Day 139 and 140

1st... George, tried to call you today your cell phone was not working...said phone no longer in service. I will forward you an e-mail confirmation of the medical insurance we got yesterday.( Again Thanks to Steve and his forum post.)

Steve,heard from Transrockie folks and forwarded that to us see his comments on day 138. In summary, the 1st two stages are shorter but Transrockie says this year's race will be harder then last year.

Took Tuesday off and today did my uphill run at the Y along with some stomach and upper body work. Also went to have my blood drawn it will be interesting to see what effect the training has had on my blood profile since I also stopped taking the Zocor.

Got my sleeping bag today along with a bunch of other gear. I think I might win the best dressed runner award. I am all technicaled up even my underwear!!!!

Tomorrow hope to cross train with Rick on the Golf course. Have not played with him this year. Should be a good day albiet a hot one.

Days 136,137 & 138

Well, the Saga is over. We lost our last game 7-6 to Princeton. The boys came back from 7-3 deficit and the winning run was on second base when the game ended. Freddy did not pitch well but he hit well. He kept the rally going in the last inning with 2 outs and a full count he drove in the 6th run. Had we won we would of had to play yesterday and tonight. The weight of the world in now off my shoulders!!! I do not think my contract will be renewed!!!

Training...Logged 55 miles this week not the 68 in the Transrockie schedule. But I feel pretty good about training. Ran 15 on Saturday again full pack ,11 on Sunday morning then went on a 4 mile hike in the afternoon. I forgot to reset my garmin so it combined my Friday run with Saturday so at the 26.2 mile mark I checked the time it was 4:35. I was happy about that even it was over a two day span. My pace was consistence with the pack. After the 3 days my legs felt pretty decent, I felt the miles but it was not horrible. Was able to run an easy 4 today and my legs felt good after the 1st mile. Will take tomorrow off and start trying to rebuild the body. Hope to get my trail shoes by Friday from Roadrunners and run a couple mini long runs in them.

George, Sat said he is having difficulty getting info on the shuttle to Buena Vista. I told him I thought you had looked into that for us. If you have could you let him know.

Steve, has the same view I have with the Transrockie folks...they are not answering any question for the participants. I am going to read his blog tonight. He thinks total miles could be 110.

Days 134 & 135

I was checking the Transrockie website they have changed the routes. The 1st two days they have reduced the mileage substantially. If I am reading it right...1st day 10 miles second 12. George we can do that backwards ELITE runners like us.

Anyway, woke-up at 4:00am this morning in a sweat...with a list of things to do in my head. Could not get back to sleep!!

Ok training update...ran 7+ on Wednesday mostly trail...the 4H's were present. Thursday, just walked up hill at pretty could pace on the treadmill up to a 15% grade. Did 3 miles. This morning ran 13+ in full pack mode...weather was almost perfect mid 60's when I started. Felt pretty good when I got done. Sitting at work now just a little tired.

I know everybody wants a LL update...Wednesday's game got rained out...not good. We may go into Sunday now. We lost last night to the top seed but our guys did not play well at all. We only got 1 hit. Freddy drove in the only 2 runs we scored on ground outs. I hope we do better tonight. We are playing the same team we beat on Tuesday 10-0. If we win we play again on Saturday. Luckily that game is not until 5:00. At least I can get my run in. If we win that game we play Sunday. This is killing me.

Tomorrow hope to get my trail shoe issues resolved.

Days 132 & 133

I am getting STRESSED !!!! This week is supposed to be the big week for mileage and LL is getting in the way. We keep winning which means we could be playing this weekend which will really mess-up my running schedule. We have a game every night this week.

Monday ran 5+ on the treadmill up-hill felt ok. Did my normal Y work-out.

Monday night we played one of the best teams in the tournament and lost a very close one. We went with our B pitchers as our A pitchers were un-available. Freddy, pitched and did very well. Retired the side in order his 1st inning and the second would have done the same if not for a couple of fielding errors. We lost 11-8 but we ran out of time...only played 5 innings.

