My wife thinks I am nuts for running as much as I do, and I think she is nuts for loving golf as she does. Finally, a way for us to enjoy each other's sports together. What do you think?

SUMMER VACATION ALMOST BEGINS

With the end of the school year, it is almost time for my summer vacation to begin. I do have to work a few more weeks after the students and the teachers leave for the summer, but the pressure and the stress is much less when the skeleton crew is around.

Summer could not have come at a better time. It seems to have had a positive effect on my wife (a teacher) already. As I write this post, I can hear her cackling away in the other room...........like I have never heard her laugh before. In fact, whenever I let out may loud laughs, she makes fun of me...............but, anyway, I digress.

Summer vacation is not just a tradition, it is a necessity. I often hear people say that teachers do not need more pay, they get three months off every year. Why the point does not stand to reason I will not get into at this time, but I will say that NO TEACHER I have ever known takes 3 months off of school....not any teacher worth his or her salt anyway. Why is it a necessity you might ask: SO PRINCIPALS DO NOT GO INSANE, SO TEACHERS DO NOT GO INSANE, AND SO STUDENTS DO NOT GO INSANE. Go to any school in the US the last month of school and you will see teachers frustrated with students, students frustrated with teachers, principals frustrated with both, and parents (especially those of seniors) freaking out just a little......WOW what a scene. That last month of school is the month, and I HAVE NO DATA TO BACK THIS UP, that most heart attacks must occur in principals................they have to. The STRESS is out of this world.

I am so glad it is over.
I need my summer break.
I need more regular runs.
I need to have time to lift weights.
I need to have an opportunity to train for a race.
I need time to spend with my sons and wife without work always hanging over my head, and everyone else's kids and families to worry about.
I need to get back into shape: physically and mentally.

So, marathon training here I come.
I plan to lift 2-3 days a week.
I plan to run 5-6 days a week.
I plan to eat much better.
I plan to ENJOY these days with my 4 and 6 year old sons.
I plan to spend some quality time with my WIFE.

A special note: THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN FOR FIGHTING TO GIVE ME THE FREEDOM AND RIGHT TO DO THE THINGS I DO ON A DAILY BASIS. A special thanks to my father, Msgt. Boles of the USAF, for is 26 years of service to our country and for setting such a great example for his 4 children. We love you and miss you dearly.

ONE WEIRD THING TO SEE

I am running home during an 8 mile run tonight when I witnessed something I never even dreamed I might see.

I am 6 miles into my run, so I am a bit disoriented (I am sure) but I know what I saw. I am running down the left side of the road, through an intersection, when I see an approaching convertible. In the car are a "dad, mom, son, and daughter". They are driving along enjoying the wonderful weather. I am looking left, then right to make sure I can cross the street. I focus my gaze back upon the convertible ..... and just then I hear a LOUD BOOM. Sounds like a cannon shot, but low and behold it is not a cannon, it is the convertible. What I heard was the car actually slamming to the ground as it lost its front right WHEEL. Yes wheel, not tire. The whole wheel just came off the car and is now coming straight for me, and the car slams to the ground.

The car is now sliding off the road and coming to a stop. I make a HUGE b-line to the right, and dodge the oncoming wheel.....the wheel passes me on the left.....I turn to watch where it goes and it goes right into the driveway of a gas station and slams into a parked truck. I turn my eyes back to the car and I see the pour children sitting in the back seat with EYES as open as they can get with a look of panic on their faces.

Things could have been much worse. The kids or parents could have been hurt, the wheel could have gone into the intersection and caused a wreck, or the the wheel could have hit me.....but thankfully none of this happened. Since that is the case, this is one of the funniest (if not the funniest) thing I have ever seen while out on a run.

BACK TO BACK LITTLE TRACK MEETS

I love watching my little one's run their races in our local track meets. Tonight I got to watch my 6 year old take home 3 gold medals in three races. He lacks confidence, gets ticked off when we give him grief about lack of confidence, and then he goes out and runs like a boy possessed.

My 4 year old on the other hand runs as though the world is his playground. He runs, not in lanes, but takes a meandering path to the finish line. He would rather watch the stands and his friends while he runs, and he could care less about where he places or the medals he gets. Mind you he still comes away with a bronze, a gold, and a 4th place ribbon, but does not care at all about them.

I have learned so much this track season from my sons. I have watched the two extremes of attitudes one might have about running. I have a son who hates to lose, who hates it when anyone is ahead of him on the track, and gets pissed when he comes in second. The other finds the joy in running....the joy in the world around him.....and takes NOTHING seriously.

I gotta find that happy medium. Maybe if I keep watching, I will learn how to really run....from my 4 and 6 year olds.

NO CONSISTENCY LEADS TO LASHING OUT

This past week at work has been horrific. That may be hard to understand, how could a week at school (especially for a principal, seems more plausible for teachers) be so terrible. Just a tough stretch at school, too much going on and not enough people to help with all the stuff that has to be done before the end of school.

That being said, I have let the stress of the job get to me this week....and the running I usually do to relieve that stress was inconsistent and choppy this week.....so, the stress built up and of course I let it out.

Now I must take this opportunity to go to school, to my students, and to my teachers and make ammends. I owe them an apology, and I intendt to give them a sincere one. I am not sure if principals do this frequently, if at all, but I have a hard time asking my students/teachers to act with honor and respect and not hold myself accountable as well.

Hopefully this week I can get in a few more runs, get some of this stuff off my plate, and have a final two weeks with my seniors that is enjoyable.

Wish me luck.