36-0

Alabama stays undefeated and #1 in the country by absolutely destroying the auburn tigers today. 12-0 on the season.

What a great day and energy filled environment. Life doesn't get much better!

Night Before Iron Bowl

Friday, the day before the Iron Bowl. Gerri and I slept in, well slept in by our standards anyway. We enjoyed some coffee while checking emails, blogs, etc this morning, then showered and packed for our trip to Alabama. We stopped in Anderson for lunch at Olive Garden, but quickly realized the wait time would be long with many people waiting outside. We diverted to Wendy's and then completed the drive to Birmingham. During the trip we listened to a few podcasts of Phedipidations and Run, Run, Live.

We got to our home away from home, the Comfort Inn around 3:00. We settled in and relaxed watching LSU lose to Arkansas before meeting Bama friends Alan and Linda for dinner at Johnny Carino's. It was nice spending some time with them, even though our waitress did everything she could to rush us out from the time we sat down until the time we left. This with absolutely NOBODY waiting for tables.

The anticipation of the game with Auburn tomorrow is growing and I can tell that both Gerri and I are getting anxious, ready for the game to be here. It's hard to believe that 12 games have once again come and gone. It has been an exciting season and tomorrow we can complete another undefeated season by beating Auburn and putting an end to our miserable losing streak against them.

One thought crossed my mind as I was driving today. As the end of another year approaches, it is time to begin thinking about my running goals for 2009. I need to look at key races and then plan my training to achieve the results that I would like. In addition, I want to come up with a Bucket List for races. I know this would be a fluid list, and in some cases may be a stretch. You'll have to check back in the future to see my list.

Battling The Inner Running Demons

I guess we've all been there at some point. This morning my demons returned and now I have less than a week to vanquish them.

What happened this morning was the Electric City Gobbler 5K. Gerri and I ran it last year and enjoyed running on Thanksgiving morning enough that we signed up again this year. This is a pretty casual race with a nice turnout. The morning was sunny and crisp, with temps in the low 30s when the race started around 8:30.

Gerri has been pointing to this race to get her sub 30 minute 5K, so she was pretty excited. I've been battling a head and chest cold and debated internally if I even wanted to run. I decided it was a race time decision, because I really needed to get back on the road to get some miles. I made the decision to run, but take it easy.

It was a bad decision. Things started out well as I allowed the group to pull away which most would have any way. I decided a 30 or 31 minute 5K would be okay and even given my health issues shouldn't be a problem. I'm not fast, with a PR of about 27 minutes, but 30 minute 5K are not usually a problem.

First mile was about 10:15 pace and felt okay and then suddenly, Houston we have a problem. And not the problem I expected. First my right shin started hurting and then my left shin started bothering me too. What the hell, I haven't had shin pain in a long time and it certainly isn't an overuse injury with my mileage. Within a few minutes time, my pace had slowed as I felt like a Clydesdale clomping down the street. I had no choice, I had to stop and walk.

This is a 5K and I'm walking? After a minute, the pain let up and I started "jogging" again. Around mile 2 I had to walk again due to the pain. Now I'm being passed by little kids, overweight adults and a senior citizen using a walker. Okay that might be an exageration, but you get the idea.

Not only was the last mile slow, painful and filled with walk breaks, but my mind was swimming. How am I going to run a Half Marathon at Kiawah next weekend when I can barely finish a 5K? Can I even finish this 5K? A back entrance to the mall appears and I briefly consider taking this short cut and calling it a day. No, I have finished every race I have started and I'm not quiting.

The end is finally in sight. My shins are killing me. My head is spinning. A combination of not being able to breath due to the chest cold and not being able to think with so many thoughts running through my head. I see Gerri and Robby near the finish. I'm hoping she did well (she did with a new PR), and trying not to fall over in front of the group as I cross the finish line. I'm hoping that no pictures were taken because I'm sure I have a painful, dazed look on my face.

The time was ugly, 35:22. I'm embarrassed to even post that information, but it is a fact of life. I need to deal with it and put it behind me. This week I need to face my demons. Get a few short, easy runs done and see what the body and shins feel like. I know I can complete the Half Marathon, and I'm going to spend every remaining day focusing on shedding those nasty demons.

More Great Moments in Bama History

The Goal Line Stand (1979 National Championship Game)



The Strip (1992 National Championship Game)

Iron Bowl Week

Almost time for Bama to end the auburn streak and put things in the universe back in their rightful place. Amazing how dead on the following commercial is to reality.



ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Time Warp

No, not the Rocky Horror Picture Show Time Warp, but has it really been a week since I last ran? How is that possible? And the Kiawah Half is now only a little over a week and a half away.

I've actually been battling with a chest cold. You know that kind that starts with gunk running down your throat and eventually it all hardens up and decides to wreak havoc with your breathing. The never ending unproductive coughs, the heaviness in the chest. Yeah, that kind.

It's actually starting to feel a bit better, although I still have some gunk running down my throat causing the normal irritation, and some residual coughing that is finally starting to get some of the gunk up and out.

