Thursday, August 13, 2009

Beautiful Earth

I really should have a picture for this post, but I just didn't want to stop my bike and lose my momentum to take a picture. I just wanted to pedal through it and enjoy as I rode my bike to work this morning. I've committed to commuting to work via Doc Holiday (my TT bike) at least once a week. And ya know what, I really like it. Is it just me, or is there something really cool about riding a bike to actually get somewhere instead of just to force physical adaptation to a higher intensity? I don't know, maybe it's just me. The point was, though, that the earth is just beautiful. I rode over the Normandy Lake bridge on my way to Tullahoma and the sun was reflecting off the steaming lake. It's something I've seen quite a few times, but there was just something about it today. Maybe it was because I almost stayed in bed a little longer and opted to burn petroleum on Hwy 55 instead of carbohydrates/fat along the backroads. Getting out the door is always the hardest part. Maybe it was because my average was looking better than last week's average, and the ride actually ended up being 2.5 minutes faster. Or maybe it was because I really felt like myself again out there. I've been doing more of what I said I'd do. Not perfect, but making progress.

I had a good week last week. I didn't make it to run with the group Friday morning, but I made up for it by doing a 14 mile trail run in midday in the heat and humidity. I love the solitude of trail running. This week, I ran 4 at lunch on Monday and 6 yesterday (Wednesday). I didn't make it on the bike Tuesday, but I am commuting today. I'm running long tomorrow, and I'm riding long Saturday. Not exactly 'PR Marathon Training,' but it's all good for now.

There's a lot of hurt in the world. I think sometimes I don't slow down long enough to really see it, or maybe I just avoid looking at it because I don't want to slow down; but that doesn't mean it's not there. A little boy on Briar's baseball team dove into a swimming pool back in the summer and broke his neck. 14 years old, and he's paralyzed from the waste down. He was a tremendous baseball player and great kid...and we pray that he will walk again someday. But when I think about the intense rehab he goes through daily and the demons he must have to fight in his head, it is very sobering. It certainly makes my self-inflicted long running and biking pain seem unimportant. So if I don't post about this stuff with the same zeal as I may have in the past, it's just because I have taken the time to actually see the hurt this time, and it sort of brings me to a loss of words for now.

Above all the hurt in this world though, the Earth is beautiful. It is truly a gift. Get out in and play in it, and be thankful you can.

Monday, August 03, 2009

A Time For Everything

They say there's a time for everything. A time to talk, and a time to keep quiet. I just haven't been motivated to blog. This is probably a direct result from the fact that I haven't been motivated to train, either. All of my training in 2009 has come in short spurts. Get in a few good workouts...start thinking about this race or that race that I'll sign up for, then miss a few workouts and completely fall off the wagon. While normally I'd be beating myself up for it, I just haven't found it necessary to be really hard on myself about it, following 2008 (the year of Ironman). I mean, if it's not fun, and I don't want to do it, then why do it? Actually there are many reasons to go ahead and do it...like being healthy, staying thin, racing and having fun with friends, setting and meeting goals, etc. But the one reason I have found that I miss more than anything is the way training keeps me disciplined.

Brushing off commitments is contagious. Training keeps me honest, and it keeps me disciplined. I'm committing to 14 days of doing what I say I'll do. No excuses, and no exceptions. I started this morning, and it felt great to follow through, for a change. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are running and cross training. Tuesdays and Thursdays are biking. Fridays are long runs. Saturdays are long bikes and/or boot camp. Wednesday's cross training is always Cindy's class. Next week, I'm starting back Masters Swim. I'm way behind on my training for the Marine Corps Marathon, but I'm going to fight back.

In other news, we just got back from our family baseball trip. We drove to Chicago and saw the Cubs drill the Astros, hooped and hollered in our country accents, then sang "Go Cubs Go" at the end of the game - it was AWESOME! Then we went to St. Louis and saw the Cardinals play the Astros, too, and we visited with my cousin and went up in the Gateway Arch. I have pics and video to share soon.

Unfortunately, it's about time for school to start again. It's hard to believe I have a 7th grader and a 2nd grader already. I have been in denial that it's time to go back, but I might as well get used to it.