Gliding in Northern Michigan

Did you ever want to fly? I have. There are several ways to do it by plane, hang glider, parachute, hot air balloon. Yesterday I glided over Betsie Bay and Lake Michigan.

Strapped in and Ready to Fly

I have wanted to do it for a long time. It was everything I thought it would be and more. I signed up for one flight but we had to make an emergency landing before we got up to full altitude, so I got a bonus flight. Now most people would think after cutting the first one short I should not press my luck. I think anyone reading this knows me well enough to know it was just pure excitement and I was ready to climb back in the glider as soon as possible. I did, we went up, and came down safely. I’m writing this aren’t I?

My pilot is named Dick, (insert joke here).

Dick the Pilot and me are set to fly

He was a good guy with tons of experience, seventeen years and over twelve hundred flights. I felt very safe with him. It was his call to set down early during the first flight. We had a wall of fog coming at us at one thousand feet from Lake Michigan. He figured we could fly just fine, but would have to land blind on our descent.

Nose down losing speed and altitude, we need to land fast

He got us looped around the airport and down fast. I mean fast, it was a wild bumpy landing. I was hooked

I learned a lot during that first quick flight, and it gave me the chance to really enjoy more about the next one.

The Tow plane and Glider

I had seen gliders being towed before but it is really wild when you are in the plane. For one I had no idea that you take off and land in grass.

You get off the ground fast

It makes things a little more exciting when you are bumping down the runway. Once you grab air you shoot up pretty quick. From the ground I noticed the glider goes a little higher than the plan as soon as they are both airborne.

Nice Shot of the Tow Plane

Running With Scissors Marathon Wrap Up

It finally arrived. The Running With Scissors Marathon. The idea that came to me in a delirious moment during another race. I advertised, joked, and yakked about this one. This was going to be the race that would raise some serious money for Parenting Alone. Well it worked. I was hoping to bring in $250.00 on this race, but you wonderful generous people contributed $439.26. Way Way Way over expectations.

Saturday night June 20^th, 7:20 and its GO TIME. I have everything I need for a marathon. Water, check. GPS, check. Good shoes, new wicking socks, distance shorts and performance shirt, check check check. Purple dress and feather boa, check. Superman outfit and bubble maker, check. Wait, What?? Oh yea that’s right. Tonight I Run With Scissors!!

Yall showed up big so now it was my turn. I was asked to wear a dress, howl at the moon, and more and I was not going to disappoint.

I knew sooner or later things had to get ugly, and when I say things I mean me.

I started off running with scissors, and felt good. I had some great friends with me cheering along and we were having a fun time. I quickly burned through the first few sponsored miles.

I could write about the run. Tell you about my pace, how I felt mile after mile. All of that stuff that gets my heart racing, but we know that’s not why your here. You came for the picts. I don’t blame you. I would feel the same way. I hope you all get a kick out of these. It was embarrassing, but also a lot of fun. I want you to know I ran proud knowing that I was giving you and Parenting Alone my all.

It doesn't get much uglier than this. I wanted to make sure the sponsors got their moneys worth so I ran some populated streets.

Next up was Superman. My friend Shan felt sorry for me and wanted me get some dignity back. It was a good thought until I ran past a bunch of teenage girls. I heard one of them say, "Whos the old guy who thinks its Halloween." That wasn't so good for the morale!!

Bubble Time. Nuff said!!

At 11:30 my neice Meredith showed up and saved me. I was pretty worn down, but she lifted my spirits enough for me to keep going with a smile. Thanks for running with me Me Me!!

Running With Scissors Marathon Has Begun!

(post by Gary – witness and supporter of RWSM)

This evening at 7:20pm CST, the first annual, Running With Scissors Marathon began.  The race started off with sneakers and scissors flying across the starting line.  

All you needed to participate was a pair of scissors and the willingness to run in the heat of a Texas evening.  Even with a start in the evening temps were still in the 90s.

Spirits were high and well wishers abounded and the race got off without a hitch.

I actually had the good fortune of piloting one of the support vehicles for the race and I am able to chronicle the first few miles of the race from my own personal eye-witness account.

Some people think marathon running is drudgery, just step after step and mile after mile of physical exhaustion and mental boredom.  Well, that is not the case at the RWSM!  We had a near canine attack incident.  Several near death experiences due to the actual running with scissors.  And some questionable conduct on the race course with a running nearly pushing another running into the lake.  And that was all just in the first mile!

The Running With Scissors Marathon is all about the sponsored miles.  That is where the fun and challenge of this run separate it from other “simple marathons”.

First up in the sponsored mile was to push Chloe around in her stroller for a mile.  Now pushing a stroller may not sound that tough. But think about that in the context of running a marathon, in June, in Texas and pushing an extra 60 pounds that drinks all of your water and you start to get an understanding that the sponsored miles aren’t easy.  Even the ones that look easy, like simply pushing a stroller.

