Throwback Thur-- . . . I Mean . . . Every Day!

I moved back to my home state of Florida from the Northern Virginia area in July.  Never move back to Florida in July from . . . ANYWHERE.  Move back in December or January or right before that big snow storm hits.  It just makes sense.  It was bittersweet leaving Virginia.  While I moved closer to family and down to MUCH warmer weather, I was sad to leave many aspects of my life including all my running routes.  I fell in love with running in Northern Virginia -- accessible paved and unpaved trails, unbeatable scenery in the Fall, and (you might not agree) runs after a snowstorm.

And ever since I've moved back to Florida a strange phenomenon started to occur -- throwbacks.  Throwbacks to my routes in Northern Virginia.  A turn in the trail here.  An unimaginable hill there.  Random insignificant throwbacks to my routes.  What the heck was going on here?  Nostalgia -- a sentimental place in time that make me happy.  Go figure.  And every single throwback made me smile.  I loved it.  And still do.  It keeps me happy, keeps me motivated, and encourages me to discover new routes in my new city.  Because I want those nostalgic throwbacks too.  I want to smile when I think about that view of the beach from the Clearwater Causeway.  Actually who wouldn't be happy about THAT view???  It's gorgeous.  Especially at sunrise and sunset.  Go ahead.  Let those throwback images pop in your head.  I guarantee you'll be happy they did -- especially on your toughest days.

With The Help Of My Friends (And Family)

I run alone today, but that was not always the case.  And on some days (not all), I do wish there was someone running along side me.  My own internal alarm goes off every day at 10 minutes before the time my actual alarm rears its ugly head, and sometimes I just need someone else there telling me to get up and go.  Maybe there is . . .

I had been thinking about starting this blog for quite some time, but I never really thought I had the time nor the patience to create it.  Then someone inspired me.  My good friend Julie started her own tales of inspiration and motivation.  Not only that, but she was my running partner when I decided it was time to get serious about running and losing weight.  Our lunchtime runs became an addiction.  Our escape.  Our motivation.  "You ready?" was all she needed to say, text, or IM to start lacing up my running shoes.  And those mornings after that infernal internal alarm rouses me, one of the many motivational maxims I hear is "You ready?"  Yep, Julie, I sure am.

On a chilly Halloween night in 2001, I met a girl who would change my life forever.  We met playing club soccer, and I found out that night that wasn't our only connection.  "I'm running such-and-such half marathon this Sunday."  "Really?  So am I!"  My wife has always been all about exercise and getting in shape and keeping healthy.  Me, I did it to afford the calories in booze, burgers, and bonbonbonbons (OK, I stole that last one -- but for my sweet tooth).  Today, she keeps me motivated in both health and exercise.  Keeps me whole.  And kicks me out of bed when I even think about sleeping another minute.

Eight hours of sleep is a luxury for me these days.  I'll attribute that to the two monkeys who run our household.  When I wasn't running at lunchtime with Julie, I was waking up Saturday mornings, heading out for my longer treks through the city.  And my wife's favorite investment in all of my running accessories was a jogging stroller -- and the double jogging stroller when my son was born (and old enough to keep his head afloat).  My daughter went out for long runs before she could walk.  It was one of the many bonding moments (and probably one of my favorite) we had together.  I'd strap her in the jogging stroller at 7 AM, give her a nice bowl of dry cereal, and off we went for a nice 2-hour run.  Running through the city and eventually the suburbs became a routine for my daughter and I.  Every driveway we passed, two words were on her 2- and 3-year-old-mind -- "Newspaper!" and "Mailbox!".  Talk about a running mantra.  And today, I can think of it as inspiration when that internal alarm sounds and I don't move.  Run for your kids.  Run because you want to be there for them most of their life.

That's why I run.  Yes, I do love being outside, enjoying the scenery, and taking in some fresh air.  But, I do this for my health and happiness as well.  I do it because I have the help of my friends and family, speaking to me before the day is a twinkle in the sun's eye.  My Road ID's inspirational message is "Run For Your Life".  I do.  I run for the life I have -- the family, the friends who motivate me, who inspire me -- and the life I want to keep.

The Marathon Cooldown

There is no such thing.  It doesn't exist.  I don't believe in it.  It's in my blood.  It's in my nature.  I have sweated the pains, the chafing, the sores, "can't move it hurts so bad" on my first few marathons, yes.  But 15 years later?  Learning running form has changed all that.  It's only been a week since I completed the Clearwater Distance Classic and I want more.  I'm already planning my next marathon, my next challenge, my next accomplishment.  I can't get enough of running.

It's not because of the medals, T-shirts, nor the challenge of running 26.2 miles.  I love getting outside and seeing how far I can go.  I want to discover new places and new trails.  I love getting out on that road or that trail and enjoying the day.  There is so much to discover, so much to see, and so far to go.  That's the runner's high.  That's how you enjoy the thrill of running.  It's not the distance you go that takes you to that runner's high.  It's the experience.  

I can't cooldown.  I don't know how to do that.  As soon as I'm done with a marathon I want more.  Does that make me crazy?  Maybe.  However, I do know what it makes me -- a runner.  And more importantly -- a marathon runner.