All of this time taking care of things important - sick wife and other family life stuff, has put a fresh take on all things. One, I miss my wife. Meaning, I miss the days when we had more time to just BE. She has been painfully sick, but both of us really enjoyed the time home together with the kids. Now that she is back at work, both of us feel a certain emptiness. Yet, the realworld is always there and can't be denied/ignored. So, it is back to reality. We still have our weekends and vacations of family fun to always look forward too.
Second, running. I honestly have not been able to run for a few days now. I am little worn down taking care of my realworld and family. Plus, seeing the Vegas Temps come back for a few days of a 110 degrees, kinda turned me off. To run during these times means less sleep. Something I did not have much of anyways. Even just that easy 5-6 miler means more sleep taken away from the 4-5 hours I have only been getting for the last 7-10 days. Oh well, since I have been recovering from Hamstring, Calf and IT Band issues all on the same leg since SD RR - a few more extra days off - probably a good thing.
I have been kicking around in my head my race/event schedule with this time off. In addition, I have been re-thinking my whole fitness goals of late. Yep, the last one means non-running activities. I will also have Soccer/coaching starting back up Mid-August. While that is all fun volunteering of my time - it does take away just that - time.
So, here is where I am at. San Francisco very doubtful at this time. However, there is still a slim chance for it. Disneyland Half a must. Long Beach Full Marathon a must do as well. After LB the only commitment will be Surf City HM in Feb. So, most likely no Disneyworld Marathon in Jan. .
Time!! I am feeling too much of this valuable resource is invested in too many big events which require too many long trips to travel for. Our kids would like some of our vacation spent on - well - vacation time. Although race/events provide needed vacation time for me, the kids would like more time at the beaches, mountains, and at Grandma and Grandpa's.
Yes, if you are following along closely or not - time seems to be the shift in perspective theme. I will still be running. I will always have that as a constant. Yet, I am feeling the need to put other things in higher priority. Races for HM or even Fulls will be fewer in the future. Mainly, because I want to concentrate on more local area events which require less travel time. There are only a handful of local HM or higher races here in Vegas to worry about. So, it also means more participation in shorter distances as well. We do have a fair share of 5k, 10k and even a few 12k's around town and on the local trails. Plus, with my wife wanting to run, I can do these with her. I don't think she would ever do anything more than a 5K. Yet, I thought she would never want to do a 5K?
So, anyway, I'll whittle HM and Full's done to two each or three (HM) and one (Full) a year looking at more local ones than outside the state ones. With this being my schedule till I decide to hang up the running shoes for good. Outside of this, it will all be local 5K-12K local charity events, or local running club events.
Yep that last one is a new wrinkle. I have been looking into a local running club/group called Desert Dash. They do local trail runs called midnight dashes all year long. The turnout seems to be anywhere from 5 - 50 or more each outing. I kinda like the sound of that. Getting to know local runners and enjoy the desert trails with them sounds fun. Running desert trails can be lonely out here and sometimes dangerous by yourself. So, I will start hooking up with them soon. Also, Las Vegas Track Club is another group that has been going strong for a long time here.
Other fitness activities to reach my goals comes later. I still love running too much to take away or create time away from it. However, more biking, hiking and even Mountain climbing is being kicked around right now. I would love to go back to my home state and climb Mt. Rainier some day soon. I guess being the starting Power Forward for the Seattle Supersonics will never happen. Being I am 44 soon, only 5 foot 6 inches, and the Sonics are sadly no more.
Cheers!
7 comments:
Sending you over some positive energy! Glad your doing LBM for sure, I did the 1/2 last year (it was my first) and am doing the Full this year (my 1st full) The support is amazing! You have enough time to train, and the cheers in the crowd will carry you right along!
You know, you just gotta do what feels right to you and it sounds like you are trying to be the good father and dad and not be the selfish runner right now. The kids are grown and gone in a blink of an eye so enjoy the things they want to do ... nothing wrong with that. Though I will miss not meeting you in SF, one day our paths will cross, eventually. Sounds like things are coming together pefectly for you!!! :)
I never would've thought I'd be doing more than a 5K, and I'm training for a HM. I wouldn't be surprised if your wife caught the bug.
But yeah, I struggle with trying to keep a balance, too, and I don't spend near the time training that you do. Sounds like you're thinking things through and taking care of what's important. There's always a race you can do; you can't coach your kid's team for the rest of your life. Good luck making the choices!
Family first, is always the best policy. Jill is 100% correct, those kiddos grow up to darn fast and time with your wife can not be replaced. I am glad your wife continues to be on the mend and I hope your injury is healed soon as well.
You don't need to be a marathoner to have a love for running and "be" a runner Slomo. Enjoy that time with the growing family, get in some runs, and be a happy camper!
I am in awe that you can get so much stuff done, especially with your family commitments, I respect that. I think you are moving down a good path, finding more races and folks on the home-front will only make it more fun for you and your family. Good luck Slomo and have fun!
Being as we won't make a living from our running, we *do* need to keep things in perspective. Nice way to do so Slomo.
Interesting about the hiking and climbing - I originally started running three years ago to get in shape for a climb of Mt Whitney. This summer I'm hoping to get out for some backpacking myself!
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