Things I'm thankful for

It is time for the obligatory thanksgiving post. So, I'll list some things I appreciate in my little part of the world:

-Cool weather on Thanksgiving Day. Here in the South we often have warm weather on a day that should have a nip in the air
-Not driving this year to see relatives. I miss my family, but there is something about having this day in your own home (of course, my mother isn't letting me hear the end of it)
-My regular readers of this blog (the few of you there are, but there is tremendous quality in your small quantity)
-My kids. We are in our art phase. We are drawing all sorts of superheroes, comic strips, sketches, and whatever they think of for me to draw for them. They then copy what I have drawn. The best part of my day is when we do lay-by time. We tuck each boy in and just chat in the bed with them for about 10 minutes. Pure heaven.
-Running early in the morning on Thanksgiving--before I intake calories!
-My new blog friends, Marathon Chris and Susan, especially. Thanks for sharing your life with me as I share mine with you.
-The start of that "Christmas feeling." I love this time of year as the Holiday expectations build up.
-Eating turkey sandwiches for dinner after the big meal. To be honest, I like post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches more than the actual T-Giving meal itself.
-That my third book will be published. I have written one historical monograph, one local history of my Parish in Louisiana (unrefereed,) and edited a volume of essays. Now, my political biography of Florida Governor Reubin Askew--the only politician I ever admired--will come out in a another 8 months or so from the University of Georgia Press.
-St. Jude's Research Hospital and the people who give money to support it. No greater cause than that of helping kids get healthy. They deserve long and happy lives and childhoods of freedom and love. Give Thanks.




I ran this morning. I did 2 intervals of 2 miles. I kept at a pace of between 11 and 12 minutes per mile. Not blazing by any means, but for me good and steady.

I am registering for a 5K on Dec 1. This will be my first test of the Achilles in a race situation. But I've had no pain at all, and running 4 miles today went a long way in proving that I was back, baby!

Pray for Elijah

I forgot to mention. The St Jude's marathon is fast approaching and my new blog friend Susan is running as a St Jude Hero. She gave me a bracelet that honors her commitment to raise money for St. Jude's Research hospital on behalf of a sharp kid named Elijah. So let's all pray for Elijah. I wanted to do this but my Achilles didn't agree.

He is going through a rough patch. Visit his site and offer a prayer: http://www.prayforelijah.com/

So, Susan, go get 'em and remember what you are running for when those miles get tough. And I'll look at my bracelet and pray for you and for Elijah. To quote Steve Runner: "Run Long and Taper."

Miles and miles

Sorry for so long in between posts. I went to Austin last week for a conference on how to be a better Department Head. I expected 4 days of boredom, but was pleasantly surprised at how useful this stuff was. While there I had hoped to be able to take a scenic run around Austin, but my hotel was near the interstate and not in a great location for runners. So I hopped on the treadmill. That said, Austin is nice. And if you ever get a chance to go by RunTex, you will not be disappointed. This is the best running store I've seen. I bought an amphipod fanny pack for cell phone and camera. Some lightweight Nike running gloves, a runner ID tag for my shoes in case I die in mid-run, a cap and a pair of socks with a longhorn logo. Plus I bought a T-shirt publicizing the Austin marathon.

My running routine is accelerating. I am running mile intervals. One lap warm up walk, run a mile. Walk a lap, run a mile. Repeat until three miles are completed. No pain. So far, so good. I am aiming to run in a 5K on December 1.

Oh, before I forget. It is supposed to be cold on Friday morning when I run again. I get to break in the tights!

While I was writing this, my 6-year old came into the room and said "Bombs are hitting the house." We have a storm coming in and the wind is knocking gobs of acorns off of two big oak trees. They are pounding the roof! This is the same 6-year old who gets mysterious stomach ailments at bedtime. Go figure. I just rub a little hydro cortisone lotion on his belly and tell him to see if that helps. He's usually out like a light in a few minutes. The trick is to get him to close his eyes for 5 minutes. If he does that, he's out. I can only imagine when he is a father trying to cure real ailments with hydro cortisone cream!

A mile--finally!

Sunday began my "mile week." I ran a mile (on the track) without stopping. I did a build up. Walk two laps, run one. Walk a lap, run two. Walk a half-lap, run a mile. Walk one lap, run two laps. Cool down.

No pain during or after the run. I felt great. I "think" I am ready, after this week, to move maybe off the track.

I also started officiating high school soccer games last week and was the center ref for a Junior Varsity boys game. No pain, I had a lot of starts, stops, and sprints. I think I am back!

I officiate two junior high games tommorrow night, and will head to Austin for a conference starting wednesday. I plan to do some running around the town and to visit RunTex, which I am told is an awesome running store.

By the way, I received my Asics Myles tights late last week. As soon as I get them, the weather warms up. Go figure. But they fit great, and feel nice. I wore them around the house and the kids gave me a few looks, but they'll get over it. I'll just tell them they are Ninja pants!