Update!

I ran 26 miles even last week. I am trying to up the runs to include two 10Ks per week. I am working on the speed, as well.

I have 87.35 miles for the month of January and, coincidentally, I have run 87.35 miles in 2009. Hmmm…

I went to the Doctor last week. I had the blood lab work done the week before.


My Numbers -


The Good News? I am healthy. Most of the numbers are within range.

The Bad News? Triglycerides are out of range and in the high end. That means that I am getting fat and I need to lose some weight. I guess that I have become complacent since my marathon run. I am running, but I am also eating. The Doctor suggested that I lose 10 – 15 pounds.

“Do I cut out more fat from my diet?” I asked.

“No,” He said, “You just need to push yourself away from the table earlier.”

Not a difficult goal. I can do that.


My Cough –
I did mention to the Doctor that I have a cough. It is not a cold (or flu, or pneumonia, or anything of that ilk). My lungs are clear. It happens mostly when I run. It can be a deep, hacking cough when it comes on.

After some questions, he stated that it is one of two things –
1. Exercise induced asthma (like I run a lot or something).
2. An anti-hypertension drug induced cough.

He asked if I wanted to test it yet or wait. It hasn’t been too bad yet, but it is becoming noticeable. I told him it could wait.

He said that the test is easy - A pulmonary function test, then a run (he suggested stairs), until I cough, then back for another pulmonary function test again.

We set it up so I could contact him if the cough gets to be worse.


Some Fun –
I cleared the marathon with him the last time that I saw him. I made sure that I wore the Las Vegas Marathon registration shirt AND the Finisher’s Medal for the appointment.

The Doctor and I are about the same age. He is a runner (and responsible for me starting to run).

We talked about the marathon, the experience, and about running in general.

When I was preparing to go, he told me that I have surpassed him as a runner, and shook my hand. “Good job!” He said!


Finally -
I am breaking in a new pair of shoes. I finally bit the bullet and bought a pair. They are the same as the old pair (Mizuno Wave Alchemy). Much brighter and cleaner, but the very same model! So far, after one run, they feel the same and that is great! There is something to be said for consistency.

The 2009 Schedule! (A Start Anyway...)

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Spoiler Alert! DO NOT let the kids read the end of this post.
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Well, I guess that I did not learn my lesson. Not yet anyway.

I am signed up for two events so far (No! No marathons as of yet).

Saturday, May 9 - South Suburban Parks & Recreation Highline Canal Fun Run - 10K. I want to run this one in less than an hour. That would be something for this old bird (buzzard). I am working at my speed already.

Sunday, May 17 - The Colorado Colfax Half-Marathon. I ran this last year in 2:20:41. So, I would like to do it in less than that. Now, my friend, Greg, already has me running it in less than 2 hours. After all, he says that it is but 2 10Ks side-by-side with just a little bit more added. Thanks, Greg!

Friends on Facebook are already taking it quite literally...

Last week, I ran 23.50 miles. The miles were at a pace of less than 10:00. I am working at getting faster. Today's run was on the treadmill at a pace of 9:17. Thank goodness I have a lot of time to train in and a better working knowledge of how to train. (Now if only I were successful at it!)

I am at 61.08 miles for 2009 as of today.

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This humorous bit is from a friend of mine -

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Subject: Raising Boys
a) For those with no children - this is totally hysterical!
b) For those who already have children past this age, this is hilarious.
c) For those who have children at this age, this is not funny.
d) For those who have children nearing this age, this is a warning.
e) For those who have not yet had children, this is birth control.

The following came from an anonymous Mother in Austin, Texas...

Things I've learned from my Boys (honest and not kidding):

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.

2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3.) A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape. It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way

6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words "uh oh", it's already too late.

8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9.) A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36-year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.

10.) Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old boy.

11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.) Super glue is forever.

13.) No matter how much J ell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.) VCR's do not eject "PB &J" sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20.) The fire department in Austin, TX has a 5-minute response time.

21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

22.) It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24.) 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

25.) Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.

2008 – A Personal Year Of Achievement!

I accomplished a lot last year. I achieved a life goal.

This is a running blog. I did do some running. I did discover that running can wear the body down. I discovered that I do exude my electrolytes, literally, right through my skin. I have to balance my hydration.

I ran a disappointing 10K. This year, I want to run the same race again in under an hour. I know that I can do this.

I ran a half-marathon. I was not disappointed with my time. I am going to sign up for that same competition again but to PR.

I ran a 4 mile. I ran it with friends. I made a new friend! It was a great experience. This year, I will run the half—marathon again. It is just more fun!

I ran another half-marathon. I was disappointed. I experienced cramps, but did finish! Now, I have better knowledge of how to run it without! I did PR but crossed the finish line with lower leg cramps.

I attempted to run the Chicago marathon. I did not succeed. My electrolyte problem surfaced again. I dropped to the ground at mile 24 with both lower legs cramping hard. I just could not finish this one! I am not planning on running this one again…

I became a coordinator for a group on a blog site - What's a Few Miles Among Friends? If you get a chance, check it out. Think about joining our little group! I am proud of all of them! If you wonder why I don't update my blog as often as I used to, this site is the reason! But it is so worth it to me!

I learned to pick myself up and keep going. It was very disappointing, but I found out that I could continue training. I was training and looking for another marathon to run. I considered Tulsa, Seattle, Phoenix and some others. I decided on Las Vegas.

I ran the 2008 Las Vegas Marathon. This was a really an emotional experience for me. When I was preparing for this one, I just knew that I would succeed. All through this race, at different moments, I’d find myself with tears in my eyes and I would choke up.

This was an amazing start. The gun went off. Fireworks filled the sky and the Las Vegas Strip was blocked off to traffic, but not for the runners! I ran the Strip. What a moment! It continued through the finish line.

I have a friend, Mitch. Mitch is 10 years old. He is a precocious child. He saw me within the last mile of the finish line and ran alongside encouraging me on. What a guy! He made it special for me.

I will probably run Las Vegas again! I am a marathon runner now. 55 years old and a marathon runner. I impressed myself!

In 2008, I ran a total of 1,618 miles. Does that make me a runner? No. What makes me a runner is the willingness to get out there and run. Slow as a turtle, but out there. Inspiration comes from everywhere. From magazines, from runners on twitter, from other runner’s blogs, but mostly from people like you… Thank you for that!

What does 2009 hold? Let us see…