Now til November

2004-04-18T19:56:00.000-07:00

I am overdo for an update. I ran six miles yesterday and timed myself at 68 minutes. That's a little over eleven minutes a mile. I have to admit that I am not overly pleased with it, but I must be honest with myself. Sure, my times for the 5k are respectable, but I'm still overweight. My times over longer distances are going to suffer until I can get my weight down. I will run six miles a day the rest of this week, take Friday off, then I have another 5k this weekend. As warm as it is, I have to lose some weight.

I ran at the track again tonight, and tried something that seems to work. The track in Locust Fork (Alabama) is 0.4 miles. In order to get in six miles requires 15 laps. I changed directions after every third lap, and my hip feels great. So do my shins for that matter. I was wearing my New Balance shoes, which are getting a bit worn out. I have to admit that I have spent more on other pairs of shoes, but these simply leave my legs feeling better. You would think that I would figure that out and quit wasting money when I know what works best for me.

Speaking of the track, I have to share this. New England has the Mothman. The Northwest has Bigfoot. Locust Fork Community Park has..... dum, dum, dummmmmm... the Perfume Lady. Never in my life have I ever encountered anyone that wears as much perfume as the Perfume Lady. She is killing me. You won't believe this, but I actually smelled her from one hundred yards away this afternoon. It wasn't even windy!! It's not a foul perfume, but the sheer intensity of it is offensive. I've been around craggy old ladies with three pack a day habits and olfactory senses that haven't worked since the Carter Administration that didn't wear as much perfume as she does. But, I digress.

I entered the lottery last week. But brace yourself, it wasn't for the NYC marathon. I want to run in the Marine Corps Marathon. Why?
#!- I've already been to the one in NYC.
#2- I've never been to D.C. but always wanted to go.
#3- I do not want my wife wandering around in NYC.
#4- I don't really have a number four, but my argument seems so much more convincing with four items in it.

I am tired, and going to bed. Take it easy.

2004-04-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Man, am I in a pissy mood today. Actually I have been for several days now. There's no particular reason for it, I just am. I have developed an extension of Descartes' timeless observation: I scowl, therefore I am. In truth, I have read Meditations on First Philosophy a couple of times, and I know for a fact that what he actually said was, "I am. I exist."

Wow, I'm so pissy I just got in an argument with myself. And lost. That pisses me off even more.

I made the mistake of running at the track Monday, and it killed my legs. Running in circles just isn't for me. It really puts a strain on my hip; I suspect from the constant twisting. It doesn't do my shins any favors, either. But I will run this afternoon somewhere, most likely at a real running track close to my office. Take it easy.

2004-04-11T19:24:00.000-07:00

I found a few interesting sites today. The first is Run The Planet- a fun site detailing running routes and reviews all over the world. This site is HUGE. I looked around for thirty minutes and barely scratched the surface.

The other site is a personal site created by Marty. He is an avid, and talented, California runner who has recently recovered from injury and is putting up some impressive numbers. I love sites like this. There is something about reading about other runner's experiences that is uniquely enjoyable.

2004-04-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

I had a fantastic run yesterday. I'm not sure how fantastic, because there was some controversy over the course length. The Panther Prowl 5k in Pell City, Alabama held it's inaugural run yesterday but there was some debate over the exact length of the run. All I know is that I finished with a new PR of 23:19. This beats my previous by 5:01. And let me tell you, I was running to beat the band, even sprinting a quarter mile flat in mile 2. I pushed myself harder than I ever have before. It felt fantastic; the feeling that you can demand certain things of your body and then have it respond is nothing short of incredible.

Now don't get me wrong, I paid for it yesterday. After the race I took my mother out for her birthday and felt as though I was walking in legirons. But it was definitely worth it.

In blog news, I have been listed on The Run Down, a runner's website with lots of links and reviews of each. This might lead to more traffic, which means I have to get better about the updates. I also found another great website last week with a local running event calendars for all the states in the Southeast. It is Running.Net. It is the website of a southern running mag, but has a well-developed calendar with alot more info than I've found at other sites. That is how I found out about the 5k at the Cornbread Festival in Tennessee. Alright, that's enough for now. I'm ready for a nap. Happy Easter to you all.

2004-04-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

Talk about neglecting one's blog. I haven't updated in forever. I am enjoying my running more than ever. I have lost weight, my legs are hard as rocks. I am running on backroads almost exclusively now, as running at the track was getting fairly mundane. The only dangers are drivers and dogs, but both of these are manageable mainly by picking the right roads. I mentioned a while back about buying some Adidas Ozweego's. I should give an update on those. I hate them. They gave me a scorching case of shin splints. I prefer New Balance, because they offer more stability and cushioning, but they tend to wear out rather quickly. For the last month, I have been running in a pair of Nike Air Pegasus. These are fantastic. They don't offer quite as much cushioning as the New Balance, but the trade off is a more responsive shoe. And the soles still look practically brand new, even though I am averaging twenty-five miles a week.

