Friday Tidbits - Father's Day Edition

Sometimes, I feel like the only way to get a post in is just to bullet point style the crap out of things.  When life is busy, there isn't time for long in depth posts, so here we go:

- I'm a winner!  I recently won a Camelback Racing Vest in a giveaway on Steve in a Speedo's site.  Since this is the first time I've seen a Camelback racing vest, I'm really looking forward to using it during the hot summer months.  Looks pretty intense!

- Since Father's Day is on Sunday, I figured it would be appropriate to run in a Father's Day 5k.  Though I'm certainly not in peak condition, I'm just looking forward to getting out there and getting in a solid workout.  I'm going to race it, but I just don't think I am going to match my recent PR.

- Last week I managed to hit 40+ miles, despite getting all of my runs done in the morning.  This typically means 5 am runs, but I am starting to get into the habit now, so it is easier to just get it done without battling the head demons telling you to go back to sleep.

- The only problem with my morning schedule is that I typically need to be downtown by 8:30 am, which means I really only have 1 hr to actually run when you do the math.  For anyone not living in the DC area, the sad fact is that typical commutes are over an hour.  In my case, its about 1:15 each way.  Getting up at 5 am and hitting the trails by 5:15, means I get back by 6:15, shower, eat, and am back out the door for work by 7:15.  Its rush, rush, rush all day, but then I finally come home and have the whole evening to spend with Rebecca and the little man.  The ability to do that in the evening, makes the hectic mornings worthwhile.

 - No post would be complete without a cute baby picture, right?

Is the football really big or am I that small???

Making It Happen

As expected, being a dad has brought a new definition to the term "busy" to my world.  This of course means that all the other "stuff" you used to do takes a back seat to your primary responsibility of taking care of the little man.  Of course, this doesn't mean life as you know it is over, either.  For years since I've been reading blogs, I've come to learn the sacrifices that people make in order to make things work.  For example, waking up early to get a workout in, simply because if it is going to happen, then that is when it will.  I never fully grasped this concept until I placed myself into the situation once Baby Z entered the world.

For me personally, when I am gone all day at work and get home, I want to see the little guy, not leave out the door again for 1-2 hrs, only to see him for a few short hours before we are off to sleep to do it all over again.  I want to spend as much time as possible within my means.  So if I want to run, often times the morning is the best chance.  Both Baby Z and Rebecca are still sleeping at 5 am and still are typically by the time I come back, so it just makes sense.  Nobody loses out, except for my body, which will eventually adapt to the slightly short sleep cycle.

The main difference between my morning runs now versus before Baby Z are the urgency.  Like I said, if I am going to get a run in now, this is when it will happen, period.  There is no guarantee that I will have another moment later on, so if I want to get a run in, first thing it is.  Previously, I'd set my alarm and if I was tired still, I'd just get the run in later in the day, no biggie.  Now, I don't really have that option.  When I get home from work, it is one thing after another, between spending time with him, giving him a bath, eating dinner, etc.  Before I know it, it is 9 pm and the last thing I feel like doing is going for a run, whether outside in the dark or on the treadmill at home.  Of course, that may change at some point if I absolutely need to get in a run when I am actually training for something that requires more dedication, but the key is this:

The priorities in your life change when you have a baby.  No doubt about it.  But since running is still a high priority in my life, I have to make time for it.  Nobody else will do the work for me.  If I want it, I need to make it happen.

And that is exactly what I am doing.