I’ve always felt young. But for the first time in my life I’m actually feeling old. My birthday is on Sunday and I don’t like the number I’m staring at.
I’ll be 35. I don’t know why, but looking at the 3 and the 5 sitting next to each other looks terrible. Birthdays have never bothered me. They haven’t been exciting ever since I turned 21, but I’ve always looked forward to them. A lot of people don’t like their birthdays and don’t like to celebrate them. I’ve never really understood that feeling … until now.
I’m not dreading it, and I’m looking forward to whatever Tiff has planned (she has something planned, but I have no idea what). November 22 will always be the one day out of the year that I own. But I’m really bothered by this 35 thing. I’ll admit it. I’m not young any more. But this should be a good year. I think I’ve probably got about 55 or so marathons to run before my 36th birthday (OUCH, 36 … for real?) and hopefully lots of good things to accomplish. But I’ll be accomplishing them as a semi-old man.
Standard introduction: If this is your first visit here, I’m a marathoner and a father of three โ but not in that order. My middle child, 6-year-old Jack, is severely autistic and next year I’m planning on running 60 marathons in his honor to try to raise money and nationwide awareness for Train 4 Autism, a wonderful charity.
Running Update
This morning, I woke up, was super-tired, got out the door, stood on my porch and went back inside and went to sleep. I was just too tired. Sometimes I’m sleepy and sometimes I’m also physically tired. That was today. Somehow, I think I’ll be OK tomorrow.
Yesterday, I ran 14.15 or something like that at 8:00/mile. I had some fairly quick sections, I took some sections easy, and all-in-all, I’m starting to feel better about how the wheels are turning. My heart rate has been fairly high in the chilly weather this week (low 40s, chilly for here), but I don’t care about that. I just care about the speed I’m getting up and down my hills. There’s a portion of my run that reminds me a lot of some of the downhills in Tucson. On those portions in 2007, when I ran my 3:00:05, I was running in the 6:35-6:45 range, and yesteray I was right around 6:30 or so at a good, solid (but less than marathon HR) effort. I need 6:52s. So, I’m getting some confidence. Part of that is also because of …
Weight Loss Update
About a month ago, I was feeling heavy, typically weighing in the 203-206 range. I’ve never really been below about 195 or so since I’ve been running marathons and my average weight has probably been in the 198-200 range. I decided I want to weight 190 when I start Operation Jack next year, and even though I haven’t gotten down that far since I started running, I don’t think that’s an unrealistic goal. It’s been about a month since I’ve been working at it and yesterday when I weighed in, I was 197.5. They say it’s two seconds per mile in a marathon per pound of weight loss. So, I like the direction that’s going. But I’m still enjoying myself. Which brings me to …
Ice Cream Update
I ran the streak to 29 days in a row with ice cream or frozen yogurt yesterday, leaving me 80 days behind my personal best. Yesterday’s was a pretty sweet serving.
I was at Costco, getting my hot dog lunch, when I noticed the woman in the line next to me fixing a tall cup of vanilla yogurt for the man in her line. She packed it in โ not a lot of space wasted on air โ plus she swirled it tall. It had to be the best serving I’ve ever seen at Costco, and I’ve seen plenty. So when I went back after finishing my hot dog, I made certain to get in her line. I normally get a vanilla/chocolate swirl, but she poured that man a vanilla, and I didn’t want to mess with something that was working. I ordered a vanilla, and she came through in the clutch for me. My serving was easily 20 percent larger than normal. $1.47 well spent.
Go Orange Strikers!
My 8-year-old son Bejamin’s soccer team is playing in the Region 85 U9 playoffs on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. And if when then win, they’ll advance to the championship game later that afternoon. His team has been a blast to watch this year. They have great coaches, some great players and they’re a lot of fun to watch. They’re just a bunch of young kids, but they sure do play hard and have a lot of fun together as a team. I’ve watched all the games and practices this year, and it sure has been a treat.
Sunday is going to be the year-end party for the team. There’s going to be a parents vs. kids soccer game and I think those 8-year-olds are going to make us look bad!
That’s All For Today!
I highly doubt I’ll blog tomorrow, so have a great weekend everybody! Good luck Ally!
adair renning says
Happy Birthday Sam!! Sunday is my daughter Meghann’s birthday too! And, BTW, it’s the 16th Anniversary of your 29th birthday!! Does that help?
Shane Loper says
Happy Birthday! You are only as old as you will allow your mind to tell you!
Ben Delaney says
Sam, remember we will always be younger then Kevin and Brad. So no matter how old you might feel, they will always feel older then us. Just sayin’.
Ally Phillips says
You aren’t old—sheesh!!! Happy Birthday, I hope it’s a great day–even if you do get schooled by a bunch of 8 year old soccer players (but, they’re intense, I’ve seen kids play soccer–I’d actually be a wee bit scared–but, then again, I’m a wimp).
Um, and a Costco dog–that’s like heaven at lunch–if of course you can’t get to In N Out.
Great job on the weight loss–I’m still fighting that battle, but, oh well.
Have a great weekend and a great birthday! Thanks for all the support about my first marathon–I can’t wait ๐ Thank you!
Happy Birthday! Enjoy it, and remember, you ARE NOT old!
adair renning says
YIKES!! I’m sorry!! I shouldn’t do math on an empty stomach! Make that 6th anniversary of your 29th b’day!!
john loftus says
Dang you’re ancient. Do you want some whine with that frozen yogurt? 35 huh? 35 years ago I was sort of training for my first marathon. I spent most my time (senior in high school) running. Running after what I’m sure you can figure out. ๐ Happy B-day, old man. At least you are moving into a new AG. ๐
Todd Zankich says
You’ve done pretty well in 35 years! But you have to cut that ice cream if you want to reach 190, and maybe those hot dogs too.
Erin Ruff says
You ARE old! 35 is a tough one. Trust me. That’s when I started having my mid-life crisis and my fascination with climbing tall mountains. But you are already doing incredible things so 35 should be an amazing year for you! Happy Birthday.
Susan Gillette says
35 old? you’ve got to be kidding. i’d gladly trade places with you.
happy b-day sam
your
mother in law