To DNR or not to DNR

I hope no one takes offense to this posting, and some of it may be a "poor me" attitude but, I am venting right now. My Mom passed away back in Feb of this year. She had been battling health issues for years. Her body was filled with different infections that it couldn't fend off. The doctors told us her chances of recovery were pretty slim. Sis was against a DNR (Do Not Resucitate). Dad and I felt it was at the point where Mom needed to rest. We went with the DNR and Mom passed within weeks.

Here we are, six months after Mom's passing and Dad is in the hospital, fighting for his life. His body filled with the same infections Mom had, plus two more. Since I am Dad's next of kin, the hospital called me in Arkansas and said I needed to come home. Upon arriving to the hospital, I saw, for the first time, the condition my Dad was in. :( The hospital said all medical decisions were in my hands now. How can you expect family to make that decision when they first walk through the door? I just lost my Mom back in February. Not trying to lose my Dad too. Dad also said he wanted all measures taken to bring him back. He was scared. You could see it in his eyes. I told the doctor to use all measures to bring him back if he codes. That's my Dad. The only parent I have left. I'm selfish and want to keep him around for a while.

The next day we spent all day with Dad. He slept a lot. But, he knew we were there. Went home that night and visited with family. The next morning, I was heading to the cemetery to visit Mom. I got a call to go to the hospital. When I walked in, Dad's medical team was at hi room. One doctor pulled me to the side and explained that Dad had gotten worse. He had an episode during the night where his lungs quit working an his heart acted up. They had him on forced oxygen and the "crash cart" posted in his room. Once again, I was faced with the DNR question. It was time. :(

They kept trying to keep Dad fighting. Medicine and air. Unfortunately, It wasn't enough and Dad lost his battle just after 4:00 pm that same day. I truly believe Dad missed Mom and wanted to be with her. He's with her now. They're fishing together in Heaven. I'm sure they are arguing like old times but, that's how they showed their love for each other. I miss you Dad. I'm glad you're with Mom again but, I wish you were both still here.

Early Morning Run

3:30 am, alarm goes off. 4:00 am, take off on my long run for the week. 20-miler from the house to work. Clear sky, full of stars and a full moon. Teamps were in the low 70s, which is a much welcome degree of temps with what we have been dealing with for well over a month now. Humidity was still at 97% but, tolerable. It took about four miles for my lower legs to loosen up. Once they did, it was smoothe sailing from there. Today's run was less stressful than my 20-miler two weeks ago. I'm guessing it had something to do with the temps, and getting a decent night's sleep. Legs felt fine after the run. Surprising as usually they feel like I can barely move them. Maybe I'm getting better, maybe I didn't push them as hard. I did come in five minutes faster this time so, I must have pushed a little harder.

While knocking out this early AM run, I saw three different shooting stars. That was really cool. Almost like I had my own fireworks show going on. And yes, I did make a wish on all three of them. One for personal reasons, two for someone else. Right now, we'll take all we can get with so many tragedies taking place all over.

With just three weeks to go until the Muckas invade Tupelo, I'm feeling good about this race. I feel like a possible new PR taking place. Keeping my fingers crossed that my training will pay off, and my legs stay injury free. I know my right calf keeps trying to cramp up on me. I'm fighting back with bananas, salt and water. I think I'm winning. :)

Another 1000 Miles

Another 1000 miles in the record books. I think this is the fastest I have ever hit that mark in a year. I am also on track to break the 6000 mile mark, since Jan 2007, before the end of the year. This has been one up and down year. Through the rough times, I have been very fortunate to have my wife by my side. She has helped me through one of the toughest times I have ever faced. That being the loss of my Mother. I was also lucky enough to have my friends and family there to help me through it as well.

One thing that helps with most of my stress is my ability to get out there and run. When the stress gets to be too much, lace up those shoes and head out for a run. You can literally feel the stress melt away. I look back on how running came into my life. Back when I started, I couldn't imagine how much it would help me. It all started when a bunch of us felt like we were getting lazy and getting fat. SORT guys who no longer have a SORT team, sometimes fall off the wagon and get lazy. That was us. Getting back into the running was hard. Running two miles almost killed me. Then I was making it up to eight miles for my longest run. Ran my first race, which was a 10K. Took second in my age group. My buddy, Matt, tells me, "Let's run the half marathon at the Oklahoma City Memorial race." I asked him, "How far is that?". "13.1 miles.", he responds. Ok, brace yourself. This was my response to him, "You must be out of your f'ing mind if you think I'm running 13 miles." We both look back on this and laugh.

Like I said, almost 6000 miles later (Recorded miles that is), I can't imagine not having running in my life. And now, Deb is running with me, and getting faster. I can't imagine not having her in my life, or not having her run with me. Pretty dang awesome I think. :) Happy running everyone!

WOW!!! IT IS FREAKING HOT!!!!

Ok, when the weather alert people on Facebook post a picture of the USA and the heat warnings, along with the words "JUST STAY INSIDE", it is hot!! Today's heaet index was 112 degrees, followed by a predicted 110 tomorrow. This heat thing is putting a damper on running outside. Treadmills are boring, yes, but I would much rather be bored, cooler, and get my runs in than attempt to make it through my runs alive, outside.



Last week, Barrett, Holly and I set off at 4:00 a.m., for a run from my house to work. That's a 20-miler folks. Water was depleted rather quickly on this run. With 94% humidity, this quickly turned into a sopping wet run. At one point, after the sun came up, we could follow Barrett by his wet footprints left on the road. I believe we all lost roughly 4 pounds each on this run.

One thing I learned, and learned the hard way, staying hydrated is extremely important. However, water is not the complete answer. I have learned that salt and electrolyte intake is just as vital when completing endurance runs. Now, I'm trying to explain a lot of this to Holly as we are running. This being her first 20 mile run. You see, Holly is training for her first full marathon, in which we will be running in Tupelo, MS on Sept 4th. Fortunately, this run starts at 5:00 a.m. Unfortunately, it will still be September. So, it will most likely still be very hot and humid. We also have several others, from the Muckas Running Club, running the 14.2 miler that day as well.

I'm hoping all our runners are preparing themselves by hydrating properly. Take advantage of the somewhat "cooler" temps in the early mornings. Avoid running in the open where the sun will beat down on you. Carry identification and a cell phone (wrap in plastic because again, I learned the hard way). You never know when you may have to call for help. Electrolytes and salt tabs seem to help me quite a bit.

Stay safe on your runs folks. Cooler temps are right around the corner. Fall will be here soon. :)