Sleeping In

Today is long run day and generally I am out early to beat the heat. Today we have brunch plans a bit early. That coupled with a rather sleepless night, I have opted to just push the run back to later in the day. It's a funny feeling of freedom when rearranging self-imposed schedules. In a way it recaptures that old feeling of staying home from school as a kid or skipping a class in college. There's sense of rebellion in such a simple act. It also causes me some concern as a reformed procrastinator that the activity may not happen. I know I will run, so these concerns are laughable, but that fear is still there. The funny part to me is how all these feeling get triggered by such a simple act as turning off snooze willingly and deciding to go a different way.

It's all good

Tempo Run Fatigue

I am back to the training schedule for my marathon in October. That means Fridays are speed days and I have resumed my tempo runs at Cheesman Park. Two fast loops that all but kill me with the curves and gentle inclines. Today was tough and left me wiped out for quite a while. I am hoping it's just the getting back into the flow.

Nice Hat

Did you ever see someone wearing something do stupid it made you mad? I just did. It's still in the upper 90's right now and I just saw some hipster wearing a knot cap at the store. To be clear, this was an honest, keep your head warm cap. I know I wear shorts all winter and have no place to cast stones, but a knit cap in this heat seems absurd! What's more curious is why should I care, let alone be agree aggravated by it? This idiot wants to wear it, his prerogative. I certainly get tired of the comments all winter. I suppose this is my turn on the other side of the fence. As a guy who rarely gets cold though, let me just say summer heat can suck it. 

Bike to Work Day 2013

Today was Bike to Work Day! I am thrilled to be biking to work just about everyday now, but it was especially gratifying to see so many other riders out today. As part of the celebration, there were breakfast stations all around the city. Tiff and I hot the one outside our neighborhood Whole Foods and were treated to breakfast burritos, smoothies, granola, fruit, and coffee. I heard there were pancakes at another station but thought that would be tough to get to work on time if I ventured that far and defeated some of the purpose of Bike to Work Day. I love being on the bike and getting around with ease. It felt great to participate in an event that might allow others to enjoy it too.

Even the mayor hopped in a bike today!

Even the mayor hopped in a bike today!

Routine

I get up early to get my runs in now before work. It helps that it's also the coolest time of the day. Walk the dogs, little breakfast and bike to work. My days are starting to have some routine and I can't believe I am saying this, but it is awesome! I love have some stability in what I do and my new job is fabulous. The closeted math geek in me is finally getting some use. I appreciate having this and am ever grateful. 

Yoga Monday

This is so not me by the way.

Part of my training is going to yoga on Mondays. I truly used it during the last marathon and can't help but feel it added to a new PR of better than 12 minutes. I used it last time, but did not try classes till about halfway through my training program. It's still hard as all get out for me. No distance running or weight training experience seems to lend itself to any ease in class.Plus it is summer and I am always hot, thus there is the added flattering aspect of sweating my tail off. Honestly, I haven't sweat like this since Defiant Theatre's The Pyrates (I brought a towel just for act one).

What's different is that I don't care as much that I am pretty lousy with the yoga. I have finally accepted the tenant of yoga that if you are working, you are doing it correctly. I am not limber and agile like my classmates or wife, but I am working. The sweat is a dead giveaway. I am relaxed though and laughing a lot more than I used to. I managed to get into a pose tonight and immediately chuckled and fell over. It's fun and somehow is helping me get faster at 26.2 miles.

Christmas in June

For no particular reason, Tiff and I decided tonight to have Christmas in June night. We are making a very holiday-like dinner and have found a Christmas music station on Apple TV. I pulled out the Santa towels that evaded being boxed and stored. It's goofy and fun! There's no tree or gifts, just wonderful smells of cinnamon, clove, and ginger! We're about to watch a holiday like movie and just settle in.

It's not that this particular bizarre evening is that important as it is know and appreciating that I have someone in my life that is was wonderfully quirky as I am. That is a blessing and one I am continually grateful for.

