A1A Marathon

Run - 52:13 - 6.83 miles -  7:38 per mile pace - 136 avg HR
Ran  a little shorter and a lot better today than last night. I will start coming around.
-
Well I did it, I signed up for my second race of 2015. The A1A Marathon. I ran it last year (3:23:04 - 4th AG - and Boston qualified). Even though it was more than 30 minutes slower than my all time fastest marathon, it was my fastest post-traumatic brain injury marathon by a lot. I do not know if I am or will be marathon ready for this race because I do not have a lot of prep time, but my general fitness and my running pace has improved. I will need to squeeze a few longer runs in over the next few weeks and hope that I can run this race on guts. Whatever, if I just remind myself that it is a long supported training day, I should be fine. -
Thursday
Run - 1:15:00 - 8.2 miles -  9:09 per mile pace - 119 avg HR

Fort Lauderdale Road Runners run club. I had nothing tonight. Luckily, I started early to avoid running with the fast group (like last weeks sub 7 min per mile pace), and ran a little further than what I had intended; but slow.
-
Picked Mimi up from the airport - she has been working in Jacksonville for a few days. Randy's training is going spectacularly - He heals great, sit, stays, lay downs, catches treats off his nose, and today, learned how to shake. I love the munchkin. 

Run - 1:01:00 - 7.47 miles -  8:09 per mile pace -129 avg. HR

I Felt sluggish today; the wind made it even less enjoyable today

-

Joy Division - Leave Me Alone

I have been obsessed (again) with Joy Division. I suppose I have come full circle musically; as the late Ian Curtis and his mates made such a profound impact upon my developing music tastes earlier in my life.

1. Isolation

   Song by Joy Division
2. In fear every day, every evening,
   He calls her aloud from above,
   Carefully watched for a reason,
   Painstaking devotion and love,
   Surrendered to self preservation,
   From others who care for themselves.
   A blindness that touches perfection,
   But hurts just like anything else.

   Isolation, isolation, isolation.

   Mother I tried please believe me,
   I'm doing the best that I can.
   I'm ashamed of the things I've been put through,
   I'm ashamed of the person I am.

   Isolation, isolation, isolation.

   But if you could just see the beauty,
   These things I could never describe,
   These pleasures a wayward distraction,
   This is my one lucky prize.

   Isolation, isolation, isolation

Back on the attack!

Ah, so I let myself recover yesterday and wisely took the day off. Mimi left 3 Sam Adams beers in the refrigerator - even though I don't like craft beers - she is away, so I consumed them for her. Now I am trying to figure out what to do constructively today. It remains to be seen what will become of the day (but one thing is certain, I do know how to find trouble), GO, GO, GO!
-
Run - 1:00:08 - 7.66 miles - 7:51 pace per mile - 132 avg HR
Still feeling Sunday's race, but I am sure yesterdays day off was a good call. Today I just ran free to get the legs moving. I can feel the residual junk in my legs, but I'm glad that I got re-started.
-

The devil in me is really referring to the child molesters, murderers, and countless others in our prison system who begin a relationship with god while in the joint... These chameleons believe that the big guy has forgiven their sins (sins which he knew they would commit all along), and after the electric chair, natural death or whatever, they will float in the clouds among harp plucking angels. Whilst those who grew up believing in a different god or none at all, will burn in a fiery pit. This is laughable at best and perhaps during a simpler time fantasies like heaven and hell kept the masses in line. But seriously, it is time for Americans (other nations are as primitive, but not at the same rate) to EVOLVE. Further, the advertised reward of heaven is repulsive anyway. Floating around worshiping some ego obsessed torturous dude who is so insecure that he commands that you bow to him even though he isn't worthy. More on why he isn't worthy soon. In the meantime, love everyone. Be like that other fictional guy, Jesus, and feed the hungry and clothe the poor. Really.

