Love/Hate

" I think there's only one sensible place for a person to be @ 5:30 in the morning. That's in bed. And what am I doing? I'm out running. And I completely hate this."

Derek Clayton, Australian marathoner, first to break 2:09

Daily, I get sent an email called Daily Kick in the Butt from Runner's World. This one arrived in my inbox yesterday and provided what I thought was a great stimulus for discussion.

I love running. Make no bones about it. Outside of my family, it is what I look forward to every day. My schedule being what it is during the school year necessitates me getting up and out the door before 5 am on most days to get my miles in so that I after work, I can spend time with my family. Would I like to sleep in? Sure? And on some days I do, but rarely.

Talking to a friend (cyclist aka: asphalt gobbler) of mine at work about this quote and in discussion of what some people might refer to as selfishness on our part for dedicating a large part of our lives to our respective endeavors, we mutually agreed that for what it is those sports have made us who are. We don't know any other way.

Don't get me wrong. Initially, I had lots of reasons to hate running in the early morning. The colder temps, low visibility and darkness provided me with a rather gloomy beginning to each day. However, as I have become accustomed to it, I now on most days now love it. There is a certain peacefulness to ambling along before most people have thought about hitting the snooze button or get out on the road, and to be honest, there is a lot less traffic! It has given me time to work ideas out, visualize what might be coming up through the day, and starts the day off on a great note.

I'll put it to the people. What say you? Love or Hate?

Meandering

2 days after running on freshly covered snowy and slippery roads, Mother Nature I believe was taunting fellow Michiganders with a pleasant, spring is right around the corner day. 35 degrees and sunny, and after a 10 miler yesterday, my objective was simply to run to over to my mother in laws which is about a 9 miles if I don't take the shortest route. However, today with the weather being what it was, I felt like meandering a bit farther and armed with a water bottle and my old mp3 holster which convienantly stored my cell phone, id and cash, I was off.

Final tally: 6 cities in the Metro Detroit area I passed through for a total of 12.20 miles in 2 hours.

No sooner was I done and sending the pics from my cell phone home then i looked at the weather and saw a Winter Storm Warning for Monday Night!!!

Remember when...

You could run around all day and then have someone chauffeur you home?

Future Barista?

During this mini mid-winter break, Dirrty Feather and I have taken to upon rising from her too short afternoon siesta to sample local coffee houses. She has developed an extensive checklist to find out if the place warrants a future return. Among her criteria are if the chocolate chip cookies are served warm, is there a small kid area, and how does the chalk taste in the kid area. Look for her recommendations as soon as she can speak! :)

D.D.M.C. # 2

Sitting at my computer this morning and looking at the weather for tomorrow had me initially regretting not doing the D.D.M.C. #2 today. Forecast called for freezing rain turning to all rain on Sunday and I thought, geesh, I am gonna have to do it Monday now. Luckily, Dirrty Girl said she would take the 2 kids and I would have a large chunk of time to myself. How could I not take the opportunity to get the run in?

Starting time: 11:31 am

Temp: 19 degrees

Distance: 26.20

Time: 4 hr 21 min 35 sec

Avg per mile: 9:58

Slowest mile: 10:43 (mile 24) - finally decided to listen to music and fiddled around with ipod

Fastest mile: 8:55 (mile 25) - mad at self for taking to long to fiddle with ipod

A crystal clear sky and sun did not let me forget that it was still pretty cold. Overall, a pretty steady and easy effort. When I could, I ran on the streets but was resigned mostly to sidewalks that were either clear or had that slightly melted, slippery, and sloppy mix from the sun. No sense in trying to run fast on that kind of stuff. 2 down 10 to go.

D.D.M.C. # 2 Update

Well, orginally i had posted about a fat ass style marathon @ Kensington on Saturday the 16th. However, in looking @ the weather (lows in the single digits at starting time) and unsure of whether or not the path @ Kensington would be clear (I did send an email to the park sup....but have heard nothing) I am deciding to put it off for one day and to do it within the comfy confines of Royal Oak. At least I know the roads will be relatively clear and the temp is at least to be around 20 or so at the start.

Look for another Fat Ass Marathon attempt in March since I can't seem to find an "actual" marathon in the area.

Bowerman

His face adorns the insoles on my multiple pairs of Air Pegasus and I remember him being portrayed by Donald Sutherland in Without Limits as the sage like, waffle sole prototype making track coach, but I did not gain a full appreciaton for the life and accomplishments of Bill Bowermen until reading the biography, Bowerman and the Men of Oregon by Kenny Moore.

Whether it was replacing the venerable Bill Hayward @ Oregon, to being credited with introducing jogging to mainstream America, or being in at the ground level of BRS (Blue Ribbon Sports) before it became Nike, Bill Bowerman was an ecletic man whose ideas and passion for the sport of running still touches and resonates with many of us today. A great read.

Back on my feet

Being sidelined the last 5 days with a sinus infection is no fun at all, and certainly made me apprectiate the miles I was able to get out and amble along today for. Got me thinking about a recent podcast that I listened to about Back On My Feet.

According to the website, Back on My Feet is a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia's homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. Furthermore, Back on My Feet envisions a community where all members have the support and motivation required to move towards self –sufficiency. Every major city has a homeless problem and while providing food and shelter are important basic needs, something is missing. Back on My Feet is a strategic and creative program that uses running to teach important life skills, such as discipline, respect, leadership, and goal-setting. We work with shelters and rescue missions to guide our members down a road of happiness, hope and opportunity, which includes a stable job and a place to live. This is our goal and we will get there one step at a time.

Pretty cool idea. Inspired me enough to buy a t-shirt to support the cause.

Bye Bye Nipples..

Most parents cherish and remember certain things in child's first year like when they first rolled, sat up, began eating solids, or maybe even took their first step.

However, there was never sweeter music to my ears than when Dirrty Feather's pediatrician Dr. Choo Choo said she should be off of the bottle. YES! No more worrying about measuring out to the exact oz or monitoring how much was consumed per feeding. Perhaps the best part about it was there was no more nipple confusion as to choosing the correct one in relation to flow rate.