Better Than Aspirin

Today I had an easy 4mi scheduled. I am not a warm weather runner, to be sure and have been enjoying my early morning runs before work. Today though, I wanted to sleep in a bit. My head was a jumble too so I was particularly happy to lace up and get out the door. It's already hot and I just ran easy out and back down a street that has gorgeous homes. All of them are turn of the twentieth century and well kept. Since the weather has warmed, I am favoring North and South streets for the shade and felt relatively comfortable. It was pleasant just running along with no music and not looking at my sports watch. My head was quieter when I got home. I don't understand how that works, but am glad it does. 

Help

A friend of mine is in the dumps. he's having troubles feeling life is not where he wants it to be. While better than it was, he's frustrated to still have so many stresses. He called me and we chatted a bit. While I could tell him nothing he didn't already know, it seemed to help to be reminded. I also heard myself saying things I needed to be reminded of. It still amazes me when I try to offer help, how the I often feel I walk away more helped than the other man. It's a strange paradox, but it works.

Early Morning Runs

I am starting to get used to my getting up early to run before work routine. The new job has offered me a set schedule and I just began my training for the Denver Rock 'n Roll Marathon this week. Thanks to my new training program, I am able to do all of my weekly runs before I have to go to work. The benefit of this is also that I get my runs in while it is still cool outside. While I am not a wake and run guy at all, I am certainly not a run while it's in the 90's guy. I heard it takes three weeks for a new schedule to feel normal. That seems to be holding true. I won't lie though when I say tomorrow morning's early tempo run will be tough.

Tony Bennett and The Denver Botanic Gardens

Tiff and I are about to head out to see Tony Bennett perform at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I am truly excited for the show. Not only is he a legend but the Gardens are one of the most beautiful venues to hear music in Denver. The chance to see someone with so much talent and experience is going to be a treat. I am a huge fan of great performance and this will be one of the most experienced performers I have even seen. We are grabbing some delicious food on the way and will have a delightful picnic under the stars to his music. It should truly be a wonderful night of Good.

Rule 62

Mad Max theme for Denver Cruiser Ride

Rule 62: Don't take yourself too damn seriously.

5K Awesome!

I just got the results back from my 5K on Saturday:

  BIG GAY 5K Run/Walk
                       Civic Center Park, Denver CO.
                          Saturday, June 15, 2013
                    RUNNER 5K RUN MALE OVERALL RESULTS
Place Name                  City              Bib  Div/Tot  Time    Pace  
===== ===================== ================= ==== ======== ======= ===== 

 4     TROY COLEMAN          DENVER             303   4/55   20:57  6:45

I have never placed so highly! I am amazed and excited! It was a lot of fun and a good hard run, but felt much better than my previous speedy effort in a 5K. This time I could still breathe, which is a very good thing. This booster to the running morale is perfect as today officially launches my next training plan for the Denver Rock n' Roll Marathon this fall. It feels great to see such improvements and I am excited to jump back into my plan to see if I can build on the base already established this Spring.

The icing on the cake was summed up by my wife on Facebook too:

"Here's a nice story: Troy ran a 5k on Saturday, then stayed to cheer on the other runners. Someone looked up the number on his race bib and then got in touch with him today to offer him free entry to the half marathon in Garden of the Gods--because of his good sportsmanship."

Pride Parade

My company's entry for the Pride Parade here in Denver was a huge success! We had a lot of fun and truly enjoyed the celebration! It was beautiful to be a part of something so big and festive. While so often there is difficulty and fighting, today was just revelry. I am proud to have been a participant but even more grateful to all those that enabled a day like this to be.

Big Gay 5K

This weekend is PrideFest in Denver. I'm involved in the parade through Dwell tomorrow and pretty excited to see my Jeep turn into a big gay "float." At the informational meeting on Monday I heard about a new event this year, "The Big Gay 5K." I was pretty excited. So often these events are strictly music, food and booze. Nothing against all that, it's great. I was excited to see a running event tagged on. It feels great to do something I love to do to help celebrate the event. I was going to go for a run today anyways.

