Wesley Hunt

That's true. Also, you might be back at it a little too soon after your marathon. Just a thought...

One more thing about our back and forth a couple days ago. I assume you have a busy life with just starting out in a demanding career, two young kids, a marriage to "tend to" and all that. But there are a bunch of ways to squeeze training into your day. One thing that works great for me is a gym membership with child care. You can bring your kids with you and give your wife a break.Squeezing in 4 or 5 miles at lunch is good to if you can just grab a cliff bar and a banana at your desk - and also maybe have a shower at your work!

I had to "sleep" with Andy last night from about one to three AM after a bad dream.His bed really isn't big enough for both of us and I had to use his stuffed dog Rufus for a pillow. Didn't make it up for a morning run due to that.

You're right on point, Rob. I work as a Project Manager for the largest public utility in Arkansas (regulatory law, etc.), and I am the youngest person in my department by twenty years. My coworkers are generally supportive, and they think my running "hobby" is interesting. They even took a little pride in my sub-3:00 in the LR Marathon . . . but they have no concept of what it means to me-or how it could possibly be a priority.

What I am blessed with is a gym a few floors down from me, and getting a few miles in over lunch is certainly doable. In fact, I've been lunching on Cliff Bars since last November when I really decided to take running seriously.

I am also, as you know, blessed with two beautiful children, Max (3) and Sophie (1). Max, who inherited both his Dad's obsessive tendencies and Mom's stubborn streak (eh, I mean "strong will"), has recently started getting out of his big boy bed with an alarming frequency. And we're both exhausted.

I also feel extremely guilty if I don't get home as soon as possible from work to give my wife a break, which she most certainly deserves. And I cherish the often late afternoons/early evenings with my kids. Thus, at the end of the day (pun intended), I'm left with limited, non-disruptive windows of opportunity to run with a positive mind set: early am (before my son gets up around 6:15) and lunch (60-75 minutes tops).

So I love the idea of joining a gym, with childcare, closer to home that would allow for some afternoon runs. I also know deep down that I'm going to have to be more diligent in getting out the door in the morning. It's not that I have a problem getting out of bed. Quite the opposite (4:59 alarm every morning). Accepting that I have to give up (or delay) my newspaper, coffee and Mike & Mike is another story. Consistent, morning runs, however, will give me several opportunities each work week to get in a second run on the treadmill at work. Two-run days will be new territory for me, so I'm going to have to listen to body carefully. And remember, patience isn't my forte.

Rob, I certainly appreciate you taking the time to empathize and offer your insights and life/running lessons.

Have a great evening and good Friday. I need to sleep.

Wesley

Well, you definitely have the self awareness and introspection necessary.

I noticed you commented on Jeff Shadley's blog the other day. He's the master at fitting high mileage into a busy life.