A Different Way of Living

So many people worry about things, that in the end, don't really matter.  No body ever lay on their death bed and said, "I wish I spent more time at the office".  At least I've never heard of that happening.  Now that I'm fifty, I feel the need to do more non worrying things.  Just this week I took some time to help my son figure out what his job for the next few years will be in the Marines.  I am so proud of his decision to take a definite direction in his life.  Do I worry?  Of course I think about the risks, but the Lord has a plan for each of us.  Following our hearts in seeking His directions enables us to jump in with faith and the knowledge of His protection for our Eternal selves.  ...and after being so proud of the maturity of his mindset from earlier this week, he and his younger brother came in tonight sounding like to kids.  They were headed upstairs for a night of Xbox and movies.

Twenty one days out from the St. Jude Marathon:  57 miles this week on the bike and running.  Tomorrow will be a long run in the AM when I get off from the hotel.  I have my gear with me and my replenishment stuff. (GU, Shots, Clif Bars and Camel Back).  15 miles minimum.  I'm going to take my camera with me too. 

This is a picture from the National Forest Mary and I hiked in Ashville, NC. 

A week of running

I ran three times today for a total of 9 miles.  Three miles on the treadmill at The Peabody when I got off work, 1 mile while doing the cardio stress test at Stern, and Nick Stiles and I ran 5 miles on the Germantown Greenway, behind the old Walmart property.  Great Conversation and catching up.  It's amazing how easy a run seems when you are running along side someone.  There doesn't have to be a lot of conversation, but the side by side thing is really easy.  The weather was clear and breezy, so that made it nice too. 

There are 22 days till the St. Jude Marathon.  That's two full weeks of training with high mileage, and then the final week of relaxation leading up to "THE DAY".  I know I've done this before, but not since the Heart Cath / Ablation.  I had the Stress test today so Dr. Otten would have a baseline going into my higher level of performance.  I am really looking forward to this milestone.  More than the first.  ...and then next year, I want to do 3 marathons and an ultra (the distance to be determined based on travel).

For now, 22 days and we'll go from there.  Later! 

Last month of Training leading up to St. Jude Marathon 2011

Last Monday was my biopsy.  Dr. Baker got a higher than desired reading on one of my tests during my physical.  Then Dr. Walzer got a higher than desirable reading on the specialty tests that he ran.  So, just to be overly cautious and thorough, a biopsy was ordered.  Well that came back clear.  So I'm OK!!  But I had to take a couple of days off.  Not really what I wanted to do 6 weeks out from the St. Jude, but hey, not much of a choice.  The week prior was an Awesome week of running, with 54 miles, and another 33 miles on the bike.  I had a 13 miler, a 14 miler, and a 17 miler.  2 3's and a 4 thrown in there for good measure.  My Bike ride was 33miles in one day, Wednesday.  My legs were like rubber after that.

Then came the biopsy on Monday this week.  I felt terrible the rest of the day.  Even though I slept most of the day.  You see I worked the overnight at the hotel 11 PM to 8 AM the night before.  Actually I laid around for two days.  Then on Wednesday I felt pretty good.Just put one foot in front of the other.  Two days of rest did make me feel pretty energetic, I must say.  Wednesday and Thursday I knocked out a 7 miler each day, then Friday and Saturday, 8 miler each day.  All 4 runs were on the TM (treadmill).  I felt the need to be in a controlled environment, having so recently been violated and still experiencing bleeding way out of the ordinary.  I am not going to give anymore details than that.  Suffice to say, I felt comfortable being close to home.

Now it's Sunday morning.  The seventh day following B'Day, as we will call it, and I am wrapping up a 10 hour shift at the hotel.  I am planning on going home, showering, going to church, running to the Martin's after, eating, probably, then FOOTBALL, NASCAR, more FOOTBALL, then maybe get a nap in there somewhere.  I am hoping to finish the week with 40 miles on the road, but I would be happy with 35 given the circumstances.

  Here is a picture taken on the GreenLine last week.  It was 13 miles of my 33 mile bike ride on Wednesday.

Father Son Runs

Running with Zach!  That's a new one.
I remember when we were in Tampa and he HATED the idea of running. 
Now he's running in the morning afternoon and evening.  We went out yesterday for a 4.5 mile run and he smoked me the last mile.  Today I ran 3.5 and he did his 1 mile intervals.  He's pretty awesome.

Leaving for Florida in the morning

Mary and I are headed to Florida in the morning.  We are looking forward to some R & R.  Hope you like the photos and stuff along the way.

Christmas in Arlington

Well this is a fine way to start our blog. 

Christmas 2010! 

Now 3 months into our new home and we get to celebrate Christmas for the first time in Arlington.  The town square was a lit up in Blue lights for the season.  One Saturday afternoon we took a stroll through the shops, did some exploring, ate at Brendalays, (we liked it a lot), ...oh yea, and found the most Awesome of Christmas trees.  This is our third Christmas together, as a family, and the surprises were not lacking. 

First, Brooke and Ernest have announced their engagement, (The date is way off in the future).  It was sort of a surprise but we all knew it was coming eventually.  She can show you the ROCK if you want.  Maybe check out her FB. 

Zachary got a New (used) car.  Mary found an awesome little used car on the SJ Board.  We really think he likes it, he just rarely around to ask him.  He and Alec are enjoying some new found freedom of movement.  Alec got all that he asked for, except for the sinus infection that has knocked him out, rather hard, I must say. 

It was Caroline's first Christmas and she and Miracle seemed to really enjoy all the festivities.  Although Caroline sleeps A LOT, she did raise an eyelid for several photo ops.  this was one of the more exceptional.  But they are all cute.  Just go to Mary's FB to see more.

Mary and I couldn't ask for much more than the joy shared in celebrating Christmas together, the Martins, the Watsons and the Reynolds are doing an awesome job of FAMILY.