What did YOU do this week?

Day 21: Complete
Week 3: Complete

Morning session: 11.73 miles
Evening session: 5.78 miles
Total distance: 17.51 miles

Milestone reached: 100 miles in 1 week (106.73)

I am very pleased with this milestone. I wasn't sure 100 miles in one week was attainable. But after 19+ and 14+ on the first 2 days of the week, I knew I had a shot.

Ran yet another career high in today's morning session. The day's total was my 2nd best day, next to that 19.09 on the 15th. The "evening" session came around 4:30 again today, with the Cubs on TV for another 6:00 game.

Week 3 stats:

106.73 miles--15.25 miles/day
4.0 lbs lost

July stats, up-to-date:

270.36 miles--12.87 miles/day
13.5 lbs lost

Comparison:

Week 1: 90.43 miles
Week 2: 73.20 miles
Week 3: 106.73 miles

I am actually on pace to reach 399.1 miles at my current average. But that will decrease quite a bit the next few days. Gonna play ball with my Wichita State friends tomorrow, which means a little less running, then I may have a friend coming to visit Thursday/Friday. If so, we plan to play some ball Thursday evening, and a little golf Friday morning. If that goes as planned, that means not much running these next 3 days.

Plus, once I do hit my 300 mark, I am tentatively planning to coast a little bit, and focus on some sit-ups, push-ups, etc., in order to focus more on the midsection, and coming a little closer to my weight loss goal. Whether this means only running once a day for the final week or so, or just a little bit less each time, I haven't decided...

Movie later, after the game: Goal! The Dream Begins. Cheesy, if not lazy title, but actually a very inspiring flick, if you haven't seen it.


Won't start the movie until after the Cubs game, though, of course. They're tied 1-1 right now in the 9th, with the defending champion Phillies. It's been a real nice pitching duel so far. Philly has won 9 straight, and demolished the Cubbies last night, 10-1. Suffice to say the boys in blue could really use a win here.

Phillies closer Brad Lidge just had a line drive go off his foot right to Jimmy Rollins, who turned the double play to end the Cubs half of the 9th. Ridiculously dumb luck for Lidge. Fun-looking play, though, if I'm rooting for the other team.

Tonight's top 10 list:

Top 10 country singers (solo artists only):

10. Gary Allan
9. Chris Cagle
8. Luke Bryan
7. Sara Evans
6. Pat Green
5. Toby Keith
4. Taylor Swift
3. Trace Adkins
2. Jack Ingram
1. James Otto



I thought this would be a lot easier. I had a list of 20+ people originally typed in, and had to trim it to 10. If you listen to country at all, share some thoughts!!

The ones I left off...
George Straight, Jason Michael Carroll, Garth Brooks, Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Billy Currington

D, out.

That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.

Day 20: Complete

Morning session: 11.52 miles
Evening session: 5.18 miles
Total distance: 16.70 miles

Milestone reached: 250-mile mark

Took awhile getting around (soreness) for the morning run, but completed a new career high once I did. The evening run came at 4:30 (which meant only about 3 hours between runs), due to the Cubs being on at 6 again.

10.78 miles tomorrow would give me a 100-mile week. I can't believe I've trimmed it that close, but it's attainable.

Movie now: The Legend of Bagger Vance. Great flick. Had to watch it for Philosophy of Religion class at Kansas Wesleyan University. Loved it, so I bought it.


Movie from earlier: The Greatest Game Ever Played. This would crack my top 10--heck, probably top 4 or 5 sports movies of all-time, no lie. Brilliantly directed by Bill Paxton. Great acting by Shia LaBeouf. I tear up every time. Definitely a tug at the heart strings.


Note: If you didn't know, today is the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon. An important day in American history.


That inspires tonight's top 10 list:

Top 10 "I'll never forget where I was when..." moments:

10. Michael Jackson's death--read the news of his heart attack from my friend Nick's Facebook status, while in my basement. Kept up with the updates on TMZ.com, because CNN's coverage during the story was absolutely horrendous.
9. Princess Diana's death--my grandparents house. I didn't know much about her, but I was captivated by the story when the news broke.
8. Michael Jordan's last shot with the Bulls--I was up in my mom's room due to bad reception in the basement, as I watched MJ knock off the Jazz. Before watching his comeback with Washington, it seemed inevitable that it would be Mike's last shot, even before he took it. Perfect script, great game, great shot.
7. "Music City Miracle," 2000. Tennessee Titans beat the Buffalo Bills, and advance to the Super Bowl on a last-second kick return after a cross-field lateral pass from tight end Frank Wycheck to receiver Kevin Dyson. I'll never forget the call on that play: "He's got somethin'...he's got somethin'...he's got it, he's got it...he's got it...endzone! Touchdown--Titans! There-are-NO-flags-on-the-field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
6. 2004 ALCS; Red Sox shock Yankees--A playoff volleyball game at McPherson College. It was Game 7, and in between sets, me and my basketball buddies would all run out to the lobby to check the score on the big screen. Fun times.
5. Bombing at OKC Federal building--3rd grade classroom. A classmate who was sick the first 2 hours of the day showed up, and shared the news with us. No one believed him. Even made the teacher mad that he'd make up such an awful thing.
4. 2001 World Series; Diamondbacks stun Yankees--sitting in our basement's living room with my little brother, Phil. It seemed to be all-but-over. Rivera on the hill, with a lead? But no. What a finish.
3. OJ Simpson (and Al Cowlings), Bronco chase--unlike most 9 year olds, I knew quite a bit about OJ (sports nut, you know) before the murder charges ever came about, so I was invested in the story from Day 1. I remember watching police cars follow his white Bronco all along that California highway in 1994 from the couch in our old trailer with my sister.
2. Joe Carter, 1993 (Blue Jays win '93 World Series on one of the biggest home runs ever hit--by a former WSU Shocker, no less)--laying on the floor of our old trailer. Went absolutely nuts. I knew then, as an 8 year old, that I'd just witness one of the most important hits in baseball history.
1. 9/11 attacks--Mr. Johnson's classroom (after having Algebra interrupted) at PPHS. The world stood still that day.

