It's All Downhill From Here!

What a year it's been for me so far, but after this past weekend, it's ALL downhill from here!



Everything went perfectly at and my oldest pulled off a fantastic party for all!

More later after I've had a chance to catch my breath!

And seriously.. I KNOW I'm a proud father.. but does anyone know any Exec's at GERBER? ;-)

Peace...

Another BIG Weekend for Kevin!

Yep, that's ME over there. The one in the middle!

I gained a new PERFECT baby son just 15 weeks ago and now, after 27 years, I'm losing one of my PERFECT daughters. :-(

After almost a year long engagement, with Daddy in complete denial, in just a few short days I will be walking my baby down that isle and turn her over to another man. *Sigh*

But I've decided that this is ALL good. Just another great moment in this unbelievable year in my life!

So I've got my seat belt strapped tight and I'm ready for the ride... well, at least until I have to dance with the beautiful bride.


For those of you who are NOT listening to The Extra Mile Podcast (and I'm taking names), my training for a couple of half marathons this fall is going pretty good. I now have a training plan I will read in detail, digest, and begin tackling it first thing next week after my big weekend! It always tends to re-energize me when I have a goal and a plan. We shall see. Hopefully the weather will cooperate too and the MILLION degree heat will subside!

Everyone have a GREAT weekend and let you know how I survived this weekend soon.

Peace....

TAG! I'm IT!

Melisa tagged me, God love her.. ;-P

So here goes.. 6 wierd things about me:

1. I am a total Beatles NUT! In fact, just last month, on June 18, I bought a birthday cake and we celebrated Paul McCartney's 65th birthday!

2. I am addicted to my iPod! In fact, there are 3 people in my house (including my 3 month old son) and there are 5 iPods!!!

3. I am SO anal with logging my running! Don't believe me? I began running on January 1, 1984 and have logged EVERY run since. In case you are interested... As of the end of May, 2007, I have run 34,307.8 miles in 5473 runs since I began running. That's an average of 6.27 miles every time I head out of the door. NOW you believe me?

4. I proposed to my wife on LIVE BBC TV at the end of the largest 10k road race in England. Check it out, Paragraph 15: http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/117/117593_great_run_bonanza_for_charities.html

5. I am also addicted to Podcasts. I listen to NO radio anymore.

6. I have this blog and am helping with a podcast, but my wife has never read or listened to either.

There you have it. Hope you still talk to me after you see how weird I am!

Kevin

DON'T MAKE NIGEL TRACK YOU DOWN!!!

Hello,

I hope you don't mind me dropping you a quick email to tell you about a new podcast that I'm involved with called the 'Extra Mile Podcast'.

It's a new podcast which has been put together by Marathon Chris, Kevin Bonks and myself to follow the progress of runners during the current training for the Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon in October 2007.

In each episode we'll have audio updates from a number of runners to let you know how they are doing with their training.

We're also looking for other runners (like you!) to maybe drop us an audio comment from time to time to let us know that you are out there, and how you are doing with your training. If you'd like to contribute any audio (1 or 2 minutes in an MP3 file would be great!), then visit the podcast web site at : http://www.theextramilepodcast.com/

If you'd like to subscribe to the new podcast, you can subscribe in iTunes, or with other podcatchers, using the two buttons below :


In Episode #1 you can hear us introducing the show and there's even an appearance by a certain Mr Steve Runner !

I hope you enjoy the new show, and don't worry, Running From The Reaper will continue as normal (look out for a new show later this week).

Regards

Nigel
http://www.runningfromthereaper.com/

The Worlds Newest Running Podcast!

OK, I KNOW you are all sitting around chewing your nails wondering what I have talking about in my past couple of posts. What the heck is this "project" I've been dropping hunts about??

Well, the wait is over!

Check out the worlds newest running podcast that MarathonChris, Nigel and I have been working our little fingers to the bone over for the past few weeks.

THE EXTRA MILE PODCAST

But this one is different!!!! It's NOT just a podcast to download and sync to your iPod and head out of the door. It's a podcast we want.. no, need your involvement with!

