Track Training

Today we went to the Middle School track, as a team, and did some track workout. We did a few 400 meter sprints, and a crazy 200 meter sprint relay (which we shaved 11 seconds off of the 2nd time we did it). Andy and Ben decided to do a track workout today, because during the week, we're getting our cardio workout. But some people have been saying that their legs are what's hurting them moreso than their lungs and trouble breathing. So we did the track workout to strengthen our lower body. One of my favorite quotes of all time applies; "The legs feed the wolf."

Track workouts could become a regular part of our training. We'll see what happens. It really was a good change of pace for us, and it allowed us to get a little competitive which was cool. But we all supported each other and the positive energy was-a-flowin. Jennie was keeping time in her wheelchair right at trackside. She's still just as much a part of the team as everyone else which is awesome. It was great she came out.

That's it for now. Later

Minus-1

Ben has been staying at the hospital with Jennie, so Tuesday, Today, and Tomorrow, it's just been Dan and I. Our runs are now 25 minutes, and we've done 2.8 miles and 2.7 miles. Watching Avatar....post more soon.

--Dave

"We should've just watched Face-Off."

Yesterday, we all showed up at Casa de O'Connor for our team run....BUT....Mike and Mallory got married Saturday, which means open bar at the reception, which means everyone except Dan and I was very, very hungover. Ryan suggested and we watch Face-Off and for a few moments it seemed like that was going to happen. However, Ben and Andy insisted that instead of a run, we should at least be active for a while, and at least burn some calories and get a decent cardio workout. Enter ultimate frisbee. We went to Shapiro Park and started playing some frisbee. Enter wind. It was way too windy for a frisbee. Enter football. We decided to play football instead. I had a Chris Johnson-esque touchdown run, which probably would've been the talk of game, but SOMEONE whose name starts with a J and ends with an Ennie had to be selfish and steal the show. In a total freak accident, Jennie broke her hip. She's laid up for a few weeks. We all feel terrible for her, but she's one of the toughest women I know, so she'll muscle through it. When the EMT's were putting her on the stretcher, in the middle of the pandemonium, I was sitting in the car with baby Olivia and I heard Ryan say "We should've just watched Face-Off."......agreed.

Days seem to be Melting together

Dan, Ben, and I went back to our 5am mornings on Tuesday. We had been getting about 1.6-1.7 miles done in 20 minutes, but Tuesday we ended up doing 2 miles in twenty minutes which is slightly quicker than marathon pace. Between work and the 5am training days, the weeks seem to be melting into one big jumble of Tired. But if all I'm thinking about is training and working then that leaves little room to get into trouble and little time to spend money, which means I can save a lot, which is good. God, that sounds so adult. Just when I feel like an old man, I remind myself that the NFL Draft is next Thursday, and I start feeling the excitement of a little kid. Work-Training-NFL Draft, as of right now, that's all my focus is on.

Au Revoir

--Dave

first team run

So today was a different setup. Instead of running at 5 in the morning with Dan and Ben, everyone met at 4 and ran together, as a team. We're going to be doing it like this every Sunday. And team runs are always our long runs. The past week we've been running for 20 minutes. Today we ran 20 minutes, walked 7 and then ran another 25. It was hot, there were hills, I didn't want to, but I walked for a total of maybe two and a half minutes. Andy and Dan ran the whole time, and for 98% of the run I was in the front with them. We started the run as a group, then everyone kinda separated, but we all met up again, walked together....then separated again. We all stumbled back to Ben's house at different times. Then, also a weekly tradition, we had a great dinner together. I had salad for the first time in my life. Wasn't crazy about it, but I muscled through it.

Overall, it was really cool running together. It was our first "team bonding". We were all motivating each other, which was super good. Next run...Tuesday: 5am. dammit.


Aloha

--Dave

day two.

Just got in from day two. Again, it was Ben, Dan, and myself. Met at east park and ran up and down bridge. Nice change of scenery. Suuper foggy this morning. Again, only a 20 minute run, very easy. I'm considering this part training for training; we're not into the crazy stuff yet, but we're getting our bodies into the habit of running. My eating sucks at this point. I'm not eating anything bad for me, but I'm not eating enough good things, which Ben says at this point, is fine. I guess that's it for now.

Aloha

--Dave

day one.

6:24AM and day one is already in the books. We're doing timed running for the first few weeks, which means we're running for a certain amount of time as opposed to distance. Today was super easy. Ben, Myself and a newcomer, Dan, who seems pretty cool, went. 20 minute run, 1.6 miles. Everyone else is going later on today with Andy. Waking up at 5am SUCKS but oh well. April 6th got here very quick, but I'm stoked it did. When we started today I looked at Ben and I said "and so it begins." Right now, it seems like we're all really excited to get going, but I'm sure we'll hate it sooner than later. And now, commence Operation: Try to Sleep some More

Adios Amigos

--Dave