Saturday, December 31, 2011

Farewell 2011

My last run of the  year has now been officially logged into my book so I guess I can say 2011 is officially over! Well, at least as far as running items.

2011 was perhaps my best year ever for running. I did not score my fastest race times but I did score well in every other aspect. I will remember 2011 as the year I gained more running friends than ever before. It was also the year that I won a marathon too!  Well at least I finished first in my age group, with only one month before moving onto the next age group. Also, how can I forget the fact that I actually won a USA National Championship! OK, I did not will the USATF National 10K  team event all on my own, I had a little help from my teammates Jim O'Brien and Tony Mollica.. Together we placed first in the 50yr and older male division. This also reminds me of the great time we had the night before that race where we were a part of a small group who partied with one of the greatest marathoners of our generation, Frank Shorter. All of these great memories and accomplishments would not be possible without the generous support of Coach Doug Goodhue and each and every person of the Running Fit 501 Training program. 2011 was a fun year to run.

As good as 2011 was for running, it was as bad and terrible from a personal business perspective. No need to whimper or complain for there are many of my peers in the design and construction industry that are far worse than I. The only thing I believe I can do is continue to seek to improve my skills and talents everyday and look forward to that day in 2012 when truly good news will arrive.

So as I log my final miles into my book today for 2011, all 1,650 of them, I do so with the hope and dream that I will be able to enter a post that is very positive for both my running and personal business parts of life.

Happy New Year to all and I wish you health and prosperity for all of 2012.

Thanks.

Lee 




Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Morning Run

At the moment the sun is still hovering somewhere over the Atlantic and thus daylight has yet to arrive today. But it won't be long. I much prefer running in the morning versus any other time of day. Although any time you are able to break away and get out for a run is a good time.

Mornings offer a freshness that comes with each day. Sure your muscles may be telling you to stay under the covers of a warm bed, especially at this time of year, but once you swing your legs over the side, it's all about taking on the day ahead.

A natural part of my morning routine is my trip to the coffee pot. I prefer to be the one to make the coffee as I can assure that it will be strong.  I cannot start a run until I have had my coffee. I have read reports that claim that coffee, or more specifically caffeine, helps to maintain endurance. Then there are those reports that link caffeine to the deaths of runners participating in a half or full marathon event too!  As with most things in life it's all about moderation.  Fortunately for me I think I have a built in coffee stop within me. For after the second or sometimes third morning refill, it no longer is the special treat as the first cup of the day.

Morning runs are also a time to relax, mentally laugh at those who have begun the chase of the day and drive by within their cars that are surely full of anxiety, pressure, and worry about what might be facing them once they arrive at their work place. The morning run is usually not a long one, not a fast one, not a strenuous one, but rather a relaxing one to start the day. Time to take in the sights of the neighborhood, parks, and perhaps notice something along the way that others will never see or appreciate. Like the two separate morning runs when I found $10 bill laying in the street!!

My morning runs may delay the start of my work day, but once I do start my work day I am able to attack it with new energy, fresh blood flow to my brain, and a vigor that cannot be matched by anyone who does not start their day with a run or similar venture.

The sky outside is now slowly evolving from total darkness to a bruised purple look, time for me to get ready to run. The only downside to running in the morning this time of the year is having to accurately predict which type and layer of clothing to wear. Wear too little and I will be uncomfortably cold. Wear too much and I will be uncomfortably too warm. I tend to over dress on these winter mornings, after all it's easier to unzip my jacket or remove my hat then it is to keep warm. Decisions decisions.

Time to hit the road and roam through town. My goal this morning is to simply run an easy paced 6 miles or so. I need only 20 more miles to finish 2011 with a total of 1,650 miles for the year. Six today, six tomorrow and 8 on Saturday is the game plan.

Thanks for stopping to read today, hopefully I have inspired you to get out and run this morning if not at some point today.

Run Happy.

Lee

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Welcome To My Blog

 
Good Morning and welcome to my Blog. With at least a gazillion other blogs in cyber land today, what makes mine different?  I have yet to find one that focuses on the comparison of running (particularly distance running) and architecture. 

The two endeavors are very much alike. I hope by following my postings you will come to understand the strong relationship between running and architecture.

Perhaps one reason I have yet to find a similar blog site is that runners and architects are each a small percentage of the general population. Among the 308 million Americans, only 233,000 (less than 1%) are architects. 

There are comparable numbers of runners who compete in a marathon each year too. Thus the number of architects who also compete in a marathon is an extremely small percentage of the population.  

I am both lucky and proud to be a member of this very small and special group.

Thanks for your visit today and I hope you become a regular follower of this site, perhaps a new runner, or best of all, a runner and a client!
 
Lee