Slacker

I am a slacker. I've slacked in training,blogging,and fundraising so far this summer. Now it's crunch time. I have a lot of work to do in the next few months. The only good news is I really believe I can get it all accomplished.

We'll see. Check out link to TNT website.

Feeling Better

I am feeling a lot better about training after today's long run. It has been a while since I have completed a seven mile distance without stopping, shaneing, or just plain hating the run. This gives me new life.

It's like Frank Constanza ( George's Dad in Seinfeld ) said,"I feel reborn, like the great Phoenix rising from Arizona."

I look forward to next week's training!

GUT CHECK

There comes a time when you either go forward or fall back towards a goal you have set for yourself. My goal is to run the Marine Corp Marathon this year. My goal is to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

I am very discouraged with my efforts so far, and this weekend was rock bottom. It was a failed attempt to run the AEP 10k that sparked a dreary Sunday. Yes, I brought the rain storm! I am disappointed in myself for not being fully committed to training, fund raising activities, and for lack of confidence that is required to endure 5 hours of running to complete my goal.

You're either in, or your out. And I have decided that I am in!

My apologies to The Tim for not being fully vested in training so far. I will get caught up and I will be there in October.

My Memorial Day Vacation

The wild west was the destination for Memorial Day 2007. Golf, food, pool activities were all on the itinerary at my sister's house for the weekend. A small road trip to the mountains north of Phoenix proved to be entertaining.

Golf at Stone Mountain GC.

Monica, Ann, and Me at The Palace Saloon in Prescott, AZ. This is where Monica's wallet was stolen. We think by a horse thief.

Monica and Ann's house in North Phoenix. Look Mountain in the background.

We started here at Eagle Mountain GC.

Spectator on the 18th Tee.

And we finished at the TPC of Scottsdale. Great Course!

Spectator on the 15th tee of the TPC.

I had a great time. And now I am back in Roanoke. The Hall of Fame is in two weeks, back to training for the marathon, starting a new prospecting campaign for work, and finishing my creek project.

Rocking Right Along!

Well......I have used all the rocks I gathered for my project. I will need a few more for finishing touches. All the over runs are contained, the rocks in place, the pump works, and I am on to the plumbing phase.

I bought a 5,000 GPH pump. Over kill! It'll be a class 5 rapid. I need to install a ball valve to regulate the flow. The pump will not be running full capacity so it should last alot longer. It's starting to look like an actual creek now. It won't be long until the birds and squirrels are bathing in it.

I am taking a short break from construction due to a trip out west to see my sister Monica. There will be some golf posts from AZ coming some.

Progress

I made a little progress this week on the pond less waterfall. I have the waterfalls set the way I want them, and I have laid the creek bed. I used mortar to keep the bed from shifting and to secure some key rocks. We had a gully washer last night so I hope it does not mess it up to much.

Next I will need to assemble the plumbing and test the pump. After that I will fill the hole with different size rocks and pebbles, finish edging the creek bed, plant flowers and shrubs, mulch, and then finally run electric. June 2nd is the target date.

I slept in this morning. A four miler is scheduled for 4pm today.

It Just a Number

This past weekend I played in a two day event at Countryside Golf Course. It was the first weekend available to attempt to qualify for the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame Tournament. We had to play two rounds of golf and the total of the rounds were your score to qualify for the ten man team to represent our club in the tournament. The tournament is a three day event at Hunting Hills, Hidden Valley, and Waterfront Country Clubs. It is a team and individual event to be played from June 8-10th. Nine spots were available since our 2006 Club Champion is exempt. You usually have to shoot 160 to make the team. I shot 77-79 for a total of 156. I am currently fifth with five left to qualify this week. Baring no one else is allowed to sign up after the past deadline, I am mathematically safe.

What a relief! After making an 8 on the eighth hole of the tournament I could have starting packing it in early. I tightened up and finished with a good round on Saturday. Going out with a 38 on the front nine Sunday I felt pretty good. That's when little things start to happen. You start thinking about the number. Three straight bogies on 10,11,12. A great par on 13, lobing a shot out of the knee high rough on 17 to a back right pin. A bogey on 14, a double bogey on 15. Wait a minute don't tell me you are going to blow this thing! After watching two competitors hit it in the water on the tough 16th par three, I punched a 7 iron to about 10 feet. MADE IT! BIRDIE! I then snapped hooked my tee shot on the 17th. It hit a tree and kicked out of the the hazard. I hit it into the bunker short of the green. UP and DOWN! ANOTHER BIRDIE! Finally some breathing room. I wish I could say I finished strong but I made yet another double bogey on the 18th. ( note to self: When up by two or three shots don't hit driver of the 18th tee ever again. )

What a game!