How It Started

This may have been the face that got Tiff and I started on our animal saving ways. Meet Jack Frost. We first found Jack Frost in 2008 while living but a few blocks from Wrigley Field in Chicago. We were casually looking at dogs for adoption online when we accidentally ended up on a "kill shelter" site complete with dates of euthanasia's. That's where we found Jack Frost and his sister Candy Cane (yes it was days before Christmas). Jack and Candy were to be put down on Christmas Eve.

We knew this was a moment we needed to act and for a short but wonderful time, Jack was our first dog till he found a wonderful forever home. Jack was but a few weeks old and best we could tell was a Lab / Scottie mix.

There is an old saying, don't go to the barbershop unless you want a haircut. We were aware that obviously shelters can not keep up with the  overwhelming  needs, but to see Christmas Eve as a date to  be put down was a catalyst for us to try and help. Jack (and his sister) did indeed live to see Christmas and have seen many since. Tiff and I have been active in helping when we can and donating at other times. The reality has not changed much, but we are helping and if that does anything to alter a couple animals destiny, we are glad to have helped

My fund raising for PAWS is in its final weeks. I am no longer trying to hit a goal per se but am still determined to try and raise as much as I can for this 'no kill" shelter that has radically altered how strays can be handled. The euthanasia's in Chicago has declined since PAWS began operation and that's good. Even if you don't live in the Windy City, it shows it can work.

If you can donate, I am grateful. If you can share and spread the word, I am grateful. I will run marathons in Denver and New York City for your support. Most importantly though, dogs and cats like Jack will have a chance to get those forever homes!

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Thoughts on running so far in 2013

I punched out my last long run this morning and thus begin my taper period to the Denver Rock n Roll Marathon on Oct. 20th. Today was a 22 mile run. That is a lot of time to reflect. With the temperature in the mid 40's to start and around 60 when I wrapped up, I was able to truly think on this strange and wonderful year of running so far. I ran the Colfax marathon in May and pushed harder than I ever had before, landing a new PR of 3:50:20. I ran through two blizzard conditions training for it and had a healthy appreciation for what it takes to get faster. Then, 3 weeks into my training for the Rock n Roll, I got the idea to sign up with PAWS and try for a marathon double header in the fall. I have never find raised before and suddenly my solitary activity of running required a lot of support. Acknowledging my limits, I yielded my second marathon to a more experience fund raiser and became content to do my best for my Denver race. Then, fate intervened and offered me a chance to go to New York once again and represent Team PAWS in one of the largest and greatest 26.2mi. runs. I have now been in training, running almost everyday for all but 3 weeks this year. I've logged close to 1100 miles this year alone and raised a little over $1500 for homeless pets in Chicago (hopefully enough to save a few lives). I'm grateful and overwhelmed by the support and the effort. It's been fun so far. 

Keep it Going!

Two more donations today and I am past the $1,500 mark! You all are the best!! One more long 22mi. run tomorrow and then I begin the taper for the Denver Rock 'n' Roll marathon on Oct. 20th!

If you have a couple extra bucks you want to donate or just spread the word, it is more than appreciated!!

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Cold Comfort

There is something so rejuvenating about fall. Being back in a city, there is an added delight in the trees changing and the street lights coming on a bit sooner. Throwing a hoodie on and cupping a mug of coffee just feels good. It's perhaps a personal preference but to me the chill in the air is exciting. The promise of cider and great meals is fantastic. It also makes the remaining training runs that much more enticing. I say hello fall, glad you are here!

17

Tiff and I took in the last Rockies home game last night. It was not only our anniversary, but the final home game for a player that has been with the Rockies all 17yrs. of his career. He has put up Hall of Fame candidate numbers and beyond the tactile stats, he stuck with the Rockies even though most of his years with them showed little if any promise of October ball. The player is Todd Helton and if you couldn't guess from the picture, his number is 17.

It was a unique experience to see the ball club showing its appreciation for an amazing career. So often baseball players get traded, sent down, or just don't come back in the spring. To get to say thank you and good bye was an exciting thing to be a part of. If it sounds like my inner 8yr. old shuffling through his baseball cards is talking, that is true. What I love about the game is that part of me will always feel like a kid watching it. In that regard, occasionally a player or team can become elevated beyond my rational, adult thinking. But it's fun to believe and hope. I chose to focus on the fun of that and just enjoy it.

