Day 81

Not 100% but better then Tuesday. Got in 6+ then went to LL practice. Last regular season game Saturday...then Play-offs start. Then my job is really on the line.

Hope to do 8 tomorrow and 12 on Sunday.

Day 80

Had too much going on today to run. Went to Yankee Stadium for a tour of the old ball park before they tear it down. Freddy and I went. Brought back a lot of memories of my Dad. Freddy had a good time.

Then we lost our 7th in a row. Totally bummed.

Hope to get back my running stride tomorrow. Head cold I think is getting better.

George, your Mom is in my prayers. I'll call you tomorrow.

Day 79

Ran 5 + miles. Still not right...no energy. I think I peaked to soon. Have been going over the training schedule and comparing it to my schedule something is going to have to give. I need to figure it out some more.

George, we are going to have to start looking into travel arrangements and equipment. Check!

Day 78

Day Off. Head cold still kicking my butt. Got 10hrs of sleep last night. Marched in the Memorial day parade. The weather was perfect unfortunately not that big of a crowd. The ceremony was nice and of course I cried when they played taps.

I hope to get back to a better work-out tomorrow.

Day 77

Head cold is really killing me. Went for my long run did 10+ felt like 20. 1st time I felt like I will not make it. Legs felt fine even after yesterday's race where I pushed myself pretty hard. I had no energy and could not breath. Was wiped out when I got home and I am still whooped 7hr after the run. I hope this cold starts to get better. Did not do my normal routine today...no suicide walk... trying to stay with the transrockie schedule.

I heard from the folks who put together the training schedule. They got back to me about my question on the mileage. They said we should maintain the higher mileage level we had been at. They also said we should go up and then down with our mileage. I am not sure I know what means. I will e-mail them again...I may join there club its $160 a month. I think I need the help.

Freddy and I will be marching in the Memorial Day parade tomorrow. It's tradition!!! I always get teary eyed when they play taps and the old veterans stand there at attention. It a shame more people do not attend the parade.

I think I will lay off the running tomorrow and hope my cold gets better. I also need to get my plants in.

Day 75 and 76

Friday did not run but went to the Y for stomach and upper body work. Cold still kicking my butt. Left for Jersey shore around 4:00. Picked up our race #'s and went to eat dinner at the Parker House...our Tradition. Played shuffle board with the kids ate dinner and off to the kids race. The weather was perfect. Freddy finished 3rd in the 10 year heat. Katie finished in the middle of the pack 12-14 heat. She held up well...she has the body of long distance runner tall and skinny but no endurance.

After the race we went to Rick's house. They have a beautiful house with a pool. Rick had just got back from London in the afternoon...which was a good thing. So we only had a couple beers and we were in bed before 11:00. The SL 5 is at 8:30am.

Woke-up at 7:00am my cold still bothering me. Rick was going to drive Henry(my buddy from WW who was also running) and me to the race. There were over 9,500 runners. The weather again was perfect. Rick and I have been going to this race for over 25 years you would think we would have the parking routine down by now. Team knucklehead 2. Last year we lost each other and the car. This year we could not get to the car because it was parked in the middle of the course and we had to wait until all the runners/walkers finished. Luckily Rick's wife Marydett came to picked us up.

The race is along the ocean and goes inland around a lake and you finish on the ocean side. Keeping with my historical strategy Henry and I lined up at he front of the pack with the Elite runners...of course! Did not want to run in the middle of 9500 people. Still did not get off to a great start the 1st mile was 8:10. Although my Garmin said 7:50. At the 3 mile mark my cold was making sick to my stomach almost threw-up. But still maintaining 8 min pace. Started to settle in and finished with sub 8's. Official race time 39:30 but my Garmin said 39. Overall happy with the results could have done better if not for the cold.