Feeling lazy today

Well, I need to get it going today but my start has been slow. My mind is tired and it is telling me that my legs should be tired too. They are not, but I can't get started. I think I will take randy for a walk and then have some lunch, relax and change my watch. Generally when the dive watch comes off and the Garmin goes on, my tee, shorts and shoes follow and I am out the door. Randy? I better go wake him up.
-
Well, I just got back from taking Mimi too the airport - bye-bye-baby... and I am going to rest my running sticks today. After last months over-use injury, I am going to train smartish.  I am from the school of more is better but when you miss multiple days due to an injury, its time to think. Thinking is hard.

River, Roots and Ruts - 13.1 Mile Trail Race

Run - Trail race - 15th place/1st in age group today
-
1:39:11 - 13.10 miles - 07:34 per mile pace (hills, dirt, hills, man-mad obstructions and mud)

 -
I went out fast and then maintained in today's race. A few miles after mile 8 I made a wrong turn and  ran a 1/4 mile out of my way. A kind runner who I had recently passed gave me the heads up (otherwise I would have kept going in the wrong direction); I turned around and followed him through the next 3 miles - the hilly and technical section - until about mile 12 and the finish was certain. I know I said to him, "come on, let's bring this home" - but he didn't respond as I picked up the pace considerably. I finished strong and was very happy to drop about 10 minutes off last years time at this race. Actually, I was surprised to learn that I finished in 15th place overall and 1st in my age-group. It has been a long time since I have ran so competitively and it felt really good. 
-

THE HOWLER Jan 4 - 10

Welcome to my room of twisted ramblings, recovery from a traumatic brain injury, athletic training, vegan munchies, music sensations and social howls.

today 

1/10

Run - 31:09 - 4.06 miles - 7:29 per mile pace - 137 avg HR

Racing a trail 1/2 marathon tomorrow so this was a short run with some tempos thrown in.
-

Not much on tap athletically today. Perhaps a quick run with short tempo bursts to get the legs firing before tomorrows trail race in Alva, River, Roots & Ruts 13.1 mile trail race. I don't know where I am at physically so this will be a good test. I certainly am not looking forward to the 2 hour car drive to Alva today. Fra, Mimi's uncle is coming and running the 5k race - he is 76 and preparing for the Vermont Half Marathon in May (which he finished last year). Fra is a kick ass old man and I really do enjoy his company. 

1/9

Run - 1:14:00 - 9.13 miles - 8:06 per mile pace - 125 avg HR

easy steady run in my new light weight sneakers (Asics Gel-exce 33). I moved up a 1/2 size to attempt to save my my feet from continued black toenails.

1/8
Run - 38:10 - 5.46 miles - 6:59 pace per mile - 149 avg heart rate

Greater Fort Lauderdale Road Runner Club group run. I went out with the fast guys. I hung with them (barely); but one of my better runs since the brain injury! I am so happy. I hope this improvement continues - I will sleep well and dream tonight.

1/7

Run - 1:00:07 - 7.83 miles - 7:40 pace per mile - 128 avg heart rate
Good run with some tempo. I never really pushed it; instead just a consistent stride.
-
As a long-time fan of both Joy Division and New Order, I am very excited to have tickets to see original member of both bands, Peter Hook, perform a special tribute concert with his current band: Peter Hook and the Light. The show isn't until May, so I wait in eager anticipation.

1/6

Tempo run in town: 1:02:00 - 8.2 miles - 7.33 per mile pace - 146 avg hr

Best run since before last months groin injury. steady pace

1/5

Two solid runs before 9 am yesterday totaling 17.5 miles. The first one was an early morning street run in the dark (I need to try to do that more frequently) and the second was a trail run with hills at Vista View. 

-

Then we drove to Orlando to have lunch with my estranged family. I was torn deeply about this; however it ended up being quite nice. I connected with my brother who is very cool. Don and my mother turned out to be moved - as was I - by the meeting. I was nice. But true to form I didn't sugar-coat my feelings and I did communicate related details to each of them. They both were hurt and shed tears - especially my mother. Thankfully, Mimi was there to help my her internalize the definition of my words. Really, I was as gentle as a mouse, but I probably towered like a giant rat. So it goes...

