Where should I be and where should I go?

Taken in the area between Yellowstone and Grand Tetons in HDR

In days like this I can't help to think of why am I here inside my four wall square? Its a perfect 74 degrees here in Chicago today. I look around me and everyone is rushing and moving and going somewhere in a hurry. No one is stopping for anything or anyone. We humans are like little nanobots running around with set of instructions that we follow and there is no deviation from it. Reminds me of an old game I used to play called Lemmings. We can't seem to break that habit. Of course we have to do what we need to do to survive "man made and dictated society".

There used to be a time when all we did is survive. We had to gather our food, do our chores and make sure our shelter is good and well protected. Making sure we have fire. All the essentials. We would run and hike to far places that no one has ever been before. If we did not like it we would leave.

Today, we obviously don't do any of these things. Everything is done for us. There is no need to hunt or gather food. We just go to the market. Everything revolves around advancements in technology that makes us more efficient to do nothing. Let it do everything for us so we can become more lazy. Everything now is short cutting. How can I do it faster? How can I get there quicker.

Don't take me wrong, I do appreciate it and see the connivence factor but hope we, as human in this society, do not forget where and what we are. Can we survive a world without electricity? Can we make it on our own in a world where its everyone for themselves? Do we know where to go and what to take? If something would happen and we would need to run out of our houses and run for the hills. would we be prepare for that? It almost makes me think about making a backpack for "Just in case" scenario.

I know this sounds like a rambling of an out of whack person on the far side of the universe... but I am just thinking. That is what this blog all about... providing a platform for myself to express to others what I am feeling and what my current perspective is. However, I hope I have not deviated for the real reason for this blog and that is to document my adventures in hiking, camping, traveling, marathoning, cycling....etc.

Soon, once it get myself together, I will be out and about seeking a new adventures.

Happy trails...

HELL, Michigan... Dance with Dirt

Ok, I have been thinking about this for a long time. Actually, I would have to say that it has been almost 2 years. I think now is the time. I will be during 43 years old this June and I am not getting any younger. I don't feel old or look that old, (I hope). Age is a number and it is how you feel and act. The secret to looking and feeling young for me has always been exercise. Running as number 1 for me and then cycling. Keep that heart pumping. Of course, I am lucky I have been blessed with the Longevity genes, through my dad and looking young through my mom.

I am going to do the "Dance with Dirt" in Hell Michigan. Appropriate name. Now I have ran the last 3 marathon with ZERO training and survived with no recovery pains at all. I would not suggest this at all. After taking a bit of a break from real training. I am going to work hard and train hard for longer distance. This will be my goal. Training for an Ultra is not the same as training for a marathon. I will be out there for no longer then 12 hours. So I need to endure. I dont doubt that will not finish, I know I can do it... but this is going to required training no matter what.

The discipline and structure and some alternative training has to be there.

Here is the website

http://www.dwdhell.com/

"As long as I am healthy and alive, there is nothing the can stop me. The only thing that can stop me is death"

A new era, a new Beginning

Its half way through May and quickly approaching June, halfway of 2011. I have been reflecting the last couple of days and have noticed a change in myself. A different side that i am not used to. I look back and from 2004 to 2009, I have been active in everything in my life. Since then, I have ran 21 marathon, 11 Half marathons, 6 week long 500 mile bike ride across Iowa, 14 century rides (100 miler,1 day), 26 hour relay run from Madison, to Milwaukee to chicago with no sleep for 36 hours, ran the 2nd toughest marathon in the Nation in Leadville, CO, at 10,000 ft to 13,500 ft which took me 8 hours to finish, hiked the Grand canyon twice. Been to Alaska and did a 5 day rafting, camping trip. Saw bears feast on Salmon at Katamai NP, Hiked the Na pali coast line in Kauai and who know what else I have done.

After 2009, I have seem to have temporarily taken a break from all activity.
But that is all now going to change. I am moving on to a new era, a new gift of life and a new phase in my life. I am coming back more adventurous and more risky then before. If I ever die, I would want to die doing something that I love.