I'm also very inexperienced with the 5K distance. After marathons, it doesn't seem like a difficult distance. That said, it is a completely different race. To start, it is a TON faster. Unless your name is Ryan Hall or Meb, you would never take off in a marathon at those speeds. It felt like a sustained tempo run. They chose a great course and it was a lot of fun. There were great costumes and fantastic spirit. Of course there were the 2 guys that were warm-up sprinting before the start that let me know today wasn't the day I was going to win one of these. It didn't bother me though, I wanted to run fast but still have fun. If I was going to fast to smile and enjoy it, why was I there?

I finished in the first 10 and had the great opportunity to stand at the finish to cheer the rest of the field as they crossed. It was wonderful! 

Satisfied Feeling

I am loving finally having weekends! There is such a satisfaction in seeing the end of a workweek where I feel I got a lot accomplished. No more redundant finishing a task just to watch it reemerge the next day. While I have some routine, I feel like I am getting some things done. As an added bonus, in just the few weeks I have been with my new company I have seen strong signs my efforts are paying off. That feels wonderful!

While I love having a couple days off with my wife and the rest of the "normal workweek" crowd, I am quite happy it isn't because I need to be away from my job.

Looking Back

DCR #2

It's windy. There's ash and smoke in the air from wild fires. It's starting to spit rain. Tonight is my first Denver Cruiser Ride and the theme is Mad Max. Perfect.

I am wicked tired and have already risen a few miles for the day. I was thinking about backing out but knew I probably wouldn't. I can't resist an experience. The crowds are amassing. I'm glad I manned up. 

Vega Thinking

I have made some mention of our gradual progression towards what once seemed an extreme dietary choice. Vegan. One definition of vegan is: 

"A vegan (pronounced VEE-gun) is someone who, for various reasons, chooses to avoid using or consuming animal products. While vegetarians choose not to use flesh foods, vegans also avoid dairy and eggs, as well as fur, leather, wool, down, and cosmetics or chemical products tested on animals.
why VEGAN? Veganism, the natural extension of vegetarianism, is an integral component of a cruelty-free lifestyle. Living vegan provides numerous benefits to animals’ lives, to the environment, and to our own health–through a healthy diet and lifestyle."

I never could fathom making that switch till recently. While not wholly on board yet, I am finding it easier and easier to see making the choice. That's all it is. A choice. As of late we have been making that choice more regularly, swapping ingredients and otherwise finding entire new recipes. It has not been nearly the grueling, constant-depravation diet I imagined. In fact it's been quite easy.

For example, I love me some waffles. The fact has been reinforce by having burned out 2 waffle makers of high quality through sheer volume. My go to receipt calls for eggs and milk. We have adopted almond milk as our house staple and I can substitute flax seed, apple sauce or even greek yogurt for the eggs (and oil) and get kick ass waffles no problem!  With the addition of Flora Oil, butter isn't even needed to have the same flavor (plus a huge boost the good for you Omega-3 fats).

The other proof is in the field test. My energy levels have been steadily rising. The marathon training was tougher than I ever tried and I never felt starved. I never have indigestion and have stopped using antacids altogether. Overall, the diet changes are extremely positive.

I dig the vegan thing. For my birthday a few days ago we had vegan "Chic-Fil-A", kimchi tortilla chips, and home made "Holy Guacamole." Dessert was a vegan blueberry, lemon vanilla cake. Everything tasted outstanding and not only did my conscience feel good, my belly was so happy.

Beat the Heat

It has just gotten down right hot here in Denver! I am not a heat guy by any stretch, coats are my thing. It's tougher to get around  and not go crazy when it gets like this. I am reminded of my growing up in Houston where the survival technique was to focus less on the heat and more about moving through it slowly. It also does little good to constantly complain about it. No one is in charge of the big thermostat, so why bother with all the wasted energy? Complaining also just keeps reminding me it is unpleasant and offers nothing but negativity wherever I go, even if the feeling is universal. Trying my best to keep positive and move slower. After all, Fall is but one losing Cubs season away.

Birthday Gratitude

Dad's quirky card selection this year. Inside: "Don't go to prison. Happy Birthday!"

I am humbled and grateful to for all the birthday wishes! I don't truly understand how a guy like me earned such an amazing group of people in his life, but I am ever grateful for them. A so begins thee next year in the surreal experience.

