Running update

I just got back from running the Tampa Gasparilla 1/2 marathon. I had such a blast. I was meeting up with some buddys from a triathlon website that I hang out on just about everyday. They were so great! and Tampa was beautiful. I fell in love with it. If I were single, I would move there in a heart beat...except for the fact that I would go from average looking to way below average. Tampa had the highest ratio of good looking guys I have ever seen. Anyways...do to the show I am directing and the inclimate weather I really didn't train for this. gained some weight, so I was just hoping to finish...and if I did, I figured I would be around a 2:30. I came in at 2:01:03...I was psyched. This is not a great time, but under the circumstance, it was a good time for me. The real story is my buddy Jeff, pretty much the reason I was able to go out, due to the fact that he bought my race and food while there. He was running the full marathon and wanted to Qualify for Boston...It was a life goal and he needed to run a 3:10:59 in order to do that. He was really nervous because he had been sick all last week...He ran a 3:06:4x...which is a kick ass time. I was there when he passed the finish line and I nearly cried for him...It was amazing. He ran so hard and if anyone deserved it, he did...He has trained his ass off, not specifically for this race...but just in general. It was an amazing weekend. Lot's of fun and really good people.

Running into trouble

Well, I was going to run a marathon this weekend, but I waited to long to register, plus, I am not sure that my car would make it to Sacramento...so I have made the choice not to risk it. I am still going to florida in february and will probably run a 10k in San Jose this weekend...but am a little bummed. Oh well...life goes on.

Run, Mike, Run

UPDATE: I just finished the race...I kicked ass...well not podium worthy ass kicking, but kicking ass for what I expected to run. I was aiming at a 2:00 1/2 marathon...I ran it in 1:48:56. Now to some that may not seem like a big difference...Its only like 11 minutes...but to a runner, 11 minutes is a huge improvement. Needless to say, I am happy with my time. And 7, my cat, is happy to lick all the salt off my body, which she is trying to do as I type this...

It is once again time to run...usually this would be the end of the season...but this year, I am saying season, smeason...I am running a few races coming up...and invite everyone to join me.....at the finish line at least...the first race is this coming Sunday, 10/14, it is the Rock and Roll 1/2 marathon...that is 13.1 miles... for course info and where to meet...go to www.rnrsj.com/courseinfo.html ...I am planning on running a 10 min mile or maybe better...which would put me at the finish line in between 9:45 and 10 am...there is a family meet area with lettered poles..I will be under "P" for my last name.

On November 4th...I will be attempting to run 26.2 miles (again) at the Silicon valley Marathon...I have done this one a few times...again, go to www.svmarathon.com/ for more info...this one dose not have a family meet area, so just be at the finish line between 11:00 and 12:00...I doubt I will be running a sub 4.

On December 2nd I will be running the California International Marathon in Sacramento...this one I am not expecting anyone to follow me up from SJ...but if you happen to be in the Sacramento area...come and see me...I have never done this marathon before. www.runcim.org/

And finally, february 10th I will be doing my first out of state marathon...In Tampa, Florida...A good friend of mine has invited me to run it, as well as meeting a lot of my on line friends face to face for the first time....www.tampabayrun.com/site3.aspx for more info....So if anyone is interested what is filling my free time the next few months...this is it..

Saying goodbye

The shows are almost over, strike will begin soon, and in a way, it all seems like a dream, so far away, but at the same time, so real. This is an especially hard goodbye for me. This is my goodbye to Shady Shakes all together, well, at least for a couple years. I have for 7 seasons, given sweat and blood (a little more blood than I would have liked) and it is time for me to take my final bow. There are many reasons, and it was an extremely difficult decision. Mainly, I will be turning 40 in little over two years, and by that fateful 2009, November day, I have promised myself that I will have run an Ironman triathlon. Training for this will be intense, and I do not want to divide my attention between theatre and workouts needed to fulfill this dream.
Over the years, I have been very fortunate to play some of my favorite characters, sometimes, not knowing how great they were until getting cast. I remember so fondly, Valentine, my first part with Shady. I had such a good time that year, helping with building the sets and playing a lover (which I rarely get to do). Don John is always one of the best parts to play, and was thankful to Dinna, giving me the chance to give him the edge that I thought he needed. And then there is my favorite, "Bottom", thanks Doll, for taking a chance on me, that cast was magic. The pre-show was so much fun, and making Bryan, Drew, Sharon and Lucinda laugh at the end was so special, it is a moment in time that I relish and look back on often. I pushed so hard to get Laertes, and it was one of the biggest challenges for me. I finally clicked with the character, closing night (LOL), well at least it happened. Dr. Caius was a part I wasn't sure I wanted, since I am really bad at languages and accents, but oh how that part grew on me. Tapping into a "mad french doctor" part of my soul. I will forever remember calling Steve a souffle during one of the shows, as the "secret" french word. I am also honored to have been able to work with Ron on the Romeo and Juliet / Taming of the Shrew sets. Wow, he is so talented and creative, it just leaves me standing in awe. I am proud to have been part of that process last year and this year.
That brings us briefly to present. At the start of the process for this year, I felt very out of place, like I no longer belonged, I wasn't sure if I could make it through the year feeling that way. I wasn't needed with the sets, I am not the strongest actor in the bay area, and I didn't seem to be needed in other areas, where do I fit. The beginning of rehearsals, I let this show, and there was a point where I had to acknowledge that if I kept up that attitude, I wouldn't have any fun this year. So a made a deliberate decision to just enjoy myself. And it made all the difference. That's not to say, that there hasn't been rough spots, but over all, it turned into a very good year. Macbeth is my favorite Show, one day I would like to see my vision performed, but until that time, I am proud to have been a part of this great cast and these wonderful people that worked so hard to bring it to life.

