Finished a 15k yesterday. The farthest I have gone in a while. A pretty good effort despite being so out of shape. Will have another 15k in 18 days so I can compare my progress. Not in a writing mood today. Very tired from work.

I haven’t enetered a race in so long. It is time to pick one and do it no matter how pathetic the potential outcome. I have to get back in the groove. So, I am running a 15K this Labor day. This will be the farthest I have run in months. Have been so distracted by other things and missing out on what I really love.I can’t let this trend continue. I had set goals sometime back and have lost sight of those with the new job,moving, and other life issues. Time to get back to the one thing that brings me a sense of accomplishment.Thank god Fall seems to be arriving and cooler temps. No more excuses. I will have a race report after the Labor day race.

Lots of stress with the new job is making it hard to put in miles. I went to the track today and did 4 miles. I am so out of shape. It’s shocking how quick you can loose fitness. I jogged 2.5 miles and walked 1.5 miles. TommorowI am shooting for 6 miles or more. Really been fighting a depressed mood this last month as well. Just too much change at once. The bad thing is I need rest but will not be getting any significant time off for at least anothe year. Ouch.I looked at the calendar today and I have just over 2 months until the Marine Corp marathon and 178 days until the Austin marathon. Goal finish Marine Corp in under 4:45 provided I can save enough money to get there. Always upward!

Seems like I am in a real funk. I think the cumulative effect of too much change at once has left me exuasted and uninspired. All I know to do in these times is to rest, regroup, and then push forward on a new goal. These last few months haven’t been anything that I planned them to be. As they say life comes at you fast. I keep running but lately only short runs and I find myself exhausted much quicker then ever before. I am thirty pounds over my acceptable weight and 40 over an ideal running weight. I hope I can settle into my new job and figure out how to reach the goals that I set for myself to have already accomplished by this time. I guess I will now have to focus on the Austin marathon in February to go for a marathon P.R. If you know anyone who fights the fight against depression appreciate them today.As Edgar Howe once wrote ” The greatest humiliation in life is to work hard on something from which you expect great appreciation and then fail to get it.” Goal; 3:59:00 at Austin marathon Goal weight by then 175 lbs. Today’s regret, Looking like I will not be able to get off to attempt the Pikes Peak marathon for the 6th year in a row. This one is going to be hard to swallow.

You have heard the saying life comes at you fast. Well this has been a crazy fast few months. A move to another town, a son starting college, and a new job. My running has really taken a hit, but I am starting to get back in the groove and can’t wait for cooler temps. It is soooo hot that it makes training miserable.Got in a three mile run at a nearby track today. Hope to get in six miles tomorrow. Not sure what my next race is. Had plans for Pikes Peak marathon but with all the changes my training as I said has been very limited. on.

Truth is writing is hard today. It’s tough when one feels overwhelmed and can’t seem to focus at the same time. All I know to do is try and keep pushing forward. It has been so hot that it is difficult to get a quality run in. I’m ready to move and get a clean slate, so to speak, in Dallas. The highlight of last month was speaking to a group of men at the Salvation Army rehab center in Dallas. These men are trying to get out from under the grip of various forms of addiction. I think my story resonated with them. I am behind schedule on my goals but at least I’m taking steps forward. Think maybe I’m just in the middle if a funk spell. As they say, this to will pass. I hope soon!

This month has involved seeing my oldest son graduate, moving in a couple of weeks, andgetting a new job offer. I feel myself falling behind on my running,  therefore making it hard to drop the pounds. Seems like I  have been in maintenance mode in my training. I’m looking forward to moving and maybe finally settling down a bit. Hope to still have time to make it to the Marine Corp marathon in October. With a new job it might be tricky. Had a good 40 minute run yesterday right before the thunderstorm rolled in. There was a beautiful rainbow in the sky after the storm. It reminded me to hope in God’s promises even in the storms of life. I truly hope this marks a positive turning point in my life. That’s all for now.

Had 2 good runs today. a little over 2 miles with a group I coach at noon. The legs are actually beginning to feel lighter. This was the first truly great run i have had in forever. That was followed by another good 2.5 miler at Town Lake Trail. The wether was warm but there was enough of a brezze to keep it bearable. This is the best day of runnig I have had since I started in on my plan to get ready for Pikes Peak and D.C. I weight was down to 218 today so progress being made there as well. All in all avery good day. Keep running and Godspeed.

I felt like today was one of those days when I got three important components of training all put together. I ate right, got in a good 3.5 mile run, and  was a lot more free of a negative mindset then I have been in a long while. I also got in some good reading out of a book called DRIVE. I’ll write more on that Thursday, but the author has some good thoughts on motivation that I have often had affirmed to me while running. He speaks of being in a flow where you are fully engaged in the task at hand. I highly recommend the book to coaches and business managers. It was a perfect evening for a run.I like this qoute I found in a journal I purchased lately. You know the kind with blank pages and inspirational qoutes at the top.Here it is,

“Never tell anyone something can’t be done. God may have waited centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do this very thing.” J.R. Holmes

Sunday was a good run. The legs were working smooth for just over 6 miles around TLT, after that thy got a little heavy for the last 2. I know exactly how far I can jog a 10 minute mile pace without walking any, 8 miles but barely. I remember jogging all of the San Antonio half marathon but I have never kept a 10 minute mile pace for a marathon in a very long time.So I have a lot of work to do in the next 6 months to reach my goals.

Monday was a wasted day I felt. Unfortunatly nothing positive to take away. We all have those kind of days.my weight by my scale is 221lbs.Have to do better but at least it is the right direction.Tomorrow will be better.