Cellcom Green Bay Marathon

Well, marathon #2 is complete! The weather was in the low 50's and sunny! It could not have been better! The run started outside of Lambeau Field at 7:30 am. The first half of the course was through several neighborhoods in Green Bay. At the half way point the 4000 runners veered to the 13.1 finish and 1800 of us continued on to the 2nd half of the course. The 2nd half was along the Fox River. There was fairly decent crowd support throughout the whole marathon. The wall party at mile 20 was quite impressive with a giant inflatable wall and people that cheered several deep. I felt really good until mile 22 and all of a sudden locked up. The next 4 miles I was reduced to a hobble and a walk. The last half mile wrapped through Lambeau Field. Upon leaving Lambeau I noticed the finish line at the horizon and sprinted through the rest of the way. I finished with a time of 4:33:05. Although it was slower than I had hoped, I kept repeated the Pre mantra which held true, "I don't run to see who is the fastest, I run to see who has the most guts." Although I was no where near the fastest, I pushed myself beyond my perceived abilities which is what the marathon is all about!

Cellcom Green Bay Marathon

Six months ago I said I would never run another marathon again. Well, I signed up for the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon on May 17, 2009. I am currently working on my base mileage and hoping to get up to 20 miles a week before the training begins in February. Goal is to lose 15 lbs before the marathon so back to the diet I come!

Bear Water 10 mile and Twin Cities Marathon 10 mile

Its been awhile since posting. Fixing up our new foreclosed house, getting married in a week, and a low desire to run over the past months have kept me away from the board lately! First race was the Bear Water 10 mile a few weeks back. The race went pretty well considering it was my first race since the marathon. My goal was 1:25:00 but due to a tight field the first 2 miles it was hard to get into my pace.

Twin Cities 10 mile was yesterday and it went very well. I ran with my brother for the 6 miles until pulling forward. The final mile I dipped into the 7 minute mile range for the first time ever and took full advantage of the hill in the last half mile and posted a sub-7 minute mile! By no means that will be the norm but it was awesome to see my watch at that level. I am looking for more races so stay tuned!

Grandma's Marathon Weekend!

Well with all the work and anticipation Grandma's Marathon has come and gone! We stayed in a cabin about an hour north of Duluth and took in many of the state parks and sights on the day before. I would have loved to do more hiking but I wanted to stay fresh for the morning.

On Saturday I was up around 4:45 to get ready for the drive into Two Harbors, MN to make it to the bus in time. The buses transported everyone to a scenic stretch of highway on the coast of Lake Superior. Festivities started around 7:15 when the held a moment of silence for Wesley Ngetich who was a two-time Grandma's Marathon winner that was killed several months ago in his home country. After the moment of silence there was the national anthem and a flyover by 2 F-16 fighter jets.

I lined up near the 4:15 pace team and wanted to stick with them until the finish. The first 10k flew by at a 1:00:06 which was on pace with the group. Despite the race course being on the coast in an isolated area there were people up and down the highway. I even saw comedian and senate hopeful Al Frankin along the way cheering on the crowd! I hit the 13.1 mark with a time of 2:07:43 and was able to stick with the group. Around mile 19 the scenic highway opened up to packed Duluth streets with people cheering on both sides. Its also the time that I hit the wall.

I hit the 20 mile mark at 3:17:41 and at this point I was hurting. I started cramping in my quads about every half mile and I would be reduced to a walk/ slow hobble for about 1/10 of a mile before the cramps subsided. I pushed through the last 6.2 miles with cramps through the legs. I lost the pace group at this point but I was more concerned with just pushing and getting through. As I hit the 25 mile mark at 4:14:08 I knew I could finish. I kept pushing and as I turned the corner and saw the finish line a quarter mile away all pain disappeared and I ran. I don't know how fast I ran but I moved and pushed. I finally crossed at 4:27:22! It was a little slower then I hoped but I knew I gave it my all and left all I had on the race course!

Fulfilling a lifetime dream was an amazing experience and I am grateful that I had so many family members there to celebrate it! As of now I will be taking a week off and letting the legs heal. I have to walk down the stairs backwards until the quads improve! Time to figure out what race is next on the calender!

