"Race" Report: URINEO 2013

We've been below freezing with a consistent snow pack for the past month but two days ago, the temperature shot straight up and the rain began...and continued...and continued. When I awoke at 3:30am this morning, it was 54F out! On December 21st! Plus, it was pouring rain. Still, there was nothing that would keep me from heading out to Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, OH. NEO Trail Club puts on this annual trail fest called URINEO which stands for "Ultra runners in northeast Ohio" and is pronounced "ur-een-o". Alrighty? Alright. It comes at no cost and it's basically a run what you want..just be done between 1pm and 2pm-ish for a social gathering of food (potluck-style) and spirits. I heard of a 6:30am start so I planned on that and hoped for something in the 30-mile range for the day. No real reason but I did want a feel-good run for my 50K race in the mountains two weeks from today.

The rain fell all the way there and honestly, never really stopped for long all day. Sometimes a steady rain and sometimes sprinkling. We started out in the dark so headlamps were on. I went ahead and wore my screwed trail shoes because I heard ice was still on the trail...perfect. I headed out with Gombu, Kimba, The Professor, and Victor...eventually became myself, Victor and Gombu for most of the day. Before long, we were realizing what a mud run the day would be. So much snow and ice melt made the trail super slick and in the really steep areas, the trees surrounding us served as anchors to latch onto and pull ourselves along....up or down. One thing that was very cool (or warm) was these warm and frigid areas we'd pass through, often touching each other. We couldn't figure out what was causing it but in one moment, we'd feel warmth, like from a dryer and then meat locker air. So weird but pretty cool, nonetheless. Each loop was in the mid 7's and my trunk served as my aid station. Throughout the day, I never felt tired or beat down. It was surreal, honestly. I never know when I'm going to be dealt a good hand but today was one of them.

Mud...so much mud...yet I never fell once today. I racked up 30 miles for the day. That made the last 3 days total 50 miles and 61 miles for the week with two days of rest. Even MORE awesome was that I cracked 2000 miles for the year! WOOT! I actually sit at 2,009.4 miles right now with 10 days left in the year. Not too shabby!

Afterwards, some great food, desserts and spirits waited for us in the Old Log Cabin. It was a great day to see folks I hadn't seen in quite some time and just soak in the sights, sounds, and smells of the trails, waterfalls, and birds flying everywhere. I had a great time...couldn't ask for more.

I did snatch a few photos today...shocking, I know. Here are my favorites from the day:

Lake Glacier

A staple of NEO Trail events

One of my favorites

L-R (Me, Victor, Kimba, and Gombu)

Happy Trails!

Screwed Shoes V 2.0, Ice, and Sunrises

Tis the season for ice and snow...and screws. Back in 2009, I screwed my first pair of Keen trail shoes with a dozen plus of hexagonal sheet metal shoes. Those shoes bit the dust last season so a new set was due to be indoctrinated...in steps an old pair of Brooks Cascadia trail shoes. My initial video on YouTube garnered over 500 views but was over 5min long. I snapped some photos last night of this "screwing" and made it into a 55 second instructional video that tells you everything you need to know. Bonus: This will cost you under $2.50. Can't beat it! Looking forward to the first week in January, I have my next 50K in the mountains of West Virginia and I want to be prepared for whatever comes at me...be it packed snow or ice. These shoes will now be my chariot if either present themselves. The goal? Don't fall and pass out like my last venture into the West Virginia mountains. :)

My running is going well for December so far. Very much on track for my 2,000 mile goal for 2013...only about 20 miles to go and will probably hit it by week's end. Tomorrow is NEO Trail Club's annual social run in Mill Creek Park dubbed URINEO...stands for ultra runners in Northeast Ohio. Start whenever you want but target a finish around 1pm for a potluck and some good 'ol fashion social time. Given our rapid warming trend and now rain...it should be a mud pit. However, we've been in a deep freeze for awhile and the word from the trail is ICE and lots of it. No matter how much rain we get, that much ice most likely is not going to melt so good thing I screwed my shoes last night because they'll be on my feet tomorrow. Shorts, too...

