A Passion for Running

Welcome to the home of Mark aka The Running Blogfather – a 40 year-old dad, husband and marathon runner who’s beaten injury and is on the comeback trail!

being on vacation is hard

passion for running category: running on Friday, December 30 2005

I am relaxing? NOT!

I’ve been on vacation this past several days but with Christmas, mortgage stuff and the buying of a van, things have been nuts around here. So, I’ve decided to write this piddly post and concentrate on checking in with everyone else’s blog.

I hope your running is going well. I am eagerly awaiting January 1st – TWO MORE SLEEPS!

the countdown begins

passion for running category: running on Wednesday, December 28 2005

Hey, how was your Christmas?

Just a few days till I get to start running again! I gave myself till January 1st to get the ol’ foot healthy and it feels good so I’m gonna go ahead and start again. Seems rather appropriate that a new year will bring a new start.

But I admit to feeling very nervous. Nervous I’ll injur something again…ONWARD!

merry christmas everyone!

passion for running category: running on Sunday, December 25 2005

To all my running friends out there – have an AMAZING Christmas!

thanks everyone – i’ m not ignoring you

passion for running category: running on Thursday, December 22 2005

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for your recent comments and emails. I intend on writing back to you but it has been really busy on a number of fronts lately.

The most important “front” is that Lori and I are new mortgage owners. We finally “own” (?) our home and the best part is that we’ve put together financing for a major renovation in our kitchen and living room.

We are so excited!

So, as you can imagine, between that, the website and my blogging, I’ve got a lot going on right now so thanks again for your visits. I’ll be in touch soon!

wayne gretzky’s mother passes

passion for running category: heroes on Tuesday, December 20 2005

If you’ve read my 100 things post, you know Wayne Gretzky is one of my heroes. But I’m a fan not just because of Gretzky’s sports accomplishments – I also think very highly of him because of the way he treats people, because of his generosity and grace.

Wayne’s mother has passed on and I just want to express my sadness for the Gretzky family because through the years of following him and his family, I know Gretzky got his outstanding personality traits from his parents. His mother was a wonderful lady.

To the Gretzkys: Take care during this time and please know that others are thinking of you.

grads reunite for marathon

passion for running category: running on Friday, December 16 2005

Check out this article from phillyburbs.com. What a great story!

runners who rock

passion for running category: running, running blog family on Thursday, December 15 2005

This is a meme…the first meme i’ve ever created so you better do it or the blogfather is comin’ after ya! ;)

Your Mission:

1-Create a post titled Runners Who Rock.
2-List three runners who rock and tell us why they rock. Make sure you provide a link to their blog!
3-Tell those three runners about the meme and tag them so they can keep it going.
4-Link to runners who rock and to the blogger who tagged you so we get a ping and can keep track of all the participants!

Ok. Here I go!

1-Annalisa at I Am Running Out of Lifetimes because the Runners Who Rock thing first appeared as the title of her running blog links and for looking so fine in her skinny pants. You rock Annalisa.
2-Nancy at Run Big for being so unbelievably honest in this post. I admire her honesty – even though she is being far too modest. You rock Nancy.
3-Scott for his part in the RBF Fest in Vegas, for designing the group’s uber-cool orange shirts, and for his success in the marathon itself. You rock Scott.

not feeling very deserving

passion for running category: running on Wednesday, December 14 2005

I was honored to see my blog make it on the Top Ten Sources for Running website but I can’t help but feel (at this moment) rather undeserving. A runner who isn’t running? Hmmm…

Perhaps, it is the battle I’m engaged in to return to running and become a better, injury-free runner that is important?

If there’s one stat I know very well, it’s that 1/3 of runners are injured every year, so I hope that my not giving up (I will not give up) and eventually winning this battle (I will win) will inspire others to forge on also.

Are you sticking with me during these lean running days for that purpose? Are you rooting for the underdog? Are you relating to this battle and, in doing so, rooting for yourself?

We all have our struggles and I strongly believe they are put in our lives to help us grow so I am wondering about the challenges you are facing.

What’s your battle and how are you doing with it? I want to hear from you.

so the plan is…

passion for running category: running on Monday, December 12 2005

Thanks for everyone’s advice and comments on my last post. The consensus was to hold off and do some cross-training so your wish is my command. How did you all get to be so wise? :)

I have been doing some cross-training. Aaron and I swim every Saturday morning. I’ve been averaging 700 meter swims lately and I must say I feel good in the pool. Amazing considering I was afraid of the water a year ago.

And I’ve been occassionally getting into the gym. Gotta do more of that + Aaron has offered to get me spinning at his place since he and his wife have trainers set up in their home.

Thanks everyone!

what would you do?

passion for running category: running on Friday, December 9 2005

So, here I am. Injured but almost recovered. The foot feels pretty good but there is just this hint of pain – no, not pain – discomfort when I run 10 feet or so. Each week, I tell myself to wait another week and here I am at about the 6 week mark. What I’ve read is that the stress fracture I have takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal.

So, should I get running a week from Monday (December 19th), or should I play it safe and make it my Happy New Year’s present?

What do you think?

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