The Organic Climber – Vegetarian running, cycling, swimming, rock climbing and raw foods.

Yesterday was the Big D Marathon. Weeks before the race I had a goal time of 1:50 since I didn’t meet that goal for The Cowtown half. I missed it by only 1:54 minutes. But, as it got closer to race day I wasn’t feeling confident I would make my goal pace My diet had been all out of whack, and I wasn’t training as much as I should have. I complained all week that I didn’t thinking I was going to meet my goal, but really this was just my way of having an excuse if I didn’t make my goal. It was really just a pride issue.

The night before the race I was eating dinner with several other people running the race as well as Twitter friend @agwade. Aaron wasn’t even planning on running the race, but he couldn’t resist the Tweer Pressure from fellow Twitterers. We convinced him to run the race banding, but he only agreed to on one condition… that I meet my PR. He would pace for me, and all I had to do was keep up. I agreed, but I honestly still didn’t think I would meet my goal.

The race itself was pretty much all a blur. Normally I could give a mile-by-mile update on how I was doing, but they all seemed to blend together. I do remember feeling like we were flying the entire time. We were moving past people for pretty much the entire race. It wasn’t until the last 5K that our consistent pacing of racers came to a halt. I still tried as hard as I could though, I was even determined not to get passed, but in the last .25 miles I felt several racers on my tail and about 6 of them passed me before crossing the finish line.

As I neared the finish line though I could see that the gun clock read 1:51:xx. I don’t recall the seconds, but I knew my goal was in the bag seeing as how we didn’t cross the starting mats until a couple minutes into the race. I was totally psyched, but crossed the line pretty gassed and quickly downed a small bottle of water. My finish time ended up being 1:49:37. I beat my goal time by 43 seconds.

Prior to finishing though about all I remember is feeling like we were going to fast. I had thought all I needed to meet my goal was an 8:30 minute pace, but little did I know I needed an 8:20 pace. Aaron knew this, but didn’t tell me. I’m thankful for that though because I have only run a hand full of shorter training runs at that pace. Even though I was constantly wanting to slow down my pacesetter helped me to keep it up, I was even able to pick up the pace on my own a few times.

I was pretty amazed when I looked at my stats in Run Keeper, miles three and four were really fast. I have yet to run ANY mile that fast. So, I was really surprised when I saw those stats. I do remember feeling like I was going especially fast during that part of the race. I was even amazed I managed to kick up the pace during my final mile. I felt the weakest at that point, but somehow still managed to speed up!

I am quite pleased with my finish time, but I know I couldn’t have done it without Aaron. Seeing as how I had another person running with me part of Cowtown that helped push me about I wonder if I could do this well on my own. Either way, I enjoy running with others more than I do by myself. So I will be content no matter how I race.

This was also a smaller race, so I was only competing against 217 racers in my age group and 2076 overall. In my age group I finished 20th, placing me in the top 10%. Overall I finished 213, also placing me in the top 10%. One year ago just before I started running I never would have thought in a million years I would run this fast, or even a half marathon for that matter. This is truly proof that ANYONE can become a runner. This is coming from the guy that used to eat only pizza, burgers and fries for most of his life and rarely exercised. It is possible people, so if you are thinking about it, just get out there and do it.

Health & Fitness, Running by OrganicClimber
Big D, half marathon, marathon, Running
3 comments

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For some reason I have always been a person that wants confirmation about their decisions. I want to know that it’s the right thing to do. I fear being wrong or making the wrong choice. For years I have been crippled with fear about various decisions and happenstances in life, but lately I feel like I have been making a break through. I have been making some really big decisions lately. One is selling my house and the other is making a career change and leaving Texas.

I have recently been working with a Career Coach in regards to making this career shift. It’s something I have felt I needed to do for years, but was just afraid to. Mainly because it felt impractical and I had built up certain skill sets that I felt were my only marketable skill. I have since learned though that is not true, and in order to find work that is truly satisfying you have to be bold. You have to step forward in faith, even be willing to fail in order to learn what will not work.

