April 26th, Thursday

Time gets more scarce by the day!  Sorry I have been out of touch.  I ran 10.55 miles Thursday in about 100 minutes doing the combo 56 east & west run.  Wanted to get a good chunk of miles in before my trip to Santa Barbara for our Alumni softball tourney.  I don't plan on playing this year as I don't want to get hurt and have it jeopardize my quest but it will be fun to see old friends and hear the many old stories again.

I am back now and other than being sick with a head cold, it was great fun.  Our team got inducted to the Gaucho Hall of Fame under the Intramural Legacy wing.  We have been playing since 1987 and have managed to win the title 3 times.  Pretty cool anyway you look at it.  Here is an "Old school" hat that I wish I had!

Time is always getting away from me and I still need to go run, so I will say adios.  Please keep my Mom in your thoughts and prayers as she could use them right now.

Total Miles:  681.91   Pace Runner:  643.18   + 38.73

Love you tons Mom & Dad!  <3

 

April 24th, Tuesday

Whenever I get close to a benchmark, I usually just go for it to get it in my rear view mirror.  So today I ran 9.06 miles to reach the 1/3 mark!!!!  It seems like it came fast and took forever at the same time!

This was the best 1/3 picture I could find short notice but you get the idea!  One cool thing I saw yesterday on my combo 56 east & west run was an Ultralight buzzing over my head!  If you don't know what they are, it is basically a hang glider with a motor!  Don't see them too often but always wanted to try one...

So the actual 1/3 mark is 670.67 miles but I am now sitting at 671.36 & looking forward to a litle break this weekend.  Might rain tomorrow so I will play it by ear.  Until then, We'll see how it goes.

Total Miles:  671.36  Pace Runner:  632.19   + 39.17 miles

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3

April 23, Monday

You would think that after almost 4 months this might get a little easier but it really doesn't work that way!  This day 6 in a row and the miles definitely take it out of your legs.  Today I did the east 56 run and I added on a trip down Old Carmel Valley to add a little mileage on. 

7.1 miles today in about 65 minutes.  Looking forward to a little rest this weekend in Santa Barbara (All Gaucho Reunion).  Might run on Saturday morning but nothing on Friday and Sunday, travel days. 

Here is a cool video that I found.  Obviously I want you to donate to one or both of my charities ( you know why I am running if you are reading this)  but there are many reasons why we run!  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRzY8oFX75I&feature=related

Hope your Monday was uneventful and the rest of your week is going to be great!  Take care!

Total Miles:  662.30  Pace Runner:  626.69   + 35.61 miles!  Largest lead to date!

Love you Mom & Dad! <3

April 22, Sunday

Quads are a little sore today but to be expected.  6.75 miles around Lake Murray in 59:52 & I actually started out slow but it didn't last!  Once I got going, I couldn't help myself.  I think that being around the little league fields just reminds me of youth spent there and I revert back some how...

Maybe this is what I see and I think that the run is shorter than it actually is...  The good part is that my hamstrings are doing pretty well.  Might be due to the Juice + I have been taking for over a month now, who knows?!?!

Got to get a little work done before I go to sleep so I will say Good Night!  SHARE! SUPPORT! DONATE!  Thank you for all of your support but I would like more COMMENTS!!!!! :)

Total Miles:  655.20  Pace Runner:  621.19  + 34.01 miles!

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3

April 21, Saturday

Today, I set out for a longer run & it turned out to be 13.1 miles.  I did this to honor 2 individuals and a special group of people.  Ronan & Tehya are 2 students who go to CCHS where I teach and neither of them can walk, much less run.  I wanted to run this in the hope that they too could one day do the same.
I also did it for all those who have or who currently are fighting Parkinson's.  My Dad, the late Mr. Montali, Mrs. Bufalini, MJ Fox, The Greatest, and the list goes on...

This is actually the 2nd best time I have ever run this distance!  I think our angels, Natalie & Amanda were helping me along, as they always do!  I can feel them kicking me in the butt when I start feeling tired! :)


Lots of interesting things on my run, the new bridge over the Rose Inlet that cuts between Campland by the Bay & Mission Bay HS is now open but it actually cuts out some mileage from the usual loop.  (It connects P.B. Dr. to N. M.B. Dr.)  I had to run over it at least once though so I just added the miles on later! 