Last night we won 10-0. Which means we have at least 2 more games to play. If we keep winning we could go all the way to next Tuesday. Not good. We play the # 1 seed tonight. I am not sure who I am rooting for!!!!

Hope to run today on my lunch hour, again Thursday and figure out how I will get the long runs in on Saturday and Sunday with LL.

George, we need to go through a check list for equipment,food and clothing. What is your feeling on a GPS device ? With our history of getting lost I was thinking we should hire a guide!!! Since you are single maybe YOU can get a young single female guide...I just won't tell Helen!!!

Days 127,128,129,130 & 131

It has been a while...received some bads news about my cousin and a very good friend. Both had some serious medical issues. Both had left us for awhile and had to be revived. They are struggling to regain there health. There struggle makes this Quest seem insignificant. There are two things in life you can not take for granted your family and your health.

So in that regard getting in shape for this run is best thing I can do for my health assuming I do not killed by a grizzly bear or die of exhaustion!!!

Training has been going ok. The weather has not been good. The 4H's are back. Ran Wednesday inside on the treadmill uphill for 5 miles felt ok. Did some stomach work called it a day. Wednesday night we had our 1st touurnament game. Played one of the better teams we lost 17-7. Freddy pitched... he threw strikes but they had some real good hitters so it was tough. He was upset. On the way home from the game I was driving by myself and was passing a McDonalds had not had any junk food since March. AND after losing 15lbs I made a U-turn into Micky D's. Got a double quarter pounder w/cheese large fries and a coke. Thought I died and went to heaven...I woofed it down it 2 seconds almost went back for another but I had no money left.

Thursday, ran 7.5 in 90+ degree heat thought I was having a heat stroke. I stop sweating with a 1/2 mile to go. Made it back to the Y and drank water like a camel. Did some stomach work but felt weak. Went back to work with a headache took some aspirins. That night we had our second tournament game at 8:00. We won 15-5. Freddy played `pretty good had some good hits and played the field well. After the game Freddy went camping with the boy scouts along with Helen. I went home to take care of Katie and the pets. Did I mention I was exhausted!!!!

Friday, tried to wake-up early to go for a long run before the 4H's came out. Got going around 8:00am. Felt absolutely horrible and I just tried to survive. Got it done... it was not pretty. Went into work late after lunch.

Saturday, woke-up early... 6:30... got my long run in before the 4Hs kicked in but it was hot enough. Did not feel that bad actually had a little left very little at the end. Then we had BB practice at 10:00. It started getting hot but it did not bother the kids just the coaches.

Sunday, had to take today off as we had a game at 10:00am. We had to meet at 8:00 for BP practice before the game. It was some game we were losing 8-4 going into the last inning. We had to win to move on. Our # 11 hitter leads -off with a walk that was huge!!! Top of line-up coming up...but our Lead off man strikes out our # 2 guy walks our # 3 guy pops out...2 outs!!! We are down to our last out still had not scored. Freddy's up 3-2 count smashes one up the middle short-stop makes a great play but our # 2 guy is so fast he beats the play at second. Base loaded still 2 outs. Well after that we keep hitting ground balls and beating them out for hits. We steal home for the game winner 9-8. The Saga continues!!!! Stay tuned for more!!!

Tomorrow, treadmill work as I gear-up for what looks to be a tough week...need to go long for three straight days. Do not think I am going to run 20+ though. I hope to stick around 15-16 will see.

Days 125 & 126

Took yesterday off. Had LL practice at night. Big tournament starts tomorrow. Last one...then I can relax on that front. Then I can concentrate 100% of my worries on the Quest.

Today was a new 1st I ran 7 in sun glasses. Never did that before. This Quest is full of change...1st the Garmin, then the Ipod shuffle and now sun glasses I moving into the 21 century. George, tell Tadpole the sun glasses I bought are being worn by our troops. The lenses are bullet proof...I wonder if they are Grizzly bear proof. They will come in handy for golf too...now I can relax when I am trying to hit a ball out for the woods. I will not have to worry about a ricochet hitting me in the eye!!!

