Friday, October 23, 2009

Scream Scram



Friday Night was a Scream. Captain Natebeard and I (aka PumpkinMan) joined hundreds of others in Wash Park for jocular jogging, rambunctious running and whimsical walking.
It was great to be out with lots of folks who enjoy having fun and increasing physical activity.

WW update. I weighed in yesterday at Weight Watchers after counting points all week long. It was a very successful week, I lots 6.6 pounds.

Monday, October 19, 2009

goals


I've decided to walk next year's Denver Marathon. So, I'm inviting folks to consider joining me in walking or (running it). I also will be doing some short walks this fall. As you can see they are either on a Friday or Saturday (more about that at another time). Anyway, if you want a walking companion, let me know.
What I learned several years ago about goals is that they need to be SMART, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Trackable (okay, don't know if that last one is a real word or not, but you know what I mean).

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Lots of GOOD STUFF & Back To Weight Watchers


Two weeks ago tomorrow, I walked 26.2 miles in the Maine Marathon. I had some really positive experiences along the way. I also realized that I need to work on some things. First of all, the things I need to work on. (1) I need to drop some pounds; (2)I need to get a new hat (I've been wearing my white canvas Augsburg cap-in honor of my daughter Hannah's alma mater); (3) I need to learn some more about ChiWalking@; (4)I've been under the impression(i.e delusion) that walking around Wash Park is three miles(in reality I think it is something less) http://www.washpark.com/info/washpark-map/ and http://thoos.com/guides/washington-park-perimeter (IT's MORE LIKE 2.6 miles and (5)I need to work on recovery.
Now for the positive experiences.
(1) I had a great time; (2)My serendipity decision to walk as PumpkinMan was made less than 24 hours before the race (Aaron and John both bet me $20 that I wouldn't wear the costume. I told them that as a Lutheran pastor I've done more for a lot LESS); Folks along the route gave me lots of "social energy." In addition, because I was in "costume" I was able to really work on being an encourager. Somehow, someway because I was a giant pumpkin, I was more approachable. (3) I made good use of my ipod, had plenty of hydration and nutrition. (4) I kept my arms moving and at a 90 degree angle to my body; (5) I laughed a lot and had a great deal of fun; (6) I was able to help a runner who fell and needed some quick assistance; (7)My verse of Phil.4:13 kept me going, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me," ; (8)I had great socks on (thanks Sue Ann) and last but not least, (9) I was able to twitter and text to supportive friends and family along the way.

On Thursday, October 14 I made the long trek back to Weight Watchers. I hadn't been at a meeting since some time in March. So, while the marathon was a long walk, the walk back to WW was perhaps even longer. Since Thursday, I've been very conscious about my intake and consequently my physical activity. I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Adventures of Pumpkin Man

The photo on the left is of Pastor Ron (aka the "Pumpkin Man" getting set to cross the finish line at the Maine Marathon in 7 hours 36 minutes and 38 seconds. It was a great day! Thank you for your prayer, kind thoughts and best wishes.
I will be writing tomorrow about the things I learned during the marathon. Some were things that I did very well. Some are some opportunities for me to change. And last but not least, I've also got some actions steps to take in the future.
However, I'm not going to "squash" any enthusiasm or celebrations.
Sue Ann and I got back to Denver around noon today. We had an early flight from Portland after spending Sunday night and all day Monday and Tuesday at Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. On Tuesday we cycled 17 miles with some Joanie and Aaron.

Mission Accomplished

Hi, I'll be posting more information on Thursday, but Sunday's walk was great!
Here's my official time
958   256 Ronald Glusenkamp DENVER CO 
7:36:41 17:26 7:36:38

Saturday, October 3, 2009

saturday night

Hi, everyone. thanks for the prayers and encouragement. It's been raining since we got here. The forecast for tomorrow is rain, but I'm hoping my wife's sunny disposition will make the clouds go away. We're here with Sheri, Joannie, Aaron and John (all from Denver) and Mark who came from Quebec City to join us. John is running the whole marathon. Sheri & Joannie and Mark are doing the half. Sue Ann is walking the half with her boot on. Aaron is in charge of logistics. Today we went to Freeport, to LL BEAN! We participated in a Chowderfest (and I've had the legal limit of chowder- seafood, alternative and corn). We carbo loaded tonight at the spaghetti dinner put on by the Rotary Club. The race officially starts at 7:45am, but walkers, (slow ones) can have an early start at 6:ooam. So, I've got the coffee pot loaded up, oatmeal ready to go and I'm getting set to hit the hay. I'll do my best to keep you all posted on www.twitter.com/rtgcycler tomorrow throughout the walk.

(one of my favorite passages is, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." phil 4:13
Peace,
RTG


13 I can do everything by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
Copyright © 1996, 1998 by Biblica
King James Version (KJV)
Listen to this passageView commentary related to this passage
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
The Message (MSG)
View commentary related to this passage
Content Whatever the Circumstances 10-14I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Hoffnung für Alle (HOF)
13 [a]Alles kann ich durch Christus, der mir Kraft und Stärke gibt.
Footnotes:
Philipper 4:13 Eph 3:16
Hoffnung für Alle (HOF)
by Biblica
Reina-Valera 1995 (RVR1995)
13 Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

"Fired up, Ready to Go!"

Good evening friends! Well, I spent my day off today getting a massage, going to physical therapy, sending lots of emails and doing a light set of weight-lifting. To quote President Obama, "I'm Fired up, Ready to Go!" Sue Ann and I leave early on Friday morning for a roundabout trip to Portland, Maine. We go from Denver to Atlanta, to Portland. All of this makes complete sense to me. I've got some butterflies in my stomach, but I think that's fairly natural. I plan on just listening to tune, praying, enjoying the sights and focusing on my "core." If I get access in Maine, I'll update the posts. If you want to track me on twitter, check out www.twitter.com/rtgcycler
I get an early start as a walker, so I'll be walking early Sunday am. I'd appreciate your prayers and kind thoughts.
Peace,
RTG