If you live in any kind urban area, there are some harsh feelings between bikes and cars on the roads. I understand both have issues, some valid and some exaggerated. I bike more often than drive and honestly have as many complaints about both groups. All too often I see bikes just being obnoxious and wreck less. At the same time, motorists that decide the laws don't apply are equally vexing and potentially very much more dangerous. The driver that decides my bike is the place he wants to demonstrate his frustration for share the road is even scarier. I am trying to do my partand be a obedient cyclist and not respond in kind, but when a KIA decides to graze you (especially in high speed towards a red light 50 yards ahead), it's tough to turn the other cheek. None the less, I will keep riding and try and be the good example. When faced with hostility, I will attempt to respond with decorum and keep myself out of harm's way. No one deserves to be made afraid and I will continue to ride. After all, we are all just trying to get somewhere.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Musings From the Long Run
I just returned home after a 16 mi. run. To beat the heat I was out the door well befor 6am and enjoyed a cooler morning here in Denver for a change. The run itself was smooth and relatively easy. Part of me wonders if last week's relay race at high elevation helped some.
What I really like about these long runs is the peace and freedoms to let the mind wander. I often equate the long run to a road trip for my non-running friends. You are more likely to ease into the journey when the destination isn't all that close. When I am about to run for over 2 hours, it becomes necessary for me to not focus on the end so much as the next mile or segment of my run. I have a wonderful route through Denver that let's me see some of the best parks and neighborhoods as well as a few of the struggling ones. Together it makes me that much more appreciative of where I am.
I was also charged a bit today from the experience of spending so much time with some pretty impressive athletes last week. Our relay race was 191 miles from Canyon City to Crested Butte. We finished in 27:30 in second place. Having never run a relay together or that race, we considered that pretty damn good. The biggest boost to me was being surrounded by people that run like I run, which is to say pretty far and pretty often. In my van (of the 2 on our team) we had marathoners, Ironman finishers, Ultra-marathoners, and short distance winners. For a change, my running several marathons made me fit right in and we could talk about things other people don't ever deal with. For example, everyone in that van understood the tremendous hunger that you live with when you are constantly running. We all knew what it's like to sit down to a meal and already be thinking about the next one. That understanding was new to me.
All said, it was a great run today. I love that I can do this and that I have had a chance to meet others that get it.
What I really like about these long runs is the peace and freedoms to let the mind wander. I often equate the long run to a road trip for my non-running friends. You are more likely to ease into the journey when the destination isn't all that close. When I am about to run for over 2 hours, it becomes necessary for me to not focus on the end so much as the next mile or segment of my run. I have a wonderful route through Denver that let's me see some of the best parks and neighborhoods as well as a few of the struggling ones. Together it makes me that much more appreciative of where I am.
I was also charged a bit today from the experience of spending so much time with some pretty impressive athletes last week. Our relay race was 191 miles from Canyon City to Crested Butte. We finished in 27:30 in second place. Having never run a relay together or that race, we considered that pretty damn good. The biggest boost to me was being surrounded by people that run like I run, which is to say pretty far and pretty often. In my van (of the 2 on our team) we had marathoners, Ironman finishers, Ultra-marathoners, and short distance winners. For a change, my running several marathons made me fit right in and we could talk about things other people don't ever deal with. For example, everyone in that van understood the tremendous hunger that you live with when you are constantly running. We all knew what it's like to sit down to a meal and already be thinking about the next one. That understanding was new to me.
All said, it was a great run today. I love that I can do this and that I have had a chance to meet others that get it.
Thursday, July 24, 2014
5 for $20! Yay!!
I'm at $416 so far! The support you all have shown is remarkable! My milage is getting up there as is the temperature. I am so happy to be representing PAWS in the Chicago Marathon this fall. The dog you see on this post is Coffer. She is the Dog of the Week for PAWS and one of many faces your donations go 100% to help!
Donate if you are able, spread the word if you wish… trust when I say every bit helps! Thank you!
My Team PAWS fundraising page:
http://paws.convio.net/site/TR/TeamPAWS/TeamPAWS?px=1205692&pg=personal&fr_id=1040
Foster of the week pictured: Coffer!
http://www.pawschicago.org/coffer/
PAWS Chicago website:
www.pawschicago.org
#nokillshelter #TeamPAWS #TroysRunning4PAWS
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
9 for $20
My goal is to raise $500 for PAWS Chicago. This amazing no-kill shelter has transformed the way homeless cats and dogs are handled in not just Chicago, but across the country. When PAWS Chicago was founded in 1997, more than 800 homeless cats and dogs were being killed in Chicago every week, totaling a staggering 42,561 deaths that year alone. By 2010, that number had been lowered to 17,399! These folks are doing amazing work and I am truly glad to help out by running on their behalf.
Please donate if you can or just help me spread the word! Every little bit helps, trust me.
Thank you!
My Team PAWS fundraising page:
http://paws.convio.net/site/TR/TeamPAWS/TeamPAWS?px=1205692&pg=personal&fr_id=1040
Foster of the week pictured: Pots!
http://www.pawschicago.org/2140704pots/
PAWS Chicago website:
www.pawschicago.org
#nokillshelter #TeamPAWS #runningforPAWS #TroysRunning4PAWS
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Urban Cycling
"It would be tragic to derail this kind of enrichment because we can’t figure out how to have a real conversation."
Why Bikes Make Smart People Say Dumb Things
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
18 for $20!
My Team PAWS fundraising page:
http://paws.convio.net/site/TR/TeamPAWS/TeamPAWS?px=1205692&pg=personal&fr_id=1040
PAWS Chicago website:
www.pawschicago.org
#TeamPAWS #nokillshelter #runningforPAWS
Monday, July 7, 2014
Be Nice Jerk!
I've been struggling with getting distracted by negativity lately. This is a bit of a newer turn for me, not being positive, but the feeling dragged down by others. I used to actually be pretty content just knocking everything. It wasn't that hard, you just mocked everything and felt kinda ok doing it. A good friend put the kabosh on that when he posed to me that tolerance meant listening to opinions that I did not agree with. That also struck me as part of that 1st amendment I had so liberally used as an excuse for speaking out against anyone and everything. That is not the point here though. What I have made habit of has been trying to be more positive and just doing right as it's the right thing to do. It doesn't matter if it's noticed or not, that's truly not the point. What has been getting my attention has been just how many people lately that I've noticed just being mean or worse aloof. I don't want to notice this so much, but lately I have. I wanted to just throw that out there and get it off my chest. Staying focused on my shit though keeps me less stressed.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
20 for $20
20 for $20 PAWS Campaign!
I am aiming to raise $500 for PAWS Chicago and will be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October for them. What I am looking for are 20 people to donate $20 to reach my goal. PAWS Chicago is a no-kill shelter that has drastically changed the way homeless pets are taken care of and has become an model for several other cities to follow. Chicago was my home for several years and PAWS was the first organization I ran a race for. I am looking forward to trying to help them out again this year and run the streets of the Windy City for them. Help out if you are able and help me knock out my goal with $20!
My Team PAWS fundraising page:
http://paws.convio.net/site/TR/TeamPAWS/TeamPAWS?px=1205692&pg=personal&fr_id=1040
PAWS Chicago website:
www.pawschicago.org
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