Coming down the final stretch in the last 100 yards! (White shirt, Dark Blue Shorts)

Post Race Celebration!

Northern Lakes 30k and 3 Weeks to Go!

It was quite the exciting week in my little world of running. I hit my first 100 mile month and ended up with 120 miles during May! Its exciting that I have been running this much and do not have any major injuries. The IT band is slightly more sore than it has been but I am not too worried since the taper began after the race today. I have a 12 mile, 8 mile and then the marathon.

Today was my longest race yet. It was the Northern Lakes 30k (18.6 miles) in White Bear Lake. The weather was absolutely beautiful and was around 65 degrees and sunny. The race was mostly on the roads without trees so needless to say it got quite warm. I was shooting for around 3 hours which would have been under a 10 minute/mile. The flew during the first 15 miles and hung just under a 9 minute pace and then the heat and direct sun took its toll and I slowed down the last 3 miles. I finished at 2:53:16 well under the 3 hour mark! Right now I am contemplating running a half marathon next week as part of the taper but that is yet to be seen. So far so good and I hit the 400 mile mark on the year which is half way to the goal! Stay tuned pictures to come!

I was never happier to be done with a run then I was in this picture!

Earth Day Half Marathon

Well, I had the first half marathon of the year! It was my firs time running the Earth Day Half Marathon in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The weather was supposed to be around 60 degrees and sunny. Instead it was cloudy and in the high 40's. Once again, I ran with Mike on route to the Grandma's Marathon. The field was around 2000 people and I ended up in the middle of the mix. Made it through the race injury-free and pulled in at just under 2 hours. I was somewhat disappointed with the time but I did finish in 1:58:19.

I am still experimenting with Chi Running. The principles make sense and the exercises feel pretty good but I am still having trouble putting it all together. There is no rush but the sooner the better!

As of now, next race will be at the end of May! Stay tuned!

Irish for a Day 10 Mile & Training updates!

I figured it was time for an update! I am two months into marathon training for Grandma's in Duluth, MN on June 21! I started off following the Marathoning for Mortals program and switched a few weeks ago to the Runner's World program. Right now the long run is 12 miles and I have been relatively pain free. I feel the IT band acting up at times but I have spent more time stretching and running safe. I have started following Chi Running principles to address poor technique which I think was causing pain. So far, it seems to be helping!

With the nice weather, race season has officially started! On March 15, 2008, with the Irish for a Day 10 mile. Mike and I ran the race as a training race to break up the monotony of weekly long runs. The temperature was cold and the road around Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun were glazed over with ice. The race went well but it was much slower than expected because of the road. The next race is the Earth Day Half Marathon on April 19 in St. Cloud.

Celebrating after the race!

It looks just a little cold in that picture!

St. Jude's Half Marathon (Memphis)

Well, I am currently sitting in a hotel room in Memphis across the street from Graceland fighting off periods of cramping and fatigue. Is it worth it? I couldn't be happier! Jessie and I came to Memphis on Tuesday to spend some time with her dad (whom was convinced to train for and run his first 5k this weekend) and our future chihuahua puppies. Had a great few days in Memphis and was looking forward to the 13.1 miles that were waiting for me today.

We woke up at 5:45 to get Jessie to the walking 5k (I think she is starting to buy into running...YAY!!)! The 5k went very well for her and she made it in time to earn her first medal!

Checkout the hardware we all got!!

The temperature at the start of the race was 45 degrees and sunny. It was interesting that the entire 13 miles was also run with the marathon field so there were a TON of people at the starting line. I started with the 8:30-8:59 per mile coral group and set a goal between 1:50 and 1:55.

