I am about to head out the door to work my New Year's Eve mission. I am going to be pulling an all-nighter, although not like most would think. I will be sitting behind a computer screen waiting for nothing to happen, which would actually make it a good night. I work with a group of folks that try to keep the event safe, and sometimes sitting in that room things get weird. Two years ago we all ended up watching 8 hours of "To Catch a Predator." Really? Why?
Tonight as I continue to train my repacement I still hope for a no-excitement evening. What I will do is reflect on the seriously eventfull 2010, and see if I can push some of it into the history books and leave them there. Other event will stand out in my mind as flagships. For one, my trip to Temecula with Debbie where we decided I should leave the CST and go to school full-time. By the time I leave, it will be a full year since that trip. I also think about how exhausted my body became with all my running, and how careful I need to be with the new goals for 2011. This blog is supposed to be about endurance, right? But is it really only as it relates to a single endurance event?
I welcomed into my life my coach this year, who has not only become my trainer but a close friend and confidant. 2010 saw changes in my doggie status too. We lost Jasmine, one of the most precious and loving yellow labs one could hope to find. She hid in the closet for years, but she was sweet and gentle as they come. As a rescue we werent sure how old she was when we got her, but it was her time. THAT happened in March too. We couldnt leave Daisy without a friend though, so our lives were turned upside down when Diesel came bounding in with his young Golden Retriever energy. And yes, he is alllllll boy! He was an instant match to Daisy and they are inseperable.
My daughter turned 21. As a daddy, I'm not sure what more to say about that. books could be written.
I nearly broke through the 4-hour time for a full marathon.
I got sponsored by HAMMER!
I am short on time. Need to get going. Got a city to save!
See you in 2011.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Initial Rough Draft Training Plan
Per the words of my coach, this is what my training plan will be like in a general sense beginning 02JAN2011.
"Training for the 50 is going to be intense in that you will probably get in 4-5 days of running and 50+ miles per week almost every week. This will mean that while you are studying or watching TV you will be icing, rolling on the foam roller, wearing recovery socks, eating healthy, and thinking about the run. That level of post-run work will be necessary to avoid injury prior to your event. Our goal is to have you building your endurance while building your physical structure and tolerance to handle the stress. Plan on getting a new pair of shoes 1 month before labor. Gear will not be important as you can run joyce’s race without any gear since the aid stations are so close.
Swim and Bike will be timed events with feedback from you on how you feel. A workout will be either as a second workout for the day or on a “rest/recovery” day. We are not going to get technical with the biking workouts until you are comfortable with the bike. Do you have a bike or will you be working on a trainer? After Labor we will get you into swimming drills. For now, just get comfortable in the water for 500yds."
History
Spike TV had a marathon showing of Tom Hank's Band of Brothers recently. It an undescribable series chock full of lessons and stories applicable through the ages. As the story of Easy Company unfolds, the quantity and quality of leadership life-lessons becomes relentlessly apparent.
For a time the company was caught at Bastogne, from Christmas through the new year 1944-1945. The company commader was a guy by the name of 1LT Dike who according to accounts given by the men of Easy Company, was a leader of constant unexplained disappearances, inattention to the men under his command, and his preference for remaining in a foxhole, rather than fighting, and earned the pejorative nickname of "Foxhole Norman."
I woke this morning thinking of "Foxhole Norman." Here is a man simply existing, doing what he does. THIS is who he is, nothing more, nothing less. His day-by-day activities seemingly account for nothing significant. I wonder, did 1LT Dike at anytime during his existence as a company commander ever stop to think that he was going to make it into a history book? Had he known his name was going to be in print, would he have changed some of the actions he did take or did not take during his time in command?
I would be absolutely vain to think my name is worthy of historical archives, but as I make my way through life doing what I do because of who I am, have I ever stopped to think that maybe someday, my name will be mentioned in the chronicles of time and that maybe I should live as if I was the one writing history? After all, isnt the process of daily living an endurance run in and of itself complete with a finish line?
By the way, 1LT Dike actually became LTC Dike with a law degree from Yale.
For a time the company was caught at Bastogne, from Christmas through the new year 1944-1945. The company commader was a guy by the name of 1LT Dike who according to accounts given by the men of Easy Company, was a leader of constant unexplained disappearances, inattention to the men under his command, and his preference for remaining in a foxhole, rather than fighting, and earned the pejorative nickname of "Foxhole Norman."
I woke this morning thinking of "Foxhole Norman." Here is a man simply existing, doing what he does. THIS is who he is, nothing more, nothing less. His day-by-day activities seemingly account for nothing significant. I wonder, did 1LT Dike at anytime during his existence as a company commander ever stop to think that he was going to make it into a history book? Had he known his name was going to be in print, would he have changed some of the actions he did take or did not take during his time in command?
I would be absolutely vain to think my name is worthy of historical archives, but as I make my way through life doing what I do because of who I am, have I ever stopped to think that maybe someday, my name will be mentioned in the chronicles of time and that maybe I should live as if I was the one writing history? After all, isnt the process of daily living an endurance run in and of itself complete with a finish line?
By the way, 1LT Dike actually became LTC Dike with a law degree from Yale.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Cant Live With/Cant live without
The application of cant live with/cant live without is just as subjective as the person making the statement. In my case, the focus is on those I cannot live without. While this may be a statement I am using here, it does not represent to what degree. Some will obviuosly warrant higher levels of required daily sensory input than others, but all carry a certain amount of weight that is extremely important to me. Without such people in my life, my "can-do" button often times remains stuck in neutral and when it comes to endurance athletics, support networks are critical.