I have captured a few fantastic photos over the past few weeks and I'd like to share a few. Click on them to view full screen and/or save.

Morning Run on 12/7/2013

Sunrise on 12/19/2013

Sunrise on 12/19/2013

Run Happy, friends!

Sponsorship Changes in 2014

2013 is about to be sealed in history and nothing more than an image in the rear view mirror. I've been a bit silent lately in the writing arena but all is well. I've been running consistently, working, and just enjoying life with my 3 girls. I'm also in a pause as for running races...not a slump...a pause. I purposely did this simply to not have anything immediate on the calendar and enjoy the holiday season while preserving the weekends. I did throw in a Holly Jolly Half Marathon last Saturday. One of my wife's goals for November 2013 - October 2014 is to run a half marathon a month. It can be a real race or simply a run of 13.1 or more. Her and one of our fellow running friends, Amy, are doing it. Amy's son came up with the name of the most recent installation, the "Holly Jolly Half." (#hollyjollyhalf) I wanted 20 on the trails but a big snowstorm was inbound so I instead decided to run 7 miles to the nearby town, location of the "race," meet up with them and run it. 20.3 miles in a fresh snowfall! Gorgeous day to be out there.

So sponsorship: This year completes year #4 with Brooks Running. I have absolutely loved being a part of the Brooks ID (Inspire Daily) program. However, the whole program is undergoing a major overhaul and most are being shown the door with the option of applying to a similar program called "Brooks Fanatics."  Only coaches and elite athletes are being kept in the ID program going forward. Am I disappointed? Of course. But, I love Brooks as a company, the way they do business, give back, and are increasingly earth-conscious. Oh yea, I love their shoes, too. (just bought 3 more pair of Pure Flows!) I will miss the program and hope my relationship with them continues...just on a different "trail," so to speak.

In other sponsorship news, I applied last month for sponsorship with Hammer Nutrition for 2014.  Last night, I found out I was selected! I quickly reviewed and agreed to the contract and couldn't be happier. I have been exclusively fueling and recovering with Hammer's products for years so this is a perfect "marriage" for me. I do hope to do them proud and represent the brand well. If you happen to use Hammer or want to try it out, click HERE for 15% off your first order. "Hammer on!"

46 miles. That's about all that exists between me and my goal for 2013...that being 2000 miles. I stand today at just over 1,945 miles so unless I break a leg, I've got it in the bag. Hardly 96 hours into 2014, I'll be wearing Hammer's colors at my first 50K of 2014. I guess that's one way to get a jump start on 2014, eh?! As for Brooks...regardless of whether they keep me or not, I'll be running happy.

So finish up 2013 strong and regret nothing! Most of all, hug those nearest to you tight and enjoy this Christmas season. Make the very best of it all!

Run Happy, friends!

Not-So-Traditional Thanksgiving 2013

It was a year ago that we visited the Big Apple for my wife's 40th Birthday and a year ago we booked the same hotel across the Hudson River from Manhattan for Thanksgiving 2013 and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

If you recall, the weather didn't look so good across Pennsylvania just before Turkey Day as two storm systems headed towards each other. We kept to our plans, though, and hit the road on Turkey Eve for the 6 1/2 hour trek across Interstate 80. Amazingly, we made great time and never hit any weather despite the dooms-day predictions. Arrived: Edgewater, NJ...and the illuminated Empire State Building in view across the river.

Thanksgiving morning arrived via alarm as we heard about the need for arriving along the parade route early. We caught the New Jersey transit just a few blocks down the road that took us to the Port Authority at Times Square. This right here is THE way to do NYC with kids. We stayed at the Homewood Suites in Edgewater, NJ that gave us a mini-kitchen, private bedroom, pull-out sofa bed for our kids, free parking, free hot breakfast, and a view of the NYC skyline. That bus stop is the icing on the cake.

