Victory Junction Gang Half-Marathon

The Victory Junction Gang Half-Marathon this morning. This morning was the worst weather that I have ever ran in when no one was forcing me (USMC). Nearly a 1,000 people there running either the half or 5 miler (this was the one for Jennifer). It rained the entire time and the temps were in the 30's. It was rough weather and this is also a very hilly course.
I did think about not going but I felt like I needed to make some type of sacrifice for the kids that attend the camp. Jennifer asked several times before leaving if I really wanted to go. After it was all over Jennifer was happy she ran and felt great. I on the other had felt OK. I had some issues but ran OK. During the run I gave my jacket to a girl that was not prepared for the weather and was way too cold, so at the end on the race I was wet to the bone and getting really cold. I sat down and started to eat a bowl of chili. I got cold, colder, and even colder. I was shivering and shaking like crazy. I was ready to go. We quickly got on bus to take us back to the car. I will remember to take a drop bag with some warm clothes.
Once we got back to the car everything was fine. I changed clothes and cranked up the heat. We stopped at the mall on the way home and did the rest of out Christmas shopping. I think we are finished. We got back home and only had a couple of hours before we were off again. Jennifer dropped me off at school for the play and went to pick-up Elizabeth. A couple of hours of the play and Jennifer picked me up and we all came home.
Everyone else is in the bed and I will be soon. It has been a busy day and I would like to Thank God for great one. We missed church this morning but I prayed several times while I was running and a few times while Jennifer was driving this evening. Dear God Thank You for all of your blessing upon me.

Half Marathon Race in Wilkes

Ran a first time event in Wilkes this morning. They had a larger number of people show up than expected. The start was delayed for about 40 minutes but everything went fine after the start. We ran the length of the green way and back for the half marathon. I ran the first 7 miles with an army officer that I just started talking with as we ran. He definitely helped my pace. He eventually finished 5 minutes ahead of me. He got faster and I got slower.
I ran 1:44 which was a minute under my target time. Overall great event and the money raised went to a Christian Organization that helps feed the hungry.
We dropped off Elizabeth before the race @ Mom and Pa's, she is spending the night tonight. They are going to see the Wizard of Oz tomorrow.

Watched App State beat Elon earlier today and now watching Carolina vs Miami.

Tomorrow I have 8 miles on the schedule.

Back to the Training

After a week off from training I am back at it. It was a light week just a couple of days. Two goods days this weekend with 8 miles each day. Looking to get really serious and take on a 50k in January. I am looking at the year and trying to plan when I will take on my first 50 miler.
Next weekend I will be running a half marathon in Wilkesboro which should be fun. The family will not have far to go to see me run. Jennifer will be running the 5k race at the same location.

This week will be different with having a day off in the middle, Veterans Day. Will be trying to get in a mid week long run. Also need to buy some new shoes so I hope to get that accomplished as well.

Post Marine Corps Marathon

It is 4 days after the Marine Corps Marathon my second marathon. I ran a PR of 3:28:45, not bad. About half way I thought I may have a shot a BQing but a few more miles and I came back to reality. All of my soreness is gone now and today is my final day off. I start running again in the morning.

The marathon experience was great again. We all had a good time during the couple of days in DC. Race morning was unique for sure. I meet up with a Joe Bullis a friend from my home town. We talked before the start and actually started the race together. This was his first marathon and his goal was 5 hours (which he achieved) and my pace was a little faster so he let me go after the first two steps.

I had a very good run. My training was right on pace and I relieve what I need to do for my next marathon; more long runs at a faster pace. I think I may need to do some 5k races to work on speed as well.

Overall great weekend. Looking to do longer distance races/runs next year. Not planning on running the MCM next year the race is on Halloween. Need to be at home for Elizabeth that weekend.

