Tagged.......

I guess I got tagged too. Hmmm.....

1. I found that finding 5 interesting things about me very difficult to come up with. You don't want to sound too much like a braggart or too boring......Yup there's one fact.

2. Along with triathlon I love to shoot competition and train for MMA. The shooting has been a lifetime sport for me. If its a shooting game I probably have tried it and liked it. Right now I shoot action pistol/3 gun matches (basically shooting steel and paper targets as fast as you can with a pistol, rifle, and shotgun) The MMA thing started when I was in my early 20's and was teaching self defense. The competitor in me came out in a big way and I started grappling and boxing as well. Now I don't fight in the cage much anymore...(something about being 40.....) but I still like to train and teach.

3. I put a purple ribbon on my race jersey. Not as a fashion accessory but as a show of support for victims of domestic violence. Hits way too close to home for me.

4. I invaded France once.....Way to much German beer, testosterone, and willing friends resulted in a snowball attack on the border checkpoint.....followed by a somewhat prolonged footchase through the woods.

5. I built a sailboat. Several months of evenings in a very cramped one car garage, lots of cursing, and some good luck, and I am the proud owner and Captain of the Sailing Vessel Lo-Tan. (check out my myspace page for pics of the boat and her christening www.myspace.com/tclark505 )

Running to the sound of my feet.

I have worn an MP3 player or walkman or discman or whatever during my runs forever. Hard hard music always seemed to make the runs go a bit easier. But a couple of weeks ago I was out of batteries and just took off running sans tunes. I ran almost a minute faster at the same heart rate as the week before. I guess it made it easier to concentrate on running with better form.

When I started tri's the run just sucked for me. I have never been fast.( well I ran an 11:17 2 mile when I was in the Army but that was 22 years ago) So this winter is dedicated to getting a running form that is more efficient and thus somewhat faster. Running with a shorter stride, landing midfoot, at a 90 cadence, relaxed upper body, etc... I think I just might be on to something!

Thanksgiving

For years Thanksgiving has been a day of gluttony, football, and naps in my house. This year things were just a tad different. Yeah we ate well. But no overeating. I did take a little siesta after dinner...but just a little one. But, for the first time in years I was truly thankful.

For the last seven months my son has been in downtown Ramadi, Iraq. He is a Marine infantryman. The day before thanksgiving he landed back at 29 Palms, California...with all of his body parts intact. I am damn thankful.

This past summer a sudden medical emergency almost took my wife from me. I got to look across the dinner table and be incredibly thankful.

One of my best friends has been dragged through hell in recent weeks by his 18 year old daughter. I looked at my 15 year old and realized that the worst problems I have had is she forgets to do the dishes sometimes. She is 4.0 in school and a great kid. I am thankful.

I woke up and went for a run in the predawn cold on black Friday. As I ran through the inky darkness, the only sound was my footfalls and breathing. Then it came to me. This is what life is about. I spent a very special Thursday in November being thankful for things that I should be much more thankful for everyday.

So today when instead of being bummed that the pool was closed for emergency maintanance, I just went for a run instead...and ya know what? I'm damn thankful that I am able to do it.