Every day is a Monday.
It was a common saying, nay a feeling that my Paratroopers and I shared during our endless days and weeks on our Combat Deployments to Iraq. Every day was a workday. There were no weekends. No time off. Everyday required work and effort. There were no days off.
I did a total of 27 months in Iraq over three deployments.
How many consecutive Monday’s could you deal with?
The Month of June has five Monday’s. It’s an excess number of Monday’s if you ask me, but I like to keep things in perspective. It’s been 16 years since I was last in Iraq, and the dreaded monotony of “Every Day is a Monday” still resonates resonates in my being like the tailing sounds of a bell that continues to vibrate well after it’s been struck.
My Monday’s have come to be something I look forward to due to the Early Risers running crew that meets up at 5:00am and starts running at 5:05am for 5-miles.
Marathon training has started for multiple runners and this means extra miles on Monday’s for a few of our runners. I agreed to start accompanying them beyond the initial 5-miles. This Monday was supposed to be the first time.
Driving in to the initial meetup was peaceful as the roads were empty and the morning birds hadn’t yet woken up. I arrived on time and was pleased to see Amir joining us for the first time, unfortunately he walked up late and after we took our pre-run photo. I felt bad about that and swore to myself next time I’ll be sure to get everyone. Last time I totally cut out Mike from the picture.
We stepped off and I was fortunate enough to lead the run for the initial five miles. The pace was decent and I did my best to keep it at the agreed upon 9-min/mile. Mile after mile ticked away, helped along by conversations with Maureen and her daughter Callie along with Jonathon and Dilon.
I told Dilon I would join him for another three miles following our initial five. Another group was going to stretch the morning out to 10 or 11 miles.
However, I ran into a serious problem. An urgent situation rearranged my timeline and made me break my word to Dilon. I was about to lose my socks at mile four!
After the initial five miles, the long-run group kept going, Maureen and Callie were going to stretch it out to an even six miles and Dilon was taking off for another three.
5.32 miles | Avg Pace: 8’59” | Avg HR: 126 | Best Lap: 8’43” | 71°F at 93%
All I could do is get in the Jeep and haul ass. I had to find a toilet!
My initial plan was to get home, but that plan went to hell when the urgency of my situation dialed up another notch, requiring me to think quickly! I passed a gas-station but it wasn’t yet open! To the nearest park was my next option, but I was unsure if the city unlocks the doors before 6:00am and this anxiety only compounded the situation and I found myself sweating again as if I never stopped running.
I passed an empty lot where vendors sell vegetables on the weekend and there it was. Like a shining golden-throne! A Yellow Porta-John, sitting in this empty lot, calling to me.
I must have looked insane to the people driving to work. I whipped the Jeep in parked directly in front of the porta-john and with the Jeep still running I jumped onto the plastic seat just in time to save a pair of running socks gifted to me by my sister-in-law.
She’d be happy to know I actually used the socks for running, although this wouldn’t be the first gift I used to wipe my ass.
When it was all done and said I felt amazing! I felt lighter on my feet, both figuratively and physically. So I continued on another quarter-mile to the park and did another mile because I felt guilty leaving all my friends while they put in some extra effort.
1.01 miles | Avg Pace: 9’24” | Avg HR: 119 | Best Lap: 9’20” | 71°F at 95%
My Monday fitness regime didn’t end there. I found my way back to the pool after work hours and found the pool to be in chaos! The only lap-lane was situated near the middle of the pool, dissecting the pool so 2/3 was for open swim, then another 1/3 was for the kids swimming classes, with the lap late situated between the two!
The water was warm, full of people and I had to share the lap-lane with another swimmer doing their best to get the laps in.
I did my best to push all of the distractions out of my head and focus on my task at hand, to swim 1,000yds. With the goggles on and earplugs in, it was a nonstop repetition of kicking, pulling and breathing.
1,000yds | Avg Pace: 2’18” | Avg HR: 95 | Best Length: 1’41” | Water Temp: 86F
Tuesday (June 10th, 2025)
One of the many running standards I hold myself to is the “Airborne Standard”, that is 4-miles in 36-minutes or less. I’m not sure if that’s the “Standard” anymore in the XVIII Airborne Corps but it’s what was ingrained into me nearly 30yrs ago and something I will continue to push for until I die.
