Thursday, May 30, 2013
Let the Sunshine, let the Sunshine in.
What would you do ho hooo for a Klondike bar. Nothing really, they're not my favorite. What would I do for a run like last night? Luckily I don't have to do much except go run again.
We were a small but dedicated group last night. to finish up the mileage we added some of the multi use trail along Forest Hill Rd. Its a great training patg because you can really fly down the descnet and then power your heiney back up the incline.
I though, have a weird thing with this path. In 2011 i ran my first Cold Feet 10k. This was a month after my first Marathon at WDW that didn't go so great but it was my first time. Funny how a first time marathon can last way longer than one wants and another very important first time can last WAY shorter than one would like( I heard anyway).
There was another first that happened before that 10k. My first elective surgery in which i had to be knocked out. To be blunt the surgery (a vasectomy) had some healing issues. By the time the Cold Feet came around I had been through the wringer. I spent a couple of weeks on the couch trying to heal as the two mangos that showed up in my crotch made walking let alone running a bit problematic. So running up the Multi use trail always reminds me of trying to Macho-up (I think I just made that up.) thast hill during a slushy, cold, swollen 10k.
Something happened this run though. A transformative bit of running as began powering up "Swollen Nut" hill as it will now be called. I decided to slow down my tempo yet as i did that i started going faster. "What was this sorcery?" I thought to myself. I deliberately slowed down, or did I? What I actually did was straighten up my posture, did the looping circular stride that has a Chi Running style to it and lastly I began serpentining a bit. I'm not sure why but started weaving as I went up the hill and miraculously it seemed to help. Instead of going straight up I got a bit of a rhythm and i weaved my way up that hill and it felt effortless. i even slowed down to purposefully screw up my gate to see if I could get it back and I did.
That hill climb at the end was the perfect ending to one of the nicest runs i've had in a while.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Wiping the dust of this joint
Wow this place has gotten dusty, a little lonely.
I've been a busy beaver as of late and this lil' blog has suffered.
New stuff, like a new part time job. A refocus on my running/training.
I didn't even detail this years High Rock Challenge. A great time, both how we did and the event but I am disappointed in my performance.
The kids are doing fantastic, Lucia has begun to use the potty Thank Fucking God!
Most importantly I have begun putting together a long term plan for where I want to be in five years.
It's nice to have this type of clarity.
I've been a busy beaver as of late and this lil' blog has suffered.
New stuff, like a new part time job. A refocus on my running/training.
I didn't even detail this years High Rock Challenge. A great time, both how we did and the event but I am disappointed in my performance.
The kids are doing fantastic, Lucia has begun to use the potty Thank Fucking God!
Most importantly I have begun putting together a long term plan for where I want to be in five years.
It's nice to have this type of clarity.
Monday, April 15, 2013
The vunerability of a runner
Well today was one of those days that doesn't make sense. 9-11, Super storm Sandy, Newtown elementary, today. These days will happen and unless you are directly or even indirectly affected it feels like a kick in the gut instead of a shovel to the face.
I heard the first reports regarding Boston and immediately thought "Here we go again." I also started hoping that it was some weird power issue like the monitoring equipment was overloaded. Since it was at the finish line I hoped it was something like that.
When I first saw the video footage I knew it was a cowardly act and not an equipment malfunction. I read somewhere that people were pissed that the runners who were at the finish line when the explosion went off that they continued on and some of them were checking their watches.
I feel like defending the runners for a moment. First of all, getting into Boston is a hard thing to do. You must qualify and the times are not forgiving. It is a premiere marathon so all of those who are running it have sacrificed a lot to get there. I have only run a couple of marathons, slowly at that so I have a strong admiration for anyone who qualifies for Boston.
Whether you are running a 5k or a 50k when you know that you are close to the finish your adrenaline picks up and even though you a mile ago you thought that you couldn't even pick your feet up for another step you start to run again because pretty soon you are going to see the finish line and that gets you running a little faster and then you see it, the end, you get to that banner and you are done. Legs that are spent and now sprinting, you get tunnel vision, all you see is directly in front of you. When I am finishing a race everything fades away. My feet don't feel like they are even touching the ground, All I hear is a swooshing, and all I see is the finish, all I want is to be done. So when I saw those runners finishing as if they ignored the explosion I understood it, now, I also saw the terrified looks on the faces of the runners who were seconds behind. They has to run past the explosion, they had to see the smoke, the carnage, the injured. Their experience was a lot more traumatic, they also ran faster than they thought possible over the finish line but they were running from a nightmare. Finishing Boston should be a running highlight, a crowning moment showcasing all the hard work that a runner put in. The thing about running a marathon is that if your not in the running community you don't really care. Running is a solitary act, and even when you are with a group the only control you have is yourself.
