Go, you chicken fat, go away!

Last night I wanted to do a breathing treatment because I was wheezing.  I couldn't find the mouthpiece.  This morning I tried to run, but I could barely breathe, so I called it quits after one lap.

No wheezing today.  I felt good enough to finally attempt to run to the top of the canal.  I took it nice and easy and felt good the whole way except for my runny nose.
 

I needed a confidence booster for my Ragnar in two weeks.  For some reason my team captain gave me the most miles in our van.  I'm going to have a 7 mile downhill, 4 miles flat, and 9 miles - 2 uphill then 7 down.  I went to Usery Pass and started to head up the 700 foot climb.  My right calf felt pretty tight and I made me angry that I just drove 13 miles and might have to call it quits.  Then I said, "Forget that.  I just drove 13 miles.  I'm doing this if I have to crawl."  Luckily I didn't have to crawl.  I liked seeing all the cyclists today.  It was so beautiful out, a perfect day for a ride.  But here I am running.  There's a special feeling when you conquer Usery Pass without wheels.

My brother-in-law dragged me to the gym tonight.  I've never worked out a gym before, believe it or not.  We did this 30 minute circuit workout.  I'm sure my arms will be sore tomorrow.  Afterwards I ran on the treadmill for a mile.  That was a different experience.  I was so nervous.  I settled in at a comfortable pace.  Then I realized it was a 17 min./mile pace.  No wonder.  I kept bumping it up little by little until finally I got to 10 min./mile.  I saw the stop button and I was praying that it wouldn't just STOP once I pushed it, but that it would come to a gradual halt.  I finally convinced myself that it would and I was right.  Whew!  But once I stepped on the ground it felt like I was still moving, or like the world was still moving, and neither I nor the world could stop.  I was walking right towards this wall and I was like, "Please, be able to turn.  I don't want to walk into this wall."  Such a weird and fun feeling.
 

Only had time for a little bit this morning.  I need to do another long run Monday so I can go in to Ragnar with a little more confidence.

Tonight was a fun run at Roadrunner Sports.  It was the early shirt release party for the Adventure Run which is two days from now.  I will not be in attendance as I have far too much going on and Ragnar this weekend.  Anyway, we ran 3.1 miles and I felt terrible.  I hope I feel better within the next few days or Ragnar is going to suck yet again.

I'm posting this picture of me as a young lad because I discovered that the other young lad on the far left has a son that is a member of this blog.  This is a picture of us in Alicante Spain where we served as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  You probably can't tell, but I have blood all over the side of my nose.  No doubt it was Asa that punched me.  Just kidding.  The way I play basketball, I probably did it to myself.