Aug. 19th, Sunday, Last Day fo Freedom!

Today, much like last week was very hot!  Even with a 7 AM start, the heat was obvious before we reached mile one of the AFC half marathon!  Here is a photo of my friends and I before we left Cabrillo National Monument before the race:

We all did ok considering the heat!  Jen & I ran slow and she was having some issues with her foot so I went ahead and managed to do alright despite the heat.  The important thing was getting in the 13 + miles under my belt!

I ran with my Natalie & Amanda shirt as this was the race I made it for, 2 years ago.  They definitely helped me get through the heat along with the nice people hosing us down, the misters set up by OMBAC and a cheeseburger (mini) from Ms. Emerson!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/212694803

I have the map of the run in case you aren't familiar with the America's Finest City Half course.  Well that's all for now!  I plan on doing some longer runs (double digits) to keep me close to on pace during the season.  In another week or 2 we should be doing some longer runs and the mileage won't be as big an issue as it has been.

We had breakfast at the Waterfront afterward and took a few cheesy pics!  Another one in the books! Did I forget to mention that school starts tomorrow?!?!?  AUGH!!!!

Total Miles:  1374.58   Pace Runner:  1275.37   +  99.21 miles  

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3  

Aug. 13th - 17th Mon - Fri.

I have fallen very far behind in my blogging (not my specialty!) so I think I am going to give you this first week of XC practice all in one entry.  Hope you aren't too disappointed! 

Monday - Did the freeway run with mid level kids.  We will have the kids run in groups matched only by running experience, not gender or anything else.  This is the east 56 run I was doing Jan - May without the add-ons, so a little bit less on the mileage today.  Good run by the kids tho for day one!  

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/210465654

Tuesday - Today I took some slower runners on a run we called "3rd light".  We go to Carmel Valley Rd., turn left, & head into the canyon and then back to school up some stairs out of the canyon.  Again, our numbers may not be as big as in the past but the strength seems to be good.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/210858861

Wednesday - Same run as Tuesday, our runs are rather limited when we can't travel too far yet!  The first couple of weeks don't have too much excitement but we do get to meet the new frosh and any new runners that usually come from a different sport.  We are happy to have them as some of our top runners (who are now running for some big schools in the south!) thought they were soccer players!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/212198740

Friday -  Took Thursday off as many of our young runners can't run 5 days in a row.  I also had Freshman Orientation from 7 - 2 pm and then Frosh Red & Gold from 5 - 9pm, so I was happy to take a little nap in between my commitments!  Anyway, Friday was our 1st time trial.  We have the kids run a 2 mile "race" against the clock to see what group they will run in for the start of the year.  By the way, I'm sure you were aware that this week was very hot & we were doing our best to keep cool!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/212198747

Got the AFC half marathon on Sunday morning & with the heat, I'm just going to run for the miles!  My friend Jen is whom I think I will be running, but we will see!  Have a great week & I hope to catch up in the somewhat near future!!!!

Total Miles:  1361.25  Pace Runner:  1264.37   + 96.88 miles (dropped a few this week but will be running 13 + Sunday!)

Love to you all who read this blog!  I thank you for all the support!  <3

Aug. 12th, Sunday

So this is my last day of freedom for the summer!  We have teacher meetings starting tomorrow as well as XC practice so my time will now be pinched quite a bit!  Today will be my last at Fiesta Bay at least for the week.  I will miss it compared to the routes around school.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/210465645

That might be the longest run I will have for about 5 days as well!  I just need to stay close and do a little making up on the weekends & I think I will be fine.  I will get the totals up in a few minutes!

Here is another little movie that tells us how to change our lives one day at a time!  Lots of great tid bits of wisdom!

http://play.simpletruths.com/movie/first-thing-every-morning

Be wonderful as you are and keep spreading the word!  Thank you for the awesome support my friends!

Total Miles:  1342.95  Pace Runner:  1236.88   +  106.07 miles!!!  Another record!  (+ 44.59 for 2112!) 

