Quick Trip to Maine

20. July 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: kayak, Maine, vacation, wandering

This weekend, we headed to visit my Mom and husband in Maine. They were up there for two weeks, we got to visit for three short days. Fortunately, it was a quick, less than 4 hour drive with places to stop on the way.

We stopped in New Hampshire, in South Portland on the way up. We found a great restaurant (a dive, but with really great burgers), then headed out to Bug Light, a local lighthouse. We walked around, took a few pictures, and then headed up to Crystal Lake where my Mom was staying. It was a great house, with one bedroom upstairs and 2 – 3 downstairs. We slept downstairs (Kaite in one room, us in another, and Jake on the downstairs living room futon in his sleeping bag. We had a great weekend, and did a bit of kayaking, driving, and eating some great food! That and family, what more could you ask for.

A Great Vacation

05. July 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Richmond, vacation

We just spent a week with fantastic friends who came to Connecticut from Virginia for a week of fun and relaxation. We did many things, including visiting Mystic (for pizza, of course), hiking at Kent Falls, canoeing or kayaking down the Housatonic River, taking a steam train and riverboat ride on the lower Connecticut River.
The week was relaxing and I feel somewhat disengaged from work for the first time in a year. Having adult conversation and catching up on life in Richmond helped us move past moving north. Life down south is crazy, and significantly more calm up here. While we sometimes question the move, those discussions helped to cement the fact that this was the right place and at the right time. We’ve been here almost a year now and are finally starting to feel at home.

My Other Blog

01. July 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: half-marathon, Hartford, Richmond, running

I have started a separate blog, trying to capture the running experience without so much non-running or training related discussion. That blog is appropriately named Never Sit Still, and located at http://neversitstill.com
I’ll try to keep the non-running discussion here down, unless it’s appropriate!

There is *no* Easy Path…

18. June 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: half-marathon, Hartford, Richmond, running

Saturday, I start the “official” training for the October 10th Hartford half marathon. My training for Richmond, a short 5-weeks later, will have to wait for the Hartford half training, although much of the training coincides (12 miles in my taper for Hartford is the same week that getting cranked up to 12 for Richmond occurs, and 13 for Richmond is the same day as the Hartford half). The only conflict is in the weeks between the races, when I am cranking up the mileage after completing the Hartford half. That plan has injury spelled all over it… so I will need to see how I feel.

It’s a good, 18-week program that basically has you running each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Tuesday and Thursday are short runs (3 miles for the first few weeks), Wednesday cranks it up a bit (4 miles for a few weeks, then 5 and eventually 6), and the Saturday runs are the longest and the ones that I fear.

I don’t fear the first long run since I’ve been already covering more than 5 miles while building my base mileage. It’s the 7, 8, 9+ mile trips that I fear. I’ve actually been having a difficult time figuring out where to run without subjecting myself to too many hills and being in a place that I could get picked up if all goes poorly and I get injured. I know I shouldn’t be worried about these things, but I’m running solo. I do carry my charged cell, my RoadID with my contact info, and a fuel belt with enough to make it through about 10 miles without replacement liquid. That means I’m prepared physically – I will need to get tough mentally to pull through. I have planned the work, and now I just need to work the plan.

My second and third half marathons this fall should fear me… at least that’s what I keep telling myself…

Summer Visitors

02. June 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Connecticut, moving, travel

Heather and Dave are two of our closest friends. They have chosen to spend part of their summer vacation with us this year. I simply couldn’t be happier! We will do a bunch of day trips to places like Mystic and hiking in the nether regions of Connecticut (that we haven’t explored yet), and are coming in less than a month. I am more excited than I have been in a long, long time. I am taking the entire week off, including the day prior so I can start to get in the vacation mindset. I also know that this will be the most laid back week I have all summer, not thinking about work, having some heart to heart talks with both of them, and enjoying the company of their girls as well.

Their eldest is one of my daughter’s best friends. They have known each other since kindergarten (that’s 10 years now), and their relationship is the reason that we got to know Heather & Dave in the first place. Heather is affectionately known as my church wife, since Sue sang in the choir and Dave didn’t attend church often. Several people at the church thought we were married since we always sat together with “our” four children. It was funny, but I really miss sitting next to her in church, in a place where she made me feel comfortable, even though we sometimes spoke little during the service.