I adjusted my schedule this week, so no travel for work. It's nice to be home for a change and able to spend more time with Gerri. We did the family Thanksgiving "extravaganza" on Sunday, so this week will be more low key. We'll spend a quiet Thanksgiving day with Gerri's Mom and Step dad, going to The Steak House Cafeteria in Wahalla for lunch and then going to see their weekend retreat home for the 1st time. We affectionately call it "Rattlesnake Ridge" although a few other names have been thrown out too.

Friday we'll head to Birmingham for the Iron Bowl on Saturday. For those that don't follow football, the Iron Bowl is the annual heated rivalry game between the University of Alabama and Auburn University. This will be our last trip to Alabama for a football game this season, although we plan on attending our bowl game, most likely in Miami or New Orleans.

Running wise, I think I'll try to get in an easy 3 miles today to see how I feel. We have the 5K Electric City Gobbler in Anderson on Thanksgiving morning and then a scheduled longer run on Friday or Saturday.

One more note, we went to see the Boiling Springs High School Drama production of "Dearly Departed" this past Saturday night. While it can be hard to appreciate high school performances, especially musicals, they actually did a pretty good job with this one. Our daughter Chelsea, headed up Sound and did an EXCELLENT job. She has one more play left in her high school career, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." I guess we can make it through one more musical, although I'd prefer to see a real musical like The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Inspiration From Mountain Brook Run

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Posted on a sign at the gas station water stop used by many running groups.

3 Mile on TM in Jax

It's Tuesday night and I'm sitting in my room at the Comfort Suites in Jacksonville. In a few minutes, The Biggest Loser will come on, and after that it will be time for bed. Getting up at 5:00am each day means getting to bed early, something that I have not been very good at doing lately.

After getting back to the hotel this afternoon, I started thinking about my current training compared to my training at this time last year. I reviewed my training log on Buckeye Outdoors. It wasn't perfect, but it was enjoyable and fit into my work schedule. I was consistently getting in 20+ mile weeks. That was the Hal Higdon Novice 1 Training Plan.

I pulled Hal Higdon up, looked at the plan and it felt like an old friend. Running 4 days a week works for me, but somehow I slipped into this once a week long run routine, kidding myself that it was working. It's not.

The more I looked, the more I knew that it was right. And it inspired me to get my running gear on and head downstairs to the treadmill. I had a nice run, starting at 11:00 pace and finishing about 9:00. It was a good start. I need to gradually add some shorter runs each week until my body gets used to the increased number of runs and mileage. Too much too fast equals injury and that does nobody any good.

Kiawah, Tybee and Shamrock.

Weekend postscript. Another great weekend in Bama, although a bit "cooler" than usual. Our Alabama Crimson Tide won another game, knocking off Mississippi State and moving to 11-0 while retaining the #1 ranking. The tailgate and game were cold, windy and rainy. It was even colder because our core temperatures had not fully recovered from the 12 mile run in the cold, wind and rain. Did I mention that we had a great time!

12 miler in Mountain Brook

Just back from a 12 mile jaunt through Mountain Brook and Homewood, AL. It was cold, windy and overcast. Run completed in 2:19 for an 11:34 pace.

Now I have to grab a quick shower and head down to Tuscaloosa for the Bama vs. Miss State game. I'll update later, probably Sunday night.

Roll Tide Roll!

Drive & Determination

I used to think that I had lots of drive and determination, but as my training continues to be completely wishy-washy, I've been really questioning my own commitment. We all go through some highs and lows, ebbs and flows, but it's time to re-commit.

I can't think of a more driven person than Alabama Football Coach, Nick Saban. Is there a more driven coach in football? Watch the video from this week and you'll be as fired up as I am, AIGHT!

5 miles + 5K +Bama Football

Okay, Gerri and I ran 5 miles of our planned 7 miles, then headed over to the YMCA and ran in a 5K charity event. 5 miles was tough (GI issues), but enjoyed the 5K with Gerri and she got a PR.

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Update - Bama won in OT 27-21 and are still #1.

We had a wonderful Sunday with family, friends and church at NewSpring before I had to leave for Chattanooga. Today I was in meetings and then had to drive to Savannah. It's now late, I'm tired and have to get up early. Updates and hopefully a run on Tybee tomorrow.

Postscript on this blog. It was a long week. I never did get a run in this week while in Savannah. I got home Thursday night around 6:15pm, in time for dinner with Gerri at Arizona Steakhouse. We then moved over to Starbucks and a great time with our NewSpring home group.

This morning (Friday), I dropped Gerri at work, went to the Blood Connection to donate platelets (and watch Bourne Ultimatum), and now I'm sitting in Liquid Highway waiting for my haircut appointment at noon. After my cut, I'm meeting our friend Ryan Sills for lunch at McAlisters Deli, a nice big spud on this cool rainy day.

I'll then head home, pack and pick up Gerri for the drive to Birmingham. We'll stop at Olive Garden north of Atlanta, and get in late. We have a 12 miler scheduled in Mountain Brook, and then the Bama game against Mississippi State tomorrow night.

Should be another great weekend.

