21 Days Till Boston

Yes. Three weeks till The Boston Marathon.

I think and believe there is a reason, other than running on Patriot's Day, that Kathy and I will be in Boston. I don't know what it is but I certainly will be praying that God shows me and I notice and I do something about it.

And, not just in three weeks, but today and everyday.

We are not here on earth to just get by and "carry the keys". We have work to do and our situations and circumstances are not just chance.

Lord, show me what you have for me to do so it glorifies you.

Lord, help me be All In For You and all in for Boston 2014.

22 Days Till Boston

In 3 weeks, it will be Easter Sunday.  That day will be filled with so much emotion as we celebrate our risen Lord and prepare for Marathon Monday.

Easter is VERY special.....

Mark 16:6  Don't be alarmed, he said.  You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid him.

All in for Boston 2014!

23 Days Till Boston

Only 23 more days till Marathon Monday, Patriots Day in New England!

I discovered last year that I may need some warmer clothes in the morning at Athletes Village in Hopkinton. Well, I found my warm clothes today at Goodwill.

My warm gear for Monday Morning!

Did you know that clothing collected at the starting line in Hopkinton will be collected and donated to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.  

All In For Boston 2014!!!

24 Days Till Boston

With just over 3 weeks till The Boston Marathon, here is some inspiration.

Where is your hope?

All in for Boston 2014!!!

25 days Till Boston

With just 25 days till Marathon Monday, it is a good time to thank those who support us.

Where would we be without the love and support of our spouses?

Kathy is amazing.  She encourages me every day.  She is the love of my life and makes it easy for me to take the time I need to train.  She even lets me come along on some of her cycling rides.  Kathy makes sure I get proper nutrition with her fabulous cooking and baking.  Point blank, she reminds me to eat.  She has virtually removed all drinks from our house except water and coffee and coconut water.

I love you Kathy and can not wait to take another picture with you on Boylston Street when we are both ALL IN FOR BOSTON 2014!!!

26 Days Till Boston: WAW

We have 26 Days Till The Boston Marathon and Wednesday is Wicked Amazing Wednesday!!

The person who is responsible for me being a runner is today's WAW!!!

Meet Martha Freitas.

Martha and has run over 20 Half Marathons and inspired countless friends, family, and co-workers to get up and be active.  

Martha helped develop great Store Team Building Activities at Kroger like "I Can Do That Walking Challenge" and "I Can Do That Weight Challenge".  She has helped many people take charge and control of their health and fitness.

Martha has helped me with Race Strategy, Fueling Strategy, Gear Choice, Encouragement, and many other areas related to running and fitness.  She made me feel comfortable with running my first Half Marathon at Rock and Roll Dallas 2011 and first Marathon at Dallas White Rock in December later that year.

Thank you Martha for making a difference in my life and helping me be ALL IN FOR BOSTON 2014!!

27 Days Till Boston

On Monday, April 21st, we will all run together.  

We will remember the months of training.  The things we have sacrificed and the people that have sacrificed their time for us.

We will look, along the infamous marathon route, for a chance to connect with someone.  maybe we know them.  maybe we don't.  But there will be one thing we all have in common.

We will shout and cheer.  We will smile and wince in pain.  Then we will smile again.

There will be young children who will look at all the runners and wonder who will win.  They will high five as many runners who will high five them back.  They will smile at their moms and dads and say, "That runner will win!"

There will be veterans of the past 117 marathons, other marathons, and races of yesteryear.  They will give knowing nods to runners and catch eye contact with a few.  They will give their quick advice and remember their day.

We will see the service men and women from all areas.  Some will be working, making sure we are safe.  Some will be honoring a friend.  Some will be there and will help, because that is what they do.

Marathon Monday will be busy.  Some will want it to be fast.  I want to soak it in and be fast.  I want to make sure everyone knows they make this day special.  

All in For Boston 2014!!

28 Days Till Boston

4 Weeks!  Marathon Monday is coming up fast folks.

Are you ready?




How is the training?


Stick to the plan!




All in for Boston 2014!!!

29 Days Till Boston

It was a little windy today, so I ventured to Cedar Ridge Preserve for some trail running.

This place is amazing and as a sign reads, "One of the last natural preserves in DFW".

A shot from last year and a typical trail.

Please visit the website and make it a point to spend time on the trails.  There are walkers, dogs, backpackers, runners, and families.  Trust me, you will enjoy your time.

Easy to read trail marks and map.

Personally I have never seen a snake out there.

How do you mix up your workouts?

All in for Boston 2014!!

30 Days Till Boston

Many things to start planning for and thinking about in the next 4 weeks.

What do I want to bring to Hopkinton?  Will I need to buy a fanny pack to bring stuff with me or will I just travel with less?

Do I need some new "throw away clothes" to keep me warm and then donate or do I wing it with my current gear?

Since my training was interrupted this year, do I "just finish" and live tweet the whole experience or get after it and make it really hurt?

I do know that I want to come home with a few more memories this year and am happy Kathy and I have an extra day planned.  What do we do with our extra time?  There is still so much to see in and around The Back Bay Area.

We could always go to Fenway.  It would be great to see the Sox put one on the Yankees on Tuesday!

All in for Boston 2014!!

