Friday, March 30, 2012

End of March

The end of March is upon us.  It was a great training month and I had a great half marathon in the middle of the month.  I was extremely thrilled with my time given the fact that I never ran a training run over 4 miles.  My left knee has been sore after a run since then, but nothing I can't deal with.  I haven't logged the miles this week that I would have liked to, but I will get back to it soon enough.  I'm looking forward to getting a run in tomorrow, and get registered for an April 5 miler.  I've found a September half marathon I want to do, and my October 10K.  Race schedule will be full enough for a while.  I did manage a lot more miles on the bike than normal this week, and some decent strength training.

It was a week of ups and downs at work.  Busy one day and prospecting the next.  The week finished up very busy with a few new clients and some good quotes that went out as well.  Lots of new homeowners and auto insurance quotes sent this week, and working on 3 decent commercial quotes that came about.  I'm hoping April will continue to be busy for me!

This was the first week in two and a half years that I've slept the night through every night.  What a feeling!  I feel more rested than I have in a very long time.  The girls are doing great and have been nothing shy of wonderful.  We went out for dinner last night and they behaved like angels for us.  It's been such a relief for my wife and I to get some sleep and for the girls to be able to get outside and play and really enjoy themselves. 

Have a great weekend and good luck in the Megamillions!

Monday, March 26, 2012

Training Schedule

I took 3 days off running following the Shamrock Half Marathon.  I jumped back in on Thursday with a short run at a very good pace, and repeated the run on Friday at an even faster pace.  I felt good during both runs and had no trouble with the increased pace, but found my knee to be increasingly sore.  I took the weekend off running hoping things would work themselves out.  Still a little sore today, but not to the point that I plan to skip another run.  If I do skip a run, it will be to enjoy some time out on the bike in the nice weather.  Signing up for a 5 miler the end of April and looking for a fun half marathon for early to late fall.

Work was busy today.  Cleaning up a few policies left from last week, and wrote 2 auto insurance policies.  Got a call regarding 3 potential commercial policies to take a look at tomorrow, so that will keep me busy for a while.  Things are picking back up, or so it appears, and I'm excited about that.

Girls are doing great.  They had a great weekend, and knock on wood, both have been sleeping very well the past few nights.  It's much too early to think that this will be the new normal, but I would like to think I'm going to get back to sleeping the night through someday. 

Have a great evening!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Last day of 35

Enjoying the last day of being 35.  The weather was less than stellar, but out of my control.  Had cake with my coworkers earlier in the day which is always a nice treat.  Looking forward to the end of the day so I can go home and get my little girls outside to play.  I did manage to get out on the bike for about a mile with my daughter last night and enjoyed a mile with the dogs.  Got a little strength training in last night and early morning today, and am ready to get back to running tomorrow.

On the work front, I sent out a couple quotes today, a homeowners insurance quote and an auto insurance quote.  Nothing crazy, but between that and some service work for commercial policies, I had a busy enough day today.  I'm finally feeling caught up, good to a certain degree, but there is something to be said for being busy and running around like crazy.

Girls are doing great and never cease to amaze me with their development.  Such big helpers around the house, and always want to be doing what we are doing.  It's great to have them by my side all night.  Hard to get stuff done sometimes, but I enjoy every minute of it. 

Have a great evening!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

First Day of Spring

On the first day of spring, I've so far skipped my workout.  Still a little sore from the half marathon Sunday morning.  I'm thinking some strength training tonight, and back to running/biking tomorrow.  I don't want to skip the whole day, but one more day without running isn't going to kill me.  Time to start looking at my next event.  Definitely a 5 miler in April here at home, beyond that, I'm not sure yet. 

Busy day yesterday at the office.  I wrote an auto insurance policy I wasn't expecting, and picked up a couple new leads.  Today was a great catch up day with service work on some of the new commercial business I've been writing so far this year.  I can finally feel good about being caught up with all of that. 