D, out.

Deep in the throes of the Friendly Confines...

Day 19: INomplete

Morning session: 3.27 miles
Evening session: 8.23 miles
Total distance: 11.50 miles

The early run had to be short due to time I got up, and the time the Cubs game came on. Story of my life. *which I make zero apologies for* :)

Also, no one showed for basketball, so I had to get a little running in on the High School's track. Very different feeling, running around a quarter-mile rubberized track, rather than mile-long dirt road straights.

Meanwhile, I need to average 13.74 miles over the next 2 days in order to finish with a 100-mile week, which would be pretty sweet. Here's hoping...

Movie now: Fever Pitch. Sweet flick, and basically my life (if it were the Cubs, anyway).


Thought: Drew Barrymore is not that cute. Why do so many people think she is? It's gotta be the E.T. carryover effect, because otherwise, I don't get it. But even then, that was 27 years ago, folks. Move on.

Tonight's top 10 list:

Top 10 places to see before I die (top of my head):

10. All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club--Wimbeldon--London, England
9. Dodger Stadium--Los Angeles, CA
8. Eiffel Tower--Paris, France
7. Any random hillside--Ireland
6. The ocean--whichever
5. Water streets (not sure if they have an official name)--Venice, Italy
4. Palm trees--Hawaii
3. The beach--wherever
2. United Center--Chicago, IL (more specifically, the MJ statue outside)
1. Wrigley Field--Chicago, IL.

This will be the most clear-cut #1 of any top 10 I ever do.

D, out.

I would fight Jesse James if I had to...

Day 18: Complete

Morning session: 8.16 miles
Evening session: 6.12 miles
Total distance: 14.28 miles

Today was a day of soreness. The evening run came at 4:30ish, since the Cubs game came on at 6, so less time off in between runs hurt a little bit, too. But I'm now at the point (give or take 1/2 a mile) where I was through all of last June (approximately 225 miles). And it's only the 18th. Not bad, I figure.

Note: I'm suddenly noticing that my calves are hard as rock right now (compared to what I'm used to, anyway). That's a good thing--right? Maybe. I dunno.

I really should be doing some serious sit-ups and push-ups, in order to work on the midsection, and increase my weight loss opportunities, but after all the running, I'm generally just too sore. Oops. :)

Next movie on tap: Hardball. Funny, yet touching flick. Definitely worth watching, whether you've seen it or not...


Tonight's top 10 list:

Top 10 celebrity crushes:

Honorable mentions to Taylor Swift, and Hayden Panettiere, who are both worthy, but too young (19) for me to consider legitimate here. Ha!

10. Constance Marie--actress (George Lopez Show) (39)
9. Sue Bird--basketball player (28)
8. Carrie Underwood--singer (26)
7. Becky Hammon--basketball player (32)
6. Reese Witherspoon--actress (33)
5. Rachel Nichols--reporter, ESPN (35)
4. Eva Mendes--actress (35)
3. Julianne Hough--singer/dancer (21. Well, 20 until Monday)
2. Jennifer Nettles--singer (Sugarland lead singer) (34)
1. Sandra Bullock--actress (44)



*And no, I don't care that she turns 45 next week, and is married to one of the toughest dudes on the planet.*

D, out.

200 miles in...

Day 17: Complete

Morning session: 6.76 miles
Evening session: 6.45 miles
Total distance: 13.21 miles

Milestone reached: 200-mile mark

Friday's weekly update: 90.08 miles (12.87 miles/day)
*This is just in the last 7 days (not accumulative), since last Friday's update. Getting the pace back to where it needs to be.*

Accumulative total: 210.37 miles (12.37 miles/day)

This overall average puts me on pace for approximately 383 miles. Reckon I could kill myself trying to reach 400, but that would require a ridiculous stretch over these last 2 weeks. I'd have to average 13.55 over the last 14 days to get there--with no days (or singular runs) off. For now, I'll stick to trying to get to 300 as soon as possible, and take it from there...

