Zach: Day 8 of 10,220

    Whoah!  Things got very serious today.   As most of you bloggers know grandma is still in town.  After helping Dianne through the lunch rush I drove Barton and grandma up to Prossers BBQ, because they were in the mood for some veggies.  Following a gigantic meal we drove out to Dick's Sporting Goods to do some shoe shopping.  It was then I got the best gift anyone could ever get, a pair of Nike Air Max Moto running shoes.  I was also able to score some Nike running shorts with lining which are incredible and give me the support I deserve, but most importantly I am now the proud owner of a black and white reversable nike headband.  I figured if you're gonna run you might as well run wearing the clothes of the great dynasty that is Nike.  The really good news is that Dick's gave a dollar of my purchase to Lance Armstrong's Charity Organization.  In spite of having only one ball Lance and John Kruk are both incredible athletes and remarkable people.  I am glad to be a part of their cause. 

    As soon as we left Dick's I removed my hat and replaced it with the headband.  When we arrived back at the restaurant I immediately changed into my new gear and did sixty pus-ups.  In addition to the new attire I wore a garnet Sam's Corner t-shirt.  I got in the Avenger and began my drive to North Litchfield.  I wanted to get in a really good run today.  I decided to run along the bike path that winds throught the woods along highway 17N.  This was also a ground breaking day because I lifted my boycott on ipods and actually had some tunes for today's run.  My parents already have a superfluous amount of ipods, and my dad recently won another one from his work so they shipped it to me.  It is a Nano and I have yet to put any of my songs on it, but I trust my daddy's taste in music.  Since today was my first run with music I thought it was only appropriate to begin with the theme from "2001, A Space Odyssey".  I found that running with music really enhances the entire experience and makes it much easier.  I ran on the bike path all the way from North Litchfield to Murrells Inlet. 

   When I got there I wasnt really tired so I turned around and started running back.  Kevin was right.  This is getting easier everyday.  At this point I was listening to Frank Sinatra on my dad's ipod.  There is something extraordinarily pleasant about listening to Frank while running through the woods.   About halfway back I felt a blister begin to develop on my heal.  I thought that this could be problematic for future runs so I removed the shoes and began to walk.  In the future I must wear socks that come above the ankle.  It was then that I passed another runner who was galloping through the forest like reindeer.  I then thought to myself, "I am not tired.  Why am I walking?".  So I completed the last leg running barefoot throught the forrest.  I felt like Jaguar Paw from "Apocalypto", who by the way is greatest distance runner of all time.   It was very tight.  According to the Avenger's odometer it is 5.4 miles round trip from North Litchfield to Murrells Inlet on 17N, and the path I was on zig zagged through the woods so I estimate I covered about six miles today, running about 5.5 due to blister stoppage.  Good day!

   I arrived back at the house to find grandma reading a book.  Thank you grandma for the new gear and being an avid supporter of runningfor28years.squarespace.com.  The blog is still an infant, but in the next few days we will be purchasing the domain and making several improvements.  Tune in tommorrow for further updates.  Everybody love everbody!

Kevin: Day 12/10220

Happy 23rd Birthday Alexander Ovechkin.

I woke up out of a sound sleep and turned to the alarm clock on my left. It read 5:01. I thought to myself, "I have another 15 minutes till my alarm goes off."

I woke up out of a sound sleep and turned to the alarm clock on my left. It read 7:06. I thought to myself, "Fuck, guess my alarm didn't go off."

I hopped out of bed, turned Spanky's heat lamp on, tossed on a blue New Balance micro-mesh shirt, Standard blue Adidas shorts, and white ankle socks. I also tossed on my old white, "COCKS" hat. I grabbed my pal's Ipod shuffle which I had borrowed to run home with Monday. I wondered how long the charge would last and contemplated using my Ipod, but decided to go with my initial decision. About 5 minutes into my jog the power ran out, right in the middle of, "Come on ride the train, and ride it, come on..."

I took off the headphones and continued about Bradley Blvd. just listening to the sounds of cars passing by. It was nice and chilly this morning, perfect temp for a jog. This was the first morning since last spring that I've come outside to find my car coated in dew.

I shaved, showered, and hopped in my car. Before getting into work I grabbed a quick cup o' joe from my mom's in Kensington. Once at the office, I told my co-worker Eric to check out my blog. I let him know he could read about what I was about to do later in the day. Then I hit the floor and struggled to complete 50 push ups.

This day in 1787 the United States Constitution was signed in Philadelphia and in 1814 Francis Scott Key finished his poem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." 

