Half for the Heck of It

Seven months ago, I ran my second OneAmerica Mini Marathon. I have not posted about them.  I take pride in the first effort, which was truly a first in distance for me.  I'm not built to be a runner.  Sure I can haul this 200 pound body in a sprint pretty quickly.  I've also gotten to a point, then let it go, then gotten to it again, where I can knock out a 5k easily and a 10k if the mindset and environment are right. Thirteen-point-one came along mostly because my company sponsors an event, and I've volunteered for it several times. I wanted in on the excitement.


2013's efforts were fostered by great spring weather and a group of friends running the Mini also, so training was a breeze. My longest training run was a ten-miler a week before.  Ready I was, with a result of 1:55:42. a strong effort for my first half marathon, so I hear.

2014 was a different experience.  I planned to run this one mainly so I wasn't a one-and-done participant.  Winter held on into spring, training runs outside were sparse, and I can't stand to run on a dread-mill for more than a few miles, if at all. My longest training run was the Talk Walk Run 10k on the previous weekend. This year's mini effort yielded a 2:01:06. Still solid, but had I recognized I was so close to the two hour mark, I could have stepped up the pace a bit.


It had been mentioned by NF that the Purdue Half Marathon was a bit more of a challenge, since the cities of Lafayette and West Lafayette are not so flat as the course through Indy for the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon (shameless plug.) Having pressured my friend JL to enter as well, since he happens to be a Purdue grad and a super trainer, it was on. October was but a few (5) short months away.  Get on a training plan.

Training, schmaining.  My longest run in the 5 months preparing for this October 18 event was a solo 6 mile run around downtown Indy's Canal and Cultural Trail. Ha! Suck it Purdue Half!

It was really cold and my knees were weak from a summer of 3 volleyball games a week. Shut it. Don't judge my outfit.

By the way, the shirt is badass. Check out http://berelentlessapparel.com/ to get yours, or other great stuff.

Yeah, finished that s#!t in 1:56:56, including all of the hills.  Turns out the NF/JL method of training-by-not-running isn't too bad after all.

Time Out

Tuesday night, while having a phenomenal game at volleyball, I went up for a block, and came down on someone else's foot. Hello ankle. "Pop" it responded.
Night one:
Night two:

Night three:

Worst ankle injury I can recall. I've had some uglies through the years, but this one hurts like a dirty look from NF from shin to toes.


Tournament next week.  I may be ready to play. I was tattooing be-atches this week! Don't want to sit out now!

Frustrating as f*ck.

ALCS - Royals FTW

I cannot put into words, how incredible last week's experience was for me.  Rally Monkey was along for the ride!

Headed here...

Said "Hi" to the neighbors, even if I'm a Broncos fan for life.

For this...

The crown in the outfield was an amazing touch to an always beautiful scene. Thanks to Google for the "auto-awesome" photo.

I hadn't seen my Royals in person since 2011. That by itself was a treat.  But to see them at home, in game 4 of the ALCS after a 29 year playoff drought, was amazing! 

All of the offense was early, with the Royals leading 2-1 for the majority of the game, but still, the blue towels were waving intensely.

At the top of the ninth inning, the entire sea of royal blue was on their feet.  Every pitch was getting us one strike closer to being Champions again.  It was like tens of thousands of fans were holding our breath in unison.  Then it happened.

Blissful mayhem!

Thanks to N for making this a reality, not just a dream come true for a life long Royals fan!

Now bring on the Fall Classic!  Finally World Series bound AGAIN!!

I Married a Man...

to his beautiful bride two weeks ago. J & J wanted a friend to officiate their ceremony. Guess who stepped up?

Thanks to the American Fellowship Church, they had an extravagant ceremony officiated by a great friend, Reverend Starr. 

Being ordained, I wonder if I could perform my own ceremony.  I still haven't researched it, but it doesn't matter since N has been taken by another already.

 

At least J & J have found the ones they want and agree that it's forever.  Congratulations to my fantastic friends!

Faster than a...

