Thursday, April 29, 2010

Spent part of the morning running an errand or two. Trevor and I hit up the local post office to mail some graduation invitations. He wanted to drop the envelopes in the drop box. One envelope at a time. Grinning the entire time he did it.

I cleaned the house a little today. I got distracted by the few rugs we have in the house. I grabbed the resolve and sprayed them down. I guess I could have used the regular old vacuum cleaner we have, but I am a man and I had to use the Shop Vac. It worked out well. The carpets are nice and clean and the house is smelling good.

Tonight was basketball night. We played full court for about 3 hours. I worked up a very good sweat. I played a couple of good games. One game I hit 4 three point shots in a row. I felt great playing tonight. My running up and down the court keeps getting better and better. I hope this helps my Mud Run time on Saturday.

Consider running in the 5K with me on May 22nd. Foothills Pregnancy Center is trying to purchase an ultra-sound machine. 95% of women considering an abortion will decide to back out of the abortion  if they have seen their baby. I am all about saving a baby's life. I love babies. If you cannot make the run, and you can afford to send a donation, would you consider doing that?

Loving life.

SHEP

Get to know the Fat Guy behind the curtain.

To help you, the best readers ever get to know me a little better I am going to make a list of random stuff about me. Mostly likes and dislikes.

1. I really could care less about ketchup.
2. Chicken and ketchup do not go together, ever.
3. I dislike it when people vote straight party on their ballots.
4. I dislike wasteful government spending.
5. If I email you, email me back with at least an "OK".
6. I like being outside. I have not always been like this.
7. I do not like using contractions.Not that I do not sometimes use them.
8. I am asked quite frequently to get things from the top shelf in Walmart.
9. I love to play basketball. I am not very good at it, but love to play.
10. I will procrastinate until the very very very very last minute.
11. Diet Dr. Pepper is better in a can.
12. I really have no idea why people will hang out in parking lots. Seriously? You have nothing better to do?
13. Thirteen is my favorite number. Taylor Swift is much younger than I am, she must have copied me in the whole 13 thing. She should be paying me some royalties, right?

What are some random things about you? Maybe I will make a list of random things I know about my readers?????????

SHEP
I did an easy mile run today just to get some exercise in for the day. I always start off slowly and rough. By the time I have ran half of a mile I am feeling good and get into a rhythm. I need to remember to pick up some gum for me to chew while I run. I can keep my breathing more consistent. I didnt keep running, for two good reasons. My left shin started hurting and we have the 4 miler coming up on Saturday. I am looking foward to it for sure. I need to climb up in the attic in the garage to see if I have some old BDUs from my Army days hanging around so I can run in the mud and not ruin my other pants.

How is this week different from last week? Are you fed up? This is the time to change. If I can, so can you.

Ready for another day.
SHEP

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Not only am I looking better, but my blood work results are looking even better. My cholesterol levels are much improved. My blood pressure, which was OK to begin with, is improved as well. I am not at risk for diabetes either.

I have to call and make an appointment to see the nutritionist. Apparently, I could have called and set this up with out my doctor seeing me.

I have to get an xray of my hip and go see the physical therapist. Hopefully I get this hip squared away.
I also asked about adult ADD. I am going to be screened for that. Maybe I can get this taken care of so I do not spend an extra thirty minutes doing simple tasks.

Overall, my doctor said I was doing great. She was pleased with my lower cholesterol levels and improved BP.

Making good changes!

SHEP

Monday, April 26, 2010

4-26-2010

My first day off from school. WOW. I had to take a package and ship it Fed Ex.  I was at the wrong place and on top of that I had a flat tire. I was about 1/4 of a mile from the tire shop. I was going to try and just limp on over. Nope. It was way too flat to make it out of the parking lot. I pulled off to the side in front of Dollar General. I was blocking 2 or 3 spaces so I could be towed out if needed. I was getting some very nasty looks from some blue haired granny's throwing me some nasty looks. I called road side service since I am paying for it. They were an hour away. No way was I going to sit there for an hour waiting. I put my big boy pants on and changed my tire myself.

