Time to Taper

It's hard to believe the Pikes Peak Ascent race is on 21 days away.  I just finished a 7 mile run and that makes a total of 50 miles for the week.  It also brings to an end my tough training schedule.  There were times when I thought I would never make it to the end.  The funny thing is, as I sit here now, I'm wondering where the time went.

I will now begin the taper process, which means reducing my mileage each week for the next three weeks giving my legs time to rest and recover from my training.  This will allow my legs to be fresh for the race.  I will also do more stretching and yoga in preparation for the race.

The big question is "am I ready for the run up to the summit of Pikes Peak?"  I don't know the answer to that question.  Can a flatlander ever really be ready for Pikes Peak?  What I do know is my legs are strong, stronger than they have ever been.  I feel like I'm in great shape.  I'm also very motivated.  I have received great encouragement from those around me and your words will help get me up the mountain.

As I’m sitting here typing and thinking about my next line, I received an e-mail from the Pikes Peak Ascent.  The e-mail is to confirm my registration data because they are getting ready to print our bib labels.  This race is really about to happen!  The butterflies are starting to flutter in my stomach.

Radio Interview with Terry Meiners

It looks like I'm going to be on the Terry Meiners radio show next Tuesday, August 2.  I'm not sure of the time yet, but I will update my blog when I find out. 

The Let Down

Beth mentioned to me the other day she's concerned about the "let down" after my race.  I'm not sure if you need to be a runner to understand or relate, but after a big race, you have a let down or after race blues.  I know its sounds a little silly, but think about.  I have spent almost 5 months training for this race.  I have been blogging, posting on Facebook and tweeting.  I talked about this race to anyone who would listen.  I've had two television interviews, and one radio interview.  I have another radio interview with Terry Meiners soon.  My life and my families life has been consumed with this run.  I have loved every minute of it.  What happens when it's all over?

I'm sure part of me will be glad when it's over.  I do have other running goals and races I want to run.  I also know part of me will be sad it's over.  For me, this has been a great adventure.

Someone said to me yesterday, "what are you going to do next?  You don't seem like a person who is going to sit still."  Maybe secretly Beth is worried about what challenge I will take on next.

I will have plenty of time to think about it after the race, but after a week or two my mind will start to wander about other ways to challenge myself.  Who knows what I'll come up with.  Any suggestions?

Meeting My Goals

When I started this adventure back in a April I had two goals I wanted to accomplish.  My number one goal was to bring awareness to the community about Summit Academy.  I have accomplished that goal.  I have had two television appearances and have been on the radio once.  I just found out that I will be on the Terry Meiners radio show the first week of August.  I have had conversations with people about Summit Academy, people who previously hadn't heard of Summit.

My second goal was to raise a little money for Summit Academy.  I accomplished that with the first dollar donated.  I greatly appreciate the support of those who have donated money to Summit Academy.  There is still time to donate.  Please consider making a donation to Summit Academy, no donation is to small.  Summit Academy is a school of necessity, not choice.  Over 40 percent of the families at Summit receive some kind of financial assistance.  All of us together can, and are making a difference for these kids and their families.

If you would like to know how to make a donation or have questions for me, you can e-mail me at t.metcalf@insightbb.com.  Thank you!

Week in Review - 50 Mile Week

This was a good week of running for me.  I ran 15 miles this morning at Iroquois Park in 2 hours and 19 minutes.  I ran a total of 50 miles this week.  I was worried going into todays long run that my legs would be tired from all of the miles this week, but I was surprised.  My legs felt good and I had a great run.  I think I'm about ready for Pikes Peak, as ready as you can be for a little hill.

I have almost reached the end of my training.  I have a couple of weeks left and I will begin to taper.  My race is just around the corner and I am getting excited (and nervous).  I'm anxious to toe the start line and see what happens. 

Guest Blog from Beth

It is not easy being a parent. I don’t care how prepared you think you are, there are just some things you don’t see coming. It turns out we are not all Cliff and Clair Huxtable, 2 professionals who manage to be home all the time with the quick answers and thoughtful lessons for their children.  Do you remember all the things you said you would never do? How long did it take to start eating your words? I would never let my child act like that in public. I would never bribe my child with candy or treats to get them to stop acting like that in public. I would never lose my patience with my child when they ask me the same question for the billionth time. I would never get upset over their messy antics and lose precious moments of their childhood worrying about the water dripping down the bathroom walls or the 10 gallons of sand they just tracked in from the sandbox.  And I would never, ever let my child sleep in my bed or give in and curl up beside them in their little bed because that would facilitate bad sleep habits.

