We are swimming . . .

We have made it! Well, Dad has anyways haha. We had 982.74 miles left as of February 2013 and  Dad and I have covered 1,305.1 miles since. So we are now 322 miles into the Atlantic Ocean . . . swimming I guess. This goal has taken longer than expected, but it has been completed! New goal ideas anyone . . . ?

6 months + 1 post = 2 long

Here is what I've been up to.

March Mileage - 25 miles
April Mileage - 22.8 miles
May Mileage - :0(
June Mileage Running 43.4, Walking 4, Biking 14
July Mileage Running 33.7, Biking 16.7
August Mileage Running 60, Walking 6, Biking 10

After being off the grid since February, I certainly have a number of events that have occurred during my runs.  One lesson stand out in my mind.

This occurred on a morning run out the flat when a large Red Tailed hawk seated on a power pole was startle by Duke and I in passing.  At the moment it put to flight it dropped a large wing feather which landed nearby.  Picking it up I decided to carry it along on my run.  I imagined myself to be weightless and speedy - a human Dumbo of sorts - and I laughed at my thoughts.  Nearing the 3 mile mark a new thought came to my mind knowing that I would most likely pass others who would see me racing along with my feather.  What would I do with that feather?  Would I carry my source of strength proudly or hide it so others wouldn't see it?  Was I ashamed of what others would think of me?  It made me think of my faith, how it sets me free, empowers me, and do I carrying it proudly for all the world to see.  I rounded the corner by the cemetery and discovered a hay stacker bearing down on me which I waved at holding onto my feather.  Inside I felt a relief as I motioned to its operator with the plumage visible in my fist, unashamed of my little symbol of faith.  2 Tim 3:16 reminds us to always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks why we have hope in a gentle and unashamed fashion. 

Thank God for his mercy that I received and for allowing me to represent him before mankind!

Quitters? Nah . . .

It's been SOOOOO long since I have updated this blog, half a year!! Sorry guys :( Anyways, the good news is I have a ton of mileage to post from dad! At Christmas time he gave me 204.94 miles of running, 71 miles of biking and 25 miles of walking. I have done a really bad job of keeping track of mileage. However, since I got my iPhone I have this handy little app called Map My Run which keeps track of the miles I run :) I think I have 101.7 running miles logged on my phone. I also have about 18 miles walking. I know I have more miles, just don't know how much :( Hopefully I will do a bit better about updating our miles and recording my own. Noel, are you out there? Do you have any miles? I know you have been running since July. . .

We can do this, we have under 1,000 to go! Currently we have just passed by Chicago, Illinois. Anyone want to set a finish date? I'm really excited about this!!

Running again!

Hey! I've been running again, back in Newberg. I am running at least 4 days a week, working to get up to 5 miles before October. I have a couple friends who meet me at the track early in the morning, and we all do our own thing. It's great to have people to go with, and I am feeling so great! :D I have not been running as far or as fast as I had hoped, but I'm intentional about what I am doing, and adding core strength as well, to try to work on preventing injury overall. I have run inconsistently the last couple of months, but the last ten days, I've run 5 times already. Half-marathon, I'm still coming for you!

Finally Thinking of Something Else

I don't know about you, but when I'm out of shape and I go running all I can think is about how bad I feel and how far I have to go. That has been me for awhile, but today was different. For the first time in a while I was able to turn my mind to other things. I actually was able to pray as I ran, which was nice. I knew I was going long today, but I didn't have things exactly planned out. I think I ran about 7 which is awesome. Now I just have to double it to get to my half marathon distance. Recently, dad and I have been running together in the mornings off and on. I enjoy the companionship and the competition. Yesterday we ran pretty fast on the way home. He always says I am like a horse and I run faster when I'm pointed towards the barn. Well we got about 100 meters or so from the house and he says, "Giddy up little brother" (reference to Hildalgo). So we start running faster, well then he blasts off with about 15 meters to go to the mailbox and I chase him down. In all of our racing we failed to notice the neighbor was about to pull out and we almost got hit! Ooops!! Life is good here in Athena on the gravel roads running with Dad and Duke.

Add 32.1 miles running

Dad, Daughter, & Duke

Been treated to some very rewarding runs since Sissy is home.  We have talked and ran, prayed and ran, and ran together in silence.  One notable run on the breaks of the Umatilla found us with elk on both sides of us - tiny calves with spots calling for their mothers and bulls in the velvet all around us!  We went 5 miles that day but it did not seem that far at all.  I guess we have been running together since Sis was in sixth grade and she picked Duke as a running partner so as the three of use enjoyed the view, elk, and one another's company everything was as it should be.  Thanks for a great time guys.

