Giving up the Ghost...Well, Nearly

It has been so long since I have posted that I even considered giving up the blog ghost. After second thoughts, I will continue. I feel that most people couldn't care less about mile interval times, long distance training runs or what not. I will keep posting about future endeavors, adventures and what is important to me as a husband, father and endurance guy. So after three weeks...where to begin.

School is back in full swing so things have been hectic. Kids activities, Cub Scout leader planning for the fall, training for Palo Duro 50 miler...Luke is training for his first triathlon and in swim classes, Macy is in Dance and Girl Scouts, Brenda is training for the Palo Duro 20K...and a really big surprise happening in a couple of weeks that I will pontificate on at a later date....all this while I hold down a job. Breath...just Breath.

With this schedule, last Friday I take off at about 10:00 PM for a 30 miler...wrapped it up, cooled down and crawled into bed at about 5:00 AM. At 9:30 AM, I crawled out of bed and asked Luke what he wanted to do for fun. His response, "Go on a trail run for training." OK Then...we're off to North Shore at Grapevine Lake...2.5 miles on the trail, return home and I run another 2.5 miles at Russel Creek Park to make it an even 5 miles. Up at 5:00AM on Sunday to knock out another 8 miles on Erwin Park trails for a total of a 43 mile weekend. Combine all that with track work, spin class, and core work...great week with nearly a month and a half til race time.

On Wednesday, I was feeling as though my youngest daughter was sharing the love with a respiratory thing. Runs were slow and lethargic and on this past Saturday, I met my buddy Lynn Ballard at North Shore to get another long run in. After 11 miles it was apparent that the body was battling because the respiration was labored....really tough. Lynn went ahead and finished off 80 miles for the week with a 20 mile finale in preparation for the Bear 100 miler...to take place in about 3 weeks. HE IS READY!... 480 miles for August...how many did you do?

This morning I slept in...no run...I rested...sinus congestion persisted and the morale declined...I need to be training DANG IT! My running buddies, who know me, tell me I am ready right now...to relax. My mind tells me the Palo Duro cutoffs are stringent...and the only easy day was yesterday. With the upcoming schedule...I have 3 good long run weekends planned before the 2 week taper. Marching On!

Want to give a shout out to some of my friends: First to Dmitry...who had a tough time at CCC 100 miler...of course it's his 3rd 100 for the year with one to go. This weekend he was awarded the blue belt in Brazilian Jujitsu.

To Dan Hamilton and Jesse Wilson: Ran with them on the North Texas Trail Runners night run a couple of weeks ago. They ran 40 miles that night, all in preparation for the Wasatch 100 miler next weekend. I have never seen either look this strong...they will need to be for ole Wasatch...just asked Dmitry...he has a tattoo reminding him the fortitude it took to finish that race.

And of course to Lynn Ballard, my friend, who will be attempting to reinstate his Hardrock 100 mile qualifications by completing the Bear 100 miler....most people half his age couldn't carry his shoes for him...tough guy...real tough guy.

I close with some pics of Luke handling the North Shore Trail technical parts with ease and finesse. Great foot work and agility...can not tell you how proud of my kid I am...Carry on my wayward son.