Made a trip to Tulsa yesterday to visit my parents and let me kiddo’s open up presents from them.  Things started off alright until my back decided it had enough.

To make a long story short, my back gave up and I had to visit Urgent Care.  I am on pain meds and muscle spasm meds.  Have to be helped in order to do any ordinary task.  Needless to say, I may not be running for a few days.

Lets hope for a quick recovery.  I’ll keep you posted.

Woke up with horrible back pain.  This does happen from time to time with me.  What do you do when you wake up with lower back pain?  Go run, of course.  Actually, I was hoping that the run would loosen up my back a little bit.  It didn’t work but thats life.

A few days ago, a running buddy from www.dailymile.com posted pictures of Sutton Wilderness Trails in Norman. When I saw the pictures, I was immediately drawn to them and knew I had to run these particular trails even though I had never run trails before.

Here are the pictures that he (Marlon) posted….

Sutton Wilderness Trail

Sutton Wilderness Marker

Shaded Area/Sutton Wilderness

Final Pic of Sutton Wilderness

If you take the main trail, it is 1.5 miles around.  The trail primarily winds you around a small lake.

Sutton Wilderness Lake

I really did enjoy running the trails.  Many times when I run I get lost in thoughts and I quickly discovered that trail running makes it even easier to get lost in thoughts.  The trails also remind you of who’s in charge.  Big hint…Not me.  The woods have a way of humbling you while at the same time giving you a sense of belonging.

The humbleness comes from realizing how inconsequential we are in the grand scheme of things.  We are specks in the Universe.  However, that is the beauty of things…God loves us with all of our flaws.  The belonging occurs when you look around and see and then hear all living creatures.  We have a role to play in this world.  We can chose to have a positive role or negative role.  We can embrace our belonging and take care of what has been given to us in the form of the environment or we can turn our backs and pretend that the association does not exist.

As I progress through this post, I am reminded of a Michael Jackson song about Man in the Mirror.  We wont debate the garbage that may or may not be attached to Michael but one thing for sure is that he wrote a beautiful song.

I‘m Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I’m Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change

Making a change in the World starts on an individual level first.  I think back to the Norman Newspaper a few years back a few individuals made a change.  They stepped up when development wanted to take over part of the Sutton Wilderness Wildlife land.  The made a difference.  Sutton Wilderness stills exists today so people like me can go, run, and get lost in thought.  It enabled me to speak and more importantly, listen to God.

Merry Christmas!!!

Life is Good

Christmas Vacation

Time with Family

Giving Spirit

Mentally Resting

Running Easy Mileage

Friends

Enjoying Nature

Fostering Relationships

Ahh, Life is Good!!!

• As you can tell, i’m feeling pretty good right now.  I had a slight high ankle issue going on but it appears to be getting better.  Had a nice twelve mile run today as well.  Looking back over the last year, I am so grateful for discovering the world of running.
• Running truly keeps me sane in such an insane world.  I’m not sure what next year has in store for me but I do hope for an injury free running year.
• My next race will be on New Years day at Lake Overholser.  I’m hoping the weather will be a little more cooperative this year.  Last year the north wind was bad and the run was a struggle until you hit the turn around point.  Then the north wind pushed you to the finish line.
• Anyway, i’m a good spot in my life.  Family and friends with a little bit of running mixed in.  I will post more later.

I’m kind of resting.  I did go out and run three miles on Tuesday which was a little too soon.  The top of my ankle is sore today as a result.  It was more out of habit than anything else that made me go out and run with only one rest day after a marathon.  Two marathons in three weeks requires a little more rest than normal.

Upcoming Events….New Years Resolution Run 5K at Overholser Lake and then begin Spring Marathon Training on January 2.  I have decided to maintain a higher level of mileage this year.  I’ll lose marathon shape for awhile but I do not want to be too far away from it.

Potential Marathons for spring…

OkC Memorial  http://www.okcmarathon.com/

Little Rock?  http://www.littlerockmarathon.com/

Avenue of Giants  http://www.littlerockmarathon.com/

I would like to complete two marathons.  The Memorial and Avenue of Giants are only a week apart so i’m not sure how i’m going to manage things yet.  I do know I can run two marathons in three weeks but one week maybe a little too soon.

The Avenue of Giants is well on it’s way.  I’ve gotten wife approval and i’m about to register online.  Once I register, i’m locked in.

Looking back on last weekend.  I really had alot of fun at Dallas White Rock.  It was one of my slower marathons but it was also one of my more relaxing marathons.  It’s nice to be able to look around and enjoy things as you run.  Here’s a final picture from the race.

