Running Rican

Brandon, 38 year old husband and father of two 8 and 5 year old boys. Originally from Queens, NY living in South Florida. In October 2011 I decided that I needed to change my lifestyle. I was tired of being obese, tired of being tired all the time. I'm a High School Soccer and Girls Lacrosse referee as well and to keep up with these kids I had to start running. I started the Couch to 5k program, finished it and haven't stopped running since. It's a constant part of my life. It's what changed my life. I try to maintain runs of at least 2-3 times a week ranging from 3-5 miles. I ended up dropping close to 100 pounds at the height of my training (I've since gained some back, but still happy). I've completed a Half Marathon (2:04), mud runs, 5k's and a Super Spartan Race (3 hrs, eek). I post depending on my mood. Sometimes more frequent sometimes less. Lately, very less frequently due to career-family-life balance. During High School Soccer and Girls Lacrosse season some of my post are gripes about a referee's life. I usually try to warn before I start ranting. Thanks for reading.

[hillaryisaboss]

What’s wrong with this picture?

[runningrican]

!!!!!

[palpamemes]

[doyoulikethati]

I’m going to miss you, B.

[cherie-creme-deactivated2020012]

I am so grateful to have seen this man in office

[mystic-beavty]

Real tears rn 😭

[squeezemetillipop]

END OF AN ERA

[shessuchalauren-deactivated2017]

I will forever miss this guy and his family.

[tastefullyoffensive]

The front page of today’s newspaper in Scotland. (via bigtastywithbacon)

[fysw]

[runningrican]

Yes Obi Wan, you are right something terrible has happened.

[trailflow]

If you can run six miles on a summer day, then you, my friend, are a lethal weapon in the animal kingdom

Christopher McDougall (via trailflow)

Ok how about 5+ miles on a pre-dawn summer morning?

[runningrican]

It’s been a while huh?

I’m still running, not as fast, not as much but still running.  

I run on average 2 times a week nowadays.  My priorities have shifted since I got my new position at my job.  They haven’t shifted entirely away from maintaining my fitness, just a little.  The slippery slope started earlier this year.

                              (I’ll break it here, get’s a little “woe is me-ish”)

I’ve lost the motivation I used to have to get my runs in, I’m at an impasse. I miss the days when I didn’t have to worry about staying fit.  I was fantasizing this morning as I plodded through this mornings hot humid 4+ about not running anymore, but the consequences of that snapped me back, (i.e.. gaining a ton, feeling like shit, self disappointment, etc....)  

Was I happier then? What?!?!  Am I happier now?  In some ways yes, in other ways no.  

I used to always think skinnier B would be so much happier than overweight B. As of late I’ve learned, I’m pretty much never going to be completely happy with myself physically.  I use the analogy when I’m running, that I’m running away from overweight B and making sure he stays far behind me.  I think having OB a little closer but definitely not right on top of me, just a comfortable distance away from me, I’ll be good.  

Maintaining any level of fitness is fucking hard.  Working all day, spending time with family (which is my favorite aside from some days at work) the scale gets unbalanced often. Sometimes maintaining a certain level of fitness gets boring, daunting and just plain, I’d rather not put in the effort and just enjoy my life with my family.  I enjoy life better when I’m not worrying about something.

I worry about losing what I’ve been able to do over these years.  Would I be able to do it again if I had to? I’m not sure, I had a lot more motivation back then. 

I think I have more glory days in me, sometimes it’s just easier to slip further and further down the slope though.

[runningrican]

GPS running watch vs. Phone app(s) a bittersweet battle

So for Christmas I finally got a running watch after evolving from just a watch, to a watch and @runkeeper, then to @mapmyfitness and lately to a Tomtom GPS running watch.  Let me first say that I love my new watch, it’s comfortable, compact and I haven’t had satellite connection problems so far.  

My gripe is that it’s TOO accurate, loops that I thought after all these years were a certain mileage are actually about a quarter to a half mile shorter :( So my pace is actually slower than I thought.   I’m not too tore up about it though, this gives me goals to get back to where I “thought” I was at.  I have some work to do.   The track on the map is crazy precise. 

No need to edit the map after, like I usually have to do.  It even shows where I crossed the streets.  This might not a big deal to you guys that have been using a GPS running watch for years now, but I’m not used to this kind precision.  