34.4 miles running
44 miles biking
2 walking
----------------------
80.4 total

My Gravel Roads

I'm thankful. Thankful to be home, thankful to be running on my gravel roads again. There is a sense of peace that I receive being here in Eastern Oregon. Maybe its the wheat fields or the open sky. Perhaps its the family that I am surrounded with, all I know is its peace. Since I got out of school in mid June I've been running. I'm not sure if I have recorded it all. The last two weeks since the wedding I have been hitting it pretty hard. I mean, I have to start training for the half marathon now, if I don't, well I'll be miserable. So a total of: 61 miles since May, but...17.4 of those are for this week :) It's only gonna get better, half-marathon, here I come!!!

Add 61 miles running

By the way....we broke the HALF WAY mark!!!!  Downhill side to Portland, Maine.

Now its June?

Running was sporadic during softball and now with a Wedding approaching well....

Ran 125 miles and biked 72 miles for a total of 295 since sometime in February I think.  That would get me from Pendleton to Portland I guess.  Promise to do better  ;0)

Summer . . . It's Coming!!!

I have been recording mileage since spring break, but am just now getting around to blogging them. Here it is:
  March 25-31: 15 miles
  April 2-8: 16.5 miles
  April 9-15: 9 miles
  April 16-22: 16 miles
  April 23-29: 12.5 miles
  April 30-May 6: 3 miles (I got sick)
  May 7-14: No Running (still sick)

This week I have ran three times about three miles. It's been hard coming off of two weeks with no running. I guess I'm starting my training over, ugh. The good news is the weather has been fantastic and summer is coming! I can't wait for an early morning summer run. Maybe catch a sunrise or two, nothing like starting off a day with a run. I . . . can't . . . wait!!!!!

Total Mileage: 72 running

April 14, 2012

Had a beautiful sunny run with Sis today :) Love Saturdays!!!

Last week: 5.3 miles running & 3 miles biking
This week: 14.4 miles running & 6 miles biking

April 3, 2012

I am back...I have been running my miles, but not blogging them. Sorry for the lack of miles we could have. Here are my miles though for the last two weeks and I will add this weeks later. I love to run, I love the challenge of pushing my body, without sports, running is the only way to challenge the physical endurance I can have. Of course it isn't much haha but I love to feel the challenge.

17.3 miles running 3 miles biking
9.3 miles running 3 miles biking

Nebraska!!

We are now in Nebraska, except farther, because I know that Heather has mileage to add!

Old Self

I feel it, the rhythm, as one foot strikes and the other strides forward. It's new, but faintly familiar, this rising and falling of my chest. It seems slow, slightly awkward cause its been so long. Yet every step revives my memory, my old self. It's freeing this thing called running, this thing called life. My body bares scars from the path behind me, but I run.

Running: 30 miles    Biking: 4.25     Walking: 2.75 (Mom: 2)

On the Calander

I began to track mileage on the calander the middle of January and it has really helped to keep me forcused and not forget my workouts. The last week of January I ran only 6.3 miles but was able to do better in February motivated in part by finding out where we were at on our trek across the USA and in part by the knowledge that my girls were coming home and we would be running together I hoped. The first week I put in 11 miles, then with them here I did 7 (3 biking), and this last week 14.4 not to mention the weather has been questionable.

Several of these runs were in the darkness of early morning and I loved it BUT I ran with Karissa when she was here and it was especially rewarding. I ran as she talked and jogged along side me and I was suddenly a young parent again with my 6th grade school daughter in her first year of cross-county training. We share many things with our children over the course of our lives but these times together will always be uniquely significant to me and hold sentimental sway over my heart. Glad you did your tempo training with out me...I love you!

Running: 35.7
Biking: 3

Habit

I have been trying to get back into this running thing. Especially, since Heather and I have signed up to do the Portland Half Marathon in October. I am so proud of Heather as she has been really following her running plan. My goal has been to get back into running 5-6 days a week averaging about 15-20 miles so that I have a good base. I made my "running week" Saturday through Wednesday so I can run outside Saturdays and Sundays. This last week I knew I would be staying late at work so I woke up at 4 am to go running Monday - Wednesday. It was not easy, but it was totally worth it. I am proud to say I met my goal of 15 miles this last week. I also found myself to have more energy through out the day on the mornings I got up to run before work. 

