Day 8 - Listening to Janet Jackson May Be Hazardous to Your Ego

Soooooooooo.... I made it to the gym about 5:30 this morning.  I was feeling pretty darn spiffy.  I decided it was Janet Jackson Day.  I had this vibe thing going on. In my head I was grooving.  I was a man with a plan.  After some initial, "Good mornings," it was off to work.  A couple of routines including the Roman chair for sit ups and some free weights and then time for the back machine where you reach up and pull the weights down.  I had Janet's album "Design of the Decade 1986-1996" playing through my headphones.

It was all of her greatest hits. The bass on all the tunes was perfect.  The overall beat was great. I was feeling it.  As I went to pull down the 45th rep of the back machine, "Nasty Boys" was playing.  I was into my, "It's great to be me mode." I almost, and I will repeat, almost, started singing out loud.  Now picture if you will five guys in the immediate or nearby area with forearms and biceps about the size of my body and I am about to start singing the following.  "Nasty, nasty boys, don't mean a thing.  Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh you nasty boys."

Fortunately this little voice went off in my head as my mouth was beginning to pronounce the first, "Nasty," telling me not to do it. I caught it just in time.  Embarrassment avoided.  Ego intact.  I finished up my other exercises and told Julie, a.k.a. Gym Boss, about my almost mishap and she laughed.  I proceeded out the door for my three mile run.  I ran across the parking lot to the Freedom Trail. The song "Control" was playing.  Man oh man that was me.  I was in control.  Mishap avoided.  Legs feeling good.  Temperature was perfect for a run.  Stride was good,  This boy has got it going on.  As I hit the 1.5 mile turnaround point to head back to the gym, the trail was empty.  It was just me. This was "MY DOMAIN."  George Constanza I was not! Not me Jerry!  I'm the master of my domain.

With about a mile left to go, "Rhythm Nation" came on my IPod and I was singing.  What the heck.  I'm on a tree lined trail, by myself.  Sun is rising. It's summer.  "Maestro, one more time," I thought, singing out loud. "People of the World. We all live in a Rhythm Nation." Don't I sound good this morning? It's all about ME!  And in that moment the voice in my head did not sound like the one that prevented me from embarrassing myself in the gym. No, the new voice was that of a runner who somehow appeared beside me and simply asks. "Janet Jackson?" I reply with a simple sheepish, "Ya."  As he begins to pick up his pace and starts to pull away, he mocks me with singing, "We all live in a rhythm nation."  In that moment, I was THE George Constanza. Embarrassment avoided? Nope. Ego intact.? Nope. I was Costanza. I was Elaine and Jerry at their worst. Heck, I was Kramer. How would I get my dignity back?

I still had a mile to go.  Just then the next song came on, "That's the Way Love Goes." Whoa! Stop the presses.  The music in my head was smooth and silky.  My favorite Janet song. The vibe was back. The groove was back. My plan was working. It's good to be me.

I was once again alone on the trail. Just then the voice in my head simply asked and then stated, "Proud of yourself big boy? You really are a running George Constanza today. Those things you're feeling, they're not real.  But hey Steve, like George says, it's not a lie if you believe it." Here's another thought that just came to mind. Be humble. Listen but don't sing to Janet Jackson songs or it may be hazardous to my ego. I have a six miler in the morning. No singing allowed. Just my thoughts and good vibrations.