We've did this a few times over the last year

Just ran Dallas White Rock.  Had a great time with friends and family.  Lets get right into the pictures. 

Random Photo

Start Line...Brenda and Me

Frank, Brenda, and Me

B and W photo PreRace

Race Time and Photos….

Both Brenda and I were in coral D.  We lined up nice and early.  When the gun went off, it took us 11 minutes to make it across the start line.  Brenda ran with me for about 7 miles before turning off on to the 1/2 marathon course.  Throughout the early part of the race, we were in constant zig zag mode.  By no means are we speed demons but many people didn’t quite understand or refused to honor the coral system.  We were constantly going around walkers and people from coral E.  It really was hard to get any type of speed going for any length of time.  

The course was awesome.  Very few hills and lots of flat running.  The final six miles was primarily downhill.  This would be a good marathon for someone trying to qualify for Boston.  The water stops were really good and most of the neighborhood came out to support the runners.  Spectators were constantly cheering me on and reading my name off of my bib and using my name to cheer.  Even had two ladies started dancing as I went by singing my name.

My game plan going into this race was to take it easy and run incident free.  I did not want to have a negative experience such as muscle cramps.  Really wasn’t in the mood for a major “gut check” out on the course.  I ended up sticking to the game plan.  I resisted the urge to speed up.  This marathon was solely a run for enjoyment.

I finished about the same as the Route 66 marathon and I was happy.  Brenda had a pretty decent 1/2 marthon too.  Here is a list of good, bad, and the ugly of Dallas White Rock.

Good

1. Course is fast
2. People Involvment
3. First Aid Stations
4. Dolly Parton Hills (old hairy man dressed as Dolly Parton)
5. American Airlines Center was neat
6. Hooters girl aid station
7. Expo

Bad

1. PreRace Shirts see through and too many sponsors
2. Finisher Tech Shirt Size (no XXL)
3. Not family friendly at start line (restricted areas everywhere)
4. Food after race was mnimal
5. People disobeying coral system

Ugly

1. Piece of orange that flew out of my mouth and landed in a lady’s hair
2. What I had to do at mile 22…apologize to environment and anyone in a 1/4 mile radius
3. Smell of the bus that took us back to hotel
4. Saw two different people vomiting

Start of White Rock

B and I (i'm the tall one)

Finishing Strong

Wrapping it up!

Overall, the White Rock experience was great and I would run this a race again.  If I ever get fast enough, this would be the place that i’d try ot qualify for Boston.  However, i’m many years away.  I enjoyed having the family there but it was really hard on my wife taking care of a 4 and 2 year old. 

The American Airline center was restrictive and overpriced.  It was hard for them to find food, afford food, or even leave the area. 

Now it’s time for the offseason?  Yeah, in two weeks spring marathon training begins.  I do have my work cut out for me, I have got to lose weight in order to lighten some of the work and effort involved with running such distances.  I am planning on watching my diet better and doing more cardio. 

Well that is all for now.  I will post more later.

Hey Readers…

I’ve been fairly active on the blog right now but every time I sit down to watch TV I feel compelled to write a few lines.  Guess I have plenty to say.   Really looking forward to Dallas White Rock this weekend.  Gonna have to remind myself to start slow and stay slow.  I’ve also learned that one has to respect the marathon.  Go in a marathon lightly and it will drop you hard.

Tonight I watched the Avenue of the Giants slide show showing the scenic course.  This is a marathon that I have circled in ink (not pencil) for May.  Something about that race really has me hooked.  I guess part of that urge is from when I visited years ago.  Being out in the nature was such an awesome experience.  I felt closest to God out amongst the trees.  I remember walking off the road and traveling back in the Redwood forest.   Sitting on a stump and staying silent.  I can still hear the sounds of the wild to this day.  This is a moment that I can easily recall today.  I remember telling my wife that life does not get any better than this moment right here, right now.

What I am attempting to do is mix my fond memories of this wonderful scenery with my favorite activity (running).  I’m sure I’m building it up too high but I am a pretty simple guy that enjoys simple things.

Here’s the link to the video…. watch it…maybe you will better understand what I am talking about.  Also take note of what you don’t see in the slides.

http://theave.org/Tour%20The%20Course.wmv

This could be my last post until White Rock.  I will take lots of pictures because i’ll have the new camera with me.  Later.

