Marathon: My personal journey

It's not personal.....

It's not personal.....it's business! This is a common phrase in business today. I am saying this now, as I start to think about tomorrow's race. I am running the Grandview Gallop. I have run this race a number of times, but my last was a significant one for me.

I was physically dominated by the course and the heat. I was out of shape and showed a flash of not being mentally tough. I won't go through those details, as they are in the past. :)

Tomorrow, I am excited about the race! I am in the best shape I have ever been going into the race and I have a solid mental plan. Emotionally, I still remember the last race and will leave you with one last thought.

The Grandview Gallop will be both personal and business for me tomorrow. I am expecting myself to run well tomorrow and will be smiling the whole way!

To all of my friends running or spectating tomorrow (any race), I wish you good luck! How about a quick WOO HOO!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

minion picture skechers smile

As seen on my run!

James Connely at 6:55 PM 2 comments:

Ever since my issue of not getting up early on Monday, I have been rocking the runs early. It feels good to get out earlier, as I can put more miles on the Skechers Go Run 2's:)

While running, I came across this awesome picture of a minion. A neighbor girl drew this and a ton of other stuff. She is a great artist...The minion is so cute, I couldn't resist taking a picture and sharing it with you. I hope you smile big like I did!

The minions ROCK!

Monday, June 9, 2014

goal morning run sleep snoopy woo hoo

Sleepy Head

James Connely at 7:26 PM No comments:

Last night, I said to my wife Teri "I am so excited for my morning run tomorrow". I told myself, pop up out of bed at 5:30 a.m..

Sounds great- right? I am motivated, internal alarm clock is ready.

Teri nudges me to wake up at 5:30 a.m. on the dot.

Jim wakes and talks himself into closing his eyes for five minutes. At 6:10 a.m. Teri said "Jim did you run yet".

In a flash, I shoot up and had to run really fast to get my mileage in. I was glad I did it, but mad at myself.

The moral of the story...listen to your body, get to bed early and rise early. Your body needs to rest to be in tip top shape.

OK...here we go again, I am excited for my morning run tomorrow. My goal to get up and out the door by 5:40 a.m. This way, I can get more miles in.

WOO HOO!

Image source:
http://peanuts.wikia.com/wiki/File:WoodSleepingSnoopy.jpg

Sunday, June 8, 2014

finish heritage trail run memories race start talent

It's not where you start, it is how you finish!

James Connely at 7:30 PM No comments:

As a business person who recruits talent, I always say this "It's not where you start, it is how you finish!" This is so true. All careers start small and turn into something. That something is up to you.

This is a close parallel to running a race. I have talked to many runners and have experienced this first hand. Getting to the start line is the first step to being awesome. Being awesome in a race is finishing. Often people ask me "how long did that race take you?", which is a simple question. Anymore, I will just answer with a "I finished".

Below is a picture of a group of people (I am the bald guy pictured) starting the Heritage Trail run in Dubuque, IA. To date, it was my best 10K finish. I have many memories from this race, but the most memorable is the finish:)

Saturday, June 7, 2014

appreciate give thanks Great Day POW/MIA special

Remember those who sacrificed the most for us!

James Connely at 7:10 AM No comments:

I hope you are all having a great Saturday! If you are working, spending time with family, doing chores, going to a farmer's market, etc.- I hope you have a great day!

As we all have a great day, I ask you a quick favor. Remember those who have sacrificed the most for us. It could be your mom, dad, sister, brother, friend....and you know me, I always have a strong thought for those in the military. In particular, please say a quick prayer or send a positive thought for a POW/MIA and their families.

The thoughts and prayers will really help them, so thank you!

Last thought, make this day a special one. Go out and enjoy it!

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

beast mode black black bear boom charity miles morning run nike plus phone possum shalane flanagan song woo hoo

Did I take BEAST MODE too far on National Running Day?

James Connely at 1:45 PM 3 comments:

So today I got an early start and was all smiles out the door, as it is national running day! I had a five mile run ahead....I was running in FULL BEAST MODE, listening to some good tunes and my trusty Nike plus app.

On top of it, I used the Charity Miles app to generate some funding and goodwill for autism today. It makes me feel good to share the gift of running and giving back to charities. Last night, my wife and I were talking about recent reports of a black bear sighted in our county and last year we had a mountain lion too. This always puts a little "extra" edge on an early morning run.

It's all good for me though, as it's national running day, I am having a great workout....and I can't stop smiling since being mentioned by Shalane Flanagan (+ShalaneFlanagan). As a double bonus, through the Nike Plus Shalane told me I was close to my goal and you know that made me run even faster- WOO HOO!

I get to a point where I want to switch songs for better speed and confidence. My go to song is "Black" by Sevendust (https://www.facebook.com/sevendustofficial). This song straight up rocks and is just the prescription for me to really zoom. I am looking down at my phone, and this is a familiar spot for me on my route.

While there is a brief moment of silence, BOOM! I am greeted by a possum that ran out of this grassy area! Talk about BEAST MODE!!! This scared the ever living daylights out of me. My phone dropped, headphones flew out, my heart was racing out of my chest and I was a mess. Seriously, I thought I was going to lose bodily function at this point. I had this startled look.

Honestly, I don't know what would have been worse, a black bear, a mountain lion or the fierce possum. This isn't the possum, but it looks pretty close. Even the possum was getting into the national running day- who knew? This little guy was super fast!

As my run finished, I was greeted one last time by Shalane (+ShalaneFlanagan) on the Nike Plus app. She told me that I have a three day streak, keep it up and BOOM! The BOOM part is probably my #1 used phrase (I say BOOM SHAKKA LAKKA), so you know I loved that!

In any event, happy national running day. When running in full BEAST MODE, be careful. Even the wild beasts can get in the mix. Don't fret...they just like getting in the action too. I hope your running adventures keep you smiling!
:)

Cori from Olive to Run has a cool "linkup" for bloggers on this awesome day. Check out the site:
http://olivetorun.com/

Image Source:

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Hunt_species/hunt_bear.htm

http://www.dailytech.com/Typing+Secret+Word+Will+Kill+Almost+Any+App+in+Apples+OS+X+Mountain+Lion/article29819.htm

http://kevinrunningfree.blogspot.com/2010/06/run-possum-run.html

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

beast mode fine Lita Ford morning run nike plus shalane flanagan souvenir

Hanging with Shalane Flanagan & Lita Ford got me in trouble!

James Connely at 10:59 AM 1 comment:

While on my morning run, I was having a blast. I thought it would be great to mix up some speed work. I am zooming along, listening to Lita Ford (+Lita Ford) sing "Playin with Fire". I love Lita's voice and as a younger person, I had a HUGE crush on her too:) I think of Lita and miss this sign....

Then Shalane Flanagan (+Shalane Flanagan) tells me (on the Nike + app) that I am close to my goal, so I really start kicking the speed work into HIGH gear or BEAST MODE! Oops...I miss this sign.

Uh-OH! It looks like my BEAST MODE switch being stuck in the "ON" mode coupled with Lita, Shalane caused me to get a ticket for speeding! @#$%! $375 fine. It applies to cars, bicycling and YES running. I did not know this until today. I am bummed about my fine, but I have this cool picture as a souvenir. I looked online and found my photo. #bustedinbeastmode