Making front page news - My Patriotic Conundrum

Now that we've had a chance to enjoy Thanksgiving with friends and family and WAY too much food, I feel compelled to continue on in my quest to train hard for my time goal of 2 hours in the Dallas Half Marathon which only in 2 weeks. I continue to give credit to my friends Tom and Lee who have been providing me with the knowledge to train smart and injury free so far. You guys have made the difference. So, thank you both very much! But, I continue to struggle with one thing...

Most everyone knows by now my passion for running and general health & fitness. Most everyone also knows of my involvement in Team RWB honoring our nations veterans and how I carry the flag at every race. I've managed to raise awareness in my local community of the sacrifices that our veterans make and how I feel that they deserve to be honored. I truly enjoy carrying that flag in remembrance of military veterans. I REALLY do. However, the flag slows me down. And when you have a specific time goal for a certain race that you want to reach it's important to shed all the weight you can. Now, can you see my struggle?

I don't want to seem selfish on my own part. I don't normally worry about what the general public thinks of me as a person. To be completely honest couldn't give a rat's fuzzy butt. I know that I can't please all the people all the time. But in the case of honoring our nations veterans, I feel guilty if I don't carry the flag to honor them. After all, they don't drop their responsibilities to pursue some silly personal goals in the name of competition. Even if I'm only competing against myself and the elements.

Up until today, I was convinced I had made up my mind. I would run without the flag this ONE time. Just for me and my own personal goals. What could it hurt to run one race without honoring the veterans who keep us safe so that I CAN run these races and enjoy the fun with my running friends and enjoy the victory with my family as I beat said goal and I cross the finish line in under 2 hours? Seems harmless enough! Right? It doesn't seem any more narcissistic than all the selfies taken and posted on facebook everyday (myself included). So, I made up my mind. I've talked it over with Tom and Lee and rationalized the decision in my own mind. Then...

I get a call from a neighbor who has just read the local newspaper and tells me I made the front page of the local newspaper as the guy who carries The American Flag to honor veterans. I ran the local Turkey Trot 5K just as I did last year. Last year I actually won 1st place in my age group at this race. I didn't anticipate winning anything this year since I carry the flag now. But, I got attention this time as Old Glory tends to be an attention getter.

Now, I'm rethinking my decision. If honoring veterans moves people to the point of writing a blurb in a newspaper about me, then shouldn't I continue in that fashion? In mean, I started this to raise awareness. Now that I've caught the attention of so many of those in my community, it seems irresponsible to stop. I'm beginning to achieve what I set out to do in carrying the flag. And I can raise even more awareness at a race as large as The Dallas Marathon. Now, I have conflicting goals. Did, I set too may goals? Did I set the wrong goals? Too many variables & not enough processor speed between my ears.

Guess I gotta go for a run and figure it out. Run to figure it out? Yeah! As I've said in the past, running = healing. It's that tranquil place where you lean into the wind or the next hill as you keep your stride. Your keeping a good healthy pace. Your body and mind are both moving. Just in different ways. It's in that place that healing, health, clarity, and peace all come together. Maybe you've experienced such a thing as you perform your exercise of choice. But, runners will know what I mean when it comes to running = healing.

 But, I straying from the subject.


Either way, you can bet on one thing about my race in the Dallas Half, I'll be running with passion no matter what I decide. Because, I've come a LOOONG way in 2 1/2 years. And, that is something I'm very pleased with.

Remember,
Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily

It's not just another Thanksgiving.

That's right! Not just another Thanksgiving. It's another year of things to be thankful for. It's funny. Life has changed in so many ways for me since the surgery. I don't really stop to take inventory as much as I should of all the things I have to be thankful for. But then, I'm sure I'm not the only one guilty of this oversight. As cliche as it may sound, Thanksgiving really IS a time to reflect with those you love. Be they your immediate family, or friends of a few decades you can gather around the table and partake in your favorite part of the Thanksgiving experience. For me, there is long list of things to be thankful for. I have a wonderful wife, my daughter is continuing to grow into a young lady who has a very caring and loving heart. My mom continues to support and encourage me in my endeavors. I have some of the best friends I could ask for. God continues to cover me in his protection in spite of myself. And all these I've mentioned, never lost hope when my biggest fears came about in April 2012. My wife is rock solid and has such a strong love for me that I can literally feel it in my bones and in my spirit. My daughter has made me proud on so many occasions that I can't dare to list them all. My Mom has gone out of her way to help contribute in the past in any way she can. And my friends have stood by me when I was trying to recover from the emotional scars that I was left with after the surgery.

