Category Archives: “Athletic Pursuits”

Nov 04 2019
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"Athletic Pursuits"

Health update: PT is a part-time job

Some of you know that I suffered a catastrophic knee injury on September 1 and had surgery the following week.  I wasn’t cleared to begin physical therapy until ten days ago, so I’ve started that.  The good news is that I’ve made some gains that I’m very happy with.  I’ve gone from not being able to bend my knee at all to being able to go to 80 degrees.  And I’ve been cleared to walk without a brace.

PT — physical therapy — also known as pain and torture, is now a part-time job.  I’ve never had an injury that required rehabilitation to this extent.  The worst part so far is not the pain, but that it interferes so much with normal life!

I went on medical leave after the accident and was pretty much laid up for six weeks.  Paradoxically, I got alot of work done since every need I had was cared for by others — chiefly my wife.  While I was not mobile, all I had to do was get in front of a computer, and I could generate sermon outlines, Bible studies, blog posts, and just about anything else.  I really should have saved medical leave until now!

I’m grateful that I have a flexible enough schedule to put in the work hours any time I can squeeze them in.  I have to keep reminding myself if I do the physical therapy work, this phase won’t last too long, and I’ll be fully back on my feet.  But for now, the gains are worth it!

Feb 24 2015
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"Athletic Pursuits"

Finally . . . Some Progress In Weight Loss!

Iscale1 weighed myself this morning.  Not a practice I would recommend on Monday mornings.  I used to do it every Wednesday because with the “w” in weight and the “w” in Wednesday, it was easier to remember.  Then, it just got too discouraging and I quit. In case you haven’t noticed from my previous posts, I’m not exactly svelte.  I do occasionally run some pretty long distances.  However, that is more of a matter of going really slow and not quitting than it is athletic talent or having the kind of body that would naturally adapt to such a practice. But finally, some good news!  Somehow, I managed to lose seven pounds from last week!  I was flabbergasted!  It occurred to me that there is more than one possibility at work here:
1.  The scale is off in a good way.
2.  Somehow, I managed to trick the scale.
3.  221 lbs. is really what I weigh now.
I’m going with number three at present.
I’ve felt lighter in the last few days or so.  Last week, I noticed that I had to cinch my belt a notch tighter.  I also noticed yesterday, while wearing a tie, that there is more room in my collar, and my shirt felt looser.  So, I was somewhat prepared, but had steeled myself for the possibility that it was all an illusion.
What do I give credit for this unexpected blessing to?  A couple of things:  first, I’ve picked up the intensity of my running.  Almost imperceptibly, I’ve started running harder.  A number of things are involved here.  I’ve been able to strengthen my core, which has helped me to hold my form and allowed for faster turnover.  So often, it’s a matter of paying attention to form and rhythm and not mentally letting down.  Secondly, my tastes have changed, at least temporarily.  I suppose you could call it aversion therapy.  My sister, who lives with us, is on steroids and craves massive amounts of foods with sugar in them.  I was getting sucked into the tide of this for awhile.  However, it’s almost like my taste buds cried out, “no more!”  So, I’m drastically reducing the sugar in my diet out of a desire to adjust to this aversion to sugar.  Good stuff!
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Feb 21 2015
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"Athletic Pursuits", Running, Take Permission

Being A Hermit Today And Enjoying It!

07392666639a183982794280ac73312dI see that I haven’t posted in a week.  Been putting in some long days at work.  Teaching is like that sometimes.  I’ve gotten myself in a big hole with lesson planning and need to dig myself out.
However, I did get in a little R & R today.  Ran an 8K race in 48:05 gun time.  I’m guessing the chip time will be about 46:30-47:00.  Now, I realize that this isn’t exactly the second coming of Steve Prefontaine.  But it’s the fastest I’ve run in many years.  To be able to hold under ten minute mile pace for five miles is bookin’ it for me, at my age and weight.  I think the difference now is that I’ve gotten my core strong enough to be able to preserve my form when I get tired.  Today, my mind was on preserving my form and rhythm, and not letting that get away from me.  Also, I’m proud of the way that I stayed mentally tough throughout the whole race.
I’m staying out of the house today because my wife is giving a baby shower for our niece.  So, I went to Riverside Arts Market after the race, and got a savory crepe with feta, spinach, and tomato from The Little Family Crepes.  Great food truck!  Then, I went to Chamblin’s Book Mine, Jacksonville’s treasure house of used books, and picked up more than my share, including an interlinear translation of Virgil’s Aeneid.  Now, I have about ten hours of study ahead.  Teaching Revelation 11 in church school tomorrow plus class prep for this week.  So, that’s what’s happenin’ today!
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Dec 30 2014
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"Athletic Pursuits", Running, Take Permission

Feeling Rebellious! In A Good Way!