I have since run in another 5k. This one was the Knights of Columbus Run in the Crestline area of Birmingham. Well organized, lots of door prizes, plenty to eat and drink. This weekend I am in the Panther Prowl in Pell City, Alabama. It is a fundraiser for their fledgling track team; a well worth cause that I am proud to support. Then, in two weeks, I am entering the National Cornbread Festival 5k in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. It sounds like a blast, and just hokey enough to be entertaining. The 5k kicks off a weekend of cornbread cook-offs, buttermilk chugging contests... you get the idea. We are taking all the kids, my mother and mother-in-law and making a weekend out of it. Then, the next week I plan to enter the We Love Homewood 10k run. Well, I say 'plan' but may back out, as I really need to get in some office time at Realtysouth in Oneonta. That's it for now. I don't know when I will be able to update again, and to be honest the future of this blog is up in the air. If you have an opinion, feel free to e-mail me. In fact, whether or not I get any e-mails will greatly affect my decision.

2004-02-24T06:33:00.000-08:00

I feel like I spent all night standing up. I am about to decide that sport drinks really do have something to offer. I think I recover better with them. It probably sounds like a foregone conclusion, but I am just hardheaded enough to be skeptical until proven otherwise. I will run out to the vending machine and get one, though I suspect that it is too late now. Chalk it up to a lesson learned. You know, you can't argue with first-hand empirical data, or sore legs.

2004-02-23T19:55:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm back. I ran another five miles today, but suddenly the track is more crowded than it used to be. It is certainly due to the warmer spring weather and spring sport practices, but I miss having the track to myself. The warmer weather is going to be a mixed blessing, I can tell. It'll be nice to shed a few layers, but at the same time I am sweating more than ever. And I have decided to cut back on my eating just to see how quickly, if at all, the weight comes down. But I won't do it at the expense of my running. As soon as I see a significant change in my energy level, then I am going right back to my tthree squares a day. Take care of yourselves. Later.

2004-02-23T06:50:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the recent laziness. February has been the busiest month I have ever had. I have managed to run with missing only a few days here and there, but it has taken alot of resolve. I reached a new point in my running yesterday. I remember back to an earlier post stating that I knew that sooner or later I would run in one day what I was totaling for the week. I did it yesterday. I ran six miles yesterday. I knew I could do it, but have shied away from it because it wasn't part of my scheduled increases until yesterday. Well, I now have a room full of eighth graders... I must go before they start to injure one another.

2004-02-20T12:11:00.000-08:00

Some of my students are seriously considering doing a weblog of Bilbo Baggins for their Hobbit assignment. I am, of course, very excited about this prospect.

2004-02-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I received an e-mail from my counter, Site Meter, telling me that I had almost forty hits in the last seven days. That seems reason enough to post again. After getting over my stomach virus, which was mercifully short, I decided to take a few days off from running to let the various aches and pains heal. Since I am on a six day cycle, I took off the whole six days. I also took off a few days from my blog as I would have nothing to talk about if I wasn't running.

It's funny the impact that running is having on me. Suddenly I have lots more energy than I used to , which means that I am doing lots more stuff. It is rare that I actually sit and watch more than one hour of TV a night now. But I will say that I am more conscious of my time and how I spend it now. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that or not, quite frankly. There is something to be said for taking your brain off the hook for a few hours.

Alas, if these are my worries, then things must be pretty good. Take it easy.

2004-02-06T06:23:00.000-08:00

Sick as a dog. Either I have a stomach virus, or my stomach has finally grown weary of the constant abuse and is trying to escape. I am at work just the same though. I refuse to waste a sick day on illness.

2004-02-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

It is here. Time to roll the dice and take your chances. Registration for the NYC marathon officially began yesterday. From what I understand, there is a 50/50 chance of getting in. They use a lottery system for selection. the lucky few won't know until June or July, which leaves enough time to train but not necessarily enough time to find another marathon. Ah well, I'm sure something will come up. It's not like there's a shortage of marathons in the fall.

2004-02-02T21:36:00.000-08:00

Pooped. My day had been just a tad on the tedious side. So much going on with the kids, between basketball practice and cub scouts, I didn't get to run until nine o'clock tonight. Now I must retire for the evening. Good night.

2004-02-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

While I'm here, I found another few websites that might be of local interest. Birmingham Track Club is a nice site with lots of links and a well-maintained calendar. Huntsville Track Club has a site for a town where everybody runs. I expected a more impressive design from a high-tech town, but it has a good calendar and a decent links page, as well.

