A Gas Problem

I like to walk during my lunch break. Ideally I run and workout before work and go for a leisurely stroll during the first half of my lunch break. On Wednesday this week I decided to walk to the UPS store for some Amazon returns. There are 2 ways to get there: the shorter direct route on a very busy 4 lane or the longer quieter route through the neighborhood in which I do most of my runs. I forgot my headphones so I was walking with my phone on loud speaker streaming Dean Karnazes book A Runner's High: My Life in Motion. So I'm this random guy walking by your house with a clothes filled walmart sack listening to an audiobook out loud. Yup, that's me.

As I'm approaching the only road crossing, going from neighborhood to the other, I see a firefighter I know directing traffic. I recognized his mustache hundreds of feet away. It's an amazingly groomed, super-manly mustache. He asked what I was doing, and I informed him I was walking to the UPS store. He informed me they had a huge gas leak about 50ft away and they were diverting traffic. I said, "Oh ok. Who farted?" (dad joke). We both laughed agreeing with the high quality dad-joke. And I kept on walking, right through the gas leak zone. It was a pretty strong smell. Haha. On my way back, I had to navigate past city work vehicles as they had now arrived on the scene to fix the issue I assume. They were locating pipes with their fancy equipment while just walked on by. The gas smell was stronger on the way back through. Haha.

It was a great walk. Next time I'll have my hat and headphones for sure.

St. Jude Spotlights

Hey guys go check-out my page "St. Jude Spotlights" for interviews with patients and their families. We are raising money for St. Jude and want to highlight patients/families/employees. But beware, it's emotional!

Gone Too Long

 It's been far too long since I've written. I didn't really run much last year. After my achilles injury, I wasn't really motivated to get out on the road. Well, that and I was lazy. I started working out but not consistently running or doing any cardio. I started running again this year and have actually fallen in love with the distance.

I have purged a lot from life in the last year, things that were taking up my STEAM* resources and weren't necessary or even enjoyed.

• I've almost completely cut out TV, we don't have cable/satellite and I don't really care to stream much. Basically my school of thought is: if it's not ok for the kids to watch it then I shouldn't be either; garbage in, garbage out. Plus, if I have time to sit, I'd rather read or talk to Nealy instead of staring at the TV.
• I've severed the tie to soda. That wasn't easy at all. I love a good regular Coke or Mtn Dew. It's nearly impossible to eat mexican food or pizza with water to drink. I can do it, but I have to have the will power to do so.  I've converted to water now or an occasional kombucha.
• I'm still working on cutting out more processed foods. I'm definitely not the king of eating clean, but we have cut out a lot of processed foods at home. Our goal is "less processed, more whole" not "non-processed".
• I've started running more this year with an emphasis on "enjoying the moment". I signed up for the half again this year for St. Jude and have huge goals to crush. I want to run a sub 2hr half marathon. It would be an amazing accomplishment if I can do so.
• Nealy and I are being more intentional in going on dates with couple friends or just with each other. That's not something we've done a lot of in the past. Our kids are to the point that they are happy for grandparents to keep them while we go out, almost excited for us to leave. HAHAHA.

This year has been great so far, and it's only going to get better.

See you out there...

Out with the boot, in with the PT

The boot is gone (mostly). Now time for PT to start.

Yay!! I am wearing matching shoes again! (for the most part). I went to see my guy Dr. Chris at Lendermon Sports Medicine yesterday. I’ve been cleared from wearing the boot unless I start to have pain/tiredness in my heel.

My first visit he recommended me changing my “daily wear” shoes to one that has a lower heel-to-toe drop. My Brooks Running Adrenaline GTS 22 shoes have a 12mm drop. I love these shoes. But I need something that will elongate my Achilles more to help the tendon heal. I will continue to run in my Brooks but have changed to a new shoe for daily wear.

That where my friends at Grivet Outdoors hooked me up. I searched all over for a specific H2T drop that was 4-5mm for a wide foot that needed support due to excessive pronation. That’s a pretty specific search. All I could find were 2 shoes from HOKA: the Gaviota and Arahi. The Gaviota has the “plushest” sole of the two and since this wasn’t going to be my running shoe, I was fine with that.

They had the Gaviota in stock but not in a wide size 12.5/13. Grivet placed a custom order for the Gaviota, BUT I didn’t know what size to order so instead they said, “Let’s order 2 sizes and you can try them both on. That way the fit will be perfect!” The shoes came in more quickly than I imagined, and OH. MY. GOODNESS. These shoes are incredible! So far they are my favorite for everyday wear!

Thanks Grivet Outdoors for being awesome!

My Achilles Heel

I had Rhabdomyolysis in both lower legs in 2013. I was hospitalized for 3 days. Unfortunately, I never had a consult with a sports medicine doctor or physical therapy. In hindsight, physical therapy was a necessity! I didn't know it at the time, but after suffering with Achilles issues in both feet (primarily the left) for 9 years, I finally went to the doctor for an evaluation. The half marathon and my run on vacation in Nashville the weekend after did me in. I was in extreme pain. I know that if I have any desire to continue training and running and having an active lifestyle with my family I have to get treatment.

I saw Dr. Chris at Lendermon Sports Medicine, and he was awesome! Everyone there was so nice and professional. I would recommend them to anyone who needs musculoskeletal treatment. I'll have to wear this boot for a few weeks then start physical therapy. This is not going to be fun, but I know it's necessary to continue training and improve.

-Kerry

Weight Loss

 I started training in May 2022. I was physically unwell and psychologically unwell. I'll explain in a further post, but I've always struggled with poor self image and have been very hard on myself. Running has helped my self esteem so much. I'm setting goals and crushing them. A side effect of training for the half marathon this year is losing weight.

I was a smooth 260lbs and tight 42 pant size. So far I'm down to a loose 38 size pant and down to 230lbs!! I've never felt better! Like I literally feel better. Being 30lbs lighter has helped my back, my joints, my sleep apnea get less severe, and just generally working outside easier.

Now, I've started eating less processed foods and drinking more water. I still drink the occasional soda but far less than I used to. I'm working on drinking water only. Bottom line, I'm able to be a better husband and father when I have better physical and mental health.

-Kerry

St. Jude Half Marathon 2022

The St. Jude half was fantastic. I had so many setbacks this year with injuries and life events. I was no where near where I wanted to be at race time. My goal was to be under 03:30:00, and I finished at 03:23:51!! I ended up walking a total of 3mi out of the 13mi. I had an issue at mile 10 where my left Achilles tendon and my right quad cramped at the same time. I was walking like a baby giraffe for a few seconds, haha! I was hurting but knew I had to finish this race.

Thank you so much to everyone who donated to my fundraiser. Together we raised $800 for St. Jude. A total of more than $12million was raised for St. Jude!!

Training starts now. I'll see yall next year.

-Kerry