The Final Chapter

It's been awhile, I know. And, now, I don't want to make a big deal out this.  But, it's time to say good-bye to this blog.

That doesn't mean I've quit running.  As a matter of fact, I've signed up for a triathlon class.  It doesn't mean that I'll quit writing.  I just don't know what format that might be in the future.  I will tell you that, if I start another blog, I will post a link to it on here.

A lot of things happened over the past two years that have changed my life and my way of thinking.  And, everytime I wanted to come back here and write, I couldn't.  It was too hard.  I had nothing to say or, at least, share.  But, it kept bothering me that there was this blog thing I started but, really never quite had closure on. 

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed doing this and sharing my experiences with the world.  Along the way, I 'met' people through comments, e-mails, posting on SteveRunner's blog, etc. who eventually 'friended' me on Facebook and, truly, I consider a friend of mine though I never met them face to face.  What a weird, wacky, world we live in.  But, they thought enough about me to do this and I am grateful that they did. 

My idea of starting this blog was to share some of experiences with SteveRunner, traveling, being part of a running group, training for events, etc.  But, life has gotten in the way, that, well, frankly, I'm not that interesting any more.  Steve does a great job on what he does and you should continue listening to his podcast.  I don't travel for work or pleasure as much I used to so, it's not like I can show you places I run when I travel.  And, economics has forced me to take a long, hard look on events I sign up for so, instead of the 14 or so per year I was doing in the past, I only do a handful from time to time. 

Looking back, I had fun with this blog. I used to look forward to doing this and sharing pictures, videos, trying to figure out new ways to make it interesting.  But, when I wasn't writing as much, because of work, family circumstances and other things, I thought it was time to shut this down.  But, it's like saying good-bye to an old friend.  You know you have to but it's a tough thing to do and find the right time to do it.

So, this is my closure.  Those of you, who actually read this throughout its life, I can't thank you enough.  You kept me coming back and wanting to do more.  Those of you who've left comments and told me they enjoyed the blog, I'm still trying to figure out if you were just being polite or if you actually did enjoy it.  :-)  Either way, thank you.

I hope everyone meets their goals in running and life in general.  The number one thing along the way I learned most, whether its running or life, is you are the only thing stopping yourself from achieving your goals.  I KNOW you have or can have the physical capacity to do the things you want to do.  I KNOW IT!!!!  It's convincing yourself that you can.  One of my favorite quotes I read about running (and life) and I'm paraphrasing, 'the courage is not in finishing a marathon but showing up in the first place'.

If I decide to start it up again, I will post where I will be. Peace be with you all. 

2011--Another New Chapter in Life

According to the Mayan calendar, Hollywood and The National Enquirer, this is the last full year of very existence because, in 2012 we are all going to kiss our behinds good-bye.  Don't have enough savings in your 401(k)?  Don't even worry about it because you won't be around to spend all that money you saved.  Kids' Education?  Only if they are graduating this year do you even have to think about.  Go ahead.  Let them take the next year off, lie around the pool, heck, even travel.  Just make sure they are home in time for the end of the world next year.

Me?  I'm making contigency plans just in case they got it wrong.  So, I'm not spending 2011 making up for lost time and entering a race every weekend while I can.  I'll assume I'll see 2013 and spend the year like any other year and try to race a normal schedule.

2010 took an emotional toll on me where exercising, running and competing took a back burner.  I thought I lost my competitive edge and wondered how to get it back.  It wasn't the love I lost.  It was the heart.  There is only so much you can deal with at the same time.  And, somehow, stressing myself out to train or participate in a race wasn't in the cards.  And, I thought there was something wrong with me.  Turns out there wasn't.  Just being human last year.

So the goals this year are:  Half-marathon sometime in the spring, a tri here and there, marathon in the fall in tribute to those I've lost over the past few years.  I'm not following any training schedule but I am preparing myself to get better.  I'm upping my running mileage during the week, doing dreadmill work, and wanting to get my basement heated to use for exercise useage especially strength training.  That might not be much but it's a heck of a lot better than I've done in awhile.  There is some stuff that lingers from 2010 that I'm still dealing with.  But, I know the times I've been out and exercising, it's been a lot easier to deal iwth.