Love you Mom & Pops!  You are both with me on every run!  <3

Aug. 11th, Saturday

Ran at the same time as the CCHS XC team today, so I think my pace was a little quicker than it has been of late!  They are pretty inspiring to me too!  They always work hard to improve and that just may be why they keep doing so well!  Girls finished 4th in state and boys finished 6th!  Both teams brought home CIF titles too!

Here's my run today:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/209241901

Thinking about our XC kids, it brings to mind another Rush song, imagine that!  That is a big reason why I'm a huge fan is because so many of their songs relate to life.  This has the lyrics so enjoy Something for Nothing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=D-k8zBWLQFM

Hope you are all enjoying this heat!  I'm not looking forward to running in the afternoon if it is this hot!  I will miss my morning runs!  Please keep spreading the word, donating and sending encouragement!  Much needed!

Total Miles:  1334.78   Pace Runner:  1231.39   +  103.39 miles (+42.19 miles for 2112!)

Love to my Mom & Dad for their never ending love and support!  <3

August 10th, Friday

Another trip around Fiesta Bay!  I will not be doing this everyday much longer as XC starts next Monday.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/209241891

This link should have the map of my run on it.  Lots to play with but you should be able to hit the details button and get the previous view or you can hit play and watch me run around the bay!

Loving my new Garmin by the way if you couldn't tell!  Wish I had this the whole time... oh well.

I have a very good friend who is pursuing a huge dream and she is making some awesome videos on Youtube.  Here is one of my favorites and if you like it, please pass it on!  She is not giving up & I'm not either!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nykF97igkgM

I might be combining some days here to get caught up but I will include all runs in some shape or form!  I want to thank my good friend Amy from UCSB who put out a great call to donate on FB recently.  THANK YOU AMES!!!!

Total Miles:  1326.65   Pace Runner:  1225.89  +  100.76 miles!  + 39.83 miles for 2112!

Love to all my Peeps, especially the parental units! <3

Aug. 9th, Thursday

I did not run today due to a very busy schedule but I wanted to celebrate the lives of our 2 running angels.  2 years ago today they were taken from us way too early but they truly lived while they were here! 

I know that they are watching over me and definitely helping me when I struggle on my runs.  They are very busy keeping Derek so positive and motivated on his road to recovery.  I can't express how they are missed by their families and by their CCHS family as well!  We miss them but will always remember the light they gave to everyone in their lifetime!

I am a huge fan of the band Rush and they have a song that reminds me of both Amanda & Natalie whenever I hear it.  It is called "Afterimage" and the words that really hit me are in the chorus "I feel the way you would, try to believe but you know it's no good, this is something that just can't be understood" and "I learned your love for life, I feel the way that you would, I feel your presence, I remember".  I always feel them pushing me, pulling me, & kicking me in butt to keep going on my longer tougher runs!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw_FnEr1i1w

We may never know the reason for what happened on 8/9/10, but we can always honor the memory of both Natalie & Amanda and we can always see the incredible strength, determination, and persistence of the human spirit.  He is definitely one of my heroes and one of my biggest sources of inspiration!

One last photo to show the great sense of humor these wonderful ladies were always exhibiting when they were with their friends!  We will always miss you and you will always & forever be remembered!

These two are going to get me to 2012 & hopefully 2112!  Thanks girls for your support!

Aug. 8th, Wednesday

Life is starting to quickly become a blur as school stuff is looming and waiting to be done!  Can't believe that summer is coming to a fast close & we start meetings on Monday.  Better enjoy the time we have left!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/209241881

A little slower today but not bad overall.  I have another little movie for you to check out.  This one is all about giving that extra little bit of effort that can possibly make all the difference when it comes to your final outcome.  Hope you like it! 

http://play.simpletruths.com/movie/212-the-extra-degree/

Again got to run!  No pun intended!

Total Miles:  1318.38   Pace Runner:  1214.90  +  103.48!  Anther new record! ( +43.1 for 2112)

Love to you all!  (Especially you Mom & Dad!)  <3

August 7th, Tuesday

This morning I had a pretty good run with a decent pace.  We are trying the new cool Garmin out so here is the link to all the fun stats on my run today:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/209241864

Can't believe that I will be at school meetings a week from today!  Where did the summer go??? :(

I guess we have to start a new school year before we can get another summer, huh?  It will be fun and exciting to have a new group of students and new teams and we will all have iPads!  Just in case you were wondering, today is the 220th day of the year! 



