How to get through a Furlough!!

   

      Well Furloughs are happening right now in different areas of the federal government and I am one of those being effected by it.  DOD will be furloughed for 11 days one day each week for next 11 weeks from the beginning of July until end of September.  I've decided not to rant about it because one it's not going to do me any good and two, I don't want my comments to be seen by the wrong people. Especially, with what has been going on in the news lately. I'm very thankful I get the opportunity to go to work even if there are some things I don't like and there are certain people there I don't like as much because of different lifestyles we lead. I'm making the best of things and I don't want my family nor my friends to have to hear about my problems and I know you all don't want that. I've decided to try to make the best of things and I'll hopefully be a better person for it and I'll end it on that note.  

As for myself I'm trying to not let these 11 furlough days (if they get cut back down or not) get the best of me. I'm trying to focus and use some options on how to get through this furlough financially, mentally, physically, spiritually and personally.http://moneyfor20s.about.com/od/yourjob/ht/survivefurlough.htm

This article was very interesting and I thought it could be helpful and I'm going to break my stragegy down into a couple parts.

1.) I've decided to sign another year lease at my apartment complex since it would be cheaper and I could save monthly over the year than I would month to month or with another short term. This would save me $90 a month over the next year. I'm not ready to afford my own place yet especially by myself. Hoping that my sister after finishing school would come back down to Columbus looking for a job next year and we can get a house to rent or a condo of sorts but we'll see. I'm saving on living right now.

2a.) Expand my coaching prospects - This is an important one that I broken down into 2 parts. I'm very anxious to do some more personal coaching. I have some tools to use, but I may charge a little for my service. Don't know what? This is where I need help from readers to see what price is fair. If anybody wants to get ready for a race like a 5k up to a Marathon let me know and I can help. This is sort of my rough beginning for my coaching services. I'll try to keep in touch with my clients on their training, health, a little bit of diet though I could recommend a nutrist if needed, and their goals and how to achieve them.

2b.) Coaching job within the Jr High/High School ranks - Another one I'm trying to get into. I've talked to other about. Anybody let me know if any school in the Franklin County Ohio Area is in need of a Cross Country Coach or even as an Assistant, please let me know. I would really like to get my foot in the door somewhere around the Columbus area in terms of jr high/high school coaching.  I know this doesn't get me much but it's something that I now want to do on the side of my job besides Officiating Track Meets. I feel it would be very rewarding and I can make a difference in kids lives. :)

3.) Watch a little bit of what I spend the next 3 months- Goes back to the link I posted above. Food and gas is the majority of what I usually spend outside of my bills. Don't know if I want to plan a 2nd vacation to Colorado in August due to plane travel costs. I'm trying to save up for another trip in December and that's out to Eugene/Bend Oregon for the USATF Club XC Nationals. I've always wanted to go out to Oregon especially to Eugene. It's like a Mecca for Distance Runners!!! But we'll see on Colorado.

4.) Limit myself to Going to Possibly One Ohio State Football Game- This might have to be against Buffalo or San Diego State at the beginning of the season as a birthday gift to myself. I know that the Buckeyes will be out in Indianapolis for the B10 Championship Game (knock on wood) this year. Ticket Scaplers and Ticket websites charge more for bigger games anyway. I've tried to get them from friends or people I know to see if they have them a little more often.

5.) Train like a beast- As of right now my Furlough day will be on a Friday which on a positive note could work out for the best. I could use that day to sleep in and rest up. Also, use that as my BADASS-ANIMAL TYPE WORKOUT DAY!! I could do repeats, or a super-threshold run with one of my friends. Go to the gym and do that workout also. I plan on running my fastest Half Marathon in October in Columbus so that extra training day would be great for my fitness.

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Me in Hulk Mode!!!

6.) Read & Resume- I could use a little bit to catch up on my reading and work on my resume. There is one book my friend and my Mom want me to read so I'll try to read it this summer. Also, for my resume I can retool it to see if there are any openings within either DFAS or DLA. Hopefully it would get my closer to making a little more money.

7.) Strengthen my Faith-  One of the most important things one can do to get through a furlough. Plan on reading my bible more, getting a little more involved with my church, and find another small group to join within my church. Pray for our government to make the best decisions as possible to help our nation.

I hope to follow those carefully this summer and early fall. These are just goals I would like to achieve during this time in the next few months. Everyone else has their different ways of getting through a furlough. I realize there are individuals that I know of who are worse off than me because it effects their whole family and I have to remember that.

I know I have people around me to help me get through this. Everyone knows of someone will who will be effected by the Furloughs in some way or another. We live in a great country where we are blessed with many freedoms we take forgranted. Let's try to make it better for ourselves, others, and our children in the future. That's my two cents and I promise my next one will be funny!!

