Kevin: Day 2215

DAY 2215. Rapp's been on quite the running heater as of late. Throwing out 6 milers like it's a freaking joke. Broke out an early morning sunrise sixer today to the Lincoln Memorial. Absolutely gorgeous. Definitely logged 50+ miles in the past 7 days. I needed it after a California vacation laden in rich foods and lush wines. 

I stepped on a scale on the 2nd to last day of my vacation and was hurt. I couldn't believe how much I weighed. Reality, can be a great motivator. There's no bullshitting a scale. If it says you weigh 220lbs, you weigh 220lbs. It's not going to change the number if you're nice to it. 

Been going through quite a bit of soreness during the first mile or so of recent jogs, then it subsides. Think I'm just breaking the legs back into the swing of consistent long distances. 

All in all, pretty happy w/ what life is tossing at me as of late. No complaints bros and babes.

6.2 miles

7 dogs

Kevin: Day 2032

Day 2032.  You're right Corn, it has been a long time. I won't apologize for the living that I've been doing outside of the walls of the interwebs. However, I would be remiss if I suggested that I haven't felt an emptiness in my soul via my lack of attention to the blog. I love you guys. 

So what's been going on over the past month and a half? Well, our bowling squad made it to the final four of our league before completely falling apart in the semi-finals. Devastating? You bet. It felt awful. It was like the world's strongest man shoved his hand right through my chest and pulled out my heart, and all I could do was stand there and watch as it took its last few worthless beats. Losing sucks. 

I'm growing a beard. Up until now, facial hair on my face was reserved almost exclusively for my travels abroad. But that has changed, for now. I actually think it looks kind of nice. It's not the best beard ever, but it's only been about 10 days. My chin has an ample supply of white hairs. This discovery was a bit off putting at first, but I have come aruond to embrace it. Character, class, sophistication are a few words that come to mind. 

My runs? They have been solid. There was a 2 week or so stretch when mileage dropped quite drastically, but we're back to 5+ milers on most days. The legs feel strong. 

I went to a yoga class a couple Saturdays ago, and hope to keep that up a bit. The following Sunday was even more interesting with a private dance lesson followed by my first pedicure. Let me tell you men, these babes got it all figured out. "I'm getting my nails done.", really means, "I'm going to get an awesome foot massage."

Let me elaborate a bit more on the dance class, if I may... It's kind of awesome. I am learning the waltz. It is not easy. It is beautiful. I have only had two lessons so far with Terry Chasteen, CEO and Founder of International DanceSport and Entertainment, but I'm hooked. (yes, that is Terry in the tux in the photo above) Terry has asked my partner and I to compete at the Capital Fringe Festival in July. Watch out! Hahaha. I can't believe I'm most likely going to be competing in a ballroom dancing competition in a few months. 

Anyhow, I need to get on the road. Sales are calling. 

Streak on. 

5.2 miles down

8 dogs

Been A While Kevin

WE NEED TO REUNITE AND GET THIS THING GOING AGAIN.

FOR THE PEOPLE!!!!

Kevin: Day 1982

Day 1982. I don't know if I had some food poisoning or the weather fluctuations are getting to me... or if I'm just dying... but man my body has been a bit out of wack over the past 3-4 days. It could be lack of sleep as well. My sleep patterns tend to fluctuate quite a bit. Sometimes I can go for months on end w/ 4-6 hours and dominate. Then there's times like now where I can't get enough sleep. 

This morning I dozed until about 7:30, not leaving myself much time for a run. I actually felt pretty solid upon arriving home and decided I'd make tonight's run a long one. I ended up going for 9 miles. The legs were a bit tight. 

Tomorrow I'm hitting the pool at 6:00 am. I miss swimming. And.... if this Iron Man thing is really going to happen, I need to be there at least twice a week. I'm trying to think if I have anything else to report. This may be the most boring blog post I've ever made. Oh yes... light bulb.

Connor and I had a semi-lengthy discussion during the Super Bowl about Intermittent fasting. He swears by it and sent me an article this afternoon. I'm trying it out. The idea is to go 20 hours w/out food a few times a month to cleanse the body and re-charge the proverbial batteries. I dig it, I guess. We'll see... It can be rather easily executed by having an early dinner around 6:00 pm one day, and then having a late lunch around 2:00 pm the next. The one thing that scares me is I might get too sexy. I mean I'm not going to lie, Connor is looking pretty good right now, especially as a newly minted dad. 

P.S. - That gif image has nothing to do w/ this post. It just kind of makes me happy; for no particular reason. 

9.2 miles down

8 dogs

Kevin: Day 1979

Day 1979. Woooops, I had a strong start to the healthy streak. And, I'm going to have a strong finish. But what type of friend would I be, if I didn't have a couple cold brews to celebrate a good friend's bday. I'll tell you what type of friend I'd be, a bad one. A friend that can't put his personal wants and needs aside for the benefit of his brethren. So, last night I had a couple pops, nothing too crazy. 