Went back to Rick's house...Freddy and Katie were in the pool the temp was 60. Henry came back to Rick's but had to go back to WW as he was leaving for Mexico City tomorrow. Had breakfast helped Rick put together a hammock. Not that I was much help...I can't screw in a light bulb. We were back in WW by 1:00 and on the couch taking a nap by 1:15. After my nap I finished turning over the garden. Having a beer now and plan to go to bed early tonight...watching Lion King w/kids.

Hope to go long tomorrow.

Day 74

Still feeling under the weather. Almost took the day-off. Would have if not for SL 5. Wanted to get one more 5 miler in before the race. It is no fun running with a cold/sinus issues hard time breathing and tired. But got it done in a light rain.

Will take tomorrow off. Long day ahead. Off to the NJ shore...Spring Lake. Katie and Freddy are running in the kids race tomorrow night. Last year Freddy finished 2nd in the 9yr old race. Will be staying over at Rick's house so we do not have to get up to early on Saturday. I'll have to watch my beer intake...Rick is a bad influence.

Hope your trip to the lake was a good one. Running up there should be good. Better then the heat in Dallas. Plus you should be able to do some hills.

Day 73

Well, I am officially sick got whatever the kids and Helen have...Not happy at all. Especially with the SL 5 only 3 days away. However, I am relieved I thought I was having leg and muscle issues but it was just I was getting sick. Took 2 extra strength excedrin's and went to the Y anyway. Gutted out 5 and the rest of my work-out. I expect to crash very shortly...that is why I am posting early. Plus Freddy has a concert tonight he has a singing role but he was coughing his brains out as of this morning.

George, do you think we should order 2 pair or run in them and if we like them order more. Road Runner is pretty good with sizes I will go with the 9 on the trail shoe. I have three brand new 1223 NB so I will pass on the regular running shoe. Although, I wonder if I should try a new shoe ?

Diet is my Achilles heel. I need more veggies which I am not found of and forget about soy milk and all those mixes you are talking about. Although I am an avid fan of your Metamucil mix. I do find myself in need of an energy boost during the day. Sleep is another factor... I need more of it. Getting to bed before 10 would be a help.

Day 72

Lost again... 6 in a row....

Day-off. Good thing I am under the weather...everyone around is sick. Not happy about that.

George, I have been taking Omega 3 for about a year now. I was taking it for my cholesterol levels. I have been eating almonds for protein and I love eggs. I know you hate eggs but they are good source of protein.

Hope to get back to my Y routine tomorrow. The Spring Lake 5 is this Saturday but my legs feel tired. I hope I can rally for a sub 40 effort.

Day 71

Of course everything that could go wrong did last night. Freddy threw-up 3x, dog and cats were fighting and I got 3hrs of sleep if I was lucky. Then my director called out sick and half the school was sick. Helen is having a good time at her seminar!!!!

George, got the shorts you recommended. Ran in them today felt pretty good...look good too. May wear them to work in the summer. Was able to get 4 miles in today but no Y work-out. It was not a strong 4 but at least I got it in.

Posting before LL game in case we lose I will be in no mood to post. Not a very positive attitude I know but losing does that to you. Have to remain positive, however half my coaching staff will be missing tonight.

Day 70

George, that is exactly how I feel when I get done with my long runs...I keep telling myself trust the training. I think once I get a couple of back to back long runs in I will have a better feeling. But it does weigh on my mind. I think what really is a worry is getting the time to get those back to back runs in. When I get done I usually have an energy burst as long as I stretch properly at the end. But a couple hours later I get tired.

Today, Helen left for her seminar. But I kept up my Sunday routine. It was raining pretty good here...but I got the suicide walk in. I was the only one out on the road today but it was fine I actually enjoyed it... the rain was a distraction. You know what they say... Life is not always sunny and 70!!

I have been rethinking the trail shoe idea and I think that maybe the way to go. I was running on some rocks and mud Saturday I think a sturdy trail shoe maybe a good idea. I also came across a Gore-tex jacket and pants on Mountaingear .com. It was not cheap but I think it is what we need I will e-mail you the items tomorrow. Plus I love the NB technical t-shirts I bought. I could not believe how they kept me dry and when I got done they did not smell bad either.

