Remembering Uncle Larry

I've been meaning to write this for quite a while but obviously never did.  I figured today being the anniversary of his passing to the afterlife would give me reason to put my thoughts to paper.  I want to share a few stories of the memories I have of my uncle.

Because my favoritest Godmother was married to Larry, I was able to get a summer job with Larry when I graduated from high school in 1991 working for his business Brink Construction.

I learned so much from him about work ethic and putting in an honest days work.  I feel that today I am where I am in my career becuase of a little conversation we had one evening when I left early before our work was done.  One of his other hands was leaving and I mentioned I wanted to go as well.  Well Larry told me I could leave if I asked the guy for a ride.  Now, that was not permission to leave and I found out that evening when he got home.  As far as I know that the only time Larry was upset with me during the summer.  After he had cooled down, he informed me that the hand and I  were making the same wage and the gentleman was 15-20 years older than me.  This left a lasting impression on me as I have always been one of the last out of the office and sought to help my superiors in any way possible.  Forever grateful to Larry for this lesson in life.

Of course, that summer was not always about work, he introduced me to golf.  I purchased my first set of clubs in Watertown that summer.  We bought them used from a gentlemen selling on them on the trading post on KSDR 1480.  I have never mastered the game, but use it to spend time with my dad, brother, and cousins.  Larry, Cindy, and Ashlie came to visit in October.  Larry, my dad, Ashlie and I played a round while they were down.  I, of course, won! Highest score wins right?  Oh well, someone has to bring up the rear.  We all won that day though for the time we were able to spend together.

 

 

We took a road trip to Blue Cloud Abbey for TEC Retreat Reunion.  On the drive Larry introduced me to license plate cribbage.  I will never look at another license plate the same.  It does not work well out of South Dakota, but whenever I see a SD license plate I am counting the cribbage points and thinking of Larry.

 

Pair for 2

Fifteen for 2

Fifteen for 2

Double Run of 3 for 6

  

Let Perpetual Light Shine upon him, may he rest in peace

 

 

Maiden Voyage

I bought a new pair of Asics GT-2150 over the weekend and finally got around to putting them to use. I can not remember the last time I went for a jog. That is not good. Also helps explain the predicament of the 280 pounds I am now carrying. Anyway the plan was to run two miles, two easy miles. I could do that, right? Well not quite. If I had been a smart boy I would have run with Wichita Falls Runner's Club on a flat course, instead of the "rolling course" in Windthorst.

If I had been in any kind of shape it's not the bad, but when your shape is round well any little incline about kills you!!! Needless to say the first little incline I hit was about 3 minutes into my run, so I tell myself let's run four minutes then walk a minute then run four more. So I get my one minute walk break in and start to trot once again. My heart rate had not slowed down from the mole hill I just came up and am meet with another slight slant, probably an incline of 3 or 4 on a treadmill, maybe even a 2. Shouldn't be anything major but when you are carrying a lot of extra weight and you have not been very physically active in a long time well it sucks. So needless to say with my heart feeling like it was going to beat out of my chest, I decided to walk after maybe a minute and a half of running. I was maybe six tenths of a mile into my jaunt when I decided to walk to my mile turn around point that way I did not have to run the few inclines that lead up to the turn around point!!! Actually I was just trying to get my heart rate back down. So I arrive at the mile turn around and my Garmin 305 shows a time of 11:54.

I then made a decision to run two minutes and walk two minutes. So I started trotting again as it was downhill so I figured I better take advantage while I could. Thank goodness that two minutes is up as I am now on another slant. And we are walking.....Crap two minute rest period is up, oh no we are on a slant. Ok just make it to the next utility pole, see that wasn't so bad, 30 more seconds keep going. You are not going to die. Good job another two minutes down and we are walking downhill. The remaining three tenths of a mile back to the car is uphill. My heart is pounding in my chest, it's hard work dragging all my dead weight up the hill. I make it a minute and half before caving in and decide to walk. So I take a breather of probably another minute and a half when I look at my watch and think to myself if I run the rest of the way in I can make it in under 12 minutes. I don't know why under 12 minutes was important to me. So I sprint, yeah right, to my car where Garmin beeps mile two with 11:42 for a total time of 23:36.

