4 February 2008
Thanks Universal Forest Products
Posted by Steve Kelly under: Steve Kelly .
I had the busiest week ever this week! Between work and broadcasting from the auto show I had little time to run. On Saturday morning I only had an hour for my long run and I headed out to my familiar loop around my house. What horrible conditions. The snow was about five inches deep and so sloppy and slippery. I felt like I was sliding back two steps for every one forward. After dodging a snow plow I abandoned my usual trek and searched for better conditions.
I ran right along Three Mile for a while before traffic got bad. The side of even that road was awful. That’s when I saw Universal Forest Products. I bet I’ve been by that place a thousand times and never paid attention. Their parking lot was amazing! I bet the Yellow Brick Road isn’t maintained as well. Not a spot of snow or ice. I turned off and started winding around the buildings and found the neatest little loop, bigger than my track at the M.A.C. and compared to the road that got me there, in such good condition.
Now it may have looked strange to anyone working there Saturday morning but I trotted around that thing for like 45 minutes before heading home. What a gift! If anyone has a connection please let them know how grateful I am.
By the way, the legs still feel good. Thanks to coach Mike’s little stretch a nagging tightness I get in my front calf is all but gone. The lungs feel good too and that’s a blessing. Slowly I’m notching this thing up. May 10Th sometimes feels like a long way off. Other times I get that jump in my heart that it’s coming too quickly. I know I’m smarter about stretching, recovery and over all technique than last year but, 25k is a long way! I find myself zoning out, fantasising about crossing the finish line and celebrating with all of you.
All in all, it’s still fun and I thank you for all your feedback and positive comments. God willing we’re going to do this thing!
5 Comments so far...
Bob Estes Says:
4 February 2008 at 8:33 pm.
Steve, great to hear things are going well. May 10th will be here before we know it!
Bett Says:
5 February 2008 at 8:27 pm.
Universal is my customer and I’ll be sure to pass on your appreciation to them. It is a great company- started in the 60’s in Holland MI with four men selling out of their cars. Now does more than $2B a year in sales.
Deb Says:
5 February 2008 at 9:40 pm.
Steve you are so resourceful! I couldn’t help but laugh when I read your blog. Last winter when the wind chill was below zero or the streets were too icy or the snow too deep to run in, Tim and I took to running in parking garages all over downtown. It was a heck of a workout too!
Hope this week is a little easier at work!
Deb
A Says:
20 February 2008 at 10:27 am.
As a Universal Forest Products employee, I read your post with a SMILE! We take great pride in presenting a pleasant face to our neighbors, and are delighted that you found a running haven within our “walls.” (And we shared your blog with others in the company, of course!)
We wish you clean paths for training and a successful River Bank Run!
aerial heritage Says:
20 February 2008 at 8:25 pm.
USA Today has come out with a new survey: Apparently three out of four people make up 75 percent of the population — David Letterman
I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary. Whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.
We are Dyslexia of Borg Fusistance is retile Your ass will be laminated — unknown
For if he like a madman lived, At least he like a wise one died — Cervantes