2004-02-01T15:03:00.000-08:00

Interesting run today. I woke up in the mood to run, and decided to run in town (which is Cleveland, AL ). I drove around and plotted out a four mile course that included some hills and scenery. It was a welcome change from running in circles all the time, and it was early enough that I didn't have to worry about getting run over. I will admit that I did not run this four miles nonstop, but I only took a few breaks... pauses, really. I chose not to time myself today, as a reward for doing so well yesterday.

I am still quite proud of myself. After the race I was talking to the guy that I passed in the last mile. He asked me, "Were you holding back until that hill?" I don't remember much about my reply, but his comment stuck with me. I have said this before, and I will say it again. I am totally noncompetitive. Things like winning and losing just don't impress me. So I really didn't look at the race yesterday as beating anybody to the finish line. And I didn't push ahead in order to get to the finish line faster than anyone else.

Why am I obsessing about this? I am obsessing about it because many people that I know actually get agitated when I discuss this topic. They refuse to accept the idea. They always use the same argument: I say I'm noncompetitive because I am so intensely competitive that I can't take the idea of losing. I gave this idea some thought. But I must reject it. The logic is flawed. If this were the case, then I should avoid any kind of competitive activity to avoid frustration. It's like saying, "You never eat brussel sprouts because you love them so much you abhor the idea of having none left." Logic is flawed. I am not in denial. I certainly compete against myself, pushing for time and distance.

Well, I promised myself that I wouldn't obsess on this website. Have a great week, and leave a comment if you get the chance.

2004-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

Good day!!! I ran in my first race today. It was the Show Me The Money 5k in Palmerdale, Alabama. The proceeds benefited their new community center. I had already made up my mind that if I won in my division then I would donate my award to the cause. Luckily enough, really fast people kept me from having to do that. But still, I had my moments. You know the guy that runs his race and hangs back, and then in the last mile opens up a bit and blows past two or three people right before the finish? Yeah, I knocked his ass in the ditch. Just kidding. Actually I managed somehow to have enough left over to pull ahead some in the end.

My final time was 28:36 for the 3.1 miles, which averages out to just over nine minutes per mile. I can almost hear my students digging out their calculators to double-check my math... not worried about it though, I've seen their math grades. I'm in no danger. The race was described as flat and fast, and it may have been Really I have no frame of reference. I will have to admit that the inclines were a bit of a struggle. But I didn't let myself slack up. I took Andy Sheldon's advice about disconnecting your spine and ignoring your legs.... it works. I promised myself that if I ever meet him, he's getting a big hug from a fat guy.

The race was well done. There were lots of friendly faces, no traffic, and the work they have done on refurbishing the community center is impressive. I look forward to running in it again next year. They had lots of goodies: bagels, fruit, gatorade, water, hot chocolate. And I learned my first lesson about these things: do not, and I repeat, do NOT eat a bowl of raisin bran before the race. I don't know if it was the fiber or nerves, but let's just say that my motivation had changed significantly by the end of the race.

Anyway, that's the report on my first race. Yay me. Have a good week. Leave comments if you feel so inclined. I look forward to hearing from you.

2004-01-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

I bought a second pair of running shoes today. I already had a pair of New Balance 603's, but I felt that it might be better to alternate shoes instead of wearing the same pair day after day. In fact, I have read somewhere that this is a good idea for lots of different reasons. And so, although it goes against my rebellious nature, I bought a pair of Adidas Ozweego's.

Nice. I wish I bought them a size bigger, because they are a bit snug, but other than that I have no complaints. Lots of arch support, very light, well-ventilated. Now I may change my mind about them in the future, but I ran in them tonight and they felt great.

Alas, I am tired and ready for bed. Good night to all, and leave a comment if you feel so inclined. I'm curious about other people's preferences for running shoes. Also, now that spring is slowly closing in, I am curious about running shorts. Anyone have any suggestions?

2004-01-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

I found another nice site worth visiting if you get a chance. It has tons of "stuff" to look at: articles, tips, contacts, a bulletin board. Somebody put alot of love and effort into The Run-Down. One of the things that impresses me most is that the person/persons responsible for the site have lots of practical experience and aren't afraid to share it.

I now have a room full of overactive drama students desperate for attention. More later...

2004-01-27T06:28:00.000-08:00

I only managed two miles yesterday. I had been on my feet all day, and knew it was going to be rough. I don't mind pushing myself, even though I'm still new enough that it doesn't produce any noticeable difference. And I don't mind running through aches and pains. But yesterday it was like my own body decided it didn't like me much anymore. So, I cut my losses and went home.