So what have I been up to...

Nada. Zip. Zilch. Following the HHH last year, I more or less shut down for the winter, spring, and summer. In the process all that weight I loss well it's right back around my midsection. Instead of tipping the scales at between 230-240, I know run 250-260. Not good!!! What happened you may ask. Work, my boss more or less disappeared from the picture and IU had to pick up some of his slack. So instead of working 45 hours a week I was working 50+.

Well in February he turned in his notice, so for about two months I played Controller. My stress levels went through the roof. During this time I was also appointed the race director for WF Runner's Club Dam Run 5K. In my opinion I did a piss poor job of it but I think we broke even or maybe even made a wee bit of money. The money we are suppose to make we then donate back to the city for improvement of the trail system.

My company is in the process of changing ERP systems and since the previous controller was our designated Superuser and the new VP of finance had other concerns I took on that role. It was about two months before HHH and I had to be in Cleveland for two weeks. The Italian guy that I rode with pleaded with me to ride this year and I was like no how no way was that going to happen with me riding maybe 20 miles a week... both guys rode sub 5 hours this year racing in the Cat 3/4 race. No way was I going to be able to keep up with them.

I have attempted to get back into running, but that has been a pitiful attempt as well. I am lucky to get in two runs a week and normally not anything long nor very hard, 8:50-9:30 pace is all I am good for these days with my extra tonnage. There is going to be a Trail Half Marathon/Marathon sponsored by the Wichita Falls Streams and Valley. I figured I wouldn't have to drive far and fairly inexpensive $35, plus I would probably volunteer so why not run it if I can get in shape for it.

Last Thursday I made a club run and ran 4.5 miles at 9:30 pace so that is a start. After the run a group was talking about running Saturday morning. I knew they were running 12 miles and I have not built up to run that. Yes, I know that is a big no, no, but you have to start somewhere right?!!!

So I show up a little late they are just getting ready to leave. I am in a pair of insulated wind pants that I need to get off so they leave me to get out of my clothes. Oh yeah it was about 35-40 degrees, everyone else was in running tights and bundled up. I had on shorts and a wicking shirts and my Half windbreaker. Well needless to say I caught the group and settled in at their pace. We were cruising along at just under 10:40 pace when we came across a McDonald's probably about 2.5 miles in. I thought I probably ought to stop and take care of some stomach problems, but I of course didn't want to lose the group since I didn't know the route. Well I heard we were stopping at gas station about 1.5 down the road. My stomach starting acting up so I took left the group to give me time to take care of my issues. I stopped at the first place that had a public restroom and since that wasn't where the group stopped they didn't know if I had taken off without them so they left me.

Well I caught back up around mile 6 and cruised back home with another runner. In our their was a guy running at 9:30ish pace, then the woman I was running with at 10:30 pace, and another back even slower. So we got separated from the fast guy who knew route and the slower pack that knew the route so we made up our own route and ran 12 miles according to my Garmin. Total run time was 2:01.08

Surprisingly my body held up well. My achilles tendons were a little sore and my calves felt like they had rocks in them until Tuesday. Ran 2 miles last night at 9:30 pace was hoping to do 5 but stomach issues again. I guess I need to get on a bread and water diet so my stomach doesn't get upset!!!

12 mile run splits
Mile 1 10:32.59
Mile 2 10:39.23
Mile 3 10:22.52
Mile 4 9:17.14
Mile 5 9:32.31
Mile 6 9:25.12
Mile 7 10:35.39
Mile 7.91 9:07.91 (10:01 pace per the Garmin)
Mile 8.91 10:11.46
Mile 9.91 10:17.07
Mile 10.62 7:21.31 (10:20 pace)
Mile 11.62 10:04.15
Mile 12 3:37.25 (9:32 pace)

Don't know what happened at 7.91 and 10.62 if I hit lap instead of stop when trying to figure out where we were suppose to be going to get in 12 miles!!