I saw two dogs today.

Zach: Day 7 of 10,220

   I just got out of the shower following a soaking wet run along the South end of Pawleys Island.  It poured earlier today, and since I slept unitl 8:30 this morning and worked from 9:00 am-9:00pm I had no choice but to run in the evening rain through the puddles left over from this afternoon's monsoon.  For this evening's run I went with a yellow Sam's Corner t-shirt and black gamecock basketball shorts.  Today I saw no fellow runners or pedestrians of any kind and passed only two cars.  I did 25 perfect push-up before I left for my run and 25 regular push-ups upon my return.  I carried a flashlight as I ran roughly 2.5 miles.  I also found out that Pawleys Island is extremely dark and kinda spooky at night, especially with all of the critters running about in the rain making funny noises.  Even though tonight's run was not my favorite thus far, it was still significant because today is my one week anniversary.  

   However, I was trumped today by my parents who are celebrating their big thirtieth wedding anniversary!!!!   Congratulations Mamma and Daddy!!!  There were times when I was unsure this day would come, but due to hard work, dedication to each other, strong personal convictions, and a lotta love and tenderness you were able to pull it off!!!  Since today is such a special day for the parents I thought I would share the story of how they met.  You bloggers might not care, but I think it is a great story worthy of documentation.

   My Mamma was living in Laurinburg, NC at the time and on vaction in Myrtle Beach with her family.  Her older sister, Kathy, decided to take her down to Ocean Boulevard for a night on the town.  They proceeded to the most happening night spot on the beach, The Magic Attic, which was located right across from the Pavilion, for some shagging and a good time (In South Carolina shagging is a dance.  My mamma was no hussey!).  My father, who lived in Myrtle Beach, had just gotten off his shift at The Fun Plaza when he decided to go over to "the Attic" to try and pick up some hot babes.  Upon entry was the first time he laid eyes on the prettiest girl in the whole wide world.  He approached and asked for a dance.  Soon after the dancing he commenced they exchanged pleasantries, and he found out that her name was Lee Ann Barton from Laurinburg, NC, but that she was actually born in Pendleton, SC.  This came as a great shock to young Rembert (my daddy), because he to was born in Pendleton.  Upon further inquiry he found out that she used live on Lebanon Road.  This came as an even greater shock to the wide eyed Rembert, because you guessed it, he to used to live on Lebanon Road.  Now my daddy the cradle robber is five years older than my mamma, and he moved to Myrtle Beach from Pendleton at age six.  So as fate would have it my parents lived right down the road from each other when my father was six and mother was one and had no idea.  Then on September 16, 1978 Lee Ann Barton became Lee Ann Baker at the First Baptist Church in Laurinburg, NC.  It's like Jeff Goldbloom said when examining the hatched Velociraptor eggs in Jurassic Park: "Life finds a way."  This concludes the story of how Rembert and Lee Ann met.  They are both great people that love each other through the good times and the bad, and they have also been wonderful parents that support me in all I do.  Thank you for everything, congratulations, and happy 30th anniversary!

Kevin: Day 11/10220

Good Morning Washington. The office is absolutely nuts today so I will have to make this quick. I woke up this morning around 7 am. I was out the door at 8 am dressed in blue Adidas shorts and an old school yellow Bike to the Beach shirt. I also established calf high white gym socks.

I had a great jog down Wisconsin Avenue. There were several cute babes on their way to work and a TON of good looking guys......... The weather was great, low 60's, little bit of sunshine. I felt amazing and my pace was blistering. I ran a measly 2.16 miles to the  Regal Theater in Bethesda and back. I completed 25 push ups mere seconds before entering the shower. I have yet to complete my second 25, but am contemplating closing the door to my office and going for it.

I am in a great mood today. The jog obviously helped, but I think even more so knowing that Spanky is content has lightened my outlook. I stopped by PetSmart on the way home yesterday and picked up a calcium turtle bone and about 15 minnows. James, John, and I watched as Mr. Spank chomped down on one helpless little fish. One of the minnows has been hovering around his butt and legs, he seems to really enjoy this...

I completed my second set of 25 push ups later in my office.