Almost every one of you who reads my blog, without exception, have been talking about running either a half or full marathon this fall. That's EXACTLY why this podcast came about! And now it's time for YOU to step up!

Get over to our website at :

www.theextramilepodcast.com

download the first show, give it a listen and then contribute!!!

Trust me, I am going to bug each and every one of you to participate! This can be a blast, so get involved!!!

More about this later, but I wanted to get a posting out right away and get you all on board.

Peace...

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

I have been SWAMPED for the past week! And one of the things that has taken a back seat has been this blog! Sorry.... to any of you who care! ;-)

Work has been NUTS lately! I won't bore you with the details, but I've been doing the job of 2 people all year now and it's just caught up with me for a bit lately. But no worries... I'll beat this thing!!

I have, however, managed to keep up with my mileage.

With all the things going on, my running has continued to be a priority. I make sure that, either very early in the morning or at lunch time, I get out for my run.

My total mileage has also been good. It's been anywhere from 35 to 42 miles per week. However, it's all pretty much at the same pace. No track work, no hill work, no speed work... nothing. And I know I need to change this if I am going to run any faster than I do now.

I have NO plan right now, but it's something that I know I need one.. isn't it? Anyway, I'm working on that too. Stay tuned....

All is still PERFECT with my cutie son at home.

Daddy had a very nice Fathers Day last weekend and a thought came to me as I played with him.

I've beed a Dad for a long time now, and I LOVE it. But it's been several years now since I've been a Daddy, and there is nothing like it!

I ask you now... Any University of Michigan fans out there reading this? ;-)


Peace...

Another exciting weekend!

Another college graduation this past weekend! Three down, two to go! God only knows how much it will cost when Connor goes!

The ceremony was a lot better than I was expecting.

First of all, the weather was PERFECT in Columbus last Sunday! Very sunny and warm but very low humidity. Just the way I like it!

Secondly, although I must tell you that I have never been a fan of his, the guest speaker was former President Clinton and he gave the best speech I have ever heard.. ever! Think what you will about that man, but boy is he ever a public speaker!

And I always LOVE being inside Ohio Stadium, where my beloved BUCKEYES play on Saturdays during the fall!!



My running continues to go VERY well, at least the mileage does. I went past the 40 mile mark last week including a long run of almost 9.5 miles. At this point, my base is clearly well established enough to begin half marathon training for my fall race. You ready Melisa? ;-)

Enough about my fall running for the moment... except to say.. no, I shouldn't. It's a secret! It's a very cool project a few of your blog buddies have been working on that I hope, and think, you will like. That's all I can say, really.. well, except maybe you should hear more very soon about it. really.. NO MORE!

Peace...

A Quiet House Once Again

Family is SO nice to see, but there is also something to be said for having your house back and things returning to "normal" once again. Don't you think?

We had about 15 people in the house this past Sunday for Connor's baptism. What a perfect day it was! Needless to say, Connor did NOT wear the dress!! (Kevin- 1, Wife-0) Also needless to say, he was perfect during the baptism also. Slept for about 99% of it, only waking to voice (loudly) his hunger in the car on the way home.

An entire weekend of great food and great family. Life is good.

On the running front....

Since my house was full of "babysitters", I was able to get some good running in this weekend. My wife and I actually ran together for the first time since July 3 of last year! How special was that!

Also, I went out for a slow "long" run yesterday. I had intended on doing a 7 mile run but felt better the more I ran, and couldn't stop thinking about running a half, maybe two, this fall, and I kept going! 8.75 miles later I was done. I haven't run that far since May 31, 2006! I was very happy to get that mileage in, but the happiness was dampened a tad later in the afternoon when the soreness set in. Still, a nice LONG run!

So there I was, laying in my bed last night, thinking about a fall marathon (NO comments please)! My last Marathon was October 9, 1995. I "Bonked" in that run, at least for me at that time, finishing in 4:27:20... walking and cursing. I'd PAY for a finish time like that now!

I've been lightly considered a marathon recently. I already know what YOU all are going to say. But we shall see. 26.2 is a LONG was from 8.75!!


