Day 301: When a Mammoth Falls By Himself Does Anyone Hear It? HECK, YES THEY DO!!!

Greetings Mammoths. Your herd leader has had a truly Charles Dickens past week: It was the best of times, It was the worst of times. (My English teacher Lynn Lightner will be very pleased with this opening)

Well as you all know I was off to stomp around Chicago. I had myself scheduled for a running tour of Chicago and participate in my very own Spirit of the Marathon. I was so excited about living up to my healthy lifestyle in Chicago with the only draw back being I did not have my Good Measure Meals with me. Michael from WoW Boot Camp had me a schedule and I was so psyched to be running 4 miles, a part of it being the Miracle Mile that I just read about in Devil in the White City. All of this I had planned and I was ready to execute. I got to my hotel room, I laid out my clothes, downloaded a GPS app so I won't get lost, and downloaded Chicago by Sinatra--I am ready. Then it happened. Uncontrollable vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever. I was a victim of the Rotovirus and man does it suck! I spent two days in my hotel room praying for death! I was sacrificing whatever I could to the Mammoth Gods above to make me feel better, nothing worked. I called home to find the Mommoth has the same thing going on with her and that the Grand Mommoth has come down from Baltimore to help out. This is a nightmare! Again though Mammoths I look at my weight loss as a blessing because once again I healed up rather quickly and was able to participate in the Twilight 5k on Saturday.

So we get to registration on Friday night. I am excited because this is one of those races that my friends at WoW Boot Camp do and I was so pumped about being a part of it. So I go to the table to get my number when this volunteer named Goober (not his real name) looks at me and says, "Can I help you?" "Yes, I am here to pick up my race packet." "Um, you are going to run?! Sure you can do this big fella?" Needless to say Mammoths at this point I am contemplating introducing my right stomping foot to his rear end but I remember my breathing techniques, give him my name, and swear that somehow this slight will be avenged! Next day the weather holds nicely, it is a beautiful morning to run. As I am warming up I see Goober talking with his buddies and he looks over in my direction, smirks, and says something witty to his buddies. It is at this time I begin to focus. I don't care what I do, I will find Goober and defeat him! The race starts and I am doing awesome. My splits are really fast and I am operating in low Zone 2 and keeping my determination high. Now Mammoths you know that you always game plan your course and I had done my homework. I knew that right after 1 mile we would turn on to Boulevard which is a very hilly section of our town. If I was ever going to get Goober it was going to be there. As I turn I see Goober and man oh man he is struggling up the hill. Near the crest of the hill on our way down I pull up along side Goober. He sees me and you can tell that he is not having a good time. He is wheezing, snot is hanging out his nose, and his gait is really off. I ask if he is okay, he waves his affirmative, and I continue talking to him as we start up hill number 2. I tell him that this is my favorite part of running, hills. That my friend Michael has really worked with me on being stronger and that operating in Zone 2 is a great place to be because you can talk and enjoy the run. I then tell Goober that the worst of the hills is still yet to come but after that we only have a general rise until we get to Hancock street which is another impressive hill to climb. His groan is loud and satisfying. As we go up the third hill I tell Goober that I need to get back up into low Zone 2 so I need to say goodbye and I will see him at the finish line. I then take off like a shot and yes I enter Zone 3 for a second or two but damn that felt good. I crossed the finish line at 42:03, a new personal best. Goober 45:12! I guess next time he won't doubt the power of the Mammoth.

Well Mammoths I have some other little running stories I will share over the weekend but right now the Baby Mammoth needs me to rock her to sleep so I am off to do it. Tomorrow I hope to see you all out on the range (its going to be a beautiful Saturday here in the Classic City), stick close to a good watering hole, and as always mind what you are grazing on.

Lots of Love and then Treading :)

Hey Mammoths! Just wanted to again thank you all for the love you are showing this guy. I am seeing now that my story was truly inspirational to a lot of people and they are telling me how awesome they are doing! I am current at Hilton Head Health (H3) and am having a blast with Jackie and Tilly. I got to do two things I love: I got to talk about my experience at H3 and the 1/2 Marathon and I got to teach a Treading Class. The Treading Class allows me to talk to people who are not runners and share with them the joy of running. It is also a kick butt workout!

After my class I made a new friend. This guy Mammoths is one of us. He has the heart of a champion and will overcome his issues. I have total faith in this man and can't wait for him to share his awesome story of triumph as he recovers. Keep it up my herd mate, you are among friends.

Below are two videos Jackie shot of me doing the treading class. Mad love goes out to our Honorary Mammoth Jeff Ford who lent me his music, and by lent I mean I went into his office and took his CDs, he didn't need them. Thanks Jeff!

Alright y'all check out the videos and have a great night.

I hope you all had a good day on the range, that you stuck near a good watering hole, and that you minded what you were grazing on.

 

 

Big Time Show and Thank You's.

Wow Mammoths I am stunned by the show and the sheer amount of goodwill people have been sending me. I need to thank a lot of people but first I would like to thank Jackie for being the best wife EVER! She has put up with me and my shenanigans for a long time and without her I am nothing.

I would then like to thank Bob Wright for believing in me, even when others evidently did not! Bob Wright is the kind of man you want in your life because he is a straight shooter and will tell you what you need to hear. Jeff Ford is also someone really special in my life. He not only believed in me he trained me. Without Jeff there was not way I would be able to have finished the race. Big ups to Amber who also had no problems telling me it is okay to back off a bit. Amber is an awesome trainer and a great person. Last but not least (even though he did go to Florida) is Adam Martin. Adam helped design a lifting regimen that strengthened my legs, core, and shoulders to make it possible for me to run. Adam was always there with an encouraging word and the idea that you can do it.

I would also like to thank the folks at Tijuana productions. Especially Tim who wrote my episode with Lindsey. Erin Flynn for making me look like a rockstar and Adam for never doubting me and picking me up at the hospital in the dead of night so I can get back to training. You guys were awesome.

To the Twelve I love you all and I miss you all. I could not have done this without you especially Ronnie and Bill. You two were my inspirations and heroes. Always have been and always will be.

And thank you Jesus Christ for giving me this opportunity and the chance to be a servant to those who feel hopeless. I pray that they watch my episode and know that I know where they are coming from and that they can do it as well.

Its late Mammoths and I have to ramble tomorrow so...I hope to see you out on the range, stick close to a good watering hole, and as always be mindful of what you are grazing on.

A Ramble to The ISLAND

So hey everyone I just wanted to let you know that your favorite Mammoth and his little herd made it safe and sound to the island. We have checked in, got our bags, come to our villa, and I am blogging already! I forgot how much I love this place. It is so peaceful here right now without all of the traffic and noise of the Summer. Jackie, Tilly and I saw a big alligator already, she was lounging on the bank waiting for a snack to swim by.

Well Mammoths I will blog extensively later tonight about all of the activities I will be engaged in while I am here and also about the show. If you haven't joined the facebook page please do so.

As always have fun on the range, stay near a good watering hole, and watch what you are grazing on!