Wilderness run

 Man I am excited! I am exploring the trails in our National Forest and it really is fun, I have to run at least 11 miles to run them but it is well worth the distance. Seclusion....quiet....joy! I managed 11.6 miles today....the achilles is barking today! Those hills and trails are ROUGH!
  I would of gone further but had to be in the big city by 11:30. A Mega-church, where I used to go many years ago, I am still friend!, asked me if I would come up and bring my Banjo. A Pastor from Cuba was in town and his one request was to hear a banjo! Well we had use a good old fashioned jam session. I was really blessed! I hope to maybe to Partner with these folks in blessing this young Pastors ministry. What a day! Oh, btw, the lunch was great! Perfect food for a recovering runner....chicken and dumplin's! Peace!

Big Oak turnaround

  14.1 miles today! It was tough....extremely hard! The temps were rising fast and the trail seemed harder to run today. I guess I've never seen a drought this bad. Do you know what happens to grass when it doesn't get water? It turns into dust! Man it's bad!
  The Bull creek is nearly dried up! Animals are hurting.... I came upon a rabbit that wouldn't run from me....weird....it seemed too tired? I chatted with him for a minute then he finally took off....fox bait! Sad.
  I was feeling the heat but had my mind made up to go farther so when I hit H hwy I ran to 7 miles on the garmin. A big Oak marked the turnaround. Fortunately there was a water spicket at the campground called Cobb Ridge were I gassed up and trucked home. I had to walk quite a bit but a great workout! Peace! (Pray for rain)

Slightly Concerned

  Normally I am unflappable. I like to think I don't worry. I like to think positive. Recently I have been extremely tired. Today at the track I had nothing! I felt very tired and exhausted? Not normal!!! My legs were lead! So I quit after 1.75 miles and called it a day. I am slightly concerned. It could be I just need rest and the heat is kicking my butt. I will keep trying or die....what ever comes first! peace!

To "H" and back

  Funny title....it means I ran to H hwy and back. That is a 6.68 mile out through the forest. I intentionally went out early due to the terrible drought and continued heat wave. I really haven't been feeling real good? Just kind of draggy...but I really needed to get out. So I toughed it out and made it home alive. 13.36 miles of solace! Peace!

Quick Trip

No energy today....started off to the forest and had to turn back....I knew it wasn't my day. So it was a quick trip of only 3.1 miles rather than the 12 I was looking for...peace!

Toast....

Ahhh the flatness of the track! So nice for a change I didn't know how to respond!:) I decided to run at a pace just below  labored breathing and hold on until I toasted....which would be hitting a 10 minute mile pace. I made 5.77 miles and averaged 8:53's. So it was a nice diversion. I probably would of done some better if I had gotten out before the heat but I'm feeling slow today! Hope you are well! Peace!

Chalk up another one

Each day is a wonderous gift.....you will especially appreciate each day when you realize how fragile life can be.....
   So whenever I can run I rejoice that I am able, that I have feet that work, a heart that is proficient, and a will that is strong.
  We can really make a difference in life if we so choose....but there's the rub...we choose...I choose to run the race with every bit of my ability!
  A sweet time on the roads early...11.04 miles of asphalt today....peace!

Wildfire

We did recieve some rain....1/4 of an inch....this helped the Firefighters in the area. It's kinda eerie thinking an out of control fire was in your forest!
  I ran into several trucks full of workers coming down the logging road I run on, and I talked to a few of the folks. They reported 1.25 inches of rain fell on the fire zone thus ending the threat!!
  I enjoyed my time in the woods! 11.5 miles! Peace!

Cobb Ridge

  I had a desire to run into the forest today. Even though this is a a high degree of difficulty I still wanted the solace. I found it! I found a trail that ran off of the main forest trail and went down into a very sweet, quiet, and peaceful place. The deer were thick today, too.
   The bad news is that there is a huge fire raging not far from here and I noticed I began to cough....even though I couldn't see the fumes it was in the air. Drought!
  So 11.09 miles today! Hard hills and rough trails but sweet enjoyment! Hope you are well! Peace!

Keepin' it real

  Yep, the heat is on and the hills aren't eroding....nor is my perseverance. My desire was 10 miles today but I only got 9 running...I did manage 2.34 walking with Sandy. It is very hot and the fire danger is extremely high. I think perseverance is a good attribute to have....it is extremely important in my job! I am constantly dealing with difficult issues, challenging situations, and important decisions. Being human I make mistakes, being a Pastor I'm under a microscope....being a Runner I find great joy and liberty....I am sure grateful I could run today! Persevere!!! Peace!

Monday Forest Run

  I continue to expand my distance and difficulty. My achilles are both sore but not debilitating. I'd sure like to shed this last bit of weight.
  The Forest run is a high degree of difficulty. The hills are extremely steep and the road rugged and rocky. My times slow but the exercise is good!
  I hope to keep this program going and maybe run a "fun run" marathon soon. 10.2 miles of fun today! Hope you are well! Peace!