Finally got off the treadmill and back on the road - yipee! On Saturday started out on the road and felt really good so I opted to go a route that would get me 13-14 miles - roads were dry but still had piles of sand and tree branches on the shoulder so I treid to map my route that would give me the least traffic and the best chance of have a shoulder to run on. Got 13.5 miles in and although it felt good, some of the hills on the route were steep and long and they did kick my rear at certain times. If my Garmin is correct, the total elevation "ascent" was over 3,400' so the fact that my time was slightly over 2-hours won't bruise my ego too much. It was good to get the road miles in and to get some distance logged.
Today I'll hit the gym with some cardio and some stretching to get the kinks outs -
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks
A great Thanksgiving is now in the books! I’m starting out by letting you know that we had the BEST dinner, sorry for the rest of you but my wife really did a great job and it was wonderful. The day started a bit rough though at 7:00am hearing a loud bang in the house pipes and then realizing a pipe had burst in the freezing temps earlier this week and had finally thawed! Nothing like starting Thanksgiving morning out in the house “crawl space” trying to patch a burst pipe – all the while knowing that dinner for 11-people hinged on success of the patch. We did get it patched and got the water back on, thank goodness. After that start to the day, I did head to the gym and got a 1-hour run in on the treadmill, felt good and primed me for lots of turkey and pie!
Friday(today), we were over to Seattle for the Macy’s Christmas parade, the weather warmed to a balmy low 40’s and the rain stayed away. After the parade, in which my daughter’s jump rope team participated, we wondered around the shopping district of Seattle taking in the sounds and sites of the Christmas retail season – it was a great way to spend the day. Got home late but shot off to the gym to get another session on the treadmill – felt good and then home for leftovers.
For those that don’t know Seattle, here is a link to show you how poorly Seattle and snow mix (see my post from earlier this week) – the video is 5-minutes but has plenty to see. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhZCyQ3emQg ). Now that the ice and snow is gone, hoping to get on the roads for a run this weekend if the weather cooperates.
Much to be thankful for!
Friday(today), we were over to Seattle for the Macy’s Christmas parade, the weather warmed to a balmy low 40’s and the rain stayed away. After the parade, in which my daughter’s jump rope team participated, we wondered around the shopping district of Seattle taking in the sounds and sites of the Christmas retail season – it was a great way to spend the day. Got home late but shot off to the gym to get another session on the treadmill – felt good and then home for leftovers.
For those that don’t know Seattle, here is a link to show you how poorly Seattle and snow mix (see my post from earlier this week) – the video is 5-minutes but has plenty to see. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhZCyQ3emQg ). Now that the ice and snow is gone, hoping to get on the roads for a run this weekend if the weather cooperates.
Much to be thankful for!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Snowed in Seattle
Winter blast or winter bummer? Wow, what a day in Seattle! Freezing temps, snow all day long… getting home is the battle right now, no running, just trying to stay warm and get the old Volvo up the hills to Bainbridge. It took me 1-hour tonight to drive 3.5 miles (office to the ferry) I left at 4:20 and was fortunate that traffic on the boat was light so I did make the 5:30 – now to make it from the ferry to my home and I’m praying we don’t lose power. Forecast calls for night temps to be down in the 20’s but with 30-40mph winds, with the wind-chill temps will be 0-10degrees. Man, last year the weekend before thanksgiving I was mowing the grass.
Over the weekend I did get some decent runs in, on Saturday I did 8.5 miles and Sunday 7.4 miles. Sunday was cold and snowy, but fortunately the snow was not sticking to the ground so the run was kinda fun, at least until my running jacket got wet and the wind hit me, making the last 3-miles actually very cold – was glad to get home and into a hot shower. The runs were good but I did realize I need some winter gear, if nothing else some running pants – can’t do 30 degrees in shorts. So I start the week with a weather cancellation on the Monday run and most likely the same on Tues. Might get to the gym tomorrow if the power is on and the roads aren’t too icey, otherwise I’ll need to make up ground on Wed before Turkey day. This is not the Seattle weather we’ve all come to know, Wow.
PS – glad I’m sitting in my car on the boat, with winds at this speed we are really rockin-n-rollin – and I’m on the lower deck.
