getting to know you...

Chico and I have been getting to know the neighborhood a little better by running in the morning. the problem is that the neighborhood doesn't look the same when the sun is up. We run from our house out towards Mendive or Vista or Baring. We pass the sleepy houses with their sleepy people between five and six in the morning. We always see a few people getting their cars warmed up for the drive to work, or an occasional motion sensor will illuminate a driveway or front porch. Sometimes a dog will bark its desire to be out running with us. But, for the most part, it's just us. And that's exactly how we like it. Enjoy the miles.

leading the way

I ran yesterday's Clarksburg Country Run half-marathon with my brother-in-law Jeff. We made the plans to meet in Sacto a while back and everything worked out. We had a nice dinner together on Saturday - our families and Jennifer and Mark. On Sunday, Jeff and I got ready and didn't talk much about the event except to say that we would run it at a pace that was agreeable for both of us. I decide that I would not even look at my watch until we had only a mile to go and if we had a shot at going under two hours, I would push Jeff for that last mile. At the 12-mile marker, the watch said 1:47 and the push was on. I goaded and coaxed Jeff for that last mile and we crossed the finish at 1:57:04. It is a PR (recent efforts) for both of us. Jeff's last time was a 2:18, mine was a 1:58:25. We did it! Enjoy the miles!

a birthday wish

today is my 41st birthday. i wish for continued happiness and success, and a year of running as good or better than this last year. during my 40th year i ran two marathons and many other events or varying distances - i plan to equal or surpass this. chico will be there for most of miles as a companion and inspiration. enjoy the miles.

eight miles of smiles

chico and I ran eight miles on the steamboat ditch trail yesterday morning. we had a great run and i am ready to run the clarksburg half-marathon. jeff ran about the same distance and is excited and ready to run clarksburg as well. suzanne says she will probably not join us for this run, but she ha changed her mind in the past so we'll see what develops. enjoy the miles!

the apple skin hours

a term taken from Maniac Magee, referring to that time in the morning before most everyone else is up and going. I will begin to use this time to take Chico for little runs. I need it and he'll love it! Enjoy the miles.

the fear

there was a time when I was very active in triathlon and running events. this was followed by a time when I was working full-time, dating/married. had kids and took on numerous responsibilities. during the latter time, I allowed myself to get out of shape (really fat) and uncomfortable (I knew this wasn't how it should be). now, I have managed to get back in shape through good diet and exercise (mostly running). however, there exists in me a fear that I could return to the way it was. I fight this with my eating habits and yet, I worry that each day I don't get out for a run I am a step closer to being that person that I really don't want to be. Enjoy the miles!

a great event

Appl Hill was great! I ran the hilly 8.5 mile course in 1:21. More importantly, I helped another runner make it from start to finish without walking. Our friend Suzanne has not been training and still wanted to do the run. She signed up at the last minute and joined me at the start with some trepidation. She admitted to me in the early miles that she didn't think she could run the entire distance, but that she would do what she could. I have been running well and probably could have paced it a bit quicker, but this was more important. We conversed throughout the run and she was able to run it all. It was a great run! Enjoy the miles!

Apple Hill

The annual Apple Hill run is this weekend. It is an 8.5 mile run that is pretty challenging. You start with a short climb up a hill, followed by a graduel decline and then a downhill. This of course can mean only one thing - an uphill at the end, and it's a butt-kicker. It's a beautiful and fun run and I'm certain we will have a terrific weekend as well. Enjoy the miles!