I had what I thought was a BRILLIANT idea when all my Blog Buds started talking about running halves and/or fulls this fall and all of us tracking our training progress together. Check out what Chris has put together HERE.

How cool would it be for each of us to record a short wav/mp3 file about our goals/progress as we train. Someone would just have to "string" them all together with an intro and post them. We would do this weekly or bi-weekly and end the podcast in the fall after we all run our races and give our race updates.

Associate our runs to the Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon and I know Steve would give us a shout out! No doubt Nigel would too! Heck, maybe we could get the elusive Adam Tinkoff to mention it!

I ran this idea by Chris, and she gave me some idea of what this would take. Not much money, but maybe more time that I had thought. Anyway.. Just an idea. Anyone have all this time on their hands? ;-)

Peace...

Baptism DRESS for my son????

Big weekend coming up! Connor gets baptized on Sunday and we will have a house full of family in town for the big event! So my wife tells me that there exists a "family Christening gown" that her aunt is sending. All or many of the kids in her generation were baptized in this gown, and how nice it would be to carry on the family tradition.

OK, enough of the background.... I ask you... would YOU take your SON out of the house in this????? Gown? I think not! When did GOWN become a synonym for DRESS???

Two things I can tell you.. 1. Connor will NOT be wearing this "gown" this weekend and 2. He will be told as soon as he is old enough that Daddy had NOTHING to do with putting this thing on him or taking this picture! Hope no permanent damage has been done to my son!

;-)

On to more manly things...

I'm gearing up my mileage for a fall half marathon, which may be the half at US Air Force Marathon at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio in September with Melisa. We have been discussing either running together or at the very least meeting each other before and after the race. How cool would that be? Running the Air Force Half with a VETERAN!!

So I am increasing my base. I've steadily moved from the low 20 miles a week to the low/mid 30's. Still LOTS of work to do if I don't want to collapse, but there is a lot of time! I'll keep you posted.. unless I faint!

Peace...

On To My Next Challenge

Lets recap my 2007 so far, shall we? So far this year, my life has included the following:

• Had a PERFECT baby boy in March


• Turned *cough, cough* 50 in April


• Had a daughter graduate from Law School in May

Not bad for a full year, huh? But I'm not done yet! Here is what I have left this year:

• One son graduates from THE Ohio State University in June


• My oldest daughter gets married in July


• My other son graduates from THE Ohio State University in October

Not bad for one year huh?

The graduation last weekend went perfect, well, it went perfect and was very LONG!! Imagine 300 adults being named individually, walking across a stage, being "hooded", getting diplomas, and walking off. Not something I would recommend doing for the fun of it! But since one of my babies was there.. I wouldn't have missed it for the world! Check it out...

So next on my list is another graduation, only this time we are talking about a few THOUSAND graduates at Ohio State! I've already been through 3 OSU graduations (2 undergrads and one masters), so I feel like I could do it myself!

On the running front, my running is still going great, for me anyway! Over 30 miles a week and feeling very good every run. But I did maybe do a stupid thing... I told Melisa I would run the half marathon at The United State Air Force Marathon on September 15th! My thought was that it would be a good warm up for her since she is running The Columbus Marathonon October 21st. But I wasn't really expecting her to say YES! So once again I've made a commitment to a woman and had second thoughts! Story of my life ;-)

Peace....

Law School Graduation!

As if I don't have enough to be proud of lately, my second oldest child, Kelly, graduates this Sunday from Law School!!!!!

Our trips out of the house these days are all about timing! Feed Connor a few minutes before we leave, and he's golden! The car trip puts him to sleep faster than Sanjaya's singing!

So hopefully we feed him, make the 2 hour trip to Columbus while he snores, meet my kids for a bite to eat somewhere, drop Connor at my oldest daughters house to babysit, and get to the graduation by 1:00! Whew.. I'm exhausted just writing about it! One of my twin boys will be putting me through this all over again next month! I should be getting good at this by now.