I saw no dogs this morning

Zach: Day 6 of 10,220

   I was thrilled to log on this morning and see the great Gump picture that Kevin uploaded.  Nice going big guy.  I had a lot of errands to run today, most of which involved paying bills for the restaurant.  Paying sales tax might be the least pleasant part of my month.  The rest of it is usually very enjoyable.  Grandma arrived today around 3:00 pm.  I helped her unload, and then she, Barton, and I watched Barton's DVD, "Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels."  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was vulgar, bloody, and showed boobs.  Maybe not an appropriate choice for grandma.  After the matinee we were all hungry so we went to Grandma's favorite seafood place, Lee's Inlet Kitchen, for some good ole fried seafood.  I probably consumed about 3500+ calories today:

    Breakfast:  Jalepeno Cheddar Burger/ Lunch: Hotdog, two cookies/ Dinner: hushpuppies, salad, fried oysters, flounder, and shrimp.  Yummy!!!! It is safe to say I had plenty of fuel for tonights run.  After such a gluttanous day I was unsure how far I'd make it going into my run so I was surprised when I just kept going and going.  After dinner I changed into a khaki Sam's Corner shirt and black gamecock basketball shorts.  I chose to run in North Litchfield this evening, and for the first time began my run on the beach.  I started at the southern most beach access (14N) in North Litchfield and began to run north along the beach.  The moon was full and the stars plentiful so I had no issues with lighting at the begginning of my run which took me along a row of beach houses that spanned at least a mile.  During this portion of the run I passed no other runners, but a few very serious night time seashell hunters, who are surprisingly not a very sociable lot. 

    Eventually the row of houses came to an end, but I didn't feel like turning around so I proceeded north with nothing but tall sand dunes on my left and Atlantic Ocean on my right.  At some point during this portion of the run I convinced myself I would keep running until the beach came to an end.  However, I am now convinced that North Litchfield Beach does not end until Maine, because I ran a very long way with no end in sight.  Once I saw a beach access I immediately made my way down the sandy path off the beach.  I looked to my left, and to my surprise saw Atalaya, an old abandoned mansion in Huntington Beach State Park that resembles a prison.  The moonlight dissapeared over the sanddunes leaving me in complete darkness, and I began to get the feeling I would be attacked by a ghost from the abandoned mansion at any moment.  It was then that I decided to get back on the beach and begin the run back to my car.  Once I approached the row of houses I opted to take the first possible beach access back to the paved road due to soreness of the achilles tendon from running so long on the beach.  The run down the paved road was much easier and I estimate that todays covered at least 5.5 miles.  I did 30 push-ups before my run on the beach access boardwalk and completed 25 more in the parking lot of the restaurant. 

   After my run I picked Evan Watson up from Islander, took him home, and arrived at my apartment to find Grandma and Barton laying down watching an old episode of MASH.  One Day I will find out where the beach ends.

Kevin: Day 10/10220

Double digits baby! And the walls keep tumbling down, yeah... I woke up at about 7:30 on this beautiful Monday, September 15th, 2008. 25 years ago today a wee little baby first set eyes on this world. Happy Birthday Ms. Calio.

I rolled around in bed till about 8:57 then laced em up. I walked downstairs in an ash grey tee (FYI: the color can be spelled either grEy or grAy) with blue Adidas shorts and banged out 51 push ups. I was struggling around 34 but decided to get em' out of the way. I was going to be a tad late to work already, so I decided I might as well be a tad later and get day 10 off on the right foot. I set my own schedule, but like to be in the office by 9:00.

I have been doing a little re-search on jogging everyday and it is definitely doable. To be safe I have eased up my pace a little. Although this probably won't last too long. My left ankle has been a bit sore since Saturday, but not too concerned yet. I started right around the intersection of Wisconsin and Massachusetts. I was pretty zoned out for most of the jog just thinking about life.

My pee wee football team had two games this weekend. We went 1 1/2 - 0. Along the way we scored 33 points and allowed 0. The second half of our game was canceled on Sunday because it was too hot? One of the refs passed out at half time so... it was kind of understandable. The dude had to be at least 75 years old. He was an African American gentleman with puffy white hair under his referee cap and a raggedy white beard. About 10 minutes before half he waved me over from the sidelines to come out on the field. He said, "let me hold you," and proceeded to grab onto my arm for support. This was a bit odd, but I got him some water and didn't think much else of it, until the ambulance arrived.

The streak has been putting a bit of a damper on my social life. Since I have been waking up at 5 am or so I tend to be Larry Csonka'd by 10 or 11. http://www.larrycsonka.com/

I saw no dogs today.

