Pride, it's not just a deadly sin anymore...

So yesterday I wrote about a lot of people that mean a great deal to me and that have helped shape me into the man I am today.  I'm proud to call those people my friends and proud of all their accomplishments, but now I want to talk about me.

Today I want to write about one of the proudest moments in my life (aside from the day I feel in love with my baby girl and the joys that being a father will bring).  For those of you that have known me for a while you may recall that I've always said the proudest day of my life was the day I sank a reese's pieces into Katie's bottle of diet coke from across the room, and although I'm proud of that moment, it's not something I'll be bragging about years from now (although it has been 12 years and here I am writing about it).  I'm talking about the incredible run I had this past Sunday.

My first half marathon took place in San Diego (to which one day I will return to take on the full) back in 2007.  At the time I hated running, every mile was a struggle and I wanted nothing to do with it beyond this race.  At the time I weighed just over 200 pounds and finished the race in 2 hours and 22 minutes, which averages out to be about an 11 minute mile.  After returning from San Diego I stopped running for a while until taking on the Mayors Half Marathon in Anchorage Alaska in 2008.  This time my weight was still around 200 pounds, but I finished around 2 hours and 12 minutes, about a 10 minute mile.  It took a lot longer for me to hit the road again and I didn't run another organized race until the 2010 Falmouth Road Race.

This time I was running with a purpose.  I had a new baby girl and was out to set that positive example for her.  I signed up for the 2011 Boston Marathon and finished it in 4 hours 32 minutes.  When I finished the marathon I weighed in at 172 pounds and averaged about 10 minute 45 second miles.  After signing up for the 2012 Marathon I was determined to take time off my race.  I set a goal of 4 hours and 15 minutes, but over the past few weeks have come to realize I'm much stronger than I used to be and I'm ready for a real challenge.

That brings me to this past Sunday.  Running the half marathon I realized how far I had come.  What I once took a full season to train for was now nothing but a training run for a bigger prize.  I ended up finishing the race in 1 hour 48 minutes, and 8 minute 16 second pace!  It was an incredible feeling for me.  When I looked down at my watch as I was about a quarter mile from the finish line I couldn't believe I was coming in at under 1:50 and couldn't help but have the biggest grin across my face.  I couldn't wait to hug Katie and tell her my results.  I couldn't wait to get my phone and text my friends that I know are always cheering me on, and I couldn't wait to hit facebook and twitter with my accomplishment, I was proud and I still am.  And most of all, I'm ready to finish the Boston Marathon in less than 4 hours!  My original weight loss goal was to get back down to 172, but I know now that I've gained a lot of muscle that's making me realize maybe I am an athlete after all and that the number on the scale isn't the prize.

I know too much pride can be a bad thing, but right now it feels pretty damn good!

Thankful for the runs...

My friend Matt sent me an interesting article from active.com.  The title of the article leaves a little to be desired, but here's the first few sentences:  Running brings people together.  New running buddies can go from strangers to close friends in only a few days.

There's no doubt in my mind that that's the truth.  Since I started running I have gotten to know a number of great people.  Training for the Boston Marathon in 2011 introduced me to a fantastic group of individuals.  One of those runners, Bethany, helped me push through a difficult end to last years marathon. I was with her the moment I crossed the finish line, and I'll forever be thankful for her support.  I have no doubt in my mind Amy and I will provide the same support to each other this year and that Bethany will do the same for Katie.

Recently a co-worker of mine had reached out to me for guidance on training for a marathon.  During this time we started running together and he's no longer a co-worker (partly because he quit), but a close friend.  Our conversations went from how he could improve his stride and distance to talking about family, faith, some pretty big life decisions, and eventually to just good old fashion bullshit.  He's since started his journey back to his home state of California, but we've made a pact to run a marathon together in 2013.  I'm hopeful I was able to make his time away from home easier and provide him with some good advice.  I know I'm thankful to him for giving me a renewed confidence in myself at work and on the road.  It was the first time anyone has ever looked at me as somewhat of a mentor, and I think it was important for me to realize I impact people every day in my life at work and home.  Good luck Jack, and I'll see you soon my friend.

