."  At least his sense of humor is still intact.