My Better Me than You Log

[BamaDave]

Wow, Jim. I would be way beyond furious. Sorry that your weekend and daughter's Spring Break are getting off to a rough start and that both of you are being put through this.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Thanks, Dave. I'm literally sick to my stomach right now. I haven't heard anything.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

31MAR07

scheduled: 20 mile long run

actual: 20.5 miles
2:51:38 (8:22 avg pace)

splits (three 6.83 mile loops):
1 - 59:00 (8:38)
2 - 56:54 (8:20)
3 - 55:41 (8:09)
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Well, if there ever was a day that I wanted to run 20 miles, today was not it. I still have no idea where my daughter and her mother are. I have a sneaking suspicion that she took off out of state again for the spring break week. It's such bullshit that I can't even think about it for fear of bursting a blood vessel in my brain.

As for the run, it was pretty good. I feel as good now as I ever have after such a long run. I don't know if it's because of the great carbo-loading I did last night by eating an entire box of Triscuits, or if it's because I took a brief three minute break after the first two loops to run upstairs to check my phone to see if my daughter called, or if it's because I ran at a pretty easy pace- though I did pick it up each loop.

I finished the month with 229 miles. 9 more than my running challenge goal and 2 more than The Plan called for. Good month. By far my highest monthly total (200.23 previously) and my third highest weekly total with 55.79 miles.

Tomorrow: REST!!!!!!!!!!! I've only taken one day off in the past two weeks.

[GG300]

Killer Month. Hopefully you will hear from the ex or your daughter today and at least have some piece of mind.

[BamaDave]

Very nice long run!! It doesn't get any better than a progressive speed-up in pace. I think that's the best way to do a long run - good preparation for fighting that urge to slow down at the end of a marathon.

I'm very sorry about what you're going through with your ex-wife and not knowing where your daughter is this weekend. That sounds really "mature." I really hate it when an adult acts this way when a child is involved. Hang in there!

[MissDee]

Jim, sorry to hear. I think it's pretty cool that you've chosen to stay here so that you could be in your daughter's life. This must be maddening. Make the most of your day off.

[kmwest]

I don't know what to add beyond others' comforting words, but just know that we're thinking of you.

And 200 miles? Damn.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Everyone, thanks. It means a lot. Things are really rough right now and I feel myself sinking into a funk. This BS with my daughter's mother combined with the end of the semester combined with all these miles has really gotten to me as evidenced by tonight's run.
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02APR07

scheduled: 8 miles w/ vO2 workout

actual: 3.27 miles w/ two 860 meter intervals
25:44 (7:52 avg pace)

1.43 mile warmup 12:01 (8:24)
interval 1 - 3:16
rest .36 miles (3:54)
interval 2 - 3:24
.38 mile cooldown (3:08)
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What an absolute abortion of a workout. Maybe it's because my legs are still dead from Saturday. Maybe it's because I only had a piece of pizza and a bag of m&m's for lunch. Maybe it's all this added stress I'm dealing with. Whatever it is, I'm having major motivational problems right now. Maybe I can do some homework now and after my show tonight do the other five miles.

[BamaDave]

Don't drive yourself crazy - just swap out a recovery run later in the week for today's run or something! Your body probably needs some extra recupe with the added life stress.

[liftintexas]

I admire your dedication to your daughter. I also admire your ability to stick to your workouts even though all the 'stressors' would lead many to make excuses and just veg out. Very impressive, man.

[jruck37]

I'm sorry to hear about all the stress, Jim. I hope that you can look back in a couple weeks and take a big sigh of relief.

[UpNorth]

Just catching up. Man, I'm really sorry to hear about your continued issues. I can't even imagine what you must be going through with your daughter. As Dave said, don't kill yourself trying to be all things. Sometimes its best to just let a ball drop so you can take a deep breath and refocus.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

Thanks, so much, everyone. I've been so bust the past couple days that I didn't have a chance to post either my workouts or even a quick note. The past few days have been real busy with some projects coming due at school. Things with my daughter and her mother have gone from bad to worse. I don't know how I'm going to be able to concentrate the rest of the semester. Her mother has left the state with her, enrolled her in a school somewhere and didn't even tell her new husband where she's at. She's filed harassment charges against me (because I've called so often looking for my daughter) and also filed for a PPO. She's brainwashed my child into thinking she doesn't want to be with me by playing a few select phone messages I left for my ex (I know, I know, never leave proof) and now wants me to relinquish all of my rights and she'll forgo child support, insurance, etc... or she'll do...something.

Well, it just so happens I have a meeting with my attorney tomorrow. Whatever he says, I'm not giving up on my daughter. Even if she doesn't want to see me. I will not quit on her. It may turn out that I see her once a year but she'll realize what's what in due course.

I can't believe I just vented all of that. It just seems so strange when I right it out, like it has to do with someone else- nothing like this would ever happen to me.

Time to post my runs. Yeah, with all this, I'm getting some running in.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

10APR07

scheduled: 11 mile easy run

actual: 5.01 treadmill miles
39:51 (7:57 avg pace)
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Blah. I had hoped to run outside after my late class yesterday but a huge T-storm rolled through when I left school. As I passed by the gym on my way home I noticed they were still open. I usually carry some shoes and workout clothes with me, so I stopped in to get a few miles in to make up for the crappy Monday run. This was pretty crappy, too.

[twinsavsvikingsfan]

11APR07

scheduled: rest

actual: 12 miles
1:34:59 (7:55 avg pace)

splits:
mile 1 - 8:08
mile 2 - 7:59
mile 3 - 7:54
mile 4 - 7:56
mile 5 - 7:56
mile 6 - 7:53
mile 7 - 7:57
mile 8 - 7:53
mile 9 - 7:55
mile 10 - 7:55
mile 11 - 7:49
mile 12 - 7:36
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Colder than hell out today with mega wind and some snow. All that equals running on the indoor track. The track is SO boring now that I'm used to running back outside again. I felt pretty good until mile 9. Time seemed to stop and the lack of sleep I've experienced lately caught up to me. I persevered and was really glad I did. It was nice to complete a full workout finally this week. In fact, I did an extra mile because I didn't remember yesterday was only an 11 miler.

Tomorrow: 4 mile recovery. We'll see. Might be tough to squeeze even that in. My quads are a little thrashed right now as well. I should foam roll. It's been a couple days.

[UpNorth]

Your story is truly heart-breaking Jim but I'm glad to see your not giving up on your daughter. I hope everything works out and take care of yourself.

FWIW, way to gut it out on the treadmill one day and the indoor track the next. I'm facing a 3 mile treadmill run later today and was bitching about it -- your effort makes me feel like such a pansy

[GG300]

Jim I truly hope everything works out with you and your daughter. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[BamaDave]

Jim, keep hanging in there. I know this is a nightmare for you. I'm sure it will be plainly obvious to any authorities that get involved who has their head on straight in this situation and who doesn't. Kids wise up about this kind of stuff as well, at surprisingly young ages... I've see