-

Easy jog - 1:03:00 - 7.58 miles - 8:18 m/p mile pace - 132 Avg HR

   1/4

It is 1:24 am - and yes, I am up early again. I slept fine but I had to pee so falling asleep again is unlikely, at least immediately. And my head is spinning, complicating my effort to sleep. I need to get up and out for a run early this morning. No f-cking around. I have started the year off poorly with only one run in the first three days of 2015. It is essential to get my training going again as I aspire to ascend from the land of the brain damaged to the realm of the athlete. Also I do not have much time either, as Mimi and I are driving to Orlando today - a 3 hour drive. So most of my day will be in the car. 

I have mixed emotions. I am meeting my half-brother, Leonard (who I am excited to see) and my mother (who I do not know or respect) for lunch today. I do not want to get too personal but my childhood was a fearful time exacerbated by a tortuous stepfather (Don - Leonard's father); who was enabled by my mother, Lois (I will refer to her forward as Lois). I will not detail the horror of my childhood here. Let me just say that I cringe revisiting the memories and I will spare my readers from my the unpleasant gore. I haven't seen Leonard in over 20 years and my mother in at least that long. I know that she visited me at Craig/Swedish hospitals in Inglewood, CO - but I was in a coma so I guess that I didn't mind. Lois began calling me early in my recovery once I was awake and became aware. Conversation was difficult at best and my discomfort was palpable so I stopped taking her phone calls. Yes, I am a cold bastard for sure.

As I said, My brother will be there and this pleases me. I probably wouldn't be having this meeting otherwise. Also my daughter, Nico, is the facilitator of this dance. My daughter is in contact with my mother and she thinks the little old lady is 'cute' and arranged this entire thing. For Nico, I will endure. On one hand, Lois is getting older and it is cruel of me to entirely cut her out of my life. On the other hand, I haven't resolved my anger, resentment and unlike of her. So I will go and eat pizza and drink a beer or two with Leonard, Lois and Mimi (Thank Santa Mimi is coming along too), and be pleasant-like. With Mimi in tow, I will guard my words and smother the bitter with honey. I will be nice.

Did I mention that I need to get out the door and get my run on? It is the dark of night here in SoFla although I do have a headlamp. Maybe I will get going early this morning - I have some thinking to do. One thing for sure, when I am running I think more clearly than I typically do. Okay, I shall rise and do this. This rant will go to rest for now, check back later for an update (or not). Peace and love, Dick Dime

- It is 3:24 am now - and yes I ran in the early morning dark. It was quite nice, actually. I may start doing that more often.
- Run - 1:07:00  - 8.21 miles - 8:09 per mile pace - 133 avg HR
- Run 2 - 1:30:00 - 9.38 miles - 9:36 per mile pace - 136 avg Hr
It feels good to get in 2 runs (17.45 miles) before 9:15 

THE HOWLER DEC 28 - JAN 3

Welcome to my room of twisted ramblings, recovery from a traumatic brain injury, athletic training, vegan munchies, music sensations and social howls.

today 

1/3
I wake up early. I usually wake up by 4am and today is no different. I do not know if it is because of my traumatic brain injury or not. It is hard to tell because before my accident I managed a bar and didn't leave until 3:30 in the morning. I slept until 8 or 9 in the morning - like a rock. I rarely woke up before 8am (sometimes an hour or two later). Now, I tend to go to bed early - by 9pm or so; and by 3am I am restless. It is frustrating. So here I am, on my blog typing gibberish, haunting my favorite social networks, etc. This is what I do.  
-
Well, I just don't feel right. Another day off. I'm not one to rest a lot, but I'm trying to train smarter than how I typically do. I thought I should force a run; even a shorty, but I know me... once I start, it is on. So, instead I will rest up and see if I am up to snuff tomorrow.