I am single, no commitment, alone, and no one to answer to. I am going to do what I want to do. There is no holding me back.
I don't seem to click with anyone or anyone with me. At first, yes, but things and circumstance changes. I have to admit, I am a very difficult person to admit and I am straight forward and set in my ways. That is who I am. I am a complex person with multiple personality.

My future goals are as follow and in no certain order.

• Hike the North side of the Grand Canyon
  
• Possibly hiking the Grand Canyon from Rim to Rim to Rim straight
• Try to run a marathon in each state
• Run an ultra 100 miler
• Run the Dance with Dirt in Hell Michigan, 50 miler
• Thru hike the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) a 4 to 5 month hike
• Finally do a triathlon, need to improve my swimming
  
• Run the Great wall of China marathon
• Run marathon in Europe

There are probably more as I think about it. But this is it for now
Cheers,

Fragility of life

In the past couple of weeks, with my father getting worse and now getting better. Going to the hospital and seeing others, old and young, very sick, it has made me re-think my own life.

This was a big wake up call for me. Not only to remind myself how delicate life is and how much we need to appreciate others. Anything could happen to us. We might be the healthiest person on earth, but we can not escape any illness or accident that might come our way in a blink of an eye.

When my dad was in the hospital is made me realize my own health. How important it is to maintain and live a healthy lifestyle. This only reinforces how important it is to continue to stay fit by running, cycling, working out and eating a good diet.

I have been fortunate in my life to not suffer from any illness or injury. I have been able to stay healthy and fit, more times then others.

I know so many people personally that have endure so much illness, suffering and bad overall health. I know quite a few people who are Leukemia and lymphoma survivors as well as Cancer survivors. I can't even imagine what is like. This motivates me to continue to participate with the Leukemia and lymphoma society as a marathon coach. It is a way of being thankful for my own health and helping others get through this illness and others.

Continue to live your life to the fullest. Life is fragile and can be taken away from you in a moment, with no warning. Don't ever leave thinks for the next day. If you can do it, do it now.

Since my dad has been sick with Congestive heart failure, I have been going in and out of doctors, hospitals and have even had to go to the doctor myself with a chronic throat issue. I have realized that one of the most important ways to keep your heart healthy is to use it. Running is so good for your heart. It is a muscle and needs to be worked out. Not only does running help your heart, but it has also shown to strengthen your bones. Cardio and a good diet is so important.

That is why, I will continue to run marathon, and cycle centuries and keep pushing myself physically by doing fun, and adventurous things.

Live life as it is your last day and live it without regret.

Danny

2011 Goofy Marathon Challenge

I started the year with the Walt Disney Marathon, the Goofy challenge, which consists of running a Half marathon 13.1 miles on Saturday and a full marathon 26.2 on Sunday. Even though I did absolutely no training whatsoever. I had no cramping or soreness not even days afterwards. Muscle memory in action.

Now what I need to do is to actually train for a marathon. I will later post more of my marathons that I am planning to do this year.

The end of the decade and that start of another one

It's the end of another year and another decade. These are the time that I reflect on that last 10 years of my life and wonder where I have been and where I am going. What will be the new year be like?

One thing for sure is life is getting shorter and shorter and as I always say, you have to make the most of it and just do it. Life is meant to collect as much experience you can. Life are a collections of moments that not only inspires you, teaches you but makes you a stronger, and better person.

One of my goals is to focus more on my physical, mental and spiritual levels.

On a Physical level, I would like to continue running and working out. I would like to strive to get a PR at one of my marathon. I run for fun, not to compete. I only compete with myself and for my own health. There is an enjoyment and freedom that comes from running. My goal for next year is to run my first Ultra. The Northface Endurance challenge 100 miler run. I am also planning to come back to Ragbrai with probably a brand new team. I have done Ragbrai for 10 years. For those who don't know what Ragbrai is, it is the "Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. 500 miles across the state of Iowa in 7 days. They change the route every year.