The girls have been doing great.  They have both been sleeping better and that makes a world of difference.  As we were up early and getting ready, my two and a half year old says "Don't worry Daddy, I remember where I left stuff" in response to me asking her where her stuffed animal was.  She has to be the cutest little thing, and her sister is following right in her footsteps.  They make every day worthwhile.

Have a great evening!

Monday, March 19, 2012

My latest half marathon

Well, after a 3 year break from running half marathons, I finally got back in the saddle.  Yesterday I ran the Shamrock half marathon in Virginia Beach.  It's been an annual trip for my family since 2007, and we very much enjoy the festivities.  The support for all the events is overwhelming, and the courses are great!

Saturday I was feeling very bad.  I had been healthy all winter long and began to come down with a cold Friday.  Saturday it just wasn't getting any better, and I finally turned to some cold medication.  I hate taking medicine of any kind, but I didn't want to feel bad for Sunday.  I took a round of medicine every 4 hours trying to start feeling a little better.  It seemed to be helping, but I still didn't feel right.  Spent most of the night up and down with an upset stomach, and questioning whether I should even go and try to run. 

Finally Sunday morning rolled around.  My voice was more or less gone, and my stomach was still pretty unsettled.  I decided to just suck it up and go run.  I kissed my daughters and wife goodbye and they wished me luck.  I started my 1 mile walk to the start line.

Once I got to the start line, I realized I forgot my ipod.  No big deal, I could just take in the fun and excitement around me that a great race has to offer.  I also realized I was overdressed.  I wasn't feeling well and put on an extra layer or two thinking I would be chilled throughout the race.  I shed one layer before we even started, and about half a mile in shed another layer.  Happily I ran past my family watching at mile 1 and was able to hand off some clothing.  The miles just seemed to fly by pretty easily.  I felt great and realized how much training I had put into this race.  I never made a true long run, sticking primarily to my 3-4 mile runs.  I made it through mile 8 easily, which I anticipated.  I knew if I got to the lighthouses on mile 8 that I would be alright.  I kept my pace in check and never tried to do what I couldn't handle.  Once I got to mile 9, I just started counting down the blocks until I would get to see my family again.  I knew once I got to them I was just a little over a mile from finishing.  I kept an even pace until we turned out onto the boardwalk, and then I began to pick it up just a bit as the finish line came into sight.  I had a bit of pain in my knees and my left hip, but I knew I was on a great pace for me and had a goal in mind.  I couldn't have been happier to meet and exceed my time goal. 

The Yuengling Lager was nice and cold at the finish line and the Irish Stew was good as always.  I look forward to this being a family tradition for years to come.  I believe my daughters will both be involved in the children's events next year.

Special thanks to all the volunteers who give their time so we can enjoy an event like this.  Also a special thanks to the event organizers who put on a wonderful event every year.

Have a great evening!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Brackets and Pools

I managed to fill out both brackets I intended to do, as well as my usual batch of scorers for our 10 player pool.  Lots of fun this time of year.  March madness is alive! 

I did get a nice 5 mile ride in last night with my daughters in the bike seat behind me adding some extra resistance.  A nice workout after I had already run and rode the bike at lunch time.  It was great killing two birds with one stone, exercise and spending good time with my daughters. 

A nice start to the day today.  I picked up a small commercial insurance policy, sent off a renter's insurance policy, and am working on some personal property coverage for an old friend.  Heading out to take care of a new homeowners insurance policy and a personal auto policy at 7:00 tonight.

Have a few errands to finish today.  I need to renew my driver's license, check on a bike seat for my wife so we can haul both daughters around together, and get a good run in.  Sounds easy enough, but we will see how the day progresses. 

Daughters are both doing great, although I think my oldest might finally be getting into the dreaded terrible 2's stage.  A rough day at daycare yesterday, she was giving the faculty a hard time apparently.  She is really beginning to test her boundaries. 