Arriving in Times Square, we began our trek north towards Central Park to find a place to view the 87-year-old parade watched by America. The estimates predicted that 3.5 million people were expected to crowd NYC this morning. As we got close and navigated through rude crowds, we found a spot one block south of Central Park...a TIGHT spot. Thanks to the winds and tunneling effect between the buildings, we expected the huge balloons to be kept low...and they were. This was perfect as it gave us a front-n-center view of it all. Despite some very bitter and angry people around us, we had a great time...a frozen great time but a fantastic time, regardless. One Bucket List item checked off the list for my wife. :) Here are some great photos I took which will show you the parade in a whole new light. Enjoy them! https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202650602054049&type=1&l=43d6a6f446

Afterwards and the crowd dissipated, we navigated back to the USO which is located inside the Port Authority. Any military family visiting NYC should keep them in their back pocket when visiting. Discounted tickets, advice, and free snacks to load up with. Priceless, really. One thing they told me a few weeks ago was of a free traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 12:30-3:30 for all veterans at the Soldier, Sailor, Marine, and Airman Club on Lexington Ave., a good walk from the USO. Once we got there, we were so glad we did. Imagine a very old, historic building in NYC with relics covering decades and generations...and a sit-down, traditional Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey, homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Oh yea...red and white wine, too. I sat next to a Korean War veteran who, like many older veterans I come across, want to talk, talk, talk about their time serving Uncle Sam.

I sat there looking at my wife and girls...so thankful. They are truly what I am thankful for. Thanksgiving is not defined by where I am nor what I do...but whom I share it with and what I am thankful for. On this Thanksgiving, it really couldn't have been more perfect. They are all I have!

Not too much later, we had walked through Grand Central Station en route to Radio City Music Hall where we had tickets for the Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. Of course, we strolled slowly up Fifth Avenue to check out the many decorated windows for Christmas...the best being Saks Fifth Avenue near Rockefeller Center. The show was amazing and we had perfect, centrally-located seats on the 2nd mezzanine which gave us a view to see it all and miss nothing. Zero regrets and highly recommend! The live nativity and celebration of Christ's birth at the end was the cherry on top. Not too long after the show, we headed back across the Hudson...still full from that turkey feast.

Day 2, aka: Black Friday, also started early as we wanted to photo-bomb the Today Show at Rockefeller Center. Well...we did!!! Friends from home took photos of their TVs and I got on camera twice in the background. Honestly, I looked much more like a freaky creeper than a Today Show fan. (Pictures on Facebook) We even got a photo op with the real Santa...I think. His beard sure was real.

We made our way north towards Central Park with a stop at FAO Schwartz and me drueling as we passed on by the Apple Store...or glass cube. Coolest.store.ever. In Central Park, we all ran about 20 feet then I proclaimed "We all just ran in Central Park!!!"...you see, Central Park is a runners' mecca so we just "had" to run. "Check!" Fun times.

One of the highlights of our trip followed: ice skating in Central Park. While unplanned and unknown, we decided to let the girls skate under sunny skies on Trump's Ice Rink for an hour. There was an intangible joy to watching the girls laugh together, hold hands, and just love on each other out there. Had it just been my bride and me, I would've taken her hand for an hour myself and gone all "Sleepless in Seattle" on her!! (Or was it "Elf"???)

After skating, we took our one and only subway trip all the way south to the Financial District with plans to take the Staten Island Ferry around the Statue of Liberty for free. However, it was early afternoon and we still had to walk through Chinatown and 40-some blocks all the way back to Times Square so we decided to skip it and start walking. Walking we did!!! We found Chinatown, Little Italy, SoHo, and eventually Union Square where a Holiday Market was super busy with lots of vendors of every flavor. No doubt, the girls' legs were aching and cold, but we kept on hustling, risking our lives now and then across intersections, and never letting go of each others' hands. I threw in a few acapella solos and dance moves along the way to keep them thoroughly amused and embarrassed. "Seriously, Dad? SERIOUSLY?!?!?!" :)

Back at 42nd St and Times Square, we took our Times Square family photo and headed back to the Port Authority and our bus stop. Back at the hotel 30min later, we relaxed at a great new restaurant we found called BareBurger. SO good! With no alarms set and no plans for when we'd be departing the area on Saturday, we all were sound asleep by 10.

