okay . . . . everyone has said their peace. Enough of that. Past is past. This is now. I didn't mean to bum people out with my last post and it appears that is what has happened.

Did you know that I RAN Thursday morning before driving to Tupelo? Yep . . . this is ABOUT ME and RUNNING. Did you know that despite being fed WAY TOO MUCH FOOD by Helen, I am going to run on Saturday? I may be puking my guts out but I'll run just the same.

Reminder for self and others . . .
I have more opportunites now than ever before. I am going to retire rich (rich is a relative term) and enjoy myself. Life is not over . . . I'm just simply in another chapter.

I am not diminishing the memories. Just know that there are lots more to create.

I love you all.

I am continuing to do my four days a week and lifting twice a week.

Sometimes I find myself motivated beyond description and other times I couldn't care less. I'm sure that work and personal life has lots to do with it. Plus the fact that it is that time of year . . . those of you who "know" me know what I am speaking about. I am just ready for the year to be over and to get on with next year. There is nothing I can do except to keep my chin up and head through it . . . there is no dodging it.

I am going to Tupelo to visit Helen (Mona's mom) for the next couple of days. There are some heirloom type of items that I need to give her. Things that belong in the family and not with me. This is my decision and not Helen's. She's told me to keep things but it just isn't right. Paintings by Mona's grandmother, antiques from her grandmothers home . . . those things should stay in the family and go to Mona's brothers. I guess after two years I am starting to realize that I need to let go. I am saddened by it but as a friend of mine says . . . "thems the breaks".

I plan on running Thursday and Saturday while in Tupelo.

Be sure to keep me in your prayers over the next week.

losing

No, not losing a race . . . that always happens because technically unless you cross the line first, you lose. Second place IS the first place loser.

No, not losing my car keys. Though I do that from time to time, I found it much easier just to have four cars in case I do lose my keys.

No, not losing my mind. Hmmmmm, well maybe just a little bit.

I am talking about losing weight. Not vast amounts . . . yet. But enough to get excited about it. This time of year is so tough to buckle down and behave . . . I figure if I can just hold my own over the next couple of weeks, I'll be okay.

I'm still running 4 days a week and varying between 3 milers and 6 milers. No big mileage but consistency is the goal. I'm also still lifting 2 days a week and that is starting to pay off as well.

I have not decorated for Christmas. I haven't even thought about it to be honest. I'm not having any parties or guests over . . . what's the point? Chances are that I'm not going to be home during the holidays anyway. If I want Christmas cheer, I'll go next door and look at my neighbor's tree. Are there any other Scrooges out there?

gobble, gobble, gobble

It is Wednesday AFTER Thanksgiving and I am finally coming off my turkey high. Or was it a turkey low? L-Tryptophan and carbs tend to do that. http://chemistry.about.com/od/holidaysseasons/a/tiredturkey.htm Whatever the case, my body has finally recovered and is properly functioning. I spent the day with my parents, my aunt Susan, her daughter LC and s-i-l Bobby. I love my family. They put the "FUN" in dysfunctional. I am so grateful for all the support they have provided and continue to provide.

I'm continuing to run and lift, though I did miss a few days during my turkey high, I have managed to get back out there and pound out a few miles since last Thursday.

Susan and her girls went to Manhatten for Thanksgiving and I am sure that she'll eventually post their experience of eating street vendor hotdogs for Thanksgiving dinner.

Note that Susan is running to raise money for the Bell Center. I have done this in past for the Mercedes Marathon here in town. The Bell Center is a worthwhile cause for children with developmental delay, Downes, and other challenges. I've decided to make my donation directly to Bell Center and defer any donations that you would have been kind enough to give me to Susan. You can go to her blog and find the link to make a donation. Also, you can go directly to http://firstgiving.com/susancorcoran to make a donation. I am also putting a link to the fund raising page in my margin area. If you live in the area, this is a great cause. I'd suggest you go to Homewood and go to the school and ask the staff to show you around. Amazing.

Have a great day!

200th post- Am I growing up?

Interesting . . . my 200th post. I thought it would be a milestone but to be truthful, it's just another day on the calendar. One more spin of the third rock from the sun.

