Last week I wrote out a short blog detailing the week in running. A quick mile three days out of the week, post Title Boxing Club Power Hour, teaching three of the four classes I attended at Title, and then finishing up the week with my weekly long run of 6.35 miles. I noted the week before that was snow-plagued and only allowed a single mile. Lame. In fact, the entire post was lame, so I deleted it.

If you’re weird and interested, here’s a make-up table:

Last Week
Last Week’s Mileage	9.35 Miles (15.05km)
Last Week’s Pace	10:38/mile (6:37/km)

Not a bad week in running – good mileage and while the pace was a bit behind normal, taking into account my Saturday long run was 6.35 miles, I’m not unhappy.

And that’s a good thing, because this week was…eh, not so great. I skipped my Monday post-Power Hour run because I skipped my Power Hour all together, having stayed up WAY past my bedtime the night before. Wednesday’s run was put off and I did some more weight training in its place, and Friday’s morning mile didn’t happen because I was sick to my stomach. My intentions of getting up Saturday to do it didn’t work out and my back-up plan of getting it in this morning nearly didn’t happen merely because I’m so lazy!

Either way, I layered up and was out at the greenway around my usual time – 9:00ish. No intention of being speedy – just looking to hit that 7 mile mark. It was a little cold, I was a little grumpy, but I made it. Nothing entertaining to report about it, really, just that I finished without hurting feet. I’ve been pounding my right foot in a weird way again, apparently, so I put a lot of effort into rolling my foot in the opposite direction, which seemed to help quite a bit.

Also, around mile 3.5, as I was running past West Hills Elementary School I noticed a hat on the ground. A few inches away from the hat were a watch, a pair of socks, some underwear, and a can of spray paint. It was almost like a vandal had been vaporized on the spot. I just finished George Orwell’s 1984 so vaporization of the public is fresh on my mind. I think the Party are getting sloppy, though I’m writing this blog in the only corner of my house that’s out of sight of the telescreen…

Speaking of vandals, one of the tunnels I run through on the greenway is often covered with fresh graffiti so I snapped a few photos of what’s there currently. Dig it:

Regardless of Big Brother or any ongoing wars, the fact remains that my half marathon is a mere 8 weeks away. Last week I was terrified, but during my run today I realized that I had finished 7 miles, more than half way, and felt great afterward. This half marathon is happening, and I am going to be ready for it.

Before I go into the rant promised by the title, here’s this week’s numbers, followed, as usual, by the YTD.

This Week
This Week’s Mileage	7 Miles (11.27km)
This Week’s Pace	12:50/mile (7:58/km)

2016 Running
Runtastic Runs (1/01-Present)	31.68 Miles
Total Yearly Miles:	31.68
Miles Left Until 2016 Goal (350 Miles): 318.32

Finally, here’s this. Since I was little, something I’ve always hated was being belittled for my age by my elders. More often than not it has to do with how much “harder” their lives are than mine, solely because they’ve advanced in age. The infamous “Wait until you get to be MY age” comments have flowed down no matter what my age is at the time. And in my attempt to be a positive influence on those around me to better their health, to take better care of themselves, and to actually move their asses, I’ve been getting a lot of “wait until…” comments that are intended to say “Because of my age, it’s too difficult to be healthy – YOU can do it because you’re so young. It’s EASY for you.”

Let me tell you something. The weight I’ve lost, the muscle I’ve gained, the health issues I’ve overcome, and the progress I’ve made and will continue to make toward my health goals have not – even for one second – been easy. Getting up before sunrise to learn how to run? That’s not easy. Working up to my first 5k? 10K? Half marathon? NOT easy. Showing up at the gym three times per week for hour-long boxing classes? NOT easy. Doing it at 5:45am? Even harder. It requires sacrifice, hours of my time, accepting that my lifestyle had to change, changing my priorities, and most importantly, refusing to make excuses like “I’m too old” and “It’s too hard.”

Keep that in mind the next time you say you’re too old, it’s too difficult, and it’s easier for me because I’m younger than you are. You’re not too old, it’s not too difficult, and it’s not easy for me or anyone else that’s made changes in their life. To say otherwise tells me you’re a liar and an excuse factory. Change nothing and nothing will change. Shut off your excuses and you will be greater than you’ve ever been, no matter the aspect you’re looking to change. Fact.

I hate to be a downer but sometimes it’s way difficult to be a positive influence when so many people refuse that positivity. That’s the world we live in, I suppose.