Another running milestone

Running milestones are many - a PR in a 10K, or a half, or finishing a first marathon. Others include unpleasant chafing, bloody nipples, gastrointestinal drama, or the pukes. I've hit a lot of these milestones and hit another one yesterday during the weekly CARA group run.

We were running eight miles or six miles for the novices. While it was cloudy and appeared cool, stepping outside told a different story. The humidity in the air was so thick you could slice it. Seriously. It was ugly but we headed out. First mile was fine - about a 10:10 pace, but somewhere in the second mile, my stomach made it perfectly clear, it was not happy with conditions inside and out. I immediately started to dial down the pace but before I knew it, I was off the trail, and hunched over, inviting the yogurt I'd had early to move out. And then, like the fool, it was back to the trail to catch up with the group. Got to mile three and then brought the last of the group back in. I threw in the towel at six miles. Have to admit we all kind of looked like the walking wounded as we gathered at our finishing point. I certainly felt like it.

I got so, so spoiled last summer. We had hardly any humidity to speak of and the temps were so mild. This summer is not starting off that way by any stretch. The humidity has been brutal. However, it still beats running in the dry heat of the desert. I ran nearly four miles on Thursday in Las Vegas and even going out at 545AM, it was already 90 degrees and miserable. Felt like I was breathing in fire. I'd rather go the drowning route.

So a new week is upon me and we'll see how the running goes. Need to get 20 miles in. Mapping it out now. It's been a good Sunday. Talks today at church were really good. Helped me to put the things of most worth into brighter focus. Yeah, it's been a good day. Well, not so good for the Australian Socceroos. The German national team eviscerated them in their opening World Cup match. It was a little tough to watch but the World Cup has started well. It's going to be a great month of matches.

Working the Church Nursery

From time to time here in the Den, I've made mention of the opportunity that has been mine to serve in a bishopric in a local ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It's been a tremendous experience, and I'm grateful for it.

One of the unique things about our church is that we serve on a voluntary basis. No one is making bank in their church callings. We all hold normal jobs in addition to our church service. It makes for a unique environment. We try to manage it as best we can, seeking God's guidance continually, but sometimes for a host of reasons, we find ourselves short-staffed. That happened today. So my fellow counselor, Andrew, and I did some pinch-hitting, as it were, and covered the church nursery for two hours.

Eight toddlers, mostly around the two year mark, versus two dads. One dad - that would be me - has been out of the toddler business for far, far too long. Mercifully, the other dad, Andrew, is the father of six and one of those six was one of our charges in the nursery, so he's a little more dialed in to this group. It was good, dare I say a miracle, that he was there. Clearly my first instinct to pull out my iPhone to find an app or game for them to play was not the best.

So here's what I learned today:
- Puzzles are an endless source of fascination. Beating the pieces into submission to make them fit is a must.
- "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" is a great fallback song when you can't remember the full verses to pretty much any Primary song.
- Dunking animal crackers in water is apparently a taste treat. One I don't get.
- The rules of "Duck, Duck, Goose" have changed. Now according to how our little group played it, once the Goose is tagged, a melee of running by everyone in the circle must occur.
- When a kid bangs his finger/head and is on the verge of a big crying jag, asking if he wants to go to the hospital stops the jag instantly.
- Working the nursery is awesome. And exhausting.

All in all, we had a good day in there. This much I know though, I'm going to bed early tonight. These guys wore me out.

National Doughnut Day

It's National Doughnut Day. Need I say more? Please act accordingly. Stop in at your favorite purveyor of these treats - be it a local bakery, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme, or if you are lucky enough to live near Psycho Donuts, just enjoy a doughnut (or two) today. Thank you.

It's National Running Day

How many of you knew that today, June 2, was National Running Day? You can stop scurrying to Wikipedia to find out more now. Just click on "National Running Day" above to learn more.

I wouldn't have known it was National Running Day either if I hadn't gotten a heads up from the gang at CARA. So it's not the most widely publicized of days and I don't imagine that Hallmark has a card for it (I just checked their website and they don't offer said card - frankly, I'm relieved).

I am proud to call myself a runner. I'm not a fast runner. I don't think I'll win my age group until I'm in my late 70's. I am fine with that. I run for how it makes me feel. I run to stay healthy. I run to think and sometimes, not to think. Running allows me to see the world from an entirely different perspective. I like what I see, for the most part.

I've gone from being overwhelmed at the thought of running a 5K to completing my first half marathon.
Right before my first 5K, June 2008
Me and my medal from my first half, May 2010

So, honor this day by going for a run...even if that's from the couch to the bathroom. Just run. Read this article from Runner's World for some additional thoughts on how to celebrate. I'll run tonight. What are you going to do?