Gil Can Run!A blog on Running and all the crap that runs through my head while doing it

Aug 8th I need a vacation!

Seriously, it’s been non-stop all year. These last couple weeks have been particularly trying. But United won today, it didn’t look convincing, but a win is a win. Then I went for my usual Saturday 10 miler. I was pretty happy with my run. Something about starting at the bottom of the hill I would live on if I could live in my house seems to make me run faster.
Then it was off on another day of buying things for and working on a house I can’t even live in. But it’s getting there. Today, appliances were hooked up. Except the microwave that was damaged on delivery. They are bringing a new one next week.
So while I was out running, with all this stress, and being technically homeless, and trying to get all this stuff done, I was thinking about the truly homeless. Hoping all my friends are following my suggestion and giving back and doing what they can to help the truly homeless. My state announced that it is going to work to end veteran homelessness and hopefully general homelessness in my state within the next couple years. Once again, poverty is a choice, a choice by us, as a society, to harm other people. To make sure other people don’t have enough. It really is time to change that. We all have to stand up and do some things different to make it happen. So let’s start today! Have fun, keep running, and remember: If Gil can run, the so can you!

Aug 7th Tonight, not so much excitement

OK, so I picked up some stuff for my house. Closet organizers and such. Yes, getting close to not being homeless now! Beyond that, I’ve spent the night just relaxing. Buying some electronics and such. Because it’s damned near time. So my big question tonight is to PS4 people, Playstation Network Plus, or no? Seriously. When I do just veg out, it’s with playstation basically. Some minecraft too. Anyway, which way to go, is it worth it?
So tomorrow, Premiere League opener! Man U v Tottenham, GGMU! Then a run, then setting up said closet organizers, that project may run into Sunday, as I want to try and go see Shaun the Sheep the movie. YES! Shaun the Sheep, The MOVIE! Too exciting. Well have fun, keep running, because if Gil can run, then so can you! And let me know about the Playstation Plus thing.

Aug 6th Missing my running stats!

Saturday’s race:
So I didn’t do as well as I wanted, but given I had moved the night before, I think I did pretty well. It’s a pretty fun, flat course. The sun was beating down hard.

I got really sick Saturday night and did not run Sunday.

I ran Tuesday though. It was a good pace, It was hot, I had to rush back to my home which is still under construction and talk to Solar City about going solar. Yep, when I finally do have a house to live in again, I’m getting solar panels.

Wednesday, life hit pretty hard and I did not have time to run.

Thursday night, tonight, I got a good 7 miles in. I like starting and finishing at my home home and not the rental. As you notice, it’s a nice tough uphill right from the start. It makes me stronger, it makes me run faster and makes the rest of the miles feel easier. Alright, I have to take off, have fun and keep running, because if Gil can run, then so can you!

Aug 6th Still can’t record

A week on, still technically homeless, no place to record. Sorry I have not been able to update. Will be back next week, promise! I have been running, I will post those sometime tonight.

Jul 30th Sorry things have gone a little crazy

OK, so I will be without internet for a week. Well, except on my phone and I can’t upload a show through my phone, so no show until next week, sorry! Probably not many updates either. the bear is hugging me a little right now. So a little break isn’t a bad thing right? I have a 5k this Saturday, just to remind you all this is ultimately about running. There’s lots of free beer at the end of it! 🙂 So that will be a welcomed break. I registered for the Self-transcendence marathon in August. But right now my focus is on the needs of my family, which means getting the house done. I am very sorry, and I feel like I’m letting you all down. I am my own worst critic always, it’s why I’m constantly trying to improve, I feel like I’ll never be good enough for me.
Alright, so listen, take it easy, have fun and keep running, because if Gil Can Run, then so can you!

Jul 27th Packing for the move

Either way, I have to move on Friday. Out of the rental house, even though it looks like my house won’t be done. So I’m cleaning up some old paperwork, putting my crap in boxes and I go to grab my medals off the dresser. Now I don’t have any pre-July 2014 medals right now, because they were all in the fire and the cleanup people took them to their warehouse. So I’m figuring, not too many medals right? I’ve run 18 races since the fire. Moreover, the BUS 6 hour Pajama Romp was the first race I ran after the fire. So they bookend the picture, I put all the medals in order.

