I won a trophy

The Rush to Brush 5K was held this past Saturday, and my goal was to break 22 minutes. I fell just short of that. I ran a 22:40 5K to place 31 overall (out of 255) and 3rd in my age group.

I was excited to place, but I was sort of disappointed that I didn't reach my goal. But there's always room to improve, so I'll probably make the St. Paddy's Day 5K my new 22 minute goal.

I've figured I need to work more on my speed work, running some intervals and sprints along with working a bit harder at spin class (which I have tonight). Hopefully, that'll pay off.

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Today started off with a bang. I'm having to finish a whole paper by 5 p.m. today, so we'll see how it goes.

"Active" season has started

I'm back! Actually, I've been here for a while, just been really busy. I've upped my running routine, trying to get it back up for running season, and I've started lifting (really lifting). Dan and Matthew have helped me out a bunch, and they push me to lift more, which is great motivation.

But like I said, "active" season is upon us. I've ordered (and received) a suspension fork for my mountain bike, a Yakima rack for my car and now I'm on the hunt for some Aerobars for my road bike. I'm on a kick this week to get my butt into gear to train hard for some long rides, 5Ks and a triathlon this year. I'm excited.

I heard a friend and coworker and fellow runner say one way they train isn't by attempting to finish lengths, but rather to run "times." Yesterday I ran for 45 minutes and did about 6 miles. Today, I'm only going to lift (but it'll be alone), and tomorrow I'm taking the day off.

Saturday I have my first 5K of the season, the same first one I ran last year: The Rush to Brush 5K benefiting the Blair E. Batson and UMC dental program. Glad I can help. Last year, I took the cold part of December and January off and finally laced up my shoes the day of the race.

My time was miserable. I ran 3.1 miles in 27:33 finishing 80 out of 216. Although it was good to finish in the top half, but I know I can do better this year. I'm better prepared. Last year, my last race (The Hap Hudson 5K at Mississippi College) I finished and set a PR at 22:52. My goal for the Brush 5K is to break 22 minutes. I think I can do it. I've got to push myself, but I can do it.

I'm also wanting to race the MS Heatwave Triathlon on June 6. I'm determined to do it. And we're going to the Double Decker festival in Oxford, MS, this April. They have an early morning bike ride that Saturday I think I'm going to ride in. They have 24, 50, and 66 milers. I can do the 66, but I might just do the 50. Who knows.

But today, I have to finish working. I have about 3 or 4 hours left. Then it's off to lift. I'll post my time Saturday after my race.

Never down and out

Today, I'm a domino

Been a while. Been busy.

Recently, I've been trying to hit the gym a little bit harder. I'm not wanting to be a meat-head or anything, but because of a few recent transactions, we've been lifting more.

Dan and Ashlea finally got engaged, so because of that, we're all wanting to look good in our wedding party clothes. Should be fun. I do have to admit that I'm enjoying the sado-masochist idea of beating myself up to make myself stronger.

But this week I've got to go hard because I've got a 5K in a week and a half. So next week is taper week.

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This past weekend, Meg and I helped with Wynndale Baptist Church's Discipleship Now. We had a good time. The format has a changed a bit since when we all were in high school. It was more conference/seminar style. Instead of it being a "retreat" it was more like a conference. The speaker was great: John Vermilya.

He not only was a good speaker who spoke a lot of truth, he had one quality I think most "cool" kids who grow up lose. He was still cool. I'm realizing I'm losing my "cool" (well, whatever cool I once had).

But the weekend was great. I learned to be a domino. In a "domino effect" I only need to be one domino. It takes millions of dominoes to make those cool displays. I only need to worry about being one. That takes the overwhelming task of saving the world and makes it null and void. I just have to be who God wants me to be, daily.

Instead of making me feel like it's impossible and quitting, I get to take care of today. In my group, we said we wanted to be fat oak trees. Takes some time. Be a fat tree. Be a domino.

Board meeting

I read about this company whose two big wigs are going at each other's throats.

Here's what's up. There's this one big wig who has recently just emerged from a bit of a rough patch (involving Congress and the IRS). And I mean, he's just on this side of the fence from all the rough water. During that time, he had several employees rally behind his character. This was nice because most of the morale was low during the time of his ordeal.

Now, there's this second big wig that is going through a similar rough patch, but he's not getting the rally cry this other executive got. Sure, he's not too popular because of some of the decisions he's made during this economic crisis.

But here's the dilemma. The former executive is trying to cause a split between the corporate board. It just seems to me like it's a double standard. When he was in a fix, he was all about getting some outside help. But now that he's fine sailing, and the other guy is in a fix, it seems like the first guy has forgotten all about his former state, and is capitalizing on the situation.

If I were on this board, this would agitate me. I'm no fan of double standards. And seeing as how this could hurt more than their CEO status (like killing the lives of thousands of employees), it just seems that the hoopla is blinding them to the fact that they're adults and not a reality show.

Gannett (the company that owns The Clarion Ledger) isn't the holiest of companies, but I'm at least glad that the negative things we're dealing with also doesn't involve two squabbling members of the board.

Training up to date

I've done a pretty good job this week of sticking to my schedule. Running season starts in a few weeks, and I want to be good and ready.

Last year, right around this time, I was a bit spent on running and training. Maybe it was the chilly, sticky wet Mississippi winter. I guess no one can really call it winter, seeing how it barely reaches freezing, but we have to label it something.

Monday, I missed spinning class due to work. I had to stay later than usual, but I did get some runs in. Tuesday I did 20 minutes and lifted. Wednesday I did 3 miles and lifted, and Thursday I hit up spin class. Today, I'm hoping to get something in.

I can't decide on whether to go to the HealthPlex or to run around here. It's about 45 degrees outside, so I'm sure I'll be going to HP. However, yesterday, I did find something pretty cool.

I think I've found a trail behind my neighborhood that I can ride my mountain bike down. Butts Park is just down the street, and I went and rode those trails this past Sunday.

Who knows? I guess I'll act on something or another. But first, I am going to get some breakfast.

Workin' in a coal mine?

I've been spending more time looking around the Internet at possible job openings than I have actually working. I know, it's not a good idea to do that, but what can I say? I'm weak.

I've been looking at what I have to consider my favorite magazine, Relevant Magazine. I'd love to work there. It has all the things I could want: It's in Florida (Orlando), it's a Christian based magazine, it's involved with great music and festivals, and the people there are laid back and use their talents.

Too bad there isn't anything like that around Jackson. Maybe that's why it's so unique, because it actually is unique - only one like it.

I hate having to be patient when I really could care less about being patient. In the words of Queen: I want it all. I want it all. And I want it now.

Too bad I know life just doesn't work that way.

I'll keep looking, praying and fighting the machine (just thought I'd throw in a bit of militant idealism in there).

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I sometimes worry if I'm being horribly selfish. I have a job. The job market out there is crap. And yet, I want another one. Some people have actually had their job snatched from them. I even know some of these people personally. The unemployment rate is way too high right now, and I'm wanting another job.

I've thought about this for a while. Maybe it's the youngin' in me that just doesn't want to settle down. Heck, I got married, bought a house, got a dog. Now I'm expected to just sit and fell complacent? Nay!

Who knows?