Soccer’s over for this year, so I’m getting back into regular weekly running.  I’m even registered for a couple of races in the upcoming months.  

Happy New Year!

[hansolo]

how do you feel after watching tfa? are you okay?

*doesn’t know how to answer this question truthfully yet*

i’m fine. i’m all fine here now. thank you.

[runningrican]

I’ll be ok, someday :( 

[littlerunnergurl]

Ya know, I have absolutely no idea what most of you do for a living...

Without revealing any PI data or infringing on your company’s Social Media policies, (ie don’t remark where you work if it is against company policy), what do you all do???  I’ll go first!

I am in Information Security for a large firm; I’ve been in Information Security for 13ish years, and I have my CISSP.  Mainly, I take measures to keep the bad dudes from stealing your PI or doing other nefarious things with your personal data. 

Now, you go…. what do you do?

[runningrican]

I’m an IT specialist for an aerospace company.  I do user support, network management/administration, Oracle database management/administration, internal IP telephony support.  We’re a two man crew for 60+users, can get pretty busy at times.  I’ve been with this company for 13+ years but recently (this past Spring) wedged my foot in the IT door and couldn’t be happier.  I still have a lot to learn especially in the database management portion.  I have goals and I’m finally taking steps towards them.

[runningrican]

Running/Career/Life

I am currently on the other side of the hump career-wise.  What a difference on my mood at work.  For the first time in my life, I’m working in a field that I’m passionate about.  I feel like I finally made it and there’s so much room for growth.  I’ve been very patient and it’s paying off.  I’m with the same company I’ve been with for 14 years, but in the department that I was meant to work in, finally.  I actually want to come to work and I want to stay later, my day goes by so quickly now, where before I was literally counting the minutes before I could clock out.  

I’ve been posting so much less than before to vent and do something that I enjoy, writing my feelings, writing about what’s on my mind, I’m pretty good at that, I think.  

I thank outlets like Tumblr for giving me a voice.  I hope somewhere along the way I was able to inspire some as some have inspired me.

Although, I post less frequently, there’s a good reason behind it, I’m busy at work doing what I love :)  I’m finally in the world of IT.  

I’m still running, not as much though, soccer season has begun much of my running this time of year is on a soccer pitch, rather than sidewalks.  Summer running is my training for soccer season and girls lacrosse after soccer.  

Happy Movember Monday!

[runningrican]

Lest’ we forget run

Coincidentally, I ran past a firefighter walking to his car to start his morning shift, all I said was, “good morning”  afterwards I felt I should have said more but that might have been a little much.  

When I got tired I remembered, THEY were tired when they were running up stairs with full gear on trying to clear the buildings as people were running down stairs trying to get away from these massive towers.

When I thought how hot I was and how humid it was out, I remembered how hot THEY must have been in those stairwells.

When I had thoughts of slowing down and quitting, I thought how THEY must have wanted to quit going up those stairs to catch their breath but didn’t.

I ran thinking of the significance of what happened 14 years ago today, I had a lot of somber moments, the most comforting moment was passing that firefighter going to work.  Although his day might not be as dramatic as those first responders that answered the call of their duty on that fateful day, I hope he feels proud being part of a brother/sisterhood that you only know if you’re a part of it.

To all the first responders out there, God Bless You, you make a difference everyday.

[runningrican]

Gotta love Tumblr on phones

So I had a meaningful, thoughtful post all written out about my job situation and running, but tumblr on my phone ate it. So basically, Georgia I'm in you! We're in Savannah on a long weekend holiday vacation, no kids :-) I'll post more deets later on.

[runningrican]

The good sweat

Another morning 4.  I'll get another one in either tomorrow or Friday.  I've had to adjust my running due to a family situation, adjustment made and it’s working for now.  I might still need to make another adjustment when school and soccer season starts.  I can't wake up earlier to get a 6 in, I need my sleep, it’s already hard to get as it is.

I had a lot on my mind during this one, which made the time fly by.  After a night of restless sleep and crazy dreams this run helped me process things and I felt content after the run.  I pushed when I felt it, I slowed when I wanted, I just ran by feeling. 

My running has taken a back seat this summer, it’s been good to crank down my strict running rules.  I still try to get at least 2 runs in a week, but it’s not the end of the world if I can barely get one in.  In the past it's felt like the end of the world and I'll lose all my fitness if I start down the slippery slope of putting off runs, but I have reached a state of Zen and learning (constantly learning) to accept what life throws at me. Summer is almost over (not temperature-wise down here though), between kids going to school,soccer/lacrosse games, work, it’s going get a little crazy. 