Day 7 - Team Buckeye Gym and a Can-Am Gym Connection

Today was suppose to be a cross training day but I will leave that until tomorrow to go along with my three mile run.  I will be at the Buckeye Gym adding an extra set to all of the scheduled events for tomorrow. This means that like the Jeffersons, I'm moving on up.  Instead of 30 reps on the lat machine, it's now 45. Instead of 30 reps on the sitting press, it's now 45. Hey!  I think I see a pattern developing here. I'm not adding weight. I'm adding repetitions. Julie Oliver is the co-owner of the Buckeye Gym with her husband Mike in Tallmadge, Ohio. I like Julie.  I like her a lot. She's a great friend. For me she's "Gym Boss." I am accountable to her for strength and nutrition matters.  Conversations are fun and funny but that's the same as a forest hiding a wolf in a blizzard. Behind the smile and talk is a coach rooting for you but not given to providing false praise.  Julie is a 100% on my side and has always been so since the summer of 2007 when we first met. As I have drifted away, no, that's not quite accurate.  As I quit giving my best at the gym she has always believed that I would find my way back. Julie has numerous roles in her life such as wife, mother, business owner, business executive with Testa Companies, mother, grandmother, first Home Builders president in the Akron area that was a woman and also not a contractor, and she's also a professional fitness model competitor.  She just plain rocks the house. Everybody respects and admires Julie.  She started out working out at Buckeye Gym to lose weight and ended up buying the business and inspiring hundreds to embrace fitness.  Here's a couple of pictures of Julie. The first one is with me during winter.

The picture below are a couple of Julie in her corporate role.

The picture below is Julie in her successful fitness competitor role with her daughter Megan who manages Buckeye Gym and is also an extremely successful fitness competitor and model in her own right. Both advocate cardio and proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles. (I'm still a work in progress!)

Then there are all the gym regulars at 5:00 a.m. in the morning that I see who train at least five days a week and are hardcore but welcome everybody.  Two of my favorites are Chip Warner and Anne Crum who have been together for a while now.  When I first met Anne she couldn't believe I went out in the dark to run. She now runs ten miles or more with Chip at all hours of the early morning or night. If not with Chip then with Jodie Brewer. All three of them started running not knowing much about it but becoming masters of their craft.  This is a picture of Anne and Chip in the 2013 Akron Marathon.  They each ran their first marathon, and it was together the entire way. Their time was 4:23:13.  Did I mention Anne smoked and still does from time to time? I'll get to that in a minute.

Below are a couple of photos of Ken Anderson from Canada. Ken was about my size when he started his commitment to fitness about five years ago.  Along the way he beat cancer and stayed true to his goals. Ken is in his seventies and is about as inspirational as a friend can be.  Oh, Ken worked his butt off to qualify for Boston, qualified, and then was not allowed to finish due to the tragic events of the 2013 race.  And I forget to mention he qualified for the 2012 Boston Marathon but didn't make the cutoff that year because of the fungible standards. Depressed? Downhearted? Nope. His words, "I don't like it but I'll show 'em next year." Boy did he ever. His gym work was part of his road to success.

So there's my team from Buckeye Gym.  Headed by Julie who overcame her weight issues, then bought the business and is quite successful, and who has gone on to inspire many. Chip and Anne and their friend Jodie operate at a running level four years after they began that many hope to achieve sometime. Anne who fights her smoking habit and yet still performs at a high level.  Her commitment will eventually help her shake the smoking. I'm sure of it.

Then there's Ken who made a commitment to fitness and then followed through and on the way beat cancer and got screwed out of Boston kept it positive. Ken did so by going to his gym in Canada as often as he could and at times working out four hours a day which included lots gym work and miles on the roads.  If I cannot get visualization of my goals from these friends and try just a little harder each day, then obviously, I am going to need stronger glasses.

The constant whether it is in Tallmadge or in Canada is adding strength training.

I was a CEO for 34 years. I know management. The key to being successful in business is to surround yourself with good people.  These folks I know aren't good.  They're the best. They're 300 miles a part but they inspire me. Wait until you meet my running coach later on. If I was an I.P.O. (Initial Public Offering) then you should invest in my stock on me achieving my goals. I refuse to back down. My team won't let me.

Day 6 - Everybody's High on Consolation and Jeff Galloway

"Everybody's high on consolation."  These were the first words most of us ever heard from Hall and Oates. It's the opening line from their mega hit first song, "She's Gone."  Consolation is what I needed about 12:30 this morning as I contemplated the conflict between not being able to sleep and going on a long run in a few hours.  I woke up about 90 minutes after I went to bed last night and just couldn't sleep.  I came across Hall and Oates, "Hot Fun in the Summertime" version of the Sly and the Family Stone song.  It was recorded 30 years ago at a fundraiser for the Statue of Liberty.

