100 Miles Run in March and April

When I started this journey 5 year ago, I walked 25 miles a week. Several months into the process, I was doing some running. In fact, I was such a novice that I called it "jogging." I quickly learned that wasn't the correct term so I was "running." Pretty soon, I was running as much as walking and a little later mostly running. It was the right transition for me. In the early months, I was doing over 100 miles each month but when I changed to mostly running, that pace fell off a bit. Over the last few years, I have experienced injuries that kept me from being consistent with running. This past winter was brutal for getting out and running as much as I wanted. I know, excuses. 

I set a goal of running 1,000 miles in 2014 and the first 2 months were not good but in March and April I have run 100 miles each month. It is the first time I have run 100 miles in consecutive months so I am celebrating that today!

This coming Saturday, I run a 5k in Charleston, West Virginia. The following day, I drive over to Lynchburg, Virginia and run in a 4 mile race. These 2 states will put me at 22 states in my quest to run in all 50 states. I am hoping to run in 2 more states along with the full marathon in San Antonio in December. That would put me half way through by age 60. When I considered this as a goal 4 years ago, I had no idea I would get to this point by this time. I am thankful for the opportunities I have had. Most of that credit goes to Cathy, my wife. She has been so supportive of this goal and of my running. 

Let's have a great May! 

The Running Season

I try to run 4 to 5 days a week even in the Winter. This past Winter was a rough one. Some people enjoy running on a treadmill but not me. I call it the "dreadmill." I have to run outside no matter the weather. Usually, here in North Georgia, there are sporadic days in the Winter that the temperatures are decent enough to run but not this Winter. It was either too cold or rainy. It was a challenge but I made it through.

Spring is here! It's like music to my ears. Not only will the weather improve for great running conditions, there will be more races. I have already signed up for a couple of races locally and have my eyes on some others. As many of you know, I am attempting to run in all 50 states. I would love to do 5 this year giving me 25 by age 60. Yes, I turn 60 this December 27. I haven't booked any out of state races but have my eyes on a few. I am kicking around doing another full marathon. Possibly in San Antonio. You know I'll tell you about it when I book them!

With the Spring comes a new career. Without going into how this has come about, I will be studying for the Georgia Real Estate exam over the next days in hopes of passing and becoming a Real Estate agent. I am excited about this new time in my life and doing something that I will be able to do the rest of my life. Staying healthy and fit is an important part of that. I guess I will become the "Running Agent."

Above all, I pray that you will see the benefits of becoming healthy and fit as I believe it is the best life for you. Don't do like me and wait until you are 53 years old to begin. There are just too many risks. I can think of no better time to begin than the Spring! Just do it!

Spring is Almost Here!

I can't believe it's almost March. The weather has been pretty rough here in North Georgia making it a challenge for me to get in all the running miles I need to do. We went to Disney World for a week and I only ran 2 miles while there mostly because I walked what felt like 10,000 miles. This past weekend, I did my first 5k of the year and pushed my oldest grandson, Finley, who is 2. It was my first attempt at doing a 5k pushing a running stroller. It was pretty tough but I still managed a 30:34 time. I pushed him for 2 miles of the race. It was fun!!

We move on to Spring time. I don't have any races registered but have many on my calendar. I have learned the hard way not to register so early. I have decided to pass on the Peachtree this year. Maybe I'll do it in 2015. The main thing for now is to get back into good running condition. I ran 7 miles this past Sunday giving me 28 for the week. That is a good week for me. It will be hard to match that this week as I am pretty busy with other things but you never know. Maybe I can get in a couple of long runs by Sunday.

I love March. I am a huge baseball fan and get excited about Spring Training. I also love March Madness. My alma mater, Lee University will be involved in post season play in the NCCAA this year. We are in a transition season moving from NAIA to NCAA II and are not allowed to play in the post season but can compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association. Fun times in sports for me.

Have a happy FIT and HEALTHY Spring!!

2013 in Review

2013 was a great year in many ways for me. The greatest thing that happened was the birth of my 2nd grandchild, Jonah, on February 27.  My first grandchild, Finley, was born a year earlier on February 16. They are the joys of my life! Jonah is such a sweet baby. He always has a smile and he has stolen my heart.

                                                 Jonah at Christmas 2013

2013 was a great year for running. It started of slowly because I was battling a hamstring strain. It eventually mended and I was injury free the rest of the year. I have a lifetime goal of running in events in all 50 states. I don't have a time deadline. I just want to do it before I depart this earth. I added 8 states to my list giving me 20 states in which I have run in an event. Here are my races from 2013:

1/5      Jackson, MS             Half Marathon
1/6      New Orleans, LA      9k
2/2      Alpharetta, GA            5k
2/23    Roswell, GA                 5k
4/6      Cleveland, TN              5k
4/13    Cleveland, TN              5k
4/20    Cincinnati, OH           5k
5/11     Cumming, GA            10k
5/26    Boston, MA              Half Marathon
6/16    San Francisco, CA Half Marathon
6/22    Fairfield, CT             5k
6/23    Wilmington, DE     5k
7/4      Atlanta, GA                  10k
7/20    Cumming, GA             5k Trail Run
8/10    Duluth, GA                  5k
8/17    Alpharetta, GA            5k
8/31    Pocatello, ID            10k
9/2      Bear Lake, UT         5k
9/7      Alpharetta, GA            5k
11/2    Cleveland, TN              5k
11/9    Savannah, GA             Half Marathon
 

What a year. I will be hard pressed to match 2013. The good thing is that I don't have to. It all comes down to staying healthy and fit. I have very few goals in 2014. One goal is to complete another book I am working on that will guide others to living a healthy and fit lifestyle. I hope to have it finished in the first quarter of the year. The name of the book will be "Transforming the Temple." As far as running events, I would love to run in 5 additional states. That would put me halfway to 50 by age 60. My running routine needs to increase a bit. I ran around 800 miles in 2013 and that needs to be closer to 1,000. Here's to a great 2014 for you and your family. Happy New Year!