Next I came across a large gathering of bikers at De Anza Cove.  I had to watch where I was running as they were scattered all over the path way and not making it easy to navigate my way past them.  There were hundreds of them having a BBQ which was pretty cool, I thought!

Before I even got to the Information Center (runner's bathroom) I came across a guy running in a dress.  I didn't want to ruffle any feathers so I didn't bother asking him as I ran by but I did find out that he was part of a Ragnar Relay team.  My friend, Patrick Justiniano also was participating.

The rest of my trek around Fiesta & Sail Bays was fairly uneventful.  Hope you all have a great weekend & I will have Week 16 numbers up before the weekend is over.

Total Miles:  648.45   Pace Runner:  615.69   + 32.76 miles!!!!

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3

Week 16 Statistics: 


   

April 20, Friday

Lake Murray is the home of the speed workouts but for some reason this whole week has been faster than usual.  maybe all this running is making me faster?!?!  I thought it would make me tired but what do I know...  6.21 miles in 53 minutes & 55 seconds.  This was a later run after a chiropractic appointment at Murphy Frazier Chiropractic who have been treating my spine very well, thank you very much!  I then dropped by Saints for the Dons volleyball game & they pulled out a victory in a hostile environment in 5 games!

The run was very full of gnats and I may have swallowed a few and had to pick a few others out of my teeth!  Not very nice to run in so maybe that's another reason  I ran faster.

The kids at school made a peace sign on our grassy area in front of the library for the Invisible Children club in order to bring awareness to the 26 year war in Uganda.

 Didn't have the overhead camera but I think you get the idea...

Also went to my brother Brian's for a quick visit as they are heading out on a trip.  Hope you all have a great weekend & I hope to get some good miles in tomorrow.

Total Miles:  635.35  Pace Runner:  610.20  + 25.15 miles

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3

April 19, Thursday

Ok, I may get a little antsy when I ask for comments but then some wonderful person does something so incredible that it carries me on for a week or more.  I had this happen to me this week when I was informed that a package had arrived at school that was too big for my mailbox. 

So I open my late birthday present and there are all kinds of goodies to eat, running sox, sun screen, Gu's, and a custom T-shirt that can only be described as my new favorite!

There was no name, only a note saying "I'm praying for you" inside.  I can't forget a gift card to the Road Runner where I buy all my running stuff.  Talk about a great surprise! 

There is only a PO Box from El Cajon so I would thank them by name here but I can at least send them a thank you card to start with.

Today was a shorter run of 6.65 miles in about 62 minutes.  I also got to see the Posts, Silvia Burne, and Manny at the track meet.  So cool to see some of the great people on this earth once in a while. 

Total Miles:  629.15   Pace Runner:  Gotta run will finish later!

April 18th, Wednesday

Well, yesterday was an unplanned day off!  I tried to take a power nap as I was literally falling asleep on the drive home so that I had some energy to run a little later on.  Unfortunately my 30 minute power nap became a 2 1/2 hour slumber!  Such is life, I guess my body needed it!

I decided to run a little more today to help make up for my day off, 8.65 miles on the combo 56 run in 78 minutes & 44 seconds.  Also had an Alumni Board meeting down at Busalacchi's on 5th in Hillcrest.  Cool place and the food was delicious!

I have a picture of some of my family from Easter I thought I would share with you.  We took this picture at the house my brother rented for his family and myself.  I used the timer so I aam not in the most natural position but not bad.

Please keep sharing this blog site with others, commenting when the spirit moves you, (& I hope it moves you MORE OFTEN!) & donate if you have the means.  Thanks for all of your continued support!

Total miles:  622.50  Pace Runner:  599.20  + 23.30

Love to you both, Mom & Pops!  <3

April 16, Monday

Pretty good day today!  It's my parents anniversary, the King's won last night, and the Pads beat Colorado to end their losing streak!  Now I just need to get some sleep!!!

Here's a pic of a wonderful care package that was given to me by one of my previous Ambassadors.  Brittany, thank you very much!