A trend has started to develop in my life where I run a 4-mile loop on Tuesday’s from my local YMCA. It’s nearly impossible for me to run this and not strive to meet or exceed the standard, however when I stepped off today I was going to take it “easy” and whatever the pace was, it was.
That was until I hit mile two and I realized I was a few seconds behind the standard pace. I felt terrific and knew I could finish this run within standard by picking up the pace just a little more.
Mile 1: 9’04” | Mile 2: 9’11” (2-miles in 18:15)
It was at Mile 2 that there was only one path ahead of me and that was to finish this humid run in under 36minutes. I had 15 seconds to make up and could do this easily if I just put forth a tiny bit more effort.
Despite the humidity doing it’s best to hold me back, I pushed through and my pace made up the difference.
Mile 3: 8’53” | Mile 2: 8’30”
With that last bit of effort my overall time dropped to 35:54 with an average pace of 8’55”. I have once gain met the 4x36 standard, more than a decade after leaving that life.
4.03 miles | Avg Pace: 8’55” | Avg HR: 123 | Best Mile: 8’29” | 71°F at 96%
With some time left over before having to login for work I went to the weight room and started getting stronger. I focused on arms, shoulders and abs for an additional 20-minutes.
Strong runners are strong and being strong is never wrong.
Wednesday (June 11th, 2025)
Thank you Lord for the air in my lungs and the blood in my heart. May I live my life in a manner that glorifies you.
I say this every morning that I wake up. I truly was thankful to wake up Wednesday morning, but I found myself in a struggle. I was mentally out of focus and I found it difficult to make a decision on what my morning run would be. Usually I make that decision the night prior and I wake up focused on a specific task, but not today. I woke up close to 5:30am, an entire hour later than normal and everything else was thrown off.
I stumbled into my office and looked at my running gear. I honestly didn’t want to do anything and looking outside at the 100% humidity, emotionally I was stagnant and motivation was something I remembered having once upon a time. I decided I was going to swim this morning given the humidity and if I moved quickly I could get to the pool as it opened to avoid people. I find the pool a relaxing place when the lifeguards are half asleep and the water is calm.
Discipline prevailed when my motivation rescinded into the dark depths of the abyss, the same abyss where the calls of the comfort sirens emanate. I threw a bunch of gear into my bag to give me as many options as possible. Goggles, earplugs, shorts, water bottle, running shoes, socks, headphones, sunglasses and more. All I had to do was get out of the house.
Arrival at the pool was exactly what I wanted. It was empty, the lifeguards were tired and the water was still. I got into the pool at 6:05am! I pure herculean effort considering I just woke up 30mintues prior. I got into the drink and completed my 1,000yds as best I could.
1,000yds | Avg Pace: 2’26” | Avg HR: 91 | Best Length: 1’52” | Water Temp: 84F
With the salt-water still running down my legs I switched into my running gear and decided to complete my Wednesday 5K. Discipline would prevail today. I hit the trail and found my pace to be very easy and relaxed. My body mechanics were simply going through the motions of running. My mental clarity was still out of focus. Mentally I was drained but pushing through the motions to complete the morning workout.
3.11 miles | Avg Pace: 10’19” | Avg HR: 111 | Best Mile: 10’00” | 70°F at 98%
I completed my first Wednesday 5K and it felt good to get this done and out of the way early in the morning. I still had my evening 5K to complete in the ever increasing heat and humidity.
After a full days work I decided to put in some extra miles before the start of our regularly scheduled 6:30pm run. I got a message from Adam asking if he could join in for some early miles and of course I was good with that.
We met up at 5:30pm and decided on a 45 minute run. It was hot, humid and the sun was relentless. The sky was full of giant clouds, round and full, dark and containing millions of pounds of water and most likely some static electricity. These floating giants seemed to be everywhere except in front of the sun! The suns rays blasted us and at one point I was worried about getting a sunburn.
We took a few residential roads and welcomed the short breaks under canopy. The large oak tree’s provided great shade and a reduction in heat. It felt amazing. With persistence we finished this run at exactly 6:15pm, just in time to meet up with the rest of the club for our 6:30pm run.
