Sarah!

Good morning!  Hope that your weekend is off to a great start.  I got up about 5:30a this morning and ran 12 miles before the heat could get me.  It's now sunny and heating up so I'm glad I ran early.  Today is going to be fantastic day because Sarah returns  from Milwaukee where's she been completing an away rotation at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  We have missed her immensely.  Sarah and I spend nearly every evening and weekend together and I love it because it keeps us close, interested in the same things, and we have fun.  Sarah is my greatest advocate, support, and she's always willing to give me her honest opinion.  While I did get to see her a couple of times in July it will be so nice to have her home.  Myles has missed her too.  He sleeps on her pillow, smells her clothes, and looks for her.  It's so cute.  Myles and I definitely have missed our Sarah.

Myles telling me that he loves his Momma

Today marks the end of my running efforts for July.  It was a great month of training.  Here are the stats:

Miles Run:  224.7
Days Run:  24
# of 10+ Mile Runs:  15

I have run 439.4 miles combined for June and July and I've completed 32 ten plus mile runs.  I've been really trying to build my base and my ability to run double digit miles.  In August and September we will start working on the speed part.  If you recall, I talked about my goal of trying to run my fastest marathon ever and trying to hit 2:39 or better.  Step one was building the base.  Step two is improving the pace while maintaining the base.  Step three (October) is sharpening and preparing my body for 11/5/2011.  So far the plan is coming together nicely.  I will say, though, that part two will be very, very challenging as improving one's pace is tough work.

Have a great weekend. If you are looking for a great movie try Saint Ralph, a movie about a 14 year old boy who tries to win the Boston Marathon for his mother who is ill.  Amazing movie.  My Mother-In-Law recommended it and it was fantastic.  This is my last weekend before three consecutive weeks of working every single day with Student Staff Training and August Move-In.  August is the busiest time of the year for me so it should be fast paced, fun, and I'm looking forward to putting together the rest of the 2011-12 Res Life Staff Team!  IUPUI HRL!  Happy running to you...

1000 Miles for 2011!

Good Morning!  Hope that you are having a great week.  Myles is on my lap napping.  I have coffee.  I just completed a 10.3 mile run.  So...it's time for a short mid-week blog post. 

This morning I eclipsed the 1000 mile mark for 2011.  This marks the sixth consecutive year that I've run 1000 miles or more (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011).  I've now run 9,239 miles since 1/1/2006, which is the date I started my running comeback.  Since 1994 I've run over 23,000 miles.  I love to run and I love that it provides me with grounding, perspective, and confidence.  It's not easy to go out there and run and each time I choose to lace up the shoes at 5a instead of pull the cover back over my head I get just a little stronger and a little tougher.  As I've stated on many occasions on this blog, life is not always easy but I constantly am reminded that running well prepares me to deal with the ups and downs of life.  Additionally, though, it truly helps me put my eggs in multiple baskets.  Right now we are at a peak time in Housing and Res Life and it's easy to put all your "energy eggs" in the Housing and Res Life basket.  While it may be easy, it's not smart.  I used to put all of my "energy eggs" in the work basket and when things were great then life was great and when things were bad then life was bad.  Now...I have eggs in the running basket, the Sarah, Myles and Family basket, and the sports basket in addition to the work basket.  So...when things get rocky in my work basket (which right now the road is pretty smooth), then life can still be good.  People ask what I think about when I run because how could you just run?  Well...I think about my baskets and my eggs and my life and my priorities and I try to really make sure those are in proper balance.  I also think about winning the Olympic Gold in my 40s, Indiana never losing a basketball or football game again, and replaying old memories in my head--those things could take up a blog of their own.  Ha Ha.

Hope you have a great day.  Two people yesterday told me that they are running half-marathons this fall, @lizgordon286 and one of our RA's, Erica Bentz.  This is pretty cool stuff.  I always enjoy connecting with other runners and hearing about what they plan to go after in their running.  It helps keep me motivated.  Happy running to you...

The High Road...

Good evening.  Hope that you are doing well and have had a wonderful weekend.  My weekend was bittersweet.  Sarah and I were in Greenville, NC with our family to honor Sarah's Grandmother, Nana, who passed away last week.  It was great to be together and to share fond memories of Nana.  At the same time, though,  you never want someone to go and you always want "one more day," as the Diamond Rio song goes.  Sarah's Grandmother was amazing and I was so glad to be able to make it to the service yesterday.