It has been several weeks since my last post and I am almost AR enough to let it bother me.

I've been running at least four days a week and Phil has pointed out that I need to get out of the habit of running the same mileage everyday. I knew that but have taken it to heart. It's okay to run a short, quickie 3 miler. It's okay to run a slow 6 miler. It's okay to listen to my body and to adjust as needed. I've seen my friends in the 'hood as they have almost completed their preparation for the Rocket City Marathon. They are fast and slim and I'm sure they will be setting PRs. I realize that is where I once was, and that is where I will be again.

I've been regaining some strength, stamina, and desire over the last month or so. My running has become routine and I am once again finding happiness in the solitude of my footfall. I've been able to clear my head and be introspective and pray during my runs. Not praying to be able to catch my breath but praying for peace and wisdom. Sometimes God actually listens. Basically, it has once again become my refuge and not my torment. I have also started back to lifting light weights twice a week. The downside to being endomorphic is I am constantly fighting the FAT MAN battle. The upside is that if I just look at weights, my shoulders, arms, pecs will grow and firm up nicely.

I have spent the last couple of weeks pouring back over all my posts from the end of 2005 and into 2006 when I was preparing for my last marathon. I am amazed at the stuff I was doing back then. That little trip down memory lane has sort of rejuvinated me. The trip to the past also brought tears and chuckles. That being said, I don't think that I would have or could have done anything any differently. It has also helped me realize that my past is my past and there great things yet to come for me. I have loved and I was loved. I think that I have finally figured out that it will all happen again. It is not something that can be forced or put on a schedule. I'll just wait and see what the next day holds.

Today is nothing special other than a sign that God is merciful and has given us all another chance to improve someone else's life. Go out and find someone to help.

Simplify

Everyone's advice is to "simplify". I fully realize that at times my life is pretty much the beast that I have created and I agree that I have to simplify. I've had my GI and my cardiologist both tell me this past month that my body is not adapting well to stress. DUH. I wouldn't say that it is out of control but I've been letting too many outside things influence me. Working on changing that. Tougher to do than running. Speaking of which-

I've been running since my last post. averaging about 4 miles a day at least 4 days a week. I'm still not having fun doing it . . . can't figure out why my inner man is fighting with what usually brings me comfort and security. I'll just keep plowing through and I'm sure I'll have that break through eventually. The weather here is finally fabulous . . . afternoons in the highs 60s and low 70s with evening getting down into the 40s. Typical of Alabama . . . it's 90 degrees one, a front blows through and the temp is 60. We don't get our fair share of spring and fall. I'd prefer a more temperate climate . . . maybe I'll find somewhere to go that better supports my pursuit of outdoor activity.

I went to my neighbor's house for a cookout last night. Last week, my dear friends and neighbors, Todd and Kathy, announced that they are leaving us . . . moving to Atlanta for Todd's work. Big bummer. We decided to get together along with my other friends and neighbors, Jim and Karen, who were celebrating their anniversary. When I got over there, Karen and Kathy were attempting to untangle this horrible mess of yarn (they both knit) at the island in the kitchen. Apparently, the normally nice and neat skein (sp?) was not so nice and neat and Karen refused to take the loss on $40 worth of yarn. Personally, I'd chunk it and have a do-over but you know how women are. Anyway, after a couple of hours of messing with the yarn and slowly getting it untangled and balled up, they were victorious just as I was bringing the steaks in from the deck. We all sat at the table and had a great time laughing and cutting up. My dog Kelsey always goes to visit with Todd and Kathy and she was under the table begging for food. After a while she got quiet and then she started growling and tumbling around. We all figured she gave up begging and found a toy to play with. Well, that is sort of what happened. Somehow, she managed to get the ball of expensive yarn and had commenced to undue all the work that Karen and Kathy had accomplished earlier in the evening. Fortunately for Kelsey's health and Karen's sanity, it was only unrolled and not tangled. No blood, no foul.