This is what I mean by the vunerability of a runner. Look at all of the people who were spectating today, none of then did anything to the runners yet they easily could have. When runners are on the road there is that risk of getting hit by a car, fortunately that is rare. When you run a race you strip everything away, you are raw, exposed, and when you are finishing a race you let go of everything and you do this because of an inherent trust of your fellow man and today shattered that.
I heard the first reports regarding Boston and immediately thought "Here we go again." I also started hoping that it was some weird power issue like the monitoring equipment was overloaded. Since it was at the finish line I hoped it was something like that.
When I first saw the video footage I knew it was a cowardly act and not an equipment malfunction. I read somewhere that people were pissed that the runners who were at the finish line when the explosion went off that they continued on and some of them were checking their watches.
I feel like defending the runners for a moment. First of all, getting into Boston is a hard thing to do. You must qualify and the times are not forgiving. It is a premiere marathon so all of those who are running it have sacrificed a lot to get there. I have only run a couple of marathons, slowly at that so I have a strong admiration for anyone who qualifies for Boston.
Whether you are running a 5k or a 50k when you know that you are close to the finish your adrenaline picks up and even though you a mile ago you thought that you couldn't even pick your feet up for another step you start to run again because pretty soon you are going to see the finish line and that gets you running a little faster and then you see it, the end, you get to that banner and you are done. Legs that are spent and now sprinting, you get tunnel vision, all you see is directly in front of you. When I am finishing a race everything fades away. My feet don't feel like they are even touching the ground, All I hear is a swooshing, and all I see is the finish, all I want is to be done. So when I saw those runners finishing as if they ignored the explosion I understood it, now, I also saw the terrified looks on the faces of the runners who were seconds behind. They has to run past the explosion, they had to see the smoke, the carnage, the injured. Their experience was a lot more traumatic, they also ran faster than they thought possible over the finish line but they were running from a nightmare. Finishing Boston should be a running highlight, a crowning moment showcasing all the hard work that a runner put in. The thing about running a marathon is that if your not in the running community you don't really care. Running is a solitary act, and even when you are with a group the only control you have is yourself.
This is what I mean by the vunerability of a runner. Look at all of the people who were spectating today, none of then did anything to the runners yet they easily could have. When runners are on the road there is that risk of getting hit by a car, fortunately that is rare. When you run a race you strip everything away, you are raw, exposed, and when you are finishing a race you let go of everything and you do this because of an inherent trust of your fellow man and today shattered that.
Friday, April 12, 2013
An amazing business opportunity for you. Just sit and watch this video.
"I have something i'd like to share with you. " "Okay, what is it." "It'll only take a few minutes of your time, whenever you are free." "Fine, what's it about"
So a few weeks ago I had a very similar conversation with someone I just met. So I said sure and watched this person set up a portable dvd machine and saw that they had a utility bill in their hand. One last time i asked what this was about. "It's just a three minute video." 'Is this MLM?" Hemming and hawing "Yes". "I'm not doing it." I got a smile but angry eyes. As if I knew that what this person was doing was bullshit. This particular MLM dealt with utilities much like Ambit or they millions or others.
The pitch didn't end, they were having a monthly meeting that night and the speaker who is making 80,000 a month btw. (bullshit) is just a regular Joe. This is the exact same speech that i was given a few years ago, same worthless product same promise of quick riches.
Fuck you.
Fuck you for thinking I am gullible enough to be sucked into your chain. Fuck you for thinking that
it's good business practice to refuse to tell someone what you want them to be involved with until after they watch a video.
My patience for politely saying no thank you to anyone who wants to include me in their amazing opportunity has completely worn away.
So a few weeks ago I had a very similar conversation with someone I just met. So I said sure and watched this person set up a portable dvd machine and saw that they had a utility bill in their hand. One last time i asked what this was about. "It's just a three minute video." 'Is this MLM?" Hemming and hawing "Yes". "I'm not doing it." I got a smile but angry eyes. As if I knew that what this person was doing was bullshit. This particular MLM dealt with utilities much like Ambit or they millions or others.