This morning I got up and went running at Bush Park. I have so many lovely memories there and I couldn't help but recall them . . . freshman year speed/tempo workouts, my lifetime best cross country race, warming up for track meets, off season workouts with my roommate, and just hanging out at the park with hall mates in college. The sky was blue, the sun was out, my body felt good, it was a good run. I love running with other people and wish I could have had another soul to run with, but even alone it was good. I am looking forward to some long miles and many more saturday runs. This half marathon is going down!

Running: 25.5

Thats Where We Are!

Wonderful to know we are running towards Laramie Wyoming at this point in our trek across the US. I even put on my cowboy hat for part of this weeks mileage! I would have gone more than this 11.1 miles this week "but I got bushwacked at the pass lil' feller"! Having a good time with our run girls. Keep up the good work we are almost 1/2 way. Praying and Running. Dad

Where we are . . . Wyoming!

We are I80 near Laramie, Wyoming

Carried

It seemed like forever I'd been there, crumpled in the path immobilized by pain. The longer I was there the  more accustomed I grew to that place. I almost forgot what it was like to run, to feel the wind on my face, to see the ground moving beneath my feet. I began to accept where I was, to accept my immobilization. Nothing I did, nothing I tried, took away the pain or healed my injury. I was stuck, I was completely and utterly helpless. I was hopeless.

I had thought myself to be alone, but I wasn't. Somewhere in one of those long days I noticed He was there with me. He'd been there in the questioning, in the anger, in the pain, in the long nights. He'd been there in that path next to my crumpled form, arms open wide. It was on one of those long days I finally reached up.

I have yet to crawl, or walk, or run, but I move . . . as He carries me. Like a child, I wrap my arms tightly around His neck clinging to Him. I was injured, helpless, immobilized, but He picked me up. My God is strong, never does He grow weary or stop. I can't run just yet, but someday I will with His help, for I know that is His desire. For now, He will carry me . . . as long as I need.

Running: 46 miles
Walking: 1 mile

The ups and downs of running.

Headed to Portland for a softball clinic I found myself working out on a high tech treadmill that would tell me how far I ran with a picture of a cross country course being plotted as I went. I could select a target heart rate, duration, and type of workout as well. I choose heart rate 163 , 5K, & 30 mins. Well the machine began to go up and down attempting to elevate my HR to the right number of beats per minute. I could see it over compensating as it shot up in incline. 6% it read and rising - thats like Cabbage Hill...whew! Soon I was punching buttons like crazy trying to override the 10%+ grade. Inside I was promising my heart would speed up soon if just given a chance. Well I finished the run and was glad to be home on my own tread where I have put in my last 11 miles of running, most while looking outside at the snow and ice covered features of Athena. No school since Tuesday has been truely amazing as is the fact that I can figure out the controls on my ol' treadmill. Best of all is that my lovely wife has been her the last two days too.

Miles Ran - 14 miles

Where are we?

Where did you come from where did you go, get out of the way for cotton-eyed Joe. Add two more miles and where does that put us. Can't see on the tiny map - weak eyes and all. Bet we are somewhere in the edge of the midwest. Love to know.

Miles Running 2

Journey

I understand that there is a male wolf that has wandered from the Imnaha pack to northern California and they have given him the name JOURNEY. He is willing to leave the known for the unknown and travel to distance woods in his quest for a new life. Wildlife officials wonder if he will stay or return. They wonder if others will follow him.
As I run in the backness of the early morning praying about my life journey I am captivated by its temperal nature. Here then gone. Will I venture ahead into the unknown or stay where it is "safe" and familar. What will others have to say about me when my journey is done. Did I run the race well as Paul says. Did I fix my eyes upon the author and finisher of my faith?
I started the new year with a 2 mile run, then put another 2 on the treadmill, and another 5.25 in on Saturday but it was the 3 mile early run in the dark that got me to thinking about my journey here on earth. May those who come behind me find me faithful.

Miles run 12

Christmas with Family

Well for starters I have 38 miles to add some of which were run with two of he best looking girls in the world. What do you know ladies, we finally logged some miles together to Portland, Maine! Karissa & Heather signed up for the Portland, Oregon half marathon and I don't know if I should or not since it is October. Hum... Just want to say that the time we had at Christmas will always be fondly remembered. No gift is greater than the gift of time. Thanks to all my children who arrived to make the moments richer. How about that singing on Sunday? Wowzers!