So let’s see if we can go left to right:
6 Hour Pajama Romp (31 mi, 50k completed), Craft Brew 5k, New Haven Road race (20k), Gulf Beach Half Marathon, Yonkers Marathon, Buenos Aires Marathon, Brooklyn Marathon, Philadelphia Marathon, Roxbury Marathon, Arena Attack XL Center Marathon, Caumsett 50k, Savin Rock Marathon, New Jersey Marathon, Hamden Hills Half Marathon, Vermont City Marathon, Walkway Marathon, Marathon Around the Lake, and 6 Hour Pajama Romp (27.5 mi completed). I did not get anything I remember for the Colchester Half Marathon and you  don’t get medals for the Branford Road Race. So that’s a lot of hardware, I also gathered two pint glasses. I don’t have a problem!
Other than that, I went to the dentist today, it was a great cleaning and checkup, maybe we’ll talk about the importance of good dental hygiene this week! Alright, have fun, keep running and if Gil Can run, then so can YOU!

Jul 26th Finally I have a minute to collect some thoughts

Well not really any thoughts. Here is the data from Saturday night. What a run. Saw lots of friends, made some new ones. The atmosphere in Astoria park is always fun, and plenty of support from onlookers. Even had to bust a “Your Mom” joke on some kids that were heckling some runners. No seriously, there was a group of 15-20 kids being loud and obnoxious after the pool closed. They were feigning to give people “5” and then spinning away and laughing and everything. Well, I ended up passing my them a second time, and the main kid, the “leader”, was yelling at someone, I couldn’t see who and calling them a “bitch”. Well, junior, don’t hang around too long when you’re being an ass near me. Because as I passed I said “I get why you kids are so angry, after your moms told you how good I was last night!” Seriously, don’t mess with the nerdy kid who has no fear, you’re gonna loose.
If you’re ever considering a 6 hour run though, I’d highly recommend this race, it’s always a blast. So this year people did a lot more miles than it seemed last year. I was 10th in mileage last year with just over 50K (31.1 mi), but with just 4 less miles I was 30th this year. Or maybe 31st? Doesn’t matter. But I wasn’t the only one who had some struggles. My friend Al wasn’t feeling well, but he pushed hard in the second half and got himself just over marathon distance. Kate had run a 7 miler in the morning and still ran strong that night. Elliot and his wife Jen ran, they got though, Jen managed her first marathon! Bill and Dotti did great and I managed to finish alongside Bill, we almost got to the 2000 yard marker, but just ran out of time on our respective final loops. Anyway, the point is, a small event like that is great particularly when you know so many people running it!
So I was in plenty of pain, that’s for sure. My right knee, and whatever the issue is I’ve been having is horrible. I actually walked almost the last two hours. I was just trying to keep myself under 15 minute miles, until I was sure I’d have a marathon distance. There was so much pain though, the last lap I actually put some ice in my towel and tied it around the back of my knee. It provided pretty good relief actually and Bill and I ran pretty hard during the last minute. I also picked up a blister on my right pinky toe. Yeah, I haven’t popped it. Usually I pop blisters but unsure if I want to risk it on the foot. And my plantar fascia on my left foot is swollen and in pain as well. What do I expect? Back to back marathons something was going to hurt. All in all, while I definitely pushed too hard, I more than happy with the accomplishment and definitely made the right choice to do this. I’m glad I was able to achieve this goal this year.
As if that wasn’t enough, I then got home this morning, slept a few hours, and went to my house to see if my general contractor could use my help. He says, “Sure, could you cut the repair pieces for the basement bathroom drywall?” Could I? Well hell yes! I’m actually a pretty skilled person when it comes to stuff like that. So I spent my morning and afternoon doing that. Came home and started packing, as we have to move our stuff back by the end of the week. Exciting times, stressful times. I hope I’ll be able to give you guys a show on Friday. Well, anyway, my weekend is over, time to sleep. Have fun and keep running, cause if Gil can run, then so can you!

Jul 25th Sometimes finishing is the best we do

There were many factors against me. I just hope tonight is a little better! This was my slowest marathon ever. About 10 miles in and I just knew I did not have energy or pace. It was very humbling, but I stayed with it, I stayed focused, met  to and talked to some cool people along the way. The good thing about a marathon being part of a 24 hour race, there are plenty of people walking to talk to! OK, Off to Astoria Park in Queens for some pajama rompin’ action!

Jul 24th 30 minutes to race time!

So here we are, just about to get going, a light rain is falling, I’ve eaten my pb&j sandwich (sans palm oil), and I didn’t have a chance for a flat Gil picture. So here’s a not fat Gil instead!

Jul 23rd Gil Can Run Show Episode 12

Well look what we have here, Episode 12! I can’t believe it’s been 12 weeks! 3 months. How far we’ve come. We talk mostly about running and specifically preparing for travel for a race, or two. So apart from what gear I bring, we talk a bit about the awesome Red Bulls defeating Chelsea! And New Horizons, Kepler 452b and other cool space stuff! I’m off to the Marathon Around the Lake tomorrow! Have fun and keep running!

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