Testing your limits...

Good morning to you and happy weekend.  It's been a pretty good week of running.  Today I ran my longest run of the year, 13 miles, in 1:30:17.  I left about 7:30a and return right around 9a.  It's important as the summer approaches that I am able to get in my running early before it gets hot.  It gets so dang hot in Indiana.  Overall, running is going well.  

As I train for the marathon and run progressively longer runs each week I am actually training my body to learn to run and push through fatigue.  Yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk with a student, Heather, about her attempt at the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon on September 3.  I was sharing with her a training plan so that she could run the race.  One of the points I made to her was that as you increase your long runs, your body adapts.  For instance, when I ran 12 miles last week my body really started to feel bad around the 10 mile mark (which was my longest run of their year prior to the 12 mile run).  Today, my body really started to hurt once I pushed beyond the 12 mile mark and went for 13.  Next week, once I hit 12.5 or 13 miles then my body will start to feel it.  Does that make sense?  As you push you "wall" out, then you are able to just keep pushing the amount of distance you can run before you really feel fatigued.  The trick to training for any race is to push you wall--the point at which it feel just God awful to run--past the distance you have to race.  In my previous marathons I've been able to push that wall out each time I've raced.  My first marathon it was about the 20 mile mark, my second marathon it was 22, my third marathon it was 23, and at Eugene in 2008 it was 25.  This type of training is hard, but totally worth it. 



Myles did NOT enjoy the Vet visit



This week Myles was a pretty sick puppy and he was having a hard time keeping anything in.  After Sarah and I were up most of the night with him on Wednesday evening cleaning up his stuff (he usually does not potty in the house), we decided it was best to get him to the vet.  I took him to the vet on Thursday afternoon and despite not taking him to the vet in three months he remembered as he ran out the door and then buried his head in my armpit when I picked him up and carried him in.  Once we sat down with the Vet she said that she was pretty sure he had a GI issue, but then listed out all of the other things it could be--many of which resulted in death.  She said, "so we can give you this or we can do all these extra tests to make sure it's nothing serious."  She said she'd give me some time to think about it, but I immediately replied, "let's do what we need to do to make sure he's going to be just fine.  I love him too much to take a chance."  So...they did the extra tests and they came back negative and he's just fine.  He probably did not need the tests and they were expensive, but I would have NEVER forgiven myself if I did not agree to the tests.  Some things just don't have a monetary value and the life of my Myles is one of them.  As we were leaving Myles greeted another dog--a very large lab mix (60LBS).  I walked over and talked to the owner and I could see tears in her eyes.  She said, "today is his day."  Oh my, it broke my heart.  I bent down next to her dog and Myles, petted her dog, and gave her dog a kiss on the head.  Yes, I know that sounds COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE, but in the situation it seemed so natural.  As Myles and I left I told her how sorry I was and wished her the best.  I smiled.  Then...I went to my car and I was just moved to sobbing--yes, actual crying.  It BROKE MY HEART to think about the poor woman having to watch her dog be put down.  I just cannot imagine.  It was strange to be driving down the road and crying about some woman and her dog that I met in passing.  But...I think that in that moment it just reminded me of how much I love Myles and how heartbroken I would have been if I was in her position.  Many of my family and friends have had to make that tough call--it's a call that has to be made--and one that I'm sure is just so tough.

I submitted my program proposal for GLACUHO (Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers) and it's titled:  "What I Learned--About Housing & Residence Life--While Running."  I'm pretty pumped up about it and I hope it's accepted.  Generally my programs are about residence hall apartment communities, Social Justice and Multicultural Competence, and Leadership.  So...this is a new program.  Cross your fingers.

Have a great day and happy running to you...

Priorities...

Reunited after four days!

Hard to believe another week has come and gone.  It was a busy week for me and I cannot say I did a very good job running--only making it out for two runs.  But...I can say that I made very good decisions about my use of time--maybe something I would not have done a few years back.

We only have 24 hours in a day and if you are like me then you need every second of your 24.  For me, I'm juggling spending time with Sarah, spending time with Myles, work, fun, running, sleep, and relaxing.  Over the past few years, I've pushed hard with running and probably run when I was too tired or run at the expense of spending time with Sarah or making time for friends.  However, as much as I love to run at the end of the day life is about the people you give your time to more than the number of miles you run.  Sarah has helped teach me this lesson over the past few years and Myles has driven the point home.  For instance, on Monday and Tuesday of last week when I got home from work I had every intention of running.  However, Myles had been couped up in his crate all day and I knew I could not just leave my buddy.  So...he and I took a walk on both days to the park and ran around and just spent time together.  Myles is such a good dog and I feel so responsbile for him and I just cannot bear to ignore him.  Having a dog is a huge responsibility and dogs are meant to get out there and really enjoy being with their owners.  And...Sarah had long days of work and tests and I was not just going to up and leave for a run after walking Myles when I knew I was going to be gone Wednesday through Saturday.

