Annual Physical

As a firefighter, I am required to have a physical each year during the month of my birthday.  I got the results back today.  Bloodwork, ECG, chest x-ray, and every other test came back completely normal and once again I was declared fit for duty.  No surprise to me.  However, The cover sheet that was sent to the city said:

Concerns: BMI
Suggestions: Exercise / Lose weight

That is medical jargon for You're Fat! Duh!!! Didn't have to be a doctor to figure that one out.  I'm working on it.  Next year that form will be blank.

Goodbye 250!

I have lost 5 lbs. since I started running again. It is working and I feel good!!!!

First Full Week

I logged 6.5 miles this week in 3 runs and have felt much better than I expected. I also attend 1 TEAM Fitness class. I'm off to a great start!

Rock-n-Roll Expo

Kristi and I went to the convention center to pick up her packet and check out the exhibits. I got some money for my birthday and I intended on doing some shopping. I found some shorts by Asics that have compression shorts built in and I love them. I also got 2 pairs of socks.

I enjoyed checking out all of the running stuff and Kristi is excited. I am excited too. I can't wait until it is my turn. Until then, I get to cheer for best friend! I am so proud of her!

First "Good" Run

I did a 2.5 mile loop around the neighborhood after I got off work this morning. That my my longest run since returning to the sport and I felt great. The weather was perfect. Temp. in the 50's with no wind. I maintained an average pace of 11:17, which was also my fastest run. I finished feeling strong and wanting to run more. It was a huge boost in confidence with my first 5k 16 days away. I now know that I can do it.

All In!

We booked our flight and hotel for the Las Vegas Half today. No turning back now. I am ALL IN!

Kids Speak the Truth

We were riding in the car after the Gorilla Challenge and I asked the 4 year old if she wanted to run a race. She replied "No way, running hurts!" Amen little girl!!!!!

Gorilla Challenge

Kristi and I entered the Gorilla Challenge in Downtown Dallas. It is a scavenger hunt similar to "The Amazing Race", but it only lasts 1 day and is done using no motorized transportation. The race started when the clues were issued. There were 12 tasks and we had to complete 10 of them. We sat down and solved the clues, plotted our course on a map, and we were off. We decided we were going to run as much as possible, having no idea how many miles we needed to cover to complete the race. I suffered through the first 3 tasks. The first mile is always the worst...I remember that. The we started them out and my competetive spirit kicked in. We made quick work of the clues and raced to the finish. We were the third team to finish, but the second place team got 1 task wrong. We were in second please...for a brief moment. We got 2 clues wrong and were also disqualified. DAMN!!!!! Oh well. I plotted our course on Map My Run when we got home and it was about 3.4 miles. We had a blast and I was proud of my performance. Who knew running could be so fun?!?!?!

A Runner's Birthday

I turned 37 today. I told Kristi that I wanted running stuff. At this point, she knows what I need better than I do. The kids woke us up for presents in bed. They brought them to me and unwrapped them for me. It was fun. Kristi got me a Garmin Forerunner 305. Very Cool!!! The kids got me a book, "The Long Run". It is the story of a F.D.N.Y. Firefighter that runs a marathon after he was run over by a bus. Talk about inspiring!!!

My First Run

I got up at 4:15 and headed out on a 2 mile loop around our neighborhood. I decided to take our dog Shiner with me. It was her first run too. I completed the 2 miles in just under 26 minutes. It hurt the entire time, but I didn't walk at all. I can do this!

My inspiration

My wife Kristi has been training for her first 1/2 marathon. I went to watch her run a 15k and was completely inspired by her performance and motivated by the race environment. I went out on the course and cheered for her in several places and was amazed at her strength. As I sat at the finish line waitng to see her, I watched runners of all shapes, sizes, and ages finish and I couldn't help but notice the sense of accomplishment that all of them had. I have run a few 5ks and was on a marathon relay team and I know exactly how that felt. I decided then that I wanted experience that feeling again.