1/2

Run - 1:07:00 - 8.36 miles - 8:00 p/m pace - 135 avg HR

1st run of the year; steady pace

1/1

I am at war
I am looking back a lot lately. The past few years have been an amazing journey as I learn and adapt to living as a challenged traumatic brain injury survivor. Every single day I am tested - both physically and mentally. The seemingly most simple tasks, are complicated. Sometimes I manage a 'work-a-round' until a solution is found. Other times I get into deeper trouble. Sometimes I get lost, sometimes I get hurt - but always I move forward. I am resilient to say the least. I am determined to find the man that I remember (and was). I work extremely hard trying to regain lost physical and mental abilities, and despite constant disappointments, I do not surrender. I am literally at war and I am determined to win. As most of you know, running is important to me. Pre TBI I enjoyed athletic success. Post TBI I again enjoy athletic success. Perhaps the scale has changed, reluctantly, I acknowledge this - but reluctantly is generous. I guess the honest truth is I do not acknowledge 'the new me', I battle the new me. I do not want to grade my performances on a scale. As aforementioned, I am at war and it rages.
Did I say that I am looking forward a lot lately? Well, I am and the future glows. I am winning. I have a team and together anything is possible. With that, thanks for listening, understanding and tolerating this boast. Over the past 3 years I have logged 6700 miles of running. I am proud of this and I never ran that much in my faster life. I will try, but most likely I will never be as fast as I was. Not only do I live with a traumatic brain injury, I am 5 months shy of the big 50.
Forward, March!

12/31
Be safe out there tonight.
-
Run - 1:48:00 - 12.91 miles - 1:48:00 - 8:21 per mile pace - 137 avg hr
-
I ran a little further today; just enough to log my 2600th mile running for the year. A new record. On the 31st of December last year I ran my 2000th mile. At the time the most I had ever logged in a year (even before my accident). In spite of logging over 7500 miles over the past 3 years, I am still not even close to the runner that I had been before. Yeah, it doesn't matter. As much as I long for the guy I remember, I am pretty stoked about my consistency and dedication. I will keep at it.

12/30
I just don't have any motivation... I have been laying in bed with the puppy for hours. I guess my run is going to not happen today.

12/29
Run - 1:08:00 - 7.7 miles - 7:49 per mile pace - 130 avg hr
A very sluggish jog. I just felt off today.

12/28

Run - 50:00 - 6.27 miles - 7.58 per mile pace - 142 avg hr
I was a little tired and I only had time for a shortish run before football Sunday. Hot today.

12/29

THE HOWLER - DEC 21-27

Welcome to my room of twisted ramblings, recovery from a traumatic brain injury, athletic training, vegan munchies, music sensations and social howls.

The obvious and and less obvious is that this will be my final howl of 2014. A lot of super-dooper shit has happened this year and turbo-charging me as I prepare to dance my way into my 50th year on earth. There I said it. On May, 14 I will be 50 motherf#cking years old. That is so awesome! I didn’t take the shortest route getting this far and it shows (I look like a distinguished onion head). Still, I am a lucky old man, and that is all I have to say about that.

I had a great year and I spent it with my sexy blonde - holy shit -I guess that alone makes my year perfect!

Athletically it was up and down. Again, I did not finish the Leadville 100 trail run. But I did finish The Keys 50 Mile race coming in 16th overall and first in my age group. I also logged 2600 miles of running (a personal record). My running speed really took a fall since my traumatic brain injury, but I continue to get faster and have designs upon finding more of it in the new year.

My baby Nico Berlin and her love Emmanuel, have made me a grandfather (now I need to buy the Grampy For Dummies book on Amazon) - and yes, I will read it. Margaux Juniper will have a jolly gramps!

So hell yeah, it was an awesome year and tomorrow is on fire. Cheers to 2015!

12/27

Run - 1:04:06 - 8.21 miles - 7:48 per mile pace - avg HR 138

Good run, I need to be careful as I feel something weird in my right foot (on top)

12/26
Run - 53:42 - 7.21 miles - 7:26 per mile pace
hard rain - some tempo 

12/25

Merry Christmas!

12/24 Christmas Eve

Goodness - Spirit of Christmas

I do not believe in ghosts, gods or religion. I am a certain atheist. This however, does not block my vision to or the feeling of the spirit of Christmas. It is undeniable that during the holiday season, people change. On my jaded side I find it easy to vocalize about the ugly - its inherent capitalistic foundation. Further, I am not even convinced that Jesus was an actual living person - at least not as he is interpreted and presented today.