Wow!  It feels quite rebellious to take a 2 hour nap AND run 7 miles AND spend extra time writing all in one day.  Not quite sure how I managed to do all of that !  Rebellious?  Doesn’t exactly sound like the word most people would use.  However, I’m not used to taking that much time to focus on what I want to do.  My wife and I lead a nonprofit educational organization, which is pretty much like running a family business.  My sister lives with us, who is disabled and needs some help with daily living tasks.  And two of our children are home from college.  So, it did feel rather delightfully rebellious and irresponsible!

The 7 miles is the longest run I’ve gone on in about a month or more.  Lately, with the holiday weight gain, it’s been a struggle just to get out and shuffle 4 miles or so.  But today, the miles just clicked off!  It was a beautiful day, temps in the mid 60’s, with a northeast breeze about 10-15 mph.  Started out south on the beach and headed back into the wind — but on the road.  Felt great physically and made me remember why I continue to persevere in this activity.

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Dec 30 2014
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"Athletic Pursuits", Living Wisely, Running, Take Permission

Do What You Can With the Body You Have!

I posted yesterday on how I’m in doubt about plans for future ultra events.  However, there’s another take on this subject, or for that matter, any other physical challenge.  This attitude is, “do what you can with the body you have!”

Now, this attitude is not original with me.  I read this somewhere, and I can’t remember where.  But it makes sense.  Rather than trying to diet, slim down, and get into “better condition,” whatever that may mean, do what you can now.  And push yourself to do more.

The idea here is that physical perfection is probably beyond most of us,  So we use this mythical ideal to hold us back, rather than enjoy what we can.  So, do what you can with the body you have !  And enjoy yourself!

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Dec 29 2014
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"Athletic Pursuits", Running

Ultra Running and Future Plans

I’ve put December 31 as the day to decide on which ultras to enter for 2015.  I wish it were so easy.  But in reality, I’ll decide later than that.

I really enjoy the sport.  I see each event as a day away from the cares of normal life.  Each event is a new adventure.  The course, the other participants, the travel, the atmosphere, battling fatigue, and pushing myself to new limits all make for an epic challenge.  However, I’m taking some medications that have the unpleasant side effect of weight gain.  So, I’m almost at my peak in terms of weight.  What this does is that it presents the spectacle of a 230 lb. man trying to run 30-plus miles.  Plus, the downside of each event is what it takes away mentally, physically, and emotionally for days to come.  I’m not sure I have those reserves to draw on.

While nearly every day I look at ultrasignup, I’m postponing any decision making until I get healthier and I can train consistently.

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Feb 12 2013
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"Athletic Pursuits", Running

Mission Accomplished!

Well, I completed the 50 mile event Saturday! Great experience and wild success! It took me 13 hours and 20 minutes, which I was greatly pleased with. I was able to enjoy most of the run. Surprisingly, the most difficult portion was from about miles 13-21. It’s been my experience in doing these longer events that there is a “barrier” that one has to push through. I haven’t quite been able to define what it is but it seems to have something to do with giving up the illusion of having control of the outcome of the event. At some point, a mental and emotional surrender takes place and what appears to be obvious is finally accepted — that I am going to be out there for a long, long time. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that pain and discomfort is going to increase. There will be times of feeling better and worse, but overall, once that barrier is pushed through, the majority of the event turns out to be an extremely pleasant experience. I’m actually thinking about upping the ante and attempting a 100 miler later this year! I’ll keep you posted.Image

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Feb 07 2013
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"Athletic Pursuits", Living Wisely, Productivity, Running

Multiple Successful Outcomes

Before every event that requires alot of planning and preparation, it’s worth remembering that there are multiple possibilities for successful outcome.  During the planning, preparation, and the event itself, it’s worth thinking through what these outcomes may be in order to stay encouraged and motivated.

A big life lesson that I’ve learned through my brief career in ultra running is not to view success/failure as an either/or.  Most of our “big projects” in life — starting and running a business, following a career path, raising children, pursuing interests — are done with multiple intentions and purposes.  Yet, we tend to evaluate the “bottom line” if we are evaluating success or failure.

I think back to some of the reasons that I began to prepare for the 50 miler that I mentioned yesterday.  Some of them have been: improvement in my health (I was quite overweight and had sky high blood pressure — now I’m only moderately overweight!), fitness, increased sense of well-being, enjoying the outdoors, having time to think, releasing endorphins, meeting interesting people, and accepting a challenge.  Most of these benefits have been fulfilled through the process of accepting this challenge and preparing for it.

I read somewhere that it’s important to distinguish between the process and the product, and to find joy in the process of what we are doing.  Too often, people live only for the product.  If we consider that life is probably 99 percent process and 1 percent product, it makes sense to find as much joy as possible in the 99 percent rather than living for the 1 percent.

Make no mistake.  I’m looking forward to reaping the benefits of the habits I have sown.  But it’s also a great time to think through how a successful outcome may be measured in ways other than “the bottom line.”

So, here are some possible successful outcomes for the Iron Horse 50:

Get To Starting Line Healthy:  I signed up. paid my money, did some preparation, didn’t get lost on the way to the event, and didn’t wimp out!

Manage to run between 1-32 miles:  Nice supported run (snacks make everything better!).  Great day out in the woods doing something I enjoy.  Seeing a place I have never been.  Meeting new people and encouraging them.

32 miles plus:  All of the above, plus running farther than I ever have before!

50 miles in 12-14 hours:  Wild success!

Completed 50 miles and survived:  Everything I set out to do!

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Feb 07 2013
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"Athletic Pursuits", Running, Uncategorized

Why Run 50 Miles?

When I tell people about my goal to complete a 50 mile endurance event, the “why” question seems to be always stated or implied.  I think this is a sensible question, especially for the “weekend athlete.”  After all, isn’t the marathon (26.2 miles) far enough?  The marathon is the classic distance for endurance sports aficionados who want to “overachieve.”  So, why do more?

For me, it wasn’t that I wanted something “more,” it was that I wanted something “different.”  I’ve run two marathons.  The first one I was completely undertrained for and was a miserable experience for the most part.  I ran another one for two reasons:  my daughter wanted us to get in shape and complete a marathon, and, I needed to conquer the demons of the previous effort.  My daughter and I succeeded on both accounts.

After this, I really wanted to take on a challenge that was bigger than I really thought I could accomplish.  I really wanted a challenge that would have a goal that was intimidating enough to get me out the door so that I would train every day.  I wanted to see what I was made of.  I wanted the challenge to change me as much as I wanted to meet the challenge.

There’s a real possibility that I may not finish.  My training has not been great since the first of the year.  Any number of things could go wrong that are not related to my fitness.  However, even if for some reason I have to drop out at the first aid station,  this challenge has transformed me during this past year.  I have accomplished a number of things because of this goal that I would not have without setting this goal.  So in my case, even getting to the starting line is a measure of success and beyond that, will only be a greater measure of success.

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Feb 05 2013
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"Athletic Pursuits", Running Image

The Things They Carried

I’m signed up for an event this Saturday called the Iron Horse 50 Mile Endurance Run.  Why I’m doing this is a subject for another post.  If 38581148-MCK_9194all goes well, I’ll be moving slowly through the piney woods of Northeast Florida for about 12-15 hours Saturday.  However, my thinking in terms of this post is, “if you had to boil your life down to survive for one day, what would you take?  What would you leave?

There are aid stations every 5.5 miles so I don’t have to carry enough food and water for 50 miles — only for 5.5.  There’s also a drop bag point at 25 miles to pick up gear that will be needed for the rest of the journey.  So, it’s not nearly as extreme as it could be.  Yet for some who is fifty years old and 220 lbs., this will be quite a test of mind, body, and will.  Weather-wise, the low is supposed to be around 55 F and the high about 78 F.  So, here goes:

For Event Itself 

Patagonia tech shirt

Pearl Izumi infinity shorts

Drymax socks

Hoka One One Stinson Evo 12.5 (yes, they look like clown shoes but they feel really great!

Stinson-Evo-Trail

Wicked Skins Sleeves

Ultimate Direction 2 bottle pack

Dirty Girl gaiters

Sunglasses

Visor or headband

4 gels or so

small vial of bag balm

Hammer Gels

Watch (maybe — could stress me out!  Also, I’m slow enough that a calendar might be more useful)

Safety pins (for number and to pop blisters)

 

For drop bag

Bag Balm container

Drymax socks

Compression shorts

Short sleeve tech shirt

long sleeve tech shirt

Headlight (yes, I will be out after dark!)

Visor/headband

Sunscreen

Massage stick

More gels

More Hammergels

Ipod (questionable — I don’t usually run with music, especially on trails, but it may get me through!)

 

Before and after

Camp chair

Yoga mat

Towels

Change of clothes

Something warm

Compression Socks

Chacos

Coca Cola

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