Why Zombie–The story behind the name

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Some of you may be wondering “why the name Zombie?”  No, it’s not because I’m part of the Walking Dead nor have I been bitten by any such creature…lol!  I’ve worked a great many strange shifts during my time on this earth.  Most of them have been during the dark hours.  I’ve also worked and still work swing shifts!  This can make one become a little on the sleep deprived side, cause dark rings under the eyes and maybe a bit cranky.  Years back after working a long stretch of late night shifts, I went to a get together with friends.  I could not recall the day of the week and obviously looked a bit rough.  I was given the name “Zombie” that day and it’s stuck all these years later!  I’ve embraced the name and actually become very proud of it!  You’ll find it on my license plate (for both cars), on numerous shirts that I own and I still answer to it at work or at home.

I know it’s probably not the exciting story you all were looking for.  I felt that I should at least explain the origin though.  I wear it like a badge of honor now!

RunZombieRun is the perfect depiction of who I am and what I love to do.  I have plans to run until I can do it no longer, to try to bring awareness to good causes and hopefully to inspire some people along the way.  “Inspire before you Expire!”  I’m not sure what the life expectancy is for a Zombie but I’m not taking any chances!  I want to live with no regrets and enjoy every mile!  Running is truly a blessing and being able to share it with others…priceless!

Feel free to join the Zombie Revolution!  Get out the shoes!  Walk, Bike, Run, Donate, make a difference!  Be proud of your inner Zombie…you know you have one too!

Zombie

Running The End Of The Road

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Being that I might be a bit of a Nerd, I was thrilled that a local running shop (Second Sole) and (Toledo Roadrunners) decided to team up and hold the End of the Road run!  It was a 9K that started at 10:11 p.m. on the date 12/13/14.  So you get…9,10,11,12,13 & 14!  It’ll be a while before we have dates that line up in such a fun order and some have felt that dates like these only lead to Armageddon!  Well, it’s now 12/14/14 and I’m still here working on my blog…lol!

The night in the Toledo, Ohio area was actually quite pleasant.  Temps in the mid 40’s with about a 9 mph wind.  No rain or snow!  Headed out to the run and found a really nice sized group of runners had shown up.  This is awesome being that on top of it, it was a Saturday night!  Normally date night or Christmas shopping night for many.  My sis and I checked out all the new and exciting running gear, enjoyed a few fun dogs that were brought out for the run and just kind of enjoyed the show!  People dressed up, lots of fun lights on, strange costumes and I may have witnessed a group of ladies in blinking tutus!  LMAO!  They were so fun!  I loved the atmosphere and the shopping plaza that the run is held at was loaded with Christmas lights.  Awesome!

If you’ve never run late at night, it throws the body way out of whack!  Everything about it just feels strange.  To me, it’s just another challenge that I love to place upon myself and I really wanted my sister to experience the whole thing.  Not to mention, it could be the end of the World!  Everything went off without a hitch and it was just plain fun!  Finished our 9K in 51 minutes and some change.  Not that it really mattered.  We smiled and chuckled on the drive home, talked about the fun animals, the strange outfits and some of the cool lights we checked out on fellow runners.  Good Times!

I hope everyone found a fun way to celebrate the 12/13/14 date!  I know we did!  Here’s to many more!

Zombie

Running to burn off the crazy

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Hit the road with my sister this evening for a nice 7+ mile hop.  When she arrived at my home, I was bumbling about and cursing.  My after work mood was not the best and I don’t think my sister had any idea the amount of craziness that had built up inside of me.  I finally got my gear situated, or so I thought and we headed out the door.  After walking down my street that leads out of the sub-division, I realized that I’d left my road ID, my Garmin and my shin compression wrap all at home…sigh.  Some days or nights, just seem to go this way.

We reached the main street and proceeded to get the run started.  Cars were riding very close to the edge of the road, a few even seemed to be aiming for us more than trying to give clearance.  The whole time I’m thinking to myself “just get into the run and burn off the crazy!”  After the first mile or so of the “grumbles” I started to come around.  It’s almost like you can feel the ugliness slowly burning off.  Bleeding out of your sweat!

By mile 3 I was feeling much better and apologized to my sister for being such a turd at the start of the run.  She understood and kind of chuckled.  She said “how many times have you listened to me when we get out here going all nuts?!”  Running is a special bond and has a certain kind of magic to it.  I love being able to share it with numerous members of my family and friends.  When you speak with other runners or tell them stories like this, they just get it.  I often wonder where I would be or how I would be able to rid myself of the awful feelings we humans get some days if I didn’t run.  Whoa…let’s not think about that! lol!

The run was wonderful, I got over my crankiness, I’ll sleep better knowing that I drained the body and mind of all the impurities.  Thanks to my sis for putting up with me for the first part of the run tonight!  Thanks to all of you for taking an interest in a crazy runner like me!  Off to rest and wake at zero dark thirty once again.

