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| Rest In Peace Jim Kelley - a great friend |
Well the month of November started off on a very sad note, as I lost my good friend Jim Kelley who was struck and killed by a car on his evening run up in his hometown of Grand Rapids Michigan. Jim was a fixture in the central Michigan running community and had been a great "long distance" friend who I ran 3 different Boston Marathons with as well as the Los Angeles Marathon back in 2011. Here is a picture of Jim and I after attending the expo prior to the LA marathon. Jim was a great Christian man who cared deeply for others and was a great encouragement to other less gifted runners (myself included). Jim is survived by his wife Teri and kids Corey and Amber. Jim, I know you're in heaven right now and enjoying some of the greatest long runs ever!
The next week I was on a business trip in the Chicago area and got to experience not only snow but some of the coldest temperatures of the season so far. One morning, prior to a customer meeting I ran in 18 degree temps although it was dry and I only ran 1.05 miles! This was no problem as I had gotten in a nice 15 miler back home prior to the business trip. As most of you know, I had set the goal last month of running 1500 barefoot miles by the end of the year. This meant I needed to average 38 miles per week, which I bettered in each of the weeks.
The next week I was fortunate to go south on business to San Antonio Texas and got in a couple of great city runs there. The first first day was a warm 73 degree run around the grounds of the Alamo for a looping 7 mile run in the dark (with headlamp). The second day was rainy so I waited later to start and got a little more daylight. But the temp was only 53 so it was a little chilly in the rain, but still better than Indiana! Still, it's always strange running in shorts, headband and gloves! That day I ran 7.6 miles until the Garmin went dead and had many people comment on the barefoot run through the city. I even had a lady come up and run with me the last few minutes and tried to pick my brain about barefoot running and how to get started. I encouraged her to give it a try but told her to go ahead and ramp up first to marathon distance (from her current long of 15) before she tries the barefoot thing.
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| San Antonio TX - rainy city run |
This past week was Thanksgiving and I got in three nice longer runs up in Amish country dodging buggies, bikes and horse poop. I enjoyed the smooth surface of the white line along Highway 120 running around Howe Indiana. This was definitely needed after the many large meals including lots of pie! I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Mine was definitely nice and relaxing.
With the mid 40 totals each week in November, I now only need to average about 30 miles each week in December to close out my 1500 mile goal. This is good since I will be travelling this week to NY which along with colder temps expected, may decrease my weekly totals. Again, no promises, but 1500 is still the goal.
Everyone stay safe, enjoy and remember the Reason for the Season!
Barefoot Dan
November barefoot mileage total = 186 miles
(coldest temp = 18 degrees in Chicago IL, warmest temp = 73 degrees in San Antonio TX)
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