Log

Not sure on the time for the run tonight. It was raining like mad so I went up to the track and ran five miles in the puddles. I forgot the watch so no idea on splits.

32.25

So I wanted to make a post tonight about my run. But, yesterday I was looking through some old photos and I found one that I just had to post. The run was a good one. It was cooler tonight because there had been some rain off and on today, but it was terribly humid. So, if you stopped moving things got unbearably hot. I ran 5 miles with slits of 6:58, 6:43, 6:27, 6:19, and 5:56. Hip was giving me a bit of trouble, but not as bad as the other day.

Here is the picture. Jill, do you remember when?

SORRY PEEPS, IT'S REALLY NOT BLOG WORTHY!
<3 Jill

Log

Tonight was the first of many runs on my way back into shape. I ran 5 miles out at Northway park. It was relatively nice weather for Texas. My splits were 7:02, 6:44, 6:35, 6:23, and 5:54. On the third mile my hip really started to bother me and it is still sore sitting here while I write this. I think it might be the weather, but I don't know. Hopefully it won't turn into something too serious.

Running

So my running has been sorta sub-par lately. I have tried to make a come back at least once a year for the past three years. I have had mixed results getting my 5k time back down around 16 minutes. Not what it was in college, but decent none the less. In the past it was all about motivation. I was left drained from college competition and the fight with West Nile. Recently the ambitions have been returning and the joy of running has been starting to come back. I think there is a long way to go still, but it is getting better. Ultimately, the heat and the work schedule has kept me from achieving what I really wanted here in Texas. I see changes on the horizon though and am excited to get after it once more. I have a plan in place and am starting today to pick up the intensity again. The desire to run a 14:xx in the 5k is a major focus for me, but what has really set things off is this, third paragraph. A little background on that record which I used to hold. When I set that record I was in insane shape. I went on to break the school record in the 10k later that year at elevation. I never thought it would be broken. Two Olympic trials runners couldn't do it and Joe Schultz, who holds every record at Chadron from 1500-10000m, couldn't do it. He did break my 10k record, but he did not run it at altitude, which makes a huge difference. Anyway, the kid who broke the Colter Run record is a person who I would have said is mediocre at best. He was a decent high school runner, but would have only been a walk on at any college program. Obviously he has improved, but I cannot sit back and let him have a record that I thought was untouchable for some years to come. I am going to work my tail off over the next year and then go back to Chadron to set things right. I will not have as heavy of a teaching load in Cheyenne, so I will have more time to devote to running and the elevation will help me improve faster. I am going to put the next record so far out of reach that it will last decades.

Where Does Time Go?

Holy cow it has been a long time since I made a post. I have been swamped with things and simply have not had time to get on here. I am teaching a ton of classes right now for summer school. The money is nice, but it is leaving little time for anything else. On top of all this, I have taken a new job at a different school, so I am trying to get things in order for that. The job is in Wyoming which is like 5 million miles away from Texas so we are definitely going to need to move. I don't think that a commute would work for this one. The house is for sale if you know anyone that is interested. We have had some interest in it, but only a couple of promising prospects. I really hope that it sells before we leave as it would sure make life more enjoyable once we get to Wyoming. Because of this opportunity I have recently been thinking about our situation. Normally I am of the mind that you make life what it is and because of this I have always enjoyed Texas. But, recently I have been closely examining the situation here and have come to the realization that I HATE Texas. August 12th can't come soon enough. I have met a few people here that I will truly miss, but the overall experience here has been atrocious and I cannot wait to get out. I hate everything about this place. I hate the way people drive. I hate peoples attitudes. I hate the heat, the hurricanes, the culture, and the politics. The church is still true down here, but man are the members strange. I hate my boss. I hate my office. I hate the facilities that I have had to tolerate. I hate the ignorance and the sense of entitlement that nearly everyone has here. If you ever have the chance to visit Texas, you should pass it up.

Another good one from my son

Friend says, "Why can't we see dinosaurs at the zoo?"

Son, "Cause Jesus killed them."

Son, "I know about dinosaurs."

Who throws a shoe?

Well, I do when someone leaves one at my house. I am sure that my brother is missing them, but my kids are enjoying wearing them around so I am not so sure what to do about them.

Ups and Downs

Things have been going well lately. Visit from brother, back into running and hitting fast times, Celtics up 2-0 in the conference finals. Then I hear that I didn't get the job in Twin. Not only that, I don't even get an interview. Not sure what to think about that. I know the economy is tough right now, but not even an interview?

The Joys of Family

The past week was eventful and I don't think we even stopped to rest. At least my body feels that way. My brother and his wife came to town to visit and he wanted to see ALL the sights in this area. The bulk of the adventure would take place in Louisiana. Our first stop took us deep into the swamp country, but the people living there had most of their teeth. We were treated to a tour of the beautiful grounds at Oak Alley Plantation. This place still grows sugar cane today, but mainly relies on the tourism to keep afloat.



From here the adventure took us to (make sure your sound is on for this one) Nawlins. We saw some interesting sights while here. I think that some of the sights have been forever etched into my retina and I still wake up at night with chills. Most of it was a pleasurable experience though.

We saw the cathedral inside and out.


Jill met a shopping buddy.


And, we ate beignets at the...

I even got to spend some time at the Insectarium. Oddly enough they put that place in a federal building and silly me had a pocket knife. Jill got her exercise that day as we had to walk all the way back to the hotel to drop it off.

After two days, we were spent and traveled back home where we took a day to recuperate. Well, they recuperated, I had to work. The next day though we were on the move again and back to Louisiana to tour Avery Island with its Tobasco plant and gardens. I was rather unimpressed with the plant. A word of caution, Tobasco flavored ice cream is not good.

I did enjoy the gardens and we were able to get pretty close to some wildlife.

Gators.


Turtles.


Birds.


And a 900 year old Buddha.


We finished our adventures with a trip to the beach and a Sunday sermon by me and sent the freeloaders packing yesterday afternoon. Good times were had by all....I think.

I love quotes

Here are three I heard in the last 24 hours...

Riding in the car while Jill is driving: It should be noted that I rarely take the kids anywhere. Normally she drives them place to place while I am at work. Yesterday the family was out geocaching and Jill didn't notice a yellow light and had to really hit the breaks to stop in time. I heard out of Chani the parrot's mouth, "WhooAAaa!!!! Ya, idee-it!!" I just looked at Jill.

Today I actually turned on the tv. Golf was on. Jill walks in, "What's on the other channel?" No we don't have cable.

Jill, "Don't lick her." This was not said to me, by the way.