Color me Rad Run With my Daughter

I spent this past Sunday doing something I rarely if ever have done before. I ran a 5K Race with no clock, no awards and no pre-set goals other than to have fun. Let me explain.

It started Saturday afternoon when my #2 daughter (of 4), called and said she was running the Omaha/Council Bluffs Color Me Rad run. I said I had wanted to run one, but they were filling up too fast. She suggested I come to Council Bluffs, Iowa and run with her and her friends.

At first I said no, it won't work. I have a 16 miler on the schedule for Sunday. Then with my wife's urging I said what the heck, I still have time to run the 16 tonight and then we can get up and leave at 5am and get there in time for the run in the morning. So at 7:10pm out the door I went for my 16 miler and 2:14 later I was home. I the ran to WalMart at 11:00 for a white shirt and shorts for the Color Me Rad run.

My wife got up at 4a and I rolled out at 4:30. we got Little "B" up at 4:45 and got him and Bah Boo in the car and we were off. We got to Council Bluffs at 7:40. I went into the Mid America Center and registered, $50, OUCH. A portion goes to Special Olympics so that eased some of the pain. I think it would have been $40 if I pre - registered. I complained for a while about the price of racing today, then remembered with my wife's gentle nudge that I was there to enjoy time with my daughter.

The race began in waves, we went in the 3rd wave at 9:15. This is what we looked like at the start.

This is a friend of my daughters, my daughter D, Little "B" and me.

If you have never done a color run, one of this years new money making gimmicks. Oops, there I go again. You run, jog, walk or crawl a 3.1 mile course and they throw colored dust on you. That is what the white Man from Glad apparel is all about. I have to admit, it was a riot. My daughter and I had some good laughs and it was quite fun. The concept is to get all shapes and sizes of people out and moving. It was neat to see old, young, tall, short, thin and large people all participating. Here is after shot.

This is me, D and her friend Faith and Little "B" s trusty pup bah boo, our 10 month old Golden Doodle.

This is my favorite picture of all



Me and D after the race.

What a great day. It was worth re-arranging my schedule for, that is for certain.

I would encourage you all to be sure and take time to laugh and play with your loved ones. My good friend Gregg reminds me often that life comes with an expiration date. A family I know from my home town experienced that this summer. About a month ago their oldest son (of 3 boys), was returning from a basketball camp with is High School team at the school he coaches at from Broken Bow. His assistant coach was driving when an old man in a pick up had a heart attach and swerved into their lane hitting them head on.Both coaches and the older gentleman were killed. Fortunately the all the boys in van lived and only one suffered critical injuries, he is recovering now. My heart and prayers go out to the families of all involved in this tragic accient!

That reminded me that that life is precious and shouldn't be taken lightly. Each day is a gift, live it to it's fullest. So take time to enjoy the ones you love, and as you part ways be sure to do so with a hug, a kiss and a simple "I Love you".

Long may you run.

A 5K Report from Mayberry

Okay, I lied, it wasn't really Mayberry. But it is a lot like a Mayberry.

Today I headed west about 25 minutes and ran a 5K Race in Shelton, Nebraska. It is a small town of somewhere around 800 people I would guess. Much like most small towns scattered throughout Nebraska. It is a clean town where neighbors still know each other and watch out for each other. Kids can go to the park and not end up on a milk carton.

As I pulled up to register for the race there is also a sand volleyball tournament and a horse shoe tournament going on. Cool, just the way I remember small town USA, or at least small town Nebraska.

I have written a time or two on this blog site and on another site about the loss I feel with Andy Griffith's death. I recently read a Lewis Grizzard book, 'Elvis is Dead And I Don't Feel So Good Myself". Lewis is a Southern Humorist and now deceased, but I love his writings! He talks about when Elvis dies he realizes he doesn't fit or understand the culture of his day. He relates more to the 40's and 50's and those adults. I feel much the same way today. I am a throw back that likes how my childhood and teenage years were, safe and fun, yet respectful of others. Especially adults in my world.

I often feel today that we have lost that. People think that life should serve them. They are primarily concerned with themselves and their immediate family and think every other person should cater to them. Plus I still can't figure out tattoos and piercings in places that really make me cringe and personally don't even like my Doctor to examine yet alone the local piercing guy. As for tattoos, I had one once a year or two back, it was a fierce frog on my right shoulder, Kermit I think was his name. I beat out a 4 year old for the last Kermit tattoo. Poor kid cried for a week, but if you are going to get a tat, you better toughen up kid. Unfortunately, it washed off after just one bath, dang.

