When I Paint My Masterpiece

Sometimes it just takes a just a moment, a little space in the crowding around us, to remember that we create our own lives. Circumstances, excuses, addictions, pleasures, pains & all the ephemera can't define a human being. How we respond to those happenings; how we act on the situations placed before us become the vision we see of ourselves & the projection we feed to the world outside us.

So choose the person you want to be...paint the life you want the world to see as your reflection & be disciplined enough, committed enough to that vision. Watch how quickly you become your own ideal. Do not paint in broad strokes, however, paint in all the details. Layer by layer, the grit, the guts; the grind, the grace, the grandstand. You won't get it right in just one sitting...keep adding to the canvas, redefining who you want to be & you'll become him or her.

You'll become your own masterpiece....or at least have fun trying.

Alright, So Maybe I Am...

...a quitter. When it comes to my own training, life intercedes all to0 frequently as an excuse. The express purpose of this blog was to self-publish a training log to help motivate my lazy ass into being consistent. It has been an unmitigated failure up to this point. I tell every athlete I coach that consistency is the foundation of better performance. If you don't do the work, you can't claim the prize.

I was tempted to just let this little doggie die...but that would just continue the vicious treadmill I have let myself fall off. I am just going to get back on damn it. Maybe when I fall off the next time I can get back on more quickly.

Out the door for a short 20 min spin in Old South Austin. It'll feel good to sweat.

I Ain't No Quitter, Damn It!

At the far end of the Greenbelt, sitting on a bench at the top of the Hill of Life (HOL), I am beat. Only 7.5 miles into a 15 mile run & I am looking for excuses to get a ride back to the start, skipping the final miles of trail. I only mention this to 2 folks, Carrie & Abe. Carrie, who is coaching the Pikes Peak group with me & has brought the water out to the HOL calls me a choice name but quickly adds that she too is a slacker. I agree with her...I saw her moseying down the trail after what could not have been more than a 30 min jaunt with her two dogs, George & Jack. At this point at the top of the hill all I could think of was coffee & the taste of a Trailer Park taco, trashy style. Then I think of Ruth...here is a optimal time to steal extra distance toward our Tussle in Tahoe! This doesn't seem to work as a motivator, either. I know it will after a few months & as we get closer to Bandera & Tahoe, but right now, at the beginning of this journey, I couldn't give a flying rat's ass. Finally, I think of the cool water crossings that will be all but gone in a matter of weeks. August & there is still water in Barton Creek... feel like I have to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Sure, I am out of shape & another hour + will be painful but those glorious dippings at the 3-4 crossings ahead get my tail back down the trail.

Distance: 15 miles
Duration: 2:14:37
Location: Barton Creek Greenbelt - Zilker Access
TOD: 7AM
Week's Total: 3:51:09
Month's Total: ?
Weather: 80 degrees at start; light clouds; high humidity

2nd Run of the Week - Before & After

BEFORE
Pretty pathetic that this will only be my second run this week but as I said last time gotta start somewhere. Prepped with a beer & a coupla waters. Looking forward to getting out into the heat & steaming the pours clean with sweat & sunshine. Is it this blog that kept me accountable today or that I planned to run with Ruth?

AFTER
Gorgeous run...Greenbelt/Gus Fruh Access w/ Ruth/Lupi/Bala. Water at Gus Fruh is flowing clean & cool. Up to the chest on the left of the dam; quad height on the right. Out 360 Access & back. Hot but on the shady trail was great temp.

When I run everything seems right with the world.

Distance: Who Cares?
Duration: 30:01
Location: Gus Fruh Park
TOD: 6PM
Week's Total: 1:36:32
Month's Total: ?
Weather: 93 degrees; clear as a bell & gorgeously green

You've Gotta Start Somewhere

Well it's time to shit or get off the pot. Ruth & I have challenged each other to race a 100 mile race in Tahoe in July, 2008. I have not been training consistently for many years now but the immensity of the endeavor & the rudderless feeling I've had all summer have now forced me into action.
Don't get too excited, though. I am starting pretty far back of fit & I am notorious for starting training but rarely have I followed though in the last 10 years since I stopped racing competitively.
Why?
Well maybe training for this event will allow me the time to think about this more critically & help to give my training a little direction.
So it started last night with a little over an hour run with my Pikes Peak group. We ran out at St. Edward's Park & scooted into Forest Ridge for a single loop & back.
Again, you've gota start somewhere.

Distance: Who Cares?
Duration: 1:06:31
Location: St. Edward's Park
Week's Total: 1:06:31
Month's Total: 1:06:31
Weather: 93 degrees but clear as a bell & gorgeously green