One Week Down...

Not the best week of running.  That's what happens when it's the first week of classes, administrative stuff out the wazoo, and two games on back to back days your schedule gets full and some things take precedence like sleep.

But, I still managed 37 miles (okay, 36.9).  However, 20 of those were on Sunday.  I know, I know, not the smartest plan.  You do what you have to do.

I did have some success this week though.  Not sure if it's the absence of alcohol or the combination of that and a 4 hour run yesterday but the number on the scale was a pleasant surprise this morning.  179.  It's been a good two years since I've seen something like that.  Now if I can just keep it there.

Course Corrections

Everyone does it.  You take a wrong turn.  You miss a turn.  What do you do?  You correct, go around the block, flip a U-turn, etc.

That's what those two weeks of preseason felt like to me.  I got trapped in the left lane and wasn't able to merge quick enough to take the exit I wanted.  Lots of cursing, pounding the steering wheel, etc.  Call it circumstance-rage.

The last couple of days have been totally different.  Even though the pace picked up at work, the amount of time at work has drastically reduced.  I've found a nice person in the middle lane who let me over and I see the next exit ahead.  I'm pretty confident I can find my way back to the road I'm supposed to be on.

Oh, and 39 days until Twin Cities.  That shit is coming fast!

53 Day Challenge

I'm taking on a personal challenge over the next 53 days (or from now until Oct 17th when I finish running the Grand Rapids Marathon).

You see, I've been trying to get my girth down a bit for the last few years - I was at a perfect 175 lbs in the early summer of 2008.  Not sure I can get all the way back there, but I'd like to get close.  So starting this summer I had about 9 lbs to lose.  Well, I'm down to 181 now and I'm in need of a little kick, push, or jump-start to get that number moving down again.

What's the kick?  I'm going dry for the next 53 days.  That's right.  No alcohol.  I had my last beer (hopefully, you never know I might lose will power a bit but I'm setting my goals high) last night with dinner.

I think it will help me cut some unneeded calories out of my diet and help my running (which desperately needs it now) both.

I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

6 weeks until Twin Cities!

Really?

***Warning***

***Warning***

This post will be about overt religious acts and the sporting world, this topic might offend, and please read with caution and the knowledge that this is my opinion, and my opinion only.

So I'm watching the Bengals-Broncos preseason game last night on the NFL Network.  Much better performance by the Bengals, but I noticed something strange.  Every time the Broncos punter, Britton Colquitt, punted he would run off the field pointing both fingers up at the sky.  Now, I know I'm making an assumption here, but it seemed to me that he was indicating some sort of acknowledgement to God.

Really?

Does God care that you just did your job?  Punting.  That's what Pat Bowlen is paying you to do.  Colquitt didn't boom an 85 yard bomb of a punt that was downed at the 1 yard line.  It was pretty routine punt that was returned for a bunch of yards by Shipley of the Bengals.

First of all any type of celebration after the completion of a play annoys me, so I'm not just picking on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes crowd here, but constantly drawing attention to your religion gets old.  Quickly.

Let your actions of every day life be the example.  If someone asks you about your religion, then they're giving you free reign to expound.  But stop the overused, trite gestures.  Please.

Hey, Summer?

Fuck you.

You've worn out your welcome.  I know it's supposed to be warm, but really, this warm?  And this humid?  For days on end?

Sept 22, 2010 can not get here soon enough.

And It Begins Again

It's that time of year again.  August.  The return of college (and high school) athletics.  Why they call it "Fall Camp" is beyond me...last time I checked (about 10 seconds ago) fall doesn't start until Sept 22, 2010.  But I digress.

What began June 1 with high hopes and grand expectations of accomplishing many, many different things (both personal and professional) and segued into accomplishing a few select things (mostly personal...sorry employer!) and a lot of not doing anything but traveling.  But it was a very good eight weeks!

So I've been back to work for 11 days now, and the kick in the shorts comes tomorrow when soccer practices start.  A week and a half later classes start.

I'll do my best to update in that time, but don't be surprised if things are a bit quieter than usual around these parts.

Correct!

Spot on Erin.