D.D.M.C. # 9

I was really excited to get this one started and had no problem getting up @ 3:30 am when the alarm went off. Family obligations for the weekend necessitated the early start and after the first hour with Nemo, I felt pretty loose and settled into an easy rhythm of running 12 minutes and walking for 3 minutes. Around mile 22 or so I stopped @ a 7-11 for some Gatorade and M&M's (YUM) and used that to fuel my finish. The marathon came at about 4 hr 15 min in and I just kept rolling. 30 sounded like a nice even number so I stopped. One of those days where the mind and body were in sync and could have just kept going and going.

Start Time: 3:40 am

Distance: 30.05 miles

Time: 4 hr 52 min 50 sec

Avg. Mile: 9:44

Fastest mile: 8:23 (mile 29)

Slowest mile: 11:41 (mile 1)

Do you ever?

Do you ever get excited about an upcoming marathon or long run? Do you think about it during the week and know that you will have 3 or more hours all to yourself on the road or trails in self-exploration?

I know I have thought about tomorrow's DDMC #9 all week and can't wait to get it rolling. I may not even really sleep that well. Then again a couple of cowboy pops (Trader Joe's Pumpkin Ale) and a pizza may help me catch a few winks.

It's official

Just finished registering myself for the Columbus Marathon, which will be D.D.M.C. #10 and Dirrty Girl for the 1/2 marathon on October 19th. We decided that we wanted to take a break from the Free Press Marathon and expand our running horizons. Missile and Lightning will be our gracious hosts for the weekend.

Dirrty Girl is looking to improve on her 1/2 marathon time this year of 2 hr and 27 in set at the Dexter Ann Arbor 1/2 and I must say she has been putting in the effort to accomplish that. Me, on the other hand, I don't know. Boldly, perhaps foolishly earlier in the year after setting my PR of 3:24 @ Toledo envisioned setting a Boston BQ @ Columbus. My fortitude and training were diligent until late this summer when I slowed it down after spending time in the Rockies and running a 50 miler. We will just have to wait and see.

The Tribe

This weekend, I was finally able to cash in my birthday gift of 2 tickets to a Tigers V. Indians game in Cleveland and have my first experience @ Progressive Field. When I first received my tickets in April, I was pretty excited that these tickets in the final week of the regular season could be an important game for either the division title or a wild card berth. Instead, this was an all important game in who sucked worse. After little dirt dawg's soccer game, Dirrty Girl adn I scooted off and met Lightning and Missile for some pre game beers and apps as we toured the city taking in several joints, one of which had a bowling alley in it and some burly men singing a rendition of "Roseanna."

Progressive Field, which used to be known as "The Jake" is a really neat ballpark. Good food, a plethora of beer and great seats made the Tigers blowing another game nearly tolerable. However, their mascot, Slider, looked like something that had boils or open sores, and no way in hell would I let my kids near that thing.
I was not early to rise this morning, but after a few slow miles due to a thick head, dry mouth and rumbly stomach I picked up Lightning and we headed around town to check out some sites includind the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, The Dawg Pound and what is left of the Flats.

Let them play...

Do you remember when you were a little kid and your parent would give you a five minute warning to stop playing and come in for dinner/bed/homework and you would try to eek out a little bit longer just to play by either forgetting about time or using your negotiation skills to say just one more minute? Do you remember when it would start to get dark and you would keep playing even if it meant not being able to see the ball in flight? Do you remember when the weather would turn too cold or wet and it was a battle of your own will and gently coaxing others to stay and tough it out?

Welcome to Fall Kickball!!!

Last night ushered in the first night of the fall season and Double Deuce was once again back on the mound. This is the first foray for Double Deuce into the short fall season, and according to the coach we could be a contender.

A muggy, hazy night with the threat of rain did not stop us from showing up and jumping out to an early lead even with an umpire who was more concerned with talking on his cell phone than making calls. With the Deuce up by several runs and looking like we might actually mercy a team that was playing its very first game together, I was standing on third after sliding into second (note: very stupid...wearing shorts, still pretty hard ground...now sporting bum left wrist) when the clouds opened up and a torrential downpour began.