Running has the same impact on old friends.  Damien and I have been good friends since high school.  We've had some years that we've barely seen each other and some where we actually lived together, like our freshman year of college.  I can honestly say  I've gotten to know more about him in the past two years of running with him than the previous 13.  We're both lucky enough to have fantastic wives and children, but when we're out on the road running it's our chance to just open up.  I really appreciate that time and look forward to getting out there on a more frequent basis.

Then, there's Matt... good old Matt.  He's probably one of the best guys I could have ever asked to be a part of my family's life.  I didn't need running to get to know him, our relationship is pretty wide open.  Here's just a taste of how he tries to lift you up when you're down: "One of these days I am just going to punch you in the balls.  That will take care of all your frustrations and self-doubt.   After that you’ll have tons of confidence because you can say, I survived ball punching 2012."  Now is probably a good time to say the article I'm referencing is one that Matt sent me, and the title is "When Can I Talk about My Poop?: A Runner's Conversation Guide."  The answer, since day one.  Sorry Katie and Nina.

Finally, I wanted to just throw a shout out to a friend of mine that recently started the couch to 5k program.  I want her to know how incredibly proud I am of her.  She got the strength to open her own business in 2011 and is now working hard to get to where she wants to be in her personal life.  There's going to be ups and downs, but stick with it!

I may not have hundreds of Christmas cards to mail out each year, but I do have some pretty remarkable people in my life (not all named above).  Wether they're 3,000 miles away or just down the hill I'm incredibly grateful for the guidance, support, and complete insanity that comes from each of you.  I love running and I love that a hobby I'm so passionate about has given me the opportunity to form incredible bonds with people that I otherwise may not have.

Oh yeah - this weeks weigh in, I lost a half pound - 182.  7 weeks and 7 pounds to go...

More to come this week on my PR in the Hyannis Half Marathon!

    

Our failure sometimes leads to our greatest success...

Last week reminded me that anger, failure, and despair are all part of being human.  I had been doing really well with training and my overall attitude toward the marathon, work, and life in general, but it came to an abrupt end last week.  

It started with my heartbreak hill run a few Saturdays ago.  My training had been going great, but on what should have been a simple 11 mile run I could barely get my feet off the ground.  I ran with my orthodics for the first time, and it was a terrible idea.  My knee hurt for the first time in months and it turned out to be one of my longest runs to date.  I tried to pick myself back up with a short four miler on Sunday, but had to cut it down to two when my ankles were so sore that I could barely bend them.  That was followed by two more unsuccessful attempts to have a good run on Monday and Wednesday. 

The terrible training runs were (notice I put training in front of the word runs so Matt couldn't make a joke here) coupled with some building pressure at work and a difficult conversation with my parents to make for one hell of a week.  Work was a combination of feeling unappreciated and unsuccessful in a position I sometimes don't feel I'm the best fit for, while the conversation with my parents stemmed from a past blog I had wrote.

Here's where the title of my blog comes in today.  All of these things mounting up to a giant failure each had a turning point by the end of the week.  First, I was able to finally tell my parents where I was coming from with my running and get them to understand that I do this for my physical health, but as well for my mental health.  Running is my opportunity to get out and leave the stress of the work day or life in general behind.  They had an opportunity to read my past blog, and were hurt by some of my comments, but what they didn't get was the opportunity to read any of my previous postings.  I sent them my entire blog later in the week so they could understand the context of what it is I'm doing on here and why it's important to me.

Second, by some off chance just as I was feeling down about my job two of my adjusters come out of the wood work to thank me for all the hard work I've done for them over the past year and how much they've appreciated it.  Thank you!  Sometimes wether we know where doing a good job or not it's great to hear of the impact we can have.

Finally, on Thursday night I went for a five mile run with my friend Jack.  It was the first run in a week where my ankles didn't hurt, my foot wasn't sore, and I ran without any real discomfort.  I had some great conversation with him during the run that circles back to my confidence at work and how adjusters on other teams view me as well.  It was a great way to mentally prepare me for Saturday when I ran the best 18.67 miles of my life.  It started off difficult, but after about 4 or 5 miles I hit a stride that pushed me to the very end in record time.  It was an incredible feeling that really has my mind set on the ultimate prize - completing Boston in 4 hours time!

My 18 + miler put me in a better mood then I could have ever had asked.  I ended up out until 2am celebrating and woke up bright and early the next day with zero pain or soreness!  But like last week, there have already been ups and downs to this week.  Last night was mentally tough after having a 3 day weekend.  I just have to keep reminding myself it's all part of being human.