The race started well and it took us around the Lorraine Motel (where MLK was killed), down by the Mississippi and up to Beale Street. Beale Street was an amazing experience. There were people 5 deep on both sides of the street and music blaring from all directions! I kept pushing and felt awesome around mile 4 but took the energy shot as planned. The next 4 miles were there a nice victorian area and through a large memphis park. I was lagging around mile 8 and had my slowest mile of 8:50. Took another gel shot and figured I am going to push through. Miles 9, 10 and 11 flew by with the small rolling hills of the Mississippi valley. At mile 11 I kicked it up a notch and posted an 8:13 mile and split from the marathoners at Sun Studios (where Johnny Cash and Elvis recorded their first cds). I could see Autozone Park in the distance and new the finish line was close. I kicked it up another notch and ran the last mile at 8:10.

Crossing the finish line for a new PR!

Upon entering the outfield of Autozone Park (AAA Baseball Park), I sprinted down the foul line of first pace and heard a butchered version of my name over the PA system. I crossed the finish line at an time of 1:53:57! I beat my last half time by exactly 6 minutes! After crossing the chute I got draped with foil (keep in body heat) and had an awesome volunteer put the medal around my neck. They had, by far, the best post run food. There were soups, pizza and yes they had beer and after 13 miles it tasted awesome!

Still feeling a little tight but a lot better then the last half! Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone!

Couldn't have gone any better! Great race and no pain!

Freedom 10 mile and a shattered PR!!!

I haven't been posting on here like I have wanted to lately. Life happens right? Well, right now I am training for the St. Jude's Half Marathon with a goal of 1:55 for my time. My long runs are up to 10 miles right now so when I noticed the Freedom 10 mile in White Bear Lake today I jumped on the chance.

This is actually the same course as Bear Water Run and I ran it in 1:33:40 in 2006 and 1:31:50 in 2007. Slight increase in times over a year. Progress is always good. The weather was beautiful today. At the start of the race the temperature was around 45 and crept up to 50 by the end of the run. My goal today was to run the race at the half marathon pace which was just under 9 min/mile. I felt good and paced myself with others around me and tried to keep up with them.

The first five miles were run in 42 minutes and I was flying until my energy reserves were gone. I slowed from there and kept pushing. I tried my first gel shot today around mile 7 and believe that it actually helped. I kept trudging on at a pretty decent pace and as I neared the finished line began to realize that I would do more then set a new PR...I would shatter my PR! I sprinted through the end and finished at a time of 1:25:57! I beat my old time 5 min and 53 seconds! It was by far the fastest, hardest, and most testing run I have ever done.

I have no idea how I gained almost 6 minutes on my time in the last two months but I am amazed I did! I have dropped 6lbs since the last race in September and have run quite regularly in preparation for the half. This is definitely going down as my best run yet! I can't wait for
Memphis!

Jessie and I at the finish line of the race!!

Post race pics with the parents!

Bear Water Run September 15, 2007!

Well here is the run down for the Bear Water Run 10 mile! This race was important to me because last year it was the first race I have ever ran in. Some sort of a milestone for me. I did not adequotely train for this one like I have in the past but I pushed myself because it was very important.

The race was at 8:00 AM today and the temperature to start was 38 degrees and sunny! Very chilly. I ran into some people I knew before the race so it was nice to see some friendly faces. My goals were to run and complete it and run it injury free. I managed to meet both those goals! The first two miles were a breeze and I enjoyed warming up with them. The first water stop was the Special Olympic folks which was special because of the encouragement that they provide. The next two miles were not too bad either. A lot more hilly then I remember but I pushed through nonetheless. Mile 4 water stop was met by the White Bear Lake Dance Team which by far was the loudest and happiest stop along the way. I finished the first 5 miles in 45:52 which was quite a bit ahead of the 10 minute mile pace I was planning on doing.

Water stop at mile 6 was the organisers of the event. At this point I was still doing ok but starting to question my stamina. I hadn't run more then 8 miles in the last 3 months. It was very scenic along the way with the trees just starting to turn. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was probably in the mid 40s at that point. Mile 8 approached and at this point I knew I had it. The stop was 70's themed which was a little odd. Right after I could see the finish on the beach a few miles ahead. My watch was a little spotty but I was running a 8:45 pace the last 2 miles. The last 100 yards was great I had a last bit of energy and blew threw the end of it! I finished with a time of 1:31:50 which is almost 3 minutes faster then last year!