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Zombie

Zombies Unite!

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We’re just weeks away from the crazy start of it all!  30 races will be run to celebrate 30 years of running and to boost donations to Mobile Meals of Toledo!  The first T-shirt campaign was kind of fun and I’m looking forward to getting tech shirts going here locally.  All runners love tech shirts!  I’ll keep going on the blog, reaching out to companies and hoping they’ll jump on board and give some kind of help.

I’ve also been looking over races and started signing up for some during the first couple months of the year.  The calendar listed on runzombierun.net will have all races listed and as I add them, my friend Mike Toth will update the calendar!!  I’m hoping to see some of you at these races and hopefully you’ll have some kind of runzombierun gear on!  The more talk there is and the more people who gain interest, the better this whole campaign will go.  I’m so thrilled to be doing this and really want to make a difference in my community.

I’ll be working on catch phrases and such to add to shirts or decals.  I really like the Zombies Unite!  We’re all Zombies at one time or another.  Whether its lack of sleep, board at the work place, whatever the moment…we’re all Zombies.  It’s time to rally the troops and have all Zombies Unite!  A Zombie Revolution…if you will!!

I knocked out my 7.5 mile run this evening and have a very early morning gym day tomorrow.  Legs are still tired from my leg workout at the gym yesterday, so sitting at work tomorrow should be a blast!  Zero dark thirty is my get out of bed time so I’ll go ahead and push on to bed.  Let’s get this done Zombies!

Zombie

Gym day and sponsors

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Today was a gym/strength day!  In order to keep myself going through the challenge, I have to maintain a solid structure.  That means getting to the gym on a regular basis to help prevent the onset of any injuries.  This along with my massage therapist, I think I can get this done!

I trained legs, a little bit of chest and then did 30 minutes on the Stairmaster.  If you’ve never experienced the Stairmaster, It was developed by someone who is truly into serious torture of the body!  As always, you don’t want to be anywhere close to me when I’m on this thing!  Remember…I sweat…a lot!  Anyway, I got everything done and did some stretching, feel pretty good at the moment and looking forward to running tomorrow!

I sat down last night and started contacting larger corporations for sponsorship.  I’m hopeful that I can get at least 1 big one to get on board and help me with the venture.  I have plans to talk with a couple local businesses about sponsorship and will explain how they can be added to the website runzombierun.net.  A special sponsor’s page can be added where everyone can see who’s stepped up to help this cause.  I’ll also add their logo to my race shirts that I wear at each and every running event!  Cross your fingers that we can land at least a couple.

I’ve said this before, the running to me is the easy part.  Keeping everyone’s attention and keeping my charity on everyone’s mind is the work part.  People move so quick in today’s society and anything can be lost in an instant.  I plan on staying on this all the way through!  I’ll talk about all of it any chance I get because it’s important to think of others and the struggles they go through.

Stay tuned!  If I’m able to land a sponsor soon, I’ll share the information!  I want to make this a very successful campaign and help Mobile Meals of Toledo get the boost they deserve!  Great people doing great things!

Happy Sunday and Happy Running!

Zombie

Keeping the body going and runzombierun.net

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After waking up with a few extra aches and pains the past few mornings, I realized that I was overdue for a massage!  If you’re not a fan or have never had one, I highly recommend that you get one on a regular basis.  It’ll cut down on sore and tired parts and in my opinion, trips to the doctor’s office.

Calves and feet have been the biggest problems of late and my friend Becky Koskinen (owner of Massage Works) has done wonders over the years keeping me on the road.  I’ve had lower back issues, hip, shoulder…hell, just about everywhere!  From working out, running or just injuries from car accidents in my past, she keeps me up and moving.

Today after leaving her place, my feet felt so much better!  I have a long run scheduled for tomorrow a.m. and was really worried it was going to be a painful one.  I think I’m good to go!  I made Becky promise me today…that she’d keep me in one piece and mobile over the next year so that I can complete this challenge I’ve set for myself.  She agreed and I’m holding her to it.  Thanks Becky!!

The race calendar is up and I’m starting to fill dates.  Just go to runzombierun.net and you can follow all my races throughout the year from the calendar.  Remember that if you want to sponsor me per race or just a one time donation, you can do it through the website as well.  As always…all the monies donated on there go directly to Mobile Meals of Toledo!  I receive nothing but the satisfaction of knowing that people care and want to help me make a difference.  If there are any corporate or small businesses that want to sponsor on a larger scale, feel free to contact me.  We can set your company logo up on the website.  A sponsor page can be added and I would also be happy to add your logo to my running shirt that I’ll be wearing during the races.