We had a lot of fun on this trip. While I have been raised around the traditional Thanksgiving dinner table at home, things change as do relationships and what brings joy to my family and happiness. We don't know what next Thanksgiving will bring but we will be sure to keep each other in mind and keep creating memories with each other. So what am I thankful for? I am thankful for the breath in me to live each day for my Lord, my wife, and my girls. I am thankful for the strength to keep doing it and for the guidance He gives to help me navigate the ever-changing path. That is just a snippet of what I'm thankful for....there is SOOOOOO much more!

So there you have it...my first full length blog post typed entirely with my thumbs while cruising west across a frozen Pennsylvania. Happy belated Thanksgiving, friends! 

16 Years

November 13, 2013 = 16 years as a sailor. That pretty much blows my mind. I don't want to say a whole lot today about the past 16 years but thought I'd share just a slice of it with you. It's been an interesting path, for sure, and one probably not repeated too often. Let me see if I can sum it up in one discombobulated poem....deep breath....

Wiping tables at Mickey D's

17 years old, not idea what to do

A recruiter stopped me, that spot remembered today

"Come take a test...come see me, ok?"

One test then a second test

Off to boot camp in 1991 I went

Naval Nuclear Power School, hardest school the Navy had

Got mono, passed out in the shower, but graduated still

Trained on a submarine in Charleston, SC

Then reported aboard a nuclear guided missile cruiser

Her name was "Virginia"...the USS Virginia CGN-38

Drug ops in the Caribbean, a crew of 500

I decommissioned her, her days were soon over

Off to a brand new ship, a brand new aircraft carrier

The namesake a senator, his name was John C. Stennis

From an old ship to a new ship, "plank owner" on both

Diagnosed with vasovagal syncope after passing out one night

Flew me off on a helo, my wife awaited ashore

Limited duty at the Red Cross, but soon returned to service

Another carrier, south of Iraq, her name the George Washington

It had been 8 years now, it was time to serve ashore

Working on fast attack submarines was my new job, for sure

It sucked, it was miserable, but I didn't go to sea

I finished, at last, my college degree...for free

10 years done, one child born to us

I said "goodbye, Navy"...our days are done

A few moves across the country, but ended up in our hometown

Two children in tow, the need to serve continued to grow again

It was 2007, I had achieved my graduate degree

The Navy, a commissioning program, I raised my hand again

A Supply Corps Officer I became, wearing a butter bar on my collar

The Reserve, a "part time job," I was a sailor once more

Some four years later, the butter bar turned silver

I said my goodbyes and this sailor went to the desert

Afghanistan is not pretty, it's ugly in fact

So very poor, so much hate, so much American blood shed

I saw those 30 Navy SEALs go home in flag-covered caskets

I was on the front line, holding a salute I'll never, ever forget

Loaded on C-17s, a Heroes Flight like none other

"America....you just have no idea what is going on over here."

Home at last after the longest 7 months of my life

Reintegration was interesting, a struggle to say the least

Back to my "job," never the same like before

My desire to serve grew once more

Deeply integrated into my Supply Corps community

I love the relationships I've built within it

Close, mentor-like, a bond like no other

I love my Navy, I love being a sailor, I regret none of it, ever

Today, I recruit my relief. Yes, I am a Navy recruiter

Yet integrity remains the bedrock of all I am

I recruit pilots and every other flavor of Naval Officers

There is no better job for me, in uniform..for my family...for my country

So 16 years are now behind me

I have no idea where it will ever end

20 years? 25 years? 30 years, perhaps?

Only God knows, only God leads the way...my way

It was two short days ago, Veterans Day 2013

I spoke to little kids, about 500 or so of them

Their faces, lit up, I asked them to raise their hands

If they want to serve, would they volunteer, does our country have a chance?

Hands up everywhere, excitement was in that small crowd

Yet 1%, only 1% of our country serves today

It is an honor...to be part of that 1%

To be a sailor, to serve my country, to wear my country's cloth

I'd be a great failure if I didn't close out today

Without saying "thank you" and "I love you" to my bride of nearly 21 years

"Babe, you've stood beside me through thick and thin,

You are but 50% of my service to my country.