This rant however, will not be about that. Instead, I would rather discuss the absolute beauty of the season; which is found among most Americans regardless of their position (god-loving, secular or otherwise). Just last night I was witness to an unlikely gesture; a legal bill forgiven by an attorney. He did not have to do this - he was allowing small payments to be periodically made (super nice already); but yesterday, in the spirit of Christmas, he granted absolute relief. Wow!

I have not been searching for the Ghost of Christmas Past. No, I was simply a bystander lucky enough to take notice. Now, it is fair to say that kind actions of goodness probably happen myriad times daily and are we just too busy to see? Perhaps. But the truth is, charitable, generous and selfless events like the aforementioned are noticeably increased leading up to and on Christmas. Christians tend to shout-out how ‘blessed’ they are when luck finds them (and I cringe).  I prefer to simply state that I am grateful. Regardless, the tone is the same. [Note - in spite of my attempt to be partial, I cannot. I hear my internal religious critique howling.]

Pause…

Ah, okay I feel better. Across the nation people are gathering with family and friends. They share food, drinks and gifts. For most, it is the happiest time of year. The grand finale and the exciting send-off to the new years calendar.

I want to stop now, and just say, Merry Christmas. I could and I should - but that would leave this rant pointless. I suppose that  I am questioning and judging myself. A  timid attempt to find direction and conclusion to these torn feelings. My emotions are especially pointed during the Christmas season. Does it even matter from where people gather hope, strength and purpose? Of course not! Ultimately the source of goodness is not superficial. Goodness is real. And remarkably, even for this non-believing heathen, the source is irrelevant. Goodness.

Undoubtedly, the fundamental importance of Christmas is not about who is right or who is wrong. It is not about science vs mythological beliefs [snap, I did it again - sorry, I can not be objective]. It is about goodness. People helping and loving, generations engaging, rich and poor toasting, all races embracing, scholastic allocation and ultimately for all, universal equality. Yeah, giving is good.

I like the idea of giving. The spirit is good. To me at least, that has always been the holidays basis. The Spirit of Christmas is Goodness. Yes, giving is what the spirit of Christmas is all about.
                                              - Happy Holidays, Dick Dime

-
Run - 1:04:05 - 6.21 miles - 8:53 p/m pace - 132 avg hr
Hot and humid - that was bad enough - but the wind was worse. I felt like I was working hard and going nowhere. I'm glad that I got something in, regardless.

12/23

Run - 1:21:00 - 10.17 miles - 7:58 p/m pace - 143 avg hr

First 10k was pretty swift <43:00; then an easy jog the rest of the way

-

12/22
No run - rest day
-
Just a reminder from a lost genius. Sometimes I get so angry because as a society we forget the cost/loss of endless conflict. America has blood-stained hands (as do so many nations). We can rise above. We must rise above.

12/21

Christmas week in SoFla! As I write, with only a few days left, no shopping completed. I will try to accomplish this trying task today/tomorrow (and sorry Nico - if I am late); I never was the holiday type. It continues as such.

-
And the BIG NEWS: As I posted here last month, I am a grandfather now.Who would have thunk? Nico Berlin and Emmanuel presented the world with the super-fabulous-extra beautimous, Margaux Juniper!

I cannot wait to get back to Denver early in 2015 to see my people - it has been far too long!

-

My training seems to be back on track after a scare due to an overuse injury; which cased a complete stoppage in training. Last week started slow with physical limitations - I became stronger towards the end of the week leaving me enthusiastic about 2015. I shall start ling up some races now. I do not plan to run ultras as my focus (like last year). However I may run one or two 50 mile and/or 50k races. My goal will be to find the old pre-tbi speed (which is slowly starting to show signs of itself - growing old has its downside, you know?

-

Run - 1:00:56 - 7.31 miles - 8:20 p/m pace - 144 avg hr

easy recovery jog but I felt sluggish today - more so than I should have 

-

good-will to all

"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile." - Albert Einstein

Indeed!