Zach: Day 5 of 10,220

     I'm sitting in the office with the towel wrapped around me watching Al Michaels and John Madden deliver commentary on the upcoming Browns/Steeler Sunday Night Football game debating whether or not to submit my entry now or proceed to the shower.  Looks like I've already made my decision.  I have been exhausted all day from the weekends activities, and lack of sleep due to overcrowding at the Chris Stacey Bed and Breakfast.  I helped my cousin, Barton, through the lunch rush, caught up on some administrative duties, and then I had to take a power nap. 

     I got a 7:00 pm wake-up call from mamma, and immediately hit the floor feeling zealous about the upcoming run.  Today was my first sunset run and by the far the most enjoyable run of my life.  I chose to run off the beaten path today in the Hagley neighborhood of Pawleys Island.  For today's run I sported a yellow Sam's Corner T-shirt and black gamecock shorts.  By the way, when I say off the beaten path I mean on an entirely dirt road.  I parked my car at the boat landing on the Waccammaw River down Old Plantation Road. 

     It is from there that I began my run down Old Waccammaw Road which naturally runs along the Waccamaw River.  I need to buy a digital camera so that I can start providing more vivid imagery, but it looked like a scene from a John Grisham or Pat Conroy novel.  Along the river there are large antebellum style homes surrounded by tall pines and live oaks, none of which can escape consumption by hanging Spanish Moss.  As I ran I watched the sun begin to set along the Waccammaw River, and for some reason today I experienced very little fatigue.  It had to be because I escaped the extreme heat of mid day lowcountry South Carolina.  From now on I will strive to run early in the morning or in the early evenings.  My feet took me on several detours as I ran down windy side roads to get a closer look at the river.  The entire time I enjoyed a nostalgic smell that reminded me of my Papa and the windy path toward the lake at his old house in Seneca.  It smelled like pine cones and campfire.  Eventually I made my way back onto Old Plantation Road and began my run back towards the boat landing. 

     When I arrived at the landing I ran all the way out onto the aluminum floating dock and immediately did fifty pushups.  Upon completion of the push-ups I removed my shoes, dipped my feet in the river, and enjoyed watching the last ray of sunshine exit the horizon.  I sat there thinking for a little while just enjoying being alone with my thoughts.  I am typically a very loud and outgoing person (maybe even a little obnoxious at times) that hates being alone.  However, I am becoming a stronger runner that enjoys going on longer runs instead of simply knocking out my 1.5 miles.  This in a sense forces me to become more introspective and learn more about myself.  When I got up to leave I turned around to the sight of a full moon.  Today' run was nothing short of perfect.  I look forward to running along the river more often.  Now I have to go clean the apartment.  Grandma's coming to visit tommorrow. 

Zach: Day 4 of 10,220

    Sorry to all you bloggers out there.  I know i'm a day late getting my Day 4 posted, but that's because my friend Chris Stacey does not have internet at his house, and besides I had to get spruced up for gameday.  Day 4 was a day of turning the skeptics into believers.  I woke up around 8:00.  Gotta get a jump on the day when the cocks are playing.  About six of my friends were couch flopping at Stacey's house this weekend, and when I told them of my goal they said they needed confirmation and didn't believe it could be accomplished or that I was actually running the entire 1.5 miles. 

     In an effort to prove them wrong I had Stacey lube up the old treadmill in his bedroom which was in desperate need of use, I set the speed at a brisk pace and began my jog.  I forgot to pack a t-shirt so I decided to go with the Columbia swim trunks/shirtless look.  During my run I enjoyed the company and taunting of Mr. John Mcmurray, Nathan Snyder,Chris and Brandon Stacey, as well as John Brinson (the only one who believed in me; Thanks Big Guy).  I completed my mile and half, went downstairs, and immediately knocked out 50 consecutive push-ups. 

    What a great way to start the day.  Now I'm ready to tailgate.  I took a shower, and over the course of the next hour or so we assembled a formidable posse.  We then made our way to Morrisson Memorial tailgate lot, a place that is unrivaled in its level of debauchery.  Yesterday was one of the hottest gamedays I have ever experienced with temperatures in the high nineties, but much like running, a dedicated Gamecock will fight through the blistering heat in the quest for the optimal tailgate/gameday experience. 

    Sadly, the Cocks fell to #2 ranked Georgia 14-7 yesterday.  We had our chances, and had higher statistics in every major category.  The defense looked great, and the offensive line even showed signs of life in the second half.  I could have stomached the loss a little easier had we beated Vanderbilt last week, but for some reason consistency has never really been a staple of the program.  It was just a typical hot Saturday in September, a lowscoring batlle down in the trenches between the cocks and dawgs.  Somebodies gotta win.  See you next September in Athens.