Expectations

I know, I'm a day late. Well, two now that its Tuesday. Oh well deal with it. I had my final comp. and pen. today with my Dr. Looking to have some issues I have service connected with the VA. It was interesting to say the least. I hope my disability at least stays the same. Problem with these comp. and pens. is they can go in any direction. Service connected or not, ratings can go up or down. Drs. give their opinion and the final decision goes to some people using charts and graphs whom I've never talked with. Not sure that's right but I can't think of a better way so I'll stay quiet about it.
I got a run in today. Felt really good. Ran in my home made huaraches

 for 3.35 miles on mostly pavement. Minor friction burne, but I think those will happen until my feet toughen up. Got a good upper body work out in too. 16 pull ups and 70 push ups along with an ab workout. Happy with that. My plan is to have my feet toughened up by June 1st to run the the Hospital Hill Half Marathon in my huaraches. We'll see I guess. Anyway that's about it for now. Take care y'all.

Running strong

What a week. I'm am happy we, as a nation, can pull together and overcome horrific events. However I am sad that it seems to be the only thing unites us as a nation. To see an entire city work together to find the nutjob and take him alive was incredible.
A friend of mine remarked about how he felt drawn to run the Boston Marathon in the next few years. I have to agree, though I don't think I will make the qualification time. What makes a statement like his awesome is it shows that we will not back down. Runners everywhere united, running to remember those lost and injured and showing the world that our spirit is not broken. How could it be, the very nature of our sport is a personal challenge to keep going even when it hurts the most. That and this nation will shut down an entire city to find you if we have to.

Facing judgment, facing the past.

Well it has been a very interesting week. Earlier a friend posed the question of which you held more faith and trust in, the 2nd Amendment or the Bible (those that live by the sword...). My first reaction was to respond with criticism and how our country was founded by people with strong Christian backgrounds. However the more I thought about it the more I came to the conclusion about how this question wasn't so easy to answer for me. I am a firm believer in God and His love for us. God had answered my demand (yes, little me made a demand to God but that's another story for another time) by not allowing me to die and giving me a reason to live. Though I am not well versed in the Bible and not deserving of His mercy or love I do believe at the end of my time I will have to face the judgement of Jesus alone for my actions. With that thought I say this, no one will harm or attempt to harm my family without stepping over my body first. Now whether this is right or wrong I cannot say but it is how I feel. If it means I face damnation, then so be it.
The week ended with getting in touch with a long lost brother from the Marine Corps. We had a great talk catching up and some things were giving new insight. While I understand things might not have changed had I deployed with my boys to Iraq, it is still hard to shake the feeling of letting them down. I remember them showing up as slick sleeves and PFCs and watched them evolve into fine NCOs. Just a little insight on me, family is not just defined as blood relatives. I have 'adopted' a few people as family and would do anything I can for. Those men I served with I consider family, my boys, my brothers. When I had heard of Erik's death it cut deep. My thanks Stan for the insight and though we'll probably never get things straightened out in our heads I pray we'll at least come to grips with the past.

Not right...in the head

So my week ended pretty darn good. I had two good sessions of therapy, one with my group (yup, finally went back) and the other was running in the Brew to Brew run (yup, finally got some miles logged in). I had a great time with my teammates, The Ginger Ales. I "ran"two of the ten legs and had a really good time. Nice to get out and relieve some stress and stretch the legs. We couldn't have asked for better weather either 70s ish with overcast and a light breeze.
As always the casts of characters running are colorful and energetic. We had bunnies, carrots, bottles of beer, and the justice league with all types of crazy costumes in between. We had the serious runners out to win and the runners out to have serious fun. But the one common trait we all shared was the enjoyment of running. It didn't/doesn't matter how fast, how new, or how experienced we all had/have a common bond. That, I think, is why it seems to help me so much. That special understanding between another that says 'yea, I'm going to take most other sports form of training or punishment and do it for fun, so what?'

Crappy week

My daughter turned 17 this last week. I miss her. I pray she grows up well.
I have to find Riddick a new home. The story is I am facing sequestration and won't be able to afford to keep him. I'm gonna miss him too. That's all I have for now people. At least that I'm willing talk about right now anyway.