Motivation Monday

Well it's been another week and time for Motivation Monday. Last week I got in some quality miles and stayed true to my diet and workout plans. Its been about 6 weeks and I am really starting to notice a difference. Gearing up for 2011 and really keeping my fingers crossed for a birth into the Wasatch 100!!!!
Enough about me...here you go!

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.- Harper Lee in To Kill a Mockingbird (my favorite all time book by the way)

Courage is very important. Like a muscle, it is strengthened by use.- Ruth Gordon

And to finish this week off.....
Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality.  - Richter Abend

Island Run

Well I got out on the island today- Antelope Island. Once a month there is a training run for the Buffalo Run and today was 13 miles. We ran from the start/finish and did the White Rock loop then after that we went north. This was my first time going north on the island and I loved the trail!!! We were able to see buffalo, huge deer and coyotes. The weather was decent and there was a solid group of about 12 people.
All in all it was a nice 13 mile run with a little soreness. I have been playing some indoor soccer and aggravated the groin. This run was definitely testing it. Won't be playing this week to rest the groin but plan on getting in quite a few more miles for the week.
It felt great to get back out and put in some quality miles with quality people. I am feeling pretty good heading into 2011. Losing some damn weight (finally) and gettting stronger.

Motivation Monday

Back at it for week #2. I have got some decent running in but my focus is still losing a little weight and working on core and strength. Feeling pretty good so far and I will be increasing mileage.
Here is some more motivation:
Cowards die many times before their deaths. The valiant never taste death but once.- Julius Caesar
Either life entails courage, or it ceases to be life.- E.M. Forster
Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.- C.S. Lewis
and now a favorite of mine- it means many things in such a small little bombshell.
- Take chances!- B. Fish

There you have it for your motivation Monday. Enjoy!!!!

Motivation Monday

A new feature will be launched right here every Monday. Winter is tough to stay motivated for me when it comes to running. I would rather be skiing, sledding, making a snowman, playing Wii and hanging out with my family rather than being on a treadmill or outside in frigid temps. So here is my own attempt to stay motivated for the winter months.
If you have some, leave a comment.
From Wikipedia:

Motivation- is the driving force which causes us to achieve goals. Motivation is said to be intrinsic or extrinsic. The term is generally used for humans but, theoretically, it can also be used to describe the causes for animal behavior as well.

So let it begin............
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have." -Unknown
"Don't defer your life, chase your passions" -Unknown
"Push your limits" -Unknown
"No excuses, no regrets, Leave Nothing" - Manners

Just a sampling

Back to bloggin'

Who would have thought it would be so tough to keep up on a blog? Not me. Not enough hours in the day or maybe not enough interesting stuff to write about. Starting to put my race schedule together (on the right side here) for 2011 and set some goals. Had a great summer of taking up Race Directing and volunteering at local events and some time in between for running.
Got out yesterday for a nice 11 mile run in the rain and snow. Still dirt beneath the feet but can see the snow taking over up high. I am going to try and get out on a few more dirt runs then hit the slopes and throw on the yaktrax for some running. Got a good thing going and just want to keep it up.
Next race on tap will be the Moab Red Hot 50k- great way to break out of town to some red rocks in February.
See you on the trails!

A little mojo can go along way...I hope!

Well, I didn't get to pace at the Wasatch 100 over the weekend but that's okay. I had the opportunity to hang out at Lamb's Aid Station for a few hours and then go to the finish. Saw lots of friends and made a few more. Most importantly though I got that feeling back. It wasn't anything I did- at least that day. As I was sitting their at the finish with my wife and 5 year old daughter Aspen, I had lots of emotions and memories flooding my mind. It was their 2 years ago I finished my first and only 100 miler. It really felt like yesterday. Those amazing athletes helped me get it back. From overall winner Nick Clark (Team PI-Smith- had to throw that in, Darcy won for the women's- Team PI-Smith too- SWEEP!) to the individuals who dnf'd. The courage it takes to compete in a 100 miler is really the key. As John Wayne put it- "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." The relationships formed on the trail, that's what it is about for so many. I know I have got to know some of the better people in my life through trail running. So as I sat watching and observing, talking to friends and runners alike- I got that itch to do run. Not just go out for a nice run but really RUN!
So Sunday morning I hit the trail with Jim Skaggs and we went for a 8 mile trail run nice and early. I felt great! Out of shape a bit but great none the less. So I hope I can ride this good feeling for awhile. Gonna take a little time to get back into it but that's okay by me.
Congrats to all those at the Wasatch 100 this weekend and thanks!

Wasatch 100 2010

Today kicks off the Wasatch 100 and I have to admit- I am a little jealous I am not running it. This was my first 100 miler 2 years ago. I got the finish- thanks to my friend Scott Jaime-  but it wasn't pretty. Wasatch will always hold a firm place in my running resume. It was my first 100 and it is in my backyard. I will do it again one day but I wanted to run a few other 100's first. I tried Swancrest this year and well- that didn't work out at all. Since that dreary day (and a half) I can honestly say I haven't had that "spunk" to really run. I have ran a couple races and went on some great training runs but I just don't feel back. I have definitely lost some fitness and even my wife is hounding me to run- I know crazy right?
Well today I get the privilege of pacing from Lamb's Canyon to Brighton (22ish miles). I paced a good portion of this last year for Christian Johnson and this year I get to pace Kelly Bradbury.
So, when I woke up this morning a weird thing happened for me- I was looking forward and excited to run. I actually have been feeling butterflies and I am not even racing. Maybe this is a sign of things turning around or maybe it is a sign of a bad dinner last night. I really hope things are turning cause I miss time on the trails with my friends and those special runs solo. I love running in the fall so today will tell me a lot. I never thought that a DNF would turn me like this. I thought I would be more driven and determined but I haven't had that emotion.
Well, here is to the Wasatch 100- CHEERS! Good Luck to all my friends running- here is to all of your success, whatever that might be.