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.

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.

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!

Image via Wikipedia

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.

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

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/

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.