I'll be out there again today though, and it already promises to be interesting. The high for today is 39 degrees, but it was 39 when I got up this morning. I suspect that the temperature is going to fall all day, which means that I'll be digging out the earbands and gloves.

2004-01-25T12:53:00.000-08:00

You absolutely have to check out this guy's site. His name is Andy Sheldon. He is an accomplished runner, has a great site, and a few nice links. I'm not even sure how to describe it. It isn't sophisticated, but I feel like I know the guy just after looking at his site for a few minutes. A must see, and the tips page is exactly what I've been looking for. I left him a message trying to convince him to visit my site. If he does, then I will consider myself honored.

In other news, I spoke to my brother Stephen in Iraq this morning. It's tough having your baby brother so far away, and in such an inhospitable place. He has asked me for jokes. I am sending him all the ones I can find, but if you know any, you can send them to him here.

2004-01-25T11:20:00.000-08:00

Now I know that there is something wrong with me. I ran in the rain last night. And not just any rain, but a cold January drizzle that seeps into parts of your body that you didn't even know you had, or were at least blissfully unaware of. That's weird, but not dysfunctional. The dysfunction lies in the conversation with my wife upon my return.

wife: I see its raining outside.

me: Yeah (grinning).

wife: So? How was it?

me: Fantastic!

It is a sickness. Four miles in the rain with heart pounding and legs aching, and I can't wait to get out there and do it again. Hello, my name is John, and I am a runner.

2004-01-22T21:00:00.000-08:00

Decided on Haloscan. Lemme know what you think. It sits low for some reason, like it's intended for the posting below it instead of above... must get Laura to fix it. I am convinced that she could have entire conversations in html.

2004-01-22T20:34:00.000-08:00

Quite an interesting few days at the track. I have battled lagging times later in my run. The first mile is typically quite good, but I tend to slow in subsequent miles. I have known this and chosen not to think about it. But yesterday and today I decided that I really needed to focus on my time. After a little math, I determined that by running each lap in under two minutes, I would average a little over eight and a half minutes per mile. So, here I go, running around the track, pacing myself. And I did very well for the first two miles. Understand that when I say "very well" I mean that my heart didn't actually burst right out of my chest. I had to stop and walk twice yesterday, much to my dismay. Today was a bit better. I only stopped and walked once. Tomorrow is a rest day, but on Saturday, which should have a high of around 60 degrees, i intend to run it non-stop.

In other news, I apologize to anyone that has tried to leave a comment recently. I have had several reports that it won't load. I am going to change it sometime in the next few days. Take care of yourselves, and drop me an e-mail if you get a chance.

2004-01-20T08:24:00.000-08:00

Enough patting myself on the back. The newfound comfortability with my running is all well and good, but part of the fun is challenging myself to work harder and perform better. I am going to cut back to 3 1/2 miles per day and work on my time, which I am certain has suffered. I think the actual term is called "tapering."

Listen to me. Here I am spouting terms that I know very little about. I can sit back and be amused at how excited I am about running. I have been looking for a hobby that I actually enjoyed for many years. And believe me, I have tried them all. Painting, hiking, hunting, woodwork, etc. Tried and tired of them all. It may not be flattering to notice that the one I like is also the least complicated. Well, the natives are getting restless. Seventh graders... i must have done something really horrible in a former life.

2004-01-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

What a weekend. I took an opportunity to do some night running on Friday. The track close to my house is .22 miles per lap. In order to get my 2 1/2 miles I needed to run eleven and a half laps. My legs felt good, and I had the track to myself, so I just kept on going. I ran a little over five miles that night. I couldn't believe it. My wife was in a panic because I was gone so long, and was mounting a search party when I got back to the house. I took Saturday off, but went out again Sunday and ran another four miles, but this time I ran on a stretch of highway known locally as the Allgood cut-off. It is a lightly used farm to market road with a buttkicking hill at the halfway point. I didn't make it all the way up the hill, I have to admit. But it did prove to me what I already suspected: that road running is vastly different than track running.

Now, I am quite aware that I am overdoing it, and am most likely going to injure myself, so I am going to scale it back a bit. But my hip feels good. Well, maybe good isn't quite the word. My hip never feels good, but its no more tender than usual. Speaking of aches and pains, I have a tip for anyone out there that is new to running. Electric blankets are magic. You can go to bed feeling like your joints are made of coarse grit sandpaper, and wake up good as new.

I found a new site that is worth checking when you get a chance. Copacabanarunners.net is not a bad site. It has lots of useful information, along with some that you see over and over again. However, in light of my own hardheadedness, I'm sure it is information that bears repeating. The site can be read in Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and English and has a links page with both Brazilian and American/U.K. sites listed. No frills, quick loading ( for those of us with dial-up), easy to navigate, nice calculator, and I particularly enjoyed the quotes page. Alright, enough b.s. Have a great day. I'm headed to the track.

