Back on the Saddle

Finally, I feel normal again. I was able to start lifting and running again this week and it feels great. After a sluggish, but effective workout on Tuesday, I was charged up for my conditioning day on Wednesday and hit the pavement with my Brooks on. I pulled of an 8 banger and now am back to the old Dirty D.
It seems as if when I don't run for a while that I get all these thoughts built up and start to worry more about everything but when I do get to run, especially alone, I get to put all these issues in perspective to the grand scheme of life and then they don't seem so important anymore. I think this is why running is so therapeutic, because we have time to shut the hell up and be quiet long enough for God to give us some answers.
Happy trails.

Taking a sick leave

Well, I forgot how bad it feels to be sick and not be able to excersize. It sucks! I feel like I have no energy. I got sick about 5 days ago and am on the back end of this flu shit. I think today I am going to have to make myself do something or else I am going to shrivel away to nothing. I haven't ran since last Monday. The bad thing is, I think it was my best training run that I have ever had. Now it is pouring rain outside which makes me think the trails may be a little too sloppy to take on tonight, not to mention that it is going to be 29 degrees. I guess the treadmill never hurt anybody. I've got to admit, I love Memphis and all but there are some days, especially in the winter, in which I would give my left nut to live somewhere else. I just got back from Ft. Lauderdale Florida where the sun was always out and it was 75 degrees everyday. If my family and freinds weren't here in Memphis I would be gone in a heartbeat. Enough of the negativity, I'm going to read some of your blogs to get motivated again. Later!

I Can't Stop Once I've Started - It Stings

Well, hello everyone reading. This is my first blog! I was totally enchrinched in reading all my buddies blogs about their running adventures and since I have become addicted to this style of living with trail shoes on, I decided to join in. I am always looking for advise about fitness and or anything for that matter so I invite anyone who is willing to help me with my first year of training for .... ultra's! I have been an athlete my whole life so running is not new to me but running long distances is new. I played baseball all the way through college and so most of my running consisted of sprints until recently. I love lifting weights and staying healthy, although like most everyone, I had my years of taking it easy after college. I have a freind named Patrick, a.k.a. squatting bear, who kept telling me how cool it was to run the trails at Shelby Farms. Little did I know that once I finally took him up on an invite and started, I could not stop. Running the trails may be the most surreal, spiritual, and comforting time that I have ever spent. So far, I have run in one measely race, the 4 mile Turkey Trot in November. I finished with a respectable 8 1/2 minute mile pace and realized how fun the race day adrenaline can be. Since then, I have been running every week and am up to about 25 -30 miles a week, including 4 - two mile sessions a week to get warmed up before lifting weights. My next big race is the G'town half marathon and I can't wait. Needless to say, I am still a baby in the running world but I can't begin to tell you how much it has changed the way I live day to day. I can't wait for more adventures to come! Enjoy yourself this week and make sure you sweat at least once a day!