I've been debating on keeping this blog going. I've also been thinking about a total revamp and renaming. My neighbor Jim said something that struck me as funny and deep on many levels and I asked him if I could use it. While he was playing with the fire in the chiminea, he so very obviously burned himself. His qoute was simple . . . "I'm a man, I'll cry later" struck a chord in me. I'll let you know if and when I decide to start my new blog under my neighbor Jim's mindset.

just the facts, ma'am

Today is Tuesday. wow. Notice the lack of capitalization. I've been in a bit of a funk for a while and I'm really needing to get over it. Probably because I have not run in several days. The headcold I was complaining about last week hung on through the weekend. Amazing that something that I used to plow right through now takes a toll on me. I'm sure it's more a state of mind than anything else. However, I did have a fever one day. 101 degree to be exact.

On another front . . . . I had an endoscopy done yesterday morning. I had been having some problems similar to my past history (don't ask) so my GI suggested "we" take a look. "We" were not involved with it. My half of "we" was fast asleep thanks to good drugs. Karen, my next door neighbor was kind enough to haul my sorry butt to the hospital at 6:15 yesterday morning after she got in late from a weekend trip to Chicago. Susan offered to take me but she had teacher stuff and meetings to do so I didn't want to take from her time. Karen is an executive so it really doesn't matter what she does (sorry to all you executives out there).

After getting prepped and the Dr and nurse telling my bye, I magically ended up in a wheelchair in a room full of recovering patients. Very surrealistic . . . . I woke up long enough to look around and having this strange dream that I was in the movie Saw 3! Somewhere between my brief conciousness in recovery and my sofa at home, I remember getting in a car and staggering up my sidewalk. I have to trust Karen's word but she told me that I did and said things I don't remember. Don't know if that is a good thing or bad thing. It's just good to know that she is a good enough friend that she won't tell a soul!

I finally started waking up around 5 ish when the phone started ringing. I had several friends call to check on me and Karen and her husband Jim brought dinner over. Very much appreciated . . . THANKS! After eating and dozing through the first half of Monday night football, I crawled in bed and slept straight through until the alarm went off. Lots of good, drug enduced sleep. Just what the Dr ordered. According to Karen, the Dr said everything was fine and that I need to relax. Most of my problems are probably stress induced. Imagine that.

I didn't run tonight simply because I didn't feel like and I was pushed for time. Susan had some volunteer work to do for the "rich ladies of unnamed community" so I agreed to keep the girls. Another effort to hone my pseudo parenting skills. That's a whole new subject all by itself . . . I'm sure Phil knows where I am coming from. Let's just say that we're working on sorting out our skill sets and trying to figure out where we are going.

My plan is to run an easy one tomorrow and Thursday. Hopefully, Susan and I can run and play tennis on Saturday before we become couch potatoes watching UAT vs UT and AU vs LSU.

I also noted that I approaching my 200 post. Wow, hard to believe that I have bored you all that many times. Maybe I'll do something special . . . maybe not.

Greetings to all. I know it's been awhile since I've blogged . . . does that give you a hint about my ability to commit? ;)

The last several weeks have been so-so. I've been running when I can but have failed to keep my promise to myself of getting my a$$ in gear and getting back onto schedule. I'm still a limp wristed girlie man who is too easily swayed from my "training" schedule. It's not like I have other commitments to live up to . . . I just find it too easy to find reasons to blow off my runs. Somebody PLEASE tell me to toughen up.

I have not run since Monday. Somehow, somewhere, I managed to catch a cold or at least something mimicing a cold. Started off with a sore throat, then headache, then fever. As of this morning, the fever is gone but the congestion has moved into the chest so now I have a nasty cough. My body tends to do this to me. I'd rather have all the symptoms at once and get it over with but fate would prefer to drag it out over time, one symptom at a time. I'm not going to run until this weekend. No sense in challenging my body just yet.

I am chomping at the bit to get out there . . . the weather has broken (again) and we are finally getting some more seasonal weather. The last couple of weeks we were still hitting high 80s and low 90s. More like September weather than October weather. I love this time of year . . . there is no better smell than that of leaves burning and fresh mown grass . . . I LOVE that smell. I also love that slight chill in the air as the sun goes down and the breeze picks up. I am so looking forward to the next couple of months!

