In a New York state of mind…
By Kevin | January 24, 2010
No, I’m not talking about the Jets…although I definitely enjoyed their exciting run into the playoffs as the underdog.
Could this be the year for the New York City Marathon for me? In reviewing the entry rules, it seems I should hear something in late January about my “guaranteed entry” for 2010. The lottery rules state that if a runner is denied entry for three consecutive years, then he or she is guaranteed entry in the next year. So, I’m expecting to be notified soon about being granted guaranteed entry, since I’ve been denied in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
With that on the horizon (if you can call November the horizon), it’s time to start training again! Although I got one more state completed in 2009, I didn’t train very well for it, and from May through the rest of the year, I hardly ran at all. So, physically speaking, I lost a lot in 2009. I’m pretty-much starting out from scratch again. I literally had a whopping 3 days of running between the NJ Marathon (May, 2009) and today. The last of those three was a rather impulsive 11-mile run in November, despite not having run much at all since the marathon in May. It felt good to be out there, but I know I need to build-up more gradually to the NYC Marathon, especially because of the hilly course. Mentally, however, that run was a huge confidence-builder. To be able to go out and run a cold-turkey 11-miler (even if it was slow) was more than I thought I was capable of at that time.
The NYC Marathon is not known as a fast marathon. It is known primarily for being HUGE, and LOUD, and unforgettable…but not for being fast. The course is surprisingly hilly, especially between mile 20 and the finish. Many of the hills are both steep and long, usually because you are running either up or down a bridge, an on-ramp, or an exit-ramp. Running through Central Park has some rolling hills, and then there is a significantly steep incline for the last quarter-mile or so to the finish.
So, I’ve got basically 9-months to prepare, which should be more than enough time to re-build a solid base, build my mileage, attack some speedwork and hills, throw in a few short practice races, and taper well to November 5th. Stay tuned…this could be an interesting training year!
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Studio-C Camp-Out
By Kevin | December 4, 2009
I’m writing this from my cozy tent in Boulder. Sounds nice to say it that way, but my tent is on the concrete in front of the Ultimate Electronics in town. It’s the ninth consecutive year (I think) I’ve braved the cold to wait in line for the release of the annual KBCO-FM Studio-C disc. It typically sells out in a matter of hours, but I like to sleep well and not have to wake up at 4am, or whatever. I also like to have my Saturday, instead of spending half of the morning waiting in line.
Check out www.kbco.com if you want to know more about the disc. In short, it’s the “best of” compilation from the year’s worth of live performances on-air from Studio-C, which actually started with Melissa Etheridge in the hallway of the station in 1988. The performances are typically unique, stripped-down versions of great songs by both well-known and lesser-known artists. KBCO is credited with giving some incredible artists their start.
The tradition has become a holiday event, and proceeds from the sale of the discs go to the Boulder County AIDS Project. Discs are limited production, and old ones typically go for hundreds, even thousands of dollars, online. Luckily, I’ve got ‘em all so
far…and they are all among my most listened-to CDs.
I’m missing my buddy Steve this year, who used to camp out with me, but he now lives in Wisconsin. So, the tent actually feels roomy this year, and the iPhone is a poor substitute for company. Nonetheless, it’s nearly midnight (arrived here at 10:30), and the temperature is plummeting (my dashboard said it was 8-degrees when I drove up). I’m quite warm, however, in my tent, on my air mattress (yep…all about the comfort…and, of course, some insulation from the concrete), inside two sleeping bags, with all kinds of layers on.
I’ve also got my thermos of hot tea, and a great book by Jeff Galloway, “Running Until You’re 100″, which I hope to be blessed enough to do…while listening to a huge Studio-C playlist on my runs! Here’s to another year of a great Boulder tradition!! Thanks KBCO!
Topics: Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Cannonball!
By Kevin | November 8, 2009
On Sunday, I jumped back into my running shoes with gusto…a 10.9 mile run with my neighbor, Roberta. It was probably a longer run than I would have done on my own, but I honestly might not have made it out the door otherwise. Roberta is an experienced half-marathoner who is new to the full 26.2, and is having great success with the Galloway run/walk/run method. After meeting Jeff and talking with him about her training, she’s been working with intervals of 20-seconds running and 40-second walk-breaks. Knowing this, I thought it would be a good bit of restraint for only my second run in about 6 months, going back to the NJ Marathon in May.
It was a great run. It felt good as soon as the door closed behind me and I was welcomed by a beautiful Colorado morning, wearing shorts in November, just a week after we had over two-feet of snow on the ground. Before I even got off my porch, I felt like saying, “Hey, I’m back!”
The intervals were much shorter than I’ve used in the past, but they didn’t take long for me to accomodate, maybe because I’ve used Galloway’s training method before. It made the 10.9 miles much more reasonable as my first long run in a long time.
The next morning, I felt some soreness in my hips, surely from making more use of the walking muscles than I have before. However, it was gone after a day…a testament to Galloway’s method. What’s more, I felt like I could have easily kept going after almost 11 miles…my longest distance by far since 26.2 in May.
So, thanks Roberta, for your great running company, and for your structured restraint on my first day jumping back into the pool. I’m back!
CANNONBALL!!!
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Did someone turn off Summer?
By Kevin | October 26, 2009
Watching the snow falling today (not the first day of snow this month) made something click for me: it’s not summer anymore! What happened to all my good intentions of building up my mileage again for a fall/winter marathon? My motivation has been “re-routed” to new discoveries and experiences with my kids, two new jobs, trying to support Bethany in her new job, a family vacation to Italy, and countless other paths.
