Hi all -- now that all four football playoff games are done, and the Golden Globes are on, now's a good time to update the old blog!
It takes a certain amount of work to elevate yourself to new levels. Accepting the Four Pillars, eliminating the parasites, saboteurs, and gangsters from your lives, and increasing your self-esteem are not as easy as our friends in the "I don't care" crowd would have us believe. So what do we do when we're swamped? Take a BREAK.
Last week, I had a break of sorts. It was one I'd planned months before in order to run the Disney Marathon. Away from my normal routine, I visited my parents down in Florida, went to Orlando for all three of us to enjoy the marathon, and was treated to a little extra rest and relaxation. Once again, I thank my mom & dad for all their support! Not only did I use that weekend to compete in that marathon, I also used it for a little extra peace and introspection.
And this past weekend, I took another break. I had a week off from running, and treated myself to a mini-junk food binge! I'm not sure if the editors of Runner's World would agree, but most coaches will tell you that your body definitely needs to rest before you start running regularly again. And so I have! Of course, something tells me that by next week, that'll change.
The best thing about my breaks -- reconnecting with family. Our past can only be our past, we can't live in it, and we can't go home again. Even so, maintaining long-term relationships, especially with blood relatives, can still give us greater insight into who we are at present, and where we're going. Your immediate family still knows you better than anyone else, and has the best perspective into the path you're taking, and can always advise you in the most supportive way. You can still trust them more than anyone else. So long as you remain true to them, they'll always stay true to you.
So I'd like to thank my folks for inviting me into your home recently. I can assure you that those visits won't be the last. The time I've spent with you has been rejuvenating, and I recommend the same to all my readers, to the extent it's possible to do so, no matter how young or how old you may be. Through reunification and reflection with the family you grew up with, you're able to gain strength from the original source of life. In doing so, you're able to rejoin the world stronger, more mature, and significantly wiser.
And it doesn't hurt to remind them, and yourselves, that:
I EXIST. I MATTER. I BELONG. I DESERVE.
Feel free to comment!
This blog is meant for the advancement, redemption, and self actualization of those who have not been taught how to properly manage their emotions, and have suffered due to this lack of information. While we in no way defend those who have harmed us, we also do not make ourselves triggered and manipulated by people and things we cannot control. Through the application of the Eight Pillars, we can move forward and become the strong, unflappable, respectable people we were meant to be.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Walt Disney World Marathon
This morning, I ran my most recent marathon one of the happiest of places -- Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida!
This being Florida, and this being run through a theme park that usually opens at 9am, the marathon was scheduled to begin at 5:30 am under cover of darkness. So at 3:15 am, there I was, in the Epcot parking lot, with several thousand other runners, and several porto-johnnies, attempting to stay warm in the 50-degree chill that Florida was stuck with until dawn.
I was armed with my bib, which had a B-Tag securely attached (every race should have them, and not those lame-o D-Tags that nobody knows how to use), and a fuel belt containing one flask of Gatorade and one flask of Powerade, as well as three Gu's just in case Popeye needed his spinach. I was sporting the pair of black-and-orange Gel Nimbus 12 sneakers I'd bought six weeks earlier to "break in" for this event, since it was designed for my pronation.
As we approached the starting line, I assembled in Corral B, and got myself ready as Mickey, Goofy, and Donald took the stage next to the starting line, addressed us with a few jokes through animatronic masks, and gave the ready-set-go start to each wave of runners. My Garmin was on, I was receiving perfect GPS signals (for a change), and I depressed the start/stop button as I proceeded over the starting line.
I was on my way! I had shed the old long-sleeve tee from the 2005 Long Beach Snowflake Run and the old sweatpants that I'd worn prior to the start, and saw the fireworks and pyrotechnics overhead as I began my run. I enjoyed the brief moment of warmth the flames provided, and then proceeded to warm myself up.
I had sworn that I would not commit the ultimate runner faux pas, and "go out too fast." My sole intention was to take it nice, easy, slow, and comfortable for at least the first half of this race, and then turn on the juice for the second half. A glance at my Garmin, however, confirmed that my slow and comfortable pace was ranging anywhere between 8:54 and 9:14, when I intended to run a 9:30 or slower. I would later discover that the reason for this unexpected display may have been my consumption of Powerade instead of Gatorade. Apparently, it really does have more carbohydrates and electrolytes, etc. Next time, better switch flasks, ha ha!