Last Saturday, Susan and I ventured into new territory. We played tennis. Actually, we just volleyed some ground strokes just to get the feel of it. We ran a couple of miles and then walked to the tennis courts near her house. I used to play, ages ago. She played a little bit, ages ago. Surprisingly, we did not kill anybody else on the adjacent court nor did we injure ourselves . . . AMAZING! Since it was in the low 90s, we only hit and chased balls for about 45 minutes. I think we're going to start working this into a weekend routine as the weather cools.

couldn't think of anything funny or smart to title my blog today so I just left it blank.

I didn't run Tuesday. My legs were a little weary after running on Sat, Sun, Mon. Since I am not really training for anything in the near future I figured I'd take the day off.

I ran this afternoon. Only 4 miles but at least it's something. I ran a couple of miles with my neighbor Dom who is training for Rocket City Marathon in December. Lucky for me he was doing a recovery run and moving slow enough that we could run together. Afterwards, I did some yardwork. A very nice relaxing evening. Susan invited me over for dinner but it was after 6 when I finished running and figured by the time I got showered and drove across town, it would be bedtime for the girls, so I decided to stay home.

I'm back

Wow . . . . Sept 4th was my last blog. Today is Sept 24. Boy, am I ever red-faced over that!

I have been running during my MIA for the last three weeks. I have been trying to keep the mileage in the high teens and under 20. I had a week near 20 several weeks ago and my hips and knees hurt for a week so I decided to tune it down by a couple of miles. I know you'd think that a couple of miles would not make a difference but it does. This is just the painful exercise of "building base". The last three weeks have been a blur and I really don't recall all my runs or anything specific about them to brag on.

This past weekend, Susan and I ran on Saturday and Sunday. She picked the route on Saturday. It was a very hilly run in the neighborhood of 4 1/2 miles, give or take. I don't think that there was ever more than a 1/4 mile stretch where we running on flat land and though I didn't admit it to her, my legs took a pretty good pounding on the downhills. Running uphill is tough but not that bad on my legs. It's the downhill that kills me. I try all the tricks that I know to minimize the pounding . . . . keeping the knees bent and run in sort of a squatted position (this makes me look funnier than I already look), running with my body perpendicular to the slope (this forces me to pick up speed and will eventually lead to me achieving terminal velocity), tacking (zig zag) to reduce the angle of the hill (this leads to running hundreds of extra miles). Regardless of method, I still take a beating. Anyway, we survived the run and she took me out for an early Birthday dinner (Oct. 1) to a very nice restaurant.

Sunday after church, we did a recovery run of 3 miles in the light drizzle. I enjoyed running in the mist and cooler weather. It was a good run to make the legs recover from the hills on the previous day.

I am planning on running this afternoon. I'll let you know how it goes.

How was your weekend?

Labor Day. The last day off of work until Turkey Day and Christmas holidays. Unless you're a government worker which means you probably get Columbus Day, Veterans Day, and whatever other holiday is on my calendar. I'm surprised the government does not take off for Ramadan. Enough spouting about that. Sorry to all my blogger buddies who happen to be employed by the US government.j

Mine was sort of so-so. Susan and the girls were in Atlanta and I stayed home to tend to chores. I was a bad boy and did not get a run in over the three day weekend except for my Saturday morning run. I did work most of the day in the yard on Saturday and I also did yard work after church on Sunday. I got on the bank behind my my house to do some clearing. A couple of trees had gotten so big that they were shading my roses and that just won't do. So I climbed down the 12-12 slope with my chainsaw to cut trees. I was victorious over the viscous trees that were hurting my roses. However, I did do a back flip down the hill. Fortunately, I had enough presence of mind to throw the running chainsaw away from me. I'm just glad my neighbors were out of town, otherwise I'd be hearing the story the next couple of years. Monday, Susan, the girls, and I went to my dad's house for his birthday. What do you get a man who has every tool ever known to mankind? Wine, top shelf cigars, cheese, olives, crackers. I just hope that when I'm that age, someone will contribute to my delinquency! After getting back to Birmingham, we went to one of Susan's friends for a light dinner and to let the kids play in the pool. Overall, it was a nice, relaxed weekend.