Goodbye, may not be the right word to use. I mean, I will still be in the area, I will still see everyone (hopefully at auditions for Arsenic and Old Lace, the last theatre I will be doing for two years) so maybe, instead of good bye, maybe I should conclude with what I have been saying all summer, which is "Have fun with that" and I mean that sincerely.

Almost there

The end is in sight. at the end of this week, all the rehearsals will finally be finished and all that will remain is the finished product...the diamond...the show itself. For those that don't know, for the last 10 weeks I have been in rehearsals for two shakespearean plays. Macbeth, which opened last weekend and Tempest which opens this weekend. I have also been assisting with the set. All these things combined has really worn me out. Both shows are great and a lot of fun...but I am ready to have my week nights back. If anyone is interested... www.shadyshakes.org

Stuff in Life

So today I hit one of my weight goals...185...but not sure if I truely did...it is hard to tell on gym scales because they so easily get out of whack. We will see if it holds at 185 for a while...if so then I know that its truely there. By the Silicon Valley marathon I want to be down to 170, lean enough to run with my shirt off...

Rehearsals are interesting. I love everyone in the cast...Some of them went out tonight, and I played the wet blanket as usual....It's just that a) I really don't need alcohol right now with the training I am doing...One glass of anything would make me drunk and give me a hang over. b) I am such a morning person, so I have been up since 4:30am...the sooner I get home the better, and c) I miss Rickey, of course, I forgot that tonight was movie night so when I got home, he wasn't, but thats cool too...I hardly ever have the house to myself. Just nice being alone for a few minutes. d) I am broke, and hate that feeling of having other people "having" to buy me drinks. Maybe next friday I can hang out with the gang. The whole reason I reconsidered doing this summer was that I really like these people.

Worried about my best friend Scott, he really seems down, and my friend Jeff, in florida, has had a really bad year so far, I just wish I could fix it all...but I need to fix my life first.

Well...thats enought for now...back to internet porn...LOL

Body Fat

So the battle continues...the battle not only to loose weight, but to not let my percieved looks depress me. I got my body fat tested yesterday, I am at 18%. I was thinking I was at about 20%, so this is not that bad, but it still is hard to believe that I let myself get to this point. I was at 13% years ago. So the battle rages to get that down.

My Life - My name.

My name - So, some of my friends know me as Rob, but in the past few months, I have started to go by my middle name of Mike. I decided to do this, because I have never felt a connection to my first, name Robert, and infact, when I was in the navy, went by Mike, or Michael, or Miguel, as the case may be. So why now...after being back in SJ for 11 years, why all the sudden.
Because I feel like there are many changes happening in my life, and that I am at a sort of turning point. I am running again, I am working on becoming the person that I want to be, and that person is named Michael. I have known several people who have done this, and all thought it is not easy for those long term friends, it is what I want.

Eating - I have an eating disorder, and it really infuriates me, when my friends try to temp me to eat something I am not suppose to eat. I know they don't realize that I have an eating disorder, but they do know that I am trying to control myself. I am not sure if they do it, to make themselves feel better about eating that doughnut or cupcake. But please, don't. The difference is, you can eat just one cupcake or doughnut, I cannot. It is like an addiction. I am not saying, don't offer me food, I am saying, if I decline it, please don't push it on me, or tease me. You may loose a hand as I jump onto the cupcake and consume it.

Running / Triathlons - My original goal was to do an Ironman next year (2008), but I do not think I will be financially able to. My goal is still to do one by the time I am 40...which would be in November of 2009. Wish me luck, and sorry for the smell, if you happen to catch me after a run or bike ride.

Theatre - Such an important part of my life...currently rehearsing for Macbeth(Banquo) and Tempest (Antonio) with Shady Shakespeare. I am also applying to direct Arsenic and Old Lace, for northside theatre next spring. Will keep everyone updated.