Still, it felt good sticking to this pace. We would run through some of the back roads of the park, encountered by Disney characters near almost every mile marker. We saw Peter Pan and Wendy, Captain Jack Sparrow, the Jungle Book characters, and many others! I especially got a kick out of two characters who were meant to be vacationers who had gotten hopelessly lost, and were consulting an old fashioned map. One of them warned us that we were all running the wrong way!
Also for nearly the entire course were speakers blaring songs designed to keep people moving -- "Every Day I'm Shuffelin'," "Hey-Yo, Baby Let's Go," and "Don't Stop Believin'!" There were also tons of volunteers handing out Powerade (figures) and water, but I saw that as an opportunity to run with a little elbow room, since I'd brought my hydration with me.
As dawn broke, we journeyed through Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. I marveled to myself how Spaceship Earth and Cinderella's Castle seemed much smaller than expected -- the fact that I was no longer a child may have also had something to do with that. We also journeyed through the Disney's Animal Kingdom and Beach Resorts -- it was not unlike crossing bridges between boroughs at the NYC Marathon.
On I pressed through the highways, back roads, and sometimes narrow trails. Between miles 12 and 18, I listened to a few war stories from the 4-hour pace-keeper, designated to run even splits so that everyone near him could go at the same pace. I got a chuckle at Mile 21 when one of the green toy soldiers from Toy Story exhorted us runners to "mooooove it, mooooove it, take that hill!" He wasn't kidding, since he was placed right before a really steep one! Good thing I'd taken that Gu first!
Somewhere between Mile 23 and 24, I felt myself slipping a little. Ran out of both Gatorade and Powerade, and my legs began to question whether just running this far was "good enough." I swore that I'd force them to go all 26.2 miles whether they wanted to make it or not, and that I would not permit them to walk under any circumstances, no matter what Jeff Galloway said!
The question was, exactly when did I reach 26.2 miles? Towards the end of the race, the mile markers detected by my Garmin were exactly halfway between the mile markers on the course. Another runner asked me if I though the course was somehow longer than it was really supposed to be. I disregarded that remark, since everyone thinks the finish line is too far away at this point in the race. Still, it was not clear why my Garmin's mile markers did not match.
So as a compromise, I stopped the clock once my Garmin showed 26.2 miles, and just kept plowing away until I reached the finish line. Although my Garmin would indicate a hard-earned time of 3:56:36, my official chip time for the race would be a slightly frustrating 4:00:38. I've got no reason to complain to Disney and demand that those four unsightly minutes be reduced from my chip time, but I am now considering an upgrade in my own personal timekeeping equipment.
Obviously, making it under the 4-hour mark would have been a real win. But even though that didn't happen, it was a real treat running through Disney World. In fact, I will most likely do this race again in the near future -- or several options that Disney provides. I might try the Goofy Challenge, and do the Half Marathon on Saturday and the full Marathon on Sunday, like many people did this weekend. Or if I have a willing partner, do the Chip & Dale Marathon Relay!
Either way, I had a great time at this race, and I'd recommend it to anyone else who wants to run a unique out-of-town marathon. It's even better if you make a whole Disney vacation out of it, since the resort hotels have shuttles taking everyone to the race and back! Not to mention, after the race, you have the whole day to go on rides, etc.
So now to treat myself to a week of cheat meals, and to attempt to avoid running for the next several weeks. And to attempt the feat of walking up and down stairs tomorrow! :)
A good night all -- don't forget to comment!
This being Florida, and this being run through a theme park that usually opens at 9am, the marathon was scheduled to begin at 5:30 am under cover of darkness. So at 3:15 am, there I was, in the Epcot parking lot, with several thousand other runners, and several porto-johnnies, attempting to stay warm in the 50-degree chill that Florida was stuck with until dawn.
I was armed with my bib, which had a B-Tag securely attached (every race should have them, and not those lame-o D-Tags that nobody knows how to use), and a fuel belt containing one flask of Gatorade and one flask of Powerade, as well as three Gu's just in case Popeye needed his spinach. I was sporting the pair of black-and-orange Gel Nimbus 12 sneakers I'd bought six weeks earlier to "break in" for this event, since it was designed for my pronation.
As we approached the starting line, I assembled in Corral B, and got myself ready as Mickey, Goofy, and Donald took the stage next to the starting line, addressed us with a few jokes through animatronic masks, and gave the ready-set-go start to each wave of runners. My Garmin was on, I was receiving perfect GPS signals (for a change), and I depressed the start/stop button as I proceeded over the starting line.
I was on my way! I had shed the old long-sleeve tee from the 2005 Long Beach Snowflake Run and the old sweatpants that I'd worn prior to the start, and saw the fireworks and pyrotechnics overhead as I began my run. I enjoyed the brief moment of warmth the flames provided, and then proceeded to warm myself up.
I had sworn that I would not commit the ultimate runner faux pas, and "go out too fast." My sole intention was to take it nice, easy, slow, and comfortable for at least the first half of this race, and then turn on the juice for the second half. A glance at my Garmin, however, confirmed that my slow and comfortable pace was ranging anywhere between 8:54 and 9:14, when I intended to run a 9:30 or slower. I would later discover that the reason for this unexpected display may have been my consumption of Powerade instead of Gatorade. Apparently, it really does have more carbohydrates and electrolytes, etc. Next time, better switch flasks, ha ha!
Still, it felt good sticking to this pace. We would run through some of the back roads of the park, encountered by Disney characters near almost every mile marker. We saw Peter Pan and Wendy, Captain Jack Sparrow, the Jungle Book characters, and many others! I especially got a kick out of two characters who were meant to be vacationers who had gotten hopelessly lost, and were consulting an old fashioned map. One of them warned us that we were all running the wrong way!
Also for nearly the entire course were speakers blaring songs designed to keep people moving -- "Every Day I'm Shuffelin'," "Hey-Yo, Baby Let's Go," and "Don't Stop Believin'!" There were also tons of volunteers handing out Powerade (figures) and water, but I saw that as an opportunity to run with a little elbow room, since I'd brought my hydration with me.
As dawn broke, we journeyed through Epcot and the Magic Kingdom. I marveled to myself how Spaceship Earth and Cinderella's Castle seemed much smaller than expected -- the fact that I was no longer a child may have also had something to do with that. We also journeyed through the Disney's Animal Kingdom and Beach Resorts -- it was not unlike crossing bridges between boroughs at the NYC Marathon.
On I pressed through the highways, back roads, and sometimes narrow trails. Between miles 12 and 18, I listened to a few war stories from the 4-hour pace-keeper, designated to run even splits so that everyone near him could go at the same pace. I got a chuckle at Mile 21 when one of the green toy soldiers from Toy Story exhorted us runners to "mooooove it, mooooove it, take that hill!" He wasn't kidding, since he was placed right before a really steep one! Good thing I'd taken that Gu first!
Somewhere between Mile 23 and 24, I felt myself slipping a little. Ran out of both Gatorade and Powerade, and my legs began to question whether just running this far was "good enough." I swore that I'd force them to go all 26.2 miles whether they wanted to make it or not, and that I would not permit them to walk under any circumstances, no matter what Jeff Galloway said!
The question was, exactly when did I reach 26.2 miles? Towards the end of the race, the mile markers detected by my Garmin were exactly halfway between the mile markers on the course. Another runner asked me if I though the course was somehow longer than it was really supposed to be. I disregarded that remark, since everyone thinks the finish line is too far away at this point in the race. Still, it was not clear why my Garmin's mile markers did not match.
So as a compromise, I stopped the clock once my Garmin showed 26.2 miles, and just kept plowing away until I reached the finish line. Although my Garmin would indicate a hard-earned time of 3:56:36, my official chip time for the race would be a slightly frustrating 4:00:38. I've got no reason to complain to Disney and demand that those four unsightly minutes be reduced from my chip time, but I am now considering an upgrade in my own personal timekeeping equipment.
Obviously, making it under the 4-hour mark would have been a real win. But even though that didn't happen, it was a real treat running through Disney World. In fact, I will most likely do this race again in the near future -- or several options that Disney provides. I might try the Goofy Challenge, and do the Half Marathon on Saturday and the full Marathon on Sunday, like many people did this weekend. Or if I have a willing partner, do the Chip & Dale Marathon Relay!
