Work, Life, Adventure Balance

My brain is always spinning its gears. The Operations Manager up there has to be working overtime, stashing away the time and a half pay. I cannot go ten minutes without planning the next ten minutes. Typically, this non-diagnosed OCD does not get me into too much trouble, although if my wife were armed with a 2x4 that could be a different story. Nonetheless, sitting still occurs only if I can get a minimum of two and half hours of daily fitness. I am constantly planning because I know how the day can slip away. It happens to us all. How do we fit it all into these few precious hours?

It was an ordinary start for a weekday. My little guy Sawyer, had his first wake up bell set for 4 am. His timing wasn't too bad, just a touch before my alarm. I coerced that little bug back down for the morning and I was on the bike. A nice two hour ride before the boys got up for the day.

Breakfast was served. Hop on the bike to get to the office a little early today, felt good to just cruise on in. The temps were above freezing this morning and Wash Park was buzzing. Great to see the other enthusiasts getting after it first thing. The office was hectic, but a positive vibe was present and everyone was excited about upcoming projects. Then a call pulled me into an unexpected afternoon meeting. Damn It, there goes the planned Ruby Hill workout. I was going to paste that hill 8 times today. I really need the uphill to work on my hamstring strength right now, not cool. Wait a minute, the appointment is in Evergreen you say.

A short 45 minute drive up the foothills and you are into one of the most gorgeous towns you could find this close to a metropolis. I love it up there, but always find it hard to justify the gas and drive time. Work brought me here today. With the trail shoes laced up, I was off to loop Elk Meadows. This trail is unbelievable. Steady climb right out of the gate, followed by what has to be thirty of the most relentless switch backs to the top. Temperature at 55 degrees, snow covered trails and not another soul in site, just an unbelievable lunch hour. I'll take this Thursday anytime.

Work, Life, Adventure...Considered yourself balanced for today!

The Ramp Up

When I started training in 1996, I was working my ass off for that first Sprint Tri. In my mind there was no one who wanted it more, no one who dug as deep and no person quite as committed. I can look back to a precise hill workout with my brother on the Mississippi flats that was so intense that I proceeded to toss my previous meal. I was so pissed at Jared for pushing me so hard. I was a broke freshman and that burger and fries were now wasted. At that time, my perception of hard work and my training pain tolerance were a shadow of what they have become. This has been years in the making.

I had a solid seven days of running for the last week in February 2011. The first two months of this year I was able to build my base large enough to throw down an 81 mile run week. Culminating with the 29 miler that instigated my desire to blog. During this 5 a.m. run I had an array of training partners. At first it was some of Denver's finest sleeping on downtown bike paths; then a peppy Labrador in the Highlands, whose dash back to his owner nearly tossed me to the pavement; followed by a tiny white mouse in Westminster, he didn't have much to say but ran at a good clip; most importantly, my brother. He had a lot to say, which was a good thing, as I was two and half hours into my run and the music was stale. We talked about our goals and leaving legacies. I did not get sick this time around. But this effort was just as much a break through.

Why would I choose to run 29 miles? My marathon is 2 months away. My mileage progression is coming along smoothly. That doesn't add up. But as I rolled along, up and over hill after hill in the darkness of this Saturday morning, my mind was clear. I now understood that my goals are set much higher than 26.2 miles along Colfax Ave. Mission RUN. Run for family, run for my life and run for everything I believe in. A large smile formed, feet barely touching the dirt trails south of Louisville with my brother, both sensing a higher purpose.