The pitch didn't end, they were having a monthly meeting that night and the speaker who is making 80,000 a month btw. (bullshit) is just a regular Joe. This is the exact same speech that i was given a few years ago, same worthless product same promise of quick riches.
Fuck you.
Fuck you for thinking I am gullible enough to be sucked into your chain. Fuck you for thinking that
it's good business practice to refuse to tell someone what you want them to be involved with until after they watch a video.
My patience for politely saying no thank you to anyone who wants to include me in their amazing opportunity has completely worn away.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
kids
Kids.
I got two..........that I know of ha ha!
Two girls, aged 6 and 2 1/2.
I always knew I wanted kids but in my mind I never pictured two girls. One of each or two boys but not two girls.
All of my preconceived notions about raising kids especially girls have been wiped away. The biggest reality check is that just because they are both my girls and they are sisters does not mean that they have the same interests or likes.
In fact they are very opposite and have been since day one.
I finally swerve around to my point. I look at each of my girls in completely differently.
Thira, shows up way to early, is way to small, but absolutely slays the world.
Lucia, cruises in right on time, nice and plump, and then makes me worry about her a lot.
Did you know that mother hippos will push their baby hippos into a pile of crocodiles. These
crocodiles will move out of that baby hippos way even though they could easily kill it. They respect the hippo even the little ones. This how I feel about Thira, I feel like I could throw her into the most precarious situations and she would walk away unscathed.
Lucia, although a lot more physical than Thira is also a lot more delicate. She's quieter, not as out going and she is needier.Her development is amazing to watch though. She has grown a lot these past 6 months. A stronger, more confident child than she was a year ago. Two kids, two different paths, two different humans.
Two girls, a few years apart and worlds apart regarding who they are. Yet the bonds are incredibly strong. They will both for no reason start running circles around the house, sporadically attack each other etc. etc. yet there are moments that I consider gifts. When ever Lucia looks over at Thira and immediately begins imitating her I get such a joy watching it. Thira helping Lucia do something new. All of us playing the Wii U.
Lucia is laying next to me, she peed through her diaper and just a few minutes ago she was babbling her way to sleep. Making a lot of noise because she wanted to stay awake and she was deliberately pestering me. I like this, an emerging personality even an annoying one is very important for her development and individuality.
I got two..........that I know of ha ha!
Two girls, aged 6 and 2 1/2.
I always knew I wanted kids but in my mind I never pictured two girls. One of each or two boys but not two girls.
All of my preconceived notions about raising kids especially girls have been wiped away. The biggest reality check is that just because they are both my girls and they are sisters does not mean that they have the same interests or likes.
In fact they are very opposite and have been since day one.
I finally swerve around to my point. I look at each of my girls in completely differently.
Thira, shows up way to early, is way to small, but absolutely slays the world.
Lucia, cruises in right on time, nice and plump, and then makes me worry about her a lot.
Did you know that mother hippos will push their baby hippos into a pile of crocodiles. These
crocodiles will move out of that baby hippos way even though they could easily kill it. They respect the hippo even the little ones. This how I feel about Thira, I feel like I could throw her into the most precarious situations and she would walk away unscathed.
Lucia, although a lot more physical than Thira is also a lot more delicate. She's quieter, not as out going and she is needier.Her development is amazing to watch though. She has grown a lot these past 6 months. A stronger, more confident child than she was a year ago. Two kids, two different paths, two different humans.
Two girls, a few years apart and worlds apart regarding who they are. Yet the bonds are incredibly strong. They will both for no reason start running circles around the house, sporadically attack each other etc. etc. yet there are moments that I consider gifts. When ever Lucia looks over at Thira and immediately begins imitating her I get such a joy watching it. Thira helping Lucia do something new. All of us playing the Wii U.
Lucia is laying next to me, she peed through her diaper and just a few minutes ago she was babbling her way to sleep. Making a lot of noise because she wanted to stay awake and she was deliberately pestering me. I like this, an emerging personality even an annoying one is very important for her development and individuality.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Turning 'em off and tuning in.
Soooo yesterday was the Cold Feet 10k trail race. I would like to recap my experience of said race for you right here, right now.
I wasn't even sure If i was going to be able to run the race. 1, I hadn't been running much lately for numerous reasons and secondly I was almost going to be out of town for an important matter but luckily I didn't have to be so it turns out I got to race.
Felt good when I woke up yesterday, ate, drove to the race, got bib, shirt, said hello easy peasy.
I did like 1 minute of warm up but I had been preparing all week for the race, leg work, core work, flexibility work through my Ki-Hara training, running, of course, so I knew I was ready.
Boom the starter pistol goes off.........away we go the fleas and water bugs are immediately way in front as we pass around a bend before hitting the trails. The trails really tighten up in the beginning so I waited before I started to pass anyone. I also knew that the trail was a slight incline here so I powered up but didn't go to crazy. Once I knew we leveled out i picked it up a bit and when we hit the first hill I really started to loosen the legs and move. My plan was simple run fast where the trail was good, run smart through the mud and power up the hills depending on how muddy they were.
I must say this worked really well. I slowed down at a few really sloppy spots knowing that I would pick it backup onve it cleared up and I did. Climbing to the top of the step hill I felt great i knew a nice downhill was coming but i also felt a pressure. I had to pee. There was a couple of guys ahed of me but no one directly behind me at this time so as i ran i whipped it out and pee'd, all over my legs. I didn't care a bit I was running strong and had no intention of stopping. Pass the aid station and up the hill behind the Nature Center slowly picking up speed and picking off runners.
Down the long red trail hill Ii was beating back challenger after challenger. The pounding of their feet was a drum beat. A drum beat that i usually let pass me by but those days are over. I kept pushing harder, through the muck, over the fallen trees, onto the relatively flat path all the way back to the last hill. A short but steep incline that leads to back to the finish. My plan was to save mu strength up this hill but the hell hounds were still at my feet so i powered up it like a diesel locomotive unstoppable and I knew that once I made a turn it was down hill or flat all the way home. With each turn I picked it up even more, passing one more runner as i looked for daylight out of the trails. The breath of Hades still on my neck but it was loud and unsteady. This whole time my breathing was strong, consistent, my legs were springy and responsive I began to get that detached feeling I get where my legs don't even touch the ground like Mercury I flew through the course.
Out of the woods and just a little bit left i hear my shadow trying to pass but there's no way I am letting that happen now. I led the entire way and i am finishing in the ahead of him. I pass a gorilla on the path and KICK. I am pulling away! No, I pulled away now It was about finishing as strong as possible. Hearing the cheers form my fellow runners I rounded the last corner looked at the clock said "FUCK" to myself because i misse my goal by 2 minutes and collapsed onto Steve Zimmerman's shoulders as he pulled my tab off of my bib.
I ran as hard as I could the entire time. I never quit, and i didn't listen to the voices that used to tell me to quit. In fact those voices weren't really there. I had beaten them back by being prepared for this race. Sure, recently I hadn't been running much but over the past two months I had. I stayed consistent through the holidays, kept my diet tight, and it paid off.
I still finished mid pack as always but I placed 2nd in the Clydesdale division for male runners 220lbs. and over. My first time ever placing for a running event so I feel like I broke the ice.
I did this all with no watch, no music, didn't carry anything with me as far as water or gels. The entire race I was listening to my body. I was in tune to my breathing, how my legs were feeling, Are my shoulders shrugging, I would periodically check my arm swing. All in all it was a race in which I ran as hard as i could the entire time as long as it was smart to do so.
I wasn't even sure If i was going to be able to run the race. 1, I hadn't been running much lately for numerous reasons and secondly I was almost going to be out of town for an important matter but luckily I didn't have to be so it turns out I got to race.
Felt good when I woke up yesterday, ate, drove to the race, got bib, shirt, said hello easy peasy.
I did like 1 minute of warm up but I had been preparing all week for the race, leg work, core work, flexibility work through my Ki-Hara training, running, of course, so I knew I was ready.
Boom the starter pistol goes off.........away we go the fleas and water bugs are immediately way in front as we pass around a bend before hitting the trails. The trails really tighten up in the beginning so I waited before I started to pass anyone. I also knew that the trail was a slight incline here so I powered up but didn't go to crazy. Once I knew we leveled out i picked it up a bit and when we hit the first hill I really started to loosen the legs and move. My plan was simple run fast where the trail was good, run smart through the mud and power up the hills depending on how muddy they were.