After we finally got the tire squared away we headed over to the track at Clemson. Trevor and I tried to run some laps. I ran about 3 good laps before I got sick of running into the 100 mile an hour winds. OK maybe 100 miles an hour is a little over statement. I would get close to Trevor and he would sprint away so I would not pass him. He would walk a little bit and then roll around in the grass. He was so funny.

I cooked dinner tonight. Ground turkey instead of ground beef. I could not tell a difference. It was a great meal and probably a much more healthy alternative.

I went and played basketball tonight. I took Trevor with me. He was so funny running around messing with people. I played about 6 or 7 games. It was a very good night. I bought new basketball shoes. Very nice. I was drenched as usual when I left the gym. Looking forward to the next basketball night.

I go visit my Dr. tomorrow. I hope she has her calendar cleared. I am going to bombard her with all kinds of questions. I also find out about my blood work from like a month ago. I hope I can get an appointment with the nutritionist soon as well.

Enjoying the new me.

SHEP

Sunday, April 25, 2010

4-25-2010

After the Rock Star event last night, I was wore out. I slept in today.

We have pretty just chilled out today. Tomorrow is going to be great. I get to sleep in. Trevor and I are going to go to the track and run some time tomorrow. I hope to get in some distance running early on, and then after a rest do some interval runs.

SHEP

Saturday, April 24, 2010

4-24-2010

The Rock Star party has come and gone. The kids had a blast. I am tired. I showed real self control tonight. I only had 3 pieces of pizza and 2 doughnuts. To a health food nut that amount will sound like a lot. For me, that is a very modest amount. Normally at a party like this, I would have had at least 8 pieces of pizza and 5 doughnuts and probably 6 cokes. I had one diet Dr. Pepper and a bottle of water. I am slowly making my portion sizes smaller and smaller. No way I keep the weight off if I keep eating like a fat guy. I have to retrain myself to eat like a healthy guy.

It is slow going, but I am going.

Wore out and sore! Shep

Friday, April 23, 2010

4-23-2010

What a day!

I finished up student teaching today. The kids were telling me all day how much they were going to miss me and how they wanted me to stay. One little girl in first grade grabbed me around the waist and told me she wanted me to come back next year and be her second grade teacher. I will really miss those crazy kids. However, I can get used to getting a little extra sleep in the mornings.

We had to go to the big city of Anderson, SC to the Sam's club to get some stuff for the big Rock Star party. We had dinner out. I had water, 2 rolls, a baked sweet potato, and fried chicken strips (6 of them. I only ate 3.5).
We went shopping for some costume stuff for my wife. We went to a sporting goods store here I ran into a fellow blogger. Christina is blogging about her training  for a marathon. Check her blog out at www.mission262.blogspot.com. We got out girls some running shoes for under 16 bucks. On the way home I stopped by Belk to see what kind of sale they have going on. I bought a running shirt with a little pocket for my ipod, that is now frozen on the main menu.

I jumped on the treadmill. I walked for about 5 minutes to warm up and then started running. I ran for 30 minutes with no problem and a big goofy smile. I am now very tired and ready for some sleep. A good night of sleep is going to be nice. If I could only get the neighbors dog to stop barking at the cows across the street. Not too thrilled about the whole situation. Oh well.

Going to catch some shut eye.

SHEP

Thursday, April 22, 2010

4-22-2010

I was so torn about what to do today. Basketball or Golf or both? None! Chick-fil-a Spirit night for school and then I went off to see some of my students play baseball.

Down to my last day of student teaching. I am going to miss my students and the rest of the faculty and staff. I am glad to be done, but I will miss all the great people I have met over the past year.

However, I am fired up about the extra time I will have to pour into running and working on my blog. Hoping to find a teaching for the next school year. I did apply for a 4K job today. Hoping I know something soon. I am nervous about the whole job situation, but I know God is going to supply me with something.

