Excuses, Excuses

Forgive me, Father, for I've not run. It has been over 2 months since my last run. I've had excuses. For one, it has just been too hot. Here in Austin we've had the most days of 100 degrees or above on record, the most 100 degree or above days in a row, and a tie for the hottest day in Austin's history at 112 degrees. And it has been dry, the driest summer on record. In fact,wild fires destroyed close to 11,000 acres and close to 60 homes just yesterday, so weather has been a good excuse. Also. I've had much on my plate. My grandfather fell toward the end of June and ended up in rehab from July 5 to August 8. I'm the closest relative and hold his medical power of attorney, so I was going to see him at least once, if not twice a day. He moved in with us on the 8th, and we had 27 people at our house to celebrate his 90th birthday. In addition, Danielle graduated from Texas Tech the first weekend in August, so there was a whirlwind overnight trip to Lubbock in there. I've also been trying to get grandpa's house ready to terminate the lease, so I've been busy. But all of that is excuses, nothing more.

I went to the dentist a few weeks ago, and when they took my blod pressure, it was very high. I always have low blood pressure except at the dentist, so I wasn't overly concerned. Later that day I checked it at HEB, and it was higher, still. I made an appointment with the doctor the next day and found not only was my blood pressure high, but I've gained 20 pounds since my last visit in May. I knew the cause: I'd stopped running. But starting again and developing that routine isn't easy!

A cold front blew through yesterday, and we were told to expect cooler temps for Memorial Day. Maline and I decided to take advantage and walk/ run this morning. So, after a banana, a cup of coffee and feeding grandpa breakfast, we took Rufus and headed out. We walked the half mile to the trail in cold (76 degrees) weather, and then I started to run. My goal was five miles, walking no more then half. My first mile and a half was difficult, but as I got to the turn for the 5 mile stretch I started to get a second wind, so I went straight, on a route that would allow me anything from 5 to 7.5 miles of running. I felt strong at each trail, and kept choosing the longer routes. I did not feel the need to walk until about 6 miles in, but decided to push on another half mile so I could say I ran a quarter marathon (this time last year I was only up to about 3 miles!), so I pressed on. At 6.5 I decided that I could run to the park, another 1/2 mile, and at the park I realized I only had a half mile to go until I got to my cool-down phase, so I finished 7.5 running non-stop and waked the half mile home.

My body is now telling me I overdid it, but my head is saying, "Let's do that again!". I did much better then I anticipated and am ready to start training again! So, look out, Austin, Marathon Man is back! Can't wait to hit Town Lake!

First Run

November 1 I was involved in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident.  I fractured my left elbow, chipped the bone in my right wrist and received a large 3rd degree burn on my left knee.  As a result, I was unable to run for a while, as well as type.  Three weeks later, I finally braved the treadmill.  While I was pleased with the run overall, the jarring on my elbow was quite painful.  I did not run for a while, and while I would not admit it out loud, I questioned whether running the marathon was still something I would be able to do.  Amanda and I set several times to run, but in the mornings I would be too sore, or too cold, or too tired to run.  In truth, while all of these were the case, at least at times, the real problem was that I was depressed and scared of running.  I found excuse after excuse, and my main one was that it would hurt my arm.  Yet, I was willing and able to do other things that hurt my arm, such as boxing on the X-Box Kinect, deer hunting, and replacing the radiator on my car.  I needed to decide whether I was going to let the accident knock me out of the race.

Yesterday I looked at the weather and saw that it was going to be 27 degrees in the morning, too cold to run.  But as I looked at my calendar, I realized that I had free time in the middle of the day.  With finals starting this week, my Club is not open, which makes the middle of the day more flexible, one of the advantages of working for the Boys & Girls Club.  I contacted Amanda, and she was free in the afternoon, as well.  So we decided to run together.  Let me say that Amanda ran a 5K yesterday and finished in 26 minutes.  She was very motivated as a result, and that helped motivate me.  We met up at the bridge, stretched in the cold, and began our run.  I was very winded very early on, and found myself having to stop after the first mile.  I was struggling to catch my breath and wishing I had my inhaler with me.  After a very brief walk, Amanda informed me that I was rested enough and that it was time to run.  The second mile was worse then the first, and I wondered how she would react when I told her that we would be walking the last 2.5.  I tried to tell myself that I was actually doing well after not running for 6 weeks, but I was not very convincing.

We stopped at the 2 mile marker, stretched a little, got some water, then started a walk up and across the bridge.  We then started running again.  I was feeling discomfort in my arm, but breathing was easier, and my legs were not at all fatigued.  About a mile into that leg of the run I said that I wanted to walk, but I really did not feel that I had to.  Amanda said that was good, because we were not walking.  Once we were into the last stretch I actually felt pretty good!  We finished up 4.5 miles in about 50 minutes, meaning that while our distance was not where we had been, our pace was a little quicker.  I felt good about the run, and was convinced that I would do the marathon, after all.  I may end up walking more then I wanted to, and it may take me an eternity to complete, but I am going to compete, I am going to cross the finish line, and I am going to get that medal!

Thanks for all the words of encouragement since the accident.  Thanks, too, for all the words of encouragement I know I will continue to hear.  And during this holiday season, take time to give thanks to God for all you have in this life, and all that you will have in the life to come!