Runners Forum - Kick Runners banner

Billy

3K views 27 replies 24 participants last post by  Jensparks 
#1 ·
I usually like to color inside the lines. Today, I take some artistic license.<br><br><b><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Running</span></span></b><br><br><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">1. Why do you run?</span></span></span><br><br>
I run because I love to run. I shared a <a href="http://kickrunners.com/forum/showpost.php?p=158797&postcount=19" target="_blank">rather long history</a> of how I started running over at the Starting Gate. Why do I love running? Let me count the ways!
<ul><li>It's simple and true. You either do it or you don't. You can talk about your performance all you want but in the end you have to get out there and show it. Can you go all the way to end of driveway? Show me. Can you make it to the park? Show me. Can you make it 26 miles? Show me. Furthermore - let <span style="text-decoration:underline;">me</span> show <span style="text-decoration:underline;">myself</span>. That leads to the next point.</li>
</ul><ul><li>You get better at it. You improve. Sometimes, it's just magical. You plateau in your training and think you are never, ever going to get better. And then out of nowhere your performance dramatically improves. It's very gratifying.</li>
</ul><ul><li>It's a great excuse to take family vacations. There are races all over the place. If you ever needed a reason to go somewhere, you now have it. So far, I've hit San Diego CA and Portland OR and Maui this way.</li>
</ul><ul><li>The people are some of the friendliest you'll ever come across. Sure, there are some unfriendly people in this bunch, but for the most part they are very kind and very willing to help. It restores your faith in people.</li>
</ul><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">4. How do you deal with bad runs?</span></span></span><br>
Bad runs are the price to be paid for the good runs. I end up learning a lot more from the bad ones than the good ones, anyway. So, I just try to remember that when the bad ones come along, there will be good ones later and I should keep an open mind.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">5. Do you reward yourself for good runs? How?</span></span></span><br><br>
Good runs are a reward in and of themselves. They are <i>that good</i>. Still, for very long runs, it is nice to have a chocolate milk as a recovery drink, and still feel like you are cheating a little bit.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">11. What do you wear running? favorite outfit?</span></span></span><br><br>
I like to wear technical fabrics. My outfits are pretty much shirt, shorts, cap, Thorlo socks, Asics shoes, and Garmin 205. I like my bright orange shirt, purple cap, and blue shorts (they have pockets). If I really want to have "Phoenix Suns colors" on, I wear my black shorts.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">12. What has been your favorite race?</span></span></span><br><br>
The Air Force Marathon in 2007. It was a wonderfully organized race, way oversupportive of runners with aid stations every mile, a great pasta dinner in the Air Force Museum, cool planes flew over, and I got to visit family who became my most enthusiastic supporters.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">13. Do you have a goal race right now?</span></span></span><br><br>
No. I'd like to run St. George this year, but I can't really make it a "goal race" until I know that I get a space from their lottery registration system. Right now, I guess my goal is get a goal. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br><b><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">History and News</span></span></b><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">2. What is your greatest accomplishment?</span></span></span><br><br>
I'm very proud of being a husband and father. But I'm not done with those and in any case they feel like a journey more than a destination. I would have to say that my greatest accomplishment has been finishing law school. And yet, I regret going in some ways, too. It was really tough. On balance, I'm glad that I did it but more glad that it is behind me.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">7. What is the greatest advice you have ever received?</span></span></span><br><br>
Nothing leaps to mind. I must say I've gotten farther with some very simple pieces of advice, like "be polite" and "learn to touch type" than with other words that would sound more wise.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">8. What do wish you had learned younger?</span></span></span><br><br>
I really wish I had started running earlier. Running has taught me the value of "go[ing] confidently in the direction of your dreams."<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">15. Tell us one interesting thing about you that you haven't said (at least not often) on this forum in the past.</span><br></span></span><br>
I met my wife through a mutual friend. It would be many years before we would date, let alone marry. Still, even at that time, she had some real insight into me. I am told that after I left the home of our friend, she commented, "I don't know if he has his s*** together, but if he does, its alphabetical.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">16. Tell us one interesting thing about another user of this forum that has not been posted (at least not often) on this forum in the past (make sure the other person will not object to posting the info!).</span></span></span><br><br>
It is a really happy memory of this last year the Dave (boyerdavea) came to do a little run with me. Dave happened to be doing some training in Eloy, Arizona. He drove up from Eloy to Scottsdale (call that 60 miles) so we could run. Dave only knows me from Run and Race Reports on Cool Running. He has qualified for Boston in the past and I can't run one mile at a BQ pace. Still, he came and we had a really nice run. I think that speaks volumes about him. Here is a picture from in front of my house (though vanity says I must note I am *slightly* lighter than in the picture now).<br><br><img alt="" src="http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o280/BillyVLT/BillandDave.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br>
(that's Dave on the left)<br><br><b><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Personal Disclosure</span></span></b><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">3. What is your motto/theme song?</span><br></span></span><br>
I would like my motto to be "Be it to me according to Thy will" (Luke 1:38 ) or even "Totus Tuus" like John Paul II, but I'm just not there yet. I think my motto would be from the rather less exalted source, Basia's song "Promises."<br><br><i>I have found out<br>
Having come the long way 'round<br>
I am closer<br>
Closer than before</i><br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">6. Who do you admire most?</span><br></span></span><br>
I really admire the work of Carl Jung. He really made the Hero's Journey, going into the depths and coming back with treasures and healing. I think his autobiography <i>Memories, Dreams, Reflections</i> is a must read.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">9. What do you wish you could do but can't?</span><br></span></span><br>
I really wish I could play baseball. I never really learned how to throw properly.<br><br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">10. How would your friends describe your personality?</span><br></span></span><br>
Introverted, helpful, "techie," and having a strange and sarcastic sense of humor.<br><br><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">14. What makes you happy?</span></span></span><br><br>
The simple pleasures that aren't so simple. It takes a lot of work to have a clean house and a happy home.
 
