Day 284/365

Finally got my 4 Seasons Challenge medals displayed like they should be! Absolutely love they way they look!

Day 283/365

Just a mere 10 days stand between me & day 1,000!

Day 282/365

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to run in the rain.”

Day 281/365

There’s always lessons to be learned from races, even if you think you know it all. Some good ones from yesterday:

1. Pickle juice is surprisingly damn good!
2. Caffeine laced gels & chews are great, until you try to go to sleep after running 31 miles.
3. Have to remember to bathe in Vaseline before another Ultra. Things that have absolutely nothing to do with running shouldn’t chafe like that!

Day 280/365

Wait, there’s silver & gold ones?! Hmmm, guess I’m not done with this race quite yet!

Day 279/365

Hopefully finding this on my short mile this morning is a good sign for tomorrow. Even though I’ve gone the 50K distance before, it’s still intimidating.

Day 278/365

“I believe the key to happiness is, someone to love, something to do & something to look forward to.”-Elvis Presley

Day 277/365

Nice to see the 1st Wooly this season on my run today. Yet another reason, autumn is the favorite season! Love these little dudes!

Day 276/365

Been a little bit of a journey trying to get one of these in any race. It was also a journey trying to pick this up. Work got busy & I couldn’t get to the store to get it. Then I accidentally was given the wrong one & had to go back for the right one. Finally though, it’s official. So cool!

Day 275/365

162 miles for the month of September puts me in the 4 digit range for the year. The running pot is running out of room...

Day 274/365

I will always think October skies are the best.

Day 273/365

“I’m so glad that I live in a world with Octobers.”

Day 272/365

1st run in a very long time with my favorite light jacket. It may be getting colder, but I’ve never been happier or felt like I’m running towards something instead of away.

Day 271/365

“In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty, and that’s the way new leaves grow.”

Day 270/365

“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let the dead things go.”

Day 269/365

27 years today dad. Long time to figure everything out on my own. But I’m doing just fine. Got some of your vices, proudly wear your number even though you didn’t want that for me, work hard, have had a good career, still stand when the anthem plays & fly a flag everyday. To hell with the losers who don’t realize how important either are. You were just a man, not perfect, but you were my superhero. Miss you...357.

Day 268/365

The shadows are definitely getting longer earlier.

Day 267/365

Gotta say, I knew they make ultra cushion shoes. But my new Hoka recovery sandals are incredible!

Day 266/365

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”

Day 265/365

The trees are just starting to show the signs of getting ready for winter. Only 100 more days left in the year.

Day 264/365

Was reminded this week by someone that hey, I should stop being so hard on myself about Sunday. It wasn’t the olympics, I didn’t loose a big payday & it was goddamn hot. Found out today that I took 1st in AG! Can finally wear this dang shirt with a little pride. Thought I was done with the FSC. Guess I need to get some race days off for 2018!

Day 263/365

Nothing says thank you to tired feet after a marathon like new shoes!

Day 262/365

Well summer, it's about time that you actually showed up!

Day 261/365

Yesterday was not my day. Gonna make sure the next 20 are.

Day 260/365

Day 260/365-It is done.

Day 259/365

Well, that's it. I've successfully completed every training day in this cycle. And while I'm not satisfied with where I am, there's nothing more to do other than relax. Big thanks to my superstar Coach, Judy Mick for getting me here yet again!

Day 258/365

Not sure how Sunday will go. This race beats me up pretty good. But gunning for the 4th 4SC medal & to maintain my spot in the top ten & 1st slot in my AG.

Day 257/365

Getting in the mindset to race hard on Sunday!

Day 256/365

You streak, therefore you are.

Day 255/365

Oh the sights you will see...

Day 254/365

Felt amazing to get my feet into some brand new kicks today. I love the smell!!!!

Day 253/365

Thankful for such nice weather!

Day 252/365

Another excellent day for a PT test! If the weather's this good next weekend, It'll be perfect marathon racing weather.

Day 251/365

Beautiful sun & clouds out there.

Day 250/365

Even though I'm exhausted & just wanted to get it done, I had to turn around & briefly stop to snap this. Worth it! My favorite time of year to be out there & today makes 1000 miles for the year!

Day 249/365

Another lucky penny found in between the miles!

Day 248/365

Great words to live by!

Day 247/365

Shit! It's taper time! I apologize in advance for "Taper Mark" that will be rearing his ugly face for the next 2 weeks...

Day 246/365

And another pair killed with 500 miles on them today!

Day 245/365

Distance running is about the most challenging solo sport there is. All the wacky training, mega mileage & epic races are all done by little old you. But that statement is big a lie. Your girlfriend, boyfriend, spouses, children & friends are in it with you because they sacrifice you to it. I'm only successful because of my one & only pit crew member. He's the only partner to have ever gone 20+ with me, always has a positive attitude & eats all my carbs in my house. I love & only run now for that big little big boy.

Day 244/365

Man August hurt! But I'm still in it with a $171 deposit for a yearly total of 989.65 miles & dollars. It is becoming quite the running wad...

Day 243/365

Cold breeze in the air tonight. But the sun was brilliant. The first few leaves of Fall are beginning to blow around.

Day 242/365

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"-Hunter S. Thompson

One of my favorite perspectives to live by!

Day 241/365

Great birthday morning with an easy mile & hitting the strength work like a 21 year old! Gotta give the 40-44 year old age group a run for their money one last time this Fall!

Day 240/365

Temps returned to what's normal today. But there's definitely the hint of Fall in the air.

Day 239/365

Well, they survived 42 miles of work this week. Good sound quality, easy to use, better BT reception than shitty Beats, 1/6 of the price of my old shitty Beats & I bet they actually honor your purchase with a new set if they break in less than a year. Diggin it!

Day 238/365

Excellent day to earn a living running outside watching good effort & drive.

Day 237/365

"I run because it's so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can't. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you're capable of so much more than you thought."-Arthur Blank

23 Days until my 14th marathon!

Day 236/365

Loving the cooler, Fall type weather! But why on my vacation?!!!!

Day 235/365

When I'm on vacation I always feel like I'm some superstar pro-runner who's only job is to train. Good effort today, hence the "serious runner pro-runner" face!