Wrap #10

Welcome to my room of twisted ramblings, recovery from a traumatic brain injury, athletic training, vegan munchies, music sensations and social howls.

Today

12/20

Run - 1:02:30 - 7:39 p/m pace - avg hr 151

best run since the comeback from my over-use injury. I think rest is better than I generally give it credit for.

12/19

Run - 1:01:00 - 7.77 miles - 7:51 p/m pace - avg hr 140
good strong effort; no pain today

12/18

Run - 1:22 - 9.15 miles - 8:57 per mile pace - avg hr 122

The positive is I have run 4 days in a row since my injury related break. The negative is I had no juice at all.

12/17
Run - 1:01:00 - 7:55 per mile pace - HR 135
No pain!

12/16
Well The Black Keys were BIG last night! An incredible presentation at the BB&T center in Sunrise for this little Ohio band.
-
Run - 1:09:00 - 8.29 mile - 8:20 pace - HR 135
I am happy to run two days in a row with less pain and at a slightly better pace. Yeah!

12/15
Run - 1:01:01 - 7.18 miles - 8:30 per mile pace - HR 126
Well, I am happy to run pain free... the week of mostly rest has helped. Now I need to return slowly and not re-injure myself. First two miles were just under 9:00 per mile pace and then by miles 5 and 6 I was in the low 8's; so I feel good about today. This injury scared me as I had put in 3 solid weeks leading up and ran nearly 300 miles in November.

It should be a great night.

12/14
Football Sunday another day to rest the leg. I will try again to run tomorrow morning. NBR: 4 Beers
12/13

Run - the endless rest continues - I shall try again tomorrow.

12/12
R E S T
NBR: 3 Beers

12/11
Run/Jog - 40:13 - 4.16 miles - 120 HR
I was going to take another day off but I manned up and followed Mimi and Irma to the store club run. Still very sore but followed the girls at the Runners Depot. Very slow jog, but I made it farther than any attempt since this injury began.
NBR: 4 Beers .5 btl of wine

12/10
Another full day of rest... played with the puppy a lot. I may be pushing the muscle pull too much. Rest is difficult.

12/9
Well, we are getting a new family member today... I will post a pic later!
-
I tried to run again today. I ran the first mile in about 8 mins (so a big improvement as last time I was walking at .25 miles); unfortunately I was reduced to a walk again - I started walking around 1.4 miles to home.
-
He is not home yet,  but he is commuting now. Name unknown, but I like Potato - time will tell - it is Noah's dog. I can't wait to meet him!

12/8
I don't know... I am not lazy; at least I don't think so. I am just gun-shy after my last failed attempt at running. I am afraid to hurt myself further. Still, I feel like a pussy for not training again today. It is so weird since I do not have general pain, but my last two runs ended up walks. I want to try to run again - patience. 
12/7
I'm a little bummed out right now... My running was on an upswing; volume and speed both increasing. Then last week, I tweaked my groin/leg and my training came to a halt. I didn't think it was serious but yesterday I was walking after just a quarter-mile of running. Today I bagged my ride even though I could have rode pain-free. I don't know if I am being smart or lazy. Hopefully my mojo stays calm and my rest days are short and I resume full running soon. Ever since my TBI, athletics have come back; but only in very small allotments. It was never this hard before the accident. I guess I underestimated the whole-body effects of a traumatic brain injury. A TBI definitely is mentally debilitating but let me say, the physical change is enormous as well. I will endure.
NBR: 6 Beers (Football Sunday)

A word from Santa (the naughty-list is growing); but there is a way to avoid it.

Jamie McDonald ran across Canada and is officially the Daddy!

Wrap #9

Welcome to my twisted room of ramblings, recovery from a traumatic brain injury, athletic training, vegan eats, music sensations and social screams.