I must say this worked really well. I slowed down at a few really sloppy spots knowing that I would pick it backup onve it cleared up and I did. Climbing to the top of the step hill I felt great i knew a nice downhill was coming but i also felt a pressure. I had to pee. There was a couple of guys ahed of me but no one directly behind me at this time so as i ran i whipped it out and pee'd, all over my legs. I didn't care a bit I was running strong and had no intention of stopping. Pass the aid station and up the hill behind the Nature Center slowly picking up speed and picking off runners.
Down the long red trail hill Ii was beating back challenger after challenger. The pounding of their feet was a drum beat. A drum beat that i usually let pass me by but those days are over. I kept pushing harder, through the muck, over the fallen trees, onto the relatively flat path all the way back to the last hill. A short but steep incline that leads to back to the finish. My plan was to save mu strength up this hill but the hell hounds were still at my feet so i powered up it like a diesel locomotive unstoppable and I knew that once I made a turn it was down hill or flat all the way home. With each turn I picked it up even more, passing one more runner as i looked for daylight out of the trails. The breath of Hades still on my neck but it was loud and unsteady. This whole time my breathing was strong, consistent, my legs were springy and responsive I began to get that detached feeling I get where my legs don't even touch the ground like Mercury I flew through the course.
Out of the woods and just a little bit left i hear my shadow trying to pass but there's no way I am letting that happen now. I led the entire way and i am finishing in the ahead of him. I pass a gorilla on the path and KICK. I am pulling away! No, I pulled away now It was about finishing as strong as possible. Hearing the cheers form my fellow runners I rounded the last corner looked at the clock said "FUCK" to myself because i misse my goal by 2 minutes and collapsed onto Steve Zimmerman's shoulders as he pulled my tab off of my bib.
I ran as hard as I could the entire time. I never quit, and i didn't listen to the voices that used to tell me to quit. In fact those voices weren't really there. I had beaten them back by being prepared for this race. Sure, recently I hadn't been running much but over the past two months I had. I stayed consistent through the holidays, kept my diet tight, and it paid off.
I still finished mid pack as always but I placed 2nd in the Clydesdale division for male runners 220lbs. and over. My first time ever placing for a running event so I feel like I broke the ice.
I did this all with no watch, no music, didn't carry anything with me as far as water or gels. The entire race I was listening to my body. I was in tune to my breathing, how my legs were feeling, Are my shoulders shrugging, I would periodically check my arm swing. All in all it was a race in which I ran as hard as i could the entire time as long as it was smart to do so.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
My own High Rock Challenge
One of the biggest running events on Staten Island is the High Rock Challenge. It's an 8 mile trail run with mental and physical challenges scattered throughout. The race is a two person team and some of the challenges require cooperation so your partner is a key component. http://www.nyara.org/nyara_races/annual/mn_race_highrock.php
My High Rock partner for the past 4 runs has retired so I put out the call for a new partner and from City of Brotherly Love my call was answered. There she is waiving, waiving at all of you fools as we pass you by. My game has to be at 100% because Jamie is fast. I, am not as fast but I have the experience of the High Rock, knowledge of the trails, and luckily for me the longer the race goes the better I perform.This brings me to my own challenge. I began right after Christmas as far as upping my workouts and restricting my diet.As of two days ago, monday feb. 11th I have decided to up it even further. Workouts and or runs will occur 7 days a week, unless I feel the need to pull back a day and rest the I will be a 6 day a week guy.
Here is my schedule at optimum availability.
Monday: teaching and participating in 1 hour H.I.I.T. class
Tuesday: Hill repeats while pushing the stroller during the day
teaching and participating in 1 hour class core conditioning
Wednesday: night time trail run 6 miles approx.
Thursday: Teaching and participating in afternoon and evening classes
tempo trail runs approx 5 miles
Friday: Possible trail run or rest day depending on how body feels
Saturday: Longer group trail run Saturday morning with added outdoor bootcamp style training for High Rock.
Sunday: Long road run but also I am leading 1 hour hikes through the Greenbelt.
As far as nutriton goes I am going to reduce calories a bit to force my body to burn more fat for fuel and in doing so I am continuing to increase veggies, protein, and continue with fresh fruits. The carb intake besides veggies will be modified depending on how my body responds. That link is here. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Corona-Wellness-Center
To keep myself honest I am gong to record my progress daily on my facebook page.
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