Short one today so I can get caught up.  THANK YOU for all of your support!!!!


Total Miles:  1310.13   Pace Runner:  1209.40   +  100.73 miles ahead of pace!!!!!  1st time over the 100 mile mark!!!  YEAH!!!!!  Anyone think I can finish in November????

Love you Mom & Dad!  <3

August 6th, Monday

Today, I broke down and got a new Garmin finally as my old school 101 died due to sweat getting in the battery area and corroding it.  Since late May I have been using a 110 that I borrowed from Dan Geiger, our XC & Track coach at school.  So today will be the last old school version of my timing.  From here on out, it will be top of the line electronics and you will get a link to more stats than you ever wanted!  (I know you math geeks out there, like me, are excited! ;)

Got a great deal on a 610 with a touch screen and it connects wirelessly to my computer!  Pretty cool & now kind of wishing I had bought this before I started, oh well!

So I ran around Fiesta Bay for 8.42 miles in 1:16:09 for a pace of 9:03/mile.  I left at about 6:26 PM  Not bad but not great, so I will take it in this heat!  The big news is that I crossed the 1300 mile mark!  On my search for visuals, I found mostly motorcycles but did find something out of the ordinary:

It is called a Unimog 1300 firefighting truck.  Don't see one of these everyday!  So lets hope we don't need one of these for many years to come!  Keep the support coming!  I need it!

Total Miles:   1301.83   Pace Runner:   1203.90   +  97.93 miles ( + 38.09 miles for 2112!)

Love to all my amazing friends, family, & especially my folks!  <3

August 5th, Sunday

Took Saturday off with the hopes of more comfortable running in the future.  Today, after being a little hesitant, I ran Sail Bay for a little shorter route and managed 6.67 miles starting from Crown Pt.  in just over an hour, 1:00:53 for a 9:03 pace. 

Daily life brings us challenges all the time and it is always up to us to rise to the occasion & conquer the next one that shows up.  My extra, almost daily challenge can be tough when my body is screaming for more rest.  So I am happy to have multiple options for inspiration.  Music, as you know, is one of them.  I found a great video of a song that is very appropriate and if you have a passion for the local music scene, you might recognize these guys:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF9H7Cn6Kco

This video is a cover of the Springsteen song, Reason to Believe, by the original line-up, of which only 2 remain, Rolle Love & Jerry Rainey.  They were known for their live shows and if you ever got to witness one, you are a very "Happy Boy" or girl!  They were know as The Beat Farmers.

I'm behind so I better move forward!  Thanks for everything, my friends!

Total Miles:   1293.41  Pace Runner:   1198.40  +  95.01 miles

Love to Rosemary & Rick!  The best parents a child could ask for! <3

August 3rd, Friday

Today, I decided to try and push the pace a little bit since I have been going so slow of late.  I know that the speed means nothing but I do have some competitiveness in me and it comes out once in a while!  I ran 8.3 miles in 1:12:09 for a pace of 8:42/mile.  That is a little more like what I was doing earlier.  Maybe I should go back to Lake Murray since I always seem to run faster there...

At this point, there are not going to be any easy runs and something is going to be hurting at least some of the time so i think I will not bore you with all those details.  Instead, i will keep you informed on all the good stuff, great runs (like today) and as much positivity as I can muster.  I don't need ANY negativity on here any more!

This little guy/gal was looking around for food while I was stretching and showed little to no fear as he got within a few feet of me.  I was going to give him/her something but thought the protein bar I had might not be great for him/her.  Very cool!

I like to think that he/she was giving me a standing O for my run today!  Very cute & friendly!  Maybe our paths with meet again someday! 

SO , bring on the support!  Share the blog or FB page (2012 in 2012 group) and donate if you are still riding the procrastination wagon!  I'm fighting like the Irish to get this done for my folks!  Thanks for all that you are and will do to support me in my quest!

Total Miles:   1286.74   Pace Runner:   1187.41   +  99.33 miles  Gotta break the 100 mark soon!

