Back on Track, I Suppose

Total miles run since entry to NYC marathon/this year: 27.26/345.75
Total distance(in miles) swam since entry to marathon: 1.38
Exercise calories burned since entry/this year: 4,427/60,392
Weight: 199
Beers in last 24 hours: 0
Total money raised to date: $325


Today, we'll start with a scene from one of my favorite places – The Saddle. It's at an altitude of about 11,600 feet above sea level on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona. It's really the final resting point before making the final ascent the top of the 12,633-foot Mt. Humphries, the tallest mountain in Arizona. I climbed it in late May with my friend Eric. I thought it would be a nice way to start things off today.

Things are getting back on track, indeed. Today, we sent off another edition of College Times to the press - only one more to go before we return to our normal weekly publishing schedule and the real insanity starts up. We're working on some tweaks to the design that I think will really enhance its readability and usefullness – not that many of you out there care about work related things, but I've spent a lot of time on it lately, so it's been on my mind. It was a big relief to get it off to the printer, so we can see the finished product in final form and make any necessary adjustments.

Dontaions continue to keep coming in, almost on a daily basis now. Today I received one from a former co-worker of mine, Lindsey, who has taken a fellowship in the engineering department at Arizona State University. It was very unexpected. Thank you, Lindsey. The kind words in your letter were also a big booster. I wish you could've stayed around the old CT. We'll miss you. And don't worry, another Dos Gringos trip is definately in order. You name the time and place, and the crew will be there.

I've opted to join the Team Phoenix crew - that is the 20 or so of us from Phoenix who will be racing in the New York Marathon. It's amazing to think in a city of 3.7 million, there are just 20 or so of us making the journey. Actually, that's kind of cool. And there are just 10 of us fundraising, so, ultimately all of our money will be pooled together as Team Phoenix's contribution. Many of the peeople that are a part of Team Phoenix have experience raising money – they've apparently raised money for Stroke research in several other instances.

Anyway, for Phoenix-area people, this means there will be other, more social opportunities, to help our cause, including three wine tastings, and a karaoke contest in August, September and October. Actual dates to follow in future blogs.

Not too much exciting happened on the home front today. The new training schedule requires me to do push-ups and sit-ups, which I haven't done in years. I can do three push-ups in a row!?! How pathetic is that? I can run 26 miles in one strecth, but I can only do three push ups? The coaches involved in the training this time around are determined to change that.

Made burritos for dinner for the family, worked out, vacuumed the house, ate six Tuxedo's (Oreo knockoffs made by Safeway) with a glass of milk, put some songs on my iPod, and typed up this blog. That was my day, besides work ... Exciting stuff, eh? Tomorrow morning, my boy G gets here, though. So that should be rope-a-dope.

In more somber news, there's a serial killer and aserial rapist both running around Phoenix right now. The killer has been linked to 34 shootings, including 13 in the last two months. Five people have died. The rapist has killed six people since August. Phoenix police say they have few clues, and people are starting to freak out a bit. As can be expected, the local television media is having a field day, whipping up the frenzy a bit more. I don't know what to think. I hope they catch the bastards soon, though. For those of you out-of-towners, if you haven't heard about this news, you will soon. The national media is starting to jump on this story.

Sorry to end on such a somber note today ... just wanna let you know what's shakin' in my world.

Thinking more positively, though, please remember that your donations are always appreciated and needed. Let's help some more at-risk children get the nutrition, physical and exercise help they need.

You can now go straight to www.TeamForKids.org and click on the donation and click on the donation link, then click on the donate for a member button. My race number is 58138.

That, my friends, is all for tonight. Until we meet again ...