Over the weekend I did get some decent runs in, on Saturday I did 8.5 miles and Sunday 7.4 miles. Sunday was cold and snowy, but fortunately the snow was not sticking to the ground so the run was kinda fun, at least until my running jacket got wet and the wind hit me, making the last 3-miles actually very cold – was glad to get home and into a hot shower. The runs were good but I did realize I need some winter gear, if nothing else some running pants – can’t do 30 degrees in shorts. So I start the week with a weather cancellation on the Monday run and most likely the same on Tues. Might get to the gym tomorrow if the power is on and the roads aren’t too icey, otherwise I’ll need to make up ground on Wed before Turkey day. This is not the Seattle weather we’ve all come to know, Wow.
PS – glad I’m sitting in my car on the boat, with winds at this speed we are really rockin-n-rollin – and I’m on the lower deck.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thursday pothole?
A cool wintery day in Seattle – forecast for white rain possible over the weekend, I’m not ready for that yet. Getting consistent, but short, runs in this week, which is better than none but still looking to get some open road and miles into the log. Last night (Wed) hit the gym for a short 30-min run on the treadmill and got in 3.6 miles. Tonight I missed the 5:30 ferry so I headed out along the waterfront, got 35-minutes in for 4.4 miles. It was dry, breezy, and crisp – a great evening to run. I’ve now actualized one of the pitfalls of running in the dark… “potholes”. So I’ve got my headlamp and feeling pretty bullet proof, all things considered, but boy did I step right into one and rolled my ankle – the first thought that crossed my mind was “ oh, snap – I’ll miss the boat now”. Kept running for a few strides and realized I had just rolled it and could keep going – next thought was this better not become an issue and knock me off the training I’m doing. Perfectly natural thoughts, I believe, to a potential injury –all within 3-seconds of each other. Should be ok though now that I’m sitting in the car it’s a bit stiff – should be fine though.
Looking forward to the weekend, working from Kitsap tomorrow so my commute is done for the week, Yeah! As we come into the Thanksgiving week it is good to give thanks – Psalms says we are “enter into His presence with praise and thanksgiving” not just on the 3rd Thur of November each year. I have much to be thankful for, I have been blessed by God and can proclaim “The Lord has assigned me my portion and my cup, He has made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Ps 16:5-6
Looking forward to the weekend, working from Kitsap tomorrow so my commute is done for the week, Yeah! As we come into the Thanksgiving week it is good to give thanks – Psalms says we are “enter into His presence with praise and thanksgiving” not just on the 3rd Thur of November each year. I have much to be thankful for, I have been blessed by God and can proclaim “The Lord has assigned me my portion and my cup, He has made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Ps 16:5-6
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Happy B-day
Birthday number 44 arrives! Not all bad when you consider the alternatives though!! A good day with phone calls from family and a fruit tart pie at the office. Got a run in tonight waiting for the ferry and although it was still a bit windy, it was dry and nothing like the 60+ mph winds in the area yesterday. It was really good to be out on the road along the waterfront, ships lit up on Puget Sound, City lights on the other side, really a beautiful place to run. Did 4.6 miles in 37 minutes for an 8:15 pace – felt like I was doing better, which my garmin said I was. On the outbound 2.3 miles (wind at my back) I did an 8:05 pace but coming back (head wind) I slowed to 8:25 – doesn’t matter; I’m 44 and grateful to God for lungs, legs, knees, etc that all work great and allow me to enjoy this sport.
Finally, we have friends in process (as I type) of trying to complete an adoption of a 5-year old girl in Israel. This final stage of a 2-year process has been 3-weeks of traumatic meetings and emotional swings. I sent them an email this morning and as I typed it I felt like I was preaching to myself as well. Here is the content: As I was praying for you last night the parable of the persistent widow came to mind (Luke 18:1-6) and I thought of you. As children of God we are called to be persistent in the things he has placed on our heart and since God is a God of justice we need to be like the widow – “she kept coming” and “kept coming”, etc, etc In verse 7 it says “And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night… I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.” - this is my prayer for you today. I was struck that this should be our prayer every day for others and ourselves – God will see that they get justice, and quickly!
