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!

Sick of it all...

This is a rant but not about anything out of my control. That is the problem however, everything is in my control. I am sick of not being on track and following my plan. I know its I have the ability to do it. I did great for three months. It has been three months off now and I am having the most incredibly difficult time staying with everything. I can't pick and choose when to follow my plan, I can't do it half time so why I am attempting to go half assed and expect results. Its easy to say that I am on a plateau to get through and it will work out. I have stayed the same with bad eating and half commitment. I would have broken through if I am able to stay on track. No more candy dishes, pizza, ice cream or fast food. I ate like crap today and I payed for it dearly in my 7 miler tonight. Without the details just say that it was a wake up call. I have my next half marathon in exactly 2 months and it is time to buckle down and get with it. No one can do it except for myself and I have 60 days to get it in gear and start doing some work. Time to finally move on.

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