Connor bought his mommy the Nike+ iPod Sports Kit for Mothers Day. It's a very cool chip you lace to your shoe (or buy a very expensive pair of specially built Nike shoes) and your iPod keeps track of your workout. You can upload your workouts to the Nike web site where it gets logged and you can run all sorts of neat reports and graphs. I wouldn't trade my Garmin Forerunner 205 (Get yours yet Melisa?), but it's a very cheap and very cool device, especially if you already have a Nano.

But Connor did this for dad actually! Dad IS going to run a half marathon in the fall, and the sooner we get mom back on the road, the greater the likelihood she will train and run the half WITH dad *Dr. Evil laugh*!! We did the Disney Half back in 2004 and had a BLAST!!

Right now I am looking at running the half at the Columbus Marathon on October 21st. I ran the full YEARS ago ( 1988 actually, 3:42:15) and loved the course. How much more would I love it only having to do HALF of it?? ;-) I bet I could get special dispensation from Steve Runner to run this one for The Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon. Anyway, that's the plan right now.

My running is going SO well these days that I am running the risk of injury! I'm at a point, psychologically, that I want to run every day, and kind of far! I even ran 6 miles yesterday morning, then ran another 3.5 at lunch! But it just feels so darn good these days!

My running partner at the gym in the mornings and I have decided to start picking up the mileage on our Friday runs, in preparation for a half. So this Friday is either 7 or 8 miles. Good thing I can SIT during the graduation this weekend!


Now for the Connor Update...


Guess who is 7 weeks old today AND slept through the night last night? Yep.. Daddy's boy did!






Peace.

How Far Will I go?

Check out this video of my little runner. It points out 2 things...

1. Just how darn cute this kid is
2. Just how GOOFY Dad will be to get him to smile!!!!

My running has been GREAT this week! Had 2 runs of 7 miles each and over 30 miles in 5 runs this week. Tomorrow (Saturday) will be a rest day! We are meeting my daughters soon-to-be in-laws for brunch. Think I should mess with her? ;-)

BIG day Sunday for the new Mommy in my house! Connor and I have a few surprises in store...

HAPPY HAPPY to all the mom's who stop by my little blog. No one appreciates the job you have more than I do!! Have a wonderful day and be safe!

Peace....

The Perfect Weekend!

If you are in doubt about who was in CHARGE at the finish line of The Flying Pig Marathon this past weekend in Cincinnati, I would suggest you look to the person driving the GOLF CART!! Actually, I would more strongly suggest that you get to safe ground!!!!!!

12,000 runners to get ready for, beginning at 5:30 AM on Sunday morning. Not sure how I can say this, but WHAT A BLAST!

It all went off without a hitch. Well, let me rephrase that... We were able to pull things together and give the appearance that there were no hitches. Actually, until you get involved with a race this size, and this level, you cannot imagine the hitches that are thrown at you!!

In any case, give it a shot someday. Having run races, most of you half or full marathons, you already know how appreciative runners are to the volunteers. Cut a chip off, wrap a blanket around them, give then the much deserved medal, and you can almost bring a runner to tears.

And I'll make it easy for you.... Come help ME next year in this one!! ;-)

My Mother-in-Law came for a visit this past few days also and my wife and I were able to sneak away to see The Lion King! Did I mention that my wife is a Lion King NUT?? So even though this was our 3rd time to see it, it never gets old. It's worth the price! And if it's the first time out of the house in over 5 weeks, who cares how good it is? ;-)

My running is going GREAT the past few weeks. I think it's tied to the weather in some way. I had a 7 mile run last week where I felt like I could go on forever! I KNOW you know that feeling! Made my day! Ran over 30 miles last week, which is more than I have had in a long time. Feeling absoulutly GREAT!

I leave you with this weeks picture of my little Ohio State Buckeye. Can I get a

GO BUCKS!!

Fly Like A PIG!

If ya can't join'em, HELP'EM I always say.

Have I mentioned that I am in charge of the finish line for The Flying Pig Marathon here in Cincinnati? Well if not, I think I just did.

I have been involved with the race since it's first running back in 1999. Having run 5 marathons of my own, one of my most vivid memories of ALL those races was the volunteer support. People rushing up to ask if I needed anything, handing me water, taking off my chip, wrapping a blanket around me.

