I finally bought a laptop this week. Dude, I got a Dell.... I'm actually posting this blog entry from the dining room table. Oh what fun... I'll likely get a new email address this week so Cindy and I don't get confused.
Speaking of confusion, we've had another wacky weather turn here in Fort Mill this week. Highs have been in the 60's, lows in the 40's, and yes, it's finally made me ill. Running with a cold is no fun at all, but the Mercedes Marathon is in 4 weeks, so on we go.
Speaking of running, this week is a "down" week, longest run is 12 miles. Next week we do our last 20-miler before we start the taper. It's hard to believe the next race is right around the corner. We're really excited about it. Can't wait to see Roddy, Janice, et al. Can't wait for that mountain at mile 23. We had so much fun on it last year. Hopefully this time Roddy won't be having surgery and we'll get him to wait for us at the top.
Speaking of waiting, it seems that patience is not one of the virtues possessed by Ashleigh's beau, Michael. When Cadet Dockery phoned princess yesterday to she if she would come visit, he was informed she was busy with school work and would see him today. Well, about 4 hours later, he shows up outside her dorm. Here's the funny part... at The Citadel, cadets cannot leave campus during the week unless they are exercising... our boy Forrest ran the 20 miles from his dorm to hers!! Unbelievable!!! He's paying for it today, those muscles are just a little tender. He's got it bad for the princess....
Speaking of the princess, Ashleigh started 2nd semester classes this week. She's getting her lab science credit this time around, botany. Auntie Pam, you two should have lots to talk about next time we're in Falmouth.
Speaking of Falmouth, we're thinking of a trip this spring. How does this sound to the folks on Hickory Hill? Getting in the mood, I'm reading Thoreau's Cape Cod, again. We do miss seeing you all, and I'm getting a craving for Coffee O.
Speaking of Coffee O, it's time to grab a hot drink for my throat and get ready for the weekend activities. Hopefully I'll have enough of a voice to lead worship on Sunday morning. If not, one of the gang will take over and I'll just play and smile.
Speaking of smiling, I hope everyone has a wonderful, blessed weekend with family and friends. Love to all...
Friday, January 11, 2008
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year!!
Happy 2008!! The calendar says 2008, but the marathon training schedule says it's Tuesday, time for the Yasso 800 workout. So... Cindy and I went to bed early last night, got up this morning and headed to the town park for our version of a New Year's celebration. We did see some other folks along the way, including our neighbor from down the street who's still enjoying the pecan pie we baked for him on Christmas Eve. After the run we showered, woke the children, and all headed to Starbuck's in Baxter Village for breakfast. For the training record, let it be so noted that Cindy had a decaf soy milk vanilla latte with a slice of low fat cinnamon swirl coffee cake, and Evans had a decaf non-fat milk coffee, also with the low fat coffee cake.
While we were enjoying our breakfast, it occurred to me that our friends from Falmouth would be, at that moment, kicking off the annual Hangover Classic, a Falmouth Track Club event that consists of a 7-mile (sort of) run, brunch and various "awards". One of these years we're going to surprise them and actually show up. Nothing like a brisk run through the Sippewissett hills to get the blood pumping for the new year!
The next race (drum roll please) is the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, AL, February 10. We did this one last year. The course is quite challenging and while we may not beat our time from Marshall, we're hoping to get close. It will be good to see our McKinney clan, and John sure is looking forward to hooking up the XBox 360 to the huge HD television.
That's it for now.... we'll keep you updated on the training. I wish all a happy and prosperous new year!!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
It's Also Contagious
It's been a few weeks since the last post.... my apologies. After the Marshall Marathon, life seemed to accelerate, deadlines at work, Christmas musical at church, shopping, and.... oh yes... my birthday.
Happy birthday to me! Thanks for all the wonderful cards, emails and birthday wishes. Speaking of cards, there was one that stood out as perhaps the most thoughtful card I have ever received. It came from a friend at church, and it set me to thinking about how I have lived my life so far.
The card itself was quite simple, basically just a quote from author Max Lucado. It reads as follows: "Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, 'Do you like it? I did it just for you.' In the coming year, may God's wonders in your life leave you speechless. Happy Birthday!"
My friend Sam sent me that card. His personal note on the inside said that when he saw it, the card made him think of me. He said, "It's so you!!" I was both flattered and humbled to realize that the way I have lived has affected (however slightly) someone not under my parental control.
That birthday card made me pause and think of the sights I have been blessed to observe. Countless sunrises on morning runs. Sunsets over Cape Cod Bay, an evening sail in Megansett Harbor, right whales feeding in the North Atlantic, a full moonrise over Nauset Light beach, an early spring Appalachian high country snow, brilliant fall foliage along the Ohio River, just to name a few.
Thank you, Sam, for thinking of me. Evidently the music is not only perpetual, but also contagious. "Take a good look at God's wonders - they'll take your breath away." (Psalm 66:5 The Message)
Happy birthday to me! Thanks for all the wonderful cards, emails and birthday wishes. Speaking of cards, there was one that stood out as perhaps the most thoughtful card I have ever received. It came from a friend at church, and it set me to thinking about how I have lived my life so far.
The card itself was quite simple, basically just a quote from author Max Lucado. It reads as follows: "Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, 'Do you like it? I did it just for you.' In the coming year, may God's wonders in your life leave you speechless. Happy Birthday!"
My friend Sam sent me that card. His personal note on the inside said that when he saw it, the card made him think of me. He said, "It's so you!!" I was both flattered and humbled to realize that the way I have lived has affected (however slightly) someone not under my parental control.
That birthday card made me pause and think of the sights I have been blessed to observe. Countless sunrises on morning runs. Sunsets over Cape Cod Bay, an evening sail in Megansett Harbor, right whales feeding in the North Atlantic, a full moonrise over Nauset Light beach, an early spring Appalachian high country snow, brilliant fall foliage along the Ohio River, just to name a few.
Thank you, Sam, for thinking of me. Evidently the music is not only perpetual, but also contagious. "Take a good look at God's wonders - they'll take your breath away." (Psalm 66:5 The Message)
Monday, November 12, 2007
Reflections On Marshall
A week has passed since the Marshall University Marathon. We've had time to reflect on the race and sift through the experience, compiling out unofficial list of lessons learned. I'm still not sure why I cramped so badly at mile 17, but I'm very pleased at how I was able to fight through it and still post a personal best time. Therein likely lies the most important lesson from this race: always respect the marathon. It would be easy to become greedy and say, "If I hadn't cramped, I could have run sub-four". But I think the wisest thing to do would be to "take what you can get and be grateful". After all, 4:14 is two minutes faster than the previous PR.
The marathon is one tough event, filled with peaks and valleys. Talent and athletic ability are of no use when the difficult times arrive. These tough periods in a race must be expected, anticipated and embraced. They require preparation in advance. To paraphrase Vince Lombardi, the will to win is not the important thing. It is the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.
The film "We Are Marshall" was shot in several locations in and around Huntington, WV. Here are some pics of some sites central to the movie.
Springhill Cemetery, the site of the memorial to the plane crash. Six players, whose bodies could not be identified are buried here together. The site overlooks the cities of Huntington, The MU campus and stadium.
Nate Ruffin, captain of the 1971 Young Thundering Herd, died of cancer in 2001. He is buried next to his teammates. Jessica is getting a closer look here.
Nate Ruffin's headstone.
Someone left their artwork of number 25.
This is the top of the monument. On the sides of the monument below are inscribed the names of the players, staff, boosters and flight crew killed in the crash.
The main entrance to the campus. The building is named "Old Main".
The Chief Justice John Marshall statue, for whom the school is named.
The memorial fountain, in front of the Memorial Student Center.
The plaque beside the fountain.
On November 14 of each year, the anniversary of the crash, the water to the fountain is turned off. The fountain remains dry until the spring.
Outside Joan C Edwards stadium.
A church across the street.
The 50-yard line.
State Road 75 in Kenova, the site of the plane crash, less than a mile from Tri-State Airport.
The Marshall plane clipped the tops of the trees to the left...
...and crashed into the hillside near the bottom of the ravine to the right.
The Keith-Albee Theater on 4th Avenue. This is the theater depicted in the movie, and was the site of the world premier of "We Are Marshall".
The Frederick Hotel on 4th Avenue, site of the crash hearings held by the NTSB.
Jim's Restaurant on 5th Avenue, inspiration for the restaurant in the movie.
The marathon is one tough event, filled with peaks and valleys. Talent and athletic ability are of no use when the difficult times arrive. These tough periods in a race must be expected, anticipated and embraced. They require preparation in advance. To paraphrase Vince Lombardi, the will to win is not the important thing. It is the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.
The film "We Are Marshall" was shot in several locations in and around Huntington, WV. Here are some pics of some sites central to the movie.
Springhill Cemetery, the site of the memorial to the plane crash. Six players, whose bodies could not be identified are buried here together. The site overlooks the cities of Huntington, The MU campus and stadium.
Nate Ruffin, captain of the 1971 Young Thundering Herd, died of cancer in 2001. He is buried next to his teammates. Jessica is getting a closer look here.
Nate Ruffin's headstone.
Someone left their artwork of number 25.
This is the top of the monument. On the sides of the monument below are inscribed the names of the players, staff, boosters and flight crew killed in the crash.
The main entrance to the campus. The building is named "Old Main".
The Chief Justice John Marshall statue, for whom the school is named.
The memorial fountain, in front of the Memorial Student Center.
The plaque beside the fountain.
On November 14 of each year, the anniversary of the crash, the water to the fountain is turned off. The fountain remains dry until the spring.
Outside Joan C Edwards stadium.
A church across the street.
The 50-yard line.
State Road 75 in Kenova, the site of the plane crash, less than a mile from Tri-State Airport.
The Marshall plane clipped the tops of the trees to the left...
...and crashed into the hillside near the bottom of the ravine to the right.
The Keith-Albee Theater on 4th Avenue. This is the theater depicted in the movie, and was the site of the world premier of "We Are Marshall".
The Frederick Hotel on 4th Avenue, site of the crash hearings held by the NTSB.
