My Running Goals

My Running Goals keep growing!

As I previously mentioned, I started this running thing 3 years ago on a whim.  My first goal was to run a 5K within 6 months.

After running my first 5K, I was hooked!  I love the energy of race day.
The nerves race morning.  The anticipation.  The challenge.  The effort.  The OMG what have I gotten myself into.  The Why am I doing this.  The excitement of running to the finish line.  The cheering crowds.  The Awesome feeling of accomplishment when race is completed.  The anticipation of what can I do next.

So now, I have run all distances from 5K up to Marathon.  I have completed 2 Full Marathons within the last 8 months.  I am signed up for 2 more Marathons this year.  I am in week 8 of 16 week training for next marathon.  Already I am asking myself, what can I do next?

Can I possibly run 12 marathons in the coming year?
Can I physically do that?
Can I arrange that with my work schedule?
Can I travel to all those races?

These are the questions I am asking myself now.  Do you have any thoughts on this?

12 miler

Week 7 of 16 week training plan for the Air Force Marathon.
Ran 12 miles today with Annie and Heather.  The mental gremlins were in my head today as we ran.  Around mile 8, I thought maybe I should just run half marathons instead of Fulls.
It would be so much easier.  No Kidding Mark.  13.1 is a hell of a lot easier than 26.2.

Then I settled down and enjoyed the moment of the last couple miles.  I got into the run.  Into the moment.  Enjoyment.  Feel the breathing.  Look at the beauty.  I love running.  Such a mind game.
Felt great at the end.

We are registered for a September and November marathon.  Could I run a marathon in October?
Is that too much.  Am I crazy?  Why would I want to do that?  3 months in a row.  Because I can!!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
Praise God in all things.
I run in God's presence.
I am a part of God.
I praise God while I run.
Praise God.
Thank You.
I love you.

Addicted to running?

Am I addicted to running?
My favorite part of the week is when I do my long run.
This weekend I am running 12 miles.  Annie, Heather and I are training for the Air Force Marathon at Wright Patterson AFB in September. My runs this week have been 4,6 and 4 miles, with 12 on the weekend.
Running is an adventure.  Some days, I am not in the mood until I run a mile or two....then I get into the run.  It has been a beautiful week of weather.  Beautiful blue sky with cotton ball clouds.

Praise the Lord.  I am so grateful to be running.  Thank you.  I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, happy, healthy and I am enjoying abundance.

Everything is better when I run.  Life is so good.  I love you!

1st Flying Pig Full Marathon

This would be my 2nd Full Marathon.  I had completed the Flying Pig half marathon a couple of times.  I was ready to step up to the Full.
I love the Flying Pig.  You can't beat the crowd.
Huge, Noisy, Great signs, Fantastic Energy for 26.2 miles.


Annie and I kept a good consistent pace.  At mile 22 I felt the gas tank empty.
But, I had Annie there to cheer me on.  Constant yelling telling me I can do it.
"C'mon dad.  Under 5 hours.. just run these last 4 miles......"
That made me laugh...... only 4 more miles

When we passed the "Boathouse" with less than a mile to go, I believe it was a true out of body experience.  I could see and hear the crowd.  but, I was in another world.... time stood still... no more pain... pure joy.... We just ran the Full Flying Pig!  Wow, I get goose bumps just writing this...  It is hard to explain the feeling, but this is why I run.... lots of training, but the race finish is just a Wonderful Experience.  Try it.... any distance....

1st Marathon It was Monumental

Well, we did it!

Annie and I ran our 1st Full Marathon on November 2, 2013 at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.  It was a Spectacular Day.  Perfect weather, 41 -50 degrees. 13,000 total runners for the event.  The course was beautiful.  Through downtown, past the Colts stadium out into some awesome neighborhoods.

The homes along Washington Ave were upscale with large yards and huge trees that were in their radiant fall colors.   Couldn't have picked better weather.  Sky was just right, partly cloudy with beautiful blue peeking through.

We trained 20 weeks for the event and it paid off.  After our 2 week taper we were running on fresh legs.  Looking back on the race, it never seemed like a struggle.  We stuck with our game plan to run an 11 minute pace and walk for 1 minute through each water station.

Could we actually run the 26.2 miles in under 5 hours?  As we made the final turn back toward downtown, Annie yelled, "there it is Dad, on 3 miles to go!"  Did I have it in me?  I didn't talk during those last 3 miles.  I just concentrated on each mile getting closer to the goal.

And then, all of a sudden, there it was.... the FINISH LINE. 4 hours and 47 minutes.  I am getting goosebumps just thinking about it right now.  It was way better than I had been envisioning for the last 20 weeks.  Annie and I hugged for a couple of minutes just basking in the joy of accomplishment.  A Marathon.  We are now "Marathoners".





Why Run a Marathon

Can anyone tell me why I want to run a marathon?

I started this running thing 2 and 1/2 years ago...not really as a midlife crisis thing, I just started on a whim and I really enjoy running..... but why do I want to train and actually run 26.2 miles??

I have been contemplating making the commitment for an October marathon this year.
Sitting here staring at an 18 week training program that will get me ready.  Some of the training runs will be 17, 18, 19 and 20 mile excursions.  Why do I want to do this?
Why haven't I signed up and paid my entry fee yet?

What am I afraid of?  The training? No. Fear of failure? Maybe. Just do it Mark!  Lots of people run marathons.  You can do it.  Think of how great it will feel.  Not to impress anyone else.....just to feel the accomplishment....It will Feel so Good.  I will be a "Marathoner".

What is FEAR anyway?
False
Expectations
Appearing
Real

I remember when I lined up at my first 5K starting line.  I felt fear with that.  Fear of looking foolish.  I didn't think I belonged with all of the other runners.  Well look at me now.  Multiple 5Ks, 10Ks, a 15K and 3 Half marathons later.

I do belong!  I am a runner.  This is what I enjoy.  Not sure why, but I enjoy the whole process.  I am going to Feel so Good.

See you at the Finish line in October!!

My 1st Flying Pig Half Marathon

I was relaxed.  Well prepared.  Excited.  Pumped up by the huge crowd.
And off we started.  Annie and I were actually running the Cincinnati 2012 Flying Pig Half Marathon.

I was feeling great.  First 6 miles- smooth- fast pace felt good.

Then around mile 7, I felt my right leg talking to me... I had this conversation with this leg over the last few months of training.  The issue would turn out to be my I T band.

At mile 8, I slowed to a walk.

At mile 9, I had to move stiff legged.  I could not bend my right leg. 4 Miles to go. "WE WILL FINISH" I screamed.  I switched back and forth from running stiff legged and walking stiff legged.  I knew I would finish... no matter how long it took.

Coming down Eggleston Avenue, around mile 12.5, the crowd cheering got louder.  I remembered how I envisioned the final mile every time I did a training run.  Suddenly something kicked in.  I was running again. Running Again! Faster.  The crowd was waving.  I was waving.  Just like I pictured it.  I saw a co worker in the crowd. (He later said I looked good and was running quite well).

Crossing the finishline of my 1st half marathon is hard to describe.  Fantastic.  Mentally life changing. Spiritual.  Awesome.

Annie and I got our medals, snacks and drinks and made our long walk back to the car.  I was tired and sore, but I knew I would be back.  "I am a runner"