Monday, August 30, 2010

Oregon Coast Vacation

We had great week away at Cannon Beach and the conference center. Dr. Palau was wonderful and spoke on Jonah and Paul; “The Reluctant Prophet and the Joyful Apostle”. A great compare and contrast between these two men and a reminder that God’s plans will not be thwarted, we can choose to participate and be joyful or we can resist and find our lives full of “belly of the fish” experiences – I know what I want. I’ll take joy in chains over rebellion and the belly of a big fish!! With these messages I felt a great renewal within my spirit and a confirmation of God’s love, acceptance, and joy in me as His son, if I can stay focused on that and not let the troubles of this world overcome me (parable of the Sower Matt 13:1-23) I can move and rest in the power of God and the promises He has given – TO ME!

Workouts were as great as I had hoped. The weather was incredible, better than we’ve seen in the last 7-years! Got over 40-miles in during the week and although I ate way too much, and generally not real healthy (too much ice cream and “Bruce’s Candy”), the running kept me sane! The first day I got up early at 6:00am and ran at low tide, this opened the beach up forever so I did 9-miles on the beach which was fantastic. Day-2 I dropped to 7-miles on the beach but later that day I had some “twinges” in the bottom of my feet that made me nervous over plantar fasciitis which hammered me last year (see my July 30, 2010 post for a bit more detail). The rest of the week I ran the roads which felt good and also provided some “hill” work but I did miss running the beach and marveling at the beautiful setting. I had to soak the beach up walking and watching the kid’s skim-board and wave-jumping – also not too tough of duty, but hey someone’s got to do it!

A good vacation away and looking forward to this week at home getting some “honey-do” list tackled and enjoying being around the house with the kids. Here are a few pic’s of my two favorite ladies on the beach.


Thursday, August 19, 2010

Stress release

Nice to have a very full day done, complete, in-the book, etc, etc! I don’t know if it’s Murphy’s Law or what but things just always seem to get “nuts” before you go on vacation. A combination of trying to get everything organized and completed, if possible, is kinda like pushing string uphill with a fork! Ok – done with my pity party  I’m blessed and glad to have a great job that is challenging, provides an opportunity to work with some really great people, and is for a company that operates with integrity.

So the stress was building all day and was firmly settled into my shoulders providing the beginnings of a tough “stress headache” by the time I left. Got away a bit before 6:00 so was pretty sure I wasn’t going to make the 6:20 – I was right. So went for a nice run and got 7.5 miles in. Like last night, a beautiful evening and got to enjoy running the waterfront. Unknown to me, this weekend is “hemp-fest” and they were setting up the booths for about 1.5 miles of the waterfront park – oh yea, that’s worth pondering…. Some people, were already celebrating according to my nose – What a sad commentary on our society today that people feel the need to celebrate a substance that dulls the senses and emotions – I guess it’s the escapism that makes this attractive to some people. On the other hand, there is so much in life that we should want to experience in to the fullest – good food, God’s creation, friends, wonderful music, etc – why do we need to dull that? As I ran through the area I prayed for the people that would be attending the event – specifically that they would realize they are trying to fill a void that can only be filled by God.

A complete and full day – a good run, and looking forward to a good evening. Finally, noticing I’m edging closer to 1,000 miles since the first of the year. I’ve been running for 4+ years but that would be a first for me.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Cool(er) Running

So I’ve now confirmed I run so much better in temperatures below 80 degrees! Caught the 6:20 ferry tonight and got home for a run in the neighborhood – temp was around 70 at that time, the sun was getting low and it was a beautiful evening. Thanks to my Garmin, I started a wandering run and enjoyed every minute of it. Ended up getting a 1-hour run completed for 7-miles and just beat the dark in returning home. Now that was a rude awakening, I’m not ready for fall yet and shorter days mean Fall is around the corner!