Hotter N Hell 100

Had no plan - I showed up at the start line and happened to spot two co-workers who were riding together, so I joined them not knowing if I could keep up as they had ridden sub five hour in the event previously.

I had ridden most of the course during training so I was looking forward to the rollers around mile 13 to test myself. Well the first hill I always seem to struggle on and it was no different - but at the same time when there is no where to go since you are surrounded by people that makes a difference too. Roll through rest stop area two trying to avoid people slowing down to stop, head North towards Electra. Still feeling great as we roll through some more hills. Blow through Electra and rest stop 3. Must say it was awesome to see the road leading to the rest stop lined with American flag. One of the co-workers I was riding with was from Italy, so every time we passed someone on an Italian bike or wearing an Italian jersey he would get all excited and talk to them in Italian.

Every so often the guys I was riding with would check behind to make sure I was still hanging on. Shortly after we Electra the Swiss guy said to slow down but I was like I'm okay keep going - in hindsight I think he might have been talking for himself. We were rolling along at 24-25 mph. Rest Stop 4 is just ahead at mile 42. This was my first planned stop as I am the chairperson for the stop. We roll in and I check to make sure everything is going ok, not like I could have done anything if it wasn't!!! We roll out and next thing you know we are at rest stop 5. The Italian guy asks if I need to stop, I tell him I am fine and check with the other guy. Well they decide they need to stop - WTF?!!! I had eaten a portion of a detour bar as we had ridden along. Decided to eat an orange and a portion of a banana. We finally make it out of there. Legs feeling fine.

Again the next 10 miles going blazing by, then we turn onto the I-44 access road and hit our first head wind. Still feeling good, so I put my head down and am pulling about 19 miles into the wind. Well I hear the Italian guy telling me we are losing the Swiss guy, so I back off. We get back together and as we are rolling through the 60 mile rest stop, the Swiss guy tells us to go ahead that he has lead in his legs. The Italian guy convinces to stay with us that maybe once we get out of the headwind he will feel alright, so he decides to give it a go. Made Hell's Gate around 9:40. Our pace at this point had been 20.5 mph for race time, didn't think to check the ride pace. We are still making pretty good time in my estimation, but we realize the Swiss guy had fallen back so we we waited for him to catch back up. He finally convinced the Italian guy that he would be alright. We take back off. We caught a guy from my group rides about mile 68. He asks if he can jump, be my guest. It was slightly downhill and I pulling 23-24 mph. Flew through rest stop 7 at mile 69. Don't recall the group ride guy still being with us. I start to slow down a little so the Italian gets back on the front and starts to pull me to the end. We stop at mile 78. Since it had been an hour since I had eaten anything I eat a few oranges and bananas, fill the water bottles, walk back over to the bikes, he has to use the bathroom. I tell him my parents are waiting at the next intersection maybe 1000 meters and I would wait for him there. Visit with my parents tell them I am still feeling pretty good at least I thought I was.

He rides up we take off and wham we hit that headwind. I try to tuck behind him but am stuggling. I start experiencing stomach cramps and feel kind of nauseated. I think I had drank 6 bottles of water and 4 bottles of powerade/gatorade to this point. He's pulling people along but his committment to me he pulls out to stay with me. Every little hill (bump) in the road I struggle to pull 14-16 mph. We finally reach the rest stop at 92 miles. I use the restroom for the first time - fill two of the three water bottles with Powerade cause that seems to perk me up. Decide it might be a good time to take my first Honey Stinger Gold Gel. Boy did that pick me. So were cruising along about 8 miles to go and I find myself struggling up a hill again and another rider sees me struggling. He tells me I can do it just hang in there so I grab his wheel as he grabs the Italians wheel and we wisk along. I about died coming over the final overpass. Italian guy tells me we have about 2 minutes to make it under 5 hours ride time. Well we didn't make it but then again it was 102 miles and not 100 so I was happy with that!! My bike computer also showed a 20 mile average! I completed my first 100 mile ride in 5:28:49 according to my chip time. My ultimate goal was sub 5, but realistically I figured my finishing time would be between 5:15 and 5:30, 18-19 avg including the rest stops. Averaged out at 18.6

Vernon Burnin'

My first ever bike rally/race. One last long ride before the Hotter N Hell Hundred. It was a rainy, wet day. The leader took off immediately, about five miles later two others bridged to the front. There were two others in front me and a string of riders behind me as we headed into a headwind. I was able to bring the two others in front of me back as well the group behind me.