It’s been a good and full summer…and it happened without running…almost none at all! AND, my summers from here on will be quite different now that Bethany and I are both working in schools. Bethany will be completely off, and I’ll be on 100% flex-time. My brain is already spinning ideas of how many fun family adventures we can cram into next summer. Admittedly, I’m also thinking of how many marathons I could fit into next summer! Okay, really honestly, I’m wondering if it’s enough of a workload-lightening to make my Ironman dream a reality?
I know, all this sounds pretty selfish, eh? I guess there’s some truth to that, although I’m totally convinced that I’m a better husband, father, son, brother, friend, neighbor, and employee when I’m running and training. Hmmm…
So, anyway, who’s ready for some skiing?
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Ciao Italia!
By Kevin | September 27, 2009
We returned this week from our adventure to Italy, and it will take me a while to get through all the photos (over 2,000 of them!). We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to make the trip. Ten years ago during our honeymoon in Italy, Bethany and I made a commitment to each other that we’d return to celebrate our 10th anniversary. We didn’t know if it would even be possible, especially now with a four-year-old and a one-year-old. But, with the support of our family, we made the trip!
Traveling around in a group of 16 people (including five of them who are 4-years-old or younger) made for some challenges. Yet, now that we’re home, and we are hearing Garrett tell his teacher and his friends about his trip, we’re so glad we brought them. Gillian may not remember much (I sure don’t remember anything from when I was 14-months old), but she’ll be able to see lots of photos of her first international experience. There’s lots more to write about, and I’ll try to put it into some kind of order that makes sense on here…a little at a time as I sort through the mountain of photos!
Topics: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Back to School!
By Kevin | August 31, 2009
This time around, back-to-school is taking on a whole new meaning for me. It’s been an amazing, and overwhelming, start to the school year! My new job as Dean of School Culture at Flagstaff Academy is still being defined as I go, as it’s a brand new position for the school too. So, lots of ambiguity, and lots of amazing opportunity.
We’re now into our second full week of school, and the dust is starting to settle. Although I still have boxes of books and files to unpack and organize in my office, students are starting to find their groove, and the teachers are too. I’m being reminded everyday how incredible teachers are. They are SO dedicated to the success of their students, so overworked, underpaid, etc…yet they still give it their all for 9 months. They are constantly working late, coming in on weekends to prepare, bringing work home, and seemingly always thinking about “their kids”.
More about all this later. I’m just so appreciative of the opportunity to serve this school, and loving my job more each day!
Topics: Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
Transition day!
By Kevin | July 30, 2009
Today was my last day as Director of Community Affairs & Restorative Justice at the Lafayette Police Department. I said my goodbyes, did my exit interview, and even got a farewell lunch. I packed up my personal stuff, handed in my Police stuff, and drove home with a car-full of boxes, pictures, and plants.
After the kids were in bed tonight, I headed to my new office at Flagstaff Academy to unload. In my office was a file labeled “Dean of School Culture – Kevin Pugh”. I paused and suddenly felt like it was real. Despite already having some exciting planning meetings with the Principal and Assistant Principal, it took a pile of boxes, and this file to make it seem real. Or, maybe I just needed to finish one book before I could really get into the next one?
Thank you Lafayette Police Department for over four years of valuable experience with you. Now I know what I was getting ready for.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Yardwork love
By Kevin | June 26, 2009
What is it about doing yardwork with my dad that makes the world seem right? With my parents visiting us from NJ, my father and I spent the day cleaning up the yard in preparation for Gillian’s 1st birthday party tomorrow. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about working hard, outside, with my dad, that just feels comforting.
Maybe it’s something related to all the time my brothers and I spent with him working on the yard, or the addition to the house. For some of our time growing up, it seemed that that’s where love was shared with dad.
And while we were outside, my mother was perfecting her famous pasta sauce that we grew up calling “red gravy”. There was something that hit me today when I came inside and smelled that Italian love wafting through the air.
Then, later, to see them smiling and full of pure joy with my kids…they were clearly relishing every moment, and couldn’t have been any more full of grandparent-love.
Despite the stressors and challenges of life lately, it just felt good today to have my parents here, showing love in ways that are uniquely them.
Thanks Mom & Dad, I love you!
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
Fire on the mountain
By Kevin | June 23, 2009
The first full day of summer treated us Front Range Colorado folks to an incredible sunset show over the peaks last night. I don’t normally blog like this when I’ve got nothing to say…but, truly, I can’t say anything good enough for what I saw last night. So, I’ll just share some quick pics I took looking over my backyard fence. Oh, how I love our backyard! Follow this link to see a bunch of the photos on my Facebook page.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
3 Best Things About Mondays
By Kevin | June 23, 2009
It’s actually Tuesday now as I’m writing this (just barely). I can’t sleep, and I’m thinking about why people dislike Mondays so much. As if I’m one to comment on that, as an avid disliker of the work-week re-entry myself.
However, there are a few things I do actually like about Mondays. Here they are, in no particular order:
1: rest day – that’s right, in all my marathon training, Mondays are typically a rest day, after a long-run Sunday. It’s not that I like it because there’s no run workout. I like it because it means I’ve earned it.
2: refresh button – like the one you hit when web surfing, Mondays are always a fresh shot at another week. Possibility hasn’t yet been tainted by cynicism or haters. It’s there like a ripe banana, ready for you to peel. What you do with it is up to you, of course. Try peeling it from the bottom up this week…just because.
3: reflection – I find myself reflecting more about the previous week on Mondays than at any other time. That reflection serves me well as I enter another week of the crap that makes me crave the weekend in the first place. My anticipation and readiness are primed and ready, and my patience and tolerance are at their peak. I’m focused and determined, and dreaming with passion…
…then comes Tuesday.
Topics: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »