Hey all,

Things are going pretty good.  Can you believe I have almost hit my 18 month mark!!!  Crazy...well training wise it has been going okay.  The dust has been REALLY bad this year, so I have missed a couple days and the last 5 races due to that.  I refuse to run in the dust!  If it is really bad, i won't even run on the treadmill because the dust will most likely be in the buildings as well. 

So tomorrow we have our fourth of July run, it is kind of dusty out now and I am hoping it will go away and be clear in the morning, we'll just have to see.  Hopefully I'll have some good news about this race in my next blog!!

Peace,

Sherrod

Well, it is almost here.  In six days I should be stepping foot on American soil once again!!!  WOO HOO!  I usually plan my R & R's around a race, but this time it is planned around my MBA Graduation Ceremony.  Some other highlights will be spending my first two days back down in FL visiting my grandparents.  I haven't seen them in over two years!!!  That is just crazy to think about!  It should be a very good time and I am looking foward to showing them pics of Iraq and telling them stories.  My grandfather was in the Army, and I am sure will have plenty of stories as well to tell.  Along with his famous "political answers" on what we as a nation are doing wrong and what we are doing right.  I love it!!! :)

I am also flying out to AZ with my best friend to watch a DMB Concert!  That is going to be extra crazy because we are going to be out there on Cinco De Mayo!  Yes!  Corona's, Dos Equis and lime, YUM! 

Dont worry, there will also be plenty of time spent with the family, friends and of course, my other love, RUNNING!  Finally, I'll be able to run on soft, green grass again!  And if I'm lucky, i'll be able to run in the rain!  It has bee a long time since we last had some real rain.  The last time it rained, it was little mud droplets caused by the dust storm...not cool.

Well, I hope training is going good for everyone and your hitting your goals.  I will keep you updated with pics and some short blogs.

See you on the roads!

Run Happy!

Sherrod out.

So we got our nice weather back!!  It was very dusty yesterday with rain on its way causing little mud droplets on our ACU’s and black AMC hats as we walked out to our vehilces after work.  It is very strange the first time it actually happens, but then it is just annoying.  So the first thing I look for when I go outside my CHU (Containerized Housing Unit) in the morning is to see what color the sky is.  Will it be a beautiful Iraqi morning blue?  Or will it be a ugly Iraqi, “dust” brown?  I have to look up when I go outside my CHU because surrounding my CHU, (and matter of fact, every building over here) are the giant concrete T-Walls. As unvisually stimulateing that might be to some who love a great view in the morning, these concrete T-Walls are what keep us safe from incoming Rockets and/or Mortars.  And that is only if those two such items make it through our first base defense…

So this morning, I awoke to the beautiful Iraqi blue sky!!  It had rained pretty heavy last night so the dust was all gone and the air was back to normal breathing conditions, so I knew it was going to be a nice day to run.  After walking through some muddy spots to the bus stop, I was paying extra attention to the sidewalks (my running routes) on my bus ride to work.  Some area’s were muddy, but with the nice weather finally here, hopefully that would dry.  Although one thing I have noticed here is how long it does take for the water to dry in some areas.  A lot of my friends back home think I work in a desert, and I have to explain to them that most of the sand I have seen was down in Kuwait, I work on a base that has a hard, clay like mud that does not absorb the water when it rains.  So can take up to a month or longer, for some of the bigger “rain made” ponds that develop in certain areas over here due to the poor drainage.  I will try and post some of these pics later on tomorrow.

Well, I wanted to get a good 7 miler in today at lunch because yesterday was a no running day due to the dust.  I was glad to hear that I was not the only one hurting from the Biathlon on Sunday.  “Make it happen Capt.” Sara also said she was hurting in her quads.  She ended up winning over all for the females on Sunday.  That race was a great stepping stone for her Triathlon training.  She will be competing in her first Triathlon while on R and R and I know she will do awesome!

Well, it is almost time to call it a day here in good old JBB.  Until next time…

Run Happy,

Sherrod out J

Wow...  We had perfect weather for todays event, there was no dust in the air, the temp was just right and everyone was jazzed up to roll out some good times.  But for some reason, I was STRUGGLING this morning.  They lined us up on numerical order, taking the first ten individuals and lining them up in front of the lanes.  I was number 9.  Sarah ended up getting bumped up into my lane as nubmer 10 because some one did not show up, so that was pretty cool.  I started out faster then I should have and Sarah ended up catching me on the last lap.  Her time was 4 seconds faster then mine with a 8:34.  That was great for her because she ended up beating her trial time.  I on the other hand swam slower then my 8:26 trial time with a slow 8:38.  My transistion was faster then my last Biathlon here, but my legs were just not there today.  I was the last one out of the pool in the first heat and managed to catch everyone but the top two guys.  When I looked at GPS, my 5k time was no where near what I ran last year at during the Biathlon.  I was kind of bummed and don't know what went wrong.  I ended up getting 5th over all.  :(

But I guess I'll just have to deal with the fact that there will be off days.  I know what I have to do now to speed up my swim time, so I will get to it.  The running will be fine with the workout plan I put together for this year.  I heard there is another 5k on St. Patricks Day, so I will run that and there is a 15k on 29 March in support of the American Heart Association.  I signed up for a team here and we are raising money for the American Heart Association in honor one of the Runners daughters who has had a couple open heart surgery's but is making great progress! 