Why am I rambling on this way? It's simple. I have a lot to be thankful for. When I sit at the Thanksgiving table this year, I will give thanks for all of these people and the second chance that I've been given. I almost squandered this life away by not caring for myself. Now, I'm out to recover some of that equity that I might have cost myself.

Let me encourage you to do the same. We're not promised our next breath folks. At any point and time life could change for you drastically. Or end all together. It's like a poem I posted on my facebook wall a few days ago...

The clock of life is wound but once- -                           

And no one has the power
To know just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour

Now is the only time you have,
So live - strive - toll with will.

Place no faith in tomorrow,
For the hands may then be still.

Anonymous

 Live this life on purpose; with purpose. Enjoy the Turkey, the stuffing, the gravy, the pumpkin pie. Just remember it's a gift not to be over indulged upon. While I was trying to win a Biggest Loser challenge at work in 2007, I lost 60 lbs in 6 months by simply not going back for 2nd's or 3rd's or 4th's (yes, I used to eat 4 helpings) and I started walking the stairs to the 12 th floor rather than using the elevator. I would do this 4 times a day. Walking up the stairs in the morning, then taking the elevator down stairs during my morning break and walking the stairs back up. Then again during lunch and once again during my afternoon break. And to top it all off, I'd take the stairs down at the end of the day. But, that's straying off subject a bit.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Holiday with friends and family kick back and relax. It's one day. Just don't over do it when it comes to the awesome foods being served. At least this is the mantra I tell myself. Come the next day, it's go time!!

And just to send us all off with a chuckle here is a Thanksgiving poem....

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!

Remeber...

Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily

An open letter to my brothers & sisters fighting heart disease.

I've been thinking...could you smell the smoke from your part of town? LOL

Honestly, I've been thinking about my fellow sufferers and survivors of heart disease. Even though I've only met a handful of you, I can feel the connection we have. It's an unspoken connection, a common thread. The one subject we could all agree to talk about upon first meeting, our trials and tribulations since being diagnosed or undergoing surgery, our success stories as well. If someone were to take all of our legion and pack us into a convention hall there would be enough stories of success to last more years than I care to count.

I myself am not very good at self-reflection. But as I sit here on this foggy morning in rural North Texas, struggling with my conscience after deciding for the first time in months to forego my weekend long run, my body reminds me how much I've put it through this week and my conscience becomes clear and calm. I need the rest after pushing through a very windy 5K just yesterday carrying Old Glory again and serving as a pacer for my very first time during last weekends Blue Red Run Half Marathon. I even got a new PR of 27:06 during the 5K race yesterday beating my old PR of 27:19. So rest is well deserved, even if I DO say so myself.

But, how many of us listen to what our bodies are telling us? After all, it's not listening to my body that put me on the operating table at only 40 years of age having that bypass surgery. Have my fellow survivors learned how to listen to your bodies? Do you know your limits? Do you know when it's time to exercise and when it's time to rest? Are you following the advice of your cardiologist and coordinating physicians? Do you take your nutrition as seriously as you should? Are you staying active? Are you staying mindful of your weight?

These are just SOME of the questions your average survivor of heart disease should ask of themselves. If, you've decided to take it a step further and really kick heart disease in the chest yelling... I AM SPARTA!!!!

Well, then you've got an entire litany of considerations within all those questions I've listed. I chose the 2nd of the two options I'm speaking of so I have to think carefully about what I do to and with my body. I've gone to the trouble of making a weekly schedule of exercises and taped it to a mirror in my bathroom to follow. 

I've researched heart rate monitors to run with. I've even researched my nutritional needs considering my heart disease and my kidney disease.