The weekend is coming up fast. The big rock star party for all three of my children is going down Saturday night. We have a karaoke machine for the kids to rock out with. We are having pizza and my wife and I are going to construct a Krispy Kreme doughnut cake. I will be having some pizza and doughnuts. Guilt free. I have been very good about not eating a bunch of sweets. I will celebrate with my children and party like a rock star with them.

Looking forward to rocking out with the 100 people who are showing up to the party.

SHEP

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

4-21-2010

I spent the evening hanging out with my family and another family from our church at the park. We went for a little walk with the kids and pretty much enjoyed the beautiful weather.

I am torn about what to do about tomorrow evening. I can play basketball, play golf, or go home. I know I need to stay home and rest my hip and legs. I really want to go play golf and then go play basketball. Who knows what the day will bring.

I did stretch my right leg out a decent amount today. Not sure if what I was doing even helped, but I was actually stretching. That doesn't happen often. My annual doctor visit is coming up next week. Boy has my doctor got a lot of questions headed her way. Normally I plop my fat butt in a chair uninterested in anything going on. Oh no, not now. I am now actually concerned about my health and how I can improve my life span. I hope I can get some kind of relief for this hip. I also want to know about these funny little bumps on my lower legs. I am going to make an appointment with the nutritionist too.

These changes are starting to scare me.

SHEP

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

4-20-2010

Giving the current physical discomfort in my right hip I am going to restfully relax today. While I am hanging out on the couch with my wife, she is watching some stupid show recorded from the E channel. It is some reality TV show about some guy and his wife.

How can I say this nicely? I HATE reality shows. Seriously, my life is enough to deal with, why watch other people on TV acting like a bunch of fruit cakes?

I have been working on making my blog background look nice. Finally, I think I have gotten it pretty close to looking good. I have added an upcoming events section of future events I plan on running in. I am debating on putting my results there as well. Let me know what you think about that.

I have spent several minutes through the day stretching my hip. At least I think that is what I was doing. I would pick up my foot and hold my heel relatively close to my butt. I would also lay on the ground and pull my lower leg back stretching the muscle on the top of my thigh. When I do this it helps. Maybe I should take some kind of anatomy class so I can describe these stretches a little better.

Moving forward one day at a time.

SHEP

4-19-2010

Just another typical Monday. Nothing spectacular.

I sent my buddy a text about basketball and he said we were going to take this week off and play next week. He did say he was going to the gym to shoot around. I went too. I need as much practice as possible so when November rolls around and basketball starts at FCC (http://www.foothills.cc/) I will be ready to jump out of the gym. My shot did get a little better. We played a little one on one. For Kaleb's sake we are not going to talk about my win.

My right hip is giving me fits. I have no clue as to why it hurts. I am just guessing here, but it could be that I never stretch. I have to seriously work on getting serious about stretching. Serious stretching would probably be very helpful.

When I took a week off because of the super sunburned knees my hip felt much better. When I only run my hip seems to hold up well. It is playing basketball that give my hip such trouble. I am wondering how much the jumping has to do with the hip pain. When I go to the doctor next week, I am going to see if I can't get a physical therapy appt to get this hip squared away.

The hunt for work is still going on. I have applied for all kinds of positions. I am hoping to find a teaching job, but this budget bonaza has me worried.

Hope you all are having a great week.

SHEP

Monday, April 19, 2010

T-Shirt Ideas


I would like to make my own t-shirt to wear for my future 5K events. I want to get this logo on the front and the back. On the back I want to have a slogan. Here is where you get to help me out. In the comment section leave a slogan for my t-shirt.

My slogan I am throwing out: You may be skinny, but I am faster than you.

4-18-2010

Sunday was a day of relaxing. We woke up and laid around until time to go to church. I was awake for several hours before church started and somehow still managed to be late. FCC (http://www.foothills.cc/) baptized 54 people on ONE Sunday. Amazing what God is doing in our little community.