After successfully going back to bed and picking up 5 hours of sleep, I woke up, and as fast as could, I went out the door to hit the roads.  The legs were a little stiff.  The will to run was slightly challenged and the thought of doing a long run had me in a Larry David type of mood of indifference.  I didn't want to "curb my enthusiasm." The decision had already been made that H&O would be running with me today but how?  I then decided on the method.  I was like the baseball manager
yelling into the dugout, "Galloway!!! You're up!" Jeff Galloway, former Olympian at the Olympics in Munich, has launched hundreds of thousands of marathoners with his run/walk method.  Does it work? Ask Bill Rodgers.  Though it wasn't defined as such in 1975, that year "Boston" Billy won the hometown marathon on Patriots Day 1975 after stopping to take a drink of water, tying his shoe, and perhaps doing a little site seeing.

Jeff Galloway has made a living showing many marathoners the path to participation in the 26.2 event.  He will be at the Akron Marathon this year. For me, Jeff came off the bench this morning. His method needed.

The temperature was about 68 degrees with a slight gentle breeze with the sun starting to climb the eastern sky.  "Run for two minutes, walk for a minute, listen to Hall and Oates and repeat as many times as needed," is what the prescription in my head said.  This was an eight mile run. The next two weeks are 13 and 14 respectively on Sunday. This would be the end of week three of the Hal Higdon program.  I make it today and "Hell Week," the first three weeks in my mind, would be over.  My favorite saying came to mind. "I don't care if the horses are blind. Let's load the wagons and go."

These are some of the scenes around the countryside surrounding Vermilion, Ohio and it's northern neighbor, Lake Erie. The first two photos were classic views on the run.

This the underpass on Barnes Road outside of Vermilion. In addition to the wooded area on both sides, there is a stream that flows on and under the road at the train bridge. The woods on either side provide protection if all of a sudden you have to, um, have to, oh, you know what I mean.

This is the end of Barnes Road where you get your first view of Lake Erie on the return route. The lake was flat except for the wake of these kayaks which wasn't much.

Negotiating train tracks is part of the deal on countryside runs but I like trains so this is a reward for me for going out.

And another one comes by. Hey did you notice that the corn looks pretty darn good.

I love this picture.  Look at that farm operation. This is quite an impressive site when you are either

running or riding a bike. 

So let's review today's events. Inspired by Hall and Oates at 12:30 a.m.  Not really feeling it. I find motivation from our musical duo of the day, Bill Rodgers, Larry David, and the favorable weather. The pathway to completion is shown by the training methodology of Jeff Galloway. And then some of the scenes along the way were their own reward and there were more than I am showing. The jury is in. Week 3 of the training is successfully completed. Consider me high on consolation.  Thank you teammates!

Day 5 - Happy Birthday America and Scenes of My Life!

"America the Beautiful" was written by Katharine Lee Bates of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Today was the annual Firecracker Four Miler in Stow.  The pictures show that the beauty of America isn't just in our nation's landscape but also in its people and spirit. This lovely lady in the picture below is Linda Nahrstedt. Linda and her team including John Roseman and Anne Baranek and many others put the race together every year.  It's always hot and its always well organized. Linda then moves on from the race to make sure the annual 4th of July parade runs great from the city's perspective.

This is who Linda will be in another life as she is always energetic and positive. Let me also mention  she's a phenomenal runner! 

This is one is of me and my favorite oral surgeon and good friend Mike Hoffman.  That's my church Holy Family in the background. By the way, his wife Ginny qualifies for Boston every year.

Oh what the heck.  Here's Ginny.  She's too fast to be photographed usually.  This was a lucky shot. She should wear a singlet that says, "Hello" on the front and "Goodbye" on the back.

