Friday, February 29, 2008
This week I began my 37th year of life. At the same time another is beginning as latest addition to my family grows. A measurement this week put him/her at 13.3 cm or just over 5 inches. This made me realize how great life really is. If you step back and clear your mind of the day to day distractions and much of the overall foolishness in the world today, you will see the simplest things are what makes it all worthwhile. Cherish family, friends, and accomplishments from your past, present and future. Life is what you make of it!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
I've spent years training for referee fitness tests, but I have found that running race training is a whole other level. Don't get me wrong, referee training at the highest level is extreme, but I feel now I need to be more committed on a daily basis - balancing life, training, and diet. Okay, maybe it's because I'm getting older or perhaps I wasn't as committed before as I should have been.The Dolphin Challenge is a 8K on Saturday and a half marathon on Sunday. Last March when I decided to do this, it was motivated by the adrenaline and feeling of accomplishment after my first race. As the months went by, the insanity set it. Today, the adrenaline is pumping again and I know I'll be ready. There is a Whale Challenge too, 8K and a marathon. Ask me in 22 days on that one for '09.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Do you see the countdown on the right?
After 13 years of refereeing (including three in MLS), watching my wife and mother-in-law run marathon after marathon, I decided my new pastime would be running. Once our second child was born, my wife decided marathons were her thing. Now, after our third was born and a fourth on the way, she continues to amaze me with her extreme dedication to running.
About a year and a half ago, I decided that my professional referee career should end so I could refocus on family and my career. Letting go something you've worked so hard to achieved isn't easy, but in time I was able to accept it and now know it was a smart move.
Okay, so back to the count down on the right. Not only did spending more time at home cause number four, but I also ended up catching the running bug. Almost 10 weeks ago I began training for my first half marathon. The days are numbered until the race, but after my longest run to date yesterday (9.27), I AM PUMPED!
Ben Jones, Just Do It will be motivated by my passions for family, work, running, soccer refereeing, technology, and more. Come back often, or subscribe wherever you see the feed logo
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