Well that is it for this Mid-race update.  As this post is uploaded to the  interwebs, at least one runner is still persevering through a hot Texas night for his charity, his health and his own personal goal of running 12 marathons in 12 months.

Good luck John!

And here are a few more pics from the early stages of the run.

Chloe peeking back

RWSM - Official Rest Stop

Is that a threat?

Suprise 40th!

This weekend on Sat. June 13^th, there was a surprise birthday party for me. It was great. I had a ton of friends and family show up, and we had a lot of fun. I want to thank my mom, sister, and girlfriend

Thanks Kari!!

for organizing and planning the whole thing. I know it must have been a lot of work. I can’t say enough about how blessed I am to have the family and friends I do. I can’t really explain how cool it was so I’m just going to post a lot of pictures. If you were there thanks so much for coming and if you weren’t I wish you had been. It was a ball, and made me feel great about turning the big 40!

The kids were so funny.

My Best Girl

The cake was perfect.

Do the glasses make me look old?

Running With Scissors

Some people think I’m crazy for running a marathon….

Most people think I’m crazy for running 12 marathons in 12 months….

But everyone will think I am completely insane for running a marathon with scissors!!!!

Actually, I’m only running the first mile with scissors. The rest of the race is where you come in. I want to make this marathon a little more interactive for everyone supporting Parenting Alone so I am taking on a challenge. I will run each mile in a requested style for the small sum of ten dollars per mile. “What the heck does that mean?” you probably asked yourself!! For example, if someone wants me to run with an egg on a spoon for a mile, they chip in ten bucks or more and tell me to do it. Just go to my website at http://www.firstgiving.com/12X12 and donate, add your request under the comment section.

I’m willing to do most anything, as long as it’s safe and won’t hinder me from completing my miles. I’ll juggle, sing, and skip, anything you can think if. This race belongs to you, and with your help I can raise 250.00 dollars or more for Parenting Alone with this race alone. As proof of my unusual feats I will have someone with me at all times taking pictures. You gotta admit that will be a funny update after this race!!

The race is on June 20^th and starts at 9:00pm. I will be running a course around Coppell, and if anyone would like to join me for part or even my entire run I would love it. Come run, ride a bike, or even rollerblade with me. This should be a real crazy/fun time. I will send out more updates on what I have scheduled. If you plan to have me do something please donate early so I can practice. I figure all this weirdness is going to add a lot of time to my run so I want to be as prepared as possible.

Most important, don’t forget to pass this letter on to anyone that can help, or that needs help. Parenting Alone is a really good group of people that can do some great things for people who need it. For those who haven’t, check out the video and pass it along. http://www.parentingalone.org/about-us/

Colorado Colfax Marathon Update and Teaser

Just a quick update.

Sunday I completed the 6^th marathon on my journey. I ran in Denver, Colorado and went hard trying to get a Personal Record. I ran out of steam at the end, and missed it by 1 minute and 14 seconds. I think the high altitude dehydrated me more than I was used too. I finished with an official time of 4:29:38. I stayed under the 4:30 mark and was happy about that.

GPS Info from the Colorado Colfax Marathon

Stay tuned for an update on my next race!! It’s a crazy one. I am running the first ever, Running with Scissors Marathon. It is going to be a great opportunity for everyone to get involved in the fun. More info is coming soon!!

Big Sur the Aftermath

I finally got my camera out last night. This is a photo I took from about halfway up Hurricane Point. I had views like that for 20 miles. If you ever get a chance to run HWY One, I would suggest you drive it, LOL. It would be a lot more fun!!

Gorgeous shot from Hurricane Point

Quick update… I run in Colorado this weekend, The Colorado Colfax Marathon. I have been pushing myself hard and plan to have a good time. I would like to go for a new PR. I’m not sure how the altitude will affect me so we shall see, but I am doing everything I can to be ready and strong. Yall wish me luck.

Check out Hurricane Point. It was crazy tough, and downhill was as hard as up.

Big Sur – The Photos

Mile 25.5 I was beaten up pretty good, Still moving though, barely

Happy Running

Nice View

On the Way to Big Sur

I wanted to touch base with everyone and give you an update. This weekend I head to Big Sur California for the Big Sur Marathon. This is my highlight run of the year. I have been excited about running this marathon for 2 years. I am sending some pictures to make you all jealous!! LOL.

My time will be pretty slow on this one. Not only have I eaten cake and brownies for the last month, but I am strapping a camera to my leg and plan to stop and take lots of pictures.

Most importantly I want to thank everyone again for their support. As most of you know I have a lot of experience with being a single parent and I know how hard it can be. At times it can be overwhelming and I can’t imagine how it feels to someone without the support system I have. It means so much to me that yall kicked in and helped Parenting Alone. They really do help a lot of good people.

http://www.parentingalone.org/resources/

Thanks so much, and talk to you after the race!!

Piano Player at the end of Bixby Bridge

Bixby Bridge. I look forward to crossing this.

California Redwoods. I will run this forest for the first 5 miles.