New Ground

New ground has been broken!

This past Saturday I ran the longest distance I’ve ever run – 14 miles. And although there is still a long way to go before I’m ready for 26.2, I’m definitely on my way. From this point forward, almost every Saturday will mark a new distance record as I continue to build on the week before.

And while I won’t pretend this is easy, it has been rather pleasant during the past week. The mild temperatures and low humidity have made for ideal conditions and the beauty of the Roanoke Valley is nothing short of spectacular. I’m grateful to be outside taking it all in.

Hopefully this trend will continue as we move into August.

For all who have been able to make a financial contribution to my Team In Training goal, I sincerely thank you. Because of your generosity, we’ve raised $2580.00 so far! That will go a long way towards helping those in need.

And for all who continually lend their moral support, I thank you as well. It goes a long way towards getting me up before dawn each morning and continuing to put one foot in front of the other.

Like this morning ... 7 miles ... the last in the rain.

"In the end, forming our own destiny is what ambition is about." - Joseph Epstein

Twenty Five

July 18, 1982

The middle of summer, late afternoon
a break from the heat, a modest bedroom.
Restless you’d grown, stirring about
if one word you knew, it would’ve been out!

The time had arrived, no more delay
for God had decided, today was your day.
So greeting the world, you did loudly proclaim
I’m here to stay, Abbey Rae is my name!

And with each passing day, I came to see
you completed your brother, mother and me.
Where once we were three, an uneven set
Now we were four, how good would it get?

The years flew by, as I worked like a fool
till suddenly one day, you started school.
Drawings and cards and many gold stars
soon filled my briefcase, office and cars.

Summers in camp, by the great lake
new adventures to live, and friends to make.
Kohanna for you, Leelanau for Ben
six more years pass, on the billowing wind.

Teen years saw change, not always fun
a family divided, no longer one.
Did I do enough and all that I should
I hope you know I did the best I could.

Unhappy distance, bitterness and pain
Clouded our days with unending rain.
Till into our world, one winter’s day
Lei Lei arrived, showing the way.

To reconcile, that which was lost
a father, a daughter, who’s lives had been tossed.
Drawing us close, just as before
burying the past, closing the door.

Twenty-five years, quickly has passed
a roller coaster ride, how long will it last?
No matter the time and come what may
My love for you, will always stay.


Happy Birthday Abbey.

Transition

This past Saturday carried a certain import for me in that it marks a transition of sorts.

In training for the Marine Corp Marathon, we do our long runs on Saturday mornings and this past weekend we logged 13+ miles. The reason this is a transition is that going forward, each ensuing Saturday run (with the exception of a couple of step backs) will mark a new distance record for me.

I’ll be entering un-chartered waters as they say.

Another reason this past weekend serves as a transition is that my Saturday Guy status is over. After approximately 7 months of being off on Saturdays, I am changing positions within the company and as a result will once again return to the world where TGIF means nothing.

C’est la vie.

Classical Daybreak

At 4:45 am this morning - as it does most mornings - my alarm went off. And by alarm, I mean my clock radio, which remains eternally tuned to our local NPR affilliate. From midnight until 5:30 am, a Classical music format dominates their airwaves and so, before I arose for my morning run, I lay in the quiet darkness of my bedroom and listened to the timeless sounds.

And as the beautifully evocative music filled my senses ... I thought.

I thought of all the wonderful blessings I've received in my life and how far too often, I've neglected to stop and recognize them as such.

I thought of the many times when I've allowed life's trials and tribulations to overshadow the inherent good which surrounds me.

I thought of the bouts of self pity which periodically blinds me to reality.

And I thought of the beautiful woman lying next to me who is always there - for me and with me, whether I deserve her love or not; who always helps me keep things in perspective; who gives my life balance and meaning; who makes my life complete ... and I thought to myself how could I possibly live without her.

I decided this was a wonderful way to begin my day.

Thank you Beth.

I love you.

"I see skies of blue..... clouds of white. Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights. And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world." - Sung by Louis Armstrong

July - So Far

July 3rd was my birthday - ran 4.

July 4th was the country's birthday - ran 6.

July 5th was probably someone's birthday - ran 4.

July 6th will be a rest day.

And July 7th will run 12.

Hope it's not too hot.

Oh and for a very interesting Top Ten, visit Zoe the Hellerhound.