It was one of those days...

But not one of those days. This morning I rose at the early hour of 5:00 a.m. because...because... Well, I guess because I'm addicted. My chosen vice, of course, isn't just waking up early. "Hi my name is Rakicy and it has been over 15 hours since my last run." This morning was the first bout of speed work that I thoughtfully added to my schedule.

I woke up this morning and noticed it had snowed and was still snowing a little. Awesome.* For some strange reason I love running in the snow. It give me a feeling of being closer to nature. As is snow indicative of the Winter; so is my facial hair length indicative of the cold outside. Once again, having facial hair makes me feel closer to nature. Then there is another aspect of seeing wildlife during my run. Luckily, nothing bigger than rabbits. As I went cruising along the trail this morning there seemed to be rabbits everywhere. I can only imagine what they are thinking. "Here comes slow-poke again, thinking he is spry." or "This trail hasn't had trains on it for a long time...what is that rhythmic noise...Oh just that running chugging by." Even though the rabbits laugh at my attempt of speed and bound away at the sound of huffing and puffing, I enjoy seeing them move about. After I finished my mile repeats I was glad to be home.

Upon returning from my run this morning I was unaware that it would be one of those days, but it was. Apparently, it has been a while since I've revved up my engine and blown out the attached carbon build up. After finishing seven miles this morning I assumed I would be mostly shot for the day, but I was wrong. Some how things worked into a "Runner's High" for most of the day. I felt super focused and seemed to accomplish many things quickly and easily all with an overwhelmingly calm feeling. This never happens. Rather, rarely happens, but when it does it is an awesome feeling. That in a nut shell made it "one of those days." Here's to tomorrow, my two mile run, the fact that it is Friday and mostly to my "understanding" and "loving" wife.**

*never mind the fact that it was single digit wind-chills. I guess it is all about perspective.

**It is very commendable that she is able to withstand and put up with my addiction. If you run into her please extend your condolences and understanding. She puts up with more than one person should.

What does your leg mean to you?

I just finished watching Dateline tonight and Tom White (below the knee amputee) was featured. In his school days he was pretty good runner, but then a drunk driver caused a motorcycle accident and took away a majority of the functionality in his left leg after it was reattached. Even after this he fought his way back and began running again completing 26 marathons and ultra-marathons. After all this his left leg began to give out on him and he decides to take drastic measures. I sympathize and understand why he did what he did next. He decided to take things to the next level and regain running by having a voluntary amputation 25 years after the accident. Then, the in the same year he completed the New York City Marathon .

After everything he has been through, he exudes what most every runner feels with his actions. Some times we all have that second thought before dragging ourselves out the door to run because we have "excuses." Tom really puts things into perspective. When you really want something some times you have to sacrifice to keep it. I have begun to realize this in a much more minor way because of my wife, G, being pregnant. I have started running the morning to have more time to spend with her and the impending baby, but to love running so much that a person would cut part of their leg off to be able to continue sends a powerful message and puts things into perspective. I hope when the day comes that I am tested that I have just as much courage as Tom and can overcome whatever it is that is my "degenerative leg." No excuses.

Inspiration...

So I was reading posts that came up on my reader and found one that I thought I should share that tells me I am a youngster with respect to running. Rosario Iglesias has recently passed away at the age of 98. That alone is quite an achievement, but she defied the odds and at age 80 took up running. Not only did she begin running, but started setting records as well. This all started when she took up a paper delivery route covering 6 to 7 miles a day and someone suggested she try a race.

I would have probably thought they were nuts. I only hope that I am half that agile when I get to be that age. This makes getting up in the morning to go running seem like a non-decision.

Its been a while...

Yep, it has been a while since I have been on here, but in my (read: lame excuse for a) defense the holidays have been crazy. To make up for this lost time, I have included a picture of me to show how much I have changed. As you can see my beard is changing colors to gray, but with an optimistic face underneath. I am aging beautifully!

Usually about this time of year, people are discussing their New Year's resolutions and what they want to accomplish for the coming year. I, too, have thoughts of how I want the future to turn out with careful planning. I have not made it public on this blog, but my wife is pregnant and just over half way through. This as opposed to my 30th birthday, which was a few days ago, has been keeping my thoughts.

How do I blend my time running into family time? I have thought about this and I think the only way to do this is to start running in the morning. I have already been doing 45 minutes of yoga three days a week, so, I am somewhat used to working out in the morning, but now I must transition to everyday and incorporate running.

Well, I am out of things to write and/or the desire to write more, so, I end here.