Wind beneath my wings? Wind in my sails?

A reason to get up? A reason to keep moving forward?

I love you with all my heart, I love serving together.

'A Navy Wife,' you hate that phrase, but this sailor's wife you are. You are my wife, my bride."

Never short-winded, always too much to say.

I love my country, I love my U.S. Navy.

Never forget those serving today, the Navy is on watch 24 hours a day

Honor, Courage, Commitment, they ARE the Navy way.

May 2011, Camp Mike Spann in Northern Afghanistan with Afghan soldier

Beneath F-15 Strike Eagle at Bagram Air Field, northern Afghanistan

F-15 Strike Eagle on flight line at Bagram Air Field in northern Afghanistan

USS George Washington, CVN-73, my 3rd ship

USS Virginia, CGN-38, my first ship but now decommissioned

Add caption

USS John C. Stennis, CVN-74 during sea trials which I was a part of. Nothing like standing in the hangar bay and seeing ocean out one side and the sky out the other during maneuvers like these. Great times!

Today: I've got the watch.

Veterans Day 2013

Another November 11th has arrived. A day where no veteran should EVER go hungry! Started years ago by Applebee's, there are now countless restaurants throughout the country offering veterans, regardless of time served, a free meal. The list seems to grow every year. For me, I've been invited to be a keynote speaker to about 500 elementary kids in a school north of where I live. I've been struggling with "What do I say to kindergarteners?" ... until this morning while I was out on my run.

3 days ago while my bride and I were en route to a marriage retreat in Ohio's Amish country that we were leading, we stopped at one of our favorite eateries for lunch. Outside the window were the rolling hills and many trees sans leaves any longer. But across the aisle from us was a man, I'm guessing in his early 60s, having lunch with his wife. They weren't talking much and he had little expression. He wore a hat commonly seen in our society, that being of a "Vietnam Veteran." Those along with Korean War Veteran hats are the ones I see most. I'd imagine in several decades, those will be replaced with "Operation Iraqi Freedom" and "Operation Enduring Freedom" hats...and maybe even I'll wear the latter.

Near the end of his lunch and ours, his wife excused herself and he sat there alone, not looking around or anything...just sitting there. My wife also excused herself and I walked over and extended my hand to shake his and only intended on saying "Thank you for your service...and Welcome Home." Not only did he grab my hand, but he nearly knocked over his chair rising from his seat. He mentioned how he saw my haircut and thought maybe I was in the military. (I just got a high-n-tight haircut for Veterans Day) He immediately started to talk as if 40+ years evaporated. He had been drafted at the ripe young age of 18 and was assigned to a landing craft in Vietnam. He talked about how they had to scavenge for scrap wood to build shelter where they'd sleep and how they had "professional thieves" who were fellow soldiers. They'd come back in the middle of the night with needed supplies simply to survive or maybe some "creature comforts." He served two years and never served stateside or wore a "fancy Army uniform" as he called them. As he talked, my wife came back and he continued to talk while his eyes reddened and he fought back the tears and his story turned to talking about his return home to the USA. "Back then," he said, "you didn't dare tell anyone you were over there." Vietnam vets didn't get the Heroes Welcome Home like many of us get today. In an environment of violent protests, serving wasn't looked on favorably at all. After about 20 minutes, we said our goodbyes and I wished him Veterans Day once more.

Those hats...they're everywhere, friends. Can I encourage you to take the initiative to do what I did the next time the opportunity presents itself? It may VERY well happen today...Veterans Day 2013. Today is a day to honor those serving, those who have served, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Before I close today and share the 2013 Veterans Day poster which I do every year, I'd like to express my gratitude to my church. It's a hit-n-miss environment these days when it comes to military and churches. Some draw the line and forbid it claiming the "separation of church and state" while others welcome it in. Yesterday, we began our service by saying the Pledge of Allegiance then my daughter sung the National Anthem all by herself...no instruments or anything. Just her and her beautiful voice for the first time ever. I was so proud of her. After that, fellow veterans gathered up front simply for a word of thanks and prayer. It was a great morning with my church family.

