I Have a NEW BLOG!

Hello Blog Buddies. I know I’ve been mostly gone for the past two years. I’ve missed all y’all. And I know I’ve lost a lot of you since I haven’t been regular (posting, not pooping).

But there is good news – I’ll now be writing on a NEW BLOG!!!! If you wouldn’t mind following Run|Drunk|Love I’d really appreciate it. That’s where you’ll be able to find me from now on, I shan’t be posting on PirateBobcat anymore so much.

Here’s the deal people: ever since the 2015 Chicago Marathon, I haven’t really posted here. There’s good reason, but I’ll explain that in another post. For now, just know that my life has been absotively nutso the past two years. And because of that, this blog was put on the back shelf burner.

Again, in my next (and probably last) post here, I’ll explain where I’ve been. For now, please connect with me over at the new blog. It’s going to be fun and full of running, tequila, concerts, travel, blended family, food, and more!

I can’t wait to get the new blog connected with y’all and such, as I can’t wait to be back connected in your blogging lives.

See you soon, kids.

XOXO

Scott “PirateBobcat”

Question of the day: Do you even remember me?

 

 

Guess Who’s Back, Back Again

No joke – this was taken in a 200 year old insane asylum. Appropriate, I’m sure.

Hello Blog people. The other month I wrote my first post in like a year and a year and a half. I went from posting here 5 days a week to 0 days a week in one swift act of cold turkey, right after the 2015 Chicago Marathon. And in my latest post I mentioned that I had never forgotten you, and I wanted to start dipping my toes back in. Well, that’s what I’ve been doing…slowly…dipping…one pinky…at a time.

However, I now want to come back full frontal force. And I’m going to. But this time I won’t be alone. I’ve been working on starting a new blog. I’m really excited about it. I don’t want to give to much away right now, but hopefully you’ll like it.

It will be sad to leave this site and all my amazing followers, but I need to start anew. Hopefully some of you will follow me over. I’ll post a post on how to follow in the coming days. I really hope you come over.

Without getting into details, just know that my life has changed completely in the past couple years.It’s all for the better, but my transition required my full attention, thus the blog suffered.

To quote the mortal Will Smith:

“My life got flipped, turned upside down” – The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

I know some of you still follow my Instagram and Twitter and Snapchat accounts (all are @piratebobcat). I’ve never stopped posting there (particularly IG). So I’m glad I haven’t lost touch with everyone I met through this blog world. In fact, quite the opposite…but I’ll get to that at a later time.

For now, it feels great to be coming back, back again. Scotty’s back, tell a friend.

Question: How’s your life been? 

Let’s Get It Started, In Here

As I mentioned in my last post, I’m dipping my toes back into this blogging business after about a 1.5 year hiatus. Things have been hectic in that time – hence the reason I stopped spitting bars here. I’m still sorting it all out, but I hope to have you up to raisin date sooner rather than sooner.

In the meantime, just know that through it all I kept it like Fergie-Ferg’s base and keep runnin’ runnin’, and runnin’ runnin’, and runnin’ runnin’, and runnin’ runnin’, and
Runnin’ runnin’, and runnin’ runnin’, and runnin’ runnin’, and runnin’ runnin’, and

In this context, there’s no disrespect, so I hope you can be sassified knowing that. Running has always been my therapy. It’s always been my constant. When life gives you lemons, you make runningade.

Miles have saved many a life.

This past hiatus I’ve run around 2k miles, including 2 x 26.2. I’ll update y’all on what’s gone down soon, but this is just a quick note. For those of you who read my blog for silly running stories – I have plenty to share, so fret not. Like I said, running kept me sane when I did fret.

Thumbs up if you love running.

Deets to come, folks. Deets to come.

So tell me, what have you been up to? I’ve missed you.

Milestone Blog Post (kind of)

Way back when, when I first started training for my first marathon, I was asked a lot of questions.  Most of them like, “How’s the marathon training going?”  Now I like talking about myself as much as the next homeboy, but it was getting repetitive.  So I started a blog.  That way people could read about how it was going.  Then I finished said marathon training and marathon.

First marathon experience was painful. More so because I think the mom-jorts behind us was mocking us on her cell phone call.

Fast forward a couple years and my blog evolved.  I was writing about everything and anything (but mainly focused on running).  I had a nice collection of stories going.  But then I had a minor little freak out.  “These people don’t need to be all up in my business.”  I woke up one day and deleted everything.  Everything I had written.  Then entire blog history.

Fast forward a couple more years and I decided to get back in the game.  I have always loved writing (even winning an Emmy for it).

1st of 6 I’ve won. Sadly, the pocket square is no longer with us (washing accident).

I like the way blogging helps get my creative brain muscle flexing.  I also like sharing stuff that may help other people.  And in the years since my first marathon, I’ve learned a TON.  So hopefully I can share something I’ve learned to help someone out.

So anyway, long story long, I just realized this is my 209’th post since I started re-blogging.  Sure, it would’ve been more ceremonious had I done this on my 200th, but that would require me paying more attention.  So happy 209th e’rbody!