Anyway, now that Andy had passed, or should I say Sheriff Taylor. Mayberry will never be the same. It just won't be safe anymore. And if I end up on trial, Mattlock will not be there to prove my innocence. I miss the simple life when you didn't need a Lawyer and you didn't have to be home until the street lights came on.

What's all this have to do with my 5K race? Nothing I guess. Except that spending 3 hours in Shelton today reminded me that I am not alone. Lots of people still like the simple life. BBQ's, parades, road races, sand volleyball, horse shoes, sitting on the front porch with an ice cold coke talking to neighbors. Life is still good in their corner of the universe. I am not naive enough to think that Meth, Crime, Poverty, Divorce and all the things that haunt us today aren't there. but for a couple hours today I was in Mayberry. Mayberry, oh how I miss you!

As for the race, I had a good one. 19:30 and a 5th place overall finish. 1st in the 50-59 AG. Then it was off to Minden to see my parents and enjoy time with Mom and Dad, Mrs TO and Little "B". Grilled steak and chicken, homemade ice cream, ah, this is paradise. Happy 4th of July 2012.

Incoming, an Explosive Run

July 3rd around the Island and the skies are lightening up with the red, green and gold glare of fireworks. It was 101 degrees today, so I waited until 9:00pm for my run. The only drawback is fireworks, or rather, dodging them. Tonight I just had a 4 miler at base pace, (8:02 - 8:38). I knew I had better not doddle, fireworks were a flying. I was in a good rhythm, a bit faster than 8:00, I actually averaged 7:49 and ran a 39:06. But it felt comfortable and smooth. I was at my 2.5 turnaround and was greeted by an M-80, what a blast! The man that tossed it didn't see me coming and apologized. I just smiled and made light of it by yelling, " INCOMING". He and his buddy got a good laugh out of that and what the heck, life is too short to get mad at such a thing.

Tonight's random thoughts focused on non other than Andy Griffith. I loved that guy, Mattlock was favorite. Oh, heck no, Mayberry was my favorite. Aunt Bea and Opie, Barney and Gomer, Goober, Floyd and Howard Sprauge. Amos and Ernst T Bass. I miss those days. Which got me to thinking about these days. They are just not as simple as Mayberry. My favorite football team, once known as the Aints, now the Super Bowl Champions Saints get caught cheating. Then my favorite QB, Drew Breeze is holding out for a 5 year $100 Million deal. Wow, I am a misfit. How the heck much money does one need, and to play a dad burn game for Pete's sake! Most of my friends tell me, this is America, that is how it is done. I say, "horse hockey". They tell me I must be a Socialist or a Democrat and that this is free enterprise. I call it shear greed and I know Sheriff Andy Taylor in Mayberry would testify!

How about we start paying school teachers One Million a year? How about Child Protection Workers who put their life on the line to confront abusive neglectful parents. Oh, I forget, that doesn't make anyone any money. It is a drain on the Free Enterprise, Capitalistic society. If they wanted to make more, they should have learned to shoot a basketball or throw a football or climb a Corporate ladder. Instead, they choose to nurture and care for, teach and watch out for future generations. Give me a break. Greed is greed, pure and simple. The more we have the more we want. Regardless of how we get it.

Okay, enough. But today I am grieving. A little part of me died today with Andy. Mayberry will never be the same. It takes me to the country song, "I miss Mayberry, sittin on the porch drinkin ice cold cherry, coke, where everything is black and white". Rest in Peace Andy, thanks for the memories of a time long forgotten.

Then, I spot my friends and they are about to watch the Riverside Country Club Fireworks. My run is done and they suggest I join them for a cold beer and a seat with a good view of the show. Maybe, just maybe Mayberry is alive and well. Again, thanks Andy.

Tomorrow morning will come early. I am off to Shelton to run a 5K. The race director is a cool kid, only 17. It will be a hot race, only about 70 runners will show up. Come to think of it, another taste of Mayberry.

Live Simple, Run long and have a great 4th of July!

Time Flies When You are Having FUN!