Here is the 2013 Veterans Day poster and below it is a screen shot of the posters back to 1978. To see them closer, follow the link below the image.

Happy Veterans Day, friends...and thank you if you have worn the cloth of our great country. It is because of you that I can serve today freely and worship Whom I wish freely, without the fear of persecution. THANK YOU!

Click here to visit image website

M-Cubed for 11.4.2013

M-Cubed (Monday Morning Musings) for November Fourth, Two Thousand Thirteen...a random smattering of thoughts that end up here on Monday morning.

- Brrrrr....28 degrees this morning when I woke up around 3:45am but not a cloud in the sky. Nothing but stars and a beckoning to join them on the roads this morning. A cold but perfect way to kick off the work-week.

- It was only one year ago that we brought Bristol home. She is our rescue dog from the Tuscarawas County Humane Society. She's a bunch of breeds: per the DNA test we did long ago, she's a Staffordshire Terrier crossed with a Great Dane...mixed with a bulldog mix. Go figure, right?! Anyway, we love her and she likes to run, too. On November 1st, we had our own 1 year celebratory run together for 7 miles on my country route. Near home, I stopped for a kiss and captured this priceless photo. Pretty much sums her up!

- Yesterday was my 2 year anniversary since stepping off the plane from Afghanistan. "Day 208" as I know it. I have decided that this will also be the last time I refer to those "days" in a public forum and just let it be. I'll keep my blog journal posted but that's all. Last night, I had the benefit of a mini-date with my youngest daughter. While we sat in the drive-in burger joint, Swenson's (her choice!), I read Day 208 to her. Since she played a starring role in it, I thought she'd enjoy it which she did. She remembered that night well. If you want to read Day 208, the final post of my journey, you can read it here.

- November has started quite well in the running arena. No races on my calendar but I'm loving this cool weather. Since I see a few days off around Thanksgiving this year, I'm trying to be very faithful in getting out there while I can. I got in 7 with Bristol on the 1st and 10 miles each for the past two days. I know snow and ice are around the corner so I'm gobbling up these cool, brisk mornings. It's really my cup-o-tea when it comes to running. Yesterday, I had a great 10 mile sunrise run. From First Light to the sun high in the sky. I captured several photos, too, given all the color out there. See them at the bottom of today's M-Cubed post.

- It was about a year ago when we led our first marriage "conference" which is really just a Friday night and half of Saturday. We had about 5 couples. We're leading another one in our new church home and have quadrupled the number of couples! As we lean towards that getaway (in Amish country, this time!), we are really excited to see what God has in store for us and all of them.

Click on it to see better/larger detail

- I'm a sucker for home-grown, local races that just simply give back. Enter the newest half marathon on the block, the Medina Half Marathon, to be held on May 31, 2014. It's now been added to my growing list of 2014 races. If you're considering running your first half marathon or 100th or whatever, I highly recommend it. Not only is it supporting an organization like the Patriot Runners but it has a kick-butt medal for finishing which my wife is a sucker for...and it's a cheap 40 bucks to enter.  You can learn more here but here's the medal to help entice you as well. :)

- Veterans Day is only a week from today. If you are one or know one, please pass this link to them. LOTS of restaurants offering free meals (which I'll partake of, of course!), retailers offering a plethora of things, and other misc. deals. For me, I'm a big fan of the local Applebee's who basically fathered the "free meal for veterans" movement. The local one really gets behind it, is excited about it, and lots of vets much more "aged" than me show up. I love it! Here's the long list to share.

- Ever want to get rid of "stuff" around the house you know you don't need? Well, here is a challenge for you and it's not too late to begin. Basically, you find one item in your home based on the day of the month...for one month to get rid of/donate. So on November 1st, you need to find one item. On November 30th...30 items. In all, you'll have 465 items. We're doing it and I know it's going to get challenging but we'll see it through. We have talked a LOT lately about minimalism, downsizing, selling the house, etc. Nearly 21 years of marriage has accumulated MUCH! Today, the overwhelming majority simply doesn't matter to us any longer. We instead focus on creating memories, building relationships in and out of the home, and fostering community building...and we also want to model that for our kids. If our "stuff" doesn't mobilize us/enable us to achieve these things, then it needs to go! Curious? Read about how it works here. Go ahead....click on it and consider!