Race Recap: Fast Five 5k & The Columbus 10k



From last year's Fast Five 5k race

 It's been awhile since I've have done one of these race recaps. So instead of one I'll give you guys 2 of them. Both of them involving this racing series that I signed up for this year. It's called the Coughlin Chevrolet Championship Racing Series. It is organized by Coughlin Automotive in Pataskala with 2 other dealerships in Central Ohio. Here's the weblink.

http://chevrolet5k.com/

Columbus Running Company was helping with the timing and race preparation. Also it's cool that every race your entered and every race you finish increases your chances of winning a new 2014 Chevy Sonic.

 The series benefits the Flashes of Hope, United Way, the Sam Bish Foundation among others.

http://chevrolet5k.com/Donate.html

The first race was the Stringray 5k up in Westerville at Westerville Central High School in early March. It was a cold one indeed. But I got 6th place.

The next race was the Fast Five 5k in Pataskala on June 1st at Coughlin Chevrolet. It was a little overcast when I got there. Found Brent Martin, Jason Oswalt, Eric Hamner, and Matt Blake and we warmed up on the Course. Cory was late to get there. After a little bit of stretching and putting on my flats the Elites were up first. There were only 12 guys and 6 ladies in Elite race. Very low. But anyway we were off running inbetween a row of Sweet Corvettes the dealership had.

After going around the dealership most the first mile was downhill and then we turned left on Blacks Road toward a neighborhood development. Black Road was a little rolling. Mile 1 I hit in 4:52. Felt good. Turned on Foor Blvd and did a loop on some roads around the neighborhood until we went back to Blacks Road and ran back toward the dealership.

Around the 2nd mile Jason and Cory were right behind me. They caught up with me but I was able to go with them and we hit Mile 2 in around 10:03. Back to the dealership on Blacks Road, Cory was able to make a move and I went with him thinking Jason would follow. We turned onto Corylus Road back up the hill to the dealership and the finish line. My left hammie/gluteal was a little stiff especially before the race and Cory had a little more speed and was able to distance me going uphill. Yet, I held on and was able to finish 6th right behind him in 15:35 for the 5k. CRC was able to sweep place 4-11 overall. Pretty good effort.

 

The following week in the series came the Columbus 10k in Downtown Columbus at COSI. Got there around 740 and saw a lot of CRC's and C Bus Pacers there. Warmed up for 2 miles with Matt Blake and David Mealy(our ex CRC from Cleveland). Nice to catch up with Mealy. Stretched, put on some Tiger Balm to my left hamstring and Glut and went to the start. After the National Anthem the race was off at 9:05. Suppose to start at 9:00 but this was early compared to years past where it started around 915.

 

Anyway we went down Broad Street and looped around the lots of COSI and the Spaqhetti Warehouse and went back on to the left side of Broad Street across the bridge to turn on Front Street. It started out quick. Mike Aldrink, Cory and I wanted to go around 5:00-5:10 for first mile and see where we are but I was up there with Dave Mealy and Galen Dills and we went through around 4:53. Jason Ordway(the guy who won) ran with the other leaders around 4:30's. Dills and I were behind David for all of the 2nd mile and a little bit of the 3rd mile.

 

 

Hit the 2 mile in 10:06. Pretty quick but flat around Victorian Village. We passed Dave and I was able to make a surge during the 3rd mile and overtook Dills as well. Hit Mile 3 at 15:23 when Ben Engelheart caught up to me. I tried to go with him as we hit the 5k water stop in 15:55. Catherine McMongile was there volunteering at that water stop and told me to relax which I did. In fact I felt very relaxed most of that race even though it went out fast. We turned on 3rd Ave as I was behind Engelheart as he was moving toward Jason Oswalt. We turned onto the Olentangy Bike Path. There were still bikers on there but the slower ones moved out of the way. One of them went vooming back. I hated it but was still focused.

 

The 4th mile was a little rolling as I got to Mile 4 in 20:50. One of my slower miles but it became rolling on the path and it got a little warmer like it usually does during this race. The course then hit Rickenbacker Drive where the Boat House Restaurant was and I ran up the road toward Mile 5 in 26:04 of some sorts. Stomach was feeling it but wanted to finish strong. Kept getting closer to Oswalt as we went on Souder Ave and back on the path towards the finish area another mile away. This back part was that hilly I was able to pass Oswalt with 1000 meters to go with a good eye on Engelheart but I knew I probably couldn't catch him as he finished 12 seconds ahead but wanted to finish with a good time. I hit the finish in 32:27. Probably my FASTEST ROAD PR, I beat my 10 Cross Country PR by 2 seconds and I was short of my track PR by 30 seconds (it's 31:57)

It's still a good indicator of my fitness. Especially during the last few races where I felt good. Cooled down with the CRC guys and got my award. 2nd in my age group(30-34) behind Josh Ordway. He finished 6th or 7th and got the free pair of Mizuno's since age group winner. But I got another glass mug and a little gift certificate. Tough field but this is always a good race. We took a team pic after the awards.

 

Great weekend especially after watching the State HS Meet the day before. 2 good races as part of a great series. You can still do the last 2 if your in the Columbus Area. One is in September and the last one is in November. They are both 5k's and there is fun for everyone. I'm taking a few days off to rest up and figure out a few things but I hope to be back at it next month until the fall. Safe running & training everyone!!