Finally, we have friends in process (as I type) of trying to complete an adoption of a 5-year old girl in Israel. This final stage of a 2-year process has been 3-weeks of traumatic meetings and emotional swings. I sent them an email this morning and as I typed it I felt like I was preaching to myself as well. Here is the content: As I was praying for you last night the parable of the persistent widow came to mind (Luke 18:1-6) and I thought of you. As children of God we are called to be persistent in the things he has placed on our heart and since God is a God of justice we need to be like the widow – “she kept coming” and “kept coming”, etc, etc In verse 7 it says “And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night… I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.” - this is my prayer for you today. I was struck that this should be our prayer every day for others and ourselves – God will see that they get justice, and quickly!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Windy & Wet - arghhh
The week begins and I wimped out and went to the gym instead of fighting through the wind and rain of this Seattle November day. Treadmill work was boaring but I livend it up by doing intervals, still boaring but it was good to get a workout in under 40-minutes
Tonight I was listening to Chip Ingram while on the "mill" and he was very good, as is usual. His comments were a great reminder that justice is an attribute of God that we skip over way to frequently. I loved the way Chip commented on some people's response that "if God is good how can He send people to hell" - the response is that God doesn't send anyone to hell and has no desire that any should perish - (see John 3:16) - who goes to hell choses the road, we all must deal with Jesus, on way or the other. He also reminded the listener that those that claim Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will also face judgement but we will be judged on what we have done with the gifts, talents, resources, money, relationships, etc. He has given to us. I long to hear my Lord say someday "well done" - I have much to do for Him in order to receive those words but I strive to glorify my God and I'm grateful that "God so loved the world."
Tonight I was listening to Chip Ingram while on the "mill" and he was very good, as is usual. His comments were a great reminder that justice is an attribute of God that we skip over way to frequently. I loved the way Chip commented on some people's response that "if God is good how can He send people to hell" - the response is that God doesn't send anyone to hell and has no desire that any should perish - (see John 3:16) - who goes to hell choses the road, we all must deal with Jesus, on way or the other. He also reminded the listener that those that claim Jesus as their Lord and Saviour will also face judgement but we will be judged on what we have done with the gifts, talents, resources, money, relationships, etc. He has given to us. I long to hear my Lord say someday "well done" - I have much to do for Him in order to receive those words but I strive to glorify my God and I'm grateful that "God so loved the world."
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Weekend away
A good weekend full of family and “jump rope” tournament. My daughter had a jump rope tournament in Abottsford, BC this weekend and we all went to cheer her on. The great part of this was that my wife has two sisters in Lynden, WA as well as her Mom in Abottsford, BC so we were able to stay with them and have some catch-up time. The tournament was great and my daughter did very well in the speed events almost getting a PR in the 60-sec speed with a count of 137! Wow, I think I would be passed out on the floor myself!
The boys stayed with the Uncles and enjoyed Saturday, I went to the tournament and then got a very nice run in the afternoon. I don’t know the neighborhood and City well enough to simply go and explore, but I did find a nice long road that allowed me an out-and-back route that logged 9.5-miles. Held an 8:30 pace throughout which was pretty good but I could really feel it later that evening. I’ve been getting the weekly mileage in but with the time change and other scheduling issues have missed the 10-mile runs that I got on summer weekends – well, I paid the price last night and needed to get the foot massage ball out. It also didn’t help that I’m tired and need to get more sleep each night. Well – it was a good run that I thoroughly enjoyed. Got 6-miles in tonight, back at home, on the treadmill so it was productive while on the road.
Finally, the boys and I are registered for a 12K in Kirkland in mid-December, that will be fun to do with both the boys. The race is called the “12-k’s of Christmas” and we are going to run in our “Santa hats” – if they’re not too hot.
The boys stayed with the Uncles and enjoyed Saturday, I went to the tournament and then got a very nice run in the afternoon. I don’t know the neighborhood and City well enough to simply go and explore, but I did find a nice long road that allowed me an out-and-back route that logged 9.5-miles. Held an 8:30 pace throughout which was pretty good but I could really feel it later that evening. I’ve been getting the weekly mileage in but with the time change and other scheduling issues have missed the 10-mile runs that I got on summer weekends – well, I paid the price last night and needed to get the foot massage ball out. It also didn’t help that I’m tired and need to get more sleep each night. Well – it was a good run that I thoroughly enjoyed. Got 6-miles in tonight, back at home, on the treadmill so it was productive while on the road.
Finally, the boys and I are registered for a 12K in Kirkland in mid-December, that will be fun to do with both the boys. The race is called the “12-k’s of Christmas” and we are going to run in our “Santa hats” – if they’re not too hot.
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