Not sure what to do tomorrow...need to be home for the kids and I have a LL game tomorrow night. I'll have to figure it out.

Day 69

This was one long day. Did a 12.5 miles this morning. Felt so so. But got it done. Total miles this week 36.

Started getting my garden ready for planting it is a project and a half every year. Energy levels are dwindling.

Lost our 5th game in a row tonight but we played our best game to date. We will get there!

That is it for today.

Day 68

Did my Y workout again... weather was nasty. Did 5 on the treadmill did not feel great. Finished up with stomach , upper body and leg work.

Looking to do a long run tomorrow...not sure how long I want to go. The training schedule calls for 8 on Sunday but I will not start Sunday runs until next week.

Most of my household is sick and Helen is leaving for three days on Sunday for a seminar in Delaware. Should be an interesting three days around here. Hope to keep my training routine in tacked but will see. I also have 2 LL games during that period as well. I better go to bed now!!!

Day 67

George, the write-up sounded fine. But why did you rush...don't you have plenty of time on your hands!!!! A man of leisure like yourself!

A busy day but it was a fun day. Played golf. We had a fun back 9. We played for $1. My partner was 75 years old. We played against 17 year old high school kid and 45 year old Dad who brings his kid to my school. They were giving us 10 strokes. The kid was on the high school golf team. George the 75 year old kept teasing them that there combined age did not equal his.
WELL, George and I beat them outright. We could not stop laughing.

I carried my bag and felt pretty good... did not get tired near the end of the round. Played in 41/2hrs.

LL practice was better tonight...half the kids listen tonight!!!

George, did you order those shoes for me ?

I am racking my brain for a solution to your house problem. I think you need an honest assessment from your broker what you are facing value wise and a time frame for the market rebound. I know renting may not cover the entire nut but it could defray some of the nut. Plus the renter may fall in love with the house and want to buy. Anyway, that is my 2 cents for tonight.

The outplacement stuff is always a joke. I think they are run by people who can not find jobs themselves. Networking is a good idea but you knew that anyway. I think your relationships with your former customers is the way to go. Dallas is a dynamic market you should have no problem when you are ready to get back in.

Looks like an in door day tomorrow at the Y. Rain headed are way in NJ.

Day 66

George, you are beginning to sound like Sat Sandhu very technical...you must be copying his blog. We heard from the better half of the Sandhu's today...Jo. She left a nice comment. I think we will have a good time with them come August.

Did you get the media e-mail from Transrockie ? That might take me a month to fill out. Since you are the brains of this team you are in charge of filling that out. You are the articulate one...do not take that as an insult!!

I have not looked at the trail shoes yet but hope to do it over the next couple of days. Also, did not hear from TCR on the training schedule.

I have to say those technical t-shirts I bought are great. I think I will buy a couple more when we figure out the trail shoe issue.

I love reading the old classics and that is great idea...I think I will do that when Katie starts reading the classics. The only problem for me is it takes me months to read a book...my lips move when I read.

OK, ran 6 miles today felt pretty good. I only planned to run 4 but I was exploring some new trails and felt good so I kept going. Finished my work-out with the usual stomach and upper body work. However, I have added some leg machines to the workout. Tomorrow, hopefully back to cross training...Golf. The weather looks to be OK.

Day 65

Well took today off my normal Tuesday. But it was a busy day at work and LL. Lost again tonight 4 game losing streak...8-7. Freddy got the lost. They will never renew my contract.

George, I sent an email to the TCR people( the ones that produced the training schedule). Maybe I will get a response. The questioned I asked was the base question ie 35mile base should we back it down to 21 or stay at 35 until they go to 48. Maybe I will hear something tomorrow or they will try and sell me something.