Okay, time to see if I can stay awake during a movie. J

Hope everyone is good!

Run Happy!

Sherrod out J

So the first Biathlon of the year is tomorrow and I AM READY!  It is only a spint, so 500 meter swim and then a 5k run.  It should be a pretty good time.  We are one of the sponsors here, so there will be a lot of support from our Brigade there to cheer us on.  Although I think the only people participating in it from the 402nd are Sarah and myself.  I some how managed to make it into the first heat, even though I was hurting during the time trial.  I am hoping to keep the faster swimmers with in reach and catch them on the run.  Judging by the 5ks that have ran here on base, I am pretty sure I have the fastest 5k time, but after a swim, I am sure that will be a little slower...lol.

There are some fast swimmers! The fastest trial time was 7:00 mins by an Air Force female.  Some one told me she was a really good swimmer in college.  Looks like she is still keeping fit while helping support the effort over here.

Okay, I will post some pics after tomorrow.  Wish me luck!

In this case...Run and SWIM happy!

Sherrod out :)

Hello everyone!  I have now been in theatre for 13 months…crazy!  The winter here has again, been very dry.  Usually the winter is the rain season here, but for some reason, the last two winters have been very dry.  It has been so dry that I ordered a humidifier for my CHU because I was waking up with a sore throat.  Thankfully the humidifier took care of that.  So here it is , Feb 5^th , which means we get to start another season of racing over here in Iraq.  I did not run the first 5k due to a cold, but I am feeling pretty strong and am looking forward to the Presidents Day 5k.  That was my first race last year and will forever hold a special memory for other reasons outside of running…

This year will be a good one.  I am working in a new office which is less stressful, and I don’t have to put up with any unqualified drug deal leadership.  That in itself is a huge relief.  Besides running and the new office, I have become really engaged in my faith.  I have found that joining the choir has opened up my eyes to getting back on track with my faith.  Fridays we have an hour of prayer in the church.  It is very peaceful and gives you some quiet time to pray, reflect and become closer to god.  I have even found myself attending bible study.  I never thought I would have been so engaged in my religion, but I guess I found that thing that was missing in my life and it feels great!

The running has been going pretty good as well.  I have switched up my program to focus more on the 5k this year.  I am still running longer on my LSD days, but the workouts are more speed oriented.  I am aiming for 16:00 flat on the 5k course here.  It will happen.  I will keep you updated on the progress.  The Unit I work for is sponsoring a biathlon in March, so I have been getting my swim on lately.  There are quite a few people now swimming in our Unit, so that is pretty cool.

On a different note, the Time life singers and songwriters of the 70s collection just ROCKS!  (I have been listening to it as I type…lol)

Okay back to running.  I have been amazed at how fast some of the indoor times have been for the indoor mile thus far.  Fernandez and Ulrey are smoking!  Dorien is from my home town, well, just outside.  The Quad Cities expands when you talk to someone who is from just outside that area.  I remember racing him at a lot of the local 5ks, well racing him now might be a little exaggerated, I think chasing him would be the proper phrasing…lol.  Although I would give it my best shot! J

Well, I wish you all the best for 2009!  May all your workouts, training, and faith help guide you to some fast times, and help pave the way for a meaningful, successful journey in life!

Run Happy J

Sherrod out 

Many wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!!

Hope all is well, hit those times and see you on the roads!

Sherrod :)

So it is only 17 December 2008, (10 days away from my Birthday...wink,wink…lol) and I am already planning my R & R for May.  I am going to spend a day down in Florida with my grand parents, then fly home for a day to two, then I will be attending the Dave Matthews Concert in Phoenix Arizona at the Cricket Wireless Center!!!!!  WOOOO HOOOO!!!  It has been a year since I have seen DMB and I am excited. Big Fan, Big Fan…lol.  I will arrive there one day early, so I am thinking that I might drive up to flagstaff for a run.  It is on my things to do list when I get back, but why not check it out on R & R as well?  The room is booked, the ticket is bought and now I just have to anxiously wait for my break.  After the concert I am flying home for my MBA graduation ceremony.  It should be a pretty exciting time!!!  I started to up  my mileage, so that is cool.  We have someone who wants to join the Running Club over here, so it will once again be brought to life.  She placed second in the last 5K and works here with me, so were going to sit down and figure out what exactly her goals are, then I’ll help design her a program. 

