A new Challenge.

I have decided to undertake a fun challenge for the next 38 days...well more like 35 now.  (See this article)  Along with my sister Trish, her boyfriend Omar, and a few of their friends, we have embarked on the runner's world RUN-Streak challenge.  Thirty-eight straight days of running at least 1 mile, finally finishing with at least 38 miles in one month.  Seems easy enough right?  I am just going to run my normal schedule and then on my off days or spin days I am going to supplement with a 1 mile running warm up or cool down to keep the streak alive.


These are the rules of the Challenge from my sisters blog about the challenge (feel free to follow along if you like!):


The Rules are simple:

• Every day between Monday May 28th and Wednesday July 4th you must run at least 1 mile
• You can run more than 1 mile, but you must run 1 mile every day
• You cannot skip a day and double up on mileage the following day

Today I didn't have a run scheduled because I work 9-9 so I decided to get up before work and before Noah gets up to go for a run on the treadmill at 5:30am.  Well, needless to say the treadmill is too loud to be used at 5:30am in our house because it woke up Noah and the wife.  So it appears as though I will be pounding the pavement around the neighborhood from now on.  (Sorry Honey!!).  I coasted through a 5 minute warm-up, 14 minute run (1.75 miles-I was DOGGING it...and sleepy), and a 5 minute cool down.

Tomorrow is an off day from work so depending on Noah's naps I am going to try to squeeze in 3 to 5 miles on the treadmill.  

In an effort to motivate my readers who may or may not be runners, I am challenging you for the next 35 days to get up and get moving.  Give me 15 minutes of your day until the 4th of July.  You can run for 15 minutes, walk for 15 minutes, bike for (well maybe a little longer than 15) lets say 30, or do some form of cardio for at least 15 minutes a day.  If you aren't healthy enough to exercise then see a Doctor first, use your brain, don't hurt yourself!!  Substitute something healthy like fruits or veggies for the snack foods during the day and try to avoid the greasy processed foods.  By the 4th of July I bet you will be feeling healthier and looking leaner!  Then when you get to that point we can discuss the next fitdad challenge!    WHO'S WITH ME??!!! WE'RE GOIN STREAKIN!! WOOOO!

Thank you, and always remembered.

Today is a special day in this country, sure there are picnics, parties, friends, and food.  What I am really talking about though is Memorial Day, not the party, the memories.  Taking time to pause and thank those who have served.  Taking a minute or two of your day to remember those who have died protecting your freedoms. When you see a soldier today, tomorrow, or any day make sure you thank them.  You don't have do make a scene, you don't have to scream it from the rafters.  You can just pick up the tab when you see them out to breakfast with their families.  You can offer them a smile and a coffee when you see them in an airport decked out in their fatigues.  A simple Hello and thank you can go a long way in healing a troubled soldiers heart.  My brother Andy is now out of the Marine Corp, but he will always be a Marine.  He has seen and experienced things that no human ever should.  He has lost soldiers around him, many of whom were friends.  He doesn't show it, but I know my brother and I know he carries that close to his heart.  He is a stronger and better man than I.  I am profoundly and deeply thankful for everything these brave men and women have done for us.  Past, present, and future soldiers, you have my deepest gratitude and thanks.  This Memorial Day when you hang your flags, don your read white and blue, and fire up your grills, remember to take a minute, bow your head, and thank those who have served.  There is a soldier out there that needs to hear that everything is going to be ok, and that they have your support.

I hope everyone has a Happy, Safe, and FREE Memorial Day.

Two of my favorite prints that I have hung around the house: