Just ran a 7 mile out and back on the Heritage trail with another trail runner. It was challenging! Dan is half my age and built like an elete athlete. But for a 51 year old fart I held my own and even got a little stronger. The pace was probably around 9 minute miles. On the way back I made the mistake of running through the stream which added what felt like 10 lbs to each foot in water weight....I just can't resist jumping in a puddle when one presents it's self! I feel stronger and satisfied as I gulp down my strawberry protein shake. Life is good but God is AWESOME!!

I'm not much of a church goer and my friend Dennis says that I'm part of the underground church. So I went down and rented a backhoe and had it dropped off at my house. Well, I dug up most of my back yard and a good part of my neighbors in search of others of my clan....you know, just looking for fellowship.

After I finished I found that most of my neighbors who I assume go to church above ground were quite disturbed and wanted to make me a permanent member of the underground church rite then and there. Had it not been for my quick thinking (I hid the backhoe keys) I would probably be having coffee with Jesus right now instead of writing this blog.

Guess that was a teachable moment for me...such is life...the journey continues

Feeling a burst of energy that's lifting me out of the funk I've been in...and it's good! Thank God for refreshing both physical and spiritual. I've been making a few changes lately that help to grease the wheels of life.

1. Meeting with God first thing after getting my coffee. I was use to getting coffee and then sitting down at the computer to read the news and email. I now recognize where my real help and stability comes from...day by day...moment by moment. He gets my first.

2. Defining where I want to be in certain activities and setting a path to achieve it.
Running, Training, Events
Nutrition
Finding others who share my passions
Personal development
Remaining faithful to the plan of action to accomplish these missions

I don't have it down pat yet and may never. But I have a fighting chance and while I still draw a breath I'll fight for my God given right to exist and THRIVE.

A calf injury put me on the side line for the past few weeks but I'm inspired this morning from some Twitter post. It's time to start pushing the training to the next level...again. In late August and some weeks in September I'll be laid off work and I'm planning on running the trails around Lake Ouachita in Arkansas for a week or so. It'll be a new expirence for me. I hope to camp, run and touch base with God and myself. I need a cool breeze to refresh this weary soul the same way a dry creek bed needs a gully washer to breathe life back into it.

So far this year:
http://www.500festival.com/marathon/ Half Marathon
http://www.dinoseries.com/indiana-run-race1.html Eagle Creek Park, Indy
http://www.dinoseries.com/indiana-run-race2.html Mounds State Park, Anderson IN
http://www.dinoseries.com/indiana-run-race3.html Washington Township Park, Avon IN
http://www.dinoseries.com/indiana-run-race4.html Brown County St Park, Nashville IN

Next up:
http://www.somerset-run.com/ Somerset Center, MI

Feburary...

Finally some weather warm enough for an old geezer like me to get out and run in without feeling the pain of the chill on top of the pain of the run! Obvoiusly, I'm not an elete athlete but at 50 I'm thankful to be able to still get out and put the miles in. January was not a stellar month for me. I ran enough to keep my airways clear and body moderately tuned. With the changing weather I'll be ramping up for the Mini Marathon in Indianapolis in May.
I've ran in several half marathons with characters like Elvis, Batman, Spiderman, Bananas, Military dudes and plenty of other crazies through the years and I love to see them come out of the woodwork. They add a bit of fun to the event and the kids really get a kick out of it. I'd like to do that someday.

January was a tough month for me and it effected my training. But if I've learned anything it's this...
You may lay down your baton...for awhile
Just remember where you left it...you'll be back
The terrors and strain of life will leave you depleted and exausted...
But tomorrow holds a new day...with no mistakes in it
On the morning that Jesus was destin to die He got up...knowing
Today...I accomplish My Fathers will...
He layed down His life...but He didn't stay down.

Life is not easy....RELOAD
Song of Solomon 3:8 all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night.


If you haven't seen this video check it out.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2008/12/31/gupta.run.good.health.cnn

Why We Run

A friend of mine once commented on the grimace he saw on the faces of runners he passed while at a park. His wife turned to him and said "Boy..that sure looks like fun". They laughed and continued on wondering why seemingly sane people would put themselves through the apparent pain and suffering of running when it was so easy just to sit back and take the easier road of Big Macs, pizza and channel surfing.
There are as many answers to this question as there are runners throughout the world. Ask the Kenyan, the high school runner, the house wife, the college student, the war veteran with titanium legs or the cancer suvivor and the response will range from silly to extrodinarly profound to heart wrenching.
BUT...what we do all share in is the feeling you get as you approach the banner hanging over the finish line that after months of training practically sings a song of victory. That final, painful, half mile when the crowd yells encouragment to people they will never meet "You're almost there!" "Good job Runners! Do they even know how much we love them for being there? Your goal is finally in sight and you feel the adrenaline spike one more time to boost your depleted reserves for the final push just beyond what you thought was your maximum effort. You break the tape, your time clocks and the rush of having accomplished the run sets in. Some cry, most ache, all sense the accomplishment. It warms the heart and steels the spirit. It is finished. Deep smiles within...

First Post

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