Here's a great one of Judge Linda Teodosio about to mow down a runner. Her husband Tom, also a judge, and their son Christopher have a foundation in the name of their daughter Andrea who unfortunately was lost to a skiing accident.  The family has taken their grief and channeled into helping others. They very much believe in "Hope, Humor, and Opportunity" in every negative situation.  Their daughter's memory and the work of the foundation has inspired me and honors how Andrea lived. On days when I need an attitude adjustment to get back to a positive frame of mind, sometimes I stop by Andrea's memorial in Tallmadge Meadows Park and run the meadow and the attached trails. 

The lady I'm related to by marriage who is also known as "The Boss" or "TLMH" which stands for the "Lovely Mrs. Hailer," and my next door neighbor Aaron Hawkins who is moving to Nashville.  Happy picture but sad at the same time.  Absolutely one of the finest men I know.  In many ways like a son. Alas, we are a mobile society.  Great in many ways but soon to be missing a good friend.

Ryan McGuire and my granddaughter Katy May-Hailer are shown below. Both have a deep desire within themselves to push the limits when running.  Ryan is a critical part of the Summit Athletic Running Club.  Katy is becoming a better runner every day.  John Roseman is her coach.  He knows what he is doing when it comes to coaching.  Did I mention that The Boss was slightly behind her with no chance of Katy slowing down to let Nana, who started Katy, in running catch her?  The student learned it from her Nana.  I love it!

Katherine Lee Bates wrote about as beautiful a song as she could in "America the Beautiful." But as these pictures show, the true Spirit of America is not only in the scenery but also in the hearts of its people.  They come in all shapes and sizes.  Today was my day of rest on my running schedule. Today I got to admire the passion of many folks I know, free to pursue a simple dream of competing against themselves really and looking to be just a little bit better within themselves.  The picture of Nobska Light below is from Falmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.  Well John Mellencamp.  This may be a good time to go out on "Ain't that America for you and me; Ain't that America something to see?" Sure is!

God Bless America and thank you for these beautiful people who come in and out of my life and then back in.  I love it!!! 

Day 4 - "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones!"

Mick Jagger at the age of 71 probably runs at least a 5K every night he preforms.  In fact he does run to get in shape for tours.  In this picture he is 22 years old.  This is a copy of he concert program from the night my brother Phil and I saw the Stones in Boston Garden on November 5, 1965. Bill Wyman is retired from the Stones. Brian Jones and the Boston Garden have both been relegated to the ages. As the joke goes, we all need to consider what kind of a world we are going to leave to Keith Richards.  Tonight Mick and the lads got me through my six miles at my current expected marathon pace.  Tonight it was hot and humid.  I worked a full day and loved every second of it but when I got home I was tired.  I took a power nap when the woman I'm related to by marriage came home and woke me up.  I spent the next few minutes negotiating with myself on whether I was going to run or not.  But alas, you can never win an argument with yourself.  I needed something and the answer was the boys from London.  I started off with the "Sticky Fingers Live" album and then moved into the Hyde Park concert from two years ago as I ran the hike and bike trail in Stow near the high school.  There seems to something magical about my IPod.  In the words of former tv host Jack Paar who is probably interviewing Brian Jones tonight in that great tv studio in the sky, "I kid you not," when I say as I moved from the trail to the streets the song that came on was.....wait for it..."Street Fighting Man."  How great is that?  The easy rhythm of the first three and a half miles became a stronger cadence.  The 13:45 minutes per mile moved into the twelve minute range.  I know its slow.  I know its unimpressive as far as speed but hot damn, it's gradual improvement.  As the sweat and the heat started to take over in the sixth mile "Give Me Shelter" now flowed through my headphones.  As I came into the house I knew I was late for dinner but I also knew the Boss who is avid runner wouldn't mind. In fact I knew exactly what she would do. She smiled.  Dinner was on the grille but it could wait until after my shower.  As the cold shower brought my body temperature back to the land of the living there was a giant feeling of accomplishment that left any weariness out on the roads.  I felt invincible. I felt like I would live forever. Keith Richards would be proud. We have a duet concert scheduled for the Akron Civic Theater in 2040.  Hope you can be there.  On the other hand.  This also may be the "runner's high" you hear that runners experience.  Doesn't matter.  It's only rock and roll...and running....and I like it!