Finally - today's weigh in 182.5 and down to a new loop on the belt buckle.  Slow and steady...

10 things that I find annoying...

My blogs have been very honest and sometimes difficult to share, this will not be one of those blogs.  Today I ran heartbreak hill (10.7 miles), and it was miserable.  I don't know if it's because I've been sick or if because I have new inserts for my sneakers to help with my foot pain, but one way or another it sucked.  Every mile was a struggle.  It was down right annoying...

So while I was running today I thought hey, why not share some of the other things I find annoying (in no particular order):

1. Taylor Swift (not so much her music, but her perky attitude)
2. The McDonald's commercial with the chick that'll only drink real organic coffee - get over yourself lady!
3. Bon Jovi singing about rainbows.  Dude, that song is terrible.
4. People that stand on the escalator - isn't our country lazy enough - the stairs are moving for you, just give the little extra effort and make it to the top a few seconds quicker.
5. Kimberly Daher and her Commonwealth motor Ads - "Daaaaad!"  Someone shut that chick up!
6. Finding Nemo - loved this movie, and now so does Paige - every day, all the time...
7. Katherine Heigl and pretty much any movie she's a part of... 
8. Girl Scout cookies - I don't mind helping raise money, but stop raising the price and shrinking the box!
9. People thinking I like Nickelback - I don't.  I hate them, I really really hate them!  Just because I like 3DD do not associate me or them with Nickelback!  
10. ABC and how they cancel every show I get sucked into (Flash Forward/V).  I refuse to watch the River because I know that'll just end the season on a cliffhanger and get canceled.  

Okay, there I feel better.  Now I can go out and have a fantastic 18 mile run next Saturday with a bunch of smaller runs in between!

A loogie a day keeps the running at bay...

I'm a few days late with this weeks update.  I weighed in this week at 183.6.  I'm considering that a victory considering I ate myself sick with the rest of America on Super Bowl Sunday.  Ah, the Super Bowl - not quite the outcome I was hoping for, but it was an unbelievable game with a disappointing end.  The Patriots gave us one heck of a season!  

Marathon training hit a bit of a snag this week.  I'm fighting a cold that prevented me from my normal Wednesday hill run and my Thursday morning strength training class, but I hit the road again tonight with my buddy from work.  It's nice to get out there and run with new friends, it's a great way to get to know people.  Just a few weeks ago he told me how much he hated to run, now he looks forward to it. I'm not taking the credit, just glad to have another member in the running club.  Next goal - get him and a few others on board for full out marathon training (Damien/Matt)!  

It's been especially nice getting to know people during some of the long Tedy's Team runs.  Last year I met some great people and this year I've been running along side my cousin-in-law, Amy.  It's been really great getting to know her better, especially since Paige and her son, Evan are becoming such great friends.

This was a tough week at work, and I think being sick and skipping out on my normal workouts made it that much more difficult.  As I said my training instills confidence in me which I think spills over into my job.  I'm in a position where I can't have people questioning whether or not I believe in myself, and some days that's difficult.  Good thing I'm lucky enough to come home to a wife that thinks the world of me.  She really does keep me going day in and day out.

This weekend it's another Heartbreak Hill run!  Hopefully I'll leave my cold behind me somewhere in the middle of the hills and next week will start off fresh and snot free!

This one's for Jenn

I'm going to keep this post on the shorter side because tomorrow is my normal blogging day, but today is an important day that I didn't want to pass with out some recognition and gratitude.  3 years ago today my best friend of 18 years, Jenn, passed away from complications of Cystic Fibrosis.

Jenn was an important person in my life, and always will be.  She always knew how to make me laugh and was always there to support me through all the hard times.  The two years before she passed away I was in a rough place, depressed, lost and miserable to everyone around me.  It took losing Jenn to put my life back in prospective.  I hate that I had spent so much time feeling sorry for myself that I missed out on being there for her during her difficult times.

One thing that Jenn always said was that if she could change any part of her life, she wouldn't.  She said that all the difficulties that came with her disease shaped her into the person she became.  She was a strong woman that taught me many lessons.  The most important lesson was that we can't live our life with regrets.  The experiences we live are responsible for making us who we are.

Jenn was such an amazing friend.  My hope is that I can be half the friend she was to me to any of you.