Does this mean I have complete and utter control of myself and the foods I eat? HAHAHAH!! NO!!!! Not at all! I have my weaknesses. I have quite the affection for Mexican food, B.B.Q. and Beer. But, I exercise self-control and consider all things in moderation. But, as long as I'm able to answer those questions above with an affirmative, I consider myself to be successful. But, I digress from food (my favorite subject)...

I'm rambling on here, I know. But what I'm trying to say is. LISTEN. Listen to your body. Whether it's your own dang fault for putting your body through some of the worst conditions known to mankind and causing your heart condition or you're a simple victim of circumstance. I am a bit of both in my story. But regardless, make the right decisions as often as you possibly can. Are you perfect? I'm betting you're not. I KNOW I'M NOT!! But, I strive each day to make myself and healthier happier me. I've seen the way my body reacted to how I treated it years ago. And I continue to see how my body reacts to how I treat it today. Our bodies are listening to us. Are we listening to our bodies? 

I've treated my body like a tent for years. Now, I try to treat it like a temple. I often use the saying, "The body with achieve, what the mind believes". It's just another way of saying mind over matter. And you can't take the saying perfectly literal. After all, I can't think my way down to 175lbs tomorrow. But, I can focus my energy on that goal and responsibly work to achieve such a goal if my body tells me it's a reasonable goal. I'm currently focusing my mind of the goal of finishing The Dallas Half Marathon in less than 2 hours with a current PR of 2:18. But just because I've thought it and believed it, that doesn't mean it will happen without the hard work required.

Our bodies are naturally equipped to take care of us if, we will listen. You only get one body. Take good care of it. There's no trading every 2 to 3 years like leasing a car. Don't let your second chance at life get away my brothers and sisters in heart disease. Take control! Live a healthier life. As your standing there face to face with your own heart condition, make the choice to kick it boldly in the chest and claim your "Sparta Moment". Ask not what your body can do for you; ask what you can do for your body.

And remember...

Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily

Royse City Funfest 5K - Gender Confusion on the Run

I know, the title of the post peaked your curiosity. Well, be prepared for the story, as it is a long one. 

First let me say, I am not perfect nor do I pretend to be. I'm no stranger to my own mistakes as I tend to make them daily. Just ask my wonderful wife. So, it's in a very light hearted and jovial fashion that I bring the subject to my blog. What subject? Read on...

As many of you know, I continue to strive toward my goals in my own health & fitness routine after my bypass surgery. Looking for a 2 hour finish at the Dallas Half Marathon next month, training for my first Sprint Triathlon next March. But, I also make sure to take part in some other races and events along the way. One of the events I like to take part in is a 5K race that is put on in my own town of Royse City in October of every year. This year, just like last, I ran the race. Of course, it was a little different than last year since I chose to carry Old Glory in honor of yet another one of our nations military veterans. This time for U.S. Army Sergeant Joseph Prince who served and fought in Vietnam from 1968 - 1970. The only thing was that I ran out of ink in my color printer and didn't realize this until the night before the race as I got home from one of my late night shifts at the State Fair of Texas. The stores were all closed so I had no chance of getting any replacement cartridges. I was completed disappointed in my lack of preparation in honoring a humble servant of our freedom. But, the show must go on right? I staged all my running gear for the next morning and told my daughter to be ready to leave by 6:30am to get ready to man the eater station that she had agreed to volunteer for.

This was going to be a special race for me because I get to see my wife's company on the back of the shirt since she agreed to sponsor the event. I got a preview of the shirt a few days prior and learned that she was taking center stage among all the other company logos printed on the shirt. It served as a good representation of how I see my wife day to day. Center Stage!!! She deserves a day in the spotlight. And so much more...

The next morning we arrive and I pick up my packet and bib and get her connected with the volunteer team for the water station. I've got my flag. I'm ready to go!! I go through my usual pre-race ritual of stretching and warming up while friends take candid photos and selfies as we are all warming up. A running buddy captured the image below of me in my new Hoka One One Stinsons in their first race and my team RWB regalia.

