Feelin’ good

Tonight I had planned to run two hard miles. The first went as planned. In fact, it felt really good. I felt strong and in control. As the second one wound down, I decided to go three. When three was getting done, I decided to go a few more laps. Ended up at four and figured I might as well just keep pushing. I knew I was slowing a bit, but at that point, it seemed silly to stop short of the five.

So rewarding to just push yourself and get the results that, even you, don’t expect. I wasn’t racing. I was just letting my legs move. Makes you realize how much more you have in you. I love running!

Disappearing courtesy?

I have often thought it was a new generation that has decided that they don’t have to show common courtesy. You hear it all the time. Young folks are rude and selfish, etc. But recently it turns out that I was mistaken. Even tonight, a manager at a restaurant who had taken some trash out was coming back in. I held the door for him. Did he say thank you? Nope. In fact, he seemed annoyed.

And that was after one of his workers inside was quite rude, as well. I guess it is a good thing I had a good today. Oh, and the food was tasty. 🙂 But back to my point… I have never felt it a burden to say thank you. In fact, it usually makes me feel good to return a little courtesy. Just saying.

Mind over matter

I love running. It is a passion that some do not understand. When everything falls into place, it is close to magical in the way the body responds. Even on days when little nicks and ticks have been playing on the mind, some days just come together. Mind over matter. Or simply the zone.
The zone doesn’t have to be a four minute mile. It doesn’t even have to be a PR. Just a smooth gliding feeling on the road or trail or track. It happened to me recently in a race. And the weird part it, it was only for part of the race. I started reeling someone in and felt like I was barely touching pavement. Then as I got within 20 yards, I started over thinking it and the zone was gone.

You have to enjoy it while it lasts, though. It is hard to stay in that freedom from thoughts and pain. As humans, we are always thinking about something. Work, the kids, running… All of these things can help or hurt a run. But when that zone is in effect, the best thing to do is just think about one foot in front of another. You will be at your destination soon enough.

Recently…

Recently I attended a meeting for the West Lake Landfill. The idea of the meeting was to inform the public on what the Just Moms group is trying to get accomplished AND to hear about the procedure for if an event happens at the landfill. I appreciate all of what the group is doing.

But when it comes to an emergency response… pretty scary. Shelter In Place does not carry with it a lot of confidence for me and my family. Especially when I work 300 yards from the damn place.

I know there are some that don’t believe anything will happen when or if the underground smoldering event reaches the radioactive materials. And I hope they are right, but there are already people getting sick around the site. My sister and I work there and smell that place every day. Nothing good smells that bad.

It is time for action. I am writing my elected officials. Please do the same. Especially Sen. Blunt.

If I could move my family away, I would.

If you don’t believe me on the seriousness, please do the research. They cleaned up Weldon Spring. They are cleaning up Coldwater Creek. Why not West Lake Landfill? The same materials that were dumped into Coldwater Creek are buried there.

Yes, I am scared. I work here. I live less than 5 miles away. It is a time bomb. And you know I am serious when I skip my evening run to be at a community meeting!

Cancer free

Today I am cancer free! A little over a year after my father lost his battle. My basal cell carcinoma on my nose is about as far as you can get from what my dad went through with his pancreatic cancer. But it is still too close to home for me.I had a very quick surgery and it was gone. He went through months of therapy and it just let him hang on for awhile. After the initial fear, I did my reading, and was able to live a normal life while waiting for the surgery date. I did not have any pain or issues, at all. I cannot even imagine what it is like to live with stage-4 cancer. Do you continue to fight? Or do you give in?
My reason for talking about this, though, is what I have been doing at work. I have been using my cancer as a reason for people to get checked out. We have annual physicals. But don’t just get your physical. Ask questions. Do your due diligence. That is how my cancer was caught. And that doesn’t just mean your skin. If you have any kind of pains… ask. Give yourself the biggest fighting chance you can.
My wife and daughter are the reason I fight!

A year now?

It has been a year now. And the strange thing is, I think of you more and more as time goes on. And in many different ways. I often think about how I never want to forget your voice. Our voices are so distinctive. I can still hear yours and I am thankful for that.

 

Your granddaughters get more beautiful every day. One is growing into a wonderful young lady. The other is growing faster than her mother and father can believe. Life moves so fast. And time flies, especially this past year.

 

I just wanted to say I love you and miss you.

I just don’t understand (Halloween version)

Just a quick side note… what is with those costumes where the kid is basically covered head to toe in spandex?  For one, that is pretty darn boring.  And two, if the spandex is black, you are just asking your kid to get ran over.  I don’t want to run over a kid any day of the year and ESPECIALLY not on Halloween.  How about an elf?  Can we dress kids as elves anymore?  Or Harry Potter?  Or something besides an invisible speed bump!!?!?!?!? Thank you and rant complete.

My niece rules!

So proud of my niece, Natalie Bestman​.  She did a perfect job at her band competition today.  Moira Miller​, Margaret Miller​, Georgia Leibensperger Miller​ and Emilia Miller thought that you guys should have gotten first at the Seckman band competition.  Great job to you and your team!

West Lake Landfill

Thursday evening I attended a meeting for the West Lake Landfill. The idea of the meeting was to inform the public on what the Just Moms group is trying to get accomplished AND to hear about the procedure for if an event happens at the landfill. I appreciate all of what the group is doing.

But when it comes to an emergency response… pretty scary. Shelter In Place does not carry with it a lot of confidence for me and my family. Especially when I work 300 yards from the damn place.

I know there are some that don’t believe anything will happen when or if the underground smoldering event reaches the radioactive materials. And I hope they are right, but there are already people getting sick around the site. My sister, Margaret Miller​ and I work there and smell that place every day. Nothing good smells that bad.

It is time for action. I am writing my elected officials. Please do the same. Especially Sen. Blunt.

If I could move my family away, I would.

If you don’t believe me on the seriousness, please do the research. They cleaned up Weldon Spring. They are cleaning up Coldwater Creek. Why not West Lake Landfill? The same materials that were dumped into Coldwater Creek are buried there.

Yes, I am scared. I work here. I live less than 5 miles away. It is a time bomb. And you know I am serious when I skip my evening run to be at a community meeting!

Mixed emotions

I am no different from others.  I have mixed emotions.  I have my happy thoughts.  I have my negative Nancy thoughts.  I am trying to get through a day just like anyone.  I love to run.  I love my daughter (and her craziness).  I love my wife.  I dislike my boss (most of the time).  I dislike people that just look for the downside of things.

I am just looking for a happier median.  Whether that is finding a different job.  Whether that means running more.  Whether that means spending more time with family.  I am up for any, all, everything.

This has been another good but quick weekend.  I love to just chill but also be active.  It is hard to have both.  Especially in just two days.  They need to make the work week shorter!  Or change the whole week.  Make it five on, five off.  Just saying.

Like I said, mixed emotions.  Maybe I just need to eat better…