Have a great afternoon and be safe!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

March14 Run & Ride

Got a 2.25 mile run and a 2.25 mile ride in today over lunch, and will most likely get a mile with the dogs tonight.  Another beautiful day outside!  Yesterday was a bit slow on the fitness front, but did get 3 miles with the dogs and a decent core and upper body workout.  I'm getting excited for my half marathon on Sunday. 

Work has been a bit hit and miss this week so far.  I did submit 2 life insurance applications today and I lined up a renter's insurance policy as well.  A few things going on, but nothing crazy.  Not running around with my hair on fire like I was in February, but I will get back to that soon enough. 

The girls are doing great.  Got some time with them by myself last night while my wife had a haircut appointment.  My oldest daughter is Daddy's girl through and through.  I enjoy every second with them, and when I say every second, it isn't much of an overstatement since neither one is sleeping that great right now. 

Have a great evening!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Springlike Temps

It was a good week of training last week.  3 good runs, 4 good bike rides, and some good strength training thrown in.  I will try to get 2 easy runs in during the week this week to get ready for the half marathon on Sunday.  I'm thinking 3 miles tomorrow and 2 miles on Thursday and maybe mix in a few miles on the bike tonight or Wednesday night.  Looking forward to challenging myself Sunday at the half marathon.  The distance will be tough as none of my training runs have been that long, but I'm hoping I've done enough to get myself through.  No personal records, just hoping for a good run. 

Girls were pretty good this weekend.  My youngest daughter did sleep the night through Saturday night, but did not last night.  Take the good with the bad.  I did take my oldest daughter to the YWCA swimming yesterday and she really enjoyed that.  Followed that up with a trip to the playground for an hour or so with both girls and it made for a really good day for both of them!

Plugging along at work.  Things aren't pouring in as they were the past 2 months.  Time to get back on the prospecting and see what happens.  Think I will pop in at the chamber of commerce mixer on Thursday night and do a little networking.  I do have a small commercial policy and a home and auto insurance policy lined up for this week.  I'm hoping to be just a bit busier than that though.  Until tomorrow...

Have a great evening!

Friday, March 9, 2012

March9

It's been a good training week.  I managed to get 3 runs in this week already, 9 miles with the dogs already heading into the weekend, and some good miles on the stationary bike.  Throw in some good core and upper body training, and it had been a productive week and hoping for more this weekend.  Next week I will take it a little easy prepping for the Shamrock Half Marathon on Sunday, March 18.  I'm looking forward to the challenge since I haven't run that distance in 3 years.  I may be more prepared now than I was when I used to run that distance on a monthly basis.  My training was almost nonexistant before, but is much more focused now.  I still don't log the miles to make it a great run, but I'm in as good of shape now as I have been in a really long time. 

On the work front, it was a little more quiet this week than I care for.  I managed a few policies, and have committment from a few others, but things weren't as crazy as they were in the month of February.  I'm hoping next week brings a new perspective.  I have lined up an auto policy, a homeowners policy, and a small commercial policy for next week.  I'm hoping to build on that as the weekend comes to an end. 

The girls are doing great.  My oldest daughter never ceases to amaze me with her development and her intelligence.  She comes up with some awesome one liners and is just delightful.  My youngest daughter is following right in her footsteps except for one aspect, she just doesn't sleep.  Outside of that, I wouldn't trade those two daughter of mine for the world.  Hard to believe they are 30 months and almost 18 months already.  Where did the time go?

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

March7

What I thought was going to be a fairly quiet day at the office changed pretty quickly.  I ended up writing a homeowners policy, an auto insurance policy, and finished up an application for a nice life insurance policy.  Got confirmation on a quote for commercial insurance as well.  Staying busy, and that is a good thing!

Yesterday was a good fitness day, but today has been a little quiet.  Got 2 miles in with the dogs early in the morning and some light core and upper body work, but nothing crazy.  Hoping to get outide tonight for a short while after work with my daughters.  Not sure I will be able to get the bike out and ride, but that is a nice thought.  If not, the stationary in the basement will have to do. 

