Week 4 : This One Goes to 11

But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God. - Acts 20:24

I was feeling a bit intimidated this week as my longest run yet was looming. Maybe it was the fact that it was double digits, maybe it was just me being a flake. My 6 mile run on Wednesday didn't help anything. I think I just didn't get quite enough sleep and I felt really sluggish and was just glad to finish it. The 3 miler the next day was good though, so that got my confidence back up a smidge.

Then there it was - those two ones put together and mocking me, saying "I know you're scared." Kind of like this:

But then I decided to say, "Forget that! 11 miles can't stop me!" Then this morning I ran 11 miles. And it felt awesome. This is why I have made running a part of my life. It's almost the same feeling as when you hit a baseball right on the sweet spot of the bat. The "runner's high" just seems to last all day.

Week 4 Rundown:

Mon: 3 miles

Tue: 6 miles

Wed: 3 miles

Fri: 11 miles - 1 hr 40 min 37 sec

Total: 23 miles

For all my "11" nervousness, I kept thinking of the above clip. I'm just gonna make my amp go up to 11...

I did adjust my schedule a bit this week as my brother will be in town from Colorado for a visit & wanted to maximize the time. Next week will be back to the Saturday long run. 12 miles can't stop me!

In the meantime, the college football season starts up this week! I will have my "guns up" this weekend cheering on my Red Raiders to victory!

Week 3 : "Stepback Week"

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.
Proverbs 15:17

Week 3 comes late as I have been sucked in to a "Lost" watching party. Hulu just had to put seasons 1-4 up for free... Not sure why I never watched "Lost," but now I want to know what's next. Also, by some wonder of the universe, I actually had an interview with an Architectural firm. Wasn't sure if there would ever be another one hiring. So with the interviewing and tv watching, I am just now posting about last week's running.

Run Breakdown:

Tue: 3 miles
Wed: 5 miles
Thur: 3 miles
Sat: 6 miles

Total: 17 miles

So, it was a pretty easy week and I felt good after all my runs. That's about it. Not much else to let you know about. Thanks for all your support and prayers.

Oh... They run a lot on "Lost" so that counts as "studying running form" right?

Week 2 : Gotta Have More Cowbell

“When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19

Thanks for reading everybody! Just remember I'm running this marathon for more than just me. Children out there need a clean source of water and you can help. :)

This week was a bit nutty. The wifey was busy getting ready for back to school and I was busy making sure the kids were out of her hair. Felt pretty good during my mid-week runs and had planned on getting up early on Saturday to get the 9 miler in. Well, whether it was just me not waking up after I turned the alarm off or just divine intervention, I didn't get up in time. I was kind of bummed, but I had a fun time with the kids on Saturday, and it allowed me to prepare for a date with my wife (haven't had enough of these lately). My training plan allows for me to switch my long run between Saturday or Sunday, so no problem. I ran long on Sunday...

My runs for the week:

Tue: 3 miles

Wed: 5 miles

Thur: 3 miles

Sunday: 9 miles (longest run so far)

20 total miles for the week.

During my 9 miler, I found myself enjoying the first half, but feeling a little tired. Then when my ipod said, "halfway point, 4.5 miles to go," I thought to myself, "If I'm going to have a hard time with 9 miles, how in the world am I going to run a full marathon?" I just kept running. Sometimes that's all you can do. Then a thought then occurred, "Hey, Will Ferrell has run a few marathons. If THAT GUY can run a marathon, I can do it! More Cowbell!" So with my new "mantra" clanging in my head, I finished the 9 miles and I have to say I could have kept going. I can feel it now. I know I will finish. I just need more cowbell...

Week 1 : In the Books

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

So week 1 was a success. I plan on doing a weekly update on my training as though not to bore my (2?) readers with running details. And maybe that way I can come up with some witty anecdotes to include so as to keep those 2 "fans." (thanks bro & sweetie!) Enjoy.

In 4 days of runing, I covered 19 miles. Quick thanks to Mother Nature for providing temps under 80 for my runs this week - hope that becomes a trend. Here's how it shook out:

Tue: 3 mile run

Wed: 5 mile run (at race pace)

Thu: 3 mile run

Sat: 8 mile run

I have to say earlier in the week, I was feeling a little bit unmotivated. Not really sure why - maybe just a little bit nervous about the reality facing me. But this morning was great. Hopped right out of bed & headed out ready to take on 8 miles. For some reason the long runs seem a little more fun than the shorter ones - crazy right? I think it's just the build-up during the week. I tend to equate it with preparing for a football game. You have your Monday through Thursday routine, then rest on Friday for the big "game" on Saturday. There's just something about finishing up that long run and (for me right now) knowing it was the furthest distance I've run at one time. The sense of accomplishment is awesome and my body and soul just feels good post-run.