Other than that, I had a nice few workouts so far this week.  A 9+ miler run, Lululemon Yoga, a 5k (on my own) and some doggy walks.  And the week isn’t even half over.  More to come!

How bout you?  How’s your week going?  Any unusual milestones?  Ever had an internet freak out (not the good kind)?

-Scott

Little Green Running Shoes guest post- What I Learned From My First 1/2 Marathon

So today I’m happy to announce that I’m trading blogs with a very cool blogger, runner, exerciser lady – Jenna over at Little Green Running Shoes!  We decided we’d each write about the lessons we learned from our first big distance race.  Here’s her take on her recent successful first half marathon!  Please show her lots of love in the comments section – I know she’d love your feedback!

What I Learned From My First Half Marathon

I completed my first half marathon about two months ago and loved every minute of it. After finishing my race and coming down from my runners high, I realized there were several things I wish I had known before I started training.

-Time-

I have never been a good or fast runner, but I am dedicated. When I committed to running this half marathon, there was nothing that would stand in my way of finishing. I just didn’t realize how much time it would take. Weekends had to be scheduled around long training runs, and weekday workouts had to complement training while not over-exerting. I spent a majority of my free time mapping routes and planning my next run. I added two extra weeks to my training program “just in case” and ended up needing the time. One weekend, I was sick and couldn’t go on my long run, and another weekend was a torrential NC storm (I don’t like treadmills). Running a half marathon is considerably time consuming.

 -Physically demanding-

Running pushes you to the limit. It’s why so many people love it and also why there is a multi-billion dollar industry around it. Training for a half marathon pushed my body to boundaries I didn’t know I had. You are constantly recovering from your last run while planning for your next. Your body is tired and sore most of the time but seeing the miles add up makes it all worthwhile.

-Risk of Injury-

While I was running my race, my left foot began to bother me. It wasn’t until after I had cooled down that I realized how intense the pain actually was. I ended up having some sort of a micro-stress fracture in my fifth metatarsal which is a very common injury for runners. I blamed my shoes at first, thinking they were not supportive enough. Next I blamed my gait, maybe I was running awkwardly? My shoes and gait were fine but my nutrition was not. I did not supplement my diet properly. I increased calories and healthy carbs but forgot about fish oils and calcium. When it comes time to train for the next race, I will definitely be taking more supplements!

-Taper-

The week before my race, I suddenly realized that I had not left any time in my training to taper. I’m not sure how I didn’t notice before

Tapering is the reduction of mileage within a certain amount of time leading up to a race.

Anyone participating in a long distance race should taper in order to allow the body enough recovery time. The main purpose is to replenish the glycogen levels in your muscles and allow time for tissue repair. Marathon runners are advised to have two to three weeks of tapering while half marathoners only need one to two weeks. Opinions vary on how much you should taper, and it may become a personal preference. One major problem that many runners seem to find during their taper time is over-eating. As distance runners, we get used to eating a larger amount of calories due to a faster metabolism and higher daily caloric burn. During the taper, runners need to adjust their diet accordingly while still drinking plenty of water. Tapering is the ideal way to ensure your body is fully rested and capable of optimum performance for long distance racing. Not everyone believes in tapering, but it worked for me. I ran faster than I anticipated and did not fatigue until my last mile.

-Fun-

Only people who have completed a half marathon can really explain how fun it is. Training, supplementing, cross-training, tapering, and everything else becomes habitual and enjoyable as time progresses. I loved every minute of this adventure and can’t wait to do it again.

Running a half marathon is a journey that will push you to your limits and test your perseverance. It will also show you things about yourself you never knew, and open you up to a whole new world of adventures. Have patience with yourself and your body, success isn’t something that happens overnight but is worth working for. Always stay positive and keep the finish line in sight!

100th Post!

I just noticed that since I have re-started blogging, that I’m up to 100 posts.  For those who don’t know, I originally started my blog when I signed up for my first marathon back in 2007.  I started it because once word got out what I was doing, it became multiple daily discussions from people asking me how the training was going.  I was repeating myself alot.  Now I like to talk and be the center of attention as much as the next egomaniac, but it was getting a bit old, so I decided to start the blog and let people keep tabs on my training that way.  It worked great (even though my training wasn’t great – see the painful results below).

My sis and I after our first marathon – I think the looks on our faces capture the feels of our bodies.

I kept that blog going for a few years, and really enjoyed it, but then one day I had a mini freak out about my personal thoughts being on the internet –  so I deleted EVERYTHING on the blog.  Years and years of posts, gone.  But, after a couple year hiatus, I decided to restart it.  So here we are.

I enjoy writing, always have.  Heck, I’ve even won an Emmy for my writing (nominated twice).  And through this blog I’ve gotten to virtually meet some other great bloggers, have picked up some good tips, and hopefully shared some good information.  This time around though, I’ve been more selective about what I share and don’t.  So if you’re keeping tabs on my training, looking for advice, appreciate my sense of humor, or are just a stalker – Thanks for being part!

Until next time internet, peace out!

-Scott