Within thirty seconds, the portly ump had called the game, waddled over to his gas guzzling Caddy (@ $11 bucks per game to ump, how many games would one have to officiate to purchase said Caddy?) and stomped on the gas like he was chasing the neon light of Krispy Kreme indicating some fresh donuts were ready. After about 2 minutes, the rain had subsided and a group of soggy, beer infused adults looked around confused and without direction. Soon, the chants of "Let them play, let them play" arose to a feverish level and amicably it was decided that we would finish the game without the portly ump and Coach W. would call the game.

We had already one, but at this point it didn't matter. Looking around, I could see the gleam, even if they were slightly impaired at the joy in the others eyes that we were just gonna play, just like when we were kids. And so with a sloppy field and a slick ball, we played. Our fun was almost derailed by the evil park supervisor who pulled up in the standard Crown Vic to support his ample weight and asked where our ump was. When Coach W. told him that he had run like a fat man to an all you can eat buffet, and we were gonna finish the game, the sup opened the door, placed his hands on the door jam to get a swinging start and hoisted his jiggly self out to start giving Coach W. the business. Luckily, Finkelstein who even with several cowboy pops was able to recall his CPI training to diffuse the situation and the sup agreed to let us play for 15 more minutes and stating that " I am only doing it because (pointing to Finkelstein) that you asked nicely", but then turning his attention and Coach W stated "and you, i don't know about you."

In the end, it didn't matter that we mercied them and the game was over after 5 innings. What was more important that we had fun. Isn't that in the end what it really is about? Just like when we were kids. We weren't playing to see who was the winner or loser because that would all be forgotten about even before the next game, but that we where out there on a rainy, muddy field just playing for the sake of play itself.

Hanging with the Pro Ass(ociate)

As crazy as my days can be with students, sometimes you have to take a minute and have some fun.

Sometimes

All it takes is getting outside and moving to get the body energized and the mind a chance to relax. My run today after school was only 20 minutes, but it was both long and short enough to give my body some energy and my mind sometime to reflect and relax on another challenging day with my students.

Blue Dragons

With just a hint of fall in the air, it is time once again for little dirt dawg's soccer league to begin. To my surprise and delight, he stated that he wanted to ride his bike "real fast" to the game. So off he went wearing his shirt from last year as a Red Dragon to make the just about 1 mile ride to the park. After trading his t-shirt for a sweet jersey, it was time to huddle up with the coach and pick a new team name. Little Dirt Dawg had no problem asserting himself and stating, "that last year we were the red dragons, so this year since our shirts are blue, we should be the blue dragons." With a quick vote, the Blue Dragons were born and Little Dirt Dawg played a great game scoring a couple of goals enroute to a victory, even though no one was really keeping score.

Both Dirrty Girl and I were really impressed with not only his stamina since he continued to run around even during timeouts and halftime wanting to kick the ball around, but that he was into the game and didnt want to really come out. A far cry from last year when it was like pulling teeth to get him engaged and to remain out there. There is some truth to that saying that, "Boy they grow up fast."

Merging back into the rat race...

Another summer for the Dirt Dawg has come an gone. Gone are the flip flops and lack of any real planning outside of when and how far to run.

I am fortunate enough to work in a profession that has gratuitous breaks throughout the year but especially during the summertime. As a school administrator, more affectionately known as a "pro ass", I am more than ready for the break to recharge my batteries.

It is always difficult to get back into the swing of things and join the masses en route to our respective places of employment. I must now abide by a clock and have a routine in order to get my run or walk in, get ready for work, and get the kids off to their respective schooling/day care. However, it was out on the roads this summer that I had time to reflect and things began to make some real sense to me.

It is the routine of my daily exercise that as Emerson put it, "be first a good animal" that gets me ready for the "rat race". The daily grind so to speak is what allow my family to have summers off to experience America. It is not so much the speed at which one travels, nor is it the distance, sometimes it is just the fact that you are out there. Now, please watch carefully as I, Dirt Dawg, merge slowly back into the "rat race"....at least until the first holiday break.