Oh yeah . . . . this is supposed to be about running. I did run this afternoon. I finally bumped it up from my routine 4 miles and actually did a 5 miler. Still no watch. Just building base. I felt pretty good about it. I think that I sped up each mile or at least the perceived effort was increasing every mile. I think the weather is about to break back to normal. The temperature was in the low 90s instead of the low 100s. It's amazing what 10 degrees difference makes. I cannot wait until the 50s and 60s roll around in December.

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday. I'm planning on another 5 miler!

Long weekend

It is Saturday night and I'm sitting here watching my Auburn Tigers stink it up agains K State. Not taking anything away from K State but everyone expected a little bit more than what we're seeing. It's half time and I wouldn't be surprised to see my Tigers get beat. For some strange reason, they never start good out of the blocks.

At least the good thing is that I'm watching it by myself and if I let a blue word slip, it's okay. Susan and the girls are in Atlanta this weekend. MAC is playing in a soccer tournament . . . the Atlanta cup. With the age groups and the boys and girls, there are over 400 teams playing. They won their first two games today and one to play in the morning. If they win in the morning, they make it into final rounds and play on Monday. I had planned on going but decided to stay home. We figured it would be a mad house with all the little girls and soccer parents running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off.

It was a good week this week as far as running goes. I ran Sunday and Monday. I also ran 4 miles on Wed. I was going to run 4 on Thurs but lightning chased me in after 2 1/2 miles. I ran 4 miles this morning.

Total week is 18.5 miles. I know it's not much but more than I have been doing. My hips and knees are feelig it a little bit so I'll probably do the same mileage over the next couple weeks and let my body adjust. As much as Susan wants to run a marathon on New Years Day, I don't think that she can get ready in time and I'm trying to convince her of that. With the soccer schedule eating up her Saturdays over the next 8 weekends, she will not be able to do due diligence.

I might play golf tomorrow after church and then get a run in tomorrow evening. Not sure yet, but I might either go to my parents or invite them to dinner or Monday since it is my dad's birthday.

Hope everyone has a nice holiday weekend.

More life changes . . .

I know that the title will get my parents all cranked up so I just did it for fun!!!

I ran four miles yesterday afternoon and four today. We've finally been getting a little rain and pop-up thunderstorms. This helps to cool the temps into the 80s but the humidity is very high. A real test for the deodorant!

Today was a very good. So strange. Yesterday I struggled from the very first step and couldn't wait to finish. Today I was scared to get back out there but after a few hundred yards, I caught a rhythm and finished wanting more . . . a good sign on the road back to becoming a runner.

Today was day 1 of week 3 of my new job and things are starting to come together. I'm still coping with going from big fish little pond to little fish big pond syndrome but I've been told that I will move up quickly . . . they just want to get my feet wet with the different technology.

Okay, for the life change-

I am selling my toy.

















This is my 2000 MX-5 LS. Great little car. Fun to drive but not good for long trips. One set of golf clubs and a toothbrush is about all it can carry. I love this little beauty but I have decided to move up in the world. I am going to get a 99 Mustang GT convertible. Red with white top. Very neat car and lots more go-go and lots more room. If you know anyone looking for a well kept sweet ride for autumn, tell them to give me a buzz!

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that Dom & Debi didn't like the orange-brown background and let me hear about it this past weekend. Thus, another color change.

not much to talk about

When have you ever known me to have something to say. Not often.

I am taking Friday off to complete pricing and putting together stuff for the neighborhood yard sale. I went over to Susan's and we ran 3 miles together and E rode her bike. MAC had soccer practice and so it goes.

I am happy to say that I think that I am starting to get back in the groove a little bit. I have run Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and I will probably do four miles tomorrow and something on Sunday. I can tell that I am starting to feel better running and my recoveries aren't nearly as bad. Heck, I may actually start liking running again.

