http://www.exoticgolfclubs.com/your-dream-golf-swing-can-be-a-reality/

Ok... so what does a picture of a crushing golf swing have to do with anything?  Well, there was a point in time where I attempted to be a less than bad golfer.  I would go through long stretches of whiffs, slices, hooks, and horrible divot digging swings... BUT... about the time I was ready to give it up, everything would click into place and I would just nail a perfect swing... enjoying that moment of stepping back and watching that irritating little golf ball just rocket off exactly where I wanted it to go..  and the feeling I got from that swing would be enough to carry me through the next 50 crappy swings that would inevitably follow.

Now that was a long time ago, but that feeling came back to me today.  I've been participating in the 120 Days of Running: The Challenge and today was day 14.  The past two or three runs for me have been really tough.  The distances weren't long... anywhere from 1 to 3.5 miles, but for some reason they were just not any fun.  Mentally all I thought about was just stopping.  Everything felt heavy... like running in thick mud.  I started thinking about why I was pushing myself to do something that I obviously am really bad at. BUT... like the crushing swing, my 5K + run today was the best time that I have run...  things just clicked and it felt great the whole way.  Not that it was super easy, but mentally and physically I was able to enjoy the effort and to push a littler harder.  In many ways, coasting back into the driveway was much like enjoying that perfect swing...   Let's hope that feeling gets me through the runs to come...  I like it much better when I feel like this guy..



Speaking of runs, Saturday will be my first 10K when I run the 4th and final race of the Pikes Peak Road Runners Winter Series.  I'm a little nervous, since it will be the longest distance I've run, since I started running 10 months ago.  But, I've found that I seem to do better when running an event, versus out on the trail or road alone.

Oh... and before I forget..... COOKIES!   Yes...  in my quest to find good for you, yet good tasting treats, I came across an awesome recipe for gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, dairy-free, processed sugar-free cookies!  Now, after a list of "free's" like that, you are probably thinking of something akin to a cardboard chunk or a road apple.  BUT.. you have to try these... they truly are amazing...and super easy!

Banana-Coconut cookies from http://www.nourishingmeals.com/2012/02/banana-coconut-cookies-grain...

These are from The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen and are not only yummy, but are packed with protein.  I've added this recipe to the "Recipes" tab above, along with a few of my own notes.

Of course... they are amazing with a great cup of coffee.....


Hope you all have a great week, and that all your running (and golfing) adventures are ones that just "click"!

Happy Trails!

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