Run Again

I have been working on building mental and physical energy to get the running on track again... today, I actually got out on a run. My legs aren't quite up to the task yet. Hopefully a few short runs, and some decent stretching will help get things worked out.

Last year I used my running to help bring my life out of the darkness and haze of grief I was held up in. I can now look back and see that time as my Road of Ashes. This reference comes from a book called Iron John by Robert Bly, a book I have been reading for a while now (I'm kind of slow). As I read this book it seems like I am now entering a time where I may need to use my running to help develop my "warrior" self. The part of me that can carve out the environment for my soul to take the next step in the journey. The "warrior" that I speak of is not the warrior we know today (armies, terrorist, etc.) this is the mythical warrior, a state of being that is only one part of a person's (Iron John speaks directly to men) path to a fully developed self.

How will running help me in this matter... well, running was the last time I had a "warrior" self. A time when I was highly focused, committed, and disciplined, the last time in my life where I fiercely defended myself to achieve my goals. So, it is my hope that I can use the small steps of getting my running back in gear... as a teaching tool, and road map to getting my deeper self back in gear. We'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted...

Today: 2ish miles
Week: the same

Life. Stuff. Spring.

Ok... this has been a really lousy blog as of late... my apologies if you have been checking in. However, if you have... then won't this be a great surprise ;-) I had all intentions of getting a run in today, but it doesn't seem to be working out. I did get a few miles of walking in this morning and that might have to count for today. Tomorrow it WILL happen though!!! Spring has arrived (even in Iowa, or so I hear), and I need to add the running component back into the mix of my life. Life in 2007 has been pretty crazy so far... I can feel energy awakening this Spring that I haven't had access too in a long time. That is exciting. Now the trick will be to harness that energy in an efficient way. At the moment it is shooting in every direction at once. I think the running will help with this. When you get into a routine with running, it adds some order to your life... no matter how chaotic. It always helps focus me, and I need to pick up that tool once again. I had hoped to be doing a marathon this Spring... obviously that is not in the works, but as I look to this next year... that is the goal. Where as last year I was beginning to have the energy to make the claim... I can now feel the energy building to back it up. So, as with so many things in life... the cycle begins once again. Runners take your mark...

This was supposed to be a quick "hey, I am really going to run tomorrow post"... and then I was going to send you to a great blog post from a new Flickr friend of mine. *warning* if you don't want to see a picture of me rockin out in my undies... do not follow the link to Hilary's Blog.

A RUN... sorta

It was over 50 degrees here in Spencer today... so, you bet I was going to get out the door for a run. Unfortunately my body was not on the same page. I tried to get the legs going... and they just weren't going to do it. My knee felt like a rusty old hinge, beat up and frozen up. I did at least get out there and get things movin, so maybe my next attempt will go a little better. It was a long past few days... also part of the problem. I was working long hours (meaning standing on the concrete) and the legs just were not up to the task today. However, it was so beautiful out that I didn't really care... so I just enjoyed the "near Spring" day. Hopefully the running part will happen next time.

today: 1 mile or so
Week: 1 mile

RAGBRAI

Ok sports fans... we are going to get a Shaky Tree RAGBRAI team together. RAGBRAI is a bike ride across Iowa. Well, it is sort of a big party on wheels from what I understand. We had the idea of getting a team together, and now that the route is going right through Spencer... we are REALLY excited to do it. I have made a team... so if you are interested in joining in the fun, go through the sign up process on the website, it is team "Shaky Tree" (group #30698). We have to get chosen in a lottery (I am still trying to figure out how this all works...) but I think being on a team gives a better chance. We will be getting a vehicle (maybe a few) to keep gear and such, as well as hopefully selling coffee along the way. I am posting this here first to get as many friends outside of Iowa as I get going on this... should be fun!!! If you are interested, we have to get this set up soon!!!

Details:
RAGBRAI- week long bike ride across Iowa, fun times!!!
When: July 22-28
E-mail me for more info if you are interested.