Well, I ran the race with no intentions of getting a personal record. I ran a good race and gratefully carried the flag honoring Sergeant Prince and felt good about the race. And at the finish line, I thought far enough ahead to drop my flag sideways to avoid hitting the uprights as I crossed the line.

At the medals ceremony, I just missed medaling in my age group (as I expected) by what I could only guess was a few seconds or perhaps a minute since I hadn't seen my official finish time. Then again, I may be giving myself more credit than I deserve. But, just go with it ok?

But, here's where the story comes full circle to the title of this entry...

I had to go to work at The State Fair of Texas directly after the race so I didn't get to go back to the race tent to get my official time before leaving. Later in the day, I checked the race results from my smartphone and found the "Gender Confusion". I searched for my name in the results of the race only to find that I was recorded as Desiree Jeson from Topeka Kansas with a finish time of 25:07 at an average pace of 8:05 per mile. Now. I'm not afraid to admit I have an X chromosome (all me do) but I have a Y chromosome to go with it making me 100% male.  I'm not sure how the results got mixed up like this, but it gave me something to laugh about even in the midst of the frustration not knowing what MY finish time was. I wish I were capable of an 8 min pace. But, I'm not there yet. And I KNOW I didn't finish the race in 25 minutes for sure. Oh well, 

 

Another race; another story to tell. 

And by the way, I'm still working toward that 2 hr finish time for the Dallas Half Marathon. Nothing will stop me. Not heart disease. Not quadruple bypass. Not high cholesterol. NOTHING!! I'm a man on a mission.

Remember,

Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily

Contining to improve

I took a temporary job with the State Fair of Texas as the Electrician backing the Main Stage where all the big concerts take place and it ate up most of my time on weekends. But, now I'm back and training hard again and with a few improvements.

One improvement I've made (I use the word "improvement" subjectively here) is my running treads. I was running in the Brooks Ghost and really enjoyed them until they got around 200 miles on them and then I began feeling some pains in the balls of my right foot. I knew my shoes were getting into the high mileage area and had been really thinking hard about the Hoka One One Stinson. I've tried this shoe on several times in the past and have really been impressed with the extreme cushioning without compromising stability. So, I found last years models on clearance at an online running website for $99 with free shipping. Anyone who knows Hoka One One, knows that their shows are usually around $150 - $180 depending on the model and retailer. So, I couldn't pass up the opportunity.  MAN!! I love these shoes! I ran for the first time in them and could hear the the angels signing of how much happier my feet were to have so much cushion and yet still have so much support. Afterall, I'm a little heavier up top than most runners and I need the support from my running shoes.

Another "improvement" is my upgrade to a GPS watch. I used some of the money I made from the State Fair gig to invest in a new toy. In the past I've used my Ironman watch with your typical chest strap monitor with bluetooth. But, the strap digs into the scar on my chest from the surgery and makes things unpleasant on the run. So, I wanted to go strapless! Don't get too excited! You know I don't mean what you wish (tongue is in cheek).  So, I purchased a Tom Tom Runner Cardio. It took some getting used to during the first couple of runs. But, I have been enjoying  the accuracy without the irritation on my chest. And now, I have one less thing to distract me while I run.

 

And the third improvement really is an improvement. I started a regular workout routine with a friend incorporating a lot of strength training and advise on how to become stronger and faster as I continue focusing on finishing the Dallas Metro PCS Half marathon in under 2 hours. My friend Lee has much more running/training experience than I do and has openly shared his knowledge with me. Thanks Lee! I'll find a way to repay you for all your great advise along the way. I continue to do a random 5K or 10K here and there and I'll share more on those later. But, I'm really focused on my goal of 2 hours on December 14th. And so far, there is NO doubt of my improvement.

In the past I've held a 10:00 pace regularly. But after a few workouts with my friend, I've recently held a sub 9:00 pace for 5 miles. Just in case you don't know, to finish a half marathon in 2 hours or less you need to average a pace of at least a 9:09 per mile.  My plan is to run an even 9:00 pace (cuz it's a nice round number) and have time to spare if needed toward the end of the race. It's a theory...

Remember...

Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily