Why I Train

Although we stay positive and try to enjoy every day, there are bad days. Today is one of those bad days, and I feel that I should share some personal experience to help keep everyone motivated to continue circulating awarness.  It is just not right that my wife, myself, and so many others have had to look at a child, that is already scared because she can't walk, and say "your cancer is back".  The first comment we heard after giving out that information was a child ,with teared up eyes and a shaky voice, saying "I don't want to die".  After a month of trying to fight and weigh the options, we did indeed have to tell her she was not going to make it.  We have had many sleepless nights before and after her passing, remembering all the terrible things that happened to her.  I will let you know when they end. Just a few weeks ago I was having a dream about Morgan passing away from her cancer. For a breif second when I awoke from that dream I thought, "thank goodness that was just a dream". As I woke up the rest of the way reality set in again and the rest of the night was pretty rest free. Any person touched by cancer can insert similar stories. We all press on and appreciate life for what it is. Bad days happen but life is great fun and our lost loved ones would slap us around if we were caught moping around.

Wednesdays post will be more upbeat, but I just need to make sure everyone keeps the cause close to their hearts.

All 25 miles successfully completed this week.

Time to Chain Up

Well, week two is going well, getting outside to run is a great feeling.  One downfall is the slippery streets in Davenport.  The best description for my ability to get traction would be similar to a dog walking on a new laminate floor for the first time. I would say the GPS logged 8 miles in Davenport and my legs probably put on at least 10 miles.  I guess I need to revise the answer I gave to Nicole also.  I WILL be looking for extra traction for my shoes, friction will be my friend from here on out.

I am currently in Minot, got a 3 mile run in this evening.  I must say, the sidwalks in this town are cleverly hidden under snowbanks and piles of cleared snow. Between streets, kaldisaks, and parking lots I got it done.  I am sure it looked like the cops were chasing me, and I didn't even rob a liquor store this time.

Thanks to the new followers!!!

Off to a great start

Week one turned out pretty well considering the temperatures.  I was able to get my 8 mile run in on Friday, had to do it on the treadmill as the windchills were dangerously cold.  I made a decision to skip the 5 mile run this weekend and do some cross training instead.  The cross training consisted of a day of snowboarding with friends and family.  Hopefully we can get one more weekend like that in before winter is over and training gets to a point where ALL the miles are very important.

Stay tuned for week two, as I will be out of town for a trade show for most of the week.  Finding time to train may be a challenge, temperatures sound like they will be better though, so I will get a scenic view of Minot, ND.  At times it will be difficult to get the miles in, but where there's a will there's a way. I guess when you break it down it isn't that tough to find 45 minutes of daily free time during the week and 2-4 hours of free time on the weekends, especially when you think about the goals at hand, whatever they may be.

-20 SERIOUSLY!! Week 1

Black running tights (thats right I said tights), gray insulated sweats, heavy knit socks, running shoes, heat gear under armor, hooded sweathshirt, windbreaker, stocking cap, & face mask.  Finally ready, and as soon as I am done robbing the liquor store I will come inside and run 3 miles on the treadmill.  Hey don't judge, you try running outside when it is 6 below with a 20 below windchill.  Ok seriously, all 14 miles so far this week have been on the treadmill.  On top of having to run on the treadmill this week, Tuesday morning from 1:30am to 5:00am I was on a fire call with my fellow volunteer firemen (you guys rule).  After getting home from the fire call I worked from 7:00am to 5:00pm.  I then came home and ran 5 miles on the treadmill.  Talk about a long day. 

Days like Tuesday really drive home the reason my family and I are trying to create as much Cancer awareness as possible.  Fighting Cancer is a battle that must be fought no matter how tired you are or how crappy you feel, it is just there, but those of us that have experienced it's effects first hand know that it will only wreck your spirit if you let it. 

Thanks for the support and donations so far!!! Keep watching for updates on Wednesdays and Sundays
14 miles down, 543 to go

Welcome to my training

I was the fortunate winner of an entry to the Fargo Marathon while attending a silent auction for Pray for Gray (an event to raise money for brain tumor research).  So it just made sense that I would use my training to try and raise awarness and money for the American Cancer Society.  Running was a great way for me to relieve the stress involved in dealing with the loss of my eight year old daughter to brain cancer.

As you will notice by the pictures posted below, training in January in North Dakota is quite literally no day at the beach.  In a few short months the fields on either side of the road will be filled with corn, soybeans, and sugar beets, but for now there is a BUMPER crop of snow.  The cold and snow are tough but it still beats running for 1 or 2 hours on the treadmill.  New levels of boredom are easily achieved on long treadmill runs. 

Hope to hear from you as I continue on this path. Maybe I will even see a few of you running beside me while I am training (hint hint).