A Little Easier.

My running is finally getting a little easier. Robert Bourquein and I ran 12 miles last Saturday, very slow, nevertheless I felt good throughout and felt like I could run a few more.  We have twenty runs to go before the marathon. This weekend begins the mile repeats. The idea is to run 3 mile repeats at the pace you plan to run the second half of the marathon.  The first half with me will be about 10:15 to 10:30 pace depending how good a shape Robert and I can get into, with walk breaks every 4 minutes.  Robert, Scott and Jonathon could probably run 8'45 mile repeats without much trouble. Your total mileage should be about 11 miles so after a 2 mile slow warm up do the mile repeats then revert back to slow pace with walk breaks every 4-8 minute to a total of 11 miles. Of course all the walking counts.

Mom and I are back in the routine.  I have finally caught up at work and she is writing away on her book.  We saw Jonathon last weekend on the way to cousin Martha's funeral at Edna.  His Young Adult Sunday School class which he led while we were there only had 150 attendees.  Mom and I of course were really impressed.

Lots of changes at the hospital which I am struggling through.  The move is on to have hospitalists which means I will move to a complete office practice other than delivering babies and other doctors will take care of my patients in the hospital: I don't like the idea but many people view it as progress.

Feb 24 Mom and I are planning a Jake sighting in LA. Kate you are on alert that since your precocious little one has D's down I expect a few P's in February.  Still haven't figured pictures out.  My weight is stuck at 189 but I have not eaten any peanut M/Ms for over a week so there's hope.  Keep up the long runs and Robert are you there.

Saturday's Adventure with a Running Partner

So as some of you know I went for a run...quite a long run... quite a few-miles-farther-than-I-needed-to run. I ran for over two hours and was completely spent. Witness the following:

The girl there looking chipper is Brie Pajak. A Massachusetts girl who had never run more than 5 miles before Saturday, but trucked on like the ROTC-Air Force Scholarship winner that she is.

We had quite a fun time running up and down one hill and up and down another hill and up and down a third and up and down more hills, which we did not keep track of for the sheer pain associated with the number. And down sketchy parts of MacArthur Avenue.

Towards the end she even made me laugh (never a good thing when you are already tired) so hard I was doubled over running quite a few steps before regaining correct posture.

The moans and groans that I laid on heavens door were many, but I got through. Woo hoo!

Today I even ran again. Brie ran yesterday. And during Chemistry this morning, I was still sore and Brie wasn't.

Nine feels fine.

So Jake and I took a 9 mile trot along the Pacific yesterday. Proof:

We averaged a (wait for it....) 12 minute pace! In my defense...we did have to get out of the stroller a couple times. Once to nurse and later to stare at some big kids on a swing. But other than that we were movin' -- just steam rollin' -- like "eat my dust" like "excuse me, Mr. Cyclist" kinda cruisin'

or not so much

but it was fun. 

Alright You English Majors Here I Come!

As I sail off into the blogosphere for the very first time, I can hear Bill Murray in "What About Bob?" saying, "I blog. I'm blogging. I'm a blogger." I don't know if those words are quite true for me yet, but if the comedic hero of our family continues to be my muse, then I should be alright in this world.

On to all things running.

So far so good. Jordan and I have been running about three times a week and our bodies are holding up, although the weather has been nasty. We just finished a six mile run in the snow. Good luck with that Rob. No likey. We also did a night run this week that was really cold. Yes Jonathan, that is your Gore Tex jacket.

We were pretty tired after.

It seems to me that a theme for the reruns is going to be losing weight. While I'm not trying to shed any pounds, I am planning on paying attention to my bodily transformation. So here is the first installment of "Scott's Beautiful Legs":



And this one is for Katie and Lily. Name what Ancient Greek statue position this is?



Can you say "efficiency'? I mean seriously look at those sexy thangs.



That's it for now family. Merry Christmas Katie. Hope you enjoyed the first third of your gift.

When Watching Sleepless in Seatle Isn't Enough

As I sit at home and watch this movie with mom for the nth time, I checked the family blogs. They are lacking in posts.

Running as of late has been not so enjoyable. The first mile and a half is just plain uncomfortable. But after that the only rough part is thinking about how many times Dad and I will run up to the highway before we stop.

Hope all is well.