We settled in to work together pulling about 18-19 mph into the wind. Pfffttttttttt, crap flat just a little more than 13 miles in. In my haste to change the tire I loosen the nut too much and off it came, then the spring danced away. Must find all my parts!!! Can't fit my tire tool into the wheel, tire still had too much air. Let it out dummy!!! So I let the air out, removed the tire from the wheel, pulled the tube out, couldn't get the new tube in - losing time, this sucks!! Sag wagon comes along to see if I want to give up, um we just started. Soon all the riders start passing me - this royally sucks. Tire fixed - now how do all these parts go back together. Put the tire back on the bike - why won't it fit in the frame? A gentleman on a recumbent comes by asks if I need assistance - asked if he knows how to fix a wheel once all the parts come off. Can't get the tire back off the bike. Sag wagon guy - sure you're not ready to call it a day. Finally get the tire unstuck from the frame. This spring goes on the other side of the frame. Back up and rolling. Try to pull along the guys that stopped to help, but I go too fast for them and drop them.

I start reeling in the riders - I know there is no hope to catch the racers, so I am on a 50 mile time trial. WTF - why isn't my computer working? Oh well it is what it is. So I continue on the way reeling in people dropping them like they are standing still - life is good. Stop for a quick drink at the mile 38 rest stop as that is where I plan to refill for the Hotter N Hell Hundred. Was told not not too many in front of me. About 12 miles down the road another damn flat - this time I have no spare tube, just a patch kit. I don't know how to use a spare kit. So I find the hole, place the glue on the hole, stick the patch on the hole, pull the patch right back off. Crap, try again, have luck. I noticed someone flatted about a 1/4 mile behind me so I walk to them to see if perhaps they knew how to use a patch kit. Lo behold got the tire plugged - walked back to bike, put the tube back on the tire, start airing it up and hear water shooting out of the tire, think I had punctured the tire since I had once again forgotten to clear the tire. Pull glass out of tire. Deflate tube, take tube off wheel. Pump up tire - didn't see new puncture, put tire back on wheel. Pump up tire to about 90 PSI since I didn't have any more C02, and hope that gets me back to the car - during the course of time people that I had passed an hour ago were now riding by!!! Oh well such is life!!! I got back to the start area about 30 minutes later. It felt like a good ride but I truly don't know!! Finished around 4 hours - ride put on by a small town's Jaycees. I think I am ready for the HHH. Tick tock we shall see.

Heading to the LBS to buy some new tires as I flatted twice last week as well. Since April I have put around 1,300 miles on them.

Sheppard AFB Half Marathon Report

Conditions: low 60s, drizzly, overcast morning. Perfect conditions for a PR!!!

The course was pretty flat, no major hills to climb that take your legs away. It was a two loop course. There were no mileage points on the course. They were two water stations, I guess spread out about 2 miles apart.

I only ran 5 miles the week before and had put in 9 miles previous to Saturday this week so I didn't know what to expect although my Tuesday run of 5 miles was run at a 7:46 pace.

I remembered to double knot my shoes!!! A friend from my running club got me on base and told me he was going to run with me - I told him I was concerned that I would hold him back. Anyway the race starts and he takes off and I let him go since I made the mistake at my first half marathon of trying to run with someone faster than me.