We had borrowed my aunt's Lincoln Aviator for our vacation a week ago and needed to take it back to her. We met them at a park in Greenville. There were people running and biking all over the park. It is a shame that we do not have some place "safe" like that in Oconee County.
 
I found a 5K that has a mile run event for my children that actually breaks down the award category into age appropriate age levels. So far all the ones we have been to, have lumped all of the kids into one big age group, putting my much younger children at a disadvantage. I told my children about this run. They were excited. I told them just because they were going to have the opportunity to win an award it did not mean they would be the fastest in their age groups. I told them the best way for them to make sure they have a good shot at winning an award, is to train. They all said they wanted to train to be fast and win.




One motivating factor for me to get healthy and active is because of my children. Ryann in particular. I have never really said out loud that my daughter is overweight, but she is. I could give reasons or qualifiers to make it sound better, but I cannot do that. I have to accept the fact that I have failed my daughter up to this point. We are trying to help everyone in our family get healthy and active. I am more concerned about Ryann's future health not so much the weight right now. She will grow taller and this will equal her out. At least I hope so and hope that thought is not some old wise tale.



Hoping to motivate my children to become healthy and active.



SHEP

Saturday, April 17, 2010

This just in!

The official times have been posted. My official time was 31:36. I finished 128 out of 262. 5th in my age bracket. Not sure how many men were in my age bracket though.

Overall, I would have to say that I am very impressed and very happy with the way the race turned out today. My time turned out to be even better than I ever could have imagined.

I am so happy and proud. Thank you God for allowing me to go out today and run so well. It is through you that I was able to keep my little chicken legs churning.

SHEP

Seneca Chick-Fil-A 5K April 17, 2010

Here I am coming across the finish line. The official times have not been posted on the website (http://www.terrytimes.com/) yet, but from the above picture it appears to be a pretty awesome time.

I am so excited. I am looking forward to a little rest later today. The run was so much fun. We started out running around the lake and up this HILL and into a subdivision with some more, you guessed it, hills. It was a great run for me. I really thought I might cry after the run. I improved my time by so much over the last 5K. 38:54 was the last race time. 6 minute difference. Cannot complain about that at all. I am proud of my family for getting out of bed and running on beautiful Saturday. We had such a good time. Loving it.






3rd 5K April 17, 2010

Just a quick note, unofficial time, under 33 minutes!!!!! So excited!!!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

4-15-2010

Today after school my wife called me and asked me if I wanted to grab my running gear and go over to Clemson University and run on the track. I was all for it. I beat her there. When I started driving around to the track there was a guy a distance away blocking the driveway there. He stopped me and asked me if I had a parking pass. Never had to have a parking pass before. I was confused. I asked dude what was happening. The ACC Track and Field Championships. HMMMMMMM. I mean I have come a long way, but I did not really think I was ready to be running for a championship. So we decided to just watch for a while. How can you turn down free OUTDOOR entertainment???? We watched for a little bit and then headed to grab some food.

I then headed out to play basketball. You would think as much as I have been playing I would improve my shooting skills. NOPE no improvement seen.However, I did sweat several gallons of sweat. I think all together I played about an hour and a half tonight. I was ready to keep playing but we had lost a few guys so we did not have enough to keep playing.

Tomorrow I am going to just chill and relax my legs for Saturday's race. I am so excited and ready to run some more.

Keep the comments coming. I love hearing from you guys.

Loving the changes I have seen over this journey.

SHEP

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

4-14-2010

I went today and picked up our race packets for Saturday's race. I am excited. Nervous about the race route. The route from my best guess take us through some pretty hilly residential neghiborhoods. I am nervous about how well my shins will hold up on hills.

I have switched the shoes I play basketball in. I am now playing in my running shoes. Not really happy about that, but at least my shins are holding up well.