This week I went to Philadelphia to The Placement Exchange to recruit talented new professionals for a couple Residence Director positions we just created for IUPUI.  While I missed Sarah and Myles, I had a great time meeting some talented future professionals, seeing old friends, and just hanging out in Philly.  Again, I could have stayed off in the corner and just been focused on getting some miles in, but I instead interviewed from 9a to 7p, ate dinner with friends, and slept in instead of running because I was tired.  I wanted to run and felt a bit guilty about not running, but I knew my body needed rest--as did my mind.  And...after thinking about it, I'm fine with it.  I'll pick up the running this week.  All in all, TPE was great and I genuinely feel like we found some individuals who could be great on our team.

I knew that the day would come when I would not be able to run 40-50 miles a week and run marathons or races all the time.  I told our undergraduate staff in August that we all have time to do 4-5 things really well and after we pick up 6-7, then we look average at them all.  For me, it's Sarah, Res Life, watching IU sports, and Myles.  Running is in there, but when it comes down to it it's really between running races and Myles.  And...it's not a choice for me.  Myles wins.  I will still be able to run (so long as I get up early) and I'll still race (during the late summer and fall), but at the end of the day when I decided to become Myles's Dad I committed to being the best Dad he could have. 

NCAA tournament selection is tonight.  Keep in mind I'm typing this before seeing the brackets.  I predict the four number one seeds go to Duke, Ohio State, Kansas, and Notre Dame.  I think that the teams to watch besides those four to be good in the NCAAs are: San Diego State, Kentucky, Louisville, Pitt, and Purdue.  Teams I would stay away from picking to go very far:  Wisconsin (too slow), Butler (everyone will be hyped to play them after last year), Michigan State (usually a good pick but Izzo does not have this team), UCONN (Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde type team), Florida (seem soft), and North Carolina (not tough enough and they have no player who just takes over).

Have a great day.  Happy running to you...

Perfect mornings...

He loves his Mommy & Daddy

It's the little things in life.  Truly, I believe that.  And this morning was spectacular.  My alarm went off at 5:30a and I shut it off quickly.  I laid there in the dark next to Sarah with Myles in his crate.  I knew I had to SLOWLY get out of bed as not to wake up Myles (Sarah was sleeping like a log).  Carefully, I stepped out of bed knowing that one misstep would wake up Myles and hijack my running plans.  To my delight, I snuck out of the room successfully and got ready for my run.

The run this morning was awesome.  It was windy, but the 90% chance of rain that was predicted for 6a was not there and the temps were in the high 40s.  As I ran step by step through the darkness I just felt terrific.  My right foot hurt badly after Sunday's 8 mile run so I took two days off.  I've learned over the years that resting when you feel just slightly sore is better than just pushing through it and ending up with a long term ailment.  I ran 5 miles this morning, into the wind and then with the wind on the way back.  I felt great. 

When I returned home I snuck back into the bedroom and sat down next to Myles's crate.  He raised up his head and stuck his tiny nose through the metal.  I opened the door and he jumped out and plopped right into my lap.  I picked him up, hugged him, and kissed the top of his head.  He returned the favor by giving me a little Myles kiss (lick) on my face.  And...then he just did that smell thing dogs do--they love their keepers smell--and he just smelled my neck and face.  As I held him, I just let myself be in the moment and totally focus on the joy that Myles has brought into our lives.  I felt this overwhelming sense of love for him and it nearly brought me to tears.  Yes, I know, I know, I know he's a dog, but he's our dog and I love him.

After a successful potty time for Myles the grand finale of the morning came when I returned, Sarah was awake, and Myles and I greeted here with a "Good Morning!"  Myles and I are both crazy about Sarah and I just love asking Myles, "where's Mommy" and watching him SPRINT to wherever he thinks she is.  As we got ready for work and then as Sarah left and we kissed goodbye, I just could not help but think about what a perfect morning it was today.  Simple, yes, but perfect because I was surrounded by love and was able to do something I love (run).

I'm looking forward to interviewing some great potential stars for our team over the next few days at TPE.  I'm so proud of our department and what we accomplish and stand for and I'm looking forward to finding great individuals to join us.  Have a great day and happy running to you!

The Boy is All Right...

Happy Saturday Morning to You!  I just finished up a nice 7.2 mile run in downtown Indianapolis.  It's my longest run this year and probably a couple months for what it's worth.  My legs felt fresh and quick.   With each stride it was like my legs were saying, "thank you, thank you, thank you..."  Every run does not go that way, but today it did and I enjoyed the run immensely.  I still have not set any racing goals for the year.  I'm not sure when I'll do that.  Perhaps, I'll really focus on the summer and fall season.  I guess it will come to me when it comes to me.