So, is this the look of a super hero, a Corporate Challenge relay runner, or just some guy with delusions of grandeur?

Other possibilities are welcome as suggestions. Please comment.

42 Hours! (of Awesomeness) - Part 2

After Part 1, we arrived in Denver for a stay at the Hotel Monaco, following the Indianapolis Colts @ Denver Broncos game at formerly Mile High Stadium, less formerly Invesco Field at Mile High, now Sports Authority Field at Mile High. At least the sponsoring company is sports related now, right?!  MILE HIGH!!

We checked into the room, then checked out the room.  With what seemed to be a decor tied to the Broncos, with pillows that had horses embroidered on them, animal print robes, an animal print blanket on the bed, and orange an blue here or there, there was also a typically overpriced minibar that included this gem...

As great as that might be for eight bucks, no thanks.  Let's go eat lunch at what could be great or a great let-down...

 Ordered regular bar food and sat on the covered patio with TV's watching the afternoon football games.  Atmosphere was nice, service was so-so, and food was basic.  I can say I have been there.  Won't complain.

The BIG DEAL!
I have wanted to see a Broncos game in Denver since the 80's.  The days of Elway!  I still have the '99 Superbowl on VHS, commercials and all if you're ever interested in a throwback viewing.  Bring your VCR.  I digress.  This!!!...

It was hard not to watch the entire game on that big ass screen.  Or the one in the corner across from us.

But the view from the fantastic seats that N got for us kept our eyes on the live action.

The Broncos were playing the Colts, from my current home town, so N was cheering for offense, either way.  The Colts brought some late in the first half.

This was undoubtedly a dream come true, and was all made possible by this face next to me.

Thanks N, for the most spectacular weekend!  Thanks also to B and his family for their hospitality.

42 Hours! (of Awesomeness) - Part 1

From 6 a.m. Mountain time September 6, 2014 until Midnight September 8, 2014, I had the experience of a lifetime.  I've mentioned before that 42 was the best number. Knowing how I felt about it, my best girl N decided to make it a belated birthday of firsts, that I would not forget.

Flight into Denver (hint) and a nice Mexican dinner with N's brother and family on Friday were memorable for certain.  What was planned for the following days were events that will stick with me for a lifetime.

14er:  A term the I've become familiar with over the last few years with N in my life. I has heard of a 14er, but had no experience.  A 14er is a mountain with 14,000+ foot high peak, upon which you run/hike (to the best of your lungs' and legs' ability) to the top.
Enter the 6 a.m. wake-up.  Get up and gear up for the drive from Longmont to Mt. Bierstadt.

B had his dogs out there, and they run along the mountain like mountain goats.  Never planned to even try to keep up with the ultra-runner who does this shit in his sleep.
Getting started...

Some of this, you just don't mess with...

Looking back, our ride is in the white patch above the lake.  Yeah, way out there!

A look at some of the middle grade...

Officially at the top...

I must have lost 20 pounds on the way up.

Someone thought a tree pose was appropriate, maybe because they don't live up there otherwise.

I did feel like a tree!

We made it!

A bit of the backside, ice included...

You can traverse a bit more, across this thing called Sawtooth.  Perhaps next time, if you can see why it's called Sawtooth.  We were at that highest point.

After a fantastic Mooyah burger, we cleaned up and went to N's nieces' school carnival.  There was llama petting, chicken carrying, an actual cake walk, and a clear indication that a couple of these ladies are related and react the same to a camera.

Saturday dinner was next.  There are no pictures as evidence, but Outback has Unlimited Shrimp available with any entree. On top of my two pork chops, mashed potatoes, and broccoli, i managed to throw down 40 fried shrimp!  Love shrimp.

The next morning, we made our way to Denver.  N was taking me to my first Broncos game (at Sports Authority Field) at Mile High!

Armageddon?

Well, shit. Literally.

#ALSicebucketchallenge

In case you missed it because you aren't on Facebook, like a certain girlfriend of mine...
One of those whom I challenged yesterday has since completed it.

Why do I continue...

taking pictures of this face?