Runner's Challenge...

Chasing the "P" to the "Lew"

Attached is a snapshot of the online running challenge I signed up for back in October.  It's called Chasing the "P" to the "Lew" and don't ask me what it means because I joined late.  The rules:  see who can run the most miles in 1 year (from 1 September 2010 - 31 October 2011... I started on 1 October 2010).  There are 22 challengers; 4 of whom have never completed registration and another 4 who have completed registration but have yet to submit any runs.  Of the 14 remaining, I have worked through the 14th, 13th, 12fth (this reads funny but it IS correct), 11th, and 10th place slots and am now in 9th place.

D.A.D. (Dave Davis) is my friend/neighbor who lives just down the street and he is the one who invited me to join.  His wife is a personal trainer on base and they are both big time runners.  He has a wall FULL of medals from marathons.  When I saw his wall, and for the first time realized you can get "bling-bling" from these events, I was sold on marathons!  Signing up for my first 1/2 marathon due to occur in February.  Then, a 180-mile, 12-man relay in the summer.

It's the dad in me wanting to have those medals to serve as a visible example for the kids to see that it is possible to remain fit, even as an old man.  ;)  Logan's smack talkin' (and he is a HUGE smack talker at that!) is getting old and I need to set the standard... NOT the other way around!  He AND Briana already have shelves full of trophies, ribbons and necklace charms from competitions (e.g., basketball, baseball, soccer, track, etc.)!

You can see MY smack talkin' on the right. ;) And I don't even know who the other competitors are!  I'm SURE they are like "who the heck does this guy think he is?!"  To them I say, "move over bacon... time for new Sizzlin" - from an old 80's commercial). ;)

My goals:

#1:  pass Dave Davis! (move into 8th) (Dave... sorry bud, no hard feelings!)

#2:  pass "ajanehere" (move into 7th)

#3:  pass 'MadCammer08" (move into 6th)

Once I am settled comfortably into 6th, I will re-evaluate my goals, take a step back, assess the overall situation (running style, shoes, gear, form/technique, diet, daily workout and eating routine, etc.).  Then, make adjustments, as necessary.  There is ALWAYS room for improvement.

If you look closely at 3rd, 4th and 5th place runners, they are all neck-in-neck AND there is about a hundred mile spread between 5th and 6th, so this is how I see it.  I will have to do something dramatic to catch them.  Right now, I'm looking at my short-term goal of getting into that 6th place slot.  Then, as I re-evaluate my goals, I will start over with a NEW set of top 3 goals (don't like to roll onto goals #4, #5, etc... 1, 2 & 3 sound MUCH more inspiring, achievable and closer-range, realistic objectives).

Then, this IS what will happen... (saying this with conVICtion!)

NEW GOAL:

#1:  Kick it into gear and make HUGE strides in catching that 5th place runner.  Goal is to catch them by surprise.  They, currently, do not see the 6th place runner as a threat... YET.  But, as I prepare for "combat," I will THEN catch them TOTALLY off guard and then it will REALLY be "game on!"  I will NOT mess around with "neck-in-neck."  I'm shooting straight for passing them and gaining at least a good 50-mile cushion (figure I'll make it a good 2 marathon distance to get into their heads... psychological warfare). ;)

Then, if the ranges remain as they currently stand, I do not expect to move up into 1st or even 2nd.  "orthoclydesdale" and "BigBri16" can duke it out since they are obviously more motivated than I am... but... B U T... I'm not firm on my decision, yet.  I may shoot for #1.  EVEN IF IT MEANS I TAKE TIME OFF TO CATCH THEM.  Ha!

"Wish me luck!"

Spain { Palma de Mallorca } . . . 2001

I figure it is time to start talking about my overseas experiences.  Where to begin...

Palma de Mallorca, Spain - An island to the east of Spain's mainland. Much to see. Much to do. All I knew at the time was that I had just been onboard the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) for quite some time (months) and I was ready for a break from 7,000 of my best friends. From the grueling and intense 20+ hours a day, 7-day work weeks. Luckily, I had enough sense to bring along my mountain bike... a Trek 930 single-track, hard tail. I started out biking a few years earlier with a Trek820 and had just recently upgraded to this one. It was a nice improvement and the best part was the front shocks. Made for a much more pleasant ride on those bumpy cobblestone streets.

Getting off the ship for the first time in Palma, I felt a great sense of liberation. From, not only the ship, but from the typical cab rides/fares, trains and buses that everyone else had to take. We were Freeeeeeeeeee! FINALLY. From our ship's Commanding Officer: "Liberty Buddy" rule in effect. This called for us to always have at least one other Shipmate with us - at all times. Oftentimes in overseas ports, Sailors (along with civilian tourists) were easy targets for local criminals. Especially at night. Can't tell you how many times I have been a target myself. But remind me to tell you about it later... (kids picking my pockets, knife up to my throat, being shot at, fight... for my life, etc.).