See ya next week. Oh, and I hope ya like my new cheezy grin pic...

18 Weeks to the ROCK!

It is official and confirmed. I am a registered runner for the 2009 White Rock Marathon. Wait, did I just say I was going to run a marathon? Really? 26.2 miles? Yeah. Holy @#%+.

Weird, I just realized I will be running the 40th anniversary of White Rock and I ran the 40th Anniversary of the Turkey Trot for my 1st real race. Anyhow, training starts next week and I am psyched. In 18 weeks I'll be ready and in 16 weeks I'll hit my high mileage of 20 miles.

ALSO! I didn't want to make this marathon just a personal goal, and wanted to do something more than simply run it. I have signed up to raise money for World Vision. I felt like even though I am unemployed, I can do something to give back.

There are lots of charities out there, so why World Vision? I felt compelled to run for Team World Vision after following elite runners Josh Cox and Ryan Hall on Twitter and watching Ryan run the Boston Marathon. Both of these guys are avid supporters of World Vision and other awesome ventures such as Invisible Children. So I really looked into what I wanted to support and to be able to raise money for clean water for someone who needs it desperately felt right. I know I could have chosen charities closer to home, but I feel I can more easily help with local needs. I can't just skip on over to Africa through jungles, militias, and corrupt governments to give a child a clean glass of water. I hope and pray that the money I raise will be put to good use and maybe one day I actually could go to those that desperately need the help.

So if you would like to sponsor me, it would be great if you could at least do $1 per mile. That is $26.20 - a night at the movies, dinner for 2, or maybe some clean water and a few bed nets. I know times are tough. [ I am "Mr. Mom" these days ] If all you can give is one dollar, that would be great too! Click on the link below to donate online, or I can send a donation form to you if you would like. Thanks everybody!

Yasso 800s

Today I tried the famed "Yasso 800" workout. For those that may not know, it is a speed workout where you run 800 meters, then recover for the same time you ran the 800, then repeat. According to this plan, you can predict your marathon time based on your 800 times. So if you run a 3 min. 30 sec. 800, you should theoretically be able to run a 3 hr. 30 min. marathon. Although - I have read the marathon time is typically 5-7 minutes longer for most that try this plan. Still I think a fairly reasonable predictor.

So I moseyed down to the local track and ran my warmup mile. I felt a bit nervous as I haven't been on a track in very long while. I stretched after my warmup and off I went. I did 4 800's (from what I've read it's a six week program where you start with 4, then add one each week to get up to 10).

Heres my stats:

1st 800: 3:23

2nd 800: 3:53

3rd 800: 3:28

4th 800: 3:27

Average: 3:33

So now I can say I can run a marathon in 3:40 (adding in the 7 minutes for posterity)? Well maybe. At least now I know where I stand. In starting all this I really just wanted to be able finish under 4 hours, so this is definitely encouraging. Well, I REALLY just want to finish, but finishing under 4 hours would be great!

Been Too Long Since the Last Post...

Been a pretty long while since I've posted anything here, so this is going to be a mish-mash of different stuff. 1st of all, last week, the fam and I went to Mississippi to visit family and while we were there, I made sure to get my running in.

WELL, that was an awesome decision let me tell ya. It was really hot and REALLY humid. Hot I can deal with (I do live in Texas), but 75% - 80% humidity in 80 degree temps sucks. All this was between 6-7am! So, I did all my runs:

Mon: 3 miles

Tue: 45 min. tempo

Wed: 5 miles

Thur: 5 X Hill Intervals

And I sweated A-LOT. Had to break down and grab some VitaminWater just to get some extra electrolytes in (usually only drink water on runs less than 1 hour). So, word to the wise, if ya run in Mississippi, be prepared to SWEAT.

In other news, my broke toe is healing nicely. It hasn't hurt for a few weeks now. Although half of my nail fell off and is currently growing back. Looks kind of weird. I won't post any pics though.

AND! I recorded a Personal Record 5K this morning! It felt awesome. I had a 5K "race" on my training plan, so I decided to really try hard even though I was just running against myself. It was tough in this heatwave we've got going on in TX, but I did it! Feels cool to get faster. When I started running, I was averaging a 9:30 to 10:00 mile pace on my fast days. Now I'm usually between 8 & 9 min. miles and today I averaged 7:39! OK, I'll end my rant there - just feels good to work towards a goal and accomplish something.

One last note, check out Just Finish. It's a social site for runners/walkers/cyclists/triathletes. Figured I'd give them a mention since they sent me some free stickers. Now to find a place to stick 'em...

Visit Just Finish!