Dang. . . .

Wow, it has been a long time since posting on here. I am a horrible blogger. My sincerest to any of you who might have been checking on a semi-regular basis for updates. The updates *should* become more frequent. I stress the should, because, in a deployed location, nothing is certain. We just got wireless internet in our dorms. So I now have daily internet access. With that, I think I will be able to post updates more often.

On to some updates.

A while back, I found out about these "incentive programs" at the gym here. Run 200 miles, and get a shirt, bike 400 miles get a shirt, etc. I am sitting at around 250 now, and I am thinking about getting in touch with the fitness center, and maybe doing one for running 300 and/or 400 miles too. So, that helped motivate me after doing the Nike Human Race 10K, and the Phedippidations Half Marathon. Yes, I said it. I signed up for the 10k, and ended up doing the half. I just thought I would go for it, give it a shot. I did it. I won't bore you with the details right now, just know that I did it.

After that I found out about a satellite race being set up by PJ down in Afghanistan. It was a satellite race of the Valley of Fire Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10k, in Nevada. He hosted one there, and I had the opportunity to join him in the run. Not in person, of course, but in spirit. It was great. I even got a shirt and finisher's medal sent to me. Pretty cool.

Aside from that, my dreams of having an AMXS running club came true, even if only for a few days.

About a month ago, on the morning after my day off, a buddy from work came to my dorm room door and told me to change, and that we were going to run. I told him I wasn't feeling it. He said that a few others were going to be disappointed . I said, "Others?!?" He said, yeah, we have a few others running with us today. So, needless to say, I changed and we hit the road. Six total runners, all running, just to run. It was a great feeling to have more company out there. For a little over a week, we had a little informal running club. It was great. People would run at their own pace, head back when they were ready to be done. No pressure to keep going. It was nice. That makes me want to find a running club back in Wichita when I get back. We will see about that one.

As for the Vibrams, I have run in them more. The blisters went away. They feel great. The only downfall now, the cold weather. With each individual toe exposed, my toes get super cold, super quick. So, I have postponed my Vibram wearing the mercury is at least visible on a damn thermometer.

On yet another note, they are about to start something called the "Tour de Manas" here. Some sort of a bike race, but as far as I know, it will be on exercise bikes. I am thinking about doing it. That will edge me that much closer to getting that 400 mile shirt.

Ok, I had better stop this before it starts looking like something by Tolstoy.

Get out there (bundle up!) and run!