Setting a Personal Record

Thanks for all the great suggestions on how to pick up a girl on a run.  Unfortunately, I doubt I join the running club, even if Dugan pays the fees.  I like the race idea; already did a Turkey Trot and will keep my eye out for more.  Running with a dog or stroller are good suggestions; I could even go with both dog and stroller. The girl that sticks around after finding out that it isn't my dog and the baby is a doll is sure to be a peach.

The laugh-out-loud suggestion, to trip and fall, is in play but conditions will have to be perfect.  If I get stuck running in the snow on a short run then I will try it.  I will absolutely blog in-depth about the encounter and try to have a video feed of it.  I was running on the beach over the Thanksgiving holiday and constantly thought of taking that dive from the boardwalk into the sand to meet the unsuspecting babe!

I just completed week 5 of the running schedule which included my personal record of 10 miles as the long run.  One cool thing that helped the run was on my way out, couple guys were rolling a 'funny' cigarette.  I smiled (it is not hard to smell) and they asked if I wanted some.  I just shook my head.  On my way back, probably at mile 9, the same guys were still sitting under the road.  "Damn, you've been running a long time", that was a cool feeling, well sort of.  I was also visualizing dinner, I cooked my spaghetti sauce which usually serves a healthy four portions.  Today the sauce was only one portion, I don't have left overs and haven't moved from my couch in 3 hours.  I've run 88 miles total and still on pace; runs are a lot easier at sea level.

Completed all the runs by Wednesday this week because it is finally time to break in the new snowboard...enjoy work everyone!

Three Things

First, Veteran's Day was this past Friday.  I'm a very proud American, especially after visiting China for a couple weeks, and am honored to have a father who served and appreciate all the sacrifices those who serve make and have served made. Thank you!

Second, running is a lot of alone time.  I have to mentally prepare my thoughts before a run and need to ensure I have enough happy thoughts to complete the run.  If I start thinking about the company that didn't call, my dire financial situation or the last relationship that flamed out, then the run turns into a horrific experience.  The past two runs have been the worst.  Monday I was in a bad mood; a company that has strung me along for the last 6 months still hadn't called and I just asked myself, 'Why the hell am I running?  No one is chasing me'.  Couldn't even finish a 3 miler.  I need to make sure I look at a snow report before a run. 

Third, I need some help and my hope is to have at least 3 comments on this post pertaining to the following prompt.  How does one (really only concerned with me but...) meet a girl on a run?  The best I have heard is to try to go their pace and ask 'how far are you running?'  I tried this, but I run slow and couldn't catch the girl (pretty sure she thought I was a stalker and was chasing her as well).  That won't work.  I usually just flash my almost perfect, fake teeth at the person that is running the opposite direction but that has not provided any results.  JB told me to 'Stop running and go to the bar'.  Can't do that Bro, got to prove some people wrong!  Anybody out there have some advice?

I've ran 38 miles so far and except for the last two still on pace (now under 10 min/miles).  Heading to the beach for a week and will enjoy the runs at a lower altitude; actually I'm just running at a lower altitude, pretty sure I won't enjoy them.

The Joy of Running

I get two questions when I mention I am training for a marathon, are you a runner and do you like running.  The answer to both of these questions is an unequivocal no.  I'm not built to run long distances and probably wasn't built to run short distances either for that matter.  I was hoping the answer to the second question, do I like running,  would eventually change to yes or a form of absolutely, my body craves it (I always rolled my eyes at those people; who in their right mind thinks running for two hours is a good time?).   But I do not see that answer changing anytime soon. 

The only joy I can take from all of this jogging is my appetite for food.  I am constantly hungry and have the ability to eat the amount of food that I used to eat in college and high school.  In high school when I was growing about two inches a month I don't think I was ever full.  Joey, I know you have never had a growth spurt but just imagine!  One instance was the Sadie Hawkins dance (the girls ask and pay for dinner); my date took me to this very nice dinner before the dance which included appetizer, salad, my entre, finishing her entre and desert.  On the way from the restaurant to the dance I had her pull into Burger King so I could eat a couple Whoppers.  In college my roommate and I would only eat at buffets since that was the only way we could become full.  This is my silver lining and I enjoy every second of it! 

I'm half way through week 2.  I've jogged a total of 22 miles and have kept a fairly consistent pace of 10 minute miles.  Long run so far was only 5 miles and not too bad; don’t even need to stop for water yet.  Ten minute miles with a couple port-a-poty stops and I'm under the 5 hours and am rubbing it into everyone's face!

Training Day 1 and My Concerns Going Forward

Today was the first day of training, sunny (one of over 300 in CO!) and 73 degrees.  I had been prepping for this day over the past 2 weeks and this first run was pretty simple.  However, I have encountered a few obstacles and concerns during these preparation runs and why not discuss them here! 

Motivation:  The ski pass came in the mail, the lease for a ski condo starts Nov 1 and the resorts are starting to open.  I really do not foresee myself missing a fresh foot of snow because I have to go on a 2 hour run.  Yes, poor me. 

Weather:  Although chances are that it will be sunny, it will also be 20 degrees.  I got a taste of it over the past week and it is not too enjoyable to run on ice and snow.  At least I have some gear to help with the cold (thanks Mom!).

My Gene Pool:  This is the kicker, and not too delightful.  I was blessed with some great genes such as: good looks, athletic excellence and brains that would make Einstein jealous.  Unfortunately, one of the not so great genes is my stomach.  My stomach is not a rock and weaker than the collective intellect behind this whole 'Occupy Wall Street' crap.  Come to find out running really puts the whole system into overdrive!  Within five minutes of a run I am calculating the chances of making it back to my car and into a Starbucks safely.  My poor niece, Olivia, has the same genes; she's blowing out diapers daily and hasn't even had solid food yet!  Wait until a morning run after a couple Bud Lights and chicken wings Liv, just wait…

Second run tomorrow and I'll try to update more often.  Only really close friends and family are this right?