2004-01-16T06:47:00.000-08:00

I have rediscovered running. Before I was running because it was an activity that I felt compelled to do. Now it is something that I am able to enjoy. Totally bizarre. I just sit back and let the track roll by beneath me. Not that there isn't any strain, but it is only an n-th of what is was before. It's like I broke through some kind of barrier or something. I don't know what happened, and quite frankly I don't care. All I know is that for the first time I can appreciate that runner's high and my resting heart rate is dropping like a stone.

In other news, I have successfully acquired my real estate license, and meet with a broker this afternoon. So, if anyone out there is interested in buying a house in Alabama, let me know.

Oh! Other big news! I have signed up for my first 5k on the 31st. It is a local run in Palmerdale, AL that benefits the Homestead Community Center. You can e-mail the organizer here.

2004-01-13T20:36:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day that I actually felt like a runner. Up until this point, all of my runs have been battles. But while reading poll results at Runner's World, it occurred to me that most people run because it feels good.

Good?

What an intriguing notion. So I pondered this all afternoon. When I got to the track, I literally just sat back and let my legs do the work. Sure they started to hurt, but rather than get all worked up over it, I just had faith that they could do what I was asking them to do. And they did. Turns out that the ache had an upper limit, and it wasn't all that unpleasant. This running thing may actually be for me.

Oh, and by the way, after my run I stopped by a burger joint and got a fried chicken sandwich and mega fries. I don't know who this Dr. Atkins is, but he must be stopped. "Cruel and unusual punishment" is the term that comes to mind. Take my french fries away from me... I once stabbed a guy in the hand with my fork for trying that.

2004-01-13T10:55:00.000-08:00

I just found an interesting article at Runner's World that has given me hope.

2004-01-13T08:29:00.000-08:00

Wow! This Dr. Atkins is not on my list of favorites. I didn't just hit the wall, I think I ran my last mile with most of it resting squarely on my shoulders. Low carbs is bad for running. But, I was on my feet all day yesterday, and that always makes it more difficult. Today will be another test. I will be behind my desk a lot this afternoon, whereas yesterday I literally did not sit down between 7:30 and 3:00 ( the joys of teaching!). Hopefully things will go a bit better today.

I have stayed at two miles a day thinking that instead of increasing distance I would work on my time. But yesterday at the track, there was a guy who started running before I did, and kept running after I had finished. This normally doesn't bother me, because I am very noncompetitive. But it occurred to me that we would have run the same distance if I had kept to my scheduled increases. So, I'm thinking its time to get my butt in gear. But I may have to let the low carb diet go. I know that if I lose weight, then the running will be easier, but the fact is that I enjoy running too much to let some silly diet ruin it. But, there is always the hip. Running at a lower weight would decrease the stress on my hip ( running-induced burrhsitis, in case you're new), and it would be nice not to squeal like a wounded chipmunk every time I twist funny. Well, I digress. I can vacillate on my own time. But if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment.

2004-01-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

A word of warning... my wife has convinced me to try out the Atkins diet. I've only been on it for two days, but I can feel my energy level dropping like a stone. I will run this afternoon, and let you know how it goes. But I predict that eating zero carbs during the day will have a negative impact (ahhh understatement, its a gift) I have received my second unsolicited comment, this time from Don. Thanks to Don for the feedback. And Laura tells me that I need to update her link due to an address change. I think I got it right. I'll update again later on tonight. Oh, and by the way, I'd like to send out some love to my brother in Iraq, who is there with a support team from General Dynamics. He is scheduled to be over there for a year, and I miss him already.

2004-01-09T23:19:00.000-08:00

A red letter day!! Just when I had given up hope that anyone would ever read my blog, I get a response from an unsolicited reader. Quiver left me a comment. Whoever you are, bless you. You have renewed my resolve. I will be out at the track bright and early in the morning raking off yet another two miles. I don't want to downplay the commments left here by some of my most beloved students, however. Jessica, Laura, and Jordan are frequent visitors to my site, and I want to thank them again for their support. Quiver, whoever you are, stop by and leave an address so that I can thank you more formally.

2003-12-28T21:55:00.000-08:00

I have taken a few days off. The aches and pains were taking all the fun out of my running, so I decided to give my joints a little time to heal. They have. I look forward to a really good run tomorrow. I have discovered something else. Headphones are not good for running. I'm not sure why, but my time is better without them for some reason. A lot better, for that matter. I have noticed a difference of as much as thirty seconds per mile difference. Don't know why that is, but it was enough to convince me to leave the headphones in the truck. Take care, and leave a comment if you're so inclined.

