MIA to DEN

Today was te return home day. It felt good to get out and run 5 miles this morning,  but Miami sunshine can be pretty humbling. I won't lie, the water fountain I found on my course was a near religious experience. Not long after my Dunkin Donuts cafe con leche, we departed again for Denver. It felt so good to get home and to my own home no less. Tiff picked me up with Maggie & Estes and I could not have felt more welcomed and loved. Today was a good day.

That New Familiar

It has been a whirl wind trip to Colorado. Caldera rarely offers me less. When all was said and done, I put in about 23 days of straight work with a stretch of 5 days over 12hrs each. I am glad for the work to be sure, but was a shade dizzy after. We went to Palm Desert for a few days and I was given a premature case of spring fever. Felt great to get out for a couple runs without 12lbs of clothing.

The trip to Colorado has also led to some opportunities I am still working out with Tiffany. My head is spinning from that as well, but what I do know is that these are all good issues to have. Updates in those areas will follow when they are better discussed.

For now, I know I have enjoyed the crisp air, the sore muscles, the laughter from good friends, and the new ink gracing my ankle. I am forever reminded that I ran 26.2 miles last fall in Chicago and have every intention to continue as long as my legs will allow.

From Denver International Airport with love, Captain Stupie signing off.

Role Call

Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Tennesse, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma... this is where I have been in the last 3 weeks. None of which were layovers, but highway treks across. I just finished another job with Caldera in Florida. It involved 6 days of driving a truck in a caravan (3 all together) 11 hours a day alone. Truely some introspective time. One of the things I walked away from this cross country excursion was how fortunate I am. I am fortunate to have a home and family, not only by blood but my happy band in Chicago. I am also fortunate to be employed. While so many good people around me (my family included) are struggling to find work, I have maintained a peicemeal, gainful employment. Like many others still holding jobs, my work has tripled in time and effort, but I still have a job. So many I saw across many states do not. I am also glad to have seen so much of the country. It's easy to forget how vast it is. It's also easy to forget how much we have in common. This may all sound a tad gushy, but it's where I am at. Thank you to all that take the time to keep up with my misadventures.

When did all these toys go in the attic?

Ah... So I have never posted the Detroit pics. I also have not been able to get caught up on the happenings here in Chicago since returning. I would love to say this is the comprehensive catch up episode, but let's be honest. If you read this, you probably already know what's been going on.

If not, call me. I am probably standing on my street somewhere with a puppy determined to go the opposite direction next to me. No seriously. I'm there right now.

Since getting back from back to back tours, I have been busy getting settled in the apt. we moved to while I was away. I got to put together our office, my first day off and now it looks like a massive puppy landing pad. Work has picked up, but I am still less fond of dealing with people where I have to be nice to be paid. It's OK though. Tiff and I are slowly getting adjusted to puppy life. She's illogical, unpredictable and stubborn as hell so naturally she fits in with us well.



I also abandoned the original training program I was using from Nike+ for the Chicago marathon. After I got back to Chicago, I tried to run my first long run of 14 miles. It was a breeze but also only on week 6 of my training. I finished it with ease in 2hrs and 15 min and felt great till I went to go down the stair after getting home. That's when dual injuries began starting with my ITB and a strain on the opposite foot from the limp and 2 consecutive doubles. I was out of commission for 2 weeks and am just starting back up as of yesterday with a more reasonable plan.

In honest disclosure, I also broke down on the smoking on the last week of tour. I have a sincere desire to quit again soon, but am honest enough to know I am not there just yet. It would be a true fight. It's frustrating and humbling to be back to square one, but I suppose they wouldn't say success comes from keeping after it if it was easy to drop.

That's it in a nutshell. If you were wondering, that is Ed Norton with us at the Tigers game. He just wanted to sit with us. I am still out with the puppy if you want to call.