I broke 12 minutes today! My time in Limbo.

Goal 1: 1.5 miles in under 12 minutes.
Goal 2: long run 5 miles.

I have been running 3-4 times a week. I have been extending my long runs from 3.1 miles to 4 miles to 5 miles. I was able to run 4.9 miles this week so I am on the verge of goal #2. I want to be able to run 5 miles before starting training. Following advice (Thanks, Kim!), I have been varying runs: 2 miles, 3.1, 4, 4.5 and now almost 5.

Today I went for a run at 7:30. I felt pretty good. I did not eat  first, rather I just got up, got ready, drank some water and stretched. Then I walked for about 5 minutes and decided I would go for broke and do a fast run of 1.5 miles (the distance for the Navy PRT physical test) to see how am I doing in speed.

I started running and felt tight even after stretching, but my breathing felt very good. I was breathing regular (through the nose out of pursed lips) and I felt I was breathing deeply. So that was a good sign. I have a route mapped around the neighborhood in increments of .25 miles to see how I am doing. I was under 4 minutes at 1/2 mile and then I was about 7:50 for the first mile. I would do a "kick" at each 1/2 mile and run a little faster for about 2 telephone poles (thanks, Ray!). The last half mile was tough, it starts downhill and then a big climb up Terrace Ave to Donovan Drive. But a good metal song came on my MP3 player (Living sacrifice "Anorexia Spiritual" from album In Memorium) and I let out a little growl and pushed on.

I crossed my finish line at 11:50!! 10 seconds under my 12 minute goal! Boo Ya!
Now for my next goal: Break 11:30!!

My Time in Limbo

This is a very interesting time. I am finishing up my 5 years at St. Joe's. I am living out of boxes. Less than a month to go and then some time off and retreat before reporting to Newport, RI for ODS training.

It is a hard time as many people come to start saying goodbye and tell me how they will miss me. I remind them to support the pastor and help the new priests through their first years as the parish helped me grow.

It is a good time - I have been going to families' houses for dinners and having some great conversations. I enjoy getting to know parishioners better, even if I can't get to know everyone.

The Knights of Columbus Council #4969 Toms River have been wishing me well and expressed their gratitude for my presence. Various people in the high school have affirmed my work. Karen Krenek had some great words to share, calling me "steadfast." She said that my faith is "unwavering almost to a fault." She appreciated my witness to the community. What a great complement.

I hope to get to dinner with some more families in June and look forward to seeing the seniors graduate tomorrow. I have known a bunch of them since 8th grade.

Pray for me, as this is tough time in limbo - between assignments. I am trying not to have "senioritis" and stay focused on the parish, while preparing for the future.

I am now off to say the 10:30 and 12noon masses on this great feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Peace!