In Jeans

I've run every night the last few. Sunday I hit the streets and had a great run. Monday and Tuesday were treadmill nights since I got home after dark. On Monday, I managed to squeeze in about 3 miles and on Tuesday I got 5. It's hard to accomplish a good run on a treadmill, very monotonous. I ran a couple of miles this morning and I intend to do some weight training and some more running later today.

I am feeling fat'n'crappy. I guess I've gained a few pounds and the decreased exercise is making me into a marshmallow.

The 15k training is virtually nonexistent but at least I am still managing some running. I have serious doubts about my ability to handle the run since I haven't even managed to enter a 10k yet. We shall see, eh?

I can't wait to get home and change into jeans. When I finally change my clothes in the evening, it's almost like I can hear a verbal "ahhhh". Jeans, yes. In jeans you don't have to worry about spilling your wine, in jeans it doesn't matter if a little chocolate gets on you, in jeans you can throw your leg over the chair, with denim comes relaxation, in jeans you can sit before you look and swipe clean the sitting surface.

We should all live every day as if "in jeans".

Running

Had a great run today. Ran about 8.5 miles. My hands froze and I used a headband as an ear cover but otherwise the run was efficient and great. I felt energized and relaxed when I returned home. Running is such a great time to think, remember, organize, plan. I will run tomorrow morning and try to do strength training at lunch tomorrow.

Philosophy, momentos, comfort

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things

I can not change

The courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference

Bridge Day

I found myself at Bridge Day in West Virginia this past weekend. What a treat to absorb the visual feast of human beings like tiny spiders along with the spectacle of watching someone jumping off a bridge, falling, and then suddenly turning into a brightly colored parachute.

I found it best to watch the activity from directly below the bridge. I lay on my back and could take it all in at once. It was spectacular, exciting. Since I knew several rappellers, I found it even more intriguing. Could I do that someday? I think so. I hope so.

Looking forward to the next adventure.

TUESDAY'S WINE POST

I had a fine bottle of wine this weekend and I would recommend it. It was the 2000 Gordon Brothers Columbia Valley Estate Grown Syrah. This dark violet Syrah shows a rich nose and a great balance between fruit and oak components highlighting a pleasant lactic note which closes off with warm, spicy and leathery aromas. On the palate, the wine brings delicate plum and cherry flavors with a layer of mature tannins that finishes with a velvety and inviting texture.

The wine retails in a range between $20 and $40.

Tuesday's Wine Post

DRINK WINE

Beer is good

but wine makes an event special

wine has layers of flavors

Like Shrek, onions or parfait

DRINK WINE I say

15 k training

Went out running this evening. Was shooting for about 7 miles. Ran most of it, the last 1/2 mile or so I just gave up. I was extremely thirsty, apparently dehydrated. So, what did I do? Came home and ate a bag of salty popcorn. I need to accelerate running, and get into a real training schedule, I have a 15k race scheduled soon.

I really love running though. I don't use an MP3 player or other musical device. It's just me and the road or trail. It's such a fine time to think, to ponder, to remember. I really enjoy going through memories; sifting them, feeling them, reliving good times and finding a way to digest events which aren't so good.

Maybe I will discover the meaning of life during a run. Perhaps I will stumble upon the key to happiness. It's possible that I could find my path. You never know, this runner might yell "eureka", having found the formula for world peace, the recipe to end hunger, a way to solve aggression, war, political strife. Nah. I would feel successful if I could consistently run a 9 mile course and feel happy and hopeful for my future. I can't singlehandedly solve the world's problems. Can I?

The Mood Child

I don't know why but for some reason poetry seems to be everywhere around me. It's one of those great dynamic trends, you try to figure out if it is really a "trend" or if you just never noticed it before. Well, poetry is either a trend in my life now or I have begun to notice it. My daughter Chloe, age 7, is noticing. She read to me a poem that she wrote. I was flabbergasted. I think it's good, I believe you will too.

THE MOOD CHILD

by Chloe Mignon Thorner

I wish I could run away

I do not wish to stay

I'm fed up going to my room

I hate sweeping with a broom

I hate mopping with a mop

One more year is all I've got

I can eat junk food and not

healthy foods like stove top

I can go to bed at 12:00

instead of nine.

I can drink wine.

I don't have to go to school

All I must do is drool

They all think I'm pretty cruel

But I'm nice inside.

A Look Back

After reviewing my calendar for tomorrow and the coming week, dictating a few letters and opening some really cool mail (stuff from England and a special vintage poetry-metaphor device), I have decided to blog my beach trip a little more.

In a nutshell, my trip was about sand, sea, sun, family and running. That's about it, except that I ate enourmous quantities of junk food and I am sure I have gained 10 pounds. We ate dinner and had daiquiris (not the children) at one of my favorite hang outs. My absolutely favorite drink there is "Banana in the Bush". Name aside, it's a combination of a bushwacker (kahlua, bailey's) and a banana daiquiri. I've consumed dozens of these in the past at this establishment.

I had some interesting weather during my runs. Bright, hot sunlight and drenching rain. I ran four or five times while there and each time I logged at least 5 miles, not sure of the exact distance.

Back to cool weather

Our vacation is over and we just arrived back home. We drove all night and we are exhausted. It's hard to take continental weather after balmy days and nights. I'll adjust, I always do.

Talk at ya later folks

A beach bum

I'm in Florida and the weather is fine. I've been running every day, it's good running on the beach. The breeze messes my hair, the sound of my feet on the sand and shells is different than the "slap, slap, slap" on concrete. I take my cell in case I run far too long for a comfortable return; keep it on to connect with the office.

Today, I ran toward Clearwater, ran 1/2 mile past two piers, one dead shark, two funny tourists, surfers, and a plethora of shells. Yesterday I ran south, toward St. Petersburg, arrived at St. John's Pass and had to come up on the street, over the bridge and back down to Treasure Island. After that, I ran another 45 minutes at Treasure Island, quickly running out of beach once again. My ran ended up lasting about 90 minutes; it was good.

Philosophy for the day: endure, close your eyes - feel the wind, don't look back.