Strange effects

I couldn't take being sedentary for one more day, so today I went to the gym with my uncle. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary for one of my standard workouts. The difference was the difficulty I had with it.

I hadn't done the workout in two months but I didn't think it would be the way it was because at the conclusion of most days run I do a pile of push-ups, sit-ups and other various standard exercises just to keep the blood flowing. Now, I know push ups aren't exactly going to give you a Hercules looking chest or arms the size of cannons; but I hadn't noticed a size change in my arms and my weight hasn't changed too much. I'll just go ahead and say it. MAN I got weak! I'm not giving the world an open shot to beat me to a pulp, but it is something that I believe is a result of lack of weight training.

So, what does this mean? It means that for all you runners out there trying to get in awesome shape and really strong, simply running and even pushing a 70 lb baby jogger during the process, just doesn't cut it.

I'm not sweating it now because I knew when I started this there would be a good chance some sort of physical transformation would take place. But so far I hadn't noticed anything different until today.

Other than that, I've spent my days relaxing with family or playing with their dog Riley who looks much like my dog, Roxie, except not morbidly obese and doesn't resemble a lumpy furry sausage. But my dog's a cute lumpy sausage fat dog. And we love her and her addiction to cheese and green beans.

Riley


Roxie


-- Patrick

Got my face adjusted

Since I'm taking the next couple days off, and I'm just over halfway, I thought this would be a good time to get an adjustment at the chiropractor. He pressed and torqued my face and head with the argument that my face needed adjusting and he was realigning my cranial bones. In my family, with a brother and a little sister who have more energy than a chihuaua after drinking a Red Bull, these are fighting words. But apparently, he was serious and now my face is fully adjusted.

When he saw my address was in Virginia, he asked what I was doing out in these parts. When I told him, he laughed. It wasn't a quick little chuckle. It was a full on belly laugh. And was it short lived? No. It was the kind of laugh that is sedated forcefully out of respect for the bearer of the news and then appears out of no where. The kind of laugh you can't hold back. Like when you're sitting in church and the lady in front of you is literally falling asleep and her head is bobbing dangerously threatening whiplash. And no matter how much you try to stop laughing, no amount of glare from your mom can stop the fact that you need to laugh. I have to admit though, it was a bit contagious. I found myself trying not to laugh because, well, I was the reason for the laughing fit.

After he gathered himself he apologized for laughing so much he just had never had anyone seriously say they were running across a country. I assured him I was serious, and so he laughed some more.

I also brought my whip to the bike doctor to get an adjustment. The bike shop guy asked me what "possessed me" to run across a country.

...you know you've had an event filled day when the entire post is about some guy laughing at you.

People!!

First off, I believe everyone needs to watch out. My little sister Bridget has gotten her driving permit. So if you see a blonde girl around the Stafford area driving with her hair on fire just pull over and let the hurricane that is Bridget run her course. You will be ok if you remain in your car.

Just kidding. Congrats Bridget!!

Today started out with breakfast with Michael Smith, 50 States Club marathon runner and Ironman, and Chris Phelan. Chris was, at one time, the 8th fastest marathoner in the US. Now he writes for the Phast Times, a magazine around the Dallas Fort Worth area.



Chris, Michael, Mike

I started running this morning with Mike Gaytes, Ironman triathlete and ultrarunner. It was great to run with someone and he was very interesting to talk to with his experience as a crew person for a Badwater racer. We passed an interesting looking bar with a great sign outside.



What do ya think ladies?

After 14 miles, Mike and I parted ways and I made my way through Denton and their shoulder-less roads. After seeing a few too many single middle digits exposed and aimed at me, I decided to run with traffic for the next quarter mile. Was it safer? No. But at least I didn't have to see people flipping me off anymore.

For the last 5 miles, I was joined by Vicky, Vicki, and Angie; all Dallas Running Club members. It was great to run with so many interesting people today. Good conversation really makes the miles cruise on by. And I had no shortage of good conversation today. Thank you everyone!



Angie, myself, Vicky, Vicki

-- Patrick

What day is it?

Today was just another day. Nothing crazy, nothing awesome, nothing terrible. Although I think yesterday, posibly last week there was a truck carrying nails that crashed and slid the entire length of my run today. Tons of nails on the road.

The slant of the road was pretty steep today and my ankles did not appreciate it.

It was chilly and overcast and was snowing at the start. But soon the snow and intense wind let up.

I wish something insane happend like a lion escaping from the zoo and followed me but it didn't. Or Jif or Skippy peanut butter and Smuckers jelly gave me all I could eat pb&j for the rest of my life. Or if someone offered to do a freak experiment on me where they turned me into inspector gadget. That'd be cool. But alas, the only person to keep me company today was my man, Axel Rose.
Thanks Guns and Roses.




-- Patrick

Questions

Okay, there have been a couple questions in the past couple days comments. So I'll answer them in one foul swoop.

The stroller is working fine. I had to do some minor repairs a couple days ago. The front wheel wasn't going straight and the back right wheel was falling off. Sounds like a big deal but I just adjusted the front so it would go straight an cleaned the back wheel connector so it snapped in and wouldn't fall off. All systems go.

My days off: well, since my mom reads this, yes I will take them completely off. The truth is though I haven't taken three consecutive days off of running in a very long time. So if my brain can handle that, then sure. But if anyone in the Dallas area invites me on a run, well, I'm not sure I could say "no."

Today was cooooold. I camped out last night and it went well, stayed warm. Today was overcast and freeeezing. But, another day is behind me.

I met Clint and Paul on the way. They are biking from Maine to San Diego for breast cancer. They were nice guys but in order to stay warm we didn't visit long.


My whip, Paul, and Clint



-- Patrick

Back on track and ended in Bryson. Super short day; almost annoyingly so. 13 miles. I also made the mistake of doing it too quickly because now i'm just sitting here debating on trying to sleep or trying to stay awake.

I'm camping tonight. First night on the trip so far. It's cold but at least it's stopped raining. This is going to be short to reserve battery life.


-- Patrick

Day of the dead

Today was strange. 40 miles on an overcast day in the upper 50s lower 60s. I saw lots of cows but every other animal I saw today was dead. And there were A LOT of them. Let's just say there was a section that required weaving. It was very strange. I didn't take any pictures though.

It was very very humid as well. Also wierd.

Other than that, it was a pretty good day. The road was curvy and had more hills than the past couple of weeks. I ended in Graham, TX.



..this part wasn't curvy.

I've got a lot of time during the day to think. And today was a thinking day. No universal truths or answers to life yet. Sorry.

-- Patrick