In other news, my transition out of my current position in my job “should” happen next month, I couldn’t be happier to get out of here and do something I actually want to do.  I’m tired of just coming to a job that I don’t like doing anymore.  I just need patience.

[listenersofwamu-blog]

By Jesse Cao

Mallory Scott, a longtime WAMU and NPR listener and current Arlington resident, loves the zoo, was quiet in high school, and doesn’t understand how they’re going to make an “Independence Day” sequel without Will Smith.

Read about and hear from Mallory by clicking here.

[malloryrunsthis]

FAMOUS.

That last part about Will Smith though. Seriously, WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?

[runningrican]

Great interview. I really like what you said, "if you're not where you're meant to be, do something else", duhh, sounds easy. I think for many, myself included, that is harder than anything, but a necessary evil if you want to improve yourself. I'm currently going through a transition in my job and it's a little scary but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck in all your future endeavors.

[runningrican]

robbsadventure replied to your post “Running is hard...”

Bats are cool. Funny story - running in the Grand Canyon, almost dawn, had the headlamp on, and bats were using the light, because bugs were attracted to the light. Having a bat at first near the face was unnerving, but I got used to it.

That’s different, and it was the friggin’ Grand Canyon, I wouldn't care about them either if I was running IN TGC. I’ve been swooped on by bats and birds.  Be cool animals, I’m just running by.

[runningrican]

Running is hard...

and if someone says different they’re lying.  But that is what makes it great when you can do it, it can possibly change your life, being able to push yourself can be self inspiring, self motivating and inspiring to others.  Running and the races that I’ve accomplished has given me the confidence to go after things in my career and in life that would have intimidated me in the past.  I’m always think to myself and reassuring myself “if I can push myself to run all these miles I can do this, this is nothing compared to pushing myself on a run”.

Highlights of this mornings 6 miler:

Leaving my house this morning I saw BATS flying back and forth from some trees up ahead in my development, NOPE, I quickly detoured.

I nearly scared a lady to death passing her as she’s was trying to cross the street as I was running up behind her.

As I was crossing a major intersection a car beeped at me while he was waiting at the red light, I looked over he waved, I waved back.  I had no idea who he was.  I had a few thoughts.  Maybe he was a soccer player from one of the local schools and he recognized me, maybe at that moment when I passed I had a struggle-bus face on and he wanted to give me a little motivation, maybe he is a runner and knows what I'm going through and he wanted to express solidarity, so many possibilities, who knows, there is one fact though.  This was in last 2 miles of my run and this gave me a little boost that I needed.  

It was humid this morning and I was struggling a little and just wanted it over.  I got through it. I have to remind myself that I still have to keep up my fitness for the upcoming High School Soccer season, the work I do now will pay off (this is my cadence when I struggle).  These kids are only getting faster and us refs need to keep up.  

I won't complain about my knee pain, it’s there, I just have to live with it.  It’s usually only for the day that I run.

Tis’ all for now.

[runningrican]

Slow summer morning run

Hi, it’s been a while right?

Blame it on summer, less runs more work.  Work life has picked up, meaning less time to post :(  

I've still been running and will always try to keep the maintenance up.  It’s still the off season for the other half of my life, refereeing.  

I've been doing 1 morning 6 mile and an afternoon 4 every week for the past few.  For now since I'm not training for anything other than maintenance I’m fine with that.  

I think I might have over done it on my knees today though.  Midway through the run I decided to do some sprinting fartlek style.  It felt good to go fast for short bursts which is what I need to maintain for reffing.  My knees are singing now, more than normal. I’m sure 3 sets of weighted squats last night doesn’t help either.  My knees have been gradually getting more achy after runs and games.  

Can someone MRI my knees to make sure they’re ok?

Highlight of the run:

Fresh rat road kill (not so much of a highlight)

My music was on point and gave me bursts of energy for the sprints. 

Tomorrow's planned afternoon run might turn into a family run/walk, if the kids cooperate and don't complain too much.  My knees could use the break.

Extra long weekend coming up, we’re off Friday and I took Mon and Tuesday off.  

Summer’s here, time to relax, enjoy life, love and family. 

Happy Fourth!