Poconos, snow, snow, sn.. well you get it...

Well, what can I say, it's been awhile since I provided any update or comments.  I've been wanting to post some updates but each time I go to post I look at the clock and realize that it's later than I thought and that I need to get to bed so that I can function the following day :-).

The beginning of February I choose to spend almost two weeks resting due to the pain I was experiencing in the lower back part of my left leg and rather then risk months of not being able to run I decided to take it easy...not the normal mode for me.  My numbers for the month will end up being lower than I would have liked but I think the rest was the best thing I could do for myself and in the long run for everyone in the house as we all know how I get when I can't get out and run...or at least exercise downstairs.  I've been going well for the past two weeks even with treadmill workouts since I can't go run on the snowbanks or the middle of the road without any pain.

So, lets get caught up, we went to the Poconos on the weekend of February 5th with the boys and friends for some tubing, walking on the frozen pond, and an indoor water park.  Everyone had a great time.  I loved being able to spend multiple days away with Felicia, Jack, and Thomas without having to do anything!  Being away was a great way to get some time together because we didn't have all the "at home" distractions while at the Poconos.

Based on the experience at the water park Jack has decided that he would rather go to the water park next year for his birthday rather then the tubing we've done the past 4 years.  So, it looks like we may not have to pack all those extra winter clothes next year :-)

While we were there just under two feet of snow fell at home.  Thankfully we have some great friends because when we came home on Sunday our driveway was cleared and all we had to do was some light shoveling of the walkway and deck -- Thank you!

On the following Tuesday and Wednesday after we returned the sky opened up again and provided us with just under another two feet of snow.  Again, great friends provided support and machines to clear the snow and make the driveway the only safe driving surface near our house as it took the road crews until Friday to make the street passable.  Al even used the snow blower to clear a path from his deck to ours and out to the sledding hill for the boys.  Basically, the boys got a day off to go to the Poconos, returned to school for 1 day and then got the next 4 off due to the snow...tough life (ha ha ha).

The best part of all of these past couple of weeks and the sick amount of snow we've received is the amount of time I've been able to spend with Felicia, Jack, and Thomas with some sledding and lots of inside, movie time.  The time together has been wonderful because it's now coming up to the start of Baseball season which means free time becomes nonexistent except for a couple Mondays each month.  Although this sounds bad it really isn't because all of those nights are filled with coaching the boys baseball teams with games or practice.  Also, it forces the title of this blog to become a constant reality.  All workouts will be taking place while the reasons for my being are still dreaming.  I expect it will take me a couple of weeks to really get my body working well at that earlier hour of the day but it will also provide me with the ability to spend any free time with them and that's what matters.

For the past month I've been able to get a lot of time with Felicia, Jack, and Thomas and I have loved every minute of that time.  It's also made it even harder than normal for me to be on the road as I am right now...on Long Island watching the snow come down sideways.

Felicia, Jack, and Thomas I've said it before and I'm going to say it again...you are the reason for everything I do and each chance I get to spend time together as we've had the past few weeks makes me realize how lucky and blessed I am.  You guys are everything and I love you!!

Update

Well, it's been a few days since I posted...sorry about that.  We went to the Ponocos this past weekend and had a great time.  The boys chose to go tubing on Friday afternoon/evening and the water park on Saturday.  Since we only got about 2 inches of snow we were able to get around with ease.  The tubing was a blast, and was running very fast.  I did a face plant at the end and cut up the mug a little bit but it was really a lot of fun for all of us.  Earlier that day we actually played on the frozen lake behind the house...pretty cool playing on the lake we canoe across during the summer.  On Saturday we watched the updates of all the snow falling at home and got ready to hit the water park.  That was another good time.  The park had a boogie board pool that was pretty cool and some really good tubes.  The family tube was a lot of fun because all of us were able to go down together.  The best part of the trip was getting a chance to get away and spend time together!

My training has slowed down this week becuase I had a slight injury to my back on Sunday and it has been pretty stiff and sore so I've taken a couple of days off this week to rest it.  It may not be such a bad idea anyway as it's also giving my leg some extra time.  I think I'm going to hold off until Friday to do too much of anything in the way of exercise and chalk this week up to a low mileage and recovery week.  Hopefully by the weekend I'll feeling closer to normal and I can pick up the pace over the next couple of weeks and start adding on the miles on both the bike and the runs.

As I write this I'm watching the snow fall and looking forward to the 1-2 feet we should end up with by late tomorrow.  Some of the drifts will be over Thomas' head and the overall amount of snow in one week will be absolutely amazing.  I'm hoping this one has some move moisture in it so that we can make some snowmen and snow dogs.

Well, due to some continued leg pain I rode today and will see how things feel on Sunday to decide on run vs. ride. Next 2 days is 100% family time...Awesome!!

End of January...wow

Well that seemed to go by really fast.  I guess it's going to be a quick year :-)  It was a good month for all the goals I'm looking to accomplish.  According to Felicia I'm doing a good job "focusing" as I wanted to when I spoke to her about my goals of becoming a better husband and father.  So, that makes me feel very good because those are the most important parts of my life.  I still have work and will continue to work to improve on those fronts as we get further into the year.  On the health front, I'm not losing weight as fast as I'd like but I am on track to crush my running and calorie burning goals but I'll have to bring up the biking numbers when it gets warmer.  Maybe I can coax Tom out when it warms up...he'll have to ride really slow but...

Felicia, Jack, and Thomas, thank you for all of your support, guidance, thoughts, and feedback during the month of January.  As we progress through the year I'm going to continue to need you guys to help me reach my goals and hopefully that will help you see more in me and allow you to see more of what we all can become with assistance, support and work.  I love you guys!