2003-12-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

The weather has been mild up until today. The rain came in this afternoon, and with it my hip started singing its own special little tune. You may have heard it, it goes, "I'm going to explode, and take your left leg with me when I go..." It's a cheerful little song, one that has a special dance that goes along with it. But I digress.

I got a Runner's World magazine as a gift from my sister-in-law tonight. After reading it, I have decided to set a short-term goal of a 5k, 10k, and half marathon on my way to the big twenty-sixer. I started to commit to the Country Music Marathon 13m. in April, but I don't think I can make it. I will not overdo it and risk aggravating my hip. Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year

2003-12-14T20:00:00.000-08:00

Winter is here. I got ear bands at old navy yesterday while finishing up the Christmas shopping, and tried them out today. Very nice. I heartily recommend them. I've had trouble getting to run this week, what with shopping and weather, and think my time is suffering because of it. My wife and I have considered getting a treadmill. From what I've read, treadmills seem to offer a credible workout as long as you don't rely on them solely. I don't know that I want a new one. I would rather get a used one first and then I'd know what to look for when we need to replace it. Have a great week out there, I'll post again soon.

2003-12-07T18:15:00.000-08:00

Oh, what a slacker I am. I haven't posted anything in six days. Please forgive me, oh ethereal gods of the electron. I am staying on track with my running, but I fear I am growing weary of this blog. Perhaps if there were anyone else reading this then it might not seem so pointless, but quite frankly I don't need this site to enhance my enjoyment of training. The running is really reward enough. And to be honest, that is the truly surprising thing. You see, out in rural Alabama, you don't just go out jogging on the street. This is because most of the streets are in fact highways, and to get out and run on one of them would require either: a) indestructibility, or b) a death wish. I am quite certain I don't fall into the 'b' category, and the 'a' category is basically untested, and will, with any luck, remain so. Forgive the digression, back to my surprise. In order to get any real running in, one must venture to one of the many tracks in the area. I have, on occasion, mocked people I have seen running in circles around tracks. So why should I get so much enjoyment out of it. It's hard, it makes you sweat, it makes your lungs and legs hurt. I have no answer for these questions. But while I'm on the topic, why is it that I would spend so much time training to run races when I am absolutely non-competitive? Alas, I stopped trying to understand myself years ago. Love, peace, and chicken grease to anyone who stumbles on this blog. This may very well be my last post. If you read this and feel compelled to send me an e-mail, then the link will work for quite awhile, I imagine.

2003-12-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

just tried to add a mileage counter,, but for some reason it isn't showing up. funny thing is that i have just reached the approximate number of miles that i will ultimately run in a single day a year from now. i'll try something else, then i've got to go for a bit...

2003-12-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

I never did hear from the Finnish dude about linking to his website. It would be fantastic to actually get to know people over the internet and then run into them at marathons here and there. But I am beginning to discover that the internet is a cold and lonely place. Right now I would settle for hearing from anybody that happens on my site. I feel certain that the key to getting more hits is to link to more pages. I'll keep searching. In other news, I feel quite healthy, and managed to maintain my weight through the holidays. I didn't lose any, but I didn't gain any either. And I'm quite pleased with my observations about the various types of sweaty people. A few more perhaps...

the "thank you mistress, may I have another?" sweater

the "here at the Rock, there are three simple rules" sweater

the "that seafood medley was neither food nor medley" sweater

more to come, and possible revisions as I decide these are no longer funny.

2003-11-30T10:58:00.000-08:00

Greetings again from the land of frozen faces. I have been forced to run in the evening lately. Coupled with the cold weather, that can make for an adventure. Also the track closest to our house has no lights.

Hey, wanna try something fun? Run at night on an unlit track.

Haha, so there I am last night, in the zone and running my stupid head off when I hear a rustling behind me. In case I haven't already mentioned this, I am located in very rural Alabama on hour or so north of Birmingham. Hence, rustling leaves are not to be disregarded, as there might actually be something unpleasant causing the noise. It was a curious moment when I contemplated (albeit briefly) whether I was running for fitness or self-preservation. It gave me a little chuckle, anyway. Aaah, and then there was the frost. I actually had frost form on my temples. I presume that this is from exhalation. An odd feeling, looking into the rear view mirror, ostensibly to check for a runny nose or signs of cardiac distress (just kidding) only to see one's temples glistening like a cherry ice pop. But the sweat took care of it quite quickly.
Sweat, you say? How can you sweat when it's twenty five degrees? I, unfortunately, sweat. Not perspire, glisten, radiate or any of those other delightfully irritating euphemisms. I have been a sweater for as long as I can remember. The entire paternal side of my family were sweaters. Fortunately, however, I am not a stinker. I am quite diligent about this. If it is my lot in life to sweat, then I resolve never to offend the olfactory if I can help it. But I do feel that being dealt this soggy hand has led me to a kind of insight that most do not possess. By being acutely aware of my own perspiration, I have learned that there are different types of sweaters in the world. And now, observations of a sweat aesthete. I have observed the following types of perspirers in life...