I have added two new links on the right hand side. Javamom who is a "friend" of Phils. She's got a good blog going and is getting ready for a triathlon. I have also added a B'ham local, Christy (and her husband Miles). Please welcome them onboard and be sure to check out their blogs and encourage them in their endeavors. Heaven knows we all need encouragement time to time.

too stinking hot

Just a quick update. IT IS HOT IN ALABAMA. I know it's not like AZ but yesterday was the 13th day in August where we've gone over 100. A new record and it appears that we're going to have another week's worth of the same. Very tough to run in.

Having completed my whining . . . . I ran 4 miles yesterday afternoon after work. I waited for it to cool off to 99 degrees. I cannot believe that I'm running in this kind of heat but I just don't like running in the morning. I can't get cooled off and I sit in the office and sweat all morning. I guess I haven't had a heat stroke yet so I guess I can keep it up for another few weeks.

Amy "introduced" me to another blogger that lives here in B'ham. Hello to Christy and her hubby Miles. Christy is a marathon veteran and Miles is a cyclist. I'll be putting up a link to her blog over the next day or two. Welcome aboard!

Two days in a row

Two days in a row of blogging. Wow. Either my life is getting exciting or it is getting boring.

On the running front . . . . I did a 4 miler yesterday after work. Worked a little late so it had actually cooled off to 96 degrees by the time I had started. The shadows were getting long and there was a very slight breeze. Just enough to make it almost enjoyable.

After running, I spent some time in the garage going through boxes and collecting "stuff" for this weekend's upcoming neighborhood garage sale. C'mon by. I normally have coffee and donuts for as long as they last. All you have to do is buy something.

Not running today. Too much going on. Dentist appointment for the standard cleaning. Then I get to play Mr. Mom. Susan has to be at school for open house and MAC has soccer practice so I'm helping out with the taxi service. Pretty scary that she trusts me with her most valued things in life-her girls. I can barely keep a houseplant alive and she leaves me in charge of a 10 and 7 year old girl.

If you haven't been checking some of my friends blogs, Amy and Troy are teasing me with the idea of coming to B'ham for Mercedes in Feb. I invited them last year but they had other plans. Maybe they'll come this year. You guys know that you are welcome anytime. Also, they were fired up after hearing me describe my parents breakfast and want to take part in it when they're in town. We just can't do it before the race!

Monday

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine didn't go exactly as planned but I survived. Seems strange how that happens. Just when you think the ship is righted and on course, the great white whale (no, I am not discussing my belly) rises from the depths and sets the ship off course.

Not a lot to brag about on the running front. I had planned a Saturday morning and a Sunday afternoon run. I only got in the Saturday morning run. Not far . . . just 4 miles. It was warm and humid but there was a very nice breeze blowing.I would have liked to have gone further but several issues were pressing. I had to work. I made the mistake of beginning my new job in the middle of their crisis. Additionally, Susan and I got into a bit of a brew ha ha and I found that very distracting also. In a 12 hour span we had gone from planning on running a marathon together to trying to decide if we were going to speak again. An awfully silly way for a 47 year old man and a 29 (always the correct answer) woman to behave. We've both decided it wasn't worth sacrificing our friendship and relationship just to win the battle. Besides, there's the entire war to be fought and I hope that we are on the same side.

Sunday I went to my parents house for breakfast. Yes, I skipped church and had decided not to see Susan. I took my neighbors, Jim and Karen and another couple who happen to be friends, Randy and Martha. My parents are the greatest. They would fix breakfast for an army if I asked. I mean a KILLER breakfast. Eggs, sausage, two types of bacon, cat-head biscuits (you have to be from the south to understand that one), hash browns, gravy, fruit. You name it, they either had it on the table or it was within arms length. After a couple of hours of gorging and socializing, we loaded up and headed back home and I don't believe anyone ate anything else the rest of the day. I felt so stuffed that I decided not to run on the chance that I might be showing my neighbors what a semi-digested "cat-head" biscuit would look like.

I did call Susan and she and girls came over and we went out to dinner. I think we're heading back on the right direction.

I am about to sit down with a calendar and the Higdon Novice plan and figure out Susan's schedule for her marathon. I'll markup a calendar for the days remaining. I'll also mark one up for myself but I'll be putting in more miles and some added speed work. I am not going to run off and leave her, but I want to be strong enough to make sure that I help her through.