When they stared this race in Cincinnati, having known a lot of local runners and organizers, I was asked to help out and JUMPED at the chance! The feeling of being on the other end of that water or blanket is one I will remember as long as I do the race itself.

So for the past several weeks, I've been involved in meetings, conference calls, emails and all the other stuff that goes into the logistics of making sure 10,000 runners have bagels and medals when they cross that finish line! It's always nerve wracking, but a blast!

The race is this Sunday, May 6! I'll be up at 4:30 AM to make sure I get there by 5:00 AM to get prepared for it all. I'm always NERVOUS about it all but it always works out. You cannot imagine all the things that have to happen to pull off just a finish line (WHAT No spoons for the yogurt???!!!)!! But it's all good.



All still perfect with my little "eating machine"! If fact, at this very moment my wife is at Target returning some "Newborn" diapers that no longer fit my little runner!





Still looking for that half marathon to point to. I "think" I want to do it in the September time frame. I'll keep you posted.

Peace....

In AWE!!

Yo, dog, check it out... (I feel like Randy Jackson from American Idol). That's Jen over there with the smile that starts at one ear and ends at the other! She did something way more important than just running the Boston Marathon last week. She made memories that will last forever! And to add to that, she met and actually spoke with St. Steven on this weeks episode of F'dip!

I've said this before, I'm a USER!

I see people set a goal, spend weeks and months working their butts off to achieve those goals, and finally let nothing stand in their way to achieve them, and I sit back in AWE of it all.

If you can read Jen's recap of her Boston Marathon run (http://runningstories.blogspot.com/), and not want to lace up your shoes and head out of the door, I find it hard to believe you are reading this blog to begin with. I've read her blog for a while now, as she runs, swims, and lifts weights (sometimes all on the same day!!), all because she had a goal and this is what she had to do to reach that goal.

It's not just Jen's Boston. It's Nigel's Stafford Half Marathon. It's Melisa's LaSalle Bank Half Marathon (that's her on the left Grrrrr ;-)

It's Cory running through the nasty hills and weather in Colorado, preparing for the Colorado Mini-Marathon (15 miles is Mini????).

It's Chris who has her hands in 1200 different things (I counted) and still finds time to run and put together a podcast, all the while bringing her family on the trip!

There are SO many more cool people training for races that I use all the time! I use them for inspiration. They don't lace up my shoes for me, but MANY times it's because of them I am doing it!

So what's my point? I KNOW I had one! Oh yes.. If you are not using them already for YOUR inspiration, try it! Read their blogs. See what they go through. Then lace'em up and get out of the door!

My guess is.. none of these people cares if you use them! Jen? Melisa? Mind if we use you? ;-)

All I know is, that until they tell ME differently, I'm gonna use them! I'm gonna use them to train for and run a half marathon this year. I'm gonna use them to lose about 10 more pounds before my daughter's wedding in July. I'm gonna use them to do whatever I need to do to achieve my goals. Join me....

Peace...

One Tired Puppy

It's not the fact that I am getting between 5 and 6 hours of sleep at night these days that is getting to me, it's more that those hours are not 5 or 6 hours of UNINTERPRETED sleep. That having been said, I would not trade our 2:00 am feedings for the world!

Connor sucks down that bottle like it's his last meal while he stares up at me. And after he eats, he just looks at me with those wide eyes and slowly drifts back to sleep. It's truly the best hour of my day! Now if I could convince Connor that we could also have that bonding time at 9:00 pm!

The progress I have been making with my diet and running have also been interrupted. My weight is holding steady, which is better than adding to it, and I am getting out of the door to run, but the total miles is way down. It seems I am always rushing to get back for some reason. Since Connor's birth, I have made it to the gym for my morning run exactly once. The first thing I have been doing at 3:00 am before climbing back into bed is to re-set my alarm from 4:30 am! I need to get back into that morning run habit so I know I have the time and I know it's out of the way for the day. Like I said before, I think a half marathon later in the year to point to would help with that too.

