Well, Happy New Year to everyone. Unfortunately, it seems for the 3rd year in a row I ended up doing nothing for it this year. :( And I'm watching the Ohio State-Alabama game at my new home by myself :( It saddens me a little but I'm trying to look at the bright side. My 2014 ended up much better than it had begun I must say.
The New Year in 2014 did not start off very well for me. I ended up with a very tight back that derailed the beginning of my training and kept me out for 2 weeks in which I had to go to see Sports Chrioprator for during the winter. I thank Christina Murphy for her help then with that. Though it wasn't the end of my injuries. I really don't know if it was the back tightness along with my history of Glut/Hamstring problems, and the fact that my calves were secretly sore and didn't treat them until September. But, when I tried on a pair of Brooks Glycerin, which I was not used to, it ended up causing me right foot problems or Plantar fasciitis throughout most of the year. This caused me to stop after 9 miles at the Indy Mini Marathon. I finished in 1:23 but felt very disappointed. It took me 2 months to get motivated to race again.
Also, this last March, my Grandmother passed away. She was in pain for awhile but I still felt really bad that I didn't go see her in the hospital. I think I was only one of the few who didn't. I went to see her 6 months before but I felt in the bad of my mind that I didn't want to see her in that state and half of me felt she could get better. That's one of the things I'm trying to do this new year is try to be a little more appreciative towards my family because you never know how long you'll have them.
But, most of my misery of course during thethe year came from Work. I was starting to hate the section I was in. We were given lead duties with no pay raise and everyone was at each other's throats it seemed. I remained quiet and respectful but in the back of my mind I wanted out of there. Actually I was at the point where I thinking about options outside of the Public Sector to be honest. It even got so bad that a few of the certifiers and myself had very disappointing yearly performance reviews and we were able to go and have them applied. It kind of felt like we were writing our own performance appraisal. Anyway we got our revised and we able to get a $250 performance award because of it so some good came out of it, however at the time I was interviewing for a position within another section of DFAS.
Just to let everyone know that the last half of the year things were getting better. Back in June at one of my best friends' weddings, another buddy of mine whom I ran with in College wanted to know if I would be interested in helping out as an assistant cross country coach with the Bexley Middle School. I said sure, and he got me in contact with the Head Middle School Coach. I got to know and learn from her methods and workouts. Along that we have a great group of kids which we helped coach to the Mid State League Champs and Individual Champs as well.
I defintely hope to continue as a Track coach as well. I'm very thankful for the opportunity given to me by my buddy Tom, Coach Hayes, Bexley, The Parents, and most especially the kids. I'll explain more when I get to this goal towards the end of the blog for my new years goals.
This year brought some other changes as well. I got talked into my parents into moving and purchasing a home. I got some help from a buddy of my mine and along with a realtor I was able to find a new home by October. The process took a lot longer than wanted to because of coaching, work and trying to train for a half in October but I was able to get into my new home.
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| Keys to new home |
Also, I've been doing a little bit of soul searching lately. I stopped going to the Vineyard Church in Columbus because it got too big and some services were hard to get to even though I used to almost lived next door to it. I hardly didn't see any people I knew there anymore. So at the beginning of 2014 I decided personally to branch out elsewhere. I visited a few churches but so far I really like this one in New Albany. I got to know other Young Adults, went to a bonfire and canoeing with them. I'm also now an occasional volunteer on some sundays with parking.
At work a got a paid grade raise and a promotion. Mostly been in training mode last couple of weeks but willing to learn more.
Running had gotten a little better. I think I would have to give thanks to my Junior High Kids. Running with them got my motivation back a little bit for me to train in August and September when I was busy with work and house hunting and I was able to pull off a good race in the Half Marathon at the Columbus Marathon in October. My time was 1:11:34 almost 1 minute slower than last year's 1:10:38 but I'll take it dealing with injuries and being busy in the late summer/fall.
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| Finishing the half last October. |
I don't think of it as a resolution. Because lets just say someone wants to lose weight for the new year. They get a gym membership along with others who do the same and all of the gyms/fitness centers are packed in the beginning of January. However, after time goes on and into February they thin out because they don't see too much progress or maybe don't have much encouragement to continue on. I want these to help me continue into a much more mature adult.
These are my Goals for 2015.
1.) Running- I want to try again for that Under 1:10 barrier this year starting this winter and spring with the Kentucky Derby Half Marathon this late April. I've ran the course 2wice before, Louisville is a great city, it's flat, and best of all I know some people from the CRC Westerville Group that are going to do the Half or Full so I'll have some company along with me.
If possible, depending on how training is going I'm thinking about trying to give the FULL Marathon on last hard racing effort in the Fall. I'm thinking either Columbus or Indianapolis Monumental in early November. It depends on how work goes because everyone gets all Wound Up for Year End in September. I know if I put myself to it I can run a 2:31 Marathon. 2:34 is my best. Staying healthy this year would be good. I would love to run Boston again in 2017 & maybe wind down competitively and just stay in shape. But, I'm just going to go until I can't do it anymore.