I did not make it to the track today. But I did go running. I hit the treadmill at home. Last time I was on the treadmill I struggled. I was in terrible pain. Not tonight Ladies and Gentlemen! My legs and knees and shins were good. I ran non stop for 2.5 miles in 25 minutes. Not too shabby. I was pretty much smiling the whole run. I was pretty excited that I was able to actually put together a decent run WITH OUT stopping and NO PAIN. I hope this feeling sticks. I am a big fan of not having pain when I run. I am looking forward to Saturday's race ( You may have read about this somewhere before today). I hope to get below 36 minutes. Primary goal is to finish and my secondary goals have not changed. Do not throw up and beat Brandi. Even though I do like running behind her for unspoken reasons.

I am hoping they have the mile run prize categories set up by age appropriate categories. The last mile run my kids ran in the category was 1-12, so there was no hope for my little guys to win anything. I looked back at the times and if they would have had a prize category for 1-5 My son would have finished first in that age category. I want him to continue to run and him to want to do well. He is only 4. If they have the age groups set up in different categories I think he will place. He is going to run well regardless of a prize though. I am very, very, very proud of my children. They really do enjoy being active once they get out there and start doing it. Trying to convince them they are going to enjoy it is a different story all together.

I am down to 7 school days. It is so bittersweet. I am so excited about graduation, but I am going to miss my students so much. They are such a fun group of kids to be around. I hope and pray I will be able to get a job there next year, but with the budget the way it is no one knows anything at all. I am very nervous.

Heading in the right direction.

HOLD UP, before I close, I put on some slacks this AM from back when I was selling life insurance, and they are just a little too big for me. The waist size is 42. After school I went to the local Belk and tried on some different slacks. Yep, I am down to a size 36. I did not buy any because I did not like the way the pockets looked, but I did buy a MUCH needed new belt for $3.89 (a savings of $23).

SHEP

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Quick Share

Here is an e-mail I recieved the other day. I normally don't forward stuff because I know people are already getting enough stuff. This I had to share.

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.

Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course their freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was
studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.

"How many push-ups can you do?"

Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time"

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve.

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.

Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it."

Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday.. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone
was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"

Cynthia said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"

"Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"

Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship..

When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"

Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own
push-ups?"

Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."

Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Dr... Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"

With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups.

Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"

Dr.. Christianson said, "Look! This is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to
slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr.. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"

Sternly, Jenny said, "No."

Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"

Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten
donuts on the desks..

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row.. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that
ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"

Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to
come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."

Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?"

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut."

Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut."

"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room..

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"

Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."

Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"

Dr Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is
the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."

"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"

As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With
the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten. "

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not His Only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price
has been paid."

"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

Share this with someone. It's bound to touch their heart and demonstrate Salvation in a very special way.
Psalms 138:8


Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal - don't quit on me now.


I wish I were not such a selfish person. I am so thankful God was willing to sacrifice for me.

Loving life and making it longer.

SHEP

Monday, April 12, 2010

4-12-2010

What a great day. It was a long day, but still a great day. I had a great day st school today. All of my students were happy to be back and to see everyone.

I told my class about the 5K I am running in on Saturday and told them they would recieve some school money if they same and ran with me. I am not sure if anyone will come out, but the offer was made.

At recess I played basketball with a lot of the students. They really have a good time playing. They have no idea they are exercising in the process of having fun.

After school I had to go to a meeting at the big university. It was supposed to be over at 5:15, nope it ran over. I was going to go to the track and run after my meeting before I headed to the gym to play basketball. I did not have enough time to do both, so I picked the one I wanted to do the most.

The old Shep would have just said "I can make it up tomorrow". Nope! I was going to get in some exercise one way or the other.

I played for about 2 hours tonight. I really got a great work out in tonight. I am going to do some work out at the track the next couple of days to help get me ready for the race on Saturday.

I am looking forward to setting a new personal record and eventually extending my mileage so I can work up to a half marathon and a full marathon.

I am slowly getting to where I need to be and I love it. I have gotten so many compliments about how good I am looking now that the weight is coming off. I feel good about myself for the first time in a very long time.

Looking forward to getting back out in this beautiful weather.

SHEP

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Back to school tomorrow

I am back to school tomorrow. SPRING BREAK WAS GREAT! We had such a relaxing time down on the island. Tomorrow we are back at the grind. I have two weeks left before I am done with my undergrad career. I will miss my students, but I am throughly looking forward to graduation. It has been a long time coming.

