Jonesboro

We are now 29 days away from the Jonesboro marathon. The Mucaks Running CLub is having some good representation. Currently, we have Team Mucka, our coed relay team consisting of Kevin Baxter, Brandon Boger, Holly Cook and Jody Hodges. I think they are going to take the coed division. Barrett Burns and James Whitaker are involved with their respective relay teams as well and should give each other some awesome competition. I think Sherry Rogers is still planning on running the 5K. Me, I am running the full marathon as an individual runner. And, after looking at the elevation chart, am still wondering what the heck I was thinking!!! Oh well, what are you gonna do? :)

Every race I run will continue to be in memory of my Mom, Mary Wise. In addition, I want to dedicate this race to the victims of the recent storms that plowed through the Midsouth. I believe the current death toll is at 318. Hard to take it all in, just by looking at the photos on the internet. Those poor people are trying to pick up the pieces when, that is all there is, pieces. Their lives completely turned upside down. Then, to top it off, a friend (On Dailymile) was struck with tragedy on Easter Sunday when his Sister's vehicle was hit by another vehicle, killing her, her husband and twin sons. I can't imagine. Never want to imagine what it would be like to go through something like that. So, again, with all that being said, I will be including them in rememberance when I run Jonesboro on May 28.

So, with all that rambling, the next time you run, run for a reason. Make it meaningful. Be safe on your runs everyone. As Ethan says, "Anyone walking beats anyone sitting. Anyone running beats anyone walking. Get out there and do it." Handle up on your fitness and enjoy life.

Weather Alert

Well, I think three days in a row is enough of dealing with the bad weather. The tornados, severe thunderstorms, high winds and flooding is enough. Some of our smaller towns, here in Arkansas, were completely devastated by the storms. Vilonia, Arkansas was completely wiped out. Rumors are, the path of destruction was 3-miles wide and 15-miles long. The levee in Pocahontas, Arkansas broke and they are flooding as we speak. Memphis is getting hammered, and suffering flooding. Northern Mississippi has been hit hard as well. Reports of flooding, deaths and other devastation continues to come in. As I said in a previous post, not sure what we did to upset Mother Nature but, WE ARE SORRY ALREADY!! Please back off.

With all that being said, we all continue on. Right now the winds are pounding our area. The temps have dropped. But, our family is safe inside our home, carrying on with our daily routine. We continue to train for upcoming events, races, etc, while others are trying to pick up the pieces and regain a normal life. Those that lost loved ones will have a longer, more complicated time recovering.

As you carry on with your daily life, please take a moment and remember those who are struggling thru these rough times here in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. As I continue to train for the Jonesboro Marathon, I will keep them in mind, and dedicate this race to the memory of those lost in these tragic storms.

Oz

I don't know why Mother Nature is mad at Arkansas but, we give. We're sorry!! Please let up!

Kevin and I set out for a run in some light rain today. That rain steadily got heavier. At about 1.4 miles into it, lightning started flashing in the area. We took it inside, as we didn't travel to far from the training center just in case. As we went inside, we were told that our area was undr a tornado warning. Well, call it commitment. Call it lack of common sense. We jumped on the treadmills to finish our run. As we were running, the storm intensified. Rain and hail started pounding the area. Well, at this point, I'm not going to try and beat the storm. Might as well finish my run as we ride out the storm. I knocked out a total of 7 miles all together. So, I am pleased with that. Come to find out, a tornado passed just South of us.

The run in the rain was cool. The lightning and tornado are not the idea conditions. But, we got it done. I just hope Mother Nature is done with her abuse of our area. The damage and flooding are out of control. Stay safe everyone.

Bad Weather

Well folks, we have been getting pounded by bad weather lately. Last night's storms swept across Arkansas and just hammered the entire state. One town was said to be completely wiped out. The storm that hit Wynne had winds up to 80 mph. As I came to work today, I saw many trees down. Fortunately, I did not see any damage to homes. Of course, I didn't go through the entire town. Still have to check out our home as well.

