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.

Spinx Runfest Half Marathon

Gerri and I completed the Spinx Runfest Marathon today. Unfortunately I'm too tired to blog about it now and too busy watching my Alabama Crimson Tide play on ESPN. Check back soon for my less than stellar race report.

A quick thanks to the volunteers, fans and runners for making the race. I met some great folks today including Larry, who has run 50 states not only once but twice. He was flying out of Greenville today to run a marathon in Cape Cod tomorrow. Larry, you are my hero.

A Bama weekend

After two very hectic, crazy, long and tiring weeks working at the new Krystal in Greenville, Gerri and I headed to Bama last night. We stopped at Carrabba's in Douglasville and arrived in Birmingham around 10:30 pm. We were both exhausted.

The alarm went off at 6:15 am and we got ready for an 8 mile run in Mountain Brook. I was a bit nervous, not having run in two weeks. The air was cool and crisp and the run turned out fantastic, other than a few stops for GI issues. My pace is slower than last year, but I'm really enjoying running with Gerri and seeing her getting faster and faster. Today was her fastest long run ever, which made it really fun for me.

After the run we drove by Samford University, to look at the Cumberland School of Law. This is one of her 6 choices. The campus is beautiful and we really like the area. I was surprised, but Cumberland probably moved up to my 2nd choice behind Alabama. We stopped at Panera Bread for breakfast, then quickly showered and changed at the hotel so that we could get down to Tuscaloosa.

We actually got a phone call from one of our tailgate friends, checking to see if we were okay. I guess arriving last after normally arriving first threw everyone off. We enjoyed seeing our friends and eating some good BBQ and goodies.

The Bama game was a nerve racking event. We trailed briefly for the 1st time this year, but then raced out to a 24-3 halftime lead. Bama played conservative and poor in the 2nd half and Ole Miss turned it up a notch and Bama hung on for a 24-20 victory. I hate the game was so close, but always happy for a victory and a 7-0 record. We won some close, ugly games during our last National Championship season, so a win is a win. Biggest impact may be our terrific nose tackle Terrence Cody, going out with what appears to be an MCL sprain/strain. At 365 pounds, that has to be a concern.

After the game we had a clear shot to Birmingham thanks to our great parking/tailgate spot and stopped at California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. We are now relaxing and watching the South Carolina vs. LSU game. Gerri has fallen asleep and I'm getting ready to shut down for the night too. We plan on sleeping in tomorrow morning, and then heading to NewSpring Church for the 4:15 or 6:00 pm service.

Spinx Runfest Half Marathon is now one week away. Kiawah will be here before I know it.

Works Getting In The Way

Just a quick post in case anyone is reading this blog. No I haven't stopped blogging, although it appears I have. Unfortunately I also have not run in about 10 days. Not exactly the ideal taper for my upcoming Half on Oct. 25th.

The company I work for, Krystal Company, just opened a new restaurant in Greenville, SC yesterday. They asked me to spend last week assisting them with training and getting the store ready. This week is continued training and assisting with the store ops. I've been working about 12-13 hours a day and have been exhausted. When I got home yesterday, my feet and hips hurt worse than after the VT marathon in May.

I need to get in a run Wed or Thu morning and then Gerri and I will run 8 in Alabama on Saturday morning before the game.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

Where Am I? Who Am I?

And what day is it? I really need to take a few minutes to catch my breath because the last few weeks have been craziness. Football season tends to be that way, combining weekend travel on top of my weekly work travel. Combine the lack of sleep last week and I'm still reeling.

The good news is I'll be working out of Greenville for the next two weeks as we get ready to open our newest Krystal restaurant on Oct. 13th.

Between now and Monday, things will stay nuts! I'm sitting in a coffee shop in Anderson, SC now, killing time and waiting for the Financial Learning Experience tonight at NewSpring. I'm going to bet that Joe Sangl brings out the big wood tonight with over 500 registered. We have been working on our debt reduction and this should help us get our arms wrapped better around the budgeting process.

Tomorrow morning is a scheduled 12 mile run, although I say what the hell, lets just due 13.1 and run the Spinx Half Marathon route for the hell of it. Of course I haven't run since last Sunday when the 10 miler kicked my butt.

After the run I get my haircut, then Gerri and I head to Bama. We get to fight the Taladega traffic this week, so there will be lots of drafting on the highway. We'll be meeting some friends for dinner tomorrow night in Birmingham. Gerri is taking the LSAT on Saturday morning at the University of Alabama, while I'm meeting friends from Florida for breakfast at the Waysider.

Then it's time to tailgate and get ready for the Crimson Tide game against Kentucky at 2:30 Central. We'll spend the night in Birmingham, then drive home Sunday, in time to volunteer at NewSpring for the 4:15 service. Gerri is a Greeter and I get to show my expertise in parking cars.

We'll finally get to relax for a few hours Sunday night before all hell breaks loose again on Monday morning. Life is crazy and I would not change it for anything!