the "I just crossed the finish line, and would breathe through a third and fourth orifice if only my body would let me" sweat.

the "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, how do you find?" sweat.

the "voices in my head are telling me to eat paper clips" sweat

more to come, time to go eat...

2003-11-25T06:31:00.000-08:00

Ever heard "Running Against the Wind" by Seger? There's a reason he wrote a song about that. 'Cos it sucks. A lot. Especially when the wind is 45 degrees. You know how you run against the wind, the bitterly cold nose-biting wind? With tears in your eyes.

Going to add a mile counter over the holidays that keeps a cumulative total of my mileage. Also going to add a counter to see if anyone is actually visiting. However, my access at home is still dubious at best. Have a fantastic day, and a wonderful Thanksgiving. By the way, lost a few more pounds, I'm down to 259.

2003-11-24T06:49:00.000-08:00

I am such a slacker. It's been days since my last post. But in my defense, my internet access at home has turned into internet inaccess. I'm not sure what the problem is, but will get it sorted out in the next few days. I started my new distance yesterday; 1.3 miles. My time has dropped to 8:08:37, but I'm pushing it. My hip is stressed, so I'll back off for a bit. I'll try to keep it sub nine (heehee, I sound like a runner now; look at me with my fancy lexicon!) I planned on adding a counter this weekend, and found a site for a runner in Finland that was quite interesting and hope to add a link to it, but I want to make sure it's o.k. with him first. I'd like to meet some runners online before I start doing marathons so that I can at least communicate with them, perhaps even meet at some events. Eighth graders are pouring in, must stop long enough to bring God to the Godless.

2003-11-20T11:32:00.000-08:00

I had a fantastic run yesterday. It's funny what things you discover about yourself while training. It never occurred to me that water during the day would have positive impact on my afternoon runs. I think that I may be developing shin splints, however. I've run through them before and really don't want to do that again. But, I continue to lose weight and shave time off of my mile. Ran 1.2 miles yesterday, and timed the mile at 8:33:05. That's my fastest time yet.

2003-11-17T20:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I was off a tad in my weight prediction. I have lost another five pounds, of course I managed to find two of them again over the course of the weekend.... but still a win is a win. The running is going well, and I haven't diverted from my schedule. My hips are tender, and I have to be sure not to twist much. I occasionally get worried that I'm simply renewing an old injury, but I refuse to quit. My hip can explode and my leg just go flying off into the bushes for all I care. My runs have increased to 1.2 miles this week, with Saturday as my off day. The Birmingham weathermen are predicting some nasty weather tomorrow, but I won't try to make it up if I miss a day. Also beginning to consider the possibility that I may not run in NYC next year. Shay, my lovely and supportive wife, has suggested that we might enjoy picking out another one instead. And, truth be told, the idea appeals to me. I am a bit of a wanderer anyway, and I still have fifteen states that I have yet to visit. Food for thought, I suppose.

2003-11-14T21:11:00.000-08:00

Aaah, the fourteenth. It has no special significance really, but I felt like saying something that hinted at profundity. I ran after school today with one of my eighth graders, Corey, and kept my mile under nine minutes for the third straight run. Not too shabby for a big fattie. I continue to lose weight. I look forward to hitting the scales in the morning and seeing the latest report. I predict another two, maybe three, pounds. I try not to weigh more than once, maybe twice a week. In fact, I have no specific weight goal; I'll just keep on until I am comfortable. My energy level has started to increase as well. I haven't bothered to take a resting heartrate yet, since I've only been at this for two weeks. But years ago, while training, I had a resting heartrate of between forty-five and fifty. And the slower increase in definitely the right way to go. I feel stronger in my runs, and perform better. Years ago I felt like I was always behind the eight ball, which I am convinced contributed to my injury. If anyone happens on this site, please leave a comment. I would love to know that someone else finds me as interesting as I do, hahaha.

2003-11-13T06:31:00.000-08:00

I would like to announce that I feel fantastic. The track near where I work is a little more of a challenge than the one near my home, being situated on a hill. In spite of that, I ran a nine minute mile yesterday. This may not seem great and wonderful to a seasoned pro, but I am proud of it. The hips feel better all the time, I haven't taken Motrin in two days. And the biggest news of all, I weighed in this morning and I have lost seven pounds. That brings me down to 260.

