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.