Hello from Afghanistan

Hello Raptors! Just wanted to check in and let you all know that I am doing well. We're finally getting settled in and starting to get down to business here. I've also started back into my training. It will be a little more challenging than I had expected, looks like I'll be doing a lot of treadmill time than I would like. During the day, the heat, dust and traffic makes running on the roads unwise, although I do see people doing it. At night it's cool and there's no traffic, but it is dark, dark and more dark, and I'd be afraid of running off into a ditch or meeting a snake. I did 6 miles on a treadmill yesterday, and it felt good--it was the first time I had run since I ran with the roosters. I get off work at 1:30 in the morning, and the gym is almost empty and relatively cool at that time of day. In a couple of months when the weather cools off I should be able to start running on the road, which I'm really looking forward to. Right now I'm motivated and ready to run, I can't wait for January!

See you all soon--Steve

Run with the Roosters photo links

Steve
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3714393991/in/set-72157621237623429/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3715204952/in/set-72157621237623429/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3715311222/in/set-72157621237623429/

Mary
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3715296834/in/set-72157621237623429/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3715299260/in/set-72157621237623429/

Mary and Steve
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3714942300/in/set-72157621237623429/
Tia and Lisa
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3715354032/in/set-72157621237623429/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3715356468/in/set-72157621237623429/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/everyoneruns/3714688943/in/set-72157621237623429/

Earl was there but I couldn't find him at the half way point photos. Sorry Earl.

I wonder......

Next Saturday I suggest that if it is as hot as this Saturday.Instead of walking or running in the very hot air(just ask Jasper) that we walk in the water of our pool. We walk 1 hour every day and it is good resistance. We could walk in the "deep" end (I can touch) the kids can play in the shallow end, we could take turns watching the kids play, they are happy and safe, we are walking. We don't have to start as early as well. It's a win win situation. Just a thought. hugs to all Pat

7/12- Run with the Roosters (Raptors)

Mary and Steve registered for the Everybody Runs Run with the Roosters at Old Tucson Studios. I slept in a little too late and got to the race 10 minutes after the gun so we missed the starting line photos.

Steve finished under an hour true to his pace. We kept a look out for his orange shirt. Then he cheer Mary on with us.Mary was looking well and extremely strong in her finish. She even finished below her goal pace. As she ran in, she even gave us the Raptor Claw!Thank you to the Rooster and Earl who provided on course support to our runners. Thank you to Lisa for supporting our Raptors at the finish line. Lisa even went out of her way to get some water to the poor Rooster who was roasting in his costume.Since Earl wasn't able to make it to the finish line, we included him in the photo anyways via my excellent photoshopping!

Great job Raptors and Be Safe Steve.

We will think positive thoughts for you our our run. I dedicate mile 3 to you. Every Raptor, every Saturday will be wishing for your safe return to us stronger and faster at PF Chang!

See you in January

Today has been an emotional day, and it's not over yet. Mary and I ran our first race this morning, the 5 mile Run with the Roosters at Old Tucson Studios. I've run quite a few 5k races at bases around the world, but this was my first 'real' race (i.e. open to the public) and it was pretty exciting. I finished in just over 55 minutes. Not as fast as I would have liked, but it was a finish none the less. Of course, the real emotion will come this afternoon when I get on a plane headed for Afghanistan. This trip has been a long time coming, but you're never really ready. The bright side is that I will have plenty of time to run and work out, and will come back in great shape to run a marathon. We are scheduled for a six month rotation, but unfortunately our exact return date is open ended at this time. Hopefully the math will work out and 12 July + 6 Months = Home before 17 January, even if just barely! It will be close, but I have faith that I will see you all in Phoenix. Good luck to you all in your training and in any races you may run between now and then. Of course I will continue to read the blog and will post as often as I can. I promise to keep my head down, and if anyone messes with me I'll just give 'em the claw!

First Race, Small but feels good.

So today was the Run with the Roosters 5 miler at The Old Tucson Studios. It was a hard run even though I can in under the goal I set for myself. I finished at 1 hour 13 minutes and 20 secondsish (my goal 1 hour and 15 minutes). It was harder than I expected since I had a mental block the whole way, all I could think about was the fact that Steve was leaving today. Somewhere around mile 3 I felt as if I would just curl up on the side of the road and cry. But I kept running, I just kept telling myself Just keep going (you know from "Finding Nemo" when Dory sings Just Keep Swimming"). Then I saw Steve and he said Earl was waiting at the turn around. It was so great to see a Raptor there and cheering me on. It gave the second wind I needed. As I approached the turn in to Old Tucson I could see an Orange shirt and two Red ones, it was Steve, Tia and Lisa, yelling and cheering me on to the finish. It made my heart sing. Thanks for the support Tia, Lisa and Earl and of course Steve. I feel like I could have done better but there is always next time.

Mary
"Just Keep Going, Running, Going" (See now I know all you can hear is Dory from Finding Nemo)

STEVE!!!

Hey! What's up everybody! I miss you all so much--it feels like it's been forever!!

Anyway...Steve is leaving us to go do some very important work for our country in Afghanistan, so we won't be seeing him for awhile (I don't know why I'm talking like you don't all already know this...).

So, STEVE...thank you so much for what you are doing for our country. I will miss seeing you on our Saturday morning runs. I mean, who else is going to run circles around me??? I look forward to seeing you on Race Day!! And don't worry, we'll take good Raptor-care of Miss Mary for you!! :)

Be safe and get home soon!! :)

Hey am I finally at the right place I think I might be this time. It's 4:30 AM Rog is still in bed but I am up with my cup of tea waiting for it to get light enough to go out for our walk. Yesterday I just got too hot and called it quits after 2 miles,we left at 7:00. Today we leave much earlier. It is much easier to walk in the pool. I never get hot in there. My stamina is much better with the pool walking but I need to get out on the trail I think. Rogers knee is better, so the trail it is going to be today!!!!! Well I hope this time this gets on Have a great day hugs to all Pat