Love to my parents & my support system!  Can't do this without all of you!  <3

August 2nd, Thursday

Had a very "roller coaster" like day today.  My knee was bugging at least half the time but had a real good stretch on the back side by Crown Point and then things slowed down again at the end. 

Ran 8.25 miles 1:15:11for a 9:08 pace/mile.  Still not going the pace I was but have to remember it is the mileage that counts, not the speed.  Health needs to be my biggest concern right now.  If I can stay healthy, I should be able to succeed!

When I was stretching today after my run, I was watching a small group of young people with a large net do some sweeping in the bay.

Ok, so it turns out that the guy in the wetsuit on the right is a grad student at UCSD and he is doing a research project to find out how the numbers of juvenile Halibut are doing in about 7 different spots in the bay.  Apparently, overall, they are doing fine. Right here though, by what I call "lone palm island" (in the background of the pic) which is just north of the entrance to Fiesta Island, there are none.  Just another interesting event happening at Mission Bay. 

Please keep the comments/encouragement coming.  Really need the help to keep things moving forward.  I have new business cards that can be handed out, I will have them at school or I can send them to you if you would like to help me spread the word!  THANK YOU all for the support!

Total Miles:   1278.44   Pace Runner:   1181.91   +  96.53 miles

Love you Mom & Dad!  Thank you supporters!  <3

August 1, Wednesday

I ended up taking yesterday off due to my knee giving me some trouble on Monday and it wasn't feeling very good on Tuesday either!  Hoping that the rest will do me good.  I'm really trying to listen to what my body is telling me but it is hard when you have a looming deadline that you want to reach.  How hard do I listen?  Am I babying myself, being a wimp?  Am I pushing too hard?  Should I worry about my pace slowing down?  The questions that swarm my brain are endless and what are the correct answers?  I just have to go with my gut and try not to be reckless, I guess.

Today I ran 8.75 miles (I took the old route instead of the new bridge over the Rose inlet that I have been running most of the time.  You take the Rose Creek Trail by the MB little league fields, west on Grand to Olney back to PB Dr.) in 1:19:23 for a pace of 9:04/mile which is a little quicker than earlier this week.

An amazing July that broke all my records!  215.47 MILES!!!! That is an average of 6.95 miles per day & if you take out the 6 days off I took, I averaged 8.62 miles per running day!  Couldn't do it without all of you!!!!

I have a little movie to show you today that I like.  It has some great quotes geared to living a happy & fulfilled life.  Hope you like it too! 

http://play.simpletruths.com/movie/finding-joy-v/?cm_mmc=CheetahMail-_-FR-_-08.03.12-_-FJOYmovie-USCAXX-&utm_source=CheetahMail&utm_campaign=FJOYmovie 

Total Miles :  1270.19  Pace Runner:  1176.42  +  93.77 miles  (+35.3 for 2112!)

Love to my bringers of life and to all of my faithful supporters!  <3

July 30th, Monday

Day 4 of this current streak and the knee is back and making life a bit difficult.  Made it 8.2 miles around, you guessed it, Fiesta Bay!  Took 1:15:21 for a pace of 9:12/min.  Went to see Steve Poltz at the Belly Up last night.  He is best known probably for dating Jewel before she was famous and living in her VW van but he is also the brain child of The Rugburns who I used to see at Kelly's Pub in Old Town back in the 90's!  He is a pretty incredible wordsmith if you know any of his lyrics.

Didn't quite get the amount of Rugburns songs that I was hoping for but it was an entertaining show nonetheless.  3 of the 4 Rugburns members were there and Steve did show off his vocal range by singing part of Reasons by Earth, Wind, & Fire as part of a cool medley.

Only had my phone which is old & doesn't take great pics but you get the idea.  They were on the bar singing this closing song.  I have a sample of a rare duet from Jewel with Steve that I found on YouTube to give you a glimpse of his interesting lyrics.

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

I'll give you some stats soon on this record breaking month.  Thanks for your support as always and I will be talking to you soon!

Total Miles:   1261.44   Pace Runner:  1165.42  +  96.02 miles!  Closing in on 3 digits!!!

Love you Mom & Dad!  Keep me going people!! <3