Still debating on whether to go for the full Marathon or the Half in Bellingham on Sept 26th – I know I can knock out the 13.1, if I did it I would be going for a time of 1:45 or under. I’ve never run either but my son and I are putting a race calendar together for the coming school year that we want to culminate with a Marathon, it would be great to do a “first” together. It is also his senior of high school so we might look for one that would be fun to travel as a bit of a Grad present. So, as I type I’m talking myself out of the marathon and focusing on a Half. In the meantime we’ll be building the race calendar over the next week and I’ll add it to the site.

Two days to go until we head out for vacation in Cannon Beach, OR – looking forward to the down time together with my family and just being able to relax. Hoping the weather will be decent for walks on the beach with my wife, long runs, good food, and a good book!
Haystack Rock seen from Cannon BeachImage via Wikipedia


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Monday, August 16, 2010

Weekend in review

Running on the weekends is certainly my favorite – little to no time pressure allowing me to lengthen or shorten my run as the urge hits me. Saturday morning was a nice run, shorter after my high heat, 8+ mile run on Friday afternoon, but still very enjoyable before the day got too hot. Did a 5-mile loop in the neighborhood which has a great stretch along the water offering a spectacular view of Seattle and Mt Rainier, before hitting the 1.25 mile uphill slog. Ended the run at our neighborhood feed store/general store/nursery/coffee shop (Bay Hay & Feed) where I met my wife for a cup of coffee while sitting in the shade of the garden in the nursery. This is such a great spot to sit, talk, and see people from around the Island. I believe this is one of the best spots and places on Bainbridge!

Sunday was a cooker – I wimped out and did my workout in the gym but got 7-miles on the treadmill (in the AC) to start off the weeks mileage. Enjoyed this further because my son and daughter came and all three of us were lined up on the "never ending loop machines"! Hey they serve a purpose but it’s rare that I’m on the treadmill due to heat, usually it’s darkness or rain. Well, a good weekend all around and got some good workouts in. Short run today (Mon in Seattle) while waiting for the boat. Only had 30 minutes but got 3.7 miles logged and that took the edge off from the day.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Early start to the weekend!

An incredible day today in the great Northwest, sunny and temps in the upper-80's,!  Took the afternoon off from work to enjoy more of the weekend (and get a jump on the ferry traffic).  Got down to the ferry at around 1:00 and the line was already backed up, BIG TIME - so got the car in line and went for a run.  I knew I had a 2-boat wait so I got a decent run in along the waterfront and then into the Inter-bay area, got 8.5 miles in.  I did underestimate the heat though and didn't take any water, big mistake.  The last mile there are a variety of sidewalk cafe's I run past and I was almost to the point of stopping to ask for a glass of water.  Don't know how that would have gone over with the waiters but it was a very attractive idea at the time.  Made it back to the car without the water stop and got some fluids in me just fine but I don't think I'll forget next time!  Had plenty of time to cool down before finally catching the boat - the 3:00 which left at 3:30....

Feeling good now and ready to settle into the weekend

Thursday, August 12, 2010

21st Wedding Anniversary!

A quick note for the day to celebrate 21-years of marriage to the most wonderful woman in the world.  I have been truly blessed to have this lady in my life over the last 21-years plus the 2-years we dated!  She has brought much joy, happiness, and encouragement into my life and has been both loving and forgiving in many ways.  Thank you God for giving me such a wonderful friend, help-mate, partner and wife.

NOTE: since I'm in a marriage mindset a book recommendation is Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas - a must read.  Also, if you've read or heard Gary speak he is wonderful.  He will be speaking at Island Church on Bainbridge Island in October- more to come on that or check out the calander at http://www.islandchurch.org/

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Long Day

Ok -so last night I blew it!  Was going to balance the workout at the gym but ended up running the whole time on the treadmil.  Got 7-miles in and the hip felt better but still pushed a bit too far I think, it was a touch sore this morning.  To compound it, had a 5-hour meeting today so I was pretty stiff after that.  So tonight, a short workout on the eliptical and then home.  The kids are all off to their respective youth groups so it will give me a bit of time with my lovely bride to catch up.

