Time on Legs - Thoughts

Back to my regular schedule of work and training. Sunday was a treadmill run of 4 miles and what a difficult time I had getting through it. At mile one I was done and wanted to stop. Must have been the drain of the previous week. The next day was just the opposite. I did 4 miles out on a familiar running trail and had one of the best runs I have had in a long time. Legs and lungs felt great and my pace was right on track. A little head wind, but made for a good run.

While running I pondered a few experiences at work this week. My job brings me face to face with people who are contemplating suicide and have often taken steps in that direction. This behavior confuses me. I find it hard to understand how someone can get to the point of wanting to end their life. I know it is out there and I work to help prevent it, but still hard to understand. There are plenty of great resources out there for people to seek help. Suicide.org is just one web site to help out. There are plenty others out there.

It never seems to amaze me how a good run can clear the mind and bring a life back into balance. Yesterday's run did just that.

TOL - Building Character

Back from Vegas! A few days in Las Vegas is plenty for anyone. I arrived there the afternoon of the NBA All Star game. What a zoo!! There were people everywhere. All of the cabbies, bartenders and wait staff I talked to said they hope the All Star game never comes back. They said the crowds were the worst behaved they had ever seen. There were 4 shootings that weekend and well over 300 arrests. It makes me wonder about the type of people who came to this event.



While away I found it hard to get any running in. Late nights do not mix well with early morning runs. I did get out for a nice 3.5 miler on the Strip. What a strange place to run. People still dressed in their formal clothes and clutching drink glasses wandering out of the casinos looking a little disoriented. While several runners are making their way up and down the strip. Pretty strange.



Today was scheduled for my long run. I needed to get 10 miles in for the day. I knew this would be one of those "character building" runs. I was sore and my heart was just not in the game. But, I managed to eek out 9.8 miles in 1 hour 50 minutes. Every step building just a little character. It is good to get back to my regular schedule.

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TOL - Running with a partner

Today I headed out for my long run. I have a few friends that I try to coordinate with to run as partners. We are all planning on running the Colorado Marathon (I am running the Mini) together. Today I ran with my good friend and co-worker, Dean. He is training to compete in an Ironman race in Idaho. I think he is a little wacky for this. We headed out for an easy 9 miles on my favorite trail. He was due to only run for 75 minutes, but he lengthened his run so we could go together.

Running with a partner is one of the best ways for friends to spend time together. We talk about work, family, our training and most importantly about how we have no willpower when it comes to food. The time just flys by as the miles trickle away. We did our 9 miles today in 1 hr 37 min. Not too bad given the ice on the trail and my whining about the pace.

A change of plans.

Today was scheduled for my long run. 9 miles was on the agenda. It was a balmy 46 degrees. The down side was the 50 mph winds. Then by noon there was blowing snow. So much for a run outside. Tomorrow will be much warmer and the winds gone. I will be joining a couple of my running partners for our long run.

Sunday I leave for Las Vegas (Viva Las Vegas!!) for a training seminar. I hope to get a few runs done in "Sin City" while I am out there. We will see how that turns out.

TOL - The Winter Grind

The snow just keeps on falling. This keeps me in the gym on the treadmill. I have been faithfully following my program with one exception. I am not losing the weight I want to lose. The running is going good. Long runs are at 10 miles and the speed work is dragging me down.

Today was a beautiful short three miles. I really enjoyed the short distance and easy run. The temps are supposed to be in the mid 50s this weekend so it may be a great time out on the trails.

Next week is a business trip to Las Vegas. I hope to get some runs in out there in the warmth.

The grind of training in the winter continues.