This was the first race I didn't have people there at the end so in a sense I ran it for myself and was encouraged that pushed as hard as I did to prove something to myself! I wrapped up my first year of running with 5 5k races, 2 10 mile races and a half marathon! Training for my next half will start next week! Memphis here I come!!!

Derian's Dash 5k and I'm glad to be back!!!

Hey everyone! I just looked back and realized that it has been awhile since I posted and plan on posting a lot more. I am back and rededicated. The diet has slipped a tad without a structured running program but I just completed Derian's Dash 5k and have signed up for the Bear Water Run 10 mile this weekend!

Derian's Dash went well! I actually ran a lot faster then I had planned. Chalk it up to anxiety and excitement but I was shooting for a 9:30 pace and finished in more like a 8:15 pace. Best of all I held up very well physically and signed up for the 10 mile run that started my running career last year. No more reasons to overeat and stray from the diet. I am back on track and ready to go! Check back this weekend and I will have race updates then!

Dan

Heart of the City Half Marathon! PR!

Today was the long awaited Hear of the City Half Marathon. It was my first half and my farthest run I have attempted. My main goal was to finish and my secondary goal was to finish under 2 hours. The morning was very nice with a temperature of 70 degrees and completely sunny! Probably the best run conditions I have been in. The race started at 7:30 am at Nicollet Commons in Burnsville and wound down to the banks of the Minnesota River.

The first six miles were great and I ran with a fellow runner up to that point. I pulled away from him and at that point I was running at a 8:50 pace. I needed a 9:10 pace throughout the race to reach my two hour goal. Miles 6-8 were a little slower and was on a fairly flat part of Black Dog Road by Black Dog Power Plant. Mile 8 was the turn around point and by then I was feeling it in my right knee. I kept pushing on though and realized how incredibly lucky I am to be able to do what I was doing. Although I put in a lot of training leading up to the race, I have been blessed with the health and the ability to run which is something a lot of people cannot do.

Up to this point the farthest I have run has been 11 miles and at that point I was ready to be done. I picked up pain on the outside of my right knee and it burned. Bad. So bad that at about Mile 12 I thought about throwing in the towel. My time was starting to slip and I was hobbling pretty bad. I decided to keep pushing and run through the pain. The last quarter mile was amazing! There were tons of people cheering including my fiancee and parents. I pushed harder then I have ever gone that last quarter and finished with a time of.....1:59:57!!! I made my goal by 3 seconds! Little closer then I was comfortable with but I did it! Now I am sitting here with outside knee pain (ITBS coming on???), sore shins and a hurting hip! Rough shape but I would do it all over again! Next up is hopefully a massge and a week off from running to get healthy for the start of the Twin Cities Marathon training!

Pushing the last quarter mile!!!

Pictures with the parents and my medal!!!

Jessie and I at the finish line. Can you tell it was bright? :)

Thanks for the support and encouragement everyone! It means a lot!!!

Melpomene 5k (New PR)

Well I just got back from the Melpomene 5k race in St. Paul along River Road and the banks of the Mississippi. This was a men's only race and the weather was fairly cool and cloudy. My goal for the race was to finish in under 26 minutes. I started in the front of the pack for the first quarter mile until I glanced down and realized I was running at a 6:20 pace which I knew I would never keep up with. I passed a drumline band about half a mile in so the music was an interesting addition. I started to get into the rhythem and ran the first mile in 7:50 and my second mile came clocked at 16:00.

I felt good throughout the race and was somewhere in the middle of the pack. When I got near the end I noticed the clock at 24:50. I knew I had my goal beat but went into a dead sprint and finished at the 25:05 mark which ended up being a 7:57 pace! Set a new PR by over 7 minutes and feel pretty good right now (minus the ice on my shins and knees!) The winner managed to run the race in 14:55 which was ohhh......10 minutes faster than me! I saw him after though and he did not look like he was in good shape! Good times and no more races until my half marathon on June 2nd!

Thanks for everyone you came out to support me and cheer me on it was very much appreciated! Its always nice having people there as you cross the finish line!