I was also great to watch Todd Helton hit his final home run at Coors Field last night. Thank you for the great memories Helton! It has been fun!

Three Years

Three years ago today, I married my best friend. It has been a fantastic three years and I am more in love with my wife today than ever before. Gratitude is a subject I always try and keep fresh in my mind and when I think about where we were at 3 years ago surrounded by our loved ones, it's not hard to feel a great respect for all that I have in my life.

Thank you Tiffany, for sharing this fantastic journey with me! You are indeed a rockstar!

Goal Attained!

Huge thank you's to my a friend in LA and my mom, I am over my modified goal of $1,500 for Team PAWS Chicago!!

I am humbled and grateful for all the help and the spreading of the word! As a marathon runner, I am used to being alone for tremendous stretches of time training. This time has not been like that. Corny as it may sound, you all have truly pushed me to try harder. The biggest benefit though is that PAWS has received some help from you, my amazing network of friends and family! Thank you!

I am still looking for donations and will until the ING New York City Marathon, so if you get an urge to drop a little that way, please do. My goal has been met, but theirs has not.



Again, thank you so very much!!

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Stumped in 20mi

I hit the trail hard yesterday and it kinda hit me back. The last few miles were all mind game to keep going. I have had a very good year of training, but having been in training for all but 5 weeks this year, I think the toll is starting to show and I am forcing myself to take a day off from running. Rest days have been optional 1mi. that I always take the option.

I also seem to be flatlined on fundraising and ideas. I truly tried to come up with some ideas yesterday until the only idea in my head was "stop running!!" Then I had to just hone in on left - right - left…

If you have any ideas, shoot me a line or hell, call me. I am all ears. Most of you know I am always willing to try something, especially if there's a good cause.

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Pre 20mi Thoughts

I have been on the campaign to raise money for Team PAWS now since the beginning of July. I am in the home stretch of fundraising and training. Today I set out for my second 20 mi. run with just one more 22mi. before I taper for the Denver Rock 'n' Roll. Then two weeks later I hit New York City for another 26.2 mi. run. The support, both financial and otherwise has been incredible! As a marathoner, I am much more familiar with long stretches of alone time and needing no team, per se, running is a very independent sport. To reach out all the time trying to engage my friends, family, and anyone else close enough to hear has been tough to adapt to. When I realized that it's not about me actually at all, the asking got easier. When I heard people tell me their tales of rescues, it got easier. I had donations from not only here in Denver and in my old hometown Chicago, but from both coasts, the republic of Texas and the more distant frontier of Alaska. To say the response has been humbling is an understatement. I am committed to trying to get a bit more, 4 for $20. As I have said before, your help and word of mouth has been the key to success so far. As I snap on the Camelbak to run these 20 miles, I'll continue to try and think of what more I can do. If you have a suggestion (or a huge corporation dripping with charitable dollars on speed dial), let me know.

I appreciate you!

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Parent's Shoes

It's been a full day hanging with my niece and nephew. They are truly awesome, but I am brutally tired. While I have held a deep respect for parents for quite a while, it's amazing when you are suddenly in their shoes how tiring it can be. I feel more energy after a 20 mile run than I do right now. To parents everywhere, you are amazing!

Just 4 for $20 Left

I'm proud to be running for Team PAWS this fall and honored to be able to represent them in two marathons. I am looking for 4 more people to donate $20 to hit my goal! Help or share if you can!

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4 for $20

I am down to 4 for $20 left to hit my goal for PAWS! Big thanks to Rene! Getting there with so much help!!

Please donate or spread the word… all of it helps. If you venture on Facebook, share one of these posts (Troy's Running for PAWS), every time they get reposted I usually get a donation from afar. Every little bit helps!

All donations go to PAWS, 100%! My only aim is to get them as much as I can, doing what I do: I run. This year I have logged over 1000 miles already and am not even at my taper for Denver Rock 'n' Roll!

Please help if you can!


