Title Lost

As with many of our golf matches it boiled down to the final hole. After well positioned shots left wedges into the green, a complete breakdown in my swing left me dropping another ball after I found the pond. To twist the knife just a little more Tim (A.K.A. Family Golf God) birdied the hole. Congrats.

With the exception of nine holes of Golf and a couple hours as a volunteer at a local 5K ,I spent the weekend working. After two very quiet weeks in the office things "exploded" and we became very busy. With a full schedule coming this week I knew I needed to get as much done as possible.

I resisted any temptation to run as best I could and only "tested" the Achilles on a one mile jog. This morning I managed slightly more then two miles; "Good News"; the Achilles is getting better; "Bad News"; my abdominal section is not. May be time for a doctor visit to find out what the heck is going on. I think it may require a CAT scan.... Ugh

Joe is coming to town soon and I am looking forward to spending a few days hanging out, playing some golf and just catching up in general.

Hopefully this body of mine will cooperate better then it has for the last few days, I have been feeling a little out of sorts.

Later  ..... Mike

Memorial Day Weekend 2013

I hate to admit it but sometimes a beer or three will help me to sit down at the computer and update my blog.

It's Friday afternoon, five thirty something to be almost something exact; the long weekend has started. While the weekend will not “Pan Out” as I have hoped I am looking forward to the next few days.... Unfortunately, there will be no running.

Perhaps I should view the no running thing as an opportunity to hone my golf game or photography skills. After all, it's never good (or is it) to be singularly focused. Perhaps I could meditate upon how to become a better father, husband, brother or friend........... Should but ???? . Perhaps I should try to figure out if I can win a nine hole Golf Match against brother Tim to remain the “Family Golf God”if I head up to Berkeley Springs tomorrow. Shallow, I know.

As far as “Family Golf God” is concerned, there is a new breeze “A Blowing”, the ZAC ATTACK will soon be on the doorstep wanting his turn at the title. It's only a matter of time, yet I hope to extend that time out as long as possible. (I'm sure his Dad does as well) When it happens, Tim and I will be “Magnanimous in Defeat” quite opposite from our “Not Humble in Victory”.

I have not been able to run in over a week because of my Achilles Tendon. I did mange a great hike however in Virginia of about nine miles with only moderate discomfort. This hike was along a series of Waterfalls which were spectacular. It reminded me of driving along the California Coast Line thinking “The Views Can't Get Any Better”, surprise, each new bend in the road revealed yet another.

The hiking group consisted of two guys in their sixties, myself (just shy of that) and the “Young Buck” a mere fifty four year old. Less then two miles into the hike the youngster of the group exclaimed, “Please Just Give me a Gun if I ever Start Talking about my Issues.” It was right then I realized, Damn it ..... I'm getting closer to a point in life where some uninformed person, upon a moment of bad reflection might think, “He's Old”................ OLD !!! ......... Come on Dude or Dudette Lets go on a ten mile trail run. (Of Course As Soon As I get over these injuries)

On another note, Maggie's last day of High School was today. I am excited for her and sad for myself that my “Little Girl” is growing up. It seems as though just yesterday I sent her off on the school bus for her first day of school. I am so proud of her and grateful that I have survived the cancer to see her through this portion of her life.

I don't know what the months or years ahead will bring but early on through all of this..... I set a goal to see her graduate high school ...... Goal Met !

I'm a happy boy .............. Mike

A Short Run

Fog fills the air, accumulating on leaves to create the occasional falling drop of water. Tree blossoms are starting to add color to the forest and temperatures in the mid fifties make it an absolute perfect day for a trail run.

I started out early with Larry and lasted for a half mile.

Greek Mythology has it that Achilles was an invulnerable warier with the exception of his heel. His last battle ended, when a arrow, tainted with poison found it's mark. While I don't consider myself invulnerable, far from it, I did not expect to be fighting my Achilles Tendon in addition to other injuries. In a word …... Frustrating.

Our Sunday morning running group continues to grow with a new face or two most every weekend. As the group ran off into the mist this morning I must admit my spirits slumped even as I rationalized this as another temporary setback.

As I write, four of my running friends are close to thirty hours into a hundred mile trail race (MMT), all well ahead of the cutoff times (One has finished). Others are out on the “Blue Trail” in the cool mist enjoying what I cannot. I hope to be joining them in the not too distant future.

Mike

Eighteen

It's a warm May morning with overcast skies and breezes suggesting showers are coming.

My regular morning run or walk didn't happen as I woke up gimping around with a sore left foot Achilles Tendon; how this happened I have no idea. It is possible that running barefoot in the grass during a kids track practice last night might have been the trigger. We run barefoot in the grass to teach proper running form.

My return to running has been a mixed bag so far. During the past seven days I have logged about twenty five easy trail miles generally feeling well while running. It's several hours after a run which has been worrisome.

Though the doctors can't tell me what the “Original” injury to my abdominal area is I am pretty sure the subsequent injuries are abductor related. This was probably caused by compensating for the pain in my abdominal section while running. ( a Mike theory) After a lot of research I found a number of exercises and stretches that have helped with the abductors but nothing (yet) that is really helping with the abdominal area. I am sorry to admit that this may be a long recovery, there may be very little racing going on in the near term.

On brighter notes, Patrick returned from France after having a wonderful week. Listening to his stories I could almost imagine being there with him, seeing the sights, touching the stones of the Roman Aqueducts and running across traffic to the dismay of some French Police Officers. You can only imagine how quickly that week in France must have flown by.

Maggie is winding down her High School career and will be leaving TJ on a high note. She has been selected to sing at the Senior Awards Banquet, this is somewhat unusual as typically that honor is reserved for individuals in advanced vocal studies. This past Sunday, Ms Kathy (Voice Instructor) held Senior Recitals and Maggie was astounding. No one knew it at the time but she was feeling horrible as she performed. We drove home with Maggie laying her head in Sue's lap not wanting to open her eyes because of the headache she was having.

Maggie also reached “Adulthood” today as she turns eighteen. Old enough to vote, sign a contract or even get married. As I looked at “Our Baby” leaving the house this morning I felt both joy and sadness. Joy that I am here, to bear witness to my children becoming adults. Sadness from wanting to hold on, something I shouldn't do but allow anyway.

Happy Birthday Maggie, I Love You

Garden Club

Over the weekend a family member pointed out that I hadn't posted anything on my Blog for a couple of weeks...... it's been a mixed bag.

Yesterday (Monday May 6^th) the Berkeley Springs Garden Club planted a Pin Oak in honor of my Mother. It was quite a moving ceremony; stories abounded about good times, wonderful recipes and white wine. It became apparent that good times and service to the community often went hand in hand. I am glad my mother enjoyed the company of these fine women. At the end of the ceremony the youngest of Mom's Grand Children, Alana, would be the first to water the tree.

Many years from now I hope the day will come when Alana shall bring her grandchildren to this spot. If she does she will find a tree, standing tall, home for generations of birds, witness to couples strolling arm in arm and multitudes of young children splashing in the summer pool. Breezes will sway her leaves and she will sing, it will be a song as beautiful as my mother's life.

As for me .... well I'm a work in process .... but I have started running again.

Mike