4.01 miles | Avg Pace: 10’47” | Avg HR: 122 | Best Mile: 10’21” | 87°F at 58%
Our last half mile was in the direct sunlight and uphill. Why take it easy? We weren’t out there because we want easy thing, if we’re going to get in extra miles, might as well make it tough.
After completing 7.12 miles already and 1,000yd swim, it was time to run my regularly scheduled 5K with the club! I had already soaked through my shirt and was already warmed up and ready to go.
With seven miles already under my belt, my shirt already soaked through and the heat of the day refusing to dissipate, it was time for another 5K with the club. After some short introductions, we had one new runner out, Peta, so I decided to get in the run with her and introduce her to the club.
At the onset, I told Peta that I’d simply stick to her pace for the duration of the 5K. What I didn’t know was that Peta is a strong runner. The pace kept creeping up to a sub 9’00” and she was keeping a full conversation the whole time. No doubt, we could have gone a little faster without being held back with conversation.
It was a great way to close out my runs for the day. I got in two more runs, one with Adam and another with Peta. I felt much better after my morning struggles.
3.23 miles | Avg Pace: 9’40” | Avg HR: 139 | Best Mile: 9’14” | 86°F at 60%
Thursday (June 12th, 2025)
Simply put, today was not my day. I thought it was going to be great because the weather was as good as it gets in June with clear skies, a cool morning and the birds chirping away. The trail was dry, empty and with plenty of shade for the arriving sun. Today was going to be a good run.
Just one mile in, the wheels fell off and I was dragging an axle down the pavement. I felt horrible. My legs didn’t respond to what my mind was telling them to do and every 25yards I’d get a tinge in my back. It didn’t feel good.
I originally stepped off to complete 10-miles but after completing just 10% of that distance I was having an internal debate about what was possible. I felt like I could turn around and simply get two miles done but as soon as the thought was complete, I felt immediate remorse and shame for being so weak.
The hard part was over, I was on the trail and moving. With that in mind I decided to keep going and the least I could do was four miles. The last two miles were a mix of walking and jogging, there was certainly no “running” taking place in those last few miles. I simply felt like shit.
Imagine putting diesel fuel in a Corvette. That’s how I felt.
Everything came to grinding halt and the only positive on the morning was the fact I actually completed four miles.
4.01 miles | Avg Pace: 12’49” | Avg HR: 94 | Best Mile: 9’51” | 69°F at 97%
Friday (June 13th, 2025)
Friday is the start of my family Vacation. To kickstart the vacation we are driving nearly 11 hours from North Carolina to Miami, FL to get on the MSC World America on Saturday morning. It was going to be a long day of driving. What better way to start vacation than running with friends.
I first floated the idea to the Early Risers about a Friday edition back on Wednesday. I threw out the invite, and for the next 48 hours I didn’t receive any alerts on comments or feedback. Everything else on Facebook seemed to be working without issue, so I figured I was going solon on Friday morning.
Until I checked my initial posting on Thursday night.
There were over 12 comments and people were committing to showing up at 5am! I guess I wasn’t solo for this run.
At 5am I got in the first three miles with Jonathon and then we met up with Maureen, Shelby and Sarah at 5:30am to continue on with the run. I had a shortened timeline and had to turn back early, but still got in more miles than expected before the start of this long road trip down I95.
6.01 miles | Avg Pace: 9’29” | Avg HR: 126 | Best Mile: 8’54” | 73°F at 94%
Saturday (June 14th, 2025)
ZERO DAY! This has only been my 5th ZERO day of 2025. Of the 165 days that has transpired through 2025, I’ve ran on 160 of them.
Sunday / Father’s Day (June 15th, 2025) Day at Sea.
It’s Father’s Day and also our first Day at Sea aboard the MSC World America. I was up early and at the gym when they opened and found an open treadmill. After a few warmup drills I got on the treadmill with hesitation and began my four mile run.
The treadmill view was decent and I was able to watch the sun rise while running nowhere. At opening the gym had only a few people present, but after a short 30 minutes, the gym was packed and all the treadmills were moving along.
5.0 miles | Avg Pace: 9’15” | Avg HR: 126 | Best Mile: 8’26” | MSC World America
On Cruise Ships, the people in the gym on vacation are the same people who go to the gym on a regular basis throughout their lives. I don’t know anyone who goes on vacation to begin working out.