Either way, I had a great time at this race, and I'd recommend it to anyone else who wants to run a unique out-of-town marathon. It's even better if you make a whole Disney vacation out of it, since the resort hotels have shuttles taking everyone to the race and back! Not to mention, after the race, you have the whole day to go on rides, etc.
So now to treat myself to a week of cheat meals, and to attempt to avoid running for the next several weeks. And to attempt the feat of walking up and down stairs tomorrow! :)
A good night all -- don't forget to comment!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Getting Ready
Nothing big tonight -- I'm getting ready to run in the Disney Marathon bright (more like dark) and early tomorrow morning. No problem with getting up in the wee small hours, this is what people do for the NYC marathon also. However, this one actually BEGINS in those wee small hours, so I gotta be ready to rock!
Wish me luck, all -- I'll give you a recap tomorrow as usual!
Wish me luck, all -- I'll give you a recap tomorrow as usual!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Resolve Yourself!
Yes, it is a new year -- Day One of the year 2012!
Last year, I posted about New Year's Resolutions. This year I'm posting about New Year's Voluntary Self-Initiated Choices. Takes up a little more gray matter and blog-space, but this description makes it a little more difficult to shirk on these goals!
This New Year's Eve at my godson's family's house, one of his brothers announced a new resolution for himself -- to be "less annoying." I love this young man as if he were my own son, but he, and I, both know that he broke this resolution (OK, not yet . . . not yet . . . not yet . . .) already. Certainly not his fault, of course. That's because these lame, weak, half-assed pseudo-oaths are designed to fail -- they're just words used to describe an action that the "resolver" knows that he or she has absolutely no intention of performing.
So rather than make another annual inside joke of "there's no way I'm ever gonna do that," let's promise ourselves things that we actually can, and will, accomplish. Suggestions:
(1) Be true and honest to yourself.
(2) Be willing to say "no."
(3) Take authority and responsibility for your own life and choices.
(4) Sever ties with those who cannot or will not accept you for who you are.
(5) Stop respecting those who don't respect you.
(6) Seek relationships that benefit you, and don't leave you empty and exhausted.
(7) Increase your self-respect and decrease your self-effacement; reduce your self-criticism, and eliminate your self-loathing.
(8) Admit your mistakes, make good on them, learn from them, and then stop the self-flagellation that arises from every screw-up.
(9) Find the hidden advantage and loophole in every negative -- they do exist, just find them!
(10) If you're not happy with your circumstances, look for and find ways to change them.
Also, repeat to yourself daily a mantra like the one below:
I EXIST. I MATTER. I BELONG. I DESERVE.
Happy New Year, my readers. Make good choices for 2012!
Last year, I posted about New Year's Resolutions. This year I'm posting about New Year's Voluntary Self-Initiated Choices. Takes up a little more gray matter and blog-space, but this description makes it a little more difficult to shirk on these goals!
This New Year's Eve at my godson's family's house, one of his brothers announced a new resolution for himself -- to be "less annoying." I love this young man as if he were my own son, but he, and I, both know that he broke this resolution (OK, not yet . . . not yet . . . not yet . . .) already. Certainly not his fault, of course. That's because these lame, weak, half-assed pseudo-oaths are designed to fail -- they're just words used to describe an action that the "resolver" knows that he or she has absolutely no intention of performing.
So rather than make another annual inside joke of "there's no way I'm ever gonna do that," let's promise ourselves things that we actually can, and will, accomplish. Suggestions:
(1) Be true and honest to yourself.
(2) Be willing to say "no."
(3) Take authority and responsibility for your own life and choices.
(4) Sever ties with those who cannot or will not accept you for who you are.
(5) Stop respecting those who don't respect you.
(6) Seek relationships that benefit you, and don't leave you empty and exhausted.
(7) Increase your self-respect and decrease your self-effacement; reduce your self-criticism, and eliminate your self-loathing.
(8) Admit your mistakes, make good on them, learn from them, and then stop the self-flagellation that arises from every screw-up.
(9) Find the hidden advantage and loophole in every negative -- they do exist, just find them!
(10) If you're not happy with your circumstances, look for and find ways to change them.
Also, repeat to yourself daily a mantra like the one below:
I EXIST. I MATTER. I BELONG. I DESERVE.
Happy New Year, my readers. Make good choices for 2012!
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