Saturday, May 27, 2017

AGILE 250 BELT SET







I just have to brag on my new running toy. It was time for a new running belt, so I bought the Agile 250 Belt Set yesterday at Valley Running Co. It included an 8 ounce soft or collapsible flask.

I have an old spi belt that I received several years ago at a marathon expo. It's still in good condition, but it's a struggle to pack in there a couple of gels, S caps, tp and other essentials.

I was able to use it on a run this morning. I was just a tad worried because it is quite a bit bigger than my old one. It has to be bigger to be able to include a full 8 oz flask in there. My current spi belt bounces when I fill it, and it's smaller. I didn't want this "bigger" belt to bounce. Fortunately, there was no bounce.

I am not sure if it's designed to fit loosely, but I decided to fit it a bit loose, because I was afraid of the dreaded chafe. Not only was there no bounce but also zero chafing. It stayed securely in place for the entire run. It was able to hold 4 gels and the full flask securely, and there was still plenty of room for more. Plenty.

Full disclosure: On longer runs, you'll probably need a handheld as well since 8 oz is probably not enough hydration. I was able to use the belt with the flask while running with a handheld. Towards the end of my run, I was able to ditch the handheld and only run with the belt and flask.

Super comfortable, affordable (since you're getting the belt AND flask) and, as always, Salomon quality is the best. I would strongly recommend it to anybody and everybody.

Friday, May 12, 2017

It Was A Great Day!!!

Earlier today, I watched my son, Joshua, graduate with an Associate's Degree from South Texas College. Pretty proud day for a dad.

4 or 5 years ago, I wasn't even looking this far ahead. We had bigger problems to deal with. Graduating high school wasn't even something we were focused on.

Joshua began using or experimenting, whatever you choose to call it, with illegal substances. I'll spare you the details, but he'd be under the influence at school and when I'd pick him up. I couldn't believe this was happening IN school, but that's another blog entry that I'll never write.

The substance abuse progressed to the point that he had to go to the Alternative Campus. I think they called it the Dream Academy at that point. No matter what you call it, I knew how it was in there, and I didn't want him in there, but there was nothing I could do.

It became such a problem that he was placed in-patient for several months in the Corpus Christi area. It was a very tough place for him to be and for myself and his mom to see him. We'd only get a couple hours on Saturdays and Sundays to see him. While there, he started talking to a counselor. He's always been a pretty introverted shy kid, but his Counselor was able to get him to open up.

Through this Counselor, I found out many things about myself. He told me that Joshua was pretty angry with me. The way I raised him. The pressure. The way I'd get upset easily at him. The yelling. The list went on and on. What bothered me the most was that he'd even considered hurting himself. That was heartbreaking to hear.

How could I have patience and not yell at the kids I see all day, yet, my own son, it didn't seem to be a problem?

Upon his discharge from the in-patient hospital, we both made a comittment to go to counseling. Joshua an aftercare type counseling and me...well, a parenting of the recovering child type class. A small part of me was in denial that I needed it, but if me going, made Joshua go also, it would be a win win for both of us.

We went for 2 years until Joshua turned 18 and decided he was done with it. He said he didn't want to go and that he'd learned his lesson. I was skeptical but he'd just turned 18, and things seemed well at school.

I encouraged him to do well in school, but when I'd see him stressing about grades or state tests, I'd tell him, "I hope you do well, but if you don't, It's not the end of the world. Relax. So what?" That seemed to ease his mind quite a bit. If you can't get into a school you want because your schores are low, so what? It's your call: try again, travel, take some time off, work. Nevermind that I was telling my own son, the opposite of what we are supposed to tell kids, but that worked for me and him.

5 years later, he's earned his Associates Degree in Criminology and starts in the Fall at UTRGV. I'm very proud of the young man he's become. And, most importantly, he's made me work on being more understanding and patient in my private life just like in my professional life.

I just wanted to share that with you guys. It was a great day!!!