The one 10 miler a week streak continues. Yesterday was wonderful. When I stopped and looked at my GPS app, it read 13.1 miles on the dot. Today I relaxed a bit, it is Sunday after all. At about 2:00 pm after watching several episodes of A Football Life and True Detective, I hit the streets for a quick 1.5 miles. 3 weeks away from 2,000 straight days... pretty nuts. 

Hope you are having a wonderful President's Day Weekend. You deserve it. We deserve it. America, deserves it. 

P.S. I'm still waiting for someone to coin the phrase, "Oshie Can You See". That was ridiculous. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, be a better American)

1.7 miles down

3 dogs

Kevin Day 1968

Day 1968. Just wanted to get a quick update in here. The countdown to 2,000 is picking up speed. It was a little chilly out there this morning, and wet, but these are the days that make the streak the streak. Most people throw in the towel on a rainy day. But not this guy. I can't afford too. 

A new initiative has taken shape in my life. It's a bit wordy, but I couldn't come up with anything shorter that took into account all that this encompasses. I still think the phrase doesn't quite grasp it all, but it's a start. I'm calling this mission the, "Post-Bowl, Pre-Blarney, Personal Re-Generative Expedition." Basically, it's a self cleanse, a toxin timeout. 

There isn't much going on after the Super Bowl and before St. Patrick's Day. So, I figured, why not take this uneventful time period as a chance to balance the body out. From now until March 17th, there will be no booze consumed. Yes, some will hit my lips, due to my profession, however it will not go down the hatch. I'm actually pretty excited about this. I can't remember the last time I went for over a week without having at least 1 adult beverage. 

The program is an all encompassing mission. The idea is to be totally conscious of what is going in and out of the body. For years I hardly drank sodas, yet over the past year or two I've found way too many entering my body. No Red Bull, no late night jumbo slices. Give me water, give me hydration, give me green tea, give me veggies, GIVE ME HEALTH. Yes, that's right. I demand balance. I demand equilibrium. And I won't stop until I get it. And heck, once I get it, maybe I'll just keep on going. Ok, maybe not....

Anywho, took this mornings trot to the Lincoln Memorial, ran up the stairs, winked at Abe, and headed back home. 

Streak on my friends, streak on. 

6.2 miles logged

4 dogs

Kevin: Day 1961

Day 1961. Ok, I admit it. The last few days have been pretty damn challenging. It has jusssst been FRIGID. I mean, the minute you're out the door your bones are pure ice. Now I know what it feels like to be Michael Jordan in game 7 of the NBA finals down 2 with the ball in his hands and 15 seconds left. 

My sleeping game has been at bit disappointing over the last two weeks or so, very inconsistent. Yes, in actuality, it has probably been good for me physically. BUT mentally, when I go to bed at 1 and aim to get up at 5, only to get up at 7... it takes a toll. I feel like a failure. 

Part of my predicament in the ultra endurance, mega-mileage world is that my life doesn't revolve entirely around it. I want to have my cake, or pizza... and run 20 miles too!! You can substitute or add beer & wine in there as well. I feel like I'll never find a proper balance, largely in part because I take so many areas of my life to such extremes. I don't know many people who go out for a run on a Saturday and unexpectedly end up running a marathon. 

To note, the one 10 miler a week addition to the streak remains in tact. I'd have to go back through my posts to see how long it's been. I think we're over 2 months now. This Saturday's 10 miler was particularly challenging. 

Hmmm... what else gang? Bowling is on tomorrow night. Crossing my fingers for no gutter balls. 

4.5 miles down

6 dogs

Kevin: Day 1953

Day 1953. Great start. Solid run to my buddy Abe Lincoln before the city goes bananas. I do love it and I am as guilty as the next... but it's just ridiculous how nuts we go over a snow storm. I am super excited though. This is the first time I get to test out the new wheels. The old Taurus put in great effort during snowstorms in the past. I mean, she really outdid herself. But I cannnnn't waiiiiiiiit to see what the Cherokee does!!! YES!!!

The left ankle is still bothering me. It's not too bad. I think some improvements in the diet and water intake over the past 48 hours have helped; talk about feeling like an old man. I used to always feel like an old man trapped in a young man's body, now I am beginning to feel just the opposite. Yikes. Ahhhhhh. Ehhhhhhhh.

I forgot to mention, I did end up visiting the Fainting Goat last week. I had a great meal and ended up staying a little longer than planned. Two thumbs up. It's a solid, classy without being pretentious neighborhood watering hole. VERY 2014. 

6.3 miles down

4 dogs