Dave has an excellent work ethic, and I think this is one of the reasons why we connect like we do. He’s genuine, says what is on his mind, and does all that he needs to so as to take care of his family. We’re similar that way. Heather always has a smile on her face and her hugs — they are to die for. When I say I need a fix of Heather, I mean that I need one of her genuine hugs that can make me forget about all of the problems in the world.

When Sue and I told our friends that we were leaving Richmond, Heather and Dave couldn’t deal with it. I was mad at first, then accepting that she (they) were in denial. After all that we had been through together, I had to know that it was as tough on her as it was on us. I will be glad to reconnect to them this summer, if only for a week. It will be sad to say goodbye, but it will be easier knowing that we will see them again and be able to pick right back up with our friends next time around.

2nd Half scheduled!

30. May 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: half-marathon, running

Well, I scheduled my second fall half marathon on Friday. I am now scheduled for the Hartford Half on 10/10 (coinciding with the World Wide Festival of Races that weekend), and the Richmond Half just 5 weeks later on 11/14. It will be a fun filled summer, starting on June 20th for my official training schedule!

Confirmation Complete

22. May 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: half-marathon, Richmond, running

I received the confirmation of entry for the Richmond half marathon today. So, the goal is set for the fall and the plan laid out for the summer running! This morning, I headed out for a nice long run. I had run on Wednesday, although just a quick 2-miler on the treadmill at the gym. I had a 7:30 conference call to make and a water main break had increased my commute by about 15 minutes. I have not run back to back in a long while, so I had no clue how I would feel.

I started down the road with little more than “run as far as you feel like” plan. I ended up going on a new route, feeling really good for most of the run (finally) and ended with a 5 1/4 mile run under my belt. Of course, it took about an hour to cool off so I was somewhat late leaving for work but I finally felt good about a run. I knew it was bound to happen. Now if I can kick this apparent cold, I’ll head out for another run this long weekend. I did stop on the way to snap the attached photo. The sun was just starting to peak through as it was a bit after 5:15.

A Year in New England

11. May 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Connecticut, moving, Richmond

It is really hard to believe that it has been a full year since I’ve left Richmond. We spoke to a bunch of our friends last night who were at the pool, enjoying a cookout and drinks with friends. It’s not the area at all. It is the people that I miss the most. The daily interactions have slowly turned into an occasional chat as time permits. Losing that constant connection with the people who have been such an important part of my life is still the hardest part about leaving.

On a much more positive note, this May has been much more relaxing than last May was. The most important part is that I am here with my family. We still don’t have many friends in the area, but that will eventually come. The kids have found a home and a caring environment – definitely very important.

This weekend last year started a very lonely couple of months for me. I was in a hotel room, starting a new job, and in an area where I knew absolutely no one. I am not sure I’d like to do that again, but it did allow me to get firmly entrenched in my new job.

Twelve months – hard to believe.

Early Morning Run

09. May 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: Connecticut, running

This morning, I came downstairs on time (well, almost) and was starting to get ready to head in to the gym. I stuck my head outside and saw the weather was just spectacular. So, I went for a run! I took off and ran a bit more than 3 miles. It was a good run, up the hill and through a neighborhood, then out and back on the main street that heads north from here. All in all it was a good run and well worth the time to stay home this morning!

Morton’s Neuroma

28. April 2009 · Write a comment · Categories: doctor, running

I went to see the podiatrist today. He was a great guy and listened well. He finally diagnosed the foot pain based on the bottom of my right foot as Morton’s Neuroma. According to WebMD, Morton’s Neuroma is a swollen or thickened nerve in the ball of your foot. When your toes are squeezed together too often and for two long (I’m guessing by running), the nerve that runs between the toes can swell and get thicker. This makes it painful when I walk on the foot. Funny but I never had pain when running – only when I walked the next day or two. According to the doc, the nerve gets numb when I run, so I don’t really feel it then – only later.  So, one shot of cortisone a a few days of rest later, I should be good to go by Thursday or Friday morning. I should note that the shot of cortisone was into the TOP of my foot (ouch) but really didn’t hurt at all.

On a side note, he also mentioned that my orthotics should be worn every day, not just in my running shoes. So, except for flip flops or bare feet, they will be in my shoes going forward.

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