Running with the boy.

I ran a smooth 5 miles on the boardwalk yesterday in right around 48 minutes. I haven't been running much, and it was great to get out in the evening and be pleasantly surprised with the ease in which 5 miles came and went... Bike? I may do that soon. Frank has a bike that I could ride and maybe I'll ask him to take me through the trail sometime soon. Swim? Well, the water is slowly warming up, so perhaps that will come soon.

In the meantime, I have to write, lest I forget:

A beautiful long awaited day arrived for me just last Saturday. My littlest boy ran 3.1 miles alongside me. And while I've run a few times already with Chris, I've been looking forward to the day that Ethan would trudge along with me. I envisioned this when he was three years old and running lap after lap around the front yard minimally affected. Over the years, I've tested him, bribing him to lap the soccer field while his brother plays. I promised $1 per lap which consequently emptied my wallet. I have challenged him to run up and down steep hills without stopping and he has done so without getting winded. We have run ahead of his brothers from the boardwalk to the house (1/4) mile many times and just last year he became fast enough to match my stride. He does not yet know what a gift he has. We do not yet know how he can best use this gift. What a proud 35 minutes I experienced running beside him. We walked a bit, upon his request, although he really did not need to. We talked the entire time. At no point was his breathing strained so that he could not speak to me. At the end of the race, he sprinted to the finish and told me it was a lot easier than he thought. Of course it was, Ethan. And this is only the beginning.

At various points during the run, I helped him imagine other places, other times when we ran. We imagined the beach and the boardwalk. We imagined the Susquehanna river that runs parallel to his great grandmother's house. We imagined the park. As we approached each mile marker (well really only the first two) we sped up to "conquer" them. Each time, Ethan sprinted to the sign and punched it, declaring his victory over the distance.

What a sweet sight to see my baby red faced, sweaty and determined. I savor that race and play it over and over like a movie in my mind. Someday, he might know how much this means to me.

Training Stats

This week marks the 8th week of training: halfway through!
Here are the stats:

Accomplished Behind by Left in training
Swimming 17,650 yds 5,850 yds 52,250 yds.
Running 620 mins. (+ 15 mins.) 1470 mins.
Biking 285 mi. 185 mi. 1055 mi.

Are these extravagant goals? I think SO!!! ;-)

Did 20 mi. biking last night. Planning to swim after work today. :-)

Why do I do this?

Interesting that you posted that question. I was asked by two friends recently why I run. Do you even like it? How could you like it?

One friend, in particular, wants me to walk with her. I always kindly decline, but finally, she got pushy and along with her pushiness, she asked "why do you run, anyway? why can't you walk instead?"

I told her that running is a challenge in some way. Always. Sometimes it's enough of a challenge to get out there to just do it. Sometimes, getting through the run (no matter how long or short) is the challenge. Beating a previous time or distance is a challenge. Humbly accepting the occasional weak/slow/difficult run is a challenge. And it's a great feeling to conquer it and get ready to face the next challenge.

...and honestly, I already know I can walk. I do it all the time.

My oldest son told me that he ran a 6:22 mile at school today. His good friend who he always races against in gym class finished a few seconds faster. I'm proud of him, and so excited that he is challenging himself in this way as well.

Why am I doing this again?

Did 1500 yards swimming after work yesterday on an empty stomach (only had a big breakfast,coffee, & soda the whole day). So I was nauseous after the work out. It's probably my first time to ask myself "Why am I doing this? :-("

It reminds me of that scripture in Corinthians that says "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."(1 Cor 9)

With everything that's going on with church and life right now, I ask "Why do I need this?" :-(

Sold my mountain bike and bought aerobars last weekend for my road bike. Prices start at $100 for the low-end ones. The carbon-fiber kind (which I don't really don't need) start at $200. Luckily the bike owner told me a cop customer is selling one for $90: carbon-fiber Ironman designed only used for a month, including installation! What a better deal.

Took the bike for a ride and it feels uncomfortable! Didn't know you have to pay about $150 for bike-fitting with the aerobars! So I'm just doing trial-and-error on the fitting. And it would take new training to get used to it.

Have a doctor's appointment this afternoon and going home from the appointment. Planning to ride and run to catch up with training.

summer running

My p.r. in a 5k was during a race when it was 95 degrees out and almost 100% humidity. My favorite races that I did in the past were in the heat of the summer. This is my time.

I ran this morning- a quick four miles on the boardwalk. Actually it wasn't that quick... The bridge went up and I stood waiting for it to let all the boats pass and come down for about 6 minutes. This bridge is at 1.6 miles of an out-and-back run so it's almost silly to stand there and wait to finish .4 miles and turn around, but I didn't have much of an alternative plan. I considered extending the run to five or six miles since I was standing there for so long, but I have a lot of things I'm hoping to accomplish today.

My kids will run a 5k next weekend. I'm excited that they're all determined to do this.