Happy Turkey Day

Today is the day after thanksgiving and I am having a very hard time getting back into things. Holidays make me realize how busy I truly am. Very rarely do I get to relax, spend time with my wife and son, watch movies, enjoy large family gatherings, watch football and eat tons of food. At the end of the day last night, when I realized I had to get back into things the next morning, I started to wonder why I cared so much about all the stresses in life. I feel so relaxed that I just want to be at home, I think I just want some more time away from it all...

Season Finale

Today marks the end of my running season and one year anniversary of running races. My very first race was the Turkey Trot last year in which I ran the 3.1 miles in 30:30. Today, one year later, I ran it in 26 minutes. I ran a 8:22 mile! Not to shabby, could always be better though.
I have totally shocked my body over this last year. I have put over 415 miles on these tired legs. I'm hooked though and I look forward to next season and what kind of races and surprises it may bring.
Maybe I'll celebrate tomorrow morning with a ten mile run...

I have officially made it through the fall series

Today I finished my forth race in the Colorado fall series. I have survived a brutal, brutal beat down. This series was intense: from running up creeks, to climbing rope walls, to hurdling extremely rugged rocks and trails. All said and done, I finished dead last in my age group (15 of 15) and 104 of 146 men. I'm disappointed with the results because I feel like I put a whole lot of more effort into this than what is represented by my finish times. But also looking back on the courses, these were some kick ass courses. Some of the inclines were so steep we could all do nothing but hike. This marks a huge accomplishment for me. This is my first series completion. To give you an idea of how big it is to make it through all four races, 425 people did not make it through all four. Only 253 out of around 678 made it, and I placed 142 out of the 253. Not too bad I guess. Could always be better though...

money, money, money

So i was at this customers house the other day and the man lived down by the Broadmoor hotel, to say the least he had a huge house. We got to talking about his past and it turns out he was a stock broker. The man told me in 1980 he claimed more than a million dollars on his w-2. That is sick! And you know, it actually made me envious. He doesn't have to worry about the stock market. He doesn't have to worry about being layed-off. He doesn't have to worry about brushing off all the s*** that gets dumped on a person like me. He retired at 47 years old.
If he did it, why can't I? I know I'm not supposed to covet my neighbors stuff, and honestly that's not the direction I'm trying to go with this. I am wondering why I haven't pursued anything else. Am I just supposed to work for a pathetic wage for the rest of my life? I doubt it. Here is a man who is a self made millionaire. Everybody has the opportunity. So, why can't I make something more of myself? My wife would love to stay at home. She would love a bigger house. I know the Broadmoor is a little bit of a lifestyle jump, but even just something besides our cookie cutter house now. I know I can do it. I know I am a whole lot more capable than some of these jerks. I feel like something is holding me back though. Is it fear? Ignorance? I guess I'm comfortable where I am and so I just keep waiting for something else to be handed to me (maybe Obama will hand me everything, like he promised). I don't know what I supposed to be, but I am tired of worrying if tomorrow we will be in bankruptcy and foreclosure. I just want to know my family will be OK, and that I am not wasting my life unnecessarily shoveling piles of crap for pathetic pay... Then again, at least I have a job.

Christmas list

I know it seems tacky, but I am going to try to keep my Christmas wish list on my blog this year (Just look to right side of your screen). I know this reeks of selfishness, but I figured it might also help everyone keep an updated list. That way, if I have any new ideas I can just add them on. I'll try to keep it categorized for easy reference. I hope this helps, if it's stupid let me know. Or better yet call this toll free number 1-800-eat-poop

Death while running

OK, so I have been playing tug of war with myself over the last week or so. I recently heard in the news a man died after completing the New City Marathon. Then I get my monthly Runners World magazine, and low and behold, it has an article about the likely hood of dying during or after races. From what I understand, runners have an elevated chance of a heart attack during the run. But after the run is over, runners stand a better chance of not suffering a heart attack. I guess the chance of dying is something like 1 in 75,000 runners. So, I know the likelihood is pretty slim, but still, this information has totally deflated me. I used to see a hill and wonder if I could take it, now I see a hill and wonder if I'd live. I don't know how to get this out of my head. Thursday morning I went out for a 10 mile run and felt like I was carrying a 50 pound weight on my shoulders. My anxiety really makes it hard for me not to worry about stuff like this, I now worry about every little cramp and pain I feel. However if I honestly looked at it, I am probably more likely to get hit riding my bike to and from work. Running actually is better for me because it keeps me fit and helps with cholesterol, and blood pressure. So I guess it just becomes a choose. Which do I do? Do I run strong and laugh at death, or do I tip toe around it and hope other tragedies don't get me in life? I think I'll grab this one by the horns and go out running...

Hush-hush, not your political view...

Everyone seems so weirded out when I give my political opinion. Maybe it's because I'm supposed to give everyone a chance. Maybe it's because I'm Christian, therefore I have to submit to whoever is given authority under God. Maybe it's because I have a warped and twisted opinion. Maybe I'm too passionate about my beliefs. Whatever the case, I say tough cookies. I'm gonna say what I have to say...
I want to start by saying that I am extremely proud of Barack Obama's accomplishments. The man finished top of his class at Harvard. And for those of you who may not know, he is also our first black president. Barack is legendary in his accomplishments. However, I believe Americas selfishness reigns high above any one man. Here is a country who will kill it's babies if it suits me, will neglect it's helpless if it suits me, will give me free hand outs if I don't do anything for myself. The liberal agenda has dominated the mainstream and here we are following like cattle. Since when does Hollywood have a clue? When did Matt Damon and Oprah become our source of intelligence? God help our ignorant country. We have forgotten God and instead look to our own desires to guide us. Forget what I can do for my country, what can my country do for me? This has become our 21st century motto, and Barack Obama's presidential vision. Mark my words, our country is not far from demise. Our country cannot hold true with liberal judges, representatives, senators, and presidents redefining our life, our money, our families and our constitution. If anyone truly understood socialism and liberalism, they would absolutely vote against it.
But then again, I guess I don't have to worry about anything, messiah Barack will save us all...