Somewhere along the way, my thoughts have changed from “I would never…” to “I would never have thought…”.  I would never have thought that I could survive 8 years of not sleeping straight through the night. But, alas, children with autism are notoriously bad sleepers. I am not a nice person at 4am when someone wakes me up for the 3^rd time. And there comes a point where you will do anything to go back to sleep, even if it breaks your idealistic notion of everyone sleeping in their own bed all night long. I would never have thought that I would not be above bribing my child or that I would not be able to control the temper tantrums that seem so loud in a public place.  I definitely would not have thought that I would question our vaccine schedule or whether or not to get a flu shot. But when the lab work comes back with my daughter’s HHV6 titers off the charts and a flu shot kicks off a sinus infection that took 2 months and 3 antibiotics to get under control, it makes you wonder. I would never have thought that Whole Foods would be my favorite grocery store. I never once thought about making my own baby food—that is for stay at home moms with too much time on their hands.  But if I could do it all over again, I would rethink that notion. (Ask me how much time we spend every summer making our own popsicles!)

 Parenting is one big journey that is different for everyone and changes us in ways we could not imagine before we had children. So my advice is to be careful about judging other parents or about declaring what you would never do if you don’t have children of your own.  I will admit that I said I would never spend thousands of dollars on tuition for a non-public school. But we write that tuition check every month and are thankful we have the ability to do so and that Summit Academy exists. Be careful what you say you would never do. You might find yourself training to run up a mountain to raise funds and awareness for this school for kids with learning differences. But that is seriously crazy—I would never do that. - Beth Metcalf

Listen to me on the Radio Sunday Night

I was just asked to be on the Dr. Stan Frager radio show on Sunday night around 8:50 PM, to talk about my run and Summit Academy.  I want to say thank you to Kate Chawansky, the shows producer, and Dr Frager for the opportunity.  This will be good for Summit Academy and I greatly appreciate it.

Listen on WGTK 970 AM.  I will be on from 8:50-9:00 PM.

Video of my Mountaintop Breakfast Speech

I wanted to share this video of my Mountaintop Breakfast speech from November of 2010.  My speech is about my daughter Katie and how we found our way to Summit Academy.

I spent a couple of months working on my speech and each time I practiced delivering it I would break down crying.  I would rehearse it in the car, on the way to Lexington, and several times I had to pull over because I couldn't see the road.  My fear was not speaking in front of 400 people, but my fear had become not being able to get through my speech.

When I walked up on stage to deliver my speech, something happened, and I had a peaceful feeling come over me.  I'm not sure how it happened, but I was able to get through my speech.  You will notice there are a couple of moments where I pause to pull myself together.  That morning was the first time I got through my speech without completely loosing it.  Even now when I watch it, I can't hold back my emotions.

I hope you are touched in someway by my speech.  Enjoy.

WHAS 11 interview

http://www.whas11.com/community/Climbing-a-summitt-for-Summitt-124776524.html

I ordered my Road ID, finally.

I have been a runner for around 20 years now.  When I run I don't carry any ID on me, so I guess you could say I have been lucky that I haven't had an incident where I needed ID on me emergency responders to contact my family.  Ordering a Road ID has been on my list of things to do for years.  A Road ID is almost like a military dog tag.  It comes as a bracelet or attaches to your shoe.  It has your name, family contact information and medical issues.  I definitely think it's important to have ID on me in case I couldn't communicate important information to first responders.  I guess you could say it's irresponsible of me for not getting it done sooner.

I can feel the anxiety of others around me about the Pikes Peak Ascent race.  My family has made comments about me not being able to breathe, the weather on the top of the mountain and if anyone is going to be in Colorado with me in case something happens.  My Mom even bought me a new GPS watch, in case I get lost on the mountain somewhere.  She also has been all over me to get my Road ID.  I will say, because I don't think my Mom reads my blog, my Mom is right.  I need a Road ID.

I ordered a Road ID for my wife and one for myself this week.  They will be here next week and I will make sure we attach them to our shoes for every run.  It's important that if something were to happen, to either my wife or myself while running, the emergency responders have our medical information and be able to contact our family.  I hope I never need it, but there is peace in my mind knowing it will be there.