Day 3 - Spirit of the Marathon

I didn't sleep much last night.  I was dreaming about my workout this morning and was up at 3:00 a.m.  I caught a little nap but by 4:15 I was up for the day.  Read a couple of newspapers on line and then headed out to the Buckeye Gym and for a three mile run after on the Freedom Trail Bike and Hike Path. Music for the day began with Joni Mitchell, "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" during my strength and training circuits. Then it was out the door for the comfortable three miler. I changed the music to the "Spirit of the Marathon" movie soundtrack and the image below popped into my head.  I started laughing and had to stop for a second. It was 65 degrees with a full moon setting on one side of the sky and a fully round sun with the rays blocked by low hanging clouds on the other almost like they were chasing each other.  All I can say is that it was a perfect morning to workout. 

This is brother Phil after the Akron Marathon a few years back.  I love this picture.  If this doesn't capture the true spirit of the marathon to non runners, then I don't know what does. A few minutes later this was our beloved hero with The Boss. Today I will begin my focus on nutrition.  I did well yesterday on not grabbing available donuts and Oreos. Time for a short prayer, "Dear Lord, please don't let me weaken and eat Oreos, go to Dairy Queen, or Swensons, or eat a whole bunch of candy bars, or.....you get the idea Lord. Thanks for your help! Amen." - Hope it works.

Day 2 - Oh Canada and Pet Sounds

Today is Canada Day! Canada for me is a totally awesome country.  The Canadians gave us Neil Young, k.d. Lang, Gordon Lightfoot, Burton Cummings, Paul Anka, Celine Dion, and Joni Mitchell just to name a few singers and guitar players. Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, John Candy, Martin Short, Catherine O'Hara, Leslie Nielsen and Phil Hartman are Canadians that have supplied laughs to all of us.  Labatt Blue and Molson Canadian are religious experiences to many. And what else has Canada done for us sports fans? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Hockey! Canada has also given me some of the closest friends in my life right now and most of them run. Tonight was a six miler courtesy of week 3 of the Hal Higdon Intermediate 2 Marathon Training Program.  I couldn't go this morning.  I thought about it all day.  If it wasn't for the blog I would have blown it off. Me in my Ken Anderson, (friend from Canada) approved hockey shirt. I wanted to listen to Joni Mitchell but it was too mellow.  

I wanted to listen to Neil Young but I wasn't angry.  Then I saw a posting by one of my favorite people Joan Howieson and her new dog Fiona and Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys was it!  Perfect in fact.  I was making the list of the famous Canadians above in my head as I moved down the hike and bike trail.  One guy started singing, "Oh Canada" as I came towards him on the trail.  Great anthem, hardly original by the gentleman but cute.  The Pet Sounds album songs brought back memories of high school and Kathy Kilcoyne breaking my heart freshman year right around the time my brother Phil and I watched the Grey Cup game on tv with my favorite CFL team the Hamilton Tiger Cats that got fogged out with a quarter to go. Just the sounds of the Beach Boys brought back memories my brothers and I playing Eagle Sports table top hockey when the only two teams you could get were the Canadians and the Maple Leafs. OMG! I forgot. Canada gave us Anne Murray.  I love her. "Shadows in the Moonlight." "Now and Forever."

My guess is your wondering what this has to with running.  This is the stuff that was going through my head tonight, while I was on a run that I had been thinking about all day that I was looking for an excuse not to do.....and ended up loving the run because of your interest and the accountability of the blog.  Thanks for caring.  In the words of Brian Wilson, tonight from a running perspective, "God Only Knows What I Would Be Without You." Merci!/Thank you!

Go Ti-Cats, eh?