Month: June 2016

144 LBS

The scale doesn’t lie.   For my annual physical, stepping on the pressurized square that read nearly twice that high three years ago, I couldn’t help but smile.  I was pushing to break 145 and did so by .2 of a pound.  FullSizeRenderd did That meant I dropped just under a pound in the past year, which is fine with or without my weight history (weight stability in your 40’s is an accomplishment in and of itself).  The good news though was that my pants were looser than ever – so that means my body weight is shifting around in a good way.  So it was a good weigh then!

 

A couple more marathons

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Not that running a marathon isn’t a “big deal”, but I’m not going to post each one.  Since the Kingston Kiwanis race though I was able to knock off two more – those are numbers 15 and 16.  The first was the Rhinebeck Hudson Valley Marathon by “Fit Feat Adventures”.  I also ran this one in 2015. It was small – just 29 completers (not competers or competitors but “completers” – we really cheered each other on).

This year’s was substantively larger but the race organizers did a great job.  I commend the race to everyone’s attention in 2017.  The scenery on the two loop course is great – from farm fields and back country roads to small towns and a great view of the Hudson River.  For more information:  http://fitfeetadventures.com/rhvmarathon/

On June 12 I was able to again run the Walkway Over the Hudson Marathon – between Dutchess and Ulster Counties.  My wife’s and my longtime friend Dr. Michele (not going to share her last name, privacy reasons) ran it with me.  She and Allison and her husband and I all went to college together.  She’s a former family physician who teaches now.  Always great to have a real Doctor on a run though!  Michele had been the person who got me through my first 20 mile run – when I nearly collapsed due to poor hydration in the fall of 2014.  Now it was my turn to help.  This was her 4th marathon but she hadn’t broken a particular time limit.  Together, we pushed through and beat the goal by 6 minutes.  It was a very relaxing run for me, but good karma to run with a long time friend who helped me get started and help her crush what might not have been a “goal time” (the goal is to finish with heart beating); but at least a better time than she had ever had.

It was a great feeling and you actually cross over the Hudson River so, enough said! (www.WalkwayMarathon.org)

Hoping to make Marathon 17 sometime in July.  Eye-balling the Mad Marathon in Vermont.

 

 

The Graduate

IMG_3242Very happy to have my oldest get through his middle school graduation.  He is such a nice kid and so smart.  Adults frequently tell me how kind and caring he is, and they are correct.

I know as parents we all want to hear nice things about our kids, and certainly the world is full of insincere praise.  However, when you constantly hear nice things with the same words used again and again “kind” “considerate” “caring”; and you combine it with the top science grade and top social studies grade and generally overall good grades; throw in some outside leadership activities, and I’m pretty lucky.

10k plus 5k with my favorite partner

For the second year in a row I ran the Middletown Classic 10k.  This year I finished the 10k in 48:15.  I’m satisfied with the time.  The course is tough for a City race.  Very hilly.  The 10k though was for a time; the reward was the 5k that followed.  Allison (who is much more attractive than the photo above shows!) and I ran the 5k together afterward.  A more relaxed pace but “quality time” with your spouse is never a bad thing.  She did great.  While I joke with her about the speed differences we have, the reality is she lets me (or at least tolerates) run and exercise in order to continue my focus on health and fitness.  I could never have had the health related success I have had without her significant tolerance for allowing me to spend time on exercise.  Plus, running or walking with her is a great joy.

ADDENDUM TO THIS BLOG POST:  For those couples that run, or just those couples who are couples, I strongly recommend reading this column: http://www.runnersworld.com/remys-world/midday-runs-with-my-wife

Mount Royal – Montreal

We last visited Montreal in the mid to late 1990’s.  A lot has changed since then – marriage; two kids; and the ability to “conquer” Mount Royal.  Last weekend, we went back to Montreal and I couldn’t have enjoined our trip to Mount Royal more.

For those not familiar with Mount Royal, it provides sweeping views of the City but it is a hike/run/bike ride up.  17 – 20 years ago when we last went, we contemplated hiking it.  Alas, it was not to be.  While not having yet “achieved” the lofty goal of morbid obesity, I was still not in any shape to hike back then.

Now, years later, I was able to run up the hills to get to the top without even breathing heavy.  Health is liberating in so many way.