Tired / Excited

Well I am feeling tired and excited at the same time but some of the excitement has escaped me after I saw the weather forecast for race day. I looks like it might rain. Last year it looked like the same but on rained the day before and was nice race day. I am hoping for good weather. Running in the rain will take away some of the fun.
The tired thing is just that I have been really busy with something alomost every night for that past three weeks. I just need to get some extra sleep and the taper part will get me ready.

Taper Time

10 days out from the Marine Corps Marathon and I am full swing taper. This year has been very different than last. I rode my bike a lot more this summer and did not get into the full swing of running until August. The months of September and October have been very good. I have not missed a training run over the last several weeks. I am hoping to run a 3:30 or better, that may be tough. Jennifer and I are running a 5k this Saturday. The race starts at 7pm so it should be a fun event.

Last Week of Summer

This week is the end of the summer for teachers. Monday teachers start workdays and a week from Tuesday (August 25) students return. We have had busy summer at school with the demolition of a building and contractors every where getting ready to build another building.

I have had a good summer of training. The first part of the summer I focused on the bike and for the last several weeks I have been running all the time. I did get together with a few friends last Saturday and ride 42 miles. We are suppose to ride again next Saturday and everyone wants to make our rides a regular thing.

My feet are really feeling a rough week on the road. I ran several times in the extreme heat and sweat caused several blisters on my left foot. I am going to have to get some better socks. This past week I ran 49 miles which I believe is a record high for me. I will nee to exceed this mark several times before the MCM, if I want to run a 3:30 or below. It will be tougher with school starting but I will just have push myself

Good Week

This has been a good week so far. I have hit all of my target distances so far. My diet has gone fairly well (have cheated some). Still have not seen a great deal of weight loss but hopefully it will happen. A 16 miler is on the schedule for the weekend and the weather is suppose to mild.

School is only about a week away. Teachers come back on Monday. I ma looking forward to a good year and being positive about everything possible.

Training for MCM gets Serious

Rode in the 24 Hours of Booty on June 24-25. I raised over 400 dollars to fight cancer. Rode over 222 miles and my butt was killing me. I will have some better shorts before next year and my Goal will be 300 miles.

My training for the Marine Corps Marathon picks up big time now. I had low mileage in July put I did ride the bike a lot. I ran 8 miles this morning. I did not have to go to school because we are still working 4 10 hour days. These Friday's off have spoiled me. It would be great to have this schedule year round. Next week I will attempt to start the early morning runs.

Tomorrow I riding a with a few friends hoping to get in 50 miles but we will see. Sunday will be my long run of the week. Looking get in 14 miles. It will be tough because I will have to run after church which means I will be running in the heat. It is forecast to be 95 or above on Sunday.
It will be my mental toughness test. When I start feeling bad I need to think about miles 21 thru 24. If I can pick-up the pace their I can make the 3:30 mark.

I am going to making a much better attempt to keep my blog up to date.

Elizabeth is spending the weekend with Mom and Pa. Maybe Jennifer and I can go the movies.

New Challenge

I have been lazy and failed to post anything. I have also been lazy with my training. This is really scary since I am doing a half-marathon this weekend and I have decided to try and ride my bike for 24 hours. Crazy is right. I want to raise some money for cancer research and test my limits. My goal is 300 miles. The event is the 24 Hours of Booty July 24 -25.
Check out the below page.

http://www.24hoursofbooty.org/site/TR/Bike/General?px=1105981&pg=personal&fr_id=1060&et=OBBgB-Xg0ZONnbgBXPgmbw..&s_tafId=4401

Training Run 3/10/09

I woke up this morning a little before 3:30am. I was not suppose to get up until 4 but I got started anyway. I ran 5 mile on the treadmill and feel really good. After getting ready I read a chapter of the book; Training for Endurance by Dr. Phillip Maffetone. I just started reading the book but the focus seems to be on training in relation to heart rate. Time to go and get my daughter ready for pre-school. Stay Motivated.

First Post

This my attempt to stay motivated and make my training public. I hope to meet some other endurance athletes that will share their thoughts and experiences.