Starting Over

The goal of running my second marathon ended last year when I ruptured my achilles.  For some time after I had excuses as to why I didn't re establish the goal.  Rehab, a booming real estate career, at the end of a long day some laziness crept in, and a newfound love of food.  Overeating however is not a very respectable hobbie.  So here we are...I am shooting for a 5k in July, and a 10k by September maybe even a half in November.  My goals are much smaller now but achievable with some simply discipline.

CRUTCH

What a day it was, 18 mile long run up the Greenbelt through the heart of Colorado Springs.  I turned back somewhere inside the Air Force Academy grounds.  It was beautiful, perfect weather, perfect choice of music, and best of all I felt great, I felt ready. I more long run and then my second marathon  a few weeks away.  In the evening football with friends… then it happened with the game almost over my achilles ruptured.  That was eight weeks ago. 

Lately I have been dreaming of not running but simply walking without the help of crutches.   My injury is temporary with the exception of the day or two after surgery it has been more of an annoyance than actual pain.  A temporary limitation on all the things in life I took for granted.  The hardest carrying my coffee from the pot to my desk without a lid, impossible.

I tried to stay positive although not always was I successful.  I know there are far worse things people deal with than eight weeks on crutches so I tried to use that to eliminate any poor me thoughts.  Thank you to my fiancée Stephanie for taking such great care of me, and bringing me my coffee 

No marathons in my near future but I am still hopeful of doing a 5k in the fall and hopefully hiking one fourteener before the end of the season.

Life is good, injuries happen.

Remy

Today was significant for two reasons.  One it was my longest run since January of 2011 when I completed my first marathon.  Yes it was slow, but I didn’t stop and the speed will come.

The biggest part about my run today was that it was my first run without my beloved dog and running partner Remy.   Cancer ended Remy’s running career months ago but it was always nice to have her smiling at me when I came home.  Remy was there when I took my first run almost eight years ago and she was there throughout my marathon training.  She has been with me through the runs I struggled with and on the runs I felt truly alive.  She was there with me on my trips up the incline, she has got to be one of the few Rottweiler’s to summit at least six Colorado 14ers and most importantly she was there at my side in my life every day.

There are no words to describe how much I’ll miss her.  I loved her, she was my dog, my running partner, and my friend and she will be missed.

Ninety Five Days

In ninety five days I will run my second marathon in Denver Colorado.  Tonight’s run, even in the cold felt great! I love that downtown Colorado Springs in safe enough for a late evening run.  Tonight's run gives me hope that I am bringing my streak of inconsistency to an end.  

Fresh Start

Twenty eight days into the new year and I have yet to run, this streak ends tomorrow.  A silly snowboarding crash on New Years Day,  put a major dent into my 2012 running goals.  At 39.8 years old you think I would know that jump was way beyond my age level and ability. Lesson learned, all is not lost.  Its time to start fresh, I have registered to run the Colfax Marathon this May in Denver.  Colfax will be the third marathon I’ve planned on doing since Miami.  Must stay true this time, no excuses.  Marathon number two is coming soon.

Up's and Downs

In January I successfully ran my first marathon.  Crossing that finish line was the highlight of my year.  Not even hours after finishing, I was already thinking of which marathon would be next.  If I can do one I can surely do another.

Wrong.  2011 quickly became the year of failed plans and marathons became something I spoke of rather than doing.  A busy work schedule, followed by poor training, lack of commitment, and nagging injuries quickly brought me back to reality.  Nothing is guaranteed, success in one marathon by no means guarantees you can do it again.

There were thoughts of running the Discovery Trail Marathon, The Denver Marathon, and even the Dallas Marathon.  All missed for one reason (excuse) or another.

Now here I am, running again just a little at first with the thought of running the Austin Marathon in February, only time will tell.  The lesson I have learned is that in running as in life nothing is given to you, all must be earned.

Getting Old

Dogs grow old too.  My beloved running partner Remy has ran her last run.  Bone cancer will end her running days early.  It’s terribly sad because her heart is still in it.  As soon as I grab my running shoes, she sees me in shorts, or she hears the ping of my Garmin she pops up bright eyed and ready to go.    She would do it too, she would run despite the pain it would cause her.  Now I find myself sneaking out because I do not want to break her heart.

Over the past year she has slowed down and I have only been able to take her on the shorter runs.  Not having her on any of my runs will be difficult.  Remy has been my partner since my first ½ mile run around the block the day after I quit smoking.

Her surgery will be sometime in the next week, the surgeon will be removing the front leg.  After that chemo and what we hope is another year or so of pain free life.