All donations are tax-deductible of course as Mobile Meals of Toledo is a non-profit organization.  I’ll keep everyone in the know as time keeps going and look for more things to come on the website!  Video will be added as we get to the races at the beginning of the year.  Everything from quick chats about why I run so much, to why I chose Mobile Meals of Toledo.  There will be video of me running in the races at start, during and/or finish lines.  Of course there may be some kind of silly bloopers as well!  Nothing ever goes smooth in my shoes…lol!

Continue to follow the journey!  It’s only going to get better!

Zombie

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Leaving it all behind

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Today I woke up very tired.  Feet are sore and I’m mentally drained from work.  I did my usual get up, let my dog out and get him fed, then spent a little time under my Packers blanket in the recliner.  Some days you just feel like a war-torn soldier.

I decided it was time, time to get up out of the chair and get my therapy!  I checked the weather…cold, very windy (18 mph with gust over 18 mph).  Dressed in the appropriate gear to handle such weather and off I went!  It was wonderful!  There’s nothing like lacing up and leaving it all behind you!

I have no great words of wisdom today.  I can only tell you that I’m much like many of you.  I struggle…with many things.  I can tell you that if only for a little while there is an escape.  It’s safe and wonderful…the road is home!

Enjoy your day!

Zombie

Sometimes life gets in the way

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While I do enjoy my running and would love nothing more than to be on the road everyday, sometimes life gets in the way!  Demands pull at you from all directions and even though you’d like to ignore many, you can’t.  I try to look at moments like these as small tests or extra rest time.  No…they’re not always restful situations…lol!

Running will always be there and it waits…patiently.  The road knows all of the journeys that I’ve traveled and keeps my secrets.  It will wait once more for my return while I take care of life events.

Don’t beat yourselves up on days like this.  Just smile even more when you return to your running!  I may be busy today but I know that tomorrow…I’ll be back out there!  The message today is simple, be kind to yourself, allow yourself to do other things that are important as well.  Remember what I said…Running will wait and the road will always be there to share your secrets.

Happy Tuesday Everyone and Happy Running!

Zombie

Driven with a purpose

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What is it that makes one get up in the early a.m. hours, prior to any sign of sunshine?  Why would you get out of a nice warm bed on a cold winter’s morning and purposely walk out into the cold morning air? These questions and many others can be answered with a single word…Driven!

When I hit the road or trail to get my run going, this word rattles through my head on a regular basis.  It started at a young age but was mislead.  I became driven for success but thought it would come through things, possessions if you will.  I felt empty when I obtained possessions yet couldn’t understand why.  To share each and every step of my young life would take more than just a blog…lol!  A book perhaps, but I’m betting there’s not a huge market for the life and times of a poor Eastside kid from Toledo.  That being said, once I discovered running…things began to clear up!  You could say that I “Get it” now!

I’m now Driven with a purpose!  My love for running has brought me to wanting to share my experiences.  To help, to make a difference and hopefully change someone’s life for the better.  Whenever I sit down to type…I hope that at least one person is touched or moved.  If it makes them smile, or put on running shoes for the first time, I’m making a difference.  My purpose is to share what I’ve learned, to guide when someone needs it and to be a good person.

Driven With A Purpose…let’s use that slogan today!  Think about your life and what you do.  How you can make a change for the better.  Take care of yourself and your health for there are those that rely on you and love you!  Remember that you matter!  Find the fire that’s inside and go with it!  Hit the gym, take a walk, go for a run!  This will only turn into better things…I promise you!  You’ll discover something about yourself while moving and you’ll have time alone in your head to think about a great many things.  (I know I have!)  From there, you’ll find your purpose.  It’s my belief that all of us has a common purpose…to help others!

Enjoy your day and keep checking in on me!  There’s more to come!

Stay Driven!

Zombie

Excitement is building!

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Well, I’ve gone and booked flights and signed my sister and myself up to run the A1A Half Marathon in sunny Florida on February 15, 2015!  My older sister lives in the area so it will be a family event…yay!!  My wife is going but is still suffering from a long-standing injury to her shin.  There’s no way I’d ever want to travel without her!  Broken or not…she’s my world!

I’ve been on my computer this morning getting some of the races I’d like to do set up and I’m just full of excitement for this to get underway!  I’ll be meeting later this week with Mobile Meals to finalize a few things and get ready to launch the Run Zombie Run website.  So AWESOME!!

I will share every step of this next year with all of you.  There will be pictures and stories until the cows come home!  Hmmm..when are cows suppose to be home anyway??  There will be some new tech shirts being worked on and hopefully I’ll have extras to get out for sale.  We still have the campaign at https://www.booster.com/mobilemealsoftoledo.  So please stop by there and buy some t-shirts to show support for Mobile Meals!  I need a good fan club as well!!

So much to do and so little time.  Well, I’m off again…I’ll check back later and fill you all in with more information on the races coming in the very near future and how you can find or support me on the journey!

Zombie