Debbie
My most precious foundation of support, this woman feels every high and low I go through first-hand. She is my sounding board, my encourager, voice of reason, and comforter in times of stress and pain. Yes....there is always pain. Yet still she waits for me and will always be the one that gets the first hug when I cross the line since she is the only one I look for when I DO cross the finish line.
Jared Sweet
As my coach, Jared has earned his way into my trophy case. while providing me with the nuts and bolts of training, he has become a trustedfriend as well. When the fog hits, he has become a lighthouse to me, providing me with guidance and direction that help me prove to MYSELF that I am capable of so much more than where I am. It is his belief in me that has led me to pursue what I thought was unachievable just a year ago.
Amanda
My daughter. she plays no direct role in my training whatsoever, and yet she has to be mentioned because if she were NOT the classy, intelligent, moral, sensitive, and compassionate young woman she has become, she would have been a constant drain on my resources. Indirectly, by being a woman of virtue, she enable me to be the athlete I want to be. Now if I could only get her to run with me.
My list of Honor Roll participants will continue in further blogs, but for now, as I continue to explore the capabilities of this whole "Blog-thing" I have captured three people that mean the world to me. It is through their direct/indirect support that I can accomplish my dreams and I wish only the same for them as well. It funny, though...this sport I do is an individual sport. I go out, I run, I compete and I take home what I put into it. In the end, I will stand alone and give an account for my actions and receive my just reward. But in the end, it isnt just me, and it isnt always about me. I cant do this alone. No one can. I need what other give, and in return I hope to do the same. That is what I think is what makes me a better anything, that about me most would say "Cant live without."
Debbie
My most precious foundation of support, this woman feels every high and low I go through first-hand. She is my sounding board, my encourager, voice of reason, and comforter in times of stress and pain. Yes....there is always pain. Yet still she waits for me and will always be the one that gets the first hug when I cross the line since she is the only one I look for when I DO cross the finish line.
Jared Sweet
As my coach, Jared has earned his way into my trophy case. while providing me with the nuts and bolts of training, he has become a trustedfriend as well. When the fog hits, he has become a lighthouse to me, providing me with guidance and direction that help me prove to MYSELF that I am capable of so much more than where I am. It is his belief in me that has led me to pursue what I thought was unachievable just a year ago.
Amanda
My daughter. she plays no direct role in my training whatsoever, and yet she has to be mentioned because if she were NOT the classy, intelligent, moral, sensitive, and compassionate young woman she has become, she would have been a constant drain on my resources. Indirectly, by being a woman of virtue, she enable me to be the athlete I want to be. Now if I could only get her to run with me.
My list of Honor Roll participants will continue in further blogs, but for now, as I continue to explore the capabilities of this whole "Blog-thing" I have captured three people that mean the world to me. It is through their direct/indirect support that I can accomplish my dreams and I wish only the same for them as well. It funny, though...this sport I do is an individual sport. I go out, I run, I compete and I take home what I put into it. In the end, I will stand alone and give an account for my actions and receive my just reward. But in the end, it isnt just me, and it isnt always about me. I cant do this alone. No one can. I need what other give, and in return I hope to do the same. That is what I think is what makes me a better anything, that about me most would say "Cant live without."
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Virgin Blogger
26DEC2010
I am enjoying a breakfast of waffles this morning as I am attmpting to set-up my blogsite. I dont even know what to call it. Does the word "blogsite" work?
MY main attempt here is to simply capture the experiences I gain as I continue to progress through my physical ventures, and this upcoming year promises to be very fulfilling. Before I launch into 2011 and all it has in store, here's a bit of a recap of what brought to this point:
In the last two years I have developed a passion for running. I may not be the fastest but I can hold my own with proper training. Running anything longer than an Army physical fitness test was beyond my comprehension until during my deployment in 2007 I competed in two 10k runs. They were fun and I brought the desire back with me. March of 2009 provided me with my first half-marathon and from that time on I have conintued to run as much as I can and as often as I can. Thus far I have completed 6 full marathons, 20 half-marathons, and several races of verying distances. And the best news of all? For 2011 I have received a sponsorship from Hammer Nutrition, my only means of fueling while in training or racing.
My goal here is not only maintain a log of my training and races, but maybe once in while see how the whole scheme of life affects me overall. We are the sum of our parts so-to-speak, and I will be building on this in the future.
Stay tuned!
I am enjoying a breakfast of waffles this morning as I am attmpting to set-up my blogsite. I dont even know what to call it. Does the word "blogsite" work?
MY main attempt here is to simply capture the experiences I gain as I continue to progress through my physical ventures, and this upcoming year promises to be very fulfilling. Before I launch into 2011 and all it has in store, here's a bit of a recap of what brought to this point:
In the last two years I have developed a passion for running. I may not be the fastest but I can hold my own with proper training. Running anything longer than an Army physical fitness test was beyond my comprehension until during my deployment in 2007 I competed in two 10k runs. They were fun and I brought the desire back with me. March of 2009 provided me with my first half-marathon and from that time on I have conintued to run as much as I can and as often as I can. Thus far I have completed 6 full marathons, 20 half-marathons, and several races of verying distances. And the best news of all? For 2011 I have received a sponsorship from Hammer Nutrition, my only means of fueling while in training or racing.
My goal here is not only maintain a log of my training and races, but maybe once in while see how the whole scheme of life affects me overall. We are the sum of our parts so-to-speak, and I will be building on this in the future.
Stay tuned!
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