George, looks like the Dallas weather is heading our way. I am trying to figure out a running schedule to deal with heat. Tomorrow hill work on the treadmill.

Days 123 & 124

Ran 11 early Saturday morning before the heat set in. Unfortunately, was not luckily enough to avoid the heat for baseball practice. After practice Freddy wanted to watch his friend Michael play his Allstar game. A long baseball day. After, that went out to buy a pack. I bought one but I think it is too big will try to wear it a couple times to see.

The last of my baseball hero's passed away...Bobby Murcer. Last year it was the Scooter. Katie and I were watching some film clips of Bobby Murcer while we were watching the Yankee game. She is 12. She said Murcer was a true Yankee and that A-Rod would never be one. She has amazing insight. I am now down to two hero's James Arness( Matt Dillon)Gunsmoke which I watch all the time and Joe Namath.

Tony Snow was also a good guy.

Today ran 12 before Church. Legs felt pretty rough. I keep thinking the training is going to pay-off... we are running out of time.

George, I have an alternative plan for the Transrockie Run. We bring our golf clubs play 36 find the campsite have dinner camp-out. Wake-up have breakfast play another 36 find the Campsite etc etc...At the camp fire we can talk about all the birdies we made while we listen to people talk about how horrible they feel about the day's run. I AM SERIOUS!!!!

Days 121 & 122

Took yesterday off. Went home for lunch took a power nap. Went back to school felt pretty good. Left school a little early so I could eat dinner before LL practice. Practice was pretty good we were trying to get the kids to be more aggressive at the plate. So I tried to get them fired-up it worked in some not in others. But if we do not hit in the next tournament we are toast and they won't renew my contract.

Ran 13 this morning. The weather broke...it was 62 degrees and no humidity. I was in heaven. Felt like a new man...I must be because I am down to 156lbs. Glad I ran early though I think it is going up to 90 this afternoon. It was nice getting into work at 10:30 all the problems of the morning were gone by the time I got in.

George, I saw the weather forecast for Dallas this morning 99 degrees. I really think you should try the treadmill in that kind of weather. In our younger days it would not be a problem or if you were only running 5 but going long in that heat on repeating days can not be good.

Hope to do 11 tomorrow before LL practice/scrimmage. Also hope to resolve my pack purchase tomorrow as well.

Day 121

Did 7 in a cloud. When I got done it look like I came out of the shower. Went in and did some stomach and leg work. The weather is supposed to break tonight. So the weekend runs look to be halfway decent.

Had a scrimmage against the 8yr old all-star team tonight. The game was close for awhile but we pulled it out in the end. Our team is a 9 yr old all-star team. We still can not hit. But we showed signs of life. Batting practice tomorrow night.

Not sure if I will take a day-off tomorrow or not. Hope to do three long runs starting Friday.

Day 119 &120

Played golf on Monday. It was a nice outing raised money for children with disabilities. Henry, sponsored the foursome which was very generous of him. It was long day made longer by a disturbing phone call from the school. I should have left my cell phone home. Anyway, we played just shy of 36 holes as I had to leave for LL practice that started at 6:30. We had a lot of laughs and actually as a team were even par when we stopped.

Today, had to deal with that phone call...its no fun being a business owner. May have a solution will see tomorrow.

Well ran 5+ on the treadmill all up-hill. I hope this type of running will help...I know it is not the same as outside running but I do get my heart rate up pretty good. Went downstairs and did some stomach work and called it a day.

Got my rain gear ordered...need to get a pack and a sleeping bag / mat. Will go with George's selection on the sleeping bag. Also waiting on trail shoes hopefully George says we will have them by next week.

George, I was reading The California Old Goats' Blog and there combined age is 130 so they have us by 20+ years. They share our philosophy I believe. Run, Jog, Walk, Nap, and a couple of beers when they get done. I look forward to meeting those guys.

Hope to get in 6/7 tomorrow it is going to be hot by lunch time.

