Thought (or photos) of the day...

Saw these and had to post them... But I also need to write soon... My blood test was not good and I am now taking pills and getting ready for a follow-up... In February... More later, but here are pictures I found that made me laugh.

Carry on...

Run fat boy, RUN!

Well, I knew I was fat, but severely obese? I went to have my annual (well, it's been a few years - thanks Carl for encouraging me!) physical this week. This was after me working out regular since November 1 and watching my diet aggressively as of November 2. I have only run 4 times over that period for a total of 12.8 miles in 2 hours and 5 minutes, but did a whole lot of other exercise including:

269 bike miles over 15 rides (17 hours or just under 18 miles a time average)

18 walking miles on 7 walks (5 hours and 20 minutes and 2.5 miles a time average); and

18.6 miles on the elliptical over 9 times (4 hours 45 minutes or just over 2 miles a time average)

So I averaged 1.6 workouts per day with the average workout being 1 hour and 20 minutes. So for the past 20 days, I worked out 2 hours and 8 minutes a day. I am feeling better and was feeling positive about my Christmas deadline as I am not pushing it. If I felt like working out, I did. If I was tired, I did not…

Well, the Physician came in and looked are the chart and in kind terms, said I was off the chart obese. We had a discussion and discovered I have been obese for decades. I exclaimed, when I was 215 pounds (which is still obese according to him) I ran the 25 K on the Superior Hiking Trail in 2:36 or so, I ran a 4 hour marathon and ran the Superior 50 mile in 13.5 hours. He said I needed to lose a minimum of 87 pounds and ideal weight; I needed to lose 105 pounds… That stung…

I know I am fat, but never considered I would be in the category of Americans that needed to lose over 100 pounds, specifically as I am 35 pounds less than when I ran my 5:45 marathon? One thing that some co-workers pointed out is that Jarred Allen of the Viking is also obese, as well as most running backs. The chart is just that, a chart. When I was 215, most people thought I was getting to thin and they can not imagine needing to lose another 35 pounds to be healthy?

So I am not sure if there is more than Grandma's Marathon for the 25^th time in store next year. Not sure if there is to be a 50K, a 50 mile, or a 100 mile in store for me. I am still committed to waiting for decisions until Christmas and just workout doing whatever I want, when I want, as much or as little as I want, in the following weeks. But after being told I am so obese, I may need to rethink a lot more than that?

Carry on…

Letter from the shopping center...

I read this and thought immediately that this could be a letter about Steve Quick, with the luck has has been having and the pranks he can think of...? So Steve, enjoy... I could imaging you doing quite a few of these...

Dear Mrs. Pease,

Over the past six months, your ultra-runner friend has been causing quite a commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban both of you from the store. Our complaints against Mr. Quick are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in people's carts when they weren't looking.
2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5 minute intervals.
3.July 7: Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the women's restroom.
4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice, 'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'
5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&M's on layaway.
6. August 14: Moved the 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told other shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and blankets from the bedding department.
8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying and screamed, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
9. September 4th: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a mirror while he picked his nose.
10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.
11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming the 'Mission Impossible' theme.
12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna Look' by using different sizes of funnels.
13. October 18: He hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed by, he yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'
14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'and last, but not least.
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile, then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.!

Regards, Manager

47 days and counting

This morning the counter said 47 days to Christmas. I had hopes by that day I have revived my legs to start training for another attempt at the superior beast. Having the time off has given me much time to evaluate. I have concluded that my failure in the first ST 100 was from a lack of mental training and the second, over-training and entering race day exhausted.

As I had stated at the UMTR gathering, I think if I do go for this again, I think I will go for the 2-3 runs a week training method. That will be a midweek speed workout and a Saturday run of 20-45 miles and that should do it. My best running results are when i gave my body plenty of time to rest with solid quality workouts? But then again, when you enjoy something so much, it is hard to do just twice a week?

Either way, even if i do not make the decision to do the 100, I do have to run and train for my 25th anniversary Grandam's Marathon finish. Yes, 25 years this year when i finish, consecutive that is... Had this goal, well, 24 years ago and hard to believe I am that close... That is the only real focus I have and not sure what I will be like emotionally when i cross that line for the last time?

Carry on...

Election day...

Today is election day. This is a hard election for me with two major races, I do not like either choice? (And some people think selecting a running / trail race is hard!) So I woke thinking I would write in Larry Peterson for President and Don Clark for Senate (As Norm, Dean and Al have me really turned off...) I know I am supporting the tax increase for clean water. I know new taxes suck but we really need to be careful with the world we live in and water more an issue than we care to think. My only fear is they find a way to do what happened in the 90's with the LCMR funds from the lottery, they found a way to use it elsewhere... Either way, yet another election has come when I need to vote for Mo or Curly when we really need a Larry...

I sure an tell my stress from work has decreased after the SuperTarget application. The stress and long hours were killing me. For the first time in months I think I am going to shake a cold. I was shocked when my resting heart rate, which has been in the mid 70's, was 61 yesterday. Amazing how stress impacts the body.

Carry on...

UMTR and more

UMTR held the awards fest. It was a great gathering with many people I was glad to see and many I hoped to see. If the people I missed were able to make, we may have needed a bigger place. The weather was great and the awards were the best. Don and Bonny were so deserving of the great awards they were given. (CLICK HERE TO SEE THEM!) And Larry... I have often wondered what would happen to this sport if it were not for that close group of workhorses. I was going to names those i knew but there are so many other with a passion. I can never thank them enough as I am sure many feel the same way... I am just disappointed I do not have the urge to run... Hope it passes?

I did have the urge to bike. With the great weather I was just short of 50 miles for the weekend. If I would have known I was so close, I would have went around the block a few times... Hope the Indian summer holds a few more day but i think that is a dream... It is now time for colder weather. Thank god I have a great workout room at the office with bikes, elliptical, weights and treadmills. I may just stay in and try the "Diane Farmer" training method for a while? Only I am not sure which TV show I would prefer?

Anyway, hope health is with you all and do not forget to vote. And if you need any opinions on who to vote for, check out http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com. These are elderly ladies who are funny. Check out the post about Sarah Palen or the funny one "maverick my ass"... I think we can assume she is a Democrat, but she is feisty for her age! and she makes me laugh...

Carry on...