Everyday We're Survivors

It's been too long!  I'm updates deprived!

I'm working long weeks as the seasons are changing and changes are rapidly occuring in my own personal world.  I'm still battling the same health problems, managing with them with no success in seeing them disappear, but I'm doing well regardless.  Some trail running and hiking has kept me in some good spirit, while I am greatly looking forward to some upcoming vacation time.  It will be nice to be off in the air and traveling again, but hopefully not coming back to months of pain this time!  In the mean time... I work.

My life is looking into the face of change, and I'm about ready to charge forward.  A few things are in the works, but I'm still in the process of spinning the wheel of fortune to see where the pointer lands.  Knowing winter is well on its way puts a wrench into my warm world, but I'm bound to leap forward like a lion in Africa soon enough.  The cooler weather is honestly refreshing with the hot summer we've had and should get me into the running mood more often despite the longer hours of darkness.  Change is inevitable.

I wish I had greater news for you.  I've got a lot of work to do before I am where I want to be.  I am searching for answers and hoping I find some soon.  I'm still getting organized.  I'm still cleaning out the closets.  I'm still working out and running.  I'm working long hours at work.  And, I'm still going to live as if it's the end of the world.

"My Heart Pumps Diesel"

So, driving this time of the year isn't my favorite thing to do.  Road repair work seems to happen all at once, everywhere.  Not only did I hit a few places earlier in the week that drove me nuts, but today I did both on the way to work and the way home.  A near ten minute stop just outside of Sparta after work drove me mad!  So, I took the country roads home after that and avoided the main roads.  Priceless,... until I found myself behind a tracker.  Hilarious!  I couldn't win today even if I wanted to.  [Laughing]  I won't be leaving this house again tonight as long as I don't have to!

The good news for today: I feel nearly caught up with everything, especially now that I have finished, finally, the book "Born to Run."  I'm sure I'll report back about bits of it later.  The ending wasn't what I expected, but it was alright.  It was a nice story with interesting thoughts and reminders of long runs.  I could use a long run in my near future.

"Pidda-Dow-Dow"

I'm behind in my updating!  I moved on Saturday and went out on a roadtrip during Sunday, so I'm still getting settled and working my way through the week!  Most of what my excitedment came from was my reading of "Born to Run" which I am still finishing. But, I'll have to get to my book review later.  In other news, I'm not sure why when I check in now it comes up as Houston, Texas; I did not move to Texas, lol.

Friday I went to the park where I attempted to read for an hour or so, and I ended up running through the sand volleyball court for some training.  It was completely unplanned, but the perfect crispness in the air and the beautiful sky and healthy green grass surrounding me, with even duckies in the pond, I couldn't resist.  So, there I was running in circles, BAREFOOT, in the sand.  Oh, how it felt so good!

Unfortunately, I was a bit sore the next day as I was carrying boxes down several stairs, but at least it was all down stairs!  The move is a bit surreal, as it seems every time I move.  I'm really good at doing this at least once a year, so we'll see what happens in the future.  Rockford has potential work advances for me, but anything is possible.  A couple months down the road, I am sure I will be much closer to knowing what is coming next in this little life of mine.  For now, I'm getting used to a new shower, different paths through the dark in the house, different lightswitch placements, noises, etc.

"I Kick It Like Adidas"

I had an awesome Friday and have much to report.  But first, I need to take a nap!  I'll be back later with an update!  For now, enjoy the music! 

Added song for the day:  B.O.B. "Magic" which plays at 165 beats per minute... perfect for my running! [BIG SMILES]

"Good News Is On The Way"

So, I've been reading "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall, and being now in about the middle of the book it is really beginning to have several catch-my-attention moments.  Like in chapter 17 William James is quoted and it reads: "Beyond the vast extreme fatigue and distress, we may find amounts of ease and power we never dreamed ourselves to own; sources of strength never taxed at all because we never push through the obstruction."  That certainly rings a bell with me, especially still working two jobs right now and not having college classes and wondering how I ever juggled all three for the last three years.  And, how did I ever get through eight years of college; where did those years go?

Now I'm in chapter 22 reading about beat poetry, and I am reminded about the time in college when creative writing was my favorite class and the speech I chose to give was one on slam poetry.  [Slam is not nearly the same, but it is presented similarly.]  I wanted in those moments to live in Chicago at the Green Mill Jazz Club and be entertained by Marc Smith.  Cheering in loud whoo!s and snapping my fingers were things I practiced while listening to slam poetry.  I am reminded of the nights I would write poetry for hours, expanding my vocabulary all the while, during my high school years.  And now here it all comes back, back in a story about running.  Running and poetry are both silent arts that scream out in their own ways.  For me they are both means to relieve pent up emotions; getting them out can do me a world of good.  But, never would I have thought I would see both of these together, especially not in a book I am so interested in finishing.

I'm amazed how much this book on running reminds me of things I probably would otherwise not remember about my past.  It was in beginning to write this post I searched for a song I heard on Carrier about a week ago, but I was unsuccessful in finding it and ended up with Modest Mouse in my lap.  Modest Mouse was one of those songs that played at some party that I never imagined being at in my high school years and stuck with me as a reminder of my past.  So there it is!

"And we'll all float on"... But, now I have only sixteen days before the run!  I was at mom's last night smearing lotion on my calves doing a bit of self myofascial release, but they're still sore.  I'm hoping I can get a good run in on Friday.  Maybe I'll even run into Rockford this weekend, grab a treat, and run back... back to somewhere.  I'll wait to see how the weather is and how the moving goes first.  Either way, I'm up for adventure!

"You Could Be There With Me"

Whoo!  What a start to the week!  There is packing, running, working, and studying all in major workloads this week!  What I thought would be an easy weekend, especially being Labor Day weekend, turned out to be a ridiculously busy time!  Moving from one town to the next by Sunday is encouraging to get organized, but the hustle and bustle of the week will certainly be a great challenge.

This Sunday's running didn't go as planned.  Docs have me on this new diet that started out great but left me completely unmotivated and feeling rather worn out.  What was going to be four miles, or at least 3.1, turnout out to be a warmup and 1.5 miles of sprints and walks to change things up.  Then feeling rather blah, I figured I'd cycle for twenty minutes at a HR of 150bpm.  But, after 10 minutes I had had enough!  I ended the workout with some pull-ups and shoulder work and headed out.  I have yet to return but have devoured many carbohydrates since.

...

I'm excited about not having a stereo system underneath my bedroom.  I'm excited about feeling welcome in a warmer environment.  I'm excited to have two of my favorite people so close.  I'm excited to be seeing someone in a month.  I'm excited about the fire burning within me and the opportunities that may come.  I'm excited to start fresh again and work my way back to the top.  I'm excited knowing I have Will-power on my side.  I'm excited about lessening the downers in my life and am grateful for all of those who inspire and motivate me.  I'm excited for change.

"Within the next year you will do something life changing.  That event is going to help you find your direction." - From July 23rd... I know you're right; I just wish I knew what this was.  :)

"We Could Be Anywhere"

Look for an update later today!  I'm looking forward to doing some running later this morning!