Proxy 23

This past weekend I ran my first race of 2023 -- the Rock n' Roll Las Vegas 10K. I will do a full review of the race on this week's episode of The Party in the Back and a blog post later this week. But, I wanted to write a LITTLE about an idea and goal I made this weekend.

Every race I do this year I am going to run it in proxy for someone.

I'll admit, I am still formulating this goal, mainly because I made the goal literally a hour before Sunday's race. I got the idea from a couple of pretty profound moments I've had at this race the past couple of years and from Coach Blu's example as well. This goal isn't anything new, but I've never done it and quite honestly is something I feel that I need to get focused and motivated in my training.

So here are the basic rules I drew up in my head at Sunday's startline.

• Every race -- 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, relay, fun run, etc. -- I will run in memory, honor or in assistance of someone who passed or can't run. 
• There's no set list of what races will be with those I am running proxy for -- yet. I am going to sit down see how I want to determine each race. I do know that my Revel Big Cottonwood Marathon race will be for my friend Robert Merriman, that one was set within minutes of me making the goal this weekend.
• I want my proxy list to be for both of those who have passed and even for the living. But, I really want to push a few assisted athletes in some of the races either as a proxy for their legs or with them in memory of others.

These could change a bit. But, that's the base of what I'd like to do.

During Sunday's race my first proxy runner was my friend Robert Merkley. I chose him for a couple of reasons -- one, he's been on my mind lately and, two, these are the kind of races Robert loved. I don't know if he ever did the Rock n' Roll Series, but he loved to travel and did a number of Disney races. 

I started the race running with my Addict II Athlete team -- Coach Blu, Marissa, Max, KP and Holly. But, as we dispersed and group together I ended up running the race with Holly and .... it was just what I needed, especially spending the time talking to her about her story. It's something that Robert would have done.

It was a really special moment for me.

I will probably make a page somewhere here on my blog where I will schedule and track my proxy running. But, in the meantime, I am working on my race schedule and more eager than ever to get out there and run for those who can't.

Running Disneyland once again ...

I'm kinda laughing ... and kinda groaning ... sitting here writing this post. Why? Well, I am officially signed up for the Disneyland HALF MARATHON happening January 14, 2024. Which is pretty exciting, considering I haven't done this race since 2012.

But, here's the problem.

I wanted to do the 10K.

No, I didn't push the wrong button or anything like that, it was just how it turned out thanks to Disney's notorious virtual queue. My friend Jacob and father-in-law were able to get in and register for the 10K, but once my turn came up the only thing left was the half marathon and the kids race.

As tempting as it was to try to pass me off as an eight-year old, I went with the half marathon. I didn't want to NOT run, especially since my father-in-law got an entry. I'd have had major FOMO. So I signed up for the half marathon.

So why did I not want to do the half marathon distance? Well, namely price. Um ... $235 ... to be exact. That's all of value menu cheeseburgers. But, having done the race before you get a lot of Anaheim in those 13.1 miles. I mean a lot.

Like this a lot ...

That's a lot of "nothing really to look at" for 13.1 miles. Well, okay, maybe like 8-10 miles of non-Disney stuff to look at while running, and especially for $235.

Am I bitter? Perhaps.

But, actually I'm probably more jaded thanks to Bob Chapek nickel and diming me last year. However, that's an entirely different post for another day. 

With all that said ... am I excited? Yes.

Will it give me something to train for during the winter months? Yes.

Will I enjoy the experience? Yes.

Will I enjoy all 13.1 miles? That remains to be seen, but probably yes.

LET'S DO THIS!

Running Thoughts

I couldn't think of a better headline for this post. I tried coming up with something snazzy and cool. But, I'm just not in that kind of mood right now. I'm kind of in a weird head space right now. It's not negative or necessarily ... bad. I'm just in a "okay, Josh it's time to buckle down and get focused on your fitness and running now" mood. I'm sure others can relate even if I can't properly articulate it.

I'll cut to the meat of this post. So, here are some realities of the moment.

• 2022 was the happiest, most challenging and rewarding year of my life to date. I gained, and regained, many friendships, lost friendships I valued more than what was reciprocated and of course -- found my eternal companion, my best friend, MaryAnn.
• My running was a struggle despite doing three half marathons, a handful of 10Ks and a bunch of 5Ks. 
• My fitness is all over the place because of many factors -- everything that comes with marriage, a few recurring issues from my accident and ... simply not giving it a high priority amongst all the change going on in my life.
• My weight crept a tad over 300lbs. for the first time in a 6-7 years, which has me in a weird headspace of not worrying about it (trying to figure out why?).
• I need a plan.

Okay, so where do I go from here?

Well, probably on that last point? I need a plan. Plans have gotten away from me over the past three years or so. After my accident it's been really tough to find a rhythm. I've played -- too many -- head games with myself to the point of exhaustion. Anyone who's gone through a similar situation knows the games.

That is why I recently made a switch in therapists. Not that my last therapist was bad, but she helped navigate me through a lot of my changes last year. This new one specializes in athletic performance and mindset, which is something I feel like I need some help with getting back into the swing of running where I want to be.

So there's that.

Then there's the diet and training plan. I am not going to lay the whole plan out here, that's a post for another day. And, really something that I need to dive deeper into, because there's a lot more context needed for a full picture.

But, in the process of shaking things up I also changed doctors this past year as well. It was kind of out of convenience considering I moved from Bountiful to South Jordan, but I really wanted -- and needed -- fresher eyes on my health cart.

I did a little extra homework on my new doctor because I wanted someone that not only understood what was going on with my thyroid and all of that, but someone who was also a runner. I know that sounds a little weird in the scheme of things, but I feel like having a doctor who GETS that aspect of your life, the easier it is for them to help you tackle issues at hand. I never want running to not be a part of my life and having a doctor who runs is just a part of that goal.

Since I was very selective on my doctor it took a while for me to get into see him. It was only a few weeks ago so switches we made on meds haven't fully taken affect yet. But, I am beginning to feel a difference, a positive difference, which is a good sign.

I have also lost about 10-15lbs. since the last doctor visit. I am not too worried about my weight, because I know what it takes to get that under control. However, the hardest part for me is finding -- AND STICKING -- to a diet plan that works for me. 

And, it's funny because my doctor echoed pretty much the same sediment. I asked him if there was a certain diet plan he recommended considering I've tried a plethora of diets over the years. And, he pretty much said, it doesn't matter as long you stick to something and do it. 

If I have learned anything over the last 12-13 since I began this journey it's that -- it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do it. I think I forgot that a bit over the past several years because I was kind of pigeon-toed in my thinking of what I felt I could do because of injuries, etc. But, the key action word here is -- do. 

Point taken.

These reminders have been much needed and with February now here it's probably best that I put those in action. I have some lofty goals this year, mainly a marathon. So there's a lot of work to do. But, I need this challenge and focus to keep me accountable and working toward a better tomorrow (as cheesy as that sounds).

Expect more soon.