The coconut water is actually pretty good but it takes a little getting used to, I admit.

King's game was a lot of fun!  King's were a little flat the 1st 2 periods but then they got a good goal from Dustin Brown and Johnathan Quick was amazing in net!  1 more win to move on!  GO Kings GO!

                                         Kevin refused to get in the picture!

6.52 miles in 57 minutes & 36 seconds, the usual too fast run at Lake Murray.  It was a great night for a run though, good temp., calm water, nice sunset, and a pretty good crowd.   I hope you all have a great night.

Total Miles:  613.85   Pace Runner:  588.21   + 25.64 miles

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!  I Love you!  <3

April 15, Sunday

I made it 6.67 miles today around Lake Murray as I was in a hurry to get ready to go to LA for the Kings playoff game vs. the Canucks of Vancouver.   My buddy Kevin Murphy surprised me with tickets and I couldn't very well turn him down now could I?!?!  It will most-likely be a long day at school but I'm sure I will survive.  GO KINGS GO!!!!!  They lead the series 2-0 even though they are the 8th seed and the Canucks are the 1st seed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UttQzF5C5I&feature=related

Not much time (is there ever a lot of time any more???) so I will follow up with results of the game and more tomorrow unless I pass out after my run!  Have a great week everyone and keep Ronan Nelson in your prayers as he recovers from a broken neck suffered during a rugby game.  He is a student at CCHS.

Total Miles:  607.33  Pace Runner:  582.71  +  24.62 miles

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3

April 14, Saturday

I tried to make a video and if you can read lips, you can try to make out what I said but it was a blustery day with gusts up to 40 MPH I saw on the weather channel so all you can hear is the wind for the most part, sorry!

http://youtu.be/z1lXrWMchyk

I will try to tell you everything that I said.  I ran 9.06 miles today in 87 minutes flat.  Wind is not a runner's friend when it comes to time and you can see how chapped my lips are in the video too!  I also eclipsed the 600 mile mark on my 45th birthday as well!

I have now added a new state to my "distance" as well.  I have passed through Ft. Bragg CA been through parts of AZ & NV but now I can add Provo (no, not Spain!) Utah to the list!

Hope you all have your taxes squared away by now and you can enjoy your springtime!  Wish the Pads could get their act together but I am hopeful that Carlos will help bring the offense around when he gets back in the near future!  The pitching is another story altogether unfortunately!

Please feel free to wish my folks a happy anniversary, it is Monday, April 16th.  They read this regularly so even if you refuse to leave a comment for me, please leave them a note on their 57th!  After 5 kids, a decade of Parkinson's, 2 bouts of cancer among many other trials and tribulations, they are simply AMAZING!  I hear it all the time from just about anyone they know that I run into.

Total Miles:  600.66  Pace Runner:  577.21   + 23.45 miles

Love you Mom & Dad! <3

Week 15 Statistics 

Week 15 Miles:  39.26  Total Miles:  600.66

Week 15 Time:  6:02:10  Total Time:  94:56:29

Week 15 Pace:  9:13/ mile  Total Pace:  9:29/mile

Week 15 calories:  5606   Total calories:  75,281 burned    

April 12, Thursday

After a little work up at school, I went to Lake Murray again and ran 7.12 miles in 64 minutes & 59 seconds.  Felt pretty good, the knee is doing better and I think I will take tomorrow off as we are having our Dons alumni golf tourney even tho it is supposed to rain.

Going to the Padre game tonight vs. the D Backs.  Hope they can pull it out as they need to win more than 1 game a series or it will be a long year!

Quick one tonight, gotta shower and get to the game.  GO PADS! 

Total Miles:  591.60  Pace Runner:  566.22   + 25.38 miles

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3

April 11, Wednesday

Stomach still rough this AM but improving.  Couldn't eat much which kind of made for a rough run this afternoon.  I made it to mile 4 OK but then I ran out of gas.  Made it 6.43 miles in 58 minutes & 29 seconds @ Lake Murray. 

I made a much needed trip to the chiropractor today and does my back feel better!  If you are looking for a good one, go see the gals down at Murphy/Frazier Chiropractic. 

http://www.murphyfrazier.com/

I also picked up my Padre tickets.  If you want some great seats (5th row behind the Pads dugout), a Dons alum has them for sale.  Just let me know & I'll get you connected with him.