I've been going through some stuff over the past few months that I cannot discuss openly in a blog.  This stuff is NOT related to my family, friends, running, my health, the staff I lead, or IU Athletics.  Hearing stories about Nana this weekend reminded me of stories about my own Grandparents.  One thing that they all had in common was that they treated other people well and always displayed tremendous integrity.  Therefore, I must refrain from discussing the "stuff" and head to my own personal Tree House (maybe like the one below that I saw this weekend) and take the high road.  Enough said.




A Beautiful Reminder of The Road to Take


Running this week has been a challenge.  It's been hot, humid, and nasty.  On Thursday afternoon I went for a run and the heat index was 109.  I only went for 45 minutes, but it nearly took me out.  I had a migraine until the next afternoon.  Uggh.  I was able to hit the 41 mile mark this week so that's not bad.  The next five weeks will be really tough in terms of running as we head into our Student Staff Training and then into opening.  If I can continue to train strong through the next five weeks, then I'll be ready for my marathon specific training in September.


Have an outstanding week.  You can now follow Myles on Twitter.  He's @MylesTweetz.  Pretty interesting stuff.  Happy running to you!

Some Heat Advice...

Good Morning!  For my friends living in this crazy zone where the heat is insane I feel compelled to share some running advice.  Let's just be honest:  IT"S HOTTER THAN HECK!  But...you can still run.  Here are some quick tips:

1. Slow Down!  If you are going to run in this outside, then you need to slow down.  To put it in perspective, I've been running 30-40 seconds slower per mile the past two days.  I just start out running slower knowing that I cannot run the same pace in the heat.
2. Run Early:  I've been running at 5:30a each day.  It's still hot (83 heat index), but not as bad as 4 or 5p when the heat index has been 110.
3. Freeze Water so it stays cold:  Last night I froze a 12 ounce bottle of water.  By the second mile (15 minutes into the run) it was unfrozen.  But...because I froze it I was still able to enjoy drinking it at mile 8 (1 hr into the run).  So...freeze the water and try to drink a lot while you run (12 ounces every 45 minutes or so).
4. Dress Minimally:  Wear running tech clothes that wick away sweat.  There are socks, shirts, shorts, bras, underwear, and hats that do this.  I'm lucky because I'm a guy so I'm just out there in my shorts and shoes.  But...dress light and wear clothes that will wick sweat away.  For those who took this advice to that OTHER place--shame on you--this is a family blog.  ;-)

Have a great day.  Happy running to you.  Be safe!

A Three State Week...

Lake Michigan Lakefront in Milwaukee

Good morning from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Myles and I are visiting Sarah, who is doing a med school rotation this month in Milwaukee.  We've missed her VERY much and it's been great to be with her this weekend.  My world ain't quite right when Sarah is out of town and since I'm already "not right" (according to Chuck Rhodes in a joking way), then you can imagine that I'm doubly not right.  Ha Ha.  I ran 6 miles along Lake Michigan this morning.  WOW!  Milwaukee is beautiful and runner friendly.  I have to say it's the opposite of New Orleans (where I was last Sunday-Wed) when it comes to running.  Both towns like their drinking, but only Milwaukee likes it's runners.  All in all, I ran 51 miles this week, ran in three states (IN, LA, WI), and have now run 930.7 miles for 2011.

On another note, Sarah and I received tough news on Friday evening from Sarah's Dad.  Sarah's beloved Grandmother, Nana, passed away Friday evening after a battle with an illness.  She was 90 years old.  I loved Sarah's Nana like my own Grandmothers because from the moment I met her she treated me like I was her Grandson by birth rather than by marriage.  I posted a blog a couple months ago about my Grandparents and how fortunate I was to have them in my life and what an impact they had on me.   Nana had the same type of impact in my life and I have been so fortunate to have spent holidays, special occasions, and just random days with her over the past few years.  Thanksgivings at Nags Head with Nana holding court and telling stories will be some of the fondest memories I have in my life.  Her kindness, sense of humor, warmth, and genuineness will stay with me always.

