Aaron is giving up his baby. Such a tough decision, but I am so proud of him for finally reaching one — and one that will help further his goals and dreams for the future. That’s the kind of man I love.

aaronpass:

Very few people get to own one of their dream cars in their lifetime. I am very fortunate to consider myself one of those select few.

My 1966 Austin Mini Cooper S Monte Carlo is my favorite car I have ever owned. It was a car I drooled at pictures of and had dreams about. I have owned four different Minis and with each one of those, I strived to have it be this car.

A year and a half ago I was hit by someone running a red light on my motorcyle. Owning a motorcycle was always a burning desire of mine. Ever since I was a little boy watching a Honda CBRXX fly by my family’s car at 120mph, I had to have one. After my accident, I have not had the same passion for cars and bikes like I used to. In less than a year I have owned five different cars trying to find one that sparked that passion for automobiles I have had my whole life. None of them have. My attention span used to be that of a two-year old when I was in the car scene. No more. They don’t put that giant smile on my face, that rush of adrenaline like they used to. I am really enjoying fulfilling my passion for photography, cycling, and exploring new adventures with my “CLICK HERE”.

So, after much thought, changing my mind over and over, it is time to let it go. I listed the car for sale yesterday. The money that is just sitting in that car is better used elsewhere. I am saving for a down payment on a home, eventually travel the world, and of course putting away savings. 

The new owner, whoever it may be, will enjoy the car more than I ever will. 

First run with the Garmin. First run in the wbaw shirt. First run after 3 days of being sick. First run after 9 DAYS OF NOT RUNNING.

3 miles, 8:42 pace.

The Garmin has proven what I’ve long suspected: I can run faster than I thought I could! Wooooo-hoooooo!!!

11 miles tomorrow morning with the DetermiNation team — the longest run of this training cycle — and then just two weeks until my first half-marathon!

P.S. CREDIT where credit is due:

Aaron, 1:28 PM: What do you want to do tonight?

Me, 1:46 PM: Run, have dinner, watch Kung Fu Panda?

Me, 4:39 PM: I don’t really wanna run tonight. Blahhh : /

Aaron, 4:46 PM: Just a short one!

Aaron, 4:47 PM: If you go right when you get home, I’ll be there rightish when you get back.

He’s a genius.

Ohmygosh. First of all, I just have to say that your blog is the most inspiring running blog that I’ve ever come across. I love reading your recaps of your races because ever since I signed up for the San Francisco 5k, I’ve been freaking out about it because I’ve never run a race before. :) I was also wondering if you had any pointers for a first time racer? Thank you so much for creating your blog! <3

Wow! I am embarrassingly late in responding to such a nice message! Thank you so much for your kind words.

I wrote a post on my other blog about my favorite parts of any race day that might help you get an idea of what the race will be like, and also help you get excited! Read it here: Race day.

And my tips for your first race are:

– Don’t start out too fast. Start at a comfortable pace until you find your groove, and save your energy for a speedy last mile or half-mile.

– Figure out which side of the course is the “inside” (left or right) and stick to it – for example, if the course is around a lake, stay as close to the water as you can. You’ll run a shorter race and get a faster time!

– Avoid weaving around people, as that’ll make you run a longer race and slow you down. I usually line up with the pace group that runs a little faster than me to avoid passing/weaving around slower people at the start.

– Don’t be ashamed to walk if you need to. Pull off to the side of the course to get out of others’ way and walk quickly/give yourself a pep talk, then resume running.

– Finish strong! Tell yourself, “There’s only XX distance left, and THEN I can rest!” Smoke that finish line, smile and savor the moment. You’ll absolutely love it.

Best of luck to you!

An unhurried life

I said I’d post my revelation when I got around to writing it, then failed to link to it yesterday when I posted the whole explanation on my other blog! Anyway. Here it is.

(This post was also the reason I experienced inbox madness last night. Leo Babauta tweeted a link to it – he has something like 68,000 Twitter followers – and the response was incredible. So many nice comments from so many people I either just met last weekend or don’t know at all. Wow.)

An unhurried life