A Passion for Running

Christopher is three today.

There is no describing the happiness this little man brings me. Prior to becoming Christopher’s daddy, noone could have come close to describing the bond I’d grow to have with him.

One of the thoughts I often have when writing in this blog is that someday, my kids will read this and see it as a kind of window into daddy’s soul. With that thought in mind, these words are for you Christopher…

I love you boy. More than anything. There was, not so long ago, a time of great sadness when I thought I wasn’t going to get to be a daddy. It’s that memory I cling to whenever I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into each time I watch you pound my living room walls into pulp with anything you can find resembling a hammer, or wear down my patience with “why daddy, why daddy, why daddy…”

I remember the horror of seeing you fall off that ledge when you were only one year old and thinking…I’d lost you. I still have nightmares about that moment, but I also am grateful knowing it was God’s/the universe’s plan for teaching me the preciousness of your life.

I would step in front of a car for you Christopher. I would battle a hundred soldiers and trade my life to save yours and I’d make the decision to do so in less than a heartbeat.

Make my life Christopher. Grow up to be a happy, strong, honourable man.

You are my joy. Never forget that.

All my love Monkey Boy,
~Dad

Work is still really stressful but I realized something today. Apparently, if I fit a run into a day, I can manage my stress much better…

duh!

Of course, this is something I know all to well but I’m always struck by how much better I can feel after a run – even a short 2.5 mile run like today’s. I was uber-stressed by the time I left work today, and 30 minutes later was pretty much a new man.

Endorphins? Oxygenation? Psychological? I don’t really care because all I know is I’ve had some relief and that’s definitely a good thing, Martha.
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Stress relief aside, today’s run really rocked. The pose method and running barefoot are making my feet strong and running on the balls of my feet feels more and more natural with each run.

Dr. Romanov stresses how the elasticity of a muscle is much more important than it’s size and strength. So, what’s elasticity? Well, as I’m coming to understand it, it’s the “springiness factor” – or how quickly and effortlessly one’s muscles bounce back to their natural state after being compressed…or is that stretched?. At any rate, in running, elasticity translates into how light you are on your feet, or how short a time you spend on the ground.

Before I began my trip down posie lane (that’s for my chi-a pet friend Jon) and barefoot avenue I ran like an elephant. I ran with heavy, trudging steps. Now, and with each successive run, I feel lighter and quicker on my feet.

It’s all about attaining correct form, practicing form and gaining endurance in form. Why the hell didn’t someone tell me about all this 10 years ago? I bet if someone had, I’d be kicking Chelle, Adeel and Alison’s butts all over the pavement. Right? Thought so. Thanks for agreeing.

I’m getting excited about running again and I really want to do a 5k in the fall – maybe even as soon as August. I think I’ll go check out some race calendars.

P.S. Thanks everyone for your uplifting comments. I love you man. No, I really love you. (think Wayne’s World).

We had a great time and made it back but I’m buried at work and at home.

I will post more perhaps later this evening! Take care all.

Did another two miles barefoot after work yesterday. That first mile was a bit tough with the soreness I described yesterday but things loosened up after that.

As part II of the bachelor festivities, my friend Tom and I are taking Aaron on a weekend getaway to a cabin in Jasper. We’re gonna do some fishing (not sure if we’ll actually catch any fish), drinking, eating and maybe even a bit of hiking. The weather forecast is looking good. Wish us luck.

See ya later and have a great weekend (it’s a long weekend up here in the Great White North).