IT WAS WORTH IT

My blog was Eyes on the Prize and all during the training, I had my eyes and hopes on crossing that finish line (I even praticed my pose!) Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I have decided not to be bitter and complain about it. Someone quoted a passage from the Bible earlier Saturday night that said "to everything there is a seasona ..." This was my season to get healthier, happier, more confident and more determined. My season to finish a marathon is yet to come!! But I will "fight aI good fight, keep the faith and finish the course" next time.

If anyone should ask was it worth it? Did I enjoy the training? Was it worth it? YES!!! I thank each of you for your smiles, support, encouragement and friendship. I am especially proud of my wife and daughter, because I saw up-close how far you both came. YOU GIRLS ROCK!!!!

Good Times

Remember when we would come to Saturday meetings at 9:00 and sit around and listen to Mark talk. Boy, we'd sit around and laugh and greet one another--then we'd go out and take a nice, cool, leisurely walk through the streets of Clinton, or on the levee in Jackson. That was such a simple, happy time. Knees felt fine, feet didn't hurt, and you could see where you were going. And, there was never that awkward, funny feeling afterwards of trying to walk when your body was in constant pain. Chicago was just a long ways off--nothing to be too concerned with.

Enough reminiscing. If you still miss those days, take a look at the pictures from the run on Saturday. People we're slimer, healthier, and more determined than ever. It was a beautful day with a lot of beautiful people having a great time. I think we've all changed for the better!

Hey Buddy, Got a Light?

Was it dark out there or what? I have never run that long in the dark in my life. At one point, I had no idea where my feet were stepping! I just happened to see someone in front of me or heard voices. It was so bad, that runners with lights were distracting. And meeting cars was a new adventure every time it happened. But I'm not complaining, because that was probably the best weather and most beautiful day we have trained in!! Man, it was great out there Saturday.

When I did Campfire and the cul-de-sac, it was just so peacful. Could have been that I was about to pass out and that I was all by myself--I will claim that it was a 'runner's high' and I was 'one with nature'--that sounds better. Anyway, it was beautiful and enjoyable.

I no longer have any doubts about Chicago!! I WILL DO THIS AND I WILL ENJOY IT!! (Hey Mark, do they let you use HoverRounds in Chicago?)

Chocolate

I dont' know about any of the rest of you, but every now and then, I really want some chocalate!! I was in line at the local Kroger yesterday getting my things for today's cookout and just looking at the magazines and waiting to get checked out (one mag even said Oprah only has six years to live...hope that's not true). Anyhoo, I'm waiting to check out, when all of a sudden I want chocolate. See, I can eat it in the car and nobody knows I've had any by the time I get home (now is when I do my Dr. Evil laugh (hee, hee, hee, hoo...Yeah!)

Well, wouldn't you know it? There were all kinds of candy in the ailse where I was that I don't like. There were these things that Reece's won't own up to their mistake and admit that peanut butter should be kept away from chocolate; there was some hybrid chocolate covered crispy, crunch bar (what a waste of chocolate); some $100,000 chewy nuget--noogit--Ted Nugent or something or other-gimme a break. What my po' little ole heart longed for was a Snickers with almonds (praise be!). Is there a Noble Prize for chocolate? Anyway, I was in the wrong line, so I had to combat my urge with a little Gatorade. Whoohoo!!

Side Effects

That old saying, "you always hurt the ones you love", really proved true for me Saturday. I hurt in parts of my body that I had forgotten about but they came back to remind me that they were still there. When we were leaving, Mark said "the family that marathons together--uh stays together". I wanted to say "collapses together" but didn't. The funny thing is we drove to Oxford and on the way we stopped in Grenada and everybody had to struggle to get out of the car. It was so funny trying to walk into the store and not look like we were about to fall at any minute.

Bobbie and I did five miles this morning and I feel great! Except for a twinge in my knees, back, thighs, ankles, toes, neck, shoulders, butt, elbows----I know--starting to sound like one of those commercials that would say---"running is fine, but may cause a few side effects...."

I'm having a great time!

Saturday Afternoons

We are enjoying the experience we're having with Marathon Makeover, but Saturday afternoons have really slowed down around our house. The day usually plays out like this. We get up and drink some fluids and maybe share an energy bar, then we're out the door and off to complete the run. After we get home, we stagger into the house, shower and cook and eat breakfast and then we all pile around the tv in the den on either a sofa or recliner. We make sure to get the remote, bottles of water, Advil, and a cordless phone close to somebody's chair. Ther isn't a lot of movement 'round our place come Saturday afternoons.

I like to watch sports, but if one of the women folk puts the remote on Lifetime, I just get in touch with my sensitive side and watch. Hey, life's too short and I'm too sore to fuss.

Having Fun

I am in Tunica today for a workshop. Talk about a lot of wide-open space for running---wow, this is great!!! I went out and did 50 minutes (about 4 miles--yeah baby) and it felt good. It was really cool being out in the middle of nowhere on great roads and people drive by and kinda ask "where'd that guy come from?" I had a blast and feel great. Tomorrow will only be 30 minutes, so I'll try to pick up the pace. I'm Looking forward to Saturday!!!

Keep On Jogging...

I wasn't able to join you guys today because I'm in the Natioanl Guard and we had drill. I know the weather was bad, but I read that Mark and a few others stuck it out. Way to go. Morgan,
Bobbie and I got our five miles in after I got home. We went out in the neighborhood and did five miles and I feel great! I going to go ice and take a hot bath. Keep on jogging........

Git 'er Done

Yesterday was a great day! The weather was great and the fellowship and conversations were inspiring. I really enjoyed hearing from some of the ones who have done it already. I plan on having my own story next year. I am looking forward to Chicago, but I'm also looking forward to getting ready for Chicago. We can do this!!!

Donuts!!!

Some of you may remember the commercial with the guy who kept gettting up to make the donuts over and over again. After a while, he couldn't tell if he was getting up or going to bed. Sometimes this training process can feel like that. I keep telling myself (and I believe it) that I feel so much better during the day. I'm doing the excercises, eating right, drinking plenty of water--no sodas or tea--Why won't those @#%$ numbers on my scales go down?