It’s time to switch gears…switch them fast.  Dallas White Rock Marathon is looming in the days ahead.  I do believe that i’m physically ready but I may be lacking on the confidence.  Route 66 took alot out of me. It made me realize that I need to correct a few things that will ultimately help my running.

First and foremost, I need to lose weight.   This extra poundage is slowing me down and increasing my struggle in these races.  Don’t get me wrong, I love running and love completing long races like a marathon.  I just know that I can make my running life easier if I were 20 pounds less.  This will be a focus over the holidays and early next year.

I’m fighting addictions right now.  I am totally addicted to Dr. Pepper and overeating.  I’m not being hard on myself, just honest.  I am not turning things off when I eat.  My choices of foods are wrong and the amount is way too much. Dr. Pepper owns my mind.  Anyway, Dr. Pepper and portion amount need to fixed and weight will come down.  I know what I need to do, now it’s a matter of doing it.

Wow, I totally went off on a tangent.  Back to the race on Sunday.  My wife and kids will be with me and i’m super excited about that.  It’s encouraging to know that they will be waiting for me at the finish line.  I need such motivating factors.

After White Rock, i’m looking at the New Years Resolution Run.  Then i’ll be playing smaller races by ear.  I learned last year to not commit to a race to early.  Make sure the weather is manageable first.  The Beacon 25K taught me this lesson, the hard way.

Goals going into the new year…

1. Lose Weight
2. Make it to Avenue of Giants Marathon
3. Race in ten LandRunner series races
4. Interval Training
5. Better Cross Training
6. Bike–Freewheel across Oklahoma
7. Look for ways to make a difference in the world

I’m sure i’ll have other goals as time goes on but I think this is a pretty good list.  I will post pictures of the marathon as soon as i’m able to.  It’ll take a while to get home from it.

Look deeply into my eyes, you are going to read this blog.  You are going to laugh and tell your friends about this blog.  Your getting sleepy, wait…no your not…Your supposed to read this blog.

Actually this is a video of a Greyhound Rescue that showed up to today’s race.  Wonderful dogs looking for homes and foster homes.    www.greyhoundpetsok.org

This morning started off pretty cold but the sun came out and the weather was manageable if you dressed appropriately for this mornings downtown 5K race.  Had a really relaxing time at the race today.  My run was a little slow today but that is my fault.  I ran 8 miles the night before and I let time get away from me this morning and failed to warm up properly.  Needless to say, the race was almost over when I finally started feeling warm enough to stretch my legs out and run.

Lets get right into the race photo’s.

Brenda Posing

Me avoiding the running paparazzi

Here’s a bunch of random Brenda pics.  I thought it would be funny to take pictures of her with various costumed runners at today’s race.

Run Run as fast as you can!

I am not quite sure what the dude behind them is video taping?

B with Rumble (Thunder mascot)

B with Abomnable Snowman

Notice that Joseph is an onlooker behind Brenda and the Abominable Snowman.

I did have time to take one picture!!!

Thunder Cheerleaders and I

The Christmas Singing Family Greggs showed up too…Okay, i’m not sure if they sing but it’d be great if they did and got paid for it.  Amber had a great race.  Good long stride on her.

The Greggs after the race

Finally, here’s the big Christmas tree inside of Enterprise Square.  Do look at the person in the left corner of the picture….he is wearing a pig snout.

Merry Christmas

Wait…..I forgot, here’s a video of B finishing her race.  I was unable to get a video of myself.

The end!!!

It’s been a week since Route 66 marathon.  I have been basking in the warm glow that is completion of marathon number 4.  However, it is time to “turn the page” and begin thinking about Dallas White Rock Marathon which is in two weeks.  This is uncharted territory for me.  I haven’t run two marathons in such a short time.  Last spring I did run two marathons that were six weeks apart, this time it will only be three weeks.

I have been running lightly and trying to maintain what shape that I am in.  Honestly, I do feel like I have gained too much weight over the last month or so.  This weight is affecting me as I run, I can feel it.  This will be an area that needs to be addressed in the holiday/running offseason.  For now, I have hopes of completing White Rock without incident.  Perhaps learn a few things from the last marathon.  I will attempt to do a better job at hydrating and maintaining my salts.

On a final note, I bought a camera over the weekend.  Canon Rebel 15.1 mp.  So, over time I hope to better understand how to use the camera and perhaps I will be able to incorporate photography into the blog.  I know that my wife is excited about taking running pictures with it.  The zoom lense should really make things different.

Here’s a picture that I took tonight.  I’m still an infant on how to best use the camera.