For as long as I can remember this Texas born child has wanted to move to Colorado, I have just felt called there. Perhaps it’s the climber in me, or maybe it’s in my blood, my mom lived their when she was younger. Either way, I have denied this calling for years. It has largely been out of fear – fear of leaving the City I have spent my entire life – fear of leaving friends and family and having to start over.

But, I am finally overcoming that fear. I have taken the first big step by selling my house, and now I begin stepping out in a new direction in terms of my career. I have never been that good at graphic design, there are parts of it I enjoy, but lots of it drives me crazy. I’m finding I’m more of a people person, I’m to relational to be spending a majority of my time pushing pixels. So, I will be taking some big risks this year – risks that I feel will be rewarding.

I will essentially be starting over with my career, or what I am now calling my vocational calling. Rather than just looking for a job, I am seeking out what I am truly called to do. I plan on seeking work that will fulfill and bring me excitement. I used to think it was extremely selfish to plan your life around your career, but I am learning that isn’t true. We SHOULD plan the life we want to live around or career, not our job around the life we hope to live. Life itself is more important than work, but at the same time I believe work should really be an extension of who we are.

I believe I posses God given talents and skills that I can use to fulfill what I am truly meant to do. To an extent there is still a discovery process of what that will be, but I have a much clearer picture now of the direction I need to go in life. One of the first steps will be moving to Colorado.

Lately it seems like that dream is unfolding before my very eyes and yet doubt and hesitation enters my mind. That crippling fear I thought I was overcoming starts to take a hold again. But when I was out on a run this evening an overwhelming since of peace overcame me, maybe it was just a runner’s high, I don’t know, but I felt confident about my decision. I even began to tear up a bit as I ran.

Currently there are still a lot of unknowns, like when or will I actually move, will I have a job, will I have a place to live, what will I do with all this crap I own before I move – I don’t feel like taking it all with me. I’m confident though that everything will pan out just right. It’s just frustrating when you can’t see the details. As much as some people may tell you that you are in control of your destiny, the simple fact that I can’t see how things are going to happen is proof that ultimately we are not in control. But that does not stop us from having to make decisions, even if they are risky.

I’m likely going to have to sacrifice some comfort with a lot of these decisions, but I think in the end the payoff will be huge! I’m thinking five year plan here, not instant gold mine. I’m psyched about the next several months to come. I think they are going to be very exciting. I know this post is somewhat vague, but I will reveal more details as things become more concrete. But I can say it looks like I will be moving to Colorado, and it looks like I have a job lined up.

In other news, I will be running the Big D Half Marathon this Sunday. This is possibly my last race in Texas, unless of course I come to visit for a race. I was also planning on climbing in Arkansas the following weekend, but that has been postponed for a visit to Colorado… who knows, maybe I will get a pitch or two of climbing in there – I definitely won’t leave home without my gear.

Uncategorized by OrganicClimber
career, Colorado, dream, job, success, vocation
6 comments

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After getting back from a run the other day I found myself very hungry, as usual. Normally I make a smoothie and prepare something else to eat along with it, but I had lots to do that night and decided I would have to survive on just the smoothie. What I came up with ended up being extremely filling and really delicious. I’m calling it the dinner smoothie. I also didn’t use much liquid in this one either, so it ended up being very thick. You really need a Vita-Mix to create this one, but if you don’t have one, just add more rice milk or water.

The Recipe

• 5oz of frozen mixed berries
• 5oz package of frozen mangoes
• 2-4 TBSP of almond butter (approximate, I did not measure)
• 1/4 – 1/2 cup of raw honey (approximate as well) agave for 100% vegan
• about 1/2 cup of rice milk

Directions: After combining all ingredients into your Vita-Mix process until smooth. You will have to use your tamper on this one to force the frozen fruit down into the blades. Don’t be afraid of the churning sounds! Your blender can handle it, you  have the top of the line machine!

Now, enjoy!

RAW Food, Smoothie Tuesday by OrganicClimber
dinner, mangoes, mixed berries, RAW, smoothie
1 comment

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