A midweek run

Well sort of anyway. I woke and worked this morning in Yulee, FL. After my work day ended around 3:00 I drove the 100+ miles up I-95 to Savannah. I checked into the hotel, checked my emails, etc. and then headed to the "fitness center" to get a 3 mile run in on the treadmill. Yes, I have stayed at this Clarion before and used the TM.

Although I was hungry, I knew I could knock out the three miles easily before heading out to dinner. I was excited to hit the TM...for about 30 seconds. I'll admit that I get bored easily on the TM but that wasn't the issue tonight. The stupid TM belt was slipping badly causing me to constantly be readjusting my balance to avoid being thrown forward or off the back. The faster the speed, the worse the slippage. I stuck it out for two miles and finally called it quits. I sure would have liked to get another mile in, but it just wasn't worth risking injury and frustration.

After cooling down, I went out for a yummy dinner at Outback (7 oz filet, sweet potato, salad, bread and 3 big glasses of unsweet, yes unsweet tea). I then headed to a nearby Krystal location for my night visit. Unfortunately it went about as well as my TM experience, so tomorrow could be a real challenge.

Hopefully I'll be done around 3:00 tomorrow and home around 7:00. Looking forward to being home with Gerri and getting to spend some time with Chelsea and Heather. Running 7 miles Saturday morning downtown and then running the 5K Caine Halter Lungs for Life Run/Walk. Saturday afternoon will also feature the biggest game of the season for Alabama when we play LSU at LSU at 3:30pm. Sunday morning we'll be headed to NewSpring Greenville and then lunch with our good friends Eric and Robin.

I Can't Catch A Running Break

Today looked like a promising day for running. Got done in Jacksonville around 3:15 and headed north towards Yulee, FL, about 45 minutes north. Decided to have an early dinner since I knew there was not much around my hotel, so I stopped at Duval Rd near the airport. My new team member that I'm training was about a mile behind me due to traffic. I called gave him the exit number and told him how to meet me at Sticky Fingers.

Can someone tell me how you can get off at the right exit, be less than a 1/4 mile from the restaurant and then get lost and take almost 40 minutes (and three phone calls) to finally get to the restaurant. I had a nice dinner, except for the slightly spoiled unsweet tea and then drove the remaining 15 minutes to the hotel.

I expected to change into my running gear and hit the TM. I'm sorry the front desk exclaimed, we don't have a treadmill. Normally I'd opt for running outside, but we are on a busy, dark road with no shoulder. Looks like I'll another no run day.

Okay, so maybe I can watch the football game tonight. Sorry, the only channel on the TV that I can't see due to interference.

Oh wait, I missed the 1st half anyway having to finish and re-write the report from today's visit that should have been written and sent off almost 7 hours ago. Can anyone sense the stress and frustration in my evening? How about suggestions on teaching someone in their late 40's how to write using complete sentences, capitalization and punctuation.

I need chocolate and their is none to be found. Guess I'll have to settle for a chewable Vitamin C.

Tomorrow is another day.

Random Run On Thoughts

There are no excuses today, I just was not able to push myself out the door and onto the treadmill at the hotel. I figured I would do it this afternoon, then I started checking emails, twitter and blogs. Then I got caught up in some stupid movie that I don't even know the name. Suddenly it was dinner with a co-worker. I kept telling myself that I would hit the TM after my dinner settled a little. Who was I kidding? Then the election results started coming in and it grabbed my attention even though I have to admit that I exercised my right not to vote. I honestly do not believe either candidate deserves to be President of our great country, but I suppose someone will have to win. I predicted this morning a double digit win for O'Bama and things appear to be headed in that direction. Now it's 9:46pm, I'm tired and have to be up at 5:00am. Tomorrow is another day, another chance to redeem myself. The next four years scare the hell out of me, luckily three of those years I'll be focused on supporting my beautiful wife as she tackles her JD at a Law School to be determined. Yes, lot's of random thoughts in a run on paragraph. I won't make a habit of it, but that's just the way I feel tonight.

Coming Soon

Okay I'll admit that I was a slacker in October. A bad slacker. I only got in three runs, that right THREE runs. A 12 miler, an 8 miler and a Half Marathon. No wonder it was so hard! I got in a similar number of blogs, maybe 1 or 2 more. I find neither of these acceptable, so November is kick myself in the butt month.

I already have an 8 mile run in, and although short, my first blog of the month. I'm going to attempt 3-4 runs and blogs each week. Assuming I'm successful I'll have a written record of my life (warts and all) and will hopefully be better prepared for the next Half Marathon on Dec 6th. I 'm hoping Kiawah will be a better run and my training leading up to it will provide an initial base on which to begin building my Marathon training.

Did I mention that Alabama Football is the #1 team in the country? Bama has not been ranked #1 in the regular season since 1980, although we were ranked #1 at the end of the 1992 season when we whipped Miami to win the National Championship. With Bama back on top, life seems to have returned to normal.

So 1 run in the books and now 1 blog. Today was a long travel day to Jacksonville, but I'm planning on getting in a few runs this week while I'm on the road. Feel free to kick me in the pants if I fall short this month.