Hope your Sunday goes well.  Happy running to you...

New Orleans & ACUHOI

Good afternoon! Just sitting in a hotel lobby in New Orleans. This week I am attending the Association of College and University Housing Officers International Conference in New Orleans. It's been a great four days as I've learned some new ideas and was able to present a session on our Multicultural Competence Training model in HRL at IUPUI. Here are some thoughts from the last few days.

One, I am fortunate to be able to work at a school that would support me attendance at the conference. It's a great opportunity and there are a number of outstanding people at ACUHOI. It has been great introducing our staff to my Sonoma State friends (Mo, Chuck, & Cyndie)and to our former IUPUI HRL Director, Hayward. I have been fortunate to have them as people who have provided great leadership for me and those four are outstanding. Now...they have to meet my good friend Ralphel. We are building a program in HRL that we hope our staff will see as a family and as special, and I learned that from the good folks I've worked for over the past decade.

Two, I learned some great stuff this week. Three things I'll take back: More knowledge about bed bugs, great information about dealing with bullies, and more ideas about to make sure our communities are safe for LGBT students (Loved the session by the staff at Morgan State).

Three, New Orleans. Wow. It's a great place. Fun and there's a bar and restaurant on every corner. It's hotter than heck and it's not a runners town. But...I've run to the Superdome, through the French Quarter, and along the Mississippi River.

I'll have pictures up soon or you can find them at Facebook or Twitter (@JoshSkillman). Happy running to you...

3 Reasons I love Running...

Good Morning.  Happy Wednesday to you.  I ran 11 miles this morning.  Felt pretty good after taking a day off yesterday.  Here's a little short blog post for you that I thought about on my run this morning.  It's titled 3 reasons I love running...

1. It's honest.  When you put in the work and really dedicate yourself to a running goal, then you will achieve it.  There are not a lot of things in life that you can say that about.  However, with running you reap what you sow. 
2. It's beautiful.  Seriously, this morning I was able to see the sun rise and give way to a gorgeous sky.  There were birds, possums, cats, geese, ducks, deer, raccoons, and frogs on my run this morning--in downtown Indy--and they were waking up or in some cases heading to bed.  None-the-less, about the time I hit the gravel tow path that runs along the white river the sun came up--it was beautiful.
3. It's pure.  It's just me, some shoes, socks, a pair of shorts, and the road in the summer.  There are no politics or games--which I detest--in running.  It's just throw on your shoes and shorts, make sure Sarah and Myles are okay, lock the door, and hit the road.   It's my legs, arms, and lungs working together to just do the very thing I was meant to do:  RUN!

Have a great Wednesday.  I'm really enjoying working with our new Residence Directors and look forward to what this day will bring.  Happy running to you...

#3 Best and A Question I need help with...

Good morning!  Hope you are doing well.  I just finished up a very nice 4.25 mile run this morning.  I ran 60 miles this week and that is by far the most miles I've run in a week since the 90s.  To put in in perspective...I ran 82 miles for the month of February 2011 and 60 this week.  It's great to be back training full steam for this marathon.

Before I get to my three best I need your advice.  My neighbor where we live has three dogs--she's only supposed to have one.  In addition, you are supposed to keep you dogs on a leash, not let them run loose, and watch them.  Sarah and I share the bottom level of the building with her and we have a good sized patio that faces the canal and a good sized side yard.  She has triple the space on her side.  Yet, we have had issues for the past year with her dogs using the bathroom on our patio, in our side yard, peeing of her balcony, and just running around loose in the building and outside.  I built up a little barrier to try and keep her crazy dog Jordan out.  I'm seriously thinking of reporting her because it's just out of control.  We've asked her to get them under control and she makes comments like, "I just cannot control them" or "it's going to take more than a barrier to keep Jordan out."  It's so frustrating.  I've tried to address it with her and not complain, but she does not care.  So...please let me know what you'd do.  Here are a couple videos I shot yesterday.





