mountain weekend

What an absolutely amazing weekends that both me and the big boy did not want to end. We left friday afternoon for the mountains to spend with my parents while they work on getting a house. We didn't do anything friday evening but go to the hotel, but we made up for that on saturday. We woke up a little late and went to breakfast at a small mom & pop place. We then went to look at the house they are buying and what an amazing thing. The house is absolutely beautiful with a view to die for. Looking at the property as well as the house, I was thinking of all the endless things I would do on the numerous weekends and vacations at this house. We then left and went to go for a nice hike on a trail, the boogerman trail. Very nice horse trail (lots of landmines) that starts off crossing a stream on a tree bridge. The big boy lead the way down the trail with my parents and me following his lead. The weather was absolutely perfect and even better in the shade of the forest trees. We hiked for about a total of 4 miles and we were all ready for lunch when we arrived back at the car. After lunch, we decided to split up and my dad and I would play golf while the big boy and mom would go to the pool park. The golf was great as I played really good for not playing since January. We walked the 18 holes though and the two of us were beat at the end. We all went to dinner afterwards and then a deep sleep back at the hotel. Sunday morning we had a really good breakfast at Joey's Pancake House in Maggie Valley, which will be a regular stop for any mountain trips. The drive home started rough with very heavy traffic leading up to and through Asheville. Still made it home within 3 hours and then I had to go to a Knights of Columbus meeting. I joined that night and am looking forward to doing many good things with them. Still no runs to report but would miss many more for a weekend like that.

Love and hug your loved ones every chance you get. Live everyday to the fullest!

greenway biking

I decided that I was going to take it easy this weekend and spend as much time as possible with the beautiful wife and big boy son. If I was going to get any runs in, I was going to wake up early before they would wake up. Didn't happen. I was exhausted both mornings when I finally did wake up and my usual "natural alarm clock" must have been unplugged. No worries though as I took the big boy for a good bike ride at one of the greenways last evening and we both loved it. He did real good and we are planning on doing more of those adventures very soon. We biked for 30 minutes and were completely soaked with sweat. It was so hot this weekend with the weather staying this way for most of the week. Hoping to get a trip up to the mountains this weekend with the big boy and my dad, waiting for some things that my dad is working on. The big boy starts kindergarden in 3 weeks which we are all very excited and looking forward to it, so I nice time in the mountains would be great.

Love and hug your loved ones every chance you get. Live everyday to the fullest.

Time out is over

Wow, what a crazy long time of no blogging for me. I have been extremely busy at work for the past 2 months and when I get home, I am taking care of a wife and son non stop. I really haven't had many chances to blog or even read up and comment either. I have been getting some runs in and even did several runs in Charleston last month over the ravenel bridge, which was awesome. I have so much going on right now all around me and have been really focused on taking care of the big boy to get ready for starting school this month. We are all very excited and looking forward to starting that chapter in his life. I am planning on getting back to normal blogging and catching up with other blogs as well.

My thoughts and prayers go out to fatty and his family as his wife Susan has passed away after a long and inspiring battle with Cancer. We must all Fight Like Susan! Donate to fatty's livestrong challenge and a chance to win a bike.

Love and hug your loved ones every chance you can. Live everyday to the fullest.

long time no blog while kayaking

Have not had many chances to blog or check all the blogs out there lately. I have gotten some great runs in lately and looking to pick it up even more. The weather has been great even though it is very humid and hot. No complaints though from me. I have been really focused on the beautiful wife and big boy son lately, absolutely loving every second of it. My best friend came for a short visit up here to the Carolina's and we spent the day at the National Whitewater Center and had a blast. The big boy wanted to spend the day with the men so we brought him along as well. We did rock climbing, buddy did the whitewater rafting while the big boy and I watched. The big boy didn't want me to go rafting so I took him flatwater kayaking. This was one of the best days ever. We had so much fun being together and on the water, he has been telling everyone at his school about the day for weeks and he even drew a picture of us kayaking. He is the best boy in the world and I am so blessed to have him and the beautiful wife in my life. I've been looking everyday for a kayak to buy so we can go whenever and wherever we want. I did a 6 mile run saturday morning at 10 and wore a sleeveless tech shirt during the run. I didn't think much of it but I came home and noticed my shoulders were burned. Lesson learned.

Love and hug your loved ones every chance you get. Live everyday to the fullest.

Memorial day

We did celebrate memorial day this weekend as well as I always think of those that have lost their lives while fighting for our freedom during the day. I am very proud of being a veteran myself so it gives me a feeling of what more can I do now for my family and country. I woke up early on monday and head out for a nice 6 mile run. The weather has been a little crazy lately with lots of rain for several short periods of time. It was muggy out but was lucky to not have any rain during the run. I was planning aon some more runs earlier in the weekend but missed the small window of opportunity. Was a good run though and went without the ipod so I enjoyed listening to the birds and other noises during the run. Looking forward to more runs this week and my best friend is coming to visit this weekend for a day so I may do some other funs things as well.

Did spend all weekend with the family and absolutely loved every second of it. We hung out with the big boys best friend from school and they are the two best kids in the world. They had a great time playing and hanging out while the beautiful wife and I hung out with his parents, great time for all as the boys didn't want to say goodbye. We will be hanging out lots more in the future for sure.

Love and hug your loved ones every chance you get. Live everyday to the fullest.

packages

Another great weekend in the books with nothing but family time for all of us. The beautiful wife had taken thursday and friday off to spend with her mom on her birthday and also visiting family staying with the inlaws for the mother-in-law birthday. The usual crazy family stuff going on but we did our own thing and didn't have to deal with any of it, whew. i didn't get anything done on the outside of our house as I wanted to but I did help the wife go through her closet and I have four huge bags of stuff to bring to the battered womans shelter.

I was able to get a trail run in on thursday evening and it was the best. I could tell that I haven't been in a while but was super pumped to get the new shoes dirty and see what they have. They were better than I thought giving me the support and cushioning I needed. I could tell that the area has had lots of rain lately as the whole trail was very technical with lots of roots showing and the usual technical areas were extra technical. A great 6 mile run to start breaking the shoes in and looking forward to many more.

Then I came home on friday to another package at the door for me, two in one week let alone one year, crazy stuff going on. It was a package from I love steaks with a rei waist bottle carrier inside. I'll take pics and post soon, but the nicest and coolest thing ever. I took it out for a short test run sunday morning and it is absolutely awesome, easy to use and very comfortable. I have been trying to think of a way to thank him for the pack and will definetly being sending a thank you package shortly.

The run sunday morning was a little rough but it felt so good to be outside in the quiet morning enjoying the beautiful morning although it was very overcast. Looking forward to many more runs with both the shoes and pack again soon.

Love and hug your loved ones every chance you get. Live everyday to the fullest.

sweet angels on the feet

Check what was at my door last night waiting for me to take them out and get dirty.

I won these by joining the montrail group on facebook. Absolutely amazing thing to win and then when I put them on my feet, beautiful angels disguised as trail shoes. I haven't stopped smiling since I got them. I am planning on taking them out on the trail after work as long as I can make it through today, I keep fighting the urge to leave knowing all my stuff is in my car waiting for me. So excited.

I have been having bad problems with knots in my back this week that made me decide to take yesterday off from all workouts and lay on a heating pad. The beautiful wife even gave me some narcotics to help but still have soreness today. Not sure what to do but I'm not letting it stop me from running the trail, Fo Sho!

Love and hug your loved ones every chance you get. Live everyday to the fullest.