Yesterday Myles visited the vet to be fixed.  Mind you, I know that this is a very common event for pets.  I realize that everyone that I know who has a dog or cat has had them spayed or neutered.  However, I was just so nervous about it.  I took Myles to the vet at 7a and he just did not want to go in.  Usually he cannot wait to go into a new place.  Yesterday, though, he tried to sprint back to the car.  He peed on the scale and he whined.  When I handed him off, he looked back at me and just gave me the saddest, "please don't leave me Dad" look.  Damn.  Broke my heart.  I smiled at him and said in a cheerful voice, "I'll see you later Myles-ie."  Then...I went back to the car and drove to work.  Oddly, though, I found myself tearing up a bit.  I looked in the rear view mirror and said, "come on Josh, get it together, you're being ridiculous."  But...I just felt bad about leaving him.  I know.  I know. I know.  He had no clue, he won't remember, it's good for him, dogs cannot understand, yada, yada, yada.  For me, I just felt bad.  I'm a blue on the True Colors Personality Inventory, I'm a Feeler on the Myers-Briggs, and I'm People Centered in my work.  I say that because no matter what logical thing another person says or even I say to myself, I just was going to be upset about it.  Strange as it is, it's just me.  Anyway, as Sarah predicted (and everyone else I spoke with as well), I picked Myles up after work and he was just fine.  A little groggy, but just fine and dandy.  This morning he's back to his old self...running around and just being all puppyish.  I've included a picture of him riding home from the vet with his blue donut cone thing (to stop him from licking his wound) and he new reindeer stuffed toy (normally $18.99 but on sale for $3.96--who could pass up that deal?).

This morning I woke up and had Sarah snuggled up to me on one side and Myles snuggled up next to me on the other.  I smiled, thought about how lucky I am, and went back to sleep.  It's the free things in life that are the best, and waking up on a cold Saturday morning with Sarah and Myles snuggled up next to me is one of the best things in the whole world.  Heck...you know it's true because instead of getting up to run early, I stayed in bed and decided to run after breakfast.  There are some things in life worth enjoying the heck out of when they occur because in the day to day hustle and bustle of my work I don't always get to enjoy a morning of snuggling with my Sarah and my Myles.  Have an outstanding Saturday and happy running to you...

A Walk With Mr. Myles...

Hello!  Today was a day off of running for me and I rarely blog when I do not run.  However, today I feel inspired to write so here goes.

Myles and I had gotten into the habit of walking nearly everyday after work last fall.  Since it's gotten really cold and snowy, we have not been walking.  We (Sarah & I) were worried about him being cold.  We even bought him a cute coat, but he's never been a fan of it.  Both Sarah and I believe that walks are good for him.  He's been a bit testy lately so he and I went for a walk today--and tried the coat--again!

I figured that in order to convince Myles that his coat was a good option I'd first need him to walk without the coat.  We walked a bit into the wind and blowing snow and he was a champ.  He did his business--if you know what I mean (wink, wink)--and then we really got going.  After about a half mile I decided to slip his coat on him.  At first, he resisted and ran into the snowbank directly next to the sidewalk.  I pulled him out and then slipped on his red coat--which matches mine (OMG).  To my UTTER AMAZEMENT he just started trotting like the coat was not even on him.  He looked warmer, I felt better, and we walked the rest of the way home.  I'm very proud of my little man.

I think there are times when people are obsessed with their dogs and they sound ridiculous and they don't know it.  Look...I know that I'm not just ridiculous, but REDONCULOUS about my Myles.  I get it.  I talk about Myles to anyone who will listen.  I post videos and pictures on Facebook.  For goodness sake, I just wrote a blog about him.  I just love him.  He needs us (Sarah & I), he loves us, and he's just so happy to see us when we come home from work.  It does not matter if I'm happy, mad, sad, or glad--the boy is just ecstatic we are home.  His unconditional love is the kind of love you just wish you could infect the world with.  I'm sure that most people who love their dogs feel the way I do or maybe I'm just, well...REDONCULOUS--which is a made up word to emphasize my over the top emotions about Myles.  Ok.  Enough of that.

Enjoy the Myles coat picture.  Back to running tomorrow.  Happy running to you...

Dog Training vs. Blogging...

Well...something had to give when Myles came into our lives and unfortunately for now I've been blog negligent. I cannot lie, though. I love our little man. He's such a cutie and I love him. I have always wanted a dog and I knew I would love it, but I had no idea I'd LOVE HIM this much. Sounds kind of crazy, right? To love a dog like this? Oh well...I love the guy. It's 4 am potty breaks and rushing home at lunch to make sure he gets his pee on. But...it's fun and it's cool.

Surprisingly, I've been able to keep my 40 mile week streak in tact. This week I ran 40 miles for the 30th consecutive week. That's crazy. I'm well on track to hit 2000 miles for the year and that may just be my goal for now. I'm able to run, but I'm tired with the early morning wake-ups, a busy job, and now puppy training. Not sure I will be able to set any more personal records this year, but if I continue to build my running mile base then I'll be able to do that soon.

I'll try to keep blogging as much as I can. Myles is asleep right now so I can type. I'll keep running. You keep running. And I'll try to blog as much as I can...