Jim's Restaurant on 5th Avenue, inspiration for the restaurant in the movie.
Monday, November 5, 2007
We Are... Marshall!! New PR!!
Well, we made it. A new PR for us, 4:14:03, official time. The trip was great. We got to see some old friends and make some new ones.
The course was flat as advertised and the weather was cool, a great formula for a good time. I've learned through experience that every race brings its own unique set of challenges, and this time it was cramps. My legs started cramping around mile 17 and it was literally a fight to the finish. I've dealt with pain before in a race, but never quite like that. I tried every trick in the book, but ultimately decided on the Nike method, "Just Do It". Hopefully in the next few days I'll have time to post some insights and observations from the weekend, but for now here are some pics.
The "pre-game" meal with Rick and Cindy Shideler.
Near the starting line, a balmy 37 degrees F.
The striptease inside Cam Henderson Center.
One last item of business...
Ready, set, go! We're in there somewhere, I promise.
Mile 6...
Mile 19.... a cramping we will go :-)
The course was flat as advertised and the weather was cool, a great formula for a good time. I've learned through experience that every race brings its own unique set of challenges, and this time it was cramps. My legs started cramping around mile 17 and it was literally a fight to the finish. I've dealt with pain before in a race, but never quite like that. I tried every trick in the book, but ultimately decided on the Nike method, "Just Do It". Hopefully in the next few days I'll have time to post some insights and observations from the weekend, but for now here are some pics.
The "pre-game" meal with Rick and Cindy Shideler.
Near the starting line, a balmy 37 degrees F.
The striptease inside Cam Henderson Center.
One last item of business...
Ready, set, go! We're in there somewhere, I promise.
Mile 6...
Mile 19.... a cramping we will go :-)Finally....
Go Herd!!
Time to relax.
That's nothin' doc. Last race I lost three toenails.All pictures courtesy of Rick Shideler, our "official" race photographer.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
One Week To Go...
Well, the training is done. One week to the race. Nothing to do now but sit back, keep loose and let the bumps and bruises heal. This is our final week of a three-week taper, during which we reduce the mileage, cut back on the cross-training and clean-up the diet. I've heard it said that outstanding performance happens when diligent preparation meets excellent opportunity. We've had a really good training cycle, good interval times, good endurance on long runs. The course is conducive to fast times, the current weather forecast is favorable. We'll see....
"We Are Marshall" has definitely been the inspiration this time around. The DVD is available now and it really is a must-see. I get goose-bumps thinking of running through that stadium and campus. This is going to sound strange... during every long training run this time, when we hit a rough stretch on a climb, or when it got really sunny and hot, an airplane would pass overhead. Each time that happened I thought, "we are.... Marshall". If that town, university and student body can pick itself up from the ashes of such a tragedy, I can climb one more hill, I can run one more mile.
Speaking of one more mile, the Cape Cod Marathon is tomorrow. I guess right about now registration is in full swing. Last night would've been shirt-folding and packet stuffing at the Lawrence School. Cindy and I really miss being there. We miss Chris and Pam, and we miss all our Falmouth Track Club friends. The CCM is the finest event of its kind. We shall return. Perhaps Chris and Pam can make the trek from Wild Harbor Road down to Thomas Landers Rd and Rte 28 tomorrow and give the runners a cheer from us! Pam, we were thinking of you this morning during our run. How that, if we were running CCM, we would be in you kitchen this morning scarfing up your special waffles. :-)
So.... just a few more days and it's off to Huntington, to meet up with the Shideler's and enjoy a relaxing, Sunday morning "stroll".
"We Are Marshall" has definitely been the inspiration this time around. The DVD is available now and it really is a must-see. I get goose-bumps thinking of running through that stadium and campus. This is going to sound strange... during every long training run this time, when we hit a rough stretch on a climb, or when it got really sunny and hot, an airplane would pass overhead. Each time that happened I thought, "we are.... Marshall". If that town, university and student body can pick itself up from the ashes of such a tragedy, I can climb one more hill, I can run one more mile.
Speaking of one more mile, the Cape Cod Marathon is tomorrow. I guess right about now registration is in full swing. Last night would've been shirt-folding and packet stuffing at the Lawrence School. Cindy and I really miss being there. We miss Chris and Pam, and we miss all our Falmouth Track Club friends. The CCM is the finest event of its kind. We shall return. Perhaps Chris and Pam can make the trek from Wild Harbor Road down to Thomas Landers Rd and Rte 28 tomorrow and give the runners a cheer from us! Pam, we were thinking of you this morning during our run. How that, if we were running CCM, we would be in you kitchen this morning scarfing up your special waffles. :-)
So.... just a few more days and it's off to Huntington, to meet up with the Shideler's and enjoy a relaxing, Sunday morning "stroll".
Monday, October 8, 2007
You Never Know Who's Watching
It's very true... you never know who's watching. Yesterday morning at church we played "O Praise Him". Last night after rehearsal, one of the vocalists from the band sent me a video of her son performing his own version of the same song.
out of the mouths of babes....
Thank you, Becky, for sharing the video. I think Grayson is a natural...
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