31 Days Till Boston!!!

One month till The Boston Marathon.

Lord, help me to keep all things in my life in the right priority and perspective.

All in for Boston 2014!!

32 Days Till Boston

Just over a month till Marathon Monday and Spring is here.  This makes me think of our kids.

Jessica, our oldest, lives with her husband Tom and all their pets just a few miles from us here in Mansfield. She teaches the lovely 8th Graders at Hutcheson Junior High in Arlington. Jessica is our first Aggie and still babysits in her free time.  She is a self proclaimed Social Media Junkie and her selfie game is on point.

Still gets me choked up a bit.

Sarah, our second Aggie, will graduate later this year.  She will pose with me in a photo similar to the one above next February when she ties the knot.  Sarah wears amazing colorful socks and loves to bake me banana bread when she comes home from College Station.  

Brandon, our first boy and last child, will graduate from Mansfield High School in June.  He is an amazing musician and barely missed being All State Saxophone this year.  He just got a job at Mansfield's new trampoline park, Urban Air, where he will definitely be at home.  

Our kids make me smile!  All in for Boston 2014!

33 Days Till Boston: WAW

It is Wicked Amazing Wednesday!

The amazing person today is Chris Medley.  Chris is a friend.  He is a father.  He is a husband.  He is a strong Christian man who loves the Lord.  Chris is a runner, a cyclist, a swimmer, an outdoors man, and a traveler.  Chris is a Marathon Runner and Chris IS AN IRON MAN!

2009 IM Arizona

Chris has been at both of my Boston Qualifying Marathons.  He was integral in my training, planning, running, race day nutrition/ hydration and encouragement.  Chris gives unselfishly of himself and has helped me reach my goal.

One day I will run a marathon with Chris and it will be glorious.

Thank you Chris for helping me be All in for Boston 2014!

34 Days Till Boston

In times like these, it is who and not what.

Trust in Jesus. He is who.

All in for Boston 2014!

36 Days Till Boston

Some days can be challenging.

Be awesome today.
All in for Boston 2014.

37 Days Till Boston

It rained today here in Texas.  It was glorious.  But it started me thinking......

Rain in Spring time does happen.  What if it happens?  What if it rains on Marathon Monday?

It is a call out to my first 26.2 at the White Rock Marathon

All in for Boston 2014!

38 Days Till Boston

Today is Friday.  It was a Good Friday!

A favorite passage of mine is Hebrews 12:1-3

It is purely a gift we have been given to live and we should celebrate the one True and Living God who gives each day to us.  We are on this earth to Glorify God.  We were made to selflessly serve Him, Love Him with all we have, and Love our Neighbor.

All in for Boston 2014!

39 Days Till Boston

We are in the 30's and April will soon be upon us.  39 days until a very memorable trip, weekend, morning, run, and experience.  I am so glad I get to share it again with Kathy.

Speaking of my wife, she got cleared to cycle by her doctor today.  Just in time to have a spin tomorrow on my cross training day.  I pray she her calf continues to heal so she can get back to all her activities.  Did you know she is a Cycle Lead at Lifetime Fitness in Mansfield?

All in for Boston 2014!

40 Days Till Boston: WAW!

Today is Wednesday and with the next five hump days, I would like to highlight the people that help me and surround me in various ways.  I will name it WAW!  Wicked Amazing Wednesday!

The first WAW highlight is the fine folks, Adina and Butch,  from MySleev.  These amazing entrepreneurs have developed a product that has many uses and is made in America at The Dallas Lighthouse For The Blind.  If you sweat, you need MySleev.

Adina was so gracious last year and allowed me to wear MySleev at The Boston Marathon.  Thank you MySleev.

4-15-13 Starting Line

All in for Boston 2014!

41 Days Till Boston

Today, I received an e-mail from The Boston Athletic Association.  They are getting the word out about a few new rules this year.

The Gear Check Bag is clear and 18" X 18" X 4" and can only be checked by official runners at Boston Common on Marathon Morning.

Another new, and possibly more difficult restriction is the limits to what can be taken on the bus rides to Hopkinton and Athletes Village. One Fanny Pack no larger than 5" X 15" X 5" will be allowed per runner.  Last year I packed a good size plastic bag with all my needs.  I will definitely need to plan well this year.

All in for Boston 2014!

42 Days Till Boston

6 weeks baby!

I don't run with music, but if I did these would be my top five:

5.  Journey: Stone In Love

4.  Rush: Spirit Of The Radio

3.  Night Ranger: Don't Tell Me You Love Me

2.  Pink Floyd: Run Like Hell

1.  Peter Gabriel: Solsbury Hill

All in for Boston 2014!

43 Days Till Boston

I will take two days off a week from running and the road bike will be my friend on these days.

All in for Boston 2014!

My ride today was after work and I chased the sunlight all the way home.

44 Days Till Boston

Six weeks and a few days.

A month and 13 days.

22 days and 22 days.

However you slice it, it is going to happen.  I am excited and know what to expect this year.  I am beginning to be more focused on my training, even though it is abbreviated.  I have a goal in mind and it is within reason. Now more than ever, it will be important to make the best of my time.

All in for Boston 2014!

RidgeRun5K 22:11 & Masters Champ