My first big race!

I am excited to tell everyone that I ran the G'town half marathon this past Sunday! I can't begin to tell you how sore I am. I think I pushed it a little too hard. This race was unbelievable. The weather was perfect for running and I had a big support group come out to watch and cheer me on. Now I realize how important it is to have people you know at races to help you along the way. These cheers gave me a burst of energy everytime I heard them! The ironic thing is that my wife was late! I told her that my goal was 2 hrs and so when I crossed the finish line at 1:52, she wasn't there yet. Oh well, that is Michelle for ya. I want to say thank you to Hal, JP, Anne Marie, the Snake, my Dad and Mom, and the Squatting Bear for supporting me during the race! Patrick, I can't believe you asked me you run the trails with you about 5 months ago for the first time and on Sunday I ran 13 miles! You have created a monster.
I started off very nervous and it helped tremendously to see Anne Marie and Patrick before the race! I was so nervous that I had to take a slam just before the race for the 2nd time! The line was so long, I didn't think I was going to make it. People moved quick and I got in and out quick enough to get to the starting line. I would have liked to stretch more but oh well. For the first two miles, I didn't feel all that great. My muscle to the left of my shin bone on my left leg was throbbing for some reason. Luckily, it went away at about mile 3. I found a girl that was going along at a good pace and stayed behind her for 4 miles until she got a cramp and had to pull to the side. This is never good to see in a race, it makes your mind start getting negative thoughts. Luckily, three guys from the Thunder racing team ran up at a good pace so I stayed with them for the next 4 miles. The next thing I knew, I was at mile 7 and needed a boost. Perfect timing. Anne Marie, Patrick, and the Snake were across the street yelling for me and I turned it on from then on. My last 2 miles were scarry because my left calf was starting to twinge and I was worried that I might cramp up. Then I saw my parents and knew that a little cramp couldn't stop me. I got that out of my head and turned the Ipod up and finished strong to the awaiting group of friends. I even blew kisses to the crowd to put the icing on the cake. Awesome race, awesome day!
I am also very excited to announce that my running buddies, Poole and Drew, finished the race in 1:38 and 1:33 respectively. I could be off a little on their times but I think that is what they told me. Do something!

See you all on the trails!

Running on the beach

Last weekend I was able to spend some time with a good friend that moved to Jacksonville about 4 years ago. I had a great time and was able to get some miles in on the beach on Saturday and Sunday. Both days I ran about 6 miles and it was great. The sand there is packed down because of the tide coming in and out so often. The wind was blowing and it was about 75 degrees. The ipod was stuck on Jack Johnson and Coldplay which made the experience even better. My running mates are planning for the 50 miler this weekend so I can't wait until they all finish! Even if they don't, I think it is unbelivable that they have made it that far in the sport. Unfortunately, I have been out of town the past 7 days and so I can't go with them for support but I'm sure we can party when they get back! Later

A reason for running

Well this weekend was full of surprises but one may change my life forever. First of all, a bunch of my buddies went to the Sylamore 50K and represented us very well. Even my buddies dad who is in his 60's finished at a very strong 8:26. If I can do half that when I am his age I will be ecstatic. The big thing that happened was that during a run with a "newby" at Shelby Farms, we started talking and I stumbled upon a very sensitive subject in his life. He ended up telling me about his past and how he struggled with this "something" that I never new about. He told me that his only way to beat this "problem" was to run. I can't go into detail because he asked me to keep it quiet but I can tell you that I have a new respect for the sport. Running has actually saved this guys life and I never even had a clue! I know this is all very vague to you but just trust me. It was an amazing story of survival and "replacement for addictions".
As far as my training goes, I am feeling very strong and had another great long run this weekend and I think I will increase my mileage this week.
One more congrats to the finishers of the Sylamore 50k and 25k this weekend! Later

Training PR!!

Well, in my circle of running friends, this is not a big deal but I have to brag on myself. Yesterday afternoon I ran 13 miles in 2hrs 9 seconds and broke my personal best of 10 miles. The weather was absolutely perfect with it being about 60 degrees and windy. I rant the yellow trail at Shelby farms (there and back) and then ran around the Ag center for about 20 minutes to finish. I can honestly say that I felt very strong the majority of the time except that last 15 minutes and at that point my hips started getting tight. I now feel comfortable that I will finish strong at the Gtown half marathon. Hello Ultra, I see you in my future.
Any suggestion on how I should start training to get ready for an ultra in 2 months?

Back on the Saddle

Finally, I feel normal again. I was able to start lifting and running again this week and it feels great. After a sluggish, but effective workout on Tuesday, I was charged up for my conditioning day on Wednesday and hit the pavement with my Brooks on. I pulled of an 8 banger and now am back to the old Dirty D.
It seems as if when I don't run for a while that I get all these thoughts built up and start to worry more about everything but when I do get to run, especially alone, I get to put all these issues in perspective to the grand scheme of life and then they don't seem so important anymore. I think this is why running is so therapeutic, because we have time to shut the hell up and be quiet long enough for God to give us some answers.
Happy trails.

Taking a sick leave

Well, I forgot how bad it feels to be sick and not be able to excersize. It sucks! I feel like I have no energy. I got sick about 5 days ago and am on the back end of this flu shit. I think today I am going to have to make myself do something or else I am going to shrivel away to nothing. I haven't ran since last Monday. The bad thing is, I think it was my best training run that I have ever had. Now it is pouring rain outside which makes me think the trails may be a little too sloppy to take on tonight, not to mention that it is going to be 29 degrees. I guess the treadmill never hurt anybody. I've got to admit, I love Memphis and all but there are some days, especially in the winter, in which I would give my left nut to live somewhere else. I just got back from Ft. Lauderdale Florida where the sun was always out and it was 75 degrees everyday. If my family and freinds weren't here in Memphis I would be gone in a heartbeat. Enough of the negativity, I'm going to read some of your blogs to get motivated again. Later!

I Can't Stop Once I've Started - It Stings

Well, hello everyone reading. This is my first blog! I was totally enchrinched in reading all my buddies blogs about their running adventures and since I have become addicted to this style of living with trail shoes on, I decided to join in. I am always looking for advise about fitness and or anything for that matter so I invite anyone who is willing to help me with my first year of training for .... ultra's! I have been an athlete my whole life so running is not new to me but running long distances is new. I played baseball all the way through college and so most of my running consisted of sprints until recently. I love lifting weights and staying healthy, although like most everyone, I had my years of taking it easy after college. I have a freind named Patrick, a.k.a. squatting bear, who kept telling me how cool it was to run the trails at Shelby Farms. Little did I know that once I finally took him up on an invite and started, I could not stop. Running the trails may be the most surreal, spiritual, and comforting time that I have ever spent. So far, I have run in one measely race, the 4 mile Turkey Trot in November. I finished with a respectable 8 1/2 minute mile pace and realized how fun the race day adrenaline can be. Since then, I have been running every week and am up to about 25 -30 miles a week, including 4 - two mile sessions a week to get warmed up before lifting weights. My next big race is the G'town half marathon and I can't wait. Needless to say, I am still a baby in the running world but I can't begin to tell you how much it has changed the way I live day to day. I can't wait for more adventures to come! Enjoy yourself this week and make sure you sweat at least once a day!