Farmer's Market

Tiff and I found a farmer's market pretty close to us last week. With the acquisition of a juicer and rapid migration towards vegan diets, this was a fantastic discovery! I returned today and bought delicious local coconut Kombucha, fresh tortilla's, and a bunch of fresh veggies from a farm I am familiar with. It also doesn't hurt that The Denver Biscuit Truck was there for a tasty treat.

It feels a little hippy but I truly don't care. I know Tiff can echo the sentiment, but personally I feel better today than I ever have. I have more energy, more endurance in running, and a generally positive outlook. Rarely do I ever have "lava lamp" belly. I find myself getting healthier and faster as many friends seem to be slowing down. If vegetarian is a radical, hippy thing then they found a great idea. Too bad it never extended to fashion and hygiene for them.

Normal Hours

My new position has regular hours and I am finding the adjustment challenging. All my friends who have been in the regular working world for some years are laughing their asses off at my struggles. I have never had set hours before in my life and the windows of time before work and after seem to close so quickly. It took me a day each to paint each of the rooms in our home and they were done by dinner. I have been trying for a week now to finish the painting in the last bedroom and it still isn't done! I know the timing while get better as I adjust, but I feel a little like I'm walking quickly on ice. At a least I got a run in before work today!

Denver Bike Night

So last night around 9:00, hundreds of bikes went by our place. Some had music and some were in cotumes. We couldn't figure out what was happening. Logically thus I grabber my bike and rushed out to join. Turns out Denver has a group called the Denver Cruisers that ride every Wednesday night. It's called Denver Bike Night I learned later and it was a TON of fun. We rode all across downtown ending in the where house district by Coors field. There was a DJ, food trucks and the "circle of death". Ominous as that last part sounds, it was a bunch of bikes ridin fast in a circle around some dancers surrounded by cheering riders and their flashing bike lights. It was awesome and yes I rode in the circle of death a few laps before heading home. It's good to have an adventure. 

Comforts

Bike to Work

My new job allows me to bike to work on regular basis. It's feeling similar to my time in Chicago in the regard that my bike has become a mode of transportation and not purely recreational. I love it. I usually arrive at work fresh and ready to go. The ride home is equally enjoyable (despite a huge hill). I love so much about my new job and this is truly the icing on the cake!

By the way, there's a fantastic opportunity to do the same and get breakfast on the way coming up:

Doggie Doctor Visit

We had to take one of out dogs in for a teeth cleaning this morning. Having lost a dog as a kid in a fluke teeth cleaning fatality, I was pretty apprehensive taking her in. Not having kids, these dogs are our insight to what it is like to take care of someone completely dependent on us. It was the right thing to do taking her in, but damn that kind of anxiety is tough. My hat is off to parents.

Estes pulled through with no troubles and is slowly getting back to normal. I'm just glad this procedure is finished.

Lessons of the Marathon

About to head out for a run with Tiff that should take us around 5mi. It's funny how fast after a marathon it is possible to reset back to a less demanding running schedule. I am glad to have started the new job between marathon trainings, as my regular hours feel anything but regular right now. I'm looking forward to this morning's run as well. I haven't pushed beyond a comfortable loop since the big run. I can tell my legs are itching for the work. Every time I head into a training period I think is it really necessary to do all these weeks? Surely I have some reserve from the last 26.2mi effort. Of the many lessons the marathon has taught me is that success yesterday does not ensure performance today. In other circles it is a warning to not "rest on my laurels."

Today is the day that counts and I am excited to get out there and push it a little further.

Kinda Hippie

Tiff and I have been using a considerable amount of produce lately since getting a juicer. I had been skeptical about this device as it seemed a little too much like a fad. However, it has been a great addition to the kitchen. At some point, Tiff may even let me have a crack at it.

None the less we biked over to a farmers market not too far away and grabbed some awesome veggies. There seems a degree of cliche in all this with the juicer, bikes, and farmer's markets, but it has been really fun too. I think when I heard people talk about doing any or all of these things, I suspected they were a bit nuts. I didn't ever believe it was possible that it was fun and made you feel better.

I still think tie-dye is stupid though.