Weigh-in: 196.0 lbs

At this rate, I'm on pace to lose approximately 20 lbs (20.97 lbs, to be exact), which would fall short of my goal of 22.5 lbs. Suppose I'd accept losing 20 lbs in a month, but we'll see how the last 2 weeks go...

Movie now: Major League II.
Watched the first one earlier. Classic duo.


Tonight's top 10 list:

Top 10 favorite athletes (during my lifetime):

10. Dennis Rodman--Pistons, Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, Mavericks (NBA)
9. Kurt Warner--Rams, Giants, Cardinals (NFL)
8. Andres Nocioni--Bulls, Kings (NBA)
7. Ryne Sandberg--Cubs (MLB)
6. Carlos Zambrano--Cubs (MLB)
5. Michael Jordan--Bulls, Wizards (NBA), Birmingham Barons (AA Minor League Baseball)
4. Deion Sanders--Falcons, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins, Ravens (NFL), Yankees, Braves, Giants, Reds (MLB)
3. Bo Jackson--Oakland Raiders (NFL), Royals, White Sox, Angels (MLB)
2. Joe Montana--49ers, Chiefs (NFL)
1. Toni Kukoc--Bulls, 76ers, Hawks, Bucks (NBA)

No milestones to come for a few days. I need something to push for. Maybe the idea of a 100-mile week? Off to a solid start (46.74 in 3 days); averaging 13.32 over the next 4 days would get me there. Let's do it...

D, out.

OK now, we're down 12, but we don't stink.

Day 16: Complete

Morning session: 6.13 miles
Evening session: 8.31 miles
Total distance: 14.44 miles

Not a bad follow-up to yesterday's madness. Highest total ever (yesterday), followed by my third highest total (today). I'll take it. I'll hit the 200-mile mark tomorrow, and with still two weeks to go. Whew.

Took my phone along with me on my evening run--was texting with a friend I don't get to talk to often, and it was runnin' time. But I used it to take a few fun pictures of the trail I ran. Here are just a few for now. I'll probably post them all in a Facebook album on August 1. ;)

Speaking of which--man, I miss Facebook. I'm dying to know what all I have waiting for me (messages, wall posts, pokes, friend requests, general notifications, etc) when I return. I hope it's a lot. Ha!

But anyway, yes, I got into a stare-down with a cow. Ha!


Watching the last of my basketball movies: The 6th Man. It's a comedy, but very touching. There are two (OK, three) moments in particular that make me tear up a little bit. Crazy stuff. Can't even get you a pic for that. Really gotta get this net situation hashed out soon. It's ridiculous. Hope I can even get this to post.

In conclusion, as I promised--a list of my top 10 favorite actors (just because). Maybe a top 10 list each day could add to the blogging fun, eh? Any topic suggestions, shoot them my way! :)

Top 10 actors: (a roughly compiled list, surely I'll forget someone)

10. Gene Hackman
9. Clint Eastwood
8. Ashton Kutcher
7. Morgan Freeman
6. Denzel Washington
5. Will Smith
4. Al Pacino
3. Ben Affleck
2. Leonardo DiCaprio
1. Forest Whitaker

Something like that, anyway. Numbers 1 may be forever permanent, and 2-5 are pretty well set. Otherwise, not necessarily so. Top 10 actresses tomorrow? Or maybe singers? Models? Movies? TV shows? Teams? Hmm... :)

D, out.

What is your deepest fear, young man?

Day 15: Complete

Morning session: 11.18 miles
Evening session: 7.91 miles
Total distance: 19.09 miles

Whoa.

Yeah, you read that right. Hit two records today: longest run, and most miles in a day.

The morning run was necessary to make up for lost miles. Actually ventured into some previously-uncharted territory (for me) even farther out in the country than I am already--fun stuff.

The evening run should have been grueling. But it wasn't. Just one "break" of about three minutes of walking, the rest was non-stop. Oh, and it also poured rain on me for about a mile and a half. That was so awesome! Especially since it almost seemed to be falling from a clear blue sky. It was beautiful. And refreshing.

Here's a photo of me running today...

What? You don't think that's me? Yeah, probably not. Check this dude's pants. You know that ain't me. Fun pic, though. :)

Let's just hope I can muster the energy to put in a decent showing tomorrow. I actually felt a little extra bounce (pep, even?) tonight, at the end of my evening run. Contemplating running another mile or 2 to get my day over the 20-mile mark, but I figured I'd get a good meal in, and relax--plus, it's something else to shoot for (20 miles in a day, that is). It's attainable, under the right circumstances, for sure!

I have approximately 45 minutes or so left of Coach Carter. I always forget how much I like it until I throw it in. Samuel L. Jackson is great. He's probably #4 (maybe 5) on my favorite actors list (a list I might have to make official in an upcoming blog, eh?)...


After that...Celtic Pride. A hilarious classic. Whether you're a basketball nut like me, or not, if you haven't seen it, shame on you. It's downright hysterical!


D, out.