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6 for $20

This is Estes. She was a puppy mill rescue. Her sheer joy in romping through the fresh snow is nothing short of wonderful! 

Part of why I signed up for Team PAWS was to offer other people the chance to discover these lost dogs and cats. PAWS has revolutionized the homeless pet situation in Chicago. 

Looking for just 6 for $20! I'll run 26.2 miles in Denver and then turn around and do it again in New York City 2 weeks later. If you can help, the donation goes 100% to PAWS.

Click here to donate!

6 for $20 Needed

I need just 6 more for $20 after donations from Jack Finnegan and Pablo's Coffee! Thank you so much!! Also thank you to everyone that has helped share the word, the support is amazing! It helped keep me going on a rain drenched 20 miler yesterday!

http://teampaws.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1052581&lis=1&kntae1052581=E8A44FBEC339431094A2863563EF4D0D&supId=296965664

52.4 miles

It's cool and rainy and I have opted to take my long run of 20mi. this afternoon. With the amazing addition of a second marathon only 2 weeks after the Denver Rock 'n' Roll my running has taken a bit of a turn in focus. While the bulk of my attention is on Denver, I am now contemplating what I need to do after to allow for ready legs to take on New York. I am also back on the hunt for donations which I had not given up on, but considered my $1300 well and above my needed $500. I now am looking to raise another $200. I am happy to do so for PAWS, but the inertia for raising money had ebbed some. It's an honor and a great challenge to do this.

Be the first!

Still looking for the first of my needed 10 for $20. Help me out! 

http://teampaws.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1052581&lis=1&kntae1052581=E8A44FBEC339431094A2863563EF4D0D&supId=296965664

Start Spreading the News...

I am in for the ING New York City Marathon for Team PAWS Chicago! Looking for 10 for $20 to hit my new goal! Donate if you can or share. Any help is appreciated!!

http://teampaws.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1052581&lis=1&kntae1052581=E8A44FBEC339431094A2863563EF4D0D&supId=296965664

Aiming Higher: 10 for $20

Let's kick it up a little! I am $200 away from an amazing $1500 fundraising total for PAWS! That is a lot of food and beds for homeless pets, to be sure! I need 10 people to donate $20 to hit that! Help me out with a donation or spreading the word. I am very grateful!!

The lik to donate is below:

http://teampaws.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1052581&lis=1&kntae1052581=E8A44FBEC339431094A2863563EF4D0D&supId=296965664

Second Chance to Run NYC

I received an email last night letting me know there was an unexpected opening on the Team PAWS NYC Marathon team. After releasing my spot, responsibly, I had finally made my peace with not getting to go. I believe things and opportunities arise when they are supposed to and am exploring my options to see if this can work out.

Regardless, it is flattering to have been given the invite. I was told it was based on my enthusiasm with online posts and success in fund raising thus far.

If it works out, I will know soon.

Hello Fall

The heat has finally broken and we are enjoying a grey, rainy, cooler day at last. I know I am of a small group that welcomes the colds and thrives in the rain, but we are not often the ones heard from. Ergo I say, hallelujah to Fall finally getting here. I am fortunate to be married to someone with the same affinity for this Pacific Northwest type weather and we were all but giddy today to see it. At long last, summer is over! Bring on the cider, the leaves falling, the football, the hockey, and all the festivities!

Date Night

Tiff and I have developed a great date night on Monday's. We hit Kind Yoga for a 5:30 class and get a bit to eat from City 'o' City. We usually bide the food prep time with a trip to Pandora's box, one of the coolest little boutiques in Denver. It's a routine that sort of naturally developed, but it has become truly a highlight of the week for us. The combination of the yoga and good food always seems to set us both on our feet and gives the new week a great push in the right direction. The fact that we just started doing it without intent also makes it that much more special.

Now the details of this routine may not be of any true interest beyond the two of us, but why I post it is that I love my wife. I am truly excited still about our life together. The fact that we can still find a "thing" after 9 years together, the last 3 in marriage is pretty friggin' cool. With so much news about us on the doom and gloom, I just though, "hell, why not a bit of a feel good?"