Daughters are both doing great.  Sleeping is still a bit of an issue with my youngest daughter, but at least she went back to sleep in a reasonable amount of time last night after getting awake at 2a.m.  Looking forward to daylight savings time so I have some time to do active things with them outside before it gets dark.  Both have been very clingy to me when I drop them off at daycare the past few days.  Gives me a good feeling, but also breaks my heart when they start to cry as I'm leaving them there to go to work. 

Have a great evening!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

March6

Youngest daughter hasn't been sleeping the night through for almost a week now.  She is wearing us out.  Up at 3 or earlier every night, and doesn't want to go back to sleep.  Happily she and her sister do go to bed by 9, so we do manage to get some sleep before having to get up to care for her.  Outside of that, both kids doing great and having a blast!

Playing catch up at work a bit this week.  Taking care of some things that have been put on the back burner for a couple days, but getting caught up now.  Have a few new life insurance quotes that I sent to potential customers, as well as some auto insurance quotes and a few homeowners insurance quotes.  Commercial insurance has been a bit slow this week, but it is definitely early in the week.

Got 3 miles in with the dogs yesterday, and 2 already today.  I also squeezed in a 2.5 mile run at lunch and a 2 mile ride.  Nothing crazy, but it felt good to get the workout in anyway.  Another mile with the dogs tonight and maybe a little more strength training. 

Have a great evening!

Monday, March 5, 2012

March5

The Shamrock Half Marathon is less than 2 weeks away.  I won't be setting any personal best, nor will I be as prepared as I've been in the past, but I will be running my first half marathon in 3 years.  I have not run that kind of distance since my daughters were born.  The most of I have done is a 10K since, but I'm looking forward to challenging myself with this distance again.  My runs have been consistant at 2-3 times per week, but no great long runs.  The first hour should be smooth, it is everything after that I'm nervous about.  We will see what happens.  Strength wise, I've done more to prepare the rest of my body with some great core and lower back workouts as well as some upper body workouts.  Throw in some cross training on the stationary bike, and the training hasn't been all bad.  Just not sure how my legs will feel around mile 8 or so.  Hoping to just lose myself in the crowd and let the course carry me in.  Wishing I had more time to train and get some longer runs, but I won't sacrifice the time away from my daughters.  I value the time with them more than the time pounding the pavement.  Will probably try to get 20 minutes on the bike tonight and a quick 2.5 mile run in tomorrow to go along with my 4 miles with the dogs today.  I was trying to count how many half marathons I've done, and get a total of all the other races as well, and maybe rank them as to favorites, but that will be for another day.

Quiet day in the office today, which gave me a chance to catch up on some busy work.  I did quote some home and auto insurance and am working toward a few life insurance quotes.  Finally cleaned up from a couple nice size commercial accounts I wrote last month.  Time to get back out there again and see what March is going to hold.

Youngest daughter was awake at 2 and stayed awake until the better part of 4a.m.  Short night of rest.  Oldest daughter doing great as usual.  Looking forward to another great evening with them and as the weather improves spending more time outdoors with them.

Have a great evening!

Friday, March 2, 2012

Post24

Finished up another busy week in the insurance industry in Gettysburg.  Just sent out a home and auto quote, and now I think I'm finished for the week, or at least the day anyway!  Quite a bit of commercial business to take care of this week as well.

Good week of exercise.  3 runs on the treadmill, some good miles on the bike, good strength training, and still logging miles with the dogs.  Speaking of the dogs, they cost me a small fortune at the vet yesterday, but they were my kids before I had kids, so I guess it is worth it. 

Speaking of kids, both girls doing great.  Sleeping better this week which is great news in my household.  They have been playing together so well, and with them being healthy, everything else is easier. 

Heading to the Biglerville Fire Company Stag Feed tonight with some good friends and family.  Looking forward to a night out.  It doesn't happen often. 

Have a great weekend!