Gordo Running

Oh you thought I forgot?  It's been more than a month since I last wrote.  I've been focusing on school, a bit on football, and, to be honest, Assassin's Creed Origins.  I know, I know.  But those Ptolemaic baddies gotta be stopped. Yes, this is the third in the "Running in Place(s)" series.  The Air Force sent me to Biloxi, Mississippi for a few days this week.  Obviously, I brought running clothes with me.  I am only a couple weeks out from the Rock n Roll marathon (December 2nd), so I'm tapering.  However, I like to get to know a place on my feet, so I was still going to run a bit there. Tuesday night I found an irregularly shaped track next to the Blake fitness center.  The rubberized, 1.5 lane track measured 3/10 of a mile with a "shortcut" taking the distance down to 1/4 of a mile.  There were also six or seven turns and an infield that looked like a park.  It was a really fun track to run on solo, but I'd hate to try and ta...

Note: I started this shortly after 9/11 but got caught up with school, work, and training. I don't have any personal connection to 9/11.  I absolutely remember where I was when I heard.  Mr. Burns' entrepreneurship class at the Genessee Area Skill Center, a kid named Brett told us but we didn't really believe him until Mr. Burns came into the classroom late.  I remember the outrage, the patriotism, and the unity.  But, it didn't really hit me close to home.  I didn't join the military in the patriotic furor that followed.  Let's be honest, I joined years later because it seemed like the last "good" career option I could think of.  I might be the same age, but I'm not really from that OEF/OIF generation.  I don't feel right when people thank me for my service, particularly when they assume that I'm one of those folks.  I've spent 10+ years in classrooms and office buildings.  The last 18 months or so my focus has been on the contin...

"My sport is your sport's punishment."  A quote that someone recently posted in the Road Lizards Facebook group.  I think that plays into the negative feeling that some people have of the sport and even can lead to negative training habits.  Many new runners or those "just getting that cardio in" fitness folks often believe that the only way to run is a hard run.  They'll go do a few miles at max effort and come back exhausted.  I think that's part of the reason why you see people with impressive physiques struggling during a 5k. Most training miles should be easy miles.  It sounds counterproductive to many new runners.  If I want to get faster, I should work hard all the time, right? We all laud athletes that outwork their opponents.  Guys like Jordan are revered for their legendary work ethic.  However, this mentality simply doesn't work in running.  Believe me, I've had my share of "scoldings" from Terri for going too fast.  It...

One mile, then another mile, and another mile onward, All around the U S of A Ran the thousands. "Forward, Eagles! Charge to celebrate freedom!" we said. Into the American heartland ran the thousands. So, Tennyson I am not.  Sorry Mila, there's no lordship in my future.  Odd that a British poet immediately came to mind when thinking about a celebration of US veterans.  Does that make me a loyalist?  I sure hope not.  I'd have some splainin' to do at work. The Team RWB Eagle Charge took place yesterday, on the 4th.  It's sponsored by Wal-Mart and proceeds go to Team RWB veterans outreach and assistance programs.  (For my 2016 write up about Team RWB when I'd first joined the group, please  see here. )  Last year, over 1700 Eagles charged at 67 locations around the country and we got a pretty cool shirt.   Just as last year, our local San Angelo chapter decided to use the Christoval VFD Firecracker 5k for our ...