On a Mental level, I would like to learn as much as I can for my career and learn 2 more languages. Ruby and Pyhton. I would like to also get back into reading more. I lost the ability to focus and concentrate in reading. My genre of reading material is usually Travel essays or True historical books. I need to get back into that.

On a Spiritual level, even though I was raised catholic, I don't really practice it. I see myself more as a spiritual person. I would like to be able to mediate more and take life easier. Not let the little things get to me. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Happy New year to all and Happy new decade.

Cheers

Grand Canyon Marathon

For my 20th marathon, I decided to do the Grand Canyon Marathon. I have hiked it down 5 times and I can not think of a better place to run a marathon this in my favorite places. I had trouble getting in at first since I was delayed in registering, but Jeannie, the director of the Marathon was able to get me in without a problem. She was truly awesome.

I must admit, I have not been doing much running this year. In fact, very little and I have even gain 10 pounds since the beginning of the year. I ran a Half marathon the Sunday before and felt very very sluggish and had a lot of problems with my left leg. My IT band was bugging me, then my ankle and then my quad. Nothing seem to be going well for me that Sunday on the Monster Mash half.

I got into Phoenix Friday morning and drove straight to the Grand Canyon to pick up my packet at the Grand Hotel, just outside the Grand Canyon NP (GC). The expo was just a pickup. But the goodie back was the best. I got a book on GC, a thermal, a tall GC cup, an LED Key chain and a dry fit shirt. It was great.

After the expo, I went to my lodging at the Bright Angel Lodge and was quite disappointed. It was a very small room, 1 twin bedroom, with a very small bathroom. No refrigerator or TV.

At about 4:30pm, we had a runner's orientation and had no idea what this could be about. I could only guess it would be rules that we had to follow since it takes place in a national park. Sure enough there was a wealth of information. This is the 2nd annual marathon, the first one had only 56 runners and this one had 300 runner. 175 for Half and 125 for full. It took a lot to get this marathon organized and about 7 different permits. You basically have to carry your own water bottle and have it filled up. No trash was allowed. You had to use the porta potty, no bushes. Leave no trace. This was very important.

The mile marker was as close to accurate as it can get. It is not a certified marathon. So it was 98% accurate as far as 26.2. No chip time. So this marathon was basically a very rough one.

The course started off with a nice 1 mile incline. I would have to say this was my 2nd hardest marathon I have done. I did not expect all the inclines and the 7000 feet of elevation, started to get me in the begining. I did however, regain my oxygen levels fairly quickly. Just had to catch some air. During the marathon I met Lawrence who was from Jersey who have ran 67 marathons and is around in his 60s. He is planning to run his 70th on his 70th birthday. Which has inspired me to run my 50th marathon on my 50th birthday. Which I will probably beat, since I am 42 and I have ran already 20 marathon. I also met Karen from NY, who this was her first marathon. I also met Beth from Phoenix who this was also her first marathon. She did awesome and I stuck with her in the last 10 miles. It gets lonely out there with very few runners and we were both alone by mile 17. So we kept each other going.

This marathon was a very unique marathon for my 20th and I am glad I did it. We hit spots in the NP that I have never been to.

The following day went to Sedona for a good 60 minute massage and felt great. Having not trained at all. I was free of any soreness or pain. Muscle memory in action.

Now, that I have ran my 20th, I am thinking about the future. What other marathon should I run.

For 2011 I so far have the following marathon listed.

1. Jan 6,7 Walt Disney Goofy challenge. Half/ Full marathon

2. Jan 27, Key west Marathon

3. Feb Rock and Roll Mardi Gras Marathon

4. May - Big sur Marathon in CA

6. June RnR Seattle Marathon

7. Nov- if I get in, NY marathon.

In between these marathon, I might run others that come in the way.

I would like to also return and do my 11th RAGBRAI, my bike ride across Iowa.

I also am planning to do my first 50 miler and my first 100 miler Ultra marathon.

We will see.

Thanks