I take a size 8.5 D normally...like I said in some NB I have to go to a 9. So whatever size you think I should get I'll will try a pair. If it does not fit would she mind if I sent it back?

Day 64

George, I do not think trading houses will help your situation...the mortgage is thing you need to trade. I doubt your buyer will assume your mortgage or will he? Even if he does your bank will have to approve it as well.

What shoe are you running in ? I just bought (2) 1223 New Balance and those shorts you recommended. But I am not sure if I want to run in the 1223 for the quest. Or how many shoes we will need.

Did my Monday routine...ran uphill for 5 miles on the treadmill. Felt pretty good.
I think I will follow the Transrockie workout when the mileage gets to where I am at now. Does that makes sense?

Day 64 It is a Small World.

Graduation was very nice. The weather was perfect and ceremony was not too long only about an hour. George, UCONN offers a 6 year program...I turned to Helen when they announced this group of people and said these most be the Dummies. But this a real program. Can you imagine if Leo's had a 6yr program when we were there. We would not have survived!!!

Anyway, Keri's degree is a BS Kinesiology (the study of exercise). She is going to be trainer for a sports team eventually. I told her to keep tabs on our blog to give us some advice on our training. After the Ceremony we went back to her professor's house for a party. There I learned he was going to run the Transrockie run this year as well. But he had a change of plans and is going to do it next year and conduct some kind study on the runners. It is a small world!!!


Got to talk to Paulie about our quest. Off course he gave me one more thing to worry about. Hypothermia, says we need to be careful gear wise that we have warm clothes after a tough climb as we will be sweating heavy and then the weather can change especially at the elevations we will be at.

He was leaving for Guyana tonight to build a small hospital in the Jungle somewhere. They were going to try to bring drinkable water to the hospital. He said anytime you want some tips an how to live without a steady job and travel to remote area give him a buzz. After he gets back from Guyana he is headed for Yosemite for the summer where he will be working at the park in the back country chasing bears.

Took about 4 hours to get back to NJ. Had to take a couple of detours due to the Mother's Day traffic. Got home in time to get the suicide walk in.

Day 63

George send me the product # for those shorts. I just bought some Technical T's from them.

I am up in Manchester at a Marriott Inn getting ready for bed. Did not run today I am feeling guilty. But I would not have made it. Almost turned onto Rt. 2 when I got into Hartford. I am hoping to get my suicide walk in tomorrow if I get home at a decent hour. The Graduation is at 9:00am so I have a chance.

We lost another LL game... got killed. I am giving up!!!!

Day 62

Miserable day in NJ. Had to stay inside today at the Y did not bring my rain gear. Ran 5 on the treadmill at a constant pace...trying to get steady. Still not 100% but I think I am on the mend.

Read yours & Sat's weight goals... I think as the training picks-up those goals/weight will melt away. I am targeting 160 but I think 155 is not out of reach as the mileage increases. I have hit 162 after a long run and the most important miles are coming up.

Off to Ct tomorrow after our LL game. Not sure how many miles I will run tomorrow. Have a 3+ hour drive do not want to fall asleep at the wheel. Hopefully, there will not be too much traffic.

Day 61

The Weather was shaky so no golf today. Was not really up for golf anyway. Almost passed on my run was feeling pretty tired and sick. But forced myself to go even in the rain. Ended up doing 6 miles and amazingly I felt 10x better. Looking forward to tomorrow's work-out.

George,I will be up in your old neck of the woods on Saturday. My niece is graduating from UCONN on Sunday. Not sure how I am going to get my long run in this weekend. May just rest this weekend.

Did you get that e-mail ?

Day 60...The Fountain of Youth

Well 60 days in! I thought I change the picture on our blog to show everyone how we are doing after 60 days of training. Our training regiment has been paying dividends. Excersie is truly the fountain of youth. We have turned back the hands of time. Some people who know us may say we lost 20 years plus. My excersise program is so intense my hair is growing back!!! Anyone interested in buying my excersie program just leave your name and address.