Last week
Totals (11/16-11/22) 

Running 70.03 miles (67.77/65.65 previous 2 weeks)

Biking 0 miles

NewBoozeRules (11/24-11/30) (less is more)

2.5 bottles of wine, 20 bottles of beer

Weight: 152 (moved up)
Diet track: My Fitness Pal
This week

Today

12/6
Tried to run this morning. I made it .25 miles before the pain announced itself. I walked home. :-(
Today ended up being a rest day. I probably should have tried to go for a bike ride since I couldn't run. But instead, I opted to just rest. Hopefully, tomorrow is a better day.NBR: zero drinks
12/5
Noah, Mimi's son has designs on getting a new boxer puppy. We are driving to look see a couple today. I know boxer's, there really is no such think as "just looking" - The pad will have a new member later today. Ramone (my old man) will be thrilled!
-
Puppy was super cute and we shall pick him up on Tuesday. So exciting!
-
Injury update: Decided to take the day off completely. I will attempt a run tomorrow and hopefully the pain is gone.
NBR: 3 bud light

12/4
Bike/fixie - 1:07:00 - 20.2 miles - 114 HR
Easy spin; I didn't run again today. I don't feel any soreness but I want to be safe and be sure not to aggravate my muscle pull (hopefully nothing more serious.
    12/3
Well today will be different. A much needed rest day for my running sticks. Stupid boy here waited until he hurt himself after 42 day rest-free streak.
On a positive note, Mimi comes home from her work-trip today! I am happy about that.
NBR: .5 bottle of wine
12/2
Injured - Run - 1:18:00 - 8.26 miles - HR 117 -  ran good through mile 4 (<32', then struggled through mile 7 <57', then walked >18' pace pace home)
I don't know what happened... I was going to take today off/should have. But, I went out in the rain and actually felt pretty good. Then at around mile 4, I felt a twinge in my upper thigh which got really bad at around 10k so at mile 7 I decided to walk it in at a brisk pace. I guess it is time to get back on the bike for a bit. 12/1
Trail run - 1:54:00 - 10.12 miles - 10:23 pace - 785' elevation gain
Easy pace - 16 times up frontage road
NBR: 1 bottle of wine
11/30
Run - 9.32 miles - 1:15:07 - 8:03 per mile pace
3.5 mile jog to warm up, then 6  x 800  meter track intervals with 400 meter cool downs (between 3:10 - 3:15 each). Last time I did this I was around 3:20 per 800 so a step in the right direction.
NBR: 3 Corona Light

Take a minute and watch this. So inspiring!

Thanksgiving 2014 - Thank You

Another holiday season is here... I should have posted this yesterday but what the hell, here it goes.

I am thankful. 

It has been a little over 5 years since I was hit by a car and survived a coma, lengthy hospitalization and endless rehabilitation.

I am very fortunate in countless ways. I have a beautiful/brilliant daughter (Nico Berlin) and I am now a grampy (hello Margaux Juniper)! I left the snow of the Colorado mountains to the sunshine of Florida to be with my girlfriend, Mimi Reeves.  And along her side I continue to improve athletically; and more importantly, cognitively. I have exceeded by an enormous amount what was medically anticipated. It is a daily struggle and I can only say, thank you. The list of people who have contributed along the way is greater than my capacity to recall, but again, THANK YOU. I am happy to be alive. 

I can run.

Enjoy your food, relax and have a second glass of vino. There is no need to stand in line all night for a discounted thing. There is so much more to life - it is called living. It is okay to cancel Black Friday.

Wrap #8

Welcome to my twisted room of ramblings, recovery from a traumatic brain injury, athletic training, vegan eats, music sensations and social screams.

Last week
Totals (11/16-11/22) 

Running 67.77 miles (65.65 previous week)

Biking 20.0 miles

NewBoozeRules (11/16-11/22) (less is more)

10 glasses of wine, 8 bottles of beer

Weight: 152 (moved up)
Diet track: My Fitness Pal
This week

Today

11/29Run - 1:38 - 11.25 miles - 8:42 pace
A little slower and a little bit longer today. 