Day 118

Got up early did 11 felt like I was running in cloud. The humidity had to be 90% luckily the temp was only mid 70's. Actually felt pretty good...again once I woke-up. The hardest part is getting out of bed at 6:30 on a Sunday morning.

George,I bought Ultima Replenisher it was recommended by the Transrockie bike race. I have been taking it for the past two days I think it is better then Gatorade not as sweet. I drink a glass before I run and then after I finish. I think I will mix it up and take it on my long runs.

Pretty un-event full day. Church, some work around the house, watched Wimbledon reminded me of the Connor v Borg matches. Then took a power nap. A pretty good day.

Tomorrow, 36 holes for the Special Olympics. It is now a tradition for Henry and I to play. It is long day but for a good cause...I look forward to it...but it is supposed to be hot and humid tomorrow. Plus I have baseball practice at 6:30pm. Oh well such is life.

Day 117

Went for an early morning run got 11 in before our LL game. It was a wet run...light rain and humidity. Felt pretty good once I woke-up. My shuffle is not working having technical problems hope to figure it out soon.

Well we were eliminated from our 1st tournament. The kids played well we had 1 bad inning where we gave up 5 runs. We just can not seem to hit. Freddy scored our only run...stole home on a passed ball. Freddy played well...threw out a guy stealing second and made some good plays as well at 1st base. We have a little break before our next tournament. I am afraid if we do not start hitting it will be a quick exit. I think we scored a total of 10 runs in five games.

Hope to get my run in early tomorrow before church.

Day 115 & 116 Happy 4th of July

Played golf on Thursday it was sunny,windy and hot. Played halfway decent. The round took about 4+ hours. Finished up went in for lunch and a Bud. Unfortunately, could only have 1 Bud...LL game at night. Would not be good for the manager to have Alcohol on his breath. Got home about 4:00 and was exhausted took a power nap before the big game.

Unfortunately, the big game was anything but big...the kids were tired from the night before and there play showed it. NO ENERGY...I know the feeling. We lost. Again, we got home late after 10:00.

Today, took the day-off. Had hoped to play golf with Rick but I was too tired to get up early. Plus Rick was not able to get a tee time. So we went down to his summer house for the afternoon. The kids love his backyard pool. Rick & Marydett are the nicest hosts...Freddy and Katie enjoy there company. Marydett's 85 year old Dad came by and was doing card tricks for the kids. He was a big Boy Scout leader when his kids were growing up so Helen talk to him about scouting. Both his boys Buddy and Bobby made Eagle Scout. Freddy has a long way to go. Another,VERY GOOD DAY.

George, that suicide vest will kill you in that heat. I do not know how you do it.

3 great Americans died on July 4th...Thomas Jefferson,John Adams and Mr C. I can not believe it has been four years since he passed away. He was like family and another big brother. He would have been the third Knucklehead. He would have been there with us as our single crew member. I do not have the space to tell people who did not know him about his life... but he had the most courage of anyone I ever knew. Every day he had to show it...I miss Mr C. He will be in my thoughts when I am running in the Rockies as he is everyday.

Days 112,113 & 114

Well so much for taking this week off. Monday ran 2, and worked out at the Y. Then had a tough night of LL Allstars. Lost tough game Freddy pitched and got beat-up. He was pretty upset...I felt bad for him. We did not get home till after 11:00pm. Way past my bedtime!!!

Tuesday,ran 5 miles uphill on the treadmill and did a little work-out at the Y. Then back to work. After work off to LL practice for 2 hrs. Got home was exhausted tried to go to bed early no luck there.

Today, did 6 outside it was pretty hot but felt half way decent. Back to work. Then off to a LL game. We finally won 4-3. Freddy played well got a key RBI and made the last three outs of the game. Just got home but I thought I needed to post.

Cross training tomorrow and another LL game at 8:00. Hope to play golf with Rick on Friday but not sure if I want to wake-up at 6:00am on the 4th.

George, as I told you we have a chance to finish 3rd in the Quest for our age group 80+. It looks like there are only 3 teams in our catorgory. But we do not have to tell anybody that.