- Time for pics! I captured these with my iPhone 5 yesterday. I really, really love the one over the pond...my personal favorite. Have a great week, everyone and Run Happy!

2 Nails

And so it ends...October 2013. Thankful for this day and will wake tomorrow not looking back.

Nail One: I am not obsessed by my running log, weekly mileage, monthly mileage, nor annual mileage. Some are wrapped around the axle about their stats and get a bit OCD about them. Yes, I'll run around my cul-de-sac to make it an even 8.0 miles vs. 7.92 miles but as for the weekly numbers...I once cared but do not any longer. Still, I log my miles for two reasons: 1) to track my shoe mileage > this lets me know how long a particular pair of shoes lasts and when it's time to order my next pair of Brooks. For example, I have exactly 251 miles on my 4th pair of Brooks Pure Flow 2s. I get about 400 miles out of a pair and pair #5 is already in my basement, ready for their maiden voyage. 2) to keep me accountable and call myself out...at times like these > If I'm slackin'...I want to know it. No one else cares except for me so someone needs to call me out...or someTHING does. My running log does that. Case in point: October 2013.

I logged 186 miles in October 2013. Of those miles, 88.8 were run on three different days. 2 were in the mountains of West Virginia at the Trilogy and the last day was this past Saturday when I ran an impromptu 24 just because. So out of 31 days in October, I ran 47.74% of my mileage in 3 days. That's a sad testament for the other 28 days. In full disclosure, my log is below. You'll see lots of zeroes before and after the Trilogy. That doesn't help. Do I regret it? No...not really...but I'm ashamed of it. Running doesn't direct my life, it is not my (g)od, but it does play a supporting role in it. It is my escape many days and it does spill into my overall happ(y)ness. No doubt about it. As a general statement, I'm very much a loner so getting away to run is very important to me. I can "tell" I didn't run as I should this past month...not in my waistline but mentally, I'd say.

For the year, I stand at 1,674.60 miles. That leaves 325.40 to reach 2,000 miles for 2013. I haven't hit 2000 in several years and it was an unofficial goal at the beginning of this year. I would only have to average 162.70 for November and December this year to hit it which is very doable. So Nail #1...October is over. Glad it is. I learned a lot this month in running, mostly in the mountains of WV. One big 'ol piece of humble pie was ingested that I believe will only make me stronger going forward. I also can draw a distinct parallel between how I "feel" morning, day, and night when I run frequently vs. sporadically. May November be more of the former and less of the latter.

Nail Two: Speaking only for me, closing out October 2013 lets me bury October 2011 a little bit deeper. This last week, I've involuntarily been re-living the emotions of a few years ago and my deployment blog has let me be real with it all. Today...2 years ago...I was one plane ride away from home on Day 205 of 208. Below is a screen-shot of my blog on October 31, 2011.

I told my bride just a few days ago on her birthday: "We are not defined by what happened yesterday, last month, last year, two years ago, or 20 years ago. We are defined by the choices we make today. The past is the past. Today happens now and we can choose to live in that or live in yesterday." We choose to serve others, give us much of ourselves as we can, love our kids and lead them, and love each other sacrificially.  To October 2013, see ya. You are but one more nail in the coffin of the past and a springboard to tomorrow.

Have a great day, Friends. Every moment is a choice...make sure they're the right ones.

M-Cubed for 10.28.2013

M-Cubed (Monday Morning Musings) for October Twenty-Eighth, Two Thousand Thirteen...a random smattering of thoughts that end up here on Monday morning.

- Well hello Fall. Sun setting around dinner time, sun rising on the way to work, and color fading quickly in the trees. It's a gorgeous time of year, no doubt. If we could just can this time of year and stretch it to April...that would be perfect. Let's just skip the snow, plow trucks, pot holes caused by salt, and sunsets at 5pm and enjoy this crispy weather for the next 6 months. Deal? Deal.