11/28
Run - 1:22:00 - 10.15 miles - 8:04 pace
Endurance run; steady pace; wind and cool temps (60s!). I felt good today. I carried Gatorade, but I didn't seem to need any.
NBR: (6 Miller Light)

11/27
Happy Thanksgiving!
Trail run - 1:31:00 - 10.38 miles - 8:46 pace
trail run out on the levee... strong headwinds out/neg. split back NBR:  (6 Coors light, 3 glasses of red wine)

11/26
Run - 1:26:00 - 10.7 miles - 8:02 pace
Decent effort. No real focus; just run as steady as possible into the fierce winds (again). Hung tough the last two miles with minimal fade.
NBR: (1 bottle of red wine)

:

11/25
Run - 1:04:00 - 8.1 miles - 7:54 pace per mile
Included 6 time 4:00 minute tempo intervals on 3:00 easy. I called Garmin this morning and they are sending me a new heart rate strap. Yay! 
NBR: (2 Corona Light, .5 bottle of red wine)

Guns, Deaths. American exceptional-ism? It really blows my mind (like a bullet)...

11/24
Run - 1:33:00 - 10.19 miles - 9:09 per mile 
Very hot and humid today (at record temps for this time of year). I felt it too. Very tired even though I didn't push the pace at all.

11/23
Run - 1:31:00 - 9.26 miles - 9:49 per mile
Hills/Trails - the trash heap - 2 mile warm up, 5 complete loops, 3 times up the frontage road.
NBR: (4 Busch beers - football Sun)

OK, here is the scoop about my weight. Although, I have lost a lot of weight since my big post TBI hospitalization weight gain (174), I have been creeping up again even though my running mileage is increasing. I need to refocus on weight loss. as of today, I am going to not cheat and I am going to obsess on the scale a bit. Pardon me.

Wrap #7

Welcome to my twisted room of ramblings, athletic training, vegan eats, music sensations, my continued recovery from a traumatic brain injury, social scenes, dreams and lefty-leans.

Today
11/22
Run  - 10.4 miles - 1:39:00 -  9:31 pace - HR 100 (I must call Garmin - HR is off big time)
Trail run on Alligator Levee - Really difficult today. The headwinds were incredible. I was running nearly all out and barely moving.

Well it is official. I made the announcement and I am taking - what I hope will be - a prolonged break from Facebook. In a nutshell, that forum really isn't for me. My hope is by breaking from the endless news feeds, I can focus on issues that I care about. rant here to the occasional follower and perhaps get more things done. Besides, there are a lot of other social media outlets that I may enjoy more: Google+, Twitter, Instagram, etc.

11/21 
Run  - 10.1 miles - 1:45:00 -  10:23 pace - HR 108 - 840' elevation gain
Hills/trails at the Vista View trash heap. Wind and rain. Easy pace.

Thank you, Adbusters Magazine  for your continued awareness campaign of Black Friday (or Just Buy Nothing Day). I'm not sure how long you guys have been running this, but it is awesome - wake up consumer America!

11/20 
Run  - 10.3 miles - 1:24:00 -  8:09 pace - HR 102Steady run - still a weird heart rate. I need to call Garmin, but I am so lazy - ugh.

11/19 
Run  - 12.38 miles - 1:44:00 -  8:24 pace - HR 101 
Run - easy z2 - I carried 20oz of Gatorade and never sipped any; I definitely need to focus on nutrition more! Coolest day in SoFla ever (65-70 degrees). My heart rate seems really low. Maybe my strap isn't working right.

11/18
Run - Hills (@the trash heap) - 1100' elevation gain - 10.17 miles - 1:38:00 - 9:38 pace - HR 119
Trail run at the heap. I ran up main road ran up main road 5x to start then 5x after each lap.

11/17
Run  - 10.11 miles - 1:27:00 -  8:36 pace - HR 114 
Ran 0K for the first 7 miles, then faded. I felt sluggish out there today.

11/16

Brick Bike/Run
Bike - 1:03:00 - 20 miles - 19.0 mph HR 118
3 minute transition
Run - 34:32 - 4.3 miles - 8:01 pace - HR 126

Short brick to get the legs moving a little. Ran pretty good off the bike