About a mile and half into the run my bladder is crying to be relieved, well what do you know there were no facilities on the course except at the start/finish area!! I reach the first aid station in about 17 minutes, but declined any fluid as I am feeling prenty good. The weather is cool and the drizzle keeps me from heating up. Which is a good thing cause I wilt in the heat and humidity. The second aid rolls around 16 minutes later and I decide to drink some Gatorade. Well it was like syrup!! I took about two sips and dropped the rest. It was pretty sweet. About six minutes later I am really laboring - my body is saying slow down I can't take this pace!! I figure I have about 12-15 minutes back to start area and tell myself that you can hang on for that long and then you can take a break since I was going to have to stop to empty the bladder. I get back to the S/F area in 12 minutes - first half of the race in 52:46.

I run into the bathroom to take care of the bladder. When I exited the facility there was someone singing the the National Anthem and everyone was standing at attention. So I figured it would be in bad taste if I just took off. So I waited it out, it only delayed me a little bit and the delay probably did me good by dropping my heartrate. I was in the S/F area for about 2 minutes and then I started on my second loop.

The legs felt fine but the lungs where hurting - I told myself you can survive between the aid stations. Just keep going and when you get to the aid stations you can walk, drink your water then get your butt in gear!! So that was the plan for the second loop and I guess I did it fairly well as my second loop time was about a little more than a minute slower than the first lap - 53:52.

Total time was 1:48:26 a new personal record!!!

I guess the next goal will be 1:44:35, which would make my splits 7:59.

Me

It was back in '05 that I noticed the scale was tipping close to 280+. So I finally decided to do something about it. I was still active within recreation sports, ie soccer and basketball, but was easily winded.

I decided to join a Wellness Center and try to follow the Abs diet. While I had some success but it wasn't as easy as the book stated. January of 2006 my company decided to have a biggest loser contest I weighed in at 260 pounds, by March I was down to 230 but sitting in fourth place as it based on calculation of percentage weight loss.

The guy leading was walking two miles a day, so I figured if he is walking two miles if I start running four miles the pounds will fall off. That didn't work, but I found something I enjoyed doing. The contest ended in June and I finished in fourth. Oh well, I found a healthy lifestyle. I figured I needed something to keep me motivated, so I signed up for a Half Marathon to take place in November.

I found a training plan on Runner's World, that was pretty aggresive. Helped me run a 22:50 5K at the local Susan G Komen that was pretty much on cruise control. But when it came time to run the actual half it was a learning experience to say the least as I hit the wall after mile 7. I more or less walked to the finish line in 2:03, but I learned that you have to fuel the body before you run and though you hydrate the day before it's a good thing to drink before the race too!!!

Well since that training was out of the way I started attending spinning classes at Wellness while still running 20-30 miles a week. I really enjoyed the classes and I longed to buy a true bike and get on the road, however, the wife balked at the cost of an entry level road bike. Well she received an email asking for donations from a friend who signed up for 70.3 mile triathalon through Team in Training. I was so jealous that she had bought a bike. I went looking again hoping that perhaps the prices had miraculously had dropped.

We went to visit her friend, who is stationed in Colorado Springs area, in March. Her friend needed some adjustments done on her bike. The wife went with her friend and eyeballed bikes and found some that were on sale. So the day before we came home we went and checked it out, but lo and behold that didn't have the proper frame size. Since she was so gung ho about buying I went to the local LBS to check their prices. They didn't have last years model so they were $100 more and of course they didn't have my frame size. Well about two weeks later I received a promotion, so we traveled down to Dallas to look for a bike as we saw a bike shop had the 05 Trek 1500 on sale for the price of the new 1000s on the internet. Well they didn't have those anymore, I had just about convinced to come back home and order from the local LBS. I told her where there were no bike shops around, but then she took a look at the list we had from the internet. I had never seen her so determined to buy something, normally she's a wait and see if the price comes down!! So we finally found the bike shop and it was actually $60 cheaper than back home.

So since the last week in March I have had a bike. My running mileage has decreased drastically but my riding mileage, well there was nowhere to go but up!!! I currently run twice a week with the local runner's club and ride on two group rides at the LBS if it's not raining then it's off to the gym for spinning. The weekends use to be my long run days, but now I jump on my bike.