I am tired and need a good night's sleep to recover from the rough night I had.   Hope all is well with you and yours.  Please SHARE! COMMENT! DONATE!  especially comment!  I need your support!!!

Total Miles:  584.48  Pace Runner:  560.72   + 23.76

Love you Mom & Dad! <3

  

April 10, Tuesday

Had a fun day in the jury lounge but I did not get called to go to a courtroom so no deliberation room for me!  Interesting video I found from the Designing Women show that could be titled "One Angry Woman"  Enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tikaHHRIWM

I ran after I got home from my day downtown around Lake Murray.  As usual, I ran way too fast, 6.57 miles in 57 minutes & 19 seconds.  I must have had a rough lunch as my stomach is not feeling great.  Still made it over to see my friend John Philpott & Steve Castagnola for a bit. 

My left knee is getting stiff when I sit too long but usually gets warm when I run and doesn't bug me then which is good.  I'll just keep icing and moving forward! 

I also watched a bad documentary on the Mayan 2012 prophecy.  The only thing good I got out of it is that instead of being "the end", it might mark a complete transformation & the beginning of a new historical cycle.  Who knows, Dec. 21st will most-likely be just one more day on the calendar... and with any luck, I will be finished with my running by then!!!!!

Total Miles:  578.05  Pace Runner:  555.22  + 22.83

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3   

Have a great day!  SHARE! COMMENT! DONATE!  I can't remember the last comment I got, if you haven't left me a note, please do so as I need all the encouragement I can get!

Thank you!

April 9th, Monday

I woke up early to get a good run in before we returned from Las Vegas.  I just ran around the neighborhood which had some pretty nice houses.  (If you know Vegas it was south of Sahara and east of Tenaya) I managed to get in 10.1 miles zigzagging through the neighborhood in 94 minutes and 20 seconds.  I needed a long run to help make up for my 3 days of not running over the weekend.

We had a great weekend with my parents.  They are both such troopers and I am always inspired by their strength and perseverance!  I hope to get out to Vegas to see you again very soon! 
 

We made it back to San Diego without much trouble or traffic and I now have jury duty to get through tomorrow.  Many school tasks to get done as well this week.  At least I have some time to get some things done.


Today also marks the 100th day of the year in case you are interested.  In some ways it has gone fast & in some it has crawled along.  The year will be 1/3 of the way done in no time.  Pretty amazing the way you look at the year when you are keeping track of each day.  Enjoy the day and do something great for someone!

Total miles:  571.48  Pace Runner:  549.73  + 21.75

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3 

April 7, Saturday

I can tell you one thing after today's run:  The Red Rock Canyon loop is not flat!!!!!  For some reason, most-likely the fact that I drove this before & never ran it, I was thinking this route was relatively flat, BUT IT ISN"T!!!!!!  Ran most of my 6.51 miles today uphill!  My niece, Lelia, joined me and she was not too happy about it either but she was a real trooper about it!  (She is the one who made the awesome flyers for me!)  From what I have read, we climbed about 1600 feet up to an elevation  of about 4,800 ft.  Not what I am looking for in a mileage run!

It was a beautiful day for a run but it just wasn't an easy one by any stretch of the imagination!  Didn't run the last 2 days as traveling and family time were more important.  The longer I am here on this crazy spinning globe, the more I realize how important family is to me.  Whether it is the passing of family members, (Uncle Ben, Uncle Jack, Godfather Clem O'Neill) the passing and struggles of our former students, (Natalie, Amanda, & Derek) or just experiencing the struggles my parents continue to go through, I feel the need to shout from the highest mountains that no matter what, you need to cherish the relationships with your family and friends.  Time is so short here and we don't realize it until it is too late many times.  Take, no better yet MAKE, the time to be with your family.  They may drive you crazy at times, they may not be your best friends, but they are your ONLY family and should not be taken for granted!  My brother Brian and his wife Jetsy have shown this over and over again and I thank them for the great example!

I wish you all a happy Easter & I hope you have a great week!

