A new seasonal best

I finally got off 58-barely. 57.98 never felt so good. Ran with a full field of masters in Luke's Locker meet in Dallas. A younger guy(early 40's) blew by me in the first turn but I ignored him and ran my own race, but I wish I had gone out harder. Hit the 200 mark in 28.4 and felt EASY. In the last turn I was gaining on young guy and felt I would beat him. Hit the 300 mark and started blasting. I ran by young guy easily and won by 10 yards. I know there is a lot more in my legs because this one felt easy. No lactic burn at the end or after the race. Had a great cooldown and I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Another 58

I'm stuck on running 58 400's. Last week at USATF SW meet I ran the slowest opening 200 I've ever run(29.9). Felt like a jog running against a strong wind and I knew I would have a alot left. I needed it because my bud Mike Shufelt ran a strong race in front of me and I had to chase him down. Ran my fastest 100 segment on the curve(13.7) to pull even with him and passed him with about 80 to go. Slowed a little the last 50 and ran a neg. split 28.4 2nd 200 and 58.35.

I'm in great shaped but I think just a bit gunshy of a pulled hamstring if I push too hard. All the massage done to my hammy has convinced me that the reason my R ham feels strange is the scar tissue that has built up since I had a severe pull in July of '05. It hasn't felt right since but I think it's safe to push it in the 400. I just need to run a well paced race. Go out in 13.7-13.2(26.9)-13.5(40.4)-14.0(54.4). That looks doable. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

1st race 0f '09

I ran my 1st 400 of the year on Saturday in the Lions/Waterloo meet in Austin. Considering where I was earlier this year I should be happy with a 58.21 AT(57.9ht-57.1selft). Upon reflection, I am very happy with the 1st 300 of the race. Ran smart 'til 300 then started struggling trying to catch a younger competitor and lost my form. I would have easily run a low 57 maybe a high 56 with a smoother finish. Back to training and another chance to improve next
Saturday, June 6. I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.

EZ 59.8 400

I ran an easy feeling 400m on the track this morning in 59.8. My first hard 400 since my accident. It felt so good to run like that again. No booty lock at all, just smooth running through the line. I can't wait until May 23rd when I run my 1st meet of the year in Austin.

I'm well down the Road to Recovery

I've been so busy coaching track that I haven't had time to report on my training. I had been doing some very light running before my last Dr. visit on 3-18. Dr. Pappas gave me a release and said I could lift light weights and run all I want. I was ready to start hard training right away because the walking and slow motion running I did kept me in the running frame of mind.

I wasn't able to pick up right where I left off before the accident but I was in good condition. I've been running lots of uphills and form running on grass and am ready to start sprinting on the track again. This pic was taken by Olivia recently while I was doing form running.

The road to recovery has started

I visited my Doc this week and got good news. I can start using my arms and getting my range of motion back. He removed the staples and took my right shoulder and started moving it in slow circles. It hurt a bit but I was glad to know it can be moved, now I've got to retrain and strenghten my muscles to do it own their own. I walked for 30:00 in 70*weather and couldn't resist jogging a few steps. It felt so good. After viewing a pic of my out of balance body it probably won't be a good idea to start running again until my shoulders are in sync. Doc didn't say I could resume all normal activities yet so I will hold off running until he says that I can, but it sure felt good to work up a sweat. Patience, paience, patience. I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.

Well, my NH 750 is gone. The same day I went in for surgery my insurance company hauled it away. The frame was slightly bent so they proclaimed it a total loss. Here is my wife Marni in the process of replacing the aftermarket shocks I put on last October with the stockers. When I returned from the hospital and the bike was gone it was a bit of a sad day for me. I know that the fun I've had riding on the road the last 5 years is over. But, when 1 door closes another 1 opens. I was spending way too much of my free time with my mc and mc friends. I now realize that I was neglecting my family. My girls are 14,11, and 8 and before I know it they will be grown and gone. I want them to have good memories of me. My own dad died at age 39 of a heart attack. I was 9 when he died. He was a great breadwinner and he would talk to me and throw the ball around with me when he was home, but that was rare. I really can barely remember my dad. I feel I'm a good breadwinner for my family but I need to spend more time with them. We are going to have several mini vacations this summer at Magic Springs/Crystal Falls in Hot Springs, AR. My youngest daughter Isabella is going to ride dirtbikes with me when I recoup from the crash. I still hope I can get all my girls to start a fitness program and maybe compete in track. I look forward to lots of good times ahead with my family. I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.