WOW, where did June go? Time just flies. June in a nutshell was a good month. I raced in Fultondale, Alabama on June 16th and was happy with my 5K. I was 12th overall and 1st in the Grand Master division, (50-59), and 1st in my AG (55-59). I ran a 19:44, I was hoping to be under 19:20, but the course is hilly and heat and humidity played a role in the slower time as well. It was a fun trip as my oldest daughter made the trip from NOLA and my oldest son lives in Birmingham so that made for a nice Father's Day. Mrs. TO and Little "B" and our Golden Doodle made the trip as well.

I ran 196 miles for June. I am at 796 miles at the half way point of 2012. With the Twin Cities Marathon and Marshall Marathon still to run in 2012 I should still make my goal of 1700 miles for 2012. It seems like just yesterday I was running Surf City Marathon and hanging out with friends in California!

I always have these crazy things that run through my mind when I run. Tonight on my 6 mile Monday run I got to thinking about my dad and his generation, sometimes dubbed the greatest generation that ever lived. He is 86 now, a cancer survivor that lost a leg and part of each lung but beat the odds over 32 years ago and still loves life today. He was given 6 months to live, must have been like dog years because as I said, that was over 32 years ago. He was a tail gunner on a B-24 during World War II.  He then became a Barber and we had a nice life never knowing what it was like to be rich but never going without. He never once said, "I am going to put the other two barbers out of business in this town". In fact, they were friends, cut each others hair.

That got me to thinking. I sell radio advertising. My company wants to put our competitor out of business, and they us. In my fathers time this just didn't happen. I was thinking tonight, what if our right to freedom of speech was threatened. Could we and our competitor forget about putting each other out of business, stop hating each other and join forces to preserve our freedom of speech. That's what the Greatest Generation did when our Country came under siege. I am not so sure that we could do that today. Everybody thinks it has to be their way. We can't seem to compromise or find common ground. We don't need Obama Care, we just need People Who Care!

That is when it hit me, I love runners. We encourage each other. We applaud each other and recognize PR's. It isn't about how fast, it is about participation. If you beat me, good for you! It is me racing me. It doesn't matter if you are a Lawyer, Factory Worker, Social Worker or Doctor. Although at my age I prefer to run with a Doctor, it is not about status. It is about my age and the possibility of needing CPR that makes the Doc look inviting! But really, we are in a pair of shorts and a singlet, sweating profusely, and nobody cares what you do. They couldn't tell people what you do for a living to save their sole, (okay, I spelled it wrong on purpose). But, they can tell you that persons PR from the 5K to their Marathon. Ah, I do so love runners!

My next, and thankfully for you my last random thought. I am one lucky, make that blessed fellow. I have wandered aimlesly through life until Little "B" entered our lives going on 9 years ago. A little boy nobody wanted. Neglected, non verbal, in diapers still at age 4. 22 pounds and a handful. We had 5 biological children but what is one more, we adopted Little "B'.  He has given me a renewed sense of purpose. I realize it is not about money, it is not about status. It is about Love and Acceptance. Accepting people for who they are. Caring and having someone Care back. All this from a little boy who can't talk, is just now getting pottie trained at age 13. He gave me back my life. He showed me I should run if for no other reason because,  I can. I love to run. Though it does not define me, it makes me a better person.

All this in just a 48 minute 6 mile run. I am exhausted, not from my run. Rather from a racing mind. I am indeed having FUN. I realize that in 55 years I have met some amazing people. I have had my life
touched  by some amazing people. I can't wait until July is over to add to that incredible list. Wait, I can wait, I don't want to wish my life away. I will just take it a day at a time. One adventure at a time.

Have a great 4th of July and remember nice guys don't really finish last, Little "B" taught me that. Bet you are glad tonight wasn't a 14 mile run!

True Confessions of a Lost Soul on the Run

Tonight's run called for a 4 mile base pace run. 8:03 - 8:38 range. Sounds simple, but I can make even simple not so simple. I have made a life out of complicating simple. Mile 1, 7:55, oops too fast, slow down. But my mind races. The recent death of 24 year old basketball coach, a young man from my home town, I know his parents. He had a bright future, taken in an auto accident last week. Mile 2, 7:43, my mind is still racing. Here I am 55 and not a clue. I have so few skills that matter in today's world. Sure I am a nice guy, I am kind to people. I like to help out, but that even seems to annoy some. Mile 3, 7:30, slow down, you can't even get this running thing right.Lately I have been isolating myself. Distancing myself from the only groups I feel comfortable in. Is it me or is it them. I feel like I don't fit. I have felt that way a million times before. Mile 4, 7:24, okay, push it, it is okay.You obviously have it in you tonight. What the heck. Mile 5, 7:13, so much for base pace.

Tonight so much rushed through my head. I have felt as though I am falling out of the Loop so to speak. I am not blogging as often, nor am I being read. I am to serious and a square peg in a round world. I don't fit. Never really have. I have figured out that people are right, I talk too much. The bad thing is that is supposedly my strength. At the same time apparently a weakness. I am 55 and Lost. No skills to speak of. I am okay in Little "B"s world so that is good. I am a good wagon puller and miniature train rider. But, no computer skills, no real world skills, no Masters, no Doctorate. Wow, how can so much rush through ones mind in a short 5 mile run?

Then another issue hits. On the Loop and face book a recent fury regarding running and heart health. I even shared a recent Doctors opinion that we may be better off running shorter, faster intervals. I was amazed, not that most comments disagreed, but that most appeared blind to the articles content. It did not say do nothing. Sit on the sofa and eat chips, yet almost every comment said something like I am better off running than sitting on the sofa eating chips doing nothing. I was blown away. It was as though I had attacked people. Never my intent. Then I read another  blog and saw overwhelming supportive comments to the support of Marathoning and ultra running. It was then that it hit me. I once again didn't, or don't fit. I don't run to push the envelope and see how far I can take it. I run to live longer. I run so that in 20 years I can still be here to take care of "B". He is 13 now, but will need care his entire life. I want to still be here at 75 offering him the best care I can at 33. I also want to see my grand children, to enjoy my grown adult children. I am competitive as the day is long. I have ran 9 Marathons and have numbers 10, 11 and 12 on the schedule. I have ran tow in 3:05 and wanted so badly to break 3:00. But I run to prolong life, not push the envelope. I used to think running defined me. I now know my father and mother helped define me. God defines me. Running just happens to be where my character shows through. My persistence, my grit, my work ethic, my stubbornness. It is where I find God. Call me a hypocrite, but I can't stand the church. God speaks to me when I run. Maybe the old saying everything in moderation is the key.

Brandon came into my life about 9 years ago, we adopted him. Some say he is lucky, if his first three years on earth are luck I want none of it. He was in a living hell. Totally neglected to near death. He is a blessing. He helps me to find my worth. Yes, I talk too much, it annoys people. Not "B". He loves me anyway. He is the true definition of unconditional love. He places no conditions on us, he just loves us. Is he a lot of work, you bet. But so am I.

I don't know where this blog is going. It is a work in progress. It isn't pretty. I don't know how to work all the fancy gizmo's. I am a work in progress. Wow, all this emotion flowing out of one 5 mile run. I wish my mind were less complex. More conforming. I wish I was a round peg in a round world. I just wish I fit in. Perhaps that is why St. Jude is my favorite Saint.

Roller Coaster Ride, Hold on Tight

I have had a great 14 months as I look back. I ran the Chicago Marathon on 10/10/10, followed by a trip to see my daughter in New Orleans, a family trip, in a rented van with 6 of us packed like sardines in a van to drive the 22 hour trip. Upon arriving I was able to get in a Half Marathon, Ole Man River. We had a great visit and then headed back to Nebraska with 7 in the sardine can. My son had taken the train from Birmingham to NOLA and rode back home for Christmas break with us. We survived an ice storm and somehow by  the Grace of God made it home to end 2010. We were nearly in a serious accident in Kansas as a fuel tanker went into a skid on an icy bridge. Wichita is a 4 hour drive normally, that night it was 8.5.

On to 2011 and the news I had gotten in to the New York City Marathon. I ran The Gambler Half Marathon in Council Bluffs, Iowa and then a trail run at Quarry Oaks. The summer was filled with 5K's and 10K's. I also ran in 2 relay events, a 66 mile relay called the BFE that started in Hastings, Nebraska and went via gravel roads to several small towns and back to Hastings. Then the Market to Market Relay from Omaha to Lincoln. What a blast. Then in November I ran and finished NYC. A truly great event. I have ran 2 Boston Marathons, in 1996 and 2000. New York was every bit as fantastic as Boston. In a couple of weeks it is back to NOLA for New Years with my daughter. This year we will make the trip in 2 cars so we should have more room. But someone decided my daughters 2 Chihuahua's and our new golden doodle puppy should make the trip. Should be interesting! Then in February of 2012 I will fly to California and run the Surf City Marathon.

