Tornado

 Well, we have experienced a terrible event here in SW Mo.. The city of Joplin, which is about 80 miles from here, was hit by a deadly, horrific tornado, 3/4 mile wide 7 mile long path of destruction (EF4). So far 117 people have perished. The scenes are indescribable, and the emotions unbearable....our church is mobilizing with hundreds of others to go help with clean-up, yet the bad weather is making the progress difficult. Even now more severe weather is forming to the West and the potential for deadly storms is high.
  It is heart wrenching to see your neighbors suffering like this, you so want to help, but we must let the experts and authorities direct the proceedings. God willing we will be able to get there this Thursday with chain saws, strong backs, water, and hope! After all that is all we have....some of the stories coming out of the storm are emotionally wrenching, seeing a childs body covered by a tarp with a doll next to her...we cried like babies...., hearing of a graduating senior being torn right out of his truck......
  I hope my son Evan will go with me...life must always be kept in perspective! So fragile, so precious.
 I had to do a tread-mill run yesterday because it was constant lightning all day! Today I was able to go outside but it's still ominous....30 min yesterday, 34 today...Peace!

Graduation....

I have been able to keep the running going even through all the festivities this last weekend.
Maintaining my 30 minutes a day except for Sundays. The college boy is home....laying around...? Hope he gets a job...:) He's planning on moving back down to AR in a couple of weeks with hopes of employment down there...
  A big congrats to my friend Marlene for her recent BQ. Well done!!!!!

Always Somthin'

  I have managed to run every day. I am thankful the weather is warming.....stupid hvac system broke down again! What a pain! I just finished paying out the nose to replace a part now another one bites the dust! O well, it's only money! I've learned in life "if it ain't one thing it's another!" Peace!!

Invincible?

 Always thought of myself as invincible! Prideful, I guess, just never really had self doubt or allowed discouragement to get to me; however I've come to finally realize there are cracks in the armour. Stress can/will eventually take it's toll. For five months now we've been under extreme stress related to personal family issues. The situation doesn't appear to be nearing a resolution and continues to inflict heartache.
  I guess that's what's happened to me over the last 8 days.....a real running on fumes existence. Try as I might I can't shake it......I will keep running and search for the break through.
   30 minutes today in the beautiful fall like weather!! Peace!

Persistent

Have you ever known a persistent person? Someone who never lets up until they have reached a goal or gotten their way? You? Runners are persistent! We deal with naysayers and a multitude of other detractions. Yet, we make it so often to the finish line! It takes focus, guts, drive, smarts, humility, and patience...never giving up!!
I often wonder what it's like to give up!? I can't really think of anything in my life that I've quit! Even a job....or a friendship....in my mind I persisted in a proper way.
Now, after years of injury free running there is a negative persistence the dreaded injury! I am healing but man is it taking a long time! I managed 28 minutes today. The last three days I have been overwhelmed with an issue....not able to disclose....it is like a dagger to my heart and I am dealing for the first time in my life with what I think is depression. I'd like to quit everything sometimes! But I'm still me....never been a quitter and I cannot start now! Peace

New Work-out-"The Snow Plow"

So we ended up with around 8 inches of the fluffy white stuff. Since my treadmill toasted, I was knocking off 8 min miles when it stopped, I'm relegated to outdoor cardio.
Doesn't look too runnable out here yet. My driveway is long and wide so I tackled it with my trusty snow shovel. Now being 54 years old I'm a great candidate for the ole' heart attack, right?
I started slow, got warmed-up and developed a new work-out called the "snow plow". I finished in under two hours dripping wet with sweat! And my driveway is clear! Guess I could run up and down it?!
I was hoping to take another hike but this effort will be enough for today. I will probably not run until Monday, but what matters is getting the heart rate up there and sustaining an effort. I will be back to racing form even if it kills me....?
Other notes- We have five bird feeders that are very active. Yesterday we noticed two hawks that were preying on our birds! Amazing and spectacular is nature!
This snow reminded me of many good times I had as a child and as a Dad. Somewhat melancholy because of the empty nest and no one to play with....Sandy's not much for building snow forts!. Peace!

Whew!

On the way to the wedding traffic was crazy! I turned onto the southbound lanes of a four lane highway. I was driving my Father-in-laws 3500 Ram dually pickup truck, used to transfer tables . Accelerating the diesel I had to pass a slower vehicle, to my surprise here came headlights directly at me!! Fortunately I was able to swerve the truck out of the way, nearly losing control, initially sliding as I applied the brakes because the road is wet, it's drizzling, finally, seemed an eternity, the brakes grabbed the ground and I missed the ditch and the car in front of me. I caught a glimpse of the guy in the truck. An elderly man who appeared to be dazed and confused! First time for everything and I hope the last time for that! My heart actually was skipping beats for a moment! Remember, drive defensively!!

Breathe, man, breathe!!

We've been going non-stop today getting ready for this moving sale. I managed to work the three miler in though!! Ha, ha life! So there! Got it done!
Did one mile at 9:01, another at 8:45. Felt good. Gotta go. Off to do a wedding. These are always a blast. The Bride is always beautiful, and usually there is one major snafu that makes it memorable. I have seen some doozies!
Next two days no running. That's only happened one other time during this training phase and i was sick.
Good luck racing this weekend!! Peace

Best laid plans....

Today we go out to the new house and do a walk through. We have been packing like crazy! Moving boxes of books!! I have a huge library. I'm gonna whine...as I was carrying one of these boxes my right hip and leg kind of twinged and gave out a little as I went up a step?
I never planned on moving during the taper phase of the marathon!! Such is life.
I stretched gently this morn before running. I started out very concerned. The leg and hip held up pretty good. I felt so strong and I can tell that even diminishing mileage by 22.5% I am already reaping the benefits of the taper. Cardio-wise I feel very confident about the marathon.
I stretched again after, took some ibuprofen, and began packing again...aarrggghh! I will post some pictures of the place! It's really a dream come true for us.
Put in 4.1 miles real easy. Still plan on the 12 tomorrow at MP. I think I'll have a bag of ice on hand and after the run I may hop in the tub with it. Wow..the weather is turning perfect for us runners. Hope you enjoy the day.