MS Blues Mileage..

Kelvin and I hit the roads after a big lunch at one Ridgeland's Finest's Soul Food establishments- "Geovelli's" The Chef/Restaraunteur is none other than Sgt.Revell Dixon of the RPD. Great guy, and someone you'd love to see show up if you are in a pinch and need back up. Anyway, here are some mileage/notes of the Blues course if you are interested:

Mile - Street Notes:
0 - North on on North State St. at or around Duling St.( Near Walker's Drive In)
1.0 - Turn Right on Meadowbrook, Going East (at the Old McRae's)
2.1 - Turn Right onto Old Canton Road( at I-55/The Barrington/St. Andrews)
3.8 - Turn Left onto State Street heading South(Sir Speedy, near UMC)
6.0 - Turn Right on Amite, going West
6.7 - Left on Gallatin, going South pass the Bus/train station
6.8 - Left on Capitol, going East now, back toward Old Capitol
7.5 - Right on State Street, going South
7.8 - Left on South Street (going East)
8.0 - Left on Jefferson St.
9.6 - Right on Pinehurst (going East)
10.2 - Left on St. Ann St.
10.2 - Right on Riverside Drive
10.6 - Somewhere you hairpin around, and head back up Riverside going West again
12.0 - Right on to State Street
13.1 - Finish near Walker's Drive in.

Hope this helps! Whew!

Dear Blog..

It has been nearly two months since my last blog..... Geez! While I have been away, I have had lots of things going on, and maybe a legitimate excuse or two, but I won't bore you with that. I will tell you I am getting cabin fever, and with some help from some friends, I am anxious to get back at it again. I ran last Saturday for what seemed like an eternity since I had a long run. I had planned to just throw down a 4-5 miler, and Kelvin, a.k.a, the Kelvinator shamed me into doing the full 11.4, or whatever it was. Here I was whining about eating too much and working out so little, and he was sporting a wrist cast that would swell his hand to the point he had to run with it in the air, and some nasty road rashes that are better left covered by his running clothes. Anyway, it was good to get a long one in, and I am now considering doing the 13.1 Blues. Tuesday we hit the trails and had a decent workout while doing a little fartlet work, and today was a rain day that found us reuniting with Phil Purser, a.k.a. Agent Skelaxin. Brunch at Primos- cheese grits, bacon and egg biscuits, YUMMY! Phil has some knee issues and is waiting to see an Ortho.... Earlier this week I met Kelvin to ride the Blues course in a car to see just how hilly it was. There were a few pretty hilly areas, but I think the overall street condition and length scared us more than the hills. It took us nearly an hour just to drive the 13.1, or so it seemed. I'll blog the course separately, in the event you want to get the miles plugged in. I will say, if you are doing the full 26.2 most of the hills are done at around mile 10.
Thanks for bloggin, and see ya Saturday!

Happy Campers

Well, after having perfect weather for a long run last Saturday, you knew we'd get this. I had a great run last Saturday, all by my self, but at least I got to see some of you when I was heading back. Duty called, and Den Leader of Den 8, Pack 305 had to get down to somewhere around Hazlehurst to Camp Hood, where we had our first Cub Scout Campout. Woo-HOO! Smores for everyone! Since then, I have been getting cabin fever, and missed last night's "Pumpkin Run" at Fleet Feet. I just didn't see any benefit from running in 40 something temperatures and light rain. I am not having a good week for running or XT. Yes, I know I would have given my front teeth for weather like this in Chicago, but that was not an option. So, I'll go to the gym and spin some this morning, then get out and run at Fleet Feet tomorrow morning. For those of you still wondering if I really do have a wife that runs, you may get to see her tomorrow morning. She will be the brunette right next to me until we start the run.

What a Weekend

Well, I jumped right back into training quite nicely, although not exactly the way I wanted... My son Charlie had his first Cub Scout camp out, and as his Den leader, I of course wanted to attend. So, I was up at 4am, and running in the dark by 5 something. With the cool weather, and desire to get back asap, I decided to cut out intervals as much as able. I suprised even myself, and first made the entire 13 without much of a walk. I stopped at Fox Bay to mess with a nagging toe/sock issue, and took quick breaks at the water stops once they were put out. I finished the whole thing nearly shaving an hour off my 13 mile best. If only I had that weather in Chicago! I missed running along with most of you, but saw a few of you on the last leg out. I always wondered what it was like getting back to the start with MM's elite speedsters. Do we always have banananas and bagels, or are they just gone by the time I get there??? Then it was off to Fort Hood near Hazlehurst, MS. The BSA Camp site hadn, and lots of activities for Saturday. We shot water-bottle rockets, bb guns and taught archery, and of course camp fires for food, and lots of SMORES!

Early Birthday..

I have been in quite the funk since hitting mile 17 in Chicago. My story is not unlike many others. I was in shock that they were out of water, but managed to hang in there and keep motivated and moving. My first knowledge of the stoppage was when a uniformed patrolman was hollering at me to stop running. With my earbuds in, I didn't realize what was going on, and after taking them out, he said the race was over. The crowds lining the street were awesome, and seeing locals bringing out bottled water was amazing. I still remember the look on the face of the little boy who handed me a bottled water when I told him "You are my hero!" I don't disagree with the decision to stop the race, but I am still fuming over the race directors comments about water "issues". I am not sure if I would finished, but am sure I would have died before stopping. One more water "issue" would definitely have killed someone, maybe even me. I truly believe that officer that died probably saved several other lives that day, and pray his family may find some light in knowing his life may have saved others.
It has been a couple of weeks since Chicago, and I have only hit the pavement twice. I struggled trying to decide which marathon, when, and where I would complete what I started out. The MS Blues seems really hilly, and I know the crowds will not be near as exhilarating, but having seen my motivation level these past weeks, I believe this will be a blessing. As most of you may know, my wife has been the runner in the family for over 10 years, and she gave up her Saturday morning runs with her girl friends for me to try Chicago. I was not about to ask her to give them up again, but she really wanted me to keep at this, and gave me Saturdays with the MM group for my birthday. She will run the 1/2 if able, and I'll give 26.2 another crack. This time, though, harder cross training, smarter eating, and leaving it all out on the pavement.
MM has been a great way to stop the vicious cycle that has gone on too long. Mark's comments about the Marathon being analogous to life keeps bouncing around in my head. I want to finish this life not feeling like I could have done more, or saying I "almost" finished anything. My kids and wife are my life right now, and keeping up with them is so much easier being in shape and feeling better. Some of you are making the right decision by stepping back for now. Others don't have a choice but I do. In the book of Ecclesiastes, it is written there is a time under the sun for everything. I choose to keep on trying, and feel it is my time to keep on running and to keep on moving forward. I hope that if you don't run in January, you'll be out there to holler at me to keep going.

Just another warm long run....

Without any Gatorade, and way too long without water. To say I am a little mad is an understatement, but here's the skinny. No water except for the runners who run really fast, and no finish unless you can run a 4.5 hour marathon with little water and practically no gatorade in 80+ weather, and 100 percent humidity.... A good news link:

http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_280071653.html

I'm off to drown my sorrows at Fogo de Chau..

More posts and some pics later..

My congrats to some courageous runners.

At least I trained in this kinda stuff....

Test Photo

Okay, Guess which daughter is mine...I'll give you a clue. She does not think it is cool for Daddy to take pictures of her or her new soccer team.... I only took about 15 pictures to get one where she was not making some sort of face. Thank goodness for digital cameras!