Home or Away

It's the first Sunday of football season and my home team is off today. I got to throw on my Bears jersey and run some errands. Driving across town I was reminded of living in LA where there was no home team and you saw bright jersey's from all corners off the country. It was fun to see today the fans from Minneapolis, New Orleans, Boston, and Seattle showing their team's pride here in Denver. I think I will always enjoy being an away fan, but it made me happy to see so many different representatives out and about. Granted, when the Broncos play, there is little other than orange anywhere, and that is also a good feeling. South Park put it great when they summed it up they are the home team and you should be behind your home team.

None the less, football is just football, but it was nice to see folks out showing their pride.

Easy

There is something to be said for taking an easy day. With so many events as of late, it felt almost luxurious to sleep till 8 today. Tiff and I got to walk the dogs and go for a leisurely run together. It's just been an easy and peaceful day. I am pretty grateful for these when they come. Quiet and easy are definitely the byproducts of considerable hard work. It also tends to be an indication of heading in the right direction, if only for today. And today is pretty good.

Good Choices

I was out with my brother tonight and imparted my Year of Good idea to him. He was very impressed, yet skeptical as to how he might impart it with two kids at home. The element I was able to identify as being most helpful was knowing you are trying for good food, music, and sleep makes for easier decisions when you have one to make. For example, knowing I am actively seeking out good food I will take time to prepare something at home rather than just purring a bowl of cereal when I have the time to do so. It offers a guidance. Perfection is unreasonable and usually why most resolutions fail. With the Year of Good I have a reminder when a choice is available that I am seeking to get as much good food, good music, and good sleep as I can, when I can.

It helped me just to remember that.

Football

This is not important. Let me just start with that. Football begins tonight in Denver tonight. Personally, I am pretty damn excited as neither Chicago or Denver are likely to be playing baseball in 4 weeks. Football to me is just entertainment. I love it and enjoy it. It's fun to watch and fun to talk about. It is just entertainment but it's damn good, spectacle type entertainment.

Damn Good Time

I went to a concert last night with my mom and a couple of friends. It was a performer we all really enjoyed and the concert was incredible! The music was fantastic and hit two of the elements that make music amazing to me: Great lyrics and a sense of urgency. It was also fantastic to see a performer who still truly enjoys doing what they do. The concert was at the Denver Botanic Gardens which is not only a beautiful location, it is quite intimate. The furthest patch of lawn is still roughly only 100 feet to the stage. It was rejuvenating in so many ways, the combination of good music, good food and wonderful company!

Now I just need to get the "good sleep" the keep up with the Year of Good. How are your New Year resolutions, by the way?

Happy Tuesday

There are some days, you just need to go with your happy's.

Heat Is No Longer Welcome

I had pushed my long run to today as yesterday was truly needed for recuperating from the Saturday wedding. Weather and to my chagrin, yesterday was cool and overcast. Today, not so much. When I came sweating into my folks driveway, my dad told me the thermometer out back was reading 96 degrees. It was 60 when I set out on the 18mi run. The heat factor once again kicked my ass and I drained my hydration belt for a second week in a row. I also know this is the point in training where exhaustion is taking its toll. Progress is slow and each run feels like it begins with the tinge of tired from the last one.

It truly is the point to grin and bear it.

That is part of the training though, pushing through this part. I am proud to put on my Team PAWS singlet and pound out the miles, knowing for the first time I am doing this for more than just my own edification. None the less, this is the hard before the easy. I also try and remind myself I did two long runs in blizzard conditions this last winter for my Spring marathon. Right now I don't have any gear freezing to my beard.

Amazing Grace

I have a strong faith. I don't often talk about it, but it has been a guiding force in my life for a number of years. It's a simple but effective belief. I don't feel a blog is really a place to talk about, but acknowledgement is needed sometimes. Yesterday I was essentially carried by my faith and a few loved ones around me. The not knowing how a situation will work out and having some fear as well yet still walking forward is an act of faith. Often when I hear talk if faith it has a disdainful promotional feeling to it. None the less, the people I admire most have a faith. Sometimes it's religious and sometimes it's just a know how that this world does not abide ego and will without check. For the grace my life has been shown, yesterday and everyday before it, I am humbly grateful. I have been offered a life guys like me rarely get a chance at. For my faith and for that grace I will continue to try and give it back.