Another scorcher and a goal

Wow folks. In case you have not been keeping up with Alabama weather, we are setting records every day. We hit 105 in the B'ham area and if I'm correct that is the hottest day on record for this date AND is 9 days in a row over 100 degrees, another record. We have not been getting any rain either. The trees are going dormant and starting to drop leaves. It's amazing to drive down the road and see all the brown trees. The grass is also going dormant due to lack of rain. My lawn which is usually a very nice green and cut to a very nice height looks like it is January. The bermuda which normally thrives on the heat is turning brown. This is a very tough summer. I hope things break soon.

Yes, I am running in this heat. I am crazy, I know. Crazier is Susan . . . she has decided that she wants to do a marathon on New Years Day. Of course I have to run it with her. It will be her first and I know that she'll be needing the support and advice. She's the kind that will definitely run her race in the first 18 miles and suffer the last 8. I'm planning on running it with her to help keep her in check. She has not set a goal yet but it is too early to start thinking about time. Personally, a 5 hour first marathon isn't a bad goal but we'll see what she thinks.

I ran 4 miles tonight after work. I worked over so I got a late start and it had cooled off some. Like 98 degrees. I felt better when I finished because it had cooled to 97. I'm still running without a watch. I am not running fast but at least I'm doing it. I do feel good about running Sunday, Monday, and today. I'll try to get a Friday run in and get back on a 4 day a week schedule.

7 days in a row

Not 7 days in a row of running . . . I wish. 7 days in a row of 100+ degrees. Wow, it is HOT. See Dom's comments about the heat. I like to think that I am tough but HE IS THE MAN. I know that Arizona Phil loves his heat but I'm not a big fan. However, I have not started running in the morning. I'm still doing it in the afternoons.

I ran 4 miles today. I waited for it to cool down to 99 degrees before I started. At least there was a breeze. Or was that me breathing heavy?

Today was the first day at my new job. It seems that most of the guys are pretty nice and willing to answer questions. After a morning filled with administrative garbage, I actually did some productive work. The main thing is that I have to learn a lot and learn it quickly. I don't want to come off as arrogant at work but I need to show them that I'm not just another joe passing through.

Sunday evening

Good evening to everyone. Or at least anyone who cares.

It has been a long, strange couple of weeks.

On a personal level, Susan and I spent a few days last weekend in Wyoming at a friend's wedding. I had never been to that part of the country and it was beautiful. We flew into Jackson Hole and spent most of our time between the Grand Tetons and a ranch about 60 miles to the east. One of those kind of trips that no matter how many pictures you take, you just can't capture the moment.

I have finally completed my job change. Friday was my last day working for my previous employer. I'd love to tell you the name of the company but I figure I'd better not. These are very vindictive, nasty people. Let's just say that I used to work for a nuclear subsidiary of the southeast's largest electric utility. Enough said. I start my new job with a subsidiary of the same parent company. I'll be working on design of scrubbers for coal plants. Scrubbers remove sulfur dioxide from coal plant emissions. Anyway, it's an exciting and scary time for me. I know I have the skill set to do the work. I just need to learn a different technology. Afterall, they don't have reactors and all the support systems at a coal site and nuclear plants don't need coal or use limestone in scrubbers. I'll learn.

I have been running. Slowly and sweating the whole way. Birmingham has been caught in the same heat wave that half the county has been in. Yesterday was the 4th or 5th straight day with over 100 degree temps and heat indeces between 110 and 120. I've been keeping my runs in the 4 to 5 mile range. Most of my runs have been after work. The temperature has usually been 97, 98. Today when I ran after watching the PGA, the temp was 99 degrees. Needless to say it was a slow grind. Afterwards I cut grass. I came in for my shower and it was 7:00 and temp had dropped to 97 degrees. This really makes me miss less weekend and the high 60s in Wyoming and the high 30s at night. Of course since the ranch was at 10,000 feet, the running would have been pretty tough due to thin air.

Wish me luck this next week as I learn my new job and make new friends. I'll definitely be running this week to help deal with the stress!