To get to the moral of my story. I didn't mention times. Aren't times the important thing. PR's, you know, the reason we run. I have learned a valuable lesson this past 14 months. I ran my two slowest Marathons of my life. I have ran 3:05 twice in my life. In Lincoln, Ne in 1980 and in Pensacola at The Blue Angel Marathon in 1998. My first Boston in 1996 was in 3:25, I redeemed that time with a 3:13 in 2000. I had a 3:11 and two 3:12's as well in my running resume. I ran 4:04 in Chicago, I felt like I needed redemption in New York. But I ran much worse and ended up with an IV and a 4:19. I also found out my blood sugar was high. The Med Tent doc said I needed a follow up when I got home.

I turned 55 in December and at my annual physical was told I am borderline diabetic. I have withdrawn from people since that news. I know genetics play a roll, mom, dad, brother, grandparents, all diabetics. But me. I can't believe it. I am in denial. It must be a mistake. I am in great shape. I have ran 19:56 in a 5K this summer, 43:30 in a 10K. I am as thin as I have been in years.

I know it is silly, but I initially viewed my medical news as a weakness. I saw a loser in the mirror. I wanted to talk to no one.

Then I realized, I am still a runner. I may have to fuel a bit different. Drink a few less beers, (like my on bottle of 312 a night is an issue), and poke my finger a few more times. I may end up on medication or insulin. But I can still run. Just yesterday I ran 18 miles in 2:34.

So I vow to begin enjoying the run, the finish, the sites along the way. Time is no longer an issue. I took a Runners World poll today. Why do you run. My answer was not a category winner. Only 3% of the respondents agreed. The reason I run, it is to be around fellow runners.

In 2012 I will enjoy the moment. I will breath the salt air at Surf City, enjoy the Ocean and the people I run along with. I will notice corn fields and wild life along the way. I will load the old Chicago song, does anyone really know what time it is, does anyone really care. I am just glad to run. Happy Holidays and may you all have a Prosperous 2012!

I Spent a Week on a TreadMill Last Night

My new year resolution is to blog more in 2012 than I did in 2011. That won't take much since I only posted like 2 blogs all 2011 so far. Life just has a way of getting in the way. I have turned 55 since my last post and after last nights 16 miles on a treadmill, I feel 65! I don't know how you treadmill lovers do it and any suggestions are welcome. I don not have access to the virtual equipment that Gary uses in Tejas, after all this is Nebraska.

My jaunt started at near 5pm and with 6 inches of new snow on the ground I was forced inside. Unfortunately coach Jill says 50 + miles this week and it looks like a bunch of those will be on the dreadmill as well. I ran for 90 minutes, in the same place of course. No virtual caves, mountains or gorges, just the ugly guy in front of me, which of course was me. I took a quick pause for a restroom break and water bottle refill and then hopped back on ole Trigger for 54 more minutes and the last 6 miles of the journey to hell and back. I set the pace at 8:57 and waited for the number 16 to light up.
A drive across Nebraska is more entertaining than 16 miles on the TM!

What can I look forward to, -2 degrees tonight, 19 for the high tomorrow and a 10 miler on the tm. I do hope we get enough sun to clear the roadways of ice or it will be an 18 miler on the mill next Sunday. With posts like this I can imagine by now your are all saying, darn, I wish this guy would have made this resolution in 2010.

I had the good ole annual physical today. The ticker is good, hopefully the blood work is good. While I was in the medical tent in New York the Doctor was concerned with my Blood Sugar levels being high at 212, but my doctor here thinks it was stress related as my last AC1 test was dead on. I hope she is right, I do have a family history of diabetes though. Time will tell. As for the prostrate check, she said it felt good, I told here I disagreed, it didn't feel so good to me!

I hope all of you are ready for the Holidays! Happy Holidays everyone and take some time this holiday season to spend time with family and friends and reflect on the good things in your life.

Until next time, run on my friends!