Okay, just got excited when I booked my room and bought my ticket. If anyone is in Phoenix Arizona May 5^th – 7^th, drop me a line and well go for a run or have a drink!!!!

Run Happy J

Sherrod out

MBA ALL THE WAY!

I just finished my last class yesterday.  I was up speaking with my teacher for almost an hour and a half last night and it was just awesome!  I am going to be home early May so I can walk in the graduation ceremony on the 10th. 

Now I can start to upping my mileage again and I will have some time to hang out with some peeps over here.

Hope all is well!

Run Happy :)

Sherrod out

Craziness…that is all I can say about the last two weeks here in the S8 Shop.  To start, there is an individual who works in this office who was appointed the S8 Team Lead by default, mainly because he has been here the longest and refuses to go home because if he does, he is out of a job…well, through his time here, he has done just enough to slide by from DCO/COL to DCO/COL.  Not to mention all the personal little drug deals he has worked with other individuals here.  I have been here for just short of a year and contest to this first hand.  I have always believed if you were honest and played by the rules you would have nothing to worry about, probably why I would not be able to make it in politics, I do not like to lie.  If I am passionate about something, I don’t hold back, and make sure it is done right with out breaking any of the rules.  Anyways, back to the topic, well…my boss does a great deal of shady, rule bending things.  Not to mention he is very vindictive.  So one of my co-workers and I were tasked by the DCO to present some information regarding my area of expertise here.  (Alex is new and I am teaching him how a lot of this stuff works…) We put together this information and presented it to the DCO, well it just so happens this information exposed some of the deals that my so called, lack luster, rules don’t apply to him boss had made and he did not like that.  We ended up getting into multiple yelling matches in the office because of his unprofessional, selfish ways.  The last one was huge and in front of other team members out side this office, he ended up walking away because I made it very clear he got caught.  I was pissed and tired of his BS, so I went to our over arching boss (DCO) who was on his way out, so the new DCO was there as well, and I told them everything.  I told them I can not work with someone like him, and need to get out of that office.  The DCO really liked what I did for the last year and asked me to not leave but move my skills over to another office.  I agreed.  Currently it is being worked  where I will be moving to another office, I have had a couple offices express interest, but I do now know what the final outcome will be.  I am hoping to move into a GS12 position.  I am currently an 11 and back home I would not ask to be in a higher grade unless I knew what I was doing and truly believed I had the ability to fill that roll.  I do believe I have figured how it works over here and would like to take a leadership roll, so we will see what happens.

To add to the craziness, we have had a total of 5 new people in the office and a loss of one.  Alex is really cool and we hit it off right away.  I will most likely be going to D.C. to visit him and his girlfriend in the future.  One of his good friends went to Ambrose with me, so I am thinking we would have a blast on that party scene and I might be working there for a couple years when I return, who knows though…

The others are just lost…and one in particular is nothing but drama.  She has managed to get under everyone’s skin and I have already had many verbal arguments/disagreements with her inconsiderate ways.  She is acting like she runs the joint when she is a 9 and doesn’t even now how any of this works over here, so until she learns that, I am going to continue to tell her to stand down. 

The individual who is suppose to be taking over my job is older and, unfortunately not computer savvy, we have only been in a couple little spats, but I have a feeling this whole operation regarding NTVs is going to fall when I leave.  Oh well, the so called leadership in this office thinks he can do it all, even though I believe that he was the original problem, meaning he was here two years prior to me arriving, and he said my job was a mess before I got here, I think it was because he just kept pawning it off onto people and then blaming them when they left.  Well, the BDE has seen where I have taken this NTV issue, and now will just have to sit back and watch it hopefully not fall apart again…

On the running scene, I have only been putting in 5-6 miles a day at lunch.  The weather has been really nice.  We have one more 5k coming up around Christmas, so that will close out the running for 2008.  I am hoping to close with a big win.  I plan on upping the mileage after my class is over (see below). 

MBA news…I will finish my last class for my MBA next Thursday!!!!  So that is pretty exciting!!!  I am looking at going home for R & R in May now so I can walk in the graduation ceremony.  Graduation for Saint Ambrose is always on Mothers Day, so it will be extra special to back home with the family and friends. 

Ultimate Blood Sport…cough, Choir, cough…

I joined the church choir two months ago because there were barely anymembers up there singing and the priest asked for volunteers.  I am by no means a great singer, but I like to think I can at least hit the right notes.  It is a small group, but we manage.  I joke around with another buddy who is in the choir about telling people here we are going to choir practice; instead we say we are going to Ultimate Blood Sport Training, what ever that might mean…

Well, that is the craziness that has been going on here.  It will be a lonely Christmas and the first New Years with out a kiss at mid-night.  Oh well, "Life is Beautiful"  -Ryan Adams

Hope all is well with everyone.

Run Happy J

Sherrod out.