Pat's Run 2020

This year, Pat's Run was a lot different than in years past.  It was the first all virtual run.  One of the highlights of running this race in Tempe, AZ, is finishing in Sun Devil stadium on the 42 yard line.  A global pandemic calls for different measures.  Pat's Run has always had remote runners.  Shadow races take place in cities all over the country.  Military serving all over the world, run at bases where they are stationed.  I usually run as a remote runner.  However, not seeing video clips on social media covering the race in Tempe this year was strange.  It was cool seeing people post their shadow runs.  This was my first run in the snow.  I waited until the traditional start time in Tempe, so that it would warm up a bit.  I still had to bundle up with hat, gloves and a face shield.  The date caught me off I guard.  It happened early this year.  And with everything going on, I completely forgot and screwed up my training.  I had to do all my training in one week.  I manged to run the whole 4.2 miles though.  I am pretty proud of my self.  The last 2 tenths were excruciating.  But I finished. 

Sunrise

During this stay at home period, I have been trying to get out every morning for a walk, a jog or a run.  I am trying to keep to a work week routine.  I get up at 5:45 am, M-F, to start my outing.  It is still dark.  The first hint of dawn is apparent as I walk out of the basement door.
     I walk out of the basement door to reduce the noise on the main floor, for the rest of the house who still sleeps.  I walk softly and slowly on the rocks, until I get to the wooden walkway.  I do my best to open and close the gate with little clanging of metal on metal.  I hit the driveway and look to the sky.  I choose my route by the light in the sky, the clouds or lack of clouds, the wind and the rain.  If I see a hint of red and orange on the horizon, I will head towards Sunrise Beach.  The morning sunrise is something I have really enjoyed during this period.  The colors in the sky are amazing.  Maybe is the newly cultivate meditation/mindfulness practice.  Maybe it is the new house in the new location.  But I find I appreciate a sunrise a lot more.  I watched the whole sunrise yesterday, from the time the sun first broke the surface of the water on the horizon, until the bottom of the sun cleared the darkness.  Time well spent for sure.  It does wonders for my spirit.  For that brief time, all is right.

Another Hurdle Conquered

Today is a milestone day.  Coco should be very proud of himself.  He ran his first XC race today.  An away meet at that.  He had to ride the bus.  He went to and from with his teammates.  He tried hard.  And he finished.  This was his first contest in years.  I hope this is the first of many.  Coco keeps taking his steps in the right direction.  We are so happy for him.

Week 1 in the Books

3 consecutive days of school & XC are complete.  The boys are getting back into the groove.  Coco seems to have taken it in stride.
     Coco is challenging himself to do more too.  He needs to take a foreign language.  This means dropping a Learning Center.  Coco didn't hesitate in making the decision.  That was so nice to see.
     Caz showed a caring side to hi as well.  Demi asked about practice.  Caz laid out his sprint practice.  When asked if Coco participated, Caz answered that Coco did regular XC practice.  He also offered earnestly that he felt Coco should stick with XC and run the distance.  Caz said it taught hi to push himself and he feels Coco needs that.  I think Caz is right.  What a great family/Sibling moment.

Game On - Back 2 School 2016

Well, its the most wonderful time of the year......Back to school day.  It's the last one in Duxbury for Caz.  It is really hard to believe.  How did that happen so fast?  Where did he time go? (Input your personal favorite cliche here). It's true though.  My little boy is all grown up.
     Caz is driving his sophomore brother to school.  They got up on time.  They got dressed, brushed their teeth, took a picture for mom, and rode off to school early.  All was well with the world.....until....Demi gets a call.  It is Caz.  He has forgotten his backpack, laptop and lunch.  Doh!  Well....they are back to school.  And they both went to XC practice.  That is a big day for Coco.
     Demi and I were on pins and needles.  Today was the moment of the truth.  We had hig hopes.  We want Coco to set the bar high and go over.  He certainly did that today.  We are very proud of him.

XC x 2

Coco had a big day.  A milestone day.  He went to his first XC captains practice.  Why is a captain's practice a big deal?  Coco was out with others.  He was physically active.  He was participating in a DHS sport.  And he ran 3.2 miles.  That is nothing to a big something.  His time is unimportant.  He should be very proud of himself.  I know Demi and I are.  Way to go K-Train!

Track 2015-16

And we are off.  Ok.  Caz is off.  Winter track practice has commenced.  The weeks of having too much free time are over.  He needs to be running.   He needs to be active.  For all of our sakes.  He is able to focus better.  He is too tired to complain.  His disposition is just all around better.  I can't wait to watch him compete.  I want to see his hard work pay off for him.

On the Run

I went running for the first time with Caz today.  Sure, we have run 5k's and the Ruckus together.  But this was the first time we went out on the road to run together.  I wanted to get him kick started on his training.  I also believed that if I got him out on a route, he would be comfortable enough to run on his own later on.  He's a nervous kid.  If this is what it takes, then I will do it.
     I don't worry about Caz on the street.  I worry about the knuckle head drivers on the road.  People drive way to fast on these back streets.  The brush sticks out in the road, which decreases visibility, for both the runners and the drivers.  The drivers also seem to be distracted on their cell phones.  That is why I like to run early.  Far less traffic then.  With Caz sleeping in all the time, I will have to take what I can get today.  Sure we are running in the heat of the day.  But he's out running.  Baby steps.

Going Cross Country

I am trying to work with Caz.  He has decided to not play football in the fall.  He does want to run track but that is a winter and spring sport.  That is fine.  But he needs to be active in the fall.  That sort of leave cross country as his only option.  He doesn't really want to.  Or better put, he says he doesn't want to.  But he doesn't motivate for much these days.  He's a typical teenager.
     Caz started out on the elliptical trainer today.  Not exactly what I wanted him to do.  I wanted him to go out running.  Out on the street.  But I will take it for today.  Its a start.