Fall, My Favorite Season

October in Chicago, a wonderful time of vibrant colors and falling temperatures. It is my favorite season. Maybe because I view my life as being in the same season. Possibly because it's marathon season. Whatever the reason, it's the season. A lot has happened lately. I had a wonderful weekend in Grand Rapids completing the Metro Health Half-Marathon in 2:30:09. Great race until I had to run alone. I have to practice my mental strength because my body always defeats my mind and it should be the other way around. Gopala is my guru. My 69 year old running partner ran a 4:29:38 marathon qualifying once again for the Boston Marathon. What a tremendous accomplishment. It shows me what can be done in terms of preparation, persistence, and mental strength. Eileen, my other regular running partner, ran a 2:21:00 half-marathon and finished second in her age group at 65 years young. Solid performances by my friends. And then there was my whole-hearted average result. But that's OK, I'll be back. I am already trying to plan my next race because I have a plan. And it will work. No more 26.2 mile marathons until I can finish 13.1 miles in 2:15:00 or faster. I like the Half-Marathon...long enough to be a test but you can comfortably walk around the day after. So there is the Plan, now Ricky, go execute.
October, more change is in the air. My daughter Lauren is moving back to Wheaton to focus on finding a career and structuring her life more effectively. I appreciate and applaud Cheryl for opening her home and helping out at this important time. I only hope my daughter will someday understand my frustration in her almost constant neglect of my suggestions. I KNOW two specific actions would help her immmensly. Make exercise a habit, especially running two or three times weekly, and signing up for the free web-based financial service Mint.com. If Lauren committed to thirty days of doing these two suggestions, she would reap tremendous life shaping benefits. But, NO, Dad suggested them, I will find my own way out of my swamp of difficulty.
October, the peak of football season in high school. And what a year it has been for the Glen Ellyn Hilltoppers. Undefeated at 9 wins and 0 losses, conference Champion in the West Suburban Silver Conference! And a number one seed in the Class 7A state playoffs! The Hilltoppers have an excellent chance at going down state but they will have to beat perennial powerhouse Wheaton-Warrenville South to get there. They can do it, but I will miss the playoffs because I am heading to Florida twice in November. What a difference a Coach makes.
October, a wonderful time of year and a challenging time of Life. Thank you, Lord, for Fall.

Volunteering at the Chicago Marathon

Time for a very quick ramble. Yesterday, I volunteered at the Chicago Marathon from 6:30am to 2:00pm, a very long day but definitely worth it. Chicago's marathon is a little snakebit by the fact that this was the second really warm and sunny race in a row. While working the 20 mile water-station with many of my fellow Glen Ellyn Runners I realized why I run. A marathon is by far a celebration of life more than an endurance challenge. It is why there should be constant faith in the human spirit. The passion, commitment and determination on the faces of 35,000 runners is enough to renew my commitment to fighting the battle, every day, every hour and every minute. Thank you Lord for allowing me in the Race.

I Am a Cub Fan....It's Hard

Time for a quick ramble. The morning after, it's always the hardest time. Win 97 games and, now, down 0-2 to the Dodgers in the playoffs. Best team in the National League this year. It means nothing. The Cubs have choked badly. Yes, that is the proper 'sports' term for this performance. Solid players and men of character find themselves behind in the pursuit of the ultimate goal. It won't happen this year.
Wait until next year! Ah, that's even better than 'Go Cubs Go'. All is normal in Cub nation. This is so hard to process, it truly hurts me. The 'curse' still exists. Baloney, these are the Cubs! Go Cubs, over.