 Lots of "life" going on right now and boy am I tired.  The runs and workouts are a sanity check and balance but I'm in serious need of some R&R which is coming, just not fast enough.  It's too easy these days to simply put my head down and plow through work, instead I'm being convicted that I'm called to the workplace to be "light" and to steward the people and assets God has brought under my influence.  I like the way I heard one man say it "I don't manage people, I manage peoples hearts"  Everyone has dreams, hopes, goals, objectives, fears, and concerns - all of which stem from their heart.  As a Christ follower, I need to be most concerned with the heart of the people that work for me and with me - realistically behaviour and work product will follow suit if I can lead by "managing their hearts".  Isn't that what Christ did as he ministered here on earth?  Yes there was teaching and practicle examples but ultimately He was speaking to, instructing into, and touching the hearts of those that came to Him.  Easy to say but I am praying the words of the Brandon Heath song which says "give me your eyes for just one second, give me your eyes so I can see, everything that I keep missing,...give me your heart for for humanity" - don't know if I could truly handle that, but I will trust that He will give me a soft heart and eyes that see.

Monday, August 9, 2010

New Week - new opportunity

Made the 6:20 tonight and will hit the gym for a balance of treadmill work and eliptical.  Appear to have pin-pointed the muscle strain, its actually in my hip and I was shown a great stretch for this yesterday.  I could immediately feel the muscle stretch so I think I've got the right area focused on.  I'll continue to hit the gym until it feels better.  Maybe a run on the roads mid-week and then see how that feels before getting a long run in over the weekend.

Also looking forward to some vacation time at the end of the month.  We have a week planned at Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast and I love the runs along the beach there, so peaceful and relaxing - just have to make sure I don't push my mileage too far since that was when the plantar faciatis started last year.  I significantly bumped my miles (hey I was on vacation and had plenty of time for long runs, not needing to "squeeze" a run in) coupled with running on the wet sand supposedly was a bad mix.  We get to hear Dr. Palau (sp?) this week and we are all looking forward to the week with him and his family, they are great people and his teaching is great.  For now though, got to continue focusing on the job at hand - almost forgot; my daughter got her braces off today after 2-years of wearing them, she in anxious for me to see and I'm excited to see how they look.  (she's most excited about getting to eat salt-water taffy on vacation, while I'm most excited about finally having all 3 of the kids done with the orthodontist - yippeee)

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Rainy weekend

Friday and Saturday had me in the gym for some cross training and lighter workouts.  I've developed a small "strain" in my upper thigh / hip that I can run through but is very uncomfortable, especially the first 3-minutes of my runs.  So, hit the gym and got some work done on the eliptical and some light running on the treadmill - my hope is to keep the cardio going but give the legs and joints a bit of rest.

Today my 13- year old daughter joined me at the gym and we worked the machines side-by-side, it was fun to be together and share the workout.  I commented in an earlier post that my 17-year old son is starting to run a bit now too.  He will be going into his senior year of High School and since we homeschool we talked about his PE requirement being filled through running this coming year.  We will pick 3-5 races through the school year, each progressively longer.  The "final exam" of either a Half or full Marathon is still under review but this will be a lot of fun and if we get the races picked in August we'll have the goals mapped out.  I think he is excited about this and I'm honored that he wants to do this together.  Being a father is a real blessing and helps me get greater insight into the father-heart of God, just as I get real joy from my child wanting to spend time and be with me, I see how God enjoys and finds His joy when I spend time with Him; reading His word and praying - I'm reminded of 1Timothy 4:8 which says "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Friends - old and new

Had nice evening meeting our new neighbors.  My wife invited the neighborhood over for an evening "ice cream social" to meet the new neighbors.  She has such a gift of making people feel welcome and is always very thoughtful this way.  I was reminded as everyone left how great it is to be in community with nice people, and we do have very nice neighbors.  What struck me later was that during my run tonight in Seattle I was thanking God for all the great people He has brought into my life,  if we would each take 40-minutes, or 5-miles, and consider the people we know and then think back on how and when the connection happened, it's really easy to see the hand of God in many of those relationships.  God's provision for each of us is all inclusive, but I tend to focus more frequently on the tangible provisions/needs and lose track of the emotional and spirit directed provision He is also providing each day through Godly friends.

Both the boys said they ran today so we may have something going here after the Torchlight 8-k.  I'll look around and see if there is a 5-k sometime soon that all three of us can participate in.  This will now give me the opportunity to be outrun by both my sons - I guess it's a Dad thing to be fully OK getting outrun by others (but only if there my boys!)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

A good day!

Days like this are why we chose to live in the great Northwest!!  What a beautiful day and a great 7.75 mile run along the waterfront to cap it off and burn time until the 7:20 boat.  Still a little stiff from the race this weekend, not used to the pace I kept and now I pay for it.  That said, tonight was good - a steady 8:22/mile pace with a slight cooling breeze off the water and  a very manageable 78 degrees.

I feel very blessed these days.  God is working in wonderful ways in my life, I am learning to pay attention - it's amazing what He does every day that frequently I miss simply because I'm not looking for it.  Have you ever stopped to think about all the people that have come into your life or may simply cross your path each day?  When we ask God to give us His heart, His eyes, and His hands we will start to see things different - a real time example was Monday.  I had run up to Costco to pick up a few things and grab a "cheap & quick lunch" and was heading back to the office.  As I pulled into a parking space I notice flashing lights behind me that happened to be attached to a State Patrol car!  Wow, I'm quickly trying to recall if I was speeding, missed a stopping completely at the stop sign... what?   Ends up I had forgotten to put my seat belt on and that was my crime.  In short, as the officer s back in his car with my license, registration, and insurance it came to me to pray for this guy - when he came back with my $124 ticket, I took it and then thanked him for serving the community and I told him I appreciate what he does.  No, I was not trying to "suck up " and get out of the ticket, I had already taken it and told him "I understand the ticket".  It was interesting to see the officer try and process my comment, he was polite but it was clear he was caught off guard.  I did chuckle at times the rest of the day when I thought about what he must have thought.  I'm sure it had some positive impact on him in some way - I guess what I'm trying to say is that God enjoys making us happy and providing nice surprises or words of encouragement to us but do we stop to notice and if we do notice are we thankful.  Thanks for hearing me out -  It's good to be in the presence of the Living God who wants good things for each of us, He doesn't change, we just need to watch more closely

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Weekend Events

A great evening on Sat running the Seafair 8-k with my son. I was happy with my time 38:30 / 7:45-pace (official race results - Garmin showed a bit faster time), more to comment on that. On the flip side, my son did a 6:48 mile and didn't train at all - well done Blake! The whole family came over to cheer us on and then we had a celebration dinner at Red Robin. A great evening all around with some good pictures to remember.

One of the things that strikes me is the significant improvement in my pace/time in a race environment vs routine training. The energy and excitement coupled with being surrounded by people with the same interest and passion often brings out the best in us, in any circumstance. In this instance I realized I focus on what I'm doing, don't get distracted or weighted down, simply concentrate on the task at hand and push hard - in one sense I play off the strength and pace of those around me. It is a lot like our walk with Christ and being part of the church. We are called to be of "one mind in the things of Christ" and I'm struck with Hebrews 12:1 which says "...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles..". This is very much like what it means to be a Christian and part of the church - we should all be encouraging each other, the strong/mature pulling and motivating the others along, all the way down the line. We as people are not meant to operate alone, we thrive and grow in community, be it the church or a race, and that is how God has created and designed the world. A great picture and one that should be an encouragement to all of us.