Tomorrow night I am playing some basketball. Cannot wait. I am looking forward to playing.

I know Phil Mickleson doesnt read my blog, but CONGRATS Phil.

My next 5K is coming up this Saturday. I cannot wait. I am so ready. My legs feel great. My shins havent been bothering me here lately. I hope they stay cool during the run and I can get down to 36 minutes or so. Would love to get under 30, but I have not been training enough to drop that kind of time.

If you dont have anything going on Saturday come and run with us. Join our little family running Saturday.

SHEP

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Vacation has come to an END.

I am sad to say that my vacation is over. It was a great vacation. Monday we traveled down to Edisto, SC. We set up our little pop-up camper and went down to the beach.

On Tuesday morning I went for a nice little run down a dirt road that ran beside the marsh. It was very cool running under the live oak trees with the moss hanging down.

Tuesday afternoon we sat out on the beach reading and relaxing for about 4 hours. WOW! I sure did get some sun. My knees were so sun burnt it hurt to walk, so no running for me.

We went into Charleston and walked around for a little while. We asked a young lady selling Italian ice where the Battery was. She told us to keep going straight and we would run right into it. NOPE, she was dead wrong. If we would have kept walking straight we would have ended up in Columbia. All we had to do was walk about 3 blocks to the left and we would have been there. Nope, we walked about 10 blocks in the wrong direction and then the 5 blocks to the left correcting the mistake. I sure did get plenty of exercise this day.

The rest of the week we pretty much sat around enjoying some good books. I cannot wait for the next vacation.

Looking like a red faced raccoon.

SHEP

Monday, April 5, 2010

spring break 2010 day 1

We made it to Edisto Beach State Park about 5 PM today. We got our camp site set up and hit the beach. We looked around to see what we could get into tomorrow.

I did not do any running or any thing today, but plan on it tomorrow for sure. I hope to run down to the beach and back. Its not a long trip, but its not short either.

We are sitting out by the camp fire now. Trevor is kind of like me, he has to be talking if he is awake. I love to sit around the campfire and just relax. This activity my son has yet to find the joy in. Pray that I dont string this child up by his toes. LOL. I told him I was blogging about him, his response, your blog is missing? Where did it go Dad?

I love it.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Happy Easter

I just want to wish you a happy Easter. I hope you get to enjoy spending time with your loved ones. I appreciate every one who reads my blog and follows my journey. I am going to pray for whatever it is that is going on in your life. I am going to ask God to bless, protect, and heal you.

I have been posting for almost 3 months now and I have 900 visits. I am so excited about my progress.

I have gotten a bunch of messages from people encourgaing me along and messages from people telling me I am an inspiration. Keep the messages rolling in, I love them.

HAPPY EASTER

SHEP

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Not Sick

Today was a wonderful day. I felt great, the sun was shining, and SPRING BREAK began at the end of the school day. We had career day for the first half of the day. Not only did our students get to go around and learn about different careers, but I also learned that Chick-fil-a will begin selling spicy chicken sandwiches on June 7th.

At recess several I play basketball with the kids. Several of the kids wanted to race me across the playground. Of course I am a playful kinda soul so I raced them. I am doing as much as I can to help them understand they need to become healthy. I encourage them to run and be active.

When I got home today I wanted to go for a little run. Several weeks ago I paced of a half mile from my drive way using my odometer. I ran to the .5 mile spot and back. This is the way I got myself into running shape when I decided to join the Army back in the day. My time today was 9:59. Not great, but by no means my worst time posted. I am going to continue doing this until my time drops. This strategy helped me eventually get down to a 7 minute mile. I think with my determination I am going to get down to a six minute mile. Especially when I go from running these few little hills to flat ground.

While running today I did not have any shin pain. I am so glad I was able to run relatively pain free today.

Cannot wait to be running on the beach on Monday.

SHEP

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