Happy Thanksgiving

Writers block? Nah. Busy? Well, yes I am always one toe in everything going on around me, and a few other feet worth as well. However, that doesn't explain why my last posting was sometime early last week - I think? Not on vacation either. Although, that sounds nice right now. Could use some Coronado Island/San Diego beach time.

Nope, none of the above. Just enjoying and caught up in all that I am most Thankful for. Sorry, no long gratitude list will emerge from me on this one. It is short and sweet - life actually. Staying cheerful and thankful in all that life has thrown at me. Yeah, I could go on and on about losses and disappointments as equally as the gains of happiness. Yet, at this point, it is all just life and I am grateful for it all. Happy to be in middle of it.

Running. Low mileage week last week. On purpose. Only 12 miles total. I needed the light week. Body was feeling some hurt from the previous weeks mileage and I needed a few days off longer than normal to put others front and center.

Busy weekend for my oldest Son. He needed Dad's full attention in prepping him for a great soccer tourney. His team made it to the Championship game. My son had a breakout season. He did well at most positions, but really excelled as goalie this season. Very proud of him. More importantly, proud of him for being a great teammate. He learned a lot this season and emerged as a team leader.

This week. No run this AM. Will do it tonight. 7 miler with some hills. Tomorrow, 10 miler. Wednesday off. Thursday - 6 Tunnels Hoover Dam Turkey Trot.

It is actually 12K distance. No idea why that odd number for the distance. However, I have heard it is a run more for the scenery, location and runners who want to do it on a Happy Holiday like Thanksgiving.  It should be fun. I have never run the trails it is mostly on, or been through these old RR tunnels used for the construction of Hoover Dam. So, I can't wait for this one. The views of the Dam and Lake Mead are supposed to make it all worth it. Also, been years since I have done a Turkey Day Trot. 

Friday, Day off and will run a 16-18 miler for Saturday AM. Yes, the mileage is getting up there for the long runs. However, I think it stops at that point for a month or so. No I am not taking time off. Just not going to push my body past the 16-18 mile point for more than 2 runs a month going into December. 

Not happy with how my body responded to my last 16 miler. I want to spend time with this being my goal for a month or so. Trying to complete this distance without beating my body up.  So, I need to bank more runs with this distance before I push beyond the 20 miles. As I have mentioned before, I am being very deliberate. I want my first 26.2 in over 13 years to be something I feel good about. Not something I just survive. I want the same feeling I had after the Disneyland Half. A feeling that I want to do this again and again, even though it just beat me up. Happy Aches and Pain.

Las Vegas Rock and Roll is off now for me. Personal Faith reasons and lesson learned from my Son. I have had a conflict about doing this race for a number of reasons. Mainly, I generally do not run Sunday's for personal devotion reasons. I have made exceptions for races/events which are part of Family vacations like the Disneyland Half or Family Trips to the Coast. Then, my Son this weekend teaches his Dad a lesson in personal integrity.

He decided at the beginning of the soccer tourney, if they made it to the Finals on Sunday, he would not play. No prodding from his parents at all trust me. This 10 year old just said all on his own, this is not what I do on Sunday's. Very proud of him for being so strong in his convictions at a very young age. His coach was very understanding and supportive. To the point he used my Son as an example to his teammates in honesty and integrity. So, yeah at this point, not only as a Dad for this wonderful boy, but just as a human being - how could I run the Vegas R and R knowing my own Son made a similar sacrifice. Well, frankly, given his age and how much he loves Soccer, and it was the Championship - I think he made a bigger sacrifice.

Happy Thanksgiving! I certainly have a lot to be thankful for. I will also be looking for runs on Saturday. Seattle Rock and Roll and St. George Marathons top the list.

Glad you got to REI for the weekend Tara have fun back in Mizzou. Great pix Happy Trails along the Arkansas River. You make it so hard to live anywhere else with these photo's. Meg Runs have fun with College Boy. Fat Guy Running - are you going to Grill the Turkey this year? Jerbear - my favorite place to be this time of year - the Midwest. Especially, Christmas with all those great small town Liberal Art College Choirs back there. 

Happy Holidays to everyone and all my family and friends in Seattle, Kansas and Utah. We miss ya!

Cheers!