Laura and Jessica are responsible for installing the new banner you see above. I'm thrilled with it. I've added links out of gratitude, though I have to admit that there is little chance of anyone actually visiting this site. Later.

2003-11-11T16:11:00.000-08:00

I also tweeked my blog a little bit. Hahahaha, tweeking the blog. Sounds like something you join a twelve-step program to get under control. Also added a comment option that I got from Blogout. I'll post a link for it.

2003-11-11T15:59:00.000-08:00

I got home from class last night to discover that one of my tenth-graders, an absolutely delightful young lady named Jessica Martin, had designed a banner for my blog. She and another of my former students have offered to show me how to install it. I'll be sure to put up a link to her website ASAP. Remaining true to my pledge, I took a day off yesterday, and ran again this afternoon. Only 1.1 miles, but for some reason it was a battle from the beginning. I'll have to do some research to find out why that is. My hips are still achy, but it hasn't increased any, so perhaps my body just has to get used to the added abuse (as if being a big fattie wasn't abuse enough).

Now, on to Freud v. Jung. On the Freudian side, perhaps my running is a symbol of my need to avoid the stresses in my life. This is not without merit, I have to admit. But truth be told, I really don't have many stresses. Other than finances, I have to say that I am quite content with my life. I have an unbelievable marriage to a fantastic woman, four beautiful and well-mannered kids that love my wife and I as much as we love them. Nice house. Cars that run. Good friends... aaahhhaaa. Running is primarily a solitary activity. I mean, I don't know about anyone else, but even if I were running with someone (which I'm not), there would be no way I could carry on a conversation while my chest is heaving enough to power the organs of Gothemburg. Is it possible that I have chosen running as a way to keep people at arm's length? Hmmmm... veddy eenterestink.

Jung and his theory of the collective unconscious might suggest that my running (or anyone's for that matter) is an unconscious reversion to a more primordial state. Humans once ran in order to survive. Perhaps I now run in order to maintain some part of my self that I feel is threatened. I just turned 32, perhaps I am running in order to save my youthfulness. Actually I'm just waxing philosophic here. I don't really care what the underlying motives might be. It's a challenge, and one that I am determined to meet and master. Thanks again to Jessica and Laura for their help. They're a big part of the reason why I refer to my students as "my kids."

2003-11-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

Hips are a little sore this morning. Yesterday was only the second time that I completed my mile without stopping to walk. I am off today, and pick up the first of my six day cycle tomorrow. It occurred to me yesterday that my running five of every six days could possibly be a metaphor, a manifestation of some spectre lurking beneath the surface of my subconscious. I imagine Freud and Jung getting into a fistfight over this one.

2003-11-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

I have decided that my error several years ago does indeed stem from the fact that I increased my distance too much too soon. The advice that I read over and over again gives the standard of no more than 10% increase in distance per week. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I am not what you would call a patient man. Restraint is not one of my strong suits. But the memories of a month spent on crutches and sleeping on the couch compel me to stick to my schedule. And so far, I have done quite well. I ran a mile on Wednesday, was forced to skip Thursday due to real estate classes, and a mile everyday since. I rest tomorrow, and step it up to 1.1 mi on Tuesday. I have also cut back on my diet. A bowl of cereal for breakfast, another for lunch, and a sensible supper. I have already lost a little weight, and intend to lose more. I will have to get a digital camera and post some before and after pics for evidence.

2003-11-09T19:01:00.000-08:00

I suppose this all started four years ago when it was announced that Birmingham, AL would be hosting the Mercedes Marathon. I, out of sheer hubris, decided to train for it. I began to pile on mile after mile. In the space of just two months, I went from never having set foot on a track to running five miles a day, all the while patting myself on the back for the phenomenal progress I was making. That's when it happened...

Me: Doc, is it serious?

Doc: Well, that depends on your perspective... You see, you have developed a particularly nasty case of bursitis in your left hip.

Me: So, what do you do for it?

Doc: Well, what I do is take out this grrrrrreeeaaat big needle filled with cortisone, and make you promise to stop running...

Aaaah, the power of persuasion. Needless to say, I didn't argue.
But then back in May, something happened. My wife and a friend she works with decided to try for the NYC marathon. Their names were picked, and they trained four and five days a week. To make a long story short, we just returned last week, where she finished in a little over six hours.

The experience for me on the sidelines was incredible: spectators cheering enthusiastically for total strangers, the determination of the runners, a new-found respect for a wife that I already admire as well as adore. I knew then, as I stood near the finish line, that I had no choice but to get ready for the next one.