That aside, it's been a great week.  Here are my three best:

1. Spending time with Sarah & Myles:  We are just having a very nice weekend relaxing and having fun.  In life it has been stated that the best things are free.  I have to agree.
2. Arrival of Residence Directors:  I'm so pleased to have Sara and Becky join our team this week as RD's.  We started the process to add full time RD's to our staff in December and I've worked with a couple other folks for the past 7 months to bring the plan to fruition--from writing the position description, to getting it approved, to posting it, to recruiting for it, to interviewing, and then to Sara and Becky accepting.  It was wonderful to pause for a second on Friday during the first day of training and just soak it all in.
3. Brian & Danielle Off to a Good Start:  Two of our recent HESA Graduates started their full time positions this week, Danielle at the University of Utah and Brian and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.  It felt weird to have them leave us after two years, but that's what should happen--they should graduate from their Master's Degree Program and move on.  From their texts, tweets, and FB updates, it appears they are enjoying their new positions and areas.  I'm happy for them.  Mr. Andrew Bennett is up next as he starts at UCONN in a couple of weeks. 

Have a tremendous day, please let me know what you'd do about my neighbors dogs (I think anyone can comment on the blog), and happy running to you...

"It's not mine to lose, it's OUR's to lose..."

Good morning!  Happy Fourth of July Weekend to you.  I hope that you are in a great place and enjoying the good company of friends and/or family.  I'm with Sarah & Myles here in Indianapolis and am feeling delighted. 

I ran a 15 miler this morning at 6a.  I went out 7.5 miles out in 55 minutes and then ran 7.5 miles back in 53:27 for a grand total of 15 miles in 1HR 53MIN 27SEC (1:53:27).  I love a good, long run because every single time I run just a mile farther than my last long run I am pushing myself past a point of discomfort.  I've mentioned this previously in the blog, but once you conquer running say 10 miles, then the next time you run 10 miles then your body will be ready for it (or after a couple 10 milers).  But...when you go for 11 or 12, then at about the 10 mile point your body starts to hurt a bit as you get to 11 or 12.  The longest I'd run this year was 14.25 miles and as I went past about the 13 mile point today, I started to feel it. At that point I had two options:  Slow down and beg to be done or focus on getting through the discomfort and run through it.  What I've learned in training for marathons over the years is that you have to be mentally tough and fight through the fatigue because if you break through the wall of fatigue then you will get a second wind and sometimes a third and fourth wind.  You see, in the marathon I'll run on November 5, there will be at least 3 times in the race when I'm going to have to push through points where I hurt so much I just want to stop.  So...the key on my long runs building up to the race is to practice running through those difficult points.  In order to be really good at running a marathon, you have to create a lot of adversity in your training and have positive experiences running through the adversity or difficulty.  At it's core, that is the purpose of the long run in marathon training:  to teach you how to run through adversity and overcome it!

Yesterday we started our first ever Residence Director training at IUPUI.  I'm extremely proud of Sara and Becky who stared with us  yesterday.  Both had other options, but they chose to come and be a part of IUPUI Housing and Residence Life because they wanted to join our team and help continue to build what we are trying to become.  I shared with them something I heard on Thursday night from Coach K from Duke who was talking about the success of his basketball program.  Coach K told Rece Davis and Joe Paterno that the real key to his success at Duke was getting his staff and players to buy into the concept that "it's not mine to lose, it's OUR'S to lose."  I sat there with Sara, Becky, and Kat at breakfast before we got started and I said to them that our program is special and I was glad that they were here to help lead it.  I told them that this is not "my area" or "my program" and they'd never hear me speak of Res Life in that way.  I shared that it was OUR's, and the four of us, Allison, and our graduate staff will help our student staff--within the spirit of our Director's expectations--really create a special living experience for our residents.  I love what Coach K was talking about in terms of the ownership.  If everyone--from professional to graduate to undergraduate staff members--thinks of the program as something they are responsible for--the collective "OUR"--then everyone will be invested in doing the things necessary for the team/program to be successful.  Coach K's comments really captured what I think I have tried to do as a leader--create a "collective our."  The picture that best captures what I'm talking about is below.  It's a photo of our Higher Education and Student Affairs Graduation and we had undergrads and professionals there to celebrate the graduation of our Graduate Students.  For those undergrads and for me as a professional, we were excited for the grad staff as if it was each of us graduating.  I love this picture because it truly captures the concept of the "collective our."

The "Collective Our."  Undergrad, Grad, and Professionals Celebrating HESA Graduation

Have an outstanding Saturday and happy running to you...