But back to Palma...

There was so much to see and so much to do and I had at least 3-5 days to squeeze it all in. We bungee jumped, swam in the Mediterranean, rode all sorts of carnival rides, ate fantastic, exotic food, met people from all over the world and the best part... rode the countryside and just absorbed the natural beauty of Spain, itself. As the days went on, I found other Shipmates who had also brought their mountain bike and we would meet up and ride for a few hours then roll on and meet up with our original friends. We each brought a backpack which contained some clothes and hygiene kits; sleeping anywhere we wanted to. In a hotel. On a beach. Under the stars. Then, in the morning, we'd simply go to the beach for a swim, then shower on the boardwalk. We were always very good about looking out for one another. The great thing about having a bicycle, a MOUNTAIN bike, was that we could not only ride the neighborhood streets, but we were constantly veering off the main roads and riding across parks, dirt fields, rocky terrain, through heavy traffic and it was crazy. The drivers overseas are so nonchalant that we were not used to it. We were always very vigilant yet I clearly remember at least two times that someone either brushed up against me (with their vehicle) or I'd slammed into their bumper. "Peace! See ya!" (You think I want to be responsible for creating an "international incident?!" Um. NO.)

Forgive my ramblings... it has been so many years that I wish I would have documented everything as it happened. So, for now, ramblings is the best you will get. Here are some more. In random thoughts...

- eating a huge Burger King Whopper with Cheese and thinking "I wonder if they have portion limitations over here because this is GOOOOD! LOVE the extra cheese, mayo, pickles and bigger buns!"

- ordering a chicken plate at an outdoor cafe and expecting a plate with maybe some potatoes, greens and a chicken breast but instead... getting a FULL SIZE CHICKEN with the head and all! Looked like a Thanksgiving Turkey but much smaller and we finished it (we EACH had one full one)!

- getting sky-rocketed in one of those slingshot type balls at the carnival. Wishing I would have opted for the video. I had a great time but the super chubby (okay, he was FAT), British, tourist kid (around 12) lost his cookies and luckily I gave him this look in that millisecond of time that told him "I don't care HOW young you are or how much cushion you've got under those poor, poor clothes... Look Away NOWWWW or I WILL HIT you!" This, all as we were at the peak of the free-falling ride - suspended at the top - and were about to make our descent. Poor kid. He looked at me with a mouth full, eyes bulging, then looked away and released. NASTY. We pressed on. My buddies laughing at me! We got a kick out of that kid but I felt bad for him. Looking back. Wanted to tell him "thanks" but didn't want to risk losing it myself. Weak stomach. OH! You know who he reminded me of? Augustus Gloop! From Willy Wonka.

This is only the beginning of my ventures in Palma, but I wanted to at least give you something to look at for now. I'll be jumping all over the place as time goes on so I will be sure to revisit with you.

What you see in these next few shots are, unfortunately, very low quality pictures that I took with my digital camcorder. At the time, it was state of the art. Ha! Way to go J. Should have just bought a camera because now, I have a drawer full of mini-DV tapes and I have NEVER watched them. They just sit. Collecting dust. I'll have to get them converted to 8-track sometime... er, I mean cassette... no, CD... DVD? Point is, by the time I get to it, i GUARANTEE they will need to be converted to some type of holographic imagery that it might not even be worth it. For now, we have these pics. Enjoy! Oh, the chalkboard was just to fancy them up some. Does it help? ;)

A Trip Home (Texas, Colorado & Wyoming)

My last post... showed my travels to San Antonio.

Here are a few pictures from that trip.

And a few more as I ended up flying to Denver, CO for a few days then driving to Gillette, WY for one night.

Can't believe how much can happen in just a short amount of time.

I'll say this much...

There is a lot going on in my life.

Lots of moving pieces... lots of love, sorrow, happiness, pain, and...


Definitely an emotional roller coaster.


But. I am trusting in God. Trusting that he will take care of me and my loved ones (you know who you are).


I am blessed that I am still here. Walking on this earth. The same land that He walked on just a couple thousand years ago. Think about things like "Why am I here? Why have you saved me so many times in my life. What purpose do you have for me?" And I anxiously await the answer.


I have taken advice from so many people throughout the years but there are a few people in the entire world that I can say I LISTEN to. My advisers, so to speak, of sound, sage guidance. This trip, I was reacquainted with a few of those people. And, know this... I trust you. Completely.


What you see...


Me, cousins, cousins, and MORE cousins, mom, dad, brothers, sisters, niece, nephews... view of Wyoming hillside... .. Tamales in the making. ;)


What I see... many other family members missing from my life.  ~ Someday.


{ confusing, this one... i know }