2.) Regain Strength- I think the best start in my running would be to regain strength. Over the year I believed that my strength was the reason I was able to run through those miles. I guess its the way my body is. Trying to keep a lean body is a key. I'm actually thinking of going to another gym myself even though it means that I have to pay some membership. I know the gym on base is pretty much for free to DSCC Civilian, Military, and Contractor Employees but the scenery there is a little dull, the gym itself is in a big warehouse like which makes it difficult in the summer when it gets hot and big fans and garage doors open can't keep many people cool, and there is no pool. Well there is but its small and it's outdoor but the kids during the summer are in there. And I'm thinking of doing some pool running for a cross training day. That's one thing. I usually take a cross training/easy day and I'm thinking of doing more pool running and a place where there is a pool could be helpful. We'll see what do you think.
3.) Make my home into a home - Would like to host a few things in the future for friends to come over like the Super Bowl, Final Four, Buckeye Games etc. Try to keep it clean and look like a nice place to come over.
4.) Coaching- I want to continue coaching in the long run even if its Mostly Middle School but still kind of what to be a mentor to those who continue running Cross Country & Track in High School if they need it and if the parents would let me. That's something I would like to get into in another Blog Post down the road about the coaches or runners that I looked up to in my running career.
I think these kids need a positive mentor or role model in their lives other than their parents. I know now I have to continue to read up on my notes from my USATF Class I took 2 years ago, plus keep asking for advice from other coaches on when to push them and when to back off. I believe I can make a difference in their life but I can only guide them. They would have to want it for themselves. But most of all bring fun into the sport.
5.) Faith Life- One of the things I'm trying to work on. Over the years it's been a very up and down struggle for me. To be honest after college I did not go back to church I became too focused on trying to get a job and my post collegiate training. I accomplished both but something was missing. A couple years ago I went to the Vineyard and met some great people. I finally had the courage to tell my story or should I say share a little of my testimony.
http://dmoneystwocents.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-blood-sweat-and-tears-literally.html
(If you never read this before do so.)
Anyway, I have struggled with it on & off for years. I decided to go somewhere else in New Albany. Slowly I have made some new friends and volunteered. But I believe I want to take a few more steps and have them just know me more than "a guy that just runs". Hopefully get involved in more activities or in a bible group. I know I need to read more of my bible and they have been getting people to read just the Book of John after one of the Sermon Series ended last fall and slowly its coming along. I may not read the entire bible but it helps to remember certain verses to remember in time of need.
6.) Work- I've started a new position but it doesn't mean I still want to move up a little and have a Analyst job. I'll learn some skills and try to ask around other fellow employees in my new area. My goal is to try not to be too judgmental towards people I work with more than I have been. Yet, when I see a few of them outside smoking cigarettes or eating Crap for lunch, or knowing some of them complaining about family life or divorce it makes me sad to see them live like that but not all of them do. To some that choose to smoke or not eat healthier, it's their choice. I learned a long time ago and it should be helpful now is that you can lecture to someone but they got to want to feel like they need help or need to change before you can really help them. All I can do is just try to be a good example. I live a much different lifestyle than they do that's all but I'm not going to let someone's negative attitude at work effect how I'm going to live my life. I guess its just the way they are. But, I still have goals at work. Keep learning a whole lot more at work. I got a new position this last Fall. But, use what I'm learning in my new position to keep applying. One of the goals I still want is a higher paid Analyst job.
7. ) Do a little more camping, fishing, & kayaking this year- These are some of my favorite hobbies, well a little bit more warmer weather type hobbies I like to do a little more this year. I don't like ice fishing (Sorry Mike) But I got to love Kayaking and always enjoyed camping in tents during the summer and I would like to have some chances to do that again this summer. I think taking a camping trip to Mohican to do a little camping, fishing, kayaking, and especially Trail Running there is something I would like to do and make it a long weekend. Hocking Hills would be great to do all that too.
8.) Reconnect with old & keep existing friendships- This is something I really want to do. Even though I don't see my friends too much due to work schedules and such I think it's important to see each other in the time we have. Also I like to reconnect to a few I lost contact with. I know I won't be able to do it with everybody but to some that I don't see very often anymore. It would be nice to reconnect with some college, church, & running friends. Like I said most of the people I work with live a different lifestyle than me, and I ones I do talk to at work however, work in different areas and I want to try to get to know them better and know a lot more people at my new church in New Albany much better.
Well, I feel that the time for talking should end and the time for doing is now. What are your goals for the new year? Procrastination has become a little bit of a habit for me and I don't want to put anything off. I'll feel like our Congress sometimes. LOL.
I really want to make this the best new years yet!!!
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