2014

2014 is beginning to shape up to be a challenging year. My sadness over the death of Father Eric Freed has kept me from my keyboard. I can only imagine the difficulty my daughter has getting through her grief. I wish I was there with her. But, we have to move on…. My niece Becca left two days ago to begin her journey with the US Army. I wish her well and hope her first wake up wasn’t too much of a shock- I am proud of her for taking this life changing, courageous step…
Running has been spotty so far this year. With the extreme cold (I don’t run outside in less than -5f) I have been stuck on the treadmill most days. Ali and I are running this Saturday in the Securian Frozen Half Marathon here in St. Paul and the forecast calls for sunny 10f; at least it’s above zero. I think we both wish we had more training under our belt. We did get to run on Sunday, a 10 miler around the lakes in Minneapolis. We have put a lot of training miles(and 2 marathons and a Tough Mudder) together over the past 2 years and it is one of my greatest running joys. I reflected on that as we ran around the lakes, listening to our Yak-Trax clad feet crunching on the snow covered path. The best way to describe Ali as a runner would be sleek with a fluid, graceful stride. I, on the other hand, can be described as a Clydesdale pulling a beer wagon (maybe not as pretty as this one, though)

But we don’t compete during our training runs- my plodding plow-horse pace is tolerated by the accompanying thoroughbred (although I know she will sometimes kick up the pace just a little, I respond to the challenge- most of the time). When race day comes, all bets are off and we run our own race. With Cathy, my wife, waiting at the finish line; by day is completely joy-filled. Doesn’t get any better than that! So, I am grateful for the time I get to run, no matter the outcome or circumstance.

We can complain about our situation, even give up when it gets tough. Or we can try, as the guy on this video did. Sometimes we just need someone to believe we can succeed. Surround yourself with those people. Or become one yourself…

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My workout for today is not going to be really intense although I want to maintain my current level for Saturday’s run:
1 mile warmup at Marathon Pace (MP)
50 pushups
40 mountain climbers
1 mile at MP-30 secs
20 burpees
20 pullups
1 mile cooldown at MP+ 60 secs

I will do 2 rounds.
Shameless Plug:
By the way, my website (www.jonestrainingsolutions.com) has free workout videos (courtesy of Runners World) on it as well as a free workout generator so you can create and print your own workout routines.
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I haven’t tried this yet; but it looks good…

Maple-roasted pumpkin and chicken salad
Ingredients
• 4 ounce(s) of Spinach and Rocket salad mix
• 1 Red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup(s) of Walnuts
• 21 ounce(s) of Chicken Breast fillets
• 28 ounce(s) of Butternut Pumpkin, peeled and chopped
• 2 tsp. of olive oil cooking spray
• 2 tbsp. of Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp. of Olive oil
• 2 tsp. of Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp. of Wholegrain mustard
Steps
• Step1. Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place pumpkin, syrup and oil in a bowl. Toss to combine. Place pumpkin, in a single layer, on prepared tray. Season with salt and pepper.
• Step2. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, adding walnuts to tray for the last 8 minutes of cooking, or until pumpkin is tender.
• Step3. Spray a frying pan with oil. Heat over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes each side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Thinly slice.
• Step4. Meanwhile, make Mustard dressing: Place oil, vinegar, syrup and mustard in a screw-top jar. Secure lid. Shake to combine. Place pumpkin, walnuts, chicken, salad mix, onion and dressing in a bowl. Toss to combine. Serve.
• Step5. You could use 1/4 cup pine nuts instead of walnuts. Add to salad with dressing in step 4.
Another Shameless Plug:
You can go to my website, http://www.jonestrainingsolutions.com, for more recipes. Click on ‘Recipe of the day’ to get a new recipe each day and there is a cool recipe for making your own energy bars(Runner’s World also).

Unbroken

Today was not an outside running day (-10F), so I was forced to attempt a one hour run on the treadmill at the gym I have access to. I tend to grumble when things don’t go my way ( I really need to change that) and as I was lamenting my plight- stuck inside for a run like a big hamster on a wheel- a young woman entered the gym.

Most people who go the gym I go to are college age ( I am usually the “old man” in the gym), and I noticed that she was a very fit looking and had a focused and determined look on her face. She got aboard the ‘mill next to me and started running with a very relaxed, easy, and efficient stride. An athlete and runner, I thought. She certainly didn’t look like a novice. After about 20 minutes or so, I looked over at her and noticed she was missing her right arm. The prosthetic was pretty good. When she finished her run, as she was walking away, I noticed that the right side of her head had been recently shaved and the hair was just beginning to come back.

Later, as we passed each other in the weight room, she caught me glancing at her prosthetic arm (I wasn’t staring- honest!). Looking me in the eye, she smiled and said very matter-of-factly : “car accident”. then pointing at her head, “Brain surgery. Not that I needed it.” I laughed with her and couldn’t think of anything witty to say (why is that?).

For the better part of the next hour, she worked the weight room like any disciplined athlete would- working with what she had, never appearing frustrated about what she didn’t have. Her remaining arm would be a very strong arm soon, I thought. This was not a person who was feeling sorry for herself.

When God sends me an angel with message, I listen. The message is this: “Stop whining. Even a little bit. Work with what you have. Make it count. Life can turn on a dime. Don’t worry about what you have lost or never possessed.” And I will try to do that. After all, I am Still Vertical- a pretty good start.

Father Freed

Father Eric Freed, the priest who married Christina & Dorian (my daughter and son-in-law), was brutally murdered early on New Years morning in the parish rectory of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Eureka, CA. His home parish.

My daughter is heartbroken and most likely pretty angry at the person who took this fine man of God away from her and her community. I wish I was with her to help her navigate the rough waters of profound sadness; but I’m 1000 plus miles away, and cannot be there to give her a hug and tell her it’s going to be ok, and her grief, with time will subside.

I got to know Father Freed a little at the wedding; but was too wrapped up in the event to get to know him well. No doubt Christina and Dorian got to know him well as he led them through the preparation of marriage and their future life together. Both of them held Father in high regard, and loved him very much as did many people in Eureka, Arcata, and the surrounding communities.

This much I do know about Father Eric Freed: he had a sense of humor and did not suffer fools gladly. A straight shooter with a heart of gold and a spine of steel, one of his greatest joys was performing the sacrament of marriage to two fine people like Dorian and Christina, and said as much to me. His joy was evident in the wedding ceremony and his homily.

I don’t think God meant to call Father Freed home at this time. The free will of a deranged man sent him to God. Father Freed wasn’t done with his work on this earth, so now we are tasked to do it- no one else will. He was called by God many years ago to live a life of faith, hope, service, and love; which he clearly did while here with us. Through his example, if we have the courage to try, we can maybe make the world a little bit better. Just maybe.

R.I.P. Father, your work on earth is prematurely done; but with you in their hearts and minds, your loved ones will carry on with your good works.