- Saturday was one of those days where I set out to run with no agenda, no route...and no fuel. Before I knew it, I was many miles from home just running and losing my thoughts to a plethora of things. I had zero desire to stop and turn around, zero desire to go home, and honestly, the cool air, bright sun, and colors around me were a bit intoxicating to my innermost being. Lots of time to think, pray, and in all honesty...worship. I did have one target eventually...that being to get into a small trail system in the nearby town. I connected to it via a new bike and hike trail system (pictured here) and after going through it, the reality of how far I was from home hit me and how I had no cash and no fuel of any kind. I hit the roads from that park and took the most direct route home, playing Human-Frogger with the cars as Saturday was very much alive on the roads, and ended up with 24 solo miles. That pretty much wiped me out until early evening. It wasn't that it was difficult, but taking in zero nutrients or electrolytes zapped me. 49mi for the week.

- This week will mark one year since we adopted our dog, Bristol. She's a rescue out of Tuscarawas County. She is a great runner, very strong and powerful, but has a huge heart and just loves our kids. While the chase still starts when she spots one of our two cats roaming free, she's a pleasure to have as part of our family. We're guessing she is around 2 years old now.

- So do you have shoes accumulating in the garage, basement, or closets? I am halfway through my 4th pair of Brooks Pure Flow 2s and have a bunch of shoes that are beyond their running life but otherwise are decent pairs of shoes. I save a few for casual wear but no way do I need all of those. So, I'm doing my best to get out the word out about Soles4Souls. There are drop off locations all over the country (locally at Vertical Runner locations) and here is how it works. They are gathered and then either 1) donated to those in need here in the USA or in countries around the world or 2) sold via a micro-enterprising system. For example, Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere with an average ANNUAL income of $500. Used shoes are sold in markets and roadside there. Soles4Souls will wholesale donated shoes very cheaply to them so they can in-turn sell them to the local population. It's a very cool process that from what I've read, works really well. Here is the website so you can get involved, too, and gives your shoes a second life.

- Landmarks are a great thing. For me, this week marks a big one for me. Two years ago today, I was halfway home from Afghanistan and would be home soon. I read my blog post (screen shot below) from two years ago today. I remember that day well...I still remember gagging on that cigar and meeting with the Navy Chaplain. I remember listening to "Chap's" talk about reintegration and returning home and thinking "I've got this thing together. I'm good." I was so wrong. I had no clue what the next week and months would hold. But today, I choose to be defined by where I am, that I'm alive, that I stand side-by-side with my wife as one team, one force to be reckoned with, walking step for step together. The past is the past. Unchangeable. Today, though...now that I can have something to do with.

http://www.husbandfathersailorjournal.blogspot.com

- Being late in the year, many runners are registering for 2014 races and building their racing calendar. I am, too, as you can see on the right sidebar. It's a love/hate relationship for me. For one, I'm very picky about what events I participate in. There are SO many options out there. Whether you are a 5K runner or 100 mile runner, you have lots of choices. For me, I've now been racing for 16+ years and it means different things to me as compared to before. I really care who is putting on the race now...where the money goes...where it's run....the support given to runners....the community impact...and so on. Greed has made it's way into the running scene nationwide and since we are a people of free choice, I choose to support events that do more "giving back" then "taking in" for themselves. You'll see that reflected in my races of choice and mainstays from prior years no longer appear. I also struggle internally with family time vs. racing time....or taking a Sunday at church to run a race on a Sunday morning. Give and take, lots of discussion and for those distant races, a real effort to make it a fun trip for the family instead of just a road trip so "Dad can run a race." Bottom Line: races are for me. Just me. They don't benefit anyone else and let's be real...no one else really cares. I am really trying to cut down on the "impulse buying" of race registrations...more thinking "why" instead of just "because I want to." Deep thoughts...

Have a great week, friends. Make it count...not just for you but for those you come in contact with.