I always do better when I have some goal to point to. Some large event in my life I need to prepare for. Something to PUSH me. Know what I mean? It doesn't have to be something like having a baby or turning 50! Just an incentive of some kind.

The next big event in my life I need to get ready for is my daughters graduation from law school! That happens on May 19th. Plenty of time!

Peace....

Amnesty Granted!!

I won't belabor the point, but you will recall some time ago the nasty "legal" action that I was speaking to my team of attorneys about with regards to Marathon Chris' new Podcast. Well I am pleased to announce that I have dropped all charges against Chris!

Although there is a gag order in place, let me as least tell you all that her current Podcast, entitled "Back To Nature" ( working title: "Kevin is the man"), is now available! So first read the rest of MY blog, then click over there and give a listen! Don't make me file charges against you too!

Chris does something in her podcast that I have yet to find another podcast that does.. She invites you to join her family! I ask you, what could be cooler than inviting strangers along on her family vacation? If you haven't heard her podcasts, trust me. You will be a stranger for only about the first 2 minutes. Then you are a friend and fellow runner sitting next to her making S'MORES!

In other important news, all continues to be PERFECT in my life!! Well, unless 4 to 5 hours of sleep at night could be considered less than perfect!

My running is on target, although it's way more quantity than quality right now. At least I am getting out of the door. My wife, knowing that my 5:00 am runs would be in jeopardy for a while, got me a membership to a gym next to my office so I could get some runs in during my lunch hour. How thoughtful was that! So now I have become one of those exercise nuts with multiple gym memberships!

I think, once I start getting some more sleep at night, I need to pick a half marathon to train for. Maybe during the summer. Just something to aim for. To give my running some direction. We shall see.

One last ramdon thought.....

Is there a more perfect invention than the disposable diaper? Geeze... I need to invent a product that I can sell billions of, that lasts maybe an hour (or maybe 38 seconds!), and that people buy like there is no tomorrow!

One last personal note....

Am I a freak because I want to just BITE this doll????

Peace...

(now... CLICK HERE)

The Juggler

First and foremost....

THANK YOU ALL!!!

Thank you ALL for the sweet post's, the prayers, thoughts and all the kind words. We have never met, but there is NO doubt that you are all my friends and I am SO thankful you come visit from time to time. So before I say anything else, Thank you SO much!

Now...

After a week of this new fatherhood thing, it's clear to me that my life is now a total juggling act! It's SO amazing how a birth of a little one changes completely your life. It's obviously not my first child but it's been so long (23 years) that it might as well be. It's all so different or it's been erased from my memory banks. But it's ALL good!

So now my life is trying to juggle everything and get it all in during a short 24 hour period. How can I get enough sleep? How can I fit my run it? Mow the lawn, make the bottles, help clean the house, oh yea, and work too.

My wife is staying home from work for about 12 weeks, and then she will add that to HER juggling act as well.

But like I said, it's all good and I wouldn't change a thing for the world!

Somehow, I've managed to get my runs in during this whole deal as well. Shorter runs so I can get home sooner, but that's part of juggling. The weight is good too. Amazing how hard it is to eat while holding a baby!

And it's way too soon to put this doll down to eat!

My 4 older kids have all taken to Connor in a way that melts my heart. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but they all feel like they have a new brother, which of course they do, but you know what I mean. They could have reacted differently, and I had small fears they might.

So now I no longer training for a long run. I'm now, for a while, in training for a long NIGHT!

And not that I have started one enormous change in my life, it's time to add another one. So, tomorrow, April 4th...

THE BIG 50! And I say

BRING IT ON!

Peace...

My PERFECT baby!!!

Now, I'm not saying this kid is any more perfect than yours, except to me that is.

We all spent the last 3 days in the hospital after an emergency C-Section, but everyone is doing GREAT and all safe and sound at home now.

I was even able to sneak out for a run or two!

More later after my head stops spinning, and before next Wednesday, my 50th birthday!! Yikes....

Peace...

OH MY GOD!!!

I have NO WORDS!!! Connor Patrick and mom are doing great. Home on Friday.. and more then!!!

:-D

Peace