Today, the fountain of youth left me. My worse work-out since starting the quest. I think I am coming down with one the many germs circulating in the school. Hopefully, nothing too terrible. Did my Y work-out. Ran 4.5 mostly on grass and trail. Got back inside my buddy Joe who is 85 and is always giving me grief says I looked worse them him. He is a pistol...he still hawking the ladies. He has been working hard on this one lady...I hope he gets lucky. Someone has too. My buddy Carmen still missing in action.

Not sure what I am doing tomorrow maybe playing golf or not ! Just hope I do not feel worse then today.

Day 59

Day-off. However,work was no picnic. Still a little tired hope I get a good night sleep and come back tomorrow stronger.

George, you need a financial planner. Here is my advice free of charge...Sell everything. Put it 3/4 balanced mutual funds and get a good night sleep. Or go to Vegas and put all on Red 42!!!

I forwarded the e-mail to you this morning. It looks like Dennis is doing Ok.

Day 58

Went uphill for 5 miles+ on the treadmill. I was working hard today but maxed out at 7% for 5 minutes. I was whooped when I got done and my legs were a little sore. Well I ran for six straight days and probably averaged about 6 miles a day. Not 20. However, I also went to LL games,practices,and work which might equal the other 14 miles and then some. Do feel that I am getting stronger.

Next week I start the training program from Transrockie website. However I am starting at a better base then the program calls for.

Day-off tomorrow. I could use it. LL game tonight...we got killed 15-10. Nobody played well including the manager!!!

Day 57

My usual Sunday routine with a couple of wrinkles. Went to church but we skipped our traditional breakfast stop. Freddy at the last minute decided to participate in the Pepsi, Hit,Run and Pitch competition. He has just started to get into baseball and he tries hard to play well. But I would say he is average. So...he goes ahead and wins the overall 9/10 Hit,Run and Pitch competition. He is also a knucklehead he could care less. But he gets to go on to the state championship in couple of weeks with his best friend. Going with his best friend I think is what makes him excited.

Anyway a good way to start a Sunday.

Did my suicide walk 4 miles. Kept my 15min/mile pace up. My legs felt pretty good after the 13. Just feel a little stiff tonight. Loaded some more songs on the I-pod today. I need to start getting different play lists. Although, I am boring guy I can listen to same songs over and over again... which I have been doing for the past 2wks.

Back to the Y tomorrow...hill work-out on the treadmill.

Day 56

Got up 6:00am and went for my long run. Did 13. Felt halfway decent finished strong with a sub 9min for mile 13. The rest of day I was looking for a nap.

After the run we had picture day for the LL. After the photos we played a game. We lost 10-9. The boys played there worst game so far. Should have won by 10. Poor coaching again.

Spring Lake 5 is Memorial Day weekend...Saturday. Any interest?

Tomorrow...Sunday routine.

Day 55

Busy day at work. Did my Y work-out. Ran outside for an easy 4 miles. Tried trail shoes today New Balance 908. Attempted to run on grass and trail for entire run. The shoe felt good and they were lighter then my New Balance 1223. Not one of my best work-outs but did not want to push myself hope to do a long run early tomorrow.

Have a busy day on tap for tomorrow. Need to get my run in early. Will forgo my Friday Happy Hour tonight.. hope to get to bed early.

Hope the knee is feeling better.

Day 54

Could not get out of work in time to play golf. So...trained for the Spring Lake 5 again. Ran 5.5 outside it was a little windy but cool. Ran sub 8's and felt pretty good. Had not run for time in almost a month. Was happy with a sub 40 5miler. My goal for the Spring Lake 5 is a sub 40.

After my run onto LL practice where the weather started to turn to rain. The kids did not seem to mind. After practice onto Katie's concert. She plays the clarinet. I need to go to bed early tonight...I am whooped.

George how is your knee ?