Finally

Got off my ass and did something this morning. Did some push-ups, upper arm weights and Ab Ripper X. I am out of shape. Ha.

Well, What do you know?

Here I was, planning on having the greatest running time of my life. I was going to run a full marathon in November, a half marathon in January and another full marathon in February. And I didn't and won't get to do any of that. About 4 weeks before my first full marathon in November, I started feeling this really sharp pain in my left foot. It would take a while for it to show up in my runs. 10 miles in, 8 miles in, 14 miles in, it would just pop up. And I wouldn't be able to to run any further, that is how much it hurt. The pain would shoot from the outside, mid-foot to the tips of my toes on my left foot. With every step. I should have shut it down pretty quickly but I was so excited about my upcoming running experiences and I am fairly stubborn so on I ran. I convinced myself that it would go away, it was just some random pain that would just heal itself. It didn't. It got worse and worse. So come race day in November I made the executive decision to only run a half marathon, instead of a full marathon. I really wanted to run in this event because my wife and sister were running their first half marathons and I wanted to participate with them. So I ran the half and it sucked. About 8 miles in the pain started firing off and the last 5 miles I moped along and crossed the finish line. I didn't get to really feel to bad, I finished in 2:13:58 and my sister finished right behind me. We got to go through the finish area together and have our pictures taken and she told all about her badass experience. At the time I didn't mind so much, I was soaking up the vibes of my sister and wife, they both did so well and were so happy at the finish line. But my foot really hurt and I was pretty upset with my experience. So after that was all said and done I decided to go see a foot specialist and try and figure out what was wrong with my foot. TWO STRESS FRACTURES. In a boot for six weeks. No running, no walking. Shit. This also comes down during the holiday season when my diet goes flying out the window. Double shit. I tried to do well and at first I did, but about Christmastime, I started eating everything and anything. I quickly gained 15+ pounds and am now really pissed at myself. I got the boot off on New Years Eve, but still no running or walking until mid February, at the earliest. I have joined a gym but have yet to make it over there for a workout. I am not a gym guy. I don't like them, don't like to be in them. It is a hassle for me to get my ass to a gym. The beauty of walking and running, for me, is the freedom. I can just up and go when I want. I like to work out super early in the morning, before most people are awake. This is a pain. I'll get through it and hopefully get back on it in February.

I'm not dead

Just recovered from twisting my ankle a little over a month ago. I am a very clumsy person, grace is not in my vocabulary and I fell down the last step at the Lincoln Memorial. It was my left ankle and it didn't get near as gnarly as my really bad blow out a couple of years ago. It still hurt like a son of a bitch. I ran twice last week, 5k both times. Slow and easy. And I've been walking with the dog too. He needs it. Anyways, I missed the Cap 10K and the Austin 10/20. There will be other races. Haven't tested any distance really, but I'm thinking I may still sign up for the Komen 10K. We'll see.

Moving Along

Footloose and fancy free. Three miles this morning. Feeling good. Actually, feeling a little guilty. I guess if I don't have anything to "train" for I become kind of a lazy bones. Excuses that I would put aside while training have come back. "It's too cold." "I could use a little more sleep." "I'm not training for anything." Ha. I'm gonna work on that. Because, even though I don't have a marathon or half coming up in the immediate future, I've got some 10K's and a ten miler coming up. So hopefully there will be more running soon.

4 Miles of Fun

Today was a great run. Don't know why it was any different from any of my other runs, but it felt great and I still feel good. I think I finally cleared my head of some of the crud that's been bogging it down this week. Shitty things keep happening to those that I care about, but I've come to terms that there is nothing I can do to stop those things. You just have to roll with the punches.
My Aunt passed away yesterday, so that kinda sucks. She was pretty old and had been sick for a long time, so in a way it was kind of a good thing. I feel bad for my Uncle, but things will be all right.
A buddy of mine will be going into the hospital tomorrow because his doctors believe that his cancer is back. They found a grape sized tumor on one of his lungs. Not good. So hopes and prayers are with him.
BUT I am really looking forward to this weekend and the next week has some pretty good things going on. So good bye funk and hello fun. Ha.

Three Miles with the Dog

Got in three miles with Gus the dog today. He's a trooper. He's going to be 10 this year. Old man. So, is three miles seven miles in dog miles? Ha.

Feeling Better

All right, caught whatever was going around my family shortly after that last post. I'm still not feeling 100%, but I think that is mostly allergies. I got out there and got a good three miles in this morning. 8:28 pace, tried to really concentrate on not heel striking. It was a nice morning out as well, almost full moon, little wind, good temp.
This weekend I spent most of my time working on our raised bed garden. I was going to build a box, but was able to find a pre-made one. Bought a yard of dirt and a ton of veggies and am very excited about our garden. My little girl spent most of the weekend with me and we had a wonderful time driving all over San Antonio and working on the garden.
Other than feeling better and our garden, I am having kind of a funky week so far. Found out a former place of employment, Sundance Records and Tapes, in San Marcos, TX will be shutting their doors after 35 years of service. I spent five of the best years of my life working at this store. The first conversation I ever had with my wife happened when she came in to buy a CD. So many good memories from that place. The people I worked with and the experiences I had there are second to none. If I could have made a living from working there I never would have left. Every chance I get, I go by there and buy some CD's or a shirt. I don't know anybody who works there anymore, except for the manager, but it is still a damn fine record store. I feel heartbroken that it is closing.
Secondly, a guy I grew up with killed himself on Sunday. We were not great friends, if we saw each other at a party or a show, we'd catch up and make small talk. He was very good friends with some of my good friends though and my heart is heavy for them. It is shocking to know that someone I knew is gone and that they made the decision to end their life. He had some issues and had worked for a long time to correct them. But I guess his demons wouldn't leave him alone. I hope he has found peace.
Anyways, I'm usually not such a downer. Hopefully these clouds pass soon and things will be brighter soon. After all, this is only a moment in time and eventually these things will pass. Things will get better, they always do.