Run = Pray

If I don't run I don't pray...when I can break this cycle and pray if I don't run. However, a majority of the time I run because I know if I don't then I won't pray...sigh...

Sorry I haven't put a lot of my mileage on here :/

Add: 13 miles running + 5 miles biking

4 in a row

Today is day 4 of straight running. Feels amazing. Loving it. Especially the runs with Noel, never seems like exercise when I'm with someone else and we have some good conversations. More like a coffee date and less like running.

Add: 9 miles running

If Life = Running

How long have I been here? How long have I been crumpled in this path, injured? I lost track of time in my pain. I tried to get up, but that only led to a relapse in my injury. How long till I can crawl? How long till I can stand or even walk? They say it takes time. Time and rest for injuries to heal, for the tears to repair and the scar tissue to build. How long until I can run . . . or will I ever run again?

Some injuries last for a short time, but others are so serious they leave permanent damage. The body may develop scar tissue, but it will never be the same. It is forever altered. I wonder how serious my injury is? Will I be able to walk without a limp? Will I be able to run the miles with the same turn-over and stride I once had? Or will my injury just simply be marked with the reminder of some scar tissue?

I sit in this path waiting for healing, waiting for the pain to subside and the scar tissue to bind. I don't know how long its been or how long I'm supposed to rest. I don't know if I want to find out how serious my injury is. What if I relapse? What if it hurts as I begin to walk? What if I can't ever run the same again? What if the path ahead brings another injury? Do I even want to run anymore?

Running: 10 miles (lost track of all the miles I didn't record)

october 25-26

ADD: 3 miles running + 16 miles biking

treadmill...treadmill...

well everyday is running on the treadmill right now, but the one advantage to that is being able to control my speed and focusing on prayer is easier. Running is definitely my prayer time, so I can't not run, because I can't not pray! Prayer is my God time and the most powerful thing I can do! I am working at running faster, so when riss and I go on runs outside together we can run a pace closer to her speed..of course not as fast as she would lol but closer! I haven't been reporting my mileage so can't really say...but I will guess for this week.

Add: 15 miles running and 8 miles biking

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Sunday I ran 3 miles to the intersection out Waterman and back. Monday it was 2 more interval miles on the treadmill. Wednesday I ran 3.35 miles with the aerobic setting. Nothing special to report. Run fast then run slower. This variety keeps it interesting. This is life.

October 9-10

Add: 4 miles running and 3 miles biking

Whatcha Hunting For Anyway?

I've run into the darkness for some time now, 9.75 miles to be exact over the past two weeks. Seems as if my running mileage is down but weekends have been busy and the hunting good. Just guessing that I managed about 6 miles of hiking up and down hills looking for something.

What am I really hunting for? Deer. Pheasant. My health. Solitude. Camaraderie. I believe a bit of all of these is the truth and that is the beauty of the season. Running is great but hunting is better yet. A kill scene is a howling of praise and celebration to God for the bounty, men working together, back slapping and good natured teasing. The hunt is a physical endeavor demonstrating skill, stamina, and teamwork. No hunt is unsuccessful if men gather at the end and share their stories over jerky and peanuts washed down with coffee or water.

To the men I hunt with and the hunts we've shared this season, for the butchering days of fall, for the meat in the refrigerator, and the jokes and insights we've shared I thank God. I believe I am hunting for the glory of the Lord this season.

October 6-8

ADD: 5 miles running

October 5th already!!

Wow its already october 5th this is craziness! well after 3 days off I was back and running this morning. Except no longer the deer filled streets of La Grande, instead the little workout room at the apartment complex. It is nice, but missed the fresh air while running. Thank you God they have a workout room :)

ADD: 2.5 running and 2 biking

september 29

Add: 2.5 miles running

Sept 24-28

ADD: 9 miles running

September 21-23

I have been running still in the mornings and now it is cold and the stars and moon are out. The number of deer are crazy to me, but I am doing better about not being spooked when I hear noises and can't see anything haha!

This morning's run was not good...I felt so slow, tired, and had a sideache the whole time. I have learned to mostly control my sideaches through my breathing but then I am so focused on my breathing that I am focused on how my body feels and struggle to pray :-/ However, like I learned from Riss...when running the hill at the end of my run and my hip hurt and my stomach I thanked God that I could run and that I could feel, even if feeling meant pain!

I finally clocked my run yesterday and confirmed that it is 3 miles, actually a little over 3, about 3.2 miles which gave me relief that I wasn't just running super slow haha

Add: 9.5 miles running