Back at home, back to training

We are finally back at home and hopefully getting back to our normal routine. Kinsey's surgery went well, thank you everyone for the kind words/thoughts. Hopefully she will not need another surgery for a long time.
I am going to start my running routine back this week. I know I probably won't be at the level I was a few weeks ago, but hopefully it won't take me long to get back. I have a church basketball game tonight, so I am planning to run in the morning and skip the running today. Not being able to run the last two weeks has been hard, it has become such a big part of my life. Last year, when I started this program, I never thought I would say this, but I actually feel worse on days when I miss a run. I can't wait to get back out and continue training. Hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to read some blogs and offer any encouragement that I can.

Back on the Marathon Wagon

Well, I have to admit, i did not run at all last week. My wife found out that she had the week off from work, so we took a trip to Disneyworld for the week. The temperature was perfect and suprisingly, it wasn't very busy to be spring break. Of course the ride that I have never liked, "It's a Small World", was Kinsey's favorite. I do enjoy it more now because I am able to watch her laugh and have a good time rather than focus my attention on the ride and wonder how quickly it will be over.
The characters (Mickey, Minnie, etc.) that we encountered were great. This was our first trip with Kinsey since she started using a wheelchair and we weren't sure how comfortable the characters would be with her. We found that they spent extra time with her and would not leave her alone until they saw her smile once. I have always been impressed with and enjoyed Disneyworld, but am even more impressed now due to the fact that they went the extra mile to make her feel like any other child.
I ran today and will try to run more this week but I'm not sure when I'll be able to. We are getting new carpet tomorrow, so I have lots of furniture to move. And then on Thursday, Kinsey will be admitted to UMC for surgery on Friday and she will go home Sunday. I will not be able to be at the run on Saturday. Please remember her in your prayers, this weekend. She is having what is supposed to be a minor brain surgery, but anytime you deal with the brain, minor can become major in a second.
I'm looking forward to getting back in the running routine next week. April 2nd, I start a new job at UMC that I am very excited about.

Intervals

Great weather for the run Saturday, very little wind. When Mark mentioned intervals Saturday morning, I remembered a story that I've been meaning to share.
When I run, I do intervals. At last years marathon, I did 3:1 intervals for most of the marathon. The funny thing for me (not sure if this happened to others) was that I would be running at a pretty good pace and then my watch would beep and I would start walking. At least two-three times when this occurred, I had a spectator offer encouragement, "Don't give up, you can do it!" When I would stop running and start walking, I assume they thought that I was giving up. Occasionally, I would respond, "I'm fine, this is what I do."
The most entertaining response I got was around mile 20, when I started one of my walk intervals. A guy in the crowd started walking beside me and said, "Come on man, run like you stole something!" Rather than try to explain my routine, I started running again, because I appreciated him taking the time to give me encouragement. As soon as I felt like I was out of his sight, I resumed my walking and gave myself a longer walk break. Recently, I changed the title of my blog to include his quote, because I thought it was hilarious.
It's funny, I have so many memories of the marathon, but some of the more prominent ones are of things/people that I saw or heard rather than the actual running itself. I am looking forward to going back this year, not only for the run, but for the experience as well.

Crosstraining Day

Just like last Wednesday, I chose to play about 2 hours of basketball for my crosstraining day yesterday. I feel good today, not as sore as I was last Thursday. I enjoy playing basketball and find that it breaks up a little of the monotony of running. I also enjoy playing with a group of guys at church because some of them are so serious. If you have never experienced it, the site of grown men playing basketball at church and trying to relive their youth is quite entertaining. It is very common to hear four letter words and see someone foul another player hard. It is also common to hear one of the older guys tell a story about how they would have played in the NBA if they had not hurt their knee in high school.
If the rain stops shortly, I will head out for a three mile run. If not, I'll get on the treadmill.