7 Tips for a Healthy & Fit 2014

  

1- Make a decision. Make the decision that you will transform your life by the renewing of your mind. The first step to good health and fitness is to change your life. There is nothing about a fad diet or a fitness center membership that does that for you. You have to decide to do it all on your own. Anything else is just putting a band-aid on a problem.

2- Have a plan. When I made my decision 4 years ago, I decided to walk 25 miles a week. I had no intention in becoming a runner. It just happened. Running did not cause me to lose weight. Walking and healthy eating did. You should exercise by doing something fun! Biking, swimming, hiking, walking, lifting weights, running....it doesn't matter. If you don't enjoy it, you will quit.

3- Set a goal. I set a weight goal that I never reached. I wanted to weigh 190 pounds. I have maintained my weight at around 215 for 3 years. My weight, however, is not as important as living a healthy and fit life. My goal of 190 was the catalyst for a weight loss of 110 pounds in 16 months. You need a goal and you need to own it. Make your goal known through social media. It keeps you going. Not reaching the weight goal doesn't make you a failure as long as you have become healthy and fit.

4- Become obsessive. I have driven people crazy with my obsession of running. I have to be obsessed in order to maintain my healthy and fit life. Some people are obsessed about the Georgia Dawgs, I am obsessed about my health. What does it matter if the Dawgs win 10 straight national championships if you can't live to see it? Obsession is good if it's about the right thing, your life.

5- Educate yourself. I can tell you that when I started 4 years ago, I had no clue about healthy living. I have educated myself about what to eat. I am still learning every day. I have learned that we don't eat real food. We eat processed, fake food. Have you ever looked at the back of a Coke can? If the ingredients of your “food” looks more like a chemistry experiment, it's not good for you. Learn about real food and change your eating habits. You will learn to enjoy real food instead of processed junk.

6- Help others. You don't have to be as annoying as me but we have a responsibility to share what we have learned. I wish I had learned earlier in my life. I sure wish my Dad had been educated about good health and fitness. He died at age 53. Let's get with the program and help others learn about the joys of healthy and fit living. I have 2 grandsons. I want to live a long, healthy life and see them grow up.

7- It's a spiritual matter. Uh oh, I had to go there. I grew up in a “Holiness” church that stressed living a clean life....no drinking, no smoking, no “worldly entertainment,” no jewelry, no makeup, no shorts, no pants on women, no short hair on women or long hair on men, no, no no! But, nothing was ever said about being healthy concerning our food. We couldn't do anything but eat. As a result, we became an obese bunch. If God gave you a house to live in for a month, would you leave the place trashed? Then why would you trash this house He has given us? We have a responsibility to honor this temple He has blessed us with. It is not legalism but something we ought to do.

Let's do it!

2 Years After the Chicago Marathon

I can't believe it's been 2 years since Tiffany and I completed the Chicago Marathon. I am following several runners on Twitter that are running there this weekend. It will always hold a special place in my heart. I can't explain the emotions that I went through while running the Chicago. I haven't run another full marathon since and don't know if I'll ever do another one. If I do, it would probably be the New York Marathon.

The toughest part of a full marathon, by far, is the training. I am just not sure I want to go through that type of training again. I am enjoying half marathons. I really don't have to train anymore than my regular training to do a half. For example, this past week, I have done runs of 9, 7, 4 and 5 miles. If I can do that, I could do a half this weekend. The full marathon is a different story. Instead of 9 miles, it would have to be 18 miles. That's the point where it becomes work instead of fun!

In the past 2 years, since the Chicago, I have maintained a pretty good run schedule except for going through some injuries. This year, I have run 4 half marathons and have one more to go. I ran them in Jackson, MS, San Francisco, Boston and Pocatello, ID. Tiffany and I do the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Savannah this November. So far, in my quest to run a race in 50 states, I have completed 20 states. Not too bad for 3 years. Maybe by the time I am 80 years old, I will run in Hawaii to complete the goal. It sure has been fun so far!

So, this weekend, I am reflecting on that one and only full marathon, the Chicago. It was a great experience made better by running with Tiffany.

My Running Playlist

When I run by myself or in a race, I run with music. I want to share with you my running playlist. I promise that nobody has this playlist. I love music. I love running. There is not a better time for clearing the mind that when I run and listen to music. My playlist is fairly long...and crazy. Here we go:



More Than a Feeling, Boston

Don't Look Back, Boston

I've Been Searchin' So Long, Chicago

Feelin' Stronger Everyday, Chicago

Beginnings, Chicago

There is Nothing Like, Hillsong United

My Future Decided, Hillsong United

Blessed Redeemer, Leigh Nash

Can't Stop Singing, Seth Condrey

Southtown. P.O.D.

Satellite, P.O.D.

Alive, P.O.D.

God's Great Dance Floor, Passion/Chris Tomlin

Revelation Song, NP/Candi Shelton

Radio, Sixpence None the Richer

Sooner Than Later, Sixpence None the Richer

A Million Parachutes, Sixpence None the Richer

Here and Now, NP Eddie Kirkland

Time, Phil Keaggy

Let the Kingdom Come, White Heart

Bye Bye Babylon, White Heart

Power Tools, White Heart

The Rock that Makes Me Roll, Stryper

Soldiers Under Command, Stryper

Give it Back, Sixpence None the Richer

The Road, Chicago