Total Miles:  561.38  Pace Runner:  538.73   + 22.65

Love you Mom and Dad!  <3

Here is one last picture with my buddy Mohave Max.  Being a member of the Tortoise Patrol, I hope you all take care of our desert areas and don't touch any tortoises in their natural habitat!

  
Week 14 Statistics

Week 14 Miles : 36.90  Total Miles:  561.38

Week 14 Time:  5:59:59  Total Time:  88:54:19

Week 14 Pace:  9:45/mi  Total Pace:  9:30/mi

Week 14 Calories:  4,805  Total Calories burned:  69,675  

April 4, Wednesday

Today was the last day of school before we have our Easter break.  A very long short week due to having to get my Ambassadors selected for next year which is, by far, the most difficult job I have all year!  I would say 98% of the students who apply are great kids and I have to cut 1/2 - 2/3 of them every year.  Brutal is the only word I have for it.

Today I did the east/west combo run on the 56 for 8.6 miles in 83 minutes & 56 seconds in my 6th straight running day.  A little slow on the pace but that is fine with me.

Today, I'm going to take you back to 1982 and a song that is on my run mix for obvious reasons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Pq0xYr3L4

Going to Vegas to see my folks for Easter as I think I said last time so will try to check in from there.  Hope you all have a great Easter with your families.  I know I will enjoy every minute I get to spend with my parents, nieces & nephews, & my brother Brian & Jetsy, his wife, too!

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3

Total miles: 554.87      Pace runner: 522.23   +32.64 miles (biggest lead to date)

April 3, Tuesday

Ran the east 56 today with extensions to get to 7.08 miles in 68 minutes & change.  My left knee was really barking at me today.  I iced down well but really hope this isn't a sign of things to come!

I am so tired, trying to get the Ambassadors picked, stayed at school until 10:30 and almost got it squared away but need to get some letters out by the end of school tomorrow.  Always tough to make these choices but I guess someone has to do it!

Here is a picture or two from my run on Sunday when my brother and nephew joined me.

I will be heading to Las Vegas for the Easter weekend to spend it with my parents so I'm not sure how many posts I will get in but I know that I will be doing some running in Red Rock canyon.  I'll try to get some pictures as well during sunrise.

I wish everyone a great Easter and I will be in touch as soon as possible!  Take care and I hope you will all enjoy the time with your families & friends.

Total miles:  546.27   Pace Runner:  516.74   + 29.53

Love ya Mom & Dad!  <3 

April 2, Monday

Crazy times at school trying to get things together after our lost day on Friday.  Please keep Courtney and her family in your thoughts and prayers!

I also apologize for the April Fools joke yesterday.  Some people thought I was hurt and I am sorry for that but if you scrolled down, you would have seen Sponge Bob!

Now, down to business, I ran 7.6 miles on the west 56 route and it was a pretty good run, no issues just quite a few bikes out & sometimes they can buzz pretty close to you!  Took about 73 minutes.  Looking forward to seeing my folks for Easter but have a couple days of school and Ambassador decisions to make as well.

I did have time to do my monthly totals:

Jan: 168.64 miles
Feb: 172.4 miles
March: 183.44 miles!

Time to get to work!  Thanks for all of your support!  Keep the comments & encouragement coming!

SHARE! COMMENT!  DONATE!

Total miles:  539.19  Pace Runner:  511.25  +27.94 miles!

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3 

April 1, Sunday

Today is Palm Sunday, and it was a cool day for a run.  I am running this weekend with my old shoes and old inserts that are pretty used up & I normally wouldn't run with them but I had no choice as my school was shut down all weekend and my current shoes & inserts were in my classroom!  I really had no choice!!!

Unfortunately, my old thin shoes may have caused a problem today.  I may have a stress fracture in my left foot.  I have iced it three times today and hope that it is just a bruise or strain, but I'm not very hopeful!

I managed to squeak out 7.11 miles in 64 minutes and 30 seconds.   Hopefully, all will turn out OK and I will have to see how things are going tomorrow.  In the meantime, stay positive & all will turn out as it is supposed to turn out.

Total miles:  531.59  Pace Runner:  505.75   +25.84 miles!

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3