See less See more
#12 ·
Great post Billy! Really cool to meet you! Your words are inspiring to me. Loved how you described running - it is simple and true, I don't think I've ever heard it described better.<br><br>
"and blue shorts (they have pockets). " I love pockets too! Race Ready Seven Pocket shorts are amazing!
 
#13 ·
Billy, I have always loved the way you write--so clear.<br><br>
I had no idea you went to law school, but then again, how would I? That gives me an explanation for the flowery wording--but don't be fooled. My secret ambition in high school was to get my bachelors in English and go to law school. My dad said I should drop the English and go for something a little more moneyworthy to pay to put myself through law school; therefore, accouting. As you know, I don't have a law degree.<br><br>
That's definitely something to be proud of.
 
#16 ·
Flowery wording. Heh! Yeah, I've been accused of that since...I don't know, second grade or something. So, I resemble that remark. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
An accounting background would be a great thing to have for law school and for being an attorney. One of my many regrets regarding law school is that I did not get an economics degree in undergrad instead of a sociology degree. Yes, that does mean law school can make you regret things that you were just fine with, even proud of, before going (should I say matriculating?).<br><br>
I imagine that law school would play havoc with your workout schedule, though. I pretty much ate doughnuts through law school so working out wasn't a big issue for me. <img alt="roll_eyes.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/roll_eyes.gif">
 
#19 ·
Baba,<br><br>
I passed the Bar. I hesitated a while before taking it, but I did pass it on my first try. I changed my law license to inactive status, so I'm not "practicing" right now. Going back to "active" would mean paying some money and getting current with my continuing education.
 
#26 ·
Billy - You are awesome! I am thankful that I have had a chance to get to know you. Not only through CR & KR, but the chance to go for a run with you. It doesn't matter if we run at a 6 min mile or a 12 min mile. It is the camaraderie that counts.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top