Just got in from the 80 degree weather, and a 7.5 mile run on the track in Mahnomen.  The heat along with black top isn’t a good mix, but at least there was a breeze!
It’s part of the physical training that goes with the territory, whether you like it or not, you just do it.  Lots of water has been consumed today now to rehydrate the body and keep it in check so bad things don’t happen.
There’s been a lot of good things going on lately, with training, with the organization I’m aligned with and also with my line of work.  It’s good, but it keeps you hopping, that’s for sure.
Starting with the training – despite having to mix and match with work schedules, I still manage to get the job done either in the morning or at night to make sure the running log is filled out and the physical training is accomplished.  Along with that, the mental training of reading for at least ten minutes a day has been a stretch, but I make it happen.  If it’s not every day, I add to days where I’m able to read to readjust back on track.  Usually when I start reading, it ends up longer than just ten minutes anyway…at least half hour each time or one chapter per sitting.
About Project New Hope’s good news in the last week – Starting last Sunday, I had the chance to talk during a service at First Lutheran Church here in Mahnomen.  They do a project of the month where they raise funds for a worthy cause.  A member of the church is also a member of the Lions club here in Mahnomen, and he had heard about the good things Project New Hope offers to our war vets and their families.  A lady that is also a runner here, knew that I had aligned myself with Bruce Billington’s organization PNH and wanted to get some more information about it for their church about a month ago.  I gave her some brochures that Bruce had passed along to me for their review.  She called me about three weeks ago to ask if I’d be willing to come in and talk during a Sunday service to explain what I’m doing with my team and talk about Project New Hope.  It was a great success and I had the chance to talk one on one with a few members of the church after the service before I had to hit the road to cover some baseball in Fertile.  To know that the word is spreading about this great organization makes me feel good about aligning myself with them.  Plus when you get to know the director like I’ve gotten to know Bruce, it makes it more fun.  He wants me to come down to the Brainerd lakes area to golf with him sometime this summer so he can give me a lesson or two on how to play.  Or maybe just to have a good time relaxing on the course…I’m not quite sure yet.
Speaking of getting the word out for PNH – the Sportsman’s Channel has a show called Industry TV.  A half hour program that gets millions of viewers, especially hunting fanatics and outdoorsman.  Project New Hope’s setting is outdoors with Camp New Hope near McGregor, MN so it fit the scene well.  I watched one of the segments this past Monday, as it aired four times this past week on that channel.  Bruce did a great job with the interview and the producers did awesome putting the show together, featuring a hunt that was done with several veterans that were able to attend.  They interviewed a lot of guys that were on hand there and let them tell their story about how PNH has helped them.  It was great stuff. 
Lastly, with the line of work, one of the teams we cover for Legion baseball – Ada Post 26, has made it to state in Division II that will start up in Dilworth, MN on Friday, July 30^th.  I had the priviledge of covering the team during the sub-district and district tournaments.  They had four come from behind wins in the district tournament including a 9-1 defecit were they won in the 7^th inning 15-13, and the following night a big win, 20-4!  Congratulations again to Ada American Legion Post 26 on their success and best of luck when we see you in Dilworth at the state tournament!!
So as you can see it’s been a busy time, but it’s been fun.  Keeps you going, literally.  Put on a lot of miles in the last couple weeks with traveling to the games and going other places as well. 
The final thing is, we’re in the works of revamping this website.  It’s going to have a new look very soon!  I’ve seen the first rough draft this weekend and it’s coming together very nice.  Stay up to date with Philco’s Freedom Team and our ventures throughout the region here on www.philcosfreedomteam.net
The next run is August 14^th in Stillater, MN ending in Hudson, WI – labeled the Gopher to Badger Half Marathon.  Then to finish of our 4:13 schedule, in Bismarck, ND during the Kroll’s Bismarck Half Marathon.  Both are new experiences for me personally, so I’m definitely looking forward to them!
That’s all for now, another post coming soon.