With that being said, runs outside get more and more interesting. Currently getting ready to knock out a run with Kevin B. The temps are at 74 degrees with 80% humidity. And, as I look out my window, the skies are looking threatening again. Well, the weather man did say we are expecting another round of storms tonight. Hoping they are not as bad as last night.

One thing I can say about the wind and humidity, this is definitely getting me ready for the Jonesboro Marathon on May 28. I just need to add some more hills to this training. Fortunately, I have a good buddy, Barrett, who is going to help pace me through the hills once he finishes his portion of the relay. He's the first leg so, he should be rested and waiting by the time I get there. LOL!

Well, time to start getting my mind into this run. Hope everyone stays safe out there. Watch out for the one's behind the wheels of their vehicles. You know they're not watching out for you.

Trying to make a difference

I've always wondered how I could help make a difference. I run so many miles, race in different races, and try to encourage others to join in on this fitness craze. Still, never felt that was enough. When Mom was battling heart disease, I decided to run the Little Rock marathon and chose to raise money for the American Heart Association. I set a goal of $500. Since this was my first attempt at fund raising, I didn't want to set my goal to high as I was afraid it wasn't attainable. Fortunately, I have some awesome family members and friends who donated and pushed me over my goal by $100. Now that rocks!!

Well, thanks to a good friend of mine, Tony Brake, I have found another way to help fight this dreaded disease. I am now signed up to help fight cancer. My Father-in-Law, Raymond Albrecht, passed away in June of 2006 after fighting cancer. He fought the good hard fight. Unfortunately, he lost the battle. Many of my friends have lost loved ones to cancer. Or, they currently have loved ones fighting the good hard fight.

Many of those fighting this fight would much rather be out running, as we do, than having to deal with this. So, for them, let's help find a cure for this and make the world cancer free. Please help me in this fight.

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorreg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=442415&supId=316712605&extSiteType=1

5000 Baby

SWEET!!! I have been recording my mileage since January 2007. I ran many miles prior to this but never really tracked it. This gives me a sense of accomplishment to actually see how far I've gone. With today's 6-miler, I am now 3 miles closer to 10,000 miles. My goal is to get there faster than I did getting to 5000. It took me four years and three months to hit the first 5000. That is just under 1250 a year. I'm going to smash that over the next four years. I'm trying to average at least 1500 miles, or more, a year. Ok 10,000, you're mine!! Let's get it on. :)

Words and stuff

This is some crazy weather right now. The wind doesn't seem to stop, and the storms keep coming through. Unfortunately, some of the local folks have had some tragic experiences. The winds picked up a double wide trailer and turned it over, killing the woman inside, and sending her husband to the hospital. Others are dealing with property damage and loss of power. Our Low component, at work, suffered some damage during last night's storm. We have been fortunate to have avoided damage so far.

One nice thing about the solitude of running is it allows you to work of the stress of daily life. In my line of work, you deal with society's undesireables. You see what they have done while in what we call the outside world. When you read some of their history, you wonder how someone could be so cruel. How someone could bring themselves to commit such a crime against their fellow man. And wonder how these criminals could think they have done nothing wrong. Almost 22 years in this business and nothing seems to amaze me anymore. But, like they told us when I first walked through the grill in Lompoc, CA.....you have to leave that stuff at work. Never take your work home to your family. So, how do you take the daily work issues and shut them off before you get home to your family? I'm one of the lucky ones I guess. I have a very supporting wife who allows me to vent to her on a daily basis. She listens to my rants, offers open opinions, or just rubs my head and tells me it will all be ok. I have an awesome wife. :)

Another way I deal with my daily stress and frustrations is to go for a run. I remember one particular run, in Texas, where I just had a really bad day. I just finished an 8-mile run and thought to myself, "Still not over it!", and turned around and ran another 4-miles. Upon finishing that run, I was tired but relaxed. The frustration was gone and I had a smile on my face again.

When I first started getting into running, I had a running partner named Matt. We worked at the prison in El Reno, OK. We would run after work and vent about the days events. By the end of the run, the frustration was gone.

I guess what I'm trying to say is running is a great stress reliever. It also helps when you have a good running partner, or an awesome spouse. I have been fortunate to have all the above. Not to mention, my awesome spouse is also my running partner now. :)